BAOFENG is a company known for their GMRS and Ham Radios, but the company also makes walkie talkies.
For some people, when the words walkie talkies are used, it’s generally thought as a FRS walkie talkie which anyone can use to talk with their family, friends or co-workers. Is this the case with the BF-88ST? Please read on…
So, the Baofeng BF-88ST Long Range Walkie Talkies has one PTT button, 16 channels, 50 CTCS, 105 CDCSS, VOX, Flashlight, Scanning, Low Battery, emergency alarm and supports CHIRP (select BF-V8A). But the biggest selling point is that they can copy frequencies.
First, for this set, you get four radios, 4 antennas, 4 li-on battery packs, 4 base chargers, 4 belt clips, 4 lanyard, 4 headsets and a user manual.
So, going back to the word “walkie talkie”, one would generally think FRS (Family Radio Service).,
FRS is authorized 22 channels in the 462 MHz and 467 MHz range (this radio features only 16 channels), all of which are shared with General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) which requires an individual FCC license for use. FRS requires no license.
But within those two channels, how does FRS and GMRS exist? To avoid any confusion, it’s important to note the differences between GMRS and FRS are Watts used. The more powerful the watts, the farther the distance. FRS is meant for short-distances, thus is low wattage.
On channels 1-7, FRS utilizes 2 watts, GMRS can use 5 watts. Channels 8-14 are 0.5 watts (and is used for close proximity). Channels 15-22, FRS can get up to 2 watts and GMRS gets 50 Watts.
FRS also utilizes narrow banded signals on all channels, GMRS can use wide (except for channels 8-14).
Another key difference between FRS and GMRS and this is important. FRS has permanent antennas, GMRS have interchangeable antennas. This radio has a removable antenna.
FRS and GMRS frequencies are as follows.
1 462.5625
2 462.5875
3 462.6125
4 462.6375
5 462.6625
6 462.6875
7 462.7125
8 467.5625
9 467.5875
10 467.6125
11 467.6375
12 467.6625
13 467.6875
14 467.7125
15 462.5500
16 462.5750
17 462.6000
18 462.6250
19 462.6500
20 462.6750
21 462.7000
22 462.7250
With that being said, the 16 frequencies found on this Baofeng BF-88ST Long Range Walkie Talkies are as follows:
462.125000
462.225000
462.325000
462.425000
462.525000
462.625000
462.725000
462.825000
462.925000
463.025000
463.125000
463.225000
463.525000
450.225000
460.325000
469.950000
So, there are three things that people will note as a major hint that these are not FRS radios: 1) Removable antenna 2) Only 16 channels 3) Default frequencies differ from the given FRS/GMRS radio frequencies 4) It’s not certified part 95/GMRS
What we have here is that the Baofeng BF-88ST Long Range Walkie Talkies is a hybrid HT. It is single band, it is only two watts but the default frequencies MUST be changed on the radio via CHIRP. But to use chirp, you will need to purchase a programming data cable (Sold separately).
The radio is clearly for those who are familiar with CHIRP and want the ability to program their own channels. While the HT radio is not FCC legal, the fact that you can program your own channels, tech savvy folks who know how to CHIRP can program their own frequencies in the 450-469 range.
I went ahead and tested the antenna and for the most part from 462-469 frequencies, SWR was low fluctuating from 1.2 – 1.4, so well within under 1.5.
I then tested for spurious emissions from the device via my TinySA Spectrum Analyzer just to make sure that the spurious emissions were not going all over the place and for those most part, emissions were low.
JUDGMENT CALL:
So, is it worth it?
Baofengs and a few other companies are known for creating radios that people can modify and radios that may have the ability to access multiple frequencies. And each country, they have their own set of rules for frequencies.
Legally, for FRS walkie talkies or GMRS HT’s, you want to purchase certified devices made for those frequencies. The Baofeng BF-88ST Long Range Walkie Talkies is two watts but because it’s hybrid, this allows someone to easily change the antenna out and put a long distance GMRS antenna allowing one to possibly listen to many frequencies (which you should not be talking in but listening) such as police dispatch to possibly a local repeater and also program their top 16 frequencies.
Personally, if you want something more better, look towards the BAOFENG GM-21 which is a GMRS radio that you can listen to FRS/GMRS and can store up to 999 channels, NOAA Weather alerts, FM Radio, USB-C charging and more. Also, an FCC license is easy to get, it’s $35 for ten years, covers your whole family household and no testing needed.
But this device can function as a walkie talkie, you do get the flashlight and emergency alarm, but again, if you want to use this like a FRS walkie talkie, you are going to have to reprogram these radios via CHIRP, as the frequencies given are not the official FRS/GMRS channels (if you live in the USA). If you are in another country, please look at your country’s laws on radio frequencies and what is used safely for general use.
There is no doubt that getting four radios, each with their own charging stand and other headsets makes it appealing. But do know, it takes a bit more work to get these to be used straight FRS and if you are looking for straight FRS with all 22 channels, BAOFENG and other competitors sell FRS radios.
If knowing all this is worth it to you and you are still wanting a hybrid unit, then the Baofeng BF-88ST Long Range Walkie Talkies may be worth your time.
