Budget Friendly Ham Gear: Baojie BJ 218 Dual Band Radio!

[@Bueromensch1]

I have one and it works so well. I use it to monitor the Home Repeater on 440Mhz.⁷

[@richardmillican7733]

The menu features seem very much like the old boy UV5R! Great review, I've found this on ebay in UK for similar price.

[@richardmillican7733]

I watched this when it was first published. I finally got around to getting one but I plumbed for the 318 version. It's exactly the same in operation and set up but it has a far superior display, and wierdly the same price as the 218 you reviewed! I use it generally when out fishing to comm with uv5rs. And I have to say the reception is great too. Almost as though there's a pre amp. Monitor a Freq with the uv5r next to it and you'll see what I mean!

[@markpinther9296]

Thanks a lot! Bought one and I blame you fully. ha!

[@francismcclaughry3794]

I have a ham ticket, but i don't get on the air often and I sure haven't been on to meter in eons. I moved from up north and I just didn't want to go three hassle to get to know the two meter hams around here.

[@jhill4874]

Having the 12vdc plug is a good idea. I try to have commonality with all my 12vdc plugs. "Try" being the operative word here. This radio looks applicable for a backpack mobile rig.

[@lowrangeoverland9013]

outstanding review 💯👍

[@billyblastoff7027]

Nice radio I have 5 different GMRS radios wrfr929

[@WaynesWorld69]

Thanks. Once my wife finds out I've just ordered this could well be my last comment ever on KZbin ROFL. I'll let her know it's all your fault 🤣

[@MrKoblepot]

Same here pal 😸

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice............

[@jhill4874]

Most higher end dual band radios have automatic standard offsets for repeater use. But then there's that price difference. 😊

[@Iridium242]

Its pretty handy actually, for odd offset repeaters and you will run into them from time to time

[@francismcclaughry3794]

I have to radio shack. the minke the mikes are probably bad and I probably not work since you are talking about the radios.

[@morrisshipman4801]

I just bought this same radio and I can get it to skin frequencies by holding down the up or down button. But what can I mash to get it to scan manually number two show scan or I think it's scan but I want to be able to just to scan random frequencies without holding down the button

[@I.Sam35]

Nice Review! Can you tell me the type of connector that is has because i want to buy an antenna! Thank you

[@Iridium242]

Just a standard pL259 connector for the antenna

[@I.Sam35]

@@Iridium242 Thank you!

[@georgespeck8761]

you should make a mobile portable power station for that radio.

[@Iridium242]

I was thinking about a manpack portable with that huge dual band folding antenna, would be a cool project, just need some kind of enclosure

[@ErAritraDas]

Please let me know the power bank setup

[@randy1862]

I think you give me the exact thing I need I don't understand much about these radios I live in Florida I just want to monitor weather and disaster such as hurricanes the only thing I would upgrade to a better outdoor antenna one that you have had on your channel before tell me what you think about this if it's a good idea let me know please

[@Iridium242]

Yeah this is a good price for a radio just to monitor and its better than a scanner because if you get the bug to become a ham you can get your license and you are already set!

[@randy1862]

Thanks for the update

[@1John5-12]

Hi - I have a bj-218 but it is only 10 watts. On CHIRP I can see the 25 watt option there. Does anyone know how to bypass a resistor or get a firmware upgrade or somehow release the full wattage? Thanks.

[@johneckert1690]

What ever happened to the 220 MHz ham band? Is it still around or did the FCC take it away like they tried to do in the late 1970s, early 1980,s

[@ericbrees]

It's still around, just not very popular.

[@Iridium242]

I used to use the Condor system out here in Nevada, it was a large linked 220 system but then it went away so I never bothered to get another 220 radio. I do like the band, and its also a bit more private because not everyone has a 220 rig

[@stevederjones7340]

I have never ordered from Bangood before. So how is the service? Also are they a secure place to order from, as for as your payment information?

[@Iridium242]

Yeah I have been ordering gadgets (not survival stuff) for years from them, never had an issue.

[@Bueromensch1]

buy it from Aliexpress..always good service

[@flipfloppingwithMike]

Iridium, I am kinda new to ham and radios in general. I have a pair of BaoFeng BF8 HP with extended antennas. I do have Chirp on Linux installed on a separate PC...so, exactly where do I get training on how to use it? For me, it is all a bit overwhelming to me, trying to comprehend it all. Where do I start? Oh, and yes, I will purchase this radio you reviewed...because I want it.

[@1John5-12]

You Tube 😃

[@1John5-12]

Oh, and join your local ham club and get yourself an Elmore. Seriously, I wouldn't still be in the game otherwise. All the best 👍

[@FarmersSON55]

I bet it doesn't cross band repeat

[@Iridium242]

lol not for 70 bucks :)

[@1John5-12]

Could you "cross band" WITHOUT the "cross" i.e. UHF HT to UHF bj-218 and then UHF bj-218 to UHF HT - by using the manual offset? 🤔

[@savpun817]

Haha, Radio Shack