Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Citizen’s Band (CB) radio bands are two types of transmission systems in widely-used broadcasting applications. Both bands operate on unique frequencies, and have a long history of usage, regulation, and implementation for various industries throughout the world.

UHF is a common analog television transmission signal, generally providing the frequency band for channels that are numerically higher than 13 (the major local networks like NBC, ABC, FOX, etc.—which are all part of Very High Frequency—VHF—bands). Many UHF stations ended up becoming translator signals for a VHF station that could not be broadcast signals decently in a smaller broadcasting area. UHF also saw increased usage with the popularization of modern mobile phones, which transmit and receive signals inside UHF frequencies.

CB radio, in comparison to UHF, saw much more amateur usage in the consumer area. A CB radio transmission occurs between individuals on a selection of 40 channels within the 27 MHz band, and carries no license requirements (unlike amateur radio on UHF bands.) CB radio transmissions can be used for business, or personal communication, and has been the method of choice for transmitting 2-way voice exchange over a range of several miles.

Class C CB radio transmissions are also reserved strictly for remote-controlled device usage (i.e. remote control cars and model airplanes). However, serious R/C enthusiasts tend to avoid CB radio frequencies due to the risk of illegal operators using voice communications on these reserved channels (which serve to provide interference and possible radio-controlled device failure, and presents a safety issue for model aircraft operation.) These enthusiasts tend to use an alternate Class C channel in the 72/73 MHz range.

The major differences of CB and UHF radio involve regulation. CB radio is lightly enforced, and has only minimal rules and regulations for operation due to the smaller range of transmission. This also serves as one of the major complaints of using CB radio, as the FCC’s lax enforcement of CB radio encourages illegal freebanding activity. UHF has a stricter set of rules, and thus more structure, security, and commercialization in its many uses of radio bandwidth.

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