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How to Operate a CB Radio

Posted on May 4, 2016

DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything through one of these links we will earn a commission.

 

Citizens band radios provide safety and company on the road, and can be more reliable than cell phones.

Step 1: Tune in
Tune in to one of the 40 channels on CB. Channel 19 is the preferred highway channel used by truckers, and channel 9 is the emergency channel. The CB’s range is one to 10 miles, depending on weather conditions, time, and location.

Tip
It’s possible to occasionally pick up conversations hundreds or even thousands of miles away, known as “skip” conversations.

Step 2: Listen and talk
Make sure the Mic Gain control is on maximum. Listen for a break in the conversation; depress the microphone transmission button, and then say “break” to let people know you’re using the channel. Listen for clearance and begin speaking.

Tip
The signal meter ranges from one to 30, gauging how well someone is coming through and, perhaps, how close they are.

Step 3: Use 10-codes
Familiarize yourself with CB jargon, including the many 10-codes, which are abbreviations used by CBers. 10-4 means OK or affirmative, 10-2 means receiving well, and 10-3 means stop transmitting.

Tip
Create a “handle” – an on-air pseudonym – of your choice.

Step 4: Close transmission
Keep your communications brief. Close transmissions by taking your thumb off the microphone button.

Step 5: Turn the squelch
Turn the squelch knob up to cut off noise from a channel that is not transmitting. The more you turn it up, however, the more stations you will lose, starting with the most distant.

Step 6: Use the ANL
Turn up the Automatic Noise Limiter, or ANL, in heavily populated areas where there is more airwave activity. This will clarify incoming signals.

Did You Know?
Did you know? In 1976, Betty Ford adopted the CB handle “First Mama.”

16 thoughts on “How to Operate a CB Radio”

  1. Corrosive says:
    May 4, 2016 at 8:14 pm

    I suggested that every CB'r who uses an amplifier is like that, not that all CB'rs in general are bad.

    I've known some CB'rs that are great people who really do understand what they are doing, however in my part of town at least CB is worthless because nearly everyone out here runs 500 watts and sings into the mic jamming the frequency.

    We had a nice guy talking on CB the other day, then some dumbass breaks in and starts singing….

    I wasn't assuming all, just a lot. Like those with amps.

  2. VK4LA says:
    May 4, 2016 at 7:50 pm

    10.4 gud buddy .. you got ya ear s on C"mon LMFAO

  3. Igor Vosutiv says:
    May 4, 2016 at 7:09 pm

    Hello! I'm Brandon.I did -45 lbs last 2 month.Go to hddiet.gs#ucTp

  4. Travis Ritenour says:
    May 4, 2016 at 6:51 pm

    my grand dad Knowles used to fix these radios for a living
    but he passed a way last year on 2/ 20/12

  5. AHRadioVK5 says:
    May 4, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    What Videos, You Have None

  6. jaker2480 says:
    May 4, 2016 at 5:29 pm

    the signal is 1-9 wow

  7. Your boy cg says:
    May 4, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    How do you come up with a good handle name?

  8. 0TruckMafk ?TM™" says:
    May 4, 2016 at 4:02 pm

    Imagination and a sense of humor and something you relate to. I am THE CENTAUR. I got a bunch of hilarious CB Radio vids I made for my channel. Check'em out, bud!

  9. 0TruckMafk ?TM™" says:
    May 4, 2016 at 3:18 pm

    Centaur: 1/2 man, 1/2 horse;)

  10. chippydick111 says:
    May 4, 2016 at 3:08 pm

    what a load of bollocks?

  11. josh lowell says:
    May 4, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    THE BEST ONE STOP CB SHOP IN THE U.S IS IN BAXTER TN I40 EXIT 280 GOOGLE 440 CB SHOP FOR ALL YOU'RE CB RADIO NEEDS OPEN 24/7.?

  12. RJG Videos says:
    May 4, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    Hold mah BEEER?

  13. Jennifer Auten says:
    May 4, 2016 at 1:01 pm

    B?

  14. Joshua Xiong says:
    May 4, 2016 at 12:19 pm

    How does CB radio signal travel from person A to person B??

  15. Commander Riley says:
    May 4, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    Why not to use a simple walkie talkie??

  16. AIRSOFTguy1234 0 says:
    May 4, 2016 at 12:03 pm

    Wtf just get a galaxy cb and shoot out like 500 miles ot moor?

Comments are closed.

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