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You are here:>> My Interests >> Citizen's Band legality and licencing

Apart from choosing a 'handle/nickname', there is one other important factor to bare in mind. Every operator MUST have a CB licence to operate a device which transmitts on those frequencies allocated to CB Radio users. It is a legal requirement to have a valid CB licence. There are no excuses acceptable when Mr DTI takes away your equipment and you are summoned to court.

Even though the licence entitles the Radiocommunications Agency to inspect your equipment at will, it also benefits the operating community to remain as operators on those frequencies. Unfortunately the radio spectrum has to be paid for by those who wish to use it, so to be counted as a percentage to keep it open is vital.

For those who wish to use radios which cover a wider range of frequencies beside those allocated, a CB licence will not be valid for it's operation. The fee for a UK CB licence is under £15 and is available from The Radio Licencing Center.

There is a wide variety of equipment on the market which will enable you to broadcast on the CB frequencies. Some of this equipment is legal for CBers, other types are sometimes deemed unsuitable. If you are choosing to purchase a radio which broadcasts strictly on the Citizen's Band, then there are a couple of things to consider.

1. Make sure the radio equipment carries the legal Stamp.
2. Make sure the output power is tuned to no more than 4 watts.
3. Do not broadcast with any peripheral devices which could increase or affect your speech, increase your geographic broadcast range effortlessly, or allow you to broadcast in other regions of the spectrum in varous modes not covered by a CB licence.

Very few people keep to the rules, but that can result in court hearings and potential fines with the seizure or your equipment. The potential punishment doesn't seem to deter many.