A Few Comments About Freebanding

Freebanding is the activity of using "export" radios or modified ham radio transceivers to operate outside the normal CB channels. Let me clarify that: some of the radios used are true amateur radio HF transceivers, most of which are easy to reset for general-coverage transmit as well as receive, while others (more generally popular among "outlaw" CBers), while marketed as ham radios, are in reality designed and marketed for modification and use by CBers. It is easy to tell the difference: if it doesn't go below 21 MHz or so, it is likely intended more for the CB market than the ham market. Especially if it has any built-in sound effects. Hams don't use those, and in fact their use is illegal. Also, if a radio is marketed in truckstops, it is probably intended more for the CB market.

That being said, let's look a little more closely at what is generally meant by freebanding. Usually, the term means spreading outside, but near, the CB channels, say between 25 MHz and 30 MHz. It can also mean using frequencies that are between the CB channels. It generally doesn't mean using frequencies that are not even close to CB, like for example somewhere in the 8 MHz range. Not that it can't be done, just that it can't be done with a modified "export" CB and a CB antenna, so it's not something CBers tend to move into as an extension of their CB activities.

OK, let's break freebanding down into 3 parts. The first part, operating between channels, probably won't draw much attention. I'm not advocating it, you understand, just saying that, relatively speaking, there are much worse things you can do in the world of radio. Looking at the list of CB channel frequencies, it seems that there are 4 frequencies that may be usable: 26.995, 27.045, 27.095, and 27.195 MHz. These are equally between the channels of 3-4, 7-8, 10-11, and 19-20, respectively. Why is this? Because most of the CB channels are on 10 kHz spacing, but those 4 frequencies are skipped over; in other words, the channels listed have 20 kHz spacing. My understanding is that those "lost" frequencies were used for garage door openers, RC cars, etc. In fact, I have seen some such devices. I doubt many are still in service however, largely because of interference from CBers. But it might still be better to avoid these frequencies if you live or operate in a congested area.

Second is the bandwidth from 25 MHz to 26.955 MHz, and 27.415 MHz to 27.990 MHz. Why these frequencies? Because the Amateur 12 Meter band ends at 24.990 MHz and you want to stay at least 10 kHz away from that, and CB Channel 1 is 26.965 MHz; Channel 40 is 27.405 MHz and the very popular Amateur 10 Meter band begins at 28.000 MHz. You want to stay a minimum of 10 kHz away from any of those borders, so you won't be heard by users of those frequencies.
Now, within those two ranges, you stand a somewhat greater risk of being caught, because they are allocated to business band and, I think, some forest service activities. Perhaps some military frequencies are in there as well. I have heard that 27.450 MHz is a "calling frequency" of sorts for freebanders, so it is likely not used much by any licensed user. Basically, as I understand it (and this is not legal advice but rather my own observation) if you are not interfering with any licensed user, you probably won't be bothered, although I certainly wouldn't set up a daily broadcast. And when I say "interfere", you had better realize that, especially to some types of users (law enforcement springs to mind), merely hearing you key up on "their" frequency constitutes interference; and if they have a license for the frequency, the FCC will definitely agree with them. So the bottom line is that, should you decide to try using some (any) frequency for which you are not licensed, you should at the very least listen to the frequency for awhile before doing so, and if you ever hear anyone else on it, discontinue using it immediately.

Now, about that third thing. Moving down into the 12 Meter or up into the 10 Meter Amateur bands will get you busted. Don't do it. Here's the thing: Hams work hard at attaining that license and spend a lot of money on their equipment, and unlike some cop or forest service guy, it isn't just something they do at work. They do it because they love it, and they are not about to give up their precious bandwidth to a freebander, not even one tiny slice of it. Nearly all hams will not only report you, some of them hunt unlicensed users as a hobby in itself. And they have the technology to catch you, too, and within just a couple of short transmissions. And just because you don't hear anybody doesn't mean nobody is listening; a lot of hams monitor around the clock, waiting for the band to open to DX.

Now that that's out of the way, one more quick note about radios. I'm an advocate of using unmodified CBs for utility communications (which is, after all, what they are designed for). But that doesn't mean that I won't show links to eBay listings for export radios. If I find one that is a good deal, I will probably list it. But a lot of those things are substantially overpriced. Why, for example, pay $300 for an export radio, when you can get a nice used HF ham transceiver for that? There is absolutely no comparison in quality and capability.
And the last thing; you will never see a link on my site to a radio which has been "peaked and tuned". That is CB-speak for "ruined by an idiot". If you are offered a rig that has been "peaked and tuned", run the other way. You don't want it.