® X-TRA TALK GXT500/550 Series GMRS/FRS Radio OWNER'S MANUAL www.midlandradio.
Model GXT500/550 Series TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Introduction Important Notice, FCC Licensing LCD Display Controls Battery Installation Installing the Belt Clip Charging the Optional Battery Pack Low Battery Level Indicator Operating Your Radio External Speaker/Microphone Jack Troubleshooting Guide Use and Care Specifications and Frequency Charts Warranty Information MIDLAND Family Products Accessories Accessories Order Form 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 - 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 18 19 Page 2 www.midlandradio.
Model GXT500/550 Series Welcome to the world of Midland electronics Congratulations on your purchase of a high quality MIDLAND product. Your 2-way radio represents the state-of-the-art in high-tech engineering. Designed for GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) operation, this compact package is big in performance. It is a quality piece of electronic equipment, skillfully constructed with the finest components. The circuitry is all solid-state and mounted on a rugged printed circuit board.
Model GXT500/550 Series IMPORTANT NOTICE, FCC LICENSE REQUIRED FOR GMRS OPERATION The GXT500/550 Series operates on GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) frequencies which require an FCC (Federal Communications Commission) license. You must be licensed prior to operating on channels 1 - 7 or 15 - 22, which comprise the GMRS channels of the GXT500/550 Series.
Model GXT500/550 Series LCD DISPLAY 6 1 7 2 3 8 4 9 5 10 1. LOW BATTERY ICON – Indicates the battery level is low. 2. TRANSMIT (TX) ICON – Indicates radio is transmitting a signal. 3. eVOX – Indicates when eVOX mode is active. 4. CHANNEL NUMBER – Changes from 1~22 on GMRS/FRS band (1~10 on WX band. 5. RECEIVE (RX) ICON – Indicates radio is receiving a transmission. 6. KEY LOCK ICON – Indicates KEY LOCK mode is on. 7. WX BAND ICON – Indicates when the radio is in Weather Band mode 8.
Model GXT500/550 Series BATTERY INSTALLATION Your GXT500/550 Series radio operates with either 4 AA alkaline batteries or an optional NiMH battery pack. The belt clip should be removed (see below) to ease installation or removal of the batteries. To install the batteries: 1. With the back of the radio facing you, remove the belt clip (see diagram below) for easy access, then remove the Battery Cover by pressing down on the top center and sliding it down from the radio. 2.
Model G500/550 Series CHARGING THE OPTIONAL BATTERY PACK Your GXT500/550 Series is equipped for using an optional rechargeable NiMH battery pack (not included) which can be recharged using a desktop charger (not included). Initial charge time is 24 hours with a charge time of 12 hours thereafter. For maximum battery life, we recommend charging the battery pack when the low battery icon comes on. Remove the radios from the charger when the charge time expires. To charge using a Desktop Charger: 1.
Model GXT500/550 Series OPERATING YOUR RADIO POWER ON/OFF AND VOLUME Rotate the POWER/VOLUME knob clockwise to turn the radio on and increase the volume level. Rotate the control counter-clockwise to reduce the volume level and to turn the radio off. During Power On, the radio will beep 3 times with different tones, the LCD will display a “self-test” message for 1 second and the LCD display will indicate the last channel selected.
Model GXT500/550 Series GXT500/550 SERIES QUICK REFERENCE CHART MENU Press & hold Menu button Channel Privacy Power eVOX Vibrate Roger Beep Call Tone Silent Operation 1~22 oF~38 H/M/L oF/1/2 On/Off On/Off 1~5 On/Off WX Channel 1~10 MONITOR Pressing and holding the MONITOR button for 1 second will let you hear noise so you can adjust the volume level of the radio when not receiving a signal. This should be used to check activity on your current channel before transmitting.
Model GXT500/550 Series CALL TONE Your GXT500/550 Series can transmit a call tone for a fixed length of time. To send a call tone, press the CALL button. The TX icon will appear while transmitting a call tone and a tone can be heard on the speaker for confirmation. KEYPAD LOCK To avoid accidentally changing the radio setting, press the LOCK button for 4 seconds. The KEY LOCK icon will appear on the display. PTT and CALL will still be active. Repeat the same procedure to unlock the keypad.
Model GXT500/550 Series SETTING PRIVACY CODES Your GXT500/550 Series has 38 Privacy codes available. The selected Privacy Code may be different for each channel. To select a Privacy Code for the current channel press the MENU button twice, and then the buttons to select one of the 38 Privacy Codes. To confirm the selection, press the PTT button or press MENU button again to move to the next feature setting. ! Note : Selecting a Privacy Code of "oF" will disable the Privacy feature.
Model GXT500/550 Series VIBRATE ALERT To turn the VIBRATE ALERT on, press the MENU button five times so the display will show the VIBRATE-ALERT icon blinking, while on the right of the CHANNEL NUMBER, an “oF” icon appears. Select “on” by pressing the buttons and push the PTT button, or press MENU button again to move to the next feature setting. The VIBRATE ALERT icon will remain on the display.
Model GXT500/550 Series CALL TONE SELECTION Your GXT500/550 Series has 5 selectable CALL TONES. To select, press the MENU button until a “CA” icon appears and to the right of the “CA” icon the current CALL TONE setting is displayed. Then press the buttons to make the CALL TONE selections - the radio will emit a corresponding tone for each selection. To confirm, press the PTT button or press MENU button to move to the next feature setting. SILENT OPERATION Your GXT500/550 Series has a SILENT OPERATION mode.
Model GXT500/550 Series EXTERNAL SPEAKER/MICROPHONE JACK : Your GXT500/550 Series can be used with an optional external speaker/microphone or headset, freeing your hands for other tasks. To use an optional speaker / microphone or headset: · Insert the plug(s) into the SPK/MIC jacks · Place the earbud into your ear, and adjust the mic into your desired position. Page 14 www.midlandradio.
Model GXT500/550 Series TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE PROBLEM SOLUTION No Power - Check battery installation and/or replace batteries Cannot Receive Messages - Confirm the radios have the same channel and Privacy Code settings. - Make sure that you are within range of the other transceivers. - Buildings and other structures may interfere with your communication. (See ABOUT RANGE on Page 8) - Make sure key lock is not on. See "Keypad Lock" (Page 10). - Radio might need to be reset. Turn radio off then on.
Model GXT500/550 Series SPECIFICATIONS Channels 22 GMRS/FRS Channels +38 Privacy Codes 10 Weather (WX) Band Channels Operating Frequency UHF 462.5500 ~ 467.7125 MHz Power Source 4 AA Alkaline or 4.
Model GXT500/550 Series LIMITED WARRANTY Midland Radio Corporation will repair or replace, at its option without charge, any Midland FRS/GMRS transceiver which fails due to a defect in material or workmanship within Three Years following the initial consumer purchase. This warranty does not apply to water damage, battery leak or abuse.
Model GXT500/550 Series ACCESSORIES Accessories can be purchased at www.midlandradio.com or fill in the form on the following page and mail it to our address. AVP-1 - 2 Over the Ear Mic. Headsets w/ PTT - $19.95 AVP-3 - 1 Dual Desk Charger 2 Rechargeable battery packs 1 AC Adapter 1 DC Cigarette lighter adapter - $39.95 Page 18 www.midlandradio.
Model GXT500/550 Series ACCESSORIES ORDER FORM Please send Money Order or fill in Visa/MasterCard information and mail to the address below. Please DO NOT send cash or checks. Make Money Order to Midland Radio Corporation.
Model GXT500/550 Series MIDLAND RADIO CORPORATION 1120 Clay St. N. Kansas City MO 64116 Call 816.241.8500 visit us at http://www.midlandradio.com Note: Features & Specifications are subject to change without notice. MIDLAND is not responsible for unintentional errors or omissions on its packaging. Rev G Page 20 www.midlandradio.
NOTE : The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV interference caused by unauthorized modifications to this equipment. Such modifications could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. ↓ This will be added on page 3 of Owner’s Manual.
