The mystery of the MXT-400 that can ....

[H8SPVMT]

I was reading through a Operations Manual for the Midland MXT-400 that I saved on my cell phone.  I carry it to ensure that IF I have a question out on a trail, I can usually find the answer in the manual on the phone.

I don't get to use it much anymore and have been actually thinking of deleting it from my Files on the phone as I have had my radio since 2019 and feel pretty acclimated when I need to change a function on the radio.

On the forum here, I had read that one thing the MXT-400 sufferred from is the ability receiving wide band transmissions well.  I found that I just needed to turn the speaker volume up a little and that helped so I have been pretty happy with my rig in the Jeep all this time.  And everyone I have communicated with, hears me well.

Lo & behold, I looking thru that manual today and see "I CAN Change the bandwith afterall!"  How could I have missed that little detail all this long? Had that dang thing for six years and just never knew that!

So I get to making a comparison of the operational manuals and "DANG," nothing is different except the ole paper manual does not state anywhere in it that I can change the band width.  So I called Midland and got ahold of service rep whom at first agreed that it was possible after all so I gave  the rep my serial number and hoped that could help me learn the proceedure for future use.  Long story short......

My radio was made before the change in 2021 and I had gotten ahold of a newer operations manual to put on the phone...

"Happy Aprils Fool on me! "

I'll keep the radio as it really works just fine for my needs, and thought ya'll might want to know that if ya have a MXT-400 made in 2021 or later, you do have that ability to swap from narrow or wide band. Don't let the bastards wear ya down about, "Midland is Crappy stuff." 

 

[nokones]

17 minutes ago, H8SPVMT said:

I was reading through a Operations Manual for the Midland MXT-400 that I saved on my cell phone.  I carry it to ensure that IF I have a question out on a trail, I can usually find the answer in the manual on the phone.

I don't get to use it much anymore and have been actually thinking of deleting it from my Files on the phone as I have had my radio since 2019 and feel pretty acclimated when I need to change a function on the radio.

On the forum here, I had read that one thing the MXT-400 sufferred from is the ability receiving wide band transmissions well.  I found that I just needed to turn the speaker volume up a little and that helped so I have been pretty happy with my rig in the Jeep all this time.  And everyone I have communicated with, hears me well.

Lo & behold, I looking thru that manual today and see "I CAN Change the bandwith afterall!"  How could I have missed that little detail all this long? Had that dang thing for six years and just never knew that!

So I get to making a comparison of the operational manuals and "DANG," nothing is different except the ole paper manual does not state anywhere in it that I can change the band width.  So I called Midland and got ahold of service rep whom at first agreed that it was possible after all so I gave  the rep my serial number and hoped that could help me learn the proceedure for future use.  Long story short......

My radio was made before the change in 2021 and I had gotten ahold of a newer operations manual to put on the phone...

"Happy Aprils Fool on me! "

I'll keep the radio as it really works just fine for my needs, and thought ya'll might want to know that if ya have a MXT-400 made in 2021 or later, you do have that ability to swap from narrow or wide band. Don't let the bastards wear ya down about, "Midland is Crappy stuff." 

 

Just so you know, there is a CPS version for the MXT-400 that is compatible for Windows 10, but not Windows 11.

[Socalgmrs]

34 minutes ago, H8SPVMT said:

"Midland is Crappy stuff.

Just another example.  For the money paid you could have gotten 3-4 better radios and had wide band all along.  

[SteveShannon]

58 minutes ago, H8SPVMT said:

Don't let the bastards wear ya down about, "Midland is Crappy stuff." 

 

23 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

“Midland is Crappy stuff.

By misquoting @H8SPVMT you very obviously define yourself. 

[H8SPVMT]

On 4/1/2025 at 11:06 PM, nokones said:

Just so you know, there is a CPS version for the MXT-400 that is compatible for Windows 10, but not Windows 11.

I remember reading about that a couple years ago but didn't fully understand the "WHY" in using the program.  Having to change information for repeaters on the same frequency might be helpful now that I keep a written list of repeaters for my routine travels. 

Thanks for the reminder, I'll have to look into that.

[nokones]

8 hours ago, Socalgmrs said:

Just another example.  For the money paid you could have gotten 3-4 better radios and had wide band all along.  

You're not getting it right, get it right. You're just discrediting yourself and demonstrating that you are a perfect example of a certified genuine "Sad Ham".

[tweiss3]

1 minute ago, nokones said:

You're not getting it right, get it right. You're just discrediting yourself and demonstrating that you are a perfect example of a certified genuine "Sad Ham".

Don't poke the troll, best to ignore him.

[OffRoaderX]

4 hours ago, tweiss3 said:

Don't poke the troll, best to ignore him.

its fun and entertaining at first, then it just gets old.. I've found it more productive to add him to my block list.

[HHD1]

2 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

its fun and entertaining at first, then it just gets old.. I've found it more productive to add him to my block list.

I tried giving him the benefit of a doubt. But it seems that he's really only here to troll.  You guys were right.  But I had to try.  I gave him chances to start a friendship.  He obviously doesn't need anymore.  All full.  Good for him.  Must be nice being so much more advanced than the rest of us worthless peons. 

I'm sorry Randy.  I take back what I wrote to you about possibly letting SoCal have one of your giveaways.  He would probably call whatever you gave him, a piece of garbage anyway.  I will continue to feel bad for him. But, I think you're right.  Time to add him to the block list.  

Any may I suggest that the Admins of this site add a pinned post for all the new people joining, warning them of this user.  Because,  they will be the only ones left to see anything he posts.

All the best SoCal.  Have a nice life.  Over and Out.  *BEEP*

[H8SPVMT]

On 4/1/2025 at 11:06 PM, nokones said:

Just so you know, there is a CPS version for the MXT-400 that is compatible for Windows 10, but not Windows 11.

Investigated this situation somewhat and think they did away with the programing software for my year (sn# 19.........) radio. It apears they have discontinued the MXT400 altogether. May still be possible for the radios after 2021 manufacture.  

If I find it necessary to increase the memory in the future I'll just purchase a newer model/brand.  After 7 yrs., I am just about in need for another Mic and cord also....

[nokones]

If you're going to stay with Midland, I would recommend with the MXT500 for the 99 channel capacity. Another option would be used Kenwoods or Motorola radios like the Kenwood TK-880 or TK-8180. The TK-880 is a 250 channel radio and the TK-8180 is a 520 channel radio.

For Motorola either the XTL2500 or XTL5000. The XTL2500 would be either the 520 or 840 channel radio, depending on the flashing, and the XTL5000 is a 1000 channel radio.

[OffRoaderX]

10 minutes ago, nokones said:

.... Kenwood TK-880 or TK-8180. The TK-880 is a 250 channel radio and the TK-8180 is a 520 channel radio.

For Motorola either the XTL2500 or XTL5000. The XTL2500 would be either the 520 or 840 channel radio, depending on the flashing, and the XTL5000 is a 1000 channel radio.

Do you really think that any of these radios would be a good choice for someone that has already stated they prefer a Midland for its simplicity and that a simple Midland "meets his needs" ?

[nokones]

I wasn't going to try guessing his radio simplicity level, but I thought it would be nice to offer him some food for thought on some options for his future radio.

[OffRoaderX]

5 minutes ago, nokones said:

I thought it would be nice to offer him some food for thought on some options for his future radio.

I considered myself a semi-radio-dork and thought I knew everything but after spending days trying to figure out how to use the Motorola CPS to try and program my first XTL, i HATED everything about radios and was ready to throw the thing against the wall!  

[nokones]

8 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

I considered myself a semi-radio-dork and thought I knew everything but after spending days trying to figure out how to use the Motorola CPS to try and program my first XTL, i HATED everything about radios and was ready to throw the thing against the wall!  

Me not being a genius, I guess I got lucky when it came to learning the Motorola programming software decades ago. I started out with the RSS DOS stuff for the HT1000 and MT2000 radios and some of the Radius stuff like the P110 and GP 300s over 30 years ago and became real comfortable with it and my first CPS was the MTS2000 and MCS2000 which I figured it out with no problems. Then came the XTS1500 portables and overtime, I got into the other stuff like the HT1250 and HT1550 and CDMs, PM400. The Astro Sabers and XTS3000 are the same CPS so there was no problem there for me.

For some reason, I just was able to get into it and became real comfortable with the Motorola programming software programs.

These days, I am trying to learn the XPR series and DMR. After, trying different programming steps, some how I stumbled across doing something right and making a DMR channel work.

In my opinion, setting up a P25 conventional channel is a piece of cake as compared to setting up a DMR channel.

Oh, by the way, I still don't like Chirp programming.

[H8SPVMT]

My radio resides on the dash of the JEEP and there is no necessary reason for it to venture "in a working mode" into my home.  We just don't have any repeaters around and those that have GMRS radios in their vehicles don't turn'em on to my knowledge.  Workers use the FRS radios and even a friend of mine hardly every uses his except off road...

The most I ever used ths one was when I had a friend that traveled with us off road.  He got sick and is home bound 70 miles away..

 

AND THANKS for the list of other radios Nokones.  That was a kind gesture.