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Galaxy DX 959 vs Uniden Bearcat 980SSB

Product Comparison: Galaxy DX 959 vs Uniden Bearcat 980SSB

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Best Pick

Galaxy DX 959 40 Channel AM/SSB Mobile CB Radio

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Uniden Bearcat 980SSB 40- Channel SSB CB Radio

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General Specifications

Brand

Galaxy

Uniden

Model

DX 959

Bearcat 980SSB

Origin

Malaysia

China

About the Product

Galaxy CB radios are designed with features that a serious CB operator can appreciate and a new user can easily master. The radio functions are laid out in a driver friendly format essential for ease of use while keeping your eyes focused on the road ahead. Each knob or button controls its own task, minimizing the need to look at a display or cycle through multiple menus. The DX-959 has been a solid performer for more than 15 years. It is at the top of our mobile CB line and is jam packed with big radio features.

The Uniden Bearcat 980 CB Radio brings advanced feature in a modern design. The large digital S/RF / SWR meter lets you check your levels with a glance. Also including 7 different back lights to custom the right color. The Bearcat 980 CB Radio is equipped with all the important features: integrated SWR meter, noise canceling mic, RF gain control, NOAA weather alert, ANL/noise blanker, automatic noise limiter, 40 channels, and more.

Key Specs

Channels

Frequency Range From

26.965 MHz

Frequency Range To

27.405 MHz

Frequency Stability

0.001 %

Frequency Control

PLL Synthesizer

Modulation

AM, USB, LSB

Input Voltage

13.8 V DC

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Galaxy DX 959 40 Channel AM/SSB Mobile CB Radio

Put the radio in my truck with a 102" whip and ball mount. Using the factory mic that came with it. Get great reports on am. Everyone says its loud and clear.
6-8 miles usually loud and clear any day or night. Best so far was 17 miles mid day. Love the back lit faceplate. Ssb works great.
This radio works well as a Mobile radio/ or base station radio which is how I have mine setup (for both).
It has 40 channels + 80 ssb channels but it has all the bells and whistles and performance and HEADROOM that I'm familiar with owning a Galaxy radio. When you talk on this radio, people want to talk back to you,meaning that it's a clear,loud radio.
The only real issue is the very drifty VCO on Sideband. This is not an issue at all using AM channels of course. Put a decent power mic on this Radio and it will do what you expect it to do.
Channels are miss aligned was hoping for way better performance than what it does!

Uniden Bearcat 980SSB 40- Channel SSB CB Radio

I purchased this for both off-roading and highway road trips, and it's been great so far. Using with a Firestik Firefly 4' antenna mounted on the tailgate of my truck.
The upper and lower sideband really make this radio stand out, more output gets your voice to go farther.
Solid CB mobile radio although the documentation Uniden provides is weak. Every function has performed properly. We have used both AM and SSB with no problems.
I've operated ALL kinds of radio's CB, ham, CB free band and all that, but if you want a clean, clear audio signal on a CB only rig this thing is it! NO drift, rock solid frequency on SSB and clear audio with the supplied stock mic at that!
This little radio will get out about 8 miles I was Abel to get a 1.00 srw that vary good I will bye another to put in my personal truck what ever you do bye a good antenna spend the extra money that will kill the performance of any radio

Size & Weight

Height

2.12 in.

2.25 in.

Width

7.88 in.

7.25 in.

Depth

9.25 in.

7.5 in.

Weight

6 lbs.

2.2 lbs.

Transmitter

Power Output (AM)

4 W

Power Output (USB/LSB)

12 W PEP

Frequency Response Min

300 Hz

Frequency Response Max

2500 Hz

Frequency Tolerance

0.005 %

0.002 %

What customers say about "Transmitter"

Galaxy DX 959 40 Channel AM/SSB Mobile CB Radio

Radio is very clear but I also have a Very Low SWR setup. Only thing the radio does not have is Channel Search. Over all EPIC RADIO.
The radio works as advertised. Clear and sensitive. Also a powerful transmitter.
The radio has a frequency counter built in. This is useful for Single Side Band operation.
This radio, when tested, transmits the full 4 watts AM, and 12 watts SSB on dead key. The frequency counter and channel display are the older 7 segmented green LEDs, and the meter used is analog. No LCD technology here.
The downside is that the transmitter's frequency cannot be adjusted in SSB, just the receiver.

Uniden Bearcat 980SSB 40- Channel SSB CB Radio

The readout is clear and easy to read. It transmits clear and receives strong signals with ease.The weather bands are useful in case of rain or snow and allows time to plan accordingly.
Sounds nice and clear receiving as well as transmitting. Easy to use along with nice lighting day and night. They did get rid of the beep after you transmit that I read about in other reviews.
Transmits and receives great, farthest I've transmitted so far is about 8 miles with a local base station.
The radio needed a power microphone for use on SSB as modulation level is low. The stock mic would only drive the SSB transmitter up to a few watts.
The transmitter suppresses both the carrier and one sideband which theoretically allows all the power output to be transmitted in one sideband thereby theoretically tripling the power output because it is not shared among two sidebands and a carrier.

Receiver

Sensitivity for 10dB (AM)

0.5 µV

Sensitivity for 10dB (USB/LSB)

0.25 µV

Image Rejection

80 dB

Audio Power Output

2 W

3 W

What customers say about "Receiver"

Galaxy DX 959 40 Channel AM/SSB Mobile CB Radio

The clarity of signal is superior to anything I have ever had in the rig, The sensitivity to received signal is fantastic, this radio does pull in the signal.Galaxy stands behind their products, so this was a no-brain-er.
My radio had a very choppy and distorted receive when driving. Turned out to be a cold solder joint on the antenna wire on the SO-239 on the inside of the radio. Takes about 10 minute to warm up to use on SSB. Having said that it has a very sensitive receiver and good audio.
Man, what an awesome radio. Was pretty weak at first with just 2 watts but after a peak and tune. ... This baby sings. Receive is very good as well.
Works great picks up and receives up to 4 1/2 miles . Hows other great features as well . Wow
I ordered this radio, everything turn on but I couldn't transmit or receive anything so I took it to a cb shop and the shop said the radio was incomplete and missing parts, I got it brand new out of the box.

Uniden Bearcat 980SSB 40- Channel SSB CB Radio

I've hit 14 miles verified from my front porch and the receiver was surprised I was running barefoot since it was such a strong signal.
I didn't intend to go hunting for skip on the road but the receiver is incredibly good!
I was not impressed by the receiver sensitivity or the instruction manual. The receiver in my old Uniden 810E is 10 times better than this one.
The output on the receiving end has very low volume. Everyone tells me they have to turn me way up to hear me, which makes everyone else too loud
WX receive not working at all, in any mode. CB seems to be working OK, AM and SSB.

Features

Display

Analog, easy-to-read meter with 4 scales

7-Color LCD Display

Controls

On/Off Volume Control, Squelch Control, Mic Gain/R.B., RF Gain Control, Dimmer Control, RF Power Control, Channel Selector, Talkback Control, Clarifier, SWR/MOD/PWR Switch, NB/ANL/OFF Switch, PA/GNF/CB Switch, Mode Switch, Tone Switch

Volume Control knob, Squelch Knob, Talkback Button, RF Gain Button, MIC Gain Button, Weather Button, Channel Selector Knob, S/RF/CAL/SWR Button, CB/PA Button, MEM/SCAN Button, 9/19/NORM Button, ANL/NB Button, Clarifier

Weather Alert

Yes

Extras

Automatic SWR Circuit, Roger Beep with On/Off switch and LED Indicator, Galaxy Noise Filter for use on weak signals, High SWR Alert LED Indicator, Noise Blanker and Automatic Noise Limiter, 3-Position Tone Control Switch, Green/Red LED Indicator for RX/TX, LED Channel Indicator

Wireless Mic Compatible, PA/CB Switch, Noise Cancelling Microphone, Radio Diagnostics

Weather Alert

What customers say about "Features"

Galaxy DX 959 40 Channel AM/SSB Mobile CB Radio

It also has a "Talkback" feature to test microphones, though I generally don't use it in day to day use. It can cause audio feedback if the volume knob is up too high.
Other features are mic gain, RF gain, a dimmer knob, and adjustable RF power. There are 5 switches on the front as well. One for the meter (SWR/MOD/PWR), ANL (automatic noise limiter), CB/GNF/PA, AM/LSB/USB, and incoming signal tone.
I love the features of this radio, especially the frequency display. Lots of mods available for this radio.
The SWR meter was a little pessimistic, reading about 3:1 with a 2:1 match, which is good, and measuring signal strength, modulation and power it was spot-on. Being able to dim or shut off the display lights is also a neat feature, as I don't like lights glaring at me from my dashboard.
The built in Roger Beep feature (easy on/off).The built in Talkback feature (easy on/off and volume).The built in Frequency Counter (has a dimmer for night driving and easy on/off). The multi-function meter (a select switch for SWR/Power/dB).
The only true negative is how large the unit is. I have no place to mount it and it is too big to fit in the glove box.
One complaint that I have is that the buttons rattle and overall the knobs seem cheaply made which seems surprising for a unit of this caliber. I

Uniden Bearcat 980SSB 40- Channel SSB CB Radio

CB performs outstanding with good audio from the stock microphone. Built in SWR meter is a plus. CB noise blanking feature eliminates power line interference along roads.
Good radio right out of the box. It works well and is on frequency for SSB use. This CB becomes very unique with the purchase of the wireless microphone option also made by Uniden (BC906W)
It matches well with the modern vehicles and I enjoy the multicolor options. It performs well. If you're into modding these cb radios I'm not sure what you can or can't do with these.
I don't mind the beeping noise every time you push a button, but the display screen gets scratched very easily, so I recommend leaving the manufacturer's plastic on the face as long as possible.
The display is somewhat difficult to read even when in "Day" mode at the brightest setting when bright sunlight is present.

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

2 year(s)

Certifications

FCC

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

Manual

Download

Link

MSRP