Our local Red Cross has received a donation of 20 new Motorola cell phones.
These phones will be put on the shelf and activated in the event of a
disaster/emergency.  Activation details are to be coordinated with local
cell phone providers, hopefully with donated air time.

The instruction manual indicates that the NICAD batteries should be charged
overnight, and then run through five discharge/overnight charge cycles
before being put into regular use and again if the phone (battery) is stored
for an (unspecified) "extended period" of time without use.

I assume an "extended period" would be 2-3 months or would it be longer?

I am aware of the Nicad memory effect but have heard modern Nicads do not
suffer from memory problems.

I am attempting to plan a periodic battery recharge schedule and would
appreciate comments regarding the best way to keep the phones ready and in
good battery condition for extended periods of (hopefully) no emergency
usage.  Comments from managers (or others) having experience using (and
activating) cell phones under similar usage patterns would be especially
helpful.

I do not own or use a cell phone so this is all new to me.  You may contact
me via the [EE]: list or off list at: jhancock@cwv.net .

Thanks, Jess

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