CBRS – Citizens Band Radio Service
The radio service of truckers and bandits. CB Radio had been the primary mode of mobile communication for millions, and the only personal radio service available until FRS came along. Long ago CB Radio was a licensed service but that has since changed and a license is no longer required.
The frequencies used are the lowest in the PRS world. This can be advantageous for communicating at a distance given the right equipment. Power is limited to 4 watts except for when using SSB (single side band) where output can be up to 12 watts. There are 40 channels provided, which can be used in three modes – AM, USB (Upper Side Band), and LSB (Lower Side Band). Note that some radios don’t include the SSB modes (USB/LSB) and so can’t communicate with users of those modes.
The range of CB radio varies depending on terrain, mode, and the quality of the antenna. A basic configuration might achieve 2-12 miles in complex environments dependent on setup and terrain, while an advanced configuration using SSB might achieve up to 36 miles, and all modes much further from high points or over flat terrain.
The main downside of CBRS has been the volume of users, and inappropriate use. Your experience may vary from locale to locale. With the right setup and understanding of limitations, it can still be an effective base station and mobile solution for local area communication.
Note: CBRS channel 9 is specifically limited to emergency communications.