How CB Radio Came to Be
Author Rick Lewis - Cobra CB Radio Blog
Visit Rick's website at TheCBdoctor.com
In 1957 Congress authorized The Federal Communication Commission to create a citizen band radio service. The FCC or" UNCLE CHARLIE" took the lower portion of the 10 meter recreational band and created a very restrictive class "D" Citizens Band starting at 26.965 MHz, as channel "1" and ending it with channel "23" at 27.255 MHz.
Except for channel 23 each channel was given a 5 kHz bandwidth with a 2.5 kHz bandguard on each end of the Bandwidth for a total of 10Khz between each channel or 10,000 Hz.
The mode of transmission chosen was "Amplitude Modulation" or "AM", with a carrier or "DEAD KEY of 4 Watts and a Peak Envelope Power or PEP of 12 watts. SSB was allowed with a maximum output of 12 watts.
Five "RC" or Remote Control channels were reserved primarily for remotely controlling model cars and toys. These channels were not
allowed to remotely control model aircraft due to the fact that interference of the signals may cause the model aircraft to go out
of control and injure people and damage property.
These RC's were placed between CHANNELS...3 and 4
7 and 8
11 and 12
15 and 16
19 and 20
Channel 23 was used on a secondary basis as an experimental frequency for use in the medical and other industrial fields. A
special license was required when used for this plan; this frequency utilized a double sideband surpressed carrier mode of
transmission with an authorized output of 25 watts PEP.
Due to this mode of transmission, a 20Khz band guard was placed between Channels 22 and 23. When used for CB, it's power,
limitations, and use was the same as the other 22 Channels.
At the time of its creation the new Citizens Band was very restrictive, although no test was required, a license was and
limited license holders to communication only to other radios under that station's license i.e.: families and business organization operations.
In 1959 that restriction was lifted and any licensed operator was allowed to communicate with any other licensed operator as long as
that communication did not knowingly exceed 155 miles. This is still in effect today, but due to "skip" that rule is rarely
enforced.
In 1976 the FCC added 17 more channels to bring the total to the present day 40 CHANNELS. The experimental use of channel 23 was eliminated and channels 24 and 25 were placed in between channels 22 and 23. That is why channels 24 and 25 are lower in frequency than channel 23.
The total band for CB is 450 Kilohertz. 400 kHz for voice communication and 50 kHz for Remote control model cars. The official date that the use of 40 channels was allowed is Jan 1st 1977 owed is Jan 1, 1977
