More and more people are going free band because of all the noise will not let them talk local. Is there a shortage of citizens band chanels or is it Just private and easy to talk there. Trend or fad? and why not!
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The free band local chanel !
- Thread starter Grogan
- Start date
The freeband has been around for quite a while.
Let's also remember that CB radios used to have only 23 channels; originally was less than that.
Many countries in the world use it.
It is illegal for a US citizen to use it; keep that in mind as well.
A couple of years ago, I was using the freeband. I heard a call from a US Navy destroyer (cannot recall which one ATM) for my callsign. He warned me to get off of that freq, and I responded 'ten fer'.
IOW, the military uses these freq. It is a matter of time before they go after anyone using it. Despite the fact that other countries while DX conditions are present use it, they are also interfering with the US military.
IOW, it is OK for any country other than the US to use those freqs. Not because it is legal for them; but they do not enforce it. It is a trap for US citizens until the US changes the FCC regs to expand the freq use and modes we are allowed to use.
Until that changes, I would advise that you use another legal channel, or you take your chances.
Let's also remember that CB radios used to have only 23 channels; originally was less than that.
Many countries in the world use it.
It is illegal for a US citizen to use it; keep that in mind as well.
A couple of years ago, I was using the freeband. I heard a call from a US Navy destroyer (cannot recall which one ATM) for my callsign. He warned me to get off of that freq, and I responded 'ten fer'.
IOW, the military uses these freq. It is a matter of time before they go after anyone using it. Despite the fact that other countries while DX conditions are present use it, they are also interfering with the US military.
IOW, it is OK for any country other than the US to use those freqs. Not because it is legal for them; but they do not enforce it. It is a trap for US citizens until the US changes the FCC regs to expand the freq use and modes we are allowed to use.
Until that changes, I would advise that you use another legal channel, or you take your chances.
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ROBB that must have happened a few years ago
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Yes there is even a MARS frequency allocation on 11 meters I think ( not sure). But now a days if the coast guard wants to talk to another ship they usually just call on the cell phone.
Two ships in the battle group usually has cell sites onboard. Their com towers has the antenna.
We lost our MARS shack to the cell site equipment on board the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY back in the 90's.
Friend of mine was in the CG in the 80's, stationed in California.
HE would tell stories of using the CG HF radios to talk to DX contacts when he was out to sea.
.Yes there is even a MARS frequency allocation on 11 meters I think ( not sure). But now a days if the coast guard wants to talk to another ship they usually just call on the cell phone.
Two ships in the battle group usually has cell sites onboard. Their com towers has the antenna.
We lost our MARS shack to the cell site equipment on board the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY back in the 90's.
Friend of mine was in the CG in the 80's, stationed in California.
HE would tell stories of using the CG HF radios to talk to DX contacts when he was out to sea.
seriously? I haven't needed to freeband in years, there's so many clear channels now-a-days.
before it was almost a necessity, now there's no real need for it. I'm not even going to mod my base for extras.
hey robb, you remember the freq?
RatsoW8
Supporting Member, W9WDX ARC Member - WD8T
A good example of why the "freeband" really isn't a freeband at all. Those frequencies are allocated to other services, mostly government. Play too long there and you could get caught. A more appropriate name for people using those frequencies illegally is "pirate".
I used to get paranoid using channel 22a back in the early 70's when me an a buddy figured out how to wire an extra crystal and switch to the crystal bank of our Lafayette Comstat 25B's. You never know who listening and now the FCC doesn't even have to park the black van in your neighborhood to monitor and pinpoint offenders. Be careful if your going to do it.
United States Frequency Allocations
Table, 14 to 30 mhz
Starting Frequency Ending Frequency Units Primary Service Activity Code Secondary Service Activity Code
14 14.25 MHz Amateur Satellite Non-Govt
14 14.25 MHz Amateur Non-Govt
14.25 14.35 MHz Amateur Non-Govt
14.35 14.99 MHz Fixed Shared
14.35 14.99 MHz Mobile* Govt
14.99 15.005 MHz Standard Freq. And Time Signal (15000 kHz) Shared
15.005 15.01 MHz Standard Freq. Shared
15.005 15.01 MHz Space Research Govt
15.01 15.1 MHz Aeronautical Mobile (OR) Shared
15.1 15.6 MHz Broadcasting Shared
15.6 16.36 MHz Fixed Shared
16.36 17.41 MHz Maritime Mobile Shared
17.41 17.55 MHz Fixed Shared
17.55 17.9 MHz Broadcasting Shared
17.9 17.97 MHz Aeronautical Mobile (R) Shared
17.97 18.03 MHz Aeronautical Mobile (OR) Shared
18.03 18.068 MHz Fixed Shared
18.068 18.168 MHz Amateur Satellite Non-Govt
18.068 18.168 MHz Amateur Non-Govt
18.168 18.78 MHz Fixed Shared
18.168 18.78 MHz Mobile Shared
18.78 18.9 MHz Maritime Mobile Shared
18.9 19.68 MHz Fixed Shared
19.68 19.8 MHz Maritime Mobile Shared
19.8 19.99 MHz Fixed Shared
19.99 19.995 MHz Standard Freq. And Time Signal Shared
19.99 19.995 MHz Space Research Govt
19.995 20.005 MHz Standard Freq. And Time Signal (20000 kHz) Shared
20.005 20.01 MHz Standard Freq. Shared
20.005 20.01 MHz Space Research Govt
20.01 21 MHz Fixed Shared
20.01 21 MHz Mobile Govt
21 21.45 MHz Amateur Satellite Non-Govt
21 21.45 MHz Amateur Non-Govt
21.45 21.85 MHz Broadcasting Shared
21.85 21.924 MHz Fixed Shared
21.924 22 MHz Aeronautical Mobile (R) Shared
22 22.855 MHz Maritime Mobile Shared
22.855 23 MHz Fixed Shared
23 23.2 MHz Fixed Shared
23 23.2 MHz Mobile* Govt
23.2 23.35 MHz Aeronautical Mobile (OR) Shared
23.35 24.89 MHz Mobile** Govt
23.35 24.89 MHz Fixed Shared
24.89 24.99 MHz Amateur Satellite Non-Govt
24.89 24.99 MHz Amateur Non-Govt
24.99 25.005 MHz Standard Freq. And Time Signal (24000 kHz) Shared
25.005 25.01 MHz Standard Freq. Shared
25.005 25.01 MHz Space Research Govt
25.01 25.07 MHz Land Mobile Non-Govt
25.07 25.21 MHz Maritime Mobile Shared
25.21 25.33 MHz Land Mobile Non-Govt
25.33 25.55 MHz Mobile** Govt
25.33 25.55 MHz Fixed Govt
25.55 25.67 MHz Radio Astronomy Shared
25.67 26.1 MHz Broadcasting Shared
26.1 26.175 MHz Maritime Mobile Shared
26.175 26.48 MHz Land Mobile Non-Govt
26.48 26.95 MHz Mobile** Govt
26.48 26.95 MHz Fixed Govt
26.95 26.96 MHz Fixed Non-Govt
26.96 27.23 MHz Mobile** Non-Govt
27.23 27.41 MHz Fixed Non-Govt
27.23 27.41 MHz Mobile** Non-Govt
27.41 27.54 MHz Land Mobile Non-Govt
27.54 28 MHz Mobile Govt
27.54 28 MHz Fixed Govt
28 29.7 MHz Amateur Satellite Non-Govt
28 29.7 MHz Amateur Non-Govt
29.7 29.8 MHz Land Mobile Non-Govt
29.8 29.89 MHz Fixed Non-Govt
29.89 29.91 MHz Mobile Govt
29.89 29.91 MHz Fixed Govt
29.91 30 MHz Fixed Non-Govt
Special Notes
* Except aero mobile (R)
** Except aero mobile
†† Band to be designated for mixed use
# Band allocated to personal communication services (PCS)
Table, 14 to 30 mhz
Starting Frequency Ending Frequency Units Primary Service Activity Code Secondary Service Activity Code
14 14.25 MHz Amateur Satellite Non-Govt
14 14.25 MHz Amateur Non-Govt
14.25 14.35 MHz Amateur Non-Govt
14.35 14.99 MHz Fixed Shared
14.35 14.99 MHz Mobile* Govt
14.99 15.005 MHz Standard Freq. And Time Signal (15000 kHz) Shared
15.005 15.01 MHz Standard Freq. Shared
15.005 15.01 MHz Space Research Govt
15.01 15.1 MHz Aeronautical Mobile (OR) Shared
15.1 15.6 MHz Broadcasting Shared
15.6 16.36 MHz Fixed Shared
16.36 17.41 MHz Maritime Mobile Shared
17.41 17.55 MHz Fixed Shared
17.55 17.9 MHz Broadcasting Shared
17.9 17.97 MHz Aeronautical Mobile (R) Shared
17.97 18.03 MHz Aeronautical Mobile (OR) Shared
18.03 18.068 MHz Fixed Shared
18.068 18.168 MHz Amateur Satellite Non-Govt
18.068 18.168 MHz Amateur Non-Govt
18.168 18.78 MHz Fixed Shared
18.168 18.78 MHz Mobile Shared
18.78 18.9 MHz Maritime Mobile Shared
18.9 19.68 MHz Fixed Shared
19.68 19.8 MHz Maritime Mobile Shared
19.8 19.99 MHz Fixed Shared
19.99 19.995 MHz Standard Freq. And Time Signal Shared
19.99 19.995 MHz Space Research Govt
19.995 20.005 MHz Standard Freq. And Time Signal (20000 kHz) Shared
20.005 20.01 MHz Standard Freq. Shared
20.005 20.01 MHz Space Research Govt
20.01 21 MHz Fixed Shared
20.01 21 MHz Mobile Govt
21 21.45 MHz Amateur Satellite Non-Govt
21 21.45 MHz Amateur Non-Govt
21.45 21.85 MHz Broadcasting Shared
21.85 21.924 MHz Fixed Shared
21.924 22 MHz Aeronautical Mobile (R) Shared
22 22.855 MHz Maritime Mobile Shared
22.855 23 MHz Fixed Shared
23 23.2 MHz Fixed Shared
23 23.2 MHz Mobile* Govt
23.2 23.35 MHz Aeronautical Mobile (OR) Shared
23.35 24.89 MHz Mobile** Govt
23.35 24.89 MHz Fixed Shared
24.89 24.99 MHz Amateur Satellite Non-Govt
24.89 24.99 MHz Amateur Non-Govt
24.99 25.005 MHz Standard Freq. And Time Signal (24000 kHz) Shared
25.005 25.01 MHz Standard Freq. Shared
25.005 25.01 MHz Space Research Govt
25.01 25.07 MHz Land Mobile Non-Govt
25.07 25.21 MHz Maritime Mobile Shared
25.21 25.33 MHz Land Mobile Non-Govt
25.33 25.55 MHz Mobile** Govt
25.33 25.55 MHz Fixed Govt
25.55 25.67 MHz Radio Astronomy Shared
25.67 26.1 MHz Broadcasting Shared
26.1 26.175 MHz Maritime Mobile Shared
26.175 26.48 MHz Land Mobile Non-Govt
26.48 26.95 MHz Mobile** Govt
26.48 26.95 MHz Fixed Govt
26.95 26.96 MHz Fixed Non-Govt
26.96 27.23 MHz Mobile** Non-Govt
27.23 27.41 MHz Fixed Non-Govt
27.23 27.41 MHz Mobile** Non-Govt
27.41 27.54 MHz Land Mobile Non-Govt
27.54 28 MHz Mobile Govt
27.54 28 MHz Fixed Govt
28 29.7 MHz Amateur Satellite Non-Govt
28 29.7 MHz Amateur Non-Govt
29.7 29.8 MHz Land Mobile Non-Govt
29.8 29.89 MHz Fixed Non-Govt
29.89 29.91 MHz Mobile Govt
29.89 29.91 MHz Fixed Govt
29.91 30 MHz Fixed Non-Govt
Special Notes
* Except aero mobile (R)
** Except aero mobile
†† Band to be designated for mixed use
# Band allocated to personal communication services (PCS)
RatsoW8
Supporting Member, W9WDX ARC Member - WD8T
Apples and oranges but don't feel the need to post a pic
I bet all those CB'ers popping up on the FCC enforcement logs thought the same thing, "can't happen to me", right up until they got the enforcement letter in the mail.
I got a reminder card in the mail some years ago from an FCC Amateur Auxiliary monitor letting me know I went over the 10 minute ID rule during a qso I was having with another ham. Talk about surprised.
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Apples and oranges but don't feel the need to post a pic
I bet all those CB'ers popping up on the FCC enforcement logs thought the same thing, "can't happen to me", right up until they got the enforcement letter in the mail.
I got a reminder card in the mail some years ago from an FCC Amateur Auxiliary monitor letting me know I went over the 10 minute ID rule during a qso I was having with another ham. Talk about surprised.
The FCC Amateur Auxilliary aka the Official Observer program. I suppose at one time they served a need. Today they are made up mostly of people with an ego complex that seem to delight in pointing out you were three seconds over in IDìng or that you were 25 KHz wide. Never mind the fact they were using a crappy receiver with front end overloading problems.
http://www.arrl.org/official-observer-1
I've had a bad experience with one OO. On the other hand, the same dilemma was helped out and corrected by another OO. I agree that some shouldn't be OO's; but they are needed just the same . . .
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