So Exactly What Is The Difference Between 10 Meter Radio And CB Radio
Over the past few years the line between traditional CB radio and 10 meter radio has become blurred. Phrases like ‘10 Meter CB Radios‘ and ‘export CB radio’ have irrevocably woven themselves into the amateur radio and CB radio vocabulary. Despite widespread use of both technologies many users have no idea what the real differences are.
Traditional CB Radios operates on the 11 meter band at about 27mhz. This gives it 40 channels ranging from 26.965mhz on channel 1 to 27.405mhz on channel 40. The distinctive characteristic of CB radio is that access to these frequencies is unrestricted by the FCC and available to anyone. Thus the term ‘Citizens Band’. However although access is unrestricted, use of these frequencies is another matter. Users are required to adhere to certain codes of conduct and severe hardware limitations. By FCC rule no CB radio transmitter may exceed 4 watts of transmitting power. A smart operator may use a high quality antenna to ‘get out’ further but increasing output by almost any other means is prohibited.
By contrast 10 meter radio access is restricted but the allowable hardware is not as limited. 10 meter radios operate on frequencies ranging from 28mhz to 29.7mhz. To access 10 meter radio frequencies you are required to obtain an amateur or ‘ham’ radio license from the FCC. Such licenses are relatively easy to get and usually free of charge. Certain 10 meter radios also operate on FM radio frequencies which will require more advanced licensing. The hardware involved in 10 meter radio can be quite impressive. Unlike CB radio the FCC considers the 10 meter band acceptable for long range communication, several radios offer over 100 times the transmitting power of a traditional CB radio.
So why has the line between the two become blurred? Many CB radio operators dislike the severe restrictions placed on CB radio power output. Manufacturers responding to the desire for more power have produced 10 meter radios that look and operate exactly like a traditional CB radio and are easily modified to operate on CB radio frequencies. These modifications are probably what both the manufacturer and operator have in mind when it is purchased. It is important to note that such modifications are against FCC regulations and can lead to serious penalties.
The term ‘export radio’ is also used to refer to these new CB radio hybrid style 10 meter radios. The catch is that these radios are technically only supposed to be marketed for export use only. Most other countries do not have such severe restrictions on transmitting power as does the United States.
Although a significant portion of the CB radio community wants new regulations to allow for greater transmitting power, the FCC is very unlikely to change its policy anytime soon. The FCC regards CB radio as a short range communication device and does not want high powered long range transmissions interrupting local communications. This viewpoint will almost certainly preclude any change in policy any time in the near future.
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Filed under: 10 Meter Radio • Articles • CB Radio
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As a former Channel 38 USB operator on the 11 Meter Band (CB) I can honestly say that it is far more enjoyable for folks who want MORE power to just simply get their Amateur Radio Service “ham” license and be done with it! Power-hungry CBers have always been some of the rudest operators there are on the 11 Meter Band. And currently, the FCC is stepping up it’s legal case against “Export” radio gear. So, folks selling these are in fact contributing to their cases by continuing to sell them. I ran the Galaxy Pluto here at about 1O watts into a 300 watt “kicker”. And everytime I broadcast I felt like “Uncle Charlie” was just down the road waiting to burst in and bust me in the act! With my FCC Amateur Radio license (That costs by a testing fee), i can run up to 1500 watts LEGALLY!! So, CBers, come on and get that “ticket” if you REALLY want more power!! 10-4?? Err.. QSL???
I fully agree. C.B.’s are a toy co mpared to Ham equipment
Eddie,
I think you make some solid points. i should have made this into a polla nd see what people think
I understand the “want” to be supreme king on the radio and blow “mud-ducks” out the pond….some truckers need to feel super big on a cb,usually because they are actually not much in reality. I am a local trucker , I think 4 watts is kinda low..down the highway,maybe a select switch for 4 in a close setting and the 10 for long distance use. But when 20 or so trucks are gathered in one parking lot, like in a paper mill ,chip mill,log trucks, or a truck stop ….you have about 5 to 10 trucks trying to 1 up the next with huge wattage.Usually radios worked on by hack radio shops…with so much echo and distortion you can’t even tell WTF they are saying!! So many watts you have to turn your volume so far down just to hear them…if anyone legal should say anything…there would be no chance in hell of hearing them. I would love to see the day the FCC cracks down on illegal CB’s so hard they actually could let us have the select switch from 4 to 10…if used properly.”Like the day hell froze solid”..I just needed to rant ,and there are lots of people as frustrated as me with all this B.S. Descent Freedom Loving America….R I P……….last one out…take down the flag and turn out the lights
A lot of amazing video and pictures of all types of radio.
I have a factory Cobra 29 LX digital in my truck with a Fire Stix II antenna. I can talk and hear for miles. I find a lot of people get the amps and mods because they are not properly running their antennas. I know of a lot of drivers out there with 4 antennas on their rig. That not only looks stupid you are loosing so much signal strength. If you have a low enough cab for road clearance of bridges the best way I get reception is I have a through the roof 2 foot antenna mounted to the top centre of my cab. I was informed by an old trucker the best signal you can get is only have an antenna as long as you absolutely need it and you only need to be 2 feet above your rig. So I had the dual antennas for awhile and had a hard time to switch over. So one weekend I did. Lost the 2, 5 foot antennas and went to a 1, 2 foot centre mounted Fire Stix II antenna. Way better reception. Almost doubled my range.
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