pttradio.co.uk

UK CB & PTT slang

A short, informal glossary of phrases you may hear on UK CB, PMR446 and related channels. Not official terms — everyday breaker talk.

Breaker / break
Request to join or interrupt a conversation; also a CB operator.
Copy / good copy
I understand / signal is clear.
Handle
On-air nickname (not a legal callsign).
10-4
Acknowledgement (from older 10-codes; still heard casually).
On the side
Standing by / listening on the channel.
Negatory
No.
Roger
Message received.
Over
End of my transmission; your turn (less used on casual channels).
Out
Finished and leaving the channel.
XYL / YL
Wife / young lady (traditional radio slang; use respectfully).
QSY
Change frequency (borrowed from amateur Q-codes).
73
Best regards (amateur tradition; sometimes heard elsewhere).

For licence rules and etiquette see the UK guides and UK CB pages. Always follow Ofcom rules for your service.