MXT500 Firmware Update Instructions

*Updated MXT500 Firmware Details - Effective on 2024 Models

Midland's MXT500 with serial numbers beginning with "24" will include some hardware and firmware updates not available on earlier models. The added hardware creates a public address function (PA) and a noise cancellation function (ANC). Public address mode is entered with a long press of the MENU button. The ANC function can be enabled in the radio menu.

This firmware update will also include channels CH23-CH50, with preprogrammed privacy channels, to match the channels that are available on Midland's GXT handhelds. The firmware update also increases the number of available CTCSS tones from 38 to 50. Tones 39-50 are the non-standard CTCSS tones that have been requested for repeater use. These can be selected using the radio menu with the new radio firmware. The PC software has been updated to include them as well.

The new version of PC software is available to download for the MXT500 here. This V3.03 software is to be used with MXT radios with a serial number beginning with "24". MXT500 radios with a serial number beginning in "23" can also use the firmware upgrade and will use the V3.03 software to do so.

The below table will show which software should be used for an upgrade, depending on the MXT500 model:

MXT500 Firmware Update Instructions

These instructions assume the USB driver for the MXT500 radio is already installed and functioning on the PC. If this is not the case, please connect the radio to the PC and turn on the USB function in the radio menu to initiate the USB driver install.

To program on an Apple/Mac computer, you would need to be running a Windows Emulator on your Mac or run Windows as a Virtual Machine (VM).

The GD driver is included with the firmware update files if it is needed. The firmware update files are provided in zip compressed format and should be extracted to the desired location on the PC.

1. Run the firmware update tool. (MXT500_Firmware_Update.exe)

2. Power on the radio.

3. Connect a USB cable between the PC and radio.

4. Press and hold the Power/Volume knob and Channel/Set knob at the same time. Continue holding both, while the display turns off, until the red LED begins blinking. Release the Power/Volume knob first, then release the Channel/Set knob. The LED should continue blinking indicating the radio is firmware upgrade mode.

5. Check that the Com Port selection is correct for your installation. It will likely be the last port on the list.

6. Click Open Update File and select the firmware file, i.e. MXT500 V1_149_2021_5_11.spi for 30 channels, MXT500 V1_172_2023_03_23 Firmware for 128 channels.

The file should be in the directory included with the firmware update files.

7. Click Write to update the radio.

** Note  ** For models with a serial number that starts with 22 or below, you will need to have the V1.04 programming installed before the V2.01 can be installed. See here for more info. 

Troubleshooting:

If you receive a “Model Type is Wrong” error message, this indicates the PC software version and radio firmware version does not match.

There are 2 different versions of software for the MXT500, V1.04 (30 channels) and V2.01 (128 channels). Currently, the radio ships with the 30 channel firmware, V1.04 and can be updated with the firmware update tool on the website.  In the future they will ship with V2.01.

The 30 CH radio firmware (V1.149) uses V1.04 programming software, extra channels can be programmed in channel slots 8-14.

The 128 CH radio firmware (V1.172) uses V2.01 programming software, extra channels can be programmed in channel slots 8-14 and 31-128.

The “Model Type is Wrong” error message indicates the PC software version and radio firmware version does not match. 

 After updating to V1.172 firmware (128 channels), the radio will display 3 digit channel numbers. V1.149 is also included in the download files in case you should want to revert back to the 30 channel version.

 The error message will indicate the radio type as follows:

• MXT500: This radio should use V1 PC software. Current release is 1.04
• MXT5A1: This radio should use V2 PC software. Current release is 2.01
• MXT5A2: This radio should use V3 PC software. Current release is 3.03