UK CB Radio Frequencies


UK CB 27-81 (Fakes)


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UK CB (Citizen Band) Radio:


Identifying Legal UK Rigs

These are generally easy to spot as the approval regulations of the time required that a circle mark with "CB 27/81" in it.

The various type approval marks found on legal CB rigs are :

CB 27/81 - The original legal "stamp" - CB on 27 Mhz, made legal in 1981. Rigs with this mark are legal to use in the UK but not in continental Europe. (Sometimes referred to as MPT1320, but the circle CB 27/81 is what you will see.)
CEPT (PR 27 GB) - The original specification for 40 channel EUROPEAN band CB radios. Rigs with this mark are legal to use in the UK and Europe. Obviously CEPT rigs are not compatible with CB 27/81 sets
MPT 1382 (PR 27/94) - A later specification for UK band CB's, replacing CB 27/81 (MPT1320), using exactly the same frequencies but with a higher standard for filtering, case radiation, channel rejection etc (in an effort to cut down interference to domestic TVs and radios). MPT 1382 rigs are entirely compatible with CB 27/81 units.
MPT 1382 (marked "PR27/97 - for use in UK only") - This is the specification for the 80 channel CB's - introduced in December 1997. Although these CB's have the European band, they also have the UK band, which makes them "illegal" in Europe, hence the "for use in the UK only" bit.
European Multi Standard - It appears a general "loosening" of restrictions in line with European attitudes means that these are legal to use in the UK and Europe, and would only become illegal in the UK if you were to transmit on AM or on channels other than our legal 80.


If you look out for the marks shown in the picture opposite (courtesy of Ofcom, the Radio Regulatory body), you should be ok.

The original CB 27/81 circle had to be on the front facia of the unit*, but the rest could be anywhere, the MPT ones are usually on the back.

*In 1981/82 Some Enterprising Manufacturer(s) (Not sure Who) Sold "CB 27/81" Labels that could be bought to stick on your illegal CB to disguise it & pretend it was a legal UK radio (See UK CB 27-81 (Fakes) Page).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Here is a list (by no means complete) of legal CB's...

Amstrad 900/901
Audioline (all models)
Binatone (all models)
Communicator NI-440DX
Cybernet 1000/2000/3000
Danita 1240/1680
DNT (most models)
Fidelity 1000/2000/2001/3000
Grandstand (all models)
Harrier (all models)
Harvard (all models)
JWR
Kernow (all models)
Maxcom 4/6/7/16/20/21E/30E
Midland Precision Series 2001/3001/4001
Midland 095/099/104
Murphy (all models)
Pama (all models)
Planet 2000
Radiomobile (all models)
Rotel (all models)
Team (most models)
Uniden/Uniace 100/200/300/400/Pro 420
York (all models)

There have been many, many others but the above are the most commonly found sets.

Many of these manufacturers did at some point bring out CB's in other countries, that wouldn't be legal here, so there will always be exceptions to the rule, and i guess i should put some kind of disclaimer here to the effect that i cannot be held responsible if you buy a rig that’s badged from one of the above manufacturers that turns out to be illegal!



Illegal CB's

Here is a list (by no means complete) of illegal CB's that are likely to still be around...

Cobra 148
Cybernet Delta 1 (934Mhz)*
Formac 120
Ham International
Nato 2000
President Adams/George/Grant/Jackson/James/JFK/Lincoln
Ranger
Reftec (934Mhz)*
Stalker
Superstar

There are other ways of telling if a CB is illegal...

  • If it has AM, USB, LSB or SSB written anywhere on the front - it is illegal
  • If it has a control called "clarifier" - it is illegal
  • If it has more than 80 channels - it is illegal
  • If it has a "modulation" meter (MOD) - it is illegal**
  • If it has a circle mark like the 27/81 one but saying "CB 934/81" - it is illegal*

*The CB 934/81 mark denotes a band of 20 channels we were given in 1981 way up the band at 934Mhz. This band has been removed and that part of the radio spectrum is now (supposed to be) used for mobile phones, and operation of 934mhz equipment is illegal full stop.

**Two exceptions to the "modulation meter" rule that i can think of - Kernow Beta 2100GTL, and Team Euro 8000 (base station CB), both these units are legal.