Amateur Radio vs Citizen's Band (CB) Radio
 
Many people incorrectly confuse ham radio with the more ubiquitous CB.
Amateur Radio and Citizen's Band (CB) are two systems of two-way
communication regulated and authorized in the US by the Federal
Communications Commission.
 
                USES PERMITTED
 
Amateur Radio: Noncommercial public service-oriented communication service.
Hobby and experimental communications. Home computing by radio. Emergency
and routine public service. Providing reliable two-way radio contact for
special community events and activities. Transmission and delivery of free
Radiograms on behalf of the general public.
 
CB: Business and casual conversations. Public aid channel for emergencies.
 
                OPERATING RANGE
 
Amateur Radio: Unlimited. Amateurs have communicated with orbiting
astronauts. International communications are commonplace.
 
CB: Limited by Federal Law to less than 150 miles. CB users typically talk
within 4-5 miles.
 
 
                FREQUENCIES OFFERED
 
Amateur Radio: More than two dozen Amateur frequency bands are spread across
the entire airwave spectrum, from 1.8 kHz to 250 GHz.
 
CB: One frequency band of 40 channels, from 26.96 to 27.41 MHz
 
 
                POWER PERMITTED:
 
Amateur Radio: Up to 1,500 watts, if needed. Essentially unlimited antenna
height and configuration.
 
CB: Less than 5 watts. Antenna height is limited by Federal Law.
 
 
                HOW TO TELL WHO IS WHO
 
Amateur Radio: Government-issued call signs indicating country/zone of
operator, as well as personal identification. Formal station identification
is required at frequent intervals. Operators also typically identify
themselves in ordinary conversations using their real names. Most states
offer licensees special Amateur Radio call sign license plates.
 
CB: No formal system of identification. Users typically identify themselves
by aliases or "handles."