In Virginia RACES we recommend that any HT used for EmCom be capable of running from three power sources:
1) the factory provided battery pack
2) a separate battery case which "fits" to the radio which can use AA or other common household batteries.
3) an external power plug or adapter which fits the radio to enable use of a plug-in cord to an auto cigarette lighter plug, regulated power supply or to connect to a portable gel cell battery.
We collect, test and distribute free to our members gel cell batteries which we collect from local hospitals. A very common size is the Yuasa NP2-12, which is a 2.0ah, 12V battery which will fit in a coat pocket. One of these will run an HT all day during a public service event. We issue them in pairs and recommend that they be wired in parallel together and carried in a military surplus ammunition magazine pouch. Recharging can be accomplished either with a wall transformer of about 200-500ma or carefully, by monitoring charge time and temperature by using a 1.5 amp automatic battery maintainer such as the Schumacher unit on
www.batterychargers.comHope this helps.
73 de KE4SKY
Virginia RACES State Training Officer