F.A.Q

Find answers to your questions about products, usage, legislation, warranties and more with President Electronics F.A.Q page.

CB Radio

The main difference between a CB radio and a ham radio is their use and access to frequencies.

  • CB radios are transceivers intended for personal and friendly use, their use is free of charge, and does not require license or subscription.

 

  • Ham radio transceivers are also intended for similar use, on other frequencies very close to those of CB Radio, with authorized higher power levels. Radio amateurs therefore have access to a greater number of frequencies and can use more advanced transmission modes. To use a ham radio, a licence issued by the competent authorities must be obtained after a technical examination.

Yes, there are portable CB radios. These radios are designed to be easily transported. They generally have smaller dimensions than mobile CB radios, which are intended to be installed in a vehicle. Portable CB radios can be powered by batteries or battery packs and often come with a belt clip for easy transportation.

  • A mobile CB radio is a transceiver designed to be installed in a vehicle, usually in a car or in a truck. It is usually powered by the electric energy of the vehicle. These radios can be easily installed and dismantled.
  • On the other hand, a base station CB radio is designed to be used as a fixed station at home or in a bulding with a specific antenna (fixed antenna). These radios can be used for long-range communications. They are usually powered by a standard electrical outlet and can be connected to external speakers for better sound quality.

However, it is possible to replace a fixed base station by a mobile CB radio with a stabilized power supply and a suitable antenna.

Equipment selection

There are many dealers and distributors that offer President Electronics brand products. You can purchase our products from the stores specializing in radio communication equipment, automobile and heavy vehicles parts, electronics, or on the internet.

You can contact us to find your nearest dealer.

 

Your choice depends on your needs and preferences. CB radio stations have different modulations such as AM, FM and SSB. In addition, they have a wide range of features adapted to your use (see product sheets), such as dimensions, hands-free use, audio filtering, design, etc. The President range will meet all your wishes.

President also offers a comparator tool that will help you with your selection criteria. Our sales team remains at your disposal for any advice.

 

This depends on the type of your installation: mobile (in a vehicle), fixed (in a building). There are different models of pre-adjusted and adjustable antennas, with several types of mounts: magnetic, drilling, gutter, trunk, etc. For optimal efficiency in transmission and reception of your President CB radio, we recommend you associate it with a PRESIDENT antenna specially designed for a better performance, and durability over time.

 

You can seek advice from a specialist or a partner dealer to help you choose the antenna that best suits your needs.

If you want to use a mobile CB radio as a base station at home, you will need an electric power supply. Most mobile CB radios are designed to be used in a vehicle, and are therefore not equipped with a power adapter. You will need to purchase a stabilized 220/12V power supply that suits your device (sufficient output intensity expressed in Amperes).

There are several types of accessories commonly used with a CB radio, such as:

  • Antennas: 2 types of CB antennas, each with its own differences in range, gain and type of installation. The most common antennas are mobile (or vehicle) antennas and fixed antennas for buildings.

 

  • Microphones: some microphones have additional functions, UP and DOWN channel change buttons, ambient noise filtering (Micro NRC).

 

  • Cables and connectors: cables and connectors are used to connect CB radio to accessories, such as microphones and antennas. There are different types of cables and connectors, some of which are specific to certain CB radio brands or models.
 

 

  • Mounting brackets: they are used to secure the CB radio in a vehicle or other permanent installation. There are different types of mounting brackets, such as screw-in brackets, built-in kits, and clip-on brackets.
 

 

  • Vehicle accessories: there are specific accessories for vehicles that can be useful for CB use, such as cigarette-lighter adapters, power sockets, microphone holders, antenna mounts, etc.

Installation and use

All channels from 1 to 40, respecting the occasional use of channels 9 and 19, for specific purposes (see below) and depending on the country (see online user's manual).

It is important to refer to the rules and regulations in force the use of CB radio in your region and in the country where you transmit, in order to select the appropriate channel for your communication according to your use and your correspondent. Please respect other CB radio users by avoiding monopolizing the channel or transmitting inappropriate messages.

There are usually dedicated channels on CB radios for emergency situations. These channels are often clearly marked on the radio and can, most of the time, be activated by pressing a specific button. The most common emergency channel is channel 9. It is important not to use this channel for ordinary conversations other than emergency communications. Canal 19 can also be used in particular by truck drivers to provide traffic information relating to safety.

Here are some examples of mounting a magnetic or mobile fixed CB antenna on your vehicle:

  • On the roof: The best place to mount the antenna is in the center of the vehicle's roof. This location allows the antenna to benefit a maximum height and to cover a large reception area.
  • Other possible mountings: you can also mount your antenna on the trunk, or the hood of your vehicle, especially if you have chosen a mobile antenna. This allows the antenna to benefit from a relatively high height while remaining easily accessible.

We invite you to follow the manufacturer's instructions for a correct and safe antenna installation.

 

Legislation

No. On the French market, the use of CB radios is authorized without a license. However, it is recommended to learn about the rules and regulations in your country before using this communication device. In some countries, it may be necessary to have a license to use a CB radio, or there may be restrictions on the use of this communication device.

Yes, in most countries, it is necessary to have a license to use a ham radio. A ham radio allows radio amateurs to transmit voice, data and images messages on different frequency bands.

In Europe, the maximum output power of CB radios is 4 watts in AM (Amplitude Modulation) and FM (Frequency Modulation) and 12 watts PEP in SSB (Single Side Band) and the frequency band for CB radios extends from 26,965 to 27,405 MHz. You can consult the GPE company website or/and the regulations in force in each country.

Yes, when stationary in any circumstances with a microphone and while driving by activating the VOX function of your unit, or any other accessory that allows you to keep your hands free and communicate with your CB radio safely, respecting the legislation in force.

 

Warranty and after-sales service

To contact Groupe President Electronics, there are several options available:

  • You can use the form or contact information provided on our website to contact us by email or phone.
  • You can use our social networks.
  • You can also contact our local representatives or distributors for information about our products.
 

To extend the lifespan of your CB or ham radio, it is important to maintain it regularly:

  • Use it carefully and avoid dropping it or putting it to shocks.
  • Use compatible accessories to avoid damaging connectors or antennas.
  • Clean the unit regularly using soft, dry cloth to remove dust and fingerprints.
  • Avoid using aggressive cleaning products that could damage the surface of the unit or its electronic components.
  • Use your CB radio in appropriate climatic conditions and protect it from extreme temperatures, humidity and water.
  • Store it in a dry and ventilated place, away from dust and direct sunlight.
  • Use it with a stable power supply, to avoid over-voltages and voltage drops that can damage electronic components.
  • Regularly check your installation by a qualified technician to make sure it works properly and to detect any potential problems.

It is important to note that these tips are general and may vary depending on the model of your CB or ham radio. It is therefore best to consult the user manual for instructions specific to your unit.

My account

Groupe President Electronics works only with networks of professionals whose main activity is directly related to the world of radiocommunication, electronics, automobiles, heavy goods vehicles, agricultural or nautical vehicles, etc.

Are you interested in one of our products? Contact us to get the address of a dealer near you by indicating us your country and department, as well as the required equipment.

 

Creating an account on a website is a process that requires a specific request.

To create your account, we invite you to contact our sales department that will put you in touch with the website administrator.

 

Professionals with an account have access to additional information and documents.