[Got My New MXT500 - Not Impressed]

6 hours ago, gman1971 said:

To @Mtkester first off, sorry to hear, here are some thoughts:

There are a lot of affordable LMR mobile radios on the used market that will work very well for your GMRS application. If you don't want to venture into the latest Motorola XPR radios, I would look into a used Motorola CDM1250 UHF. Those radios will cost a whole lot less than $400, have receives that will blow your mind how good they are along with top notch transmitter stability; those are used in light repeater duties, so that speaks volumes for those radios: they are indestructible. The CPS programming software can be found online at no cost. The cable can be had from eBay for next to nothing too. I have limited experience with these CDM radios, but I could help you get started if you chose to go with one of those. I know other members here have ample experience with the CDM radios, I am sure they would be willing to help too

Another affordable radio to look into is the Vertex Standard EVX-5400 mobile (LCD display), there are two variants with two power levels each variant: 5400-D6-25, 5400-D6-50, 5400-D7-25, 5400-D7-50. D6 = means 400 to 470mhz coverage, and you guessed right, D7 = 450 to 512 mhz coverage, and the number as you guessed is 25watts, or 50watts.  I would go for a 5400-50(or 45)-D6 The CPS can also be found for free online. Those radios are nice because they are FM/DMR capable if you ever chose to get your amateur license to operate on DMR. However, after using XPR5550e radios for a while I can say the EVX-5400 receivers seem to be one notch below the XPR radios. With that said, I still use an EVX-5300 (NO display) as my primary business site radio, and with a preamp and some filters it is as good as the XPR5550e. This radio has been running in non-stop "light repeater duty" 24/7 for 2 1/2 years now; no issues. Several other members here besides me also own Vertex Standard  EVX radios too, and they seem to like them a lot. The programming cable can be tricky, since most of the knockoff cables will not work (as tested)... not sure if the BlueMaxers cables will work.... but If you decide to go with an EVX-5400 and need help getting started, let me know.

Personally, and given the fact you've paid $400 for the Midland radio, I would be looking at nothing else but an XPR5550e, either one of those two models will work for you: AAM28QPN9WA1AN or AAM28QPN9RA1AN (both models are the 400-470Mhz bandsplit and 25-50W range, again if you get the ticket you can use it for ham too) The CPS 16.0 can be found for dirt cheap on eBay, and the programming cable is pretty cheap too, or you can make your own for <5 bucks if you feel courageous. The XPR5550e is, IMO, the best mobile radio you can buy in the <400 dollar price range today. If you ever decide to go with a 5550e, drop me a line, I'll help you get started with it.

And an honorable mention goes to the Motorola APX radios, which are usually well above the >400 bucks mark, and a word of caution is that if you find something too good to be true in APX radios, suspect it might be stolen. That is another reason why I never took a plunge in the used APX radio market... 

Cheers, and again, I am sorry to hear what happened.

G.

Appreciate the hood info, will be looking at those. I honestly just bought mine for the purposes of reviewing it, was never planning on keeping it, I’m more than happy enough with my KG-1000G to want or need to buy anything else. 

[Got My New MXT500 - Not Impressed]

I just put my pile of $400 garbage, otherwise known as an MXT500, on the meter as well and she peaked out at 36.4 watts using a 13.8 volt, 30 amp power supply. Already submitted a return request for it. I knew it was going to be disappointing… I didn’t believe Midland would actual add fraud to the long list of this radio’s shortcomings.