Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
DUBUQUE CITIZENS BAND RADIO CLUB
TRI-STATE CB CLUB. The Dubuque Citizens Band Radio Club was formed in June 1961 with just enough charter members to fill the five officer positions in the organization. By 1963 the number of members had grown to 45. This was estimated to be about 50% of the number of people who owned CB radios in the city. (1)
Citizen band radio operators were not the same as "ham" radio operators. Citizen band operators, at least eighteen years of age, only had to mail in an application for a federal license and were required to be familiar with regulations governing the use of the radio. "Ham" radio operators had to pass several tests before getting their license and their equipment was usually more elaborate. Citizen band operators usually had one or more sets with one in their car and others in boats, homes or business location. (2)
Part of the Dubuque Citizens Band Club public service was to relay messages in rescue operations. In 1963 club members had traveled as far away at Manchester to offer assistance. Members also found traffic accidents they could report. (3)
In 1963 the Dubuque Civil Defense organization asked the federal government for permission to become affiliated with the club. It then applied for a citizens band license. MIDTOWN MARINA installed a CB radio to issue storm warnings and receive distress calls. The range of CB radio in 1963 was between 10-15 miles. It was against federal regulations to talk to others more than 150 miles away. It was also against federal rules to use an antennae more than 20 feet above the roof or to attach them to existing television or radio antennae. (4)
On December 20, 1979 Dubuque area children could talk to "CB Santa" by calling "Santa's elf" on Channels 1 or 11. The "elf" then asked the children to stand by on another channel and wait for Santa to call. (5)
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Source:
1. "Citizen Band Radio Cub Formed for Public Service," Telegraph Herald, June 16, 1963, p. 19
2. Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. "Talk to CB Santa," Telegraph Herald, December 13, 1979, p. 7
