CB Radio 11 meter DX

In 2017, WT Docket 10-119 modernized FCC 27 MHz (11 meter) CB Radio Rules as published in the Federal Register, including replacing 95.333 and 95.933. The obsolete Part 95.413 rule limiting legal CB radio communications to 250 km was removed. This was one of the largest improvements to CB radio rules since the late 1970s, recalling the June 1, 1976 White House Conference on CB Radio.

CB Radio rules do not specify a maximum range for CB radio communications, as long as the other station is in the United States or Canada. Therefore, “DX”, two-way long distance communication typically using non-groundwave propagation such as skywave, meteor scatter, etc. is legal for USA CB radio operators with other CB radio stations in the United States and Canada.

At dusk/dawn, a form of skywave propagation known as greyline propagation can occur, allowing strong signals between distant stations within the same dawn/dusk region as seen on this live map. If propagation is enhanced but no station is transmitting on the frequency one is listening to, the propagation enhancement is not noticed. Like on other frequency bands, listening for known transmitters is a useful DX detection technique in the 11 meter band.

For example:

  • Broadcast Auxiliary Remote Stations (STL), what FCC ULS calls “RP - Broadcast Auxiliary Remote Pickup” can be heard around 26 MHz including 26.470 MHz.
  • 27.025 MHz CB radio channel 6 in the AM mode is a common frequency for CB DX with very high power stations.
  • 12 meter and 10 meter NCDXF beacons provide another source of live propagation detection, especially for seeing if the MUF is near the 11 meter band.
  • UK CADS and Ireland WPAS 11 meter community audio distribution service broadcasts overlap with some traditional CB radio frequencies.

International DX groups may use calling frequencies including SSB 26.285 MHz, FM 26.805 MHz, and SSB 26.555, 27.415, 27.555 MHz, but these frequencies are generally not legal to transmit on.

From the early 1990s and continuing today, REACT International holds itinerant FCC licenses on 27.490 MHz among numerous other VHF and UHF frequencies for emergency communications. Specifically, the REACT FCC callsign WQUS415 authorizes 150 watts transmit power on 27.490 MHz with narrowband FM (11K2F3E) and SSB (2K80J3E) voice modes. Commercial business band two-way radio transceivers generally “bottomed out” their frequency coverage around 30 MHz for at least three decades. Thus the users of such frequencies would either have custom-designed radios, modified CB radios or modified ham radios, or marine / LMR HF radios. We’re not addressing the FCC type approval vis the license class, but it’s clear there are technically viable and currently sold options for 100+ watt SSB and FM operation on 27.490 MHz for such licensees. Such radios on the commercial market include: