AM CB Radios Q & A

What range will an AM CB radio give me?

Generally speaking, range for a CB radio could be anywhere from 1 to 20 kilometres depending on terrain, type of antennas used and atmospheric conditions. The typical range to expect from a mobile CB radio is about 2 to 8 kilometres. Home base station setups with larger roof mounted base antennas will usually give more range than the ground level mobile units.

Why does there seem to be more static on CB channels than what I hear on other types of radios?

Much like your car stereo's AM and FM bands, AM has more interference than FM. CB channels are transmitted and received using a similar AM type of transmission mode. Look for CBs which have a noise blanker (NB) switch, which helps minimise some of the noise better than standard CBs which have no noise filters.

What frequency do AM CB Radios run on in New Zealand?

AM CB Radios were allocated the 26 MHz frequency many years ago, and most AM CB radios in use in New Zealand are 26 MHz radios. In 2012, RSM (Radio Spectrum Management) announced that AM CB Radios would also be allowed to operate on the 27 MHz frequency, in line with AM CBs in Australia and the United States. Be aware when making a purchase that nearly all trucks in New Zealand are currently running on 26 MHz and are very unlikely to change.

What is the best antenna for my mobile CB radio?

This is a tough question to answer and there are several variables at play. As a guideline, the taller the antenna the better it will work. Mount your antenna as high as possible on your vehicle and try to get at least 50% of it over your roofline. It won't matter what brand name, colour or style, the antenna length is more important than other considerations. CB antennas less than 1 metre tall generally don't give the best performance.

Do I need a licence to operate a CB radio?

No. Since the early 1980s, CB radios operating on 26 MHz have not required an individual licence.

If all CBs run similar power and channel limits, isn't a $200 set as good as a $500 set?

No. It's like saying that since all AM/FM car stereos pick up the same stations, a $200 unit is as good as one that sells for $1,000. Factors like receive sensitivity and selectivity, noise filtering, and modulation quality all vary between models. You get what you pay for. Features like mic and RF gain controls, built-in meters, noise blankers and more will also vary between different CB radios.

For expert advice on choosing the right AM CB or UHF CB setup for your vehicle, talk to the team at Mobile Systems Limited.

Browse our AM and UHF CB radio range, or get in touch with our team.