RULE 1 - Descriptions -
The Citizens Band Radio Service (CB) is a private, two-way,
short-distance
voice communications service for personal or business activities. The CB
Radio Service may also be used for voice paging.
RULE 2 - Usage of Rules -
You must comply with these rules when you operate a station in the CB
Service from:
{1} Within or over the territorial limits of places where radio services
are regulated by the FCC.
{2} Aboard any vessel or aircraft registered in the United States
or {3} Aboard any unregistered vessel or aircraft owned or operated by
a
United States citizen or company.
Your CB must comply with Part 95/Subpart E [Technical Rules].
Where the rules use the word "you", "you" means a person operating a CB
station. Where the rules use the word "person" the rules are concerned
with an
individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint stock
company, a trust, a state, territorial or local government unit, or
other
legal entity. Where the rules use the term "CB station", that means a
radio
station transmitting in the
CB Radio Service.
RULE 3 - Eligibility To Use CB -
You are authorized to operate a CB station unless:
{A} You are a foreign government, a representative of a foreign
government, or a federal government agency.
or
{B} The FCC has issued a cease and desist order to you, and the order is
still in effect.
RULE 4 - Licenses -
You do not need an individual license to operate a CB station. You are
authorized by this rule to operate your CB station in accordance with
the
rules stated in this Subpart. <*also read Rule 17>
RULE 5 - Areas of Legal Operation -
You are authorized to operate your CB station from:
{A} Within or over any area of the world where radio services are
regulated by the FCC. Those areas are:
[1] The 50 United States
[2] The District Of Columbia
[3] Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
[4] Navassa Island
[5] United States Virgin Islands, it's 50 islets and cays
[6] American Samoa
[7] Baker Island
[8] Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
[9] Guam Island
[10] Howland Island
[11] Jarvis Island
[12] Johnston Island
[13] Kingman Reef
[14] Midway Island
[15] Palmyra Island, and it's 50+ islets
[16] Wake Island
{B} Any area of the world, except, within the territorial limits of
areas
where radio services are regulated by -
[1] An agency of the United States other than the FCC, you are subject
to it's rules.
[2] Any foreign government, you are subject to it's rules.
{C} An aircraft or ship, with the permission of the captain, within or
over any area of the world where radio services are regulated by the
FCC
or
upon or over international waters. You must operate your CB station
according
to any applicable treaty to which the United States is a party.
RULE 6 - Special Restrictions -
{A} If your CB station is located on premises controlled by the Department
of Defense you may be required to comply with additional regulations
imposed by the commanding officer of the installation.
{B} If your CB station will be constructed on land of environmental or
historical importance (such as a location significant in American
history,
architecture or culture), you may be required to provide information to
comply with Part 1.1305 through 1.1319 of the FCC Rules.
RULE 7 - Operating Channels/Frequencies -
Your CB station may transmit only on the following channels/frequencies:
Chan Freq Chan Freq
1 26.965 21 27.215
2 26.975 22 27.225
3 26.985 23 27.255
4 27.005 24 27.235
5 27.015 25 27.245
6 27.025 26 27.265
7 27.035 27 27.275
8 27.055 28 27.285
9* 27.065 29 27.295
10 27.075 30 27.305
11 27.085 31 27.315
12 27.105 32 27.325
13 27.115 33 27.335
14 27.125 34 27.345
15 27.135 35 27.355
16 27.155 36 27.365
17 27.165 37 27.375
18 27.175 38 27.385
19 27.185 39 27.395
20 27.205 40 27.405
{B} * Channel 9 may be used ONLY for emergency communications OR for
traveler assistance.
{C} You must, at all times and on ALL channels, give priority to
emergency
communication messages concerning the immediate safety of life or the
immediate protection of property.
{D} You may use ANY channel for emergency communications or for traveler
assistance.
{E} You must share each channel with other users.
{F} The FCC will not assign any channel for the private or exclusive use
of any particular CB station or group of stations.
{G} The FCC will not assign any channel for the private or exclusive use
of CB stations transmitting single sideband or AM.
RULE 8 - Antenna Height -
{A} "Antenna" means the radiating system (for transmitting, receiving or
both) and the structure holding it up (tower, pole or mast).
It also means everything else attached to the radiating system and the
structure.
{B} If your antenna is mounted on a hand-held portable unit, none of the
following limitations apply;
{C} If your antenna is installed at a fixed location (whether receiving,
transmitting or both) it must comply with EITHER one of the following:
[1] The highest point must not be more than 20 feet (6.10 meters) higher
than the highest point of the building or tree on which it is mounted;
or
[2] The highest point must not be more than 60 feet (18.3 meters) above
the ground.
{D} If your CB station is located near an airport, and if your antenna
structure is more than 20 feet (6.10 meters) high, you may have to obey
additional restrictions. The highest point of your antenna must not
exceed 39.37 inches (1 meter) above the airport elevation for every
109.36
yards (100 meters, 1 hectometer) of distance from the nearest point of
the
nearest airport runway. Differences in ground elevation between your
antenna and the airport runway may complicate this formula. If your CB
station is near an airport, you may contact the nearest FCC field office
for a worksheet to help you figure the maximum allowable height for your
antenna.
WARNING: Installation and removal of CB station antennas near power
lines
is
dangerous.
For your safety follow the installation directions included with your
antenna.
RULE 9 - Equipment -
{A} You must use an FCC type accepted CB transmitter at your CB station.
You can identify an FCC type accepted transmitter by the 'type
acceptance'
label placed on it by the manufacturer. You may examine a list of
type accepted equipment at any FCC Field Office or at FCC Headquarters.
Use of a transmitter which is not FCC type accepted voids your authority
to operate the station.
{B} You must not make, or have made, any internal modifications to a
type accepted CB transmitter. <*read Rule 25> Any internal
modification
to a type accepted CB transmitter cancels the type acceptance, and use
of
such a transmitter voids your authority to operate the station.
RULE 10 - Power Output -
{A} Your CB station transmitter power output must not exceed the
following
values under any conditions:
AM [Amplitude Modulation] - 4 watts carrier power [CP]
SSB [Single Side-Band] - 12 watts peak envelope power [PEP]
{B} If you need more information about the power rule, see Part
95/Subpart
E.
{C} Use of a transmitter which has carrier [CP] or peak envelope power
[PEP]
in excess of that authorized voids your authority to operate the
station.
RULE 11 - Linear Amplifiers -
{A} You may not attach the following items (power amplifiers) to your
type accepted CB transmitter in any way:
[1] External radio frequency [RF] power amplifiers, also called linear
amplifiers, or linears;
or
[2] Any other devices which, when used with a radio transmitter as a
signal source, are capable of amplifying the signal.
{B} There are no exceptions to this rule and use of a power amplifier
voids your authority to operate the station.
{C} The FCC will presume you have used a linear or other external [RF]
power amplifier if-
[1] It is in your possession or on your premises;
and
[2] There is OTHER EVIDENCE that you have operated your CB station with
more power than allowed by CB Rule 10.
{D} Paragraph C above in this section does not apply if you hold a
license in another radio service (HAM, etc.) which allows you to operate
an external RF power amplifier.
RULE 12 - Permitted Communications -
{A} You may use your CB station to transmit two-way plain language
communications. Two-way plain language communications are communications
without codes or coded messages. Operating signals such as "ten codes"
(10-4, etc.) are not considered codes or coded messages. You may
transmit
two-way plain language communications only to other CB stations, to
units of your own CB station, or to authorized government stations on
CB frequencies about-
[1] Your personal or business activities, or those of members of your
immediate family living in your household;
[2] Emergencies;
[3] Traveler assistance;
[4] Civil Defense activities in connection with official tests or drills
conducted by, or actual emergencies announced by, the Civil Defense
Agency
with authority over the area in which your station is located.
{B} You may use your CB station to transmit a TONE SIGNAL only when
the signal is used to make contact, or to continue communications
(Examples:
tone operated squelch, selective calling circuits).
If the signal is an audible tone, it must last no longer than 15 seconds
at one time. If the signal is a subaudible tone, it may be transmitted
continuously only as long as you are talking.
{C} You may use your CB station to transmit one-way communications
(messages not intended for two or more CB stations) only for emergency
communications, traveler assistance, brief tests (radio checks) or
voice
paging.
RULE 13 - Illegal Communications -
{A} You must NOT use a CB station-
[1] in connection with activity which is against federal, state or local
law;
[2] to transmit obscene, indecent or profane words, language or meaning;
[3] to interfere intentionally with the communications of another CB
station;
[4] to transmit one-way communications, EXCEPT for emergency
communications, traveler assistance, brief tests (radio checks) or
voice
paging;
[5] to advertise or solicit the sale of any goods or services;
[6] to transmit music, whistling, sound effects or any material to amuse
or entertain;
[7] to transmit any sound effect solely to attract attention;
[8] to transmit the word "MAYDAY" or use any other international
distress
signal, EXCEPT when your station is located in a ship, aircraft or other
vehicle which is threatened with GRAVE AND IMMINENT danger and you are
requesting IMMEDIATE assistance.
[9] to communicate with, or ATTEMPT to communicate with, any CB station
more than 155.3 miles (250 kilometers) away;
[10] to advertise a political candidate or political campaign (You may
use your CB radio for the business or organizational aspects of a
campaign, if you follow all other applicable rules);
[11] to communicate with stations in other countries, except stations in
Canada (on General Radio Service).
[12] to transmit a false or deceptive communication.
{B} You must not use a CB station to transmit communications intended
for
live or delayed rebroadcast on radio or television. You may use your
CB station to gather news items or to prepare programs.
RULE 14 - Paying for Actual Use -
{A} You may not accept direct or indirect payment for transmitting with
a
CB station.
{B} You may use a CB station to help you provide a service, and be paid
for that service, as long as you are paid only for the service and not
for the
actual use of the CB station.
RULE 15 - Who Is Held Accountable -
You are responsible for all communications which are made BY YOU from a
CB station.
RULE 16 - Time Limit of Transmissions -
{A} You must limit your CB communications to the minimum practical time.
{B} If you are communicating with another CB station or stations, you,
and the stations communicating with you, must limit each of your
conversations to no more than five (5) continuous minutes.
{C} At the end of your conversation, you, and the stations communicating
with you, must not transmit again for at least one minute.
RULE 17 - Identification Methods -
{A} You need NOT identify your CB communications...
{B} You are ENCOURAGED to identify your CB communications by any of the
following means:
[1] Previously assigned FCC CB call sign
[2] K prefix followed by operators initials and residence zip code
[3] Your name;
or
[4] Description of your organization including name and any applicable
operator unit number
{C} You are encouraged to use a "handle" (nickname) ONLY IN CONJUNCTION
WITH the methods of identification listed above in paragraph B of this
section.
RULE 18 - Emergency Usage and Assisting Travelers -
{A} You must at all times and on all channels, give priority to
emergency
communications.
{B} When you are directly participating in emergency communications, you
do not have to comply with Rule 16 about length of transmissions.
You must obey all other rules.
{C} You may use your CB station for communications necessary to assist
a
traveler to REACH A DESTINATION or to RECEIVE NECESSARY SERVICES. When
you are using your CB station to assist a traveler, you do not have to
obey Rule 16 about the length of transmissions. You must obey all other
rules.
RULE 19 - Remote Control Operations -
{A} You MAY NOT operate a CB station transmitter by RADIO remote
control.
{B} You MAY operate a CB transmitter by WIRELINE remote control IF you
obtain specific approval in writing from the FCC. To obtain FCC approval
you must show why you need to operate your station by wireline remote
control. Send your request and justification to:
FCC, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
If you receive FCC approval, you must keep the approval as part of your
station records (read Rule 27 on station records).
RULE 20 - Telephone Patches and Telephony with CB -
{A} You MAY connect your CB station transmitter to a telephone if you
comply with ALL of the following:
[1] You or someone else must be present at your CB station and MUST-
(i) manually make the connection (the connection cannot be made by
remote control);
(ii) supervise the operation of the transmitter during the connection;
(iii) listen to each communication during the connection;
and
(iv) stop all communications if there are operations in violation of
these rules.
[2] Each communication during the telephone connection must comply with
all of these rules.
[3] You must obey any restriction that the telephone company places on
the
connection of a CB transmitter to a telephone.
{B} The CB transmitter you connect to a telephone must not be shared
with
any other CB station.
{C} If you connect your CB transmitter to a telephone, you must use a
phone patch device which has been registered with the FCC.
RULE 21 - Penalties may not be current penalty information. -
{A} If the FCC finds that you have WILLFULLY or REPEATEDLY violated the
Communications Act or FCC Rules, you may have to pay as much as $2,000
for each violation, up to a total of $5,000.
{B} If the FCC finds that you have violated any section of the
Communications Act or FCC Rules, you may be ordered to stop whatever
action
caused the
violation.
{C} If a federal court finds that you have WILLFULLY and KNOWINGLY
violated any FCC Rule, you may be fined up to $500 for each day you
committed the violation.
{D} If a federal court finds that you have WILLFULLY and KNOWINGLY
violated any provision of the Communications Act, you may be fined up
to
$10,000 or may be
imprisoned for one year, or both.
RULE 22 - Correspondence from FCC -
{A} If it appears to the FCC that you have violated the Communications
Act
or these rules, the FCC may send you a discrepancy notice.
{B} Within the time period stated in the notice, you must answer with:
[1] A complete written statement about the apparent discrepancy;
[2] A complete written statement about any action you have taken to
correct the apparent violation and to prevent it from happening again;
and
[3] The name of the person operating at the time of the apparent
violation.
{C} If the FCC sends you a letter asking you questions about your CB
radio
station or its operation, you must answer each of the questions with a
complete written statement within the time period stated in the letter.
{D} You must not shorten your answer by references to other
communications
or notices.
{E} You must send your answer to the FCC office which sent you the
notice.
{F} You must keep a copy of your answer in your station records.
RULE 23 - Notice of Interference -
{A} If the FCC tells you that your CB station is causing interference
due
to technical reasons, you must follow all instructions in the official
FCC
notice (This notice may require you to have technical adjustments made
to your equipment).
{B} You must comply with any restricted hours of CB station operation
which may be included in the official notice.
RULE 24 - Service to Transmitters and Antennas -
{A} You may adjust an antenna to your CB transmitter and you may make
radio checks (One-way transmissions for a short time in order to test
the
transmitter).
{B} Each internal repair and each internal adjustment to your FCC
type-accepted CB transmitter must be made BY or under the DIRECT
SUPERVISION
of a person licensed by the FCC as a GENERAL RADIOTELEPHONE OPERATOR.
{C} Except as provided in paragraph D below in this section, each
internal
repair and each internal adjustment of a CB transmitter in which signals
are transmitted must be made using a NON-RADIATING antenna (Dummy Load).
{D} Brief test signals (signals not longer than one minute during any
five minute period) using a radiating antenna may be transmitted in
order
to:
[1] adjust an antenna to a transmitter;
[2] detect or measure radiation of energy other than the intended
signal;
or
[3] tune a receiver to your CB transmitter.
RULE 25 - Modifications to Transmitters -
{A} You must not make or have any one else make any internal
modification
to your CB transmitter.
{B} Internal modification does NOT include:
[1] Repair, or servicing of a CB station transmitter;
or
[2] Changing plug-in modules which were type accepted as part of your
CB transmitter
{C} You must not operate a CB transmitter which has been modified by
anyone in any way, including modification to operate on unauthorized
frequencies or with illegal power.
RULE 26 - FCC Inspections -
{A} If an authorized FCC representative requests to inspect your CB
station, you must make your CB station and records available for
inspection.
{B} A CB station includes all of the radio equipment you use.
RULE 27 - Keeping Station Records -
Your station records include the following documents, as applicable:
[1] A copy of each response to an FCC violation notice or an FCC letter.
[2] Each written permission received from the FCC.
RULE 28 - Contacting the FCC -
{A} Write to your nearest FCC Field Office to:
[1] Report an interference complaint;
or
[2] want to know if the FCC has type accepted a particular transmitter
for
CB service.
{B} Write to the FCC if you have questions about the CB Rules:
FCC Private Radio Bureau
Personal Radio Branch
Washington, DC 20554
