CB TALK
What is a CB radio?
CB is an acronym for "Citizens Band"
The CB radio is a versatile wireless communication tool accessible to all, without license or professional operator, which offers a wide variety of possibilities of use, from leisure to safety in a user-friendly manner.
It is used for both business and recreational purposes, offering a range of possibilities from informal conversations with friends to life-saving emergency communications.
It also helps people to connect to each other in different situations. It allows you to receive and send messages free of charge, and allows several people to communicate together on the same channel. This characteristic is at the very basis of the CB user spirit and promotes conviviality and openness to others.
Unlike the phone that works in duplex mode, conversations are done in simplex mode, so it is necessary to wait for the end of the message of your correspondent before being able to send your own.
CB radios operate on the 27 MHz band, also known as the 11-meter band. It covers frequencies from 26.965 MHz to 27.405 MHz and is allocated for short-distance communication without requiring a license in many countries. The band operates primarily on AM and FM modes, though SSB (Single Side Band) is also used for longer-range communication due to better signal efficiency.
CB communication can be used in a variety of personal, professional and commercial settings. It is composed of a portable transceiver, installed in a vehicle or in a fixed location, which allows one to transmit and receive messages on radio frequencies reserved for the general public.
In general, CB radios are used to communicate at short distances, usually about 30 miles or less, but they can reach greater distances depending on the environment, the choice of equipment and its quality.
CB communication is notably recognized for its role in accident prevention and safety on roads, helping drivers avoid accidents and traffic jams by sharing real-time information. Channels 9 and 19 are used respectively for emergency calls and radio guidance by truck drivers and road professionals. It is often used as a backup means of emergency communication in the event of a telephone or network failure, or where other means of communication are not available.
Some intervention organizations, such as firefighters, the Red Cross and other associations, have integrated it into their emergency triggering process and are constantly listening to channel 9, the emergency channel, in order to be able to intervene quickly in case of a call for help.
CB radios are particularly popular with truck and RV drivers, who often use them to communicate with each other during long trips. They are also used by people working in emergency and security services, as well as by other professionals who need to remain in contact with their team.
By combining the advantages of group communication with portability and ease of use, the CB radio is an indispensable tool for people seeking to stay connected in a mobile environment.
A Bit of History
During World War II, engineers developed a two-way radio communication system for use in military operations that was operating at frequencies above 250 Mhz. This was a technological feat that was unheard of at the time.
Soon after the war, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) was able to assign a set of these higher frequencies to be used for personal radio services, and allow citizens a radio band for personal communication. This set represented the first frequencies that were legally allocated to the Citizens' Radio Service Frequency Band.
The first CB radios were then produced a couple of years afterwards, however they were sold mainly to working and public safety professionals because they were too bulky and expensive for the general public.
It wasn't until the late 1950s that the FCC finally allocated the lower frequency 27 MHz band for general public use, while reassigning the original higher frequency range to other industries.
The 27 Mhz band became known as the "Citizens Band".
However, CB radios continued to be used primarily by professionals and radio amateurs due to their size and cost. It wasn't until the late 1960s that advances in electronics led the CB radios to become more portable and affordable. The general public finally adopted the CB radios as an affordable and easy-to-use personal means of communication in the 1970s.
Designed to allow individuals to communicate with each other without having to pass through a professional telecommunications operator, this strip of license-free frequencies was mainly used by truckers to break the monotony of long routes and help each other out during difficult situations.
This gave rise to a spirit of solidarity that has always characterized this form of communication, and also created a specific language based on contractions of words and coded expressions that became popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
Over the years, the CB has increasingly been used for rescue and emergency communications, as well as for leisure activities, such as bird watching, RVing or hunting. It is also used by professionals from various sectors, such as police officers and firefighters, to communicate with each other and to exchange important information.
Today, CB remains a useful form of communication enjoyed by many individuals and professionals around the world. Since 1978, President Electronics has been one of the world's leading CB radio manufacturers, recognized for the quality and reliability of its products. Find out why the PRESIDENT brand is worldwide recognized and check out our radio and antenna selection.
Glossary
Learn the technical terms and key definitions related to CB radios and communication.
There is a number of terms and acronyms used in the CB radio language that can be difficult to understand for new users. Clear and precise language facilitates contact among all radiocommunication enthusiasts.
Below you will find some of the most frequently used CB radio expressions. Remember this is meant to be fun. You are by no means obliged to use them.
A radio alphabet is a code used in radiotelephony, which consists of representing each letter of the alphabet by a whole word, chosen acrophonically (with the letter represented as its initial). Thus, when a word is spelled, each of its letters is replaced by the corresponding word, so that there is no ambiguity between similar sounds (such as "m" and "n", "p" and "b"). Such ambiguities are likely to occur because of the noise and interferences that radio transmissions are frequently subjected to, and also because the recipient does not see the speaker and therefore does not have a visual indication to help him lift any ambiguity.
| A | Alpha | H | Hotel | O | Oscar | V | Victor |
| B | Bravo | I | India | P | Papa | W | Whiskey |
| C | Charlie | J | Juliett | Q | Quebec | X | X-ray |
| D | Delta | K | Kilo | R | Romeo | Y | Yankee |
| E | Echo | L | Lima | S | Sierra | Z | Zulu |
| F | Foxtrott | M | Mike | T | Tango | ||
| G | Golf | N | November | U | Uniform |
The CB radio language is a varied and elaborate language used worldwide, with a variety of regional specificities.
Below is a summary of the main words used in the English CB language, however it is by no means an exhaustive list. Your local CB club or fellow CB radio buddies are a great resource to enrich your CB radio language. There are also internet sites that specialize in publishing CB radio terms.
| ADVERTISING | Flashing lights of police car | BACK OFF | Slow down |
| BASEMENT | Channel 1 | BASE STATION | A CB set in fixed location |
| BEAR | Policeman | BEAR BITE | Speeding fine |
| BEAR CAGE | Police station | BIG SLAB | Motorway |
| BIG 10-4 | Absolutely | BLEEDING | Signal from an adjacent channel interfering with the transmission |
| BLOCKING THE CHANNEL | Pressing the PTT switch without talking | BLUE BOYS | Police |
| BREAK | Used to ask permission to join a conversation | BREAKER | A CBer wishing to join a channel |
| CLEAN AND GREEN | Clear of police | CLEANER CHANNEL | Channel with less interference |
| COMING IN LOUD AND PROUD | Good reception | DOUGHNUT | Tyre |
| DOWN AND GONE | Turning CB off | DOWN ONE | Go to a lower channel |
| DO YOU COPY? | Understand? | DX | Long distance |
| EIGHTY EIGHTS | Love and kisses | EYE BALL | CBers meeting together |
| GOOD BUDDY | Fellow CBer | HAMMER | Accelerator |
| HANDLE | CBer’s nickname | HARVEY WALL BANGER | Dangerous driver |
| HOW AM I HITTING YOU? | How are you receiving me? | KEYING THE MIKE | Pressing the PTT switch without talking |
| KOJAC WITH A KODAK | Police radar | LAND LINE | Telephone |
| LUNCH BOX | CB set | MAN WITH A GUN | Police radar |
| MAYDAY | SOS | MEAT WAGON | Ambulance |
| MIDNIGHT SHOPPER | Thief | MODULATION | Conversation |
| NEGATIVE COPY | No reply | OVER YOUR SHOULDER | Right behind you |
| PART YOUR HAIR | Behave yourself - police ahead | PULL YOUR HAMMER BACK | Slow down |
| RAT RACE | Congested traffic | RUBBERBANDER | New CBer |
| SAIL BOAT FUEL | Wind | SMOKEY DOZING | Parked police car |
| SMOKEY WITH A CAMERA | Police radar | SPAGHETTI BOWL | Interchange |
| STINGER | Antenna | TURKEY | Dumb CBer |
| UP ONE | Go up one channel | WALL TO WALL | All over/everywhere |
| WHAT AM I PUTTING TO YOU? | Please give me an S-meter reading | ||
CB radio 10 codes are abbreviations that are used to shorten common phrases in radio communication.
The 10-codes were created in 1937 as a way to streamline and simplify radio communications for law enforcement officers. Although these codes were initially created for police and public safety use, they were later expanded and adopted by CB radio users. Today, some of these codes, such as 10-4 (meaning "message received") and 10-20 (meaning "location"), remain popular in the CB radio community.
Below are the main 10 codes used in the English CB language. These codes allow CB users to communicate efficiently, especially in high-traffic channels or emergencies.
This list is not complete and these codes may vary slightly depending on the region or group using them. Reach out to your local CB radio club or fellow CB radio buddies to further enrich your CB language.
| 10-1 | Poor signal/reception | 10-2 | Good signal/reception |
| 10-4 | Message received/understood | 10-7 | Out of service/leaving the air |
| 10-8 | In service/available for communication | 10-9 | Repeat the message |
| 10-10 | Transmission completed, standing by | 10-13 | Advise weather/road conditions |
| 10-17 | Urgent business | 10-19 | Return to base |
| 10-20 | What's your location? | 10-33 | Emergency traffic only |
| 10-36 | What's the correct time? | 10-42 | Traffic accident at my location |
| 10-99 | Mission completed | 10-100 | Need to take a bathroom break |
You can find examples on how the 10 codes are used during a conversation under the Talk CB Now section.
| AM | Amplitude Modulation | CB | Citizens Band |
| CH | Channel | CQ | General appeal |
| CW | Continuous waves | DX | Long distance link |
| DW | Dual watch | FM | Frequency modulation |
| GMT | Greenwich Meantime | GP | Ground plane (vertical antenna) |
| HF | High Frequency | LSB | Low Side Band |
| RX | Receiver | SSB | Single Side Band |
| SW | Short waves | SWL | Short waves listening |
| SWR | Standing Waves Ratio | TX | CB transceiver (also means transmission) |
| UHF | Ultra High Frequency | USB | Upper side band |
| VHF | Very High Frequency |
Talk CB Now
Here are a few examples of typical CB radio conversations using common CB radio codes and language to help you get started. You can find the explanation for the key terms used in the conversations at the end of the TALK CB NOW section.
For the sake of this exercise, we will name the CB Radio Handle for Unit 1 "Silver Fox" and the CB Radio Handle for Unit 2 "Thunderbird".
Please note a conversation often starts with a Breaker 1-9 request. This is a request to use channel 19, the most commonly used channel for truckers.
Also, conversations should be kept to less than 5 minutes and be respectful at all times.
Silver Fox: "Breaker 1-9, Breaker 1-9, this is Silver Fox, got your ears on? Come back."
Thunderbird: "10-4, Silver Fox, this is Thunderbird. I got you loud and clear. What’s your 20?"
Silver Fox: "10-4, Thunderbird. I'm at the 25-mile marker on I-75, heading northbound. What's your 20?"
Thunderbird: "I'm at the 45-mile marker, same direction. Be advised, heavy traffic starting around the 30. Over."
Silver Fox: "10-4, appreciate the heads up. How bad is it?"
Thunderbird: "It's pretty jammed up. Bumper to bumper for about 10 miles. Over."
Silver Fox: "Roger that. Any accidents or just volume? What's the smokey report?"
Thunderbird: "Just heavy volume from what I could see. No accidents reported. No bears. Over."
Silver Fox: "10-4, appreciate the info, Thunderbird. Drive safe. Silver Fox out."
Thunderbird: "Thunderbird out."
Silver Fox: "Breaker 1-9, Breaker 1-9, anybody got a copy on this? This is Silver Fox. Over."
Thunderbird: "Roger, Silver Fox, this is Thunderbird. I got a good copy on you. What’s your 20?"
Silver Fox: "10-4, Thunderbird. I'm at the 25-mile marker on I-75, heading northbound. What's your 20?"
Thunderbird: "I'm at the 45-mile marker, same direction."
Silver Fox: "How's the weather up ahead?
Thunderbird: "We've got clear skies and dry roads up until the 30-mile marker. After that, it's heavy rain. 10-4?"
Silver Fox: "10-4, appreciate the heads up. Any fog or other issues to watch for?"
Thunderbird: "Negative on the fog. Just watch out for that rain after the 30. Over."
Silver Fox: "Roger that, Thunderbird. Thanks for the info. Over and out."
Thunderbird: "Over and out"
Silver Fox: "Breaker 1-9, Breaker 1-9, this is Silver Fox, got your ears on?"
Thunderbird: "10-4, Silver Fox, this is Thunderbird. I got you loud and clear. What’s your 20?"
Silver Fox: "10-4, Thunderbird. I'm at the 25-mile marker on I-75, heading northbound. What's your 20?"
Thunderbird: "I'm at the 45-mile marker, same direction. Heads up, there's a big accident around the 30-mile marker. Over."
Silver Fox: "10-4, thanks for the heads up. Is traffic backed up?"
Thunderbird: "Affirmative. Traffic was crawling for a couple of miles. Multi-car pileup. Over."
Silver Fox: "Roger that. Any detours or ways around it?"
Thunderbird: "Negative on detours, just gotta tough it out. Keep your eyes peeled for emergency vehicles. Over."
Silver Fox: "10-4, appreciate the info, Thunderbird. Stay safe out there. Silver Fox out."
Thunderbird: "Thunderbird out."
Silver Fox: "Breaker 1-9, Breaker 1-9, this is Silver Fox, who’s out there? Over."
Thunderbird: "Roger, Silver Fox, this is Thunderbird. What’s your 20?"
Silver Fox: "10-4, Thunderbird. I'm at the 25-mile marker on I-75, heading northbound. What's your 20?"
Thunderbird: "I'm at the 45-mile marker, same direction. You are looking for something specific? Over."
Silver Fox: "Yeah, 10-4. I'm running low on fuel. Any good stops ahead? Over."
Thunderbird: "10-4, Silver Fox. There's a truck stop with diesel at the 40-mile marker. Good prices and clean facilities. Over."
Silver Fox: "Roger that, appreciate the info. Any idea how busy it is right now?"
Thunderbird: "Not too bad last I checked. Should be in and out quick. Over."
Silver Fox: "10-4, thanks for the heads up, Thunderbird. Catch you on the flip side. Over and out."
Thunderbird: "Safe Travels. Over and out."
Silver Fox: "Breaker 1-9, Breaker 1-9, this is Silver Fox, anyone on this channel? Over."
Thunderbird: "Roger that, Silver Fox, this is Thunderbird. What’s your 20?"
Silver Fox: "10-4, Thunderbird. I'm at the 25-mile marker on I-75, heading northbound. What's your 20?"
Thunderbird: "I'm at the 45-mile marker, same direction. Watch out for construction around the 35-mile marker. Over."
Silver Fox: "10-4, thanks for the heads up. How bad is it?"
Thunderbird: "They've got it down to one lane. Expect some slowdowns and delays. Over."
Silver Fox: "Roger that. Any detours or just have to wait it out?"
Thunderbird: "No detours marked. Best to just stay patient and keep it slow. Over."
Silver Fox: "10-4, Appreciate the info Thunderbird. Drive Safe. Silver Fox out."
Thunderbird: "Thunderbird out."
Breaker 1-9: Request to use channel 19.
10-4: Message received and understood. A popular 10 code.
What’s your 20?: Asking for the other person's location - Short for the 10-20 code.
Bear: Refers to a police officer.
Smokey report: Asking for information about police presence.
Over: Indicates the end of a transmission but expecting a response.
Roger that: Acknowledgement of the information received.
Affirmative: Yes or confirming information.
Heavy volume: Refers to heavy traffic conditions.
Running low on fuel: Needing to refuel.
Truck stop: A rest stop that provides fuel, food, and other services for truckers.
Construction: Road work that may cause delays or changes in traffic patterns.
Catch you on the flip side: Good bye.
For more keywords and 10 codes, please go to the Glossary section.
US and Canadian Channels
The CB radio channels are radio frequencies reserved for the use of the CB.
In the US and Canada, the CB radio frequency band is located between 26.965 MHz and 27.405 MHz, as is often the case in other countries. It is divided into 40 channels spaced 10kHz from each other, and numbered from 1 to 40. The 40 channels cover the entire frequency band allocated to the CB and are used for general communications, allowing users to chat with each other on a variety of topics.
It is important to respect the codes of conduct and communication protocols when using these channels, to avoid interference and disruption with the other users. Please see the Legislation section for more information about accepted standards of conduct while using CB radios.
Channel 9: This is the Emergency channel and cannot be used for any non-emergency situations.
Channel 19: This is the priority channel used by truckers to exchange driving conditions on highways and major roads. This channel must not be used for casual conversations and should be left open for important road and weather conditions.
Other channels: These are the free and open channels that can be used by anyone. Channels 16, 37, 38, 39 and 40 are also open to SSB communication.
| Channel | Frequency | Channel | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26,965 MHz | 21 | 27.215 MHz |
| 2 | 26,975 MHz | 22 | 27.225 MHz |
| 3 | 26,985 MHz | 23 | 27.255 MHz |
| 4 | 27,005 MHz | 24 | 27.235 MHz |
| 5 | 27,015 MHz | 25 | 27.245 MHz |
| 6 | 27,025 MHz | 26 | 27.265 MHz |
| 7 | 27,035 MHz | 27 | 27.275 MHz |
| 8 | 27.055 MHz | 28 | 27.285 MHz |
| 9 | 27,065 MHz | 29 | 27.295 MHz |
| 10 | 27,075 MHz | 30 | 27.305 MHz |
| 11 | 27,085 MHz | 31 | 27.315 MHz |
| 12 | 27,105 MHz | 32 | 27.325 MHz |
| 13 | 27,115 MHz | 33 | 27.335 MHz |
| 14 | 27.125 MHz | 34 | 27.345 MHz |
| 15 | 27.135 MHz | 35 | 27.355 MHz |
| 16 | 27.155 MHz | 36 | 27.365 MHz |
| 17 | 27.165 MHz | 37 | 27.375 MHz |
| 18 | 27.175 MHz | 38 | 27.385 MHz |
| 19 | 27.185 MHz | 39 | 27.395 MHz |
| 20 | 27.205 MHz | 40 | 27,405 MHz |
Other operators, including the military and other federal agencies, use frequencies outside of the CB radio legal frequency range. We recommend not to use the frequencies outside of the ones described above. To do so would invite the FCC to knock on your door. Please check out the FCC Website for more information.
For the other countries' channels, check out the Global Frequency Chart on our European Website.
CB Laws in the US
The Citizens Band (CB) radio in the United States is governed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), while the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provides the legal framework for CB radio operations.
The FCC Website provides a summary of the FCC rules for the Mobility Division under C.B.R.S.. The FCC also provides a Consumer Guide on how to use and communicate properly with CB equipment. However, for a complete list of regulations, check out the CFR Website under Title 47 - Subchapter D - Part 95.
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- No License Required:
Unlike other radio services, CB radio does not require a license or registration.
- Eligibility:
Anyone can use CB radios in the United States as long as they comply with the FCC rules.
- Channels:
CB radios operate on 40 channels within the 27 MHz band (26.965 MHz to 27.405 MHz).
- Power Limits:
The maximum allowable power output is 4 watts MCP (Mean Carrier Power) for AM (Amplitude Modulation) and FM (Frequency Modulation). When transmitting single sideband (SSB) voice signals, the PEP (Peak Envelope Power) must not exceed 12 Watts.
- Technical Standards:
CB radios must meet specific technical standards set by the FCC, must be FCC-certified and labeled as such by the manufacturer.
- Types of Communications:
Personal, business or voluntary public service activities, including communications to provide assistance to highway travelers. However, communications should be kept short (5 min or less) and should not interfere with other communications.
- Prohibited Communications:
Users cannot advertise or solicit the sale of any goods or services; cannot advertise a political candidate or political campaign; cannot transmit music, whistling, sound effects or any other audio material to amuse or entertain; cannot transmit any sound effects solely to attract attention. Communications should also be free of profane, obscene, or indecent language.
- Emergency Communications:
Operators of CB radios and stations must, at all times and on all channels, give priority to emergency communications. Channel 9 must be used only for emergency communications or traveler assistance. It must not be used for any other purpose.
- Call Signs:
Unlike amateur (ham) radio operators, call signs are not required when using CB (Citizens Band) radio in the United States. Users can communicate freely without the need for formal identification. However, CB radio users often adopt handles or nicknames for informal identification. Amateur (ham) radio operators must however use specific call signs assigned by the FCC.
- Radio Modifications:
It is illegal to modify a CB radio to increase its power output or to operate outside the allocated legal CB radio frequencies.
- Antennas Restrictions:
There are no restrictions regarding the antenna height for mobile CB radios. However, for base stations, the CBRS (Citizens Band Radio Service) operator must ensure that the transmitting antenna for the station is not higher than 18.3 meters (60 feet) above the ground, or 6.1 meters (20 feet) higher than the highest point of the building or tree on which it is mounted, whichever is higher. CBRS station antennas must also meet other requirements.
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