This section of our site is to share tips with you that will help make your job easier. Helpful Hints - Reading battery code dates. "A radio or pager can only operate as well as the strength of its power source". One of the most common problems found with equipment coming in for repair is the condition of the equipment's batteries. A product can only operate as well as the strength of its power source so knowing your battery's age can help to eliminate equipment repairs. Most batteries in two-way radios are made from Nickel Cadmium (NiCad). Although this battery is rechargable, the battery loses much of its capacity to hold a charge after many recharges. Typically, a radio battery will last 2 years and then will need to be replaced. Many manufacturers date code batteries which gives both the customer and the radio dealer information to the battery's age. Motorola, a leading maker of batteries does this. . .
Sometimes NiCad batteries build up a "memory effect" from not being totally charged and discharged. Even though the battery is newer, it may require charging in the middle of a duty cycle, whereas before, the battery could last for a longer period of time. This is a symptom of memory and can be corrected by properly conditioning the battery. To do this, the battery needs to be fully charged and discharged 3 times. This should re-establish the battery's ability to maintain a charge.
"The antenna on your vehicle is the most important part of your radio" Keep an eye on your antenna. Depending on what band your are opperating on, determines the length of it. The longer the antenna the more problems you could have. The antenna should be cut to a specific length, so don't cut it to make it shorter. If for some reason it looks shorter than the last time you looked at it, you should have it checked. Because they are made of hardened steel, they tend to snap off anywhere along the length of the rod. If the rod is loose, tighten it. There is a set screw on the side of the ferrel, usually an allen screw. A common problem is rusting and corroding at the base. The antenna should come off easily using the proper tools. If it doesn't, chances are it is corroded. At this point, so you don't damage the mount, bring it in for service. Bent antennas sometimes are as good as no antennas. Try to keep antenna rods streight. Before going through a car wash remove the antenna. If there is a question on how to do this, come on in and we will show you how. Before you put the antenna back on, dry off the mount. Why the fuss? Defective antennas can cause damage to the transmitter in your radio. So in order to prevent expensive damage to your equipment... "keep an eye on your radios antenna" By John Maddalla You can't fool Mother Nature, But She can fool you! Spring is the time of the year when things start to change in the world around us. The flowers bloom, the trees come alive and what's so bad about that? To all of us who use radio equipment it could mean trouble! When the sap starts to run in the trees, they become more moist and radio waves tend to be absorbed by the tree branches and the young moist leaves. That means your radio doesn't receive the full signal and things tend to sound noisy and hissy. There isn't too much we can do about this act of nature. About the only thing we can do is wait for summer to arrive. The hot summer sun dries out the leaves and the trees, and signals start to return to normal or not as noisy. In past years of experience the worst months are May, June and possibly part of July. The best months are November, December, January, February, and March. Don't Be fooled twice! If you seem to have more than your share of radio problems, then perhaps you really do have a radio or system problem. This atmospheric problem can be very bad at times, but if you feel there is a problem with only one of your units, by all means call your repair shop. They will be glad to check out the problem. Spring comes every year, be patient summer comes quickly and unfortunatly leaves the same way! By John Maddalla Did you know.... a floressent desk lamp near your desk microphone will cause a loud buzz when you transmit. It is best to keep the mic away from other appliances such as TV sets and computer monitors. These devices and others emmit electromagnetic waves which induce into the electronics of the microphone and cause audio problems. By John Maddalla Did you know.... That even though your vehicle starts ok, an old battery could make your radio malfunction? Old car batteries tend to not filter out alternator noises as well as new batteries. Sometimes the noises will be transmitted when you key the mic and drown out your voice. The noise sounds like a siren and changes pitch when you step on the gas. This noise is a sure sign of your battery going bad or your alternator is malfunctioning. Cleaning the battery posts could cure the noise problem. If not, have your alternator and battery checked by an auto mechanic. Sometimes your two-way radio can be an indication of vehicle problems before they actually happen. Another way that these noises can be removed is by having a filter installed in your radio power line. If everything seems to be working properly and the noise is still there, we can install a power lind filter for you. By John Maddalla Did you know.... That being close to computers with your radio or fire pager can stop it from functioning properly? Computers put out a lot of radio noises. Sometimes even to the point of knocking out a received signal completely. So if you want to hear a good signal on your radio , don't set it near the computer. Also it is not a good idea to transmit near the keyboard. I have experienced keyboard malfunction by doing that! If it happens to you... before you reboot the computer as a remedy, unplug the keyboard for 3 seconds and plug it back in. If that doesn't work, I guess you'll have to reboot. By John Maddalla
Avoid Pager Damage..... Checking your pager batteries frequently could save money and down time. Remove the batteries from your unit and examine the contacts of the battery and the the battery compartment. If there are signs of a green film on the batteries or the contacts it's time to replace them. However the job isn't done. Take a pencil eraser and gently clean the contacts off prior to replacing the batteries. Also ... keeping batteries in your unit for more than two years is causing the pager to operate at a lesser capacity in loudness and receiver sensitivity. The result is missed calls. If your unit has a lot of corrosion in the battery compartment, send it in for repair before replacing the battery. A new battery and corrosion on the contacts is like having an old battery! By Gary Magnet Mount Problems.... Just like anything else that is left out in the weather, a magnet mount antenna system can develope problems. Most of the time it is water getting into the base of the mount... where the magnets are. This usually causes the underside of the antenna connection to corrode. Frequent inspection of the mount should be done to head off problems. The other thing that can occur is the cable breaking inside. This mostly occurs where the cable enters the vehicle such as the door. To avoid cable problems, feed the cable through a door or window that is used the least. Another drawback of the magnet mount is that on some bands they don't perform as well as a drilled in perminant mount. By John Maddalla FCC OKs Unlicensed opperation! That is right! The FCC has chosen five channels in the VHF bands for unlicensed operation. Of course there are limitations, but they arn't too bad. The channels are limited to 2 watts output. Two watts on VHF will go a long way for business, personal or pritty much anything you need radios for ... Even hunting! For more Info on these frequencies and equipment availability give us a call. Would you like to have your "Tricks of
The Trade" published here?
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Com-Tech Electronics