Uniden BC-980 AM/SSB Bearcat Single Sideband CB Radio, Virginia CB Antenna, 3 inch External Speaker Combo
A quick starter setup that gets you on the air fast. This combo pairs the Uniden Bearcat BC-980 AM/SSB CB radio with a President Virginia magnet-mount CB antenna and a compact 3" wedge external speaker β a no-drill, no-permanent-install package that's ideal for renters, seasonal drivers, or anyone who wants to try a full SSB rig without committing to a body-drilled antenna install.
What's in the box
- Uniden Bearcat BC-980 SSB CB radio β 40 channels AM + USB/LSB sideband, 12 W PEP
- President Virginia magnet-mount CB antenna β 19.69" ΒΌ-wave, 250 W PEP
- Aries 3" wedge external speaker
- BC-980 accessories: power cord, mounting bracket & hardware, mic hanger, 6-pin to 4-pin mic adapter
Uniden Bearcat BC-980 SSB β radio highlights
- 40 channels AM + USB/LSB sideband β 4 W AM, 12 W PEP sideband
- 7-color backlit display with dimmer and laser-etched keys
- NOAA weather channel access with alert
- Built-in SWR meter, RF gain, dynamike boost, noise blanker + ANL, high-SWR indicator, instant channel 9/19, channel scan
- Noise-canceling dynamic microphone included
- Size: 7.25" W Γ 7.5" D Γ 2.25" H (without jacks and knobs)
- Standard 4-pin front mic jack β compatible with most upgrade microphones
President Virginia magnet-mount antenna β highlights
- 19.69" magnet-mount mobile ΒΌ-wave CB antenna
- 50 Ξ© impedance, vertical polarization
- Frequency: 26 β 28 MHz β covers 40 channels plus weather
- Pre-tuned SWR value: 1.1:1
- 250 W PEP power handling β comfortable overhead for the BC-980's 12 W PEP output
- Dual helical whip with adjustable antenna angle
- Magnetic base β no drilling required
- Bandwidth: 800 kHz / 80 channels
- 12-foot coax cable included
- 10-year factory warranty
Aries 3" wedge external speaker β highlights
- Compact wedge design β sits on the dash, tucks under, or mounts with the included bracket
- Maximum 5 watts
- 2 ΒΎ" plastic speaker cone
- Frequency response: 500 Hz to 5,000 Hz β tuned for voice intelligibility
- 6-foot cable with 3.5 mm plug, 22 AWG
- Dimensions: 3 ΒΌ" Γ 3 3/8"
- Mounting bracket and hardware included
Why this combo
Magnet-mount antennas trade some efficiency for install convenience β no drilling, and the whole antenna comes off the roof when you're not using it. The Virginia is one of the better magnet-mounts for the money: pre-tuned, 250 W PEP capable, and rated across the full CB band. Add the compact wedge speaker to move audio out of the radio chassis and closer to the driver's ear, and you have a full mobile setup ready to run.
Compatibility & install notes
- Magnet-mount antennas work best on a flat, unpainted-underside metal roof or trunk. Vehicles with plastic or aluminum roof panels will need a different mounting approach.
- The Virginia's coax terminates in a PL-259 that connects directly to the BC-980's rear antenna jack.
- The external speaker plugs into the BC-980's rear 3.5 mm external-speaker jack. Internal speaker mutes automatically when the external speaker is connected.
- After installation, SWR should be checked with a meter. The Virginia is pre-tuned to a low SWR out of the box.
- Don't forget to add the Pro tune and alignment option at checkout so that your radio is professionally bench-tuned for best performance per the manufacturer's service manual.
Warranty note
Purchasing a President antenna together with a President radio extends the President radio's warranty to 5 years. This combo is built around the Uniden BC-980, which carries Uniden's factory warranty β the extended-warranty bonus does not apply here, but the Virginia antenna still carries its 10-year factory warranty.
Related products
- Uniden Bearcat BC-980 SSB β main listing
- BC-980 + Stryker SR-A10 truck install combo
- BC-980 + DRX audio upgrade combo
As always, CB Radio Supply is your one-stop CB shop. Feel free to contact us directly with any questions about this product or others we sell.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in the BC-980 + Virginia + speaker combo?
The combo includes the Uniden Bearcat BC-980 AM/SSB CB radio with all factory accessories (power cord, mounting bracket and hardware, mic hanger, and 6-pin to 4-pin mic adapter), a President Virginia magnet-mount CB antenna with 12 feet of coax preinstalled, and an Aries 3" wedge external speaker with mounting bracket and hardware.
Is this a good starter setup for someone new to CB?
Yes. The Virginia magnet-mount antenna installs without drilling, the speaker plugs into a standard 3.5 mm jack, and the BC-980 is a full AM + sideband radio with a clear color display and factory microphone. Everything you need to get on the air is in the box, minus a suitable metal roof or trunk for the magnet to attach to.
Will the magnet-mount antenna work on my vehicle?
Magnet-mount antennas need a flat metal surface β typically a metal roof or trunk lid β to hold securely and to work as an RF ground plane. Vehicles with plastic, fiberglass, or aluminum roof panels are not compatible with a magnet-mount antenna and will need a different mounting solution such as a fender mount, mirror mount, or lip mount.
How does the Virginia antenna compare to a Stryker SR-A10 or a 102-inch whip?
The Virginia is a compact magnet-mount antenna intended for easy install and removal. The Stryker SR-A10 is a taller, coil-loaded permanently-mounted antenna with higher power handling and generally stronger performance. A 102-inch whip is a full quarter-wave antenna and remains the reference standard for CB antenna efficiency. Each is a step up from the last in performance, and a step down in install convenience.
Do I need to tune the antenna?
The Virginia is pre-tuned at the factory to a nominal 1.1:1 SWR across the CB band. After it's mounted on the vehicle, SWR should still be checked with a meter. Minor variations from vehicle to vehicle can shift SWR slightly, and the whip is adjustable if fine-tuning is needed.
Does the external speaker mute the radio's internal speaker?
Yes. When the Aries 3" speaker is plugged into the BC-980's rear 3.5 mm external-speaker jack, the radio's internal speaker mutes automatically. Unplugging the external speaker restores internal audio.
Do I still qualify for the President extended-warranty bonus?
President's extended-warranty offer applies when a President antenna is purchased with a President radio. This combo is built around the Uniden BC-980, so the extended-warranty bonus does not apply. The Uniden BC-980 carries Uniden's factory warranty, and the Virginia antenna still carries its 10-year factory warranty.
Can I use a different microphone with the BC-980?
Yes. The BC-980 has a standard 4-pin front-panel microphone jack and includes a 6-pin to 4-pin adapter. Most aftermarket 4-pin CB microphones are compatible.