Newest and only DSC is handheld and has dead Li battery, google search reveals radio is obsolete, no batteries anywhere. I've got some 50 year old Mikita tools and can still get "off brand" batteries from China. My 10 yo (?) $200 HX851 goes to electronic scrapyard because I can't get a battery. Sorry, just overload, had to get new cellphones, extinguishers, yada yada because everything I owned is "obsolete", including me probably.
My NEWEST radio is "obsolete" ?
- Thread starter Calif. Ted
- Start date
Very frustrating. I had to scrap a $900 fridge for my RV because the motherboard was no longer available, and it was not repairable. I have had to scrap a half dozen devices because the Duracell batteries leaked, and the 26 batteries in the package leaked. I bought a new handheld VHF for my small boat, and I have to scroll through a menu every time I want to make a call. I switched it out for my 17 year old VHF from Andante.
Progress? I think Not. Thanks for letting me vent.
Progress? I think Not. Thanks for letting me vent.
Try a place like Battery World and buy the individual cells. Or as @Ted suggests get a battery case and use alkaline cells or lithium cells.
I can't recall where I ordered them, so it may be of no help but: I googled a place that when I sent them my "battery pack" they made me a new one for me from individual cells and all the right connections. It was higher capacity, too. It was pretty reasonable and the new batteries brought my 12 year old "backup hand held VHF" back to new life. Wish I could remember the name of the place for you.
I remembered I had the radio at home. I pulled the battery pack and the place that rebuilt my pack was:
Primecell Battery Rebuild Service.
Cunard Associaes, Inc.
9343 US Rt 220, Bedford PA
814 623 7000
They may be out of business by now but it might be worth a call or try googling "battery rebuild service" I found several places online that might be able to help you.
Primecell Battery Rebuild Service.
Cunard Associaes, Inc.
9343 US Rt 220, Bedford PA
814 623 7000
They may be out of business by now but it might be worth a call or try googling "battery rebuild service" I found several places online that might be able to help you.
As others have said...That is exactly the solution. Have the pack rebuilt.
Internally they are generic sized, individual cells. Every reasonable sized city has a battery shop that can do that.
In addition to this option, nerdy types actually use 3D printers to make new cases and either get cells installed or install them DIY.
Personally I would get a battery case because it gives you the option of using cheap alkaline batteries, lithium , or even rechargeable, if needed, worldwide.
Battery rebuilders, new one to me but several turned up in a search, I'll look into that further. The batteries are listed on numerous sites but they all show "Out of Stock". The thing looks like a standard format battery but with a "cap" attached, thought if that part could be removed it would be possible to replace on a new battery.
The battery packs are available, could see how long a fresh set of AA's last.
The battery packs are available, could see how long a fresh set of AA's last.
Maybe it’s good riddance. I’ll not buy another one of those HH digital VHFs w/DSC, like the HX870. Not that I have a problem with DSC; I like it. But not on my hand-held VHF. I prefer a hand-held with simple, basic function. Twist-knob activation and volume. It’s more likely that the HX870 will somehow fail to do its (rescue) job when the time comes than it is to encounter the “emergency” requiring that use in the first place, IMO. Bottom line—we (boaters) don’t need products like that. Prefer one-hand operation that I don’t need my glasses for.
BTW. Mine (also newest) now has evident water intrusion damage that’s making the water-activated strobe flash when the battery is in, VHF switched on or not. Of course, I’ve attempted to have it repaired. No go.
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Agreed on at least one "simple" VHF hand held. That is why I had the "battery rebuilt" on my old RM handheld. It work's fine and the rebuilt rechargeable battery is holding up nicely.
Your HX851 was built by Icom. There may be other Icom Handhelds that use a similar battery pack that are still in production. I would look around for those radios. Or maybe find a radio that is 'for parts only' and recover the battery pack from them.
Have you taken the battery pack apart? You probably have. Curious to see what the batteries look like.
Have you taken the battery pack apart? You probably have. Curious to see what the batteries look like.