Seven CB Radio Tips

Tv and radio are just like the original world wide web, and CB radio is the same as web 2.0 in which all of us are allowed to reply and socialize. Citizens band Radio has multiplied throughout the entire world and has even fought off the developments of brand new technologies.

1. Licensing. Unlike other parts of the world, US CB Radio users no longer need a license. CB Radio is regulated by the FCC inside the USA and you are required to have a copy of the applicable rules. CB in the USA uses AM radio. In the UK and Europe most CB radios use FM.

2. ‘Rig’ setups.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. In the US it is commonplace to have a ‘handle’.

4. CB Channels. CB Radio useres currently have 40 standard channels in the US. Channel 9 is regulated to be the emergency channel, it is reccomended to avoid channel 8 and 10 to allow channel 9 to come through loud and clear.

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 annioying static has dissapeared and then leave the dial there. You should be able to hear someone trying to break through.

6. Long Distance. CB radio is intended to be a short range communications tool only. Depending on atmospheric conditions you can “shoot skip” for hundreds if not thousands of miles. If you do chat with someone far way, beware. It is agains US law to communicate over 150 miles on a CB radio.

7. Cb radios can be useful in lots of situations, not just when travelling or communicating from a vehicle to a 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.