The Midland 75-822 Radio is without a doubt the best of both handheld and mobile CBs. It markets itself as a “go-anywhere” rig that comes with a full car kit and a battery pack. This two-in-one CB radio is portable and lightweight and can be converted to a mobile radio with few accessories. The 75-822 includes NOAA Weather Alert Radio and 5 memory channels. In addition, it has an easy-to-read backlit LCD display with quick access to emergency channel 9 and information channel 19.
Quick Summary
Best Features
- 10 NOAA Weather Channels
- Backlit LCD allows for easy night time viewing
- External jack for compatible headsets
- Keypad lock prevents accidental activation of other function keys
- Squelch Control
- Dedicated switch to access emergency channel 9 and information channel 19 instantly
- Access to weather and hazard information
- Dual watch
- Hi-Low power settings
- Auto battery save
What’s in The Box
- Midland 75-822 Radio
- AC Wall Adapter
- Alkaline Battery Compartment
- Rechargeable Battery Compartment
- Car kit with DC power & external antenna adapter
- Handheld rubber duck-style antenna
- Owner’s Manual
- 1 Year Limited Warranty
Useful Specifications
- Weight: 1.5 lbs.
- Dimensions: 9.4 x 2.6 x 6.7 in
Why Do We Like It?
We were impressed by how the Midland 75-822 Radio was compact and user-friendly. Handling the device was easy, thanks to its design. Midland engineers made sure the device was comfortable to hold even when you are riding for motorcyclists. The unit is also easy to clip on your chest or waist, depending on where you want it.
The Midland 75-822 radio also looks great. Its simple controls and backlit LCD display make the radio a breeze to operate and look at. However, its appearance is not the only factor that makes it outstanding; the Midland 75-822 has great signal reception while being loud and clear.
It also impressed the team by being compatible with all CB antennas on the market. This is crucial as it removes the guess work for you. Essentially, there is no way to get it wrong. This compatibility is thanks to the standard CB PL-259 connection.
What is more, the 75-822 can be mounted using a standard microphone hanger, if you want to use it in your vehicle. This little radio is also great for truckers, in many cases. For example, if you are backing up and your co-driver is guiding you in the dock, then you can use it to communicate with them if you have a pair of these, or through your main radio. Midland continues to make this radio robust with added features/accessories such as their different kinds of battery packs (one battery pack can use several AA sized batteries, while another one is rechargeable).
The Midland 75-822 is also extremely well designed and versatile. To begin with, you can easily transfer the unit from one vehicle to another or as a handy talkie. It can therefore be used for in hand or in car communication without any significant changes to its form factor. We were also pleasantly surprised by the number of useful features Midland equipped this radio with. Its sensitivity is also great and with an external antenna, you can easily broadcast up to 50 miles away.
Some may complain of the relatively low audio output, which necessitated near maximum volume when we had the windows open at highway speeds. But how many times do you really drive with open windows at highway speeds? All in all, the audio quality is still very good without distortion even at high volume.
Key Features of The Midland 75-822
Auto Scan
This radio is equipped with an automatic channel scan feature, which automatically checks all channels for activity. The radio will stop on any active channel for a few seconds. In addition, the unit can add 5 of those channels, if they are your favorites in its inbuilt memory. This memory also enables the last channel memory feature, which will turn on the last you were on before powering off.
ANL
The Midland 75-822 has a built-in automatic noise limiter, that dramatically improves reception of weak signals. Coupled with this is a squelch control that further eliminates background noises, making for a clear and crisp communication when on the road.
Weather/Emergency Channel
The Midland 75-822 has instant access to NOAA Weather Radio, to inform you of bad weather conditions 24/7. The radio also has a dedicated button for immediate access to emergency channel 9 and information channel 19. This is extremely important, more so for motorcycle riders because we all know those machines are not great in poor weather. This information can literally save your life if you are a rider.
AA Batteries or Adapter
There are myriad ways to power the Midland 75-822. To begin with, you can power this radio with six AA batteries. Also, there is a rechargeable battery pack to quickly switch in case those AA batteries get depleted. You can also solely use it with the rechargeable pack. The Midland 75-822 also comes complete with a battery life extender feature which ensures your batteries will last longer. The radio comes with a mobile adapter, meant for use with your vehicle’s “cigarette lighter” power port. Midland made sure to give you a plethora of features to make sure you have all the battery you need in this device.
Backlit Multifunction LCD Display
The 75-822 is equipped with a large, backlit multifunction LCD display, making it easy to operate in the day or at night. Ask anyone who has had to operate a handheld radio at night, and they will tell you how annoying it can get; you simply have no idea of what you are pressing! This can literally prevent you from communicating with others, which is not great if you are in dire need of help or assistance. The backlit display on the 75-822 allows you to see your menu system and operate the radio successfully in the dark, making it that much harder to get stranded.
Signal Strength Meter
The Midland 75-822 has a signal strength meter on the display that shows the strength of the receive or transmit signals. This is important so that you can be aware of areas with great signal receptions, and those that have poor reception as well. It will also give you a reason for being unable to communicate if the area you are in has no signal reception. It will also display the signal strength on its backlit display meaning you can see this information even in the dark.
Squelch Control
You will be able to change the sensitivity of your Midland 75-822 radio to the appropriate signal strength. This will drastically lower squelch levels, thus giving you the power to receive transmissions from far away. Another benefit to squelch control is that it will keep the receiver from static and only activate if there is a transmission.
Adjustable Output Power
The Midland 75-822 allows users to increase or decrease the transmit power. This is great because it will allow you to transit further if necessary. At the same time, being able to turn it down for shorter distances saves on the radio’s battery power and health. Having this functionality dramatically improves usability of the device by allowing you to adapt to your power requirements on the fly, while conserving power and not degrading the battery severely.
Keypad Lock
This radio features a “lock in” function for your preferred settings, by preventing accidental key presses that may accidentally change them. The Midland 75-822 sees a lot of off-road use on trails. This environment has a lot of vibrations and movement for a rider in cases where the unit has been placed in a pocket. The control key may be accidentally pressed, changing settings that may interfere with the radio’s operational characteristics. You may also lose your saved channels! This function prevents such accidents from happening.
Pros of the Midland 75-822 Radio
- High sound quality
- Includes additional accessories such as a mobile adapter, external antenna connector, AC plug-in charger and many more
- Delivers the maximum power output permitted by the law
- Has an illuminated display allowing the user to see in challenging light conditions
- Ultra-compact
- Good reception
Cons of the Midland 75-822 Radio
- Only recommended for light-duty use
Final Verdict
The Midland75-822 is an ultra-portable, travel-friendly CB radio, which offers powerful features and specifications without compromising on comfort, portability and mobility. You can simply snug in your palms and away you go. Midland packed it with advanced features like weather channels and a backlit multifunction LCD display to offer its user maximum potential.
To travel enthusiasts, especially motorcyclists, the 75-822 is a blessing in disguise because it is extremely compact and lightweight. If you travel often and you have the need for a single CB in multiple vehicles don’t hesitate to buy this product. You will love the features, compatibility and its compactness. The Midland75-822 is an all-in-one unit that can be used in almost any configuration for a professional or CB enthusiast. However, it is especially well suited to motorcycle riders.