Citizen Band (CB) Radio

Capabilities, Limits, and Preparedness Value

Citizen Band (CB) radio is one of the most recognizable and accessible radio services in the U.S. Long associated with truckers and road communication, CB remains legally available to the public without licenses, exams, or registration. For preparedness-minded individuals and Mutual Assistance Groups (MAGs), CB occupies an important—but very specific—niche in the communications toolbox.

This page explains how CB works, what frequencies and modes it uses, its realistic range, and how it compares to other common radio options used for preparedness.

What Is Citizen Band (CB)?

CB radio operates in the 27 MHz HF spectrum (technically HF, but near the upper edge). In the U.S., CB is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission and is limited to:

  • 40 fixed channels
  • 4 watts output on AM/FM
  • 12 watts PEP on Single Sideband (SSB)
  • No encryption
  • No repeaters
  • No licensing

CB radios can be base stations, vehicle-mounted, or handheld, though vehicle and base setups dominate due to antenna size requirements.

CB Channels, Modes, and Common Usage

Below is a summary of the most relevant CB channels for practical use. All CB channels share the same frequency spacing (10 kHz).

Common CB Channels (U.S.)

All U.S. CB radios operate in the 27 MHz HF band, with 10 kHz channel spacing. These channels are fixed by regulation.

ChannelFrequency (MHz)Authorized ModesCommon / Notable Use
126.965AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral communications
226.975AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral communications
326.985AM / FM / USB / LSBRural / local
427.005AM / FM / USB / LSBLocal traffic
527.015AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
627.025AM / FM / USB / LSBHigh-power / skip activity (often noisy)
727.035AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
827.055AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
927.065AM onlyEmergency / traveler assistance
1027.075AM / FM / USB / LSBLocal
1127.085AM / FM / USB / LSBCalling channel (historic)
1227.105AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
1327.115AM / FM / USB / LSBMarine / RV (informal)
1427.125AM / FM / USB / LSBLocal
1527.135AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
1627.155AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
1727.165AM / FM / USB / LSBNorth–south highway traffic
1827.175AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
1927.185AM / FMPrimary highway / trucker channel
2027.205AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
2127.215AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
2227.225AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
2327.255AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
2427.235AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
2527.245AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
2627.265AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
2727.275AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
2827.285AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
2927.295AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
3027.305AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
3127.315AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
3227.325AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
3327.335AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
3427.345AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
3527.355AM / FM / USB / LSBGeneral
3627.365USB / LSBSSB long-range
3727.375USB / LSBSSB long-range
3827.385USB / LSBSSB calling / coordination
3927.395USB / LSBSSB long-range
4027.405USB / LSBSSB long-range

Important notes:

  • Channel 9 is monitored but not guaranteed to be answered.
  • Single Sideband (USB/LSB) is where CB gains its maximum useful range.
  • FM is legal in the U.S. but not universally supported by older radios.

Mode Clarifications (Important for Preparedness)

  • AM
    Most common, most crowded, most noise-prone.
  • FM
    Clearer audio, similar range to AM, not supported on all radios.
  • USB / LSB (Single Sideband)
    • Legal on all channels, but primarily used on 36–40
    • Greater range and efficiency
    • Requires compatible radios and disciplined operation

Preparedness takeaway:
If CB is in your plan, SSB capability is strongly recommended.
If CB is part of your plan, SSB capability matters.

Power Limits (U.S.)

  • AM / FM: 4 watts carrier
  • SSB: 12 watts peak envelope power (PEP)
  • Repeaters: Not permitted
  • Encryption: Not permitted

Practical Preparedness Notes

  • Channel 9 is designated for emergencies but monitoring is inconsistent
  • Channel 19 provides real-time situational awareness during evacuations
  • SSB channels (36–40) are the only realistic option for extended CB range
  • CB should be considered a monitoring and fallback layer, not primary command-and-control

Realistic CB Range

CB range is heavily dependent on antenna quality, terrain, and atmospheric conditions.

Typical Ranges

SetupExpected Range
Handheld to handheld1–3 miles
Vehicle to vehicle3–10 miles
Base station (good antenna)10–25 miles
SSB with favorable conditions20–50+ miles
Skip (ionospheric bounce)Hundreds to thousands of miles (unreliable)

Skip can extend range dramatically—but it is unpredictable, noisy, and often unusable for coordination.

Is CB Viable for Preparedness?

Yes—but with limits.

CB is best viewed as:

  • A local-area, vehicle-centric communications option
  • A monitoring and situational awareness tool
  • A backup or bridge system, not a primary command net

CB excels when:

  • You need no licenses or paperwork
  • You want immediate, legally simple deployment
  • You expect vehicle-based operations or evacuation

CB struggles when:

  • You need privacy
  • You require structured group coordination
  • You need reliable medium- or long-range comms

CB vs Other Common Preparedness Radios

CB vs FRS / GMRS / MURS (VHF/UHF)

Advantages of CB

  • Longer ground-wave range than FRS
  • No licenses (unlike GMRS)
  • Better vehicle-to-vehicle performance

Disadvantages

  • Large antennas
  • No repeaters
  • More noise
  • Crowded channels

Bottom line:
CB outperforms FRS in vehicles, but GMRS with repeaters is far superior for organized groups.

CB vs Amateur (Ham) VHF/UHF

CB Advantages

  • No license
  • Simple operation

Ham Advantages

  • Repeaters
  • Higher power
  • Better antennas
  • Digital modes
  • Structured nets

Bottom line:
CB is a stopgap. Ham VHF/UHF is a force multiplier if licensed operators are available.

CB vs Amateur HF

CB Advantages

  • Lower cost
  • Easier operation
  • Minimal setup

HF Ham Advantages

  • True long-range reliability
  • Digital modes
  • Directed communication
  • Better noise handling

Bottom line:
CB cannot replace HF ham for regional or national coordination.

CB Pros and Cons for MAG Planning

Pros

  • No license or exam
  • Widely available hardware
  • Simple training curve
  • Works well with vehicles
  • Good for monitoring public chatter

Cons

  • No privacy or encryption
  • Limited channels
  • Crowded and noisy
  • Antenna-dependent
  • Poor scalability for organized groups

Where CB Fits in a Preparedness Communications Plan

CB works best when used as:

  • A secondary or tertiary radio layer
  • A vehicle convoy channel
  • A monitoring tool for road conditions and civilian movement
  • A fallback when other systems fail or operators are unlicensed

CB should not be relied on for:

  • MAG command and control
  • Secure coordination
  • Long-term post-disaster networks

The Bottom Line

CB radio provides:

  • Immediate, license-free access
  • Useful vehicle-to-vehicle comms
  • Civilian situational awareness

CB does not provide:

  • Privacy
  • Scalability
  • Reliable long-range coordination

Used correctly, CB is a supporting capability. Used alone, it becomes a communications liability.

Fortune Favors the Prepared

Semper Paratus, Semper Gumby