ACMA seeks submissions on CB emergency channels

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is currently seeking information on some aspects of the class licence that covers the use of citizens band (CB) radio in Australia.

Use of CB radio equipment is covered under a class licence and no individual licensing is required, subject to operation under the conditions of the overall licence. The plan is that the existing systems are operating effectively and so there is no need to make changes to the licence per se, but the ACMA is seeking comments on a couple of specific areas of usage.

CB radio emergency channels

UHF channels 5 and 35 are listed as being for emergency communications only. The ACMA is seeking information on whether the access to the public carrier networks (and specifically the 000 system) does away with the need for emergency channels on UHF CB. It is important for anyone with experience in the UHF CB sector, and our public safety agencies, to respond if they see a continuing need for these emergency channels to be specifically available for public use in emergencies.

The HF CB service meanwhile operates on channels in the 27 MHz band, and although it is not as popular as in the early days of CB radio usage, there may still be users on some of those channels. The question is whether there should continue to be one channel (HF channel 9) dedicated as an emergency channel. The second question here is whether anyone actually monitors that channel regularly, and if the answer is no, then should it be labelled as an emergency channel? If any calls issued on that channel are highly unlikely to be responded too, does it lead to an expectation of support that may not exist?

Telemetry channels

When the existing channel plan for UHF CB was introduced to change channel bandwidth from 25 to 12.5 kHz, the telecommand/telemetry channels on the old format (channels 22 and 23) were left as 25 kHz bandwidth. The ACMA is now seeking responses on whether these channels should be brought into line with the rest of the UHF CB plan at 12.5 kHz, which would enable it to make new channels in the spaces made available. Existing users and equipment suppliers for this type of equipment are encouraged to respond to the ACMA with relevant information.

For more information, visit the ACMA website. Interested parties are encouraged to review the consultation paper and submit their feedback by 15 July 2025.

Image credit: iStock.com/Karina Glukhanyk