Mxsmanic wrote:
Ron Natalie writes:

I mention the batteries because I once was a passenger in a IFR
(but VMC) NORDO plane and the pilot's hand held batteries were
also moribund. I did manage to get clearance to land at Dulles
with only the receiver working.

Lithium batteries will hold their charge for a decade at least. They
are also very light, and they provide high current on demand. I use
them exclusively for everything when I have the option.


Even plain old Alkalines will work. The problem is NiCads and NiMH
suffer from self discharge which is excacerbated by heat (i.e.,
leaving the radio to bake in closed up airplane).