Midland XT511 Emergency Crank Base Camp Radio – Owner’s Manual

The Midland XT511 Emergency Crank Base Camp Radio is designed for reliable two-way communication and emergency preparedness. It combines GMRS/FRS two-way radio capability with NOAA weather alerts, AM/FM reception, and multiple power sources, including a hand crank generator.

Key Features

• GMRS/FRS two-way communication

• NOAA weather channels and alerts

• AM/FM radio reception

• 22 channels (7 FRS, 15 GMRS)

• Channel scan function

• Hands-free VOX operation (3 sensitivity levels)

• Large backlit LCD

• Clock with alarm function

• Multiple power sources:

  1. Hand crank dynamo

  2. AC power adapter

  3. DC vehicle adapter

  4. Rechargeable NiMH battery pack

  5. 4 AA alkaline batteries

• LED flashlight and emergency beacon

FCC Licensing

A GMRS license is required to operate on GMRS channels in the U.S.

• Channels 1–7: Shared FRS/GMRS (license required for GMRS use)

• Channels 8–14: FRS only (no license required)

• Channels 15–22: GMRS only (license required)
  Visit www.fcc.gov for details.

LCD DISPLAY 

1. NOAA WEATHER (WX) ALERT ICON – Indicates the NOAA Weather Alert function is on.

2. TRANSMIT (TX) ICON – Indicates radio is transmitting a signal.

3. RECEIVE (RX) ICON – Indicates radio is receiving a transmission.

4. DUAL WATCH ICON – Indicates the Dual Watch function is on.

5. TRANSMIT POWER LEVEL ICON – Indicates TX Power setting (H/L)

6. CLOCK AM/PM ICON – Indicates the clock is set in AM or PM.

7. CHANNEL NUMBER – Changes from 122 on GMRS/FRS band (110 on WX band). This is also used to indicate the current AM/FM receiver frequency setting and the current clock setting.

8. AM/FM RECEIVER ICON – Indicates radio is in AM or FM receiver mode.

9. PRIVACY CODE – Indicates Privacy Code selected by user (oF38/oF83). This 2 digit readout is also used to display AM/FM receiver frequency and for the clock function.

10. VOX ICON – Indicates when VOX mode is active.

11. KEY LOCK ICON – Indicates KEY LOCK mode is on.

12. SCAN ICON – Indicates when the radio is in Scan mode.

13. KEY TONE ICON – Indicates radio’s Key Beep Tone is on.

14. BATTERY METER – Indicates the battery level.

15. ROGER BEEP ICON – Indicates radio’s Roger Beep Tone is on.

16. ALARM CLOCK ICON – Indicates when the Alarm Clock is on.

17. NOAA WEATHER (WX) BAND ICON – Indicates when the radio is in Weather Band mode.

18. PRIVACY CODE ICON – Indicates Privacy Code setting (CTCSS/DCS).

CONTROLS 

19. ANTENNA

20. MONITOR / ALARM ON/OFF Button – Press to turn on the Monitor function in GMRS mode. Press and hold to turn alarm on/off in Clock mode.

21. SCAN/MINUTE Button – Press to set the Scan mode on/off in GMRS mode. Press to change the Minute setting in Clock mode.

22. LOCK/CALL / HOUR Button – Press and hold to set the key pad lock on/off in GMRS mode. Press to send Call in GMRS mode. Press to change the Hour setting in Clock mode.

23. FLASHLIGHT – Built-in flashlight.

24. USB JACK – used for charging mobile phone thru the Dynamo Crank.

25. EXTERNAL SPEAKER/MIC JACK

26. EXTERNAL CHARGER JACK – When using the AC or DC Adapter the rechargeable battery pack MUST be installed.

27. SPEAKER – Built-in speaker.

28. MENU/SOS Button – Press to access Menu mode in GMRS/FRS and WX mode. Press and hold for 5 seconds to activate the SOS Siren.

29. PTT/SELECT/SNOOZE Button – Press and hold to transmit voice communication in GMRS mode. Press to confirm the selection in MENU and Clock mode. Press to activate SNOOZE function in Clock mode.

30. DYNAMO CRANK HANDLE – Rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise to charge the NiMH battery pack.

31. BAND SWITCH – used to switch between AM/FM/WX/GMRS mode.

32. TUNING KNOB – Rotate clockwise/counter-clockwise to make adjustment in the MENU mode. It can also make adjustment in the Clock and AM/FM receiver mode.

33. BATTERY SOURCE SWITCH – used to switch between Alkaline and Rechargeable NiMH batteries.

34. LIGHT ON/OFF SWITCH – used to turn the FLASHLIGHT on/off.

35. TONE CONTROL KNOB – Turn clockwise or counter-clockwise to increase or decrease the tone.

36. POWER/VOLUME KNOB – Turn clockwise to turn the power on and increase the volume level. Turn counter-clockwise to decrease the volume level and turn the power off.

37. MIC – Built-in microphone.

GETTING STARTED

Installing Batteries

1. Remove the battery compartment cover by pressing down on the latch and pulling it away from the radio.

2. Insert 4 AA alkaline batteries or the supplied NiMH rechargeable battery pack. Observe polarity (+/-) markings inside the compartment.

3. Replace the battery cover securely.

Note: If using the NiMH battery pack, ensure the Battery Source Switch is set to “NiMH.” For alkaline batteries, set the switch to “ALK.”

USING THE DYNAMO CRANK

1. Turn the Battery Source Switch to “NiMH.”

2. Rotate the Dynamo Crank Handle clockwise or counter-clockwise for 1–2 minutes to generate power.

3. This can power the radio immediately or charge the NiMH battery pack for later use.

Tip: 1 minute of cranking typically provides about 10–15 minutes of radio operation.

CHARGING THE BATTERY PACK

• AC Adapter: Plug into the External Charger Jack.

• DC Vehicle Adapter: Plug into the External Charger Jack from a vehicle’s DC outlet.

• USB Charging: Use the USB jack to charge small devices, powered by crank or NiMH pack.

Important: Do not attempt to recharge alkaline batteries.

SELECTING A BAND

1. Set the BAND Switch to GMRS, WX, AM, or FM.

2. Adjust frequency or channel with the Tuning Knob.

GMRS/FRS RADIO OPERATION

Selecting a Channel

1. Press ▲/▼ to select channel (1–22).

2. Selected channel appears on LCD.

Setting the Privacy Code

1. Press MENU once — Privacy Code flashes.

2. Use ▲/▼ to choose code (oF–38/oF–83).

3. Press PTT to confirm.

Transmitting and Receiving

• Press and hold PTT to transmit, release to listen.

• Keep microphone 2–3 inches from mouth.

NOAA WEATHER RADIO

1. Set BAND Switch to WX.

2. Use Tuning Knob to select one of 10 weather channels.

3. For Weather Alerts, press WX/ALERT until alert icon appears.

AM/FM RADIO OPERATION

1. Set BAND Switch to AM or FM.

2. Turn Tuning Knob to adjust frequency.

3. Adjust Tone Control and Volume for desired sound.

CLOCK & ALARM OPERATION

Setting the Clock

1. Press and hold HOUR until hour flashes.

2. Use ▲/▼ to set hour; press HOUR to confirm.

3. Repeat for minutes with MINUTE button.

Setting the Alarm

1. Press and hold ALARM until hour flashes.

2. Use ▲/▼ to set hour and minutes.

3. Press ALARM again to confirm.

VOX (Voice Operated Transmission)

1. Press MENU repeatedly until VOX setting appears.

2. Use ▲/▼ to select level (oF–3).

3. Press PTT to save.

SCAN

• Press SCAN to search channels.

• Press PTT or SCAN again to stop.

DUAL WATCH

• Allows monitoring two channels at once.

1. Press MENU until Dual Watch icon appears.

2. Select secondary channel with ▲/▼.

Specifications

Troubleshooting

SAFETY & WARNINGS

• Do not attempt to charge alkaline batteries.

• Avoid exposing radio to prolonged moisture.

• Use only Midland-approved accessories.

• Keep out of reach of small children.

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