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| | UK CB rules.Rules. Citizens Band radio in the UK has very few rules. However, there are rules regarding equipment used and specifications. Rules can change from time to time, as they have done over the last few years since CB was legalized in the UK. This page is not intended to be a full explanation of the law regarding CB, but is just a guideline. Further details of CB rules may be found on the Ofcom Website. Definition.
Citizens Band is a short range public communications service for hobby and
business use. No technical knowledge of qualifications are needed, which means
that the equipment must be regulated to reduce the chances of interference.Licensing.
In the UK, Citizens Band was deregulated in December 2006. A licence is no
longer required.Distance.
Unlike some countries, there is no limit on the distance over which you may
communicate. Neither are you restricted to contact within the UK.You can chat to anyone you can hear. Legal radio equipment.
You may only use approved CB transceivers. These will carry a stamp mark to show that
they are approved for use in the UK or Europe.Such equipment will be limited to 4 Watts, Frequency Modulation or Phase Modulation only. Dual band equipment.
The UK government approved the use of equipment covering both UK and EU CB bands
back in 1997. This approval only applies to equipment which has been designed and
approved as dual band equipment and only for use within the UK.You may not use dual band CB equipment in other EU countries and you may not convert single band CB equipment. Combination equipment.
Citizens Band equipment may now be combined with other receiving equipment, such
as car audio systems. However, it must not be possible to transmit while any receiver
is operational.
Note:
This would make it legal to have both broadcast and CB receivers going at the same
time, as long as the broadcast receiver was shut off when the CB part transmits.
Antenna.
Any antenna used for Citizens Band must be:
Omnidirectional
The antenna need not be approved, it just needs to meet those requirements.
No more than 55mm diameter If a dipole, no greater than 1/2 wave physical length. Otherwise, no greater than 5/8 wave physical length. Note:
This makes it perfectly legal to make your own antenna, as long as it meets those
very simple standards.
Repair.
Anyone may repair CB equipment, you do not need a special licence. However, much
damage can be (and has been) caused by people who do not understand enough.Any repair which takes CB equipment out of the stated specifications may make it illegal to use, making it possible for the authorities to take action against the owner or user. Modifications.
Any changes designed to increase deviation (whether peak or average), increase power
output or add more frequencies or channels will render the equipment illegal.Any other modification which will make the equipment perform outside the specifications will also render the equipment illegal. Accessories.
Most accessories are perfectly legal. However, an accessory is illegal if it:
* Boosts output power.
In addition, the SWR meter must only be connected while testing the antenna.* Boosts deviation beyond the limits. * Adds extra frequencies. * Causes the equipment to interfere with other frequencies. Legal action.
Present legislation allows Ofcom to hand out on-the-spot fixed penalty notices for
any infringement of CB rules. If they feel it necessary, they may also confiscate
equipment and take the owner or user to court.Anyone receiving a fixed penalty notice may either pay it or argue it in court. Although there are few prosecutions, they never lose cases which they take to court. |
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