Baofeng Bf 888s Programming Software Mac

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Baofeng Pofung BF888S BF-888S BF888 BF-888 Software. There are two known models of the BF-888S. Running the Version 1.05 software above, the Older version is capable of being set to either the. Hello everybody my name is George and welcome to my YouTube! In this video I will show you how to program the Baofeng BF-888s two way radios. DOWNLOAD LINK:h.

I recently purchased some radios to use at the local community theatre. Sincewe’re a small, non-profit organization, we don’t have a lot of spare money lyingaround. The radios I previously purchase from Best Buy were terrible. The endof transmission beep was much louder than the transmission itself. So, I set outto see what how much the radios my work used cost as they’re vastly superior. Igot four Baofeng BF-888S for less than the two barely usable Cobras.

There is a drawback with the Baofeng BF-888S (Amazon Affiliate Link): They aren’t legal to use out ofthe box. They need a bit of programming. Fortunately, this is easier than it seems.

Baofeng Bf 888s Programming Software Mac Download

While I’ll include some instruction from a Gentoo standpoint, there is nothingparticular to the OS when it comes to actually programming the radios.

You’ll need a cable. I got the BTECH PC03 FTDI USB programming cable (Amazon Affiliate Link).

Once you have the items, you’ll need to make sure that you have a couple driversenabled in your kernel.

The configuration keywords are CONFIG_USB_SERIAL andCONFIG_USB_SERIAL_FTDI_SIO. After recompiling and install the kernel, reboot.

With the programming cable plugged into your computer, you should seesomething similar to the following:

You’ll need to add your user(s) to the appropriate group. As shown above onGentoo this is uucp.

Once, that’s done, installCHIRP.We’ll probably need to add a keyword unmask for the live ebuild.

Then, fire it up with chirpw.

Connect the radio to the programming cable, turn on the radio, and download theradio config (Radio > Download from radio). With my radios, the stockconfiguration look like so:

CHIRP includes some configurations, like “US FRS and GMRS Channels” found underFile > Open stock configs. You can copy and paste each of those entries intothe tab related to the BaoFeng.

One thing to note, is that the configuration offered by CHIRP is slightlyincorrect. According to the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (47 CFR §95.563 - FRS channels), all ofthose channels should have a mode of NFM for the narrow FM. So, be sure tochange the mode once you’ve copied it over. Additionally, all of the channels inthe 462 MHz range are permitted to transmit at2W, but we don’t have that kindof granularity with the BaoFeng BF-888S radios. We only have a choice of eitherlow or high power. Obviously, I’ve gone with low power since the radio isallegedly capable of transmitting at up to 5W.

I’ve elected to use all of the channels in the 462 MHz portion. I’ve leftlocation 16 unassigned to use as a scanning channel. However, this only workedon one of my radios. The others just produce an annoying, constant tone.

So, you should have something that looks like so:

Finally, upload the settings to the radio (Radio > Upload To Radio), andunplug it from the computer. Your radio is now mostly legal to use anywhere inthe US. (Its detachable antenna keeps it from being 100% legal without a license.)

I haven’t yet used these at the theatre I volunteer at, but we do use these sameradios at work. They have fantastic range and excellent clarity. I expectsimilar results in much smaller facility.

Here are the image/CSV produced by CHIRP:

Bug #4249

Baofeng 888S - 'Radio refused to enter programming mode' for every radio in my latest batch

Status:ClosedStart date:11/21/2016
Priority:NormalDue date:
Assignee:-% Done:

0%

Category:-
Target version:-
Chirp Version:dailyPlatform:All
Model affected:Baofeng BF-888S

Description

This is my third batch of 888S models. I set the first two batches to 'Low' power mode with few problems. In this month's batch, I get 'Radio refused to enter programming mode'.

1. What is the behavior you are seeing?
'Radio refused to enter programming mode'

2. What is the behavior you were expecting?
Radio settings to be available, as they were on my last two batches from this year.

3. Can you reproduce the problem all the time?
Yes. I can consistently read/write data from the April batch, but not from the Nov batch. I can do this consistantly, by switching from one radio to another, over and over.

4. What are the steps required to reproduce the problem?
- Plug the radio in.
- Select Radio->'Download from Radio.'

5. Is this specific to a certain radio model (driver) or something that you can reproduce with another radio?
I only have 888S models.

2016-11-21 23.13.29.jpg(1.8 MB)

h777.py(18.2 kB)

debug.log(62.6 kB)

Software

h777.py - no pause between 'x02' and 'PROGRAM' (17.9 kB)

debug.log(60.4 kB)

bf888s prolific retevis cable.mon - Prolific Cable with CHIRP - crashes (562 Bytes)

bf888s prolific retevis cable_VT68.mon - Prolific Cable with VT68 (Baofeng software) - works fine (25.4 kB)

bf888s CH35 cable_CHIRP.mon - CH340 cable with CHIRP - works fine (20.9 kB)

bf888s CH35 cable_VT68.mon - CH340 cable with VT68 - works fine (10.4 kB)

Related issues

History

Updated by Kieran Wover 4 years ago

I have just had the same problem with 4 new BF-888s bought yesterday.
Chirp says Radio 'refused to enter programming mode'
Plug in an older BF-888s and it works fine so not a cable issue etc.
Had to use the Baofeng BF-480 programme which reads and writes to the radios OK.
I used the BF-480 software to read the config from a radio which was programmed correctly and then cloned this to the 4 new radios.

I am just a novice but if anyone needs any more info on these newer BF-888s then I will do my best to help if it helps to fix the problem.

Updated by Jim Unroeover 4 years ago

  • Fileh777.py added
  • Status changed from New to Feedback
  • Platform changed from MacOS to All

Try the attached file with File > Load Module (you'll need Help > Enable Developer Functions checked).

Report back the results of your test.

Jim KC9HI

Updated by Mark Schwarzover 4 years ago

  • Filedebug.log added

Thanks for the quick reply!

I've done the following:
1. Downloaded the most recent daily build (11/23).
2. Loaded the module.
3. Tried four download commands: (1), (2) with the new 888 radio on. Download (3) was with the older 888 radio off. All of these gave the same response. Download (4) was with the old 888 turned on. It downloaded fine.

Log and config files are attached.

I'm a competent Python dev, so I'm also OK debugging a bit, here. If you'll tell me what to try and look for, I'm glad to dig a bit.

Updated by Jim Unroeover 4 years ago

  • Fileh777.py added

Looking at the log, it seems to me that the radio is ignoring CHIRP's request to initiate cloning. The question is why?

Supposedly both the old and new radios work with the factory software for the BF-480. So I installed the BF-480 software and captured a download from my BF-888S to it. The only thing I can see that is possibly different in how the CHIRP driver behaves and the factory software behaves is that CHIRP has a short pause between the 'x02' and 'PROGRAM' that is sent to the radio to initiate the cloning process.

I have attached a test driver that sends the 8 bytes without a pause. Bluestacks 1 free download for windows 7. Give it a try and report back.

Jim

Updated by Gerhard Potgieterover 4 years ago

I am getting the exact same issue with recently purchased BF-888s radios. Works fine with the official software on windows, but no go on Mac with latest chirp daily from 23/11/2016. I have tried the attached module but still nothing.


[2016-12-05 08:28:32,494] chirp.directory - INFO: driver re-registration enabled
[2016-12-05 08:28:32,499] chirp.directory - WARNING: Replacing existing driver id `Baofeng_BF-888'
[2016-12-05 08:28:32,499] chirp.directory - INFO: Registered Baofeng_BF-888 = H777Radio
[2016-12-05 08:28:35,436] chirp.ui.mainapp - DEBUG: User selected Baofeng BF-888 on port /dev/cu.usbserial
[2016-12-05 08:28:35,445] chirp.ui.clone - DEBUG: Clone thread started
[2016-12-05 08:28:35,445] chirp.ui.mainapp - DEBUG: download
[2016-12-05 08:28:35,446] chirp.ui.reporting - DEBUG: Reporting exception
[2016-12-05 08:28:35,446] chirp.ui.common - ERROR: -- Exception: --
[2016-12-05 08:28:35,446] chirp.ui.common - ERROR: Traceback (most recent call last):
File '/Applications/chirp.app/Contents/Resources/chirp/chirp/ui/clone.py', line 249, in run
self.__radio.sync_in()
File '/Users/gerhard/Downloads/h777.py', line 288, in sync_in
self._mmap = do_download(self)
File '/Users/gerhard/Downloads/h777.py', line 187, in do_download
_h777_enter_programming_mode(radio)
File '/Users/gerhard/Downloads/h777.py', line 111, in _h777_enter_programming_mode
raise errors.RadioError('Radio refused to enter programming mode')
RadioError: Radio refused to enter programming mode

Updated by Mark Schwarzover 4 years ago

  • Filedebug.log added

I tried again, using an older working one followed by a newer one that doesn't work. It doesn't seem like the timing change helped. What else can I check?

Updated by Mark Schwarzover 4 years ago

I'm glad to donate a radio if that might help, too, Jim. PM me if you're interested.

Updated by Jim Unroeover 4 years ago

Mark,
I sent you an email.
Jim

Updated by Jim Unroeover 4 years ago

Today I received a BF-888S that is supposed to have this issue from Mark. So the first thing I did after getting home from work was to get it out of the package and try it. Unfortunately I can't get it to fail.

I've tried the following programming cables:
Prolific (genuine chip)
Prolific (counterfeit chip)
FTDI

I've tried the following operating systems:
Windows 7 64-bit
Linux Mint 17.3
Windows 10 64-bit (virtual machine)

CHIRP reads the BF-888S the first time and every time with all OS and programming cable combinations.

Unless someone can supply a serial port capture of a failed download, which will provide detail that that the debug log doesn't, I'm not sure what else can be done.

Jim

Baofeng Bf 888s Programming Software Mac

Updated by Robert Cersovskyover 4 years ago

I have a Retevis labeled cable where it does not work. Seems to be genuine Prolific. I changed to a CH340 caple and now it works fine. If you could tell me how I do the serial port capture, I will provide it..
Windows 10 64bit as well as OSX latest - same behavior

Updated by Robert Cersovskyover 4 years ago

  • Filebf888s prolific retevis cable.mon added
  • Filebf888s prolific retevis cable_VT68.mon added
  • Filebf888s CH35 cable_CHIRP.mon added
  • Filebf888s CH35 cable_VT68.mon added

OK got it. Here it is..

this ends in radio refusing.

now comes one fun fact: during trying to get serialmon to work, I had to start it with admin rights. then I startet chirp also with admin rights. THis one time I could read the radio. But I could not repeat that . dont know wtf..

Updated by Jim Unroeover 4 years ago

OK. I think I have replicated the problem. It has to do with an incompatible device driver.

When you have a programming cable with a counterfeit Prolific PL-2303 chip (nearly all programming cables that report they are a Prolific chip to the OS are counterfeit. Especially the Baofeng branded one and and I would expect the Retevis branded one as well.), Windows and Mac users must not use the Prolific written drivers that have been available since about 2008. At around this time is when they became intentionally designed to be incompatible with counterfeit in hopes to curb the use of these chips. The Windows device driver installation used to fail with an error code 10 when a counterfeit chip was detected. Recently (within the last year of so) the driver was updated to complete the install but to still not operate properly with a counterfeit chip.

Apparently the older BF-888s radios were tolerant to whatever the device driver does to be incompatible with the counterfeit chip. Apparently the newer BF-888s radios are no longer tolerant (the same as nearly every other radio has always been).

What Windows users must do is download, install and select the older Prolific v3.2.0.0 driver for Vista, 7, 8 and 10 (v2.0.2.1 for XP) that was available before the drivers were change to not cooperate with counterfeit Prolific chips. The v3.2.0.0 driver is the one I use in Windows 7 64-bit computer that I use for CHIRP development and my Windows 10 virtual machine (and why both Mark's new BF-888s radio and my older radio work fine).

Mac OS X users prior to El Capitan have to install one of the generic drivers linked to on the MacOS_Tips page. For El Capitan and later, I have heard of successful results from those purchasing a 3rd party driver from Repleo for €7.90 (approximately $8.23).

Baofeng Bf 888s Programming Software Mac

Linux users don't have to worry about it because their drivers for the PL-2303 chip. Apowersoft screen recorder pro 2019. That is why both radios downloaded fine on my Linux Mint 17.3 computer.

An alternative to messing with drivers is to switch to a programming cable with a chip from a different manufacturer. That is why the cable with the CH-35 chip read the new radios fine. The FTDI chip is a popular alternative.

Jim KC9HI

Updated by Mark Schwarzover 4 years ago

Jim, that makes sense to me.

I've been using a Baofeng cable on the older 888-S. I bought it based on Amazon reviews that seemed encouraging, rather than by cross-checking with the cable guide page. That cable apparently doesn't work with the latest revision of the 888-S, as you worked out. I'll add an Amazon review to say the same.

I'll order a FTDI cable from Amazon at the point I need to program another batch of radios. Expect that to be many months from now.

Does it make any sense to link to a specific cable on Amazon from the CableGuide page? If that'd been there, I'd probably have clicked through to purchase from there, rather than checking for keywords in Amazon reviews.

Let's close this, based on your clear research. Thanks again, Jim.

Updated by Robert Cersovskyover 4 years ago

Jim, I need some time to verify this, as have the old PL-2303 v3.2.0.0 driver running on my office notebook (which I left in office for vacation) - but it makes sense what you say. Additionally I want to point out, that in Germany its quite hard to get a FTDI named cable. Most of the times the cables descriptions have no hint for the chipset whatsoever. So I came to the idea to select the cable for its plug shape. I bought both of the below. I Also ordered a 'genuine FTDI cable' from the US but this ships now since 4 weeks and I have no idea when it will arrive here.

The link below shows the look of the probably counterfeit Prolific cable
http://www.ebay.de/itm/like/261535252406?lpid=106&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

This one is the CH-35 cable (very cheap and ships within 1 day in germany)
http://www.ebay.de/itm/like/262384231533?lpid=106&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

hope that will help someone..

Updated by Brian Davidover 4 years ago

I ended up here after going through much of the same experience.

I have four new 888s devices, zero of which connect - all producing the 'Radio refused to enter programming mode' as described above.

I am using this cable (probably a knockoff) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CP0I474/

HOWEVER, that cable + CHIRP DOES readily program two UV-5R devices that I bought at the same time.

Additionally, the same cable does program the 888s devices with the OEM software on Miklor's page. Using the BF-888s software gives me the error some have experienced where it only programs the first half of the channels but it does communicate with the 888s - and using the ZT-V68 software all channels program properly - so it doesn't appear it's a limitation of the cable being able to communicate with the 888s.

I'm happy to run any diagnostics that might help but I mostly wanted to offer that I am experiencing the same issue - and it does not appear the cable prevents the devices from communicating (because it works fine with the alternate programs).

Baofeng Bf 888s Programming Software Mac

Updated by Ken Bellabout 4 years ago

<<< For El Capitan and later, I have heard of successful results from those purchasing a 3rd party driver from Repleo for €7.90 (approximately $8.23).>>>

Just spent the $8.23 to buy and install the driver on a Mac Book Pro with Sierra 10.12.4 Went through all of the tips on the Repleo page. Driver is loaded, new port appears in the drop-down.. all appears to be working very well, but still get the 'Radio Refused to Enter Program Mode' error.

Updated by Mike Montalvoabout 4 years ago

I just bought 6 BF-888S and have the same experience as Brian. Guess I should have checked about programming before I purchased them. I always assume Chrip works for everything lol. I downgraded my Prolific driver as per Jim to 3.2.0.0 and no change. Cable and driver work fine with UV-5R before and after downgrade. :(

Updated by Jim Unroeabout 4 years ago

Baofeng Bf 888s Programming Software Mac Version

One of these unprogramable radios was sent to me so I could have something to troubleshoot with. I couldn't make it not work. My guess is that your radios would work here as well.

I would look at the 2-pin connection. I have been working with someone else with another radio and they were unable to get it to program. He eventually discovered that the socket is not positioned in the radio properly allowing the pins to go in too deep. He said pulling the top of the plug out (I assume the small pin side) about 1/32' allows it to work 100%.

Have you tried the factory software?

Jim

Updated by Mark Schwarzabout 4 years ago

Jim,

I purchased the FTDI cable from the CableGuide page. It worked well! I confirmed my problem, which started this ticket, was a cable issue.

Updated by George Matthewsabout 4 years ago

Baofeng Bf 888s Programming Software Mac Free

I too had the issue with recently purchased Baofeng 888 radios. CHIRP worked with 55 but not the new 888.
After reading many posts I concluded that the converter must include a genuine FDTI chip.
Reluctant to purchase an expensive cable, I recalled that my Ardunio programming cable had a FDTI chip. I created an adaptor from the defective cable and that now works very well with both Baofeng 55 and 888.
This is a link to an article describing how to make an adaptor cable.

[[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pC-FwTcE87fitmRTje63M63VPYXi9CGn5jOClGmM5SY/edit?usp=sharing]]

Updated by Bernhard Hailerabout 1 year ago

  • Status changed from Feedback to Closed
  • Model affected changed from Baofeng 888S to Baofeng BF-888S

Solutions suggested.

Updated by Bernhard Hailer9 months ago

Baofeng Bf 888s Programming Software Mac Os

Please also refer to issue #7119.

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