I make NO guarantees of any kind. YOU assume all risk and liabilities.

We are in amateur radio because we like to provide emergency services in time of need. We are giving, caring humanitarians.
We communicate by means of transmitting radio signals.

Translation: Battery Drain, Fast in a Kenwood TH-F6A on high power.

Analysis:

The OEM stock battery is 7.3 volts at 1400mah. The new OEM battery is 7.3 volts at 2000 mAh for $99. I don't think so. (Well great, but I want a huge reserve capacity for that kind of money.)

Battery selection: based on capacity, recharge time, and fitting in my back pocket or jacket pocket, easily.

A 5000 mAh battery sounded like an improvement.

Six "C" sized cells assembled into a ready to use, insulated battery pack and the connector already attached. A standard sized battery pack ready to charge and use. The pack can be bought with various connectors attached. I was given this model first (Traxxas) at the hobby shop and it seemed to fit the bill. It cannot be plugged in backwards. The connector is gold plated for current handling, and corrosion resistance.

The charger I settled on, a Triton Jr. It can charge LI and Ni-MH batteries. It uses a car battery or an amateur’s 12V power supply to power the charger. In the field or at home one could recharge the 5000 mAh battery in 1.5 hours versus the 4 plus hours for Kenwood’s stock 1400 mAh battery with it's wall wart. The battery charger like the battery can be bought at any radio controlled model hobby store.

You can switch back and forth the custom and stock batteries as fast as two stock batteries

Since Kenwood’s built in charger charges the same type and voltage battery, in theory, it would work. I won't try to charge a 5000 mAh with the Kenwood built-in charger. It would take all day and might damage the internal charger on the radio!!!

I charge it at a rate 2.5 amps, adjustable in the Triton Jr.charger.

No I didn't use a rectifier. Triple check all polarity points available before you attach your custom battery pack for the first time. If you get another battery check it to make sure the connector was put on exactly the same way. The charger will detect wrong polarity, but your radio won’t. Be careful.

The wire length goes from my right back pants pocket over the left shoulder so I can clip to my belt on the left side. If I drop the radio it stops at my knee, protecting the radio.

Cash analysis: Cheaper/Easier to buy Kenwood’s 2000 mAh but, it takes so long to charge. Battery can be had for $50 online and the charger I used cost $75. Cost of a Kenwood BT-13 to cannibalize is $25. Cost of extra parts $15.

The battery connector is called a Traxxas High-Current Connector.

See my project pictures at www.pbase.com/gfenisey/projects

I make NO guarantees of any kind. YOU assume all risk and liabilities.