📻 Amateur Radio Bands (70cm)
For licensed Amateur Radio (Ham) operators, the BaoFeng BF-888S and its clones are most commonly used in the 70cm band (420–450 MHz).
Common Frequencies
If you have your Technician license (or higher), you can legally program these frequencies into your radio.
| Frequency (MHz) | Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 446.000 | National Simplex Calling Frequency | Standard place to call for a contact. |
| 445.000 - 447.000 | Shared Simplex | General conversation between radios. |
Using Repeaters
One of the best features of a Ham license is the ability to use repeaters. Repeaters are high-power stations located on mountains or tall buildings that “repeat” your signal, allowing you to talk for dozens of miles.
- Offset: For the 70cm band, the standard offset is 5.000 MHz.
- Tones: Most repeaters require a CTCSS (PL) or DCS tone to open the squelch.
See our Repeater Guide for more details on how to set these up in CHIRP.
⚠️ Important Note
Even though the radio can technically tune to these frequencies, you MUST have a valid FCC license (or your country’s equivalent) to transmit here. Listening is always legal!