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Question by Irish 313: What’s the difference between a ham radio and a cb radio?
Do both need antennas to broadcast and receive? Thanks.
What happens if you use a ham radio unlicensed?
Best answer:
Answer by Mainul Sabuj
Both forms of radios need antennas.
What do you think? Answer below!
Yes both need an antenna to broadcast and receive. You can listen all day on a ham radio with no problems, but if you transmit without a license you can get a stiff fine and forfeit all of your equipment courtesy of the FCC and a federal judge. Oh the judge can also forbid you from ever owning ham equipment again.
Ham radio aka amateur radio is a licensed radio service that allows more areas of the frequency spectrum to talk on and use. It allows more power (wattage) to be used. In order to use ham radio, you must pass an exam for either of the three classes( technician, general, extra). If you transmit on a ham radio and do not have a license which means you do not have a callsign, the governing body over ham radio (in the US, it would be the FCC) can fine you thousands of dollars and/or take away your equipment.
CB (citizens band) radio is only designated for a small portion of the frequency spectrum. In the US, this is 26.965MHz to 27.405MHz. Only 4 watts AM and 12 watts SSB is allowed. CB is an unlicensed radio service but is still monitored by the FCC and has rules & regulations.
Ham Radio is an amateur radio broadcasting which requires a license. You have to pass a test to use one. CB radios are typically unlicensed. HAM allows higher power usage than CB, but with more restrictions on the users.