Uniden Bearcat 980 SSB CB Radio - Thoughts?

[Gumbeaux]

I tried using the forum search and didn't find too much posted. I am considering a Uniden Bearcat 980SSB for installation in my 1994 Isuzu Trooper.

I like the Uniden as it is more modern, and can probably fit in a dash DIN slot with minor modification. Have heard mostly good things about the radio but figured I'd ask the EP community what you guys think, or if any of you have had experiences with it

Thanks!
Z

 

[Finlay]

I've got the 880, which is largely the same (just SSB and Bluetooth are different). It's been a great CB and it's held up well over the past 5 years. The integrated weather radio has been my favorite feature.

If this is for trail stuff, you won't need the SSB, and to a large extent, it won't work unless your friends are also SSB capable. So you can save a few bucks by getting the 880 instead.

 

[Gumbeaux]

Thanks! In addition to overlanding, I'll also be using the Trooper to go from South Louisiana to WA state a fair amount - I figured SSB might give me something to play with on what will otherwise be a very long drive. LOL

 

[PhulesAU]

SSB is basically a waste, when operating in the 11 mtr. band It might be useful if you have a dedicated contact, but there's damn little general use.

 

[Gumbeaux]

Fair enough - I'll look into the 880 some more then!

 

[Gumbeaux]

Ended up getting the 980 anyway. 100 bucks shipped from Amazon Prime, it seemed foolish not to get it.

Picked up my Francis 4' fiberglass antenna, coax, and a Astatic microphone along with the mounting base from the local CB shop today. Need to get my sPod wired up this week so I can do the install next weekend.

 

[lqdchkn]

I had it for about a week. Worked fine. I was more bugged by the fact that I wanted the Amber lighting shown on the box which is not possible.
.
Rumor has it that Uniden photoshopped the Red LED lighting so bad it came out Amber for the box pictures

 

[Gumbeaux]

Lol I think I'll be OK with the color options. Glad to hear it functioned well.

 

[jeep670]

I just got a 980. The Clarifier knob on the radio does not look like the one on the box. Not sure what to think about this....

 

[lqdchkn]

^^^Told ya, photoshop, lol

 

[jeep670]

http://www.cbradiomagazine.com/Uniden Bearcat 980 SSB CB Radio.html

Compare the 1st and the 8th fotos...

It seems that all the Uniden marketing material (including pictures) shows the black knob, whereas the real product has the double silver one. Marketing morons....

 

[jeep670]

What is the Calibration setting for?

 

[Gumbeaux]

Mine also had the larger bottom knob.

I do know that there have been a couple of revisions to this radio. I know originally, there was a warning beep when making adjustments that was so annoying, folks posted Youtube videos on how to disable it. Uniden made a change at that time to program a function to turn that beep on/off. Possibly when the knob change occurred as well?