FCC Part 95 CHANGES?? Legalize FM On CB Radio?? REALLY??? What Does This ACTUALLY Mean?? MUST WATCH!

How about a DIFFERENT perspective to the recent amendment to Part 95 FCC rules and regulations for CB radio service. You may not like this video and my opinions are that of my own. But when you watch this I want you to think about this in your head and think of how YOU use or HAVE used 11 meter CB band and tell me if I made my point valid..
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[@rosalieunderwood8699]

My opinion is that this was done to promote more radio sales

[@minibikemadman]

You bet just another add on to put into the radio and using it for a selling point.

[@jerrydiver1]

Except that the FCC is not in the habit of worrying themselves over the profitability of the radio electronics industry.

[@devilsatan2973]

@@jerrydiver1 Not normally. But the commission is now so full of industry insiders, that it's starting to matter! Friends in high places ya know!

[@acyd5000]

The petition was written by Cobra. Still no more than 4 watts, also they want to add location data to transmissions.

[@nc4tn]

U nailed it!

[@BertShackleford]

_Asking permission to exercise a Right, turns that Right into a privilege._ Stay classy my friends.

[@offgridfoldi]

You got it right '. This is the trap or scam when it turns to a privilege you can loose it.and cant complain when you hear notting else than ratling noise til S9 or S+30 from crap devices . 73'

[@damonschaefer1773]

You are recommending the most perfect solution for CB.

[@GHOST-hp2ji]

... Exactly...

[@kengrey7263]

Europe has AM channels, FM channels and the SSB segment. All happily live together as they are apart. Don't make such a big issue out of it, it will sort itself out.

[@terschellingfilmsvanvroege6467]

What you say sir, is absolutely correct. Here in the Netherlands AM, FM and SSB is used on the 40 channels (and freebanding also) and it is not such a problem. As you say: 'it will sort itself out'. I personally prefer to use AM, because of the multiple advantages that it has due to the much lower noise floor. I find the AM sound more pleasant which belongs to shortwave radio which is CB. Love AM. FM doesn't block AM that quickly, it's not that bad. After all, with propagation you hear everything mixed up, FM and AM stations at the same time, but when I press AM I only hear AM, and when I select FM I hear FM. They don't block each other that much. FM does have the advantage that it has less interference. FM and AM both have their advantages and disadvantages, use them according to need and make good agreements about this. But AM should remain the default modulation for CB! AM rules.

[@thebrain4239]

In Europe the CB community follows a guideline off rules .In America its a bunch off LIDDS all talking over each other and running 2500kw

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

I for one welcome the addition of FM to the U.S. Citizens Band. FM with the ability to use CTCSS & DCS allows for improved local comms without the interference and flux of AM

[@belatoth1446]

Because they are smarter than us!

[@letitrest4662]

The government's doing it because they don't want long distance communication that is independent of network systems such as hardwired telephones, and cell phone systems. In a nutshell, the NSA is monitoring everything, except CB, communication wise. It is monitored by the FCC, but they have no way to quickly pinpoint the user. AM citizen band is the only long distance com. system that can be used, that doesn't have some kind of government "oversight" , with it. Even ham radio, legally requires a license and has enforceable regulations that require the user to identify himself.

[@rangersmith4652]

I'm new to CB as a serious means of communication, though like everyone else my age, I dabbled with it in the 70s and 80s. After researching import radios (the "illegal" ones with all bands on 10 and 11 meters) I purchased a McKinley to "keep it clean" and have been experimenting with antennas, mostly listening on SSB. I'll be following the outcomes of this change with great interest.

[@soctnights]

I bought my first CB in the mid 70s, a ROYCE, a great sounding rig with co-phase antennas. Yes, I had an FCC license and I still remember that assigned call sign.

[@donnalinson7295]

Ikkk

[@Shastasays]

Yep, I had a Midland radio in my 75 Gremlin in my teens. My call sign was KRG6675 AKA the Growlin Gremlin. lol. Fun times. Had to drive from Chicago down to southern Illinois for a seminar. Had a blast talking to the truckers.

[@scottwiseman8015]

Got my license in 1972 for my communication badge in Boy Scouts. KZS 0130 "Turpentine" was on the air. A Heath Kit 5 channel crystal transceiver set. I miss the old days of radio.

[@madmax2069]

My father had a Royce 605a

[@anamerican481]

Where do we get a copy of our old call sign

[@dave-wk4t]

This is EXACTLY why aircraft comm is AM. Capture effect is a detriment to aircraft safety.

[@elektroqtus]

Also with FM the signal goes from full quieting to totally gone in 2 seconds. Another reason for am for aircraft bands

[@markfellhauer352]

Nope. Aircraft coms are on AM because federalized ATC coms infrastructure became entrenched before FM was cost effective or readily available. And at the time available FM transceivers were fairly wide-banded. Even in the commercial broadcast world, FM radio did not surpass AM radio in the U.S. until 1978, in terms of sales or listenership.

[@CMDR.Gonzo.von.Richthofen]

I'm 100% with you on channelizing am, fm, and ssb with increased power limits. This would have been the smart thing to do. Edit: I also agree that cb doesn't need to be cleaned up. This is still America, and radio needs a wild west, free speech spectrum. If someone wants to communicate with well behaved operators, they are always welcome to join me on the ham bands-which honestly are a little too sterile if you ask me, but I signed the license, so I keep it clean. 73

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

CB *is* channelized, regardless of which transmit mode you are using. But I think I understand what you meant- that a band plan should be implemented (where AM would use certain channels, FM would use a different set of channels, etc.)

[@terryshrives8322]

I completely agree, sterile is a good word

[@indridcold8433]

Both formats of radio are great! As you mentioned, AM CB is the wild west of radio. FM will likely head that way. SSB is actually very clean, almost ham-like. More power really is not a problem, unless it is the channel 6 bucket mouths. They are hilarious to listen to. But do not try to talk to them. I have mixed feelings about 27.410 Mhz to 27.995 Mhz. The lower end is spotless clean and very well conducted, for illegal radio operators. Above 27.555, it is just a mess. On the CRCT and FCC 40 channels (26.965 Mhz to 27.405 Mhz) I hear AM, FM, SSB, CW, and even data. Now there are many other public bands. CB, (freeband though illegal), 49 Mhz, MURS, FRS/GMRS, 902 Mhz, and of course, amateur radio bands if you get licensed. I think the United States of America still requires GMRS to be licensed also, though FRS is not. The radio hobby is a lot of fun, even if one is just a listener.

[@mickstermouseter7059]

I agree too. That would have been the smart way to go. But then....... 🙄

[@Rusted_Link]

Isn't CB limited to 4 watts because it was never intended to transmit very far? If truck drivers suddenly switched to GMRS at 50 watts with a good antenna then their signal will travel down the road for about 30 miles. No one would get a word in edgewise. Pretty much like it is now. CB's in trucks (according the the drivers I know) is only for asking about police, IE "how 'bout southbound". That means how's the traffic on the northbound side and should I be on the lookout. And of course idle chat about the special at the Greasy Spoon and the lovely lot lizards that have TB.

[@vacuumfireradio253]

The reason FM was mandated in the U.K. was to prevent TVI as back in the day the TV service was analogue and vulnerable to interference. Also, the idea was that the UK wouldn't be flooded with US spec AM radios diverted from the US market and local British manufacturers would benefit.

[@spaceflight1019]

American hams learned that the biggest advantage of FM was that your voice usually didn't come out of the TVs that they were interfering with. TVI caused hams to avoid six meters as it was adjacent to analog channel 2. Mobile hilltop operation was common on AM and SSB, but those who operated from home used FM or operated during hours that TVs were usually off. Two meters became popular because it was TVI-proof, until the advent of cable TV where HBO was put on 145.25 MHz. The solution was repeaters, allowing home users to use the radio with low-power handheld radios without interfering with HBO. HDTV has been a godsend, practically eliminating TVI for most amateur stations and enabling the use of the six meters band.

[@jimjungle1397]

In America TV is now digital also and while most digital TV is on UHF, there are some places in America with digital TV using VHF that is more susceptible to TVI from CB radio. The issue of FM before was channel spacing and FM frequency deviation. Traditional FM two-way radio has channels spread 25 khz, while CB channels are spread only 10 khz. This requires newer, narrow band FM to function properly.

[@1L6E6VHF]

@@spaceflight1019 That is mainly because with the digital TV transition, very few people were watching TV stations that were actually on channels 2 through 6. For example, I usually watch Channel 4's newscasts at 11pm. However, the actual channel of that station is channel 32.

[@DnBclassictunes]

They did not legalise AM/SSB mainly based on TVI in the UK. And to what the people wanted. It was all legalised in the digital age but it was 30 plus years too late

[@vacuumfireradio253]

There's a reason why aircraft communications use AM....the capture effect of stronger FM signals hides the simultaneous weaker FM signals ...with AM you'll hear the lot. Unsquelched FM noise is awful too.

[@flexairz]

Even with AM the other signals will be blocked when the offender has enough power, stuck mic for example.

[@runinnhorse151]

I don't see a real big problem with it except I don't think a lot of the CB2 do not understand frequency modulated is going to pull a full carrier of power and if they are driving one of their high-powered amps is going to burn up about twice as that might be a good thing to stop the FCC from doing what they want to do you're going to have to come up with a lot stronger opposition than you have now good luck

[@markfellhauer352]

There's a reason why aircraft communications use AM... Small FM transceivers were expensive and complex and the CAA entrenched the industry/infrastructure in AM ATC transceivers post WWII. A small AM transceiver could be built using just 5 tubes, while an FM transceiver of the day needed 13. In 1959, Cessna acquired ARC (Aircraft Radio Corporation) and flooded the general aviation market with low-cost low-quality AM coms radios. In 1960 King was selling a 10 watt general aviation radio, that weighed just 8 pounds, the KY-90, with an MSRP of $795. (about $7000 today). Imagine what an FM transceiver would have cost. It was a case of firstest with the mostest. Not because of any real technical advantage. The FAA was proposing a move to FM coms in its NextGen plan but abandoned that part of the proposal 5 or 6 years ago.

[@vacuumfireradio253]

Very interesting Mark to hear about the early sets in the US. Thanks.

[@pieman192]

When CB was legalised in the UK (40 years ago on nov 2nd) they implemented FM but on a separate portion of 27 megs further up . Your bang on Eric with stating that they should do is have separate channels for FM and leaving the AM channels as they have been for decades 👍

[@pedrogonzalezgil]

Here in Europe we’ve dealing with both AM and FM for some time and it really didn’t go against each other, it just boils down to having more choices, more tools in your belt to make the best use of your gear. Whatever makes more users join the CB is good, both CB and Ham are dwindling in Spain, more and more noise spuing devices are taking over our spectrum and fighting anything that could bag in more users is just not playing the right game. Just my opinion 😄

[@indridcold8433]

Ofcom FM frequencies are 27.60125 Mhz to 27.99125 Mhz. AM and SSB are 26.965 to 27.405. There is also FM allowed there but not often used because of the upper dedicated FM segment. That separation in usage bands is what keeps things organised. Perhaps CRCT and FCC could adopt the dedicated FM sub band as well.

[@se7vennld]

The rest of the world uses 40 channel AM/FM/SSB and this is why.

[@Mo-gm5zm]

Question, what about using fm on the a channels? Not regulated but just self regulated via the users? … but yeah, great idea having fm portion above and below… makes perfect sense.

[@joeblow8593]

The FCC should have expanded the CB band.

[@DandyDon1]

Well..... Illegally many transceivers have operated beyond the designated frequency range for many decades.

[@donburkewnis]

Why?

[@Deploracle]

@@donburkewnis Indeed why? From what established radio service does the OP wish to remove bandwidth to give to freebanders?

[@laser31415]

Expand to where?

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

When you were describing 10m having FM here, ssb there, AM there, CW over there... that is a band plan promoted by ARRL, and adhered to by "gentleman's agreement," NOT a hard-fast law set by the FFC. It works, because it has been endorsed for eons by the ARRL. CB has no large organization to suggest such a band plan, but if it did, and enough time passed for people to get used to it, a band plan could certainly work for CB. Honestly, it would be a great idea, and would have been a great idea for decades, if not just for separating which channels would use which side band. I do agree that a power increase would make a lot of sense these days.

[@docmonty5859]

Thank you Joseph for that comment. I was going to point out the same.

[@Radiocom100]

WoW!!! Just now came up on this Video. I have my CB radio on right now and went from channel 1 to 40 heard nothing but a Mexican running power on channel 6. I can hear it now when the skips rows on channel 38, you will have USB,LSB,AM and FM bleeding 40 channels. No one talks on a CB Radio anymore , only when the SKIP ROWS. That is when I fire mine up and talk to the world, all 40 channels are the super bowl, your signal strength it the one who rules the wave. 73's

[@ericrichards420]

Eric I agree 100% with you, The thought of having FM below and above 11 meters and raising the output to 100 watts SSB 25 AM yet make the radios stick to the band plan. great idea and good luck with that.

[@GaryLordsWayMinistry]

I remember when CB had gentleman's agreements for frequency use for AM, SSB, and FM but no one remembers that anymore, or even cares about using AM above 30 in the SSB territory. Right now I have a trucking company hauling dirt using ch.35 for AM and their truck drivers to be dispatched on and use to talk to one another on. Making bleedover on 38 inedible for my home a couple blocks away from them.

[@steveschlembach]

Thank you! You are the only one talking about the FM capture effect. Yes, aviation radio stayed on AM for 118-138 MHz and 230-390 MHz for flight safety reasons just like your scenario indicated. You are the only one speaking intelligently on this topic. I hope the FCC offers a NPRM for FM CB so you and others can offer these concerns to the board.

[@mosherj666]

We've had legal FM CB in the UK since 1981, in fact it was the only legal mode until 2014 when AM and SSB was legalised for the same channels used on U.S CB. FM, like other modes, has its advantages and disadvantages, but most UK operators now tend to favour SSB.

[@jonthebru]

So both FM and SSB operate on the same frequency?

[@mosherj666]

@@jonthebru We can use AM, FM, and SSB from 26.965 to 27.405 Mhz, and just FM from 27.601.25 to 27.991.25Mhz. But there's barely any enforcement of regulations over here since the license requirement was dropped, so most use SSB across the whole 11 metre band.

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

lol channel 6 switching to FM will work good with them Class C amps.. I don't mind the FM on CB then me and my wife can use FM legally now when we go camping. But it would be nice to add 10 more channels for use with FM

[@mrbyamile6973]

Give it all she'sgot captain. FM, AM, digital and repeaters. 11 meter band has been wasting away the last two decades, let's spice it up.

[@jacknorris3572]

What I like about FM on CB radio, is that my squelch knob can have a purpose now. Squelch is useless on AM unless I'm talking to my next door neighbor.

[@Aleziss]

funny they change regulation for a mode when they abosolutely do not care about a station having 10kW blasting 80kHz wide on AM...

[@esbr3794]

hmm we have and use AM-FM and SSB in Norway

[@brucebillington8336]

FM skips like AM and on sideband, depending on the frequencies, I have experienced it ,in 1979 42.880 FM . I was in the California Conservation Corps working with the city of Sanger, and and the skip from Alabama, and, the Oregon State Police was unbelievable. I was only 19 years old. The city used 1/4 wave whip antennas, or the base loaded coil antennas. We could hear fire departments from the east coast, and the mid south. And then the skip would shift, and we'd hear the Oregon State Police in Oregon. When the public service worker tried to contact his dispatch, of the other agencies asked who it was .I already had a car with a K-40 antenna. The scanner I had, was a Fannon Crystal scanner 10 channel , I don't remember much 😅

[@VickyGeagan]

The FCC has authorized FM CB radio. effective January 1st . Their are 6 new FM channels formally the model aircraft drones 27 MHZ frequencies. Which were moved to 72 - 76 MHZ back in 2002 with the switch to digital in a lot of radio services as well as the band reallocation. FM is 4 watts pep and 2.5 KHZ. The FCC also made some changes to the wording of Part 95 to clarify the regulations. As well as the use of APRS location beacons and short texting in the GMRS radio service. These all will be effective January 1 2022.

[@Pipefitter310]

That figures, I have a brand new PRESIDENT BILL CB I was going to install in my company work van this week. Sorry Cobra, I just will stick to what I have been doing for years. This information video was awesome. Thanks.

[@johnathanasiou9284]

This is a kick in the guts also for US truckers who rely on 27MHz CB

[@2148aa]

You think it is bad now. This will be the death toll for talking across the parking lot.

[@johnathanasiou9284]

Agree Bryan, so many truckers like all of us have had their lives turned upside down and revenues decimated & now have to spend more of re-fitting trucks with FM gear which will be affected when they drive in and out of mountain ranges and valleys. Many truckers rely on CB for so many things. It's sad they're going down such paths without careful consideration as they already have GMRS with FM. Nevertheless, Eric's suggestion of an FM portion is a fantastic idea

[@2148aa]

@@johnathanasiou9284 I have a President Ronald radio base station set up for CB. I did run into a construction dump truck crew this summer using FM CB. I will say sound quality was up there with uhf/vhf business band. 80% long haul truckers can't be reached on channel 19 anymore. Local grain haulers (Iowa) run their own channels. and if I want to talk distance it is on over or under channels because I can't compete on CB 40 channels with a well tuned base antenna. I will say I miss the days of Baba Booey and the mating call of "BJ channels 17". GMRS is just another money pit rabbit hole I think I want to avoid less a simplex talk across the parking lot channel arises. Repeaters are ran by locals with values I don't share.

[@johnathanasiou9284]

@@2148aa fair comment Bryan. The problem is also one screwdriver jockey misadjusting the FM modulation could easily spill onto other channels to try eek more power out of it & not realising they did this. The other thing is FM capture effect so some guy running an amp can easily swamp stations much more than they could on AM/SSB. I use CB casually (use ham radio much more though!) so I don't rely on it but truckers do, a lot. It feels like the 70s & 80s all over again where they are coming down unfairly on CB again and your toll comment aint too far fetched & I'm honestly surprised they dont yet give us swipable dog tags & charge us for using rest stops on highways (I shouldn't give them more ideas lol!). Stay safe out there and have fun. So glad u have the resources to afford a good rig like that

[@Outdoors_with_kg4muk_Wayne]

If these guys just tuned there radios and get rid of the dam Harmonics when there doing there sets up / mods whatever , I get sick of the guys down the road on 11 and I hear them on 50.145 ,,, I think 11 meters needs more structure and power , I’m a ham yes and a truck driver to for 34 years , I refuse to use a CB anymore just because it’s not really what I expect anymore

[@lorie8179]

I had a cobra mobile unit in my car in 1985 traveling from NJ to OR. I now want a hand held. I want a good one that gets the job done. What is the best hand held to get in 2021? Thanks for any help you can give me:)

[@n3roc]

CB users have mostly been the liddiest of lids. Someone gave me a CB about 2 years ago and I threw it away after 20 minutes. Until there is some regulation on CB, I will never use it and i could not care less what the FCC does with it.

[@jakemichael8586]

you must not have listened to 75m there is stuff that is worse than than cb! 20m has its contest a holes too!

[@plugnalong2186]

I go along with some changes on CB. I've been on the CB frequencies since 1959 and have seen some changes that were good, but what got me to post this was when you brought up talking around the world on four watts. I've done the same thing, but I also talked skip on a 35 milliwatt walkie-talkie and built my own antennas to hook them up to (I know, illegal) and communicated over 30 miles to a mobil with a 100 milliwatt walkie-talkie. I still to this day (well, up till a few weeks ago) modified the antennas that i purchased to operate without an antenna tuner from 20.500 Mhz through 56.000 Mhz @ 1.1:1 swr or lower (at least that's where the beam I'm now running will operate). Yes, I'm also a ham operator, but I still have and play around with my old CB radios, probably more than my amateur radio.

[@BarefootBeekeeper]

In the UK, we have 80 FM channels and 40 AM to chose from. Sadly, most of them are silent most of the time.

[@pilotmedic]

I still don't understand the cb FM concept? Is cb FM will have there own frequency allocations? Or will be the same frequency but different modulation?

[@mikehagan4320]

What is the Situation with this Currently with your proposal for a petition with Uniden? Do you have an update?

[@PJ-qy9xg]

Im happy to hear your thoughts on this ... I have been a CBer since 1982 the only trouble I have is it just seems to me the only people commenting on rule 95 changes are Ham Operators I don't know I have over the years flirted with the idea of getting licensed Ham every time I have thought about it the overall attitude of band ownership has completely turned me off of it ... Maybe I am wrong and I am SURE there will be bleed lock from FM to AM ... Unfortunately Radio (AM Band) in my area is dead yeah you hear the super truckers on 17 and 19 but that's about it, gone are the days of Neighborhood radio clubs, rabbit hunts and the like. Now I am just happy to occasionally QSO with a few people I have met across Puget Sound ... Here's to hoping a Rule 95 change might breathe some life into a dyeing breed. If not ... My 148 GTL still looks good I suppose.

[@seattlejdmcivic]

So you're from the Puget sound as well I'm from Seattle Renton area and I'm quite young only 28 years old but my grandfather got me into CBS when I was young I understand the basics of CBS and ham radio never got into ham radio but I have an old cobra Dyna scan HomeBase and then just a simple 40 channel cobra mobile base in my car but I don't really understand what they mean by going to FM so what exactly is changing with the CB could you help explain this to me because I kind of got confused watching the video also maybe I could pick you up sometime on one of the channels if you happen to be on radio

[@PJ-qy9xg]

@@seattlejdmcivic heyas glad to meet a local ... I usually run channel 8 and am occasionally in Bellevue area for work (I am a contractor for Amazon) basically what an FM integration would do to CB bands is make them constantly sound like someone is talking on sideband ... It's a bit hard to type but if you have ever heard the teachers on charlie brown cartoons talking that is what it would sound like across all channels. I'm gonna follow your channel that way DMs are easier

[@grigorirasputin5020]

I have said for years that the FCC screwed up so much when they created Class D Citizens Band in the late 50's or early 60"s. 1) 5 watts is considered QRP or low power in ham. Many hams enjoy an aspect of QRP where they try making distant contacts on QRP power levels. 5W is NOT a realistic power level for reliable communication around town. If the FCC had set the maximum power limit at 25W output, I think there would not have been the perceived need that there was by so many CB'ers to get high power linear amps, just to be heard down the road. I agree, the FCC could and should rectify this mistake. 2) 27 MHz was a bad band choice due to skip and ridiculous antenna wavelength that negates use of a hand-held from inside a car unless an outside antenna is used. The early 1970's Class E CB proposal which would have taken a piece of under-utilized 220 MHz spectrum from hams would have been great for personal comms. Unfortunately, greedy hams and the ARRL used their influence to squash that proposal. Over a decade later, the FCC took a big chunk of still under-utilized 220 MHz from hams, auctioned it off for commercial interests, and today neither hams nor CB'ers benefit from that lost spectrum. 3) FM should have been the standard mode on CB, rather than AM. FM works better between close vehicles. FM has the capture effect, that allows the stronger signal to decisively cover weaker signals, making it more practical for serious comms. FM also allows for noise squelch rather than carrier squelch and CTCSS, which cuts out a lot of annoyance from reaching your speaker. 4) Channels should have been spaced 15-20 KHz apart, rather than 10. This would have lowered adjacent channel interference considerably.

[@PsRohrbaugh]

The rule change also says that DX is explicitly ALLOWED on CB now...

[@devilsatan2973]

That was changed some time ago. This is a different ruling.

[@elektroqtus]

I remember communication attempts beyond 250 miles was also illegal. What's to do if you can only talk to 500+ miles but not two miles away.

[@devilsatan2973]

@@elektroqtus Agreed. But keep in mind, most of the folks in the commission are lawyers, not radio people nor engineers!

[@CT-yv6fv]

AM + FM + SSB on the mid block channels is a nightmare when the skip is running over Europe. 40 channels of unintelligible mush. FCC would do well to use the UK FM frequencies and leave the mid block for AM / SSB

[@americaswayout4489]

Well, the UK FM 40 are there to be used, just get some radios that already have that programmed in and use it, no one will ever be coming around to bother anyone The FCC does not enforce anything! The UK 40 are spaced kind of strange, so going 10 kcs up and down doesn't track well?

[@jeremyh.pritchard5325]

Or use the New Zealand 26Mhz 40 channel allocation running between 27.330-26.770mhz. (35 LSB 26.720Mhz is their SSB call, and ch15 - 26.500Mhz is their AM call, 11 - 26.450Mhz their Road Channel).

[@ernestbodvar2546]

On work van does the FM cover cuz I was looking at a FM walkie-talkie on wish yesterday and does that require a license

[@KX4UL]

Yo make some excellent points Eric. As so many other Hams, I too started out on CB in the mid 70's and had a blast with my Cobra 148 on AM and SSB. Many Hams kiss CB goodbye after getting their license. I, just like you, still enjoy dabbling with CB occasionally. So new ideas and improvements on the CB bands are welcomed. Let's see where all this goes.

[@MrBillCNW]

Very good video very informative. By the way I definitely agree on a couple things yeah they should have a separate section for FM and they also should make Radio’s with a 100 watt. 4 watts it it’s like a waste of time unless you’re gonna hopefully have a band opening. 😀

[@kevinstrickland1456]

All your ideas are very good ideas! A few more channels dedicated to FM. So it doesn’t bleed on AM or SSB. I use and enjoy it all. Let’s get it right. I’m doing what I can to bring CB back in my area. A little more power. Equals bigger smiles and more sales for the manufactures. Everyone is happy all the way around. Keep up the good work! Thank you The Mammoth

[@joeh773]

Great vid, thanks! I may have missed it mentioned, but: can I receive and understand FM modulated signal from new CB (that are about to come out) on 'old' AM modulated CB? I was just gonna get back into the hobby buying President McKinley and now I am wondering if I should wait until it comes out with FM. Sorry, just a clueless former truck driver here, not a licensed ham operator. Thanks for your channel!

[@spqa2004]

I'd like for you to post a few videos of your CB activities: show us your antenna set-up, your radio, some QSOs, and anything else that you think would help folks get the most out of CB. I'd also like to see a demonstration of the President Lincoln V2+ on 10m and 12m and how well it does CW.

[@tahoma6889]

The President is not lawful to use on 10 and 12.

[@matthewbrown9840]

@@tahoma6889 That's not true.

[@steventatum9327]

Hey, Uniden I would buy three of your rigs if you got on board with this petition plus accessories I miss CB.

[@HannoBehrens]

Its FM, AM, SSB here and FM is dominating the CB radio in Germany and Europe. The quality is much better, only for emergency channels it's sensible to keep it AM, for you can hear two or more voices at once, which isn't possible with FM. The whole band is more professional and for DX connections and data connections SSB is in use, but FM on data/1200 baud is the standard. We have FM on CB for ages and some of the most fine US CB radios we are using here are already running mainly on at FM, President, just to drop a name. While SSB is rarely in use outside of DX telephony, it is in use for data communication, but not everywhere. Everyone has FM on his radio, really everyone and his sister and some radios even dropped AM completely. It is a mess, we are living in a dense and electrostatic environment, which is around a thousand and more times higher than in the 80's. So there have steps to be taken. It is a technological necessity for the noise level is indeed gone from S0 up to S7 sometimes S8 and we are not talking about anything that can be solved or repaired anymore, that's 7-8S means 42 to 48dB or at least factor 10k of noise! AM is dead, dead, dead. Cheap electronics from China and Eastern Europe are poisoning all airwaves here and this isn't different in the US, I suspect. Just saying „Wish“. I would be against making all CB communication digital, but this is something that may happen somewhere in the future, too. But I would oppose that, I never would oppose FM. It's sensible. And drop that stupid narrative that it's just the greed of some CB radio manufacturers. It's not. That's bullshit. Just look to the world market, the US are the last ones using radio technology from the 60's, but hell, you are also using a measurement system from the 17th century with no update. As the last country on earth. It just doesn't make any sense. Sorry. Just update your system. Not because someone forces you, but it's really better. AM stinks. We still have AM, most radios support AM, guess how many are still using that old crap? Tell you: none. It's okay for emergency channels, and I would be strongly against banning AM from CB for this reason alone. But the usual chitchat is done in FM. As a matter of fact. Maybe not on your island, but the horse-wagon was replaced, too. To be against this is just a stupid narrative. You are not that stupid. We had enough stupid narratives lately.

[@danstacy3787]

if i have a radio that already has am.and fm. was inc 10 meter will my radio work with the new fm cobra radios

[@joeturnip4216]

I monitor the CB Channels in the Central Valley of California and rarely hear anything. What's to lose?

[@katvills]

I agree with you Eric. Having a designating docks for some channels in AM, FM, SSB and so on. Yes, please increase the watts. What's up with the watt cap/limit?

[@colin1142]

Could we run the half channels on fm and leave the rest am?

[@jackkb2txr833]

From what i hear is that most of the CBer's do not like the use of FM they just want there SSB and AM

[@spaceflight1019]

There are still radio control devices that use the old R/C channels. There are still industrial devices, mostly induction heaters, that use 27.120 as an approximate center frequency. Channels 23, 24 (22A), 25 (22B), 26 (23A), and 27 (23B) once belonged to the Business Radio Service.

[@jimmybx0072]

First vid ive seen of yours.+1 sub. So heres my story, im 33 years old ive always had interest in CB. I have a 29LX that ive had in previous vehicles but now it sits in the shed collecting dust. When I caught wind or FM it reignited the fire for me for CB. FM brings interesting possibilities. So instead of wiring back up my 29LX I am looking at purchasing a Lincoln II +. Why? Because itll get me back in to the CB world to include SSB (always wanted to DX) and FM. This purchase will also push me to go get my tech license aswell and finally start my HAM journey. So all that to say this, FM will hurt and benefit CB however the fact like you said the FCC actually changed something. This bodes well for CB and people like myself will come back in droves and beyond to HAM.

[@k2icc]

If I am not wrong, the idea was to get into the GPS experience. Is is not? Also As FM on CB will not be repeater based, so just then straight line on sight, while on AM for longer distances. Daytime and night time use also is a benefit, depending on mode.

[@roamingcelt]

I've been thinking about it and maybe Cobra is trying to bring in the UK 80 channel radios.

[@kkoratda]

I had just started looking into getting a CB radio. Now I'm confused. Should I wait for this FM thing so I'm not buying into an out dated system?

[@rickjones6414]

You'll be OK because CB's can be picked up dirt cheap Used (especially at Hamfests) and New for a low price as well on basic models, so it's not like you'll be investing heavily into some obsolete piece of equipment.. An attractive aspect of CB Radio is that the technology is so advanced now; President and Uniden are very innovative companies and RCI Ranger has very sophisticated gear. ..You can buy an awesome radio that does CB and even Ham included with all the bells and whistles and added power for a reasonable price ($250. - $600.+) as compared to straight Ham Radio equipment which tends to run a lot higher.. A basic Uniden CB is still around $40. bucks at Walmart or wherever, and a fraction of that at a Hamfest of thrift store, yard sale etc.. I've found them for around $10. bucks on down... Point being that One wouldn't wait around for another year or two to see how this whole FCC deal will go for for forty bucks or less! ..Meanwhile the Uniden 880 which is their best seller, has standard features like Channel Scan, Display Colors and Weather, all for around $130, while the 980 model is the same radio with SSB added for another $15. bucks.. Then there are the "Export" Radios which include 10m or 10/12m Ham, plus more wattage.. Jump into the pool, your CB will still be useable for years to come, plus you'll have a very important travel tool on-board which could prove vital in an emergency... I'm glad you're interested, I'd love to see CB's in wider use like they were in the 1970s and `80s.. Today the local airwave are pretty quiet and you'd practically have some channels to yourself!

[@indridcold8433]

I heard my first FM CB transmission. It was crystal clear but would suddenly go out of range. It did not gradually fade to nothingness like AM moving away from me. Right now, I am hearing AM, FM, SSB, CW, and data on citizen's band! Today, I heard Belfast, Ireland, Munich Germany, Southern France, and Italy, all on Citizen's Band. 12 meters is all data right now and on fire also! However, disappointingly, 10 meters is still dead today. I do not get it. Solar flux index is 137 with 70 sunspots and everything is open! I do not understand why 10 meters is dead! 6 meters is alive, as well!

[@paulriley4566]

Eric I totally agree, in Australia what unfortunately is known as cb for truckers is UHF. Not 11 meters. Unregulated people tend to behave badly and use illegal amplifier's which cause major interference. I just wish people would behave and simply enjoy communicating with the world

[@ammocraft]

Yes, but our 80ch UHF CB allocation works well here (other than the idiots on the repeaters in the cities) for the intended purpose, plus we have the 11m AM/SSB 40ch allocation as well. That said, I rarely use either, other than UHF in the 4WD on the highways, and tend to stick to the HAM bands.

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

We're lucky in Australia that both 27mhz AM/SSB and 477Mhz FM are options although I think it would be fair to say that 27mhz is pretty much exclusively used by hobbyists now. 477mhz. is clearly the weapon of choice for road users and I would argue that it is a superior choice in most situations. Unfortunately it's also the weapon of choice for those that reside in our major cities who are emotionally, socially and intellectually challenged. If you are not already a licensed ham and you have an interest in radio, consider getting your license. The foundation license is dead easy to acquire and you will find that the band allocations are much more versatile and the idiot factor is all but non existent.

[@susanthompson6881]

Eric….I am really surprised on channel 38 of all the CB only operators that are using Icom 7300’s and Yaesu FT-991’s with the diode cut to open up the transmit………Mark

[@unclequack5445]

I've never used FM on CB radio at any time? how is it?

[@jacquesredmond]

Hey this is Jacques, WW1ZRD. Unfortunately for me, I just discovered this video a year after you made it. LOL. Also unfortunately for me, I live in extreme northern Maine (Grid FN57Ti), and NO ONE uses CB here except for local logging trucks. So CB for me no longer exists, however I do have a CB in my vehicle just in case I get stuck and I need to yell for a trucker LOL. Great video, Thumbs up on your position. 73 Warmest regards

[@stratafm]

Totally agree, the next petition to the FCC needs to be about expanding power, expanding the band, and setting up certain parts of the band for AM, for FM, and making the SSB gentleman's agreement official for 36-40. Let's do this! For real! 969 West Virginia

[@californiahighdesertpreach2261]

Are you telling me, I have to have a license now to use my Cobra 25 radio? I know it has been years since I powered it up.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Not at all, no license required

[@kurttuttle1708]

FM on cb is very popular in Europe. What will happen here, well that will be seen. Nice video.

[@davidbrock4104]

Can you speak to enforcement in Europe? There is none here, practically speaking.

[@kurttuttle1708]

@@davidbrock4104 I didn't say a thing about enforcement.

[@davidbrock4104]

I was just asking if you knew whether or not band limits are enforced in Europe, that's all

[@terschellingfilmsvanvroege6467]

I am from the Netherlands and FM, AM and SSB are allowed here. Although FM is locally most commonly used here, I prefer to use AM. The noise floor is much lower than FM so that you can listen to weak stations much more pleasantly with the squelch open. (SBB of course even better) Weak FM signals are quickly lost in the much louder noise. FM does have the advantage that it is less sensitive to interference. Still I like AM with the soft noise floor and crackling of thunder in the distance, it gives me more of the nostalgic feeling that belongs to shortwave radio, which also includes CB radio. I just like the sound much better. In AM mode you also hear several stations at the same time, several FM signals blocks each other away so you don't hear anything. That is the reason of AM modulation in aviation, for safety. So, I prefer AM the most.

[@Joe_HamRadioGuy]

I think it's a start for the companies that make CB radio's too possibly get back in the game and sell radios again. What's good for FM is when you're traveling with someone who has a FM radio you can have it on squelched and have a quieter ride. But maybe this is a start to having radios with more channels legalizing FM on the uppers and lowers and getting more people back involved in CB.

[@Esterpaisley]

FM will be clearer and more pleasant to talk on for normal short distance (similar distance to AM), much less atmospheric and distant modulation interference. If you want to DX and talk skip, I am sure you will be able to find that in you SSB setting to do so also. I am sure it will all work out and people will gravitate to what they like best.

[@georgehaha6969]

I have a President Grant-2 and here is the full, legal UK CB system as at today: 40-CH FM (4w) on the CB/27-81 channels and 40-CH FM & AM (4w) and SSB (12w) on the PR-27-GB channels which are the same frequencies as you have in the US. Yes these channel references may now be out of date, but it makes explaining them so much easier. UK-CB is quite fortunate to have 80-CH to make use of.

[@CARL557511]

I wonder if the new Cobra FM Radios are going to be made like the 29s or are they going to be made to where we can not work on them like the newer Uniden cb radios. I'm stockpiling Older 29s cause they are easier to work on and easier to get parts for. I'm not even thinking of running FM.

[@Deploracle]

Modifiying a CB radio is not legal in the US. If you wish to mess around with circuits, modifying this or that, you will either need a commercial radio ticket or an amateur one. CB is buy it, use it as is.

[@Markinpuff]

This was done for one reason, and that is to make it easier for radio manufacturers (china) to build. CB Radios with FM can now be distributed to the US as well as the many countries it’s already legal in. Let’s be honest, anyone who wants FM and more power could easily get an export radio like we’ve been doing for as long as I can remember.

[@buffdelcampo]

I think the FM operators will operate on a set of channels just like sidebanders do now. I hope I'm right.

[@Radioaddict2200]

I think channels 1-5 should be FM

[@predaterx]

What are the fm channels ?

[@raymondmartin6737]

I already have FM for 11M and 10 M with my Stryker 94HPC, but no SSB. It is meant for the 10 M ham band, and with the PL tone board, it has the split for repeaters too. 73 de W2CH Ray.

[@markfellhauer352]

Different Perspective? Actually you've offered the same perspective that every other ham radio talking head (that has spoken on this topic) has offered on the subject. First you say you don't want to see more regulation on CB, but then promote a regulated band plan. ;) Claiming that FM for CB is just about driving sales is like saying computer manufacturers switched from MFM and RLL hard drive formats to IDE to drive sales. FM on CB's should have been approved 40+ years ago in the U.S.

[@davegarski1548]

I grew up with walkie-talkies and CB's throughout the 1970's and 80's. My best friend and I lived only one block away from each other. Our home channel was 14. We never really had any issues with communications between us until somebody a few blocks away would beef up his SSB through a linear on a ground plane and bleed all over our channel. It wasn't until the early 1980's when I bought a Realistic TRC-450, that I understood how 12 watts could stretch my signal across the country. I get the whole idea for "upgrading" CB to FM, but I do like the idea of having separate channels designated on the radio (i.e. channels above 40 or 1-5) that wouldn't be available on the trucker channels. I also like the idea of boosting to 25AM/100SSB. That makes sense to me. FM-CB is a very interesting new topic on an old way of talking on the radio. ~ Dave

[@juanfgonzalez2039]

Would a 11 meter repeater work?

[@spaceflight1019]

This exact same argument went on when I got on CB in 1970. Sideband had been around for several years prior but due to the popularity of the then-new Midland 13-880B sideband ops needed a frequency, and channel 16 was chosen by common usage. The FM vs, AM argument in commercial service was settled in FM's favor when mobile ops didn't have to constantly adjust the squelch. Subaudible tone squelch was icing on the cake and CB became relegated to hobbyists.

[@X-OR_]

CB Radio will have more capabilities... This is a good thing.

[@timothystockman7533]

Ham radio FM has generally used 5 kHz deviation on 20 or 25 kHz channels. Most commercial business radios are 2.5 kHz deviation on 12.5 kHz channels (NBFM). CB radio channels are spaced 10 kHz, so what the FCC has authorized is 8K00F3E 2.0 kHz deviation. Still 4 watts carrier power, same as CB AM. Just for completeness GMRS and FRS channel spacing is 12.5 kHz, so using 2.5 kHz deviation is probably best, although 5 kHz is allowed on some GMRS channels. Power is all over the place: 50 watts TPO on the main GMRS channels 15-22, 5 watts ERP on 1-7 (GMRS, 2 watts ERP for FRS), and 0.5 watts ERP on 8-14 (handhelds only, no base or mobile). The FCC is probably not going to bust people for using a gain antenna on 1-7 and thereby exceeding 5W ERP.

[@bobirvin2051]

Great insights in to how this change is going to affect CB. I haven't ever used it myself but you're experience is very great to help with the "unintended consequences" that always come from legislation.

[@Pipefitter310]

Does that mean I am going to have to shit can my current CB radio?? and get a new version??

[@HamRadioConcepts]

No

[@loctite222ms]

I won't do it. I'd only consider having one in the car if I was going on a long lonely road trip.

[@arlenewolf5260]

But it will be like trading up from an old revolver to a new semi auto. No buyers remorse!

[@ZeroFs1978]

I would have still have my CB base and A99 up on the house and having fun with it if CB was up to 25 watts. I'm 43 y/o and miss my CB radios, playing fox and hounds around town back in the 90's. Just getting my license and having a CB radio made that freedom even more fun.

[@2326TX]

Yep, I'd like to see cb expanded to an extra 10 or 20 channels and 10w/50w power. However I like your idea of 25W/100W better, and and cw, and data to cb radios

[@jerrydiver1]

Or you could do as I have; get yourself a quality export radio (Stryker 955HP) from a dealer who opens up the transmit completely from 24-30 Mhz and do what you please, as I have since about 2015. All over the country. All modes. All the time. Use what power you need for that contact. Don't knowingly walk on anybody. If you have neighbors close by, please respect them. And don't worry about it; life's too short.

[@2326TX]

@@jerrydiver1 yeah, I use a sr94, it only pushes 10w on am, and it doesn't have ssb. Kick myself for not picking up the at-6666 when I had the chance.

[@jerrydiver1]

@@2326TX Hey, if there's one thing I've learned about being a radio-hobby geek, it's that there's always a next radio. All the years in the military and all the years of big-truck driving, and I could never manage to budget the 'BIG' radio that it seemed that everybody else already had. It's so funny...it took retiring from truck driving for me to get to where I could budget my Stryker. Moral of the story....don't let it take you a lifetime to get the radio that rings your bell, coz life is too short!

[@VickyGeagan]

New FCC amended part 95 class D transmission amendments have been published on Monday, 20 September, 2021. Effective January 1st, 2021. Also the amended GMRS regulations authorizing APRS beacon use. Their is one specific channel not allowed on FRS.

[@jeremyh.pritchard5325]

Uniform Road Channel, Emergency Channel.

[@TheRealCobraBurnout]

I like your ideas. This is all interesting as I'm starting to get back into CB. Used to use it more when I drove OTR long ago.

[@Unab8dLy4m]

Is this petition live? Where do I sign it?

[@curiosity2314]

My guess is that Cobra's best shot at bringing something new to amateur radio was to add FM and not power. It does make sense as they were not about to get power and even if they did they could not talk about it as another feature. They have added something that is NEW to CB as apposed to adding a measurement. I'm good with adding FM, it's going to be interesting to see the prices they charge for the new feature. Hopefully they will stay inline with today's prices with their gains in sales. We will have to wait and see.

[@rpcomms1]

Ive commented before cb needs a global upgrade 26.5 to 27.995mhz 25watts fm/ssb/am pep,in Germany they have 26.5-26.955mhz exactly for this including cb repeaters\gateways. In EU\UK we now have CTCSS\DCS tone signaling, and just recently repeater channel splits for repeater uses on 11m 120-160channels upgrade would be ideal 25-30Watts ample and a bit more practical use. In UK we been using Am\FM for a while now no real issues here in practice, CTCSS will become a more effective use of FM mode, I agree "type approved purpose designed High power cb radios" would be a step forward in right direction. Yes the European President Electronics do have Am\FM versions ,and YES is very well built Kit. Great Vid! Best of luck ,i still think is great news USA getting FM mode. Rob P UK 73's

[@mcsdrd8]

Capture effect occurs on an FM receiver but not on an AM receiver that receives a signal that is modulated with FM.

[@jakemichael8586]

good old slope detection of fm on am receiver! that is one lost to time!

[@CherieYoungSanDiegoRealEstate]

I live in Rosarito Mexico, it's a challenge to find radios here. If anyone has knowledge please let me know.

[@LegacyLost]

Agree add a few FM only allocated channels esp under ch 1 ..

[@jennyfarmer2890]

I see this as an incentive for people owning HF radios to modify (usually done quite easily) their radios to unlock out-of-band transmit capabilities. They won't buy a dedicated radio for this when they realize they already own a radio that is just a diode snip away from doing the same thing and with much higher power capabilities. Then all of a sudden, we have an 11 meter (C.B.) band flooded with FM communications that could be utilizing up to 1500 watts of power and drowning out everybody else. Many of us remember the old days of people using illegal high power linear amplifiers on their C.B. radios and the mess it caused. Well, most HF radio will do at least 100 watts (C.B. radios are limited to 4 watts) and some owners have chosen to boost that to up to the legal limit of 1500 watts on 10 meters (right next door to the C.B. band). It isn't a stretch of the imagination to predict that some of these radios and amplifiers will gradually migrate to 11 meter capability giving HF radio owners more bang for their buck with equipment they already own. Obviously it would be illegal, but then again so were all those C.B. linear amplifiers that were so plentiful and heard all over.

[@schot2643]

AM is my favorite because the much lower noise floor makes listening with the squelch open much more pleasant, especially for weak stations. Weak stations in FM start to stutter and signal drops out. AM stays up much longer and you get further than FM. FM is good for clear communication at short distances. While FM sounds clear, I like AM much better with the crackle of approaching thunder in the distance. CB is shortwave radio and AM is standard modulation for the shortwave bands with sometimes special, surprising unpredictable skip. AM also gives me a nostalgic feeling, being busy with shortwave radio. I love that. FM with clear sound is somewhat VHF-like, great for when you want to talk without interference. Take advantage of both, FM is a great addition to CB. Now some more transmission power and CB will only become more popular. CB radio is great!

[@americaswayout4489]

The manufacturers just wanted to be able to build one chassis for every country and then program it for whatever country it will be used. Now they can build a radio for all markets and just because it has FM on it no one will be using it or we would have been hearing it for the last 40 years from the illegal but used all the time so-called export radios. Very likely radios will be easily modifiable to work from who knows 24 megs to 31 megs.

[@RedneckGamingChannel]

delegating "channel portions" to CBers won't really work. There is not a single rule that states you cant talk on sideband, for instance, on any channel between 1 and 40. People *tend* to use them on the upper channels, but I've heard and worked ssb on every channel legally, and some not legally available to CBers. Fm will add functionality that may not necessarily be necessary, but some will jump on it solely because its new. FM should have been an option on CB as soon as FM became a cost effective possibility to include, and really nothing but good could come of it. I hear sad hams complain about all the interference created by CBers, and every single person using FM reduces that to a small extent. I even heard one say that it'll be a multi-car pileup because no one will understand the FM people (on AM)...but understanding a SSB user on AM is equally impossible. Many CBs do not include SSB, and many do. Most of the big rig export radios already include FM (as you stated) and it's already being used (again as you stated). This will just make it *legal* and maybe even encourage it's use. That's probably a good thing.