An advantage of having a GMRS license is being able to test GMRS equipment. I was hopeful when I saw the Midland MXT90 GMRS Micro-Mobile manufactured exclusively for Walmart. I was hopeful because I am always looking for good equipment at a good price for emergency use. Unfortunately I was disappointed.

The MXT90 is a small mobile 5-watt with the 15 GMRS channels. Channels 1-7 are the shared GMRS/FRS channels and 15-22 are the channels for licensed GMRS users only.

The unit features:

• 15 GMRS Channels
• 10 NOAA Weather Channels
• 142 Privacy Codes (38 CTCSS/104 DCS)
• Monitor Function
• Keypad Lock
• Power HI/LO settings
• External Speaker Jack

The MXT90 does NOT have repeater capability built in. It comes with a nice microphone and is sturdy. It also comes with all of the mounting hardware like any radio.

The manual is complete and well-written. Although I believe there is a mistake in the manual concerning GMRS licensing. If you are familiar with GMRS handy-talkies, you should know that channels 1-7 are shared GMRS/FRS channels. Channels 8-14 are reserved for Family Radio Service and 15-22 are strictly licensed GMRS channels. A GMRS licensee can operated on channels 1-7 and 15-22 on high power. Radios with FRS will not allow you to set channels 8-14 to high power and are limited to around 1/4-watt. The manual states that you must have a GMRS license to use channels 1-7. I believe (and this is my own, unverified opinion) that is incorrect. Since these channels are shared, a non-licensed person should be able to use them on low power ONLY. This is one of the things I am trying to verify through reading Part 95, Subpart A concerning GMRS.

The operation of the unit is easy and then menu functions are easy to memorize once you get used to it.

I immediately tore the package open and started to experiment. It is a standard 13.8-vdc plug which goes into the cigarette lighter or accessory plug. The mag-mount antenna is small and has a long enough cable to reach through just about any vehicle.

I scanned through the NOAA channels. It would not catch any of them. Later I attached a dual-band Baofeng antenna I had and was able to scan and find the ones I usually find in my area. At home I powered it with my Fatmax battery booster. I was not able to do a proper test right away, since there are not many GMRS licensees in my area. I did scan and received some people on radios.

The next chance I had to do an actual test was on a recent trip to Utah. My companions and I were in two vehicles. I used the mag-mount antenna that came in the package and they were on a small Motorola hand-held. The audio was very good until they got a few miles away. That could have been the limitations on the hand-held, though. It turned out to be useful in an emergency situation we faced.

The manual does tell you how to purchase a better antenna, but for $99 I feel that better antenna should have been included. I would not recommend purchasing this unit.

That being said, Midland is not a poor radio manufacturer. They manufacture citizens band radios and other GMRS Micro-Mobile models. I checked their web site and found they have two other models with higher power. They have an MXT105 model which is essentially the same as the MXT90 sold through Walmart.

The MTX115 is a 15-watt model which adds repeater capability. It also has a USB charging port for mobile devices. This model comes with an antenna which probably works, but I suspect you will probably want to purchase an upgrade antenna. This model is $149.00.

Midland also offers the 40-Watt, MXT400 Micro-Mobile with the repeater capability also built-in. The only problem is that it does not come with an antenna, cable or antenna mount which must purchased separately.

If you go to their site you can find their latest in citizens band gear.

Midland is not the only manufacturer of GMRS and CB radio equipment. I only add the above information to this article since you might want to go with a higher power GMRS or citizens band equipment. The advantage of mobile radios is that you can create an effective base unit by purchasing an appropriate power supply and antenna for your home. If you must evacuate, or just chose to use it while driving, you can simply unplug the unit and plug it into your car; providing you set it up with an appropriate antenna and power plug.

No matter which service you choose to use, you should do some research. Questions on amateur radio gear can be directed to your local amateur radio club. You probably have one local to you. If you have friends that operate other radio services, you can ask them what they use and what they like. It boils down to the fact that it is your money purchasing the radios.