great

The unit I purchased was a very good quality radio. I did NOT use the programing cable. I went ahead and programed the channels by hand. It was easy enough. There are many sites that can show you step by step how. Be very careful of the channels you use as they may require a license. Also be aware of the differences between narrow and wide frequencies. I was unable at first to communicate between my FRS headset and the radio as I was on wide band. Once set to narrow it worked very well. I have easily talked over 2 miles in a normal suburban environment. I gave the ease of use a 4 star only because it was not ready to talk on FRS channels right from the box. I would recommend this radio.

Box was a little dinged up, content inside was pristine and as advertised, shipping arrived prior to indicated time.

I"ve bought a total of 4 of these BF-F8HP's now (not all for me) and I will probably be buying more as gifts to family and friends. I just started getting into listening to HAM frequencies and learning basic/intermediate terms and functionalities, so I'm not an expert by any means, this review is for newbies/beginners. This is what I've picked up so far, it can be used as a regular walkie talkie using the MURS, FRS, and/or GMRS frequencies (make sure to research first in order to use legally, a license is needed for some of the FRS/GMRS frequencies and a limited power use), HAM radio frequencies used with repeaters that can cover long distances (license is needed for transmitting but you can listen to all the repeaters around you), police scanner (non-trucked systems, would need a digital trunked scanner for those specific cities), NOAA emergency weather, regular FM radio, and probably many others that I haven't learned yet.The user manual doesn't provide good instructions, especially when saving frequencies into the memory (I've had to learn the manual process because I don't have a computer that supports the programs, but it's also nice to learn this in case I need to input frequencies on the fly), but there are many youtube videos out there that walk you through it easy enough. The other websites that are very helpful for finding your State/County/City radio frequency information and HAM repeater info are radioreference.com & repeaterbook.com. I've already learned so much from this little radio and the research I've done to where I'm thinking to maybe studying to get my amateur radio license (HAM license) eventually so that I can start talking over the repeaters and see what range and clarity I can get, not to mention these things are perfect for SHTF scenarios!

Overall I have been incredibly satisfied with the product. I had some issues with the shipping through Amazon, but after I reached out to the merchant they straightened out the issue and I had it shortly thereafter. Very helpful merchant and superb product!

Everything needed to begin using your radio comes in the box, i would only suggest buying a better antenna.

I am happy with the little radio; for the price, it can do everything I needed for learning HAM. So far so good... I wish it is water resistant/proof so that can be used in bad weather.

Such a nice little HT. I like it, easily comparable to my Kenwood, Yeasu and others I've owned before. And it's a bargain.

I like it has fm radio and light on it . It looks easier To turn on radio and light then what I’ve seen on videos of earlier models and I didn’t have to switch it from a foreign language To English before use and it came with a user manual in English helped .

What I like about these radios is that you get a lot of bang for the buck! But be aware in order to transmit on the radios you MUST have an FCC license as a ham radio operator. Oh yeah, people will say they "just want to listen" or they want it for weather reports, yada, yada, yada, or the FCC don't care, or they won't come after me - oh yest they will. Just a warning! I wish Amazon was more explicit in their statements that to use you must be licensed.Rich