a battery charger for a portable radio having a cradle which holds and charges a radio with a battery attached , or optionally holds and charges the battery alone . the cradle is typically mounted in a vehicle . a lock element is provided in the cradle to engage the battery and is operated by a lock actuator and a release actuator . the lock actuator is displaced when the radio or battery is pushed into the cradle by a user . the release actuator may be displaced by the user to disengage the lock from the battery .