How are the new Bearcat 980 radios now?

[Alan Blackmon]

Back in the day I had a trick light bulb. Inside the frosted bulb was a battery and bulb. You could not see it of course but oh when you shorted it out with a little strip of aluminum in your mouth it was fun to see the look on peoples faces. Anyway my dad freaked out when he saw it. Thought something was wrong with me that I could light up that bulb. I had to explain it and show him how it worked. One day he accidentally took that bulb and used it to replace a blown out bulb. Boy was that a big POOF!

 

[Rick330man]

I had a 980 for about 6 months. That's how long it worked before it blew the finals.
I ran it barefoot and it was not tweaked in any way. It was a very stable on SSB. Sounded pretty good using the stock mic gain setting on 3 out of 4.

Still, I was disappointed. My 1992 Cobra 148 and my 1981 Realistic TRC 490 stepped in to take over where the 980 failed. 6 months service life just ain't gonna cut it.

 

[Eldorado828]

I bought one somewhere around 2012 or so and ran it for a couple of years in a t800 kw that I drove. It was peaked and never had a problem other than the annoying tone every time you move a knob. I always had good reports on audio and receive was ok too. Not a powerhouse by any means but a decent performer and pretty reliable in a mobile application.

 

[2NC995]

I replied to this at the beginning...but the more I think about this radio the more it tears at me.

As mentioned in another thread...my son is running it and it sounds amazing in the RX end.

It’s truly the radio I want to love!

 

[codeman]

I really like my 980, I bought it on sale when they first came out for about 90 bucks. YES, the display has a little fade on the right side and the RX meter does not seem to work as it should on sideband. I have used this radio for hours and hours with without a rm Italy a 203. It has given me no problems.

One day the channel policeman was on 38lsb letting people know if they were off frequency. Well I keyed up and the channel policeman let me know I was on frequency. Not even a warning issued. Hahaha, some people

The radio is always on frequency. I have i hooked up with a rm 203 and can get out with the best of them. I run either a ranger sra 198 or rf limited 2018 Mike and get great reports with either. I have talked to a couple of guys using the wireless Mike and even those sound good.
The 980 is not my favorite radio but it definitely is a keeper.

As a side note I really like that the 980 has the weather band.

 

[Slowmover]

I replied to this at the beginning...but the more I think about this radio the more it tears at me.

As mentioned in another thread...my son is running it and it sounds amazing in the RX end.

It’s truly the radio I want to love!

Well . I’m close to ready to getting a Prez Lincoln. Your posts put that over the top for me.

The Uniden 980 is the Charter Bulldog revolver stashed here and there and everywhere. Backup.

I’m running one in the Pete right now. On AM-19 there’s not ever a moment I don’t want an adjustable RF Gain. Not a two-position switch that it has . Sure, I can make it “work”. (The Bulldog doesn’t need a set of adjustable sights), and for a backup it’s fine.

But at 62-mph over a 609 mile day it’s not “right” for first seat mobile. Not if I have a choice. Conditions change too much. Topography and Traffic.

I don’t turn a radio on/off all day. I adjust the RFG to what’s best for that area. A 12-hr workday with 500+ miles over (9) hours drive-time is the norm.

“To love it” (as I see it) is the low acquisition cost & performance available. It’s the Dodge Coronet with a 2V-318 and automatic. A few power accessories including air. A taxicab. Fleet car. “Generic”, where that’s a quality.

But I need an A38 Dodge Polara Police Pursuit. The ability to get up and really run (given restraints inherent to trucking, etc).

I also value owning something where to give one away (transport case & all included) is an incentive. Thus my desire for a half-dozen. Could be I’m supposed to be able to do that.

AM/SSB is basic to anyone’s needs.

.

 

[m880]

nah...you just have to use paperback cigarette foil or gum wrappers so you can calibrate the foil to blow at the proper amperes!

That does work,lol