thCaring for your Fleet of Two-Way Radios
You have purchased a fleet of two-way radios and want to ensure 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 most radios have a soft on/off switch which will continually drain

Advice for Charging Two-Way Radios 

For day to day charging, ensure the battery contacts are clean, 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 lifespan. Also, ensure that your batteries are discharged before charging.

Advice for Day to Day Use –

Our radios meet the highest standards of mil-spec, waterproofing and dustproofing. Radios can be damaged due to repetitive mistreatment.

This includes 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  aerials on your radios have the insulation on. 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 dust/waterproof, there may be a time when you need to clean them. Firstly, ensure that the radios are turned off. Avoid industrial cleaners as they can potentially damage the radio. 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.

Article supplied by ICOM, view our full range of Icom Radios & Accessories.