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EA2ABZ > CB 26.06.97 02:47l 459 Lines 19937 Bytes #-9965 (0) @ WW
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To : CB@WW
EA2ABZ/TPK 1.83b Msj #:2640 Fecha: 17/06/97 Hora: 12:03Z
* Do I need a license to operate a CB radio?
--------------------------------------------
The answer to this question depends on the country you reside in. We
currently have information on the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan,
the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, and Russia.
Note that all of these are from e-mail reports contributed by readers.
As regulations change, we can only keep up when people notify us.
Please check your local regulations because you are responsible to
know and obey them.
--- in the USA
You are no longer required to have a license to operate a CB radio in
the United States. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) did at
one time require a Class "D" license for for Citizen's Band which
required nothing more than filling out a form and sending it in to the
FCC with the license fee. The FCC then sent you a call sign which
might look like "KPS 2720" or something similar. During the CB craze
in the mid-70's, the FCC decided that the paper- work burden
outweighed the benefits and put CB under blanket authorization.
The FCC permits the use of the following to identify yourself:
1. Your old Class D callsign, if you have one.
2. K, your first and last initials, and your zip code (i.e. KPS 68123)
3. your name (i.e. "Paul")
4. some unique nickname or Handle (i.e. "Cobra", "Rubber Duck", etc.)
A rule change in May 1992 now allows one-way transmissions about
highway conditions on CB. This was intended to allow local authorities
to use unattended audio warnings about road construction or other
hazards.
In the USA, there are two additional radio bands besides CB which are
intended for use with minimal regulation by individuals.
1. GMRS, the General Mobile Radio Service, is located in the 460-470
MHz band. A license is required. More information is included in Part
4.
2. The FCC has recently opened up the 31.0-31.3 GHz microwave band to
licensed users of several fixed and mobile radio services including
GMRS.
3. The Family Radio Service, located in the vicinity of the GMRS. Low
power Handheld operation only. No license required
--- in Canada
No license is required. You may identify yourself by your name or a
handle of your choice.
--- in Japan
No license is required. You may identify yourself by your name or a
handle of your choice.
--- in Australia
No license is required for 27 Mhz CB in Australia.
--- in New Zealand
A license is required in New Zealand. A callsign will be issued with
your license. You must identify yourself by at least your callsign.
Callsigns look like AK1122 ("Auckland 1122") or WN63 ("Wellignton
63".) There are 16 callsign districts using a 2- to 4-letter code for
the region name and the radio station number. Some callsigns may be
issued for experimental use and will have an "X" after the district
name (i.e. AKX1 "Auckland Experimental 1".)
--- in the UK
A license is required. For more information, contact:
Queries about the issue or renewal of a licence:
Subscription Services Ltd,
Radio Licensing Centre,
P.O. Box 885,
Bristol,
BS99 5LG.
Tel: (+44) 0117 925 8333
Queries about C.B. policy:
Amature and Citizens' Band Radio Unit,
Radiocommunications Agency,
11N/27.2,
New King's Beam House,
22 Upper Ground,
London,
SE1 9SA.
Tel: (+44) 0171 211 0160
(+44) 0171 211 0159
(+44) 0171 211 0158
The CB Licence currently costs 15 UK Pounds and needs to be renewed
each year.
You can be prosecuted is you operate a CB without a valid Licence.
Application forms are available from Subscription Services Ltd, who
issue licences on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency.
Forms are also available from the radiocommunications agency
(Particularly if bulk supplies of application forms are required).
There is also a CB Information sheet available from the agency and
this is issued upon request, free of charge. It includes information
on equipment regulations and what you can and cannot do.
If more information on any aspect of CB Radio is required, both the
Agency= and SSL may be contacted.
The UK will honor licenses from other countries using CEPT-approved
radios. (See the CB Frequencies section below on CEPT for more
information.) Your license may be used under the terms from the
country which issued it.
--- in France
As of 1993, France no longer requires a license for you to operate a
CB. But there is a 296.50FF tax on CB radios which is close to the
cost of the old license. The main difference is that the old license
was good for 5 years. Now you will pay the tax every time you buy a
radio.
Like most (or possibly all) of Europe, France does not give you a
callsign. So you may identify yourself by your name or a handle of
your choice.
France will honor licenses from other countries using CEPT-approved
radios. Your license may be used under the terms from the country
which issued it.
--- in Germany
No license is required to operate FM CB in Germany. A license, costing
5DM per month is required if you plan to operate both AM and FM.
--- in Italy
A license is required to operate a CB in Italy. Licenses may be
obtained from Ministero PP.TT. You will need to provide them with your
CB's model, serial number, and certification number. They will also
want to know your "handle" (if you go by a fictitious name on the
radio) and whether you want your license to apply to other members of
your family. The total cost is (equivalent to) US$50 plus $10 per
year. You must notify the PP.TT if you sell your radio or buy a new
one because the license applies to a person and a radio. Our reporter
in Italy says it takes about 2-3 months for the license to arrive. It
is valid for 10 years.
--- in Portugal
A license is required A license is good for 2 years, but licenses
issued after the year 2000 will be valid for 5 years. "Handles" may be
used, but you must use your ID when asked.
--- in Russia
A license is required. You must identify yourself by the callsign that
is issued with your license. Callsigns look like "3A4157".
--- in South Africa
A license is required. they are valid for a year and are renewable.
--- notes for all countries
There are rules and regulations that must be complied with while using
CB, no matter which country you live in. If you don't have a list of
those rules (which most likely were included with your CB), you will
probably find them at any store that sells CB radios. If your
government issues a callsign to you, you must identify yourself at
least with that callsign.
* What are the CB Frequencies?
------------------------------
The answer to this question depends on the country you reside in. We
currently have information on Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada,
Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy, Japan,
the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Norway, Russia, Sweden, the
UK, the USA, and Vatican City.
--- in the USA
Legal CB transmitters use the operator's choice of AM (amplitude
modulation) (with 4 watts maximum power) or single sideband (with 12
watts maximum power) on the following frequencies.
frequencies (MHz) modulation description
----------------------------------------
26.965 - 27.405 AM/SSB Citizen's Band (CB)
460 - 470 FM General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
license required, see Part 4
462 - 467 FM Family Radio Service. No license required.
31.0-31.3 GHz any mode microwave band now open for individuals
to use, requires GMRS license, see Part 4
Special-use channels:
9 - emergency, monitored in some areas by "REACT", a volunteer group
coordinated by the local Sheriff's office (not in all areas)
17 - unofficial "trucker's" channel (California & western states.)
19 - official "trucker's" channel for traffic and speed trap
advisories
30-40 - Often are used for single sideband (SSB) activity
Note that US regulations disallow "DX" long-distance communications
(over 150 miles in this case) with CB. However, directional antennas
may be used to enhance communications within the legal range.
--- in Canada
The CB frequencies, modulation, and power limits are the same as the
26-27 MHz CB band in the USA. Radios must be type accepted for use in
Canada.
--- in Australia
Australia has 2 bands for CB. The use of AM or FM depends on the band.
frequencies (MHz) modulation description
----------------------------------------
26.965 - 27.405 AM/SSB 40 channels, same frequencies as USA
max power: 4W AM, 12W SSB (same as USA)
476.500 - 477.475 FM 40 channels, .025 MHz (25 kHz) spacing
max power: 5W
We've been told there are "no antenna restrictions" though you'll
probably need to double-check with local regulations if you're
thinking of putting up a tower.
Radios for the Australian 26MHz band are essentially the same as
radios made for the USA. However, all CB radios used in Australia
(either band) must be type accepted by the Department of Transport and
Communications (DOTAC).
The following AM/SSB band frequencies have special uses in Australia:
Channel 8 Road channel (truckers)
Channel 9 Emergency (same as USA)
Channel 11 AM calling
Channel 16/LSB SSB calling, also used for DX (distance)
Channel 35/LSB unofficial additional SSB calling, also for DX
A unique feature of Australia's 476-477 MHz band is that repeaters are
allowed. Inputs are on Channels 31-38 and outputs are on Channels 1-8.
A repeater must use the proper channel pair, i.e. 1/31 to 8/38. The
maximum power output for a repeater is 21W input. Note: as with
repeaters on other bands, do not begin to operate one without
obtaining and fully understanding the applicable regulations.
Additional information about the technical aspects repeater operation
is available from amateur (Ham) radio sources such as the ARRL
Handbook.
-- in New Zealand
The CB frequencies, modulation, and power limits are the same as the
26-27 MHz CB band in the USA and Australia.
The following frequencies have special uses in New Zealand:
Channel 5 European call (USB)
Channel 11 truckers' channel (AM)
Channel 15 AM calling
Channel 35 SSB calling
--- in Japan
Japan has 3 radio bands that do not require licenses. Two of them are
limited to extremely short-range use because of low power limits. The
other, with maximum power output of 5 watts, is more like CB as it is
known in North America, Europe and Australia.
frequencies (MHz) modulation description
----------------------------------------
26.968 - 27.144 AM (no SSB) "Citizen's Radio" maximum power 0.5W
channels 1-8 on 26.968, 26.967, 27.040,
27.080, 27.088, 27.112, 27.120, and 27.144.
Other channels in between these are assigned
to fishing vessels (with 1W max power).
421.8125 - 422.300 FM "Specific Low Power Radio", also known as
"UHF CB" maximum power 0.01W (10mW)
newly-authorized in 1989, mostly used for
handy-talkies and ski patrols
9 duplex channels with 12.5kHz spacing
421.8125/440.2625 ... 421.9125/440.3625
9 simplex channels with 12.5 kHz spacing
422.2000 ... 422.3000
Note: other frequencies in this band are
allocated for business use
903.0125-904.9875 FM "Personal Radio" maximum power 5W
158 channels with 12.5 kHz spacing
External antennas are permitted.
Radios must be equipped with a control ROM
for automatic ID.
As in Europe, made-for-the-USA CB radios are illegal in Japan. There
have been cases where such radios have caused interference with
maritime emergency traffic.
--- in countries subscribing to the European CEPT conference
The following countries have implemented the CEPT (Conference of
European Postal and Telecommunications administrations)
recommendations T/R 20-02 and T/R 20-07 for CB radios:
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus (see Note 1), Denmark (see Note 2), Finland
France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal (see Note 2),
Norway (see Note 2), Sweden, United Kingdom, and Vatican City.
Notes:
1) as of last report, confirmation was pending in Cyprus
2) special markings are required on the radios so, for example, UK
radios marked "CEPT PR 27 GB" are legal but ones marked "PR 27 GB" are
not. Radios from other countries may also be similarly affected.
CEPT approval is significant because, with the exceptions listed
above, CEPT- approved CBs from any one of the countries listed above
can be used in any other on the list.
frequencies (MHz) modulation description
26.965 - 27.405 FM 40 channels, same frequencies as USA
4W max power
If you travel to another CEPT-conforming country, you may use your CB
under the terms of your license from your own country. Be aware that
only FM is CEPT-approved so AM and SSB may not be legal to use once
you cross the border.
Important note: CEPT-approved CB radios are not legal in the USA and
made-for- the-USA CB radios are not legal anywhere in Europe. The
difference is because CEPT radios use FM and American radios use AM or
SSB. There are no agreements allowing a radio which is type-accepted
in North America to be used in Europe or vice versa.
Channel 19 appears to be the calling channel in most CEPT-conforming
countries. When exceptions are known, they are listed specifically for
the country.
--- in the UK
The UK has 3 bands for CB as follows:
frequencies (MHz) modulation description
26.965 - 27.405 FM 40 channels, same frequencies as CEPT & USA
4W max power
radios using this band are marked "PR 27 GB"
or "CEPT PR 27 GB" and are CEPT-approved
27.6 - 27.99 FM 40 channels, 0.01 MHz (10 kHz) spacing
4W max power
radios using this band are marked "27/81-UK"
and are only legal in the UK
934.0125-934.9625 FM 20 channels, 0.05 MHz (50 kHz) spacing
4W max power
radios using this band are marked
"CB 934/81" and are only legal in the UK,
no new radios of this type are being made
but existing equipment may continue to be
used legally
Antennas must be omnidirectional - beams and yagis are prohibited.
Antennas must stand vertically, no higher than 6.85m (not including
ground plane.)
AM and FM are not compatible so a US-legal CB cannot communicate with
any UK-legal CB even though they may use the same frequencies. And
each is illegal on the others' soil so this only prevents use of
atmospheric skip between them. (See Part 4.)
--- in France
France uses the same frequencies (in 40 channels) as CEPT and the USA.
AM, FM and SSB are permitted. The only legal CB radios in France are
those which are approved by France Telecom or visiting CEPT-approved
radios.
frequencies (MHz) modulation description
26.965 - 27.405 AM/SSB/FM 40 channels, same frequencies as USA
max power: 1W AM, 4W SSB, 4W FM
Channel 9 AM used to be for emergencies but was deregulated because no
one monitored it for that purpose. Channel 19 AM is the calling
channel (used to establish contact then move to another channel.)
Channel 11 FM is used for DX/skip long-distance contacts. Channel 27
AM is sometimes used as a calling channel for base stations (at home.)
AM is the most commonly-used modulation method in France.
When traveling outside France, remember that most countries in the
CEPT conference do not permit the use of AM or SSB. France has adopted
the CEPT rules for CB in Europe - see below for more information.
--- in Germany
Germany also uses the same frequencies as CEPT and the USA. AM and FM
are the only legal modes of modulation. (SSB is not allowed.) AM is
only allowed on some channels.
frequencies (MHz) modulation description
26.965 - 27.405 AM/FM 40 channels, same frequencies as USA
max power: 1W AM and 4W FM
AM is allowed on Channels 4-15
FM is allowed on all 40 channels
SSB is not permitted
All signals must have vertical polarity.
Channel 4 FM is the calling channel. FM is the more commonly-used
modulation method in Germany.
Notes: to meet the vertical polarity requirement, antennas must stand
vertically. Also, tone-call transceivers are allowed so you can use
touch tones to call someone if they are within receiving range and
have a radio that will recognize the tones.
When traveling outside Germany, remember that most countries in the
CEPT conference do not permit the use of AM. Germany has adopted the
CEPT rules for CB in Europe - see below for more information.
--- in Italy
Italy also uses the same frequencies as CEPT and the USA. AM, FM, and
SSB are permitted.
Channel 9 is recommended as an emergency channel. Truckers often use
Channel 5 on AM. It has been reported that Q-codes are popular in
Italy. Our reporters in both Italy and Germany have said that many
Italian CB'ers can be heard using linear amplifiers even though they
are illegal.
--- In Portugal
Portugal after the year 2000 will only allow CEPT approved radios on
the abovementioned CEPT bandplan. Currently AM, FM, and SSB are
permitted. There is no distance limit, however 5 watts power output is
the limit. Amplifiers are forbidden, as well as directional antennas.
Common channel usage:
Ch. 9: Emergencies
Ch.11: AM calling
Ch 34 Truckers (ssb)
Ch 6 : Taxicabs
--- in Russia
CB radios in Russia use the same frequencies as the USA and CEPT
(European) countries. AM and FM are both permitted. The maximum
transmit power is 5 watts. Our reporter from Russia says there is no
restriction on the distance of communications so, technically, use of
skip (see Part 4) can be assumed to be legal.
Because both AM and FM are legal, Russian CB radios can communicate
with European radios (in FM) and with North American or Australian
radios (in AM.)
--- in South Africa
South Africa allows AM and SSB on nine channels. These correspond to
channels 19-27 on the US CB bandplan. 4 W AM and 12W SSB are
authorized. Unity gain antennas are required. Amplifiers and
Long-distance communications are forbidden.
Calling channel:US 19
Emergency Channel:US 21
SSB use is typically on channels US 26 & 27
--- in other countries
This is the "grab bag" section. We have incomplete information on
these countries but we'll tell you what we've heard. We'll add more
information as people send it to us. (If you know more, please tell
us!)
* Switzerland uses FM on the same frequencies as CEPT but CBs do not
appear to be very common there.
* Channel 19 is the calling channel in Poland. Some probably-outdated
info said that this was also the case in Czechoslovakia but that may
not necessarily be true under the new governments of the Czech
Republic and Slovakia.
* The calling channels in Austria are 4 AM and 9 AM.
* From California, we can hear a lot of CB activity in Mexico via skip
but no one has provided us with any details yet. However, we know that
Mexico uses AM on the same frequencies as the USA's 27 Mhz CB band.
In every country we know of where CB is legal, radios must be
type-accepted, meaning they must have been manufactured specifically
for use with one or more that country. The exception is CEPT-approved
radios, which may be used in any country which has implemented the
conference's recommendations.
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