What is CB and what is Freebanding?

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MrWeetabix
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What is CB and what is Freebanding?

Post by MrWeetabix »

What is CB and what is Freebanding?

These are questions which I commonly see on the boards from new users or themes which become apparent as conversations progress. I just wanted to write a brief description of what both are, or at least what I consider them to be here in the UK so that new users have some context for their new hobby

What is CB

In short, it stands for Citizen’s band radio and is license-free here in the UK. I won’t go into the absolute history of CB and its origins (See Wikipedia for more info - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CB_radio_ ... ed_Kingdom), but in the UK it is essentially 80 legal channels for use with restrictions on mode and power. They are split into 2 groups of 40 channels known as “Mids” and “Muppets” though I prefer the terms EU40 and UK40 for ease of use.

UK40 – These 40 channels were legalised in 1981 and legal for UK use only (AFAIK) due to their frequencies being different to any other global allocation.

UK40.png

The UK40 is restricted to FM only and limited to 4w output power. You are not allowed directional beam antennas or to run non-certified radios on there, such as Export Mode Radios or Amateur equipment. The main calling channel is ch19, with users then moving to another free channel to have a chat. If you are travelling through Europe, it is not legal for you to use the UK40.

The EU40 - The band is also known as CEPT, is harmonised within Europe and as of 2014 we in the UK are allowed to use AM, FM, LSB & USB modes for transmission with 4w of power on AM/FM and up to 12w on SSB on EU40. Again, in terms of being UK-legal, the equipment you use must be certified for use in the UK. A good example of this is the President McKinley, which is sold in the UK as an 80ch UK-Legal radio (Others are available).
There are multiple calling channels on this band and there will also be variations in what is used from country to country. The main ones I’d mention are ch31 for FM calling and also ch27 for USB calling in the UK.

EU40.png

The above information covers what is legal here in the UK and what I’d term as ‘modern day’ CB Radio.

What is Freebanding

There are other frequencies which exist both between and either side of the allocated CB bands, as well as bands/frequencies which are also legal for use in other countries. The term ‘Freebanding’ I would consider to be knowingly operating outside of the Legal channels/modes which are allowed in your country. I am dealing here with what we term as Freebanding “on 11 meters”. For the purposes of this description, we can think of ‘The 11 Meter Band’ as covering between 26mhz and 28mhz. So CB lives on 11m.

Most of the 11m freebanding activity is done between 27.405MHz and 27600MHz, especially when conditions are good and you can make international contacts, with many stations using 27.555 (USB) as the calling frequency and then moving to another free channel/frequency to have a chat. If you look at a frequency chart you’ll note that these frequencies sit between the end of the EU40 and the start of the UK40. You will also find activity on the lower frequencies (although to a lesser extent). There is a calling frequency of 26.285 USB which is sometimes used, as well as Germany having its own allocation of 40 channels below the EU40 (Known as 'Low Band'), with 26.555 FM being a calling frequency for that. There are many, MANY more to list, but if this interests you then please feel free to hit-up Google and do some more research.

You can buy radios which are classed as multi-norm or Export models. They come with multiple banks of 40ch (sometimes even with UK40 programmed too, though they are NOT legal for use in the UK). Its worth noting that the UK40 will overlap with what’s called “Hi band” and “Super High” so its very likely that UK stations will cause interference to users of those bands and vice versa. It is also my personal opinion that you should NEVER transmit above 28mhz, this is an Amateur Radio allocation. You’ll not make any contacts on there anyway and the legit users of that band (Amateurs or HAMS) tend to be quite protective and could choose to make efforts to ID you and your location before reporting you to OFCOM (It does happen), so just don’t even try (unless you get licensed of course). See the band plan below

DELBOY-BANDPLAN.jpg

Thanks to Delboy for this chart – see his website https://delboyonline.blogspot.com/p/cb- ... -list.html

Freebanding – The legal Stuff

Whilst it is unlikely that you will be prosecuted for using non-legal 11m frequencies here in the UK, it IS STILL ILLEGAL and you CAN be prosecuted if OFCOM wanted. Think of it a bit like speeding on a motorway, everybody does it but sometimes you’ll get caught and fined.

There are lots of non-CB legitimate users of 11m who you may interfere with, although again they tend to be legacy allocations and likely not used these days, but just keep it in mind that you could be interfering with legitimate users and that would be when OFCOM would take note (This is even more important when we consider Amateur Radio bands, but that’s for another thread!). Listed legit users include the following…
  • 26.100 MHz to 26.175 MHz is the 26 MHz HF marine allocation
  • 26.480 MHz to 26.950 MHz is allocated for "fixed/mobile" including military/government users
  • 26.957 MHz to 27.283 MHz is allocated for Industrial, Scientific and Medical ISM purposes
  • 27.410 MHz to 27.540 MHz is allocated to the land mobile (business radio) service
  • 27.540 MHz to 28.000 MHz is allocated for "fixed/mobile" including military/government users
Note the last entry assigned to Military/Government. It’s worth remembering that even as a legal CB operator in the UK, you are still a secondary user on the UK40 and the Military could choose to use these freqs at any time.

I am sure there's a lot I haven't covered here and it really is a massive subject to research, as well as a great aspect of the hobby to get involved with. There are some great resources available on the internet for more info, below are just a handful of examples. Now go and enjoy playing radio! Good Luck, Good DX 8)

https://www.tangomike.net/reference-pag ... to-11m-dx/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CB_radio_ ... ed_Kingdom
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_band_radio
https://www.hfunderground.com/board/ind ... ic=35633.0
https://delboyonline.blogspot.com/
https://www.eham.net/article/6674#:~:te ... (28%20MHz).
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26TM175. OP: Craig. QTH: Gateshead IO94EW. Also 163TM175 when mobile in Wales 8)

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Otter
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Re: What is CB and what is Freebanding?

Post by Otter »

I would add that in Germany 26.565 - 26.955 MHz is allocated to CB in addition to the EU band in straight 10kc steps.
In Brazil 27.415 - 27.855 is legal in addition to the EU band in FCC (EU) steps.
"To this day the words Stirling bridge conjour pride in every Scotsman's heart, while to an Englishman those same words conjour literally no feelings at all." - Cunk on Britain S1 E1
Keatspereira1965
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Re: What is CB and what is Freebanding?

Post by Keatspereira1965 »

Very informative/easily understood. Thanks
Ace222
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Re: What is CB and what is Freebanding?

Post by Ace222 »

Good read, thanks

Happy dx
alexanderthompson
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Re: What is CB and what is Freebanding?

Post by alexanderthompson »

Thank you very useful information
tonyn
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Re: What is CB and what is Freebanding?

Post by tonyn »

great information
Spooky
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Re: What is CB and what is Freebanding?

Post by Spooky »

Wish I had read this before posting !
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