Midland just did the proverbial mic-drop with the company’s release of not one but two new maximum-wattage GMRS radios. These 50-watt radios come in two form factors, and are designed for those who need the longest range possible from their trail radios. The MXT500 has a traditional radio body and handheld mic, while the MXT575 has a remote-mount radio unit with the controls in the mic, perfect for applications such as Jeeps, where space is critical.
What Is GMRS?
The General Mobile Radio Service, or GMRS, is a licensed radio service on FM UHF frequencies around 462 MHz and 467 MHz. GMRS is available for two-way radio communication and is similar to Citizen’s Band, or CB, with newer technology and fewer limitations. Some general differences between CB and GMRS include the fact that GMRS requires a no-test license for users, has a higher maximum output than CB (50 watts versus 4 watts), and is much easier to set up, being closer to plug-and-play than most CB systems. Like CB, GMRS has a total of 30 numbered channels that make it incredibly user-friendly, especially for radio novices. Channels 1-7 are limited to a maximum effective radiated power (ERP) of 5 watts, channels 8-14 are limited to a maximum of 1/2-watt ERP, and channels 15-22 (and eight additional repeater channels) can have a maximum ERP of 50 watts.
New Features on the Midland Radios
These new Midland Radios have been rumored for over a year, but because of the pandemic and supply-chain-related issues, they have been delayed. Radio fans have been anxiously awaiting the release of these two new feature-packed radios, that now include several asked-for features such as full power, repeater capability with split tones, and NOAA Weather Radio stations. As a bonus, these radios are compatible with FRS and GMRS handheld radios.
Midland MXT500 – $399.99 (MSRP)
The MXT500 is a traditional radio form factor with a display and controls on the main radio body, and comes with a mounting bracket and hardware, mic holder, NMO antenna with magnetic base, an adhesive-backed metallic plate, and an owner’s manual with a quick-start guide. It comes equipped with the following features:
- Full 50-Watt Radio
- 8 GMRS Repeater Channels for Increased Communication Range
- Split-Tone Capable
- 15 High-Power GMRS Channels
- 142 Privacy Codes
- Water-Resistant (IP66)
- Narrow & Wide Bands
- USB-C Port with Fast Charging
- Power Hi/Mi/Low Settings
- NOAA Weather Radio
- Automatic Power-Off Function
- Channel Scan and Keypad Lock
- Monitor Mode and Digital Volume
- Silent Operation
- Compatible with FRS and GMRS Walkie Talkies
- GMRS License Required
Midland MXT575 – $349.99 (MSRP)
The MXT575 is the more compact unit of the two, and has a remote radio brain that can be mounted just about anywhere. The controls are located on the mic, which is attached to the radio brain with a CAT-5-style connector. It is the perfect radio for those that have limited dashboard space and is especially well-matched to Jeeps. Like the MXT500, the MXT575 comes with everything that you need to get started in the box, including the remote radio unit with quick-release bracket and mounting hardware, fully integrated control microphone, microphone holder, NMO antenna with magnetic base, an adhesive-backed metallic plate, and an owner’s manual with a quick start guide. The MXT575 has the following features, similar to the MXT500:
- Full 50-Watt Radio
- Fully Integrated Control Mic with user-selectable display color
- 8 GMRS Repeater Channels for Increased Communication Range
- Split-Tone Capable
- Fully Integrated Control Mic
- 15 High-Power GMRS Channels
- 142 Privacy Codes
- Narrow & Wide Bands
- USB-C Port with Fast Charging
- Power Hi/Lo Settings
- NOAA Weather Scan + Alert
- Channel Scan and Keypad Lock
- Monitor Mode
- Silent Operation
- Speaker Mic Jack
- Compatible with FRS and GMRS Walkie-Talkies
- GMRS License Required
Real-World Testing
We were able to get our hands on a pair of preproduction radios and had them installed prior to our 2021 Overland Adventure event where, thanks to Midland’s support of the event, we had Midland radios spread throughout the group of 40 vehicles. The biggest test came when our tail-gunner had to stay with a vehicle that had a small engine fire—by the time that vehicle was repaired, the rest of the group was miles ahead on the trails.
While the main group had moved on to our highway meeting point, the tail was stuck in the mountains and valleys of the Arizona high country. With a radio check in place every 5 minutes, we finally contacted the group using the MTX-575 and Midland’s accessory long-range 6db antenna. In hilly and forested conditions that were less than ideal, we were able to communicate at a confirmed distance of over 20 miles with another 50-watt Midland, while other users in the group with MXT275 15-watt radios said they could hear our transmission.
Even without finding the limits of the radio, we would have still been impressed. These radios proved to be incredibly easy to use, with good volume and clear sounds even at the edge of the envelope. With GMRS becoming the heir apparent to CB radio technology, it’s great to see companies such as Midland getting even more serious about developing hardware that benefits the off-roading market. The best part about Midland’s radios is that they are plug-and-play right out of the box, and include everything you need, with no SWR meter required thanks to the included pre-tuned antenna. Midland also offers a slew of accessories, such as different antenna mounting solutions and upgraded antenna designs, for those who need a bit more.
Since Overland Adventure, we have been on multiple large-group trail rides where our Midland MXT575 has come in handy. Thanks to Midland’s privacy codes, we were able to communicate with just our group in a crowded region, and keep annoying, irrelevant chatter to a minimum. We’ve also been in some extremely remote areas and found that we could still hit a repeater if we needed to, giving us peace of mind that we had the ability to communicate in an emergency. We’ve also found the range of the radio handy for reaching and guiding people coming into camp.
Another great way to use these radios is in conjunction with handheld GMRS radios, such as Midland’s X-Talker handhelds. We typically keep one charged and at the ready, because in technical terrain, it’s easy to hop out with a handheld to spot another vehicle, or to hike ahead on foot to do some trail recon and share conditions with the rest of the group. The included USB-C fast-charge ports can also keep your handhelds, phone, or even a small laptop charged.
For the vast majority of people, who are ready to move on from CBs and don’t want to play in the gray area of VHF business radios or don’t have time to learn everything necessary for an amateur radio (ham) Technician Class license, GMRS radios are a great option. The FCC recently lowered the price of the 10-year no-test GMRS license to $35, and it covers your entire household. GMRS repeaters are popping up all over the country and GMRS is here to stay, especially in the off-road world. If you are looking for an easy trail-communication solution that works out of the box, it’s going to be hard to look past these two 50-watt offerings from Midland.
Keep scrolling to take a look at our own installs of these new radios, with a few suggestions from Midland.
Using a passenger-seat air compressor bracket, we initially installed Midland’s MXT275 15-watt GMRS radio in our Jeep Wrangler JL.
When Midland sent us the MXT575 to replace our MXT275, we were surprised to see just how much bigger and heavier the 50-watt unit is. This is a consideration for those who want to upgrade from their MXT275, as it is not a one-to-one swap out.
Here is another photo to show the overall size of the ultra-compact 15-watt MXT275 and the 50-watt MXT575 remote-mount radio unit. In addition to a massive heat sink, the MXT575 also includes a USB-C charging port.
In case you were wondering, the MXT575 (right), uses a slightly different microphone than the MXT275 (left).
Fortunately for us, we still had plenty of room on our underseat bracket to mount the MXT575 in the same location that our MXT275 was mounted.
The Midland MXT575 nests nicely under our front passenger seat and the USB port is accessible to the rear-seat passengers.
Because the MXT575 uses a CAT-5 connector on the microphone, we ordered up a CAT-5 extension cable and flush-mount connector and routed it behind our center console.
Using a CAT-5 extension allowed us to mount the mic on the dash without stretching out the mic’s cable to reach the remotely mounted brain. It also makes the mic easy to remove from the vehicle when it is not being used.
Here you can see Midland’s optional MXTA26 long-range 6db gain whip antenna mounted on our driver-side cowl. We’ve had very good experiences with this antenna, especially when tail-gunning for large groups that might get spread out.
We’ve also had very good experiences with the stubby, low-profile MXTA25 3db gain Ghost antenna. The range is impressive, especially for its size, and we typically run this low-profile antenna for around-town or when we need to hit the carwash.
Here is the Midland MXT500 installed in our Chevy Avalanche.
The Midland MXT500 installed in a Jeep Wrangler JL.
The Midland MXT500 installed in a Nissan Titan.
The Midland MXT575 installed in a Jeep Wrangler JL.
The Midland MXT575 installed in a Nissan Titan.
The Midland MXT575 mounted in a camper.
The Midland MXT500 with mic and antenna.
The Midland MXT500 front view.
The Midland MXT500 three-quarter view.
The Midland MXT500 rear view.
The Midland MXT575 with mic and antenna.
The Midland MXT575 front view.
The Midland MXT575 rear view.
Source
- Midland Radio
- www.midlandusa.com
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Keyword: Gear Review: Midland MXT500 and MXT575 50-watt GMRS Radios