I’m a bit perplexed at all the negative comments on review sites about today’s portable radios using “non-standard” batteries like the BL-5c and the 18650. Almost all reviewers mention this as a possible ‘con’ while reviewing newer portable shortwave radios because there are always a few comments that say “It’s a deal breaker”.
Personally, I don’t understand why anyone would want to buy and have to store conventional Alkaline batteries these days. Don’t forget to remove them -or- have them leak all over inside your radio. Then you are left wondering ‘are these still good…. awe well… throw them away and grab some new ones to make sure they are fresh… then fill your pocket in case those run out’.
Every radio I have come across that uses these batteries can be recharged from the radio by simply plugging them in via a USB cable. Plug the other end into a wall adapter, my cars USB port, or my larger USB power bank. Why the heck would I spend the money on alkaline batteries!? From a prepping standpoint, these batteries can easily be charged in the radio or simply pop a charged spare one in. Who’s to say the corner store is going to have alkaline batteries to sell in an all out disaster.
At this point, I’d suspect everyone wold have an extra USB wall adapter…. looking in my junk drawer I see three without digging! left over from old phones or tablets.
Truth is, the BL-5c is a very common battery. It was used in cell phones for many years and currently in a lot of cameras. They are CHEAP. You can buy an ‘extended runtime’ kit from CountyComm for less than $15 that has two BL-5c batteries and a wall charge kitted into a nice plastic storage case. They offered this as a compliment to the receiver they sell (GP7/SSB) that also uses this battery. A BL-5c is less than $5 on Ebay. Heck! you can buy three of these batteries cheaper than you can buy a 24-pack of Coppertops today. 18650’s are even cheaper. I just ordered 2-batteries and a USB charger that charges both batteries at the same time for $6.99 on Ebay.
I’m done with alkaline batteries if I can avoid it.
Just a quick update on the Ham Radio Venture Overland group. While the talk group was created and geared toward outdoor adventures and off-roading, it is open to ALL as a home-base of friendly hams. If you need a place to hang out, rag-chew with your friends… you are welcome to do that here. We have a great core group of ‘locals’ that should answer a call.
We are growing in ‘regulars’ and ways to access the group. 31655 is a Brandmeister network talk group. You can also access it via AllStarLink (analog) using one of two different bridge nodes. 42282 (east coast) & 54897 (west coast). There is also a P25 network server and bridge available at: 31655 149.248.8.155 41000. The P25 server is also available as a home base springboard to other P25 hosts if you’d like to plant yourself there. If you are in Vancouver, Wa… try my AllStarLink node #54895 at 432.225MHz 100.0Hz PL. It is low-level located in the West Hazel Dell area… but it’s worth a shot. Antenna is at 20′ and node radio is running 25 watts. (linked to 54897 and BM 31655).
In the next few weeks, Travis W0MUD, will have a Wires-X room connected full-time to this group. Room# 47620. Looking forward to hearing some new calls. If you don’t have a wires-x set-up but have a Yaesu digital radio, you can try my wires-x node also in West Hazel Dell. Node# is 71335 at 145.655MHz DG-ID 00-00. It is also low-level running at 25 watts.
I’m also experimenting with building a stand-alone DMR server. It currently has four individual talk-groups and will be linked full-time to BM 31655 (here). The others will be available as PTT to play with. Just an experiment. I’ll update details as I get it going more reliably.
73 all! Hope to hear you on HRVO – KB7RQQ Todd