Baojie BJ-218 VHF/UHF Dual Band Ham Radio from Banggood.

[@MarvinParnell]

These are basically a Mobile Baofeng with higher power. Have two of the Zastone 218 radio's (exact same radio different name) used them both for about 2 years before we upgraded to radio's with more features. One of them now lives in the tractor for Farm comms. still works just fine. They do suffer from the typical overloading issue in some cases but for the price they are a pretty good little workhorse. I have thought long and hard about turning the other one into a backpack radio, I just have not had the time to get out in the woods like I used too so I have not done that yet. Great review and video. as to the Dual receive question, they are just like a Baofeng only Dual Watch. 73's N0MLP

[@PracticalTacticalSheepDog]

Do you have any recommendations for an antenna?

[@MarvinParnell]

@@PracticalTacticalSheepDog I run it with a browning dual band from Amazon it is an NMO Mount base loaded with a stainless steel whip and a trap near the middle for the dual band function (sorry don’t know exact model) works great.

[@yt5bos]

Couple of years ago I got it's younger brother BJ-318 intended to be abused in my car. I was always worrying when leaving TM-V71E in the vehicle and I absolutely don't care what happens to this thing. Surprisingly I am getting excellent audio reports on it and the smal speaker is EXTREMELY loud, but the sound is clean with no distortion. I got a programming cable (and later used chirp to load my usually used channels) with it and the price from AliExpress was 60€ with shipping. The only problem I noticed with it was that after long QSOs it was warm to touch and sometimes it would just hang and needed a restart to revive it. For the money, it brings a lot.

[@rockykidian3489]

Sometimes the watts depend on the frequency and current. Mine is 24.83 on 149.450.

[@ronwolenski-n8wcr]

Thanks for the review, I have to look into this. I been thinking of putting a small radio in the mobile.

[@hamradiotube]

Glad I could help

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

"It's so cute!" LOL! Cool that you liked that little radio! Always interesting to see what's out there on the market. 73!

[@hamradiotube]

Isn't it? I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet but its a really cool little radio.

[@TwstedTV]

@@hamradiotube I myself would see this as a E-COMM "Grab & Go SHTF" kind of radio. Grab this & a Tram-1411 or portable DiPole antenna and 20-ah battery pack and RUNNNNN.... Put it in a prepper Go-Bag.

[@gregbreitz972]

I have one and it has great sound and all the reports I've gotten say it sounds fantastic

[@hamradiotube]

It's crazy how loud the speaker is. Good to know you're getting good audio reports too. I've still not made a contact with it, but I've been out of town.

[@gregbreitz972]

Love your videos. Hope to make a p to p with you someday! KD2RLB 73

[@Jody_VE5SAR]

Yes, you can get a USB-RJ45 programming cable and configure it via Chirp. Maybe you can push closer to 25W if you stretch your 13.8V up to the 15% tolerance (15.8V) that the radio says is still ok to use?

[@hamradiotube]

I’m gonna have to get one of those multi Chinese radio cables. Not too worried about power. Not gonna really make a difference.

[@1John5-12]

Does anybody know how to bypass a resistor or get a firmware upgrade to access the 25 watts? I have the 10 watt version. But, on CHIRP I can see the 25 watt option. I have a standard power outlet that is not able to be configured. Thanks

[@Johnyrocket70]

@@1John5-12 its a radio on a chip. There's no resistors

[@PeterJavea]

I have just bought one. Got onto our local repeater. One problem.... everyone says i sound faint. My carrier is clear, but my voice is weak I have been trying to find the mike gain or anything so that my voice comes over... Any ideas?.....

[@travis6882]

A guy at work uses one of those for his volunteer work and loves it. I thought about getting one to setup with a pi for a Digipi.

[@hamradiotube]

Its so incredibly small too. It'd be great with a pi if you can figure out how to get it to work.

[@garycox3864]

Thanks!

[@carlosfelix4057]

Obligatory “That’s what she said!”

[@kellydjohnson]

I wonder what the signal looks like on a spectrum analyzer. Or you could look at the signal using a SDR dongle. You probably have a couple of those around.

[@hamradiotube]

I'm sure it's as clean as a whistle.

[@lavenderlilacproductions]

@@hamradiotube As clean as any Chinese clone whistle.

[@Siskiyous6]

I converted all my wiring to that T Molex, it sure saves money over power poles, and every smaller radio I buy is ready to go with my rigs wiring, and my go box. This looks like a good deal.

[@hamradiotube]

Blaspheme. #powerpoletheworld

[@Screamingtut]

I was looking at their radios on Amazon I figured they were like a high-powered HT! hope you have fun on your trip! ever up in my area, we could do a POTA At Crater Lake Nation Park which is K0018 at 42.87, -122.144 (CN82wu). I live in Klamath Falls which is about 50ish miles from Crater Lake. I'll get you take-out sushi & sashimi so we can have a nice picnic lunch, maybe get some good Sake

[@jbaker389]

Did you ever test The dual receive? Could it be used as an inexpensive way to do satellites?

[@larrymeans7046]

Have a good question for you. Have the 218 as a base station and want to connect an external speaker to it. The connector is larger than the 3.5mm connector and smaller than the 1/4 inch connector. I have asked the question everywhere and no answer yet. I like the radio. It works. The specs don't have the size. Good luck...

[@jonshannon7924]

I have this radio in my Jeep... it's totally cool, and super cheap if it ever gets stolen... although mine quit making any sound yesterday. I think my speaker pooped out.😢

[@lousadventures2111]

Nice little radio to mount on a mountain bike .

[@barryzoll9772]

Based on your high recommendation, I ordered one today. Look forward to a 2 meter band opening between Texas and Rhode Island LOL. 73

[@kasifsc5912]

I cannot adjust the volume from the hand microphone, only the frequency changes. What is the solution?

[@mikemiles3068]

Good video, looks like a good little radio especially for a go bag. I picked up that FT891 that i was looking at the Orange Ham Fest, i talked him down $75.00 it looks brand new and works great super easy to program, i love it❗️73 KV5P

[@hamradiotube]

Oh awesome, glad you were able to scoop that up. I saw a Kenwood TD74 for $500 and I'm kicking myself for not buying it. I just edited the video of the fest yesterday and will have it up next week. 73

[@mikemiles3068]

@@hamradiotube I saw that too, I am still using my old Kenwood TH D7, glad I got to meet you and Juston. 73 KV5P

[@rohnkd4hct260]

Not a bad radio. You really would not want it to do 25W, it would get HOT very quick.

[@hamradiotube]

It's got a pretty solid heat sink on the bottom and a fan so I don't think you'd have any issues.

[@DavidGuzman-mg8wj]

cheap, fun little radio to play around with.

[@admiltonsantos8972]

Hi i have a baofeng BF-A58 and a Baojie BJ-218 i have a bed time to put then working together. I do not hav any other radio to test and see with one is not properly configured

[@WhatsUpWithSix]

Looks like a cool lil radio to throw onto my Gator. Good find ol friend!

[@hamradiotube]

I'll have to let you play with it.

[@yophotoman]

"Sucker for small Chinese radios," yeah, me too. I've bought into Baofeng HT's and Btech 25 & 50 watt mobiles. Happy Camper

[@hamradiotube]

I gave away 8 radios at the Huntsville Hamfest and I'm slowly accumulating more. I have a problem.

[@yophotoman]

@@hamradiotube LOL !! Yes you do ...

[@jj3266]

Pretty cool brother, *73

[@wushock92]

Interesting. Much easier to program than my KYT-8900. I retired that toy

[@hamradiotube]

I've not used that radio but yeah this was pretty easy.

[@markh1938]

Look at this little guy, I was looking away from my screen, I thought they sent you a puppy.

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

I have the 318 model and I just live it. I've made loads of contacts with it. I bought on ebay so z non working radio, but was just not programmed. It works great. I just programmed it through chirp.

[@TimJinkerson]

Has anyone looked at the harmonics etc? I'd be interested in one of these as a starter radio (other than the silent key jumble-sale kit I own) but don't want to annoy the neighbours with out-of-band interference.

[@mrbyamile6973]

Any information yet on programming cables? I'm familiar with programming the Baofeng style radios but what a pain in the butt if you can't use Chirp.

[@hamradiotube]

I just ordered a cable today for it. I'll do a follow up review if everything works, but it is programmable with Chirp.

[@craigvk2paw17]

Better than an icom , comes with a mounting bracket they you don’t have to pay extra for

[@hamradiotube]

Lol!

[@derek45auto23]

LOLOL

[@I.Sam35]

Nice review mate! can you tell me what kind of connector has????/ Because i want to buy an antenna...Thank you

[@jayhannah2011]

After 30 seconds of seening this video I bought this transciver 😅😅😅😅

[@supervisorturkeygaming6224]

Sorry this is a stupid question I know nothing about radios does this radio do gmrs

[@rickpellicciotti]

Did you have a chance to test the dual receive? Some reviews I have read say that it is in Dual Watch all the time and cannot be turned off. 73 KJ4NWQ

[@py3to]

Greetings....the BJ-318 using Repeater, I can transmit, but I don't hear the Repeat return! Local RPT and radio with tone off...is there something in the Menu?

[@hamradiotube]

Usually repeaters use a tone. Check RepeaterBook to see what that might be. You may just be out of range on your side too.

[@morphshag]

I’ve got one of these radios, got it for $10 off a friend and has to be the worst radio I have ever used. When mine is warm and you turn it off, then back on it beeps loud AF and it’s like it goes in to a second firmware, all my settings are lost. When it cools down it’s back to normal, I’m saying that everyone who has heard me talking on it say the TX audio was great.

[@jonprice4629]

this'd be handy with a mobilink'd or similar interface for SMSGTE and other such stuff as well as being a good cheap 25w radio also a cheap way in to way too much power on UHF CB in VK :P

[@Superfandangoo]

My tx died after only 6 weeks using mid power and perfect vswr. Unable to find any diagrams on the net nor will the company help

[@KX4UL]

The box says 10 and 25 watts ea. for VHF and UHF. The manual says Low 5 watts, Medium 10 watts and High 25 watts...lol! I love small Radios and Ham gear that does a big job, and that darn thing is just too cute and priced low enough to make me want one. The problem with most Chinese cheapies is front end overload, poor selectivity and overheating. You get what you pay for, but it is pretty cool.

[@hamradiotube]

Another place on the box actually does say 3 power levels. Go figure. I’m sure all the typical front end overloading and spurious emissions typical of Chinese radios apply here but darn it’s just so fun.

[@osculant]

Mike, perhaps ask if they can send you a “KT-WP12 25W 200 Channels Mini Mobile Radio VHF UHF Dual Band Car Ham Radio Transceiver”. The control face is built into the hand mic, looks like it would be a great solution for right installs if it’s worth getting at all. 73 K9MKE

[@hamradiotube]

I asked them for that and another radio when they emailed me. They wanted to do this one first. Hopefully I'll get a chance to review that. It looks like a cool radio.

[@LB0FI]

Seems like all of these Chinese mobile radios are pretty much the same on the inside. I did a review of the Leixen UV998 on my channel a while ago, and it seems like pretty much the same radio except for some minor differences. I can also recommend one of those USB to every Chinese radio cables, they can save you when you get a radio like this.

[@hamradiotube]

I've not used that radio but that's a good idea about the USB to all Chinese radio cables. I wonder if this works with Chirp?

[@LB0FI]

@@hamradiotube It does, at least for me. It has saved me a lot of orders from eBay and Amazon. It's like having a Leatherman for your Baofengs.

[@mikearmstrong9899]

Link to cable please. TY.

[@rockykidian3489]

Can you please also share how to activate the repeater sir. 73's

[@larrymeans7046]

Just got the 218. Using chirp to program. Have 2 meter and 70 cm programed in upper window. Lower line has no channels programmed. I want to put 2 meters in upper window and 70 cm in lower line. What am I missing. Maybe I can't do the separate lines.

[@larrymeans7046]

Found my answer. On the left side of Chirp, it has Memories (Upper) and Memories (Lower). You import the 2 meter repeaters into upper memory and 70 cm repeaters into lower memories. Now need to change all the power levels at once. Saw it somewhere on youtube. Also under Settings tab, which is below the Memories tabs, the screen is blank. Yes, the speaker is very LOUD...

[@gaptastic]

I like its small form factor. Probably the biggest selling point for me. BUT I will not be buying one anytime soon. I like Japanese radios too much. And like you said once before, you get what you pay for. Thank for the video!

[@hamradiotube]

Indeed you do. These are fun little radios to have though.

[@Scott_AI5EF]

Of all the cheap 25w radios out there, is this the best one to get?

[@garycox3864]

I have mine in a 50 cal. Can with 7 amp lithium ion battery and a roll up Ed Fong…just in case

[@PracticalTacticalSheepDog]

This may be a stupid question (I'm not super into radios) but could this be used for gmrs simplex?

[@hamradiotube]

Yes this will transmit out of the amateur bands. Is it legal to do so, no. Is anyone gonna care, prob not.

[@PracticalTacticalSheepDog]

@@hamradiotube thanks for the honest answer. Usually ham guys just berate people for questions of that nature

[@hamradiotube]

@@PracticalTacticalSheepDog No problem at all. I'd be lying if I told you I don't have FRS/GMRS/Marine freqs programmed into every one of my radios that's capable of that. It's not illegal to listen and in an actual life saving emergency, you can pretty much do whatever you want so...I'd rather have it and not need it. I'm also a big fan of asking forgiveness instead of permission. But of course, as a public figure, I don't recommend it.

[@MrKoblepot]

@@hamradiotube first time i read this kind of kind answer with good explanation. Most of the time newbies are getting an acid spit. 😅😅😅

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah I never understood that. So many people in this hobby say "the hobby is dying" or "we need to get more young people involved" then they scoff at you for asking a question like you should know everything already.

[@alissonferreira6602]

Exatamente perfeito!! Mas tem que fazer uns testes mais profundos, as vezes não dá os 25 watts nessa frequência, tem que ir medindo aos poucos, de 5 e 5 MHz pra saber exatamente, porque não é também com qualquer antena que vai dá isso mas é só no teste. Mas valeu vídeo muito bom..

[@temporarilyoffline]

Can you name repeaters from the keypad also?

[@hamradiotube]

I haven't figured out a way yet, but I haven't played with it much yet either. Like Baofengs, I suspect you need the cable to name channels.

[@1958johndeere620]

Is it limited to 144 to 148, or is it open?

[@hamradiotube]

It’s open

[@gregbreitz972]

It is now in my mobile go box with my ft891

[@hamradiotube]

Sweet!

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice................ 🤗

[@hamradiotube]

Many many thanks

[@petek1pml746]

i would be interested to see what the rejection is of the receiver, my trusty baofeng has terrible rejection... interested in long term impression.

[@hamradiotube]

I suspect this would be the same.

[@petek1pml746]

@@hamradiotube thats kid of my first impression. these radios on chips have their limitations. but are super cheap, take the good with the bad.

[@tangle70]

Does it have VOX?

[@garethkelly3724]

How do I go on to UHF

[@hamradiotube]

You know, that's a great question. I gave this radio away so I can't answer that. I know it wasn't hard, but changing bands wasn't apparent either if I remember correctly.

[@Dusty_Ham]

It's honestly not bad at all for the price.

[@hamradiotube]

Not gonna lie, I really like it.

[@gregbreitz972]

It's easy to program too

[@hamradiotube]

Surprising right?

[@loopvogel01]

It's crap. Did you try the programming software? There isn't any? You can ptogram it with the previous Baojie software but still it sucks.

[@ReedAB8AS]

👍

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah buddy.

[@charlesholzschuh5551]

Boogie?

[@hamradiotube]

Could be:)

[@TwstedTV]

Manuals are like roach spray for men 😂🤣😂🤣

[@caseycrookham3647]

Light 3 twenty dollar bills on fire and enjoy the same value as this 12 volt piece of junk.