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We all have radio waves coming into our homes every day in the from of TV programs and radio shows, but the beauty of CB radio is that we get to talk back, and unlike a cellphone, we don’t have to pay for the privilege. Always meant for short range communications, CB radio has still fended off the test of time and technological innovation.

1. Licensing. Unlike CB users in the UK and Europe, CB users in the USA do not 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. The European CB Radio operates on FM frequencies.

2. CB choices.There are three main types of cb radio setups. 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. Call Signs. Although official call signs in the US are long gone, in Europe they are still somewhat common. In the US it is commonplace to have a ‘handle’.
4. CB Channels. Within the USA 40 channels are available to CB users. Channel 9 must always be kept for emergencies and the recommendation is to keep channels on either side free so any trafiic on channel nine can be heard clearly.
5. Squelch. The squelch dial can help eliminate background noise. 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 communication is only consistent over relatively short ranges. 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.

Although CB radio is in the technology stoneage it does do one thing that you cell phone cant, it allows you to meet new people anonymously over the road.. The beauty of cb radio is it allows communication even in isolated areas to break up the monotony.

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Ever since it began, radio broadcasting intrigued members of the general public. Amateur radio differs from CB radio as a amateur radio can have up to 1000 watts of power. The wavebands available are broader and less cluttered, broadcasting can be made via AM, SSB, FM radio-teletype, even certain TV signals. Satellite technology has made it easy to broaden your reach across the globe. There is a price to pay for access to all this wonderful technology of course, you need to take and pass a series of licensing exams.

ham radio offers a selection of licenses for people of every skill level.

The Novice license allows operations on several High Frequency bands via Morse code as well as single sideband communication by voice between 28.3 and 28.5 MHz and also between 28.1 and 28.3 for radio teletype. To access these channels all you need is a 10 Meter Radio Although these radios are commonly referred to as a 10 Meter CB Radio they are actually quite different as a CB radio does not require a license and a 10 Meter Radio does. SSB and FM broadcasts are allowed between 222.01 and 223.91 Mhz and also 1270 – 1295 Mhz.It is not difficult to  acquire a Novice licence, you simply need to be able to do Morse code at five wpm and pass a radio theory exam.

Becoming a Technician class operator gratns broadcasting on the VHF and UHF bands.Getting a Technicians license gives access to the VHF and UHF bands.~The Technicians license means that you can now broadcast on the UHF and VHF frequencies. To obtain this license you must pass a theory examination which includes questions about FCC rules.

Next after the Technicians Class is the General Class. The General Class aloows broadcasting on HF and UHF across the entire spectrum and even a couple television frequencies. For this license you must be able to work Morse code at the speed of 13 wpm and pass an exam on general radio theory plus FCC regulations.

If you can complete a more complicated radio theory test the Advanced Class license allows access to even more channels.

The highest license you can obtain for ham radio is the Extra Class license. Acquiring the Extra Class Licence means you are granted access to every channel  assigned to ham radio broadcasters. For this license you need to already have passed the General and Advanced exams, be able to copy Morse code at twenty words per minute and complete an examination on the more advanced aspects of radio theory, operations and FCC requirements.

An organization called The American Radio Relay League helps provide all the materials you may need to complete your license test..

If you dont enjoy the hassle and time it takes to complete all those tests try CB radio. The beauty of CB radio is that it is available to all people. The jargon used is relaxed and there’s no need to learn Morse Code. You can get started quickly all you need is the right equipment. Sound interesting?

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