What 26 MHz AM CB Is, and Who Uses It
AM CB is an HF radio service using AM or SSB (single sideband). In New Zealand it runs on 40 channels between 26.330 MHz (channel 1) and 26.770 MHz (channel 40), a band that is close to unique to this country.
Being HF, it behaves differently to UHF. Signals carry well along open roads and over long distances, and in the right atmospheric conditions they can "skip" off the upper atmosphere and travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres. That is unpredictable, so it is a bonus rather than something to plan around.
Who uses it today:
- Long-haul trucking. This is AM CB's heartland in NZ. Plenty of trucks carry a 26 MHz set, often alongside a UHF radio for yards and depots.
- Rural and farming users who have run a set for years and still have people to talk to on it.
- Hobbyists and clubs interested in long-distance propagation.
How NZ and Australia Went Different Ways
CB took off worldwide in the 1970s. New Zealand built its service on its own 26 MHz allocation rather than the 27 MHz band used overseas. Australia legalised 27 MHz CB and introduced UHF CB in the same year, and over time Australian drivers moved across to UHF. Kiwi truckies largely stayed on 26 MHz.
| Year | Country | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | United States | 27 MHz CB created, the band most of the world still uses |
| 1977 | Australia | 27 MHz CB legalised, initially with 18 channels, and UHF CB introduced the same year |
| 1 July 1994 | New Zealand | Individual CB licences replaced by a free general licence. Around 14,500 sets had been individually licensed before the change |
| 2003 | New Zealand | CB licence notice set out the 40 NZ channels from 26.330 to 26.770 MHz |
| 27 May 2011 | Australia | UHF CB expanded from 40 to 80 channels by halving channel spacing |
| 2011 | New Zealand | Updated CB licence notice covering the NZ 26 MHz band, the international 27 MHz band and 80-channel UHF PRS |
| February 2017 | Australia | Planned ban on older 40-channel UHF CB radios dropped, so existing sets could stay in use |
Today both countries license CB free of charge. The difference is which band people actually use, and that is why an imported AM CB can leave you talking to an empty channel.
AM CB vs UHF CB: Which One Do You Need?
The right choice comes down to who you need to talk to, not which technology is newer.
| Factor | 26 MHz AM CB | UHF CB / PRS (477 MHz) |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 26.330 to 26.770 MHz (HF) | 476.4250 to 477.4125 MHz (UHF) |
| Channels | 40 | 80, including repeater pairs |
| Mode | AM and SSB | FM |
| Works with Australian CB? | No, Australia uses 27 MHz | Yes, same band plan |
| Around buildings and hills | Weaker in obstructed terrain | Copes better, and repeaters can extend coverage |
| Aerial | Long whip, needs a good ground plane | Short and compact |
| Main NZ users | Long-haul trucking | Farming, 4WD, forestry, construction, events, trucking |
| Notable trait | Long-distance "skip" in the right conditions | Consistent, predictable local coverage |
Driving long-haul or joining a fleet already on 26 MHz? Run an AM CB, and add a UHF set for local work. For farms, worksites and 4WD use, UHF CB is usually the more practical starting point. See our full UHF Radio NZ guide for that side of the decision.
Choosing Gear and Getting the Antenna Right
We stock a range of current AM CB radios for NZ use, including the GME TX2720N, sold as a kit with a matching antenna, the Uniden PRO5050, a DIN-size unit that runs on both 12V and 24V for light vehicles and trucks, and two Midland 26 MHz models: the portable ALAN 42 DS and the compact fixed-mount M5-Pro.
Range depends heavily on terrain, antenna and atmospheric conditions. A typical mobile setup gives around 2 to 8 km in normal conditions, and a base station with a roof-mounted antenna will usually reach further.
The radio is only half the job. AM CB antennas, such as the GME AE2400N (60 cm) or AE2402N (120 cm), need a proper ground against a metal vehicle surface and a correctly tuned SWR (standing wave ratio). As a rule, taller performs better, so mount as high as practical. A poorly matched antenna does more than weaken your signal, it can damage the radio's output stage over time. It is exactly the kind of install detail worth having a specialist check.
On-Air Etiquette Basics
AM CB channels are shared, and the culture around them has its own long-standing conventions.
- Listen before transmitting, so you do not cut across a conversation.
- Keep transmissions brief, especially on channels used for coordination.
- If you hear a distress call, stay clear and let it through. Emergency traffic always takes priority.
- Conventions vary by region and industry, so listen for a while on an unfamiliar channel before jumping in.
For the broader principles that apply across radio types, see our radio etiquette guide.
Getting the Right System in Place
Mobile Systems Limited is New Zealand owned and based in Mt Maunganui, with over 25 years supplying, installing and servicing two-way radio for trucks, tradies and farms across the Bay of Plenty, and shipping NZ-wide.
