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Gmrs handheld radio long term battery storage?

sunnydog1

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
103
I'm thinking about getting my gmrs license and purchasing the baofeng UV-5g plus. A few weeks ago I lost cell service when AT&T service went down so I'm looking to use the radio as a backup to get in touch with family. Considering that the radio wouldn't be used much how do you keep the battery from going bad and is there any way to use disposable batteries? Thanks
 

nd5y

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
11,308
Location
Wichita Falls, TX
Read Battery University Homepage to learn about battery storage and care.
Lithium ion batteries don't last forever. You can't prevent them from eventually going bad.
Don't store the radio with the battery attached. On some radios there is a direct connection from the battery to the PA or sometimes other circuits. It will eventually discharge the battery.
Do an internet search for "alkaline battery case" and your radio model. If anybody makes one you should be able to find it.
 

mmckenna

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Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
23,897
Location
Roaming the Intermountain West
Relying on a radio that you'll never/rarely use isn't a good way to do this. When stuff goes down, grabbing an unfamiliar radio and expecting to make contact with others might be frustrating. But I'm sure you have a plan for that.

Get base radios that run off AC power. No batteries to worry about.
Get portable radios that will take alkaline cells, then just cycle your alkaline cell stock through so you always have some good one.
Set a calendar reminder to discharge your rechargeable batteries and then charge them back up every few months.

Good commercial radios will have alkaline battery case options.
Consumer GMRS adios will have alkaline battery capability, also.
 
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