[aprssig] Kenwood TH-D7 Batteries (and Icom,Alinco,Yaesu)

[K7FTP]

Thank you for that information.  I have been researching the possible 
purchase of two D7A(g) radios and saw that case but wondered if they were 
OK.  You have confirmed it.

Maybe someone on the list will know a little more.  My wife is finally 
getting her ticket, and I'm looking to get two HT's (same accessories, 
etc.).  She likes my APRS setup and I was thinking about going with a pair 
of TH-D7A(g)'s.  My old HT (Icom W32A) is pretty well shot from extensive 
use and I don't really want to replace the housing, etc.

Our local ham radio store does not have any Kenwood radios in, and he 
basically said they are out of the game and that there are none of their 
HT's to be found.  I found some at AES and at HRO.  They didn't seem to 
think there is anything wrong.

Is Kenwood getting out of the game?  They make the best APRS-ready rigs out 
there and I'd hate to see it.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hasan Schiers" <schiers at netins.net>
To: "TAPR APRS Mailing List" <aprssig at lists.tapr.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 10:15 AM
Subject: [aprssig] Kenwood TH-D7 Batteries (and Icom,Alinco,Yaesu)


>A frequent concern of Kenwood D7 (aprs dual bander with built-in TNC) 
>owners is batter life. I have found dramatic improvement in battery life 
>using the item(s) described below.
>
> While perusing May QST, I ran ran across a nice 6 cell AA battery case for 
> the D7 and G7 handhelds at Batteries America. Unlike the 4 x AA battery 
> case that has been available for quite a few years, this one has six 
> slots, and can be ordered with a spring belt clip that fits all the 
> standard D7 battery cases.
>
> The problem with the 4 cell case is if used with NIMH recharging 
> batteries, the D7 only runs for a very short time, no matter how high the 
> capacity of the batteries, as 1.2 x 4 = 4.8v, and even at the peak, 1.4 x 
> 4 = 5.6v. The intended purpose for the original 4 cell AA pack was 
> alkalines where 1.6 x 4 = 6.4v, which is much more acceptable for the D7.
>
> With this 6 cell case and NIMH batteries, one gets 1.2 x 6 = 7.2v, which 
> even at the terminal (low end) voltage of the recharge cycle life is 
> adequate for the D7, and I have found that after recharging my 2500 maH AA 
> NIMH Energizer camera batteries produces about 8 volts from the pack, and 
> will run my D7 in packet mode, dual receive all day and then some. (I'm on 
> my 2nd day, shutting down just to sleep)
>
> Another nice feature of the pack is that it uses a sliding drawer access 
> to the batteries, and of course, fits both the d7 and g7 just fine.
>
> I own several of the high current 7.2v 1800 maH Maha packs which work 
> well, but not nearly as well as this 6 cell AA pack with 2500 maH AA 
> cells. The model number is BT-11H for the Kenwood D7/G7 Handhelds. $24.95 
> (no batteries).
>
> I  have a dozen 2500 maH batteries laying around, which gives me two 
> packs, one for the radio, the other for the charger. I no longer run out 
> of battery power for my D7...and have been experimenting with the 
> Energizer 15 minute charger (with AC & Car Cord) and find it works very, 
> very well. I do have reservations about how hard this is hitting the 
> batteries (even with the built in cooling fan on the charger) and their 
> ultimate lifetime, but only time will tell. (Wal-Mart, $30.00 with 4 AA 
> cells)
>
> I ordered on line from Batteries America, and received my cases/clips 
> within 3 days.
>
> www.batteriesamerica.com is the web site. I have no connection to them, 
> other than being very pleased with this new 6 cell AA case for the D7 and 
> G7.
>
> I'm also going to test the newer MAHA MH-C9000 Advanced Battery Charger, 
> which has a large display, 4 independently configurable charging slots (AA 
> and AAA only), and loads of other features like the C777 model. It 
> recharges AA cells in one hour, which should be easier on the batteries 
> than the Energizer 15 minute unit.
>
> http://www.thomas-distributing.com/
>
> Price: $59.97
>
> I hope someone finds this info useful, even for other handhelds, as 
> Batteries America lists similar custom AA cases in their May QST ad for 
> Icom, Alinco and Yaesu handhelds, many models. (4th from last page, left 
> hand column, adjacent to the Index of Advertisers)
>
> 73,
>
> ...hasan, N0AN
>
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