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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 10:00 am   #1
SiriusHardware
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Default UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

Just a quick heads-up, today (Nov 2nd 2021) sees the 40th anniversary of the official beginning of CB radio in the UK. I still have the Binatone 5-star I bought on this day in 1981.

Previous significant UK CB date anniversaries have seen people dusting off their old gear and putting it on-air just for the occasion, so who knows, the same thing may happen today / tonight.

To keep the thread forum-friendly, please remember to limit discussions / reminiscences to equipment and activity which were legally permitted in the UK.
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 10:25 am   #2
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

I've lost all track of CB. I assume you don't need a licence anymore?

Cheers

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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 10:56 am   #3
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

No, it became licence-free many years ago.

We lost 934MHz a long time ago but we currently have 80 legal 27MHz channels, the original 40 UK channels on FM only plus the 40 EU/CEPT channels on which all modes are now allowed, but only using type-approved (modern) CB equipment.
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 11:14 am   #4
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

Think I have a TTI TCB-550 which is a multi channel multi region radio somewhere, now wonder where it is the box is easy to find but the radio?

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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 11:28 am   #5
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

The 'Multi' standard radios are fully legal in the UK and across Europe provided they are set to the correct 'country mode' for whatever country they are being operated in.

They were introduced to resolve the problem of radios which met the legal regulations in their EU country of origin being seized by border officials when entering other EU countries with slightly different approval regulations.
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 2:20 pm   #6
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

Interestingly, many Multi Standard Radios, don't give the Full Uk entitlement even when
set to Uk.
Example: My Midland M3 will only give FM across all 80 allowed Uk Channels.
No AM at all.

The only way to get round this, would be to select a different Euro Area, which of course,
then makes the Rig illegal to use. (at least in the Uk).

Although, I doubt Ofcom are that bothered.
They don't seem to be bothered about much these days.



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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 2:33 pm   #7
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

The 'No AM' conundrum on the CEPT channels in UK mode on Multi sets is because at the time the 'Multi' standard was arrived at, only FM was permitted on either of the UK permitted bands.

The change to allow AM and SSB on the EU channels even in the UK was relatively recent, and post-dates the introduction of the 'Multi' standard radios.

I suppose what's needed is a new 'Multi 2' standard in which the 'UK' mode includes AM (as well as SSB, if the radio is so equipped) on the EU band as well as FM operation, but I'm afraid we don't seem to be there yet - unless anyone knows differently.
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 2:35 pm   #8
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

Yes, I know about it. I'm thinking of being a complete 'child' and going out mobile onto a high spot, possibly with my original Cybernet Beta 1000 (shown below in its original box with handbook and licence) and see what happens, although I may just stick with the Midland Portapak that I usually shove in the car for such things. I still have my first ever mobile aerial, a DV27, but it got a bit broken and it's quite bodged now, so perhaps better give that one a miss! On the other hand I may end up getting settled in for the night and just see what's going on from home - we'll see!
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 2:36 pm   #9
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

To get back onto the anniversary track, what was the first UK spec radio that everyone owned? I've already mentioned mine. It was joined shortly afterwards by a Realistic TRC-1001, which was then Tandy's top of the range UK spec handheld.

Edit: Crossed with Techman.
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 2:41 pm   #10
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

Hi,

Mine was an Audioline 340 bought on legalisation day.

Still got it.

Kind regards
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 5:43 pm   #11
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

My first and only UK CB was a Lowe TX40 which I bought a few weeks after CB got legalised.


I used it with a US "Antenna Specialists " mobile Base loaded whip, the type that looked the same as a VHF two way radio 5/8 wave.
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 6:09 pm   #12
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

Quote:
mobile onto a high spot
...In Lincolnshire? Where?

We happened to travel down to Lincoln itself a few weeks ago to pick something up. I don't remember seeing much in the way of high ground on the way there and on the way back. It's why you have so many old bomber airfields down there.

I'm considering dusting off my 5-Star and going for a little drive around as well - I'll see what sort of mood I am in later.
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 7:13 pm   #13
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

I've just been looking around and as usual there isn't really a co-ordinated plan, with local groups each doing their thing and some individuals planning to head for high ground rather like Techman.

I've noticed that in recent years there has been a loose arrangement of making the channel corresponding to the anniversary year the centre of activity, and with this year being the 40th, naturally some groups are using channel 40 (CB/17/81 FM) as a centre of activity.

After this year that sequence will be broken and I would venture to suggest that in future the centre of activity should always be channel 14 (CB/27/81) because even the lowliest of handheld CB radios, sometimes with only one or two or three channels, nearly always had channel 14 as their only channel or one of their two channels.
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 7:48 pm   #14
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

I have a couple of Amstrads, a Midland, and one of those handheld but high power 40 channel (Maxon?). All bought to the 27/81 standard soon after legalisation. I also have a few antennas that I got cheap somehow / somewhere. Not seen this post until it's a bit late to be dragging it all out of the loft and seeing what does and doesn't still work. Shame really as I was up there just yesterday.
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 8:05 pm   #15
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SiriusHardware View Post
No, it became licence-free many years ago.

We lost 934MHz a long time ago but we currently have 80 legal 27MHz channels, the original 40 UK channels on FM only plus the 40 EU/CEPT channels on which all modes are now allowed, but only using type-approved (modern) CB equipment.
Always wanted a Reftec 934MHZ CB when they first came out but very expensive Evan the aerial coax cable was different the CB I ended up getting was the Amstrad CB901 with the Roger bleep that used to irritate every one
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 8:08 pm   #16
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

And in fact here are some photos I took years ao:
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 8:12 pm   #17
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

I had an Amstrad CB901 i think as my first legal cb or possibly a Cobra 19x/21x thus followed many more over the years until my tally is now over 50 cb radios in my workshop in various states of working order .
My current unit in constant use in my car is a President Jackson 2 classic multimode unit which is a totally legal unit bought from Nevada radio a while ago.
Still use my original K40 plus magmount .
Whilst the channels are hardly busy there are still a few truckers and locals who chat ,plus every sunday there is a DX net on ch38 or 36 which is very active.
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 8:52 pm   #18
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

Would I be correct in saying that CB radios were becoming popular and in use a few years earlier than 1981? Although perhaps illegal of course.
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 9:03 pm   #19
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

My first UKFM CB was a Fidelity 2001FM a few months after it was legalised. Prices had dropped a lot and I bought it new from a shop for just £15. A few years later I bought a brand new Harrier CBX from Dixons for just £10 during a stock clearance.

Today I still have a Fidelity 2001FM and a Cobra 21XFM although I don't use them. Up in the loft there should still be my old DV27 on a groundplane. I'm pretty sure I still have a Modulator antenna, a Firestik, several DX27s and a 10m G-Whip in an old fishing holdall up in the loft.

Every few years someone new seems to pop up on legal CB within a few houses of mine and I sometimes see 27MHz appear strongly on a scope or analyser. The latest one was a few months ago and he must have been really close to my house judging by the 27MHz signals appearing on my test gear.
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Old 2nd Nov 2021, 9:24 pm   #20
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Default Re: UK CB Radio 40th anniversary (2nd Nov 2021)

I pestered Mum & Dad for weeks for a CB Radio and kindly they agreed to the 'upgrade' for a Realistic (Tandy) TRC-2001 with 'PA facility'. I imagine this was quite a serious outlay for them and to be honest, I feel guilty now as it never saw much use. I was more interested in the thought of having a radio transmitter rather than talking to anybody.

We were all still at junior school, and looking through the 'Handles & Home 20s' fill-in directory at the back of my Tandy CB guide, most of my friends told me their 'Handles' but never had a 'Rig'.

I think my Dad was a bit shocked when we went to buy the Radio and then had to fork out for an expensive aerial, he was hoping a simple long-wire would have done.

The Rig (with box and instructions) and Mag Mount are still upstairs somewhere but these publications were easier to find this evening.

10-10.

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