Last year Ofcom UK announced all full multimode 80 channel CB radio equipment is now legal to use and operate in UK and most of EU [but you should use the Eurochannels for any mode other than FM].

you are now allowed SSB with 12W output; AM, like rhe radios me and my dad wanted back in the day but were not permitted to use (UK even had totally unique channel allocation which was apparently to stop the market being flooded with Japanese radios ; the boffins who advised Thatcho were still thinking of sets with individual quartz and didn’t realise PLLs are easily reprogrammed…)

No licenses are required but you cannot use extra power or converted old rigs (nor mod the new ones to get into other frequencies unless you have a ham license as well) they must be the newer models (whether they would catch you unless there was a inteference issue is another mattter).

but 12W SSB in the right location can reach most of Europe…

I think this is now the case for all EU as the Ofcom link about this change was to the ERO/CEPT in Denmark….

however been doing a bit of monitoring and the bands seem very quiet; in spite of me living near the sea and a fast road with lots of truckers. There’s a few enthusiasts in Clacton on Sea which is nearby and I thought I would hear them on air but haven’t yet (maybe there is a hill in the way?)

Although CB is old tech and not private/secure it still has its uses – like all analogue communications radios it can work alone with just as 12V accu when all mobile phones ; internet etc is kaputt, and is useful for vehicle convoys.

I’m thinking of getting a PResident Grant if activity on the band picks up (as it will be October at the earliest before I can get my amateur license as although I can easily do the exam now its all changed and I have to attend some course in a random place to demonstrate I know how to work radio equipment :laugh_at:)