MIDLAND MXT500 PC Software User Guide

5900 Perretta Drive
KANSAS CITY, MO
64120

PHONE: 816-241-8500
FAX: 816-241-5713
EMAIL: mail@midlandradio.com
WEBSITE: midlandusa.com
12/1/2021

Quick Start

1. Install the MXT500 PC software and the GD VirtualComDriver.
2. Use a USB C cable to connect the radio to a USB port on your PC.
3. Turn the radio on.
4. Turn the USB function On in the radio menu. Your PC should find the new virtual com port and finish installing the hardware. Note the com port number for the virtual com port.
5. Open the MXT500 PC software.
6. Select Set COM from the PC software Set menu. Select the communication port from the drop list.
7. Select Read from Radio from the PC software Program menu.
8. Once the program is read, edit the program as needed.
9. Once the program is edited as needed, Select Write to Radio from the PC software Program menu.

The USB programming function must be enabled in the radio menu each time the radio is connected to the PC. The USB programming function can interfere with certain USB C charging protocols and therefore defaults to OFF each time the radio power is cycled.

CH Screen

The CH screen is shown above. CH 1-7 and CH 15-22 directly correspond to those default channels on the MXT500. CH 8-14 are unused with the default MXT500 channel configuration but may be used for additional channels as needed. CH 23-30 corresponds to RP 15-22 on the MXT500. The repeater channels are only displayed when they are enabled. The repeater channels can be enabled from the radio menu or using the Repeater Frequency Display selection on the Function Setup screen. To edit channel information, double click anywhere on the desired channel row, to bring up the Channel Edit screen. Or place the cursor on the desired row and select CH Edit from the Edit menu.

Channel Edit Screen

The Channel Edit screen allows per-channel options configuration. To open the Channel Edit screen, double click anywhere on the desired channel row of the CH screen. Or place the cursor on the desired row and select CH Edit from the Edit menu.

RX Frequency
The default receive frequency is displayed for the channel. Channels 8 -14 will allow any valid receive frequency within the MXT500 UHF receiver’s bandwidth to be entered.

TX Frequency
The default transmit frequency is displayed for the channel. Channels 8-14 will allow transmitting frequency selection from the 16 predefined GMRS main frequencies.

CH Name
A seven-character alpha-numeric channel name may be entered, which will show on the MXT500 display in place of the normal channel number. The characters display as all caps but are best entered without using the shift key on the keyboard.

Step
Unused in the MXT500 application, selection can be left at 12.5 kHz.

Channel Spacing
Selecting 12.5 kHz will set the radio for maximum ±2.5 kHz deviation, or narrowband mode. Same function as selecting NB-ON in the radio menu. Selecting 25 kHz will set the radio for maximum ±5 kHz deviation, or wideband mode. Same function as selecting NB-OFF in the radio menu.

TX Power
Allows selection of the channels transmit power. Same function as the PWR selection in the radio menu. CH 1-7 are fixed at low power, 5W, to comply with FCC rules.

CTCSS/DCS Decode
Allows selection of the receive privacy tone or code. May also be referred to as the repeater output tone or code.
Same function as the RCP selection in the radio’s PRIVACY menu.

CTCSS/DCS Encode
Allows selection of the transmit privacy tone or code. May also be referred to as the repeater input tone or code.
Same function as the TRP selection in the radio’s PRIVACY menu.

Scrambler Switch
Unused in the MXT500 application.

Busy Channel Lockout
Allows selection of the conditions when PTT is inhibited.

Off – PTT allowed
Repeater – PTT is not allowed when the channel is busy and the programmed CTCSS/DCS decode conditions are not met.
Busy – PTT not allowed when the channel is busy

TX Off
The transmitter is disabled on the channel when checked.

Compander
The compander circuit is used on the channel when checked. Same function as the COMP selection in the radio menu.

Scan Skip
The channel is not scanned when checked. This function can also be toggled by long-pressing the scan button on the MXT500 front panel.

Reverse
The programmed transmit and receive frequencies and privacy codes are reversed when checked.

Talk Around
The programmed receive frequency and privacy code are used for transmitting when checked. This allows for direct radio to radio communication on a channel normally programmed to operate through a repeater. Same function as the TALK selection in the radio menu.

Function Setup Screen

The Function Setup screen allows radio-wide options configuration. To open the Function Setup screen, click Function Setup on the tree view or select Function Setup from the Edit menu.

Starting Display
A seven-character alpha-numeric name can be entered to display in place of “WELCOME” when the radio is turned on. The characters display as all caps but are best entered without using the shift key on the keyboard.

Display Mode
If the display mode is selected as Channel, the MXT500 will display the CH Name when one is entered; otherwise, it displays the channel number.
If the display mode is selected as Name, the MXT500 will display the CH Name when one is entered; otherwise, it displays the channel frequency.

MR Channel
This is the channel currently selected when the radio was read, and the channel selected after the radio is programmed.

Squelch Level
Selects the relative noise squelch threshold level. Same function as SQL in the radio menu.

Backlight Brightness
Selects the backlight brightness level. Same function as LAMP in the radio menu.

TBST Frequency
Selects the burst tone frequency that might be used to open a repeater. The burst tone is sent by pressing the microphone channel DN button while PTT is pressed.

Time Out Timer
Selects the maximum time for continuous transmission. Same function as TOT in the radio menu.

Auto Power Off
Selects the idle time before the radio will turn off. Same function as APO in the radio menu.

Mute
Selecting On disables the keypad tones. Same function as MUTE in the radio menu.

CSQ Tail Eliminator
Selects the frequency used for squelch tail elimination on carrier squelch channels. 55 Hz matches other Midland FRS and GMRS radios.

Weather Channel Number
Selects a default weather channel.

Call Tone
Selects a call tone sequence. The call tone is sent by pressing the microphone channel UP button while PTT is pressed.

Repeater Frequency Display
Selecting On displays the repeater channels on the CH screen and enables the repeater channels in the radio’s channel list. Same function as REP in the radio menu.

Color
Select the backlight color. Same function as COL in the radio menu.

Tail Eliminator Type
Selects the type of squelch tail elimination used on CTCSS channels. 55 Hz matches other Midland FRS and GMRS radios.

Choose TX Power
Selects the maximum transmit power output.

Inhibit Initialize Operation
Check to disable the Factory Restore menu function.

Mic Audio
Check to enable microphone audio to the transmitter from the rear panel intercom jack.

External Audio
Check to enable receive audio out from the rear panel intercom jack.

Embedded Message Screen

The Embedded Message screen shows factory configured parameters. To open the Embedded Message screen, click Embedded Message on the tree view or select Embedded Message from the Edit menu.

Midland Radio Corporation
midlandusa.com

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)  >>

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>