How to handle your two way radio for optimal functionality and life length
Two way radios are common pieces of equipment in many work sites. If you're performing a building project on your property that requires someone to be up on a roof or scaffolding while someone else needs to stay on the ground to watch the project, two way radios are almost essential. In order to have your two way radio function as well as possible, and also increase its life length so that you can use it on future projects, there are a few things you should think about when it comes to radio maintenance.
Storing
One important thing to think about is how you store your two way radios. A good storage place can have a major impact on increasing the life length of your two way radios, as they spend more time in storage than they do being used. You should store your radios in room temperature somewhere where they are kept dry. Keep them in the original packaging, or in a plastic box, and put them in a cabinet somewhere in your house. This will keep dust and dirt from accumulating on them while you still get to keep them out of sight. Avoid storing them in places where you also keep wet objects, as condensation might affect your radios.
Cleaning
You should also make sure to clean your radios regularly. When you are speaking into them, spit and moisture stick to the plastic cover of the radios, which can cause staining. They can also get dirty from being used outdoors. Use a soft cloth to wipe them of dirt and dust. Clean more difficult spots by wetting the cloth with a little bit of water. You should avoid using chemicals or other cleaning supplies when cleaning your radios, as these products might affect and ruin the electronics inside the radio.
Handling
There are also a few things you should think about when handling your two way radios. Never grab a radio by the antenna. It's tempting to do so as it works well as a handle, but if you keep on doing it, the antenna might break. You could also consider wearing cloves when using the radio, as this helps protecting the exterior from grease and dirt that you might have on your hands. You should also make sure that you never bring the radio with you while eating or drinking. Spillage from food and drink might get into the radio and cause it to malfunction.