If you're looking at a crafting recipe that needs rope and you don't have any, hover your mouse over the grayed out rope icon in the recipe and if the icon shows a white cross on a green background, just click the icon to craft the rope.  No need going to the screw icon and then selecting the rope icon to craft the rope.  You just need to have the resource(s) in you inventory to craft the rope (palm leaves).  If you don't have the resource in your inventory when you hover your mouse, you'll get a white cross on a red background.  Same is true with a recipe that needs nails, click the greyed out nail icon in the recipe and you'll craft nails if you have scrap in your inventory.  Mechanic works for; Bolt, Hinge, Circuit Board and Battery.  Dead batteries can be used in recipes that require a battery, doesn't matter if its dead.  Also later in the game you'll be able to recharge batteries.  Last episode you had turned the receiver on and you left it on, that's why your battery is now dead.  Turn off receiver when not using to save the battery.  🍺🍺