Uniden 880

[slowmover]

An old truck driver friend (owner/operator) is coming thru in a few days and we’re going to put a radio system in his truck to get him over the hump until he can buy & install state-of-the-art.

He runs nation-wide off of the East Coast for demanding clients.

I looked thru what I have sitting here and the best choice appears to be a Uniden 880 I bought with fuel card points when in the oilfield circa 2013 (?)

It has almost no hours on it compared to my others — never opened up — and was a solid performer with a KL203.

Has NOAA weather channel function.
That became deciding factor.



It’s fast to read and very easy to operate.

If You Had Only One Choice

Hey Guys, If you had only one choice for a top-of-the-line mobile CB rig (AM only), what would that be, and why? A friend of mine is shopping around and asked me to make a query. Thanks, Jim

forums.radioreference.com

The 2013 memory of @UPMan was the spur for the thread.

For about ten years this was the best entry-level AM-only CB radio. (Latest radios with NRC have eclipsed it for desirability).

Several nice UNIDEN accessories, and an excellent extension speaker available.

Pairs exceptionally well with a KL203, box-stock.

A very good Fly’N Drive choice, today.

Am researching how to get coax into cab on a Freightliner Columbia (always the worst part of an install on a big truck), and have to dig thru supply & gear to figure out all the rest.

He’s a helluva lot younger than me and a far better mechanic (a natural) so the install should go fairly fast.

Best part is that I’ll have my pickup along to get the last parts dialed-in once done across the Lincoln and W-M DSP Speaker (mic choice & settings)

— When my son left the Marines after ten years and took a Masters degree at a Connecticut school in 2015 I took an assignment in Philadelphia in 2016 to visit several times. As this friend is a New Englander — a difficult place with many limits on operating trucks — I could make a phone call and get fantastic advice.

The U880 is a truck stop staple.
Nationwide, and with untold thousands sold.

Uniden Bearcat 880 CB Radio

Drive with confidence and stay connected with the Uniden Bearcat 880 CB radio. Powerful, rugged design with advanced features and settings to suit any CB user. Loaded with features, such as dynamic squelch control, Hi/Lo Microphone Gain Control, Memory Channel Scan, ANL, and Noise Canceling...

uniden.com

Uniden Bearcat 880 CB Radio Review | CB Radio Magazine

Uniden Bearcat 880 CB Radio Review This CB radio has 40 channel operation and dynamic squelch control and an extra long mic cord. There is a CB/PA switch and it's even wireless mic compatible. Other features include instant channel 9/19, NOAA Weather channels, radio diagnostics, easy-to-read...

cbradiomagazine.com

If it came to the choice I’d go with the SSB-capable 980 between the two, but there’s no reason to avoid the U880 despite some reports about the screen going dim for some users (answer to that may be to always keep it out of direct sunlight).

.

 

[slowmover]

Mic Comparison

One wants to use a second radio across the room (no coax attached, usually) to listen to how different microphones sound.

Use a headset

The video is kinda fun, but it’s not the way it’ll sound in real life.

It is an important test to get the most from an FCC 4-watt radio.

These Unidens usually perk right up with a power mic if the Gain is correctly set and Talkback probably not in use.

By this I mean that one’s TX has a little more “punch”.

— The downside to power mics is the requirement for a battery.

Note: The stock mic and BC906 can be improved somewhat by modifying the mic entrance.

With any radio whatsoever there is no excuse for poor diction and enunciation. Slow down, know what you are going to say, and speak as if talking across the room. Always.

With an NC dynamic mic with lip guard use that.

With DSP and long experience I’ve I don’t know how many hours trying to be of service to others by having them adjust their radios (I can hear what’s needed), and then getting them dialed-in on both distance from lips and relative Mic Gain.

This can be make-or-break in being heard in difficult conditions.

Hear, and Get Heard.

.

 

[cpfinlay]

I recently picked up a 980. Paired it with a Firestik. Works well.

 

[Chris155]

Assuming the 980 & 880 have similar AM performance I’d say it’s a great choice. The weather receive is way better than my McKinley. I removed the little white piece from the mic & regularly talked 7 miles mobile to local base stations. The local base group runs old school, non dsp radios.

My 980 is currently in a drawer with Velcro on the bottom & cigarette lighter harness that also power a dsp speaker. Ready for temporary use or a hand out if needed.

 

[slowmover]

I’ve modded one of the stock mics already. Unfortunately have 6-7 of them. Hope it’s not the last one I have to open in order to find it.