If you’ve been following The Gear Bunker for a while, you may recognize the name Midland Radio.
We’ve tested several of their products, from hand held radios to the longer range, vehicle-mounted MicroMobile radios, and batteries. Midland produces very high-quality and reasonably priced radios for consumer and commercial applications. They’re so good that The Gear Bunker has permanently mounted them in all three of our Overland rigs.
A couple of years ago, we mounted an MXT115 in Scotts Trail Boss and an MXT275 in my Tundra for an upcoming Michigan Overland event. Installation was a snap, they performed flawlessly and the majority of the other attendees already had GMRS radios in their vehicles.
Only a few folks were still using CB Radios but even they had handheld GMRS or FRS radios to stay in comms with everyone else. When we added the FJ Cruiser to the fleet, we looked to Midland once again.
Rather than double up on a radio we’ve already tested, Midland sent us their most powerful 40 Watt MXT400 MicroMobile with a few new antenna accessories to aid with installation. Radio performance testing will commence in the coming months but here is a quick install video and functions check.
Midland MXT400 Video Review
Midland MXT400 Features
- Full 40W Radio
- 8 repeater channels for increased communication range
- 15 high power GMRS channels
- Radio Dimensions: 1.6″ x 5.5″ x 7.3″
- 142 privacy codes
- Silent Operation
- Channel Scan
- Programmable Squelch
- Keypad Lock
- Monitor Mode
- Keystroke Tones
- Digital Volume Control
- Backlit Display
- Compatible with all Midland FRS/GMRS radios
- *Antenna and mount not included
- GMRS License Required
- MSRP $249.99
One important thing I’d like to mention is FCC licensing. Everyone likes to use these simple, readily available, and inexpensive radios for their Jeep and Overland clubs.
What most folks fail to realize is that the more powerful GMRS radio frequencies require the user to obtain an FCC License. A fairly painless online process that costs $70 for a 10 year family license. Allowing anyone in your party to transmit on the dedicated GMRS frequencies.
The FCC will issue you a six-digit alphanumeric “call sign” So I have one license that covers my family and vehicles. I found the FCC website typical of government websites, hard to navigate.
Fortunately, Midland takes the guesswork regarding the GMRS licensing process here.
Use Midland discount code: THEGEARBUNKER15 for 15% off sitewide
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