New 40w Version of MXT275?

[DanW]

I've read in various places that Midland is working on a 40w version of the MXT275.  I'm hoping this is true.  I've written them an email to ask about it but haven't received a response.  What I read was that it would come out 4th quarter 2020, but I think we can rule that out now.

 

Does anyone have any information?  I've got an MXT400 in my older Jeep and it is great but very bulky, but it works with the old squarish instrument panel. It sits right on top.  My 2018 Jeep has the MXT275 due to its small size and all in the mic setup.  I'd love to have the same thing but with the 40w of power, so I'm hoping that what I've read is true and that they introduce it soon.

 

Any info would be appreciated.  Heck, I'd even take some wild speculation! Lol!

 

[Shadow471]

That would be awesome.

[WRJJ988]

My wife is gonna be pissed if this IS true! She just got me the 15watt MXT275 for Christmas. 

[berkinet]

My wife is gonna be pissed if this IS true! She just got me the 15watt MXT275 for Christmas. 

Not to worry. the difference is only just over 4db. You can more than make up for that by antenna choice. But, you can only use that power on channels 15 to 22 and the repeater inputs. on the other 14 channels the limit is 5.0 or 0.5 watts ERP.  Enjoy your radio.

[gortex2]

I have 3 of the MTX275 and have yet to have an issue with needing more power than it has built in. Not sure the need for one with more unless your trying to use it for simplex over large areas. On all my repeaters it works much better than a handheld in the vehicle and on my jeep rides I still talk to folks miles away on simplex. 

[DanW]

My wife is gonna be pissed if this IS true! She just got me the 15watt MXT275 for Christmas. 

Don't get too upset.  A friend just picked up an MXT275 and we were driving around seeing what kind of distance we could get with clear communication.  I was in my Jeep with the 40w MXT400.  Several times, I could hear him clearly when he couldn't hear me at all.  His antenna placement was high in the center of his SUV with a Midland magnetic antenna mount and 6db antenna.  Mine was on a fender mount, a bit lower than his, also with a Midland 6db antenna.  I really don't feel like I had any advantage in trasmission range under the given conditions.   So I'm not sure how much more the 40w really gives you in the real world.  Also, of all the Midland GMRS radios, including the 90 series, MXT115, 275, and 400, the 275 easily has the most consistency in high quality transmission.  I can tell when any of my friends are on a 275 as opposed to any of the others with the exception of the Midland handhelds.  

 

I think the 275 may still be the cream of the Midland crop.  If I continue to feel that way, I'll yank the 400 and put a 275 in that Jeep.  I have a 275 in my other Jeep and others tell me the transmissions are crystal clear, too.  Maybe it is the mic? I don't know, but it is a great radio.  

[Shadow471]

Don't get too upset.  A friend just picked up an MXT275 and we were driving around seeing what kind of distance we could get with clear communication.  I was in my Jeep with the 40w MXT400.  Several times, I could hear him clearly when he couldn't hear me at all.  His antenna placement was high in the center of his SUV with a Midland magnetic antenna mount and 6db antenna.  Mine was on a fender mount, a bit lower than his, also with a Midland 6db antenna.  I really don't feel like I had any advantage in trasmission range under the given conditions.   So I'm not sure how much more the 40w really gives you in the real world.  Also, of all the Midland GMRS radios, including the 90 series, MXT115, 275, and 400, the 275 easily has the most consistency in high quality transmission.  I can tell when any of my friends are on a 275 as opposed to any of the others with the exception of the Midland handhelds.  

 

I think the 275 may still be the cream of the Midland crop.  If I continue to feel that way, I'll yank the 400 and put a 275 in that Jeep.  I have a 275 in my other Jeep and others tell me the transmissions are crystal clear, too.  Maybe it is the mic? I don't know, but it is a great radio.  

 

You might want to check the setting of your 400 with the CPS and if its set to Wide or Narrow band.

Also check to see if there is a Mic gain setting. 

[DanW]

You might want to check the setting of your 400 with the CPS and if its set to Wide or Narrow band.

Also check to see if there is a Mic gain setting. 

How do I check the CPS?  Also, I'm pretty sure there's no mic gain.  I've not seen that anywhere in the manual or menu.  

 

I did reset to factory settings today.  And which do I want, wide or narrow?

[Shadow471]

How do I check the CPS?  Also, I'm pretty sure there's no mic gain.  I've not seen that anywhere in the manual or menu.  

 

I did reset to factory settings today.  And which do I want, wide or narrow?

 

The MXT400 can be programed via software from your PC.

[DanW]

The MXT400 can be programed via software from your PC.

You can probably guess the next questions.  What software?  I see nothing from Midland in the manual on this.  And what do I want to program?  Link to info?  I'm just beginning to learn about these radios and how they work.

 

Thanks

[DanW]

So I've done a very little research this morning and I'm reading that these radios are narrow band from the factory, and I don't see any information on how to check this or even change it.  So far, I'll take this as a non-issue.

 

I think the more challenging part for me is antenna location.  Jeeps don't offer optimum placement due to not having a metal roof, so you can't put it high and centered.  On the Jeep with the mxt400, it is just above the fender on the edge of the hood.  I'm running a Midland MXTA11 6db gain antenna.  

[PRadio]

You can probably guess the next questions.  What software?  I see nothing from Midland in the manual on this.  And what do I want to program?  Link to info?  I'm just beginning to learn about these radios and how they work.

 

Thanks

 

There are threads on this forum about it.  https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/1837-midland-gmrs-product-updates/page-2?do=findComment&comment=17118

 

There is also this: https://mwgmrs.com/forums/topic/midland-mxt400-programing/

[NCRick]

Sorry if I am being dumb, I'm new.  I'm questioning the 400 vs 275 (a choice I faced) range assumptions.  Is it not possible that the 400 has a better receiver performance which might also explain the one party "hearing" and not the other?  It seems to me that receiving performance is of equal or even more importance? 

[DanW]

Sorry if I am being dumb, I'm new.  I'm questioning the 400 vs 275 (a choice I faced) range assumptions.  Is it not possible that the 400 has a better receiver performance which might also explain the one party "hearing" and not the other?  It seems to me that receiving performance is of equal or even more importance? 

 

I'm dumber than you, so I won't be much help with this.  I've got a new issue with my 400.  I can't transmit on the GMRS channels.  Only FRS.  So it isn't the mic.  When on GMRS channels, the transmit light illuminates and the signal strength bar pegs.  My buddy can hear me keying the mic, but no voice.  i reset factory defaults and it still does this.  The one variable that changed since I was able to transmit was that I put a brand new Midland 6db antenna on it.  

 

I certainly think you might be right, though, that it could have a better receiver or better performance there.  But again, I know very little about these things and am just beginning to learn.

[WRKU973]

I just took the plunge and ordered a new MXT275.  Debated a 50W Wouxun and the 40W Midland options.  Price wasn't a factor; it was having all functions and the display on the mic of the MXT275 that did it for me.  Absolutely hooked on that feature of this model.  I really don't wanna run wiring for a removable head-unit and hate when radios (and, naturally, their displays) are mounted down by the center console which takes ones eyes so far off the road.  Plus, since this is going in the bride's car where I'm often a passenger, the display would be upside down to me unless it has the option of reversing the display.  Having everything displayed on the mic, I can surely find room somewhere on the dash where it can be viewed easily.

 

If a 40W version of this radio were available AND it had the display mic, it'd be a no-brainer.  None the less, from all I've read, I don't think I'm gonna be disappointed and, paired with a good gain antenna, I think it's gonna work well.  I was wondering whether display mics could be bought separately and paired with other rigs but didn't wanna do that much research.