Messages

151

10/11 meters / Re: FM CB Channels / Frequencies 11 Meter US FM Calling Channels

« on: October 21, 2021, 1250 UTC »

I was thinking the other day about how AM/FM - CB/Export/Free band radios have been around for a long time. Particularly brands such as Galaxy, Mirage among others. No one ever talked about using FM though. I guess they just bought them because the radios sounded better etc. I never understood spending that kind of money for a radio without sideband. Just my opinion. Was FM more popular in other countries between 25 - 27.999 Mhz ? Years ago when I was heavy into that frequency range, I would have never even thought about it.

Outside of the Americas and Australia/New Zealand, almost everywhere else that has a CB band allows use of FM.  Some countries allow only FM (for a long time the UK only permitted FM...they only recently legalized AM and SSB on the European standard CEPT 40 channels - the same channel plan as the USA channels or the "FCC CB channels" - often called "mid band CB").  The 40 UK-only 27/81 channels - UK FM CB 27.60125 MHz - 27.99125 MHz in 10 kHz steps - is still, and will probably remain FM only.

The German, Hungarian, Czech, etc. "auxiliary" channels (26.565 MHz - 26.955 MHz in 10 kHz steps) are also FM mode only.  The European standard CB band is the same as the US CB band but is FM only.  Many countries permit use of AM and SSB as well as FM...now that the US permits FM it has come full circle.

As far as the AM/FM exports go, I agree.  Those radios have had FM mode since the 1980s, which makes sense if you're using them in Europe you'd need FM.  But until now, I'm sure 99% of the folks using those radios never touched the mode switch (unless its one of the more expensive AM/FM/SSB export rigs).  I know some of the exports sold are actually AM mode only but the vast majority of them are AM/FM.  I think people bought them more because they have additional channels and higher power output instead of because they have FM mode.

Now people might buy them for all those reasons plus the fact that they have FM mode as well.  I've found at least one guy selling FM boards to add to your AM only 40-channel CB rig as a modification to turn your 40 channel AM CB radio into a 40 channel AM and 40 channel FM CB radio. 

152

10/11 meters / Re: 11 meters is opening up again 1345 UTC 20 Oct 2021

« on: October 20, 2021, 1629 UTC »

The taxi cab dispatch radio systems taxi dispatch ladies are starting to fade in now - hearing activity on 27.765 MHz AM, 27.775 MHz AM, 27.785 MHz AM and several other frequencies.

Checking 29.7 MHz to 30.0 MHz and 30-32 MHz real quick...not too much even in 10 meters. 

153

10/11 meters / Re: 11 meters is opening up again 1345 UTC 20 Oct 2021

« on: October 20, 2021, 1517 UTC »

26.805 MHz was active a bit ago with some FM stations.  Some sporadic FM activity on channel 23 / 27.255 MHz, but it's mostly AM voice and various data bursts....making for a pretty much frequency at points.

154

10/11 meters / Re: FM CB Channels / Frequencies 11 Meter US FM Calling Channels

« on: October 20, 2021, 1516 UTC »

1456 26805 OM in Texas, good signal

27255 (Channel 23 - 27.255 MHz) is 26.805 MHz up one band - I've noticed several FM voice transmissions on 27.255 MHz (mixing in with the AM voice transmissions and data bursts now that the band is open).

Channel 23 up one band is 27.705 - wouldn't surprise me if we started noticing FM activity on 26.805 MHz, 27.255 MHz and 27.705 MHz.

I still think designating channels 27 27.275 MHz for FM CB use as well as channel 31 27.315 MHz FM for FM CB use makes more sense than using 27.255 (channel 23). 

155

10/11 meters / Re: FM CB Channels / Frequencies 11 Meter US FM Calling Channels

« on: October 20, 2021, 1453 UTC »

FM activity on 26.805 MHz right now (1453 UTC)

156

10/11 meters / Re: 11 meters is opening up again 1345 UTC 20 Oct 2021

« on: October 20, 2021, 1453 UTC »

FM activity on 26.805 MHz right now (1453 UTC)

Several more 26 MHz frequencies now active.  Also some AM voice on 27.045 MHz and 27.095 MHz RC channels. 

Watching 27.255 / CB Channel 23 right now (1500 UTC)

Lots of AM carriers, several different data link data bursts on frequency, with the familiar pair of FSK signals on 27.252 MHz and 27.257 MHz.  Also noting narrower single FSK signals centered on 27258 27.258 MHz or maybe 27257.5 27.257.5 MHz. 

FM voice on 27.255 MHz / CB channel 23 at 1504 UTC!   

And...back to AM voice + FSK data transmissions...

157

10/11 meters / Re: 11 meters is opening up again 1345 UTC 20 Oct 2021

« on: October 20, 2021, 1420 UTC »

26.555 MHz LSB showing some early activity at 1410 UTC.  Channel 9 27.065 MHz AM is also very busy.  As to be expected, 26.715 MHz is also very busy.  At 1421 UTC hearing Spanish on 26.725 MHz AM as well as 26.715 AM and 26.705 AM. 

Caribbean DX also booming in on 27.515 MHz LSB.  27.500 MHz USB active with some weaker traffic at 1415 UTC.

Other active frequencies:



25.695 MHz AM - the usual taxi dispatcher lady reading numbers in Spanish - YL taxi cab dispatch 25 MHz
26.035 MHz AM - taxi dispatch traffic - YL reading taxi numbers in Spanish language
26.055 MHz AM
26.105 MHz AM
26.335 MHz AM
26.375 MHz AM
26.405 MHz AM
26.475 MHz AM
26.555 MHz LSB - Spanish language/Latin American calling frequency (low channel - Channel 4 low band, LSB)
26.585 MHz AM - Spanish language, sporadic signal...heavy fading/QSB - popular free band channel for Latin America
26.625 MHz AM - Spanish language
26.765 MHz AM - Spanish language, weak
26.835 MHz AM - US and Caribbean stations, "Triple 777" "Duck Hunter" and others heard at 1430 UTC - 1432 UTC
26.840 MHz FM - POCSAG signal noted (weak)
26.895 MHz AM - Taxi cab radio - YL dispatcher talking to OM drivers at 1434 UTC
27.455 MHz USB - Spanish language/Latin Ameican calling frequency (high channel - Channel 4 high band, USB)
27.465 MHz USB
27.500 MHz LSB - now booming in just as strong as 27.515 LSB (at 1426 UTC)
27.500 MHz USB
27.505 MHz USB
27.555 MHz USB - International 11 meter calling frequency the triple 5 27555 27.555 USB
27.570 MHz USB
27.645 MHz USB


Lots of fish hooks popping up - both within the 26.957 MHz - 27.283 MHz Part 18 ISM band and above channel 40 and below channel 1.  Also several over the horizon radar signals jumping around the band - noted center frequencies 27.925 MHz, 27.955 MHz, 27.710 MHz, 27.765 MHz, 27.650 MHz, 27.785 MHz, 27.965 MHz and several others in the 27.6 MHz to 28.0 MHz region..

Checked a KiwiSDR in Switzerland - http://hasenberg700m.ddns.net:8074/ - tons of pager signals in the 26 MHz portion and lots of SSB traffic above channel 40

Active 26 MHz European paging pager and telemetry frequencies:

26.200 MHz FM - weak POCSAG or similar signal noted, roughly 8-9 kHz wide
26.350 MHz FM
26.555 MHz FM - numerous signals on frequency, some pushing S7
26.600 MHz FM - numerous signals on frequency
26.610 MHz FM - numerous signals on frequency
26.670 MHz FM - at least two different signals, one closer to 26.672
26.695 MHz FM
26.700 MHz FM
26.705 MHz FM - numerous signals on frequency, some pushing S9 easily
26.745 MHz FM - numerous signals on frequency
26.750 MHz FM
26.755 MHz FM - numerous signals on frequency
26.845 MHz FM
26.850 MHz FM
26.855 MHz FM - numerous signals on frequency
26.900 MHz FM
26.950 MHz FM

158

10/11 meters / 11 meters is opening up again 1345 UTC 20 Oct 2021

« on: October 20, 2021, 1351 UTC »

11 meters is starting to wake up

159

10/11 meters / 27.255 MHz - RadioShack On-Site Paging System Waveform (Waterfall) Test Video

« on: October 20, 2021, 1211 UTC »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrtAHDOtVII

It seems that the data transmissions heard on 27.255 MHz (and the other RC channels) during band openings are not from these paging systems...at least not the Radio Shack PG-99 17-6020 or 17-6023 (which is a 4-watt transmitter, and may work on 26.995 MHz instead of 27.255 MHz...not 100% sure there).

Thanks to Chris S. for providing the SDR and the test transmissions from the RadioShack 7 watt paging transmitter pager system (with stock back of set CB radio antenna). 

Unlike the signals noted on 27.255 and 27.195 lately (27.195 only during band openings) - this system transmits a single FSK signal about 500 Hz from center frequency 27255.0 kHz.  Center of the FSK signal is 27.2545 or 27254.5...usually there are two FSK signals - usually about -2.5 kHz or -3 kHz from center frequency and + 2.5 kHz or +3 kHz from center frequency.

160

10/11 meters / Re: FM CB Channels / Frequencies 11 Meter US FM Calling Channels

« on: October 20, 2021, 1012 UTC »

I would have never even thought about trying FM between 26 - 28 Mhz, had you not posted those freqs. I wouldn't say it's better than SSB, but hey it's something new and it works OR, ID and AZ on FM made me a believer. With good conditions anyway.

With good conditions it's a winner.  I think 27.600 MHz FM and 27.650 MHz FM are easy enough to remember, plus there's already a group of guys using 26.805 MHz FM.

Another op I know here in Virginia heard a guy in Texas running FM on 27.285 MHz yesterday during the tail end of the band opening...that's right, FM on CB channel 28!

161

10/11 meters / FM CB Channels / Frequencies 11 Meter US FM Calling Channels

« on: October 19, 2021, 1932 UTC »

Now that FM mode is legal in the USA for CB purposes.  Is FM CB legal in the USA?  Yes, it is. 

I fully support designating in-band and out-of-band calling channels.  26.805 FM and 27.600 FM.  Legal CB Channels 27 FM, 29 FM, 30 FM and 31 FM.  27.600 MHz FM is right next to UK FM CB Channel 1 - 27.601 FM or 27.60125 MHz FM. 

26.805 MHz FM is already in use, as is 27.600 MHz FM. 

So 26.805 FM and 27.600 FM.  In-band CB channels 27, 29 and 31 - 27.275 MHz FM, 27.295 MHz FM and 27.315 MHz FM. 

FM CB Working Channels

26.805 MHz FM 26.805 FM 26805 FM - The original 26 MHz freeband 11m FM calling channel (USA)
27.295 MHz - 27.295 FM - CB Channel 29 FM - FM CB Radio Trucker Channel
27.275 MHz - 27.275 FM - CB Channel 27 FM - USA FM CB Radio Working Channel
27.315 MHz - 27.315 FM - CB Channel 31 FM - FM CB Radio Calling and Working Channel
27.305 MHz - 27.305 FM - CB Channel 30 FM - FM CB Radio Calling and Working Channel
27.600 MHz FM 27.600 FM 27600 FM - 11m freeband CB FM Calling 27.6 MHz FM 27.600 FM
27.650 MHz FM 27.650 FM 27650 FM - 11m freeband CB FM Calling 27.65 MHz FM 27.650 FM
27.575 MHz FM 27.575 FM 27575 FM - 11m freeband CB FM Calling 27.575 MHz FM 27.575 FM


Note:  Channel 27 (27.275 MHz) is used for SSB calling in the UK, specifically 27.275 USB (CB Channel 27 USB). 

European FM CB DX channels are


27.305 MHz FM 27.305 FM - CB Channel 30 FM
27.315 MHz FM 27.315 FM - CB Channel 31 FM
26.565 MHz FM 26.565 FM - German 80 Channel CB Channel 41
27.601 MHz FM 27.601 FM 27.60125 MHz FM 27.60125 FM - UK FM CB Channel 1 - will work with 27.600 FM!
27.781 MHz FM 27.781 FM 27.78125 MHz FM 27.78125 FM - UK FM CB Channel 19
27.971 MHz FM 27.971 FM 27.97125 MHz FM 27.97125 FM - UK FM CB Channel 38
27.981 MHz FM 27.981 FM 27.98125 MHz FM 27.98125 FM - UK FM CB Channel 39
27.991 MHz FM 27.991 FM 27.99125 MHz FM 27.99125 FM - UK FM CB Channel 40
27.125 MHz FM 27.125 FM - also used for AM calling in Europe CB Channel 14

162

10/11 meters / Re: 11 meters is opening up again 1045 UTC 19 Oct 2021

« on: October 19, 2021, 1925 UTC »

I've noted FM on the following frequencies:

26.805 MHz FM - 26805 FM US stations - apparently this is the freeband FM calling frequency 26.805 FM (or the low channel FM calling frequency, similar to 26.915 MHz AM or 915 26.915 AM

27.125 MHz FM - 27125 FM CB Channel 14 - Spanish speaking stations...

27.255 MHz FM - 27.255 FM

27.600 MHz FM - 27600 FM - French speaking stations - not UK FM CB channel 1 (27.60125 MHz FM 27601.25 FM 27.601 FM)

27.650 MHz 27650 FM - Several different stations heard on this frequency - not UK FM CB channel 6 (27.65125 MHz FM 27651.25 FM 27.651 FM), these stations were definitely using 27.650 MHz

Interestingly enough, the UK FM 27/81 allocation is close enough to the "zeros" (27.600 MHz, 27.610 MHz, etc.) that the 1.25 kHz difference is usually not enough difference to make a difference. 

Combine that with the fact that the Irish authorities allow use of the 40 UK FM channels (the Irish call UKFM 1-40 LW01-LW40) and 40 offset channels (27.605 MHz to 27.995 MHz in straight 10 kHz channel sequence - the 27.605-27.995 channels are referred to as UW01-UW40) and the regular 40 mid band CB (FCC CB) channels (simply called CB01-CB40) for Irish church radio broadcasts - Wireless Public Address System or WPAS...in Ireland FM and AM are allowed (yes, AM is allowed on the UK FM channel plan, the UW01-UW40 channels and the 40 CB channels for Church radio broadcasts. 

So...for FM purposes, I think it's better to use the regular channels unless there's propagation to the UK. 

Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic and other places allow use of 80 CB channels - the standard 26.965-27.405 MHz 40 channel band plus 26.565 MHz to 26.955 MHz (26.565 MHz = channel 41, 26.575 MHz = channel 42, 26.585 = channel 43, 26.595 MHz = channel 44, up to 26.955 = channel 80).  Channels 41-80 / 26.565 MHz to 26.955 MHz are FM mode only, channels 1-40 / 26.965 MHz to 27.405 MHz are AM/FM/SSB.

I fully support designating in-band and out-of-band calling channels.  Seems like 26.805 MHz FM is the low channel FM calling channel.  How about 27.600 MHz and an alternate that doesn't clash with the WPAS/CADS Irish Church radio/UK FM allocation for the high channel FM calling channel?  27.575 MHz FM sounds good to me.

As far as in-band goes...I don't think channel 14 - 27.125 MHz is a good call.  Maybe channel 27 or 31 (I know that channel 31 FM is one of the standardized European FM calling channels...so it would make sense to make 31 FM the US FM channel.

So...

26.805 MHz - low channels FM calling channel
27.275 MHz - CB Channel 27 FM - USA FM CB calling channel
27.315 MHz - CB Channel 31 FM - USA FM CB calling channel
27.575 MHz - high channels FM calling channel
27.600 MHz - high channels FM calling/working channel (alternate)

163

10/11 meters / 11 meters is opening up again 1045 UTC 19 Oct 2021

« on: October 19, 2021, 1048 UTC »

Looks like we might be in for another busy day:

At 1045 UTC:

Hearing two English-speaking OMs on 26.885 MHz AM...heard a third station break in, request radio check...sounds like a local channel (where these guys are, I don't know...) but they've got decent modulation.  Third station is considerably weaker...now a 4th station.  IDs include Jaybird, Tomcat, and others.   "I've got the preamp on and I still can't hear you as well..." "If I can hear you down here, I know they can hear you up there!" "We gonna talk to Possum" "Did you hear Ramblin' Man in The Carolina?"

This is almost certainly a local (regional) channel...

Weak signal noted at 1046 UTC on 26.875 MHz

1049 UTC I heard mention of "500 watts" on 26.885 MHz AM - and now they're working a station in Florida. 

1050 UTC - "he's on one of them big fancy radios" (more English speaking stations) on 26.675 MHz AM

1140 UTC - 27.505 MHz AM and 27.605 MHz AM active
1142 UTC - guys on 27.605 MHz AM switched to FM mode (sounds like they're doing testing) - 27.605 FM...then the frequency went quiet - some weak SSB QRM in the background

1145 UTC - 26.885 MHz AM - US stations still very strong
1145 UTC - 26.675 MHz AM - US stations also good signals
1145 UTC - 26.805 MHz AM - US stations active
1147 UTC - 27.505 MHz AM - confirmed truckers on 27505 - "she got her own policy on the other truck" "primary driver" and other trucker-specific chatter

I checked the legal 40 channels locally with my handheld CB and almost all 40 channels were active.  Channels 6, 11, 20, 21, 24, 25 and others were all quite active.  Some sporadic signals coming in and out on channel 26 and 28.  Heard some SSB activity on 38 and 39.

164

10/11 meters / Re: The band is starting to open 1230 UTC 18 OCT 2021

« on: October 18, 2021, 2129 UTC »

Overall a pretty epic day on 11 meters

165

10/11 meters / Re: 26805 FM 26.805 MHz FM - US FM Calling Channel FM 11m Freeband Channel

« on: October 18, 2021, 1818 UTC »

"711 topside of Portland Oregon we're shutting this thing down, CLICK!" (the word "click" was said out loud at the end of transmission) at 1816 UTC good FM signal on 26.805 MHz FM.  He was almost full quieting.  I couldn't hear the station he was talking to though...