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Cheap radios (Chinese) reviews?
- Thread starter jassing
- Start date
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vzqb30a
Member
Baofeng B-888s
I received one of these and have been playing for about a week. Do yourself a favor and get the kpg-22 (serial cable). Most having trouble are using the usb program cable with limited results. I will say I think the trouble may be with the understanding of necessary drivers to use the usb cable. Understanding how to set up com -port plays in as well. That being said, Programming was quick and painless. Some out of the U.S.A. have mentioned that your computer must be set for the U.S.A for software to run properly (?)
Looks and feels like a well made, high end toy. Works very well, "however" a deal breaker for me is the loud-loud long squelch tail. Some have called "aggressive" squelch. I find this quite bothersome, some dont. For the $22.00 shipped, I guess I can't complain. The thin low-voltage type 115v wire to the charger worries me too, although I have not noticed anyone else mention it before. I unplug the whole thing when I'm not charging. I don't leave it charging long either. It does charge quickly.
Overall, I like playing with it. Probably not for any serious work or play. I use it as a scanner, (15 + 16 is scan).
only problem is that you must enter a frequency for transmit unlike some radios.
I received one of these and have been playing for about a week. Do yourself a favor and get the kpg-22 (serial cable). Most having trouble are using the usb program cable with limited results. I will say I think the trouble may be with the understanding of necessary drivers to use the usb cable. Understanding how to set up com -port plays in as well. That being said, Programming was quick and painless. Some out of the U.S.A. have mentioned that your computer must be set for the U.S.A for software to run properly (?)
Looks and feels like a well made, high end toy. Works very well, "however" a deal breaker for me is the loud-loud long squelch tail. Some have called "aggressive" squelch. I find this quite bothersome, some dont. For the $22.00 shipped, I guess I can't complain. The thin low-voltage type 115v wire to the charger worries me too, although I have not noticed anyone else mention it before. I unplug the whole thing when I'm not charging. I don't leave it charging long either. It does charge quickly.
Overall, I like playing with it. Probably not for any serious work or play. I use it as a scanner, (15 + 16 is scan).
only problem is that you must enter a frequency for transmit unlike some radios.
vzqb30a
Member
Baofeng bf-888s
Received my bf-888s about a week ago. First impression is that it is a well made heavy duty "toy". Works better than it looks. However, it does have one deal breaker for me. It does have a Long-Loud squelch tail. Some have called it, "aggressive" squelch. This is with, or without PL or DPL set.
This radio is advertised as 5 watts tx. I can't say for sure, but from what I can find, It will only do 1.6 watts, regardless of the power setting in the software.
Programming. I used the kpg-22 which is the "serial" cable. Not the USB. Most having problems seem to be using the USB cable. I have a cheap China kpg-22 cable ($7.50 shipped) and worked right away. Another problem some are having is not setting the Com-port properly. Otherwise, the software worked great. Lots of different places have it for free download. I do understand for non USA folks, some say your settings in your pc must be on USA. (?) I don't know this for sure since I am in the USA. I use mine mostly for scanning. The only problem is you must also set a transmitting frequency for all your channels. Some radio's this is not necessary. Total of 15 channels and channel 16 for scan.
The power cord, (115v to the wall) looks like a low voltage wire and is a bit concerning. I don't leave mine charging for long. I do unplug it when I am not charging, just to be on the safe side. This radio does charge quickly. This radio is fun to play. Good as a 15 channel scanner. For the $22.00 shipped, I can't complain much. Well worth that. Even if you just throw it in the glove box for emergencies.
Don't take it too serious though. I hear some buying lots of them and then not being happy. Buy just one, then play. Good luck.
Received my bf-888s about a week ago. First impression is that it is a well made heavy duty "toy". Works better than it looks. However, it does have one deal breaker for me. It does have a Long-Loud squelch tail. Some have called it, "aggressive" squelch. This is with, or without PL or DPL set.
This radio is advertised as 5 watts tx. I can't say for sure, but from what I can find, It will only do 1.6 watts, regardless of the power setting in the software.
Programming. I used the kpg-22 which is the "serial" cable. Not the USB. Most having problems seem to be using the USB cable. I have a cheap China kpg-22 cable ($7.50 shipped) and worked right away. Another problem some are having is not setting the Com-port properly. Otherwise, the software worked great. Lots of different places have it for free download. I do understand for non USA folks, some say your settings in your pc must be on USA. (?) I don't know this for sure since I am in the USA. I use mine mostly for scanning. The only problem is you must also set a transmitting frequency for all your channels. Some radio's this is not necessary. Total of 15 channels and channel 16 for scan.
The power cord, (115v to the wall) looks like a low voltage wire and is a bit concerning. I don't leave mine charging for long. I do unplug it when I am not charging, just to be on the safe side. This radio does charge quickly. This radio is fun to play. Good as a 15 channel scanner. For the $22.00 shipped, I can't complain much. Well worth that. Even if you just throw it in the glove box for emergencies.
Don't take it too serious though. I hear some buying lots of them and then not being happy. Buy just one, then play. Good luck.
vzqb30a
Member
Baofeng bf-888s
Sorry for the double post. Could not delete this one. Had to edit out.
Sorry for the double post. Could not delete this one. Had to edit out.
Logan005
Member
Hi guys,
I know this is a little off topic but as I cannot yet PM I would like to ask N2MRG to contact via email. I am looking for programming info for the P324 radios. I have been struggling with the programming disk for two weeks now.
Thanks all,
Geaddict
I know this is a little off topic but as I cannot yet PM I would like to ask N2MRG to contact via email. I am looking for programming info for the P324 radios. I have been struggling with the programming disk for two weeks now.
Thanks all,
Geaddict
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