text:
Citizens band radio
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Typical 1980s CB base station, used with outdoor antenna. This radio may also be used in an automobile, since it is powered by 13.8 V DC. Shown with Astatic Power D-104 desk mic
Cobra 18 WX ST II mobile CB radio with microphone
Citizens band radio (also known as CB radio) is, in many countries, a system of short-distance radio communications between individuals typically on a selection of 40 channels within the 27 MHz (11 m) band. Citizens band is distinct from other personal radio service allocations such as FRS, GMRS, MURS, UHF CB and the Amateur Radio Service ("ham" radio). In many countries, CB operation does not require a license, and (unlike amateur radio) it may be used for business or personal communications. Like many other two-way radio services, citizens band channels are shared by many users. Only one station may transmit at a time; other stations must listen and wait for the shared channel to be available. It is customary for stations waiting to use a shared channel to broadcast the single word "Break" followed by the channel number, during a lull in the conversation.[1] This informs people using the channel that others are waiting.
A number of countries have created similar radio services, with varying technical standards and requirements for licensing. While they may be known by other names, such as the General Radio Service in Canada,[2] they often use similar frequencies (26 to 28 MHz) and have similar uses, and similar technical standards. Although licenses may be required, eligibility is generally simple. Some countries also have personal radio services in the UHF band, such as the European PMR446 and the Australian UHF CB.
Contents
[hide]
1 History
1.1 United States
1.1.1 Origins
1.1.2 1970s popularity
1.1.3 Boating and the U.S. Coast Guard
1.1.4 21st-century use
1.2 Australia
1.3 Canada
1.4 Indonesia
1.5 Malaysia
1.6 United Kingdom
2 Frequency allocations
2.1 Standard Channels
2.2 Intermediate channels
2.3 SSB usage
2.4 Country-specific variations
3 Current use
4 Technology
5 Antennas
6 Working skip
7 Freebanding and export radios
8 Callbook
9 Media
10 See also
11 References
12 Sources
13 External links
History[edit]
United States[edit]
Main article: CB usage in the United States
Origins[edit]
A QSL card issued by a US CB station in 1963.
The citizens band radio service originated in the United States as one of several personal radio services regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These services began in 1945 to permit citizens a radio band for personal communication (e.g., radio-controlled model airplanes and family and business communications). In 1948, the original CB radios were designed for operation on the 460–470 MHz UHF band.[3] There were two classes of CB radio: "A" and "B". Class B radios had simpler technical requirements, and were limited to a smaller frequency range. Al Gross established the Citizens Radio Corporation during the late 1940s to manufacture Class B handhelds for the general public.[4]
Ultra-high frequency (UHF) radios, at the time, were neither practical nor affordable for the average consumer. On September 11, 1958[5] the Class D CB service was created on 27 MHz, and this band became what is popularly known today as "Citizens Band". There were only 23 channels at the time; the first 22 were taken from the former amateur radio service 11-meter band, and channel 23 was shared with radio-controlled devices. Some hobbyists continue to use the designation "11 meters" to refer to the Citizens Band and adjoining frequencies. Part 95 of the Code of Federal Regulations regulates the Class D CB service, on the 27 MHz band, since the 1970s and continuing today.[6] Most of the 460–470 MHz band was reassigned for business and public-safety use; Class A CB is the forerunner of the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). Class B CB is a more distant ancestor of the Family Radio Service. The Multi-Use Radio Service is another two-way radio service in the VHF high band. An unsuccessful petition was filed in 1973 to create a Class E CB service at 220 MHz, which was opposed by amateur radio organizations[7] and others. There are several other classes of personal radio services for specialized purposes (such as remote control devices).
During the 1960s, the service was popular among small businesses (e.g., electricians, plumbers, carpenters), truck drivers and radio hobbyists. By the late 1960s advances in solid-state electronics allowed the weight, size, and cost of the radios to fall, giving the public access to a communications medium previously only available to specialists.[8] CB clubs were formed; a CB slang language evolved alongside 10-codes, similar to those used in emergency services.
1970s popularity[edit]
After the 1973 oil crisis the U.S. government imposed a nationwide 55 mph speed limit, and fuel shortages and rationing were widespread. CB radio was used (especially by truckers) to locate service stations with better supplies of fuel, to notify other drivers of speed traps, and to organize blockades and convoys in a 1974 strike protesting the new speed limit and other trucking regulations. One leader was able to almost single-handedly coordinate an interstate highway blockade of hundreds of tractor-trailers in eastern Pennsylvania using the citizens band radio in his truck. His name was J.W. Edwards and his "handle" (on air nickname) was "River Rat". The blockade began on I-80 and quickly spread throughout the country, with River Rat's messages literally being relayed from one area of trucks to the next.[9] The radios were crucial for independent truckers; many were paid by the mile, which meant their productivity was impacted by the 55-mph speed limit.[8] The use of CB radios in 1970s films such as Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Breaker! Breaker! (1977) and Convoy (1978), popular novelty songs such as C.W. McCall's "Convoy" (1975),[10] providing inspiration for songs like Breaker-Breaker from the Outlaws (1976) and truckers legendary, and on television series such as Movin' On (debuted in 1974) and The Dukes of Hazzard (debuted 1979) established CB radio as a nationwide craze in the United States in the mid- to late 1970s.
Originally, CB required a purchased license ($20 in the early 1970s, reduced to $4 on March 1, 1975) and the use of a callsign; however, when the CB craze was at its peak many people ignored this requirement and invented their own nicknames (known as "handles"). Rules on authorized use of CB radio (along with lax enforcement) led to widespread disregard of the regulations (notably in antenna height, distance communications, licensing, call signs and transmitter power).
Betty Ford, the former First Lady of the United States, used the CB handle "First Mama".[11] Voice actor Mel Blanc was also an active CB operator, often using "Bugs" or "Daffy" as his handle and talking on the air in the Los Angeles area in one of his many voice characters. He appeared in an interview (with clips having fun talking to children on his home CB radio station) in the NBC Knowledge television episode about CB radio in 1978. Similar to internet chat rooms a quarter-century later, CB allowed people to get to know one another in a quasi-anonymous manner. As with the internet, CB radio usage allowed both the best and worst characteristics of anonymity.
Originally, there were 23 CB channels in the U.S.; the 40-channel band plan was implemented in 1977. Additionally, there were two more channels between 22 & 23, commonly referred to as 22A & 22B. Several people had 22A, but not many had 22B. In the early 1970s Radio Shack sold a "base station" CB radio that contained a crystal for each of the 23 channels, two extra slots existed, and you could order the 22A & 22B crystals for an easy plug-in. Channel 9 was officially reserved for emergency use by the FCC in 1969.[12] Channel 10 was originally often used for highway travel communications east of the Mississippi River, and channel 19 west of the Mississippi; channel 19 then became the preferred highway channel in most areas, as it did not have adjacent-channel interference problems with channel 9. Many CBers called channel 19 "the trucker's channel". Channel 11 was originally restricted by the FCC for use as the calling channel.
The original FCC output power limitation for CB radios was "5 watts DC input to the final amplifier stage", which was a reference to the earlier radios equipped with tubes. With solid state radios becoming more common in the 1970s, this specification was rewritten by the FCC at the same time the authorized channels were increased to 40. The current specification is simply "4 watts output (AM) or 12 watts output (SSB)" as measured at the antenna connector on the back of the radio. The old specification was often used in false advertising by some manufacturers who would claim their CB radios had "5 watts" long after the specification had changed to 4 watts output. The older 23-channel radios built under the old specifications typically had an output of around 3.5 to 3.8 watts output when measured at the antenna connector. The FCC simply rounded up the old "5 watts DC input to the final amplifier stage" specification to the new "4 watts output as measured at the antenna connector on the back of the radio", resulting in a far simpler and easier specification.
Initially, the FCC intended for CB to be the "poor man's business-band radio", and CB regulations were structured similarly to those regulating the business band radio service. Until 1975,[13] only channels 9-14 and 23[14] could be used for "interstation" calls (to other licensees). Channels 1-8 and 15-22 were reserved for "intrastation" communications (among units with the same license).[15] After the inter-station/intra-station rule was dropped, channel 11 was reserved as a calling frequency (for the purpose of establishing communications); however, this was withdrawn in 1977.[16] During this early period, many CB radios had "inter-station" channels colored on their dials, while the other channels were clear or normally colored (except channel 9, which was usually colored red). It was common for a town to adopt an inter-station channel as its "home" channel. This helped prevent overcrowding on Channel 11, enabling a CBer to monitor a town's home channel to contact another CBer from that town instead of a making a general call on Channel 11.
Boating and the U.S. Coast Guard[edit]
Since CB was coming down in price and VHF Marine Band was still expensive, many boaters put CB radios on their boats. Business caught on to this market, and introduced marine CBs containing a weather band (WX). There was a lot of controversy about whether or not the Coast Guard should monitor CB radio, but they did, using Motorola base stations installed at their search and rescue stations. The Coast Guard stopped this practice in the late 1980s and recommends VHF Marine Band radios for boaters.[17]
21st-century use[edit]
CB has lost much of its original appeal due to development of mobile phones, the internet and the Family Radio Service. Changing radio propagation for long-distance communications due to the 11-year sunspot cycle is a factor at these frequencies. In addition, CB may have become a victim of its own popularity; with millions of users on a finite number of frequencies during the mid-to-late 1970s and early 1980s, channels often were noisy and communication difficult. This caused a waning of interest among hobbyists. Business users (such as tow-truck operators, plumbers and electricians) moved to the VHF and UHF business-band frequencies. The business band requires an FCC license, and usually results in an assignment to a single frequency. The advantages of fewer users sharing a frequency, greater authorized output power, clarity of FM transmission, lack of interference by distant stations due to "skip" propagation, and consistent communications made the VHF (Very High Frequency) radio an attractive alternative to the overcrowded CB channels.
Channel 9 is restricted by the FCC to only emergency communications and roadside assistance.[18] Most highway travelers monitor channel 19. CB radio is still used by truck drivers, and remains an effective means of obtaining information about road construction, accidents and police speed traps.
Australia[edit]
Before CB was authorized in Australia, there were hand-held 27 MHz "walkie-talkies" which used several frequencies between the present CB channels, such as 27.240 MHz.[19][20] By the mid-1970s, hobbyists were experimenting with handheld radios and unauthorized 23-channel American CB radios. At that time in Australia, the 11-meter band was still used by licensed ham operators and Emergency Services,[21] but not yet available for CB use. A number of CB clubs had formed by this time which assigned call signs to members, exchanged QSL cards, and lobbied for the legalisation of CB. In late 1977, having legalised Australian CB and allowed the import/sale of American and Japanese 23-channel sets, the Federal Government drafted new interim regulations for Australian 18-channel transceivers. The new RB249 regulations came in on January 1, 1978 and the last official registration date for 23-channel sets was January 31, 1978. After this date, use of unregistered 23-channel CB sets was deemed illegal and unlicensed sets were no longer be eligible to be licensed. The 18-channel band plan used 16 channels of the 23 channel CB radios plus 2 extra channels, namely 27.095 and 27.195, to make up the 18 channels. The original channels 1,2,3,4,10,21 and 23 were deleted from the 18-channel band plan. So channel 1 on an 18 channel was actually channel 5 on a 23-channel radio.[22] On January 1, 1982, the American 40-channel band plan was adopted.
From the outset, the government attempted to regulate CB radio with license fees and call signs, but eventually they abandoned this approach. Enthusiasts rushed for licences when the doors opened at post offices around Australia in mid-1977 and by the end of the first quarter of 1978 there had been an estimated 200,000 licences issued (Australia's Population in 1978 was 14.36 Million). The regulations called for one licence per CB radio. The price for a licence in 1977 was AU$25 Per Year (In mid 1977 the Australian Dollar exchange rate was AU 90 cents to US $1), a not insubstantial amount for the average Australian wage-earner. Australian CB radio uses AM, USB, and LSB modes (No FM) on 27MHz, allowed output power being 4 Watts AM and 12 Watts SSB. UHF is 477 MHz, with an output power of 5 Watts. When CB was first legalised the 27 MHz CB Band was intended to be closed to Australian CBers in 1982 and only the 477 MHz UHF band was to continue, but this did not eventuate. The first 477MHz CB radio in 1977 was designed and made in Australia by Philips and was a 40 channel CB called the FM320. 27 MHz CB Channel Allocation in Australia is Channel 8 (27.055 MHz) Truckies or Highway Channel, Channel 9 (27.065 MHz) Emergency, Channel 11 (27.085 MHz) AM Call Channel, Channel 16 (27.155 MHz) LSB SSB Call Channel, 35 (27.355 MHz) LSB 2nd SSB Call Channel. UHF CB Channel Allocation is Channel 5 Emergency, Channel 11 Call Channel, Channel 40 Truckies or Highway. (NOTE: Australians refer to heavy transport drivers as "Truckies", a local variation of the American term "Truckers". Aussie "Truckies" generally shied away from using the much-cliched American CB language and codes, glamorised in movies and popular US folk lore.)
The first CB club in Australia was the Charlie Brown Touring Car Club (CBTCC)[citation needed], which formed in Morwell, Victoria in 1967 and consisted mainly of four-wheel drive enthusiasts. The club used the prefix "GL" (for Gippsland), since "CB" could not be used. After July 1, 1977, the club changed its name to Citizens Band Two Way Communication Club (CBTCC).[citation needed] Other early clubs were "LV" (Latrobe Valley) and "WB" (named after Wayne Britain). Members of these clubs are still active, and have also become amateur radio operators. Other regional Australian cities which became CB radio "hotspots" were cities such as Seymour, Benalla, Holbrook and Gundagai, all located on the busy Hume Highway between Melbourne and Sydney. Other regional cities such as Bendigo, Mildura, Mount Gambier and Port Augusta, developed lively, colourful CB radio communities.
With the introduction of UHF CB radios in 1977, many operators used both UHF and HF radios and formed groups to own and operate local FM repeaters. Members of the CBTCC formed what became known as Australian Citizens Radio Movement (ACRM) in the early 1970s; this organization became the voice for legalization of CB radio throughout Australia. After peaking in the 1970s and early 1980s, the use of 27 MHz CB in Australia has fallen dramatically due to the introduction of 477 MHz UHF CB (with FM and repeaters) and the proliferation of cheap, compact handheld UHF transceivers. Technology such as mobile telephones and the internet have provided people with other choices for communications. The Australian government has changed the allocation of channels available for UHF CB Radio from 40 to 80, and doubled the number of repeater channels from 8 to 16. This was done by taking the existing channels that had a spacing of 25 kHz between (Known as wide band) them and placing new channels in between the old 40 channels. So now the channels have 12.5 kHz spacing between them (now called narrow band). But the original 40 channels are still on the original frequencies.[23]
Australia also has Marine Radio Using 27 MHz. There are several frequencies allocated to 27 MHz Marine Radio in Australia. The frequencies range from 27.6800 MHz to 27.9800 MHz. Mode:AM Power:4W Maximum. These Frequencies and Allocation are:
27.6800 Ch 68 - Commercial calling and working 27.7200 Ch 72 - Professional fishing calling and working (ship-shore/ship-ship) 27.8200 Ch 82 - Professional fishing calling and working (ship-shore/ship-ship) 27.8600 Ch 86 - Supplementary distress, safety and calling 27.8800 Ch 88 - Distress, safety and calling 27.9000 Ch 90 - Non-commercial calling and working (ship-shore) 27.9100 Ch 91 - Non-commercial calling and working (ship-shore) 27.9400 Ch 94 - Non-commercial club calling and working (ship-ship/ship-shore) 27.9600 Ch 96 - Non-commercial calling and working (ship-ship) 27.9800 Ch 98 - Rescue calling and working (ship-ship/ship-shore)
Hand-held CB transceiver; antenna not shown
Canada[edit]
In Canada, the General Radio Service uses the identical frequencies and modes as the United States citizens band, and no special provisions are required for either Canadians or Americans using CB gear while traveling across the border. The General Radio Service was authorized in 1962. Initially, CB channels 1 through 3 remained allocated to amateur radio and channel 23 was used by paging services. American CB licensees were initially required to apply for a temporary license to operate in Canada.[24] In April 1977, the service was expanded to the same 40 channels as the American service.[25]
Indonesia[edit]
In Indonesia, CB radios were first introduced about 1977 when some transceivers were imported illegally from Australia, Japan and the United States. The dates are hard to confirm accurately, but early use was known around large cities such as Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Medan. The Indonesian government legalized CB on 6 October 1980 with a decision by the Minister of Communications, the "Ministerial Decree on the Licensing for the Operation of Inter-Citizens Radio Communication". Because many people were already using 40-channel radios prior to legalization, the American band plan (with AM and SSB) was adopted; a VHF band was added in 1994, along with allowing use of the Australian UHF CB channel plan at 476-477 MHz On November 10, 1980, the Indonesian Directorate General of Posts and Telecommunications issued another decree establishing RAPI (Radio Antar Penduduk Indonesia) as the official citizens band radio organization in Indonesia.[26]
Malaysia[edit]
In Malaysia, citizens band radios became legal when the "Notification of Issuance Of Class Assignments" by Communication and Multimedia Malaysia was published on 1 April 2000. Under this class assignment, a CB radio is classified as a "Personal Radio Service device". The frequency band is HF, 26.9650 MHz to 27.4050 MHz (40 channels), power output is 4 watts for AM and FM and 12 watts PEP for SSB. Channel 9 is reserved for emergencies, and channel 11 is a calling channel. On UHF 477 MHz, citizens band PRS radio devices are allowed 5 watts power output on FM on 39 assigned channels spaced at 12.5-kHz intervals between 477.0125 MHz and 477.4875 MHz. Channel 9 is reserved for emergencies, and channel 11 for calling. A short-range simplex radio communications service for recreational use is from 477.5250–477.9875 MHz FM mode with 38 channels and a power output of 500 mW. A CB radio or Personal Radio Service Device under Class Assignment does not need an individual license to operate in Malaysia if it adheres to the rules of the Warta Kerajaan Malaysia, Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), Notification of Issuance Of Class Assignment, P.U.(B)416 Jil. 48, No. 22(e) Personal Radio Service Device, 1 November 2004.[27]
On April 1, 2010 the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) released a new Notification of Issuance of Class Assignments, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 Class Assignments No. 1 of 2010[28] and later on 2017[29]. This includes a new UHF PMR 446 MHz allocation: an eight-channel analog Personal Mobile Radio 446 MHz (Analog PMR446) with frequencies from 446.00625–446.09375 MHz (12.5 kHz spacing) FM with 0.5 watt power output, and 16 channels for Digital Personal Mobile Radio 446 MHz (Digital PMR 446). Frequencies for Digital PMR 446 are from 446.103125–446.196875 MHz with 6.25 kHz channel spacing in 4FSK mode and a power output of 0.5 watt. An unofficial citizens band radio club in Malaysia is the "Malaysia Boleh Citizen Radio Group", known as "Mike Bravo" (Malaysia Boleh).[30]
United Kingdom[edit]
Main article: CB radio in the United Kingdom
In the UK, small but growing numbers of people were illegally using American CB radios during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The prominence of CB radio grew in Britain partly due to the popularity of novelty songs like CW McCall's "Convoy" and Laurie Lingo & The Dipsticks' "Convoy GB" in 1976 (both of which were Top 5 hits)[10] and the movie Convoy in 1978. CB radio use was even featured on one part of the popular television programme Are You Being Served?. By 1980, CB radio was becoming a popular pastime in Britain; as late as the summer of 1981 the British government was still saying that CB would never be legalized on 27 MHz, proposing a UHF service around 860 MHz called "Open Channel" instead. However, in November 1981 (after high-profile public demonstrations) 40 frequencies unique to the UK, known as the 27/81 Bandplan using FM were allocated at 27 MHz plus 20 channels on 934 MHz (934.0125 to 934.9625 MHz with 50-kHz-spacing). CB's inventor, Al Gross, made the ceremonial first legal British CB call from Trafalgar Square in London.
The maximum power allowable on the MPT 1320 27/81 system was 4 watts (in common with the American system), although initially radios were equipped to reduce output power by 10 dB (to 0.4 watts) if the antenna was mounted more than 7 meters above ground level. The power-reduction switch is also useful in reducing TV interference. MPT 1320 also restricted antennas to a maximum length of 1.5 meters, with base loading being the only type permitted for 27 MHz operation. Over the next several years antenna regulations were relaxed, with antenna length increasing to 1.65 meters and centre- or top-loading of the main radiating element permitted. On September 1, 1987 the UK added the usual 40 frequencies (26.965–27.405 MHz) used worldwide, for a total of 80 channels at 27 MHz; antenna regulations were further relaxed, and the 934 MHz band was withdrawn in 1998.
CB radio in the UK was deregulated in December 2006 by the regulatory body Ofcom, and CB radio in the UK is now licence-free. The old MPT 1320 27/81 band will continue to be available for the foreseeable future. On 27 June 2014, changes were made by Ofcom to allow the use of AM & SSB modes on CB in the UK legally for the first time. The rules regarding non-approved radios and power levels above 4 watts on AM/FM and 12 W on SSB still apply, despite deregulation. Persons using illegal equipment or accessories still risk prosecution, fines or confiscation of equipment, although this is rarely enforced. AM and SSB on the freeband and amplifier use are common among enthusiasts. Packet radio is legal in the UK, although not widely used. Internet gateway stations are also beginning to appear; although illegal on 27 MHz, these units are connected to other CB stations around the world.
Although the use of CB radios in the UK is limited they are still popular, especially with the farming community, truckers and mini-cab services.[31] The widely used channel for the Young Farmers' Club is channel 11. The normal calling and truckers' channel is channel 19, although many truck organisations and groups use other channels to avoid abuse.
Frequency allocations[edit]
CB radio is not a worldwide, standardized radio service. Each country decides if it wants to authorize such a radio service from its domestic frequency authorizations, and what its standards will be; however, similar radio services exist in many countries. Frequencies, power levels and modes (such as frequency modulation (FM), amplitude modulation (AM), and single-sideband modulation (SSB), often vary from country to country; use of foreign equipment may be illegal. However, many countries have adopted the American channels and their associated frequencies, which is generally in AM mode except some higher channels which are sometimes in SSB mode.[32]
Standard Channels[edit]
The standard channel numbering is harmonized through FCC (America) and CEPT (Europe) (The channels 23: 27.235 MHz, 24: 27.245 MHz, 25: 27.255 MHz are not on the same radio frequencies in the standard CEPT).[33]
See also channel assignments for CB usage in the United States.
CB Radio Channels (FCC)[34]
Channel
Frequency
Channel
Frequency
Channel
Frequency
Channel
Frequency
1 26.965 MHz 11 27.085 MHz 21 27.215 MHz 31 27.315 MHz
2 26.975 MHz 12 27.105 MHz 22 27.225 MHz 32 27.325 MHz
3 26.985 MHz 13 27.115 MHz 23 27.255 MHz 33 27.335 MHz
4 27.005 MHz 14 27.125 MHz 24 27.235 MHz 34 27.345 MHz
5 27.015 MHz 15 27.135 MHz 25 27.245 MHz 35 27.355 MHz
6 27.025 MHz 16 27.155 MHz 26 27.265 MHz 36 27.365 MHz
7 27.035 MHz 17 27.165 MHz 27 27.275 MHz 37 27.375 MHz
8 27.055 MHz 18 27.175 MHz 28 27.285 MHz 38 27.385 MHz
9 27.065 MHz 19 27.185 MHz 29 27.295 MHz 39 27.395 MHz
10 27.075 MHz 20 27.205 MHz 30 27.305 MHz 40 27.405 MHz
Intermediate channels[edit]
When looking at the FCC/CEPT channel list there are some channels with an offset of 20 kHz instead of the regular 10 kHz step. These intermediate frequencies are reserved for the Radio Control Radio Service (RCRS) (formerly known as the Class C Citizens Radio Service until the 1976 changes). The RCRS service is commonly used for remote control of model aircraft and boats. It is an unofficial practice to name these channels by their next lower standard channel number along with an "A". Specifically channel 11A is used to power Eurobalises.
Channel
Frequency
Channel
Frequency
Channel
Frequency
3A 26.995 MHz 7A 27.045 MHz 19A 27.195 MHz
11A 27.095 MHz 15A 27.145 MHz
SSB usage[edit]
This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Single-sideband (SSB) operation involves the selection of either the Lower Side Band (LSB) or the Upper Side Band (USB) mode for transmit and receive. SSB radios also have the standard AM mode for communicating with standard CB radio models. With the original 23 CB channels SSB stations commonly used channel 16, to avoid interference to those using AM (SSB stations are authorized to use 12 watts, as opposed to 4 watts for AM stations) and to more easily locate other SSB stations. With the FCC authorization of 40 channels, SSB operation shifted to channels 36–40. Channel 36 or 38 (LSB) became the unofficial SSB "calling channels" for stations seeking contacts, with the subsequent conversation moving to channels 37–40. CBers with AM-only radios are asked to not use channels 36 through 40. In return, SSB stations stay off the remaining 35 channels so they could be used by AM stations. This agreement provides interference-free operation for all operators by separating the far more powerful SSB stations from the AM stations. This solution also resolves the chaos created by the false advertising that SSB radios have 120 channels compared to only 40 for AM radios.
While a SSB radio has three possible "modes" (AM, LSB, USB) it can operate in, operation is still limited to the same 40 channels. Some manufacturers tried to sell more radios by claiming that with three different modes possible for each channel, it was the equivalent to 120 channels. Reality is far different. In general, each channel can only support one conversation at a time, whether it be in the AM, LSB or USB mode; however, a single channel can support separate LSB and USB conversations at the same time if there is no AM conversation in progress. For a particular conversation, everyone must be tuned to the same channel and same mode in order to talk with each other. Attempting an SSB conversation while an AM conversation is in progress results in jammed communications for everyone.
Country-specific variations[edit]
Main article: Personal radio service
The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) adopted the North American channel assignments, except channel nº 23, frequency 27.235 MHz; channel nº 24, frequency 27.245 MHz; channel nº 25, frequency 27.255 MHz.[33] However, legal CB equipment sold in Europe does follow the North American channel designation. Some member countries permit additional modes and frequencies; for example, Germany has 40 additional channels at 26 MHz for a total of 80. The United Kingdom has an additional 40 channels between 27.60125 and 27.99125 MHz, also making 80 in total. Before CEPT, most member countries used a subset of the 40 US channels.
In Russia and Poland the channels are shifted 5 kHz down; for example, channel 30 is 27.300 MHz.[citation needed] Many operators add a switch to change between the "zeroes" (the Russian/Polish channel assignment) and the "fives" (the international/European assignment). Most contemporary radios for that markets can do "fives" as well as "zeroes" out of the box. Since roughly 2005–2006, Russia and Poland have adopted use of the standard US channel offset as well as the older channel plan, for two overlapping "grids" of channels.
Russia uses an alphanumeric designation for their CB channel plans, due the fact that several "grids" or "bands" of 40 channels each are used, along with both AM and FM mode. Russian CB allocations follow the CB band 26.965 – 27.405 MHz (designated as band C), as well as 26.515 – 26.955 MHz (designated as band B) and 27.415 – 27.855 MHz (designated as band D). Some radios refer to the "mid band" (standard CB band) as "band D" which shifts the letters up one (making 26.515 to 26.955 MHz "band C" and 27.415 – 27.855 MHz "band E".
For the convenience of users of the grid were marked by letters. Classic is considered the marking when the main range is designated "C" letter. The most common description of the channel is considered to be similar to the following: (C9FM or C9EFM or C9EF or 9EF).
In it:
the first letter ( "C") is indicated by a grid that contains a set of 40 channels. If the first letter is not specified, it is considered that it is ( "C"). For example, (C9EF, 9EF)
hereinafter ( "9") – the channel number. Sometimes less than 10 channels are designated 2 digits. For example, (C9EF, C09EF)
behind it – an optional designation ( «E») for "European" or mandatory ( «R») for "Russian" size frequency nets. For example, (C9EF, C9F, C9RF)
end – the used modulation ( «FM») or ( «F»), ( « AM») or ( «A»). e.g. (C9EFM, C9EF, C9EAM, C9EA )
An example of correct designations: C9EF, C9EA, C9RF, C9RA
The 25 – 30 MHz band (including the CB allocations and frequencies above and below the 26.5 – 27.860 MHz band) is heavily used for taxi cab and other mobile two-way communications systems in Russia, Ukraine and other former USSR country states.
New Zealand and Japan have unique allocations that do not correspond to those of any other country. New Zealand authorizes use of their New Zealand specific 40-channel 26.330 – 26.770 MHz frequency plan in addition to the "standard" 40-channel 26.965 – 27.405 MHz frequency plan for a total of 80 HF CB channels. New Zealand has also adopted the Australian UHF CB System as well.[35]
Japan's CB allocation consists of 8 voice and 2 R/C channels with a maximum power output of 500 mW. AM mode is the only mode permitted and antennas must be non-removable and less than 199 cm (78 inches) long. In Japan, the 26 – 28 MHz range is allocated to fishery radio services and these frequencies are heavily used for marine communications. Japan's "double side band fishery radio" or "DSB Fishery Radio Service" covers 26.760 MHz-26.944 MHz, 27.016 MHz, and 27.524-27.988 MHz. However, frequencies such as 27.005 MHz AM are widely pirated in Japan with very high power transmitters. This causes interference to the authorized low-power 1 W DSB (1 watt AM) fishery radio service. Instead of 26 – 27 MHz, Japan has authorized several UHF-FM CB-type personal radio services in the 348 MHz, 420 – 422 MHz and 903 – 904 MHz bands.
26.968 MHz – Japanese CB Channel 1
26.976 MHz – Japanese CB Channel 2
27.040 MHz – Japanese CB Channel 3
27.080 MHz – Japanese CB Channel 4
27.088 MHz – Japanese CB Channel 5
27.112 MHz – Japanese CB Channel 6
27.120 MHz – Japanese CB Channel 7
27.144 MHz – Japanese CB Channel 8 – Calling Channel
27.048 MHz – Japanese Remote Control R/C Frequency
27.136 MHz – Japanese Remote Control R/C Frequency
27.152 MHz – Japanese Remote Control R/C Frequency
Indonesia has the usual 40 channels at 27 MHz, plus a unique 60-channel allocation from 142.050 MHz – 143.525 MHz.[36]
In Brazil, CB operators can use up to 80 channels (from 26.965 MHz to 27.805 MHz).
South Africa, like New Zealand and the UK, permits the use of two HF CB bands. South Africa has a 23-channel AM/SSB 29 MHz CB allocation (called "29 Megs" or "29 MHz CB") from 29.710 MHz to 29.985 MHz in 12.5 kHz steps. South Africa also permits use of standard CB channels 19 through 27 (27.185 to 27.275 MHz) with AM/SSB permitted. Many radios sold in South Africa feature both the 27 MHz and 29 MHz bands.
Hungary allows use of the "low channels" for a total of 80 channels (26.515 MHz to 27.405 MHz).
Germany authorizes a similar allocation, with 40 channels from 26.965 to 27.405 MHz and another 40 channels from 26.565 to 26.955 MHz in straight 10 kHz steps.
The Czech Republic authorizes 80 channels as well (same as the German 80 channel plan). As in Germany, digital modes are allowed on certain frequencies (channel 24 – 27.235 MHz, channel 25 – 27.245 MHz, channel 52 – 26.675 MHz, channel 53 – 26.685 MHz, channel 76 – 26.915 MHz, and channel 77 – 26.925 MHz). Internet gateways and radio repeaters are allowed on channels 18 (27.175 MHz) and 23 (27.255 MHz). Paging is permitted on channel 1 (26.965 MHz) and channel 80 (26.955 MHz) is the recommended call channel for Czech CB radio operators.
Using radios outside their intended market can be dangerous, as well as illegal, as frequencies used by Citizen's Band radios from other countries may operate on frequencies close to, or used by, emergency services (for example, the Indonesian service around 142 MHz operates on frequencies allocated to a public safety network shared with police, fire and EMS services in Ontario, Canada).
In the Philippines, up to present time, the use of 27 MHz CB is still banned since the Marcos regime banned it in 1980s. A few operators still illegally utilize the 40 CB channels. There are active CB groups that are now asking Senator Bongbong Marcos, the son of the late president Ferdinand Marcos, to lift the ban and make the use of CB radios legal again.
Current use[edit]
CB was the only practical two‑way radio system for the individual consumer, and served several subsets of users such as truck drivers, radio hobbyists, and those in need of short‑range radio communications, such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters, who needed to communicate between job site and main office. While some users have moved on to other radio services, CB is still a popular hobby in many countries. The 27 MHz frequencies used by CB, which require a relatively long aerial and tend to propagate poorly indoors, discourage the use of handheld radios. Many users of handheld radios (families, hunters and hikers) have moved on to 49 MHz and the UHF Family Radio Service; those needing a simple radio for professional use (e.g., tradesmen) have moved on to "dot-color" Business Band radios and the VHF Multi-Use Radio Service.
CB is still popular among long-haul truck drivers to communicate directions, traffic problems and other relevant matters.[37] The unofficial "travelers channel" in most of the world is channel 19; in Australia it is channel 8 (27.055 MHz) and UHF channel 40 (477.400 MHz). In Russia it is channel 15 (in addition to traditional "emergency" 9 and "truckers" 19 channels) and in Greece it is channel 13, all AM. These frequencies may have evolved because tuned circuits (particularly antennas) work best in the middle of the band; the frequency for channel 19 (not channel 20) is the center of the 40-channel US band and other things being equal, signals will be transmitted and heard the farthest. Since less standardization exists in Europe, CB there is more associated with hobbyists than with truckers.
Legal (short‑range) use of CB radio is sometimes impeded by users of illegal high‑power transmitters, which can be heard hundreds of miles away. The other problem with short‑range CB use is propagation; during long‑range "skip" conditions local signals are inaudible due to reception of multiple distant signals.
In the United States, the number of users and law enforcement financing by the Federal Communications Commission mean that only the worst offenders are sanctioned, which makes legitimate operation on the citizens band unreliable. Most offenders are not caught for interfering with other CB users; often, their self‑modified equipment generates harmonics and spurs which cause interference to services outside the citizens band and to consumer equipment.
The maximum legal CB power output level in the U.S. is 4 watts for AM (un-modulated carrier; modulation can be four times the carrier power, or 16 watts PEP) and 12 watts PEP for SSB, as measured at the transmitter antenna connection. However, external linear amplifiers are often used illegally.
During the 1970s the FCC banned the sale of linear amplifiers capable of operation from 24 to 35 MHz to discourage their use on the CB band, although the use of high‑power amplifiers continued. Late in 2006, the FCC amended the regulation to exclude only 26 to 28 MHz to facilitate amateur 10-meter operation.[38] Lax enforcement enables manufacturers of illegal linear amplifiers to openly advertise their products; many CB dealers include these amplifiers in their catalogs. Due to their rampant, unchecked use of linear amplifiers, American CB Radio operators are often referred to as "Alligators", by operators in other countries. (Suggesting American operators are "All Mouth and No Ears".) Attempts by law-abiding CB users to increase regulatory oversight have been ineffective.
Technology[edit]
At the beginning of the CB radio service, transmitters and receivers used vacuum tubes; solid-state transmitters were not widely available until 1965, after the introduction of RF-power transistors.[39] Walkie-talkie hand-held units became affordable with the use of transistors. Early receivers did not cover all the channels of the service; channels were controlled by plug-in quartz crystals, with one of several operating frequencies selected by a panel control in more expensive units. Superheterodyne receivers (using one or two conversion stages) were the norm in good-quality equipment, although low-cost toy-type units used super-regenerative receivers. With the earliest sets two quartz crystals were needed for transmitting and receiving on each channel, which was costly. By the mid-1960s "mixer" circuits made frequency-synthesized radios possible, which reduced cost and allowed full coverage of all 23 channels with a smaller number of crystals (typically 14). The next improvement came during the mid-1970s; crystal synthesis was replaced by PLL technology using ICs, enabling 40-channel sets with only one crystal (10.240 MHz). Almost all were AM-only, although there were a few single sideband sets.
Most CB radios sold in the United States have the following features:
Automatic noise limiter or noise blanker: Reduces background noise (such as spark ignition)
CB/WX switch: Selects weather-radio receiver
Automatic level control (ALC): Limits the transmitter modulation level to reduce distortion
PA: Some transceivers can drive an external speaker and act as a low-power public address system, or "bullhorn".
RF gain: Adjusts the RF amplifier gain of the receiver; used to reduce received background noise, and to reduce "clipping" due to over-amplification of already-strong signals (for example, when the receiver is near the transmitter)
NOR/9/19: Quickly tunes preset channels for calling or emergency use
SWR: Meter used to monitor reflected power caused by mismatched antennas and antenna cables
Volume control
Microphone choices include:
Dynamic microphone: Uses magnetic coil and permanent magnet
Ceramic mic: Uses a piezoelectric element; rugged, low-cost but high-impedance
Echo mic: Deliberately introduces distortion and echo into transmitted audio
Electret microphone: Uses an electrostatic method to convert sound to electrical signals
Noise-canceling microphone: Uses two elements to reduce background noise
Power mic: An amplified microphone[40]
Antennas[edit]
Typical center-loaded mobile CB antenna. Note the loading coil, which shortens the antenna's overall length.
27 MHz is a relatively long wavelength for mobile communications, and the choice of antenna has a considerable impact on the performance of a CB radio. A common mobile antenna is a quarter-wave vertical whip. This is roughly nine feet (2.7 m) tall; it is mounted low on the vehicle body, and often has a spring-and-ball mount to enhance its flexibility when scraping or striking overhead objects. Where a nine-foot whip is undesirable, shorter antennas include loading coils to make the antenna impedance the same as a physically longer antenna. The loading coil may be on the bottom, middle, or top of the antenna, while some antennas are wound in a continuously-loaded helix.
Many truckers use two co-phased antennas, mounted on their outside mirrors. Such an array is intended to enhance performance to the front and back, while reducing it to the sides (a desirable pattern for long-haul truckers). However, the efficiency of such an arrangement is only an improvement over a single antenna when the co-phased antennas are separated by approximately eight feet or more, restricting this design to use mainly on tractor-trailers and some full-size pickups and SUVs. Some operators will use only one of the two antennas; this removes both the complexity and benefit of a true co-phased array, but gives a symmetrical cosmetic appearance preferred by some truck drivers.
Another mobile antenna is the continuously-loaded half-wave antenna. These do not require a ground plane to present a near-50-ohm load to the radio, and are often used on fiberglass vehicles such as snowmobiles or boats. They are also useful in base stations where circumstances preclude the use of a ground-plane antenna. Handheld CBs may use either a telescoping center-loaded whip or a continuously-loaded "rubber ducky" antenna.
Base CB antennas may be vertical for omnidirectional coverage, or directional "beam" antennas may be used to direct communications to a particular region. Ground-plane kits exist as mounting bases for mobile whips, and have several wire terminals or hardwired ground radials attached. These kits are designed to have a mobile whip screwed on top (a full-length, quarter-wave steel whip is preferred) and mounted on a mast. The ground radials replace the vehicle body (which is the counterpoise for a mobile whip in a typical vehicle installation).
Working skip[edit]
Main article: Skywave
All frequencies in the HF spectrum (3–30 MHz) can be refracted by charged ions in the ionosphere. Refracting signals off the ionosphere is called skywave propagation, and the operator is said to be "shooting skip". CB operators have communicated across thousands of miles and sometimes around the world. Even low-power 27 MHz signals can sometimes propagate over long distances.
The ability of the ionosphere to bounce signals back to earth is caused by solar radiation[citation needed], and the amount of ionization possible is related to the 11-year sunspot cycle. In times of high sunspot activity, the band can remain open to much of the world for long periods of time. During low sunspot activity it may be impossible to use skywave at all, except during periods of Sporadic-E propagation (from late spring through mid-summer). Skip contributes to noise on CB frequencies. In the United States, it is illegal to engage in (or attempt to engage in) CB communications with any station more than 250 km (160 mi) from an operator's location.[41] This restriction exists to keep CB as a local (line-of-sight) radio service; however, in the United States the restriction is widely ignored. The legality of shooting skip is not an issue in most other countries . A recent FCC decision now allows the shooting of skip in the United States.[42]
Freebanding and export radios[edit]
Operation on frequencies above or below the citizens band (on the "uppers" or "lowers") is called "freebanding" or "outbanding".[43] While frequencies just below the CB segment (or between the CB segment and the amateur radio 10-meter band) seem quiet and under-utilized, they are allocated to other radio services (including government agencies) and unauthorized operation on them is illegal. Furthermore, illegal transmitters and amplifiers may not meet good engineering practice for harmonic distortion or "splatter", which may disrupt other communications and make the unapproved equipment obvious to regulators. Freebanding is done with modified CB or amateur equipment, foreign CB radios which may offer different channels, or with radios intended for export. Legal operation in one country may be illegal in another; for example, in the UK until June 2014 only 80 FM channels were legal.
Unlike amateur radios with continuous frequency tuning, CBs manufactured for export are channelized. Frequency selection resembles that of modified American CBs more than any foreign frequency plan. They typically have a knob and display that reads up to channel 40, but include an extra band selector that shifts all 40 channels above or below the band and a "+10 kHz" button to reach the model control "A" channels. These radios may have 6 or even 12 bands, establishing a set of quasi-CB channels on many unauthorized frequencies. The bands are typically lettered A through F, with the normal citizens band as D.
For example, a freebander with an export radio who wants to use 27.635 MHz would choose channel 19 (27.185 MHz) and then shift the radio up one band (+450 kHz). It requires arithmetic on the part of the operator to determine the actual frequency, although more expensive radios include a frequency counter or a frequency display—two different components, providing an identical result. Illegal operations may unintentionally end up on frequencies very much in use. For instance, channel 19 shifted two bands up is 28.085 MHz, which is in a Morse code/data-only part of the 10-meter ham band. Voice transmissions in a Morse code-only segment are easily detectable by authorities. Amateur Radio Service operators record, locate, and report frequency trespassing and intrusions of their government or ITU allocations by pirate transmissions or illegal operators to the FCC for enforcement action.[44]
Many freeband operators use amateur radios modified to transmit out of band, which is illegal in some countries. Older amateur radios may require component changes; for instance, the 1970s Yaesu FT-101 was modified for CB by replacing a set of crystals used to tune portions of the 10-meter band, although some variants of the FT-101 were sold with the US FCC channels standard and were capable of transmitting above and below the legal 40 channels by another 10 or more channels.[45] On some newer radios, the modification may be as simple as disconnecting a jumper wire or a diode. Many types of amateur transceivers may be found on CB and freeband, ranging from full-coverage HF transceivers to simpler 10-meter mobile radios. In the United States, the FCC bans the importation and marketing of radios it deems easily modifiable for CB;[46] it is illegal to transmit on CB frequencies with a ham radio except in emergencies where no other method of communication is available.
A gray market trade in imported CB gear exists in many countries. In some instances, the sale or ownership of foreign-specification CB gear is not illegal but its use is. With the FCC's minimal enforcement of its CB rules, enthusiasts in the US use "export radios" or European frequency modulation (FM) CB gear to escape the crowded AM channels. American AM gear has also been exported to Europe.
"Export radios" are sold in the United States as 10-meter Amateur Radio transceivers. Marketing, import and sale of such radios is illegal if they are distributed as anything other than Amateur Radio transceivers. It is also illegal to use these radios outside of the Amateur Radio bands by anyone in the US, since they are not type-certified for other radio services and usually exceed authorized power limits. The use of these radios within the Amateur Radio Service by a licensed Amateur Radio operator within his/her license privileges is legal, as long as all FCC regulations for Amateur Radio are followed. The term "export radio" is a misnomer, since it implies that they cannot be used in the country in which they are sold and hints that the radio is legal in another country. However, the typical "export radio" has a combination of features, frequency coverage and output power which make it illegal worldwide; in reality, there is no country to which these radios may be legally exported.
Callbook[edit]
A callbook is a directory of radio station call signs. Originally a bound book that resembled a telephone directory, it contains the name and addresses of radio stations in a given jurisdiction (country). Modern Electrics published the first callbook in the United States in 1909. Today, the primary purpose of a callbook is to allow radio operators to send a confirmation post card, called a QSL card to an operator with whom they have communicated via radio. Callbooks have evolved to include on-line databases that are accessible via the Internet to instantly obtain the address of another amateur radio operator and their QSL Managers. The most well known and used on-line QSL database for the 11-meter/freebander community is QRZ11.COM, designed after its "big brother" QRZ.COM for Amateur Radio.[47][48][49][50][51][52]
Media[edit]
During the 1970s and 1980s heyday of CB radio, many citizens band-themed magazines appeared on newsstands. Two magazines that dominated the time period were S9 CB Radio and CB Radio Magazine. S9's successor was Popular Communications, which had the same editor under a different publisher beginning in 1982. It covered hobby radio as well as CB. The same publisher produced a magazine called RADIO! for RadioShack stores in the mid-1990s. In Australia, CB Action Magazine was produced monthly from mid-1977 and continuing publication through until the early 1990s. CB Action spawned several other popular publications, including a communications and scanning magazine and the hugely popular Amateur Radio Action magazine, produced over several decades and running to some 18 volumes.
In the early 2000s, National Communications Magazine added CB radio coverage to its coverage of scanner radios and to this day remains the only magazine covering CB radio in North America.
See also[edit]
Personal radio service: For an overview of CB-like services worldwide
UHF CB
Amateur radio
Citizens Band radio in India
27 MHz CB27/81 Bandplan: One of the two 27 MHz CB band plans used in the UK. The other is the same as the American band plan.
FRS: A UHF CB system used in the USA, Canada, Mexico and several South American countries.
GMRS: A licensed UHF CB system used in the USA, similar to the original "Class A" CB service
List of CB slang
MURS: A VHF CB system used in the USA.
PMR446: A UHF CB system used in most European countries
Ten-code
References[edit]
Jump up ^ The Big dummy's guide to C.B. radio. Houston, Albert. (2d ed.). Summertown, Tenn.: Book Pub. Co. 1977. ISBN 0913990043. OCLC 4340705.
Jump up ^ Canadian "General Radio Service"
Jump up ^ http://www.retrocom.com/wtcollect/27_megacycle_history_in_the_u.htm 27 Megacycle History, retrieved 2010 Feb 9
Jump up ^ Kneitel (1988:13)
Jump up ^ Kneitel (1988:14)
Jump up ^ FCC Part 95 Overview Retrieved 2011-10-21.
Jump up ^ In the Americas, the 220 MHz band is used by ham operators
^ Jump up to: a b ""I Can't Drive 55": the economics of the CB radio phenomenon", Independent Review, The Independent Institute, 15 (3), 2011
Jump up ^ https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1893&dat=19750216&id=qm0fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZtUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=841,5104091&hl=en
^ Jump up to: a b Novelty songs praising CB in 1975/1976 were:
C.W. McCall's "Convoy" (1975) which climbed to Number One in the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1976, to #2 in the UK Charts during the spring of 1976, and inspiring the 1978 film of the same name.
The White Knight, a novelty country music song made famous by Jay Huguely, who - recording as Cledus Maggard & The Citizen's Band - enjoyed a brief run of national popularity with the song when it became popular in 1976.
In the UK BBC Radio One dj's Dave Lee Travis and Paul Burnett covered the song "Convoy" with an altered UK applying song text, released as Convoy GB under the moniker name Laurie Lingo & the Dipsticks, chart-peaking at #4 in the spring of 1976.
"'Round the World with the Rubber Duck" is a sequel, made by C.W. McCall to his song "Convoy", released in late spring 1976, peaking at #1 in the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Charts.
"One Piece At A Time" by Johnny Cash, also in 1976, peaking in the UK Charts at #12 in early summer.
"Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine, again in 1976, charting in the UK at #6 in late summer.
Jump up ^ Tweed, Michael, "Back in View, a First Lady With Her Own Legacy", The New York Times, 31 December 2006
Jump up ^ Chilton (1977:12)
Jump up ^ Chilton (1977:14)
Jump up ^ Channels 10-14 and 23, after channel 9 was reserved for emergency use
Jump up ^ The terms "interstation" and "intrastation" appear in the FCC's Part 95 rules from that time period.
Jump up ^ Chilton (1977:120)
Jump up ^ "Radio Information for Boaters". United States Coast Guard.
Jump up ^ http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/citizens-band-cb-service
Jump up ^ ACRM: CB Radio History Archived 2006-09-17 at the Wayback Machine.
Jump up ^ ACMA: 27 MHz Handphone Stations Class Licence
Jump up ^ ACRM: Movement
Jump up ^ These roughly corresponded to the present channels 5–22, except for the two unique frequencies that are known as 11A (Channel 7 on an 18 channel Australian CB) and 19A (Channel 16 on an 18-channel Australian CB) or remote control frequencies but are no longer part of the Australian 27 MHz CB band since 40 Channels was introduced. See ACBRO: "Aussie" 18-Channel Radio Guide.
Jump up ^ for more information visit http://www.uhfcb.com.au
Jump up ^ Matt P. Spinello, Touring Canada With Your CB Rig, in Elementary Electronics magazine, Davis Publications, New York; Volume 10 No. 2, July/August 1972, pp. 55–56
Jump up ^ Government of Canada Department of Communications, "TRC 40: Licensing of General Radio Service Equipment Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine., January 1, 1977; retrieved 3 Jan 2010
Jump up ^ Indonesian DX Club: CB Radio
Jump up ^ http://www.skmm.gov.my/link_file/registers/cma/ClassAssignment/pdf/Class%20Assign-BI-register.pdf
Jump up ^ http://sppd.skmm.gov.my/skmmgovmy/files/attachments/CA_01_April_2010.pdf
Jump up ^ https://www.skmm.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf/Class-Assignment-No-1-of-2017.pdf
Jump up ^ [1]
Jump up ^ Finlo Rohrer (August 14, 2006). "Over and out?" BBC News Magazine. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
Jump up ^ "Citizens Band (CB) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference". www.radioreference.com. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
^ Jump up to: a b Arrêté du 31 mars 1992 relatif aux caractéristiques techniques et aux conditions d'exploitation des postes C.B.
Jump up ^ http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-cfr.cgi?TITLE=47&PART=95&SECTION=407&YEAR=2000&TYPE=TEXT
Jump up ^ Channel Lists for 27 & UHF-CB in NZ
Jump up ^ An Indonesian government decision regarding CB, with frequency charts Archived 2016-01-20 at the Wayback Machine.
Jump up ^ Alice Adams Trucking:Tractor-Trailer Driver Handbook/Workbook, page 558, the first DB radio
Jump up ^ "Omnibus" Amateur Radio Report and Order
Jump up ^ http://www.qsl.net/k5dh/raytheon/raytheon.html gives the history of one US manufacturer's line of CB equipment
Jump up ^ NewCompanyDriver – Learn the basics of CB radio
Jump up ^ FCC Part 95 Subpart D.
Jump up ^ http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01016.html#General
Jump up ^ The term "outbanding" was introduced by Kneitel in the August 1979 issue of S9 Magazine.(Kneitel 1988:165)
Jump up ^ ARRL: FCC enforcement actions
Jump up ^ (Kneitel 1988:174)
Jump up ^ QTH.com: Illegal CB Transceiver List
Jump up ^ http://www.seas.upenn.edu/~uparc/documents/First%20Annual%20Official%20Wireless%20Blue%20Book%20-%201909.pdf
Jump up ^ http://www.qrz11.com
Jump up ^ http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/cq_highlights/2014_cq/2014_02_cq/CQ_2014_02_OPT.pdf
Jump up ^ http://qrz11.phpbb8.de/download/file.php?id=44&sud=21333
Jump up ^ http://www.dx27.net/viewpage.php?page_id=4
Jump up ^ http://www.sugar-delta.it/site/index.php
Sources[edit]
Chilton Automotive Editorial Department (1977). Chilton's CB Handbook. Radnor, PA: Chilton Book Company. ISBN 0-8019-6623-X.
Kneitel, Tom (1988). Tomcat's Big CB Handbook. Commack, NY: CRB Research Books. ISBN 0-939780-07-0.
GL 226 ( VK3PJB ) Ex Secretary GL Club, Australia
External links[edit]
Citizen Band Radio at Curlie (based on DMOZ)
UK CB Radio Resource and Information Website
[show]
v
t
e
Telecommunications
History
Beacon
Broadcasting
Cable protection system
Cable TV
Communications satellite
Computer network
Drums
Electrical telegraph
Fax
Heliographs
Hydraulic telegraph
Internet
Mass media
Mobile phone
Optical telecommunication
Optical telegraphy
Pager
Photophone
Prepay mobile phone
Radio
Radiotelephone
Satellite communications
Semaphore
Smartphone
Smoke signals
Telecommunications history
Telautograph
Telegraphy
Teleprinter (teletype)
Telephone
The Telephone Cases
Television
Timeline of communication technology
Undersea telegraph line
Videoconferencing
Videophone
Videotelephony
Whistled language
Pioneers
Edwin Howard Armstrong
John Logie Baird
Paul Baran
Alexander Graham Bell
Tim Berners-Lee
Jagadish Chandra Bose
Vint Cerf
Claude Chappe
Donald Davies
Lee de Forest
Philo Farnsworth
Reginald Fessenden
Elisha Gray
Erna Schneider Hoover
Charles K. Kao
Hedy Lamarr
Innocenzo Manzetti
Guglielmo Marconi
Antonio Meucci
Radia Perlman
Alexander Stepanovich Popov
Johann Philipp Reis
Nikola Tesla
Camille Tissot
Alfred Vail
Charles Wheatstone
Vladimir K. Zworykin
Transmission
media
Coaxial cable
Fiber-optic communication
Optical fiber
Free-space optical communication
Molecular communication
Radio waves
Transmission line
Network topology
and switching
Links
Nodes
Terminal node
Network switching (circuit
packet)
Telephone exchange
Multiplexing
Space-division
Frequency-division
Time-division
Polarization-division
Orbital angular-momentum
Code-division
Networks
ARPANET
BITNET
Cellular network
Computer
CYCLADES
Ethernet
FidoNet
Internet
ISDN
LAN
Mobile
NGN
NPL network
Public Switched Telephone
Radio
Telecommunications equipment
Television
Telex
WAN
Wireless
World Wide Web
Category
Portal
[show]
v
t
e
Two-way radio
Amateur and hobbyist
Amateur radio
Amateur radio repeater
Citizens band radio
Family Radio Service
General Mobile Radio Service
KDR 444
LPD433
Mobile rig
Multi-Use Radio Service
PMR446
UHF CB (Australia)
Aviation
(aeronautical mobile)
Air traffic control
Aircraft emergency frequency
Airband
Common traffic advisory frequency
Mandatory frequency airport
MULTICOM
Single Frequency Approach
UNICOM
Land-based commercial
and government mobile
Base station
Business band
Mobile radio
Professional mobile radio
Radio repeater
Specialized Mobile Radio
Trunked radio system
Walkie-talkie
Marine (shipboard)
2182 kHz
500 kHz
Coast radio station
Marine VHF radio
Maritime mobile amateur radio
Signaling /
Selective calling
CTCSS
D-STAR
Dual-tone multi-frequency
MDC-1200
Push-to-talk
Quik-Call I
Quik-Call II
Selcall
SELCAL
System elements
and principles
Antenna
APRS
Automatic vehicle location
Call sign
CAD
DC remote
Dispatch
Dynamic range compression
Fade margin
Link budget
Rayleigh fading
Tone remote
Radiotelephony procedure
Voting (diversity combining)
[show]
v
t
e
Trucking industry in the United States
Regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Economy of the United States
Regulations
Commercial driver's license
Hours of service
Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula
Electronic on-board recorder
Motor carrier safety rating
Motor Carrier Act of 1980
International Registration Plan
National Network
Manufacturers
Truck manufacturers
AM General
American LaFrance
Autocar
Bering
Bremach
Brockway
Chevrolet
CCC
Caterpillar
CNH Industrial
Diamond Reo
Dina
F650 Pickups
Freightliner
Ford
GMC
Hayes
Hino
Isuzu
Marmon-Herrington
Mercedes-Benz
International
Kenworth
Mack
Mitsubishi Fuso
Nissan
Oshkosh
Peterbilt
Ram Trucks
Sterling
Smith
Tesla
Spartan
Tiger Truck
Toyota
UD Trucks
VIA
Volvo
Ward LaFrance
Western Star
White
Workhorse Group
Engine manufacturers
Caterpillar
Cummins
Detroit Diesel
Mack
MaxxForce
Mercedes-Benz
Paccar
Volvo
Trailer manufacturers
Fontaine
Fruehauf Trailer Corporation
Great Dane
Hyundai Translead
Lufkin Trailers
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company
Vanguard
Wabash National
Wilson
Motor carriers
Truckload carriers
Celadon
Covenant
England
CRST
FFE Transportation
J. B. Hunt
Knight
Landstar System
PAM Transport
Patriot Transportation
Roehl Transport
Schneider
Swift
USA Truck
Werner
WTI Transport, Inc.
Less than truckload (LTL)
ABF
Estes Express Lines
FedEx Freight
New England Motor Freight
Old Dominion Freight Line
Pitt Ohio Express
R+L Carriers
Saia
Southeastern
UPS Freight
XPO Logistics
YRCW
Third-party logistics providers
Access America Transport
C. H. Robinson Worldwide
CaseStack
Freightquote
Ryder
Total Quality Logistics
XPO Logistics
National parcel carriers
DHL Express
FedEx
UPS
United States Postal Service
Regional parcel carriers
LaserShip
OnTrac
Moving companies
Allied
Atlas
Bekins
Gentle Giant Moving Company
Global
Interstate
Mayflower
National
North American
PODS
Shleppers Moving & Storage
Two Men and a Truck
United
Wheaton
Truck stops
Bowlin Travel Centers
Dixie Travel Plaza
Iowa 80
Love's
Pilot Flying J
Road Ranger
Roady's
T/A & Petro
Town Pump
People
Reginald Denny
Jimmy Hoffa
Fred Smith
John B. Hunt
Kelly Reno
Iyman Faris
Larry Walters
Keith Jesperson
Organizations
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Owner–Operator Independent Drivers Association
DAT Solutions (Dial-A-Truck)
American Trucking Associations
National Motor Freight Traffic Association
National Private Truck Council
FJ Management
SmartWay Transport Partnership
American Moving & Storage Association
Glossary
Glossary of the American trucking industry
Popular culture
Film
Black Dog
Breakdown
Convoy
Duel
F.I.S.T.
The Gang's All Here
Joy Ride
Maximum Overdrive
Over The Top
Smokey and the Bandit (series)
They Drive by Night
White Line Fever
Trucker
Television
B. J. and the Bear
Ice Road Truckers
Movin' On
Trick My Truck
American Loggers
American Trucker
Music
"Convoy"
"Papa Loved Mama"
"Six Days on the Road"
"Teddy Bear"
"Phantom 309"
"Giddyup Go"
"The White Knight"
"East Bound and Down"
"Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)"
"Drivin' My Life Away"
"Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses"
"Girl on the Billboard"
"A Tombstone Every Mile"
"Roll On Big Mama"
"Movin' On"
"Big Wheels in the Moonlight"
"Sweet Home Alabama"
Radio
Road Dog Trucking (Dave Nemo)
Red Eye (Bill Mack)
Dale Sommers
Other
The Rolling Memorial
Citizens band radio
Note: Defunct companies are shown in italics
Authority control
GND: 4009628-2
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Citizens_band_radio&oldid=833660589"
Categories:
1970s fads and trends
Bandplans
Radio hobbies
Radio regulations
Hidden categories:
Webarchive template wayback links
All articles with unsourced statements
Articles with unsourced statements from September 2009
Articles needing additional references from October 2015
All articles needing additional references
Articles with unsourced statements from November 2011
Articles with unsourced statements from March 2017
Articles with Curlie links
Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers
Navigation menu
Personal tools
Not logged in
Talk
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Namespaces
Article
Talk
Variants
Views
Read
Edit
View history
More
Search
Navigation
Main page
Contents
Featured content
Current events
Random article
Donate to Wikipedia
Wikipedia store
Interaction
Help
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact page
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
Print/export
Create a book
Download as PDF
Printable version
In other projects
Wikimedia Commons
Languages
Български
Čeština
Dansk
Deutsch
Español
فارسی
Français
Gaeilge
한국어
Italiano
Magyar
Nederlands
日本語
Norsk
Polski
Português
Română
Русский
Simple English
Српски / srpski
Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски
Suomi
Svenska
Türkçe
15 more
Edit links
This page was last edited on 1 April 2018, at 20:46.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
Privacy policy
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Contact Wikipedia
Developers
Cookie statement
Mobile view
Enable previews

values: mw-page-base noprint

values: mw-head-base noprint

values: firstHeading firstHeading en

values: siteSub noprint

values: jump-to-nav mw-jump

values: Black-and-gray 1980s-era base station, with tall round desk microphone

attrs: href class title

attrs: class style

values: Small black mobile radio with hand-held microphone and long, coiled mic cord

values:
/wiki/Amateur_Radio
mw-redirect
Amateur Radio

values:
/wiki/Ultra-high_frequency
mw-redirect
Ultra-high frequency

values:
/wiki/Amateur_radio_service
mw-redirect
Amateur radio service

values:
/wiki/Solid_state_(electronics)
mw-redirect
Solid state (electronics)

values:
/wiki/Speed_traps
mw-redirect
Speed traps

values:
/wiki/C.W._McCall
mw-redirect
C.W. McCall

values:
/wiki/Callsign_(radio)
mw-redirect
Callsign (radio)

values: Edit section: Boating and the U.S. Coast Guard

values:
/wiki/Mobile_phones
mw-redirect
Mobile phones

values:
/wiki/Sunspot_cycle
mw-redirect
Sunspot cycle

values: This claim needs references to reliable sources. (September 2009)

values:
noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact
white-space:nowrap;

values: Close-up of gray walkie-talkie CB radio, viewed from the side

values: National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs

values: Help:Introduction to referencing with Wiki Markup/1

values: plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-Unreferenced

values: Edit section: Country-specific variations

values: This claim needs references to reliable sources. (November 2011)

values: Automatic level control (page does not exist)

values: CB antenna with loading coil, mounted on pickup-truck metal tool box

values: This claim needs references to reliable sources. (March 2017)

values: Edit section: Freebanding and export radios

values:
/wiki/Gray_market
mw-redirect
Gray market

values:
nofollow
external text
http://www.qrz.com

values:
/wiki/Multi-use_Radio_Service
mw-redirect
Multi-use Radio Service

values:
nofollow
external text
https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/4340705

values:
nofollow
external text
//www.worldcat.org/oclc/4340705

values:
/wiki/1.25_meters
mw-redirect
1.25 meters

values:
/wiki/The_Independent_Institute
mw-redirect
The Independent Institute

values:
/wiki/Jay_Huguely
mw-redirect
Jay Huguely

values:
/wiki/BBC_Radio_One
mw-redirect
BBC Radio One

values: Laurie Lingo & the Dipsticks (page does not exist)

values:
/wiki/Billboard_Magazine
mw-redirect
Billboard Magazine

values:
/wiki/One_Piece_At_A_Time
mw-redirect
One Piece At A Time

values:
nofollow
external text
http://acbro.org/ozchannels.htm

values:
nofollow
external free
http://www.uhfcb.com.au

values:
nofollow
http://cbradio.idxc.org/
external text

values:
nofollow
external autonumber
http://my27mhz.blogspot.com

values:
nofollow
external text
http://www.arrl.org/fcc-enforcement-1

values:
nofollow
external free
http://www.qrz11.com

values: -moz-column-width: 30em; -webkit-column-width: 30em; column-width: 30em; list-style-type: decimal;

values:
nofollow
external text
http://www.cbradiouk.com

values:
/wiki/File:Telecom-icon.svg
image
Telecommunications symbol

attrs: alt src title width height srcset data-file-width data-file-height

values: nowraplinks hlist collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner

values: navigation navbox Telecommunications padding:3px

values: nowraplinks collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner

values: Template:Trucking industry in the United States

values: Template talk:Trucking industry in the United States

values: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

values:
navbox-image
8
width:1px;padding:0px 0px 0px 2px

values:
/wiki/Knight_Transportation
mw-redirect
Knight Transportation

values:
/wiki/C._H._Robinson_Worldwide
mw-redirect
C. H. Robinson Worldwide

values: Owner–Operator Independent Drivers Association

values: National Motor Freight Traffic Association

values: Glossary of the American trucking industry

values: Trucking industry in popular culture (United States)

values:
nofollow
external text
https://d-nb.info/gnd/4009628-2

values: Category:Webarchive template wayback links

values: Category:All articles with unsourced statements

values: Category:Articles with unsourced statements from September 2009

values: Category:Articles needing additional references from October 2015

values: Category:All articles needing additional references

values: Category:Articles with unsourced statements from November 2011

values: Category:Articles with unsourced statements from March 2017

values: Category:Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers

values: Discussion about edits from this IP address [ctrl-alt-n]

values: A list of edits made from this IP address [ctrl-alt-y]

values: You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory

values: You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [ctrl-alt-o]

values:
/wiki/Citizens_band_radio
View the content page [ctrl-alt-c]
c

values: Discussion about the content page [ctrl-alt-t]

values: p-namespaces navigation vectorTabs p-namespaces-label

values:
p-variants
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-variants-label

values: Past revisions of this page [ctrl-alt-h]

values: p-views navigation vectorTabs p-views-label

values:
p-cactions
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-cactions-label

values:
mw-wiki-logo
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page

values:
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page [ctrl-alt-z]
z

values: Featured content – the best of Wikipedia

values: Find background information on current events

values:
/wiki/Special:Random
Load a random article [ctrl-alt-x]
x

values: portal navigation p-navigation p-navigation-label

values: Гражданска радиовръзка – Bulgarian

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-bg
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-cs
display: none;

values:
https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/CB-radio
CB-radio – Danish
da
da
interlanguage-link-target

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-da
display: none;

values:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/CB-Funk
CB-Funk – German
de
de
interlanguage-link-target

values: رادیوی باند شهروندان – Persian

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-fa
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-ga
display: none;

values: 시민 밴드 라디오 – Korean

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-hu
display: none;

values:
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/27_MC
27 MC – Dutch
nl
nl
interlanguage-link-target

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-nl
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-no
display: none;

values:
https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/CB-radio
CB-radio – Polish
pl
pl
interlanguage-link-target

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-pl
display: none;

values:
https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_CB
Radio CB – Romanian
ro
ro
interlanguage-link-target

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-ro
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-simple
display: none;

values: Цивилни банд – Serbian

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-sr
display: none;

values:
https://sh.wikipedia.org/wiki/CB_radio
CB radio – Serbo-Croatian
sh
sh
interlanguage-link-target

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-sh
display: none;

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-fi
display: none;

values:
https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/PR-radio
PR-radio – Swedish
sv
sv
interlanguage-link-target

values:
interlanguage-link interwiki-sv
display: none;

values: All languages (initial selection from common choices by you and others)

values: /static/images/wikimedia-button-1.5x.png 1.5x, /static/images/wikimedia-button-2x.png 2x

values: /static/images/poweredby_mediawiki_132x47.png 1.5x, /static/images/poweredby_mediawiki_176x62.png 2x

values:
suggestions
display: none; font-size: 13px;

values: mediawiki ltr sitedir-ltr mw-hide-empty-elt ns-0 ns-subject page-Citizens_band_radio rootpage-Citizens_band_radio skin-vector action-view


text:
All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
"All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth"
Single by Spike Jones & His City Slickers
Released
1948
Genre
Novelty, Christmas
Label
RCA Victor
Songwriter(s)
Donald Yetter Gardner
"All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" is a novelty Christmas song written in 1944 by Donald Yetter Gardner[1] while teaching music at public schools in Smithtown, New York. He asked his second grade class what they wanted for Christmas, and noticed that almost all of the students had at least one front tooth missing as they answered in a lisp. Gardner wrote the song in 30 minutes. In a 1995 interview, Gardner said, "I was amazed at the way that silly little song was picked up by the whole country."[2][3] The song was published in 1948 after an employee of Witmark music company heard Gardner sing it at a music teachers conference.[2][3]
The song was introduced in 1948 by singing group The Satisfiers on Perry Como's radio show,[4] and originally recorded by Spike Jones & His City Slickers on December 6, 1947, with lead vocal by George Rock. That version reached the top of the pop charts in 1948, and again in 1949.[3] The song has also been recorded by numerous other singers and performers, including Ray Stevens,[5] George Strait, Danny Kaye with The Andrews Sisters, Urbie Green, The Platters, Dread Zeppelin, The Kelly Family,[6] Nat King Cole (reportedly Gardner's favorite version),[2] The Chipmunks, the Hampton String Quartet, The Three Stooges, Kisdongs, and Count von Count of Sesame Street.
In the versions by Spike, The Chipmunks (Theodore on lead vocals), and Ray Stevens, the song ends with the performer shouting the words "Happy New Year!!!" Homer and Jethro parodied the song as "All I Want for Christmas Is My Upper Plate", on their 1968 album Cool Crazy Christmas.
Drag performer and singer RuPaul parodied the song on his Christmas album Ho, Ho, Ho. In his version, the singer lists "a litany of plastic surgery requests" that he would like to receive for the holiday.[7]
In 1986, the song title was parodied in "All I Want for Christmas Is a Dukla Prague Away Kit" by the band Half Man Half Biscuit on The Trumpton Riots EP.
Country music parodist Cledus T. Judd parodied the song on his 2002 Christmas album Cledus Navidad. Titled "All I Want for Christmas Is Two Gold Front Teef", Judd's parody is performed in rap.[citation needed]
See also[edit]
List of number-one singles of 1949 (U.S.)
References[edit]
Jump up ^ Ancestry.com. Social Security Death Index [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2009.
^ Jump up to: a b c "Donald Yetter Gardner, 91, Songwriter". The New York Times. September 22, 2004. p. B-8.
^ Jump up to: a b c Oliver, Myrna (September 26, 2004). "Donald Gardner, 91; Wrote the Popular 'Two Front Teeth' Christmas Tune". Los Angeles Times.
Jump up ^ "Angels We Have Heard: The Christmas Song Stories". James Richliano. 2002.
Jump up ^ "Encyclopedia of Recorded Comedy Music". AllMusic. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
Jump up ^ "Christmas for All". Discogs. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
Jump up ^ Newman, Melinda (December 6, 1997). "Fresh from Santa's Music Workshop: Some Sets For The Naughty, Most Nice". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on April 10, 2017.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=All_I_Want_for_Christmas_Is_My_Two_Front_Teeth&oldid=798648592"
Categories:
Songs about children
1944 songs
1948 singles
Spike Jones songs
American Christmas songs
Christmas novelty songs
Hidden categories:
All articles with unsourced statements
Articles with unsourced statements from June 2012
Navigation menu
Personal tools
Not logged in
Talk
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Namespaces
Article
Talk
Variants
Views
Read
Edit
View history
More
Search
Navigation
Main page
Contents
Featured content
Current events
Random article
Donate to Wikipedia
Wikipedia store
Interaction
Help
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact page
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
Print/export
Create a book
Download as PDF
Printable version
Languages
Brezhoneg
Français
Italiano
日本語
Edit links
This page was last edited on 3 September 2017, at 03:07.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
Privacy policy
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Contact Wikipedia
Developers
Cookie statement
Mobile view
Enable previews

key: html

type: local

value: div

attrs: id class

values: mw-page-base noprint

values: mw-head-base noprint

value: a

attrs: id class lang

values: firstHeading firstHeading en

values: siteSub noprint

values: jump-to-nav mw-jump

value: th

attrs: colspan class style

value: tr

attrs: href title

values:
/wiki/Spike_Jones_%26_His_City_Slickers
mw-redirect
Spike Jones & His City Slickers

value: td

values:
/wiki/The_Chipmunks
mw-redirect
The Chipmunks

values: This claim needs references to reliable sources. (June 2012)

values:
noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact
white-space:nowrap;

values:
reflist mw-references-wrap
list-style-type: decimal;

values: Category:All articles with unsourced statements

values: Category:Articles with unsourced statements from June 2012

values: Discussion about edits from this IP address [ctrl-alt-n]

values: A list of edits made from this IP address [ctrl-alt-y]

values: You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory

values: You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [ctrl-alt-o]

values: Discussion about the content page [ctrl-alt-t]

values: p-namespaces navigation vectorTabs p-namespaces-label

values:
p-variants
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-variants-label

values: Past revisions of this page [ctrl-alt-h]

values: p-views navigation vectorTabs p-views-label

values:
p-cactions
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-cactions-label

values:
mw-wiki-logo
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page

values:
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page [ctrl-alt-z]
z

values: Featured content – the best of Wikipedia

values: Find background information on current events

values:
/wiki/Special:Random
Load a random article [ctrl-alt-x]
x

values: portal navigation p-navigation p-navigation-label

values: Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia

values: About the project, what you can do, where to find things

values: A list of recent changes in the wiki [ctrl-alt-r]

values: portal navigation p-interaction p-interaction-label

values: List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [ctrl-alt-j]

values: Recent changes in pages linked from this page [ctrl-alt-k]

values:
/wiki/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard
Upload files [ctrl-alt-u]
u

values: A list of all special pages [ctrl-alt-q]

values: Permanent link to this revision of the page

values: Link to connected data repository item [ctrl-alt-g]

values: Printable version of this page [ctrl-alt-p]

values:
uls-settings-trigger
Language settings
0
button
true

values: All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth – Breton

values: All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth – French

values: All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth – Italian

values: 前歯のない子のクリスマス – Japanese

values: mediawiki ltr sitedir-ltr mw-hide-empty-elt ns-0 ns-subject page-All_I_Want_for_Christmas_Is_My_Two_Front_Teeth rootpage-All_I_Want_for_Christmas_Is_My_Two_Front_Teeth skin-vector action-view


text:
New River Gorge Bridge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
New River Gorge Bridge
Coordinates
38°4.1′N 81°5.0′W / 38.0683°N 81.0833°W / 38.0683; -81.0833Coordinates: 38°4.1′N 81°5.0′W / 38.0683°N 81.0833°W / 38.0683; -81.0833
Carries
US 19
Crosses
New River, CR 82, CSX Transportation
Locale
Fayette County, West Virginia, U.S.
Maintained by
West Virginia Division of Highways
Characteristics
Design
Arch
Total length
3,030 ft (924 m)
Width
69.3 ft (21.1 m), 4 lanes with center divider
Height
876 ft (267 m)
Longest span
1,700 ft (518.2 m)
Clearance above
Deck arch, unlimited clearance
History
Opened
October 22, 1977
Statistics
Daily traffic
16,200 vehicles/day[1]
New River Gorge Bridge
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
NRHP reference #
13000603[2]
Added to NRHP
August 14, 2013[3]
The New River Gorge Bridge is a steel arch bridge 3,030 feet (924 m) long over the New River Gorge near Fayetteville, West Virginia, in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States. With an arch 1,700 feet (518 m) long, the New River Gorge Bridge was for many years the world's longest single-span arch bridge;[4][5] it is now the fourth longest. Part of U.S. Route 19, its construction marked the completion of Corridor L of the Appalachian Development Highway System. The bridge is crossed by an average of 16,200 motor vehicles per day.[1]
The roadway of the New River Gorge Bridge is 876 feet (267 m) above the New River.[5] The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the highest vehicular bridges in the world, and is currently the third highest in the United States. In 2005, the structure gained nationwide attention when the US Mint issued the West Virginia state quarter with the bridge depicted on one side. In 2013, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
[hide]
1 History
2 Tourism
3 Gallery
4 See also
5 References and notes
6 External links
History[edit]
The Fayette Station Bridge over the New River, over 800 ft (244 m) below the canyon rim
Construction began on the bridge in June 1974, and was completed on October 22, 1977. The bridge was designed by the Michael Baker Company under the direction of Chief Engineer Clarence V. Knudsen, and executed by U.S. Steel's American Bridge Division. The final cost of construction was $37 million (approximately $4 million over bid). It is made from COR-TEN steel. The use of COR-TEN in construction presented several challenges; notable among them was ensuring that the weld points weathered at the same rate as the rest of the steel.[6]
At the time, the bridge was the West Virginia Department of Highways' largest project in its history, important both in terms of its overall cost, and that the federal government provided 70 percent of the funding. Construction gave a boost to the state and local economy; completion improved transportation.[7] The bridge cut the vehicle travel time from one side of the gorge to the other from about 45 minutes to 45 seconds.[5][8]
On August 14, 2013, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3] Even though it was not yet 50 years old, it was listed for its exceptional impact on local transportation and its engineering significance.[7]
Tourism[edit]
View of the New River Gorge Bridge from the National Park Service Overlook
The New River Gorge Bridge is within the National Park Service's New River Gorge National River area, which protects this portion of the New River Gorge. At the northern end of the bridge, the Park Service operates a visitor center; it has scenic overlooks and a staircase that descends part of the way into the gorge.
A steel catwalk two feet (60 cm) wide runs the full length of the bridge underneath the roadway. Originally built to facilitate inspections, the catwalk is open for guided, handicapped-accessible quarter-mile "Bridge Walk"[9] tours; visitors use safety rigging.[5][10][11]
Since its opening, the bridge has been the centerpiece of Fayette County's "Bridge Day", held the third Saturday of every October.[5] This festival includes demonstrations of rappelling, ascending, and BASE jumping.[12] Bungee jumping, however, has been banned during Bridge Day since 1993.
The bridge is closed to vehicular traffic during the festival. Prior to the September 11th terrorist attacks, two of the bridge's four lanes were open to traffic during the festivals. Since 2001, security concerns have caused the entire span to be closed to vehicles during these events.[citation needed]
The first person to jump off the New River Gorge Bridge was Burton Ervin, who lives in Cowen, West Virginia, and was a coal-mine foreman. Burton jumped on August 1, 1979, using a conventional North American Aerodynamics Mini Rig System with a 32-foot Lopo canopy. Four BASE jumpers have died at the bridge, three of these during Bridge Day festivals.[13][14][15][16]
Probably because of its height (and lack of barriers), the bridge has regularly attracted suicide jumpers, despite its relatively remote location.[17][18]
Gallery[edit]
The West Virginia state quarter, released in 2005, features the New River Gorge Bridge.
Bridge as seen from the National Park Service Visitors Center, with fog in the New River Gorge below
Close-up of the bridge supports
Walkway to observation area near the Visitors Center
The New River Gorge Bridge as seen from a small fixed-wing airplane. The Tunney Hunsaker Bridge is also visible.
Panorama of the New River Gorge Bridge
See also[edit]
Bridges portal
West Virginia portal
50 State Quarters
List of bridges documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in West Virginia
List of bridges in the United States by height
List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in West Virginia
List of highest bridges
List of suicide sites
Midland Trail, a nearby National Scenic Byway
National Register of Historic Places listings in Fayette County, West Virginia
New River Gorge National River, the park surrounding the bridge
References and notes[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b "WVDOH: 2006 Fayette County Traffic Counts" (PDF). West Virginia Division of Highways. 2006. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
Jump up ^ National Park Service (March 13, 2009). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
^ Jump up to: a b "Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 8/12/13 Through 8/16/13". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
Jump up ^ George R. Carter, Jr. "Mind the Gap: Building the World's Longest Steel-Arch Bridge," American Heritage, April/May 2006.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e Green, Diana Kyle (October 2011). "Fayette County High". Wonderful West Virginia: 4–7.
Jump up ^ Kistler, Maura (September 5, 2011). "New River Gorge Bridge: 10 Little Known Facts". New River Gorge Adventure Guide. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b Erin M. Riebe (May 2013). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: New River Gorge Bridge" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
Jump up ^ "Images of West Virginia". The Best of West Virginia. The Gallery. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
Jump up ^ "Bridge Walk"
Jump up ^ "Bridge Walk". Retrieved 2009-11-11.
Jump up ^ Green, Diana Kile (October 2011). "Bridge Walk Wows". Wonderful West Virginia: 8–9.
Jump up ^ "BASE" is an acronym that stands for four categories of fixed objects from which one can jump: buildings, antennas, spans (bridges), and earth (cliffs).
Jump up ^ Complete Bridge Day History, My West Virginia Home website
Jump up ^ BASE Jumping Fatality List
Jump up ^ "Californian Dies in Bridge Day Jump When Chute Fails to Open in Time". Huntington News. 2006-10-22. Retrieved 2010-11-12.
Jump up ^ Whitener, Lew (October 23, 2006). "Bridge Day tragedy". The Fayette Tribune. Fayetteville Oak Hill, WV: Register-Herald.com, The Register-Herald. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
Jump up ^ Janiskee, Bob (September 16, 2008). "At New River Gorge National River, an Iconic Bridge Attracts Suicide Jumpers". National Parks Traveler. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
Jump up ^ Tyson, Daniel (August 25, 2015). "Man dies after jumping from New River Gorge Bridge". Fayette Tribune. Register-Herald.com, The Register-Herald. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
New River Gorge Bridge (category)
Bridge Day (official site)
Bridge Day History
New River Gorge Bridge at Bridges & Tunnels
New River Gorge Bridge at Roads to the Future
New River Gorge Bridge at HighestBridges.com
New River Gorge Bridge at Structurae
Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. WV-41, "New River Gorge Bridge, Spanning New River near Fayetteville, Fayetteville, Fayette County, WV", 12 photos, 1 color transparency, 3 data pages, 2 photo caption pages
[show]
World's longest arch bridge span
Preceded by
Bayonne Bridge New River Gorge Bridge
1977–2003 Superseded by
Lupu Bridge
[show]
v
t
e
National Register of Historic Places in New River Gorge National River
Historic districts
Hinton Historic District
Kay Moor
Nuttallburg Coal Mining Complex and Town Historic District
Thurmond Historic District
Trump-Lilly Farmstead
NRHP properties
Bank of Glen Jean
New River Gorge Bridge
Prince Brothers General Store-Berry Store
See also: National Register of Historic Places listings in New River Gorge National River
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_River_Gorge_Bridge&oldid=809676105"
Categories:
U.S. Route 19
Bridges completed in 1977
Transportation in Fayette County, West Virginia
Landmarks in West Virginia
Buildings and structures in Fayette County, West Virginia
Tourist attractions in Fayette County, West Virginia
Road bridges in West Virginia
Weathering steel
Historic American Engineering Record in West Virginia
Bridges on the United States Numbered Highways
Road bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in West Virginia
National Register of Historic Places in Fayette County, West Virginia
Steel bridges in the United States
Truss arch bridges in the United States
Hidden categories:
Coordinates on Wikidata
Articles using Template:Infobox bridge with clearance
Pages using Infobox bridge with extra
All articles with unsourced statements
Articles with unsourced statements from September 2011
Structurae ID different from Wikidata
Navigation menu
Personal tools
Not logged in
Talk
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Namespaces
Article
Talk
Variants
Views
Read
Edit
View history
More
Search
Navigation
Main page
Contents
Featured content
Current events
Random article
Donate to Wikipedia
Wikipedia store
Interaction
Help
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact page
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
Print/export
Create a book
Download as PDF
Printable version
In other projects
Wikimedia Commons
Languages
العربية
Deutsch
Español
فارسی
Français
Македонски
Nederlands
Polski
Русский
中文
Edit links
This page was last edited on 10 November 2017, at 18:00.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
Privacy policy
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Contact Wikipedia
Developers
Cookie statement
Mobile view
Enable previews

values: mw-page-base noprint

values: mw-head-base noprint

values: firstHeading firstHeading en

values: siteSub noprint

values: jump-to-nav mw-jump

value: span

attrs: colspan style

value: img

attrs: alt src width height srcset data-file-width data-file-height

attrs: href class

attrs: class title

values: Maps, aerial photos, and other data for this location

values:
/wiki/U.S._Route_19_in_West_Virginia
mw-redirect
U.S. Route 19 in West Virginia

values:
/wiki/New_River_(Kanawha_River)
mw-redirect
New River (Kanawha River)

values: New River Gorge Bridge is located in West Virginia

values: width:100%; font-size:105%; font-weight:bold; background: #A8EDEF; line-height:1.5

values: width:100%; text-align:center; line-height:1.5; background: #A8EDEF;

values:
/wiki/New_River_Gorge
mw-redirect
New River Gorge

values:
/wiki/State_quarter
mw-redirect
State quarter

attrs: alt src width height class srcset data-file-width data-file-height

values: This claim needs references to reliable sources. (September 2011)

values:
noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact
white-space:nowrap;

values:
/wiki/Canopy_(Parachute)
mw-redirect
Canopy (Parachute)

values:
/wiki/Jumper_(suicide)
mw-redirect
Jumper (suicide)

values:
/wiki/State_Quarters
mw-redirect
State Quarters

values:
nofollow
http://www.bridgewalk.com/
external text

values:
nofollow
http://www.mywvhome.com/bridge/
external text

values: commons:Special:Search/Category:New River Gorge Bridge

values:
nofollow
https://officialbridgeday.com/
external text

values:
nofollow
https://loc.gov/pictures/item/wv0297/
external text

values:
/wiki/List_of_largest_arch_bridges
mw-redirect
List of largest arch bridges

values: border-left:1px solid #aaaaaa;border-right:1px solid #aaaaaa;

values: nowraplinks collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner

values: Template talk:NRHP in New River Gorge NR

values:
/wiki/Thurmond_Historic_District
mw-redirect
Thurmond Historic District

values:
/wiki/Trump-Lilly_Farmstead
mw-redirect
Trump-Lilly Farmstead

values: National Register of Historic Places property types

values: Prince Brothers General Store-Berry Store

values: Category:Transportation in Fayette County, West Virginia

values: Category:Buildings and structures in Fayette County, West Virginia

values: Category:Tourist attractions in Fayette County, West Virginia

values: Category:Historic American Engineering Record in West Virginia

values: Category:Bridges on the United States Numbered Highways

values: Category:Road bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in West Virginia

values: Category:National Register of Historic Places in Fayette County, West Virginia

values: Category:Steel bridges in the United States

values: Category:Truss arch bridges in the United States

values: Category:Articles using Template:Infobox bridge with clearance

values: Category:Pages using Infobox bridge with extra

values: Category:All articles with unsourced statements

values: Category:Articles with unsourced statements from September 2011

values: Category:Structurae ID different from Wikidata

values: Discussion about edits from this IP address [ctrl-alt-n]

values: A list of edits made from this IP address [ctrl-alt-y]

values: You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory

values: You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [ctrl-alt-o]

values:
/wiki/New_River_Gorge_Bridge
View the content page [ctrl-alt-c]
c

values: Discussion about the content page [ctrl-alt-t]

values: p-namespaces navigation vectorTabs p-namespaces-label

values:
p-variants
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-variants-label

values: Past revisions of this page [ctrl-alt-h]

values: p-views navigation vectorTabs p-views-label

values:
p-cactions
navigation
vectorMenu emptyPortlet
p-cactions-label

values:
mw-wiki-logo
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page

values:
/wiki/Main_Page
Visit the main page [ctrl-alt-z]
z

values: Featured content – the best of Wikipedia

values: Find background information on current events

values:
/wiki/Special:Random
Load a random article [ctrl-alt-x]
x

values: portal navigation p-navigation p-navigation-label

values: portal navigation p-wikibase-otherprojects p-wikibase-otherprojects-label

values: جسر نيو رفر جورج – Arabic

values: Puente del Barranco del Río Nuevo – Spanish

values: پل نیو ریور گرج – Persian

values: Џорџ мост на Њу Ривер – Macedonian

values: Нью-Ривер-Гордж (мост) – Russian

values: /static/images/wikimedia-button-1.5x.png 1.5x, /static/images/wikimedia-button-2x.png 2x

values: /static/images/poweredby_mediawiki_132x47.png 1.5x, /static/images/poweredby_mediawiki_176x62.png 2x

values:
suggestions
display: none; font-size: 13px;

values: mediawiki ltr sitedir-ltr mw-hide-empty-elt ns-0 ns-subject page-New_River_Gorge_Bridge rootpage-New_River_Gorge_Bridge skin-vector action-view