CITIZENS BAND (CB) RADIO.
WHAT IS CB RADIO?
Citizens band radio (CB radio) allows short distance radio communication on HF and UHF bands.
A HISTORY OF CB RADIO.
CB radio originated in the United States of America in 1945, allowing people a radio band for personal communication, e.g. radio controlled model airplanes and family and business communications).
Early CB radios were designed for operation in the UHF band 460-470 MHz.
In the late 1940s' Al Gross established the Citizens Radio Corporation and sold over 100,000 handheld units, predominantly to farmers and the United States Coast Guard. (marks, 2020)
Early CB radios were designed for operation in the UHF band 460-470 MHz.
In the late 1940s' Al Gross established the Citizens Radio Corporation and sold over 100,000 handheld units, predominantly to farmers and the United States Coast Guard. (marks, 2020)
In 1958 a CB service class D was created on 27 MHz and this became known as 'Citizens Band.'
During the 1960s CB radio was used by truck drivers, small businesses, e.g. electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and radio enthusiasts.
By the 1960s due to the advancement of electronics technology, the cost of CB radions fell. Their weight and size was dramatically improved. CB became more accessible to the general public and CB radio clubs were formed.
In 1974 the United States Congreess passed and President Nixon signed into law a 55 mph speed limit. This followed the 1973 oil crisis when fuel shortages and fule rationing were common. Truck drivers used CB to notify other drivers of the presence of police speed traps and to locate service stations with a good supply of fuel. (Watts & Barton 2011)
It was at this time that CB radio use also peaked with the general public. Its popularity was reflected in television, movies, music and books. Movies included Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Convoy (1977), Breaker Breaker (1977), and the Dukes of Hazzard (1979).
During the 1960s CB radio was used by truck drivers, small businesses, e.g. electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and radio enthusiasts.
By the 1960s due to the advancement of electronics technology, the cost of CB radions fell. Their weight and size was dramatically improved. CB became more accessible to the general public and CB radio clubs were formed.
In 1974 the United States Congreess passed and President Nixon signed into law a 55 mph speed limit. This followed the 1973 oil crisis when fuel shortages and fule rationing were common. Truck drivers used CB to notify other drivers of the presence of police speed traps and to locate service stations with a good supply of fuel. (Watts & Barton 2011)
It was at this time that CB radio use also peaked with the general public. Its popularity was reflected in television, movies, music and books. Movies included Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Convoy (1977), Breaker Breaker (1977), and the Dukes of Hazzard (1979).
In 1975 C.W. McCall's 'Convoy' reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
CB radio was so popular in the 1970's that you could buy CB wallpaper.
Below is a very good video on the history of CB radio.
A HISTORY OF CB RADIO IN AUSTRALIA.
From 1974 various CB clubs and truck drivers petitioned the Australian Government for the legalisation of CB radio in Australia. A large number of 23 channel 27MHz CB sets from the USA had already made their way into Australia and were being operated illegally. (Radio Rescue 2023)
Radio inspectors and local police often enforced the prohibition of CB radio in Australia and confiscated CB radio equipment. (Radio Rescue 2023)
Radio inspectors and local police often enforced the prohibition of CB radio in Australia and confiscated CB radio equipment. (Radio Rescue 2023)
During 1976 protests were held for the legalisation of CB radio in Australia. In November 1976, a 3 km long convoy of 200m vehicles was formed in Sydney. The convoy presented a 12,000 siganture petition to the Opposition spokesman on Transport and Highways at Parliament House. (Trove 2025)
Above:- Article from The Canberra Times, Mon 22 Nov 1976. Image c/o Trove.
On the 1st day of December 1976, in the Australian Senate, Senator Bernard Kilgariff of the Northern Territory raised the issue of CB radio in Australia. Kilgariff stated that there were 25,000 people in Australia using CB radios that were unlicenced.
Kilgariff directed a question to Senator Carrick who was representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications.
Kilgarriff asked:
"what is the attitude of the Australian Government to bringing about a licensing scheme to allow CB operators in this country to operate legally?"
Carrick responded stating that the Department for Post and Telecommunications placed the figure of people using CB radio in Australia between 15,000 and 20,000. Carrick stated that one of the concerns was the potential for interference to other radio services. (Historichansard.net, 2025) (Radio Rescue 2023)
Kilgariff directed a question to Senator Carrick who was representing the Minister for Post and Telecommunications.
Kilgarriff asked:
"what is the attitude of the Australian Government to bringing about a licensing scheme to allow CB operators in this country to operate legally?"
Carrick responded stating that the Department for Post and Telecommunications placed the figure of people using CB radio in Australia between 15,000 and 20,000. Carrick stated that one of the concerns was the potential for interference to other radio services. (Historichansard.net, 2025) (Radio Rescue 2023)
Above:- Bernard Kilgariff. Image c/o https://territorystories.nt.gov.au/10070/324371/0
Despite the issue being raised in the Senate, CB radio continued to be illegal in Australia. The penalties for using a CB at that time included a fine of up to $1,000 or 5 years imprisonment. (Trove 2025)
Above:- Article from The Canberra Times, Wed 13 Apr 1977. Image c/o Trove.
The National Citizen's Radio Association (NCRA) made a submission to the Australia Federal Government on the legalisation of CB radio. They stated that CB radio would be used for the following:-
(CB Action 1977)
- recreational conversation
- passing of personal messages
- passing of emergency information
- passing of road condition information
- third party traffic if a non-pecuniary interest
- social chatter
- communication of club information
- group communication not normally conveyed by telephone
- DX operation (long distance communication) within Australian territoriel boundaries
(CB Action 1977)
A ministerial cabinet meeting to discuss the legalisation of CB radio in Australia was planned for the 26th day of May 1977. However, a heavy schedule of items for discussion did not allow the submission to be hear. (CB Action 1977)
In June 1977 CB radio was legalised in Australia, following a meeting of the National Cabinet on the 2nd day of June.
At the meeting the Minister for Post and Telecommunictions, Eric Robinson, submitted that about 50,000 CB radio sets were being operated illegally throughout Australia. (CB Action 1977) (Radio Rescue 2023)
At the meeting the Minister for Post and Telecommunictions, Eric Robinson, submitted that about 50,000 CB radio sets were being operated illegally throughout Australia. (CB Action 1977) (Radio Rescue 2023)
Above:- Mr. Eric Robinson. Image c/o WIkipedia.
Robinson submitted that CB radio equipment be licenced for 3 years and that following this, the CB service be moved to UHF, where the likelihood of interference to radio and television would be much less.
The licence fee to be charged was $20.00. An end date of CB radio on 27 MHz was set for the 30th day of June 1982. (CB Action 1977) (Radio Rescue 2023)
The licence fee to be charged was $20.00. An end date of CB radio on 27 MHz was set for the 30th day of June 1982. (CB Action 1977) (Radio Rescue 2023)
Above:- Article from The Canberra Times, Fri 3 Jun 1977. Image c/o Trove
As the June 1982 date approached, rallies and protests were held to retain 27 MHz CB in Australia. A call for the expansion of the 27 MHz band to 40 channels was also called for at this time. (Radio Rescue 2023)
Above:- Article from The Canberra Times, Sun 30 Mar 1980. Image c/o Trove
The protesters were successful and the Australian Government announced the removal of the expiry date for 27 MHz CB. They also expanded the 27 MHz CB band to 40 channels. (Radio Rescue 2023)
Above:- Part of an article from The Canberra Rimes, Sat 11 Oct 1980. Image c/o Trove
In 1994, new legislation was introduced which removed the need for Australian CB operators to apply for a licence and pay an annual fee. (Radio Rescue 2023)
OLD CB RADIO CLUBS IN AUSTRALIA.
It is believed that the first Australian CB club was the 'Charlie Brown Touring Car Club' formed in Morwell, Victoria, in 1967. (Acrm.org.au, 2021)
The Charlie Tango Club of Canberra had more than 600 members during 1977. (Trove 2025)
The Citizens Radio Emergency Services Teams (CREST) monitored channel 9 for calls from CB operators who were reporting emergencies, e.g. fires, stolen vehicles, assaults, accidents, broken down vehicles. (Trove 2025)
FAMOUS CB OPERATORS.
Melvin 'Mel' Jerome Blanc, the famous American voice actor and the voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Sylvester the cat, and many more, was an active CB radio operator. He often used 'Bugs' or 'Daffy' as his radio handle.
The former First Laady of the USA, Betty Ford was active on CB radio and used the CB handle of 'First Mama'. (Steinhauer, 2006)
The former First Laady of the USA, Betty Ford was active on CB radio and used the CB handle of 'First Mama'. (Steinhauer, 2006)
Above:- Mel Blanc. Image c/o Wikipeida.
CB RADIO IN AUSTRALIA.
The operation of CB radio in Australia is authorised under the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2002, which can be located on the Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA) website.
I have also attached a copy below.......
I have also attached a copy below.......
| f2017c00476.pdf |
No licence is required in Australia to operate a CB radio.
Despite this, the CBRS class licence does impose a number of operating conditions. which include:
The operation of CB radio in Australia is also subject to the provisions of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
Despite this, the CBRS class licence does impose a number of operating conditions. which include:
- compliance with mandatory standards
- operating frequencies
- proper conduct
- transmitter power levels
The operation of CB radio in Australia is also subject to the provisions of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
The Citizen Band Radio Service (CBRS) operates in two distinct bands - the high frequency (HF) band, and the ultra high frequency (UHF) band.
Frequencies
Frequencies
- HF - 26.965 MHz to 27.405 MHz (inclusive)
- UHF - 476.4125 to 477.4125 MHz (inclusive)
On the HF band (11 metre band), AM and SSB can be used.
CB CHANNELS.
- Channel 8 - Road Channel (AM) - used by truckies
- Channel 9 - Emergency channel (AM)
- Channel 11 - call channel (AM)
- Channel 16 - call channel (SSB)
- Channel 35 - call channel (SSB)
Most CB operators in Australia on SSB use Lower Side Band (LSB).
Once making contact on the call channel, move to another channel.
CB JARGON.
Unfortunately, be prepared for swearing and harsh language on CB radio.
You will often hear the use of the 10 Codes. Some of the more frequently used are as follows:-
- 10-1: Receiving Poorly or I can't hear you.
- 10-2: Receiving well or I can hear you.
- 10-3: Stop transmitting.
- 10-4: Message received.
- 10-5: Relay message.
- 10-6: Busy, stand by.
- 10-7: Out of service.
- 10-8: In service.
MY CB RADIOS.
- Pearce Simpson Super Bengal
- Pearce Simpson Super Panther
The Super Bengal was produced in c. 1977 by Pearce Simpson, a division of Gladding Corporation.
- frequency range 26.965-27.405 MHz
- channels - 40
- mode - AM & SSB
- RF output power - AM: 4 watts; SSB: 12 watts (PEP)
The Super Panther was produced in c. 1977 by Pearce Simpson, a division of Gladding Corporation.
- frequency range 26.965-27.405 MHz
- channels - 40
- mode - AM & SSB
- RF output power - AM: 4 watts; SSB: 12 watts (PEP)
MY CB ANTENNA.
Vertical CB base antenna manufactured by Horizon Antennas Australia.
- aluminium
- 5.2 metres long
- frequency range 26-28 Mhz
UHF CB RADIO.
References.
- ACMA, 2020, <https://www.acma.gov.au/licences/citizen-band-radio-stations-class-licence>
- Acrm.org.au. (2021). ACRM (SA) Inc. - Australian Citizens Radio Monitors (South Australia) Incorporated. commonly referred to as ACRM. [online] Available at: https://www.acrm.org.au/history/hist_cb_radio.html [Accessed 25 Mar. 2025].
- CB Action magazine, Vol. 1. No. 1, 1977
- Historichansard.net. (2025). Home :: Historic Hansard. [online] Available at: https://historichansard.net/ [Accessed 25 Mar. 2025].
- marks (2020). The CB Radio. [online] No Wires Radio | Radio Enthusiasts Unite! Available at: https://www.nowiresradio.com/citizen-band-radio/#google_vignette [Accessed 25 Mar. 2025].
- Radio Industries, 2020, <https://www.radioindustries.com.au/citizen-band-facts.html>
- Radio Rescue Emergency Communications Inc. | Improving Australian safety through communications. (2023). Australian CB History | Radio Rescue Emergency Communications Inc. [online] Available at: https://radiorescue.org.au/cb-radio/cb-history/ [Accessed 25 Mar. 2025].
- Rigpix.com. (2022). RigPix Database - CB, ‘Freeband’ and more - Pearce-Simpson Super Bengal (By Gladding Corporation). [online] Available at: https://www.rigpix.com/cbfreeband/pearcesimpson_superbengal.htm [Accessed 25 Mar. 2025].
- Steinhauer, J. (2006). Back in View, a First Lady With Her Own Legacy. The New York Times. [online] 31 Dec. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/31/us/31betty.html.
- Trove. (2025). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) - 22 Nov 1976 - p3. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/14544433?searchTerm=cb%20radio%20legalised [Accessed 25 Mar. 2025].
- Trove. (2025). CB radio licensing plan announced - The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) - 3 Jun 1977. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110848567?searchTerm=cb%20radio%20legalised [Accessed 25 Mar. 2025].
- Trove. (2025). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) - 13 Apr 1977 - p17. [online] Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12229774? [Accessed 25 Mar. 2025].
- Watts; T & Barton, J, 2011, "I Can't Drive 55' The Economics of the CB Radio Phenomenon