Richard Buddy etc. =20

While the suggestion we all have are from our point of view worthy and =
perhaps they are as well for others, the sad fact In my perception is that =
engineers do not make the decisions about what features are included in =
products.  Ultimately upper management and or accounting has a greater =
influence along with market realities.

I too have enjoyed   TenTec and am among the few I know that had one of =
their synthesize 2 m hts..  This rig was very easy to use as a blind =
person and for the life of me I do not recall why I did not keep it.  =
Perhaps as memory seems to fade in, the problem was one of the radio being =
dropped too many times or  something.

Nonetheless I fear sales of the speech units were not sufficient or brisk =
enough over the long term to keep  that product in the production line.  I =
also wonder if that is the case for others who have dropped out or are not =
planning speech options for their equipment. =20

some main line businesses who ultimately manufacture speech are or will be =
facing the same decision about products in their overall offering.  Sales =
ultimately I suspect will be a determining factor not altruism. =20

Recently I have become involved with human factors engineering as a =
consultant and the few companies who are working to be proactive in this =
area are doing so for reasons of federal mandate and aggressive education =
of designers engineers financial  specialists and corporate executives.  =
their main market is business not consumer products as well.

It is refreshing to see this discussion and the well written suggestion =
and I do hope that positive change will occur but I would far more like to =
see accessible cable boxes cell phones microwave ovens ranges dishwashers =
other home appliances, and I have not even began to think about the dvd =
players stereos etc.. =20

I can   develop techniques for using the radio or choosing one that is =
useable but alas  the choices in other areas are less likely with far =
wider markets than the ham radio market.


thank you!

BRETT K WINCHESTER  PM  KD7JN   VOLUNTEER & READING SERVICES MANAGER
[log in to unmask]     http://www.icbvi.state.id.us/brochure/RADIO.HTM 
Member IAAIS International Association of Audio Information Services
IDAHO COMMISSION f/t BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED - ICBVI
P O BOX 83720,    341 W WASHINGTON,    BOISE IDAHO  83720-0012
208-334-3220 ext 104 +7=voice mail after hours,                    Fax  208-334-2963