Channel 9
Channel 9 was designated as the emergency channel, but this was not a legal requirement, so this wasn't always observed and some users objected to not being able to use it as a normal channel. Channel 9's status as an emergency channel wasn't legally recognised in UK and received no protection.
Two groups emerged to organise monitoring of channel 9, they were:
- REACT UK (RADIO EMERGENCY ASSOCIATE CITIZENS TEAM - later changed to RADIO EMERGENCY AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAMS)
- THAMES (TRAFFIC HELP AND MONITORING EMERGENCY SERVICE)
REACT UK was formed under licence from REACT INTERNATIONAL in the United States, its teams were located across the UK. It was noted for its members signing on and off monitoring on Channel 9, which annoyed some users, especially when others were told to get off the channel, as so called monitors chatted to each other on channel 9 (e.g.: "This is Stevenage REACT monitor 14 signing on/off"). REACT UK also provided members equipped with mobiles and handheld to provide radio coverage for marathons, fun runs, county shows - it also obtained a Private Mobile Radio (PMR) licence so its members had a secure private radio channel.
The national committee of REACT UK was beset by scandals and arguments from about 1986, first the National Communications secretary was arrested and charged with financial irregularities with regards to receipts from PMR licences, then following much in-fighting in the national committee REACT UK members decided to split. Some REACT units provided search volunteers to assist the police with searching for missing persons (something that still occurs today with ALSAR albeit without CB radios).
Some teams became overseas members of REACT International whilst others chose to join splinter group REVCOM (Radio Emergency Volunteer Communications).
THAMES mainly operated in the south of England, especially around east and north London, plus they didn't appear to gain many members elsewhere. They provided similar services to REACT.
In 1983 the majority of THAMES in Greater London was reformed into the Association of Independent Monitors (AIM), after a summit meeting between THAMES and fed up CB'ers being bossed about by THAMES monitors.
The bossing about by THAMES monitors caused the normal CB users in north London to create many joke CB monitor groups, including groups named after local waterways such as River Lee, Pymmes Park Lake monitors.
After 2 years AIM was reformed after 2 committee members created few unsavoury incidents happening. AIM lasted until the late 80's.
From 2007 there was only one REACT International team based in Britain, operating under the name of REACT UK Dundee.
As of 2008, there is still a strong membership of REVCOM with 2 new teams having been formed in 2007. With many charity events, horse endurance trials, walks and other events, REVCOM members continue to provide radio links to improve safety. One emergency case this summer attributes her life to quick action by REVCOM members.
PMR446 radios are now often known as UHF CB although operating at only a half watt.
Read more about this topic: CB Radio In The United Kingdom
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