Baofeng 888's / Motorola Talkabout

[texson1986]

Good mornin everyone. I just started working at a job that uses Motorola Talkabout radios to communicate. I do not currently own one of these radios and they want me to purchase one. I'm on a very tight budget and own several Baofeng 888's radios and a programming cable. I was going to try and just program one of those and use it. There are lots of websites that give you the frequencies and the codes but I have tried to enter them in and they do not seem to work. I am still not able to communicate with the other radios at work. I was wondering if someone had time if they could post exactly what frequencies all tones or whatever else you need to program into the radio for the channel in order for them to work. I have tried both the Chirp & Baofend program.

 

[toastycookies]

Good mornin everyone. I just started working at a job that uses Motorola Talkabout radios to communicate. I do not currently own one of these radios and they want me to purchase one. I'm on a very tight budget and own several Baofeng 888's radios and a programming cable. I was going to try and just program one of those and use it. There are lots of websites that give you the frequencies and the codes but I have tried to enter them in and they do not seem to work. I am still not able to communicate with the other radios at work. I was wondering if someone had time if they could post exactly what frequencies all tones or whatever else you need to program into the radio for the channel in order for them to work. I have tried both the Chirp & Baofend program.

Baofeng 888's are not type accepted to transmit on the GMRS or FRS frequencies.

With that being said, here is a list of the frequencies.

FRS/GMRS combined channel chart - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[cmdrwill]

Baofeng 888's are not type accepted to transmit on the GMRS or FRS frequencies.

So using a Baofeng xxx radio to transmit on any of the GMRS or FRS frequencies would be a VIOLATION.

 

[mmckenna]

Texson,
If possible get a model number off the "TalkAbout" radio they are using. That might help.

I'm having some foggy memories of Motorola using the "talkabout" name on a variety of products, and I know some of the radios look the same. I might be wrong, but providing the exact model number would let us confirm.

 

[texson1986]

Thank you!

I will get the model# Monday. I mostly need ti hear more than transmit.

 

[Hans13]

I will get the model# Monday. I mostly need ti hear more than transmit.

If it ends up that the the BF-888 will work, I suspect that the WLN KD-C1 (aka Zastone X6) would work even better. Find a supplier selling for about $15 apiece including charger cradle. These have replaced the 888s in our usage. The X6 seems to do the job better in a more compact form factor.

 

[NC1]

If it ends up that the the BF-888 will work, I suspect that the WLN KD-C1 (aka Zastone X6) would work even better. Find a supplier selling for about $15 apiece including charger cradle. These have replaced the 888s in our usage. The X6 seems to do the job better in a more compact form factor.

Since he intends to listen in, the WLN KD-C1 (Zastone X6) would be my choice. Much lighter and smaller, and should work all day given the battery life on RX being over 30 hours.

 

[wa1nic]

I have a box full of BF-888's and a box full of WLN KD-C1's.

The BF-888 almost never get used now that I have the KD-C1's The performance is about the same, and I love the size of the KD-C1 ... it fits in your pocket quite nicely.

 

[AZ_chris]

You need to get both the frequency and the PL code (if used) from your job.
You should tell them, however, that using GMRS frequencies for Commercial use is prohibited.

I should throw in the 888's are Part 90 certified.

 

[mmckenna]

You should tell them, however, that using GMRS frequencies for Commercial use is prohibited.

Not necessarily.
Some business used GMRS before the rules were changed. Those business, if they keep their license up to date, are "grandfathered" and permitted to use GMRS. My employer has valid and legal GMRS licenses on a few frequencies.

True, however, that many businesses use GMRS outside the rules, unlicensed.

 

[cmdrwill]

True, however, that many businesses use GMRS outside the rules, unlicensed.

Another blatant VIOLATION.

 

[AZ_chris]

Not necessarily.
Some business used GMRS before the rules were changed. Those business, if they keep their license up to date, are "grandfathered" and permitted to use GMRS. My employer has valid and legal GMRS licenses on a few frequencies.

True, however, that many businesses use GMRS outside the rules, unlicensed.

Ah yes forgot the grandfathered part.

 

[wa1nic]

There are no "grandfathered" business licenses on GMRS frequencies left. All have expired. Renewals are not allowed.

 

[Delta33]

There are no "grandfathered" business licenses on GMRS frequencies left. All have expired. Renewals are not allowed.

BEST answer right here !

 

[mmckenna]

There are no "grandfathered" business licenses on GMRS frequencies left. All have expired. Renewals are not allowed.

You probably need to alert the FCC and let them know they are wrong.
Here's some of ours from work, still valid, still in use:
ULS License - General Mobile Radio (GMRS) License - KAB2141 - REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA -renewed last month.
ULS License - General Mobile Radio (GMRS) License - KAD3811 - REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
ULS License - General Mobile Radio (GMRS) License - KAE1177 - REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA -renewed June 2016.

Renewals are allowed. What isn't allowed is any changes to the license: Frequency, location, number of units, etc. New business GMRS license are not allowed. If an existing license expires, it cannot be renewed.

 

[mmckenna]

Here's some more, all renewed this year:
ULS License - General Mobile Radio (GMRS) License - KAD0911 - ROOSEVELT FIELD MALL 4836
ULS License - General Mobile Radio (GMRS) License - KAD1381 - CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT USD 286
ULS License - General Mobile Radio (GMRS) License - KAD2302 - FARMINGTON WOODS MASTER ASSOCIATION INC
ULS License - General Mobile Radio (GMRS) License - KAD3314 - M J COMMUNICATIONS INC
ULS License - General Mobile Radio (GMRS) License - KAE0902 - CUSTER CITY FARMERS CO OP EXCHANGE
ULS License - General Mobile Radio (GMRS) License - KAE0934 - AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANIES INC
ULS License - General Mobile Radio (GMRS) License - KAE1169 - CHEVRON USA INC
ULS License - General Mobile Radio (GMRS) License - KAE1405 - SATELLITE RECEIVING EQUIPMENT INC

 

[Delta33]

Probably Another error on the FCC's part. One of MANY...

 

[KD8DVR]

I have a box full of BF-888's and a box full of WLN KD-C1's.

The BF-888 almost never get used now that I have the KD-C1's The performance is about the same, and I love the size of the KD-C1 ... it fits in your pocket quite nicely.

Oh...those wln radios are soooo awesome!

AntiSquid Disclaimer: All posted content is personal opinion only and may not imply fact or accusation.

 

[wa1nic]

I stand corrected.

Rick

 

[drayd48]

Yes is it illegal and you are not supposed to do it as said above, but if you put your radio is low transmit power mode, the FCC probably won't find out. The big number on the talkabout radios goes with the 1-14 channel frequencies on the link and the little number (privacy tone), goes with the PL tone listed below
GMRS FRS Frequencies and CTCSS | KV5R.COM