Storing radios,protecting from damp

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original45
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Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by original45 »

I'm sure some of you have radio shacks and suitable cupboard space for your radios .
Im not so lucky and I can't even set up a radio and leave it out days.

So I need to look at storing some of the old radios I have come across that work but I don't use them .most I only paid few quid for at booty , I'm not saying that I will store my better radio as same.

So I'm talking the LOFT , I know not ideal and to consider it gives me the jitters.

It's not a bad loft ,insulated but I guess condensation could form on metal ?.
Anyone done it with success .

I thought, wrap radio in news paper with silica sachet.
Then double box it in cardboard.
I wondered about putting rice ,or I read a cat litter stuff absorbed well too.

Good ,bad idea ? . Don't be harsh I hate the idea but it's just a option.

Welcome thoughts advices please.
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ch25
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by ch25 »

Do not forget to power them up time to time. Unused electronics degrade faster.
Use air condition with proper temperature and humidity.
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by grafter »

I can't speak for all lofts but ours is typical of a late 50s build, insulation on the floor and knackered felt under tiles. There's enough 'breeze' blowing through that while it's cold during winter and baking hot in summer it's never damp. Maybe worth a visit to the local poundland for some plastic boxes with clip on lids but I wouldn't spend £££ on it.
my friend grafter, seems like you are using a very offensive tone in the reply.
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by The Collector »

If you seal the loft from drafts, you may find condensation forms and drips off the felt all over the place. Better to seal and damp-proof the radios in cardboard boxes and then put them into large plastic ones. Then let the loft "breathe" a bit.

Or stick them all in an airing cupboard or under the stairs ;)
original45
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by original45 »

Good info here thank you all . I'm sure I read somewhere that if a radio has sat years it's best to use variable power ie power it on with low volts first time 5/ 6 v then after a while 12 v.

Is this b.s or legit.
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by 108EH002 »

12V all day long.If you started a car that had lay for a while,you wouldn't use 6v to start it ;)
Plenty are talking worldwide on 27.555 usb,
Some are too far up their own @rse to admit it,
Many happen to know otherwise dx-ing test free,
Showing a complete lack of respect for the law.

27.555 Usb
original45
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by original45 »

108EH002 wrote: 05 Jan 2019, 01:22 12V all day long.If you started a car that had lay for a while,you wouldn't use 6v to start it ;)
Thank you . I've said it before I will ask if I'm unsure ,I know I will get fact and honesty from tm 1 . Again goes to show you can believe all on the net. Thank you ,puts my mind at ease..
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by The Collector »

I've heard that before too. I think it's probably to stop components blowing upon that first surge of power after possibly decades.

Saying that, I've got over 100 old early 80's CB radios and none has ever gone pop on me on start-up with 13.8v in 10+ years of collecting them

We've got a "soft-start" light switch/dimmer, that starts the living room lights up slowly to help stop them popping. It's not 100% foolproof though as we still get the odd one go like one did this morning for example. You can't get dimmable, candle-style 60watt equivalents in LED though, only 40's.
Stupid EU save-the-world reg's.
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by lambrettadave »

I would suggest the plastic boxes route.

My rigs are in a spare room.
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original45
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by original45 »

Thanks again for the info , I am now collecting card boxes news paper and plastic boxes .someone I know oon veg store said he may get polystyrene boxes also. We will see.

Thanks again.

Cheers Dave ,nice to see your still about . I'd imagine your spare room is full to capacity of radios mate lol.
Picked up a LCD es 200 boxed weeks back , nice functions .such a shame they arnt 80 am FM missed out their .

Atvb
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by The Collector »

There's a few handhelds just been stuck on ebay. Same guy's selling about 10 diffetent ones, some FM, some AM, some both I think.
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by original45 »

Yes I save most searches for simular. I like the es 200, had a led year's now and rate it well.
Would be nice to have one with uk,cept and fm am though ,ssb would be cool too.

With how small radios are today I think the Chinese could flood the market with hand helds on cb frequencies and modes.
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by The Collector »

You can get those "Dragon" branded handhelds that do most modes and channels. They're about the size of the Midland 42.

I'm not sure if they cover the original ukfm channels exactly on frequency though.
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by k40 »

Most of mine are in the loft in realy useful boxes, some are sat out on a shelf luckily there's no damp as I have some bare metal there too and its never rusted plus there's some draughts.
I've got a big clunky Hygain AM 40ch handheld that worked last time I used it, though modern batteries are slightly too big to fit in the back.
Used to have one of those albrecht ssb walkie talkies but it was as much use as a chocolate tea pot so I sold it there's not enough people to talk to from home base let alone a walkie talkie.
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Re: Storing radios,protecting from damp

Post by lambrettadave »

original45 wrote: 05 Jan 2019, 15:42 Thanks again for the info , I am now collecting card boxes news paper and plastic boxes .someone I know oon veg store said he may get polystyrene boxes also. We will see.

Thanks again.

Cheers Dave ,nice to see your still about . I'd imagine your spare room is full to capacity of radios mate lol.
Picked up a LCD es 200 boxed weeks back , nice functions .such a shame they arnt 80 am FM missed out their .

Atvb
Hi mate, yes the spare room has a few rigs in it.
On ebay.de and ebay.fr you can find am/FM handhelds

Albrecht ae2990 might be what you are looking for.
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