Uniden 980ssb, what causes this ?

[SkunkApe]

I have a brand new Uniden bearcat 980ssb, it keys the full 11 watts dead key on AM and has no swing... cause ? it works normal on ssb. Thanks for any help with this issue.. SkunkApe of Florida

[Windwalker]

Hi SkunkApe
Welcome to the World Famous CBRT website.
As far as the Uniden Bearcat 980SSB it sounds like the radio has been peaked to the max.
Brand new they only dead key about 3.5 watts on AM
My question is did somebody go inside that radio ????

WW1

[SkunkApe]

I took it out of the box, as far as i know it has not been tampered with.

[Windwalker]

I dont know what is going on.
I dont think they do 11 watts out of the box !!
Maybe someone else has some ideas !

WW1

[Bozo]

Hi @SkunkApe
Power Output on AM is 4 watts; and on USB/LSB 12 W PEP SSB

I agree with @Windwalker 1 maybe you bought it from a site that had it tweaked or maybe someone bought it had it tweaked and then returned it.

Maybe it's the meter? Did you try an external wattage meter? Try a different meter.

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Post Merge Complete

Added 1 minute 31 seconds after previous.
Maybe contact business you bought it from?

[Windwalker]

All good points Bozo !!
I do think 11 watts dead key with no swing is too much for that radio to handle for very long !

[MDYoungblood]

Hello Skunkape,
My suggestion is if it’s brand new, stuff it back in the box and take it back. Now, I am assuming your antenna system is in order, good SWR is essential, a mismatch will cause the radio to show overly high watt output just before it lets the smoke out. If taking or sending it back isn’t a choice and you don’t a CB type shop near, check out the radio on YouTube and carefully reset some of the adjustments. This will require at least a power supply, good watt meter and a dummy load capable of the wattage output.

3’s

Greg

[Windwalker]

My suggestion is if it’s brand new, stuff it back in the box and take it back. Now, I am assuming your antenna system is in order, good SWR is essential, a mismatch will cause the radio to show overly high watt output just before it lets the smoke out.
3’s

Greg

Smoke is bad and really stinky

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