Midland Radio

Midland Radio, formally Midland Radio Corporation, is a United States radio communications equipment company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Established there in 1959, the company developed a longstanding position in consumer and business radio communications and is described as the oldest U.S. manufacturer of citizens band (CB) radios. Its product portfolio spans short-range two-way radios, CB radios, General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) mobile systems, NOAA weather-alert receivers, emergency radios, commercial communication equipment, portable power products, and, in European markets, amateur-radio equipment. The company operates from a Kansas City distribution and operations facility that supports its U.S. activities. Midland develops, manufactures, and imports equipment for both individual consumers and business users. Its consumer products are aimed at outdoor recreation, family communication, emergency preparedness, travel, and vehicle use, while its business-radio lines serve users requiring more durable or duty-specific communication equipment. Midland has participated in the evolution of license-free and personal radio communication in the United States. It was among the early companies to introduce a 14-channel Family Radio Service radio to the market. Its two-way radio portfolio has included the X-Talker, LXT, GXT, and XT511 families, while its MicroMobile products provide higher-powered GMRS communication and are designed to connect with Midland handheld two-way radios. The company also maintains a traditional CB-radio business, covering both fixed and portable products. Weather and emergency preparedness are another major part of the brand. Midland’s NOAA weather-radio range has included the WR120, WR300, WR400, and HH50B. Its ER210 and ER310 emergency radios combine alert reception with backup-power features such as hand cranks, solar charging, rechargeable batteries, USB power, and LED lighting. These products position Midland not only as a communications supplier but also as a preparedness brand for severe-weather and power-outage situations. In the vehicle and recreation category, Midland supplies high-powered MicroMobile GMRS systems and has served as the official communications sponsor of Jeep Jamboree. The association reflects the brand’s emphasis on off-road, outdoor, and group travel applications, as well as the movement of some recreational users from conventional CB systems toward GMRS-based mobile radios. Midland Radio is connected to an international group with offices and operations in several European and Asian markets. CTE International represents Midland and the Midland trademark in Europe and acquired a significant share of Midland Radio Corporation during the 1990s. European offerings have included dual-band amateur radios using VHF and UHF frequencies, alongside weather-channel functionality. The company remains privately held, and publicly available reference material does not identify a separate public listing, current chief executive, or precise global revenue figure.

Midland Radio Corporation was established in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1959. From its early development, the company focused on radio communications hardware for the American market and built a particular reputation in citizens band radio. Reference material identifies Midland as the oldest U.S. manufacturer of CB radios, a distinction reflecting the brand’s long presence in a category that became widely used by drivers, hobbyists, and outdoor users. Over time, Midland expanded beyond CB equipment into a broader set of consumer and business communication products. The company entered the Family Radio Service market and was among the first manufacturers to introduce a 14-channel FRS radio. Its later handheld portfolio included the X-Talker, LXT, GXT, and XT511 families, giving the brand coverage across different consumer use cases and feature levels. Midland also developed higher-powered MicroMobile GMRS systems intended for vehicle-based communication and interoperability with Midland handheld radios. Weather information and emergency preparedness became another important part of the company’s business. Midland’s NOAA weather radios were designed to receive official weather warnings and related public-safety alerts. The company supplemented these receivers with emergency radios such as the ER210 and ER310, which combine alert functions with multiple backup-power methods, lighting, and charging capabilities. This broadened Midland’s role from a conventional radio manufacturer into a provider of equipment for severe weather, outages, travel, and emergency planning. The company also maintained business-radio lines organized around heavy-duty, medium-duty, and light-duty applications. These products extended Midland’s reach beyond household and recreational buyers to commercial users seeking dedicated radio communication. Its CB products continued to serve traditional users, while the MicroMobile range addressed the growing use of GMRS for recreational vehicles, off-road activities, and group coordination. During the 1990s, CTE International acquired a significant share of Midland Radio Corporation. Midland subsequently operated as the U.S. affiliate of an international group with offices or operations reported in Bulgaria, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. CTE International represented Midland and the Midland trademark in Europe, where the product range also included dual-band amateur radios operating on VHF and UHF frequencies. In the United States, Midland’s operations have been based at a Kansas City distribution facility that houses its U.S. activities. The company has remained privately owned rather than becoming a publicly traded issuer. Its more recent portfolio has included portable power equipment, including the PPG1000, a lithium-ion power station designed for indoor and outdoor use. Midland has also associated itself with outdoor recreation through sponsorship of Jeep Jamboree communications, where MicroMobile GMRS products have been promoted as an alternative to traditional CB communication. Public reference material does not provide a complete chronology of ownership changes, individual leadership appointments, sales figures, or a detailed account of every product-generation transition.

• 1990

  CTE International acquired a significant share

  [1]Midland Radioen.wikipedia.org

  During the 1990s, CTE International acquired a significant share of Midland Radio Corporation, linking the U.S. company with a broader international group.

• 1959

  Midland Radio Corporation established

  [1]Midland Radioen.wikipedia.org

  Midland Radio Corporation was established in Kansas City, Missouri, beginning its long-term presence in U.S. radio communications equipment.

• Early Family Radio Service introduction

  [1]Midland Radioen.wikipedia.org

  Midland was among the first companies to introduce a 14-channel Family Radio Service radio to the market.

• Expansion into emergency-preparedness equipment

  [1]Midland Radioen.wikipedia.org

  Midland developed NOAA weather radios and emergency alert radios with features such as hand-crank, solar, USB, rechargeable-battery, and lighting functions.

• MicroMobile GMRS range promoted for outdoor use

  [1]Midland Radioen.wikipedia.org

  Midland expanded its vehicle and recreation offering with high-powered MicroMobile GMRS radios and associated outdoor-event communications activity.

A practical communications and emergency-preparedness brand serving consumers, outdoor users, vehicle enthusiasts, and business customers with radio, alert-reception, and portable-power equipment.

• Weather alert receivers

  NOAA Weather Radios

  Midland’s NOAA weather-radio category is designed to receive weather forecasts, watches, warnings, and other public-safety alerts distributed through the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration alerting system. Referenced models include the WR120, WR300, WR400, and HH50B. The line supports the brand’s emphasis on household preparedness and timely information during severe-weather events.

• Emergency preparedness equipment

  Emergency Alert Radios

  The ER210 and ER310 emergency radios combine alert reception with backup and utility functions intended for outages or emergency conditions. Referenced features include hand-crank and solar charging, rechargeable batteries, USB power, and LED lighting. These products are positioned as compact preparedness tools rather than ordinary entertainment radios.

• Consumer two-way radios

  X-Talker, LXT, GXT, and XT511

  These product families represent Midland’s handheld two-way-radio offering for personal communication, outdoor activities, travel, and family use. The families provide Midland-branded coverage across multiple consumer configurations and are part of the company’s broader FRS and GMRS communications portfolio.

• High-powered GMRS mobile radios

  MicroMobile

  MicroMobile systems are high-powered GMRS radios intended primarily for vehicle, outdoor, and recreational communication. They can communicate with Midland handheld two-way radios, making them suitable for groups that combine vehicle-mounted and portable units. Midland has promoted the range for off-road and organized outdoor use, including Jeep Jamboree activities.

• Citizens band radios

  CB Radios

  CB radios are a foundational Midland category and include both conventional and portable products. They serve drivers, hobbyists, and users who prefer citizens band communication. Midland’s long history in this field is central to its identity as an established American radio manufacturer.

• Commercial two-way radios

  Business Radios

  Midland’s business-radio portfolio is described as having heavy-duty, medium-duty, and light-duty lines. The structure indicates an effort to serve commercial users with different durability and operating requirements, extending the brand beyond consumer handheld radios and recreational communication.

• Portable power station

  PPG1000

  The PPG1000 is a portable power product using a lithium-ion battery with a stated capacity of 924 Wh. It is designed as a quiet power source for indoor or outdoor use and can support appliances and devices such as coffee makers, blenders, and small refrigerators. Its inclusion broadens Midland’s preparedness offering beyond radio communication.

• Amateur radio

  Dual-Band Amateur Two-Way Radio

  In Europe, Midland offers dual-band amateur-radio equipment using UHF and VHF bands. The referenced equipment also includes NOAA weather-channel functionality, combining amateur-radio capabilities with weather-information reception for the applicable market.

• Jeep Jamboree communications sponsorship

  United States

  Midland has served as the official communications sponsor of Jeep Jamboree, using the event relationship to promote radio communication for off-road and group outdoor activities. The partnership is associated with Midland’s MicroMobile GMRS systems and the broader shift among some recreational users from CB radios toward GMRS equipment.

  Outcome. The sponsorship strengthened Midland’s association with Jeep-oriented recreation, off-road travel, and vehicle-based communications.

  Source

1. 1Midland Radioen.wikipedia.org