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You are here:>> My Interests >> Citizen's Band Brief History

It was back in 1981, when CB radios became legal to use in Britain. Many people had them already, and any CB veteran will tell you that AM should have been the mode issued and not FM. Meanwhile CB radios flourished and became a serious yet fascinating hobby. Ex-users, and numerous current users, will agree that the benefits encountered over the air waves, both friendly and fun, are available for all to grasp.

Before 1981, the users of CB radios in Britain were sometimes refered to as Radio Pirates. They were 'all' illegal operators (in accordance with the rules and regulations) but as the famous saying goes "you can't keep a good thing down". The influx of illegally imported radio equipment from countries across continents grew, leaving the authourities in an apparent state of confussion, while the 'Pirate' community expanded. The equipment was being haulled to Britain by continental HGV drivers who were back and forth all the while, working and doing 'their bit on the side'.

The pirate community were a close net of people with similar interests. Their common interest was in a hobby that was illegal and at the time brought them closer together, because in all truth you had to know a CBer in order to obtain one as well as other items of equipment. Pirates operated with courtisy to each other, which extended to a level where they would look out for each other and warn against the dreaded DTI (the Home Office at the time). The pirates knew that they had to conduct themselves in a manner which would make them invisible to the law so they assigned nick names and call signs to each other.

Even though the pirate community was disorganised politically, the way in which it was adapted and used in the community was build on a foundation of desire. The pirate could see a benefit of having a wireless radio to speak to friends a few miles away for free, besides the price of the radio set up. Pirates also say that they benefitted by having CB radios in their vehicles and having contact with each out on the road. Remembering that cellular phones where not the norm before 1980, CBs simply became the 'in thing'.

After years of battling with the Radio Communications Aurthority (DTI and Home Office) and politicians, the powers that be became overwhelmed with the desire of the people. So in 1981 40 channels on an FM transmission mode were given. Of course the pirates were used to operating on 100+ different channels and in all modes AM, FM, SSB and CW. But to legally have 40 channels on FM now legal in Britain was very good progress.

In 1989 I became a CBer, so I missed out on the days of covert operating. When I arrived on the air the 40 channels I had were jam packed, wall to wall, with 'breakers' To hear the stories of how it was in the days of 'Aunty Marie' (AM) was probably the motive that kept my interest in wireless communications burning. I was only using a small antenna but this didn't stop me from recording hundreds of different call signs and 'handles' (nick names) from across the West Midlands and further a field. For many months I used this basic set up, and then in 1992 for a period of about six months all I could hear were Italians, Americans, Germans, French... the continentals were booming across the 40 FM channels. To read more on continentals booming across see Furthering the experience.

To summarise the History of the Citizen's Band, I'd suggest every African purchasing one and then propelling a New body of people toward the creation of a New CB history.