The biggest CB news is being transmitted out of Washington, D.C. from the granite headquarters of the Federal Communications Commission.
As a result of many complaints about channel congestion and interference the FCC had to do something.
Their answer was primarily increasing the number of channels for Citizens Radio Service from 23 to 40. All of them in the AM band. They did some other things too.
The FCC decided that equipment authorization would be required of the manufacturers prior to marketing the unit. Type acceptance of the transmitter must be obtained from the FCC. This is a change. Also, certification for the receiver.
The type acceptance and certification for transceiver and other equipment, having both transmit and receive capability, it is quite a departure from the way it has been handled in the past. As a result of these new rules, manufacturers won’t be able to play games with pricing as it relates to quality and type of equipment being sold.
Obviously, not all manufacturers were guilty of this sort of thing. But, a lot of in-and-outer assemblers did it and the result were that many units were sleazy. And, since close to 80 percent of the components or total units came from the Orient, it was pretty easy.
Now, transmitters must comply with FCC specifications or they will not be accepted and certified. This will eliminate, or at least greatly reduce, spurious emission and comply with harmonic suppression limitations. Net result: less interference and a reduction in the complaints of many of your neighbors and the commercial broadcasters in your area.
All this goes into effect on all sets marketed after January 1, 1977. One thing the FCC did might aid in the efforts to resist thievery: all new equipment must have a unique identifier, both type or model number, according to the rules governing type acceptance and certification.
It will ultimately cut down on congestion so you can reach your good buddy without so much trouble. So, that’s a second good point.
Third, assuming you don’t get your set modified, you’ll not have as many people on the original 23 channels as you have now. That will make it a little easier.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is the date when this will all go into effect: Jan 1, 1977. If you are buying or planning to buy a unit now, don’t let a hard-selling salesman unload 23 channels on you without clarifying the program he has for handling the changeover to 40 channels.
He may be caught with a big inventor in 23-channel units right now and, to move them out, he’ll make rash promises. Get the modification plan in writing. This way you’ll get your money’s worth.
All this is necessary because adapters which might connect your existing 23-channel radio with another unit containing 17-channels is illegal according to the new rules. Either a modification of your present sent or buying a new one with 40 channels is required.
Is it comforting to know that Washington is always transmitting? I wonder sometimes.
CB Convac: FCC Expands the Number of Channels
