As we know the Midland 8001 PRO is scheduled for release during the mid point of february. And it’s with many thanks to a dealer I’ve been loaned a sample of the radio to have a look around at, check out the menus and see what’s on offer. I’m especially interested in the AI DSP which I suppose is in fact another version of the NRC we see on other radios but in the meantime it’s wait and see as not checked it out so far.

Thank you to David 26WR001 from his mobile in Cornwall for the first contact and he complimented on the audio, did need drop the microphone gain from 15 to 12 as the audio was too strong. Thanks also to Kieron 26K666 whose kindly also sent me a video and indeed the audio is super loud! I’ll drop the SSB Mike gain now to 10 and we can try it another time and see how it sounds now.

As we know the radio comes as a full multi-EU device and we’ve included the German and English manuals for you as well as the German information document and also the English info page too so download the one that interests you.

Multi Norm

Band selection is simple and covers all the usual suspects when it comes to using the radio in the EU. Band switching has been quick and easy, no real lag in the band change and as done without any crazy key combinations it is really quite easy to accomplish. In my location the signal meter is a little erratic but you all know I live in QRM hell so we expect it.

Leprechaun Ireland

On the “Original FM Calling Frequency” I’ve managed to speak to unit 030 who told me the modulation was crystal clear and sharp. This was the first of many on FM who liked the sound a lot. Wasn’t able to let them know what I was using then but now you know the loud audio was from the Midland 8001 PRO and the standard microphone which comes with it. The mike gain was set at 12 and not at the level 15 which the radio comes with. You’ve seen the sat-online video of the radio before and indeed the audio was strong on the sample, was really strong.

Menu Options

The radio has a comprehensive menu system akin to Qixiang idea of menu. Everything is there, some of it is named a little strangely so please read the manual as it shows the way to set the radio easily. I know we all try and skip the manual but in this case it is a wiser man that reads the manual than someone who doesn’t read it.

PC Or Not PC

This question has been around since Adam and Eve were children is this or the variants PC programmable. Long and I mean long time ago I had some of the very first samples of the then called Maxlog 8900 and it was not PC programmable. Well it was going to be, then it wasn’t and this has remained the same over many years. There is no PC programming on this radio it’s available for firmware updates the rear programming port.

In the above videos we let you see the options for multi EU and the menu system to get the countries. Also we have the calling channel for Portugal on 27.345L and lastly the call frequency of the Russian Republics. Due to a CME it’s made also getting some conditions in my part of Europe rather challenging. Plus the huge snowfall, ice rain and other fun things.

Noticeable is the clarity the radio has with the NRC on. For me it is a case and still a case of learning what the best setting is. In my personal case the radio was better at level 1 it was enough for me. The microphone gain as mentioned was the key and I’d like to say again the radio has USB, LSB, AM and FM microphone gain and for me it was better set level 12 out of 15 as people told me it was too loud at 15. SSB was mentioned to be strong, and the stability of the radio was excellent. No drifting and no oddities of behaviour at all which we all want in these times! Stability, Stability and Stability then the rest we can adjust menu settings and or adjust microphones etc.

I would like to say thanks to Albrecht Midland Germany and Midland Europe for kindly answering some questions which I had. It’s my belief since I’ve had this one some months in 2025 the new version which be sold from mid February onwards will be different according to reading an interesting article on Bensons Funktechnik website. When the radio is released I’ll find one and will absolutely be back talking about this with the newer version.

Link to a dealer: https://tinyurl.com/4cmmwmmt

It will show when in stock

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