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**The Early Days of CB Radio in Britain: A Fight for Legalization and Preservation**


In the early days of CB radio in Britain, groups such as the Citizen’s Band Association (CBA) played a crucial role, especially in the early 1980s, in advocating for the legalization of CB radio.


As a member of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the European Citizen’s Band Federation (ECBF) has exerted significant influence over the past five years. Working within the ETSI framework, the ECBF has successfully shaped the decisions of the CEPT, the administrative body that oversees the national regulations of European countries. This influence led to a public inquiry involving 350 million European consumers within ETSI, resulting in the creation of a telecommunications standard specifically for CB radios in 1995. This standard officially recognized AM (Amplitude Modulation) and SSB (Single Side Band) as the major CB transmission modes worldwide.


Despite these remarkable achievements, recent developments have brought challenges to the CB radio community. During a meeting of the European Communications Agency (ECO) in Vilnius, Lithuania, concerns arose about the future of CB radio. Subsequent discussions revealed plans to remove the Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard exclusive to CB radios, specifically EN 301489-13. The proposed action was intended to integrate the CB standard into another dedicated to TETRA, potentially undermining the prominence of CB radio services. This proposal found justification in the new European Radio Directive, Directive 2014/53/EU, better known as the RED Directive.


In response to these challenges, the ECBF, in collaboration with its member associations, has mobilized for a mass protest campaign at the European level. However, despite the looming threats, recent developments offer a glimmer of hope.


At a recent meeting of the group responsible for EMC standards, ERM WGEMC, held at the headquarters of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the ECBF played an active role. As full members of ETSI, the ECBF was involved in the discussions and achieved an agreement to initiate a new work item (NWI) aimed at adapting the existing CB standard, EN 301489-13, to align it with the requirements of the new directive. This NWI will be led by Martijn Verhoef, Chairman of the ECBF. The establishment of this NWI was supported by AER and other industrial members of ETSI. Despite these positive steps, the ECBF remains vigilant and prepared to take necessary actions to protect the interests of CB users.


© 2024 European CB Federation (ECBF).