subject: Things You May Want To Know About Cb Radio [print this page] Unlike Television or broadcast radio waves, with a cb radio we can talk back. CB radio is a short range communication method which is used in most parts of the world and while you might imagine that cb would have been wiped out by the invention of the cellphone, the opposite appears to be the case.
1. Licensing. Unlike other parts of the world, US cb radio users no longer need a license. Inside the US cb radio is regulated by the FCC. CB in the USA uses AM radio. The European cb radio operates on FM frequencies.
2. Choice of 'rigs'. CB radios come in three types of configurations. These are cb base station ,mobile in-vehicle units and handheld cb radios. Handheld cb radio units can be very useful, but usually have more limited range than in-vehicle or base station radios, this is partly because they are lower power, and partly because they have much shorter antennae.
3. Handles. There are no official call signs in the USA, though there are in other countries such as the UK. US cb users are identified by self-designated 'handles'.
4. CB Radio Channels. CB useres currently have 40 standard channels in the US. Channel 9 must always be kept for emergencies and the recommendation is to keep channels on either side free so any trafiic on channel nine can be heard clearly.
5. Squelch. The squelch dial on your radio is designed to get rid of all the irritating beeps, squeaks and static. Turn the squelch down until most of the annoying static has disapeared and then leave the dial there. You should be able to hear any station trying to break through.
6. Long Distance. CB radio communication is only consistent over relatively short ranges. Depending on atmospheric conditions you can "shoot skip" for hundreds if not thousands of miles. If you are chatting with someone far away be careful. Current US law prohibits communicating via cb radio from a range of over 150 miles.
7. CB radios have other uses besides communicating from a vehicle to your home base. You can setup a base station to run on alternative sources of power so that you can maintain a vital source of communications during times of need.
Though not as popular as it was at its height, cb is regaining popularity; no matter how advanced your cellphone is, it still can't connect you with the car in front unless you know its number. The beauty of cb radio is it allows communication even in isolated areas to break up the monotony.
