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CB radio in the United Kingdom

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by F1lby (talk | contribs) at 16:12, 10 April 2003. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

CB Radio was first introduced into the United Kingdom in around 1978 (although these dates are hard to confirm accurately). The CB radios used were of American origin and were illegal to own and use. The modes of transmission used were AM (Amplitude Modulation) and SSB (Single Sideband). The usage of illegal CB radio peaked in 1980 and the UK Governments hand was forced and in the end they agreed to legalise CB Radio.

Citizens Band Radio was legalised in the United Kingdom in 1981, hence the logo stamped on all type approved radios of this era CB27/81.

The channels legalised on 2nd November 1981 were on two blocks of frequencies. 40 channels on the 27Mhz band and 20 channels on the 934Mhz band both using FM modulation.

The 27Mhz band frequency allocation is shown here: 27Mhz CB27/81 Bandplan

The 934Mhz band was soon discontinued by the government due to lack of interest of the general public. The reason for the public refusing to accept the 934Mhz band was for a number of reasons:

  • Safety (since this is a Microwave band)
  • Cost of equipment
  • Signal degredation of long coaxial / feeder paths
  • Unfamiliarity (many CB users had previously been using American (illegal) CB Equipment)
  • Poor coverage (Microwave being primarily line of sight)


Later on in the early 1990's the government allocated an additional 40 channels in line with the American channel allocation method, although transmission was still only allowable using FM modulation.

The 27Mhz band frequency allocation is shown here: 27Mhz FCC Bandplan

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