briggie
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2010
- Messages
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CB Radio lingo and slang
Although not used by many people to any great extent nowadays, you will come into contact with a certain amount of slang and codes, simply because it saves time compared with saying a whole sentence, and can be easily and quickly said when one is concentrating on driving not chatting.
Here are some of the ones you might hear...
"10" Codes, "Q" Codes and Signal & Radio reports
The “Ten” code - originally used by American Police. These are the most common 10- codes you will hear, usually said without the 10, i.e. “what’s your twenty”, “give me a nine”, “anyone give me a thirteen” etc.
10-1 Poor Reception
10-4 OK, Message Received
10-6 Busy, Occupied
10-9 Repeat what was just said
10-10 Message Complete (Also used to say goodbye)
10-13 Traffic Report
10-20 Location
10-36 The Correct Time
You may also come across the “Q” code, mainly used by Radio Amateurs but a few have been adopted by CB users.
QRM Manmade interference
QRN Natural interference / static
QRT Stop transmitting / closing down
QRZ Who is calling / invitation to transmit
QSK Can I break into this channel ?
QSL Card sent by post to confirm contact
QSO Conversation
QSY Change channel
QTH Location
Radio & Signal reports are given using scales :
Radio 1-5 for audio quality ; Signal 1-9 and +20, +30 for signals over 9.
R1 = almost in-audible, R5 = excellent audio
CB Slanguage
There are slang names for many things you might encounter on the road or on the CB, here are a few surviving ones... Advertising : Police flashing lights & sirens
Big Wheeler : HGV or other large vehicle
Bleed-over : Interference from a nearby CB’er on another channel
Breaker : Fellow CB’er
Bucketmouth : Person swearing
Earwigging : Listening
Eyeball : Meeting another CB user
Evil Knievel : Police motorcycle
Fender-bender : Road accident
Good Buddy : CB friend
Handle : CB name
Keying Up : Transmitting
Lady Breaker : Female CB User
Landline : Telephone
Mids : EU Band
Modulating : Talking on the CB
Muppet Channels : UK Band
Negative/Negatory : No
On the side : Break in on a conversation
Positive : Yes
Personal : First Name
Pounds : Graduations on the signal meter
Rig Check : Check rig is working ok
Rollerskate : Car
Smokey / Bear : Police
Square-wheeled : Stationary Vehicle
Twenty : Location (from 10 code)
Twig : CB Aerial
Wally : Person acting stupidly
Although not used by many people to any great extent nowadays, you will come into contact with a certain amount of slang and codes, simply because it saves time compared with saying a whole sentence, and can be easily and quickly said when one is concentrating on driving not chatting.
Here are some of the ones you might hear...
"10" Codes, "Q" Codes and Signal & Radio reports
The “Ten” code - originally used by American Police. These are the most common 10- codes you will hear, usually said without the 10, i.e. “what’s your twenty”, “give me a nine”, “anyone give me a thirteen” etc.
10-1 Poor Reception
10-4 OK, Message Received
10-6 Busy, Occupied
10-9 Repeat what was just said
10-10 Message Complete (Also used to say goodbye)
10-13 Traffic Report
10-20 Location
10-36 The Correct Time
You may also come across the “Q” code, mainly used by Radio Amateurs but a few have been adopted by CB users.
QRM Manmade interference
QRN Natural interference / static
QRT Stop transmitting / closing down
QRZ Who is calling / invitation to transmit
QSK Can I break into this channel ?
QSL Card sent by post to confirm contact
QSO Conversation
QSY Change channel
QTH Location
Radio & Signal reports are given using scales :
Radio 1-5 for audio quality ; Signal 1-9 and +20, +30 for signals over 9.
R1 = almost in-audible, R5 = excellent audio
CB Slanguage
There are slang names for many things you might encounter on the road or on the CB, here are a few surviving ones... Advertising : Police flashing lights & sirens
Big Wheeler : HGV or other large vehicle
Bleed-over : Interference from a nearby CB’er on another channel
Breaker : Fellow CB’er
Bucketmouth : Person swearing
Earwigging : Listening
Eyeball : Meeting another CB user
Evil Knievel : Police motorcycle
Fender-bender : Road accident
Good Buddy : CB friend
Handle : CB name
Keying Up : Transmitting
Lady Breaker : Female CB User
Landline : Telephone
Mids : EU Band
Modulating : Talking on the CB
Muppet Channels : UK Band
Negative/Negatory : No
On the side : Break in on a conversation
Positive : Yes
Personal : First Name
Pounds : Graduations on the signal meter
Rig Check : Check rig is working ok
Rollerskate : Car
Smokey / Bear : Police
Square-wheeled : Stationary Vehicle
Twenty : Location (from 10 code)
Twig : CB Aerial
Wally : Person acting stupidly
