What is the range of a 5 watt CB radio?

approximately 6 miles
So according to our rule-of-thumb, 2 people around 6 feet tall using a 5 watt handheld two-way radio, used on flat ground with no obstacles, will have a maximum range of approximately 6 miles.

How do I increase the range on my CB radio?

There are several procedures for ensuring maximum output.
  1. TUNE THE RADIO. A CB radio is only as good as the coax and antenna connected to it. …
  2. USE CB-SPECIFIC ANTENNAS. …
  3. ESTABLISH A GROUND PLANE. …
  4. CHECK THE VSWR. …
  5. ELIMINATE RESISTANCE.

How many watts is a good CB radio?

4 Watts
Although the FCC limits CB radios to a standard 4 Watts of power, there is an exception. If you want the best range, you may want a radio with single sideband (SSB) capability. SSB radios, such as the Cobra 148 GTL transmit at approximately 12 Watts, or three times the normal power.

What is the longest range CB radio?

Galaxy DX-959B

Most powerful SSB CB radio. Longest Range SSB CB Radio (15-30 miles)

How many watts should my CB antenna be?

4 watts
CB Antenna Wattage

You need to make sure that the antenna you select can handle the wattage that your radio is pushing out. Please note that we just wrote that all CB radios should not be pushing out more than 4 watts. Even CB radios with SSB have only 12 watts.

What does SSB mean on CB radios?

single sideband
CB radios in the United States can transmit AM (amplitude modulation) signals, or SSB (single sideband, with suppressed carrier) signals. An AM signal consists of two redundant sideband signals that each contain the operator’s voice, along with a so-called carrier signal between them.

How far can CB radios transmit?

Transmitter power is limited to 4 watts in the US and the EU. CB radios have a range of about 3 miles (4.8 km) to 20 miles (32 km) depending on terrain, for line of sight communication; however, various radio propagation conditions may intermittently allow communication over much greater distances.

Can a CB radio be traced?

Can a CB radio be traced? Not hard to do, since all you need is a CB. And yes, the FCC can track where a CB is transmitting from, Heck, they can even tell what kind it is etc.

Are CB linear amplifiers illegal?

Although the commission has eliminated many citizens band rules, such as the requirement that CB operators be licensed, it still strictly enforces the ban on so-called linear amplifiers, which can increase the power of a CB signal from the authorized 4 watts to several hundred watts.

Is CB Channel 9 still monitored?

(Public Service Through Communications ), the organization that started monitoring CB channel 9 in the US in 1962, still exists, but membership is sparse, with few monitoring teams in existence. The most successful ones use more than just CB radios, and don’t actively monitor channel 9, because it’s seldom used.

How far can a 10 meter radio transmit?

Go here for in depth propagation information. Ground Wave (How far can I transmit?) Ten meter ground wave (direct) propagation is much more predictable than “sky wave”. Local contacts up to 40 or 50 miles or more can be expected 24 hours a day and is very useful for local communication.

How far can a SSB radio transmit?

SSB (Single Sideband) radio has a much greater range than a VHF (Very High Frequency) radio’s typical 35 to 50 nautical miles. Medium Frequency (MF) SSB radio has a range of around 400 nautical miles, but High Frequency (HF) will reach out for several thousand.

Do police monitor CB?

The police do not use CB radios- never have. They have their own radio system. If you want to listen in, buy a police scanner (at any electronics store) and hear it all. Each agency has its own network.

What CB station do police use?

The CB devotee especially listens to Channel 9, the emergency CB channel commonly used by motorists in trouble. Electronics stores selling CBs say they are good for calling police in an emergency.

Is CB 10 or 11 meter?

CB Radios operate on the 11 Meter Band around 27 MHz with 40 channels. Unlike the 10 Meter Band, access to these frequencies are unrestricted by the FCC, hence the name “Citizen’s Band”.

Can the FCC track your radio?

When they detect an illegal signal over the air and want to locate it, they track it down with a portable radio DF (direction finding) apparatus.

Do police use UHF or VHF?

Police broadcast on frequencies in the UHF band. You are legally allowed to listen to unencrypted transmissions in these bands, but you need a license to broadcast.

Do state troopers have CB radios?

They don’t. CB (Citizens Band) radios are low power short range devices which were mostly commonly used by truckers, their employers and private citizens for local area communications.

Can two-way radios be tracked?

Two-way radios, also known as walkie-talkies, remain popular even after the advent of cell phones. Police and security forces, the armed forces, event managers, hunters and many others use them. Two-way radios are extremely difficult to trace.

What happens if I use GMRS without a license?

Although the max power has been increased to 2 watts on these “bubble-pack” radios for GMRS channels(per FCC 2017), IT IS STILL ILLEGAL to transmit on GMRS channels WITHOUT a license. THE FINE IS 20K FOR EACH TRANMISSION ON A GMRS CHANNEL.

What frequencies can I use without a ham license?

The Family Radio Server (FRS) authorizes 22 channels in the 462 MHz and 467 MHz range, and it is available without a license. This device can operate outside those frequencies. Using these outside that frequency in the US could land you with fines, loss of device, or worse.