Review on BAOFENG BF-888S Two Way Radio 6pcs Pack - Customize Package for Seamless Communication by Joe Garczynski

I ordered these because I was fed up with the bullshit flooding the market when it comes to pre-programmed FRS/GMRS handhelds. As someone licensed on GMRS frequencies, I decided to test them on GMRS frequencies only. Each radio comes with 16 channels (selectable), small factory antenna, earpiece with built-in microphone, belt clip, wrist strap and battery. Firstly, DO NOT OPERATE THE RADIO UNTIL YOU HAVE PROGRAMMED IT! With pre-programmed frequencies you can interfere with local law enforcement or other prohibited frequencies! Yes, you need to find the GMRS frequencies. REMEMBER: These radios are set to transmit at 5 watts. If you don't have a GMRS license, buy the known brands as they are pre-programmed to the FRS frequencies and you can use them. The hardest part is finding radio programming software. I will not include here the link I obtained the download from, so as not to offend Revain or the site owner. However, it can be researched on the internet. You will need a programming cable so make sure you get one. When you have the frequencies you want, you can copy and paste them into the program. Save the file and upload it to the radio. I've done this a few times to make some adjustments to the radio settings and also load the frequencies I want. After completion I did some tests at home and the sound was crisp, clear and loud. I took them on a hike and my daughter used one and I used the other. It walked around a bit (within a mile of my location) and there were no disconnects, no glitches, no silent transmissions (other than user error). The battery life is amazing! We used them the whole time we were camping (2 full days) with the power on and even though the battery was almost dead we still used the full power without falling off! I will test them more extensively, like driving them long distances to see how far they can go in more urban environments. I'm sure they will have a more limited distance due to buildings and hills, but I'd still like to try. The only downside to the radios I received was that two of them came with power/volume controls known as "tight" to rotate, indicating a "bent" component . Otherwise they worked great. REMEMBER: You must purchase a GMRS license to use these radios AND you must program them prior to use to avoid interfering with local law enforcement! The GMRS license is easy to get. There are no exams/tests for the license, just a simple purchase. And the license is good for you and all your next of kin (spouse/child/parent).