Whaaaatttttt.....!!!!!! CB radio on FM?😏 No kidding.....
Yes! In 2021, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) approved FM (Frequency Modulation) use for CB (Citizens Band) radio.
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| Shocked! |
This comes as a shock to many because in the past, CB broadcasts were limited to AM and SSB/U-L (in the USA). Commercial radio stations generally broadcasted on AM, before newer FM stations became more popular in the late 60s, and more popular in the 70s. We all noticed how much clearer the audio was on FM without the static noise.
It has been a few years, but quite a few people I talk with didn't know (or didn't care!) about the 2021 FCC approval. Quite frankly, many just noticed because CB AM/FM transceiver production has caught up with the rule change. The "big" companies are now offering their model with all the features.
In terms of Citizens Band Radio, this is probably one of the biggest changes in FCC rules since they dropped the requirement to be licensed (1983). Also, if you were around (using a CB radio or listening to CB radio) in the late 60s and 70s, you may recall that there were only 23 CB channels available until the number of channels were increased from 23 to 40 (1977).
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| 23 Channel Cobra 29 CB Radio |
All of my friends were installing (at least trying to!) CB radios in their vehicles. Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Dukes of Hazzard (1979-85), Convoy (1978) and other TV shows and movies increased the popularity of these communication devices. The writers of some of those scripts were very "creative" in their use of the CB radio, e.g., pretending that CBers could communicate with police/sheriffs on restricted police VHF frequencies, duh! Maybe you could listen on a scanner (in some areas this is unlawful), but you weren't allowed to legally talk on public service designated frequencies).
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| CB to Police Frequency?😆 |
P.S., Yes, I know some of the police cruisers in the 60-70s, also had a CB radio in addition to their VHF or UHF police radio...to monitor channel 9--the emergency channel, but not to monitor trucker and/or other motorist warnings about police locations😉😉😉!
"We have a Kojak with a Kodak" = Trooper with radar ahead "taking pictures".
"10-4 Good Buddy"
There are a kazillion CB radios out there with just AM capabilities, and many others with AM/SSB capabilities. These radios will not be able to communicate with someone broadcasting on FM. You may pick up some "Charlie Brown cartoon type chatter: waa, waa, bak, waa, waa, waaaa". I tried it, and it was a muffled sound...noise.
You had to buy a new AM/FM radio when you wanted to tune in FM commercial broadcasts to listen to your favorite tunes back in the 60s. If you want to listen to or talk on CB FM, you have to buy a new radio.
The FM commercial broadcast radios used different assigned frequencies, i.e., 88 - 108 MHz. CB FM mode operates within the same standard AM frequencies used for CB radios, i.e., 26.965 – 27.405MHz.
The new models have AM/FM or AM/SSB/FM, so they can still communicate with someone with just AM or AM/SSB, but they must switch over from FM on their radio. Also, you can still purchase an AM or AM/SSB radio if you are not interested in FM.
Time will tell if the popularity of AM/FM CB radios will continue to grow. A radio that can use both is a bonus!
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| New Cobra AM/FM Radio |
If you are interested in the details on the new AM/FM or AM/SSB/FM CB radios, as well as some of the AM or AM/SSB models:
>>>>CB Radios
Yes, you can just look and you don't have to buy anything!😁😁
