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Your Bearcat 880 contains the following:
If any items are missing or damaged, contact your place of purchase immediately.
NOTE
Plan the location of the transceiver and microphone bracket before beginning installation.
Because the maximum power output of the transmitter is limited by the FCC, the quality of your antenna is very important. To achieve the maximum transmission distance, Uniden strongly recommends that you install only a high quality antenna. You have just purchased a superior transceiver - don't diminish its performance by installing an inferior antenna.
Only a properly matched antenna system will allow maximum power transfer from the 50 ohm transmission line to the radiating element. Your Uniden dealer is qualified to help you select the proper antenna for your requirements. A whip style antenna may be used for automobile installation.
A short 'loaded' whip antenna is easier to install on an automobile, but its efficiency is less than that of a full quarter-wave whip antenna.
Uniden recommends connecting the power lead to the Ignition Switch Accessory Terminal. This way, the transceiver is automatically turned off when the ignition switch is turned off.
As an alternative, the power cord may be connected to an available terminal on the fuse block or to a point in the wiring harness. However, caution must be taken to prevent a short circuit. If in doubt, contact your vehicle dealer for information.
NOTE
This transceiver may be installed and used in any 12-volt DC negative ground system vehicle.
Negative Ground System
With a negative ground system, the negative (-) battery terminal is usually connected to the vehicle motor block.
Connect the red DC power cord from the transceiver to the positive (+) battery terminal or other convenient point. Then connect the black power cord to the vehicle chassis or negative (-) battery terminal.
The Bearcat 880 is pre-configured for Uniden's new 6-pin wireless, noisecancelling technology, available in 2012. Your Bearcat 880 comes with an adapter to connect the radio's 6-pin microphone to a current standard 4-pin microphone.
Consult your dealer for information regarding marine installation. It is important to adequately ground the system and to prevent electrolysis between the fittings in the hull and the water.
NOTE
Be sure that the power source, antenna, and microphone are properly connected before proceeding.
NOTE
Set SQUELCH only when the radio is not receiving a strong signal.
When All Channel Scan is on, the radio scans channels until it receives a signal. It will move to the next channel if no signal is received after 3 seconds.
Your radio combines a CB radio with a Weather radio and a Weather Alert system. The Weather Alert system sounds a seven-second signal in the event of severe weather when you are in CB mode. The Weather radio continually broadcasts weather conditions when you are in Weather mode.
NOTE
You cannot change ANL or NB settings while in WX mode. The radio will sound an alert tone.
Weather Scan mode allows the radio to move to the next weather channel if no signal is detected after 3 seconds. Set Weather Scan mode to ON or OFF through the menus.
NOTE
If Weather Scan is ON when you turn off the radio, it remains ON.
Left at these setting (WX mode, WX Scan), you will hear only weather broadcasts and Weather Alert signals. To use your CB radio normally while monitoring weather alerts, press WEATHER again.
Weather Alert mode only operates when you are in CB mode; it does not operate in Weather mode. In CB mode, the radio sounds an alert tone when it detects a 1050Hz tone on a weather channel.
Press and hold WEATHER to turn Weather Alert on. The WEATHER LED turns on.
You can select channels to store into memory and then scan only those channels.
MENUS
Access menus by pressing MENU/OK. The first menu, COLOR, displays. Turn the Channel Selector knob to cycle through the other menus:
Option No: | Color |
0 | None (Off ) |
1 | Blue |
2 | Green |
3 | Cyan |
4 | Red |
5 | Magenta |
6 | Yellow |
7 | White |
From the DIAG level, you can check battery power levels, RF power levels, and antenna mismatch.
Battery Check
Check the DC power levels if you feel your radio is not performing properly.
An antenna mismatch indicates that reception quality may be impaired.
RF alerts indicate that the transmission levels are not acceptable.
Exit the menus from the main menu levels (COLOR, CONT, BRIGHT, WXSCAN, and DIAG). From this level, turn Channel Selector until displays. Press MENU/OK. The radio returns to the last operating mode and channel.
You can check your incoming and outgoing signal strength and wattage as you use your Bearcat 880. The 12-column LCD display (refer to item number 3 in the Controls and Functions section) displays this data. Press and hold PTT on the microphone to see the RF output power levels. Release PTT to see incoming signal strengh.
Check and calibrate the SWR to ensure that you are using power effectively.
Every six months:
The Bearcat 880 is designed to give you years of trouble-free service. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Except for the fuse in the DC power cord, no maintenance is required.
To replace a blown fuse:
Use only the fuse specified for your Bearcat 880. Failure to do so may void your warranty.
In the event of system malfunction, perform the following procedures:
Problem | Suggestion |
Unit does not power up | Check power cord connections. Check fuse. Check vehicle electrical system. |
No reception | Check microphone connection. Set CB/PA to CB. Check VOLUME and SQUELCH. Check antenna. Check antenna connection. Adjust RF Gain. |
Poor Reception | Check VOLUME and SQUELCH. Be sure antenna SWR is normal. Adjust RF Gain. |
No Transmission | Set CB/PA switch to CB. Check microphone connection. Adjust MIC Gain. |
Low Transmission | Adjust MIC Gain. |
Using MEM/SCAN does not access channels in memory | Verify that there are channels saved into memory. |
Unit does not work as well as previously. | Turn the power off then back on. The channels will reset. |
Battery power check returned ![]() ![]() | Make sure your power wires have a good connection. Check your battery charge; it needs to be fully charged. Lower voltage will cause a failure. Check your alternator. |
Antenna check returned ![]() | Make sure your antenna ground is good. Check for damage to the antenna. Check the SWRs at a CB shop. High SWRs will damage the radio. |
RF power diagnosis check returned ![]() | Make sure your antenna ground is good. Check for damage to your antenna. Check the antenna connection on the back of the radio. Be sure it is tight. |
If you do not get satisfactory results after performing these checks, call the Uniden Customer Service Centerat 1-800-297-1023, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday.
GENERAL | ||
Channel: | 40 | |
Frequency Range: | 26.965 - 27.405 MHz | |
Frequency Control: | PLL Synthesizer | |
Antenna Impedance: | 50 ohms | |
Power Input: | 13.8VDC | |
Current Drain | TX: | AM Full Modulation: 2.2A (max) |
RX: | At no signal: 650mA | |
Operating Temperature: | -22°F to 140°F (-30°C to 60°C) | |
Accessories: | DC Power Cord Microphone Microphone Hanger Mounting Bracket | |
Size (W x D x H): | 6.3 in. x 6.3 in. x 2.2 in. (without knobs and jacks) (160 mm x 160 mm x 54 mm) | |
Weight: | 2.2 Pounds | |
TRANSMITTER | ||
Output Power: | 4 watts | |
Emission Type: | 6A3 | |
Hum and Noise: | Better than 40 dB | |
Frequency Tolerance: | ±0.002% | |
Modulation Percentage (Peak): | 100% | |
Spurious Rejection: | -70 dB | |
Output Impedance: | 50 ohm, unbalanced | |
RECEIVER | ||
Sensitivity at 10 dB S+N/N: | 0.5 µV | |
Sensitivity at 500 mW Audio Output: | 0.5 µV | |
Squelch Threshold: | 0.5 µV | |
Antenna Impedance: | 50 ohms | |
Squelch Tight: | 1000 µV | |
Signal Meter S-9: | 100 µV | |
Audio Output Power (max.): | 5 watts | |
Audio Output (10% Dist.): | 4 watts | |
Adjacent Channel Rejection: | 55dB | |
Image Rejection: | 65dB | |
Internal Speaker Impedance: | 16 ohms | |
External Speaker Impedance: | 8 ohms | |
PUBLIC ADDRESS | ||
Output Power at 10% Distortion: | 4 watts |
Specifications shown are typical and subject to change without notice.
The following list contains common "10-Codes" used by CB radio operators for faster communication and better understanding.
Code | Meaning |
10-1 | Received poorly |
10-2 | Receiving well |
10-3 | Stop transmitting |
10-4 | OK, message received |
10-5 | Relay message |
10-6 | Busy, stand by |
10-7 | Out of service, leaving air |
10-8 | In service, subject to call |
10-9 | Repeat message |
10-10 | Transmission completed, standing by |
10-11 | Talking too rapidly |
10-12 | Visitors present |
10-13 | Advise Weather/ Road conditions |
10-16 | Make pickup at |
10-17 | Urgent business |
10-18 | Anything for us? |
10-19 | Nothing for you, return to base |
10-20 | My location is |
10-21 | Call by telephone |
10-22 | Report in person to |
10-23 | Stand by |
10-24 | Completed last assignment |
10-25 | Can you contact |
10-26 | Disregard last information |
10-27 | I am moving to channel |
10-28 | Identify your station |
10-29 | Time is up for contact |
10-30 | Does not conform to FCC rules |
10-32 | I will give you a radio check |
10-33 | EMERGENCY TRAFFIC |
10-34 | Trouble at this station |
10-35 | Confidential information |
10-36 | Correct time is |
10-37 | Wrecker needed at |
10-38 | Ambulance needed at |
10-39 | Your message is delivered |
10-41 | Please turn to channel |
10-42 | Traffic accident at |
10-43 | Traffic tie up at |
10-44 | I have a message for you |
10-45 | All units within range please report |
10-50 | Break channel |
10-60 | What is next message number |
10-62 | Unable to copy, use phone |
10-63 | Net directed to |
10-64 | Net clear |
10-65 | Awaiting your next message/ assignment |
10-67 | All units comply |
10-70 | Fire at |
10-71 | Proceed with transmission in sequence |
10-77 | Negative contact |
10-81 | Reserve hotel room for |
10-82 | Reserve room for |
10-84 | My telephone number is |
10-85 | My address is |
10-91 | Talk closer to microphone |
10-93 | Check my frequency on this channel |
10-94 | Please give me a long count |
10-99 | Mission completed, all units secure |
10-200 | Police needed at |
The antenna used for this radio must be properly installed and maintained and must provide a separation distance of at least 34 cm (13.4 Inches) from all persons and must not be collocated or operated in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. Never transmit if any person is closer than the specified distance to the antenna.
Note that Uniden does not specify or supply any antenna with this transceiver. While a 0 dBi gain antenna is normal for a typical installation, the above limit applies to any antenna with up to 3 dBi gain.
Changes or modifications to this product or use of accessories not expressly approved by Uniden, or operation of this product in any way other than as provided in the Uniden Owner's Manual could void your authority to operate this product.
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
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