Then get the unit into a service facility for a thorough cleaning of the component board. Dry the radio thoroughly using a fan or blow dryer. If the battery pack is wet, get rid of it. Remove the battery pack from the wet radio. Don't hesitate, corrosion takes over very quickly! Consider anything you do is a "last ditch effort" to save your radio. If your radio gets submerged you need to get the water out of it ASAP, otherwise the circuit board will be ruined. Let them know upfront, before the situation occurs, that time is of the essence when it comes to a wet radio.Įxposure to water can destroy your radio. To keep it in peak operating condition you should have it retuned by a qualified technician every two years.Įmployees are sometimes reluctant to let you know they have dunked a radio.
Motorola mcs 2000 uhf free#
You can extend the life of your radio by keeping it free from moisture and dust. The high-end radios ($500-$800) were engineered to last around 4 to 5 years. On a basic radio the cost works out to be between 14¢ and 34¢ a day. You can expect most low-end handheld radios to last you between 3 and 4 years.
Look for your local recycling program or call Delmmar at 80 and we will help you with disposal information. The EPA classifies used batteries as hazardous waste. NiCd & NiMH batteries must be recycled or disposed of properly and cannot be dumped in landfills or incinerators. This ruins your battery pack and also voids the warranty. It has been our experience that it does.ĭo not remove the plastic coating from your batteries. The jury is still out on the issue of a battery developing a memory. To extend the life of your batteries, try to run them all the way down before fully recharging them. How you care for your batteries dictates how long they will last. On drop-in charger models check your charging trays and the bottom of your radio for dirt and debris. If the light on your wall-plug style charger does not come on when plugged into the radio or it blinks you need to replace the charger. Also be aware that chargers do wear out, much like a light bulb. Many radios come to our service center with debris in the charge jack, which can cause your radio to short out. When using wall-plug style chargers, wipe off the plug before inserting it into your radio. This will extend the life of your battery. If you can't run your batteries down completely before charging, do so at least once a month, followed by trickle charging. Limit fast charging to those times you really need it. Trickle charging (8-12 hrs.) is better for the life of your battery than regular use of a fast-rate charger. NiMH batteries have a life span of 12-18 months and are less prone to memory development. Rechargeable NiCd batteries have an average lifespan of 18 to 24 months. On the other hand, if you are having communications problems you may be a candidate for switching.
If you are satisfied with what you have there is no reason to change. It also works well in and around concrete structures. UHF: While VHF and UHF will both operate line-of-sight up to 2 miles, UHF (450mAH range) gets in and around metal better and even has a better metal punching capability. VHF gets around rocks, dirt, hills and trees well and can also be used in many indoor situations. VHF: Especially good for people who work somewhat line-of-sight or outdoors. In many business settings you can use either VHF or UHF with success. Have your radios serviced every two years to maintain peak performance. Don't shout CB-style, shouting reduces talk-range on industrial-type radios. This problem alone could decrease your range 30-50%. Increasing Range: Hold your radio perpendicular to the ground, not slanted like you would hold a phone. Antenna height and placement determines distance. Contrary to popular belief wattage does not determine distance. Mobile radios, such as those mounted in vehicles, will generally talk "radio-to-radio" 8-10 miles depending upon the obstacles and the terrain.īase stations will generally talk approx. Higher wattage radios will have a slight increase in range and a significant increase in clarity of transmission on the outer fringes of your range. Even the body fluid of the person wearing the radio on their hip will absorb some of the range. Once you start putting obstacles in between the radios you will shorten your range. Handheld radios generally will talk "radio-to-radio", "line-of-sight" up to 2 miles. What about Servicing/ Retuning/ Refurbishing? What is the life expectancy of a handheld radio?