Citizen's Band Radio Licence Terms, Provisions and Limitations Booklet

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These terms, Provisions and limitations shall be read as an integral part of the Citizens' Band Radio Licence.

Establishment and use

1. The Licensee may;

1. establish any station or stations for Wireless Telegraphy ("a CB Station") formed only of wireless telegraphy apparatus which either:
   
   
   1. complies with United Kingdom Interface Requirement IR 2027; or
   2. is certified or type approved prior to 8 April 2001 in accordance with either Department of Trade and Industry Performance Specifications MPT 1320, MPT 1333, or MPT 1382 or European Telecommunications ETS 300 135 and marked on the front panel of the apparatus in accordance with the appropriate specification.
      
      
2. use a CB station for sending and receiving only:

1. messages in plain speech;
2. signals of less than 2.5 seconds in length which are intended to call up any other CB Station;
3. signals of less than 1 second in length which are intended to identify a CB Station or to mark the end of a message sent by a CB Station.

Limitations on use

Apparatus of CB Station

2. The wireless telegraphy apparatus forming a CB Station shall not be used:

1. unless it is operated on the frequencies specified in accordance with sub-clause 1(a);

2. if. at any time, such use:

1. is likely to obstruct the Police, the Department of Trade and Industry's Radio Investigation Service or any other Government Body in the carrying out of their duties;
2. causes harmful interference to any other wireless telegraphy.

Ancillary equipment

3. (1) Except as provided at (2) below, only the following ancillary equipment may be connected between the antenna socket of the transceiver of a CB Station and its' antenna:

1. devices for suppressing interference;
2. low pass filters;
3. mechanically operated co-axial antenna change over switches.

3. (2) A meter to measure the transmitter output power or Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) of the antenna may be temporarily inserted between the antenna socket of the transceiver and the antenna for the sole purpose of establishing or testing a CB Station providing that such meters are removed before a CB Station is used.

4. (1) If a CB station has provision for connection to an external antenna then such apparatus shall only be connected to one of the following types of antennas:

1. a single vertical omnidirectional monopole antenna, the driven element of which does not exceed 6.95m in length or 55mm in diameter, including any loading coils and associated circuitry and casings, but excluding any plates, radial wires or rods designed solely to act as a ground plane or counterpoise, which are located at the physical base of the antenna;
2. a single vertical omnidirectional dipole antenna not exceeding 5.55m in length.

The use of loop, yagi or any type of beam antenna is prohibited.

4. (2) In all cases. if a CB Station is situated within 1 km of the boundary of any aerodrome the height of the antenna, any supporting mast or structure must not exceed 15m.

Operators of station(s)

5. (1) A CB station shall only be used by:

1. the Licensee; or
2. any person whom the Licensee has reasonable grounds to believe is not a disqualified person, where such person's use is in the presence of and under the direct supervision of the Licensee.

6. A CB station:

1. shall not be established or used in any aircraft vehicle and shall not be established or used on board ship except with the consent of the Ship's Master;
2. shall not be used for the purpose of advertising goods or services of any kind.

Conditions of the Licence

7. (1) Subject to the payment of the fee in the manner indicated in sub-clause (2) below, the Licence shall continue in force from year to year unless revoked by the Secretary of State.

7. (2) The Licensee shall pay to the Secretary of State before the anniversary of the Date of Issue in each year, the fee on renewal prescribed by the Regulations for the time being in force under sub-section 2(1) of the Act, and on the payment of the fee the Secretary of State will issue to the Licensee a document in the form of the title page of this Licence (the "Validation Document") which will indicate the next date for renewal.

7. (3) If the Licensee does not pay the fee in the manner described in sub-clause 7(2), then the Licence shall expire at the end of the day before the relevant anniversary date of the Date of Issue.

7. (4) The Licensee shall surrender the Validation Document to the Secretary of State forthwith upon the revocation of the Licence. The Secretary of State reserves the right to publish the name of the Licensee if the Licence is revoked.

7. (5) Where the Secretary of State exercises his power to revoke or vary all Citizens' Band Radio Licenses, a general notice issued in accordance with Section 1(4) of the Act to all holders of such Licenses shall be published in the following manner:

1. by means of an authorized broadcast; or
2. by means of an insertion in the London, Edinburgh or Belfast Gazettes.

8. The CB Station and this Licence shall be available for inspection on demand at any reasonable time by any person authorized by the Secretary of State.

9. A CB Station shall be closed down at any time on the demand of any person authorized by the Secretary of State.

9. (A) To the extent that they do not conflict with or are not inconsistent with any of the clauses herein, the Notes set out at the rear of this Terms, Provisions and Limitations Booklet shall be compiled with by the Licensee.

(B) The Secretary of State reserves the right to release details of the call sign of the Licensee specified in the Validation Document to third parties in order that the call sign may be published in call books compiled by third parties, either in written form or in the form of "read only" computer disks.

Operations by CEPT Citizens' Band Radio Users in accordance with CEPT Recommendations T/R 20-02 and 20-07

10. The following additional provisions apply to non-resident Citizens' Band Radio users temporarily visiting and operating wireless telegraphy apparatus in the United Kingdom in accordance with CEPT Recommendations T/R 20-02 and 20-07, as enabled by the Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus (Citizens' Band European Users) (Exemption) Regulations 1989.

10. (1) CEPT Citizens' Band Radio users unless the individual is a disqualified person as defined in sub-clause 5(2) of this Terms, Provisions and Limitations may operate in the United Kingdom provided they are:

a) aged 14 years or over;
b) ordinarily resident in a country listed in note 8 to the Citizens' Band Radio licence; and
c) authorised by the government of that country to use a relevant CB Station in its territory.

10. (2) Subject to this clause 10, CEPT Citizens' Band Radio users shall comply with this Terms, Provisions and Limitations Booklet.

Operations by the Licensee in Accordance with CEPT Recommendations T/R 20-02 and 20-07

11. The Licensee may operate in countries which have implemented CEPT Recommendations T/R 20-02 and 20-07 in accordance with the following terms.

11. (1) The Licensee shall:

1. be a temporary visitor and non-resident in the host country;
2. operate only equipment that has been type-approved to either Department of Trade and Industry Performance Specification MPT 1333 or European Telecommunications Standards Institute Performance Specification ETS 300135 and is marked in accordance with the appropriate specification;
3. comply with the requirements applicable to the use of wireless telegraphy apparatus at the location of operation in the host country;
4. present this Licence upon request to the relevant supervisory authorities in the host country; and
5. comply with the relevant provisions of CEPT Recommendations T/R 20-02 and 20-07.

Interpretation

12. In this Licence, except where stated otherwise, words and expressions shall have the same meaning as they have in the Act.

Notes to the CB Licence

1. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to ensure that no unauthorised use of a CB Station takes place.

2. The CB Station may be used for business and other commercial activities subject to the limitations in clause 5 of this Licence.

3. Only equipment which conforms in all respects to the appropriate Department of Trade and Industry or European Telecommunications Standards Institute Performance Specification may be used. The Wireless Telegraphy (Citizens' Band and Amateur Apparatus) (Various Provisions) Order 1998 specifically prohibits the importation, manufacture, sale, advertising and possession of CB apparatus which does not conform to specifications as indicated in clause 1(a) of this Licence (such as, for example, AM/SSB apparatus).  This Licence does not permit the use of equipment which has been modified in any way. In particular Licensees should note that this Licence does not allow use of equipment which has been modified:

1. to allow transmission or reception on other or additional frequencies; or
2. to produce a greater output power. (However, terminals or other connecting points are permitted for the use of a voice synthesizer device to provide an aural indication of the selected channel. The voice synthesizer device shall not modulate the transmitter.)

4. Please note that this Licence does not permit:

1. Use of the following equipment:

1. Power Amplifiers (also known as "linear amplifiers", "burners", "boots" or "assistance"),
2. Antennas other than as specified in Clause 4 of this Licence,
3. Devices designed to encrypt or distort speech,
4. Devices to allow a CB Station to be interconnected with the Public Service Telephone Network,
5. Devices to allow a CB Station to be remotely controlled,
6. Repeater stations.

2. the following uses of licensed equipment;

1. The retransmission of any pre-recorded material,
2. The retransmission of any broadcast material,
3. The transmission of music in any form.

5. Only mechanical antenna switches which do not use radio frequency energy in any way may be used.

6. Please note that the installation and use of a CB Station may be subject to local regulations and bye-laws. In particular the installation of antennas must conform to local planning restrictions. You may also need to obtain consent before using equipment covered by this Licence on private or public property.

7. When operating a CB Station, every effort shall be made to avoid causing interference to other electronic or electrical apparatus.

8. CEPT member countries which have implemented CEPT Recommendations T/R 20-02 and 20-07 are listed in the Validation document by abbreviation. CEPT member countries are identified by abbreviations (where known) as follows:

9. The distribution of licences on behalf of the Secretary of State is undertaken by the Radio Licensing Centre, The Post Office, PO Box 885, Bristol BS99 5LG. Tel: (0117) 925 8333.

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CB Code of practice

Remember to always "Watch the LIPS":

1. BE LEGAL - Read your licence carefully and always comply with its terms and conditions.

2. DON'T CAUSE INTERFERENCE - Remember that other radio services may be affected by your transmissions.

3. BE PATIENT - Show patience and consideration towards other users.

4. BE SAFE - Don't risk your life or anyone else's.

The law

CB Radio is licensed under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. It is the responsibilitv of the licensed user to ensure that all use of his or her station(s) conforms in every detail with the restrictions contained in the CB Licence Conditions. The few rules governing CB are designed to minimise interference to other radio users.

Please read your Licence carefully

In particular users should make sure that they use only approved CB equipment. This includes antennas, accessories and ancillary equipment. It is an offence to use non-approved equipment, including otherwise legal radios that have been modified to increase power output or the number of channels in use.

Licence-holders must ensure that other people using CB under the cover of their licence obey the law at all times. You are responsible for all use under your licence.

Remember that to use indecent obscene or threatening /language may be a criminal offence.

Interference

Although the legal CB service has been designed specifically to minimise interference to other radio services, all radio transmissions can cause problems to other users. There are several things you can do to minimise this:

1. Only use legal CB equipment.

2. Don't tamper with your rig. Modifications to change the power output or the number of channels can cause interference.

3. Use the low power switch where possible.

4. Don't transmit close to radio masts, airfields or the emergency services, their radio could be saving a life.

5. Don't site your antenna near to TV reception aerials.

6. Using a low-pass filter between your rig and antenna may help to reduce interference.

Using CB radio

1. Be considerate to other users.

2. Respect operating conventions - leave Channel 09 clear for emergencies, Channel 14 for calling and Channel 19 for mobile use. Also respect any local conventions regarding the use of a channel for a specific purpose.

3. Always give priority to emergency calls on any channel. Remember the next emergency call may concern you, your family or friends.

4. If you hear a call for help and if no-one else is providing assistance, give any help you can.

5. Remember that CB is not a substitute for the 999 (or marine channel 16) service. There is no official organisation monitoring CB, and there may not always be a local volunteer monitor listening.

6. Before you transmit listen with the "Squelch" control turned fully down (i.e. background noise at a maximum) - don't barge in on existing conversations.

7. Keep conversations short - don't hog channels, everyone has an equal right to use them.

8. Be patient towards newcomers, everyone has to learn. Help them with interference and other problems if you can.

9. Be sympathetic to neighbours suffering interference to their radio or television reception. If they are having problems obtain a copy of the Radio Investigation Service leaflet "Advice on Television and Radio Reception", available free of charge on request from the Radiocommunications Agency.

10. Remember CB can be an aid to business as well as an entertaining and useful hobby, help others to enjoy it as much as you do.

Safety

1. Never erect or remove an antenna near to or under electricity transmission lines. CB users have been killed doing so. If in doubt ask your local Electricity Board for advice.

2. Take care at railway level crossings when driving a vehicle fitted with a CB antenna. High antennas can touch low wires causing electrocution so don't fit l/2 and 5/8 (antennas for 26 - 27 MHz equipment (sub-clause 4(1)) to vehicles or use any type of long antenna for mobile operation.

3. Use common sense when transmitting. Don't let your use of CB interfere with your ability to drive. Don't transmit when there is risk of an explosion, such as when you are at a petrol station.

4. Don't transmit with the antenna less than 15cm (6 inches) from your face. Remember that concentrated radio energy can be dangerous.

For enquiries on Citizens' Band Radio

Citizens' Band Radio Services
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX

Tel: 020 7211 0159/0160
Fax: 020 7211 0228

E-mail: amcb@ra.gsi.gov.uk

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