The Rise And Fall Of CB Radio

Posted by tomgreen on July 27, 2010

Younger generations today might think Myspace or Facebook invented mass social networking, what they dont know is CB Radio has been around for decades. Citizens Band Radio.

Although CB Radiohit its peak, with over 7 million CB radios sold in one year, the Citizens Band (CB) radio service was establishedall the way back in 1945. The original CB radios were UHF, they operated in the 460-470 MHz frequency range, and were relatively expensive for the average consumer. In 1958 part of the CB service was moved away from the UHF range to 27 MHz, and this ‘band’ then became known as ‘CB’. The remaining CB services on UHF later evolved into the GMRS and the Family Radio Service.

Within a few years businesses began to use the CB service for convenience; anyone who needed to make service calls found CB useful, including electricians, plumbers and repairmen. The service was regulated by the FCC and everyone needed a license. As time went on, the technology improved and became both smaller and readily available. Like an explosion CB clubs were formed and a completely new jargon evolved for CB users, an adaptation of the ’10′ codes used by emergency services.

An explosion of popularity occurred in the 1970′s when President Nixon signed the 1974 Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act. This law banned speed limits higher than 55 mph, effectively dictating a 55 mph maximum speed on all US highways. Despite of the ongoing oil crisis, many drivers were annoyed by the new regulation believing that the right to set speed limits should belong, as it had in the past, to the individual states. 29 states had to lower their limits, some, like Nevada and Montana had no limits on some roads. Fuel rationing was a problem and CB radio was used as a way for travellers to communicate and warn each other of empty gas stations or police speed traps. CB radio was also used to organize protests. The phenomenon even spread to film with ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ and TV programs like ‘The Dukes Hazard’ as well as popular songs (Convoy) and the CB phenomenon spread across the world. Large groups of people ignored the regulations, broadcasting without a license or proper call signs. These ‘handles’ as they were called, were similar to the names many use on the Internet, and allowed for a certain lowering of inhibitionsas CB users could chat anonymously. Not long after that even the requirement for a license was dropped and in 1977 the original 23 CB channels
were extended to 40.

Now people are pushing the envelope again ignoring the requirements to operate a 10 Meter Radio or “ham” radio. Many flock to the 10 Meter Radio because it offers more broadcasting power. However CB Radio is not done yet. New technology like a Handheld cb radio promises to ensure a bright future for CB Radio

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