Advice for looking after your Fleet of Two-Way Radios
So you have made a purchase of a fleet of two way radios and want to ensure that you and your team look after them. We have put together a list of simple things that you can do to take care of your important investment.
Advice for Storing Two-Way Radios
Radios should be stored in a clean, dry, cool place with limited exposure to the weather elements. When you store your radio, you should remove the battery as most modern radios have a soft on/off switch which will continually drain the battery.
Advice for Charging Two-Way Radios
For day to day battery charging, make sure all the battery contacts are clean, both on the charger and the rear terminals of the battery. If the contacts are dirty then the battery may not be detected by the radio charger and will not charge the battery correctly. Make sure that you charge your radio batteries in a compatible charger otherwise you could potentially damage your battery and radio.
Lithium-ion batteries should also be replaced whether or not they have had excessive usage after four years which should equate to 300 charge/discharge cycles. If the battery isn’t lasting the length of a shift like it used to, it is time to change the battery for a new one.
If you are using a lithium ion battery technology and it is going to be placed into storage the battery should be charged to approximately 50% of its capacity a left. 6 months later it should be charged again to ensure that the life of the battery is maximised.
Importantly, make sure you do not overcharge your batteries as this will lead to a deterioration of the battery cells and will shorten their life span. Also, ensure that your batteries are discharged before charging.
For further advice about battery care for two way radios, visit our article
'Tips for Looking After Batteries for Your Two-Way Radio'.
Advice for Day to Day Use
Our radios meet the highest standards of mil-spec, waterproofing and dust proofing. However radios can be damaged due to repetitive mistreatment such as being dropped, chewed aerials (yes this really does happen) and swinging the radio by the antenna etc. Protecting the exterior of your radio will help protect the components, minimizing repairs and cost of replacing the equipment.
We also recommend that you ensure that the aerials on your radios have the insulation otherwise if it is exposed you could potentially get a RF burn when transmitting. It is also important that you only use accessories that are made specifically for your brand of radio, as incompatible accessories can cause damage and functionality problems.
Advice for Cleaning Two-Way Radios
Although we have two way radios that are highly dust/waterproof, there may be a time when you need to clean them. Firstly ensure that the radios are turned off. Avoid any industrial cleaners that have not been approved to clean your radios as they could potentially damage them. Use a damp microfiber cloth to remove any excess dirt.
If you follow these simple tips, you should extend the life of your radio fleet for a considerable more time.
