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Drive/Route Maps / Comments for the Midland Radios
« Last post by Ed Fenker about January 01, 2019, 09:51:17 PM »From Mike Suhar:
We have had issues in the club getting Midland radios to work with radios from other manufactures. While this write up is primarily for the Midland GXT model it is probably similar to other models from Midland.
MIDLAND GXT1000 Radio
Privacy settings - Midland added an extra one that appears to be proprietary to them. They call it group (GRP) mode. Display looks like you would expect for an FRS radio, i.e. 7 then a 1 in the display for channel 7, privacy code 1. This will only talk to other Midland radios. Normal FRS radios use Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) for the privacy tone. To set up the Midland GXT to talk to other FRS radios turn off GRP in the menu. Midland has two other options: CTCSS and Digital Coded Squelch (DCS). CTCSS is the old analog tone and DCS is the newer digital version. As far as I know DCS is not used on the Family Radio Service radios from other manufactures. Fortunately the CTCSS numbers align with the privacy numbers on other FRS radios, e.g. 1 on the Motorola is 1 CTCSS on the GXT.
The other thing about the Midland GXT is you need to have your mouth right up to the MIC on the radio. Audio pick up drops off dramatically as you move back from the MIC. Even in their "whisper" mode, which helps, but still does not have audio sensitivity a couple of inches back from the microphone.
Battery life is low on this device. The external MIC plug allows for a charger. It appears this requires a 9V charger. You will need a car adapter from Midland if you need to charge from an car cigarette lighter socket. Some manufactures use the same connector used on cell phones ( micro USB) to charge their battery. You can use alkaline AA batteries instead of the rechargeable battery pack. Alkaline batteries should provide longer battery life.
To remove the battery on the Midland GTX:
Remove the clip on the back by moving the tab toward the clip then slide the clip up to remove it.
Pull down the battery cover catch at the bottom of the radio
Lift up the bottom of the battery cover and remove from radio
You will need a small screwdriver or something to help pry the battery out. Do not short or bend the metal terminals!
Settings for QCC:
Channel 7, CTCSS 1
GXT menu (press the menu button to move between selections. Use up/down arrows to select setting for that option
Gr - OFF (This is the offending GROUP codes, turn this option off)
Ct (using the up/down buttons change between off, CTCSS, and DCS) You want CTCSS (CT)
01 (this is the CTCSS number which is equal to other FRS radios privacy (or whatever each manufacture calls it) code)
Pr H (power level set to HIGH)
VOX off (voice activated mic. This can cause more problems than it helps)
BP on (button beep, personal preference on or off)
RB on ("roger tone" transmit a short beep to the other radios when you release PTT. Personal preference on or off)
CA 01 (this only applies when using the GXT GRP codes. Set to any number as it does nothing when using CTCSS or DCS)
UB off (vibrate feature, personal preference on or off)
Wi off (whisper mic mode. Allows microphone to respond to weaker voices. Used mostly with a headset but it does appear to help the close talking mic pick up a little better. Turn off if loud noises in the car are present.)
oF du (dual channel receive. Not required for our use as we only care about channel 7.)
We have had issues in the club getting Midland radios to work with radios from other manufactures. While this write up is primarily for the Midland GXT model it is probably similar to other models from Midland.
MIDLAND GXT1000 Radio
Privacy settings - Midland added an extra one that appears to be proprietary to them. They call it group (GRP) mode. Display looks like you would expect for an FRS radio, i.e. 7 then a 1 in the display for channel 7, privacy code 1. This will only talk to other Midland radios. Normal FRS radios use Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) for the privacy tone. To set up the Midland GXT to talk to other FRS radios turn off GRP in the menu. Midland has two other options: CTCSS and Digital Coded Squelch (DCS). CTCSS is the old analog tone and DCS is the newer digital version. As far as I know DCS is not used on the Family Radio Service radios from other manufactures. Fortunately the CTCSS numbers align with the privacy numbers on other FRS radios, e.g. 1 on the Motorola is 1 CTCSS on the GXT.
The other thing about the Midland GXT is you need to have your mouth right up to the MIC on the radio. Audio pick up drops off dramatically as you move back from the MIC. Even in their "whisper" mode, which helps, but still does not have audio sensitivity a couple of inches back from the microphone.
Battery life is low on this device. The external MIC plug allows for a charger. It appears this requires a 9V charger. You will need a car adapter from Midland if you need to charge from an car cigarette lighter socket. Some manufactures use the same connector used on cell phones ( micro USB) to charge their battery. You can use alkaline AA batteries instead of the rechargeable battery pack. Alkaline batteries should provide longer battery life.
To remove the battery on the Midland GTX:
Remove the clip on the back by moving the tab toward the clip then slide the clip up to remove it.
Pull down the battery cover catch at the bottom of the radio
Lift up the bottom of the battery cover and remove from radio
You will need a small screwdriver or something to help pry the battery out. Do not short or bend the metal terminals!
Settings for QCC:
Channel 7, CTCSS 1
GXT menu (press the menu button to move between selections. Use up/down arrows to select setting for that option
Gr - OFF (This is the offending GROUP codes, turn this option off)
Ct (using the up/down buttons change between off, CTCSS, and DCS) You want CTCSS (CT)
01 (this is the CTCSS number which is equal to other FRS radios privacy (or whatever each manufacture calls it) code)
Pr H (power level set to HIGH)
VOX off (voice activated mic. This can cause more problems than it helps)
BP on (button beep, personal preference on or off)
RB on ("roger tone" transmit a short beep to the other radios when you release PTT. Personal preference on or off)
CA 01 (this only applies when using the GXT GRP codes. Set to any number as it does nothing when using CTCSS or DCS)
UB off (vibrate feature, personal preference on or off)
Wi off (whisper mic mode. Allows microphone to respond to weaker voices. Used mostly with a headset but it does appear to help the close talking mic pick up a little better. Turn off if loud noises in the car are present.)
oF du (dual channel receive. Not required for our use as we only care about channel 7.)
