On Midland GXT handhelds, Group Mode is a selective-calling feature layered on top of a normal GMRS channel. Instead of ringing every radio on that channel, you can page just your group (or even a specific ID on some models). Radios in your group will sound a special ring tone and display the caller’s ID, so teammates know the call is meant for them; then you all talk normally on the same channel. It’s meant for coordination, not secrecy, so once you start talking, voice is still standard GMRS audio that anyone on that channel can hear. 

Group Mode only functions on channels 1-22 (the non-repeater GMRS channels). When you enable Group Mode, repeater channels are disabled and some other features (like Dual Watch Pro on newer models) are unavailable. Also, Group Mode supersedes privacy-code (CTCSS/DCS) settings while it’s on. In short: pick a channel from 1–22, turn on Group Mode, and expect no repeater or Dual Watch until you turn Group Mode back off. 

Each radio in your team shares a Group Code (think of it as the “room number”). Each radio also has a Group ID (the “team number”) and a Caller ID (your 4-digit personal identifier). The 4-digit Caller ID in Group Mode is divided into two parts, each serving a different purpose during group or direct calls. The first two digits act as your personal identifier - they’re essentially the number your radio “transmits” when you make a call. This lets other radios know who is sending the page. The last two digits are what appear on your screen when another radio calls you - it’s the “received ID” display, showing who’s contacting you.

For example, if your Caller ID is 1205, the “12” identifies your radio when you call someone else, while “05” is what will show up on your screen when you receive a page from another radio. This system helps users in the same group tell radios apart without confusion, especially when multiple people are using the same channel and group code.

In short, the first two numbers are the ID you broadcast, and the last two numbers are the ID you see when someone reaches out to you. It’s a simple, built-in identification feature that makes it easier to track who’s calling and who’s receiving alerts during group communication.

When you press Call in Group Mode, your radio sends a short digital “group call” that makes only the selected group’s radios ring with the tone you chose, showing your Caller ID; after that alert, you press PTT and everyone on the channel hears the conversation. 

Step-by-step setup for the GXT1000

1. Pick a working channel (same on all radios)
   1. Put every radio on the same channel from 1–22. Group Mode only works on channels 1–22 (not 23–42).  
2. Turn on Group Mode
   1. Press MENU repeatedly until you see “Gr” blinking and “oF” at right.
   2. Press ▲/▼ to change oF → on, then press PTT to confirm. You’ll see the Group Mode icon on the screen.
3.  Set the shared Group Code (same on all radios)
   1. While still in Group Mode, press MENU until the privacy-code field blinks (Midland reuses this field for Group Codes).
   2. Use ▲/▼ to pick one of 142 Group Codes. All radios must match this exactly. Press PTT to confirm. 
4. Set each radio’s ID number (1-10)
   1. Press MENU until you see “Id” blinking with a number at right.
   2. Use ▲/▼ to choose an ID 1-10 for that radio. (Different radios can use different IDs within the same group.) Press PTT to confirm. 
5. Set your personal 4-digit Caller ID (each radio unique)
   1. While in Group Mode, press MENU five times to reach the Caller ID editor.
   2. Set each digit 1-9 with ▲/▼; press MON/SCAN to move to the next digit.
   3. Press PTT to save. (Tip: pick unique numbers so teammates know who paged them.) 
6. Choose the ring tone for Group/Direct calls
   1. Press MENU until “rt” appears.
   2.  Use ▲/▼ to select one of 5 tones, then PTT to confirm.

Step-by-step setup for the GXT3000

1. Put every radio on a normal GMRS channel. 
   1. Set all radios to the same channel from 1-22. (Group Mode only works on 1-22; repeater channels aren’t available while Group Mode is on.) 
2. Turn Group Mode on 
   1. Press MENU repeatedly until “Gr” flashes → use ▲/▼ to select ON. You’ll see the group icon when it’s active. 
3. Set the shared Group Code (same on all radios) 
   1. Press MENU to reach Group Code, then use ▲/▼ to choose 0-142 (there are 143 codes). Everyone in your group must match this exactly. 
4. Set each radio’s Group ID (1-10) 
   1. Press MENU to ID and choose an ID 1-10. You can use one ID for all, or split teams (e.g., ID 3 for “Team 3”). 
5. Set each radio’s Caller ID (unique 4-digit number) 
   1. Press MENU to Caller ID. Set the first digit with ▲/▼, press SCAN/MON to move to the next digit, and repeat until all 4 digits are set. Press MENU to continue. 
6. Pick the Group Ring Tone 
   1. Press MENU to Ring Tone, then select 1-5 with ▲/▼. This is the tone that plays when your group is paged.  

Step by Step Instructions for the GXT67 

1. Set the channel (all radios):
   1. Briefly press MENU, use ▲ / ▼ to choose a channel 1-22, then press PTT to confirm. All radios in your team must be on the same channel. 
2. Enter the Top Menu & enable Group Mode:
   1. Press MENU repeatedly until you reach the Top Menu (Menu advances forward; PTT exits/back). Use ▲ / ▼ to highlight GROUP MODE, then press MENU to enter it. Use ▲ / ▼ to change OFF → ON. (Menu saves/advances; PTT will also accept and return you to the prior menu.)  
3. Set the shared Group Code (everyone must match):
   1. After turning Group Mode ON, press MENU to get to GROUP CODE. Use ▲ / ▼ to select a code 0-142 (143 choices). Press MENU to accept and advance.  
4. Choose the radio’s Group ID (1-10):
   1. Press MENU to reach GROUP ID. Use ▲ / ▼ to select an ID 1-10 for that radio (you can assign different IDs to form sub-teams). Press MENU to accept and move on.  
5. Set your 4-digit Group Caller ID (unique per radio):
   1. Press MENU to reach CALLER ID. The first digit will flash - use ▲ / ▼ to choose its value. Press SCAN/MON to move to the next digit; repeat until all 4 digits are set. Press MENU to save and continue. 
6. Pick a Group ring tone:
   1. After Caller ID, the menu goes to GROUP RING TONE. Use ▲ / ▼ to select one of the available tones (1-5). Press MENU or PTT to save.

When you’re ready to reach just your team, press the CALL/LOCK button in Group Mode. On current models you can scroll to a specific Group ID or select ALL to alert every group using your Group Code, then press CALL again to send the alert. Your teammates’ radios ring and show your 4-digit Caller ID. After the ring, press and hold PTT to talk; your voice goes out normally on the channel. Remember: the alert targets your group, but the voice that follows isn’t private. 

Once all radios are set up, making a Group Call is simple. First, make sure you are in Group Mode and that every radio is on the same channel and group code. Press the CALL/LOCK button, then use the ▲/▼ keys to select a specific Group ID (1-10) or choose “ALL” to reach every radio in your group. Press CALL/LOCK again to send the page, which will cause the selected radios to ring and display your Caller ID. After the alert, press and hold the PTT button to speak. Keep in mind that your voice transmission is standard GMRS audio, so it is not private.

If you want to turn Group Mode off, go back to the GROUP MODE option in the Top Menu, change the setting from ON to OFF using the ▲/▼ keys, and then press MENU or PTT to save. Once Group Mode is turned off, normal privacy codes (CTCSS/DCS) and repeater channels will be available again.

Tips & troubleshooting

If your group doesn’t ring, triple-check that everyone is on the same channel and same Group Code; a mismatch there is the #1 culprit. If radios ring but you don’t hear each other after the alert, remember that Group Mode can override privacy-code behavior - try turning Group Mode off and testing with standard CTCSS/DCS to isolate the issue. If you need repeaters or Dual Watch, exit Group Mode; those functions don’t run at the same time.