Seems our 2.4 GHz cordless phone has been on the fritz lately, for no apparent reason. So I call tech support, and they tell me it’s the battery - can’t maintain its voltage. They offer to sell me a replacement - no, an upgrage AND replacement all in one - for $20. With double the voltage, they say, it will last longer. I decline the misinformed offer and thank them for the info.

I get a small screwdriver and disassemble the battery pack. Do you know what’s in those things? NiCd AA batteries. They’d cost $5 at the store. After some prying and electrical taping, I’ve rebuilt the pack with NiMH batteries I had for the digital camera, at a cost of about $6. It works. No static.

Victory, sweet victory.