CB Radio Communication & Why It Matters

Radio communication plays a crucial role across various sectors, including security and transportation, while also serving as a favored pastime for numerous enthusiasts. For those embarking on a journey into radio operation, it is essential to understand both the formal and informal guidelines prior to initiating any broadcasts. Individuals with diverse skills and interests engage in two-way radio communication, making it vital to familiarize oneself with standard practices, legal requirements, and proper etiquette for effective communication. Continue reading to explore the essential principles of radio communication.

Broadcast Etiquette 

Radio communication technology has significantly evolved, equipping both enthusiasts and professionals with advanced two-way radios. Despite the clarity provided by high-quality accessories and features, adhering to proper etiquette remains essential for ensuring effective and comprehensible communication.

Identifying Yourself & Your Contact

When sending or replying to a radio message, it is crucial to clearly state your identity and the individual you wish to contact. This practice reduces confusion and limits the need for repetitive clarifications. Amateur radio operators receive designated call signs upon licensure, while CB radio users typically utilize their names or self-chosen nicknames, known as "handles."

Making a random contact

1. The thrill of amateur radio communications lies in the opportunity to connect with fellow radio enthusiasts and establish long-distance relationships. Engaging with an unknown contact can be unpredictable, prompting the question of how to effectively start a conversation with a CQ.

• First, find an unoccupied station (you can ask “is this frequency in use? This is ____”).
• Next, announce that you are calling “CQ” and identify yourself so someone can respond to you. “CQ, CQ, calling CQ, this is _____”
• The ARRL advises repeating this broadcast 3-4 times before moving on to another channel.

Immediate Responses

It is advisable to wait a few seconds after pressing the push-to-talk button. Those familiar with walkie-talkies understand the annoyance of missing the beginning of a message. This issue can also occur with other wireless communication devices. Taking a brief pause before speaking can significantly enhance clarity and efficiency in communication.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Effective communication is essential in radio etiquette. Operators must pause before speaking to ensure the channel is clear and should refrain from interrupting active conversations unless an emergency arises. In such cases, emergency communications take priority over regular discussions. 

Additionally, the FCC governs the content of messages transmitted over radio, prohibiting the transmission of obscene, indecent, or profane material. Further details on these regulations can be found on the FCC's official website.

Short & Sweet

Radio communications should be brief and direct, a principle that is especially crucial for emergency situations and other critical exchanges, though it also applies to informal discussions. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) mandates that operators of the Citizens Band Radio Service (CBRS) restrict their conversations to five minutes with another operator, followed by a one-minute pause before transmitting again on the same channel, unless an exception applies (47 CFR 95.957(a)). 

This regulation does not imply that conversations must be purely utilitarian or curt. In fact, amateur radio operators often relish the opportunity to engage in lengthy discussions with distant contacts, fostering friendships, while many truck drivers find that ham radio interactions can be more captivating than typical CB radio exchanges. Nevertheless, it remains standard practice to ensure that each transmission is clear and succinct.

How You Share Your Personal Information

CB radio channels and ham radio channels lack privacy. It is impossible to guarantee that you and your contact are the sole communicators on a specific frequency. Therefore, it is crucial to refrain from disclosing sensitive information through radio transmissions, as one should always assume that others may be listening.

Clarity in Communication is Key

Clarity in communication is a fundamental principle when delivering a radio message. Radio operators must articulate their words slowly and maintain a steady tone, avoiding any significant fluctuations in volume, to guarantee that their audience comprehends the information being conveyed. While this practice is essential, it is often overlooked during emergencies or high-stress situations where emotions may influence speech.

Appropriate Language

Effective radio communication often necessitates a different vocabulary than that used in casual conversation. It is advisable to select words that minimize the risk of misinterpretation or confusion with similar-sounding terms. For instance, using "affirmative" or "negative" is preferable to informal responses like "yep" or "nope," which can be unclear when delivered rapidly. Unlike cell phone discussions, radio transmissions demand greater consideration, as only one individual can communicate at any given moment; therefore, it is crucial to convey your message accurately on the first attempt.

Understanding Radio Terminology

Familiarity with radio terminology is essential, as standardized expressions and abbreviations enhance effective and succinct communication. New radio operators should be acquainted with various key terms:

• 10-4 – “message received” or “affirmative”
• Breaker, breaker or break, break – used to get someone’s attention or interrupt communications in an emergency
• Copy – “I understand” or “I hear you”
• Over – indicates that you’re finished speaking and are awaiting a response
• Out – indicates the end of a conversation
• Radio check – a request for someone to confirm your radio signal strength and clarity
• Roger – “message received” or “affirmative”
• What’s your 20? – “what’s your location?”
• Wilco – short for “will comply,” indicating that you will follow the given instructions

The NATO Phonetic Alphabet

The NATO phonetic alphabet, known as the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, is a globally recognized system for articulating letters of the alphabet. Operators are required to employ these terms when spelling words or call signs, thereby reducing the risk of misunderstanding between similar-sounding letters. Although the use of the NATO phonetic alphabet is crucial for critical communications such as air traffic control, it is also a common practice among various radio operators.

NATO Phonetic Alphabet
A -Alpha	J - Juliett	S - Sierra
B - Bravo	K - Kilo	T - Tango
C - Charlie	L - Lima	U - Uniform
D - Delta	M - Mike	V - Victor
E - Echo	N - November	W - Whiskey
F - Foxtrot	O - Oscar	X - X-ray
G - Golf	P - Papa	Y - Yankee
H - Hotel	Q - Quebec	Z- Zulu
I - India	R - Romeo

 

Generally speaking, numbers adhere to standard English pronunciation, with minor variations for enhanced clarity. For instance, it is typical to hear the number 5 pronounced as "fife" and the number 9 as "niner" to prevent any potential confusion between the two.

Radio Frequency Uses & Importance

Radio frequency applications vary between ham radio and CB radio, with each system allocating specific frequencies for distinct communication purposes. For instance, Channel 9 (27.065 MHz) is specifically reserved for emergency communications, and many mobile radios are equipped with a preset for this channel to facilitate accessibility. Further information regarding ham radio frequencies and their typical applications can be found here.

Frequency (MHz)	Description
162.400	NOAA / National Weather Service broadcast frequency
162.425	NOAA / National Weather Service broadcast frequency
162.450	NOAA / National Weather Service broadcast frequency
162.475	NOAA / National Weather Service broadcast frequency
162.500	NOAA / National Weather Service broadcast frequency
162.525	NOAA / National Weather Service broadcast frequency
162.550	NOAA / National Weather Service broadcast frequency
27.065	Channel 9 on CB Radios, commonly considered the emergency frequency for CB and is still monitored by teams and law enforcement
27.185	Channel 19 on CB Radios, the most used CB channel, especially active around highways
462.675	GMRS emergency frequency (Channel 20)
151.820	Multi Use Radio Service (MURS)
151.880	Multi Use Radio Service (MURS)
121.500	Aviation Emergency & Distress
123.100	Aviation Search and Rescue
156.800	Marine Distress Safety and Calling (Marine Radio Channel 16)
157.100	U.S. Coast Guard Liaison (Marine Radio Channel 22)
156.300	Marine Intership Safety (Marine Radio Channel 6)
161.205	Railroad Police Mutual Aid
155.160	Land Search and Rescue
121.500	Air Search and Rescue
146.520	2-meter band National Simplex Channel
223.500	1.25-meter band National Simplex Channel
446.000	70 cm band National Simplex Channel
906.500	33 cm band National Simplex Channel
1294.500	23 cm band National Simplex Channel

 

CB Radio Frequency Chart

CB Channel	CB Frequency	Common Usage
Channel 1	26.965 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 2	26.975 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 3	26.985 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 4	27.005 MHz	Often used for 4x4s/off-roading
Channel 5	27.015 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 6	27.025 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 7	27.035 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 8	27.055 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 9	27.065 MHz	Emergency communications
Channel 10	27.075 MHz	Ope to everyone (often used by truckers)
Channel 11	27.085 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 12	27.105 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 13	27.115 MHz	Ope to everyone (often used by marine/Rvers)
Channel 14	27.125 MHz	Open to everyone (often used by walkie-talkies)
Channel 15	27.135 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 16	27.155 MHz	Open to everyone (and SSB)
Channel 17	27.165 MHz	Open to everyone (often used by truckers)
Channel 18	27.175 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 19	27.185 MHz	Truckers re: East/West Highway Traffic
Channel 20	27.205 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 21	27.215 MHz	Open to everyone (often used by truckers)
Channel 22	27.225 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 23	27.255 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 24	27.235 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 25	27.245 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 26	27.265 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 27	27.275 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 28	27.285 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 29	27.295 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 30	27.305 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 31	27.315 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 32	27.325 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 33	27.335 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 34	27.345 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 35	27.355 MHz	Open to everyone
Channel 36	27.365 MHz	Open to everyone (and SSB)
Channel 37	27.375 MHz	Open to everyone (and SSB, LSB)
Channel 38	27.385 MHz	Open to everyone (and SSB)
Channel 39	27.395 MHz	Open to everyone (and SSB)
Channel 40	27.405 MHz	Open to everyone (and SSB)