In a radio context, the term “CBR” stands for Citizen's Band Radio (See Reference 1). CBR is a radio service that allows individuals to hold public, two-way conversations. It is licensed by law in the United States and some other countries, meaning that users do not need to hold a radio license in order to broadcast on CB frequencies (See Reference 2). As such, it is sometimes used by businesses that require a simple and inexpensive method of radio communication.

History

CB radio was conceived in the mid-1940s (See Reference 1), when the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) set aside some of its available frequencies for public use. Of these bands, one in particular became of interest to hobbyists thanks to its low frequency and modest range. The 27 MHz band became known as the Citizen's Band. However, it was not until the late 1960s that CB saw widespread acceptance, as the development of solid-state radio hardware meant that users did not need to own expensive and fragile valve-based systems to broadcast.

Frequencies

As of 2013, the CB service is comprised of 40 separate radio channels. (See Reference 1) Each of these channels is 10 KHz wide. The channel with the lowest frequency is known as channel one, which broadcasts at 26.965 MHz (See Reference 3). The highest frequency is 27.405 MHz, which is used by channel 40. However, channel nine (27.065 MHz) should only be used for emergencies or traveller assistance, according to FCC guidelines. In total, CB radio users can expect a range of around one to five miles.

Regulations

The FCC has not required CB users to hold an individual radio license since 1983. (See Reference 2) Users are allowed to operate CB devices for both personal and business uses and regardless of age, as long as they are not representatives of a foreign government. However, the devices used to operate CB radio must be FCC-certified, and users are not allowed to increase the power output of their radio equipment. Furthermore, users may not talk to another station for more than five continuous minutes.

Uses

CB radio reached its peak popularity in the 1970s. Since then, improvements in telephony technology and the rise of the cell phone have made it a less attractive option in many personal and business use cases. (See Reference 1) However, it is still used by truck drivers and cab companies, as it provides an efficient way of broadcasting to many moving stations quickly. It is also suited to emergency or disaster situations, as it does not require an external infrastructure (such as a cell network) to transmit or receive.

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