Can I "cycle" my tx and rx batteries by simply leaving them turned on and then re-charging?
I keep trying to go out to the field, and another dang storm comes up-

Cheers, Brett

Yes, as long as you don't let them drop too low before recharging. It is my understanding you don't want to let NiCads drop below 1.0v.

And provided you don't mind the possibility of damaging your transmitter. If you're going to do it make sure you have the antenna extended. There's really no need to discharge the batteries though.

Steve

Educate me.

Thanks guys- I'm in the dark with the antenna bit as well- what's up with that?
Cheers, Brett

If you run your xmtr with the antenna down, the SWR (standing wave ratio) goes way up and causes excessive heating in the output transistor which reduces its lifetime, possibly leading to instant failure. Did you ever notice how hot the back of your transmitter gets when you run with the antenna collapsed? Because the high SWR is causing the output transistor to heat up.

Rodney has it. Radios are meant to work into an exact load, the fully extended antenna. Mess with that load and they can overheat and die.

Steve

good to know....thanks guys