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1. |
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Newest Radio and Firmware |
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1.1 |
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Newest Radio |
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1.2 |
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Part 90 Certification |
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1.3 |
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Firmware |
2. |
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Transmitter and Receiver |
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2.1 |
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I can't hear my local repeater, fire dept, etc (CTCSS) |
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2.2 |
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I can't hear my signal, but I hear the
repeater squelch tail |
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2.3 |
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Aircraft / NOAA Weather frequencies |
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2.4 |
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Scrambler / Speech Inverter |
3. |
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Scanning
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3.1 |
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Channel Scanning |
4. |
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Tone Access
(CTCSS, DCS, DTMF)
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4.1 |
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CTCSS / DCS tones - What are they |
5. |
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Accessories
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5.1 |
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Cables, antennas, Spkr/Micr interchangeability
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5.2 |
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Is a radio case a good purchase |
6. |
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Software, Cables &
Drivers
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6.1 |
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Software selection |
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6.2 |
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Error Messages |
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6.3 |
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Programming Cable & Drivers |
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6.4 |
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Genuine Programming Cables |
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6.5 |
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Building Your Own Programming Cable |
7. |
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Microphone and Audio issues
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7.1 |
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No Transmit Audio |
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7.2 |
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Low Transmit Audio |
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7.3 |
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Less Microphone Sensitivity |
8. |
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Antenna Questions |
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8.1 |
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Which antenna is best |
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8.2 |
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SMA Antenna Connectors |
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8.3 |
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Antenna doesn't screw in completely |
9. |
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General Questions
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9.1 |
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Radio shuts down |
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9.2 |
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Did I get a used radio |
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9.3 |
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User Manual |
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Newest Radio and Firmware
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1.1 |
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Newest Radio
The firmware has remained essentially unchanged.
Some newer models did included a voice inverter / scrambler
option.
The newer models can be recognized as
follows:
Baofeng,
however, says the sticker does not do not
determine whether your radio has this option.
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1.2 |
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Part 90 Certification?
Baofeng BF-888S received FCC Part 90 certification on 10/13/15 for use
on commercial frequencies. The certification
sticker can be found on the back of the radio
case under the battery.
Certification can be found
HERE.
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1.3 |
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Firmware - Can it be updated?
No. The firmware in these radios cannot be
updated. The microcontroller is an OTP type.
(One Time Programmable)
Once 'flash' programmed
at the factory, it cannot be changed.
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Transmitter and Receiver
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2.1 |
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I can't hear my local repeater,
fire dept, etc (CTCSS)
Some Repeaters and Services require a CTCSS of
DCS tone for access but DO NOT transmit one back. If your display indicates there is an incoming signal but you hear no audio, you may have an incorrect or unnecessary RX tone set.
This can be tested by pressing the upper orange button of the side of the radio. When in doubt, leave the
CTCSS or DCS tones set to OFF.
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2.2 |
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I can't hear my signal, but I hear the
repeater squelch tail
The key here is that you can hear the repeater squelch tail.
You are too close to your receiver and over powering (de-sensing) it.
When this happens, you are blocking everything from your monitor.
1) Listen to your signal on simplex to verify you have audio.
2) Call someone on the repeater to verify your signal quality.
If they can hear you, then all is fine.
3) For testing using repeater frequencies, always set your monitor receiver to your transmitter's frequency, not the repeater's output signal.
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2.3 |
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Aircraft / NOAA Weather frequencies
These frequencies are out of the radio's range.
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2.4 |
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Scrambler / Speech Inverter (not available on
all BF888S)
1. This option activates Voice Inversion.
2. When set, radios will no longer TX/RX normal audio on the
selected channel.
3. All radios in the group must have the option set on the same
channel to function properly between radios.
Check your country's regulations regarding the use
of scrambled transmissions.
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Scanning
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3.1 |
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Channel Scanning
When the transceiver options are set to SCAN (via software), setting the channel selector to channel 16 directs the radio to scan the selected channels from 1-16.
For more detailed information, see
BF888S Manual
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Tone Access (CTCSS, DCS, DTMF)
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4.1 |
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What are CTCSS (PL) tones
A CTCSS is an 'Tone' sent along with your voice when transmitting.
They are used to access a specific repeater and block interference.
Visit
CTCSS for details.
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Accessories
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5.1 |
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Cables, antennas, Spkr/Micr
interchangeability
Many Kenwood / Wouxun accessories are
interchangeable, such as Programming Cables, Spkr/Micr, etc.
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5.2 |
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Is a radio case a good purchase
If you carry your radio and keys in the same pocket, yes.
See Radio Shutdown under General Questions
below.
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Software, Cables & Drivers
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6.1 |
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Software selection
There are several software options.
- Factory Software - Usually included with
the radio
FactorySW
- CHIRP - Compatible with over 80 different
models
CHIRP
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6.2 |
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Error Messages
There are several common error messages
that could appear
when programming via software.
A list of these error messages, their definition
and recovery can be found at
Error Messages.
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6.3 |
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Programming Cable / Drivers
This is one of the major frustrations with
generic, low cost programming cables.
Many generic cables use Prolific chip clones/copies.
When plugged into a USB slot, Windows will load the latest driver.
These drivers have been updated to reject cables using cloned chips.
These cables will work fine, but only if the proper
backdated driver is installed.
This is covered in detail in the
USB Cable Drivers page.
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6.4 |
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Genuine Programming Cable
Programming cables utilizing an
FTDI chip will work with no problems.
These cables are truly "Plug 'n Play". Call your local dealer before ordering to confirm chip set.
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6.5 |
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Building Your Own Programming Cable
Another option is to build your own programming
cable.
The Diagrams and Procedures can be found at:
USB to 2 Pin
- Baofeng / Kenwood
USB to RJ-45
- Leixen
RS232 to 2 Pin
- Baofeng / Kenwood
General Technical Information
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Microphone and Audio Issues
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7.1 |
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No Transmit Audio
First, confirm you have no TX audio by listening to your signal on Simplex. If you experience no audio, the microphone jack might be stuck open with debris. Trim a Q-Tip to fit the microphone jack opening and dampen with denatured alcohol to clean the jack contacts. Allow ample time to dry.
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7.2 |
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Low Transmit Audio
Here's are some suggestions:
1) Talk directly into the radio, within one inch.
2) Try an external spkr/mic to confirm problem is the mic.
3) Blow compressed air into the spkr/mic jack.
4) If you have an external spkr/mic, plug it in and out a few times.
The issue might be a dirty connector.
5) Ham Bands Only - Set to Wide Band. 5 kHz (Menu 5=W)
Note: Some have reported the need to open up the microphone hole in the plastic case. This can be done by CAREFULLY using a 3/64" drill bit and twisting it slowly by hand to clear out the opening, but avoid touching the microphone
element. There is approx 1/16" clearance between the inside of the case and the microphone element.
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7.3 |
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Less Microphone Sensitivity
Unlike Ham equipment, many of these radios were designed
for commercial use. This was to block out background noise in an industrial environment.
Talking right into the face of the radio cures most audio weakness.
Do not confuse the audio of a handheld with that
of a smart phone that can hear a pin drop in the
next room.
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Antenna Questions
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8.1 |
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Which antenna is best?
It's all personal preference, but a good rule of thumb is:
The longer the radiator, the better the range, especially on transmit.
Short stubby antennas use a coil to match TX to 50 ohm, not radiate.
The closer to 1/4 wavelength in the air, the better the performance.
Field test results performed between 31 popular antennas can be found
at
Field Tests.
An overview of antenna types available can be
found at
Best Antenna.
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8.2 |
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SMA Antenna Connectors
There are several varieties of SMA connector.
Male, Female, Reverse Polarity, etc. For
diagrams of these varieties, go to
SMA
Antenna
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8.3 |
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Antenna doesn't screw in completely
This is not uncommon on some aftermarket antennas. If your antenna
doesn't come with a rubber spacer to fill the
gap, you can purchase a thin 5/8" OD rubber O-Ring. Take your HT with you to the hardware store to assure the proper fit.
Additional information can be found at
Extended Threads
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General Questions
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9.1 |
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Radio shuts down
A case is recommended if you carry your radio and keys in the same pocket. If the charging contacts are shorted, the battery goes into the protection mode. There will be no damage to the radio, but it will power off. To reset the protection mode, the battery must be removed and reinserted.
Note: If you carry a spare battery, place it in a
small plastic bag for protection.
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9.2 |
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Did I get a used radio
Many of these radios come with some channels
pre-programmed. These are channels used for
factory testing.
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9.3 |
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User Manual
A
re-written English User Manual is available
at:
User Manual
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