Midland Radio

Lore & Background

Midland Radio Corporation was founded in 1959 in Kansas City, Missouri, and remains the oldest U.S. manufacturer of CB radios. In the 1990s, CTE International acquired a significant share of the company. Midland is the U.S. affiliate of an international group with offices across Europe and Asia, and its entire U.S. operations are housed in a distribution facility in Kansas City.

The company develops, manufactures, and imports both consumer and business radio communications products. It was the first to introduce a 14-channel FRS radio to the market. Midland Radio is the official communication sponsor of Jeep Jamboree, which is transitioning from CB to MicroMobile radios.

Product lines include NOAA Weather Radios (WR120, WR300, WR400, HH50B), Emergency Alert Radios (ER210, ER310), Two-Way Radios (X-Talker, LXT, GXT, XT511), MicroMobile high-powered GMRS radios, classic and portable CB radios, Business Radios (Heavy Duty, Medium Duty, Light Duty), Portable Power (PPG1000 with 924 Wh lithium-ion battery), and Amateur Radios for Europe only.

Reader's Guide

Midland Radio's significance lies in its long-standing position as the oldest U.S. manufacturer of CB radios, a legacy that began with its founding in 1959. The company's role as the official communication sponsor of Jeep Jamboree, and its transition from CB to MicroMobile radios, reflects its adaptation to changing radio technology. Midland's introduction of the first 14-channel FRS radio marks a notable innovation in consumer two-way communications. The company's product range spans consumer and business sectors, including NOAA weather radios, emergency alert devices with hand-crank and solar power, and portable power stations. Its international structure, with CTE International holding a significant share since the 1990s and offices in multiple countries, gives it a global footprint. The Midland trademark is represented in Europe by CTE International. The company's focus on emergency preparedness and outdoor communications, combined with its historical CB radio expertise, positions it as a steady presence in the radio communications industry.

Did You Know?

• Midland Radio is the oldest U.S. manufacturer of CB radios, established in 1959.
• CTE International acquired a significant share of Midland Radio Corporation in the 1990s.