Hi Charles.

I have been hearing wonderful things about the Kenwood TS480S, and the
folks on the list really like the TS2000.  I am contemplating purchasing a
new HF rig within the next 6 months, and am having a tough time deciding
whether to go with the TS2000 or the TS480S as both seem to have some
pretty appealing features.

I presently run the Icom IC706 MkIIG with the AT-180 Auto Tuner with the
Millenium QSYer keypad.  It is usable by a blind operator (I have no usable
vision left), but it isn't as friendly as many radios.  Mine has the UT102
voice synthesizer installed, and I like the synthesizer for what it does,
but the menu system isn't very blind-friendly.  I suspect Kenwood does much
better in this regard, at least with the TS2000.  I also wouldn't recommend
the IC706MkIIG in an urban operating environment as I find other radios in
my shack to be less prone to front-end overload and intermod issues.

I am also strongly considering the Ellicraft K2 for QRP operation.  I have
an Argonaut 509 (made by Ten Tec about 30 years ago) and it has served me
well, but I am most impressed with what I read about the Ellicraft radios
and will probably order one within the next year.  It isn't a talking
radio, but the CW frequency readout works for me, and they've gone all out
to make their radios accessible, which makes them a company I would like to
support (too bad the folks at Yaesu aren't paying attention).

73, de Lou K2LKK




At 11:54 AM 9/8/2004 +0200, you wrote:
>Dear all,
>
>I have a Kenwood ts440 which has a voice chip in it and works very
>well.  I have just been chatting with a blind friend of
>mine on vhf, 9h5cr who is hoping to upgrade to full license soon.  I would
>like to ask wheather you could give me some
>information about talking hf transceivers as he is mainly interested in
>the hf bands.  I have already told him about this list
>and will send him info so he can join us here.
>
>Best 73 and 88 where applicable,
>Charles 9h1fbs
>Malta, Europe.
>Email: [log in to unmask] or
>[log in to unmask]

Louis Kim Kline
A.R.S. K2LKK
Home e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
Work e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
Work Telephone:  (585) 697-5753