On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 18:47:13 -0400, "Anthony"
wrote:

My power came back about 4am. I sat here in the dark and without a scanner
to listen to. I never had or even thought of a battery back up for my 780's.
My utility company, PSE&G, is on a 900mHz trunked system so I had no way to
monitor them. lessen learned, GET A BATTERY BACK UP!! I am so mad at myself
for not doing this from the start..
anyone out there have a nice battery back up source? I am open for ideas,
please pass them along.
thanks
Anthony

I currently have four handheld scanners, including a trunker, and I
keep plenty of fresh AA alkalines around for them. However, for stuff
that runs on 12 volts DC, look in the stores for those sealed
lead-acid batteries they sell for people to jumpstart cars with. The
one I have has a 17 amp hour battery, charger is built in so you take
your basic garden-variety extension cord and plug it into the unit and
into the wall and wait until the green light comes on to indicate that
it's fully charged. Not only will it start your car if you have a dead
battery, it'll run a scanner or a solid state shortwave receiver or
5-watt ham rig for a week (unless the ham is really long-winded).]

A department store here went out of business not long ago, I got two
for the price of one. Sears sells 'em for just under $50. Better deals
on similar devices may be available in other stores/areas. They have a
cigarette-lighter type plug on them. I've seen more elaborate devices
by other manufacturers that have a built-in lantern, or a small air
compressor to pump up a tire, or even a DC-to-AC power inverter built
in. Price will vary with added features, of course.

73 DE John, KC2HMZ