On the Citizens Band
April 1962 Popular Electronics

April 1962 Popular Electronics Table of Contents Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Popular Electronics, published October 1954 - April 1985. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.

Citizens Band (CB) radio was a big deal in 1962 when this article was published in Popular Electronics magazine. It addressed a common misconception among CB radio users that the FCC was inactive in policing the airwaves. Contrary to this belief, the FCC was regularly issuing "show cause" notices, a serious step beyond simple warnings ("pink tickets") that required licensees to justify why their licenses should not be revoked. Specific examples are cited of violations that prompted these notices, including transmitting obscene language, engaging in non-essential "ham-type" gossip, and failing to adhere to the mandatory two-minute silent periods after five minutes of transmission (I was not aware of that requirement). Technical violations, such as operating outside frequency tolerances, were also cited. It concludes with a "flash" about Wisconsin potentially offering special license plates for CB operators, showcasing the growing, organized culture surrounding citizens band radio. Alas, the advent of cellphones pretty much ended the CB radio era.

On the Citizens Band (and CQ DX 11)

By Dick Stripple

Not too long ago we attended a CB meeting at which the subject of the FCC came up (and when doesn't it?). This time, the complaint was that the FCC never does anything to get rid of the jokers who are ruining CB for serious users.

Actually, this is far from the truth. Almost every week one or more (mostly more) "show cause" notices are issued. And such a notice is not a simple "pink ticket." A "show cause" notice requires the recipient to inform the FCC if there is any valid reason why his station license should not be revoked. Such notices are sent to licensees who have disregarded "pink tickets" in the past.

We at Popular Electronics receive regular bulletins listing all "show cause" notices. Here are some examples of pertinent cases compiled over the past few months:

• The Commission required a Fresno, Calif., CB'er to "show cause," charging him with transmitting "messages not necessary to the exchange of substantive communications related to the business or personal affairs of the persons concerned," using his station "for the purpose of uttering obscene, indecent or profane language" and transmitting messages "not directed to a specific person or station within the ground-wave range of the station being operated." This really covered a lot of ground.
• "Show cause" notices went to CB'ers in Washington, D. C., Bell Gardens, Calif., Falls Church, Va., and to dozens of others because they did not pause at five-minute intervals for two-minute periods of non-transmission.
• Several licensees, including a 13W in Portland, Ore., received "show cause" notices for not maintaining the carrier frequencies of their stations within the required tolerance. The Portland CB'er had received no less than nine "pink tickets" during the previous eight months, none of which were answered. The most frequent violation seems to be using a station for trivial gossip, or "ham-type" operations. This is closely followed by violations of the "five-minute rule." We're happy to note that CB'ers at least appear to be careful in their choice of words - very few notices were given for using profane language on the air.

"Hot -Shot" Walkie Talkie. Harry Bangle, 5Q2880, Unit 1, of Lincolnton, N. C., is all set if he ever needs a high-power portable rig. He owns a Cadre transceiver running a CB "gallon" (transistor transistorized) and uses it with a small "hot-shot" six-volt dry battery. His "receive" current is slight, and on "transmit" he can work over a ten-mile range. By the way, Harry is Secretary-Treasurer of the Lincolnton CB Club.

Tech Topics

Looking for high-quality coils for field strength meters or "roll-your-own" receivers and converters? Lafayette Radio, 111 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset, L. I., N. Y., is selling replacement parts for its famous series of transceivers; write them for their complete catalog if you don't already have it. Incidentally, replacement TV i.f. coils in the 25-29 mc. range might work in your rig if exact replacements aren't available; your local distributor will be able to help you choose the ones you want. Need a simple signal source for setting your receiver on channel after an "expert" has played with all those alignment slugs? Here's one of the quickest you can make. Obtain a door buzzer from your hardware store and examine its construction. You'll note that it has a pair of switch contacts, one of which is attached to a movable armature. Solder a 0.25-μf., 600-volt capacitor across the contacts, making sure not to restrict the movement of the armature. The modified buzzer should then be wired to a battery. Now, using very short leads, connect a transmitting crystal for the channel you want between a point on the operating buzzer and the set's antenna jack. Connect the crystal onto the buzzer at different spots (the frame may work) until you hear a loud tone from the speaker. You should pick up a tone even if your set is badly out of alignment. Then tune your receiver until the tone drops in volume, and your set will be exactly on the crystal frequency. This is an old Army trick which works well with both overtone and fundamental crystals.

While on the subject of CB set alignment, we've found that with most units we have examined, a quarter of a turn on any of the front-end coil slugs can mean the difference between a "hot" set and one which won't pick up the guy next door. We don't recommend playing with adjustments, though, unless you have the necessary training and test equipment; even then, make all adjustments slowly and carefully!

Operating Hints

If you really want to run your station like the "pros," and get the message through in the shortest possible time, warm up your short-wave receiver and listen in on the long-range Air Force frequencies. Try either 6738 kc. or 11,228 kc.

While there's a lot of drama on these channels, the technique of the operators is polished and unhurried, even in emergencies. Now and then these frequencies will sound like Channel 11 on a summer Sunday, and the tricks used to clear up the mess can easily be applied to CB. Give 'em a listen.

Club Notes

The Nassau County (Long Island, N. Y.) CB Club will hold its second Annual Jamboree on April 8 at the Bethpage Bowling Alley, on Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage. If it's anything like last year's, when more than 300 persons attended, it should be a gala affair. Additional activities are planned for this year's event, and at press time, 15 distributors had agreed to show their latest CB equipment. You can write or phone the Bethpage Bowling Alley for more information. By the way, this up-and-coming organization meets at 8 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month at the bowling alley and welcomes visitors. The club also sponsors electronics classes consisting of lectures and films.... The Greater Dallas (Tex.) CB Club has formed a TVI committee to help in the investigation of complaints. They also boast an extensive monitoring service. . . . The Mid Hudson CB Club, (Robert Simmons, Secy., 85 Mansion St., Poughkeepsie, N. Y.) recently elected a new slate of officers. Installation was conducted during a dinner at Talbot's Hotel. . . . A newly-formed club is the Northwest Five-Watters (Ed Fiedler, Pres., 7 North Ridge, Mt. Prospect, Ill.) which is interested in boosting its membership. Several projects are being planned. . . . The Niagara Frontier CB Club recently saw a New York Telephone Co. film on the American Telephone and Telegraph Company's proposed earth-satellite communications system. The club has also set up a "Sunshine Committee" to send cards to members who are ill. . . . The Citizens Radio Service Club of Washing ton Court House, Ohio, (John Williams 19A5006, Pres.) has been working closely with local civil defense officials during emergency drills.

Keep the club news coming in. If your club puts out a newsletter, please place us on your mailing list. Address all material directly to Dick Strippel, CB Editor, Popular Electronics, One Park Ave., New York 16, N. Y.

We're still interested in enlarging our directory of CB clubs, which we hope to publish in this column shortly. Send us the name of your club, its address, and a list of the officers - on the back of a post card, please.

Flash!

Hot off Channel 9! There's an outside chance that many CB'ers will be able to obtain call-sign auto license plates. One state, Wisconsin, already has approved several CB applications for the special plates.