41. There will not be enough handie-talkies; batteries will soon go dead. 

COMMENT:  The first part of the above comment need not be true for hams. Every EMCOMM operator should have at least one “handie-talkie” primarily for tactical, personal field use...usually on simplex.  Unfortunately the last part of the statement is often true. “Ni-cads are nice, but alkalines are always ready.” If you use your HT daily the Ni-cad battery and charger system works well.

But for EMCOMM use you may not be able to re-charge your Ni-cad batteries in the field. At least not very quickly. It is suggested that all EMCOMM operators have a alkaline battery box, or adapter for their HT. The shelf life of an alkaline cell is up 5 years (give or take), and they are readily available everywhere.  Personally, when my Ni-cads that came with my HTs “died”, I did not replace them. Since I use my HTs only on an occasional basis, I ordered alkaline battery packs and use them exclusively.