Class Licensing
Citizen Band Radio Stations
Frequency Page
The operation of Citizen Band radios is authorised under the Citizen Band Radio Stations Class Licence. This information paper provides details of this class licence.
Under a class licence, all users operate in the same spectrum segment on a shared basis and are subject to the same conditions. A class licence governs the frequencies that may be used, commonly prescribes equipment standards, and may specify other technical and operational parameters. Class licences do not have to be applied for, and no licence fees are payable.
Class licences are 'issued' by the ACA by a notice published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
The Citizen Band Radio Service (CBRS) is a two-way, short distance, voice communications service that can be used by any person in Australia. The service may be used for virtually any form of personal voice communications activity, whether it is recreational, domestic, or in connection with work or business.
CBRS repeater stations, however, need specific frequency assignments and are licensed individually under apparatus licensing arrangements and are subject to licence fees.
Compliance with Mandatory Standards
It is a requirement of the ACA that devices operating under the Citizen Band Radio Stations class licence must comply with the relevant mandatory standards specified in the class licence.
CBRS operators can determine if their equipment complies with the relevant standard by referring to a label that is attached to the back of the radio. The label should make reference to one of the following:
- UHF (477 MHz) equipment manufactured in Australia, or imported into Australia after 13 December 1996 should have a label attached referring to Australia and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4365:1996 which was mandated by the ACA through the making of Radiocommunications Standard (UHF CB Radio Transmitters) No. 1 of 1996, or one of the following earlier specifications - Ministerial Standard (MS) 250, RB250, RB234, DOC234 (up to 5 watts allowed), RB234A, DOC234A, RB234B or DOC234B; and
- HF (27 MHz) equipment manufactured in, or imported into, Australia after 13 December 1996 should have a label attached referring to Australia and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4355:1995, which was mandated by the ACA through the making of Radiocommunications Standard (HF CB and Handphone Radio Transmitters) No. 1 of 1996, or one of the following earlier specifications - MS 312, RB249, or RB249A.
If there is no label on the radio, there may be doubt about whether it complies with the required operating standard. Where there is doubt, users, suppliers and manufacturers are encouraged to contact the ACA to check whether their equipment meets the required standard. New equipment should always have a label indicating with which standard the equipment complies.
Please note that the Citizen Band Radio Stations class licence is currently being amended to take account of the latest standards, AS/NZS 4365:1996 and AS/NZS 4355:1995.
The CBRS operates on designated channels in two distinct frequency bands:
- HF - 26.965 MHz to 27.405 MHz (inclusive); and
- UHF - 476.425 MHz to 477.400 MHz (inclusive).
Citizen Band (CB) radios must only be operated on the channels that are detailed in the class licence.
Operation on a channel that is not specified in the class licence is a breach of a licence condition. The earlier equipment specification, RB249, allowed the use of two channels, 27.095 MHz and 27.195 MHz, that are no longer approved for use.
CB radio equipment must not exceed the maximum output power that is specified in the class licence. The attachment of any external devices, such as linear amplifiers, to CB radio equipment, for the purpose of increasing the power output of the transmitter, is not permitted. This type of operation is a breach of the licence conditions.
Breaches of Licence Conditions
It is important that CB radio users comply with each condition in the class licence. Section 132(3) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the Act) provides that:
'Operation of a radiocommunications device is not authorised by a class licence if it is not in accordance with the conditions of the licence.'
If any condition of licence is breached (eg, operating on a frequency not mentioned in the class licence or using an emergency channel for non emergency purpose) the operator is no longer authorised to operate under the class licence. In this instance, the operator would be liable for prosecution.
As well as specific conditions spelt out in the class licence, operation of a CB radio is also subject to the provisions of the Act.
Interference to television and radio receivers and other electronic equipment may occur when a CB radio transmitter is operated nearby.
If operators find that their CB radios are causing interference to a nearby radio or television receiver, there are a number of steps that can be taken to minimise or eliminate the problem.
To assist operators and their neighbours to resolve interference problems, the ACA has produced two booklets. They are:
- Better television and radio reception - Your self-help guide which provides general advice to people who are having trouble with television and radio reception; and
- Better television and radio reception - Interference from CB and Amateur Transmitters which helps determine why this type of interference may be occurring and the steps that may be taken to resolve the problem.
CB and Amateur radio operators should be prepared to cooperate with the affected television viewer or radio listener and take reasonable steps towards resolving the problem.
Selective calling - a technique used to enable the reception of calls from particular CB radios without having to listen to other users - is permitted under the class licence. Selective calling uses the transmission of audio tones that are recognisable to receivers fitted with a compatible decoder.
Selective calling can be used on either HF or UHF CB radios.
Some CB radios come fitted with a selective calling facility using Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) techniques. The use of CTCSS is not authorised under the class licence.
Use of Citizen Band Radio Repeater stations
Under the class licence system, CB radio stations may operate through a CB repeater station in the UHF band.
Because UHF CB repeater stations are usually located at hilltop radiocommunication sites, their frequencies are co-ordinated with the frequencies of other radiocommunications services to prevent interference. They are required to be covered under separate apparatus licences, not a class licence.
When in range of a repeater station, CB operators must only use the repeaters assigned channels for the purpose of operating through that repeater.
Channels 1 to 8 are designated as repeater output channels, with channels 31 to 38 the corresponding designated repeater input channels. For example, a repeater that transmits on Channel 1 will always receive on Channel 31. When operated in duplex/repeater mode, the CB radio automatically selects corresponding transmit/receive frequencies.
Repeater channels may be used for single frequency communications where they are not used in the locality for repeaters. Channels 5 and 35, however, are dedicated for emergency communications only.
Under the class licensing arrangements, callsigns will not be issued to individual users. However, the ACA recommends that operators use some form of identification when transmitting.
In the two CBRS bands, specific channels have been set aside for making initial contact with other CB users. Under the class licence, channel 11 (AM) (27.085 MHz) and channel 16 (SSB) (27.155 MHz) are the calling channels in the HF band and channel 11 (476.675 MHz) is the calling channel in the UHF band. The channels are to be used only for initial calling.
Once a caller has made initial contact with another CBRS operator, he or she should move to another channel to continue the contact. This leaves the call channel available for other CBRS operators to establish contact with each other.
There are specific channels in the two CB radio bands available for use in an emergency. These are channel 9 (27.065 MHz) in the HF band and channels 5/35 (476.525/477.275 MHz) in the UHF band.
These channels are designated for emergency messages only and, under the class licence, must not be used for other purposes.
Although the ACA does not monitor these emergency channels, there are organisations that do so voluntarily - but not on a full time basis, nor Australia wide. These organisations can assist in contacting the appropriate emergency service.
In an emergency, any CB frequency may be used to attract attention.
The class licence only authorises the use of CB equipment or CB channels for voice communication and other purposes related to voice communication (ie, selective calling).
Other types of operation, such as telemetry, telecommand and Packet Radio are not permitted.
The ACA has received submissions from persons wishing to use UHF CBRS equipment on rural properties for various purposes, including the provision of status reports about electric fences and water tanks and the remote control of farm equipment, such as irrigation pumps. In a radiocommunications sense, these applications are telemetry and telecommand applications.
In response to these submissions, the ACA is currently reviewing the matter. A discussion paper, outlining proposed operating principles that may allow for telemetry and telecommand services to operate in CBRS spectrum was circulated for public comment in October 1997. The ACA received several submissions about the proposal.
A decision about introducing telemetry and telecommand services in CBRS UHF spectrum has not yet been made. At the moment, the ACA is evaluating some options, with a view to developing a set of discussion points for further consideration by interested parties.
Connection to the Telephone Network
Where a CB radio station is to be connected to a Public Telecommunications Network, it must be done in accordance with the Telecommunications Labelling (Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Notice No. 2 of 1997. For further information on this matter, please contact the ACA's Telecommunications Standards and Compliance Team.
If you have any additional queries relating to the Citizen Band Radio Stations class licence please contact any ACA Office.
AM - Amplitude Modulated
SSB - Single Side Band