OK...so I am reading up to re-take my HAM tech test, motivating me to recently "dust off" my (ancient) TH-225A.
Still powers up OK. The battery pack, of course, is long since hosed.:roll:
I have a 12V Power Supply with the appropriate DC cable, which was the way I used to transmit on full power without cooking the battery in minutes back in the day.
Manual states that the pack is a Kenwood PB-12 (Ni-Cd).
Question(s):
They (PB-12) appear not to be available any more (not too surprising I guess).
1) Can I / Should I rebuild it (battery), or have it rebuilt, with NiMH, Lithium.... or is any of this even possible/advisable? The manual indicates that the pack comes apart fairly readily, and, according to the illustrations it appears that there are "standard" looking AA NiCds in there (haven't had time to take it apart on my own yet). The manual states that one could use alkaline or Manganese batteries if one wanted to, thus my assumption that the cells are of the AA, or "standard" variety, most likely.
2) What would your collective wisdom suggest?
I see nothing in the manual or HAM test materials that would indicate that there has been a 2m technology shift over the years rendering this radio "not usable" any more. IS this a correct assessment, or am I missing something?
At the end of the day, I am probably going to purchase a new/modern 2m handheld --- but --- I still have an odd affininty to this transceiver. It was my first one (saved up a while for it back then), is still in mint condition, and, can still give me enjoyment, I'm sure.
I still like it....
Thank you for your time and expertise.
Still powers up OK. The battery pack, of course, is long since hosed.:roll:
I have a 12V Power Supply with the appropriate DC cable, which was the way I used to transmit on full power without cooking the battery in minutes back in the day.
Manual states that the pack is a Kenwood PB-12 (Ni-Cd).
Question(s):
They (PB-12) appear not to be available any more (not too surprising I guess).
1) Can I / Should I rebuild it (battery), or have it rebuilt, with NiMH, Lithium.... or is any of this even possible/advisable? The manual indicates that the pack comes apart fairly readily, and, according to the illustrations it appears that there are "standard" looking AA NiCds in there (haven't had time to take it apart on my own yet). The manual states that one could use alkaline or Manganese batteries if one wanted to, thus my assumption that the cells are of the AA, or "standard" variety, most likely.
2) What would your collective wisdom suggest?
I see nothing in the manual or HAM test materials that would indicate that there has been a 2m technology shift over the years rendering this radio "not usable" any more. IS this a correct assessment, or am I missing something?
At the end of the day, I am probably going to purchase a new/modern 2m handheld --- but --- I still have an odd affininty to this transceiver. It was my first one (saved up a while for it back then), is still in mint condition, and, can still give me enjoyment, I'm sure.
I still like it....
Thank you for your time and expertise.