Midland MTX500 Programming

[WSEM624]

I have a Midland MTX500T and have been unsuccessful programming it.  I continue to get the error of not finding the com port when connected to my laptop.  Does any have a solution?  

Thanks,

Daniel

[marcspaz]

What OS do.you have on your computer? 

[WSEM624]

I have tried using a MacBook Sequoia and Windows 11 Home.

[WRYZ926]

@WSEM624 did you go into the menu in the radio and then go to menu #13 USB and turn it ON in order for it to talk to the computer. If 13 is not turned ON then the USB port will only act as a charging port. 

And the Midland software is only compatible with Windows. And it works fine with Windows 10 or 11.

Herre is the link for the official programming software and firmware updates. https://midlandusa.com/pages/mxt-500-programming-firmware?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADAFdQj9kgFROWjIMyrnhmvq_SZ35&gclid=Cj0KCQiA57G5BhDUARIsACgCYnw2rfAYItoZ3yBGLZxVjONPKoGIcyJiHNS6mRP9quodjJfH5Q-6EZkaAmpuEALw_wcB

Make sure you get the correct version for your radio.

And remember. The USB port defaults to OFF every time you restart your radio. You must turn in ON each time before connecting it to your computer.

[WSEM624]

Yes, I have read the Midland instructions and I did I have done everything as instructed.  The only thing I can thing of right now is I am running Windows 11 on a MacBook Pro.  

[WRYZ926]

1 minute ago, WSEM624 said:

Yes, I have read the Midland instructions.

Did you make sure to have the USB menu set to ON? There should not be any reason why it is not connecting to Windows 11. Double check device manager to make sure the port is showing up and what port number it is. 

Also you do need to make sure that you have the correct version of the programming software for the firmware version your radio is running. If you try using the wrong software version then the computer will not recognize the radio.

I made that mistake when trying to use version 2.01. Version 2.01 would not recognize the radio until after I updated the firmware.

[marcspaz]

So, there are a few answers.  Some versions of Windows 11 don't have Com ports.  You would have to install legacy hardware in the device manager.  If they are already installed, look in the device manager under Ports (Com & LPT), plug the radio in and make a note of the new port number that pops up.  Unplug it to confirm that you documented the correct number, and then plug it back in.  From there, pick that port in the Midland programing software.

 

If none of that makes sense or you don't know how to do this stuff, you're going to need a more nerdy friend.

[WRYZ926]

10 hours ago, WSEM624 said:

Yes, I have read the Midland instructions and I did I have done everything as instructed.  The only thing I can thing of right now is I am running Windows 11 on a MacBook Pro.  

Ah now that is starting to make sense. That could be what's causing you issues. 

I won't be much help then. I haven't ran Windows on a Mac in years. Last time was on my Mac mini 2010 and Windows 7.

[gortex2]

The issue is windows on mac. Do you have someone with a windows PC you can use to verify. I have no issues win W10 or 11 with programming on the MTX

[SteveShannon]

23 minutes ago, gortex2 said:

The issue is windows on mac. Do you have someone with a windows PC you can use to verify. I have no issues win W10 or 11 with programming on the MTX

I’m not certain that’s the issue, although it certainly doesn’t make it easier.  I regularly program several different radios using Windows programming software on a Mac. And I do it remotely to throw another wrench in the works. Marc’s post above describes the process I would use.  Troubleshooting this kind of thing requires a logical approach, methodically eliminating non-issues while zeroing in on whatever is left.

1. Make sure the serial port is being created.  You can see it happen in Device Manager.  Or you can see a yellow warning symbol if it fails. On a Mac the OS will sometimes intercept the request and ask if it’s okay.
2. Device Manager will allow you to identify which comm port number has been created.
3. In the programming software you must sometimes tell it which port number has been created. It must be the same as Device Manager reported. This is especially true when the device embedded in the cable is what has been identified.  If the cable uses a USB connector on each end the radio has the usb to serial device built into it usually and can self-identify usually (except for an Alinco I have, which is stupid).
4. Once you know the port has been created and you have told the CPS which port it is, the software should be ready to read from your radio. Always read before writing.

[WRYZ926]

@SteveShannon are you running an older Intel based Mac and Boot Camp or a newer ARM based Mac and Parallels?

Again I don't have any experience with ARM based Macs and Parallels. But I wonder if that could possibly cause some issues since most Windows drivers are written for Intel/AMD CPU's.

@WSEM624 which Mac are you running, Intel or ARM?  

And yes I am still running my 2018 Mac mini with the Intel CPU. I have not upgraded to Sequoia yet. I'm waiting to see how it does on the Intel Macs.

[SteveShannon]

9 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

@SteveShannon are you running an older Intel based Mac and Boot Camp or a newer ARM based Mac and Parallels?

Again I don't have any experience with ARM based Macs and Parallels. But I wonder if that could possibly cause some issues since most Windows drivers are written for Intel/AMD CPU's.

And yes I am still running my 2018 Mac mini with the Intel CPU. I have not upgraded to Sequoia yet. I'm waiting to see how it does on the Intel Macs.

We have done it both ways. Maurice has had both Intel and ARM based Macs. The first time I helped him I wondered how it could possibly work, but it actually works pretty seamlessly.

He recently applied the beta of Sequoia and that broke the remote access software (RIM or Remote Incident Management).  So he had to get another computer (Windows) so we could continue programming his several radios.

[WRYZ926]

@SteveShannon thank you for that information.

I use CHIRP or RT Systems software on my 2018 Mac mini. I have found that the RT Systems software is better than the Icom provided software. I have a Windows 11 computer for software that is only available for Windows 10/11. This includes the Wouxun programming software and quite a few of the programs I use for my N scale model trains.

I still wonder if it is an issue for @WSEM624 if he is using Parallels.  

[Hoppyjr]

Sometimes just trying a different USB port is the solution. My buddy was messing with a radio the other day and two of three USB ports didn’t work, but the third did.

[WSEM624]

Apparently Windows 11 no longer uses com ports.  So, I need to find someone with a Windows 10 computer.  I am frustrated with Midland, Alnico and Microsoft.  This is 2024 people.

[marcspaz]

6 minutes ago, WSEM624 said:

Apparently Windows 11 no longer uses com ports.  So, I need to find someone with a Windows 10 computer.  I am frustrated with Midland, Alnico and Microsoft.  This is 2024 people.

 

In the device manager, install legacy hardware, as mentioned above. You don't need Windows 10.

[WSEM624]

It does not work.  When I do that the device populates but shows an error.  Microsoft has even said it would not work.

 

[WRYZ926]

24 minutes ago, WSEM624 said:

Apparently Windows 11 no longer uses com ports.  So, I need to find someone with a Windows 10 computer.  I am frustrated with Midland, Alnico and Microsoft.  This is 2024 people.

Is that something with the ARM version?

I am running Windows 11 Version 23H2 on my Dell desktop and Dell laptop and they still use com ports that show up in Device Manager.

It has been over a year since I messed with a Midland MXT500 and the Midland programming software. But I do know that it is sometimes suggested to install the proper drivers before even connecting the cable to the computer.

[WSEM624]

I am looking at buying a cheap windows computer to see if if has coms ports.

[marcspaz]

33 minutes ago, WSEM624 said:

It does not work.  When I do that the device populates but shows an error.  Microsoft has even said it would not work.

 

 

Works fine for me. Not sure what to say.

[OffRoaderX]

34 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

Is that something with the ARM version?

No.. I'm running Win 11 for ARM through Parallels and its working with com-ports just fine.. A few very old programs have issues, but most work fine.

[marcspaz]

35 minutes ago, WSEM624 said:

I am looking at buying a cheap windows computer to see if if has coms ports.

 

I'd hate to see you spend money on a PC for no reason. I feel like if I was sitting in front of it with you we could probably figure it out. Unfortunately I don't know anything about running the windows OS on an emulator. So I'm really not much of a help there. Even if it's running as a virtual machine through a hypervisor, it should still be able to create serial ports and use the USB ports. We do it on Linux OS all the time.

[WRYZ926]

6 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

No.. I'm running Win 11 for ARM through Parallels and its working with com-ports just fine.. A few very old programs have issues, but most work fine.

Good to know. I don't see why the Midland programing software would have any issues.

I'll get to see what bugs I find with my new M4 Mac mini and Sequoia. I just receive the M4 Mini yesterday. It's way better than my old 2018 Intel Mac mini. 

[SteveShannon]

40 minutes ago, WSEM624 said:

I am looking at buying a cheap windows computer to see if if has coms ports.

You don’t need a physical com port like a db9 or db25.  Your USB ports are mapped as virtual com ports by the drivers that come with the programming software. You will be able to see them appear in Device Manager. 

[Guest]

On 11/7/2024 at 9:43 PM, WSEM624 said:

Yes, I have read the Midland instructions and I did I have done everything as instructed.  The only thing I can thing of right now is I am running Windows 11 on a MacBook Pro.  

I can't resist, I have to ask questions...

What does System Report on your MacBook say about USB connected devices? When I attach a device it usually identified the manufacturer of the cable. In my case, I see a Prolific brand cable. (Prolific Technology, Inc.) There is another common vendor that identify as FTDi (ftdichip.com). I had to go to the vendor's website and get the drivers for Mac directly from them to get the cable to work. AND I had to go through the installation twice. Also, watch out for the Apple security nonsense, you have to go into System Preferences, into the Security & Privacy "thing" and approve installation of the driver. I think this is why it took two rounds for me. I would think the driver has to be installed on the MacOS layer if you are running Window in emulation. If you are running Windows native on an Intel Mac... like Robocop said "there could be trouble".

Edit: I had a thought... are you looking for hardware RS-232 connections, like as in DB-9 or DB-25 connectors? I haven't seen a laptop or desktop machine with those physical connectors in 10 years.

 

Edited November 17 by WRKW566
scatterbrained

[nokones]

On 11/7/2024 at 8:26 PM, WSEM624 said:

I have a Midland MTX500T and have been unsuccessful programming it.  I continue to get the error of not finding the com port when connected to my laptop.  Does any have a solution?  

Thanks,

Daniel

What is a MXT500T? What is the difference between the MXT500T and a regular MXT500 model radio. I never heard of a MXT500T model.

Also, what version MXT500 radio do you have? The 30 channel (older model before mid 2023) or 128 Channel model (newer than mid 2023 model) The older model radio is not compatible with the latest version programming software, you need to apply the firmware upgrade first to change it to a 128 channel radio.

The Midland programming software will work with a Windows 10 and 11 Operating Systems based Personal Computer using USB ports. Using virtual applications/programs to fake out the computer into something that it is not the real thing are nothing but problems. Some times they may work and most of the time they don't.