Manual Baofeng BF-888

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The key takeaways are how to operate the basic functions of the radio such as powering on/off, adjusting volume, selecting channels, transmitting and receiving.

The main functions of the radio include selecting channels, transmitting, receiving, adjusting volume, scanning channels, monitoring signals, and activating features like voice prompts through button combinations.

To scan channels on the radio, you set it to scan mode via software, then press and hold the PTT and MONI buttons while on channel 16 to turn scanning on or off. It will then scan channels 1-16.

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Baofeng BF-888S
User Manual
This is one man's attempt to have a readable
User Manual for the BF-888S transceiver.

A LED Indicator
Lights red during transmit, green when receiving a signal
B Channel Switch
Rotate to select a channel. No. 16 is the scanning channel
C Power Switch / Volume Control
Turn clockwise to switch ON the transceiver.
Turn counterclockwise to switch OFF transceiver.
Rotate to adjust volume.
D PTT (Push-to-Talk) Button
Push button to transmit.
Release to receive.
E MONI (Monitor) Button
Press and Hold (Squelch OFF) to hear background noise; Release
to return to normal operation.
F FUNC (Function Button) Button
Press to activate LED torch function.
G Speaker Microphone / Programming Cable Jack

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OPERATION
Switching Power ON/OFF
Turn the Power switch/Volume control (A) clockwise. You will hear a
beep and speech indicating the transceiver is ON.
Adjusting the Volume
Hold Monitor button (E) own to listen to audio level while rotating the
Power switch/Volume control (A). Rotate Volume Control to increase /
decrease the volume.
Selecting the Channel
Turn the Channel Switch (B) to the desired channel. No. 16 is the
Scanning Channel.
Transmitting
To transmit, Press and Hold PTT (D) and speak into the microphone in
a normal tone of voice.
The LED indicator lights continuously red when transmitting.
For maximum sound clarity at the receiving station, hold the transceiver
2 to 3 inched from mouth and talk in a normal tone of voice.
Note: Yelling does not make your signal louder.

CHARGING the LI-ION BATTERY PACK


Charge the battery pack before using it. The new or stored (more
than 2 months) battery pack cannot reach full capacity after the first
charge. After 2 or 3 charges and discharges, it will reach full
charge.
1. Plug adapter into electrical socket.
2. Insert transceiver or battery into the charging tray.
3. Ensure that the battery contacts connect with the drop-in
charging tray. While charging is taking place, the LED will glow
Red.
4. After 3 hours charging, the LED indicator will light Green.
5. Remove battery or transceiver from the charging tray.

Asterisk [ * ] designates function changed via software

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* SQUELCH LEVEL
The purpose of the Squelch is to mute the speaker when no signals are
present. With the squelch correctly set, you will only hear sound when a
signal is present.

* TIME-OUT TIMER (TOT)


The TOT limits the length of a users transmission. The purpose of the
TOT is to prevent transmitting for a long period of time, causing thermal
damage to the radio. And alert will sound when the limit for that
transmission has been reached.

* SCANNING
Scanning is used for hands off monitoring of your favorite frequencies.
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.
1. Transceiver stops scanning when a signal is detected and continues
when signal is gone.
2. If there are less than 2 channels, it cannot scan. (Go figure)
3. On channel 16, Press and Hold the PTT and MONI buttons while
switching ON the transceiver to turn the Scanning ON or OFF.
4. If FM radio function is activated, Radio cannot scan.
Note: There is no FM Radio function in this radio. This option should
remain deactivated in software.

* BEAT SHIFT / SCRAMBLER (not available on older BF888S)


1. This option activates Voice Inversion.
2. When set, radios will no longer TX/RX normal signals on the selected
channel.
3. All radios in the group must have the option set on the same channel
to function properly between radios.
Note 1: How to determine Old vs. New Model
a) Remove the battery.
b) View the upper left corner of the radio along the upper edge.
c) Blue "K" sticker = Older version. Green "UPDATE" = Newer
Note 2: Check your country's regulations regarding the use of scrambled
transmissions.

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* VOICE PROMPT
1. VP can be set ON/OFF via software.
2. On channel 10, Press and Hold the PTT and MONI buttons while
switching ON the transceiver to also Activate or Deactivate Voice
Prompt.
3. On channel 15, Press and Hold the PTT and MONI buttons while
switching ON the transceiver to change Voice Prompt Language (CHI /
ENG)
4. Any channel 1-16, Press and Hold MONI only while switching ON the
transceiver will Deactivate Voice Prompt for that session only.

* VOX (Voice Operated Transmit)


VOX eliminates the need for using the PTT key to transmit. The
transmitter is keyed when the VOX circuit senses you are speaking into
the microphone.
1. When operating the VOX function, set the VOX Gain level to
recognize the desired sound level.
2. If level is too sensitive, transceiver will key with noise in the
background.
3. If level is not sensitive enough, it will not pick up your voice. Set level
for smooth transmission.
4. On channel 1-5, Press and Hold the PTT and MONI buttons while
switching ON the transceiver to turn the VOX ON or OFF.

* EMERGENCY ALARM
On channel 11, Press and Hold the PTT and MONI buttons while
switching ON the transceiver to turn the Alarm Function ON or OFF.
This is a function for your receiver only. You will Not transmit the alarm.

BATTERY SAVER
Reduces the battery power used when not receiving a signal. Battery
saver turns on automatically 10 seconds after no signal is received and
no operation is being performed.

BATTERY LOW ALERT


Reminds you that battery needs recharging. Alert tone will sound and
Red LED will blink.

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MONITOR
When no signal is being received, Press and Hold the MONI. This is
helpful for adjusting volume level and receiving weak signals.

* BUSY CHANNEL LOCK-OUT (BCL)


BCL prevents you from transmitting on a channel if a signal is present.
Pressing the PTT switch while a channel is in use will emit an alert tone
and inhibit the transmitter.

* BEEP TONE
If turned on, radio will give short tone to indicate that there is nothing
programmed for that channel.

* CTCSS / DCS
CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) or
(Digital Coded Squelch). CTCSS / DCS Description
You may sometimes want to hear calls only from specific persons or
groups. This option allows you to ignore unwanted calls from others on
the same frequency. These tones are sub-audible (cannot be heard) and
are selectable via software.
Note: These tones do NOT cause your conversation to be private or
scrambled. It only relieves you from listening to unwanted conversations.

SUMMARY of FUNCTION ACTIVATION


Ch 1-5, Press / Hold both PTT and MONI, and Power ON
VOX - ON / OFF.
Ch 10, Press / Hold both PTT and MONI, and Power ON
Voice Prompt - ON / OFF
Ch 11, Press / Hold both PTT and MONI, and Power ON
Alarm Function ON / OFF (if selected via SW)
Ch 15, Press / Hold both PTT and MONI, and Power ON
Change Language (CHI / ENG)
Ch 16, Press / Hold both PTT and MONI, and Power ON
Scan ON / OFF (if option set via software)
Ch 1-16, Press / Hold MONI only and Power ON
Deactivates Voice Prompt for that session only.

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SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Range 400 - 470MHz
RF Rated Power

<= 5W

Channel Capacity 16
Operating Voltage 3.7V
Dimensions

115mm x 60mm x
33mm
4.53" x 2.36" x 1.30"

Weight

150g (5.3oz)

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

No Power
Can't communicate
with other members
Hearing other stations

Check Battery Installation and/or replace/charge


battery.
Verify that the frequency and CTCSS tones are the
same for all members. If all checks out okay, make
sure you are all within range.
Change your CTCSS for that channel. Change to
another channel.

I can clearly hear members of


my group, but my voice is
intermittent.

Check if microphone is blocked. If so, return radio


to dealer for maintenance. Sometimes your
frequency is the same as the frequency of other
groups.

Can't turn on the radio, or it


turns on and quickly shuts
down.

Check the battery contacts on the radio. If they are


broken or twisted, return your radio to an
authorized dealer for maintenance.

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