This article covers how to modify a Baofeng 888s radio for Allstar node. This particular radio is commonly used in Allstar nodes. The hardware and software of Allstar Nodes can have different configurations. But how to modify the radio remains much the same in each case

How to modify a Baofeng 888s for Allstar. When you first acquire a Baofeng 888s it’s sixteen channels will already be preset to a selection of channels none of which will be suitable for amateur use. Your first task is to enter the frequencies and CTCSS tones you will want to operate with on your Allstar node, you also need to edit the basic settings section. You can do this using a program called Chirp which you can freely download on the internet. { See the two images above }

Mac OSX and Linux users are recommended to use a Virtual Machine to run the VIP Windows programming software. For easier initial frequency programming, copy and paste, and importing frequency files from previous radios – you may want to consider using the CHIRP Programming Software found above. This page contains resources for troubleshooting and resolving known and unknown issues with the Baofeng UV-5R and other Baofeng series radios. How to fix a Baofeng UV-5R that stops receiving after CHIRP file is uploaded – Resolving an issue that occurs after loading a CHIRP.img file into a new Baofeng radio.

You will need a special programming cable to connect your 888s to your PC, these are available on Amazon, eBay and elsewhere. You are best to get one with an FTDI chip in it, they are a little more expensive but they will save you a lot of grief with Windows drivers.

A. On Chirp set the TX power to low. { We will tackle low power hardware mods later on }

B. Turn off the radio’s voice announcements. If you cannot do this with the Chirp software then you can do this by setting the radio to channel 10 and then turning it off and then turning it on again while holding down both the transmit and the upper red side button at the same time.

This is a vital step as you do not want your node transmitting these announcements all over the Allstar network once you get connected. So do not go any further until you are sure this is done.

C. For more information on programming the 888s visit www.miklor.com for concise and detailed information including the programming cable and cable drivers and much more.

D.Be sure to set up your radio properly as regards operating frequency and CTCSS tones and removing the voice prompts before moving on to the next section and physically modifying it in any way as it may not be possible to do so once you start hardware modifications.

Important Please read. If you are having difficulties programming your radio with Chirp, then please check out this blog post. I am having problems with the latest versions of the 888s as at October 2019, but there is a solution:LINK

Then gently prise of the two knobs with a flat blade screwdriver. This will expose three brass rings, gently unscrew them again using a small flat blade screwdriver.

Then gently pull the heat sink forward to expose the circuit board on the other side. If you detach the speaker wires in the process then this is not a problem, they are coming off anyway.

Then using a desolder pump desolder the two points marked in blue, { But see below first } these both have uprights and these need to be freed before you can detach the board. Finally, remove all the retaining screws visible on the board. You should now be able to gently lift the board free of the metal heat sink so you can see the underside. { But read step 6 first }

This is convenient as it only leaves you one point to desolder to free the board from the metal heatsink.

Baofeng Bf 888s Programming Software Mac Os

I always use white wire, it is good practice to colour code the wires in some way for this sort of project, it makes things easier later on.

To attach the COS wire, cut it to a suitable length of thin wire, strip a small amount of the insulation from the end to expose the bare wire, apply flux and tin it really well. Then apply flux to the IC leg in question, if you have a steady hand just hold the wire in place, if not then temporarily fix it in some way and then apply around two seconds of heat from your soldering iron to attach the wire to the leg of the IC.

This fixation can be fragile though so glue the wire in place with some superglue on the other side of the board, the white dot where the microphone was is a good place.

Important: This is the time to carry out the low power modification if you want a ” hot spot ” type node. Check this link for details: LINK

Baofeng Bf 888s Programming Software Mac Download

All that remains for you to do now is to reassemble the radio, put all the screws back in and solder up any points { Or point } which you previously desoldered, and the unit is now ready to be inserted into whatever type of node you are building.

The example wiring shown above is for connection to a modified CM108 sound fob, you can see the connection points for the white, black, red and yellow wires from the fob itself. The green wire is a ground wire.

Baofeng Bf 888s Programming Software Mac Free

Provides This Complementary Information

The exceptionally economical Chinese market miracle of the Baofeng BF-888 is a great bargain for 2 meters, but with the following modification puts this HT into the unbelievable category of a three band HT needing only proper resonant antenna consideration to accommodate this broad band modification.

If you have a Baofeng BF-888 use Chirp radio programing software to load the associated Baofeng BF-888 Modification file to the Baofeng BF-888. Once the below file is uploaded you can change the frequencies on the Baofeng BF-888 to the frequencies what you want. It only takes the VHF on the first 8 channels and UHF on the last 8 But I have channel 16 set up to be a scan mode

Load it to the radio first, this will open the chipset in the radio and let you reprogram with the frequencies you want. Just remember, channel 1-8 will work VHF only and 7-15 will work UHF and it makes channel 16 become a scan (so when on channel 16 it will scan all the channels )

Baofeng BF-888 Modification File Download has to be open with chirp radio software

Will provide further updates for other modification to the Baofeng as soon as the current order arrives for modifications. VE1KLR

FYI: My e-mail is dragon6535@yahoo.com

Baofeng Bf 888s Programming Software Mac

You can contact me more directly by linking to my Facebook account.