Bill Battersby, age 11, of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, for his question:
WHAT EXACTLY IS CITIZENS BAND RADIO?
During the past few years citizens band radio, also called CB radio, has grown tremendously in popularity. The communications system, used by private citizens and operated over short distances, transmits on a group of radio frequencies that are especially reserved for private use.
CB radio is a handy means of communication between two spots that are not ordinarily connected by telephone. Motorists, and truck drivers especially, find it most convenient to talk with others on the highway or with people at home or in the office.
Most citizen band radios are what we call transceivers, devices that can both transmit a message and also receive one. Some CB units, however, only receive radio signals and do not send them.
Transmission of CB messages is usually for distances of less than five miles in cities and up to about 20 miles in the country. Broadcast range varies with atmospheric conditions, how the land lays and the type of antenna being used. It is most important to carefully regulate the design and height of the set's antenna as well as the amount of power supplied to the transmitter.
Government regulations exist in both Canada and the United States which limit the amount of power a CB transmitter may use. No more than four watts of power may be used.
CB radio in the United States has 23 channels, with frequencies of 26.965 to 27.255 megahertz. In Canada CB operations are called General Radio Service and 22 channels are used with the frequencies of 26.97 to 27.27 megahertz.
Both Canada and the United States make it a requirement that any CB transmitter of more than one tenth watt must be licensed.
Walkie Talkies that are used by many people also operate on citizen band radio. In most cases, these units are of a low wattage and do not require licensing.
Remote controls for some model airplanes and also garage doors which open automatically at the touch of a button in your car operate on CB radio frequencies.
A Canadian citizen who is interested in obtaininga license to operate a CB unit should contact his nearest district office of the Department of Communications. In the United States, any citizen who is 18 years of age or older may obtainlicense information from the Federal Communications Commission in Gettysburg,Pa. 17325.