Manually Programming Baojie BJ-218

In this video I'll show you how to manually program the Baojie BJ-218 mini mobile. Many people seem to think this radio is hard to manually program but I find it pretty straight forward after you've done it a couple of times. I know the video quality is not very good but if you watch it in HD it's a little bit better... I promise to re-record it when I get my good camera back home again.
I've created a PDF file with the written instructions so you can download them and save them to your phone or computer for future reference. You can find it at this link tinyurl.com/Ba...
I know there are a lot of things this radio can do and I'm just skimming the surface. Please share with me the things you've found out and we'll all learn this together.

[@AtomicElectronCo]

Thanks for this great contribution! I love the radio and manual guide to programming it w/o having to plug it into the computer all the time makes it even more enjoyable. :)

[@bobertblobert7812]

You are awesome for figuring out how to use this gosh darn radio and my hat goes off to you!!!! You're a genius!!! You're also awesome for making it easy to understand your instructions. My user manual doesn't explain squat. Thank you so much for posting this tutoral. I needed that.

[@mikeneale2459]

Thank you! At least I know now how to program a repeater! Please...if you figure out anymore...do another video! Please!!

[@RossRiggs]

You made the complicated instructions so easy. Thanks!!

[@prabu48]

Hi Tony, I'm using this radio for last two years in my car. Initially programmed through a software installed in laptop by a friend. After seeing your video, I'm programming new repeaters manually. Thanks! 73, de VU3WWD from South India.

[@vishnuraj1503]

Where did you buy this radio?

[@enzed1190]

Tony, you're a star!! Thank you for the advice; I'm now transmitting and receiving with the off set on 2 meters. Kind regards.. Robert - ZL2JED

[@tonyturner9146]

robtn I'm glad I could help.

[@danlevy6882]

Purchase in Amazon a Zastone- Z-218 which is the same radio. Yes; the instructions are in “Martian”. Your video helped me to figure it out. 👍🏽

[@leyland9999]

Hi, just got this little radio today. Haven’t unpacked it yet but the programming is quite like the Baofeng two way hand held radio’s be it with some differences but once you got used to it it all makes sence. It’s just that the user manuals that come with these products are so lame, certainly for those whho are new to these radio’s, that one might get frustrated. No need for that as your video clearly points out. Great job done! Kind regards, Willem, Hekelingen, The Netherlands

[@richardbousman1545]

thanks you sheet and video made programming much easier!

[@Hamfaxer]

Well done Tony, and it has been very helpfull ! Seems that the same device is avalable under several brants. Baojie , but mine is Zastone Z218. At the purchase i received a little manual in Chinese and in English. First i was desperate, but thanks to your tutorial i can at least & at last use my TX. Nice that you said : it has been the worst manual i've ever seen. Meanwhile i think they made possible to enter a name for a programmed channel, because i see "-------" maybe to enter a name, but i haven't found how yet, even that i tried several options. Maybe it is although NOT yet possible at all 🙂. Greetings from Belgium , 73's and all the best to you and your family from Patrick, ON5PB.

[@williamsteo9166]

Excellent information, thank you for sharing and creating the directions list.

[@barryzoll9772]

Thank you for writing these instructions. Great video! 73

[@raulmontesdeoca7843]

To name a channel, Mem-Mem.... To Memory Channel...# arrow up or down to find letter or number then # for next character. Once done hit memory again. V/M is to select between memory channel number/ Name/ VFO.

[@dogikata]

Yes it works fine this way!

[@wezilla21]

Thank you!

[@Mmaltesej]

Took a minute of pushing every key till I got to # and figured it out lol.

[@davburrows]

Raul Montesdeoca Thx for sharing this!

[@cmahar3]

Using the down arrow, going through the menu looks like this: 33. RESET 32. ANI-ID 31. DTMF 30. RPT 29. SQL 28. DTM-TM 27. TONE 26. TOT 25. BCL 24. RING 23. BEEP 22. LED-SW 21. TX-LED 20. RX-LED 19. WT-LED 18. CH-DEL 17. CH-MEM 16. STEP 15. OFFSET 14. SFT 13. SRMR 12. COMP 11. W/NA 10. POWER 9. T-DTM2 8. T-DTM1 7. T-DCSI 6. T-DCSN 5. T-CTC 4. R-MOD 3. R-DCSI 2. R-DCSN 1. R-CTC 33. RESET

[@n0ukf]

To program the channel names press the # key. Once you have the first character press # again to go to the next, and so on.

[@SCTV59]

Very good. Thanks!

[@RickardEB]

Tnx for the instructions. The manual in chinglish was pretty amusing to read. I will be using your manual in the future. 73 de SM6VIT

[@JohnAlexanderBerry]

Why don't they get an English speaker to write the instructions? (Great little transceiver once you get it all worked out).

[@kenmunyard]

Thanks

[@DD-gd3fr]

Thank you Tony it's good info.But previous experiences from other Chinese radio I bought the program cable Chirp is a blessing but doing it manually is nlce to know

[@tonyturner9146]

I totally agree... chirp is the way to do it. But, I always learn how to program my radio's manually just in case TSHTF and I have to.

[@davburrows]

Thx so much. This really helped

[@rohnkd4hct260]

I have one ,just to have cheap radio on my truck. You are right, the instructions are CRAP!!!! Got to figure out how to turn that LOUD TONE down.😊

[@KennethLarson-jy8tn]

I have a BJ-218 25 watt. Just blew my fuse. Cannot read the fuse information on fuse end. What fuse specification do I need to replace.

[@banditt18]

ive been trying to figure out what codes and what not for my area to be able to talk with people and have not any luck

[@PeterJavea]

Now I am grateful for your showing me this, but the written instructions don't appear. Try it. Thanks to you, though, I CAN get onto our local uhf club repeater here in Brussels Belgium. I've come back to relearn programming as I can't get it to stay with the VHF repeater, which is on 145.225 Mhz. It keeps jumping to146.225.... I think it must be me...

[@profgyland2]

I totally agree with you, the radio is fine but the instructions are as useless as possible and that is including persons knowledgeable of the Chinese language. Regarding the watt-outputs, it is best to half them and then you may be fine, we all know this and do not expect anything better. Overall it is a well-manufactured product and very nicely finished. Purchasing such a product is in some countries either against the law or rather questionable.

[@PeterJavea]

For me the first priority is to turn the loud beep off Menu 23 does this

[@Duddie82]

Thank you for the instructions for the radio programming. I will be getting mine soon. KE5BGV.

[@rollingary6039]

The radio comes with eight memories pre programmed. Those must be cleared before they can be used. Likewise to change memory # with new data it must first be cleared.

[@n0ukf]

No, you can overwrite memories without first deleting them.

[@rubenacevedo2484]

Same problem with arrows, only adjust volume, no matter what I do...so far , nothing. Thanks a lot for the instrucciones !

[@andrejpisljar]

I wanted to download your PDF but your link gets redirected. Do you have any other link to your PDF? Hope to hear from you ;) Thank you

[@robertrichard7391]

Thank You !!!...

[@profgyland2]

I would be able to get a very good instruction together, but it is illegal to use this Baojie BJ-218 in Australia. Sorry, here it goes back to the company supplying it to me.

[@martinhowells6271]

Not for a Standard or Advanced ham it isn't, provided only used on ham frequencies. Foundation unfortunately yes it is illegal.

[@Kieranturne]

Hi Guys, just received one of these radios, having problems using microphone for programming. Up/Down buttons on mic only adjust volume, can't scroll through menus with them. Can scroll through menus with channel up/down buttons on front panel. Any ideas?

[@nmwilliam]

Hello, I have same issue. Up down button on mic only control volume. Please advice.

[@Littrell1966]

Would love to know where you bought the programming cable. Thanks

[@petercwillams]

Hi Tony, I can't download your pdf - any chance you can send a new link please..? Thanks, Peter G6SOO (UK)

[@tonyturner9146]

Hi Peter. The server that file was on was taken down and I no longer have access to the file. I may have the PDF on one of my old laptop computers. I'll dig them out when I get a minute and try to locate it. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[@freddiesadventures4836]

Hello Tony,Thanks for instructions But iam still a bit confused. I have downloaded the instruction and followed it al. After i want to start comminicate with my portable UHF divice There is no cpnnection.

[@tonyturner9146]

I'm not sure what you're asking but I'll try to help if I can get a bit more detail.

[@freddiesadventures4836]

Hello I have contacted a compagny who will fix it for me. To complicated for me

[@pauloe8pck830]

Does anybody know how to key the 1750hz tone burst for opening old relays?

[@peterpetersen4619]

Thank you for the great presentation. I just ordered the device and got an impression. What are your experiences with the device after 3 years?

[@tonyturner9146]

I still like mine... I use I use it for my Echolink node radio.

[@kristentollefsen7126]

Tnx for sheet and video:) I have a problem with my radio, speaker is not working. It transmits ok but no sound on speaker. What can the problem be here?

[@wilsonsantos7396]

Podemos ligar a fonte do rádio no acendedor de cigarros?

[@simonjester100584]

Link to pdf broken.

[@jamesthomas5874]

hi have 1 of these what does pilot frequency mean cant adjust out put volume people say to quiet any ideas

[@JEROENHAHAHA]

I can't for the life of me keep the BEEP off. Whenever I restart the device the BEEP comes back on.

[@nmwilliam]

Hello Tony: Is there a way to program BJ218 with split frequency from the menu button only (without using software) ? Like Rx on Vhf and Tx on Uhf ...?

[@jamesthomas5874]

have got mic audio probvlem not very loud any adjustments or how to make it louder followed your instructions

[@larryturner2684]

I can't find the download link you stated you were going to do.

[@nissenilsner9379]

Very good! But I still cant open my repeater nearby even if subtone is right, i have to open with tone. So if I press exit while transmitting the repeater will open but not if I just press ptt. Also it dont work on my bj-318 that its the same radio with better display. You have any idea how to fix it? The menus is the same. / Nisse from sweden

[@dannywarpdrive770]

How do I program additional memory channels for 2m? I end up erasing the previous saved frequency.

[@NYCSMK]

Im having trouble with the same radio I can't get no frequency I use it for the railroad but my handheld radios work better idk how to set it its soo confusing

[@bouchardsylvain9518]

Good

[@peterherman3119]

the instructions that come with the tranceiver are totally useless.Thanking you....VK1FPHR Canberra Australia

[@Johnyrocket70]

Did you test the power?

[@peterherman3119]

Tony,I cant seem to transmit after programming thye repeater into this tranceiver.Can you help me at all....Thank you Peter W Herman Vk1FPHR

[@abdulazizaltamimi6621]

My friend how to use The keyboard to change the frequency of channels

[@wilsonsantos7396]

Em português

[@rolanddebesteyoutube4414]

Where can I find your pdf file thanks man

[@JuanHernandez-ik9vg]

How do I clear the memories on the radio?

[@gordontreadwellve6gpt563]

Where can I get your link to this

[@Marquisoak]

How do u do the repeater mode on the radio.how do I turn my mobile bj-218 in to a repeater

[@RodneyTronic]

I don't think that is possible. It cannot receive one frequency and at the same time transmit on another. Menu 30 says "RPT" but the comment in the instructions says "This function is not opened yet" which I assume means it doesn't work yet ... if ever.

[@windtalkerhb2218]

@@RodneyTronic yes from the manual it is not open yet so im trying to look fo an alternative to open or may a software from chirp i tried but i got an error.

[@rockydogsdad]

What does the scrambling/encryption function do? How ‘bout the compandor?

[@raulmontesdeoca7843]

Richard Pushman I believe Scrambling / Encryption is used for Public Emergency Services .

[@charly1305]

Weil er all the way through the martian ahmerkamp Organe

[@kreskyv]

How is that radio working for you im thinking of getting one from china

[@tonyturner9146]

Vini kresky the little radio works pretty well. The receiver is a little noisy like most Chinese radio's and it really doesn't like extremely cold weather (down around zero). The receiver totally spazzed out on a couple of cold mornings but as soon as my truck warmed up it started working again. I don't know if I'd buy another one but I use the one I have every day. You get what you pay for.

[@kreskyv]

Tony Turner cool well thanks for the info i just noticed it was a really cheap radio to use to monitor other channels while using my 857D or to put in my truck that way if someone walks off with it i wouldn't be to hurt by it

[@tonyturner9146]

Vini kresky it should work fine for that. I originally used mine in the house for a base station and it worked beautifully. You can monitor a channel on the A and B side at the same time but you can only scan one side at a time A or B.

[@nmwilliam]

Hello Tony. I just got 218 25W model. With microphone, I cannot work menus. Up down button control volume. Is this a bug ?

[@RodneyTronic]

I have the same issue. Mic buttons only change the volume. Did you find a solution? Tnx

[@nmwilliam]

@@RodneyTronic Hello. I contacted Baojie support and after long followup was given to understand that on 25W model, arrow keys on mic will control only volume. This is by design.

[@freddiesadventures4836]

Hello Tony, Okay this is what i want To do. I have two portable Boafeng uhf portofoons and i want them connetced with the radio. I have recieved the channels from dealer of Boafeng. Now i need To understand how To put this information in the radio. The First two steps are clear but then the T-shirt step Iam lost. I must say That i am à complete nerd in this. IT all seemed so easy, but iTS not. For NOW. Thanks for help

[@freddiesadventures4836]

OK Tony, I have the Frequentie from the Boafeng 888 iTS à list 1 tm 9 446.00625 446.01875 446.03125 446.04375 446.05625 446.06875 446.08125 446.09375 From ch 9 tm 16 446.00625 MHZ TQ D074N 446.01875 MHZ TQ D125 N 446.03125 MHZ TQ D 031N 446.04375 MHZ TQ D343 N 446.05625 MHZ TQ D 263 N 446.06875 MHZ TQ D 306 N 446.08125 MHZ TQ D 627 N 446.09375 MHZ TQ D 115 N If i read you instruction the 446 Numbers are step 1 ? Can you please help me on this. Roda Fred Amsterdam The Netherlands

[@skymac50]

Tony, is there a way to put the radio in single band mode? I can’t figure out how. A pain in the ass when I’m trying to talk to someone on UHF and there’s another conversation going on VHF. Thanks..

[@tonyturner9146]

Wayne McCormick there are two ways to handle that. 1. Don't program the B side. 2. Add a channel to the B side that you know no one will be using... this is the way I do it. Other than that I don't know of a way. If anyone else has a better way please share it with us.

[@skymac50]

Tony Turner thanks Tony, I was afraid of that. It is what it is.

[@RickardEB]

You can put a "R-CTC" frequency to that extra "silent" channel so it wont receive static if you are driving in a area with a lot of rf-noise.

[@North49Radio]

Hi Tony, how does this radio work and what kind of antenna do you use?

[@tonyturner9146]

The little radio works really well. I had it in my truck using a 1/4 wave antenna. I stay pretty much within 10 miles or so from the repeaters in this area and it does the job. The only issue I had was in really cold weather. The display wouldn't work and the receive audio was really scratchy. As soon as the temperature came up in my truck all went back to normal. I have a DMR radio in my truck now and use the 218 on an EchoLink node at my house.

[@North49Radio]

@@tonyturner9146 Sounds like I will be happy with it then. I am about 16 kms from the repeater so I should be okay if the antenna works well. Thanks for the reply. I also ordered a quarter wave so fingers crossed. Plan to use it to raise my interest in the hobby.

[@hadrianhaine5204]

These radios are rubbish. They break with in a year. No uhf only vhf after using for 10months.

[@AtomicElectronCo]

Mine's been great lasted 7 years so far...

[@RCI57]

Is there a way to do a complete reset of this radio ? Thanks to anyone who can figure it out. VA2FN

[@RodneyTronic]

Menu 33 says "RESET". Press Menu, menu again, then channel up or down to menu 33. Try that. Let us know if it worked.

[@adrianobrito6187]

Queria mudar para ingles o idioma

[@corium_]

how do you turn the light off on the mic ?

[@tonyturner9146]

john wish I've not found a way and it's really annoying at night. I've been tempted to take the bulb out or change it to something more subdued.

[@corium_]

thanks for your reply, i want to turn it off when i put it in the car.... maybe you cant turn it off ?

[@corium_]

if you look at the radio in this link the radio is lit up but the lights on the mic are off , so maybe there is a way to turn it off ? www.brickolore.com/2015/09/baojie-bj-218-2m440-mini-mobile.html

[@marioforand3991]

Is this radio able to scan channels on A/B ?

[@raulmontesdeoca7843]

Mario Forand can only scan one bank at a time. Either A VHF or B UHf hit Memory then Scan.

[@tonyturner9146]

Mario Forand you can only scan one bank at a time either A or B. Go to the bank you want to scan using the A/B button then press the mem button on the Mic and press the scan button (which I think is the "2" button).

[@philippotgieter6654]

Hi, newbie and stumped - how can I enter 4 (four) decimals after frequency? Example - 463.9375 - it only allows for 3 characters after the decimal?

[@philippotgieter6654]

Found it. :-)

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

its called offset not a revers

[@chappelln]

Have you ever been able to program the BJ 218 with a ethernet cable?

[@tonyturner9146]

I bought the programming cable for it and used Chirp.

[@starkiz]

How to set vox on ? =)

[@RodneyTronic]

I don't see VOX in the instructions. I don't think it has VOX.

[@danmilner5875]

a true waste of time.. instructions are as bad as the paper they send

[@user-ip5jq7oy6w]

Нихера непонятно

[@keithharrington6181]

Thanks