October 1964 Popular Electronics
Table of Contents
Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles
published October 1954 - April 1985. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.
Citizens' Band (CB) radio
began in 1945, just after World War II, in order to provide common folks with a
means of both fixed and mobile radio communications that required only paying a fee to
operate. Amateur radio (Ham radio) did and still does require that the operator pass
a written test to gain transmitting privileges (anyone may receive a signal). CB
was and is used for both fixed base and mobile communications. Evidently, by 1964 there
was enough use and misuse of the airwaves that the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) found it necessary to publish and enforce a new set of rules for users. CB radio
began operations in the 460-470 MHz UHF band, then moved to 27 MHz in 1958
since equipment could be manufactured in a manner more affordable to a wider segment
of the public. There were only 23 channels available up through 1977, when 40 channels
became the new standard. I bought my first 23-channel CB radio in 1975 and installed
it in my 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS. At that time, operators needed to carry a license
card and pay some nominal amount for it (mine is long gone). In fact, in the early 1970's
when I had my first second-hand radio control system, it was also on 27 MHz and
required a license to operate. Crappy (noisy) CB radios were famous for "shooting down"
R/C aircraft in their vicinity. The FCC opened up a spectrum segment in the 72 MHz
band a few years later and that cured the problem. Both CB and R/C (now operating mostly
in the 2.4 GHz ISM band) are license-free nowadays.
New Rules to Govern CB
After considering Docket 14843 for some 20 months,
the Federal Communications Commission, in a surprise move, adopted it on July 22 with
few changes. Docket 14843 substantially alters Part 95 of the Rules and Regulations governing
the Citizens Radio Service. The more important "Do's and Dont's" in the new rules are
listed below in "quick-glance" capsule format.
DO use channels 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 23 for interstation communications. Continue
to use and monitor channel 9 as an emergency aid channel for travelers; this practice
now has "semi-official" FCC approval.
DO get a copy of Part 95 of the FCC Rules and Regulations
governing the Citizens Radio Service (CB). Note particularly the list of "prohibited"
uses of CB itemized under Part 95.83. This section is in sharp contrast with the previous
Rules which contained little about prohibited uses but itemized a few permissible communications.
DO use your equipment and a different call-sign if you qualify as a member of a duly
licensed group activity such as a volunteer fire company, CD service, etc. You are then
a mobile unit of the primary licensee.
DO follow the new rule limiting interstation communication to five minutes "on" and
five minutes "off." This rule does not apply to units of the same station or to emergency
DO continue to operate and use your old call-sign after moving to a new permanent
address. However, you must apply within 30 days for a new call-sign, and be sure to notify
the FCC of your temporary address.
DO be prepared to use any CB channel in case of emergency. Part 95.85 of the new Rules
permits a waiver of all restrictions where immediate safety of life or immediate protection
of property can be demonstrated.
DON'T use channels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, IS, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 for
communications with stations other than your own mobile units. Interstation communications
is now restricted to seven channels.
DON'T use CB for hobby communications, i.e., operating your station just to be "on
the air." Don't interfere maliciously with the communications of another CB station.
Don't test to solicit signal reports or discuss the performance of your equipment with
stations other than your own mobile. Don't communicate with foreign "CB" stations.
DON'T use your call-sign when participating as a member of a CD, fire, or police auxiliary
group. This group may need a new license and should apply for sufficient mobile units
to include your station.
DON'T circumvent the "five-by five" rule by changing frequency - it is now illegal
to shift channels for this purpose. Remember that all stations in an exchange must observe
the five-minute silent period.
DON'T operate from a new permanent address unless you have filed an application within
30 days after the change of address and simultaneously notified the FCC Engineer in Charge
of the Radio District.
DON'T abuse the emergency provision. After each emergency use of a channel not designated
for that purpose, you must file a notice of such use with the Engineer in Charge of the
Editor's Note: The new Citizens Band Rules were received only a few days prior to
the closing of this issue. Nevertheless, it is evident that before these changes go into
effect (November 1, 1964), several petitions and/or court actions will be taken to stall
the implementation of the changes. In reviewing the 20-month period since the rule changes
were first suggested, it appears that CB has gone a long way to conquer and alter some
of its own defects. CB has continued to grow in terms of public interest and public service.
Although the staff of Popular Electronics feels that certain rule changes were overdue,
the finalized version of Docket 14843 appears to us to be overly suppressive. Unfortunately,
many of the filings made by CB'ers in response to the original Docket were unrealistic
and painted (to the Commissioners) a poor picture of CB. If you are a CB'er, we urge
you to intelligently express your sentiments in original letters to your Congressman
and the FCC to support petitions for a rehearing and presentations of new evidence proving
the value of CB. A proposal for the resolution of the "hobby-style" communications problem
will appear in the November issue of Popular Electronics.
Posted September 20, 2018