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Features for Midland Micro-Mobile Radios


russwbrill

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I like the idea of being able to download a database right into the radio. ...great idea for the (near) future.

 

I just don't know if we will get much cooperation from Midland, as they seem to be more concerned with selling radios to consumers who don't know how to operate radios.  There will be problems with some consumers who want "simply the best", who buy the most expensive radio, even though they do not need it... then complain and write poor reviews over how difficult it is to operate, and they can't get it to talk with their other walkies talkies as promised.

 

I have some midland micromobiles, and they are good for what they are... that is, simple to use. Midland is not really trying to market toward the likes of mygmrs forum users; they are marketing to the lowest common denominator of radio consumer.  Any idiot can take one of these Midlands out of the wrapper, and make it talk.  Add too many Pro-level features, and there will be problems.

 

There will be a company who makes just this kind of feature-rich radio, and there already is... unfortunately, it is Baofeng.  Now, if only there were some company making feature-rich radios with High-Quality and FCC type acceptance as well........

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The inability to use different tones on the same channel is a BIG mistake by Midland. The first thing I noticed is that I couldn't use the only linked repeater in my area because of this. 

 

With the research I (should have done in the first place but oh well) did I discovered the wonderful world of used commercial grade radios on Ebay. For what I paid (And got refunded) for the MXT400 I purchased 3 TK-8180 radios for my house and 2 vehicles. And yes, I know there was also the cost of the coax and antennas but whatever.

 

 What this radio is capable of is outstanding compared to what Midland offers. But yes, I understand what Midland is probably marketing to.

 

 I have family in Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina. I have already researched and placed the repeaters in their respective state/travel groups on the radios so when I hit the road (I HATE flying but I digress) I have another potential way of maintaining communication between my point of departure as well as my destination along the way.

 

Midland would have to include some extensive features to their future line up and even then, the cost difference will most likely keep me shopping in the used market for the foreseeable future.

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I agree, most of the market is bonehead and wants simple... But, there's always users that a High-End GMRS Radio would attract.. Such as, RVer's, Truckers, and the Hobbyist type..

... and anyone who just found out that their new Midland radio can’t connect to the local split tone repeater or the repeater that uses PL tones Midland doesn’t support.
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That problem is supposed to be fixed in the newer Version(s) of the Micro-Mobiles due out sometime this year...

As you have made clear in several posts. However, I am referring to now, not some possible time in the future. Also, even if/when Midland does address the problems with their radios, there is no evidence that “fix” will be available to upgrade radios already in the field. With all the options out there, other GMRS certified products, used products, and non-certified Part90 gear. I could not, in good conscience recommend that someone buy a Midland radio today.
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Russell from Sacramento got upset that he can't rule the world, so he took his ball and went home.

 

I dumped the original post because everyone here seemed to be committed to Part 90 equipment... So why have a thread that discusses Part 95E equipment??? Again, some of the same actors hijacked the thread and went on to promote the "Commercial" only mindset...

 

So yep, I didn't just take my ball, I'll took the whole playground :)

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I dumped the original post because everyone here seemed to be committed to Part 90 equipment... So why have a thread that discusses Part 95E equipment??? Again, some of the same actors hijacked the thread and went on to promote the "Commercial" only mindset...

 

So yep, I didn't just take my ball, I'll took the whole playground :)

That's deeply rude to the people who weren't involved.

 

… Especially to other fans of the MicroMobile series.  Love that handheld control head.

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That's deeply rude to the people who weren't involved.

 

… Especially to other fans of the MicroMobile series.  Love that handheld control head.

i was browsing midland's site last night, and stumbled across the fact that the mxt275 control head accepts the same headset plug as their handhelds.  while that's not such a thing in a car/truck (though, an interesting idea), it would be rather cool installed on a motorcycle with their in-helmet speakers and mic, and have a lot better range than most of the other motorcycle options on the market.

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i was browsing midland's site last night, and stumbled across the fact that the mxt275 control head accepts the same headset plug as their handhelds.  while that's not such a thing in a car/truck (though, an interesting idea), it would be rather cool installed on a motorcycle with their in-helmet speakers and mic, and have a lot better range than most of the other motorcycle options on the market.

 The Trailblazer I drive has virtually no dash mounting options and the floor console mounting would have been hitting my legs or whomever was in the passenger seat if I mounted it there. That and having to take my eyes off the road more than I would like to adjust volume or change the channel, etc. almost had me ordering the MXT275.

 

But I discovered the Kenwood KRK-10 remote conversion kit for the TK-8180.

 

cDbp4BU.jpg  

 

I was lucky enough to find a listing on Ebay that had the TK-8180 with the KRK-10 kit together for a good price (Still less than what the MXT275 would have cost so I grabbed it.) and popped it in the Trailblazer. The main unit sits under the passenger seat which make the run to power fairly easy since the Trailblazer fuse panel is under the rear seat.

 

The last piece I added to this was 16 key mic that Kenwood offered. Well it was a clone of the TK-686 mic. It's keys can be programmed for any function that is available on the front panel. It did not take long for muscle memory to kick in and now I can change/adjust anything I want and my eyes never leave the road for more than an instant IF I want to verify the change on the display.

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The Trailblazer I drive has virtually no dash mounting options and the floor console mounting would have been hitting my legs or whomever was in the passenger seat if I mounted it there. That and having to take my eyes off the road more than I would like to adjust volume or change the channel, etc. almost had me ordering the MXT275.

 

But I discovered the Kenwood KRK-10 remote conversion kit for the TK-8180.

 

cDbp4BU.jpg

 

I was lucky enough to find a listing on Ebay that had the TK-8180 with the KRK-10 kit together for a good price (Still less than what the MXT275 would have cost so I grabbed it.) and popped it in the Trailblazer. The main unit sits under the passenger seat which make the run to power fairly easy since the Trailblazer fuse panel is under the rear seat.

 

The last piece I added to this was 16 key mic that Kenwood offered. Well it was a clone of the TK-686 mic. It's keys can be programmed for any function that is available on the front panel. It did not take long for muscle memory to kick in and now I can change/adjust anything I want and my eyes never leave the road for more than an instant IF I want to verify the change on the display.

Very cool setup

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That is a nice setup. I did similar in my wifes JK. I used the ICOM 6061 with remote head kit. It wasn't much more than the Midland and let me use MDC on my LMR channels in addition to being able to add some ham stuff.

Thanks for that bit of info. I will keep that on my future "shopping" list.

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