Midland

The Midland BizTalk® Buy 6, get 2 Free offer is back for 2024! This offer runs from February 1 through April 30, 2024, so if you want to build your radio fleet faster with some FREE radios, this is the way to go. Start the year off with savings for your business radio comms and take advantage of this deal while you can!

Eligible models include the Midland BizTalk™ BR180, BR200, MB400 business radio and the BizTalk six pack radio and multicharger combos. This is an exciting offer for your business with real savings and value!

Here is a complete list of radios included in this offer.

This offer is fulfilled by the manufacturer, so the free radio(s) will be shipped when Midland receives and processes your online rebate submission form. Offer valid on up to 60 BR200, BR180 or MB400 radios per customer/company purchased from February 1, 2024 through April 30, 2024. Download the flyer for details. A minimum of 6 BR200 radios, BR180 radios or 6 MB400 radios must be purchased to qualify. Midland's rebate terms and conditions apply.

NOTE: Offer expires at midnight April 30, 2024. All claims must be entered by 11:59pm CST on Wednesday, May 31, 2024 to qualify. Redemption submissions received after that date will NOT be eligible regardless of purchase date. All transactions are subject to validation. Offer is good to U.S. residents only and is void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law..

On July 16, 2021, Midland requested that the FCC waive certain sections of its Part 95 rules to extend data privileges that are currently limited only to handheld GMRS devices to include mobile radios as well. On November 29, 2023 the FCC issued a public notice seeking public comment on the request within 30 days. What exactly is this all about?

In this extended video segment from episode 185 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast, Danny and Rick explain what is going on, the likelihood that the petition will be granted and what this potentially means for the future of the General Mobile Radio Service.

Listen to the full Two Way Radio Show podcast and Subscribe to the show!

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Most consumer grade FRS and GMRS radios sold in two packs, commonly referred to as "bubble pack" radios, do not include an option to allow the user to reset the radio if needed. However, the Midland GXT1000 apparently does have a reset feature, although it isn't in the manual.

In this episode of Radio 101, Tommy shows you how to reset the Midland GXT1000 and GXT1050 GMRS radios back to factory defaults.

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When we first announced the introduction of the Midland MXT400 in 2017, it was met with great excitement, and quickly became a top selling GMRS mobile radio at Buy Two Way Radios. Yet there were a few shortcomings, and many GMRS power users were quick to list them. Taking serious note of this, Midland worked to address them and the rumours swirled of an impending update. Now, the wait is over. The Midland MXT500 is here!

More Power
The MXT500 has many updates and improvements over its predecessor. For starters, it has more transmit power. The MXT400 was touted to max out at 40 watts, the MXT500 boasts up to 50 watts, the maximum for GMRS. This is a bit of a power boost that can make a difference when out in the woods or open range, providing a little more reach, and even more so when coupled with the right antenna. But that's just for starters.

Bandwidth Selectable
Where the MXT500 really makes a difference is in its new and improved features, and there are quite a few of them. Of course, it transmits on 15 GMRS channels and 8 repeater channels, but now it's with more flexibility. The MXT400 was limited to narrowband on these frequencies, which was a source of frustration among GMRS power users who needed to interoperate with other GMRS radios using wideband. Midland certainly listened and made note of this. The MXT500 makes this bandwidth selectable, so you can choose between narrowband and wideband operation as desired.

NOAA Weather Radio
Another quibble many GMRS users had with the MXT400 was the lack of a NOAA weather channels and alerts. Other models in the MXT Micromobile series such as the MXT105, MXT115 and MXT275 had this, so why not the one at the top of the line? It was a fair question, and one that Midland subsequently addressed. The MXT500 has a built-in NOAA weather radio, complete with a WX button on the front panel for full access to the weather band.

Split Tones and Codes
Yet another item of contention was the lack of flexibility with privacy codes. The MXT400 simply didn't have any. While not a cause for concern with anyone using the radio for general simplex operation, those needed to access GMRS repeaters found it difficult to do so if said repeater used different tones or codes to transmit and receive. This is not an issue with The MXT500. It features split tones, allowing you to set one CTCSS tone or DCS code for transmitting on a channel and a different tone or code to receive a signal. It may seem a minor upgrade to some, but an important one for power users nonetheless.

Other Features
Many of the other features inherent in the the MXT400 are also retained in the MXT500, including the adjustable squelch, voice compander, talk around, silent operation, monitor function, timeout timer and, obviously, channel scan. However, the MXT500 adds a little extra to the scan function called Scan Skip, which lets you omit or "opt out" of scanning specific channels when performing a scan.

7 Color Display
The enhancements and upgrades aren't limited to internal features. There are several aesthetic and physical changes that make the MXT500 an attractive update to the MXT Micromobile series. For instance, the display of the MXT400 had 6 brightness levels, but was limited to one static color, orange. The MXT500 keeps the adjustable levels and adds 7 color options, allowing you to customize the display color to your personal taste.

More and Better Connections
The front panel sports a few physical changes, the first to note being the most obvious. The channel selector knob is moved from the left side of the front panel to the right. Then comes the control panel. The MXT400 has three buttons, the MXT500 has five. The MXT400 speaker mic uses an RJ45 connector. The MXT500 uses an 8-pin DIN style connector. The MXT500 retains the SO-239 antenna connector and 3.5mm external speaker jack and adds a 5-pin intercom jack to connect a TA5 mini XLR intercom or headset.

One other physical attribute worth noting is the USB port. The MXT115 and MXT275 had one, but it was noticeably missing from The MXT400. The MXT500 has a USB-C port, which can be used for fast charging other devices, such as a tablet or smartphone. It can also be used to program the radio, which brings us to one of the most exciting features of this new mobile.

PC Programmable
Yes, the MXT500 is PC programmable, meaning you can customize its features and functions using a USB-C cable and programming software. The instructions and programming software are available under the downloads tab on the MXT500 product page at Buy Two Way Radios. You can also download the instructions here.

Dust and Water Proof
The final upgrade to note is improved ruggedness and durability. The MXT500 is rated IP66 dust and waterproof for added protection against the elements. If you're offroading or engaging in other extreme outdoor activities, this radio is made to mount in your jeep, ATV or UTV.

Easy to Use
As you've read here, the MXT500 is certainly a significant upgrade to the MXT400, with a lot of new and exciting features. But for all the improvements, one thing has not changed, and that is its ease of use. One of most appealing aspects of the MXT400 is its simplicity of operation. The MXT500 retains that, too. Of course, we always recommend that to get the most out of any radio, it's important to RTM (read the Manual) first. However, like all of the other Midland micromobiles, the MXT500 is extremely easy to set up and use, with or without the manual. And that makes the biggest difference of all.

The Midland MXT500 is now available to ship from our warehouse at Buy Two Way Radios.

Mobile GMRS radios have become increasingly popular during the last few years. The concept of a mobile or base station radio that operates on the GMRS and is fully compatible with a traditional handheld GMRS transceiver is of great interest to many licensed GMRS operators. Considering that the General Mobile Radio Service includes 22 standard simplex channels, it is naturally assumed that a GMRS mobile will transmit on them all, just like a portable handheld model. But that isn't the case. Why?

Our customers ask us why their mobile GMRS radio cannot access channels 8-14, or can only receive on them. For instance, the Wouxun KG-1000G can receive on those channels, but cannot transmit on them. In the case of Midland's MicroMobiles, channels 8-14 are missing entirely. It isn't just a FAQ from our customers. This is also an item of speculation on GMRS forums and in the comments section of many Youtube videos.

So, what gives? Why are these channels fully accessible on a portable handheld GMRS walkie talkie, but not available for transmit on Part 95 type accepted, FCC approved GMRS mobile or base station radios?

The popular answer provided in these venues commonly focuses on the wattage limitation imposed by the FCC on these channels. The typical line of reasoning is that these channels have a one half watt transmit limit, and high powered mobile radios simply can't reduce their power to such a low level, so therefore they can't transmit on those channels legally. While the wattage theory does make some sense, and the inability to go below one watt may indeed be the case with some mobile radios, this answer is not actually correct.

The real reason can be easily found within the FCC rules for GMRS. Specifically, the rule in Part 95, Subpart E which limits the frequencies commonly assigned to channels 8-14 to hand-held radios only. Here is the applicable section (from § 95.1763 GMRS channels):

(d) 467 MHz interstitial channels. Only hand-held portable units may transmit on these 7 channels. The channel center frequencies are: 467.5675, 467.5875, 467.6125, 467.6375, 467.6625, 467.6875, and 467.7125 MHz.

Those channel center frequencies are the seven frequencies assigned to GMRS channels 8-14.

In other words, only handheld GMRS radios can transmit on channels 8-14 because, well, you can only transmit on channels 8-14 with a handheld GMRS radio.

Yep, because the FCC said so. That's all it is. And there you go.

The Midland MXT115 is a GMRS micromobile two way radio that is also repeater capable. All you need to do is activate them. This is actually quite simple and can be done very quickly, once you know how to do it. how do you activate and configure them?

In this episode of Radio 101, Rick shows you how to easily setup the 8 GMRS repeater channels on the Midland MXT115. He also shows you how to configure a CTCSS tone or DCS code on a repeater channel.

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The Midland MXT400 is one of the few GMRS mobile radios that is also repeater capable. The question is, how do you activate and configure the repeater channels?

In this episode of Radio 101, Rick shows you how to quickly and easily activate the repeater channels on the MXT400 in a few simple steps. Plus, he shows you how to add CTCSS tones and DCS codes to a GMRS repeater channel.

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The Midland GXT1000 has a DUAL WATCH feature, which allows the operator to scan two channels for activity. The first channel will be the current channel setting and the second channel will be the selected channel on the MENU. But how do you set it up and use it?

In this episode of Radio 101, Rick from Buy Two Way Radios and The Two Way Radio Show Podcast shows you how to activate the Dual Channel Watch feature and how it works in normal operation. This procedure also works on the Midland GXT1050.

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Great news! The Midland BizTalk® Buy 6, get 2 Free offer is back for 2019, and it's even better than before! In the past, Midland offered this deal on the Midland BizTalk™ BR200 business two way radios. When they introduced the BR200 Two Way Radio Six Pack and Multi-Charger Combo, they expanded the offer to include this bundle. This time, Midland expanded this offer again, to include the new MB400 business radio and its MB400 MB400X6MC 6 pack radio and multicharger bundle as well. This is an exciting offer for your business with real savings and value!

Here's how it works. Buy 6 Midland BizTalk™ BR200 business two way radios radios or one BR200 Two Way Radio Six Pack and Multi-Charger Combo and you get TWO MORE BR200 radios FREE! MB400 business radios or one MB400 Six Pack and Multi-Charger Bundle from Buy Two Way Radios and you get TWO MORE MB400 radios FREE! The minimum purchase to qualify is either six single radios or one six radio combo package. The maximum purchase is 60 radios, for a potential maximum of 20 FREE additional radios! This is a truly amazing value add from Midland on their business radios and is available from November 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020.

As with the previous offers, this is a manufacturer sponsored promotion, so it's fulfilled by Midland directly. Midland will ship the free radios to you after they receive and acknowledge your online submission form. For details, qualifications and restrictions on this offer, Download the promotion flyer.

NOTE: All claims must be entered by 11:59pm CST on Friday, March 13, 2020 to qualify. Redemption submissions received after that date will NOT be eligible regardless of purchase date. All transactions are subject to validation. Offer is good to U.S. residents only and is void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.

When the FCC re-wrote the rules for Part 95 in 2017, there was some expectation that the market would become inundated with higher powered FRS radios aimed specifically at small, on-site business users as well as consumers. As expected, radio manufactures have indeed added more FRS radios to their product lines, and the license free Family Radio Service, now allowing more powerful radios, continues to be popular among business and personal users alike. Up until now, the GMRS has largely been ignored. That may be starting to change. With the introduction of the new T290 and T295, Midland seems to be shifting focus back to the GMRS.

The T290VP4 and T295VP4 are two new additions to the Midland X-Talker line. The family resemblance is quite apparent. In fact, they are reminiscent of several other radios in the T70 series, although not as contoured, as an LXT633. They have the same general features and operate on the same frequencies as their T70 cousins. The difference, then? it's all about power. The T71, T75 and T77VP5 are all FRS radios, operating at well below 2 watts. The T290 and T295 are GMRS models, capable of transmitting at nearly 3 watts.

T290VP4
The Midland T290 is most like the T77 in features and function. It has the 22 GMRS channels plus 14 extra channels pre-programmed with privacy codes, which at first glances seems somewhat gimmicky in terms of "more channels", but can actually be convenient for those who want to filter out unwanted chatter from others but don't want to take the time or effort to set manually a CTCSS or DCS code to a channel themselves. As for the choice of codes, the T290 has 121 available, which can be very helpful if you are in an area where the airwaves are clogged.

In addition to the GMRS channels, the T290 also has 10 NOAA weather channels with weather alert. It includes a weather scan feature to maximize its benefits as an emergency weather radio. It features 9 level e-Vox, silent operation, channel scan, and 5 call tones. It also has adjustable high, medium and low power settings.

The T290 is cosmetically pleasing, with an attractive black and silver two tone color scheme. It's fully compatible with other FRS/GMRS radios, but as a higher power radio, it does require a GMRS license to operate. The X-Talker T290VP4 Value Pack comes with two radios, a dual pocket desktop charger, AC adapter, two C-ring style earpieces with in-line PTT, two belt clips, and two 700mAh battery packs. Price- $89.99.

T295VP4
The Midland T295 is the same radio as the T290, with two important differences. The first one obviously cosmetic. It's camo, using the same Mossy Oak® camouflage design used by the T75VP3 known as Break-Up Country. If you're a fan of camo, this may be quite appealing. If not, stick with the T290.

The other difference with the T295 is audible. The T290 has 5 call tones. The T295 replaces those with 5 animal calls. These include Cougar, Duck, Crow, Wolf, and Turkey. Like the GXT1050, T65VP3 and T75, This is clearly a radio designed with hunting and other outdoor activities in mind.

As with the T290, the T295 requires a GMRS license to operate. The X-Talker T295VP4 Value Pack includes two radios, a dual pocket desktop charger, AC adapter, two C-ring style earpieces with in-line PTT, two belt clips, and two 700mAh battery packs. Price- $99.99.

While part of the X-Talker line, the T290 and T290 lack a couple of features that are standard with the other T-Series radios. Most notable is the USB port. Simply put, there isn't one. Most, if not all of the other models in the series allow drop-in and USB plug-in charging. The T290 and T295 allow plug-in charging, but through a dual purpose two-pin audio/charge port only. Also, Many other X-Talker radios provide for multiple power options for greater versatility, most notably the option to switch from rechargeable batteries to alkalines, and vice-versa. The T290 and T295 do not offer this option. They operate on NiMH rechargeable battery packs only. It's not necessarily a deal breaker, but something to consider when shopping around.

Some GMRS operators may note the lack of certain features expected of a dedicated GMRS radio. The first is a detachable antenna. It isn't an option with these radios. The second is a higher capacity lithium-ion battery, a preferred choice for some GMRS users who transmit on higher duty cycles. Also, these radios are not repeater capable.

General Mobile Radio Service operators who need a radio with a heavier duty cycle or repeater capability for use on the GMRS may want to opt for something like an MXT115, MXT275 or MXT400 MicroMobile radio. However, if you just need a consumer grade GMRS radio for recreational use or on the go, the T290 and T295 are pretty good buys that may fit the bill.