Here's a
few helpful portable radio tips:
- Once a month, allow your radio to go completely dead and then charge it back up
all the way-this helps to cycle the battery and keep it in tip-top condition!
- Always hold your radio with the antenna vertically up and down, it gives the best
reception that way!
- Use a leather or nylon case to
protect your radio, many times these will save your radio from damage when
it has been dropped!
- Avoid using "stubby" antennas on
radios for several reasons: First is that you will lose significant range,
and second is that physically it puts tremendous stress onto your radio's
antenna jack and can cause it to shear off!
- Be sure to shut your radio off when charging! If you try to charge a battery with
the radio on, it is like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in the bottom! It can also
cause damage to the radio or battery!
- If you are in a poor reception area, try moving around while you are receiving,
find a strong or "hot spot" and stop right there-this will enhance your
transmissions also!
- Keep your battery terminals clean-dirty terminals cause intermittent charging and
operation-clean them with a pencil eraser only!
- Don't carry your portable radio by it's antenna-many radios have very small wires
connected to the jacks which can be broken very easily by excessive abuse!
- Always speak directly into the front of the radio-1 to 2" away is optimum on
most radios. This provides the best clarity. Remember not to shout!
Speaking normally enhances proper audio.
- Don't leave your portable out in the cold, or in a hot vehicle, it will cause
reduced life on your battery. Some radios now also
have an automatic power reduction feature in them to keep critical
components from overheating, so a radio left in the sun may not work as
well!
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