Citizens Band radio, abbreviated as CB radio, refers to a specific radio service for short-distance communication between individuals through a selection of 40 channels within the 27-MHz (11 m) band. This service is quite different from Amateur Radio, Multi-Use Radio Service and Family Radio Service in terms of operation. However its operation does not even require a license in many of the countries. Citizens Band radio also finds utility in personal or business communications which makes it starkly different from Amateur Radio. Similar to the other two-way radio services, a Citizens Band channel can be shared by several users. In this system, at a time only one station can transmit in a channel while the other stations are required to listen and wait for the availability of the shared channel. Half-duplex mode runs the system which implies that both the transmission and reception of the information cannot be done at the same time.
Regulation for Citizens Band Radio in India
India follows a distinct way of channel assignments which differs from the band plans used in other countries. The band plan of India comprises 40 frequencies spaced a relatively tight eight kHz apart. In addition to this, it also has a few offset channels which find utility in radio-controlled devices and mountaineering. However there are many other channels exclusively reserved for special tasks such as sporting events, disaster relief and forestry. It also serves the long-haul truck drivers greatly for communicating about traffic problems, directions and other significant matters. In India the frequency band that has been allocated for Citizens Band radio is 26.957-27.283 MHz. The effective radiating power which is used in India is 5 Watt.
Indian Citizens Band Radio channels
Frequency | Usage |
26.964 | Hobbyist comms |
26.968 [offset] | Mountaineering |
26.972 | Hobbyist comms |
26.976 [offset] | Mountaineering |
26.98 | Highway comms |
26.988 | spare |
26.996 | spare |
27.004 | Radio-controlled model aircraft |
27.012 | Rural comms |
27.02 | Radio-controlled devices, ex. garage door openers, alarms |
27.028 | Rural comms |
27.036 | Hobbyist comms |
27.044 | Highway emergency ( to contact police ) |
27.052 | Highway emergency ( to contact EMS ) |
27.06 | Marine lifesaving comms |
27.068 | Marine lifesaving comms |
27.076 | Disaster relief |
27.084 | Disaster relief |
27.092 | Forestry |
27.1 | Forestry |
27.108 | Radio-controlled devices, ex. garage door openers, alarms |
27.116 | Radio-controlled model aircraft |
27.124 | Hobbyist comms |
27.132 | spare |
27.14 | Mountaineering |
27.148 | Radio-controlled model aircraft |
27.155 [offset] | Radio-controlled models, general |
27.156 | Radio-controlled model aircraft |
27.164 | spare |
27.172 | Rural comms |
27.18 | spare |
27.188 | spare |
27.196 | spare |
27.204 | Mountaineering |
27.212 | Rural comms |
27.22 | Sports events |
27.225 [offset] | Radio-controlled models, general |
27.228 | Radio-controlled model aircraft |
27.236 | Highway comms |
27.244 | Sports events |
27.250 [offset] | Radio-controlled toys and gadgets |
27.252 | spare |
27.26 | Radio-controlled toys and gadgets |
27.268 | spare |
27.276 | spare |