Hi Bill,

I would have to concur with Buddy on his equipment list.  I currently own a
TS-2000 and a TM-G707A and both are very, very usable with the addition of
the optional speech synthesizer.  It is my understanding that the TS-570 is
every bit as usable by a blind person but I haven't used one of them
personally.

I am totally blind and did have an Icom IC-746 for a bit and now own an
IC-706 for portable and travel purposes.  I had the speech for both of these
rigs but, to be totally honest, neither is as accessible as their Kenwood
competition.  I do understand that the Icom IC-718 is quite usable by a
blind person but again, I've not used one of them myself.  As for Yaesu,
very little of their equipment is usable at all and they only offer speech
capability on one radio, the FT-847, which is nowhere near the radio the
TS-2000 is.  Tentec offers speech on some radios I believe but I don't know
which ones.

I hope that is somewhat helpful.  I don't think you could go wrong with
Kenwood since they seem to have some commitment to working with the blind
community.

Good luck and very 73.

Kevin, K7RX :)

-----Original Message-----
From: Blind-Hams For blind ham radio operators
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Bill Wawrzeniak
Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2002 03:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: What rig for person who just lost his sight


Hi,
My name is Bill Wawrzeniak.  My ham callsign is W1KKF.  I am not blind.  I
am writing for my brother-in-law.  He has been a ham for many years.  About
a year ago, he found he was losing his sight due to "Wet Macular
Degeneration".  In less than a year it had progressed to the point that he
could no longer see or operate his present ham equipment.  At the present
time I am helping him dispose of his ham equipment.  Here is my reason for
writing.....
What rig would be the best choice for him.  Is there some rig that would be
easy to use?
Thanks for your help.
73, Bill