Charles et al, it is my understanding that most (all?) newer modern (e.g., within the past ten years) radios use EEPROMs (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) in lieu of "memory batteries" to preserve settings, menu items, etc. A form of EEPROMs are Flash Memory cards used in digital cameras, computers, memory "sticks", video games, etc. which are the type probably found in up-to-date rigs. None of my three current Kenwoods (TS-2000, TM-261, TM-G707) have memory batteries which need to be replaced; the EEPROMs keep menu items and settings in place when the power supply is disconnected. Alternatively, I have two older Kenwood TS-50s in which I have had to replace the memory batteries about once every five years or so. While it was not as much of a PITA as you describe for your TS-231, it still required disassembly, desolder of the old batteries, and hard solder of the new batteries into place. Worse, they were special (proprietary?) batteries only available from Kenwood and they weren't cheap.
Some details: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/rom5.htm [Note: I am no longer a radio engineer, have been out of the loop for too many years, so the above description and utilization of EEPROMs (which had not been developed when I was active) may not be entirely accurate. Also, I have heard there is, or has been some use of very slow discharge RC circuits to replace memory batteries; I do not know if this is still being done.] HTH. 73 de Fred K2FRD At 11:05 +0000 31/03/2006, Charles Harpole wrote: >I just had a genius take my old out of warrantee TS-231 fm 2 meter radio >apart.... to change the back up battery which had gone bad and was affecting >correct functioning of the radio.... also both dial lights had gone bad. > >This guy had to take that radio COMPLETELY apart with tiny parts falling out >of their seats, with the foam cushion on the push buttons going bad, and after >three or 4 panels were disassembled, there was the battery and it was SOLDERED >IN. > >This kind of design is unforgivable in ham radios... Obviously, the radio is >designed to fail with the life of the battery.... and changing the battery in >most high cost labor markets would make the cost of what should be a simple >act... changing a battery... come out to cost as much as a new radio. > >We hams have got to take a firm stand against such design and only support >those manufacturers who design radios TO LAST and last.... 73 \ -- 73 de Fred Stevens K2FRD, VO2FS http://homepage.mac.com/k2frd/K2FRD.html Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
