Hi Mike, Just followed your instructions in this video and it worked perfect. I did have a small problem when I finished though. I had no modulation on transmit when I finished. I found the problem though and corrected it. When I soldered the wire to the power transistor to get the 8 volts a very fine thread of solder touched the 3rd leg of the transistor and shorted it out. I corrected that by removing the short and now everything is working perfectly. Thank you for your videos, I really appreciate them. 73's. Howard.
Hey Mike, Great Information Vid. I am thinking about buying one of these radios at a local store tomorrow and will look into this mod as it makes perfect sense to me. Thank You!
Do you happen to answer questions? Just bought a used one of these and it started smoking when I plugged it in. See where it got hot so wanted to get your opinion.
I was hunter way long before 980ssb came out I was think grant or pc122 or 640e but ebay was hard fine but went 980ssb come out in 2012 I was impress with it I first jump on one in 2016 off amazon I love it need a some tune up and clarifier unlock other at love radio just got now for it is 906w wireless mic mike
I know this is an old question, but I think bots just liked your comment. In short, unlocking the clarifier, your transmit frequency is the same as your receiving frequency when you are listening. This is a good thing especially if you have a round table talk with some friends. I also don't like not knowing on guessing when my radio is warmed up enough and close to frequency, so just unlocking the clarifier is a good way to know you also transmit where you are listening.
Thanks for the video, how can we tell if the radio we are buying is the new version? Is there a way to tell without opening up the radio? Perhaps something on the box or the outside of the radio?
Hello, I have a 980 and the LCD display is not readable anymore. is that something we can replace? is there a part number on the board if I pull it out, is it a part that can be ordered somewhere? Really enjoy your videos, they are very informative. Thank you,
Seems to me you could find an 8 volt source closer to the connector service bar, instead of running a wire all that distance, like we do on the RCI 2950, or even steal the resistor out of the clarifier circuit and use it to find a power source nearby the connector going to the clarifier circuit, just a thought. Nice schematic book for the radio. I need one of those myself.
Hey Mike, Why do Uniden Bearcat 980SSB radios "gurgle" on the sideband receive when they are placed near a large transformer? Mine does it when I set in near my Astron RS-7A or any other large transformer. Other older CB radios radios don't do that. Search TH-cam for "Uniden Bearcat gurgle" to see a video on one doing just that. It also does that if I hook it to a D&A Raider amp. I soon as I turn the amp on the radio starts gurgling on sideband receive.
They must have a even newer board out cause mine doesnt look like anything on youtube.. The beep is back every time you change the channel or a setting.. And mine doesnt have that small back plate in the middle like the older ones
+Clark Wimberly Currently no, in a few weeks yes. He had to make a new board that will work with both version radios. He actually got new prototype boards in but had to do some changes.
Now I have this version of this radio, and I did only the power jumper... It works, but drifts a little once in a while. (on air report says he has to just touch the fine clarifier to recenter me once in 5min) Really wish I had more bench gear.
I was wondering if there’s a pot to adjust my squelch? My radios knob isn’t getting rid of the white noise no matter where it’s turned but everything else works flawlessly
@MikesRadioRepair I have been interested in CB radios for the past 30 years. My Dad used to have one. The last time I remember seeing him use it was when I was 4 years old. I was wondering if you could tell me what is a good radio for me to start out with. I have been looking at the Uniden Bearcat 980SSB and the President McKinley. I am open to suggestions from you and anybody who happens to be reading the comments on this channel. I am just looking for a good radio preferably one with a weather band and is good for beginners in the hobby.
I would go with the President McKinley. The 980SSB radios are starting to develop display problems. The McKinley's have been rock solid reliable. I have 3 I use in mobiles and one as a bench radio.
Anyone else have problems with the factory display dimming on bottom right areas? I have 3 newer units in 3 vehicles, 2 started to get dim almost immediately, had them replaced under warranty and after another couple months the new ones started to dim out and the third unit waited almost a year and now it is doing it. Only the right lower areas. Any ideas?
Looked allover for the clarifier mod for the old version if this radio. Can someone tell me where to find it? Had this radio for years sitting on a shelf and think someone cut the wrong white wire...
Hmm seems a bit daft,putting through hole parts easy to remove,but lacks solder links for the volts bus close by?, Would have make more engineering sense than having to run wires over printed circuit board,but least it can be done that's what counts at end of day. +/- 5 khz TX\RX Coarse shift really should become the norm now for cb in ssb mode. most EU models pretty standard now,about time FCC had a change of heart to specs. Even if it just operated in SSB mode only,easily done to keep radio legal\approved should this be granted. Software would be even better option,input an unlock code on radio ,that then enables coarse control TX\RX shift in SSB mode only! Maybe one day Mike? PCB layout looks nice and clean design.sadly we wont see these in UK as FCC types unless grey imported. 0402 SMD ,time to get the glasses on and dont sneeze! Informative video Mike,well done for the cb techs out there in USA. Rob 73's
Aaron Son Not sure what you mean. If you mean does the frequency display change with the clarifier, no. It is NOT a frequency counter, just a display. The processor knows to show a certain frequency when your on a specific channel. It's not actually sampling the signals. It's what I call a dumb counter.
steve c I want to do it just because. In reality it’s the dumbest thing you can do. When you tune in the other guy you’re throw off your transmit frequency, now he is going to change his transmit frequency trying to tune you in.
steve c when you go to sell your radio you can get more for it by opening the clarifier. In my own readies that I not selling I would never do this mod, especially in a radio that is rock solid on frequency like this one.
That's what some people want. From the factory the radio is basically in split mode. The TX frequency is "locked" and the only thing the clarifier does is adjust the RX frequency. "Unlocking" the clarifier makes the RX and TX track with the clarifier. Locked clarifiers are fine if there are only two people talking but it's a nightmare with 3 or more people where their TX frequency could be all over the place.
Why do people always want their clarifier unlocked? To me your just giving your radio a handicap. I use ssb all the time, it would be so annoying to not be able to fine tune precisely to the person your trying to talk to and only be able to use the coarse knob. Anyone have any input?
Add a third person into the conversation. If everyone's clarifier is locked, it's fine for two people. One person transmits and the other tunes you in and vice versa. Add that third person and you end up tuning in each person every time they talk. If everyone had a unlocked clarifier then every one would be receiving and transmitting on the exact same frequency. Doesn't even really matter if their radio is out of alignment because their RX and TX frequency is locked. You could have as many people as you want in a conversation and the most you would have to turn the clarifier would be one time. Ideally the best setup is how amateur radios are set up. Selectable RIT and XIT controls.
Hi Mike, Just followed your instructions in this video and it worked perfect. I did have a small problem when I finished though. I had no modulation on transmit when I finished. I found the problem though and corrected it. When I soldered the wire to the power transistor to get the 8 volts a very fine thread of solder touched the 3rd leg of the transistor and shorted it out. I corrected that by removing the short and now everything is working perfectly. Thank you for your videos, I really appreciate them. 73's. Howard.
Need to do a video on a frequency alignment now
Hey Mike, Great Information Vid. I am thinking about buying one of these radios at a local store tomorrow and will look into this mod as it makes perfect sense to me. Thank You!
How easy is it to put extra channels in it? We have one and want extras
Do you happen to answer questions? Just bought a used one of these and it started smoking when I plugged it in. See where it got hot so wanted to get your opinion.
I was hunter way long before 980ssb came out I was think grant or pc122 or 640e but ebay was hard fine but went 980ssb come out in 2012 I was impress with it I first jump on one in 2016 off amazon I love it need a some tune up and clarifier unlock other at love radio just got now for it is 906w wireless mic mike
I’m new to sideband. What is the purpose of doing the unlock?
I know this is an old question, but I think bots just liked your comment. In short, unlocking the clarifier, your transmit frequency is the same as your receiving frequency when you are listening. This is a good thing especially if you have a round table talk with some friends. I also don't like not knowing on guessing when my radio is warmed up enough and close to frequency, so just unlocking the clarifier is a good way to know you also transmit where you are listening.
Mike, is that a service manual for the 980 on your bench? If so where did you get it? Chuck
You mentioned there were 0402 devices in this radio. Are you sure they're not 0603? The ones in other radios I've worked on are no smaller than 0603.
Thanks for the video, how can we tell if the radio we are buying is the new version? Is there a way to tell without opening up the radio? Perhaps something on the box or the outside of the radio?
Hello, I have a 980 and the LCD display is not readable anymore. is that something we can replace? is there a part number on the board if I pull it out, is it a part that can be ordered somewhere? Really enjoy your videos, they are very informative. Thank you,
helped me!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
I would like to see you make a video about the dead key adjustment in detail and modulation thanx
If I pay attention, can I do these modifications successfully?
Thanks for the video. you sound like Steve Langford when you talk
Ceramic screwdrivers work good?
Mike is the new version 2 better then version 1?? Better built design?? Just curious.....
Seems to me you could find an 8 volt source closer to the connector service bar, instead of running a wire all that distance, like we do on the RCI 2950, or even steal the resistor out of the clarifier circuit and use it to find a power source nearby the connector going to the clarifier circuit, just a thought. Nice schematic book for the radio. I need one of those myself.
Thank you for the video! I’ve never aligned a sideband radio. I know how to align the am section but how do I align the sideband section?
Hey Mike, Why do Uniden Bearcat 980SSB radios "gurgle" on the sideband receive when they are placed near a large transformer? Mine does it when I set in near my Astron RS-7A or any other large transformer. Other older CB radios radios don't do that. Search TH-cam for "Uniden Bearcat gurgle" to see a video on one doing just that. It also does that if I hook it to a D&A Raider amp. I soon as I turn the amp on the radio starts gurgling on sideband receive.
They must have a even newer board out cause mine doesnt look like anything on youtube.. The beep is back every time you change the channel or a setting.. And mine doesnt have that small back plate in the middle like the older ones
Why unlock it, it has a corse and fine. I've always heard if it has both a unlock isn't necessary.
I wonder if this new version is compatible with the upgrades Mark19960 has made with the older version.
+Clark Wimberly
Currently no, in a few weeks yes. He had to make a new board that will work with both version radios. He actually got new prototype boards in but had to do some changes.
Clark Wimberly I would like to find one of Marks display board. Anyone know how I could get one?
Now I have this version of this radio, and I did only the power jumper... It works, but drifts a little once in a while. (on air report says he has to just touch the fine clarifier to recenter me once in 5min)
Really wish I had more bench gear.
I was wondering if there’s a pot to adjust my squelch? My radios knob isn’t getting rid of the white noise no matter where it’s turned but everything else works flawlessly
yes there is
Mike, will mark have another run of the revision board for the 980?
@MikesRadioRepair I have been interested in CB radios for the past 30 years. My Dad used to have one. The last time I remember seeing him use it was when I was 4 years old. I was wondering if you could tell me what is a good radio for me to start out with. I have been looking at the Uniden Bearcat 980SSB and the President McKinley. I am open to suggestions from you and anybody who happens to be reading the comments on this channel. I am just looking for a good radio preferably one with a weather band and is good for beginners in the hobby.
I would go with the President McKinley. The 980SSB radios are starting to develop display problems. The McKinley's have been rock solid reliable. I have 3 I use in mobiles and one as a bench radio.
Anyone else have problems with the factory display dimming on bottom right areas? I have 3 newer units in 3 vehicles, 2 started to get dim almost immediately, had them replaced under warranty and after another couple months the new ones started to dim out and the third unit waited almost a year and now it is doing it. Only the right lower areas. Any ideas?
It's a known issue with these radios. It's just the way they are
Hi Mike,
Would you happen to have a clarifier mod for the original board of this unit?
The first version board that is.
Kevin Rea
Lancaster california
Thanks for the video!
Hi Mike, Is it possible to install a Jumbo signal meter on those? If yes where would be the connection point?
I will do this to my new 980 ssb
Does the freq display below channel move with the clarifier, or is it by ear only?
nope its not a real counter
Did uniden change the clarifier from fine and coarse to just a one knob clarifier on the 980?.
Ernest Fogg nope still a dual clarifier
how much will it slide?
💙NICE💙 THANKS FOR SHARING!
Looked allover for the clarifier mod for the old version if this radio. Can someone tell me where to find it?
Had this radio for years sitting on a shelf and think someone cut the wrong white wire...
What about channels on the 980
Hmm seems a bit daft,putting through hole parts easy to remove,but lacks solder links for the volts bus close by?,
Would have make more engineering sense than having to run wires over printed circuit board,but least it can be done that's what counts at end of day.
+/- 5 khz TX\RX Coarse shift really should become the norm now for cb in ssb mode.
most EU models pretty standard now,about time FCC had a change of heart to specs.
Even if it just operated in SSB mode only,easily done to keep radio legal\approved should this be granted.
Software would be even better option,input an unlock code on radio ,that then enables coarse control TX\RX shift in SSB mode only!
Maybe one day Mike?
PCB layout looks nice and clean design.sadly we wont see these in UK as FCC types unless grey imported.
0402 SMD ,time to get the glasses on and dont sneeze!
Informative video Mike,well done for the cb techs out there in USA.
Rob 73's
Does anyone know where I can find the alignment procedure after unlocking the clarifier?
Mike how do we get ahold of you for work
Dose the digital display change on the radio Mike ???
Aaron Son
Not sure what you mean. If you mean does the frequency display change with the clarifier, no. It is NOT a frequency counter, just a display. The processor knows to show a certain frequency when your on a specific channel. It's not actually sampling the signals. It's what I call a dumb counter.
MikesRadioRepair Lol.... I like that Mike a dumb counter ..... Yes you answer my question!!
Mike, is there a good way to contact you regarding some work I'd like to have you do?
Go to WWC on FB and send him a message
Or wcc
I think it would behove the radio community to get the law changed on the clarifier to work both transmit and receive.!
where are the Freq Test points and what do you turn???
Big secrete
Awesome Mike
are you out of ct. ?
I'm looking for the mod for the old 980, TH-cam doesn't seem to be any help.
steve c I want to do it just because. In reality it’s the dumbest thing you can do. When you tune in the other guy you’re throw off your transmit frequency, now he is going to change his transmit frequency trying to tune you in.
steve c when you go to sell your radio you can get more for it by opening the clarifier. In my own readies that I not selling I would never do this mod, especially in a radio that is rock solid on frequency like this one.
Why unlock the clarifier...?
That's what some people want. From the factory the radio is basically in split mode. The TX frequency is "locked" and the only thing the clarifier does is adjust the RX frequency. "Unlocking" the clarifier makes the RX and TX track with the clarifier. Locked clarifiers are fine if there are only two people talking but it's a nightmare with 3 or more people where their TX frequency could be all over the place.
@@mikesradiorepair ...okay...thanks was thinking along those lines. . If only all radios were the same I suppose.
Why do people always want their clarifier unlocked? To me your just giving your radio a handicap. I use ssb all the time, it would be so annoying to not be able to fine tune precisely to the person your trying to talk to and only be able to use the coarse knob. Anyone have any input?
Add a third person into the conversation. If everyone's clarifier is locked, it's fine for two people. One person transmits and the other tunes you in and vice versa. Add that third person and you end up tuning in each person every time they talk. If everyone had a unlocked clarifier then every one would be receiving and transmitting on the exact same frequency. Doesn't even really matter if their radio is out of alignment because their RX and TX frequency is locked. You could have as many people as you want in a conversation and the most you would have to turn the clarifier would be one time. Ideally the best setup is how amateur radios are set up. Selectable RIT and XIT controls.
What is the spread of the clarifier after unlocked?
2 hz each way stock
I did this and everyone said I sound fine. Maybe just lucky