CB Radio Channels

CHANNEL	FREQUENCY	CHANNEL	FREQUENCY
1	26.965 MHz	-	27.195 MHz
2	26.975 MHz	20	27.205 MHz
3	26.985 MHz	21	27.215 MHz
-	26.995 MHz	22	27.225 MHz
4	27.005 MHz	24	27.235 MHz
5	27.015 MHz	25	27.245 MHz
6	27.025 MHz	23	27.255 MHz
7	27.035 MHz	26	27.265 MHz
-	27.045 MHz	27	27.275 MHz
8	27.055 MHz	28	27.285 MHz
9	27.065 MHz	29	27.295 MHz
10	27.075 MHz	30	27.305 MHz
11	27.085 MHz	31	27.315 MHz
-	27.095 MHz	32	27.225 MHz
12	27.105 MHz	33	27.335 MHz
13	27.115 MHz	34	27.345 MHz
14	27.125 MHz	35	27.355 MHz
15	27.135 MHz	36	27.365 MHz
-	27.145 MHz	37	27.375 MHz
16	27.155 MHz	38	27.385 MHz
17	27.165 MHz	39	27.395 MHz
18	27.175 MHz	40	27.405 MHz
19	27.185 MHz

This table is the frequency chart for the legal Citizens Band Radio Service. There are 40 channels, designated 1 through 40. The service is AM but also allows for SSB operation on radios that are capable. CB, as it is called, is a two-way voice communication service for use in your personal and business activities. Expect a communication range of one to five miles. License documents are neither needed or issued. CB Rule 3 provides your authority to operate a CB unit in places where the FCC regulates radio communications, as long as you use only an unmodified FCC certificated CB unit (CB Rule 9). An FCC certificated unit has an identifying label placed on it by the manufacturer. Per the FCC, there is no age or citizenship requirement. You may operate your CB unit within the territorial limits of the fifty United States, the District of Columbia, and the Caribbean and Pacific Insular areas ("U.S."). You may also operate your CB on or over any other area of the world, except within the territorial limits of areas where radio-communications are regulated by another agency of the U.S. or within the territorial limits of any foreign government. You may also be permitted to use your CB unit in Canada subject to the rules of Industry Canada; other countries may also allow CB frequency use but it is your responsibility to verify that prior to use.

Note the yellow and blue highlighted areas. The yellow highlights show the gaps between some of the channels. The blue highlights show two channels that are out of order. Before the channel allocation for CB was expanded from 23 to 40 channels, these were unused frequencies.

There are no height restrictions for antennas mounted on vehicles or for hand-held units (CB Rule 8). For structures, the highest point of your antenna must not be more than 20 feet above the highest point of the building or tree on which it is mounted, or 60 feet above the ground. There are lower height limits if your antenna structure is located within two miles of an airport. You may use any of the 40 CB channels on a "take-turns" basis. These channels must be shared by all CB users. There are no channels authorized in the CB Radio Service above 27.405 MHz or below 26.965 MHz. No CB channel is assigned to any specific individual or organization (CB Rule 7). Be cooperative. Keep your communications short. Never talk with another station for more than 5 minutes continuously. Then wait at least one minute before starting another communication (CB Rule 16). Use Channel 9 only for emergency communications or for traveler assistance. For complete information, see the Commission's Rules for the Citizens Band (CB) Radio Service, 47 C.F.R. 95.401-95.428.