Baofeng BF-88A Operating instructions

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BaoFeng BF-88A Programming Guide
INTRODUCTION
BaoFeng BF-88A is a UHF radio. It offers 16 channels, you can add or remove
channels from scanning list and give channels alphanumeric names via
programming with a computer. This Programming Guide will help you get a
quick start to program the radio
*If you have any problem with the BF-88A radio using or programming, please
don’t hesitate to contact us via support: walkietalkiesoftware.com. Also visit our
Facebook pages (TIDRADIO) for more help.It’s always our honor to help.
Contents
1. Frequency Chart.......................................................................................................2
2. Preparation before Programming.......................................................................2
3. Manufacture Software Programming Process .................................................6
4. Chirp Software Programming Process.............................................................10

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1. Frequency Chart
16 Modifiable FRS Two Way Channels (Channels 1-16) - Receive and Transmit.
2.Preparation before Programming
2.1. Computer System Requirements
Manufacture Programming Software Operating System: Windows 7, Windows 8
and Windows 10
CHIRP Programming Software Operating System: Windows 7\8\10,
Windows 2000, Mac OS, Linux

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2.2. Programming Cable
A.USB programming cable - The driver should be installed before programming.
Driver download link:walkietalkiesoftware.com
1) Find the corresponding driver of the system.
2) Click and wait for the download.
3) Click install and wait for the installation
Come with the CH340 USB programming cable is only suitable for
WINDOWS system
B. If you use an FTDI cable, it does not need to be installed with a driver. You can
just plug in and use directly.
FTDI chip programming cable suitable for Mac os,Windows system.
You can search B08CB5KT5M on Amazon to purchase a FTDI cable if you do not
have one.

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Product link:
https://www.amazon.com/TIDRADIO-Programming-BaoFeng-Retevis-Radioddi
ty/dp/B08CB5KT5M/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=B08CB5KT5M&qid=16279
73909&sr=8-1
1) If your computer did not automatically install the driver, you will need to
update the driver to the latest driver
Download the latest FTDI driver at :https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/
2.3. Software Download & Install
1) Turn on the computer, check if your computer system meets the
requirements.
2) Download the manufacture software on walkietalkiesoftware.com or CHIRP
software on https://chirp.danplanet.com/
3) Install the programming software
2.4. Connect your Walkie Talkie with Computer
1) USB programming cable connects with the computer end.
2) Connect the other end of the cable with your walkie talkie.
3) When both ends have been connected, turn on your radio. Make sure it has
enough power during the programming procedure.
ERROR: Failed to Connect to the transceiver (Radio)
If it says it cannot connect to the radio - this means the cable is working but is not installed correctly
into the radio.
Items to Check:
Radio is turned on
The cable is FULLY inserted (it can be deceiving but there is a double click)
Hold the cable into the radio - some radios might not make contact without pressure
A way to cheat - dampen the pins of the cable before pushing it into the radio. This will give a
solid contact

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2.5.How to choose your port?
1)Get into “Window Setting”, then search “Device Manager”.
2)Open “Device Manager”, and unfold Port (COM & LPT) to check the existing
port.

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3)Come with CH340 programming cable port is USB-SERIAL CH340 (COM?)
4)FTDI programming cable port is USB Serial Port (COM?)
3.BF-88A Manufacture Software Programming Process
1)Download and open the manufacture software. Click "Setting →
Communication Port" and then Confirm the port the same as the port viewed by
Device Manager, then click the ”OK” button.

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2) Click the "Read" button, then click "Start" and ready to read the data from
your radio.( Make sure the radio is turned on)
3) You will come to the parameter page and adjust the parameters. According
to the US FCC rule, FRS radio cannot modify the frequency and bandwide.

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Channel Information
The BF-88A radio has 16 channels, you can edit the channel number and channel information
according to your needs. The following is an introduction to each term.
Name
Meaning
Setting
Description
RX
CTC/DCS
Code
Receiving CTCSS/DCS
Refer to the DCS table and
CTCSS table in the manual.
Mutes the speaker of the
transceiver in the absence of a
specific low level digital signal. If
the station you are listening to
does not transmit this specific
signal,you will not hear anything.
TX
CTC/DCS
Code
Transmitting CTCSS/DCS
Refer to the DCS table and
CTCSS table in the manual.
Transmits a specific low-level
digital signal to unlock the squelch
of a distant receiver (usually a
repeater).
TX
POWER
Transmit power
HIGH/LOW
High power:2W
Low power:0.5W
Busy
Lockout
Busy Channel Lockout
OFF/ON
ON: If the channel is occupied,
when you press the [PTT] key on
this channel, the radio will make a
beep tone and will not transmit any
signal.
OFF: No matter if the channel is
occupied, the radio will transmit
the signal when you press the [PTT]
key.
Scan add
OFF/ON
In the scan mode, whether add the
channel to the scan list.
ON: the channel is added to scan
list;
OFF: the channel cannot be
scanned.

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4) You can adjust the parameters (VOX Function, Squelch, Side Key, Voice
Prompt, Scan, etc.)
Basic Setting
Name
Meaning
Settings
Description
TOT[s]
Transmission
time-out timer
Off/30-300s
This feature provides a limits transmission
time to a programmed value. This will
promote battery conservation by not
allowing you to make excessively long-time
transmissions and in the event of a stuck
PTT switch, it can prevent interference to
other users as well as battery depletion.
SQL
Squelch Level
0-9
Mutes the speaker of the transceiver in the
absence of a strong signal. Squelch is either 0
or 1-9 levels. The higher level, the stronger
the signal must be to in-mute the speaker.
VOX
Voice operated
TX
1-5
When enabled it is not necessary to push the
[PTT] button on the transceiver. Adjust the
gain level to an appropriate sensitivity to allow
smooth transmission.
Voice SW
OFF\ON
Switch voice prompts
Side Key
Off/Mon/Alarm/
Power
You can customize the function of the Side
Key
Scan
OFF/ON
In the scan mode, whether add the channel to
the scan list.
ON: the channel is added to scan list;
OFF: the channel cannot be scanned

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5) Finally, all the modification will be saved by clicking the "Write" button, then clicking the
"Start" button on the popup. And you can check the setting you modified after reboot the
radio.
4.BF-88A Chirp Software Programming Process
1) Open the CHIRP software (Latest Version), click "Download From Radio"
under "Radio"

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2) Select the corresponding cable driver port, and select Model "BF-888" under
Vendor "Baofeng", then click "OK" to read the radio
3) And you will come to the page of Memories, in which you can adjust the
limited parameters
4)Then if you switch to the page of Settings, you can adjust the limited
parameters(For the explanation of VOX Function, Squelch, Voice Prompt,
Scan.Please refer to introduction above)

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5) All the modification will be saved by clicking "Upload To Radio" under "Radio".
Then you can check the settings you modified after reboot the radio.
*If you have any problem with the BaoFeng BF-88A radio using or programming, please don’t
hesitate to contact us via support: walkietalkiesoftware.com. Also visit our Facebook pages
(TIDRADIO) for more help. It’s always our honor to help.