<< Why keep batteries in the fridge? >>
Maybe they are perishables. Or..
it may be a personal preference.
I find my RA (rechargeable alkalines) don't need refrigeration and they seem
to provide full power on my VHF, GPS, flashlights, etc. Yes, when you apply
power a vhf voltage meter will show a drop in voltage. As it should. You
are sucking the living daylights out of them. Range seems not to be affected
by this quirk. Which is also evident on all other batteries. Specially,
depending on channel you transmit. Some VHF's will only supply one watt on
certain channels and 5 watts output on others.
{:^)
"I'll stick to my 18 month old RA's." They provide ample power for my needs.
They've worked so good I now also operate my portable radios with them.
BTW: portable VHF's put out a max of 6 Watts (only some). If you need more
range than 5 miles, you need a large base vhf with 25 Watt output and a
decent antennae properly matched to the radio. Then again all you get is
approximately 12 miles out in the ocean..
Best
SF