While technology might have influenced a shift from traditional communication forms to mobile communication, CB radios remain one of the best and preferred choices for several truck drivers and companies.
These radios provide the fastest and easiest means of exchanging information and enabling communications on road conditions, traffic, weather conditions, emergencies, and almost everything a road user needs. Generally, CB radios can naturally reach out as far as a 40-mile radius and 100-mile radius using enhancements like antennas.
Of the numerous portable CB radios in circulation in the market, Midland 1001LWX is most likely the most powerful and durable you will get with exciting features. Of the many strengths of this device is its ability to receive messages with clarity, its strong RF gain, the real-time weather alerts you get, and a crystal-clear LC-display.
The 40-channel compact CB radio features 4-watt power output, full front mount Microphone, which may also serve PA functions, auto-noise limiters, squelch, and external speaker jacks.
At purchase, the complete package usually comes with a Midland 10001LWX Radio, microphone bracket system, easy removal mounting bracket system, all main-unit and microphone mounting hardware for installation, plug-in Microphone with cord, and hardware manual for user’s guide. The radio does not include a built-in SWR meter; hence, if you need, you may have to purchase an external SWR meter separately to tune the antenna system for improved performance.
It is important to know before-hand that the package does not include antennas, but this will not pose so much of a challenge since the radio is compatible with pretty much any CB antenna, so long as the size fits with your installation plans.
Table of Contents
CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHOOSING THE MIDLAND 1001LWX RADIO
With the increasing need for communication, trucking companies and road users need to invest in quality radio to ensure swift and efficient communication. In choosing the best radio, due considerations should be made, and here is a list of factors to consider when choosing the Midland 1001LWX radio.
Cost
Two-way radios are extremely invaluable to every truck driver or vehicle owner who spends most of their day on the road. While there might be several radios in the market with countless channels and all sorts of expensive innovations and features, it makes no economic sense longing after such, especially when you have a limited budget.
Midland 1001LWX provides you with all the essentials you need from a radio plus extra amazing features and all at a pocket-friendly cost. It has a much budget-friendly price point than most other CB radios on the market, making it a wise choice for any road user in need.
Ease of Installation- 4.5″ wide and 1.75″ high
This radio’s compact design allows for easy installation into most cars, jeeps, trucks, and RVs. With a weight of about 1.6lbs, the CB radio is not particularly heavy, contributing to ease of handling and installation. Regardless of its relatively small size, it is solid enough to be mount on any flat surface. Though compact, the radio is not too small for you to behave difficulty in making out inscriptions on it.
Beyond the radio’s size and design, the user guide that comes with the radio at purchase makes the whole installation process easy. The step by step process for installation is written out in English to help even first-time users set up their radio without any external technical assistance.
Ease of Use
Drivers need to pay full attention while on the road. The best kind of two-way radio for drivers is one with easily accessible features.
Care was taken to design this CB radio to ensure that all the important knobs and buttons are placed at the front panel for accessibility. All information you need can be obtained at a glance.
Accessories Compatibility
Compatible with all CB antennas available in the market. Cable connection uses the standard CB PL-259 connection, and the radio mounts on any flat surface with a “U” mounting bracket.
Power Consumption
Being on the move makes you want to be conscious of power consumption, and your 10001LWX radio takes care of that perfectly. It comes with 2 AA batteries, which appears to be more than sufficient for a CB radio of 4-watt power output.
Transmission range
If you need a radio with an impressive transmission range at a fairly decent power output, then this Midland radio is the choice for you. With a decent antenna, fair weather, and good topography, you get a few miles of coverage with excellent signal strength.
The radio’s automatic noise limiter feature also ensures that unoccupied bands barely have any audible static, which is awesome for a budget-friendly radio. The transmitting audio quality is good enough that anyone listening at the other end will make out the words spoken.
FEATURES OF THE MIDLAND 1001LWX RADIO
40-Channel digital Tuner-Locks accurately unto your selected channel
One of the fascinating things about this radio’s channel selection feature is that upon powering, the device boots straight into Channel 19 are the most commonly used channel by CB radio road users. While the device lacks a dedicated emergency channel button that often redirects to Channel 9, this isn’t so much of a disadvantage considering the ease of tuning to a preferred channel using the channel selector knob.
The 40-channel digital tuner helps to make scanning to an active channel faster and easier. It is also pretty easy to lock on to a preferred channel with this feature.
Large, Backlit LCD
The backlit digital display aids operation, particularly at night or in dimly-lit environments. The feature allows for easy read at all times, irrespective of the lighting around.
4-Watt output power
The 4-Watt output is one feature that endears this Midland radio to most truck users out for a basic communication device in their vehicle. With this feature, the device delivers a maximum communication range at a relatively low output power of 4 watts. This way, you can rely on your battery system, even for long-distance hauls.
Digital Power meter
His meter is available on the radio to track signals and transmissions. It Shows incoming signal strength and transmits power and can help you decide on tuning for better audio quality using RF gain, the noise limiter, or even squelch Control. This meter is conspicuously located for ease of reading.
PA function
The PA feature gives the truck user the option to toggle easily between public address and normal CB operation. The public address feature allows you to use your radio with an external PA speaker for crowd communication or addressing passers-by or other road CB radio users.
Squelch Control
Squelch control aids the ANL feature of the radio to eliminate hiss and unwanted background noise. The squelch control might require getting used to, and you need to lock on to a powerful signal to get the most out of this feature as tuning the squelch control lays high demand on signal strength.
It might be quite necessary to clarify that the complexity with the squelch control is not a malfunction or design flaw. Almost all squelch act in like manner.
Full-sized Microphone
The Microphone in the package is an important feature of this midland radio. The microphone quality is top-notch, and this makes the audio very clear.
The Microphone is built to be easily removed and replaced if desired, and this is a great plus for flexibility. You can easily swap you mic if there is the need to, though you most likely won’t have to as the standard mic provided is always of high quality.
Push to Talk Microphone
The included Push to talk electret ergonomically designed. The Microphone connects to the front of the radio. This feature helps eliminate the background and unwanted noises when talking because it only activates your Microphone when you press it. This two-way communication feature allows communication in both directions, but only one way at a time.
Adjustable RF Gain Control
This device’s RF gain control feature allows you to pick up the weakest radio signals and make strong signals clearer, even in the most unfavorable environmental conditions. With this, you can adjust the sensitivity range of the radio.
You may not need to use this feature if you do not wish to receive a transmission from a fairly close distance. It, however, comes in handy when you have to reduce interference within range.
Adjusting the RF gain for transmission at a far reach might interfere with reception, but there is not so much to worry about since the RF gain is adjustable; hence you can always re-adjust to suit your need if you plan to increase or decrease your receiving range.
Weather Scan Technology
This one feature you will find interesting about the CB radio. The built-in weather tracker connects automatically to the NOAA weather radio to update weather conditions around you per time. In addition to this, you have a weather spotter that alerts you of hazardous weather conditions or happenings at places close to your location to warn you of imminent danger when you are on the road.
The weather scan technology is also built to quickly and efficiently hook unto your location’s local weather channel as you travel. The WX feature is extremely useful in route planning, especially if you are on a long-distance trip.
Automatic Noise Limiter
You will love the noise limiter feature of this radio that filters off any background noise or static and improves communication and reception for a weak signal. The ANL does an amazing job of getting rid of one of the greatest headaches of roadside radios.
The ANL eliminates humming or background noise from the vehicle, like the ignition, engine vibration, gauges, and other sound sources that may be close to the radio.
This feature will come in handy when there is an emergency, and you need to get reception quickly from a weak signal. The noise limiter is there to ensure you have the best experience while communicating, signal strength regardless.
Controls and Front Panel Features
WX Scan/CB button
When you push this button once you put the radio in the weather scan mode. Pushing this again activates the CB/PA mode; you can’t use both simultaneously.
Upon activating the weather scan mode, the radio starts scanning for weather channels and locks on to the first available local weather channel with a signal strong enough to use. Peradventure this signal gets weak, it automatically scans for another channel with a stronger signal.
Each time you push the WX Scan button to activate weather scanning, the radio rescans channels so you can have information on the weather.
The weather scan or CB functionality can be affected by extreme weather conditions, atmospheric disturbances like a storm or heavy snow, unfavorable terrain of hills, valleys, highlands, high-rise buildings that may stand as obstruction shorten CB or weather signals.
ANL On/Off button
Press this button once to activate the noise limiter and press again to turn off the noise limiter feature.
CB/PA button
Toggling this button puts you in PA mode and allows you to operate the optional external PA speaker or in the CB mode where the Microphone speaks into the transmitter.
4-pin Microphone Connector
You have to plug in the Microphone you find in the box to this connector to hear received signals.
ON/Off Volume Knob
You turn the Control in the clockwise direction to switch on the unit and adjust the volume. The off position means the transceiver power is off.
RF Gain knob
This front panel feature helps with reception gain. You turn in the clockwise direction to increase gain and counter-clockwise direction to reduce the gain.
Channel selector
The selector picks any of the preprogrammed 40 channels available on the radio. There is an LED readout just above the channel knob to indicate what channel is on.
Squelch Control
To eliminate the receiver’s background noise in the absence of an incoming signal, you need the squelch control. You can adjust the squelch control only to the point where background noise is eliminated to ensure maximum receiver sensitivity. In using the squelch control, the incoming signal must be strong enough, and that is the only way to ensure signal retention as you adjust the knob. Continued clockwise rotation will create an increasing threshold level in which a signal must overcome to be heard s; hence only strong signals will be heard at extreme levels of adjustment.
Antenna Connector
Here is a port to connect a 50-Ohm standard CB antenna.
External Speaker Jack
Standard speakers that can be used with this jack should be rated at 8 Ohms and 5 watts. Connecting an external speaker bypasses the internal speaker to produce all received signals.
PA Jack
For ease of communication with other road users, pedestrians, or drivers, you may need an external PA speaker attached to the transceiver through this external PA jack on the radio’s back panel. The standard rating for the PA speaker to be connected to this jack is at 8 Ohms and 5 watts.
Power cord
The power cord is connected with an inline 2 Amp fuse.
FAQS
How to tune a Midland 1001LWX
You May Want to Start By Installing Your Radio
It would be the best and maybe only option to have a 12-volt negative ground system car or truck to install the transceiver, and this is not a big deal since most vehicles use a negative system. Older models may use a positive ground system, so you should check your vehicle’s specifications before beginning installations. A negative ground system is generally when the motor block is connected to your car battery’s negative terminal.
You can install your radio under the dashboard or on the console of your vehicle, vertically placed. The compact size of the radio makes installation safe and convenient. Be sure to choose a location that doesn’t interfere with the car’s functioning and operations or driver’s Control.
Mount Your Radio
Here is a step by step guide on how to easily mount the radio
- Mark the location you have chosen for your radio using the mounting bracket as a template. Marks out the location for screws using a nail or any sharp object.
- Drill holes at the marked spots about 1/8″ and attach the bracket to the dash using the metal screws provided with your radio. Do not over drill holes to avoid having loose screws or damaging set-ups in the vehicle that may be beneath the dash.
- With comfort and accessibility in mind, carefully position the main unit between the bracket arm in line with the retention knobs.
- Add washer rubbers between the retention knob and the main unit to secure the main unit and carefully tighten the retention knob.
Wiring
This part is important because you do not want to get the terminals wrong and end up messing up your vehicle’s wiring system. You first have to confirm that your vehicle has a negative ground system, then you can proceed through the following steps:
- To ensure safety, disconnect the negative lead from the car battery to prevent short circuits.
- Connect the positive wire to any of the fuse block, cigarette lighter, or the positive post of your battery. You can consider convenience while choosing your connection spot.
You may also connect with the ignition switch, but your radio turns on and off with the ignition. The downside to this is that noise interruption from the ignition may affect the optimization of the radio.
- Carefully connect the black ground wire directly to the vehicle’s metal frame. It would help if you had a direct metal-metal ground for the best performance.
Installing the Microphone
You will find mounting holes on the microphone hanger bracket, which helps you mount the Microphone on the dash or other convenient location.
Installing the Antenna
There are two options for antenna for you to choose from. Either you go with the full-length whip or the loaded whip. The location of your antenna might influence your choice greatly.
For optimum performance and signal reception, here are some general rules for installing and tuning your antenna:
- You need the highest possible position to mount the antenna. The higher the proportion of antenna length above the roof, the better the signal strength received.
- It would be best for you to place the antenna at the center of the location you choose.
- Keep the antenna cables as fast as possible from the ignition system, gauges, or any other noise sources in the vehicle.
- Confirm that you have a solid metal-metal ground.
- In your installation, try as much as possible.
About five locations make suitable choices for installing your antenna, namely: the roof, rear deck, gutter, front cowl, or rear bumper. The location you decide on will determine the antenna type you’ll choose. You also have to make sure your antenna isn’t broken or damaged as it might damage the radio transmitter circuitry.
It would make your connection better if you also created a 20cm distance between your installed antenna and any other antenna or person or transmitter.
Tuning your Antenna
For optimum performance, you may have to tune the antenna for this radio. Though most antennas are factory-tuned, a little lengthening or shortening of the antenna, as the case may be, can go a long way in improving the antenna’s performance.
It would be best if you had a Standard Wave Radio (SWR) meter to adjust the antenna’s length to the right size for optimum use. Since the Midland 10001LWX package does not come with one, you have to purchase separately.
CONCLUSION
For the price and features gotten, Midland 1001LWX is arguably the best out there, rated by the most expert as one of the top 10 best CB radios for road users. You will most likely not find another radio with such amazing options for a lower price. It will serve your basic needs plus extra and deliver all you need to do while on the road.
Though not particularly fashionable, the radio is compact and rugged, which should not be an issue for an average CB radio user. The ease of installation is one great advantage of this product.
Tuning the channel comes with ease, and the audio quality is impressive, with all the features put in place to ensure maximum user satisfaction. The reliability of this radio is also one to capitalize on.
With all of the amazing features, variety of channels, portability of the radio, the intriguing weather alert systems, all at a mouth-watering price offer, it is pretty much not justifiable to ignore this radio while on the look-out for a standard CB radio for your vehicle.
