Commonly Used CB Channels, and what they are used for

By December 7, 2023Blog Posts

North American/CEPT frequencies

CB Channel Frequency Typical Use (US)

Channel 1–26.965 MHz Used by truckers in eastern USA & Canadian maritime provinces

Channel 2–26.975 MHz

Channel 3–26.985 MHz

Channel 4–27.005 MHz Often used for 4×4’s/ Off-roading

Channel 5–27.015 MHz

Channel 6–27.025 MHz Considered to be the “Super Bowl” channel. (This has nothing to do with the football Super bowl.) It is a channel used by people with very powerful, illegally-amplified radios: “big” radios, 500 or 1,000 watt radios (“The Kilowatt Club”).

Channel 7–27.035 MHz

Channel 8–27.055 MHz

Channel 9–27.065 MHz Emergency communications or traveler assistance. This channel was once monitored by law enforcement and CB clubs that provided emergency assistance to motorists, patrolled highways, carried First Aid equipment, etc.

Channel 10–27.075 MHz Often used by truckers for regional roads.

Channel 11–27.085 MHz This is also a “Super Bowl” channel, and also a channel commonly used by “skip shooters” or “skip talkers.” who try to communicate over long distances (DX’ing.)

Channel 12–27.105 MHz

Channel 13–27.115 MHz Considered the marine and RV channel. Many RV’ers use CH 13 and monitor CH 19. (“Marine radios” intended for use on boats are VHF radios up to 25W power, but it is illegal to use these radios except on a boat.)

Channel 14–27.125 MHz Commonly included transmit/receive crystal in many vintage walkie-talkies. This was a popular channel for teenagers in Texas where I lived.

Channel 15–27.135 MHz

Channel 16–27.155 MHz Used by off-road vehicles (4×4 = 16)

Channel 17–27.165 MHz Used by truckers on North/Southbound Highways on the west coast (primarily I-5)

Channel 18–27.175 MHz

Channel 19–27.185 MHz Highway trucker channel. Notable as being the center frequency of the band.

Channel 20–27.205 MHz

Channel 21–27.215 MHz

Channel 22–27.225 MHz Popular as an alternate channel for truckers to converse away from CH 19. The call to “drop three” meant for one to switch from CH 19 to CH 22.

Channel 23–27.255 MHz Called “the bottom end” before 40 channel radios were introduced.

Channel 24–27.235 MHz

Channel 25–27.245 MHz

Channel 26–27.265 MHz

Channel 27–27.275 MHz

Channel 28–27.285 MHz

Channel 29–27.295 MHz

Channel 30–27.305 MHz Depending on local needs, channels numbered above 30 or 35 are generally used with Single Sideband (SSB) operation.

Channel 31–27.315 MHz

Channel 32–27.325 MHz

Channel 33–27.335 MHz

Channel 34–27.345 MHz

Channel 35–27.355 MHz

Channel 36–27.365 MHz

Channel 37–27.375 MHz

Channel 38–27.385 MHz Single Sideband (SSB) calling channel, Lower Sideband (LSB) mode

Channel 39–27.395 MHz

Channel 40–27.405 MHz

If you know of any commonly used ones here in Southern Oregon, we can add to the list.