Midland LXT500 Two-Way Radio – Owner’s Guide

The Midland LXT500 is a compact, high-performance FRS (Family Radio Service) two-way radio designed for reliable communication in a variety of environments. Built with quality components and solid-state circuitry on a durable printed circuit board, the LXT500 is engineered for years of dependable use.

Key Features

• 22 FRS Channels

• Call Alert

• Scan Function

• Roger Beep Tone

• Silent Operation

• Keypad Lock

• High/Low Power Settings

• Auto Squelch

• Speaker/Microphone Jacks

• Battery Life Extender

• Low Battery Indicator

FCC Compliance

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and meets FCC RF exposure guidelines when used with Midland-approved accessories. Use of non-approved accessories may not ensure compliance. For body-worn operation, maintain at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) between the radio and your body when transmitting.

LCD Display Icons

1. Low Battery Icon – Battery level is low.

2. TX Icon – Transmitting a signal.

3. Channel Number – Displays channels 1–22.

4. Key Lock Icon – Keypad lock is active.

5. RX Icon – Receiving a signal.

6. TX Power Level Icon – Indicates high/low transmit power.

7. PTT Button – Press and hold to talk.

8. CALL/LOCK Button – Quick press sends Call Alert; hold to lock/unlock keypad.

9. Microphone – Built-in mic.

10. Speaker – Built-in speaker.

11. Antenna

12. External Speaker/Mic/Charge Jack

13. Power/Menu Button – Hold for 3 seconds to power on/off; quick press for menu.

14. SCAN Button – Starts scan mode.

15. Up/Down Buttons – Adjust settings in menu mode.

Battery Installation

The LXT500 operates on a NiMH battery pack or 4 AAA alkaline batteries.

1. Remove belt clip and battery cover.

2. Insert batteries with correct polarity.

3. Replace cover and belt clip.

Tip: For long-term storage, remove batteries.

Belt Clip Installation

Slide the belt clip into place until it clicks. To remove, lift the lock tab and slide downward.

Charging

Using Desktop Charger:

1. Install rechargeable battery pack.

2. Connect AC adapter to wall outlet and desktop charger.

3. Insert radios into charger; red LED will light.

4. Initial charge: 24 hours; subsequent charges: ~12 hours.

5. Turn radios off while charging for best results.

Important: Only charge NiMH packs; never charge alkaline batteries.

Low Battery Indicator

The low battery icon blinks when power is low. On NiMH packs, it means batteries are nearly exhausted; on alkaline batteries, it indicates about 50% battery life remaining.

Power & Volume

Hold Power/Menu for 3 seconds to power on/off. Adjust volume using Up/Down buttons.

Transmitting & Receiving

• Hold PTT to transmit (TX icon appears).

• Release PTT to listen (RX icon appears).

• All radios in your group must be set to the same channel.

Range

Best range is achieved:

• Over water

• In open rural areas

• In flat terrain with clear line-of-sight

Use fresh batteries and High Power for maximum range.

Quick Menu Reference

• Channel Selection: MENU > Up/Down (1–22)

• Power (Hi/Lo): MENU until “Pr” > Up/Down

• Roger Beep: MENU until “rb” > On/Off

• Silent Operation: MENU until “bP” > On/Off

Functions

Scan Mode

Press SCAN to search all 22 channels. Stops on active channels for 4 seconds. PTT to transmit and exit scan.

Call Alert

Press CALL to send alert tone to other radios.

Keypad Lock

Hold CALL/LOCK for 4 seconds to prevent accidental changes. PTT and CALL still function.

Roger Beep

Audio tone after each transmission to signal end of message. Toggle in menu.

Silent Operation

Disables all beeps and tones for quiet operation.

External Speaker/Mic

Connect an optional headset or mic via SPK/MIC jack. Charging NiMH packs is also possible through the CHG jack.

Troubleshooting

Care & Maintenance

• Clean with a damp cloth; avoid alcohol/solvents.

• Do not submerge in water.

• Dry with lint-free cloth if wet.

• Remove batteries for long-term storage.

Technical Specifications

• Channels: 22 FRS

• Frequency Range: 462.5500–467.7125 MHz

• Power Source: 4 AAA alkaline or NiMH pack

FRS Frequency Chart:
1: 462.5625 | 2: 462.5875 | 3: 462.6125 | 4: 462.6375 | 5: 462.6625 | 6: 462.6875 | 7: 462.7125 | 8: 467.5625 | 9: 467.5875 | 10: 467.6125 | 11: 467.6375 | 12: 467.6625 | 13: 467.6875 | 14: 467.7125 | 15: 462.5500 | 16: 462.5750 | 17: 462.6000 | 18: 462.6250 | 19: 462.6500 | 20: 462.6750 | 21: 462.7000 | 22: 462.7250

Warranty (U.S. Only)

3-Year Limited Warranty on radios; 90-day warranty on accessories. Does not cover water damage, misuse, or unauthorized modifications.

Submit warranty claims in the Midland Returns and Claims Portal

Accessories

Available at midlandusa.com:

• AVP1 – Over-the-Ear Headsets

• AVPH2 – Closed Face Helmet Kit

• AVPH3 – Surveillance Headsets

• AVPH4 – Wrap-Around Headsets

• AVPH5 – Behind-the-Head Headsets

• AVPH7 – Camo Boom Mic Headsets

• AVPH8 – Acoustic Throat Mic

• AVP6 – Chargers and Batteries

You can download the full owner's manual here.