FYI for anyone who wants a good emergency battery.


The Radio Shack 12 AmpHour boost battery (part number 270-4130) is a 
durable, very handy, and highly portable
12vdc power source.

It is intended for use as a jump start battery for vehickles, so it includes 
a pair of jumper cable type clamps which are always hot. It also contains a 
cigarette lighter socket for charging cell phones, or powering other 12 volt 
devices.

All you have to add is a two conductor ac line cord for use with the 
built-in ac charger. Unfortunately, you cannot charge this model from an 
automobile battery as is the case with some others.

By using one of those dc regulator cords which you can find at both Radio 
Shack and various auto and electronics stores, you can drop the voltage to 
run almost anything that includes an external power connector. Just remember 
to watch the polarity of the device you wish to power.

It will power a hand held or qrp rig, receiver, etc, for days during an 
emergency such as some of us experienced last August when Katrina came 
calling.

This battery is being discontinued by Radio Shack, and is now going for half 
price at $19.95.





Mike Duke, K5XU
American Council of Blind Radio Amateurs