years ago I had looked at these radios, and wanted to buy one. Unfortunately, for quite a long time they were not available on anywhere. Finally, I saw that they were available again, and decided to pull the trigger and bring one home for myself. I like the fact that you can charge this little bass station, and that it has a crank to help charge up the internal battery. Also, like that will take alkaline batteries as well. Taking this thing out of the box I found out the unit itself is a little smaller than I imagined it almost look like a toy. It does work quite well and picks up lots of signals. Has a nice scanning function and even has a flashlight that I will probably never use. despite its shortcomings, I do still think that the radio itself is a useful purchase for those who are going camping or getting off the beaten path. Other than the size of the unit, another negative would be that you were unable to plug-in an additional long range antenna, or switch out the existing antenna for a larger antenna. Otherwise it's not a bad radio.

Wonderful product. Used as a base radio since it can be powered by AC. High range of volume that allows people to be heard from other rooms to low enough to sleep to the radio. Unfortunately could not find a radio sleep function. My mother is not radio savvy so setting it up, locking button input and having her just use the included mic with transmit button. It worked perfectly and she preferred it greatly over using a handheld.Alarm clock works but not as intuitive as I'd like. It's more difficult than necessary to verify the alarm time. But alarm is loud enough to wake us up when camping.Great transmission distance and antenna is sturdier than most portables. Used the privacy codes which worked better than both my differently branded handhelds, they sometimes squelch off for the first half second of another radio on the main channel before understanding the sender is not using the privacy code. It can be annoying to repeatedly hear that static in an otherwise quiet setting. This radio doesnt do that.Camping-wise having the FM radio was awesome but you can use receive or transmit when in FM mode.Spinning the fairly loud handcrank a minute charged the included rechargeable batteries from dead to enough power for transmitting and receiving once quickly.The only problem is the battery level indicator shows full or almost full when it wasnt leaving us outside with only the crank. Luckily we had some spare non rechargeables that worked fine. Remember not to crank with standard batteries installed!Overall a great unit, small and light and you can choose to use the speaker/mic or the mic built into the unit. The removable shoulder strap made it easily accessible while carrying a pack. Also came with car charger.Wish list: built in compass, monitoring multiple channels, built in solar charging.

Generally for the cost of FRS/GMRS type Two Way Transceivers, we all pay around $50-$100 - whether it be Walkie Talkie Portables, or a Unit Primarily intended as a sort of "Base Station" as this model is listed. The FCC limits our Transmitting Power "output" to 1/2 of (1) Watt for the FRS (Family Radio Service) Channels (#8-#14). The GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) Channels which Require us to purchase an FCC License for $86.00/5yr. - are allowed some 5 Watts of "input power" to the final Internal Electronic Power Amplifier(s) Circuitry. Actual External Output Power is around (4) Watts (+/- a little), with fully charged Batteries or external supplied Power Source on Channels (#1-#7) and (#15-#22) that's it per Federal Regulations.Commercial, Marine, and Business Radios are in different categories, and of course are much more expensive.The just mentioned, is to potentially help the non-technical person reading this gain just a little bit of insight into this type product. Now to directly state things: This Midland Brand XT511 Base Camp Unit is actually quite nice for what it is intended to do.Specifically: It has AM/FM/WX(7 Weather) Bands, (7) FRS Channels and (15) GMRS Two Way Communication Channels, Utilizes 120Vac w/included Adapter, has a NiMh Rechargeable Battery Pack included, can also run on (4) AA Alkaline Batteries (not included), can also run on 12VDC (Vehicle Socket) power, and you can Recharge the NiMh Batteries via the hand CRANK "Dynamo" built into the Radio. That is a lot of Optional Power Source capabilities for Camping, Emergency usages, or even around your own property as may be applicable.The Two Way Radio portion of this unit is compatible with all other Two Ways using "standard" FRS/GMRS Channels. This Two Way Radio also incorporates the CTCSS and DCS "Privacy Codes" which Midland Company has been a trend-setter in utilizing these technical enhancements. Simply stated for understanding: These CTCSS & DCS Codes are "Frequency or Numerical" Coded additions incorporated onto the FCC assigned Frequencies for each Channel. Analogy: Kind of like Phoning a businesses 10 digit Main telephone number, and then adding a 3-4 digit EXTENSION Number to take you more directly to where & who you want to talk with. This enables some 121 Codes that can be assigned to each of the 22 Standard Channels (that's a whole bunch of Privacy capability). Transmitting capability is via the External Handheld Microphone, VOX, or Press To Talk Button on the Base Unit itself. Range of course is dependant upon Battery(s) Charge Level, Obstructions, and Terrain. NOTE: This Base Camp Model does NOT have "Group Mode" capability which is even another Privacy Capability found on Midlands higher end Portable Walkies such as their Model GXT1000VP4 (found herein Amazon). The GXT1000 Walkies also have 142 Privacy Codes. However, you CAN set this Base Station and the Walkies just mentioned, up to 121 of the same CTCSS & DCS Codes, or just Standard Channel setting for this Base Camp Model - really quite nice.The AM/FM are standard, and are Adjustable for Volume & Tone. The Weather (NOAA) has 7 Station Capability, and comes in very clear with very good reception even in a Basement with Florescent Lighting immediately around. The built in LED Flashlight supplies enough light for the immediate area - but is not a Flashlight with a projected beam. There are also built in Digital Clock, Alarm Clock, Siren/Calling Out Sounds, Dual Watch for Two Way Channels, Weather "Emergency" Alerting, and even a Carry Strap. Note: This unit is NOT as physically large as it may sound - it is NOT a Pocket or Belt carry type Radio, however, it is not heavy, nor bulky either about 8" Wide by 6" High. The only negative I see is the physical Handle of the Dynamo Crank itself... this handle folds into its designated holding position on the Radios RH side. It is the rather "thin" plastic handle that is of concern. Although it may never break... I would like to see Midland reinforce or make this part from a heavier plastic material. Also, the LCD screen is easy to see, and is lighted!The Owners Manual requires a bit of getting used to, the English translations are sometimes different from how we generally construct our sentencing, and requires being read more than once. Overall this unit is well worth the money, it could literally be a life saver, and its versatility is impressive.