Bill,

I don't know what you want to spend, but you can get a Kenwood TS-480 for 
about $1100.  As far as I know, it's the most accessible radio you can find. 
The speech reads all the menus, the frequency, signal strength, and tone 
encode and decode values.  You won't get as much speech readout from any of 
the Icom radios, which only read frequency as far as I know.  I don't think 
you get any readout from any of the Yaesus, although some of them can be 
controlled via computer.

Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Deatherage" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 22:13
Subject: radio question


> Hello to all,
> I am not sure if I have asked this question before or if and when it has =
> been discussed.  some times my memory isn't as good as it used to be.
> any, way,
> I was wondering what would you think it would cost to get into HF =
> opperation.  I am living in an apartment so I will be restricted to what =
> I can do.
> I am looking to use low power so I won't bother people around me.  I =
> remember once there was a radio made that would only operate on 10 =
> meeters.  When I up graded to general  I got my Kenwood TS 440.  I was =
> wondering if yasoo I know I am spelling it wrong but if they or kenwood =
> made an afordible radio or what would you recomend at the low ind that =
> would be accessible for a person who is blind or visually impaired.
> I called a radio store and the salesman told me about a radio made =
> byIcom that he said all  the amateur radio operaters who were blind were =
> using.  I think it sold for 1700.  of course it was new.  He told me you =
> didn't need to look at used equiptment because the new was so afordible. =
> =20
> I would be interested in your ideas.  I realize you get what you pay for =
> but what do you think a person could get back on HF for.
> thank you in advance.
> Bill
>