Glossary

Learn the technical terms and key definitions related to CB radios and communication.

 

There is a number of terms and acronyms used in the CB radio language that can be difficult to understand for new users. Clear and precise language facilitates contact among all radiocommunication enthusiasts.

 

Below you will find some of the most frequently used CB radio expressions. Remember this is meant to be fun. You are by no means obliged to use them.

 
Please remember, in an emergency, you should try to communicate as clearly as possible to avoid any misunderstanding.
 

A radio alphabet is a code used in radiotelephony, which consists of representing each letter of the alphabet by a whole word, chosen acrophonically (with the letter represented as its initial). Thus, when a word is spelled, each of its letters is replaced by the corresponding word, so that there is no ambiguity between similar sounds (such as "m" and "n", "p" and "b"). Such ambiguities are likely to occur because of the noise and interferences that radio transmissions are frequently subjected to, and also because the recipient does not see the speaker and therefore does not have a visual indication to help him lift any ambiguity.

 

A Alpha H Hotel O Oscar V Victor
B Bravo I India P Papa W Whiskey
C Charlie J Juliett Q Quebec X X-ray
D Delta K Kilo R Romeo Y Yankee
E Echo L Lima S Sierra Z Zulu
F Foxtrott M Mike T Tango    
G Golf N November U Uniform    

The CB radio language is a varied and elaborate language used worldwide, with a variety of regional specificities.

 

Below is a summary of the main words used in the English CB language, however it is by no means an exhaustive list. Your local CB club or fellow CB radio buddies are a great resource to enrich your CB radio language. There are also internet sites that specialize in publishing CB radio terms.

 
ADVERTISING Flashing lights of police car BACK OFF Slow down
BASEMENT Channel 1 BASE STATION A CB set in fixed location
BEAR Policeman BEAR BITE Speeding fine
BEAR CAGE Police station BIG SLAB Motorway
BIG 10-4 Absolutely BLEEDING Signal from an adjacent channel interfering with the transmission
BLOCKING THE CHANNEL Pressing the PTT switch without talking BLUE BOYS Police
BREAK Used to ask permission to join a conversation BREAKER A CBer wishing to join a channel
CLEAN AND GREEN Clear of police CLEANER CHANNEL Channel with less interference
COMING IN LOUD AND PROUD Good reception DOUGHNUT Tyre
DOWN AND GONE Turning CB off DOWN ONE Go to a lower channel
DO YOU COPY? Understand? DX Long distance
EIGHTY EIGHTS Love and kisses EYE BALL CBers meeting together
GOOD BUDDY Fellow CBer HAMMER Accelerator
HANDLE CBer’s nickname HARVEY WALL BANGER Dangerous driver
HOW AM I HITTING YOU? How are you receiving me? KEYING THE MIKE Pressing the PTT switch without talking
KOJAC WITH A KODAK Police radar LAND LINE Telephone
LUNCH BOX CB set MAN WITH A GUN Police radar
MAYDAY SOS MEAT WAGON Ambulance
MIDNIGHT SHOPPER Thief MODULATION Conversation
NEGATIVE COPY No reply OVER YOUR SHOULDER Right behind you
PART YOUR HAIR Behave yourself - police ahead PULL YOUR HAMMER BACK Slow down
RAT RACE Congested traffic RUBBERBANDER New CBer
SAIL BOAT FUEL Wind SMOKEY DOZING Parked police car
SMOKEY WITH A CAMERA Police radar SPAGHETTI BOWL Interchange
STINGER Antenna TURKEY Dumb CBer
UP ONE Go up one channel WALL TO WALL All over/everywhere
WHAT AM I PUTTING TO YOU? Please give me an S-meter reading    
       

CB radio 10 codes are abbreviations that are used to shorten common phrases in radio communication.

 

The 10-codes were created in 1937 as a way to streamline and simplify radio communications for law enforcement officers. Although these codes were initially created for police and public safety use, they were later expanded and adopted by CB radio users. Today, some of these codes, such as 10-4 (meaning "message received") and 10-20 (meaning "location"), remain popular in the CB radio community.

 

Below are the main 10 codes used in the English CB language. These codes allow CB users to communicate efficiently, especially in high-traffic channels or emergencies.

 

This list is not complete and these codes may vary slightly depending on the region or group using them. Reach out to your local CB radio club or fellow CB radio buddies to further enrich your CB language. 

 
Please remember, in an emergency, you should try to communicate as clearly as possible to avoid any misunderstanding. Law enforcement and emergency responders may or may not understand the 10-code language.
 
10-1 Poor signal/reception 10-2 Good signal/reception
10-4 Message received/understood 10-7 Out of service/leaving the air
10-8 In service/available for communication 10-9 Repeat the message
10-10 Transmission completed, standing by 10-13 Advise weather/road conditions
10-17 Urgent business 10-19 Return to base
10-20 What's your location? 10-33 Emergency traffic only
10-36 What's the correct time? 10-42 Traffic accident at my location
10-99 Mission completed 10-100 Need to take a bathroom break
 

You can find examples on how the 10 codes are used during a conversation under the Talk CB Now section.

AM Amplitude Modulation CB Citizens Band
CH Channel CQ General appeal
CW Continuous waves DX Long distance link
DW Dual watch FM Frequency modulation
GMT Greenwich Meantime GP Ground plane (vertical antenna)
HF High Frequency LSB Low Side Band
RX Receiver SSB Single Side Band
SW Short waves SWL Short waves listening
SWR Standing Waves Ratio TX CB transceiver (also means transmission)
UHF Ultra High Frequency USB Upper side band
VHF Very High Frequency