Midland Gxt500/550/565 Series Gmrs/frs Radio Owners Manual

							GXT500/550/565 Series 
    GMRS/FRS Radio
X-TRA TALK
®
OWNERS MANUAL
www.midlandradio.com 
						

							®Model GXT500/550/565 Series
Page 2www.midlandradio.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS2
Introduction3
Important Notice, FCC Licensing4
LCD Display5
Controls5
Battery Installation6
Installing the Belt Clip6
Charging the Optional Battery Pack7
Low Battery Level Indicator7
Operating Your  Radio8 - 13
External Speaker/Microphone Jack14
Troubleshooting Guide15
Use and Care15
Specifications and Frequency Charts16
Warranty Information17
MIDLAND Family Products18
Accessories18
Accessories Order Form19 
						

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Page 3www.midlandradio.com
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. Your two-way radio is designed for reliable and
trouble-free performance for years to come.
Features
- 22 GMRS/FRS Channel 
- 38 Privacy Codes
- eVOX
- Selectable CALL Tone
- Weather (WX) Band Receiver  
- VIBRATE ALERT
- SCAN Function
- MONITOR Function
- Roger Beep Tone
- Silent Operation
- Key Pad Lock
- Power High / Power Low Settings
- Speaker / Microphone Jacks
- Battery Low Indicator
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the  following two conditions : (1) this device does not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this radio must accept any interference that may cause
undesired operation.
To maintain compliance with FCC’s RF exposure guidelines, for body-worn
operation, this radio has been tested and meets the FCC RF exposure
guidelines when used with Midland Radio Corp. accessories  supplied or
designated for this product. Use of other accessories may not ensure
compliance with FCC RF exposure guidelines. (Tested with Headset Model:
AVP-1)
Model GXT500/550/565 Series 
						

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Page 4www.midlandradio.com
IMPORTANT NOTICE, FCC LICENSE REQUIRED FOR GMRS OPERATION
The GXT500/550/565 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 GXT500/550/565 Series.
Serious penalties could result for unlicensed use of GMRS channels, in violation
of FCC rules, as stipulated in the Communications Acts Sections 501 and 502
(amended).
You will be issued a call sign by the FCC which should be used for station
identification when operating the radio on GMRS channels. You should also
cooperate by engaging in permissible transmissions only, avoiding channel
interference with other GMRS users, and being prudent with the length of their
transmission time.
To obtain a license or ask questions about the license application, contact the
FCC at 1-888-CALL FCC or go to  the FCCs website:
www
.fcc.gov/services/personal/generalmobile/licensing.html
Exposure To Radio Frequency Energy
Your Midland radio is designed to comply with the following national and 
international standards and guidelines regarding exposure of human being to radio
frequency electromagnetic energy:
- United States Federal Communications Commission, Code of Federal 
Regulations: 47 CFR part 2 sub-part J
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Institute of Electrical & 
Electronic Engineers (IEEE) C95. 1-1992
- Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineer (IEEE) C95. 1-1999 Edition
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) of the 
United States, Report 86, 1986
- International Commission on Non-lonizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) 
1998
To control your exposure and ensure compliance with the general population or
uncontrolled environment exposure limits, transmit no more than 50% of the time.
The radio generates measurable RF energy exposure only when transmitting.
Model GXT500/550/565 Series
IMPORTANT:Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by
MIDLAND RADIO CORP. could void your right to operate this unit. Your radio is set
up to  transmit a regulated signal on an assigned frequency. It is against the law to
alter or adjust the settings inside the COMMUNICATOR to exceed those limita-
tions. Any adjustment to your radio must be made by qualified technicians. 
						

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Page 5www.midlandradio.com
CONTROLS
LCD DISPLAY1. 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. VIBRATE-ALERT ICON– Indicates
when the Vibrate-Alert feature is on 
9. PRIVACY CODE– Indicates Privacy
Code selected by user (oF~38) .
10. TRANSMIT POWER LEVEL ICON–
Indicates TX Power setting (H/M/L) 
11. POWER/VOLUME KNOB– Turn clock-
wise to turn the power on and increase
the volume level. Turn counter-clockwise
to decrease the volume level and turn
the power off.
12. PTT Button– Press and hold to transmit
voice communication. 
13. CALL/LOCK Button– Press to send a
CALL tone signal. Press and hold to turn
KEY LOCK on/off.
14. MIC– Built-in microphone.
15. SPEAKER– Built-in speaker.
16. ANTENNA.
17. EXTERNAL SPEAKER/MIC JACK.
18. MENU Button– Press to access Menu
mode. Press and hold to go to WX Band
Receiver mode.
19. MONITOR/SCAN Button– Press to
enter SCAN mode. Press and hold to
enter MONITOR mode
20. UP and DOWN      Button– Make
adjustments in MENU mode.
1
2
3
4
56
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
1520 19 18 17 16
Model GXT500/550/565 Series 
						

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Page 6www.midlandradio.com
BATTERY INSTALLATION
Your GXT500/550/565 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. Insert  4 AA batteries observing the polarity as shown. Installing 
the batteries incorrectly will prevent the unit from operating or 
may damage the unit.
3. Return the Battery Cover by sliding it up on the radio. Replace the
belt clip, making sure it locks into place.
BATTERY
COMPARTMENT
BATTERY
COMPARTMENT
COVER
One Battery inserted 
 in this slot
Press here and 
push down to open
Model GXT500/550/565 Series
INSTALLING THE  BELT  CLIP
To install the BELT CLIP, slide the clip down into the slot on the back
of the radio until the BELT CLIP LATCHclicks. To remove the BELT
CLIP, press the LOCK TABdown , then gently pull the belt clip up
toward the top of the radio.
BELT CLIP
LOCK TAB
BELT CLIP 
LATCH 
						

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Page 7www.midlandradio.com
CHARGING THE OPTIONAL BATTERY PACK
Your GXT500/550/565 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. Place the rechargeable battery packs in the radios.
2. Connect the AC adapter into an AC wall outlet.
3. Insert the AC adapter plug (or DC Cigarette Lighter adapter if    
charging in vehicle) into the desktop charger jack.
4. Place the units into the desktop charger slot and note that the LED
indicator with REDcolor will light up, indicating charging function. 
In order to ensure that the battery pack is fully charged, it is  
recommended that the battery pack be charged for at least 12 
hours.
1. Only use our NiMH battery pack.
2. Do not attempt to charge alkaline batteries or any batteries 
or battery packs other than the one indicated in the manual. 
This may cause leakage and damage to the radio.
3. For long term storage of the radio, turn the radio OFF and 
remove the batteries from the radio.
LOW BATTERY LEVEL INDICATOR
Your GXT500/550/565 Series has a LOW BATTERY ICON
which will only appear on the LCD display if the battery voltage level
is low. At this point, the battery needs to be charged for at least
12hrs.
Model GXT500/550/565 Series
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							POWER ON/OFF AND VOLUME 
Rotate the POWER/VOLUMEknob  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.
TRANSMITTING AND  RECEIVING A  CALL 
To communicate, all radios in your group must be set to the same
channel and Privacy Code.
1. For maximum clarity, hold the radio 2 to 3 inches from your mouth.
2. Press and hold the PTTbutton and speak in a normal voice 
into the microphone. The TXicon will appear continuously 
on the LCD Display while transmitting.
3. To receive a call, release the PTTbutton. The RXicon will 
appear on the display when your radio is receiving a transmission.
ABOUT RANGE
Your GXT Series radios are designed to give you maximum range
under optimum conditions.
Optimum Conditions are:  
lOver water
lOpen rural areas without obstructions
lFlat areas where you can see the other person
To ensure you get maximum range:
lBe sure to use fresh or fully charged batteries - low batteries will 
cause low power conditions
lBe sure you are on a GMRS channel - FRS channels are         
restricted by the FCC to low power
lBe sure to set your radio to use Hi power.
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Page 8www.midlandradio.com
OPERATING YOUR  RADIO
Model GXT500/550/565 Series 
						

							®
Page 9www.midlandradio.com GXT500/550/565 SERIES QUICK REFERENCE CHART
MONITOR 
Pressing and  holding  the MONITORbutton  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. 
Press and hold  the MONITORbutton  for 1 second again to get out
of  MONITOR mode.
SCAN 
Your GXT500/550/565 Series can scan all 22 channels for activity. To
enter, quickly press the SCANbutton. Repeat the same procedure to
exit. Your radio will rapidly scan each of the 22 channels and stop on
any active channel for 5 seconds before resuming scan.
When you press the PTTbutton to transmit on an active  channel, the
scanning function will stop and remain on the active channel. To
resume scanning, quickly press the SCANbutton.
Model GXT500/550/565 Series
MENUChanneleVOX
1~22oF/1/2
Privacy
oF~38
Roger Beep
On/Off
Power
H/M/L
Call Tone
1~5
Vibrate
On/Off
WX Channel
1~10
Press &
hold Menu
button
Silent Operation
On/Off 
						

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Page 10www.midlandradio.com CALL TONE 
Your GXT500/550/565 Series can transmit a call tone for a fixed
length of time. To send a call tone, press the CALLbutton.  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 LOCKicon will appear on the display.
PTTand CALLwill still be active. Repeat the same procedure to
unlock the keypad.                                                                           
DISPLAY ILLUMINATION 
During Power on, the display illumination will activate for approx. 7
seconds. The display illumination can also be activated when the
MENUbutton is pressed.
CHANNEL SELECTION (GMRS/FRS BAND)
Press the MENUbutton once, and then the        buttons to select one
of the 22 GMRS/FRS channels. To confirm the selection, press the
PTTbutton or press the MENUbutton again to move to the next
feature setting.
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Model GXT500/550/565 Series