[Elecraft] Panasonic Oxyride battery in KX1 report

[Leigh L Klotz, Jr.]

I bought 8 Panasonic Oxyride AA's at Walgreenls for $10 and when my 
Energizer Lithiums gave out I switched them in.  These new batteries are 
1.7v and are marketed as lasting longer than traditional Alkaline.

The results were not good.

They measured 1.7v with my cheap backpack DVM, and the pack was about 
10.3v, and I get 9.9v on my KX1 volt meter from 6 of them in the 
internal holder.  Unfortunately, when I transmit on 20m, it goes down to 
8.5v, with 2W out shown (ATU match 1.2:1).

I will try cleaning the contacts, but for now it looks like they have a 
higher internal resistance than one might want.

Also, I found that, under no load, only one of my expired Lithium 
batteries had a low voltage; the others did not.  I know Li primary 
cells have a steady voltage throughout the discharge curve, but it may 
be that I can get some more life out of the rest somehow.

Leigh / WA5ZNU