Baofeng BF-V8 Two Way Radio Review - Tested on PMR446

[@sucksqueezebangblow5248]

Thanks! Been trying to programme these radios for ages. Thanks to your video I found the right software 👍

[@14rky]

Picked up 2 of these from Rugby Radios back at the start of the year. Fantastic little radios and still going strong.

[@Transmission1]

You can't beat them for the price! I was impressed by the build quality for such a low cost.

[@phillipsmiley5930]

Rugby Radio is a top ebay dealer i've bought lots from them always good

[@Notchedto11]

This is a very helpful video, thanks so much. I’m looking for a cheap radio set up for me and my pal. We metal detect & often end up some distance apart. Seems like these are a cheap & cheerful way of keeping in touch.

[@billnewby9082]

I note when you downloaded to settings in chirp, the deviation for each of the channels showed "FM". For PMR446 should the deviation be "NFM" instead? The option in chirp to select FM or NFM for this model is available. ( I have my BF-V8 set to nfm on the pmr channels)

[@Transmission1]

You are right, that is correct. I did this as an example and forgot to change the setting to NFM but I do run all my PMR446 radios in narrow band as this works best and avoids splattering over onto adjacent channels.

[@VrillonAura2012]

Hahah awesome little radio there, inspired me to do the 8 at 8 tonight - love your forum been on it for a few years really helpful site

[@Transmission1]

Thank you so much for the support! Happy you are enjoying the forum and the videos. 2021 really has been the year of PMR-446 enthusiasts. We seem to have some really good nets going on around the country and it's great to see so many people coming back to the radio these days. 446 is certainly alive and well in the UK!

[@ppc7457]

This radio is not a regular PMR , you can also program amateur UHF simplex/repeater frequencies.

[@RingwayManchester]

Great video loved this one. Nice little radios

[@Transmission1]

Thanks Lewis! Glad you enjoyed the review. They are amazing value for money and ideal for anyone wanting to get started in PMR-446 DX or similar. Removable antenna and USB charging are great!

[@reyalexismalabanan6371]

I recently modified my bf-v8 frequencies and messed up, unfortunately i cannot find the default frequency settings that i backup. Can you please help me. Thanks..

[@alfredrasay8019]

That programming cable is for the UV 9R

[@Transmission1]

Thanks for the info! It was just randomly in the box when the radio arrived!

[@mikechapman7015]

Testing the radios with my Avair AV400 meter shows 1 amp high power and .5 amp on low power - that's as good as other 888 type radios I have. Testing with my radiated power frequency meter (white square box) shows that the radiated power is increasesd by atleast 30% using a 5R / GT5 type antenna.

[@H.Sturdy]

nice little chunky radio, good performance too,, Height is might with them, 1000 ASL and above with the right take off point and you can easily achieve 60+ miles.. ;)

[@Transmission1]

Yep, we PMR-446 and any UHF radio height is the most important thing. Small power can achieve a great distance under the right conditions.

[@M7XCB]

Great video. I got couple same set as this in green I use it with my little son it so simple to use well worth a money.

[@Transmission1]

Excellent! They certainly perform better than I ever expected for the price!

[@godfree2canada]

looks like a great combination

[@Balochuk]

Is these good for road trip for 2 vehicles or more ?

[@Transmission1]

Yes they should be fine depending on distance apart. If you're just using the stock antenna you're not going to get much range between vehicles due to the bodywork of the car being surrounded by metal. Maybe max one mile? If you want more range then you can add a small magnetic mount antenna on the roof of the vehicle and that will usually increase range by several miles - or out in the open many more miles.

[@ArkBgs]

As we can see, there is a "High" option adjusted in Chirp software, and it is about 2 watts of power. Have you tried to set "Low"? I wonder what would be the power with this setting.

[@kilimax]

Programming lead looks like it's for a UV-9R Plus.

[@Transmission1]

Ok thanks, I bought two radios and they were just randomly in the box.. must have been mispacked I guess. Might come in handy!

[@faderfreakproduction]

Got one like that with a gt3-tp

[@Volvo_Sonett]

Same fragile battery latch as on BF-888S? I have replaced loads of broken battery latches on BF-888S. It was not made to last.

[@MontajciKopek]

is it licance free on europe? is it 3watt) if it is 3 watt must i have get a licance?

[@Bartok_J]

I have one of these (orange) that I use for 70cms. In general, I'm quite pleased - HOWEVER: 1: I don't believe they actually are Baofeng. The name doesn't appear on the box (unlike genuine Baofengs), or the paperwork, and I can't find any reference to this model on any official Baofeng website. There WAS a genuine Baofeng BF-V8, but a very different radio, a twin bander with a keypad and LCD display. 2: The battery pack supplied with mine claims 5800mAh. Nonsense! I can't accurately measure capacity, but using a little USB Tester suggests that 700mAh is enough to completely charge it. In aspects other than appearance (and gender of the electronic voice) it's virtually identical to the BF-888S - exactly the same functions, and can be programmed with the same software (Chirp or Baofeng) as the BF-888S. One good advantage is that it can be charged with a USB cable, you don't need to use the supplied base charger. Power output is the same, too - about 1.5 to 2 watts (though some advertisers are claiming up to 5 - no way!). Sensitivity is good, but the front end is wide open - a strong out-band signal can completely de-sense the receiver, making you think it's faulty. In summary, a good little radio for the silly low price, but beware of inflated performance claims.

[@theultimateblindmaster8570]

For the price, this radial is a good valued radio . Your review was very interesting, and detailed. The output power of course is certainly very clear. Have you ever come across another Chinese radio brand called retivus? It would be very good, if you could review a retivus radio, as from experience using them, I think that they are a really good company to try out.

[@stunningbangladesh1908]

Hello Sir could you guide me I'm having two of this also I've 2 pair bf t20 but unable to connect will you help me how to connect

[@godfree2canada]

for Canada/USA I'd program them 1-7 FRS low power, 8-15 high power [FRS15-22} 16 for CH22 with custom DCS tones (bozoo filter)

[@petermartin6025]

These radio's performance is far better than I expected and they are well made they don't feel cheap and the battery life is good aswell I believe they are the same as the retevis rt 67 and 667 and it will change on my retevis rt24 charger with a rubber band to hold it on

[@Jacks_Hobbys_Interests]

I thought UK PMR 446 required fixed antenna?

[@danieldanny5353]

I bought the BF-V8A model it looks the same I have no idea if it's different?

[@CIA005]

Hi every one I have a question This radio good for cruises? good also inside the ship? Thanks, Itzik,

[@JohnSmith-wl8cv]

Same as the Baofeng 888 different case not technically legal removable antenna, but who cares

[@petaimuda3210]

This baofeng bf-v8 it's true 5800mah? & How long standby this battery? Please need feedback tq

[@thingblaze5754]

No. It's about 1300mah. 5800mah is bullshit.

[@petaimuda3210]

Ouuhh ok hhaaha, so smart seller

[@wisteela]

I've got one of these too, in green, which I use on the amateur band. It's an excellent little radio. I bought mine from the same seller too. I've also got the very similar Retevis RT667 PMR446 in orange, which is also excellent. Oh yes, it should be on NFM to avoid bleed over into adjacent channels. 73 M7TUD

[@Transmission1]

Thanks for the comments! It's amazing what you can buy for such a low price these days. Getting into amateur radio or PMR-446 has never been easier for anyone wanting to give it a try. I was quite surprised at how good these are. I took them on holiday this summer and they performed great.

[@wisteela]

@@Transmission1 And the build quality is fantastic

[@14rky]

Since I commented on this a year ago I've picked up a Retevis RT85. Great radio from Retevis, but I can't get the Baofeng to lift the squelch when using CTCSS or DTCS. The Baofengs work fine together with CTCSS/DTCS but not the RT85. I've not got another radio to test, would you be so kind as to conduct a test for me? I'm not sure if the Baofeng is at fault or the Retevis :-/

[@14rky]

Now have them working with the RT85. I had selected BF-V8A in CHIRP instead of BF-888. As shown in the video, you must program these as BF-888, they have all the same optional programmable features as the BF-888.

[@wisteela]

@@14rky Yes, they are basically a mini BF-888S with USB charging.

[@christophersmith1155]

THE PROGRAMING CABLE THAT YOU RECIEVED IS FOR IP67 RADIOS.

[@mikecrockford6500]

Hey these look pretty useful do you know if they have a scrambler function please ?

[@Ixquick979]

Would antenna cut for 1/4 wavelength of the channel 8 perform better than the stock antenna?

[@Transmission1]

I would imagine so! Haven't tried one.

[@humaxf1]

Great review. USB charging is a big advantage over the BF-888. Is there a scan function by selecting ch 16 like with a BF-888?

[@Transmission1]

Yes USB charging is very welcome on radios like these. I'm not aware of a scan function on Ch16 but that's maybe because I used chirp to program them rather than the official Baofeng software. I'll have to look into that!

[@14rky]

Yep, there is a scan function on ch16

[@phillipsmiley5930]

There's a USB base charger for the 888

[@magnusl6200]

@@14rky Any guiding tips on how to set this up to scan the PMR-channels? Do I need to use the Baofeng software instead of CHIRP? All help appreciated, very new to this!

[@14rky]

​@@magnusl6200from memory set the channels up in CHIRP with scanning enabled. Upload to the radio. Then switch the radio on and select channel 16, the LED will begin to flash as the radio cycles through the 16 preset channels.

[@EstelleBoy-sc2jm]

888s darn good too.

[@munchh2007]

Do you remember what frequencies where programed out of the box?

[@Transmission1]

gist.github.com/kennedy/11278351

[@munchh2007]

@@Transmission1 they look like buisness radio freqs, possible both in the US & UK anyway.

[@munchh2007]

​@@Transmission1 thanks, looking back at the video im not sure why i asked now 🤔

[@godfree2canada]

anyone try the BF-T20, I cant get em to program on Chirp?

[@Charlie-Jitsu]

Didn't see the light go on while transmitting nor when receiving the signal?

[@Transmission1]

It has a green and red LED light for RX and TX but due to the lighting and camera outdoors it doesn't show up very well on the video.

[@mr.CABRIO]

Usb-C Anschluss oder welcher USB ?

[@tiklatv]

Newer versions type c

[@sevenman9672]

Good stuff

[@williampecar8409]

Yeah I live in toronto ontario canada how would I get one of your radios

[@xinliangliu8522]

temu, aliexpress.

[@epexlinux]

Can these be used on a lanyard or are they a little too big?

[@14rky]

These may be a little too big for a lanyard. The Baofeng T99 look better suited.

[@matthauss6065]

Awesome radio!! Have voice scrambler?

[@topsac3283]

How to program this unit? Guys Do u have program software ? Thanks

[@Transmission1]

You can program these radios using the Baofeng 888s software or Chirp - i'd recommend downloading Chirp really. All you need is a standard 2 pin Baofeng programming cable that most models use.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Wow that’s epic.

[@ItsOnlyRNG]

5800mah??? dont joke man, thats like 1800~2200 at max

[@princesseisya9153]

Can i have the default frequency for this unit..anyone cc an share

[@jziadj]

Does anyone know the frequencies of this radio?

[@toddpolson6024]

Frequency: 400-470mhz, 16 channels.

[@jziadj]

@@toddpolson6024 iknow bit the frequency of each channel

[@tommysaevik]

programing cable for baofeng uv-9r

[@godfree2canada]

a small simple radio is a carried always radio

[@godfree2canada]

wow an area with radio usage

[@Transmission1]

Yeah, we have PMR-446 in the UK and EU. 16 channels at 0.5w officially but a lot of people use higher powers with radios like these. Similar to GMRS and FRS

[@godfree2canada]

BF-R5 is well made but no Light, non removable antenna

[@godfree2canada]

program cable is for the waterproof line

[@DiniAsila-ch6jf]

i have this 1 and bf-888s😊

[@Transmission1]

Same radio, same programming software (you can use chirp in 888 mode). Just different casings!

[@godfree2canada]

micro B or mini B ? USB

[@Transmission1]

It's Micro B so I usually charge them with any cable lying around as most older phones come with this cable. I wish they had used USB-C but you can't have everything for the super cheap price ;)

[@godfree2canada]

@@Transmission1 Micro is good, it matches my phone

[@tiklatv]

Never versions in TR is type c

[@majorkonfuzion1007]

5800mAh ?? ...please

[@godfree2canada]

800mAh 5800 is only 5 higher ;-)

[@johngallati8164]

LIKE WOW

[@Waynethepainsmurf]

These look like my pofung radio's i bought for £16 for

[@Waynethepainsmurf]

2

[@Transmission1]

I think the radios are sold under both thePoFung and Baofeng names from different retailers. It's all very confusing at times!

[@JasonYoung-q9y]

A cable.😂

[@mariosallusti6873]

bonjour , n'acheté pas cette radio , on ne trouve aucun logiciel de programmation pour cette radio !!! fréquence préprogrammé interdite en Europe !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@14rky]

Most Baofeng radios are the same. Just program with CHIRP using license free frequencies.

[@godfree2canada]

maybe Russian army will use them

[@richardbird1918]

Amazing 😀😀