The current drain on that radio is a bit heavy. You can do it with a stack of twelve nine-volt transistor batteries but think you are better off repairing or replacing your DY-88 as they are a very good device compared to the hideous pile of junk the PE-237 was. There is also a 24 volt only version of the 88 that's a DY-105 although I never saw one myself.
Let me know if you need any documentation.

Ray F/KA3EKH



From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Christopher Bowne <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2026 6:41 PM
To: David Ostrander <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [MRCA] BA-48 Replacement/Substitute
 

Many years ago I was able to buy a BA48 battery from Fair Radio along with the associated cable to plug into the GRC-9 receiver front panel.  Battery was dead (and as I recall advertised as such by Fair).  I stuffed the cardboard case, after gutting it, with D cells to make the filament voltage and a stack of standard 9v “transistor radio”
batteries. Everready may still make 22.5 volt batteries that were commonly used to provide B plus for tube type portables back in the 40s and 50s.    I just googled and did not see anything like the ones I have used in the past but did. See a number of modern 22.5 volt batteries at reasonable prices. The homemade BA-48 replica battery worked pretty well, used it along with the GN-58 hand cranked transmitter generator a few times.  Can’t recall how long the battery lasted but don’t remember it being unusually short.

Chris AJ1G
Stonington CT
Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 19, 2026, at 16:54, David Ostrander via MRCA <[email protected]> wrote:


Good afternoon.  I am hoping someone on here has made a replacement/substitute for the BA-48 Battery that powers the SCR-694 and GRC-9.  If you have please contact me off list, directly.  My DY-88 isn't working now, and I am looking for alternative power.

David Ostrander
4205 25th Street North
Arlington, VA 22207
[email protected]
Mobile 703.798.4239