Midland MTX400 GMRS 40 Watt Radio Part 2: The Many Features and Functions Of This Radio. 

Three years later, Installed the 40 watt in the house as a base and in our RTV as a mobile command unit in the woods. They work great but they still do not have an AC power cord for the base, Great communications on our farm and for wildlife habitat work. Looking at getting the new BULL antenna as the RTV one takes a beating through the woods,

Around 4 years ago I watched your videos about CB. Learned things from you. I had no clue how to go about it. Now I got a tower up. Mixed up 23 bags of concrete in a wheelbarrow for the foundation. Its solid and straight. Tower is here for good. It's become awesome. Now I'm back to learn about this radio. I got a base station on GMRS to. WRFU-179. Thanks man. Yeah I don't think I have a repeater in range. Hey I got a surecom SWR meter hooked to mine. My swr is 1.1 in that range.

also ctcss or dcs codes dont guarrantee at all your privacy against eavesdroppers. anyone with an carrier squelch radio can still hear you or your groups' transmission

I know nothing about gmrs radios. Except what I just learned here today watching your video eric. And I like what I see. A very interesting little radio.

As part of my prepping strategy, i feel having a radio in each car is a good extra step. Even a $35-40 radio will do, but i do like the idea of isolation of conversation groups with tones which would make this radio worth the extra money for those who need it. I'm getting into HAM radio as part of my prepping but a trusty old CB is just a damned good thing to have in any vehicle.

People ordering those Milkshakes without going to the yard.

Three observations- the T.O.T. is a time out timer. What it does is limit transmission time to the selected range. May stop a transmission in mid conversation. Bigger idea is if someone drops their mic or leaves something pressing the transmit button this prevents the radio from broadcasting on the channel un-necessarily/maybe blocking a repeater. Happened a lot where I once worked.People would sometimes (not intentionally) fall asleep on the mic during lunch break and block the channel until the timer activated. the 'comp' is most likely a speech compression feature to give stronger audio for soft voices and the tone squelch feature as indicated will block the user from receiving stations not using the correct tone. useful in cases where there are many users on a single channel and you wand to hear from only a select few. This applies to any of the g.m.r.s. radios equipped with these features and actually is commonly used on commercial business radios.

just got this radio and your video is the best on operation of it.

I have the same MTX-400 mounted in my UTV here in WNC. Love it!

I love the look and feel of this radio. Want one.

Having worked in commercial communications, the time out timer function (TOT) is very useful for the situation where someone lays something on the microphone PTT and does not realize their radio is transmitting and tying up a repeater. The compandor feature is supposed to reduce background noise when you transmit and seems to be a common feature especially with radios produced in China. It may be useful where you are outside on a windy day. The compandor may reduce the background wind noise or any other noise but I have never been in a situation yet to try that. In most cases it would not be needed. Regarding the mention of FRS channels: a few years ago the FCC introduced some new GMRS frequencies (462 MHz and 467 MHz) that this Midland unit can access as well as the formally used GMRS frequencies, all of these in the 462 MHz range. Everyone familiar with the various "walkie Talkie" units that were and are available knew that 1:The antennas on the units were fixed because that is the law regarding the 467 MHz frequencies that the units have, 2:The 467 MHz frequencies had a maximum output power of .5 Watts, and 3:The 462 MHz frequencies that these units also contain required the user to obtain a license from the FCC in order to transmit on them regardless of transmit power. (Note: the new 467 MHz frequencies this mobile can access are for repeater operation). Since most people probably never got the license when they were using the 462 MHz frequencies on these radios, when the FCC made their changes, they stated that all the frequencies on these portables, both 467 MHz and the original 462 MHz frequencies, would now be considered FRS provided that the output power of the 462 MHz frequencies was 2 Watts or less. It would be interesting to see what the output power is for the channels that have the fixed low power setting. As far as the CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) and the DCS (Digital Coded Squelch), these are just a means to keep your receiver quiet and only hear stations that transmit the right code you are using so that you don't have to hear everyone else that might be using the same channel. They are not privacy codes since everyone using regular squelch will hear your transmissions. CTCSS numbers are actually tone frequencies in Hertz and DCS are number designations for each code. I've always noticed that on very weak stations, ones that transmit a CTCSS tone will activate a receiver over ones that use the DCS codes.

Another great video. Thanks Eric!

Citizen band radio is always an interesting 🤔 subject and a very great 👍 form of backup/every day form of communication and as always a great 👍 video.

TOT - Time out timer, works great in mobile applications where a "stuck mic" could be an issue.

I believe the tones will prevent you from hearing others without the same tone. Those without a tone will still hear you even if you are generating a tone.

Time out timer ⏱ might also be for the repeaters. Most Ham repeaters have a 3 minute timer for transmit. Otherwise it will drop after the allotted time. It’s also helpful to not overheat the finals like you said. It’s really awesome that Midland sent you the radios. Wish they sent that package to me. Lucky 🍀. I’m looking forward to the mtx115 to the base test you may perform. Your terrain is different than mine but I also have hills to contend with. The XYL doesn’t seem to want to get her ticket. So I was considering getting three of these rigs. This one you have here and two of the mtx115’s. I know the Gmrs license cost was just reduced to $50 dollars. So that’s helpful. Yet to get your upgrade for Ham ticket cost is also $50 now. Was $15. There is a lot of comments from hams on that topic. But it’s not to bad. Anyway thank you for showing me the functions.

Midland now has the MXT500 50-watt rig with the NOAA weather frequencies and is a well-built radio. I recently got one and I'm quite impressed.

I set up one of these for someone that paid me to install it in a motorhome. The unit put out quite a, lot of power. It was almost 45 watts into a well tuned antenna. I did not measure the output at the antenna. I do not have a GMRS license so I could not engage in any on air radio tests. I just tested standing wave ratio and power out while the licensed operator was there. The radio was as different from a vintage 1980s Citizen's Band transceiver as much as a vintage 1980s television is different from a modern television.

I’ve listened to GMRS traffic on the Gatlinburg Tn repeater.

Great info. Seems like a cool radio. Just a helping hand, change the title of the video: The radio is the "MXT400." Peace.

Thanks for your great videos

the question is did you order a milkshake using the radio?

great review

Consider pairing the DBR1 programming cable along with the MXT-400 specific programming software. The combo really opens up the radio while preserving FCC part 95 requirements. Name of channels, Allows the use of the empty channels 8-14 for GMRS main channels. Many more features only accessible via software.

Great videos, I have a MXT400 in my truck I'm thinking of buying a second one as a base station. What would be the best power converter for that radio? I agree, I hope Midland comes out with a base station.

For clarification, the TS (PL or CTCSS tones) have been used for many years in different services. The DCS (Digitally Coded Squelch System) is newer. You can only use either the TS tones or the DCS tones on a given channel with the Midland radios. And, unfortunately, Midland did not design the radio to transmit one tone type and receive on another. In fact, if you select any of the tones, the radio will only TX and RX with the same tone. You can not even switch off the receive tone as it will match the TX tone. This is a serious downside for some GMRS repeaters that look to RX a particular tone and TX on a completely different one. Even worse, some RX the CTCSS tones and TX on a DCS, or vice versa. This apparently is done to make it more difficult for malicious people from figuring out how to access the repeater. If a given repeater uses different audio tone frequencies for TX and RX, or different types of tones, no current Midland radio can interoperate. They claim they are working on a fix, but those of us who have current Midland gear will likely not have a retro fix. Another repeater issue is that many GMRS repeaters use Wide BandWidth. The Midlands are all Narrow BandWidth. If you use a NBW radio through a WBW repeater, your audio will be weaker to the other person. I actually tried using the compander mode and they could copy better, but then their audio was distorted to me. Again, Midland may be working on a fix for future radios. If you don't use repeaters, and you mostly use simplex, especially with NBW radios, this should not be much of a problem except the NBW radios may have slightly less effective range. FRS is all NBW so this means better comms between GMRS and FRS. I noticed some comments recommending amateur radio and seem to disparage GMRS. While GMRS can sort of be hobby like, it is mostly for family communication. Only one person in a family needs to get the license which is $70 for 10 years with no test. All family members are covered under this license and it includes spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, step parents, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and, yes, even in-laws. This is totally different from ham radio where everyone would have to pass at least the basic Technician Class license in order to operate. There are some grandfathered businesses still licensed as "fixed" stations, but not common. While a business could use GMRS for business purposes, each person has to be licensed, if they are not part of the extended "family." But, the cool thing is that if the range was not too far, the unlicensed persons could use FRS radios since the two services can mostly intercommunicate. The mobile or base GMRS radios can not operate on the 467 MHz interstitial channels (8 - 14) which are located between the repeater inputs, but handie talkie form factor GMRS can. But only at the 500 milliwatt ERP level. The main 462 channels 15-22) allow up to 50 watts output for GMRS and the 462 interstitials (1 - 7) drops it to 5 watts ERP. FRS is 2 watts ERP on any 462 channel. I know this must seem confusing, but basically the manufacturers are following the FCC regs.

It's worth pointing out that Midland just bought Chinese UHF radios, and programmed them to only transmit on GMRS channels. You can find an identical radio, but with access to the full UHF spectrum, online for significantly less money than the midland version.

Have one. Love it.

I'm getting this radio soon

TOT (Time Out Timer) is used with repeaters, many repeaters are set up to cut you off after 3 min of speaking this is done so the repeater wont stayed keyed if there is interference, you have this option on your radio so it will cut you off after 3 min right before the repeater cuts you off because if the repeater does it, no one will hear you after the 3 min until you unkey and then key and talk again.

Hiey Eric you may want to pick the Wouxun KG-805G a Part 95 Hand held for GMRS. And you decide do a segment on the Multi Use Radio Service, you add the Wouxun KG-805M. 73 DE K3JCP (HA) / WQAI363 (ZA)

GMRS seems to be different in different parts of the country. Not that much going on here in Philly. There are a couple repeaters which are mostly unused. There was a big rule change in 2017 which,for instance, allows repeaters to be on tall towers 9no height restriction anymore), but hams hae a 40 year head start on good repeater sites.

great reviews and channel Thanks for all your time. can you tell me how to connect my Midland as a base station at my house to 110 volts, or have you made a video of that. if you did I can't seem to find it thanks again

I have heard that this unit was to possibly have the NOAA Weather Channel. However, since you didn't cover that in your video and the Specifications/Features manual did not mention it, I guess Midland decided to lock that feature out. Also, according to the manual (downloaded 11/4/23) it states that Data Port is not used on this radio... which lends to some other confusion of other talking about changing channels from Wideband, to Narrow. My unit is to arrive in the next few days, but wanted to chime in to see what your findings are on my comments, Thx

I read somewhere that Midland is coming out with a new mobile radio with split tones for tx/rx. A few GMRS repeaters in the NYC metropolitan area use split tones.

I have been using GMRS for several years now. The price on these radios are really high compared to a Kenwood 863g radios which are part 95 certified. The Kenwood is under 100 dollars on E bay.

I have had one a few years, used in my truck or jeep as part of keeping our hunting parties in touch. GMRS and the gps contact feature Garmin has, is a great technology. I run Marine VHS, CB, and HAM radios, I am WS7PB, an amature Extra Class licensee.

I don't know if I mentioned, but there is free programming software available for the mxt400. Programming cable is on the Midland website...

I always get the fast food joints around my way on my midland gmrs.

he's talking about ctcss or what frs radios call quiet codes. 8it is a nice feature if you don't winna hear other stations on the same frequency as you and your partnering party.

That talk timer feature is for those long winded radio users , that like to repeat their self over and over and make a 5 second information transmission into a 2 minute story . We all know them (local CB is the worst at times) . Too bad you can’t talk timer from the receiving end !! Great video , very informative, I’ll definitely invest in one eventually .

I'm in eastern Kentucky and once I had a waitress at a truck stop in amirillo Texas chew me out real good

Just got this radio and had a lot of questions you hit them all good video. Didnt come up in a search because you have the model wrong in the video title.

nice lil machine for the money! How do you get the talkback feature to work similar to whats on the beofengs and most other retevis rt/rb series base stations and walkies?

Great video how far did you install the 6db gain antenna, &the size coaxial use

When you come across a conversation on GMRS and you want to break in, is it the same as on a CB and say break whatever channel you’re on and use the 10 code and some of the old CB slang from back in the day?

Also if you’re really hard-core check out the 5 license free VHF murs channels just look it up on ebay

Did you find out about the data plug on the front of the radio does ?

What are you using for the twelve volt power supply?

@Farpoint Farms what antenna do you have on your roof for your Midland MXT400?

I have the same radio in my car but I want to put it in my garage what type of antenna should I use without spending an arm and a leg

I've been on the fence about one of these. My question with every video I see is, can I use it to communicate like I would a cb? For example if f I'm on the road and want to know about traffic further up, can I make a call about it and have someone respond to my call?

I want to install one in my country house. Can you tell me the model number of the antena and cable needed to install the antena on the house roof. Thank you in advance.

Ty

Well maybe you can offer some info on the subj. I was about to pull the trigger on a micro president Bill due to space constraints in one of my vehicles but, now am thinking of the gmrs radio but am afraid I will be disappointed because I won’t find anyone to talk to while on my road trip Texas North Carolina your thoughts

Hey, if we can order food over the radio I'm definitely interested!

Eric. I plan to start doing some overlanding in my Jeep. Can you suggest a radio I can put in my Jeep and a base here at the house so if my fiancé needs to get in touch with me and I have no phone service she can get in touch with me?

I would likely pick up stuff that operates within the 476-477 MHz.. i would likely drop a line to the fcc that a fast food chain is running a commercial operations over frs/gmrs freqs..

I hope Midland comes out with a duelband mobile that will allow users to chose from FRS/GMRS or MURS. FRS / GMRS simplec are good few mile in urban areas then MURS.

Tone control squelch is typically for repeaters

I have the P C 33 mini 40 Long live C.B. radio!

Tone control doesn't mute you to people that don't have your tone. It mutes your radio from people that don't transmit with your tone. But the audio still gets transmitted either way (unencrypted of course).

The APO feature is good in the vehicle in case you leave the radio on accidentally the radio will shut off automatically so it doesn't drain you battery specially if you battery is kinda old.

Ed Fong will make you a GMRS base antenna. Search

it is a compander it will only work with another radio that has that feature. i have a mxt400.

PLEASE help. i got this exact radio and it came with an "M" on the left side of the screen (right above where yours says rP for repeater) no idea what it means it doesnt say anywhere in the manual or online.also at the top of my screen it says "Nar" and im assuming that means narrow band but im not sure why theyd ship them preset to narrow band when most people use wide band

i got that same radio. there is large medical center near me and they transmit patient information over the air waves. i think they don't understand how the privacy codes work.

Definitely gmrs received

Ya know channel 16 on GMRS is the exact same frequency as white dot business band channel. I know black dot & orange dot match to GMRS channels, also 3 of the purple dot VHF is used for MURS along with blue and green dot.

Great Video. Thanks

How do you input a GMRS repeater frequency into the Midland Micro Mobile MXT400????

How does this radio compare to the Wouxun KG1000G

Debating on whether the extra hundred dollars is worth it to get the 50w version. I'm in WNC too but not really up on any mountains.

I hope they come up with a base station antenna too

Tone Squelch and Digital Coded Squelch do not give anyone privacy on the radios. They are for keeping out unwanted interference. Scanners nowadays, have the feature to scan PL/DCS. If you happen to be on a repeater or on simplex, and are using a PL Tone, for example, and if someone is scanning - it will stop on that transmission and display the PL or DCS tone. No conversations are private when using Tone Squelch / aka "PL Tones" or DCS. The same goes for FRS and the Amateur Radio Repeaters and Simplex. PL = Private Line is a Trademark by Motorola, and Channel Guard is by G.E.

Most repeaters require a CTC or Dcs tone.......That's what I use them for as I basically only use repeater channels....

No you’re wrong on the voice compander it’s to compress or decompress your transmit audio

TOT function, most repeaters will time out nv so if you are long winded and talk on and on you could time out the repeater never know it and keep on taking The TOT stops your transmission before that happens

Nice........

Wonder if a restaurant starting to use gmrs radio To take orders.

I have the midland MXT400 as a base radio dose the antenna need to be toned and if so how?

I use the auto power off on my mobile so it doesn't stay on if I forget to turn it off when I get out of the car.

I'm guessing the APO (auto power off) is in minute intervals and not seconds. Can anyone confirm this?

I would like to have this here in Ontario.

Whats your standby channel?

Will this work with hand held midland?

That's awesome you picked up restraunt ordering food they usually use handhelds that are only like 2 watts

So how much was the licence? 35 or 85? Going down to 35 soon.

Maybe someone will know I have the same radio, when I key up it only shows 3 bars on the key up. Anyone know why it doesn’t throw all the bars on the key up?

Eric the tot is for repeater use. You can set it for 5-10 minutes so others can get to use the repeater so you do not tie it up. It is good for a local emergency emergency. Most 2 meter handhelds have that some feature as a standard. You should put up a local repeater. I have a friend near bye were I am. The work well. Midland does have a base antenna available through their website. Motorola makes a programmable commercial base radio that can be programmed for GMRS. Eric a lot of fast food places such as Yuck Donald's us one of the FRS frequencies for their drive through headsets. I remember years ago the some of the guys up here where I am used to place their orders for the drive through using their CB radios. Back then they were still using headsets that worked on CB channel 23 or 14.

Sweet radio I have a question the place where I live won't let me put up a 18ft. Aintana would a 102 in. Whip help with skip ? I can get it in pretty good just cant get out with my Willson truck aintana Need suggestions thank u. Be safe out there in America

My midland mxt400 can transmit but it won’t receive anything? Do I have a setting wrong? Thanks

Hi, I have this radio and lost interest in GMRS (and did not renew). Is this radio good for freqs. other than GMRS ? other traffic like fire/ems ?

I have the 400 an the 275 an I love them. Only thing I hate about it is the cheap feeling mic that isn’t upgradedable

Farpoint Farms your Midland 40watt grmes CB is cool my hobbys are painting pictures and lisining to shortwave and ssb iam thinking about getting my ham license I have 4 shortwave receivers iam thinking about getting sangean ATS 90 9x 2 Mw lw fm air SW ssb 6 bands receiver or the Tecsun Pl 660 mw lw fm air SW ssb 6 bands receiver

I have been a talking on the cb for many years and antron 99 is a good cb antenna and it also is good for. 10 meters an antron is better than a 6 db gain antenna

You should try calling the restaurant you herd, to see if they answer.

that call button should have a setting to turn it off.

I only know CB's from back in the day. What frequency is this 40 watt on and what license is required? Back in the day you were supposed to have a license even for CB, but the FCC couldn't police it so they gave up...and actually sent my license fee back... but I still know the call sign, KALF 5306.

Did you purchase or receive it for free?