any little bit helps...but i think standard/vertex is a lost cause...since
their amateur radio devision is going down hill fast anyway.
Maybe that's why they hired Mr. Motschenbacher  to help get their amateur
sales and market share up enough to support its continued existence.
They are big into camercial radio and that is what keeps the company afloat.
Their amateur radio sales are probably something like third as far as market
share goes.

I still maintain hope though since they did have a couple radios that were
relatively accessible.
With some new blood in the corporation, maybe they'll reimplement some of
those features more commonly found now on kenwood and icom rigs.
They have to do something anyway....pretty much every fellow ham I know
doesn't like yaesu, with the exception of the older rigs and the FT897/857
and perhaps the ft1000.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Walt Smith" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, September 02, 2006 9:59 AM
Subject: This might present blind hams with an opportunity


> This comes from the current issue of the ARRL Letter. I strongly encourage
> blind hams and their affiliate organizations within both ACB and NFB to
> contact Mr. Motschenbacher and make strong but _rational_ arguments as to
> why Yaesu should do more to accommodate the needs of blind amateurs. His
> activity in the wake of Hurricane Katrina might be one avenue of
> approach--the lack of accessibility of most Yaesu equipment makes it
> difficult, if not impossible, for blind hams to use in emergency
situations.
> I suspect that writing to [log in to unmask] should get mail to him.
>
> ==>ARRL'S DENNIS MOTSCHENBACHER, K7BV, ACCEPTS EXECUTIVE POSITION WITH
YAESU
>
> ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, has accepted
a
> position with Vertex Standard (Yaesu) as Executive Vice President of its
> Amateur Radio Sales Division. ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer,
> WJ1B, announced Motschenbacher's departure August 28 "with regret" and
> congratulated him on his new position.
>
> "This is an incredible opportunity for Dennis, who will be relocating to
> Yaesu's Corporate Office in Cypress, California," Kramer said.
>
> In addition to his comprehensive knowledge of the Amateur Radio industry
and
> extraordinary marketing and sales skills, Motschenbacher "also brought us
an
> unbridled passion about Amateur Radio and a vision for the ARRL's future,"
> when he arrived at League Headquarters four years ago, Kramer said.
>
> "The ARRL will miss him," he added. "We have become a better organization
> because of him."
>
> At Vertex Standard, Motschenbacher will be responsible for Yaesu Amateur
> Radio equipment sales and marketing in the US and Canada. He'll leave the
> League in mid-September.
>
> "I dreamed of working at ARRL HQ ever since I was a teenager, never really
> believing I would actually get here," Motschenbacher said. "It has been a
> terrific four and half years packed with lots of change and new
friendships.
> I am deeply honored to now have this opportunity to work for Mr. Hasegawa
> and Yaesu, serving the Amateur Radio community in a different but equally
as
> important manner."
>
> First licensed in 1962 at age 13 as WV6WTD, Motschenbacher -- a Minnesota
> native -- has operated under various US and foreign call signs over the
> years. Well known as a DXer and top-tier contester, he's operated from 35
> different countries and competed at World Radiosport Team Championship
2000
> in Slovenia.
>
> Motschenbacher is an ARRL Life and Diamond Club member and belongs to the
> ARRL Legacy Circle. He's also a past president of the Texas DX Society.
> Before joining the ARRL Headquarters staff, Motschenbacher served as
editor
> of National Contest Journal (NCJ) for four years. In his current position
at
> ARRL Headquarters, he oversees the League's publication and advertising
> sales as well as product marketing and membership recruitment activities.
>
> A year ago, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Motschenbacher was among
those
> HQ staff members who were instrumental in coordinating the procurement and
> shipping of equipment to aid radio amateurs responding in the field. He
also
> traveled to Montgomery, Alabama, to assist Alabama Section Manager Greg
> Sarratt, W4OZK, who was overseeing the intake of American Red Cross ham
> radio volunteers supporting communication at its 250 shelters and kitchens
> along the devastated US Gulf Coast.
>
>  --
>  Walt Smith - Clearwater, FL
>  [log in to unmask]
>