Midland MXT400 GMRS Radio Power and Antenna Test
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- Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
- Testing the power of the MXT400 and the MXTA10 3db antenna. Antenna tested with Signal Hound SA44B Spectrum Analyzer and companion Tracking Generator.
Antenna Test Video: • Signal Hound USB-TG44A...
After viewing this video about a year ago, I purchased two MXT90s for emergency use just in case SHTF. I have CB Sideband radios and Marine VHF radios as well. What I liked about the Midland radios were the clarity and distance considering only 5 watts with the included antenna. Recently, I purchased the MXT400 and a MXT115 with antennas used in this video. I live in a high desert area and have been able to transmit and receive with these two radios over 30 air miles before there is a high mountain you must go over on the interstate before losing contact. Then after another 25 miles there is a higher mountain to go over and bingo, was able to contact home on a clear line of sight over the mountains. These are good radios and I was surprised how well the 15 watt radio performed. I did purchase that Slim Jim roll up antenna and it too works good. There are no GMRS repeaters anywhere in my county or adjacent counties so I was thinking about looking into that on a mountain top around here. Anyway, all of the Midland models I have work great and have not had a problem with any of them.
A superb demonstration of performance at the three power settings. Thanks for the vid and your willingness to get wet to do so.
thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
I'm a new subscriber and glad I found your channel. Mainly just a SWL, but a radio enthusiast of all types. You plan your videos very well and get your point across in such a way that I understand. Good job!
Thanks for the kind words and taking the time to watch and comment. Hank
I just love that lil radio!
Yeh.... I'm liking it too.
you guys out their let me tell you THE MIDLAND MXT275 GMRS RADIO IS THE BEST DAMN RADIO I HAVE EVER PURCHASED YOU ARE CRAZY IF YOU DO NOT BUY THIS OUTSTANDING PRODUCT. MY HAT'S OFF TO MIDLAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS BEAUTIFUL PRODUCT I AM TICKLED PINK!
thanks for the comment.
Thanks for the video, great descriptions and explanations!
Glad it helped.
That looks like a good radio for its size :)
It's a great radio.
Cool little radio. Reminds me I need to get some antennas installed
Thanks. There are always antennas that need to be installed.
Great demonstration.
Thanks Tom.
Outstanding video and explanation. Please keep up the great work.
Thanks for the comment.
Viewers don't even realize they are being treated to a sweep that cost $1,225.00
I bought the mxt400 yesterday, why can't I hear any transmission in any channel? I have the 6db antenna out on my second floor window. Do I need another Midland radio for it to transmit?
Are you sure there are other stations in your area? You could get a small handheld and try some radio checks between the handheld and MXT400 radio.
Not sure where you are but for me in South Georgia rural area GMRS is like our own private network. We will occasionally here someone passing through but very little local traffic. People have become so dependent on cell phones they don’t see the benefits. In the week after Hurricane Michael our 2-ways were our the only way to communicate with family. Cell service was completely down.
Commsprepper. After 4 years of good service, my 40 watt model still works well. Some thief walking down the sidewalk, cut the coaxcable and stole my 3db midland antenna. Do you know if the antenna furnished with the 115 or 90 would work until I can buy another one? Also, about 2 years ago while traveling in Montana near the town of anaconda on a mountain top near the Gem sapphire mine, I was able to reach a guy on some baeofeng base station with a base station antenna Coeur d lane (spelling) post falls Idaho area with a good 4X5 5X5 signal. My mx115 radio with the included 6 inch spike magnet antenna has worked great for me from my home area and monthly trips to Boise. Am able to talk with people on the upper end handhelds like the gxt 1000 for long distances on I-84. Those using the cheaper 1 and 2 watt models don't do very well at all. The new x talker series that claim 38 miles are lucky to get 3.8 miles. I told my friend to get the gxt 1000 and they sold him the x talker because it only took 3 batteries and the gxt took 4. The gxt puts out 5 watts and the x talker puts out two watts and cost 10 dollars more. Now you know why they don't publish the wattage because you can get the same wattage on the 30 dollar radio as you do on the 79 dollar x talker. My Midlands have all given me good service and the mobile radios have given long range on the 5 watt models and superb range on the 15 and 40 watt model.
Please do a distance & clarity comparison of the 5 watt MXT100 vs MXT400 in a dense hilly environment. Curious to see if the extra wattage fills in dead spots. Thank you.
I don't need to do that test. The extra power helps. I would not be able to replicate your operational environment.
Hi great vid, can you make a video on how to connect the MXT to vehicle and home base installations? I'm just confused about the different adapters and for home use and about blowing a fuse in the car. Thank you
For a base (home) installation you will need a 10amp 12 volt DC power supply (red to positive, black to negative). For car installation, run the radio cable through the firewall to the battery. Do not attempts to connect the radio to any of your car's electronics under the dash.
Thank you!
Great videos! Just picked up a Midland Micro Mobile MXTTR bundle pack.
I have a Jeep Wrangler, just curious as to how high the antenna should be mounted over top of the roofline to establish a good ground plane? Since the included mag mount is not a viable option, I am Considering either the 3db or 6db Midland antennas, just want to pick the right one as I run both a hard top (fiberglass) add a soft top (canvas). Just curious if the criteria would be different as compared to a traditional metal skinned car roof?
The short answer to your question is "As high as you can get it." Unfortunately, Jeeps are a bit more complicated than that on account of their lack of a metal roof. I, being the only Xterra in the Jeep club I am the only member of, being able to install a pair of NMO mounts directly in the center of the roof, has been blessed with no ground plane issues. The good news is, the formula for adequate ground plane radials is (λ*0.25)*vf, which means you only need 6.8 inches of ground plane for GMRS vs. 9.63 feet for a CB!
If you were to find a half-wave antenna, such as this PCTEL www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/pctel-maxrad-muf4502-839, you will not need a ground plane because the bottom "quarter" of the half-wave is what the EM "bounces" off of. So, you can get that antenna, use this mount www.ebay.com/itm/3-4-Hole-NMO-Flat-Mounting-Bracket-Truck-Groove-Mobile-Base-Antenna-Radio-1255F-/151810514703 to mount it onto the fender opposite of your AM/FM antenna, use an NMO mount and cable such as this www.amazon.com/Larsen-Mount-Antenna-Frequency-Connector/dp/B007JSEBJM/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1538526549&sr=1-2&keywords=larsen+nmo+mount with the correct connector for your radio. With that NMO mount you will be able to "Hot-Swap" different antennas for different needs in a matter of seconds.
A few points I want to make:
Use a quality mount and cable. I have used Pulse-Larsen and Tram-Browning. Tram-Browning is much cheaper and it shows.
Make sure the bottom of your NMO mount is waterproofed well. That part was meant to be inside your roof. Larsen mounts are pretty tight but putting a coat of Liquid Tape at the seams will not hurt anything. This is also why everyone's CBs always suck, the PL-259/SO-239 connectors used for exterior applications are not waterproof.
A 1/4 antenna is unity gain, so is a 1/2 wave antenna. Having a high gain antenna that is 3 feet tall sounds sexy at first, but UHF is a line of sight frequency and the line of sight of an antenna that is five feet above the ground is 3 miles. Think about how you are going to use this radio. On my 2m/70cm mobile rig I have run a 1/2 wave unity antenna and a high-gain with minimal differences. Whatever gains it may provide will more than likely become negated by terrain, obstacles, buildings, etc... Save your high-gain antenna for your base station where the FCC recently removed the height restrictions and you can get it up high and really make it count.
'73
K4WGA
how would you compare this antenna with the DPD productions 5/8 6 DB antenna you did a review on? I just purchased the DPD productions mobile antenna based on your past video so I hope I made a good choice
DPD antenna is much better (more gain). You made a good choice.
Great vid, thanks. If used as a base station what antenna would you recommend?
DPD Productions GMRS Vertical Outdoor Base Antenna
Do you still use this radio today? If so, how are the volume control?.. is getting oxidized and scratchy yet? And, does the radio do well left on for long periods? I'm curious of it's longevity of racking up the hours on it.
Still works fine and it's been banged around in a dirty truck for more than a year now.
??? IS THIS MIDLAND 400 NARROW OR WIDE BAND ??? Thanks ...Alan in 🇨🇱
Well done! Thanks!
Thank you.
Seeing reviews on Amazon that suggest this thing will only do the 40W output on repeater settings only - not simplex operation. Can you address this?
In this video you see I am transmitting 40 watts on a simplex channel. The troll on Amazon is trolling. I have read his review. This said, channels 1-7 (shared FRS channels) are locked down to 3 watts but the rest are 40 watts.
@@Commsprepper I too read that answer on Amazon and came here for clarity. Thanks for the answer. That issue was a reason not to buy one. Now I think I will.
Thanks WRCU244 NJ
Thanks for comment and channel support.
Trim about 1/8" and use double sheild coax and you might want to ground/bond that mounting point.
Same with the mxt100 too, thanks.
Radio is a radio - same theory
Can someone explain why there is an option to change power levels? When is there an advantage to use low or medium outputs over always transmitting on 40 watts?
Conserve battery power, radio tradition calls for only using the power necessary for maintaining communications, reducing your RF profile. Many reasons for different power levels.
Interesting, thanks for the info. I'm toying around with the idea of switching to GMRS for family com. prep. and this unit has a firm place on my list. It will probably be a few months until i'm ready to purchase so feel free to test the heck out of it and report back here... lol.
I'm hoping to get my hands on the MXT115, that's the 15 watt unit.
Nice video bro
Thanks.
Now do you have to peak tune the antenna swr like on a cb band radio or will it burn the radio up if you go keying down on the mic without a swr tuning?
The theory is the same (CB and GMRS) radio is radio. However, if your VSWR is 2:1 or less then it's fine. I like to see 1.5:1 but not sure I would start trimming a factory tuned antenna - especially if it's sitting on a magnetic mount.
okay, thanks for the advice on that.
So is this radio the same as a cb radio I use my cb a lot for work? Can I use this mxt400 to talk to guys with a cb in there trucks?
no. CB is AM in the HF bands. GMRS is FM in the UHF bands
Can you recommend a good antenna for a Jeep Wrangler. Magnetic "roof top" antennas are probably not usable when you have no roof. :-)
DPD Productions makes great GMRS antennas. I would checkout Breedlove Mounts for something that could work with your Jeep www.breedlovemounts.com/
Could y'all measure the power draw at high, mid, and low? I'm thinking about putting my MXT400 in a go-box but i'd like to know what amperage i should prepare for. I can't find it in the owner's manual.
Sorry - I don't have the radio with me.
13.8 voltage
Low. 2.4 amps
Med. 5.4 amps
Hi. 8.4 amps
When talking
good video 👍
Thanks.
That is a very nice radio that comes with a very nice price. Why would you pay that much money for that radio when you can buy a B Tech or a tyt for almost half the price. Again that is a nice radio but it is very pricey for a gmrs only radio...
Because those radios are not certified for use in the GMRS service.
I Sub'ed your channel I sure like what I've seen on a couple of your video's. This MFJ-883 SWR Meter, will it work on both the GMRS and CB Radio's? This GMRS radio's is completely New to Me. I need an SWR meter for my equipment. Thanks for any Help, on this. 👍🏻
Yes. The MFJ-883 is VHF/UHF (up to 512mhz). GMRS is UHF 460mhz.
@@Commsprepper it will NOT work for 27 mhz CB Radio since it is HF not VHF or UHF.
I struggled with SWRs on my jeep for CB but eventually found an antenna and a location (front bumper) that got me to 1to1. Is tuning a GMRS the same. Looking at the MXT400 but dont want to buy 3 antennas and 2 mounts. Should i just get it professionally installed. The jeep is an overland build and i need EVERYTHING on or in it to work at 100%
Not a bad radio. I like it. Thanks for sharing your test on it.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
No problem my friend, nice channel. very interesting stuff.
What do you figure the range would be in an average city without Sky scrapers? A couple miles maybe?
Hard to say. Between cars? Between car and house? If the later, a quality antenna (i.e. DPD Productions GMRS Base) installed at the house with some height you should do quite well.
Thanks for the info! I'm enjoying your channel, thanks.
Mobile to mobile with a decent roof mounted antenna you should be able to reach out more than a couple of miles. Just a guess maybe 5 to 10? If you would buy a repeater and say mount the antenna at say 30 feet I am guessing 15 plus miles As you know radio is line of sight so anything goes. Many ham radio operators communicate with the ISS a handheld and a small handheld beam.
jim zorger I figure for the money ham is the way to go. Studying for my technician license now. I'm still in the know nothing phase of this though. My goal is to be able to contact family members in a 20 mile radius. I'll probably get a handheld ham radio, leaning towards the icom ID-51A plus. That's with the limited knowledge I have today though. Thanks!
If you go with ham radio tech class you have people to talk with and multi repeaters yessure you will have more bands & radios other than UHF but some people make the jump. You can still at with MURS GMRS after that but you may like that better.
I am planning to set up the midland in my apt as a base. I cant set up an outdoor antenna could anyone steer me to the best type of antenna for indoors with this radio. Thanks
Do you have a balcony? You need to watch power and antenna exposure for indoor antennas.
@@Commsprepper no I do not and also on bottom floor.
I want yo use that radio at home does it comes with a wall outlet connector?
No. The radio is 12 volts DC. You will need an external power supply (15 amps) to make a base station.
Can I use a Universal Compact Bench Power Supply - 10 Amp Linear Regulated Home Lab Benchtop AC-to-DC Converter w/ 13.8 Volt DC 115V AC 250W Input, Screw Type Terminal, 12V Car Cigarette Lighter- Pyramid PS15K.5
Thank you
Is the sweet spot for GMRS SWR 1.5 or lower?
Not GMRS specific - 1.5 or lower is good for any radio service.
Is there a mod to get full output of the FRS channels?
that would be illegal
Buy a programmable UHF/VHF mobile Radio. But it won't be legal.
Nice vid. Andy N3QZF
Thank you.
The max wattage for gmrs is 50 watts, does anyone know of a 50 watt gmrs capable radio?
I don't know of one.
Any 50W UHF business radio will work, look for a used Motorola or Kenwood model. You will have to have it programmed though.
lastima que no hagan estos videos traducidos al español.
I don't make these video in Spanish because this is an American channel and I don't speak Spanish.
not allowed to use that radio for frs with a detachable antenna
This radio does not have any FRS exclusive channels. Channels 8-14 are blocked. The radio does have FCC Part 95 type acceptance.
thats only applicable on the 467 Interstital channels.
i cant use that radio in my area. i live inside the line a area
Have you looked at the manual? I'm not sure but I did not think all of the channels feel within the exclusion areas?
yeah 5 watts is the max in that area. fcc part 95.135
I know this post is old but I'm looking at replacing my cb with something more powerful. What is the exclusion zone you mentioned?
@@robopam since 3years ago the FCC updated the gmrs license to where you are now able to operate on channels 462.650 mhz, 467.650 mhz, 462.700 mhz and 467.700 mhz..
@Ben A
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 5, Parts 80 to End]
[Revised as of October 1, 1999]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR95.135]
TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES--Table of Contents
Subpart A--General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
Sec. 95.135 Maximum authorized transmitting power.
(a) No station may transmit with more than 50 watts output power.
(b) [Reserved]
* (c) A small control station at a point north of Line A or east of
Line C must transmit with no more than 5 watts ERP.
*
(d) A fixed station must transmit with no more than 15 watts output
power.
(e) A small base station must transmit with no more than 5 watts
ERP.
[48 FR 35237, Aug. 3, 1983, as amended at 53 FR 47717, Nov. 25, 1988; 63
FR 68975, Dec. 14, 1998]
About $400. in Canada.............too much money!
Order from the States.
You need a dummy load to get the correct power.
No... you don't.