This a section designed specifically to keep all you cyber-breakers informed about CB in the UK. As ever, comments and contributions are welcome.
We have now had 80 channel CB radios for a couple of years in the UK and, despite the fears raised by me (amongst others) that the IQ0s that exist in profusion here in the UK would extend their abuse of the airways to the Mid Band, this does not really appear to have occurred. They still seem to have confined their activities to UK FM band, especially Channel 19. One question we would all like answered though is why, if they have to play music from dawn to dusk on the breaking channel, do they not pick some good tunes?
It is important to remember, however, that there is a catch to the use of all these rigs, namely that the specification, MPT1382, is a UK one so these radios will not be legal to use outside the UK. To be 'legal' within the EU, you will still need a PR 27 GB type approved rig!
German 80 channel CB radios unfortunately have a different set of frequencies, but channels 1 - 40 (Mid Band) are the same as channels 41 -80 in the MPT1382 UK specification.
As yet there is still no sign that single sideband (SSB) or amplitude modulation (AM) operation is to be legalised in the UK but there may be some hope for packet operators whose operations tend to cause much less television interference (TVI). Recently hopes have been raised on this latter point as the Radiocommunications Agency (RA - the UK equivalent of the FCC) has sent out a questionnaire to all UK CB licence holders asking their views on packet radio amongst other things. This questionnaire has been sparked-off by a dramatic and continuing decline in CB radio licence holders mirrored by a decline in the number of amateur licencees. The RA, therefore, is being forced to act to try to halt these declines before the numbers fall to levels that make the RA uneconomical to run.
Following the loss of the amateur band allocation of 10.15 to 10.30GHz in 1997 and the loss of the 934MHz CB service in December 1998, the RA has now introduced a new service: PMR446, details of which are appended below.
This was introduced in the UK in March 1999 and is a licence-free simplex radio service that can be used for general purpose leisure or business activities. This is similar in nature to the American Family Radio Service that has been up and running in the USA for a number of years. The frequency allocations are, however, different and are made up of eight channels using up to 50 CTCSS (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System) tones to give some degree of privacy to users. The eight frequencies allocated are set out below:
These frequencies have certain advantages over CB frequencies in terms of interference and noise but the maximum transmitted power on these bands is only 0.5 watts. A further limitation is the ban on the use of non-integral antennas on the transmitting equipment. Nevertheless, these radios are very adequate for two-way communication in open country for up to two miles and exceptionally between high points for about ten miles. However, the low wattage and the ban on the use of specialist antenna systems are major drawbacks to this service at present. If the RA follows past practices (such as on the CB bands) and relaxes these restrictions in the future then these frequencies could prove an adequate compensation for the loss of 934 MHz .
A CB station may only broadcast plain speech (not music!) except for roger bleeps and tone squelch codes. The equipment used must not cause interference to other radio equipment or Government agencies and be used on the authorised frequencies:
Only legal equipment transmitting four watts can be used, this means in practice:
This may sound unduly harsh but these restrictions are as nothing when compared to antennas. Only vertical monopole antennas are allowed which must not be greater than 6.85m in length, excluding ground planes etc..Therefore, directional antennas, such as Yagis, are illegal on CB frequencies in the UK.
When a CB Licence is revoked the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) has the right to make the names of these individuals public and, secondly, they can also prevent a disqualified person from using a CB under the authority of another licence holder. This closes a frequently used loophole in the law relating to CB radio and brings the CB Licence into line with the Amateur Radio Licence ( Radio Active).
It is commonly believed that the use of CB by commercial organisations is illegal, however, this is not the case and certain activities are allowed. I appreciate that, with all the restrictions currently in force, the purchasing of a CB licence at £15 per annum seems like a waste of money. However, if the number of licences bought declines then the Government is likely to argue that the service is no longer used and the frequencies allocated to it withdrawn. This is not scaremongering, just look at what happened to 934 MHz!
Use CB wisely and buy a licence, if you do not you will lose this service.
This page will be updated periodically to reflect changes in legislation. We would be very interested to hear of the CB regulations in other countries so, if you have time to waste, please drop us a line here and we may even put them up on the page!
The views expressed on this page are not necessarily those of Scottish Worldwide Radio unless Davie says they are and at the moment he does not. OK?
This page was entirely the product of too much free time and was designed by Muffel. Please report any problems with dead links etc. to him.
