With 2.17_Software/1.47.01_Radio/60611_PRL and a few
registry hacks (cabbed up via this link), I set my 3 email accounts (ActiveSync, IMAP, and Windows Live) to sync at 30 minute intervals. This allows me to go from 8:00am to 9:00pm with only a 10-20% drain (keeping me at a 80-90% charge). My ActiveSync pulls about 30 RSS Feeds in that period, so it is definitely not sitting idle long.
Your mileage may vary, however, with the 1.47.01 radio with 60611 PRL depending on service quality in your area. In some cases, people are having better luck with the Alltel 1.40 radio and PRL 60610. If you search the forums for "1.40 Radio" and "PRL 60611" (no quotes), you should find information on those topics, but I would try the full 2.17 firmware (it includes the new radio) along with calling *2 and speaking with a tech support rep for the PRL update first to see how your experience goes.
Here's the list of registry entries changed by the linked cab file:
;This section adjusts the backlight settings to 4th notch when on battery and full when plugged in.
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ControlPanel\BackLight]
"BatteryTimeout"=dword:00000078
"BrightNess"=dword:00000003
"ACTimeout"=dword:00000258
"OnOffBatt"=dword:00000001
"OnOffAC"=dword:00000001
"QKeyLedOnOff"=dword:00000001
"QKeyLedTimeout"=dword:0000000A
"AutoSensor"=dword:00000001
"ACBacklightOnTap"=dword:00000001
"BacklightOnTap"=dword:00000001
"OnOff"=dword:00000001
"BatteryTimeoutUnchecked"=dword:00000000
"ACTimeoutUnchecked"=dword:00000000
"ACBrightness"=dword:0000000A
;This section sets a 2 minute "idle standby" when on battery.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Power]
"WakeupPowerOff"=dword:0000003C
"ExtPowerOff"=dword:00000000
"BattPowerOff"=dword:000000B4
"SystemIdleTimerResetEvent"="PowerManager/SystemIdleTimerReset"
"DisableGwesPowerOff"=dword:00000001
"ScreenPowerOff"=dword:0000003C
"SystemPriority256"=dword:000000F8
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Contro l\Power\Timeouts]
"ACSuspendTimeout"=dword:00000000
"BattSuspendTimeout"=dword:0000012C
"BatteryPoll"=dword:00001388
"BattUserIdle"=dword:00000000
"ACUserIdle"=dword:00000000
"BattResumingSuspendTimeout"=dword:0000000F
"ACResumingSuspendTimeout"=dword:0000000F
;This section enables Power Management for ActiveSync, Infrared, USB, and Bluetooth connections.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\AsyncMac1\Parms]
"DisablePowerManagement"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\Irsir1\Parms]
"DisablePowerManagement"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\PPTP1\Parms]
"DisablePowerManagement"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Comm\L2TP1\Parms]
"DisablePowerManagement"=dword:00000000