® 980 SSB Owner’s Manual Printed in Vietnam U01UT563ZZZ(0)
CONTENTS SAFETY NOTICE........................................................................... 4 UNPACKING................................................................................. 5 DESCRIPTION .............................................................................. 5 EMERGENCY OPERATION .......................................................... 5 CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS..................................................... 6 INSTALLATION.......................................................
Antenna Mismatch Check.......................................................................... 16 RF Power Check.......................................................................................... 16 EXIT Menu................................................................................................... 16 OTHER FEATURES........................................................................................ 17 S/RF/CAL/SWR Meter ...................................................................
SAFETY NOTICE The antenna used for this radio must be properly installed and maintained and must provide a separation distance of at least 59 cm (23.2 inches) from all persons and must not be collocated or operated in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. Never transmit if any person is closer than the specified distance to the antenna. Note that Uniden does not specify or supply any antenna with this transceiver.
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.
press and hold the PTT button and adjust the gain levels with the Channel Selector knob. (Levels 1 - 5). The LED will stay on for 5 seconds after adjusted. MIC Gain: Adjusts microphone gain. Delivers up to 100% modulation. With MIC Gain active, press and hold the PTT button and adjust the gain levels with the Channel Selector knob. (Levels 1 - 4). The LED will stay on for 5 seconds after you release the PTT button. Weather: Press to toggle between Weather and CB channels.
11. MEM/SCAN: Press to start or stop scanning modes [All Channel Scan (see page 12) and Memory Scan (see page 12)]. Press and hold to set or clear channel memory while in Memory mode. 12. 9/19/NORM: Press to switch between emergency channel 9, channel 19, and standard CB channels. 13. Frequency Display: Displays the MHz of the selected channel. Also displays menu options. 14.
When the external speaker is plugged in, the internal speaker is off. 19. POWER +12 VDC: Connects DC power to transceiver. 20. FUSE 6A: Provides circuit protection to transceiver. Inline replaceable. 21. PTT: Push-to-Talk. Push microphone button. 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.
A short “loaded” whip antenna is easier to install on an automobile, but its efficiency is less than that of a full quarter-wave whip antenna. Connecting the Power Cords Uniden recommends connecting the power lead to the Ignition Switch Accessory Terminal. This way, the transceiver is automatically turned off when the ignition switch is turned off. 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.
2. Plug a 4-pin microphone connector into the 4-pin side of the adapter. MARINE INSTALLATION Consult your dealer for information regarding marine installation. It is important to adequately ground the system and to prevent electrolysis between the fittings in the hull and the water. 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.
ALL CHANNEL SCAN When All Channel Scan is on, the radio scans channels until it receives a signal. It moves to the next channel if it receives no signal after 3 seconds. 1. Press MEM/SCAN twice if in CB mode (once if in MEM mode). SCAN displays. 2. The radio begins scanning upward through the channels. • To skip the channel the radio has stopped on, turn Channel Selector clockwise to move to the next channel or counterclockwise to move to the previous channel.
4. Press MENU/OK to set Weather Scan mode to ON or turn the selection knob until OFF displays and then press MENU/OK to set it. WXSCAN displays again. If Weather Scan is ON when you turn off the radio, it remains ON. 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.
Clear Channels from Memory 1. In MEM mode, select a channel. 2. Press and hold MEM/SCAN until CLEAR displays. 3. Release MEM/SCAN. The radio plays the next channel in memory. 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.
in that color. The available colors are: Option No: Color Option No: Color 1 Blue 5 Magenta 2 Green 6 Yellow 3 Cyan 7 White 4 Red 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.
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 6) displays this data. Press and hold PTT on the microphone to see the RF output power levels. Release PTT to see incoming signal strength.
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. Failure to do so may void your warranty.
Problem Antenna check returned FAIL. RF power diagnosis check returned FAIL. Suggestion Make sure your antenna ground is good. Check for damage to the antenna. Check the SWRs at a CB shop. High SWRs will damage the radio. Make sure your antenna ground is good. Check for damage to your antenna. Check the antenna connection on the back of the radio. Be sure it is tight. If you do not get satisfactory results after performing these checks, call the Uniden Customer Service Center at 1-800-297-1023, 8:00 a.m.
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: 2.2 Pounds TRANSMITTER Output Power: AM: 4 watts; USB/LSB 12 W PEP SSB Hum and Noise: Better than 40 dB Frequency Tolerance: ±0.
TWO-YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY Important: Evidence of original purchase is required for warranty service. WARRANTOR: UNIDEN AMERICA CORPORATION (“Uniden”) ELEMENTS OF WARRANTY: Uniden warrants, for two years, to the original retail owner, this Uniden Product to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship with only the limitations or exclusions set out below. WARRANTY DURATION: This warranty to the original user shall terminate and be of no further effect two years after the date of original retail sale.
purchase and a note describing the defect that has caused you to return it. The Product should be shipped freight prepaid, by traceable means, to warrantor at: Uniden America Service C/O Saddle Creek 743 Henrietta Creek Rd., Suite 100 Roanoke, TX 76262 (800) 297-1023, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
RADIO CODE DEFINITIONS The following list contains common “10-Codes” used by CB radio operators for faster communication and better understanding.
Code Meaning Code Meaning 10-24 Completed last assignment 10-81 Reserve hotel room for 10-25 Can you contact 10-82 Reserve room for 10-26 Disregard last information 10-84 My telephone number is 10-27 I am moving to channel 10-85 My address is 10-28 Identify your station 10-91 Talk closer to microphone 10-29 Time is up for contact 10-93 Check my frequency on this channel 10-30 Does not conform to FCC rules 10-94 Please give me a long count 10-32 I will give you a radio check
