Citizens Band Radio.


CB radio is a (now license free) two way communication system first seen in AM form in the 1970s. It is meant to be a short range communication system of up to 10 miles but that can increase depending on your location and the geography around you.

Off course the Aerial/Antenna plays a very important role also!
At the time CB had not been legalised in the UK and AM radios were imported from America. It was used by a dedicated and steadily growing group of radio enthusiasts many of whom campaigned for its legalisation. This was achieved in 1981, however not in the AM form that users wanted, but instead FM which most found inferior.

However with legalisation CB hit the mainstream and everyone and their granny wanted to get involved!

Radios from a multitude of companies hit the market with even well known brands such as Sharp, Audioline and Amstrad jumping on the band wagon.

CB was the Playstation of its day with playgrounds filled with teens talking about their rigs, aerials and handles. However it wasn't just for teens, with mum and dad also getting involved and CB radio clubs appeared all over the UK. Soon CB was popping up all over the place and hit the big screens in films such as Smokey and the Bandit and Convoy.

Now License Free!


Sadly with the huge interest it generated along came some users who weren't interested in the etiquette of radio communication. Swearing and other forms of abuse such as playing music on channels to interrupt other users soon became common and this made a lot of the original pioneers of CB move on to other forms of radio such as amateur radio or sadly to pack in radio altogether.

There must be 1000s of radios around the country gathering dust in attics. CB became a shadow of what it was and the arrival of mobile phones and the Internet was surely the final nail in the coffin.

Or was it?

Well CB has a pulse! It is alive and kicking all around the country. Yes there are still those who want to spoil it but there is fun to be had nonetheless.

If the activity seen on the various UK CB radio internet forums is anything to go by, it's enjoying a mini revival. So dig out that old radio that's been gathering dust in the loft and give it a go.