US CB to get FM

[ChrisSmolinski]

Not quite official yet, but it sounds like the FCC is about to grant permission for FM operation on the CB band here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-374114A1.pdf

Also some changes to GMRS and FRS.

[ThaDood]

Well, it's about time! As long as it's NBFM, that should reduce AM overmod, splatter, and RFI. Should have been done years ago. Still, won't be heard as well as SSB, especially on the road, but could be better on the road than present AM, where you can get an earful of +30 lbs of noise levels. Now, will someone capitalize on making FM board kits for all those radios out there presently? Several companies did in the 1980's and 1990's.

[Rob.]

http://www.cbcintl.com/FM3_Schem.htm

[KandiKlover]

Well, it's about time! As long as it's NBFM, that should reduce AM overmod, splatter, and RFI. Should have been done years ago. Still, won't be heard as well as SSB, especially on the road, but could be better on the road than present AM, where you can get an earful of +30 lbs of noise levels. Now, will someone capitalize on making FM board kits for all those radios out there presently? Several companies did in the 1980's and 1990's.

Lol no. Just like the past fee reduction, use of all channels for FRS and 250 mile limit removal for CB this is just more bureaucratic loose ends being tied up so they don't have to waste time listening to complaints they never did anything about anyways. Everyone likes to make drama over this stuff but just like last time nothing will change. Companies like Galaxy/Stryker and various freeband 10m radios are already made and continue to be used by those who know and midlands, cobras by everyone else. Just a simple hardware addition for FM modes on a few of those walmart models that no one will know to use.

Same old noise and useless channels you have to freeband to get away from.

[RobRich]

Many 11m "export" radios already support FM. ;) Wonder if there will be a "gentlemen's'" agreement on specific FM frequencies similar to 11m SSB.

[ThaDood]

Apparently, the FCC approved this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XevGDwC0_Z0  So, Cobra asked for this? Others should follow.

[Elf36]

When I was about 15, I got my first real 11m rig. It was an HR2510. A guy around my same age, about 6 miles away had an RCI 2950. We would sometimes mess around on FM. Can't say it was great for distance though. I've worked a lot of DX on 10/11 meters several years ago, but only SSB. I do hear stories of FM DX though.

[ThaDood]

Here's a dude in the UK that's doing add-on FM boards for CB,    https://www.ebay.com/itm/283737307487?&shqty=1&isGTR=1#shId  Now, when this will happen domestically is anyone's guess.

[ThaDood]

Well, with CB now finally allowed for use on USA CB's, question stands, what channels to use FM on? My proposal would be the Gentleman's Agreement, like what was done with SSB, (a.k.a. Channels 36 - 40 for SSB, CH16 on the old 23 channel rigs.). My idea would be to reserve channels 30 - 35 for FM use. Think that it would fly? Of course, this could depend upon local regional options. Case in point, I understand that the Highway Channel in Alaska is CH14, and not CH19, up there. Passing thoughts...

[ThaDood]

https://swling.com/blog/2021/10/fcc-approves-fm-for-cb-radio/#comment-674404

[RobRich]

I do hear stories of FM DX though.

I rarely hear them anymore, but occasionally a good 10m band opening can yield FM repeaters popping up, particularly from New England. It might actually be more prevalent assuming ops actively used 10m repeaters anymore. I suspect the ones still in service can go days or even weeks without use.


Assuming anyone actually bothers with it, at least some of the often horridly-designed 11m amps operating in class C mode should sound better in FM than SSB or overdriven AM.

[ThaDood]

Huh... Looks like President is already runnin' with a dual-mode CB, as ripped from this SWL'ing article.      https://swling.com/blog/2021/11/guest-post-peter-discovers-the-first-fm-capable-cb-radio-for-the-us-market/

[RobRich]

Posted there before seeing the thread here. A somewhat long comment about getting an 11m FM handheld to market for the mode to gain traction.

Back to the President radio, the overall design looks like one of the brand's more affordable models, thus probably why it lacks SSB support. Oh well.

[ThaDood]

https://swling.com/blog/2021/12/guest-post-peters-fm-cb-update/    So far, SWL'ing seems to be the only ones talking about this. Is anyone else?

[BoomboxDX]

Who's on CB anymore?

That said, I don't see how FM would harm the band. It can really chop up an AM or sideband channel, though. Back in 1990 I was talking to some guy locally on the sideband and he said he had FM on his radio, so I asked him to fire it up. I wanted to hear it. On my AM/Sidebander it was horrific sounding hash.

I think 'export' rigs have had FM for years.