FM CB

[Sandy]

Now this could be interesting ?

FM CB would have less interference, but could we use 4 watts ?
4 watts would be more than the FRS radios and the new VHF CB radios.

Wonder if it will ever come to be ?

Just another thing to think about.

73,

 

[Ray Hutchinson]

Sandy,

Actually, the AM CB band currently has 10 khz channel spacing, with a couple of exceptions, and 2M FM, in So.CA at least is running 15 khz spacings for repeaters and simplex channels. We here have even "pretty much channelized the simplex portions as well. TASMA, the spectrum coordinator publishes "Recognized" 15 KHz spaced simplex channels for the band plan. Many areas of the U.S. use 20 KHZ channel spacings. Twice as wide as current AM CB. The SO cal plan for 10 meters, which would have very similar propagation to CB also uses 20 kHz channel spacing for FM.

Also switching to FM would obsolete a lot of existing CB equipment, and given the "screw the rules" attitudes of many CB'ers, they would probably continue to run their existing AM radios. That would make co-existance of the two modes with two different channel spacings on the same piece of spectrum pretty difficult. Remember, also, even in the ham world, with lots more spectrum assigned, it is illegal to run FM below 29.5 MHZ because of the greater bandwidth used by FM. SSB, AM and other narrower modes prevail below this.

Given all the above. it is highly unlikely, in this age of scarce radio spectrum, a wide mode such as FM would be considered by the FCC.

 

[Sandy]

Hello,

Interesting thought, even if it may or maynot become reallity.
I have heard the rumor before about the FM CB but I believe that it would be in addition to the existing channels, so no one would lose out.
Most HAMs would not like to see this because it opens up spectrum that is not for their use only. I know that is a little hard on HAMs but being a HAM I see a lot, as you do.


I believe that it would a nice idea to give the CBers a little section of frequencies with a little less noise. The CBers could be asking for FM on the existing channels and the ones above forty.

Just some thoughts...
The HAMs can't forget about the CBers, they are a vital part of a good communications team in the times of emergency.
Remember, there are a lot of them.

 

[Ray Hutchinson]

Sandy,

Perhaps you were hearing about the new CB Band in the 150 mHz range. The FCC recently (about 6 mos ago) approved a very small segment of unlicensed operation in this region. It adjacent to the business band, but allows virtually any mode including continuous transmission, such as signalling, all trying to coexist on the same piece of spectrum, so the potential for chaos is great. For voice transmission, it would probably be as limited in range as FRS, given the power restrictions. The whole thing occurred without much fanfare, and of course equipment is very limited at this time.

 

[Sandy]

No, it is the 11 meter band that is being talked about.

If it comes to past, 10 meter FM is the same thing.

73,