Midland

If you are having trouble getting your FRS and GMRS two way radios to talk to each other, it may be due to an issue with interference eliminator or privacy codes. If so, it's an easy fix. In this episode of Radio 101, Anthony at Buy Two Way Radios uses a Motorola Talkabout and a Midland two way radio to show you how to resolve a simple privacy code issue.

Changing the channels is easy on most FRS and GMRS two way radios. Changing channels on a Midland requires one extra little step. In this episode of Radio 101, Anthony at Buy Two Way Radios shows you how to change the channels and set the privacy codes on the Midland GXT1000 with ease.

This year has been a big one in the world of GMRS radios with the launch of a lot of exciting new products. Cobra, Midland, Motorola and Uniden have all entered new models (and in some cases, whole new series of models) into the marketplace. One of the most anticipated new GMRS radios for 2012, however, is yet to be released. It's the Midland GXT2000.

This new radio from Midland has generated quite a lot of buzz, and it's no wonder. Midland promises some big features that make the 2000 quite attractive to campers, hikers, hunters and other sports and outdoor enthusiasts. The big question is - when? When will the Midland GXT2000 arrive?

As of this writing, an exact date has not yet been confirmed. However, the latest word from Midland is that the company may finally release the GXT2000 to the market sometime around the holidays - possibly in December 2012.

No doubt those who are waiting to get their hands on the new GXT2000 will be happy to hear this. We are excited about this news as well. However, there is one potential problem. It is not uncommon for a much anticipated item such as the GXT2000 to sell out immediately after its initial release. This may quickly deplete supplies and create a situation in which the factory cannot keep up with orders. Such a scenario can be especially problematic during the holiday season, when many of these radios may be purchased as gifts.

To offset this potential supply shortage during the holidays, Buy Two Way Radios is pleased to offer you an opportunity to pre-order the new GXT2000 now! Pre-ordering these new Midland radios will ensure you get them before the initial sell out, so you aren't caught in the nightmare of a perpetual back-order vortex for an indefinite period of time. Don't get stuck in a back-order vortex. Reserve your Midland GXT2000 two way radios today and get your order shipped to you as soon as they arrive!

For a sneak peek at the new GTX2000, take a look at this video from Midland.

Want a first look at the Midland GXT2000? Here it is! This video is a brief overview of the new series of Midland GMRS two way radios due sometime this fall. Better yet, you can pre-order the Midland GXT2000VP4 now at Buy Two Way Radios!

It is 2012 and hurricane season is here. Hurricane Isaac is now bearing down on the Louisiana coastline. A Tropical storm warning is in effect from East of Morgan City Louisiana to the Alabama-Florida border.
According to the National Weather Service, Isaac became a hurricane Tuesday and will continue to strengthen until landfall occurs along the northern Gulf Coast. If you are located in or around these areas, Are you ready?

Have you put together your Hurricane Preparedness Kit? If not, consider it now. Get the official FEMA checklist of Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit or purchase one of the ready-made Survival /Emergency Kits from Buy Two Way Radios.

A Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA emergency weather radio are also on the list and are considered very important. You may also need Extra batteries for both radios.

For more information on emergency weather radios, listen to The Two Way Radio Show Episode 13 - Emergency and Weather Radios.

We talk about using FRS radios in assorted recreational activities. We also review the new Motorola Talkabout MT350 Series of two way radios.

Intro :00
Billboard 1:18

Topic Discussion 1:38
Today we'll learn the basics of the Family Radio Service and introduce some popular pastimes that rely on FRS radio communications, such as model railroading, model rocketry, bird watching, paintball and laser tag. We also recommend some FRS radios for use in these activities. Radios discussed include the Cobra CXT135, CXT225, Midland LXT500VP3, LXT535VP3, LXT560VP3, Motorola MD200R, Motorola MH230R, and MH230TPR FRS/GMRS two way radios. For more information about FRS frequencies, refer to our chart of FRS and GMRS Frequencies.

Commercial Break 19:49
buytwowayradios.com 1:00

Product Review 20:48
Today we review the new Motorola TALKABOUT MT350R and MT352R two way radios.

Questions and Answers 27:10
Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

Wrap up and Close 33:21
Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show(at)buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

© 2012 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Updated June 6, 2020.

There are a number of GMRS two way radios on the market today that are advertised as weatherproof for outdoor use, and many of them are. However, there are varying degrees of such protection, and these different levels are not always considered or even known to consumers, who are largely unaware of rating standards such as Japan Industrial Standards (JIS) and Ingress Protection Code (IP). The terms weatherproofing, water resistance and water proofing can become confusing and unintentionally misleading, because many consumers think of them as interchangeable. Such misunderstanding can lead to a frustrating experience when radios purchased for their ruggedness in rough, outdoor weather turn out not to be all that resilient to the elements, or not resilient at all.

There is a big difference between weather resistant, weather proof, water resistant, and water proof. It's important know what each one means and what it doesn't. That is why the JIS and IP ratings exist. These are standards of measurement to determine and define levels of resistance of an object (in this case, a two way radio) to a liquid such as water. The different ratings determine the level of waterproofing (and with IP, dust proofing as well) the radio can handle.

To simplify the terms somewhat, a weather resistant radio can likely handle a little cold and damp air, but a weather proof device is protected from slightly harsher elements. A Water resistant radio can handle some rain and splashing, but a water proof radio will not allow the liquid to enter the enclosure if the device is immersed in it or, in some cases, even submersed.

A radio that is rated submersible to JIS and IP specifications means that it can withstand complete submersion in water to a specified depth for a specified period of time (usually up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes).

When choosing a two way radio for outdoor or all-weather use, it is important to know and understand the difference between the words weather and water and between the terms resistant and proof. To make it even easier, we created this simple Guide to Weatherproof GMRS Two Way Radios below.

	Weatherproof GMRS Radios	Rating	Details
	Garmin Rino 610	IPX7	Waterproof Submersible
	Garmin Rino 650	IPX7	Waterproof Submersible
	Garmin Rino 655t	IPX7	Waterproof Submersible
	Midland GXT1000VP4	JIS4	Water Resistant
	Midland GXT1050VP4	JIS4	Water Resistant
	Midland GXT5000	IP67, MIL-STD 810 C, D, E, F	Waterproof Shock and Dust Proof
	Midland T290VP4		Water Resistant
	Midland T295VP4		Water Resistant
	Motorola Talkabout MS350R	IP-67	Water Resistant Submersible
	Motorola Talkabout MT350R	IP54	Weatherproof
	Motorola Talkabout MT352R	IP54	Weatherproof
	Uniden GMR-2240-2CK	JIS1	Weather Resistant
	Uniden GMR-2875-2CK	JIS7	Water Resistant
	Uniden GMR4099-2CKHS	JIS2	Weather Resistant
	Uniden GMR-3699-2CK	JIS7	Water Resistant Floats
	Uniden GMR5099-2CKHS	JIS7	Water Resistant Floats, Submersible
	Wouxun KG-805G	IP55	Water Resistant

It is 2012 and hurricane season is here. Tropical Depression Debby is heading out to the Atlantic after hovering over the Florida coast for four days, flooding the peninsula with a seemingly endless barrage of rain. According to the National Weather Service, the flooding remains a threat. If you are located in or around these flood-prone areas, Are you ready?

Have you put together your Hurricane Preparedness Kit? For those who haven't, now is the time to prepare. Get the official FEMA checklist of Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit or purchase one of the ready-made Survival /Emergency Kits from Buy Two Way Radios.

Of course, basic necessities such as food and water are critical to have available and are top items on any emergency list. However, there are a other items on FEMA's list that are also extremely important. The third and fourth items listed in order of importance are a Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert. The next item? Extra batteries for both radios.

Below is a list of radios that meet the federal requirements suggested in FEMA's list:

Two Way Radios
Midland GXT1000VP4 Radios With Headsets and Charger - A powerful 5 watt all-weather radio. Durable and water resistant, the GXT1000 VP4 features NOAA weather channels, NOAA weather alerts and a 3 year manufacturer warranty. This is our most popular GMRS radio.

Motorola TALKABOUT MS350R Two Way Radios - Built for performance and designed specifically for extreme weather conditions, this radio is ready. The MS350R has 11 weather channels, operates on either rechargeable or disposable batteries, is submersible and floats. It even includes a built-in flashlight! This pack also includes an Emergency Preparedness Checklist Sheet.

Motorola TALKABOUT T9680R-SAME Two Way Radios - One of the most powerful FRS/GMRS two way radios from Motorola, the T9680R is designed as a Hazard Alert radio with Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology, a system adopted by the National Weather Service to warn citizens of emergency situations within their immediate area. SAME monitors the NOAA weather stations in your region for emergency situations and hazardous conditions. The T9680R can operate on either alkaline or rechargeable batteries.

Midland XT511 Base Camp Two Way/Emergency Crank Radio - This powerful device is the "swiss army knife" of two way and emergency radios.It's an FRS/GMRS radio, AM/FM clock radio with an alarm, and NOAA weather radio with weather alerts. It's also a flashlight. The Midland XT511 has five power options: AC wall power, DC vehicle adapter, rechargeable battery pack, alkaline batteries and a Dynamo hand crank. The XT511 even has a built-in USB connector to charge a USB device such as a cell phone in the event of a power outage!

NOAA Weather Radios (receive only)
Midland ER102 Emergency Crank Radio - The ER102 has the key features of the XT511 without the built-in GMRS two-way radio, but with a temperature indicator and freeze warning alert.

Midland WR-120 Weather Radio - An All Hazards Alert weather radio that monitors the Public Alert system and features SAME technology to alert you to weather or civil emergencies in your area. It also includes an alarm clock with snooze and a blue backlit display. A battery backup, color coded alert light and external antenna jack round out the features.

Midland WR-300 Weather Radio - The WR-300 has all the features of the WR-120 - with an AM/FM radio and alarm clock with snooze to boot.

Midland HH54VP2 SAME Handheld Weather Radio - This compact, portable handheld radio is a great travel companion. It has NWS all hazard alerts with S.A.M.E. technology and other emergency alerts such as Amber Alerts, biological hazard warnings, civil emergency messages, nuclear power plant warnings, fire warnings and landslide warnings. But that's not all. The HH54VP2 also features a bulit-in alarm clock with snooze, user selectable alerts, color coded alert indicators, a large, backlit display with continuous backlighting option and battery backup.

Midland HH-50 Pocket Weather Alert Radio - The Midland HH-50 is a weather radio that is so compact it fits in your pocket. It instantly auto scans for emergency and weather alerts as soon as you turn it on. The HH-50 supports all hazard alerts, emergency alerts, messages and warnings. This is a great choice for the travel size emergency kit in the car.

There is no doubt communication is critical in any emergency, but when severe weather strikes, you need to be kept up to date on current, constantly changing weather conditions in your area. During such emergencies, power can go out, landlines can be lost and cell service can lose signals. In such situations, a radio may be your only means of communication and important weather alerts.

Don't wait for the next storm to hit before you prepare. Whether you buy it or make it yourself, get your Hurricane Preparedness Kit ready now.

For more information on emergency weather radios, listen to The Two Way Radio Show Episode 13 - Emergency and Weather Radios.