My MFJ 259B has provision for charging the batteries [internal jumper]. I
use the trick Gene mentions to minimize drain when the unit is stored as
well as to minimize drain from accidental turn on when it is being moved
point-to-point.
The charging voltage needs to be close to 15 vdc rather than the customary
12 or 13 vdc supplied by many wall warts. I can't remember the last time I
replaced the rechargeable batteries, but it was many, many charges ago.
The useful running time is not longer than when you use non-rechargeable
batteries, but you don't need to mess with the back plate on the unit to
restore the function. [This does not solve the problem when it runs out of
charge at 200 feet above ground, but then not many folks really want to
install new batteries at that height either].
Tod, K0TO
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Gene Smar
> Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 1:44 PM
> To: towertalk@contesting.com; Rob Atkinson
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] antenna analyzers
>
> From: Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo@gmail.com>
> Date: 2008/06/02 Mon PM 01:38:53 EDT
> To: towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] antenna analyzers
>
> <snip>
>
> I guess the two things I think
> of to complain about are that it doesn't tell me if reactance
> is L or C and
> it's a battery eater (10 AAs). I try to minimize the use of mine on
> battery power and wish changing batteries didn't involve removing the
> cover. You should check them every 6 months to make sure they aren't
> leaking.
>
> 73
>
> rob / k5uj
>
> <snip>
>
> Something I learned on these pages a few years ago: To
> save battery life on the -259's, insert a dummy 1/8 inch
> power plug into the receptacle while it's not in use. This
> totally disconnects the internal batteries from the set.
>
> Also, to determine + or - J, increase the freq on the
> -259 a bit. If the reactance goes up with freq it's
> inductive. If it goes down with increasing freq, it's capacitive.
>
>
> 73 de
> Gene Smar AD3F
>
>
>
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