Midland Stories: Episode #3
Over the past few months, we have gathered many stories that you have chosen to share with us, recounting your memories with Midland products. Knowing that we have been by your side during the most important moments and fondest memories of your lives makes us incredibly proud. It strengthens our deep connection to our roots, which allows us to envision the future we are building.
Let’s continue this journey into the past together through Midland Stories. If you missed the previous episodes, you can find them on our blog!
In this third episode, we explore the stories of Massimo, Ramón, and Stefano.
Massimo: Love Sparked by a Transmission Tower
It’s 1979, and sixteen-year-old Massimo finally brings home his long-awaited CB Midland 2001 AM/FM. He installs a GP Mantova antenna and an RG8 cable. Living in the EUR district of Rome, he soon discovers that with his CB, he can communicate with other radio enthusiasts in Frascati, in the Castelli Romani region.
A mere 26 km separate EUR from Frascati, but for a teenager in the 1970s, it felt like talking to someone in Sicily.
Some time later, Massimo notices a neighbor installing a transmission tower. Upon closer inspection, he realizes it’s the father of a girl he knows. That same girl would later become his wife. Was it just a coincidence that sparks flew? We don’t think so!
Today, Massimo is still an avid Amateur radio in the Midland community, using his Alan 48 and Alan 68.
Ramón: No Mountain Without Midland
Ramón’s story is born out of his passion for outdoor adventures, especially mountaineering. Over the years, he has learned that reliable equipment can make the difference between a great adventure and an avoidable setback.
After many hikes, the long-awaited moment finally arrived: purchasing his first Midland walkie-talkie, the XT70, recommended by fellow mountaineers.
Ramón’s choice wasn’t impulsive but well thought out after research, comparisons, and opinions from other outdoor enthusiasts. What set the XT70 apart were its impressive range of up to 12 km, its versatility with rechargeable and alkaline batteries, excellent battery life, and the convenience of charging it via tabletop support or USB cable. Its robust and functional design made it even more suitable for his adventures.
But it wasn’t just the technical features. As Ramón says, “What excites me the most is that Midland represents much more than just a communication device. I’ve always considered their products the gold standard in their category, a benchmark that combines tradition and innovation.”
A new travel companion that has his back and makes him feel secure as he climbs to new heights—this is exactly what we envision when designing Midland products. We’re confident that Ramón and his XT70 will go a long way together!
Stefano: A Summer in Cesenatico That Changed Everything
In the 1970s, summer vacations in Cesenatico were more than just a relaxing break—they were the adventure of the year, especially for a young man just past 18.
Summers on the Romagna Riviera carried the magic of impossible romances, nights out with friends to the sound of In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry, and Lambretta rides at dusk. Stefano, from Rome, decided—like many others his age—to spend the summer of 1970 in Cesenatico with his then-girlfriend, who was staying with her family in Cervia. At night, he was alone in his hotel room on the top floor, overlooking the sea, with only the Yugoslavian coastline ahead. But Stefano hadn’t gone to Cesenatico just for a summer holiday—he had a mission: to travel to San Marino and purchase the legendary “brick,” the Midland 5-Watt transceiver. He had saved up all year, though he didn’t have enough for the case. That didn’t matter.
Stefano still vividly remembers the excitement of those summer nights on his hotel balcony in Cesenatico, searching for frequencies. One night, a man from Yugoslavia even responded to his call.
His dream was to install a ground plane antenna on the roof of his home in Rome, but his father never allowed it. Yet, from that fateful summer of 1970, Stefano continued using his “brick” to chat with neighborhood friends.
That’s how his passion for radio was born, eventually leading him to become a collector of electronics magazines, including the entire collections of Nuova Elettronica, Sistema Pratico, and Sperimentare.
For Stefano, Midland is simply a dream come true after years of waiting.
Do You Have a Personal Story with a Midland Product? Share it with us in a written story, a video, or an audio message! Send an email to [email protected]!
