Wouxun KG-S88G GMRS Two Way Radio

I already have one of the KG-S88G radios and I just ordered the pink one for my wife. We use radios when one of us is out working on our property or if we need to take separate cars. We have used them when we go hiking with other people as well.

The radio is a solid piece of equipment with an IP67 rating which is a very good thing. We have no problems with our KG-S88G radios. As at least one other person has mentioned this radio has poorer transmit and receive capabilities than the KG-935G. I has tested them side by side reaching a repeater that is about 5 miles away in a mountain area. The S88G did not transmit or receive as well as the 935G. I knew that when I made this purchase. For our regular use it is great. The size and water/dust proofness and overall build quality make it a perfect radio for our needs. And, as someone else mentioned in their review, the announcing voices on the two radios are different. I usually have the voice prompt turned off anyway.

There are much cheaper radios out there that will do the same things but I have been impressed by the overall quality of the Wouxun radios I own/have owned. If I need another radio the KG-S88G will be at the top of the list.

Even my Boof-waannng has a radio. Only gripe.

I bought my S88G over a year ago. Since then, I also purchased a KG-UV9GX and a KG-Q10G. If you think the S88G has fallen by the wayside, definity not. The S88G transmits and receives (with a Nagoya antenna) as well as these two more expensive radios. Although it lacks many capabilities (no weather or tone scan for example), its simplicity is appreciated and will always have a place with me. Like David in a previous review, Randy Notarubicon was first to bring this radio to my attention.

Bought this radio for USB-C capability and waterproofing. It is very good at transmitting but at even 1/2mile very poor at receiving compared to the KG935G. (and that is with a base transmitting or another portable such as the KG 935G) I tried 3 different antennas, squelch set to 1 with no improvement. I would NOT get this radio again.

The size of this radio is perfect. The radio is small but the screen is not too small and the keys are still easy to use, given its small size. The radio appears to be well built and is rugged. Good audio. Overall, I can recommend this radio.

I already had another radio from Wouxun (the kg-905g) that worked great. This s88g one works just as well, but in a much smaller and more feather-weight package.

I bought one for the spousal support unit to keep her in the loop and get her comfortable on the radio. Simple, direct and easy to use. After programming it and trying it out I had to order one for myself. Big plus; water proof so great to take out with me kayak fishing and have quick comms to the house without risking a cell phone. A solid "buy" recommendation. I have other radios, but I think this one will be my favorite for outdoors activities.
P.S. Buy Two Way Radios is a great company to deal with. Fast shipping and very reliable. Defender out!

A lot to love about this radio, fit's great in my hand, really like being able to use the 18650 batteries, water and dust proof, but for a super heterodyne radio, disappointed in the receive capability. A local repeater I listen to daily doesn't make it into this radio with a readable signal, squelch set on 1. The KG-805 and my other HT's do fine. When going into the field I stretch the range and require a radio that is a good performer, other than that It's a great little radio.
Also just a suggestion when designing a water proof radio let's add Bluetooth for use with a wireless headset, most of us are hunting or in a noisy environment and Bluetooth has been around for a long time.
Mr. Kuch

These S88G are really solid and quality units. I bought an orange 1 a month or so back and it was on point for stock antenna and distance and quality of sound was on point.

Bought a 2nd radio (Grey) a week or so, the system voice on the radio is much different than my original S88G. The new radio almost sounds like the voice is from the 905g/935g radio software.

Anyone else here the difference on theirs? I like the orange voice radio way more!

The KG-S88G is an A1 top quality GMRS radio. Great size, highly programmable and customizable if you want to but but also ready to go and easy to use right out of the box.

While charging it with the cradle, the cradle light started to flash red/green indicating problem. The transformer was very hot. Used another transformer and did not get hot. I love the radio and its simplicity of both radio and manuel. Better than the Wouxun KG-916 though it is like it too.

It really is great, it has clear and simple instructions to master the functions. It is a very capable radio with neat capabilities! Waterproof and durable! It’s worth the money.

I,bought this gmrs radio after watching Randy on his video about this particular radio the wouxun KG-S88G,Im,now able to hit a repeater with it ,thanks to john in technical support he guided me through the process on different things about this radio, a special ,Thank You to ,JOHN &Tanner,which i talked to so he could connect me on the phone with ,John,. When i got done watchint the review from ,Randy it sold me on to buy the radio, Thanks to you as well Randy,.

USB-C port is recessed deep in the radio and not all USB-C cords will work. The USB port and remote mic port covers are solid one-piece and attached with screws but should be attached so they hinge, and you don't have to totally remove the covers.

Finally, Buy Two Way Radios needs to stock belt clips for this model. It is different than the other Wouxun belt clips.

They are a fantastic radio simple to use wish they would come out with a ham radio in the s series

Thanks so much

I've tested a lot of radios and this one is by far one of the best ones you can get for the money. Very easy to program an incredibly long battery life. I highly recommend it

Solid as rock both physically and performance wise. Feels great in the hand and the best receive quality of all of my GMRS radios by leaps and bounds. With the IP67 rating and the ability to charge with a usb-c cable if needed I don't think there is a better GMRS radio made for those who want to be prepared for the worst. Might be radios with more features, but all the features in the world are useless if the radio can't survive the unexpected - - I believe this one can

What a sweet little radio! Please make a 2/70cm version of it.

Yaesu and icom could learn a lot by looking at this radio. It’s got features the ham community has been asking for over and over. USB-C and the 18650 battery case options are so helpful. Thank you Wouxun and buy2wayradios!

love the size, love the quality, and love the quality of the reception - - in every way this little radio just rocks!!

I've had a bunch of Wouxon GMRS handheld radios but this one is my favorite. This radio has the best audio of all my radios and is pleasantly smaller than the rest. But nothing is perfect so here are my suggestions.
1. An adjustment for the display brightness and contrast.
2. A medium power level setting of 2 watts.
3. A user selectable scan resume of 1 to seconds.
4. Double the scan speed.
5. The Roger Beep sound should be the same one that the KG-UV9G uses, sounds way better.
6. Needs weather receive capability.

If you don't like needing a screwdriver to remove the two side covers, remove the stock screw from the USB-C charging port cover and replace it with the supplied thumb screw. After that, you can easily use the edge of a commonly available P-38 military can opener to remove the screws when needed. Use Google to find where to purchase the P-38 can opener. The P-38 can easily be attached to your key ring. And finally, if they make a MURS version of this radio I'll be the first one in line to buy one.

This is a great little radio for GMRS. I got it because I wanted a GMRS only radio and this little guy performs. With the addition of a Nagoya 771G I'm hitting a reapeter 30 miles away with great audio feedback from other station's and the receive is great. The IP67 rating is great aswell no need to worry about it during some rain.

The radio is easy to program from the keypad and easy to learn. Great radio for GMRS.

This unit has very good battery life went over two days just on recieve mode.Also very rugged, and audio quality is good for a waterproof radio. Instructions are straight forward and understandable.

The performance and usability of the radio itself is excellent. However access to the speaker/microphone jack and USB jack requires a screwdriver, and the protective caps make no provision to retain the small screws leading to a sure loss in the field. The speaker/microphone jack itself is recessed further into the radio that others such as the KG-905/935 eliminating a range of right angle Kenwood compatible plug speaker/microphones from being used. Mics with heavier strain reliefs won't mate. Of the three I have tested, my Kenwood KMC-45D won't mate, the Wouxun 006 mates at an angle but works out with use, and only my Wouxun 002 actually fits properly. The radio only supports 6 character names preventing the storing of GMRS callsigns for repeaters. The KG-905 may be a better choice if you want to use external mic jack accessories and more useable channel labels.

These radios have an exceptional range. The quality of transmission and audible signal makes them ideal for many field and construction applications. They are significantly improved over previous generations. Additionally they are very well built with harsher field use in mind. I totally recommend them.

I carry it with me every day.

I ordered this radio because I love the Wouxun quality and price. The size is great I can fit in a Dickies phone case I purchased for work. I was excited to receive it so quickly too!

Ordered 2 of the Orange KG-S88G radios 05/31/22…received them on 07/10/22. One of the radios was defective and had to be returned. Waiting for replacement, so can’t really give better than a 3 until I receive the replacement so I can test them. I don’t have any other GMRS radios and don’t know anyone who owns one. I will try to update my review shen I receive the replacement radio.

This little radio is awesome. I decided that I wanted a step up on my HT and something that does GMRS well. (Not a HAM, so no need/desire for listening to other frequencies). Let me say first that this little sucker feels solid and seems sturdy despite its diminutive size.

I haven’t used it on simplex, but can hit my local repeater from 15 miles (partially obstructed LOS) no problem. The sound quality is excellent and as mentioned in previous reviews, the rubber ducky antenna that it comes with performs as well as the aftermarket Nagoya that I bought with it.

My main selling points on this radio were the superheterodyne receiver and the USB-C charging. My only gripe (and it’s a small one) is that I have to remove a screw that covers the charging port for USB-C. Luckily, a thumbscrew is included that can be used to make removing the cover easier, but it make sense for durability and weatherproofing that it was made this way.

At any rate, love, love, love this radio and if you want a good, solid ht that should serve you for a long time, this is it!!!

The KG-S88G is my third Wouxun GMRS handheld radio. I also own the KG-905G and the KG-935G. I have purchased the 805G & 905G for for both of my daughter's families. Where I live we have increasingly frequent power outages that have in the past affected cell phone coverage. During those times we have used the GMRS radios to stay in contact.

I have had the S88G for a little over a week now and have tested it on simplex with a son-in-law who lives 3.7 miles away at an elevation 700 feet lower than me and with a ridge between us that obscures line of sight by 80 feet. Communication on high power was clear and quiet just as with both of my other Wouxan GMRS radios. I tested it on a repeater 70 miles away on the other side of a valley that is direct LOS and it opens the repeater with no problem. There is a little static on receive from that distance but is clear and easily to understand.

The three main points that went into my decision to purchase this radio (besides being a radio nerd) was:
#1 - the smaller size which is perfect for carrying in a small pocket in a pack I always have in the vehicle with me. #2 - it is rated IP67 which is great as I am normally either in a very dusty area or in a kayak. #3 - the USB-C charging port on the radio. This makes carrying and using the radio very convenient as I can charge it any where there is a USB outlet. The S88G has a superheterodyne receiver which is a big selling point for a lot of people and I like that as well. Having said that, in side by side comparison with the 935G which has a direct conversion receiver there is little or no difference in use. The screen on the S88G is easy to read in direct sunlight. I tested the radio with aftermarket HT antennas and in a vehicle with a mag mount GMRS tuned antenna. The supplied antenna seems to work as well as the aftermarket antennas. The addition of the mag mount on the roof of the vehicle made a big difference on the road. Many fars were talked.

I have several Yaesu and Kenwood HT radios I use on the amateur bands (licensed on both services) and I consider the KG-S88G to be in the same league, as are my other Wouxun radios.

The only con for me is the speaker volume is a little low, however, I have significant hearing loss and the radio is waterproof which can cause the volume to be a little lower. It is still plenty loud enough just something I noticed.

I expect to get a lot of use out of the KG-S88G because of the USB-C charging ability, especially when travelling. The build quality seems excellent and appears to be very rugged, of course time will tell. BuyTwoWayRadios is great to deal with. I feel like my money has been well spent with them in terms of radio quality and quality of service. I purchased and received this radio before that youtube hobo published his reveiw.

Sean

Great radio! I had an issue and John in customer service put me immediately on the path to resolution. Even with a just-released radio, he knew how to operate it and how to explain it to me clearly and simply. Once I understood the issue, I was off to the races! Did I say I really love the radio?