In 1980, the MARC (Alternative Radio Communication Authorization Regulation) came into effect in the Netherlands, which legalized the use of the 27MHz band. However, it is naive to think that no extensive communication took place on this band before that time. Equipment, mostly imported from the United States and West Germany, had been used illegally for years. Incidentally, this equipment is now worthless because it has not been approved by the PTT and works with a different modulation method (AM instead of FM) than permitted under the MARC.
Legalization of the use of 27MHz equipment
The widespread use of illegal 27MHz equipment eventually forced the Dutch government to release the band for free radio communication. The number of users had become so large that effective tracking was no longer possible for which confiscated set ten were smuggled across the border. In addition, numerous CB clubs actively campaigned for legalization of 27MHz with the emphasis on sporting use of the band. In this way they managed to win over the PTT and the government to their position. A regulated 27MHz was after all better than an inevitable proliferation.
The legalization of the “citizens band” was a long time coming in the Netherlands. In the United States, it all started right after the Second World War. In 1947, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the use of two-way communication over short distances. Today, there are three different CB classes in the United States: A, C and D. Class B, which operated exclusively on 465MHz, was abolished in 1968 due to poor results.
Big breakthrough in America
Class A offers the possibility to operate with 16 channels in the frequency ranges 462.55 to 462.725MHz and 467.55 to 467.725MHz with a maximum power of 60 watts (input) or 48 watts (output) whereby both AM and FM are permitted. Class C regulates the use in the 27MHz band for radio model control, garage door openers etc. without spoken word. The big breakthrough in America came in 1958 when the FCC made twenty-two channels in the 27MHz band available for CB, which became class D. This was originally the 11-meter amateur band, intended for reliable two-way communication between citizens. Later more channels were added and from January 1, 1977 the CB band was expanded to 40 channels.
In America, truck drivers are the main users of CB radios, especially on long distances on the highways. The energy crisis of 1973 and a large 'truckers' demonstration in 1974 provided extra publicity, which led to a huge popularity of CB radios in the US. It is estimated that there are now over thirty million units in use by over thirteen million licensees.
Introduction in Europe
In Europe, the introduction of CB radio began in Scandinavia, despite the heavy government interference in those countries. Practical considerations prevailed, the vast, sparsely populated landscape was ideal for CB use. Sweden began a limited CB licensing system as early as 1961. Denmark followed, initially with a power of 100 milliwatts, later increased to 0.5 watts, which led to an explosive growth of 27MHz use.
In West Germany, the current 27MHz regulation dates back to 1975, when 12 channels in the 27MHz band were released, allowing both AM and FM. Illegal equipment is strictly controlled and punished there. The growth of CB in West Germany has also had an impact on the Netherlands, where it was relatively easy to obtain illegal equipment from Germany.
Other European countries have also allowed radio communications on the 27MHz band, although the United Kingdom has opposed this because of the expected interference to radio, television and playback equipment. In the Netherlands, legislation is based on the latest CEPT recommendation for the 27MHz band with a maximum of 22 channels and a maximum power of 0.5 watts.
Alternative Radio Communication Authorization Scheme
The introduction of MARC in the Netherlands was seen as a necessary development to combat the proliferation of illegal equipment. However, Dutch legislation was out of step with other European countries, which caused problems when using approved equipment across the border. Despite these challenges, MARC was seen as an improvement on the total ban on CB radio that had previously been in force.
Source: Briel, Robert “The CB handbook”, 1980
Commonly used 27MHz terms
NATO/NATO spelling alphabet: For professional users and radio amateurs this alphabet is mandatory. The radio amateurs in the earlier, illegal, period also had the habit of using this alphabet when spelling their call and callsign.
Bak or bakkie : This was the name for a 27MC transceiver, these names are still used.
Kappa!: This is said as soon as the other station stops transmitting and before the other station begins his reply. Something like "understood!". Is a corruption of the English "copy", which is an acknowledgement of receipt.
Breaky-Breaky! : This is said when someone wants to join in the conversation. Such a person is called a "breaker".
Cycling: Searching for a free channel. They met on channel 14 (the calling channel) and one of them searched for a free channel. Then they "cycled" to this free channel.
Clip: Someone who turns on his transmitter, during or after a conversation, continues to transmit but says nothing, usually with the aim of annoying his counterparts and thus making the conversation impossible. Clipping comes from the well-known microphones that have a switch on the side that has to be squeezed to make the radio transmit, the so-called PTT button (push to talk). Such a microphone is also called a "hand clip".
Stove, stove, linear or afterburner: These four terms refer to a final stage (linear) that significantly increases the transmission power. These final stages are illegal in the Netherlands, but are available in all shapes and sizes: the small ones that boost the power to 15 watts, but also larger ones, up to 1000 watts. The term "stove" comes from the fact that these devices, and especially the large models, produce a considerable amount of heat as soon as they are in operation.
Mike: This refers to the microphone, typically found on the transceiver.
QSL/QSO card: Often original, self-made postcards that CB'ers send to each other after a "QSO", that is to say a connection. This was mainly done in the early days and has now virtually fallen into disuse among CB'ers.[4]
Standing-by: Corruption of the English word standby. A CB'er is standing-by as soon as he is not actively participating in conversations but is listening via the (mutually agreed) call channel.
S-je 9: On a scale of 1 to 9 the signal strength is indicated, nowadays usually visible on the receiver with LEDs: The more that light up the better the signal. The old analogue hands have a green section up to S9, after that the red scale shows 10-20-30-50, then we speak of 10 over 9 or 10 dB.
Full blast: The most commonly used term, in response to a transmitter's question of how strong the signal is perceived by a receiver, at which point the signal meter is at full (maximum) deflection.
Radio 5: On a scale of 1 to 5, the 'intelligibility' (modulation/readability) is indicated. This usually has to do with the quality of the microphone.
Roger beep: A beep that is heard when someone stops transmitting. Mainly used on AM and SSB, because it is almost impossible to hear when someone stops transmitting. This is in contrast to FM, where the radio starts to hiss loudly when someone stops transmitting.
Code red!: Indication that the search service has been notified and that caution should be exercised when using "heaters" and illegal frequencies.
White mice: This refers to the investigative service (National Digital Infrastructure Inspectorate, formerly: AT, RDR or RCD), which uses tracking vehicles to search for illegal transmitters. This term was mainly used in the time when the 27MC band had not yet been released.
Lock: This is often used, especially with table microphones that have a special button, the lock, so that you do not have to press the button all the time.
Adhesive base: Antenna with magnet for a car or truck.
1 to 1: Perfect antenna adjustment, measurable with a SWR meter (also called "Standing Wave Meter"). Other values are for example: 1:1.2 / (fairly good adjustment) 1:3 (1 to 3): bad antenna adjustment / (1 to 10): very bad adjustment, probably short circuit in the plug or not enough ground. The one is often not receivable by another station, or very bad.
Whip: The half-wave or 5/8 wave antenna is a long antenna of around 5.5 meters (around 6.875 meters for 5/8). Both antennas can have small radials at the bottom of the antenna.
Strumming: Chatting on the radio. Corruption of talking.
Alpha channels : When dividing the channels, there is a standard channel separation of 10 kHz, for channels 3, 7, 11, 15 and 19 the space is larger (20 kHz), these are called alpha channels (intermediate channels or alpha channels) and they are often used when the standard channels were "full". The use of these channels is not permitted, they were used for wireless remote controls of toy cars and airplanes. Interference often occurred and airplanes often crashed. Nowadays these channels are no longer used.
Calling : Trying to make contact with other 27MC'ers, on FM usually is someone standing by? while on SSB usually the callsign and frequency are called in the form of Cq Cq (callsign) on (frequency).
'73's: At the end of a connection "Kind regards". Term originating from (licensed) radio amateurs, but is also used on the 27 MC. Strictly speaking, the expression '73's is incorrect, because 'Kind regards' is already plural. Correct is '73', without the 's' at the end.
QRT: Stop transmitting and turn off the transmitter. Term used by telegraphers and (licensed) radio amateurs, but also used on 27 MC.
Foxes: This uses a hidden 27 MC transmitter/beacon that emits alternating tones at a predetermined time and frequency. The aim is to actually track down the transmitter (fox) as quickly as possible.
Source: Wikipedia
