Summary of FCC Regulations for CB Radios
Channels
There are 40 shared CB channels used on a "take-turns" basis. There are no channels authorized in the CB Radio Service above 27.405 MHz or below 26.965 MHz.
No CB channel is assigned to any specific individual or organization. Be cooperative. Keep your communications short. Users must never talk with another station for more than 5 minutes continuously and then must wait at least one minute before starting another communication. Channel 9 is used only for emergency communications or for traveler assistance.
Operations
47 CFR 95 Subpart D prescribes all operating
requirements which apply to CB. General system technical details and major
operational regulations are highlighted below.
Equipment |
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You must use an FCC certificated CB transmitter at your CB station. You
can identify an FCC certificated transmitter by the certification label
placed on it by the manufacturer.
Territorial Limits |
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You may operate your CB unit within the territorial limits of the fifty
United States, the District of Columbia, and the Caribbean and Pacific
Insular areas ("U.S."). You may also operate your CB on or over
any other area of the world, except within the territorial limits of areas
where radio-communications are regulated by another agency of the U.S.
or within the territorial limits of any foreign government. You may also
be permitted to use your CB unit in Canada subject to the rules of Industry
Canada. Travelers to the U.S. may operate a CB unit within the U.S. as
long the unit is FCC certificated.
Linear Amplifier
Ban |
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Users may not raise the power output of their CB units. That would be
unfair to the other users sharing the channel by raising the level of
radio noise. You must not attach a "linear," "linear amplifier"
or any other type of power amplifier to your CB unit, Moreover, you must
not modify your CB unit internally. Doing so cancels its certification
and you forfeit your authorization to use it.
Antennas |
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There are no height restrictions for antennas mounted on vehicles or
for hand-held units. For structures, the highest point of your antenna
must not be more than 20 feet above the highest point of the building
or tree on which it is mounted, or 60 feet above the ground. There are
lower height limits if your antenna structure is located within two miles
of an airport.
Ten Codes |
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Ten-codes are operating aids used by public safety and other professional
communicators. The FCC does not regulate the meaning of the ten-codes.
You may use an on-the-air pseudonym ("handle") of your choosing.
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