® 980 SSB Owner’s Manual Printed in China U01UT561ZZZ(0)
Contents Unpacking.................................................................................. 4 Description ............................................................................... 4 Emergency Operation ........................................................... 4 Controls and Functions...................................................... 5 Installation.............................................................................. 8 MOBILE INSTALLATION .........................................
EXIT Menu................................................................................................... 15 Other Features........................................................................................ 16 S/RF/CAL/SWR Meter ................................................................................. 16 Calibrate Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) ...................................................... 16 Preventive Maintenance .................................................... 16 Maintenance ....
Unpacking Your Bearcat 980 SSB contains the following: Bearcat 980 SSB CB 2-way mobile radio Microphone Mounting Bracket Kit DC Power Cord 6-pin to 4-pin microphone adapter Owner’s Manual Part 95 Subpart D (FCC Rules) If any items are missing or damaged, contact your place of purchase immediately. Description Your Uniden Bearcat 980 SSB represents the highest quality communications device designed for use in the Citizens Band Radio Service.
All channels except Channel 9 may be used for normal communication. The FCC reserves Channel 9 for emergencies involving the immediate safety of individuals or protection of property. Use Channel 9 to render assistance to a motorist. This is an FCC rule and applies to all CB radio operators. Controls and Functions 1 2 7 8 9 3 4 5 10 11 12 13 14 15 6 16 1. Volume Control knob with Power On/Off. Turn the knob clockwise until it clicks to turn power on.
modulation. With MIC Gain active, press and hold the PTT button and adjust the gain levels with the Channel Selector knob. (Levels 00 - 04). The LED will stay on for 5 seconds after you release the PTT button. Weather: Press to toggle between Weather and CB channels. Turn Channel Selector to cycle through the 7 weather channels. (LED off = CB channels; LED on = Weather channels). Press and hold to turn Weather Alert on and off. ALERT displays. 6. Channel Selector/MENU/OK.
channel 19, and standard CB channels. 13. Frequency Display: Displays the MHz of the selected channel. Also displays menu options. 14. ANL/NB: Provides 3-way control of ANL (Automatic Noise Limiter) or NB (Noise Blanker) features — ANL on, NB on, or both ANL and NB on or off. ANL reduces external noise. NB reduces interference from vehicle ignition systems. 15. AM/USB/LSB: Three-way switch to select AM, USB or LSB operation. 16. Clarifier: 1.5 kHz.
Installation MOBILE INSTALLATION Plan the location of the transceiver and microphone bracket before beginning installation. 1. Select a location that is convenient for operating the radio but does not interfere with the driver or passenger. 2. Install bracket with self-tapping screws provided. 3. Connect the power cords (see below). 4. Attach the microphone bracket to side of the radio or car dash. 5. Attach radio to bracket.
As an alternative, the power cord may be connected to an available terminal on the fuse block or to a point in the wiring harness. However, caution must be taken to prevent a short circuit. If in doubt, contact your vehicle dealer for information. Ground Information This transceiver may be installed and used in any 12-volt DC negative ground system vehicle. Negative Ground System With a negative ground system, the negative (-) battery terminal is usually connected to the vehicle motor block.
Using Your Bearcat 980 SSB CB MODE Be sure that the power source, antenna, and microphone are properly connected before proceeding. Basic Settings 1. 2. 3. 4. Turn unit on. Set volume to a comfortable level. Select channel. Set noise limitations as desired (ANL or NB or both). Adjust Squelch. • Turn SQUELCH fully clockwise to receive strong signals. • Turn SQUELCH fully counterclockwise until you hear a hiss. All get through — noise, weak signals, and strong signals.
Selector clockwise to move to the next channel or counterclockwise to move to the previous channel. The radio continues scanning in the selected direction. • To change to Memory Channel Scan mode, press MEM/SCAN while in All Channel Scan mode (see page 10). 3. To exit All Channel Scan mode, press PTT, 9/19/NORM, WEATHER, or CB/PA. Weather Mode (WX mode) Your radio combines a CB radio with a Weather radio and a Weather Alert system.
Left at these settings (WX mode, WX Scan), you will hear only weather broadcasts and Weather Alert signals. To use your CB radio normally while monitoring weather alerts, press WEATHER again. Set Weather Alert Mode Weather Alert mode only operates when you are in CB mode; it does not operate in Weather mode. In CB mode, the radio sounds an alert tone when it detects a 1050Hz tone on a weather channel. Press and hold WEATHER to turn Weather Alert on. WX alert displays.
MENUS Access menus by pressing MENU/OK. The first menu selection is Day or Night setting. Turn the Channel Selector knob to change the Day or Night setting. Press MENU/OK again for: Day/Night - display intensity COLOR - Backlight color CONT - LCD Contrast BRIGHT - Brightness WXSCAN - Weather Scan mode DIAG - Diagnostics –– Battery Check –– Antenna Mismatch Check –– RF Power Check Exit Select Display Mode (Day/Night) 1. Press MENU/OK to access Day or Night selection. 2.
Option No: Color Option No: Color 2 Green 6 Yellow 3 Cyan 7 White 6. Press MENU/OK to select a color. COLOR displays. 7. Repeat these procedures to set the NIGHT backlight color. Set LCD Contrast 1. Press MENU/OK to activate the menus. Turn Channel Selector until CONT displays. 2. Press MENU/OK. Turn Channel Selector until DAY displays. 3. Press MENU/OK. DAY blinks. 4. Turn Channel Selector to cycle through the contrast options. (Lowest = 00; Highest = 15) 5.
Battery Check Check the DC power levels if you feel your radio is not performing properly. 1. Once DIAG displays, press MENU/OK; VOLT displays. 2. Press MENU/OK; the battery voltage displays for 2 seconds and then the battery voltage condition displays: –– PASS - Voltage is good. –– FAILLO - Voltage is too low. –– FAILHI - Voltage is too high. 3. Press MENU/OK to return to the DIAG level. Antenna Mismatch Check An antenna mismatch indicates that reception quality may be impaired.
displays. Press MENU/OK. The radio returns to the last operating mode and channel. Other Features S/RF/CAL/SWR Meter You can check your incoming signal strength and output power as you use your Bearcat 980 SSB. The 12-column LCD display (refer to item number 3 on page 5) displays this data. Press and hold PTT on the microphone to see the RF output power levels. Release PTT to see incoming signal strength.
Maintenance The Bearcat 980 SSB is designed to give you years of trouble-free service. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. It requires no maintenance except replacing the inline fuse in the fuse holder of the DC power cord. To replace a blown fuse: 1. Press ends of the fuse holder together. Twist to open. Carefully separate the two pieces. 2. Remove the fuse and inspect. If blown, replace with the same type 6-amp fuse. Use only the fuse specified for your Bearcat 980 SSB.
Problem Unit does not work as well as previously. Battery power check returned FAILLO or FAILHI. Antenna check returned FAIL. RF power diagnosis check returned FAIL. Suggestion Turn the power off then back on. The channels will reset. Make sure your power wires have a good connection. Check your battery charge; it needs to be fully charged. Lower voltage will cause a failure. Check your alternator. Make sure your antenna ground is good. Check for damage to the antenna. Check the SWRs at a CB shop.
Emission Emission AM/USB/LSB Frequency Control: PLL Synthesizer Antenna Impedance: 50 ohms Power Input: 13.8VDC Current Drain TX: AM full modulation 2.2A (max.) SSB full power output 4A (max.) RX: At no signal: 650 mA Operating Temperature: -22°F to 140°F (-30°C to 60°C) Accessories: DC Power Cord Noise Cancelling Microphone Microphone Hanger Mounting Bracket Size (W x D x H): 7.25 in. x 7.5 in. x 2.25 in. (without knobs and jacks) (184.149 mm x 190.50 mm x 57.15 mm) Weight: 2.
Image Rejection: 80 dB Internal Speaker Impedance: 16 ohms External Speaker Impedance: 8 ohms PUBLIC ADDRESS Output Power at 10% Distortion: 2.5 watts Specifications shown are typical and subject to change without notice. Two-Year Extended Warranty Important: Evidence of original purchase is required for warranty service.
Some states do not allow this exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. LEGAL REMEDIES: This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. This warranty is void outside the United States of America.
Code Meaning Code Meaning 10-12 Visitors present 10-50 Break channel 10-13 Advise Weather/ Road con- 10-60 ditions What is next message number 10-16 Make pickup at 10-62 Unable to copy, use phone 10-17 Urgent business 10-63 Net directed to 10-18 Anything for us? 10-64 Net clear 10-19 Nothing for you, return to base 10-65 Awaiting your next message/ assignment 10-20 My location is 10-67 All units comply 10-21 Call by telephone 10-70 Fire at 10-22 Report in person to 10-71
