Editing Citizens band radio (section)

===United Kingdom===
{{Main|CB radio in the United Kingdom}}
In the UK, a small but growing number of people were illegally using American CB radios during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The prominence of CB radio grew in Britain partly due to the success of novelty songs like C.W. McCall's "Convoy" and Laurie Lingo & The Dipsticks' "Convoy GB" in 1976 (both of which were Top&nbsp;5 hits). By 1980, CB radio was becoming a popular pastime in Britain; as late as the summer of 1981 the British government was still saying that CB would never be legalized on 27&nbsp;MHz, proposing a UHF service around 860&nbsp;MHz called "Open Channel" instead. However, in November 1981 (after high-profile public demonstrations) 40&nbsp;frequencies unique to the UK, known as the [[27 MHz CB27/81 Bandplan|27/81 Bandplan]] using FM were allocated at 27&nbsp;MHz plus 20&nbsp;channels on 934&nbsp;MHz (934.0125–934.9625&nbsp;MHz with 50&nbsp;kHz spacing). CB's inventor, [[Alfred J. Gross|Al Gross]], made the ceremonial first legal British CB call from [[Trafalgar Square]] in London.

The maximum power allowable on the MPT&nbsp;1320 27/81 system was 4&nbsp;watts (in common with the American system), although initially radios were equipped to reduce output power by 10&nbsp;[[Decibel|dB]] (to 0.4&nbsp;watts) if the antenna was mounted more than 7&nbsp;meters (23') above ground level. The power-reduction switch is also useful in reducing [[Electromagnetic interference|TV interference]]. MPT&nbsp;1320 also restricted antennas to a maximum length of 1.5&nbsp;meters (5'), with base loading being the only type permitted for 27&nbsp;MHz operation. Over the next several years antenna regulations were relaxed, with antenna length increasing to 1.65&nbsp;meters (5'5") and centre- or top-loading of the main radiating element permitted. On 1&nbsp;September 1987 the UK added the usual 40&nbsp;frequencies (26.965–27.405&nbsp;MHz) used worldwide, for a total of 80&nbsp;channels at 27&nbsp;MHz; antenna regulations were further relaxed, and the 934&nbsp;MHz band was withdrawn in 1998.

CB radio in the UK was deregulated in December&nbsp;2006 by the regulatory body [[Ofcom]], and CB radio in the UK is now license-free. The old MPT&nbsp;1320 27/81 band will continue to be available for the foreseeable future. On 27&nbsp;June 2014, changes were made by Ofcom to allow the use of AM & SSB modes on CB in the UK legally for the first time. The rules regarding non-approved radios and power levels above 4&nbsp;Watts on AM/FM and 12&nbsp;Watts on SSB still apply, despite deregulation. Persons using illegal equipment or accessories still risk prosecution, fines or confiscation of equipment, although this is rarely enforced. AM and SSB on the freeband and amplifier use are common among enthusiasts. [[Packet radio]] is legal in the UK, although not widely used. Internet gateway stations are also beginning to appear; although illegal on 27&nbsp;MHz, these units are connected to other CB stations around the world.

Although the use of CB radios in the UK is limited they are still in use, especially with the farming community, truckers, off-roaders and mini-cab services.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Finlo |last=Rohrer |date=August 14, 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4789887.stm |title=Over and out? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904005853/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4789887.stm |archive-date=2011-09-04 |df=dmy-all |magazine=BBC News Magazine |access-date=2011-10-22}}</ref> The widely used channel for the [[National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs|Young Farmers' Club]] is channel&nbsp;11. The normal calling and truckers' channel is channel 19, although many truck organisations and groups use other channels to avoid abuse.