How to Operate a CB Radio
Citizens band radios provide safety and company on the road, and can be more reliable than cell phones. You will need a CB radio familiarity with 10-codes.
Optional: A handle and or on-air pseudonym
Step 1. Tune in to one of the 40 channels on CB. Channel 19 is the preferred highway channel used by truckers, and channel 9 is the emergency channel. The CB’s range is one to 10 miles, depending on weather conditions, time, and location. It’s possible to occasionally pick up conversations hundreds or even thousands of miles away, known as “skip” conversations.
Step 2. Make sure the Mic Gain control is on maximum. Listen for a break in the conversation; depress the microphone transmission button, and then say “break” to let people know you’re using the channel. Listen for clearance and begin speaking. The signal meter ranges from one to 30, gauging how well someone is coming through and, perhaps, how close they are.
Step 3. Familiarize yourself with CB jargon, including the many 10-codes, which are abbreviations used by CBers. 10-4 means OK or affirmative, 10-2 means receiving well, and 10-3 means stop transmitting. Create a “handle” – an on-air pseudonym – of your choice.
Step 4. Keep your communications brief. Close transmissions by taking your thumb off the microphone button.
Step 5. Turn the squelch knob up to cut off noise from a channel that is not transmitting. The more you turn it up, however, the more stations you will lose, starting with the most distant.
Step 6. Turn up the Automatic
Here is a list of radio codes:
| 10-1 | Receiving poorly, bad signal |
| 10-2 | Receiving OK, signal strong |
| 10-3 | Stop transmitting |
| 10-4 | Message received |
| 10-5 | Relay message |
| 10-6 | Busy, please stand by |
| 10-7 | Out of service |
| 10-8 | In service |
| 10-9 | Repeat message |
| 10-10 | Finished, stand by |
| 10-11 | Talk slower |
| 10-12 | Visitors present |
| 10-13 | Need weather or road conditions |
| 10-16 | Pickup needed at __________ |
| 10-17 | Urgent Business |
| 10-18 | Is there anything for us |
| 10-19 | Nothing for you, return to base |
| 10-20 | My location is __________ |
| 10-21 | Use a telephone |
| 10-22 | Report in person to __________ |
| 10-23 | Stand by |
| 10-24 | Finished last assignment |
| 10-25 | Can you contact __________? |
| 10-26 | Disregard last information |
| 10-27 | I am changing to channel __________ |
| 10-28 | Identify your station |
| 10-29 | Your time is up for contact |
| 10-30 | Does not conform to FCC rules |
| 10-32 | I’ll give you a radio check |
| 10-33 | Emergency traffic at this station |
| 10-34 | Help needed at this station |
| 10-35 | Confidential information |
| 10-36 | The correct time is __________ |
| 10-37 | Wrecker needed at __________ |
| 10-38 | Ambulance need at __________ |
| 10-39 | Your message has been delivered |
| 10-41 | Please change to channel __________ |
| 10-42 | Traffic accident at __________ |
| 10-43 | Traffic congestion at __________ |
| 10-44 | I have a message for __________ |
| 10-45 | All units within range report in |
| 10-50 | Break channel |
| 10-60 | What is the next message number |
| 10-62 | Unable to copy, please call on the phone |
| 10-63 | Net directed to __________ |
| 10-64 | Net clear |
| 10-65 | Standing by, awaiting next message |
| 10-67 | All units comply |
| 10-70 | Fire at __________ |
| 10-71 | Proceed with transmission at sequence |
| 10-73 | Speed trap at __________ |
| 10-75 | Your transmission is causing interference |
| 10-77 | Negative contact |
| 10-81 | Reserve hotel room for __________ |
| 10-82 | Reserve room for __________ |
| 10-84 | My telephone number is __________ |
| 10-85 | My address is __________ |
| 10-89 | Radio repairman is needed at __________ |
| 10-90 | I have TVI |
| 10-91 | Talk closer to the microphone |
| 10-92 | Your transmitter needs adjustment |
| 10-93 | Check my frequency on this channel |
| 10-94 | Please give me a long count |
| 10-95 | Transmit dead carrier for 5 seconds |
| 10-99 | Mission completed, all units secure |
| 10-200 | Police needed at __________ |