Baofeng BF-888S Review: Still Good but not for everyone!

In this Baofeng BF-888S review, we have listed the pros and cons for those who desire to experience ham radio functions but on a budget.

Another Low-cost Audio Device: Plantronics for broke audiophiles!

I know that the expense of initializing a complete ham radio function can be high. 

Still, along with the affordable, such persons who are strangers with it are specially suggested to start experiencing this thing with a reasonable price tag device example is in front of you Baofeng BF-888S. 

This particular device has many features that will for sure convince you.

The user can utilize the transmitter and a receiver to further know about functionality of ham world of radios, and after having research on it, then it would not be a waste of time as this will be considered as a little investment on your device.

Summary: BaoFeng BF-888S at a Glance

Baofeng BF-888S detailed review is given below, it will surely convince you and urge you to buy this superb device.

Baofeng BF-888S Review: Not just a Transceiver 

After having a glance at the transceiver you will realize for the first time about its built quality.

This is a strong and heavy-duty pitch-black device. It is definitely compact able and is easy to carry anywhere you want.

One more characteristic that will come into your notice is the unavailability of keypads.

It is not a usual ham radio device actually. This thing appears to be very strange for them and may change their mind to not buy it for this cause only.

There is somewhat all the time support about availing keypads.

On the left side of the device 2 buttons in orange color are present. Above these 2 buttons a PTT switch is present.

The lower orange button is allotted for on/off function of the attached LED flashlight and task button whereas the upper button is allotted for monitoring function. 

Whereas, on the other side of the transceiver normal 2 pin Kenwood jacks with programming cable jack is provided, which duals its functionality by behaving as speaker and microphone connector. 

On the upper side, you will see the jack for connecting antennas.

Before utilizing the device, you will be required to rotate in the 4″ SMA antenna. The antenna is provided along the whole set up. 

The positive point regarding such kinds of antenna devices is that you can surely exchange the store antenna with better antennas having better performance and long range strong coverage of signals. 

At the other side of the antenna the channels choosing button is present to choose any single channel from 16 channels and the on/off and volume button is present close to them. 

A highly durable belt clip is present there and right beneath is the battery partition.

The AC power connector is also present there at your service. 

Other products in the package consist of a huge size battery with 1500 mAh storage capacity, headphone, charger, belt clip, user manual, and antenna according to the package availed, the battery and other items included in it would match up with the number of radios. 

Baofeng BF-888S Setup Tutorial

It doesn’t require a long time to put inside the battery.

An amusing shock awaits you because it consumes almost 4 hours to charge the battery completely by the integrated charging port. 

After putting in the completely charged battery, it is just a matter of clicking the power button and it becomes on.

As there is no display or keypad, it is essential to program it earlier.

Moreover, the voice prompt performs a superb job of performing this starting stage.

When you complete the programming, you may start liking this radio device.

The lack of keypad and display means managing it is easy. You just choose the channel, press the PTT button transmit or receive messages, correspondingly. 

Programming 

You will want to acquire a well-matched programming cable to make it functional in a right way.

Luckily, the cables are easy to recognize and are not costly. You can get one from the website of producers or verified online stores also. 

You can utilize the downloadable programming software that Baofeng offers you on their website for Windows PC.

On the other hand, as the gadget is CHIRP-well matched, you can utilize this software with its superior edge and worldwide recognition. 

If you follow the steps provided on screen cautiously, programming should be easy after installation of the software:

• Open the program 
• Choose the COMM port 
• Click the on button of radio
• On the computer screen, choose ‘Read from radio’ to acquire the channels 

You can put in now the Tx/Rx frequencies for every channel and the linked CTCSS or DCS solitude tones.

When you are done, choose ‘Write to Radio’, to keep the settings in memory. 

You can also modify the settings as per your requirements.

The characteristics you can twist comprise of the voice prompt, squash option, VOX mode, and TX/TR timeout. 

Performance Review of Baofeng BF-888S

Range and Power reviewed:

Although the product provides the RF power at 5 watts, the real broadcast power is almost 2 watts.

At the maximum power, you can acquire a range of almost 2 miles according to the scenarios. In the dense city, its range is almost half due to shadowing effect. 

On this range, better results can be acquired usually if you are utilizing this device as a walkie-talkie for hunting, camping on mountains, patrolling on roads, and many other things. 

Transceiver explained:

The feeling of the receiver is actually better in such an economical price tag.

Moreover, this is unmatchable with any of the other transceivers; it’s the only one on its own. 

The weaker connectivity would become much more noticeable in regions where RF interference is high.

Too much interference coming from other signals makes users unable to catch and hear the exact transmitted signal.

And the lack of a decoder means your messages might be fainted through interference of other signals.

Battery life is legendary!

Its battery life up to 9 to 10 hours with usual use, it is an excellent battery time, significantly in case you are not much faraway from a point of power recharging the battery. 

I prefer it that it has a lesser battery alarm hence you may make arrangements to resolve the issues.

By the way, I have never experienced the lesser battery alarm at the time of utilization.

Certainly, this is due to not utilizing the device non-stop in a whole day. 

In the scenario of drainage of the whole battery due to long usage, it can be fully recharged in a time span of 4 hours.

Final Verdict:

By keeping in mind the different aspects from this Baofeng BF-888S review is that it is a compatible and strong casual Ultra High Frequency transceiver that sells at a lesser price tag.

This is the kind of product you would desire to initiate like a ham radio worker in case of lower budget of reasons. 

But the radio can be helpful in multiple methods too. Likewise a two-way Ultra High Frequency radio, it will be useful in building up positions and for the security team in a huge building, patrolling areas or shopping center. 

On the outer side, it is very fitting as a low-priced walkie-talkie choice for hiking, hunting, and many other things.

The range of this device is fine whereas quality of sound is superb provided that the RF movement in the region doesn’t interfere. 

If we discuss cons, the lack of a show and keypad can be a bizarre thing for many of you. But the efficient programming in this device is very easy to utilize as only some of the buttons are needed.