I Installed The Uniden Beartracker 885 CB Radio/Scanner Hybrid In My Truck, Review Part 2! 

Dude, those toes are prehistoric

Much appreciate this video. I picked this unit up as a beginner to this world. I'm getting a lip mount on my hood, 2 ft firestick for now. I enjoy being parked up in my truck just listening to the scanner as well.

I’m relatively new to the radio hobby and would really like to keep collecting radios as I go through the hobby and this looks really nice for whenever I get my first vehicle, right now I have a RadioShack Pro-197 Digital trunking scanner and it’s great!

Nice setup man! I never knew there was something like a CB with a scanner build in.

I would use a shocker spring between the mount & aerial, gives it some flex, saves pressure on the base.

In addition to VHF & UHF, I also have a Bearcat 980SSB in my car & love it; as we all know, one just can't beat having a CB when on the road; & considering the little radio's great performance (relative to its low price) & that it's also SSB, it's just fun having it along with with my amateur gear! 73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇸 dit dit 🤓

Great video my friend! Thank you!

Hey Eric, after talking to you at the dinner after Hamcation, I ordered the radio that night, got it two days later, installed and am very elated with the Police/Fire/Ambulance response in the area. Will know more in a week when I go back to St. Louis on Feb 28th on the highway and once I get back into St.. Louis to see how it picks up the Local PD's. Very Happy, thanks for the review.

Nice setup I've used my 980ssb in the mobile. My Lincoln is out for service which will be my ten meter mobile rig with a rmitaly amp. Happy New year's 🥳

If you encounter intermittent SWR issues run a ground strap to your tool box. I’ve had issues with that in previous toolbox installations. Also watch for water following the coax down and entering the cab through that black plastic box behind the rear seat. If you have enough spare coax make a drip loop in the coax between the cab and the bed and that may stop or prevent it.

Nice setup! I pull a 34’ fifth wheel with my F-250, running a President McKinley and a Wilson 2000. 11 meters and weather band is very handy while RVing. 👍🏻🇺🇸

Happy New Year Uncle Eric ... 💯🎸🤘🙋‍♂️

I've heard that those RM Italy KL203P Linear Amplifiers work really well. For 10 meters of course.

Nice setup like your videos

Nice video, Eric

I would leave the right angle adapter where it is and put one on the other side. It looks better and there is less stress on the coax. And the loss on the connector is negligible. And this is one of the better installs I have seen..

Wild stuff

I still have my old Uniden BCT-7 scanner that has the Beartracker feature.

Very nice!!

Nice radio. Pretty much does everything you need apart from make a cup of tea 🍵🙂

I like the 885 and agree all it needs is SSB and I'll have to have one. The digital scan is great and worth the price of the radio. But I would need access to the GPS unit you show. 73, K0LC

Fine video! Thank you! The unfortunate thing is that in my area, the police are so paranoid that they are 100% encrypted. I certainly see the need for encryption for various reasons, but why 100%. Traffic accidents? Really? I used to be able to avoid a road that might be blocked... a.k.a. avoid contributing to a congestion problem, etc. What about closed roads for flooding? What if there was something 'big' going on in my neighborhood and I might want to lock my doors etc.? This actually did happen about a decade ago, and there were helicopters sweeping the area. I was able to hear the area being impacted and whether the suspect was getting closer or moving further away. THAT is public safety to me! Again, nice radio and thanks! (sorry for the rant, but I bet I'm not alone)

Like to see a President model with the police detection and scanner, Those features really set that radio apart.

I'm really being triggered by that protective film.

if that rubbed off button light spot drives you crazy you can do the NY sharpie touchup repair lol

Thanks for the video. I just bought the same radio. Where can I find the shark antenna for the scanner? I can't find it anywhere.

Nice job with the install. It was smart to use an external antenna for the scanner receiver. Yes, there is a lot of activity on the public safety frequencies. Savagery every day!

I powered my 980 with the console power port but I t-tapped into my 578 power for my 11m 1.21 gigawatts linear amp. That's right 1.21 GW. I can talk to truck drivers on Pluto!

I don’t know much about these but the GPS scanner feature intrigues me. Do you recommend any scanner that has that feature but does not have the CB feature?

I've got a Uniden 980ssb that I used to run for cb along with my Yaesu FT-857D and a 1900r. Radio nerd 😆. I pulled it eventually for the bulkiness and lack of use. It has a really good receiver imo for the price. I also used to use a Yaesu FT-7100 dual bander a few years ago. The reason I bring it up is that I used it mostly vhf + vhf with the sub band on local LE freqs. They went digital though 😭. They ran off and left me in the analog dust. This is the perfect setup, albeit qrp 💩. I think if you use a Diamond MX-62 duplexer, with the hf output on the SO-239 cb side, and the vhf/uhf on the side with a BNC /SO-239 adapter you won't have to have to use that dinky scanner antenna, and it's not blatantly obvious that you're running a scanner. I did this for a while years ago with the FT-7100m for receiver of leo freqs and a Cobra 25. The antenna I use(d) still is a stainless steel whip #indestructable 👍 In closing, I'd really like to get one of those, but my Nissan Frontier just doesn't lend itself well for anything other than remote mounting or small compact radios.

Very nice.

Wooow that's really kool

You caught a potential florida man in progress at the end !

I like the Shark antennas and the tuneable tip. Where did you find those? I have never seen that brand before..... (after edit, duh) Never mind Eric I followed your link ...I will check those antennas out very cool and thank you!!

The same in a President Lincoln would be great! At least have the SSB!

Did you need to tune the 885 Bearcat with the shark antennas? If so, was it heard? New to this. Thanks

I'm going to get me one of these after tax time I been using Broadcastify to listen because some parts of where I'm at are digital and some still analog. But I think the bearcat 885 is the best combo for the money and look forward to it.. question is what would be a good handheld type scanner for my area that has some analog/digital. Great video good info on antenna choices.

We just have to get ya some Peterbilt mudflaps on the rear of the truck :D I still have my Uniden 980ssb that does SSB but the President McKinley does a better job at SSB. That plastic box with the flap helps push air out when you shut the doors closed. Some are in obscure places and some like the semi I drive at work has them visible on the back. Ours open (the flap) when we run the heat or AC. 73 Eric! It's always fun watching your videos with anything radio. WX7UTE

Hum, wonder if the scanner would work with the system down here in Miami-Dade.

Is there a way to remove the regular am/fm antenna element and screw on a dual band 2m/70cm unit and just put a 259 on the end that would have gone to an am/fm unit?

Hmm that Texas Star DX350 looked pretty familiar. I had a DX250, it might still be in my old truck driving tote when I quit driving trucks.

Excellent video. How come the GPS icon doesn't display on the screen? Asking because the manual says it should appear after about a minute and this is also happening on mine. My GPS antenna has a clear view of the sky so wondering what the deal is with the icon not showing on the screen.

Could you listen to the DMR frequencies of the ham radio?

So after I watched the whole thing, I didn't hear or see you seal up where the coax goes in through the cab! I am sure you did something, and I don't want to sound like a "know it all" either! I only say anything cause I know some times even the "most" experienced installers can forget things time to time (as a creator my self I know some times we may forget things because we are so focused on the video). I would hate to have you get water in the cab :) I really enjoy your content!

I can't find the scanner Antenna on the link. Can you please provide 🙏🏼 a little more information on the Antenna, so I can purchase one.

Eric, I heard you on with Ted on WTWW international shortwave QSO live. It was a replay on transmitter number 2. I guess you will be on Ham Nation next with Gordo, George, Bob, and Phil. My very close friend Jerry and her wife Amy are on their a lot with them. They live in Colorado. They both are extras two and design retro and new video games. For companies such as Sony through their electronic engineering firm. Do not the forget the ground wire from your antenna mounts to the chassis. The tool box is Aluminum. You will get a better ground plain with the ground wire added.

The wire antenna is perfect for going through States where Scanners are illegal in vehicles

Did you tune each antenna separate?

Hope it works better for you than what I've heard - most reviews of this I've read or heard are that it's a subpar performer and to steer clear. Most say that if you want a scanner, get a scanner and not this scanner/CB combo since I guess it is pretty limited on customization options, etc.

A lot of people think 2 whips get you more front to back coverage but in reality they need to be 18ft apart or a half wave to be front to back directional… better off going with a 102 in the middle of the toolbox … hope this helps 73s from Nb canada

HEY!! Answer me this time!! When is the last time you updated the SD card? I just got my 885 and the updater doesn't work. All UniDumb can say is to check my internet.

I think you should tune antennas one at a time with a dummy load in place of the other...install looks awesome. Let us know how the bear tracker works. It looks interesting to me...

Have you hooked up the P/A system?

You can adjust which is prioritized in the menu for scanner or cb, Or you can have both, talk at the same time

Antennas are going short when driving. It will hit the top of your tool box. You will get a on/off type of audio, timing the right and left hitting at different times will be a big NO GO. Being a HAM I would not have thought you would have connected both antennas. In what antenna book would that be in?

Any updates on this unit? I just ordered one.

Great amp for "10 meters" ? Yes "10 meter" amps are AWESOME !

I'll be picking up a used 885 from a local tomorrow. I'm curious if it has a RF Output adjustment through programming. I would like to adj it's output down a hear to work with a footwarmer. Did you see RF out adjustment through mode selections?

Historically, Michael Jackson dangled his baby outside a hotel room in Berlin-endangerment is part of an American culture, not just in Vero Beach. Glad to see you’re one of the intelligent few. 73 from Daytona Beach

Menu provides the ability to prioritize CB Over scanner or vice versa.

I’ve gone through many radios in trucking and hobby including some 10 meter I like this radio ad been thinking about it for a while but very disappointed that they chose to leave SSB out of it considering the price which is now running $400

What antenna did you run

I noticed the satellite is not lite up, so the sat is not working. It will work inside the vehicle as long as it is "in view" of the satellite. Also, it allows you to choose whether the CB or scanner comes through or you can gave both come through. I have ran this radio for a couple years.

How has this radio held up and performed for you? I have been debating on getting one.. I have a SDS100 and love it. I just want something in the car. Please let me know. By the way I love your videos. Keep up the good work.

hello is that radio just am or dus it do lsb usb

So the Cb doesn’t work with Squelch on?

so how do you like that external scanner antenna? i just bought thia radio and need to upgrade that asap. you reccomend?

can you link the shark antennas website please

I want this in my semi! I see it's more than I expected when researching a cb though I never knew I could get all this. Is there a handheld version I could easily move between my semi and personal vehicle?

That radio would be better if it had SSB on it.

Can I get the model numbers for your antennas both of them 11meter and the Antenna scanner

4:36 I wish all cables did this.

Hi Eric , watched your vid about President Randy FCC. I'm thinking that might be a okay choice 1. in the ol' truck with President, New Virginia mag mount. 2. In ATV back country, fishing, hiking , With rubber duck replacement antenna. Which segways to my first question. In your opinion what would be a good replacement antenna for rubber duck? Final question. With your connections, in your humble opinion, Do you think President will drop a New version of Randy With AM, FM, and/or SSB ? Thank you for your time, consideration and suggestions in my deliberation. As a side comment, from 1976, lived in Vero Beach for 43 years, Loved it, got way too crowded, Move to Maine. Best regards to you and your family. Sincerely, Larry

Just received my 885 today and on power up I noticed two issues I’d like any input on. There is a continuous hum from the speaker. You can still hear the scanner traffic but this annoying hum is in the background. Secondly the unit gets very hot. I can barely keep my hand on the case. I emailed Uniden tonight for their opinion. Any comments or thoughts will be appreciated! Thanks!

I think that it is time that UNIDEN followed ICOM'S lead and moved to PowerSDR technology and do all the signal processing in DSP programmed in C++.

I am surprised you don't know better. Co-phase antennas need to be a 1/4 wave, on 11m is 9ft that you know, Your pattern is going to be screwy, change out the 75ohm to 50 with a T and run co-linear. Plus, I am sure you did, but the toolbox needs to be grounded. Good luck.

um, the lock washer does not go there on ant. mount

they need a new model that offers the scanner bands, and SSB as well. i'd pay the $$$

I listen on my cheap HT for Vero Beach Fire, and the app on my phone for Baltimore City Fire when my son is working. Bill KO4ORV

What is the part number for the scanner magnetic mount antenna I want to order one.

People do use those linears on the cb

I just knocked over a liquor store and got exactly $420. Should I upgrade my 980 SSB with the 885? Or just get a powerful PA speaker to play Mr. Microphone? "hey good lookin' we'll be back to pick you up later" I was never in a liquor store.

We're can I get one

For truckers is it Chanel 9 or 19?

If you are not aware, you can edit the update program file to increase your monitoring area for different departments or services. At the 8:30 mark on this linked RU-vid video it explains how to do this and save the edited file and re-enter it after your weekly Update. the link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SCt7UlE8EgY.html

How do you like the Uniden 885 so far?

do you need a permit / license for that?

So my county will be going to p25 II will that pick it up for me without me programming it?

Your leds are not going to work anymore 😂😂

I thought that Police and Fire use an encrypted communications system, The Transceiver doesn't have the new FM mode that is now available in your country.

FIRESTIK Antennas.

very nice setup unfortunately i live in ireland and all police ambulance fire brigrade etc are incripted with the tetra system same as the uk and most european countrys. so limited to airband marine and few other companys that still use angloge

OF COURSE, u won't use that Texas Star on CB...🧐Hmmm?🤔

I had that same radio worked great for a year then the scanner went dead then a month later the cb died. Won't no one will work on it. 400 dollars gone

This is a Ham radio?

FIRST OF ALL, WHERES OUR MERRY CHRISTMAS, WHERES OUR HAPPY NEW YEAR ??? THAT RADIO DONT HAVE FM IN IT, WHY NOT ? IM MAD AT YOU

I picked one of these on a trade Peaked and tuned swings up to 30 watts. All I can say is the bearcat is TRASH 🤷. I'm comparing this to my president Lincoln 2 plus. It's currently not installed in anything. Hope you enjoy yours but IMHO it's junk from recieve, to transmit, to the deal of the dials.

You want 1.1:1 or your output transistor will go bye bye.

No bueno!

You can peel the plastic off the face it won't hurt anything