DuncanHynes Posted May 8, 2022 Report Share Posted May 8, 2022 I am considering a Midland MXT400 since they can be programed for wideband even in simplex mode, my only feature of concern. How do they sound being chip/SOC based? I have no GMRS equipment yet. The lack of many advanced features isn't really bothering me as this will be only a home base or mobile radio for communication with known family/local friends in a 20 mile radius. My main wonder is how the sound quality of these Midlands rate--the few that can do wideband (MXT400 programed and MXT575). Is a Wouxon KG-XS20G a better sounding radio? I know it's lower power (and cheaper) but it should also suit me I would think given what I've read. I hear Midland is recommended by some but others say don't bother? Sound quality again is a big concern 2nd only to reliability. Is a KG-1000 just that much better than either in its super-het format? Many Thanks. David Richmond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanHynes Posted May 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2022 Read more that I had missed earlier doing research...the MXT400 chip isnt even certified for wideband. So whatever software they hand out in secret only upon request that's only a link for a short time sounds far too sketchy for me to deal with. I'll pass on it unless they make a 450 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffRoaderX Posted May 8, 2022 Report Share Posted May 8, 2022 They make a MXT500 which is wideband. The MXT400 (which I have owned and used) sounds fine.. The XS20G (which I have owned and used) also sounds fine. Your ear will never hear the difference between an SOC and a SuperHet GMRS radio.. You might notice (a lot) more static/bleed over from other frequencies if driving near high-power transmitters (TV, microwave, equipment control, etc) on an SOC than a SuperHet, but that is likely the only thing you would ever notice. If sound is your most important factor, 2nd only to reliability, then consider the KG-1000G (which I have owned several of, and used in my 2 Jeeps), which has two speakers, both loud and decent quality. WRQC361 and SteveShannon 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanHynes Posted May 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2022 Okay, understood. I missed the 500 model being wideband. I guess if $400 big ones was to be spent on anything it would go to the KG-1000 or 575 with its display in the hand-mic than the 500 that doesnt have that feature. I picked another hobby that isn't cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLeikhim Posted May 8, 2022 Report Share Posted May 8, 2022 Has anyone actually tested one of these Midland radios after programming "wide band" with Chirp or any other software? By test, I mean looking at the deviation of the transmitter with a deviation meter and measuring receiver acceptance bandwidth. I think that folks are being fooled by a check box in the software that does nothing. Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffRoaderX Posted May 9, 2022 Report Share Posted May 9, 2022 43 minutes ago, JLeikhim said: I think that folks are being fooled by a check box in the software that does nothing. And you base this on... A guess? Anyway, you would be guessing wrong as I have tested the MXT400, MXT500, MXT275 and MXT575 on narrow/wideband. I dont have a fancy deviant meter - the difference can easily be heard with a regular human ear. jnr0104, WRQB993 and kmcdonaugh 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRQC361 Posted May 9, 2022 Report Share Posted May 9, 2022 Great Video's....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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