The Wouxun KG-S88G is a portable handheld GMRS radio designed for the those who need the most rugged and durable portable handheld possible with maximum functionality. Although significantly smaller and lighter than the Wouxun KG-935G, it is rated IP67 submersible, with a feature package far beyond the original KG-805G.
Although channels 8-14 are only authorized for very low output power, the S88G is configured to transmit on the 15 high powered GMRS simplex channels, as well as the 8 repeater channels, at up to 5 watts. This is about as far away as you can get from the maximum power output of the typical consumer grade, "bubble pack" GMRS walkie talkies.
KG-S88G Key Features
- 22 Simplex GMRS Channels
- 8 GMRS Repeater Channels
- 400-479.995 (70cm) MHz (Receive Only)
- Superheterodyne Receiver
- 5W Maximum Transmit Power
- IP67 Waterproof (Submersible)
- USB-C Charging Port
- High/Low Transmit Power Levels
- 400 Total Custom Memory Channels
- Backlit LCD Display
- Channel Name, Number or Frequency Display
- Standard and Non-Standard CTCSS/DCS
- Split CTCSS/DCS Tone Support
- Tune Specific Frequencies Directly (Frequency Mode)
- CTCSS/DCS Tone Scan
- Channel Scan
- Priority Channel Scanning
- Tone Save
- Favorite Channels
- Descrambler
- Full Backlit DTMF Keypad
- Incoming Caller ID Display
- Reverse Frequency
- DTMF Encoding and Decoding
- Group Calls, All Call and Selective Call
- Talk Around
- Monitor Function
- Wide/Narrow Bandwidth Selectable
- Busy Channel Lockout
- Timeout Timer
- Stopwatch Timer
- English Voice Prompts
- Roger Beep Enable/Disable
- Transmit Overtime Alarm
- Audible Button Beep
- Single Tone Pulse Frequency
- 2 Programmable Function Keys
- Programmable Top Key
- Keypad Hotkeys
- Channel Knob
- Volume Knob
- VOX
- Alarm
- SOS
- Keypad Lock
- Auto Lock
- Custom Power-On Message
- Built-in Flashlight
- Audio Accessory Connector
- PC Programmable
- Reset
Programming the KG-S88G
As with all the other Wouxun GMRS radios, the KG-S88G is fully programmable, either from a PC using the Wouxun KG-S88G programming software or directly from the keypad of the radio itself. In fact, customizing the S88G from the keypad is surprisingly simple and straightforward, even for the novice.
Direct from the radio
If you already know how to program frequencies into the Wouxun KG-935G or other Wouxun radio, programming the KG-S88G directly from the radio itself is pretty much standard procedure. The only real differences are the channels, frequencies and menu options themselves.
If you are new to Wouxun handheld radios or programming a two way radio in general, the KG-S88G owners manual will get you up to speed fast. Unlike many other import GMRS radios, this manual is carefully written in plain, simple English with clear instructions that are easy to understand, even when explaining some of the advanced features of the radio.
The KG-S88G menu consists of 54 items. Default settings are bold.
| Menu # | Menu Item | Description | Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | SQUELCH | Squelch settings | 1 to 9|5 |
| 02 | TX-POWER | Output power | HIGH (5W)|LOW (0.5W)|Varies |
| 03 | W/N | Wide/Narrow bandwidth settings | NARR (12.5k)|WIDE (25k)|Varies |
| 04* | REPEATER | Repeater | OFF|ON |
| 05 | WORKMODE | Work Mode settings | CH-NAME|CH-NUM|FREQ|CH-FREQ |
| 06 | BACK-LT | Backlight Timeout | OFF|1-30S|10S|ALWAYS |
| 07* | STEP | Step frequency settings | 2.5K to 100.0K|12.5K |
| 08 | BAT-SAVE | Battery Saver | ON|OFF |
| 09 | RX-CTCSS | Receive CTCSS Tone | OFF|1-50 |
| 10 | RX-DCS | Receive DCS Code | OFF|1-105 +/- |
| 11 | TX-CTCSS | Transmit CTCSS Tone | OFF|1-50 |
| 12 | TX-DCS | Transmit DCS Code | OFF|1-105 +/- |
| 13 | SCANMODE | Scan Mode | TO|CO|SE |
| 14 | SCAN-QT | Tone Scan Compatibility | ON|OFF |
| 15 | SCAN-ADD | Scan Add/Delete | ADD|DEL |
| 16 | PRI-SCAN | Priority Scan | ON|OFF |
| 17 | PRI-CH | Priority Channel | 256 Channels|CH:01 |
| 18 | TONESCAN | CTCSS/DCS Scanning | NONE|CTCSS|DCS |
| 19 | TONESAVE | CTCSS/DCS Tone Save Options | ALL|RX|TX |
| 20 | VOX | Voice Activated Transmit | OFF|1-9 (Level) |
| 21 | VOX-DLY | VOX Delay | OFF|1-5 (seconds) |
| 22 | TOT | Transmit Overtime Timer | 15-900 sec (15 second increments)|60 |
| 23 | TOA | Transmit Overtime Alarm | OFF|1-10 seconds|5 |
| 24 | ROGER | Roger Beep | OFF|BOT|EOT|BOTH |
| 25 | BEEP | Button Beeps | ON|OFF |
| 26 | VOICE | Voice Guide | OFF|ON |
| 27 | BUSYLOCK | Busy Channel Lockout | ON|OFF |
| 28 | DESCRAMB | Descrambler | OFF|SCRAM 1-8 |
| 29 | CALL-ID | Select Call ID | 1-20 Groups|1 |
| 30** | CH-NAME | Edit a channel name | Name*** |
| 31 | CH-FAV | Favorite Channel | YES|NO |
| 32 | CH-ADD | Add Memory Channel | 400 channels |
| 33 | DEL-CH | Deleting a channel | 400 channels |
| 34 | SP-MUTE | Speaker Mute | QT|QT+DT|QT*DT |
| 35 | SIDETONE | DTMF sidetone settings | OFF|DTMF|ANI|DTMF+ANI |
| 36 | ALERT | Tone Alert | 1750Hz|2100Hz|1000Hz|1450Hz |
| 37 | ANI-EDIT | Sets caller ID | 100-999999|101 |
| 38 | ID-DLY | ID Delay | 100~3000ms|1300ms |
| 39 | PTT-ID | Caller ID TX mode | OFF|BOT|EOT|BOTH |
| 40 | RING | Ring Time | OFF|1-10 seconds|5 |
| 41 | STARTUP | Power On Message | MESSAGE|VOLTAGE |
| 42 | ST-MSG | Custom Power On Message | 8 Characters |
| 43 | TIMER | Stopwatch Timer | ON|OFF |
| 44 | RPT-TONE | Squelch Tone | OFF|ON |
| 45 | AUTOLOCK | Keypad Auto Lock | OFF|10-60S |
| 46 | LOCKMODE | Lock Mode | KEY|KEY+PTT|KEY+ENC|ALL |
| 47 | PF1-SHRT | Side Key PF1 Short Press Assignment | OFF|SCAN|BACK-LT|VOX|TXPOWER|CALL|TALK-A|FLASHLT|MONITOR|REVERSE|WORKMODE|SOS|ALARM|FAVORITE |
| 48 | PF1-LONG | Side Key PF1 Long Press Assignment | OFF|SCAN|BACK-LT|VOX|TXPOWER|CALL|TALK-A|FLASHLT|MONITOR|REVERSE|WORKMODE|SOS|ALARM|FAVORITE |
| 49 | PF2-SHRT | Side Key PF2 Short Press Assignment | OFF|SCAN|BACK-LT|VOX|TXPOWER|CALL|TALK-A|FLASHLT|MONITOR|REVERSE|WORKMODE|SOS|ALARM|FAVORITE |
| 50 | PF2-LONG | Side Key PF2 Long Press Assignment | OFF|SCAN|BACK-LT|VOX|TXPOWER|CALL|TALK-A|FLASHLT|MONITOR|REVERSE|WORKMODE|SOS|ALARM|FAVORITE |
| 51 | TOP-SHRT | Side Key PF1 Short Press Assignment | OFF|SCAN|BACK-LT|VOX|TXPOWER|CALL|TALK-A|FLASHLT|MONITOR|REVERSE|WORKMODE|SOS|ALARM|FAVORITE |
| 52 | TOP-LONG | Side Key PF1 Long Press Assignment | OFF|SCAN|BACK-LT|VOX|TXPOWER|CALL|TALK-A|FLASHLT|MONITOR|REVERSE|WORKMODE|SOS|ALARM|FAVORITE |
| 53 | VOLTAGE | Displays Battery Voltage | None |
| 54 | RESET | Reset | VFO|ALL |
Note: *The menu items in yellow are available in Frequency mode only.
**The menu item in green is available in Channel mode only.
Programming with software
The KG-S88G uses the Wouxun PCO-001 USB programming cable that works with the KG-805G, KG-905G and KG-935G. Refer to the cable driver installation instructions for more information.
Of course, the Wouxun KG-S88G programming software is specific to this radio and is currently available for Windows PCs only. The programming software is located under the Downloads tab on the Wouxun KG-S88G product page at Buy Two Way Radios.
KG-S88G Operation
The KG-S88G is quite similar in function to most of the other Wouxun GMRS handheld radios with full keypads, displays and access to radio menus. If you already have a KG-935G or other Wouxun radio that is field configurable, working the S88G is essentially the same. Even if you are not familiar with the operation of a Wouxun radio, it's not difficult to master, once you know how to navigate the keypad.
The keys on the keypad and their primary functions are listed below:
| Button | Operation |
|---|---|
| MENU | Enter program menu|choose/set menu option |
| UP Key | Select previous channel/frequency|Select menu option |
| DOWN Key | Select next channel/frequency|Select menu option |
| EXIT | Exit menu/cancel |
| 1-SQL | Squelch menu hotkey |
| 2-PWR | Power menu hotkey |
| 3-W/N | Bandwidth menu hotkey |
| 4-RPT | Repeater menu hotkey |
| 5-MODE | Work Mode menu hotkey |
| 6-BKLT | Backlight menu hotkey |
| 7-STEP | Frequency Step menu hotkey |
| 8-SAVE | Battery Saver menu hotkey |
| 9-CTCSS | RX CTCSS menu hotkey |
| 0-(None) | No hotkey function |
| *-SCAN | Scan/Reverse Frequency key |
| #-LOCK | Keypad lock key |
The Wouxun KG-S88G is a compact, powerful and rugged GMRS radio that offers a lot of flexibility, programmability and ease of use at a reasonable price. In short, it's a surprisingly great value.
