About CB Radio
Citizens Band operates in the 27 MHz (11-meter) HF band with 40 channels. It requires no license in the United States and remains one of the most accessible two-way radio services in the world.
Frequency26.965 – 27.405 MHz
Channels40
Power4 W AM / 12 W SSB
License (US)None required
Typical Range1–5 mi HT · 5–20+ mi mobile
ModesAM, SSB (USB/LSB)
History
The modern 27 MHz Citizens Band (Class D) was authorized by the FCC in 1958. It exploded in popularity during the 1970s fuel crisis and the rise of the trucking industry. Movies like Convoy and Smokey and the Bandit turned CB slang into mainstream culture. At its peak, millions of Americans had a CB in their car or truck. Although cellular phones later reduced everyday use, CB never disappeared — it simply settled into its natural niches.
Present-Day Uses
- Long-haul trucking — Channel 19 remains the de-facto highway information network for traffic, weather, and speed traps
- Off-road & overlanding — Jeep, 4×4, and adventure clubs still rely on CB for convoy communication
- Rural & farm use — Simple, license-free communication across large properties
- Emergency preparedness — Independent of cell towers; useful when infrastructure fails
- Hobby & DX — SSB operators still chase long-distance “skip” contacts during good propagation
Key Channels
- Channel 9 — Emergency / traveler assistance
- Channel 19 — Highway / trucker channel (most active)
- Other channels are open for general and local use
CB can experience long-distance “skip” during solar peaks, but everyday reliable range is much shorter and the band is often noisy with static.