The Flying J truckstop in Russellville, Arkansas plays a recorded message every ten minutes, inviting truck drivers to visit and promoting various services (such as 'truck washout'). These messages have been playing on channel 19 for more than a year. Is it legal for a business to play such automated messages on CB?
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Truckstop automated messages on ch19
- Thread starter wbswetnam
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n4yek
Member
I have heard those also, but not from Flying J. There was one around mile marker 412 on I-40 in Tennessee announcing CB repair, hot food, etc...
I have wondered if they were legal too.
I have wondered if they were legal too.
TheSpaceMann
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I don't think it's legal. However, they might be getting around it by transmitting with less than 100 milliwatts.
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Less than 100mW? No way... I'm 4 miles by crow flight from the Flying J and I can hear them clearly on a ground plane antenna cut for VHF high / UHF. I'm guessing they're running the legal 4 watts but not 100mW.
DJboutit
Member
There is a truck wash in Tennessee I can here in Houston when conditions are rolling I have seen a picture of it on Google street view looks like the are running a good metal antenna at like 50ft high and like 600 watts
teufler
Member
FAQ: CB (Citizen's Band) Radio Answers
Question: Can I use my CB in my business?
Answer: There are no restrictions on using a CB radio to aid in the operation of your business.
Back to CB Radio Index
Question: Can I use my CB in my business?
Answer: There are no restrictions on using a CB radio to aid in the operation of your business.
Back to CB Radio Index
rwier
Member
Don't get out of town anymore, but ten or so years back, out in far west Phoenix, a gal came on every few minutes offering to shine hubcaps and polish shifter knobs. Never gave a name or address, just an exit number.
902
Member
That's true, in the sense that CB can be used as a business radio to connect a serviceman to the office, but CB cannot be used to "broadcast" (one way transmission) to target truckers to solicit their business.
I traveled the I-70 corridor from your area back east extensively in the 90s and 00s. I always traveled with a CB tuned to Channel 19. This kind of thing is nothing new. I recall OH was a biggie for these, somewhere between Columbus and Zanesville. There were advertisements for oil changes, tires, power washing, and even chrome parts going back at least 17 years. They were always on digital voice recorders, sometimes with those annoying echo boxes. I would get them about 5 miles out (I didn't have a very good CB or antenna, all I really wanted to know was what was going on up the highway from me). No doubt they were on a base and had an antenna on a billboard or somewhere higher than a one-story building. If there was a wreck and traffic was tied up for a while, you could gauge your time by how many announcements you heard.
902
Member
I've heard those, too. Is that a real service or might she have been thinking about something else?
KC4RAF
Member
Totally lost it with your post 'rwier'!!!
"Don't get out of town anymore, but ten or so years back, out in far west Phoenix, a gal came on every few minutes offering to shine hubcaps and polish shifter knobs. Never gave a name or address, just an exit number."
I am still cleaning up my key board! lol
"Don't get out of town anymore, but ten or so years back, out in far west Phoenix, a gal came on every few minutes offering to shine hubcaps and polish shifter knobs. Never gave a name or address, just an exit number."
I am still cleaning up my key board! lol
KC4RAF
Member
'902' THAT service
is what your fantasy says is correct!!! lol
is what your fantasy says is correct!!! lol
902
Member
DJboutit
Member
There use lady here in Houston at the Pilot truck stop a few miles north of down town about every 15 to 30 min she would advertise her truck was on 19. She would even advertise the truck wash when it poring down rain out and when anyone would call her out on it she get very mad. Finally the truck drivers ran her off. She use to get like 15 to 20 mile range I am glad she has been off the air for like 6 to 8 yrs now
teufler
Member
I was wrong about Business Comms. I was right as far as bus comms between two parties but not broadcasting to the masses.
RULE 13 - Illegal Communications
{A} You must NOT use a CB station-
[1] in connection with activity which is against federal, state or local law;
[2] to transmit obscene, indecent or profane words, language or meaning;
[3] to interfere intentionally with the communications of another CB station;
[4] to transmit one-way communications, EXCEPT for emergency communications, traveler assistance, brief tests (radio checks) or voice paging;
[5] to advertise or solicit the sale of any goods or services;
[6] to transmit music, whistling, sound effects or any material to amuse or entertain;
[7] to transmit any sound effect solely to attract attention;
[8] to transmit the word "MAYDAY" or use any other international distress signal, EXCEPT when your station is located in a ship, aircraft or other vehicle which is threatened with GRAVE AND IMMINENT danger and you are requesting IMMEDIATE assistance. [9] to communicate with, or ATTEMPT to communicate with, any CB station more than 155.3 miles (250 kilometers) away;
[10] to advertise a political candidate or political campaign (You may use your CB radio for the business or organizational aspects of a campaign, if you follow all other applicable rules);
[11] to communicate with stations in other countries, except stations in Canada (on General Radio Service).
[12] to transmit a false or deceptive communication.
{B} You must not use a CB station to transmit communications intended for live or delayed rebroadcast on radio or television. You may use your CB station to gather news items or to prepare programs.
4 and 5 cover the subject good.
RULE 13 - Illegal Communications
{A} You must NOT use a CB station-
[1] in connection with activity which is against federal, state or local law;
[2] to transmit obscene, indecent or profane words, language or meaning;
[3] to interfere intentionally with the communications of another CB station;
[4] to transmit one-way communications, EXCEPT for emergency communications, traveler assistance, brief tests (radio checks) or voice paging;
[5] to advertise or solicit the sale of any goods or services;
[6] to transmit music, whistling, sound effects or any material to amuse or entertain;
[7] to transmit any sound effect solely to attract attention;
[8] to transmit the word "MAYDAY" or use any other international distress signal, EXCEPT when your station is located in a ship, aircraft or other vehicle which is threatened with GRAVE AND IMMINENT danger and you are requesting IMMEDIATE assistance. [9] to communicate with, or ATTEMPT to communicate with, any CB station more than 155.3 miles (250 kilometers) away;
[10] to advertise a political candidate or political campaign (You may use your CB radio for the business or organizational aspects of a campaign, if you follow all other applicable rules);
[11] to communicate with stations in other countries, except stations in Canada (on General Radio Service).
[12] to transmit a false or deceptive communication.
{B} You must not use a CB station to transmit communications intended for live or delayed rebroadcast on radio or television. You may use your CB station to gather news items or to prepare programs.
4 and 5 cover the subject good.
KC2GIU
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If the business doesn't advertise services, but gives their 10-20/QTH/location and route to get there and provides this as "traveler assistance", it's more than likely legal as this meets the rule exception.
Many travelers rely on truck stops for fill-ups, food, bathroom breaks and driver changes. All this is "assistance" to those with CB radios. This can be truckers and the family on vacation along with those in between.
I had talked with the store manager that has this setup. He stated the Flying-J asked for FCC clarification on this matter. Thus, the manager at exit-2 KY on I-65 says they can not alter the message that is automated, only the corporate office can via the legal team. The message timing has to be 10-mins or longer, never shorter per other FCC rules.
TheSpaceMann
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She's still there, along with a bunch of her "friends"!!!
lol
Get around Wytheville, Va and you will constantly hear advertisements for alum polishing, cb repair shops, or Speedco Lube services..
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