Baofeng BF-888s Review

[Bolverk]

The 888 work well on the canals, Lots of 70 foot reflectors floating around lol. Spare batteries are cheap @ £10.99 a pair and with them giving me approx 8 hours a day for 5 days I can leave the chargers @ home on a week long trip and just carry the spare batteries.

I have also found them useful on the local fells and over the lakes, were there are good lines of sight.

[smoriordan]

I have just bought three of these units as they where only £16 each. I must say I am very impressed. The build quality is excellent and the unit feels good to hold. I downloaded the software and programmed the unit with 15 PMR channels and channel 16 to use with the GB3HR 70cm repeator. I spent last night sitting in the lounge speaking to lots of people through the repeator without any problems at all. The unit only covers 400 - 470 MHZ so you can't program any 2m repeators but thats not a problem for me. If you are after a unit for road trips that is capable of operating through repeators then this unit is a must have. If you drop it and break it no problems just buy another.

Very impressed

Steve

[Longslade]

Hi Bogget

I know your review is almost 2 years old but I am looking at these as a potential replacement for some Binatone Action 950s that we use around a large school site. I am considering these for use with a UK Business Light radio licence but am interested that you have been able to program these for PRM freqs. Can you set up any one of the 38 CTCSS codes to get these talking to existing PMR radios on, for eg, Ch 3 / 33

What is the range like?

[stageofhistory]

Hi Bogget

I know your review is almost 2 years old but I am looking at these as a potential replacement for some Binatone Action 950s that we use around a large school site. I am considering these for use with a UK Business Light radio licence but am interested that you have been able to program these for PRM freqs. Can you set up any one of the 38 CTCSS codes to get these talking to existing PMR radios on, for eg, Ch 3 / 33

What is the range like?

Hi Longslade!

Today, the CTCSS system now recognises about 50 tones I think, and 100 or so DCS codes. In practice, manufacturers use the tones they want, or the original 38 available from the older standard, and assign their own number to make it simpler for consumers (e.g C33 on the 950 is '210.7' in generic terminology) .

If I remember right, the 888s doesn't use all the available tones in the standards, but pretty much match what the 950 offers, and will be compatible.

The attached is an [older] freq list I used when I first got the 888s to replace my 950s, but the right shows the generally available tones and what code they would be on the Binatones.

Hope that helps...

[Longslade]

Thanks Stage. Someones suggested I also have a look at the B5 & B6 Baofengs. Any thoughts? How easy are they to program?

[rob2278]

Thanks Stage. Someones suggested I also have a look at the B5 & B6 Baofengs. Any thoughts? How easy are they to program?

With software, very quick & simple to do.

Programming on the handset itself is straight forward to do, and the more you do it, the quicker you become at it!

[Bogget]

For site use you cant better them use them on PMR freq and you dont need to do anything else.

Bogget

[happyeater]

Hello all

I've just got a BF888, would you guys know of where to find a definitive guide to programming PMR frequencies into the radio please?

Many thanks in advance

[chaych]

Hello all

I've just got a BF888, would you guys know of where to find a definitive guide to programming PMR frequencies into the radio please?

Many thanks in advance

I think the earlier pages have guides on programming this radio. Have a dig around

[Genesius]

I have 6 of the H777's which I think are the same as these. any ideas how I can get these louder in the ear piece and increase range in woodland? I already have Nagoya 771 antennas on them but its still not good enough.

Thinking of buying XTN446 Motorola but I don't know if they will be any better.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[chaych]

I have 6 of the H777's which I think are the same as these. any ideas how I can get these louder in the ear piece and increase range in woodland? I already have Nagoya 771 antennas on them but its still not good enough.

Thinking of buying XTN446 Motorola but I don't know if they will be any better.

Any ideas?

Thanks

XTN446 are at 0.5W only, while the 888S can be run at 4W. Don't think you'll get more range on the XTN over the BF

[curny]

I have 6 of the H777's which I think are the same as these. any ideas how I can get these louder in the ear piece and increase range in woodland? I already have Nagoya 771 antennas on them but its still not good enough.

Thinking of buying XTN446 Motorola but I don't know if they will be any better.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Woodland is a very good attenuator at UHF frequencies, especially when it's wet.
I ended up using 27mhz CB handhelds for reliable comms in my woodland, because PMR446 range was hopeless once your in among the trees!! (using 4w Puxings)

Curny

[Genesius]

How do I get it to run at 4w?

[chaych]

How do I get it to run at 4w?

High transmit power?

[Genesius]

Ie got it set to high already. But I still need more range. I might just have to go licenced.