The Midland MXT100 is a GMRS-only radio. The manufacturer’s list price is $150, but is currently listed on Amazon for $119. Locally you can find it at Bimart for $130.
FEATURES
(from Midland website)
- Full 5W Radio + External Magnetic Mount Antenna for extended range
- 15 High and Low Power (GMRS) Channels *FCC License Required
- 142 Privacy Codes to block other conversations
- Channel Scan (to monitor radio activity) with Controlled Frequency Synthesizer
- High-Grade Microphone
- Silent Operation when beeps/tones are not desired
- Flip-Frame Detachable Mount to install on or under dash
- High Contrast (back-lit) LCD for daylight or night use
- 12 V Car Power adapter (included)
CONDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NETS:
- Unlike FRS/GMRS handheld radios, this is a GMRS-only radio. A GMRS license is required, which costs $65 every five years and is good for all family members.
- Supports only GMRS channels (channels 1-7 and 15-22). FRS-only channels (channels 8-14) are not supported. This may limit some teams on their channel selections.
- Recommended for NET Amateur Radio Operators (AROs) operating from home, at a fire station, or in a vehicle. It would be a good complement to a FRS/GMRS handheld. The ARO needs to have a GMRS license in addition to their ham license.
GOOD THINGS:
- It’s very compact and would be easy to mount in a car. It’s much smaller than mobile ham radios. It includes a quick-release mounting bracket so it could be easily removed when not in use.
- 12 volt powered – no internal batteries. Included cigarette lighter plug allows for easy in-vehicle operation and quick swapping between vehicles. Could also use larger capacity external 12-volt batteries. You don’t have to worry about AA/AAAs.
- Higher power than handhelds (5 watts vs 2-3 watts). Gives a practical range of 3-4 miles when communicating with handheld radios. Handheld-to-handheld range is typically 1-2 miles. This was tested within the Overlook NET area.
- External magnetic mount antenna allows for easy placement on a vehicle roof or other metallic surface. The included antenna is quite a bit better than those on handheld radios. You could also use many ham base station UHF antennas.
- Very easy-to-use. No channel programming needed as with some general UHF mobile radios.
- Fast channel scanning speed. And individual channels can be included or excluded from the scan, so the team’s main and backup channels could be scanned without needing to listen to other channels.
- Good build quality.
NOT-SO-GOOD THINGS:
- No support for GMRS repeaters.
- No support for FRS-only channels (8-14). It is a GMRS-only radio.
- Quite a bit more expensive than even the best handheld FRS/GMRS radios.
- Not compatible with regular external speaker/mics. However, the included microphone seems quite good and there’s a connector for an external speaker.
- The display is small and a bit hard-to-read even with illumination turned up.
- No automatic power-off, so it could drain the external battery if you’re not careful. Most handhelds have an automatic power-off setting.
Written by: John Beaston, Overlook NET, K7TY, k7ty@arrl.net
Credit: Thanks to Marino KG7EMV for the loan of the radio.