Bearcat 980ssb won't growl!

[CBNPguyNZ]

Hi all

My name is Ollie and I am new here.

I live in New Zealand.

I have the above mentioned 980ssb. It has been in storage for a while (no not a damp garage or anything)

I am setting this up in my new home now but it is behaving oddly.

Sometimes it just doesn't power on, other times it might power on and run for a couple of minutes but then the whole display flashes repeatedly and I have to switch it off again.

I am using a proper 13 volt supply and this set up has previously worked just fine...what might be the cause of this?

Thanks in advance for any help
Ollie

[Bozo]

If your Bearcat 980SSB CB radio is experiencing issues where it doesn't power on consistently or the display flashes repeatedly after running for a short time, there could be a few potential causes for this behavior. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Check the power supply: Even though you mentioned using a proper 13-volt supply, it's worth double-checking the power connection and ensuring that it is providing a stable voltage. You might want to try using a different power supply or test the current one with a multimeter to ensure it's delivering the correct voltage consistently.

2. Examine the power connections: Inspect the power cable and its connections to ensure they are secure and not damaged. Sometimes, loose or faulty connections can lead to intermittent power issues. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the power cable, making sure it fits snugly.

3. Check the fuse: Locate the fuse on your Bearcat 980SSB CB radio and verify if it is intact. If the fuse is blown, replace it with the appropriate rating and see if that resolves the issue.

4. Reset the radio: Perform a factory reset on the radio to see if it helps resolve any potential software or configuration issues. The procedure for resetting the radio should be outlined in the user manual. Keep in mind that a factory reset will erase any personalized settings or configurations, so you may need to reconfigure the radio afterwards.

[CBNPguyNZ]

Thanks will run through those points

[CBNPguyNZ]

I ran through all those points and it is getting a consistent voltage to the radio however there doesn't seem to be a way to "reset" the Bearcat 980 that I can find.

thanks

[CBNPguyNZ]

Also, I am finding I can switch it on and nothing happens. If I then switch it off/on / off / on about 6 or so times it will THEN switch on...WEIRD!!

[295 antenna]

Bad switch?

[CBNPguyNZ]

Maybe although if I remove the covers I can hear a "click" when I switch it on

[MDYoungblood]

It is possible that the switch is dirty (slightly corroded), you might try some contact cleaner but be careful of the type of cleaner used, it could eat up the chrome if any overspray gets on it.

3’s

Greg

[443 Arizona]

i would say its the classic 980ssb problem , the front circuit board .