I wonder if say, Yaesu, would be open to loaning Rob a rig like 
the 857 to work with so he wouldn't have to buy one.  Or, maybe 
he could even find a nearby good-hearted ham who has one to at 
least let him try stuff out on it, especially if you don't have 
to go into the rig, just plug the Hampod into a port on it.  73, 
Jim

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Colin McDonald <[log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Date sent: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:38:55 -0600
Subject: ham pod development

I was thinking if everyone on list gave a donation of $10 per 
month to Rob
to develop the ham pod, he could purchase many of the radios and 
devices we
want the ham pod to work with.
Financial resources seems to be the stumbling block for further 
development
right now.
Personally, I'd like to see it work with radios like the yaesu 
857D, ic7000,
IC756 pro and so on.
In other words, some of the more popular, but less accessible 
radios.
Of course, I doubt 100 people could be convinced to donate 10 
bucks a month
even for this worthy cause.
I wonder if Rob has pursued grants from places like the NFB, ACB, 
blind
products vendors, or developers etc.
There is funding availible from a few places for this kind of 
work.
Unfortunately, I don't know specifics, but I suspect grants, and 
development
funds could be had from a couple different sources.
or, perhaps one of our list members, or a blind ham will win the 
lottery and
supply some help to rob to get this thing off and running.

73
Colin, V A6BKX