Long Distance CB Radio Communications

Long distance communication (over 25 miles) is possible on CB (citizen’s band / 11 meter band radio) given certain atmospheric conditions (when sunspot activity charges the atmosphere, allowing radio signals to bounce, or skip, off of it).

When these conditions are present, and long distance communication is possible, it is referred to as “skip”, in CB radio parlance. Communicating during this time is called “shooting skip” or “DXing“. DX is old telegraph code for “long distance”; DXing also refers to the hobby of receiving distant radio / TV signals, or making long distance communications. DXers will often request QSL cards (short written verification) to verify their long-distance reception or communication.

Skip conditions are difficult to predict and they may last anywhere from a few minutes to several days. During skip it is possible to speak to people hundreds or thousands of miles away. You may even speak to people in other countries and on other continents!

The most popular channel for shooting skip in the US is 6 (also known as the “super bowl”). A popular channel in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries is channel 5. You may also hear many garbled voices on channels 35 through 40 (especially channel 38). These DXers are using single side band (SSB)—that is, lower side band (LSB) or upper side band (USB) — to communicate. If your CB radio is incapable of transmitting / receiving on LSB or USB you probably won’t be able to understand what they are saying. Operating on SSB allows your radio to produce a more powerful transmission that will travel farther. That said, during skip you may hear people speaking on nearly every channel, on the normal AM CB frequencies, and you don’t necessarily need to have USB / LSB capability to shoot skip.

It often takes many attempts to make a contact with distant stations, so keep trying even if you don’t receive a response right away (your signals have to bounce, or skip, just right off the atmosphere to make a contact). Many operators are using illegal amplifiers that increase the watts of power of their transmissions, so they may have more ease communicating than you do.

To make contact with other stations during skip you may use your handle (CB radio nickname — my handle is Reverend Beet aka the birdman) or you can use a call sign of your choosing — for instance, I just use my initials and 4 numbers (be2165). It helps to use the phonetic alphabet to spell out the letters of your call sign.

For example, you might say CQ DX, CQ DX, this is bravo echo 2165 Austin, Texas calling, anyone out there got a copy? CQ is another old radio code meaning “calling all stations”, but it is generally used today in DXing to mean “seeking contact”; “do you have a copy?” just means “are you receiving my transmission?”

If you are trying to talk to local contacts and don’t want to hear skip you can try adjusting your RF gain until you eliminate the skip signals.

For more information on shooting skip see: https://cbradiomagazine.com/idiots-guide-to-shooting-skip-cb-radio-11-meters-skip-conditions/