Baofeng

[casperkyle]

I recently found these little radios and thought they might be great for some members of our volunteer fire department being as cheap as they were. I purchased the BF-888s and the UV-5Ra.

The UV-5Ra, after a little bit of effort, ended up getting programmed relatively easily. The 888s, however, not so much. Took forever to get the appropriate drivers and attempt to program it. Put a simplex vhf frequency into it, nothing fancy, wrote to it, all seemed well. Now when I turn it on, all I get is a continuous tone. Using the BF-480 software. I'm using the same cable as I used to program the UV-5Ra so I wouldn't think that would be the problem.

Every search I've done points to that tone being an unprogrammed channel, but I can read from the radio and it reads that channel as being programmed. Completely at a loss here and ANY help would be much appreciated.

 

[Logan005]

The BF888 is a UHF only radio. If you programmed a VHF frequency into it would be the same as an unprogrammed channel. Yes the UV5r is a dual band radio however the software for the UV5r does not work on the BF888 although the cable is interactive with many radios.

 

[fdscan]

If you ask me - Baofeng is not the way to go for a fire department. You want something that can stand up to the extreme conditions that you might possibly encounter (Motorola, Kenwood, EFJ, etc etc). The last thing you want is your radio crapping out while you're either on a job or even worse - in a life threatening situation.

For personal use, or for ham... Sure they're good, especially for that cheap price. But you don't want to be relying on something like this in the fire service.

However... As Logan005 said, yeah, the 888 is UHF. They make plenty of dual-band models, one actually looks just like the 888, and then there's the UV-5R and those types.

 

[Logan005]

I also agree with rjk "CCR's" cheap Chinese radios are good for hobby, Family or personal use, However EMS, Fire, Public service radios need to be much better radios in more ways than just a few. If were to just hold group conversations, it may be ok, but if having the extra radio around could subtract from your ability to do your duty's I would say forget it. get the department to spring for real radios and equipment, because lives depend on it.

 

[quarterwave]

Ditto...UV5R is fine for tinkering around, makes a good scanner you can talk on for some uses, but they have no place in any professional/commercial service.

 

[casperkyle]

The box for the 888s says that it is dual band. We found online some people saying that there was a UHF only model though. We even attempted to program a UHF frequency, just in case we got sent the wrong one, with the same results. That makes me think that it's not a UHF/VHF problem.

As far as radios for fire department go, our fire department does not provide radios to every member. We provide Motorola Minitor V's to every member for paging. Most of our members do not even have a portable, nor can they afford them. We thought this would just be a cheap option for those that can't afford a "real" radio. Something is better than nothing when lives depend on it.

 

[K5MPH]

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I recently found these little radios and thought they might be great for some members of our volunteer fire department being as cheap as they were. I purchased the BF-888s and the UV-5Ra.

The UV-5Ra, after a little bit of effort, ended up getting programmed relatively easily. The 888s, however, not so much. Took forever to get the appropriate drivers and attempt to program it. Put a simplex vhf frequency into it, nothing fancy, wrote to it, all seemed well. Now when I turn it on, all I get is a continuous tone. Using the BF-480 software. I'm using the same cable as I used to program the UV-5Ra so I wouldn't think that would be the problem.

Every search I've done points to that tone being an unprogrammed channel, but I can read from the radio and it reads that channel as being programmed. Completely at a loss here and ANY help would be much appreciated.

Don't get those radios wet are you can say good bye to them pronto........

 

[N4KVE]

There are plenty of great condition used MTS2000 radios going for less than $75 these days. Most are gov't surplus radios that work just fine. Some are still NOS & have sat in a drawer for years.

 

[rapidcharger]

No! Bad! Baofeng naughty!
Bad!

Give me that Baofeng and go to your room!

 

[fdscan]

Ditto...UV5R is fine for tinkering around, makes a good scanner you can talk on for some uses, but they have no place in any professional/commercial service.

Agreed. I might pick up a few for around-the-house use, stuff like that... Also good for scanning (especially where my portable can't get VHF).

The box for the 888s says that it is dual band. We found online some people saying that there was a UHF only model though. We even attempted to program a UHF frequency, just in case we got sent the wrong one, with the same results. That makes me think that it's not a UHF/VHF problem.

As far as radios for fire department go, our fire department does not provide radios to every member. We provide Motorola Minitor V's to every member for paging. Most of our members do not even have a portable, nor can they afford them. We thought this would just be a cheap option for those that can't afford a "real" radio. Something is better than nothing when lives depend on it.

Not sure why it says dual band. Might be a grammar mistake, just from reading the eBay ads and the boxes in the pics, it doesn't look like these guys making them are too grammatically correct.

What UHF frequency was it? Something gives me the impression these can't transmit on public safety/commercial bands... But actually I think that's incorrect. What exactly does the radio do, give you a sort of "Transmit block" tone when you try to key up or does it just do that when you turn to the channel?

Unfortunately not all departments can afford portables for every member, it's a pretty common problem. I see what you mean about something being better than nothing, but read below...

There are plenty of great condition used MTS2000 radios going for less than $75 these days. Most are gov't surplus radios that work just fine. Some are still NOS & have sat in a drawer for years.

^^^ This. I picked up mine for $50 shipped, and got in contact with a member here and he was generous enough to program it and make sure it was working correctly. It's been working perfectly since. Look for MTS2000s, MT2000s, HT1000s... From what I understand all you really need is an HT1000 but the MTS has some added perks (screen and what not). You could even check out Kenwood too, I'm sure they've got a lot up there.

I have an MTS and love it, it's a very solid piece of equipment. I haven't dropped it or anything yet but I'm sure it would hold up just fine.

 

[RodStrong]

Yes, please don't use the Baofengs or comparable radios for mission critical communications. The price perhaps makes them tempting, and they are fun little toys, but you'd really be rolling the dice if you use them for heavy duty applications. Good luck.

 

[MTS2000des]

You would not lay a WalMart garden hose as a first line in on a house fire.
You would not use a dust mask in place of a Scott pak.
So why would anyone even think of using a toy radio in place of a tool?

The "we can't afford anything else" is bat squeeze. Your department can get grants, and believe it or not, there are part 90 radios from reputable manufacturers that cost less than those Minitor V's...let's see:

Vertex Standard VX-231, Motorola CP-200, Kenwood TK-2312...all of these are capable of 2 tone decode, are WAAAYYY better than any Chinese toys, and are built by reputable manufacturers and are fully supported by thousands of qualified service shops around the USA. All of them are fine analog radios with excellent performance and rugged enough for duty use. All of them use widely available accessories. All of them come with a 2 year (and in the case of the Vertex, 3 year) warranties.

Stop playing around and get serious. Baofengs, Wouxuns, Puxings are great toy radios...but they are not tools.

Firefighting is serious business and requires serious tools. If you are denied the funding to purchase "for real" radios than you need to start a public outrage.

 

[Logan005]

Ok, I have to admit I never tried to program VHF into my BF888's but it came with a UHF only antenna. this after many E-bay sellers also claimed it was a single channel/Single mode, not Repeater compatible radio. The BF888 is completely off set capable, even in not standard off set's. I still say the BF888 is UHF only, but I will confirm this today, when I call in the user and hook it up to my Laptop.

 

[SCPD]

I recently found these little radios and thought they might be great for some members of our volunteer fire department being as cheap as they were. I purchased the BF-888s and the UV-5Ra.

The UV-5Ra, after a little bit of effort, ended up getting programmed relatively easily. The 888s, however, not so much. Took forever to get the appropriate drivers and attempt to program it. Put a simplex vhf frequency into it, nothing fancy, wrote to it, all seemed well. Now when I turn it on, all I get is a continuous tone. Using the BF-480 software. I'm using the same cable as I used to program the UV-5Ra so I wouldn't think that would be the problem.

Every search I've done points to that tone being an unprogrammed channel, but I can read from the radio and it reads that channel as being programmed. Completely at a loss here and ANY help would be much appreciated.

Why is a non GMRS discussion about Baofeng being discussed in the GMRS/FRS forum when fire depts have nothing to do with GMRS? Surprised someone hasn't caught it and moved it by now.

 

[cash082]

Just going to mention - Motorola HT1000's are about as rugged as you can get..for only about 80 bucks a radio. If I was going in a fire I'd depend on one (and have in the past). They are tried and true & quite awesome. Lots of departments around here are getting rid of HT1000's left and right. Look around and I'm sure your dept. can make a deal for them. If you were a chief and you were telling me to go into a building with a Baofeng..you could be assured I'd respectfully leave your dept. I never would go into a building with a Baofeng. I use a Baofeng for scanning / personal. My life depends on a HT750.
Stay safe brother.

 

[dksac2]

I recently found these little radios and thought they might be great for some members of our volunteer fire department being as cheap as they were. I purchased the BF-888s and the UV-5Ra.

The UV-5Ra, after a little bit of effort, ended up getting programmed relatively easily. The 888s, however, not so much. Took forever to get the appropriate drivers and attempt to program it. Put a simplex vhf frequency into it, nothing fancy, wrote to it, all seemed well. Now when I turn it on, all I get is a continuous tone. Using the BF-480 software. I'm using the same cable as I used to program the UV-5Ra so I wouldn't think that would be the problem.

Every search I've done points to that tone being an unprogrammed channel, but I can read from the radio and it reads that channel as being programmed. Completely at a loss here and ANY help would be much appreciated.

First of all, your life depends on your radio. You need a quality radio, waterproof, able to stand up to being knocked around and with any buttons on it except volume and channel number. Any buttons will be hit while working and the radio will not transmit on the channel it needs to.

Best bet, find used Motorola radios that can be narrow banded, buy new batteries for all of them and have them programmed. This will be the cheapest way to go.
There are lots of radios on the market that cannot be narrowbanded for cheap, but they are not legal for your use. You need to find a large fire or police department that has radios that can be narrow banded that if they have them, they will sell. Most large departments have gone to the newer radios.
If you cannot find those, find some new quality radios, have each fireman buy his own and hold fund raisers, put notices in the paper for donations, whatever it takes to get the radios or pay your fireman back. Just one life is not worth a cheap radio and be sure no buttons on it except on/off Volume, and channel. The buttons will get pushed and then that fireman will have no communication.
Make sure it's waterproof and the cheap one's will melt in high heat or fail, they are not made to work in the conditions you encounter.
Talk to some local Ham radio operators, may have good sources for what you need at a good price.

Lastly, contact DHS. It may be too late to get a grant, but maybe they would be able to help you or point you in the right direction. Do this right away.
Our county got millions in grants for radios, but those grants are gone now, but there may be another way. We are just a very small county. Also contact some of the Fireman associations, they may be able to help. Whatever you do, get quality radios.

My Best, John, Retired LEO

 

[RadioFreeq]

I've put some Baofeng compatible programming files on my blog website, you can download free. They cover MURS, GMRS, FRS, etc.

Use the Chirp software to import them into your programming.

 

[SCPD]

I've put some Baofeng compatible programming files on my blog website, you can download free. They cover MURS, GMRS, FRS, etc.

Use the Chirp software to import them into your programming.

Not legal for GMRS/MURS or FRS use though........

 

[mformby]

HT1000

I think the HT1000 is the best radio Motorola ever made, with the others in the "Jedi" series. However I don't think they can be programmed narrowband so buying one for a fire department would just be wasting money since they have to convert if they haven't already.

Just going to mention - Motorola HT1000's are about as rugged as you can get..for only about 80 bucks a radio. If I was going in a fire I'd depend on one (and have in the past). They are tried and true & quite awesome. Lots of departments around here are getting rid of HT1000's left and right. Look around and I'm sure your dept. can make a deal for them. If you were a chief and you were telling me to go into a building with a Baofeng..you could be assured I'd respectfully leave your dept. I never would go into a building with a Baofeng. I use a Baofeng for scanning / personal. My life depends on a HT750.
Stay safe brother.

 

[RevolverOcelot]

I think the HT1000 is the best radio Motorola ever made, with the others in the "Jedi" series. However I don't think they can be programmed narrowband so buying one for a fire department would just be wasting money since they have to convert if they haven't already.

The HT1000's that have a DN at the end of their model number can be programmed narrowband.

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