In article , John
Bartley I solved my XP problems w/ Service Pack Linux
wrote:

I'd like to have a 12v battery pack, using throwaway batteries, for
extended field ops with my Yaesu VX-5R HT. I want to be able to
operate without having a genny on hand, and throway cells of a
standardized type allow me to say to Logistics "Uh, go gimme a raft of
them thar D cells", simplifying my life in the process.

Anyone done this with either four pairs of D cells or a pair of 6v
lantern batteries?

IIRC, IEC-type D-cells are normally designed to deliver 200mA, whereas
the lantern batteries are designed to deliver 300 mA. Is that correct?

Many thanks for your helpful and on-topic advice.

Check out the manufacturer's websites, such as www.duracell.com -- go
to the professional pages for the data sheets, such as this one:

http://www.duracell.com/oem/primary/alkaline/mn1300.asp

That shows an alkaline D cell under a 750mA load lasting almost 12
hours, with a terminal voltage of just under 1 volt.

You have to do a LOT of talking at high power to use up that kind of
power!

I have a 6-D cell pack I (can) use, but most of the time I stick with
the AA pack for the radio. In a pinch, I keep a set of AA Lithium
cells around -- much longer shelf life, and longer life under high
drain.

Spend some time perusing the data sheets; you'll learn a lot.

73--