RE: [Paddlewise] Standard Horizon HX460S

I have the HX460S, which uses an Li-Ion battery.  Such batteries have no
memory.  You can leave the 12V plug in all the time.  BTW, the radio
will trickle charge even if left on RX.  It will only fast charge with
the radio off.  There is no desktop charger for it yet (would permit
fast charge and RX/TX), but the idea is under consideration by Standard.

For NiCd-powered radios, the story is materially different because such
batteries lose capacity if trickle charged indefinitely.  However, this
condition is reversible with a couple of charge/full discharge cycles. 
Some say it nevertheless shortens overall life.

So, what I do for all my NiCd appliances (e.g., laptops, radios) is I
leave them plugged in if I use them a lot at a base station.  Once every
couple of months, I discharge them fully and recharge them.  Also, if I
am taking them into the field, I do the same thing the night before.

Because NiCd's also have a limited number of cycles in their life, you
want to avoid an excessive number of cycles.  I have heard that within
the cycle life, NiCd's will last from 4 to 6 years, depending upon how
close to the ideal charge/recharge profile you are.

Regarding the desirability of alkaline battery holders, I used to think
that was important -- especially if paddling in remote locations for
extended periods.  No longer.  The HX460S has an alkaline holder, but it
is almost useless because it only holds two AA's and will only pump out
1 watt and that only for a very short period.  What do do?  It turns out
that Standard (marine)/Vertex (ham) handi-talkies with Li-Ion packs
behave very nicely with six AA batteries in a $1.50 battery holder
plugged into the 12V jack.  These radios will RX/TX if more than 6V is
presented at the jack but won't charge the Li-Ion battery if the voltage
is below 9V.  Hence the 6-AA holder.  You can bring a bazillion charged
up NiMH or NiCD batteries and keep going and going (and not even drain
the Li-Ion).  The alternative is a $30 proprietary AA holder that
usually isn't even submersible.

Ken C
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