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Midland ER40 Emergency Crank Radio – Full User Guide

Customer Experience
Updated

Thank you for purchasing the Midland ER40 Emergency Crank Radio. This versatile, multi-power radio is designed to keep you informed and prepared with AM/FM, NOAA weather channels, weather alerts, flashlight modes, a clock, and emergency charging capability.

Key Features

  • AM/FM Radio
  • NOAA Weather Band with Alerts
  • Flashlight with SOS Beacon
  • USB Mobile Device Charging
  • Hand Crank and Solar Charging
  • Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery
  • Clock with AM/PM Display
  • Menu with Adjustable Backlight and Display Settings
  • Multiple Volume and Tuning Controls
  • Telescopic Antenna for Improved Reception
  • Compact and Portable Design

Included in the Box

  • ER40 Emergency Radio
  • USB Charging Cable (Micro-USB to USB)
  • User Manual

Quick Start Guide

  1. Remove Battery Pull Tab: Turn over the radio and completely remove the yellow battery pull tab before powering on.
  2. Power On/Off:
    • Press and hold the Power button for 3 seconds to turn on or off.
  3. Select Band:
    • Press the Band button to cycle between AM, FM, and Weather (WX) bands.
  4. Activate Weather Alerts:
    • Press the Weather Alert button to enable or disable alerts. The WX icon will flash when alerts are active.
  5. Use the Flashlight:
    • Press the Flashlight button to activate.
    • Press again to cycle through:
      • Low Power Mode
      • High Power Mode
      • SOS Morse Code Beacon
      • Off
  6. Charging the Radio:
    • Connect the provided USB cable to a USB power source and the radio’s micro-USB port to charge the internal battery.
  7. Access the Settings Menu:
    • Press and hold the Menu button for 3 seconds.

Charging Your Radio

Charging Methods:

  • USB Charging:
    Use the included cable and a USB power source to charge via the micro-USB port.
  • Hand Crank Charging:
    Turn the hand crank to manually charge the radio. The faster and longer you crank, the more charge is produced.
  • Solar Panel Charging:
    Place the radio’s solar panel in direct sunlight to charge the battery.

Important Notes:

  • Only use the provided Midland USB cable and Midland Li-Ion battery.
  • Do not use Alkaline, Standard, or other battery types. This radio does not support them.
  • When charging external devices, the radio will automatically power off and switch to charge mode.
  • Weather alerts will not be received while charging external devices.

Charging External Devices

  • Connect a mobile phone or USB-powered device to the USB device charging port on the side of the radio.
  • The radio should be fully charged before charging external devices.

Battery Level Indicator

  • Battery icon cycles from empty to full bars when charging.
  • The LCD will display battery level when the radio is powered off.

Band Selection

  • Press the Band button to cycle through AM, FM, and Weather bands.

Volume Adjustment

  • Press the Volume Up/Down buttons to adjust the audio level.

Tuning the Radio

  • Press the Tune buttons to adjust to your desired frequency on AM, FM, or WX bands.
  • Press and hold the Tune buttons to automatically scan to the next available station.

For best FM and weather reception:
Fully extend the telescopic antenna and adjust its position.

Weather Band Functions

NOAA Weather Channels

  • Press the Band button to select the WX band.
  • Use the Tune buttons to select one of 7 NOAA weather channels:
Channel Frequency
1 162.400 MHz
2 162.425 MHz
3 162.450 MHz
4 162.475 MHz
5 162.500 MHz
6 162.525 MHz
7 162.550 MHz
NOAA Weather Channels

For channel listings by region, visit: weather.gov/nwr/counties

Weather Scan

  • Press and hold the Tune button to scan to the next active NOAA weather channel.

Weather Alerts

  • Press the Weather Alert button to activate alerts.
  • When activated, the WX icon will flash on the LCD.

When an alert is received:

  • An audible siren will sound.
  • The flashlight will flash.
  • The radio will automatically switch to the current weather channel.
  • Press any button to cancel the alert.

Notes:

  • The radio can receive weather alerts even when powered off if the WX alert is active.
  • The radio will not receive alerts while charging external devices.

Flashlight Features

  • Press the Flashlight button to turn on.
  • Press again to cycle through:
    1. Low Power Mode
    2. High Power Mode
    3. SOS Morse Code Beacon
    4. Off

Menu Functions

  • Press and hold the Menu button for 3 seconds to enter the menu.
  • Use the Tune buttons to adjust settings.
  • Use the Weather Alert/Menu button to toggle menu options.
  • The menu will exit automatically after 10 seconds of inactivity.

Setting the Clock

  1. Press and hold the Menu button for 3 seconds.
  2. First setting is the clock:
    • Use Tune buttons to select 12-hour or 24-hour format.
    • Press Weather Alert/Menu button to confirm.
    • Use Tune buttons to set the hour, then confirm.
    • Use Tune buttons to set the minutes, then confirm.

Backlight Settings

  • Three options:
    1. Always On
    2. 5-Second Timeout
    3. Always Off
  • Use the menu to adjust backlight settings.

Note:
Leaving the backlight always on will reduce battery life.

Weather Channel Display

  • Two display options:
    1. Channel Number (Ch)
    2. Frequency (Fr)
  • Use the menu to toggle between display modes.

LCD Display Overview

Icon/Indicator Description
AM/FM/WX Band selection
Battery Battery status and charging
Volume Bars Current audio level
Frequency AM/FM frequency or WX channel
Clock Time display with AM/PM icons
WX Icon Weather alert status

Controls and Ports

Control Function
Flashlight Button Power and cycle flashlight modes
Weather Alert/Menu Button Enable alerts and access menu
Tune Buttons Frequency adjustment and menu control
Volume Buttons Adjust audio level
Power/Band Selection Button Turn radio on/off and select band
Headphone Jack Connect external headphones
USB Device Charging Port (OUT) Charge external USB devices
Micro-USB Radio Charging Port (IN) Charge radio battery
Solar Panel Solar charging
Telescopic Antenna Improves FM/WX reception
Hand Crank Manual charging

About NOAA/NWS

NOAA and the National Weather Service provide all-hazard alerts covering most of the U.S. Reception range is typically up to 50 miles, depending on terrain, weather, and indoor/outdoor placement.

For best reception:

  • Fully extend and adjust the telescopic antenna.
  • If indoors, position near a window.

Regulatory Information

  • Complies with FCC Part 15 and RSS-310 of Industry Canada.
  • The device must accept any interference received.

Limited Warranty (U.S. Only)

  • Three-year warranty from date of purchase on radios.
  • 90-day warranty on accessories.
  • Does not cover misuse, water damage, or unauthorized repair.
  • Submit warranty claims in the Midland Returns and Claims Portal

Download the full owner's manual here.

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