---
product_id: 1151906
title: "BEARCAT 980 40- Channel SSB CB Radio with Sideband NOAA WeatherBand,7- Color Digital Display PA/CB Switch and Noise Cancelling Mic, Wireless Mic Compatible"
brand: "uniden"
price: "A$458"
currency: AUD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 3
category: "Wireless"
url: https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/1151906-bearcat-980-40-channel-ssb-cb-radio-with-sideband-noaa
store_origin: AU
region: Australia
---

# 7 Color Display 40 Channels NOAA Weatherband BEARCAT 980 40- Channel SSB CB Radio with Sideband NOAA WeatherBand,7- Color Digital Display PA/CB Switch and Noise Cancelling Mic, Wireless Mic Compatible

**Brand:** uniden
**Price:** A$458
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🚗 Stay in the Loop, Wherever You Roam!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** BEARCAT 980 40- Channel SSB CB Radio with Sideband NOAA WeatherBand,7- Color Digital Display PA/CB Switch and Noise Cancelling Mic, Wireless Mic Compatible by uniden
- **How much does it cost?** A$458 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.au](https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/1151906-bearcat-980-40-channel-ssb-cb-radio-with-sideband-noaa)

## Best For

- uniden enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted uniden brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Weather Ready:** Stay informed with NOAA Weatherband alerts for peace of mind.
- • **Vibrant Display:** Customize your experience with a stunning 7-color digital display.
- • **Built for Adventure:** IP67 waterproof rating ensures durability in any environment.
- • **Noise-Canceling Clarity:** Enjoy crystal-clear conversations with the included noise-canceling mic.
- • **Stay Connected Anywhere:** Experience seamless communication with a 10-mile talking range.

## Overview

The Uniden BEARCAT 980 is a versatile 40-channel CB radio designed for road warriors. With features like NOAA Weatherband alerts, a vibrant 7-color display, and a noise-canceling microphone, it ensures you stay connected and informed, no matter where your journey takes you. Its IP67 waterproof rating adds an extra layer of reliability for outdoor adventures.

## Description

Uniden BEARCAT 980 40- Channel SSB CB Radio with Sideband NOAA WeatherBand,7- Color Digital Display PA/CB Switch and Noise Cancelling Mic, Wireless Mic Compatible

## Features

- Stay connected on the road with this CB radio!
- Features Weatherband with Alert, AM/SSB Sideband capability.
- Seven (7) Color Selectable Display! Includes Noise Canceling Microphone, Mounting Bracket and Power Cord.
- Built in Signal and SWR Meter. Full Frequency Display, PA Function, Noise Blanker, Mic &amp; RF Gain controls &amp; More!

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B007B5ZAES |
| Batteries | 1 Product Specific batteries required. |
| Best Sellers Rank | #5 in Fixed-mount CB Radios |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (3,138) |
| Date First Available | April 4, 2012 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | Yes |
| Item Weight | 4 pounds |
| Item model number | BEARCAT 980 |
| Manufacturer | Uniden |
| Product Dimensions | 3.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Uniden
- **Color:** BEARCAT980SSB
- **Frequency Range:** 26.965 MHz - 27.405 MHz
- **Number of Batteries:** 1 Product Specific batteries required.
- **Number of Channels:** 40
- **Product Dimensions:** 4"D x 15.1"W x 8.6"H
- **Special Feature:** Noise Reduction
- **Talking Range Maximum:** 10 Miles
- **Voltage:** 12 Volts
- **Water Resistance Level:** Not Water Resistant

## Images

![BEARCAT 980 40- Channel SSB CB Radio with Sideband NOAA WeatherBand,7- Color Digital Display PA/CB Switch and Noise Cancelling Mic, Wireless Mic Compatible - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/816MiSegsZL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Pattern, Color** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: I asked if it was 100% new or a refurb and you deleted the question. I am now processing a refund/return on this item. Thanks for being a legit seller**
A: Yeah, and Bearcat 980ssb is listed from five sellers for over $525 here 
But is $229 to $240 everywhere else
Got mine from a "K" close out, $139 brand new in early 2020

**Q: can you use this CB in the house**
A: Yes. You will require -1) An regulated power supply that converts AC electricity to DC. The voltage you want is a constant 13.8 VDC (not 12 volts, you won't get full power) and which can supply a minimum of 5 amps under load.2) Do NOT press the microphone button until all steps have been completed.3) You will need to mount an external CB antenna at least 9' above the roof line. If you use a mast, it must be guyed every 10' above the last (highest) physical attachement to the house.4) You will need to properly ground the antenna mast to a copper clad ground rod (between 4' and 10' long depending on soil conductivity for your location dry sand: bad: 10' / wet rich soil: excellent: 4')5) You will need to properly ground the chassis of the CB to the exact same point that the mast is grounded to on the grounding rod. This is the step that most radio noobies skip. DON'T skip it.6) It is highly suggested you purchase a ground shunt (static discharge) for your coax; and yes, connect it to the same exact spot on the grounding rod.7) Try and purchase the highest quality 50-ohm coax you can afford. If you can afford Timesmicrowave LMR-400, then that would be your best bet. Try not to use coax more then a few feet longer than you need, and beyond that always allow 2 extra feet for a 'drip loop' at the bottom just before where it comes into the house.8) Wrap the PL-259 connectors with weatherproof coax tape to seal the connections from rain/snow/condensation. If you want to overkill it, then put a shrink wrap tube over the top of the tape.9) Secure the coax GENTLY but securely every 3 feet along the mast. A UV-resistant piece of flexable plastic 2" wide by 6"long wrapped around the coax and the mast (all at once) and secured with UV-resistant tie-wraps would be a good idea.10) Calibrate your 980SSB's internal SWR meter and then check you antenna system SWR to make sure it is less than 1.5:1 (mine is 1.0:1, a perfect match). If required (never use beyond 3:1), 'trim' your antenna to get a better SWR (most don't require trimming).11) Sometimes a CB antenna will require a physical ground plane at the antenna base; but most of the times in a base setup, not.12) Re-read your Uniden BC980SSB manual to make sure nothing has been missed in your setup.

**Q: I know this might sound stupid, but I am looking to get this for my Husband (a truck driver).  What do sidebands do?  When would you use this?  Just wondering if I should get him this one or the 880...  Thanks!**
A: If your husband wants or needs a radio capable of operating on sidebands, this is NOT radio for him.  You would need to get the 980 model rather than this 880 model.  Normally truckers operate on AM mode rather than sideband.  However a few truckers who have Sideband capable radios will use sideband when they get further apart or can't get a good signal on AM.  But the majority don't use sideband.

**Q: Where is the speaker located on this model?  On the underside?  I tried looking at the manual, but it does not specify it...**
A: Yes underside. And it does muffle the sound when placed flush with a surface. Mine is mounted using heave velcro on my dash because I didn't want to drill holes in my SUV. But is a great radio. I have made contacts with England using ssb and a wilson 1000 mag antenna.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Don't let poor reviews scare you away from this 5 star radio
*by G***E on January 20, 2015*

I absolutely love this radio. All the features and accessibility make this the best I've owned so far. I was skeptical at first due to some of the negative reviews on Amazon, but after playing with it all day today, I'm glad I bought it. It can be peaked and tuned though it's set perfect out of the box. Doesn't drift at all and the internal diagnostics is a plus though I'm not sure how accurate it is. I purchased this as a replacement from a burned up unit, so I thought. Old one wouldn't transmit and it was very old. Plugged in my new, cheaper antenna to this one and the diagnostic test failed the antenna. Actually metered it finally and sure enough my antenna is bad. So I threw away my old unit for nothing I'm sure. Albeit aside, I'm more than happy with the clarity out of this one and is a huge upgrade from what I had. Weather bands sound great. Memory scan and full channel scan as well as side band are great features. Can fine tune everything quite easily. I watched a single YouTube video about this radio and that's all I needed. No need to break out the manual for this unit. Once you get the idea, it's very simple to navigate through all the features. I put this one in my 2014 Silverado z71 right in the center console. Easy power access and ability to hide all the wires. Looks like it belongs. Highly recommend this unit for new or seasoned operators. Just make sure you don't skimp on the antenna. I'll be buying another Firestick and mounting opposite my radio antenna on the hood. I would also recommend not getting a roof mount antenna for this unit. From other reviews, the cb will fail the diagnostics test. Get a good center load and ground it properly and make sure it's tuned right. Order a Firestix antenna as well Walcott radio has the best prices.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Love this radio - Bearcat 980SSB
*by B***N on December 8, 2016*

Just getting back into the CB/11 meter world, I wanted a compact unit with legal power and SSB I could set up as a base. So far this little radio has worked phenomenally for my purposes. Paired with a Vertex power supply, this little radio has been quite the legal powerhouse. The built-in SWR meter seems to work well, sound is decent although I use an external speaker and the features are great. Of course, you must have a good coax and antenna. Presently, while I await my base antenna to arrive, I'm using a home-built field antenna on a tripod with a 102" whip, 4 10' radials and 50' of quality RG-8 coax. All in all the tip of the antenna is about 14' or so. Swr is registering 1.2-1.4 and this Bearcat eats it up. I've been told my radio transmission sound like a cellphone and even with a ground oriented home built antenna, it talks and hears exceptionally well. I've hit 14 miles verified from my front porch and the receiver was surprised I was running barefoot since it was such a strong signal. At first was it was reported back that the mic was soft-sounding. Since I was going to buy a new one anyway, I modded the factory mic and now there is no need for a replacement. If you open up the mic, you will see there is a piece of soft felt over the mic hole. Once you remove this, the rubber covering has a tiny hole for speaking. Using a pocket knife, I increased the size of this hole to about 1" and it seemed to work wonders. I still have the mic gain on 4 for it really gets out there now.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great radio for the tinkering hobbyist
*by J***. on May 23, 2015*

EXCELLENT receive audio. I have mine plugged into a hifi speaker that came off the side of a plasma TV, sounds great. I've gotten great audio reports on the TX quality. I'm even pretty happy with the stock mic. The display looks great. The changeable display colors are a lot of fun! Will be great when the radio eventually goes in the truck. You can match the color to the rest of your instruments, or go nuts with some of the wilder colors. ;) The brightness and contrast controls are really slick for setting it up so as not to cause fatigue or distraction.Now, here's a few concerns and criticisms, but for me, it does not sour me on this radio in the least: Mine out of the box does 3W dk. Have not gone inside and turned it up yet, though I plan to. We're allowed 4 Watts, so that’s what I want! All that I've read indicates the adjustment will work out fine. I did, however, do the "beep mod," in which you unsolder one SMD resistor to get rid of the ABSOLUTELY USELESS, ANNOYING, and LOUD BEEP every time you twist a knob or push a button. This radio is annoying as heck, esp. with an external speaker, until this is done. Google for it, the instructions are out there, youtube. This radio does indeed have the Mitsubishi RD16HHF1 Mosfet final, I've confirmed it in mine. I had some concern in reading in forums that these radios blow finals, but once I learned what the part was, I was ok with it as I already have a couple of these parts in my bin. Replacements are a whole $4.75 from RF parts, or 2 for 10 from this guy, without RFparts' minimum order: www.kitsandparts.com/transistors.php I have some ideas in my mind of adding an external heat sink to the back of the radio, I'm not really convinced the final has adequate heat-sinking, just the thin piece of aluminium that makes up the rear panel of the radio.This is a great radio for the tinkering hobbyist, and its the most inexpensive new SSB CB out there.

## Frequently Bought Together

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*Product available on Desertcart Australia*
*Store origin: AU*
*Last updated: 2026-02-11*