Is programming PL tones accessible? that's always been a very week point in yaesu radios. I know a friend has an FT-8100, a sighted friend who I still strongly advised not to get it but no one listens to me anyway, and that radio doesn't do that, no way could I program the PL tones while helping him out with programming it. the rest was like you describe though I did mess up programming the memories due to the randomness of it in programming memories once in a while, but the big thing was the pl tones. 1 reason I'd never get one to play around with it a little while like I usually do when I find a radio I'm curious about though is the company's horrible attitude toward blind hams.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Colin McDonald 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 9:02 PM
  Subject: Re: 707 radio


  For once, i'm gonna take you up on that all yaesu's are bad premise.
  I have recently come into posession of a yaesu FT2800M 2M mobile radio, and
  yes, it was given to me, i didn't buy it since i too would never actually
  buy a yaesu product.
  This radio, contrary to all that has been said about yaesu's lack of
  accessibility is probably one of the most accessible radios without a voice
  synth in it that i have found.
  The radio has beep tones which have multiple tone beeps for various
  functions and events and all frequencies can be either direct entered via
  the microphone, or found through the memory recall which can also be done
  via direct entry through the microphone.
  The rig emits a double beep at the point between last memory channel and
  channel 000, thus allowing a reference point for counting clicks.  It also
  emits the same double beep while in set mode giving a point of reference
  between the first and last menu items.
  Power settings are indicated by different pitched beep tones, high double
  beep for high power and low double beeps for lower power.
  The vfo and memory functions are toggled via one key and its easy enough to
  tell where you are since when you are in memory mode, you can go to channel
  000 and hear the double beep when it rolls over to the highest channel...or
  vice versa.
  Of course, the radio doesn't have voice synth capability, but as far as
  accessibility goes, it really does stand up to all the kenwoods that don't
  sport a voice chip.
  Its just as accessible, or perhaps more so then nearly all handheld
  transceivers and better then a goodly number of mobile transceivers.
  It can also be programmed via the computer, though i cannot speak to how
  accessible the yaesu programming software is for this radio.
  Memories are also very easy to program in using click counting and your
  head.
  The only thing i found slightly unaccessible was the method for deleting
  memories, you have to use the VFO knob to choose which memory location to
  delete and there is no double beep indicated the beginning or end of the
  memory channels as their is in regular memory mode.
  The radio also has a smart search feature which allows you to search the
  entire 2M band for active frequencies and will then program those active
  frequencies into memory.  Naturally, the blind operater wouldn't know what
  those frequencies were unless a pair of eyes was around.

  I think all and all, the radio is more then accessible enough for the
  average blind operator and due to its simple operability, doesn't force a
  blind user to forfit the use of functions unaccessible because it really
  doesn't have any extra functions that are unaccessible.
  The internet connectivity portion of the rig, in my mind is totally useless
  anyway and even so, it is still easy enough to program without sited
  assistance.
  So if anyone is looking for a good solid well made and relatively accessible
  2M mobile, check out the FT2800M.
  73
  Colin, V A6BKX
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
  To: <[log in to unmask]>
  Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 2:59 PM
  Subject: Re: 707 radio


  > do you mean the Kenwood TMg707A? if so, it's still made and is duel =
  > band. If that's what you meant, Don't insult a perfectly good Kenwood by =
  > giving a yaesu model prefix like ft.
  >   ----- Original Message -----=20
  >   From: Phil Scovell=20
  >   To: [log in to unmask]
  >   Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 4:59 PM
  >   Subject: 707 radio
  >
  >
  >   Is that ft 707G or whatever it is called that has a voice synthesizer =
  > in it,
  >   still being made?  Someone has been asking me about it.  Is it a dual
  >   bander, too?
  >
  >   Phil.
  >
  >   K0NX
  >   The Zenith Tube
  >   www.RedWhiteAndBlue.org