Hey Mike, welcome to the forum family
in regards to your question about batteries for the radio, I use energizer rechargeable NIMH batteries in all my radios. I get great life out of them.
I went through 4 truck battery cycles before I needed to recharge the radio batteries at the show in Indy last summer.
the thing is real simple and compact. Here is a pic of it next to a coffee table coaster......
Also charges AAA which is what I run in my forklift....
A 4 pack of AA costs 14 bucks here in Canada. The charger which comes with 4 AA cost 30 bucks to get started. I paid a little at first, but now, I pay no more
Mario