Anyone here with experience using the Midland STP-404A?

[VA6IKR]

So I've been searching ebay a lot recently looking for a neat new radio to mess around with. All the cool Motorola XTS2500/5000 with FPP enabled are well out of my price range, but I came across the Midland Syn-Tech III STP-404A and it seems to be a neat alternative to the Motorola gear? Its got FPP enabled and also comes with a copy of the programming software. I'm thinking of buying it, but I was wondering what everyones thoughts are on them whether it was used commercially or as a 70cm transceiver by yourself!

As far as I understand, Midland seems to have completely left the LMR P25 game, and theres also something about a Turkish company having manufactured the original version of the radio and the Midland being a clone? (that could be completely wrong too)

Anyways, it seems like a neat radio and i'm just wondering if its worth the $230 Canadian dollars for me! Or if I should just hold out for an XTS2500 with FPP enabled because of the sheer amount of support they still have.

 

[CopperWhopper67]

If you want a more economical experience, go with the XTS. They are far more plentiful and there is a surplus of OEM and aftermarket parts online because they were produced for 15 years and millions were sold across North America.

I am not sure how tech savvy you are, but there is a way to "upgrade" an XTS with FPP (and other features) outside of official channels if it does not have the feature(s); however it is quite the rabbit hole and requires the use of some hard to find software. The good news it that there are sellers on eBay who will add the feature to an existing radio for a small fee.

I do not know a whole lot about Midland pro radios, but I don't have a high confidence that you will be able to find replacement batteries in the future for the STP series. I emailed Midland asking about their pro stuff and they have confirmed that they are no longer in the pro market and have instead shifted focus back to consumer hardware.

P.S. What is your budget exactly?

 

[mmckenna]

I don't have any experience with that radio. Back in the day, Midland made good stuff and they used to be pretty well respected.
But, yeah, they are gone from the high end LMR market. Direct support is gone. You may find lots of people that can assist you, however. But not sure I'd sink a ton of money into a radio like that.

If you are looking for a UHF radio with FPP, Kenwood makes several, and they are a lot more user friendly when it comes to customer support. Used a lot of them can be found pretty cheap, and accessories are plentiful.

 

[VA6IKR]

If you want a more economical experience, go with the XTS. They are far more plentiful and there is a surplus of OEM and aftermarket parts online because they were produced for 15 years and millions were sold across North America.

I am not sure how tech savvy you are, but there is a way to "upgrade" an XTS with FPP (and other features) outside of official channels if it does not have the feature(s); however it is quite the rabbit hole and requires the use of some hard to find software. The good news it that there are sellers on eBay who will add the feature to an existing radio for a small fee.

I do not know a whole lot about Midland pro radios, but I don't have a high confidence that you will be able to find replacement batteries in the future for the STP series. I emailed Midland asking about their pro stuff and they have confirmed that they are no longer in the pro market and have instead shifted focus back to consumer hardware.

P.S. What is your budget exactly?

Thanks for all the info! I ended up passing on the Midland and just recently I impulsively purchased an EF Johnson 5100 with FPP. It was similarly priced and had a ton more support online for it. Plus if I read correctly, it uses the XTS5000 batteries? Id love to have an XTS2500 or XTS5000 with FPP but for the prices i'm seeing them go for on ebay, it does not make sense at all for me! Hopefully ill find something VHF with FPP one of these days. BTW, my budget is around 200$ CAD!