Nobody likes to waste money, especially when it comes to work equipment. Learn how you should be storing your walkie-talkies during the off-season to maintain their longevity.
Walkie-talkies, also known as two-way radios, are an essential part of maintaining communication in a variety of work fields. From working on a school campus or a construction site to event planning or security, using a walkie-talkie is a part of their everyday routine. Since many of these jobs may be seasonal or have an off-season, they will need to be properly taken care of during the storage process.
Remember, that your walkie-talkies will only last as long as you care for them. If carelessly thrown into a box in the back of a closet, these walkie-talkies can go from the quality communication device that they are into a useless toy. That’s why we are here to help provide you with essential tips on how to store your walkie-talkies in the off-season. Let’s take a look at some of Amy’s Attic’s top tips for you!
Battery Storage
The single most important part of storing a walkie-talkie lies in the battery. Whether your walkie-talkie uses AA/AAA batteries or a battery pack, walkie-talkie batteries are designed to last long, even after recharging. When stored properly, the walkie-talkie will have an enhanced battery performance and extended lifespan. An improperly stored battery pack will have long-standing effects on the functionality of the walkie-talkie. For the best results, we recommend the following:
- Store in a Dry, Ventilated Space. Short-term and long-term self-storage facilities with climate-controlled units are perfect for this condition. Any room that is too hot or too cold can be damaging to the battery.
- Check the Charge Levels. While it may be tempting to either overcharge the batteries or not even check the battery levels, this will result in capacity loss. Before storing, it is important to check the charge levels to make sure it is at 50%. You may need to charge it or discharge it to reach that level.
- Clean, Clean, Clean. Similar to storing any other tech device, you will want to make sure you clean the battery prior to storage. Dust and chemical leaks are the main things you will want to clean up after. While dust is an easy swipe fix, chemical leaked batteries should be thrown away.
- Stay Organized. If you are planning on storing walkie-talkie batteries for your work, there will be many batteries piled up. Rather than letting it get disorderly, nearly organize the battery packs. There are plenty of organizational bins or boxes that can be useful to help stack and move items.
- Only Charge Battery Packs When Empty. After long-term storage, if there is some battery power left in the battery pack, you will want to discharge it before recharging it.
Walkie Talkie Storage Tips
After you have the battery prepared for storage, you will want to make sure the walkie-talkie device is in its best condition to be stored. Before placing your walkie-talkie in storage, you will want to thoroughly clean the device. Any build-up of dust or moisture can impact the functionality of the walkie-talkie once taken out of storage. Let’s take a look at how you should be storing your walkie-talkie for the best long-term results.
- Clean and Wipe Down Vents and Grills. If not cleaned and dried properly, mold and fungus can grow inside these small spaces and can affect other items in your storage space. You can use a small microfiber cloth or a cotton bud to gently clean these hard-to-reach spots.
- Remove Batteries. If your walkie-talkie has removable batteries, remove them from the device and store them separately on the side.
- Keep an Inventory. It is easy to forget how many walkie-talkies you have stored in your unit. You can prevent this by keeping a detailed log of which devices are being stored and labeling them. This will help when you or someone else has to pick up the devices.
- Buy Bins or Storage Cases. While it isn’t necessary, it does help to have additional bins or cases to keep your walkie-talkies organized. We recommend looking for a multigrid storage box or a plastic bin with latching handles. You can find organizational bins on Amazon or at your local Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Office Depot.
- Store Walkie Talkies Horizontally / Flat. “When storing my walkie talkies for extended periods of time I place them in cases flat so that there is no strain on the antennas,” explains Jason Weindruch, owner of Street Team Studios in Brooklyn, NY.
- Choose Self-Storage. While storing walkie-talkies in a house or office building is doable, it is not always the most reliable option. Rather than leaving the conditions up in the air, it is better to store them in a self-storage unit. You should look for a month-to-month contract rate with climate-controlled facilities and 24/7 access. If you are in the Central Texas area, check out what Amy’s Attic Self Storage has to offer for storing your walkie-talkies!
Check out the YouTube video below to see how you can easily clean your walkie-talkie with common household items before storage!
Rent Walkie-Talkies in Texas
Sometimes you don’t need a walkie-talkie for an extended period of time. Instead of paying full price for a device you only temporarily need, you can look into renting walkie-talkies. Since most stores only allow you to buy not rent in-store, we have found some online stores that will let you rent walkie-talkies. With a variety of walkie-talkie models, these stores can provide you with exactly what you need for whatever amount of time. Let’s take a look at the following rental businesses:
- BearCom – Waco
(800) 527-1670
Website: https://bearcom.com/service-areas/texas/waco-tx/
- Radio One – Dallas
1701 W. Northwest Hwy., Suite 100, Grapevine, TX 76051
(214) 427-4495
Website: https://www.radio1inc.com/locations/texas/
- Media2Way
(214) 935-3800
Website: https://media2wayradio.com/
- Dollar Radio Rentals
(866) 886-3767
Website: https://www.dollarradiorentals.com/
- Day Wireless Systems
(800) 235-7011
Website: https://www.daywirelessrentals.com/
Buy Walkie-Talkies in Central Texas
While you can buy a walkie-talkie online, it can be more reliable to look at in-store options. From testing out the device to taking it home on the same day, you will know exactly what you are getting when you go in person. Central Texas has a variety of stores that carry a range of top brand walkie-talkies. You will be able to find what you need at one of these Central Texas stores!
- Keith Ace Hardware – Salado
213 Mill Creek Dr, Salado, TX 76571
(254) 947-4008
Website: https://www.keithacehardware.com/index.php
- The Home Depot – Temple
3550 S General Bruce Dr, Temple, TX 76504
(254) 773-3870
Website: https://www.homedepot.com/l/Temple/TX/Temple/76504/6863
- Walmart Supercenter – Belton
2604 N Main St, Belton, TX 76513
(254) 939-0962
Website: https://www.walmart.com/store/1232-belton-tx
- Office Depot – Waco
5524 Bosque Blvd, Waco, TX 76710
(254) 776-8891
Website: https://www.officedepot.com/
- Target – Harker Heights
201 E Central Texas Expy Ste 300, Harker Heights, TX 76548
(254) 953-5880
Website: https://www.target.com/sl/harker-heights/2374
Store Your Walkie-Talkies at Amy’s Attic Self Storage
For 17 years and counting, Amy’s Attic Self Storage has proudly served the community of Central Texas through its storage unit solutions. With five locations throughout Central Texas, Amy’s Attic leads the community in self-storage solutions. Our modern facilities and storage units offer an accessible, secure, and clean storage environment for your needs. If you are interested in renting a storage unit, then please call or visit one of our five locations in Central, Texas.
