An old radio that's been in use regularly since it was new and is well proven is one thing. An old radio that's been sitting a long time is quite another. I agree with John. A Hitec analog radio is worth very little. So why would you have a pilot spend money on a new battery when he could invest it in a radio that is so much more capable? i know a battery can be had for $20 or so, and I also know that if (if can be a big word sometimes) the radio is in good shape that's all he'll need. But if that old radio causes just one crash, the cost savings is lost plus some. It just doesn't make any sense to try to make old equipment work when the new stuff is so much better.