CB, or "Citizen Band", radio is a free, short range service for personal, or business, use operating in the 27 MHz frequency band. The average range for CB communications is 10 miles, depending on the terrain, and the nature of antennae, and communication of up to 20 miles range may be possible between base stations. CB radio equipment was deregulated, by Ofcom the regulatory body of broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom in 2006, so that a licence is no longer required. The service is, however, intended not to cause interference to other radio users, so only CB radio equipment that conforms to specific requirements may be used, legally. CB radio is popular, nowadays, with the drivers of heavy good vehicles, of course, but also with off-road, 4x4 drivers indeed, a CB radio may be a necessity if driving on Ministry of Defence property motorcyclists and touring caravan, or motor home owners. Commercial CB radio operators include courier and breakdown services, such as the AA, or RAC.

CB Radio Equipment
CB radio sets, themselves, are generally available in one of two forms. So-called "handheld" CB radios, as the name suggests, are small, portable models, usually with their own built-in antenna, and therefore ready to use, straight from the box. Range can be an issue with handheld CB radios; in open countryside, to 1 miles is a typical range for handheld to handheld transmissions, although the range increases slightly, to between 1 and 3 miles for handheld to vehicle transmissions. The performance of a handheld CB radio indeed, or all CB radios depends upon "line of sight", and may be adversely affected by intervening woodland, or buildings. A typical handheld CB radio may feature a large LCD ("Liquid Crystal Display"), with backlight, a TNC "Threaded Neill Concellman", a threaded version of coaxial BNC connector for an integral, or external antenna, and allow operation via standard alkaline, or rechargeable NiCad, batteries.

Larger CB radios, suitable for use in a vehicle, or in the home, require an external antenna, or aerial, and possibly an external power supply. The aerial is, perhaps, the most important component of any CB "rig", and the aerial that you choose must be a specialised CB model. CB aerials are available in a number of different shapes and sizes, and different mounting options. Generally speaking, the longer the length of an aerial, the better its range, and the greater its flexibility, the less susceptible it is to damage in rough conditions. The matching between your CB radio and aerial expressed as a ratio, known as SWR, or "Standing Wave Ratio" is vital to the safe, and efficient, operation of your system. An SWR of 1:1 is an almost perfect match, but as the ratio climbs higher, it means that less power is being radiated from your aerial, and being returned, instead, to the transceiver. This can result in excessive heat, and, in the worst case, damage you CB radio. An SWR meter may, therefore, also be a requirement, but these are very affordable. Some CB aerial antennae are pre-tuned, and this is the type favoured by most CBN operators.

A typical vehicle, or home, CB rig is likely to provide 80 channels 40 for the United Kingdom, and 40 for Europe a transmitter with a maximum output power of 4 Watts, and a compact microphone, with up and down channel buttons on the microphone, itself. If the rig is destined for use in a vehicle, a mounting kit including brackets, screws, etc. and an appropriate aerial antenna may be included.

Depending upon its location, and precise application, a CB radio may also require an external PSU, or "Power Supply Unit". Some CB radios are designed to be plugged directly into the mains, but, more often than not, a PSU with a transformer to "transform" mains voltage of 240 volts, to a more appropriate 12, or 14, volts will be required. If a CB radio is to be mounted in a car, or other vehicle, its power will, obviously, be taken from the battery of that vehicle.

There are also a number of CB accessories available, including CB microphones of different types. A powered microphone does not increase the output power of a CB radio, itself, but nevertheless amplifies the voice of the operator. This means that an operator does not have to raise his, or her, voice in order to be heard, and can be useful if you don't want to keep a microphone close to your mouth at all times. A so-called "noise cancelling" microphone, on the other hand, is designed to filter out background noise from the engine of a vehicle, other traffic, or wind and can be useful if you like to drive with your window(s) open, or listen to music while operating a CB radio.

Do bear in mind that a CB radio must be operated in accordance with the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations, 2006. This means that, by law, maximum output power is limited to 4 Watts; so-called "burners", or "boosters", which increase output power beyond this level, are therefore illegal. Similarly, CB Radio is restricted to FM ("Frequency Modulation"), or PM ("Phase Modulation") transmissions, which produce minimal interference with other RF ("Radio Frequency") traffic.
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