Review on 📻 Uniden BEARCAT 880 CB Radio: 40 Channels, Large Easy-to-Read 7-Color LCD Display, and More! by Chuck Chen

Uniden's mid-size Bearcat 980 SSB sets the gold standard for today's consumer CB radios. Many features such as scan capability, CB/PA/NOAA Wx, customizable screen colors, built in diagnostics and single band - at least in my area - are typically found in much more expensive radios. The 980's closest consumer-level competitor might be the Cobra 29. The Cobra has many of these features at a similar price, but lacks the sideband that effectively gives the 980 an additional 80 "channels". Signals are incredibly sharp and clear, even at the fringes of reception. The sound quality is impressive, although it's a bit quieter in my convertible jeep. On my first try to radio someone, I made contact from my driveway, which was less than a tenth of a mile to five miles wide. The other participant reported that my signal was strong, loud and clear. (It's a barefoot radio and a standard microphone perched on a 4-foot Wilson Silver Load fiberglass antenna.) It's not the radio's fault per se, but I have to keep the noise-cancellation a little higher than I'd like. for example, to block out radio frequency interference received through the antenna while I'm in town. I prefer to leave the squelch almost all the way down and adjust signal reception with the RF gain control. But since the 980's RF Boost is five steps (one button) and no dial, it's a bit more complicated. This keeps the level of noise reduction higher, and the RF gain is a bit lower (setting 3 out of 5) than I would like. my SWR ranged from 1.0 (ch 1) to 1.5:1 (ch 40). I only have two complaints about the 980: First, switching from night mode to day mode is a little awkward. The CB-only Bearcat 880 uses a simple knob to toggle forward and reverse. On the 980 with single lane functionality, this function has been moved to the menu to make room for the Clarifier knob. It's not difficult, but it's more than I'd like to do when the car might be moving. Second, the plastic used to control the volume and fine-tune the dimmer appears to be of lower quality than I would expect from a radio of this size or price point. you are doing a great job but it's a pity at least one of them controls you, probably use should feel worse. All in all, this radio is a steal! First, switching from night to day mode is a little awkward. The CB-only Bearcat 880 uses a simple button to toggle forward and reverse. On the 980 with single lane functionality, this function has been moved to the menu to make room for the Clarifier knob. It's not difficult, but it's more than I'd like to do when the car might be moving. Second, the plastic used to control the volume and fine-tune the dimmer seems to be of lower quality than I would expect from a radio of this size or price point. they do their job well but it's a shame that at least one of the controls you're likely to use has to feel worse. In general, this radio is a bargain! First, switching from night to day mode is a little awkward. The CB-only Bearcat 880 uses a simple button to toggle forward and reverse. On the 980 with single lane functionality, this function has been moved to the menu to make room for the Clarifier knob. It's not difficult, but it's more than I'd like to do when the car might be moving. Second, the plastic used to control the volume and fine-tune the dimmer appears to be of lower quality than I would expect from a radio of this size or price point. they do their job well but it's a shame that at least one of the controls you're likely to use has to feel worse. All in all, this radio is a steal! it has been moved to the menu to make room for the clarifier's handle. It's not difficult, but it's more than I'd like to do when the car might be moving. Second, the plastic used to control the volume and fine-tune the dimmer seems to be of lower quality than I would expect from a radio of this size or price point. They do their job well, but it's a shame that at least one of the controls you're likely to use has to feel worse. All in all, this radio is a steal! This has been moved to the menu, to make room for the Clarifier button. It's not difficult, but it's more than I'd like to do when the car might be moving. Second, the plastic used to adjust the volume and fine-tune the clarifier seems to be of lower quality than I would expect from a radio of this size or price point. They do their job well, but it's a shame that at least one of the controls you're likely to use has to feel worse. All in all, this radio is a steal! being of lower quality than I would expect from a radio of this size or price range. They do their job well, but it's a shame that at least one of the controls you're likely to use has to feel worse. All in all, this radio is a steal! being of lower quality than I would expect from a radio of this size or price range. They do their job well, but it's a shame that at least one of the controls you're likely to use has to feel worse. All in all, this radio is a bargain!