WOW, Jim! You are awesome! Stand alone . . . I am impressed! Well, I am
months away from getting down to this level of "techiness." I have made a
note to get back with you on this when I am ready - and I will! : )
73,
Richard
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Jim Shaffer
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 8:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Customized Control Software for the Kenwood TS-2000 and TS-590
Richard, my software is stand alone. It can be used to control and monitor
the rig, along with logging. If interested, I can send you the
documentation. It works on Windows Vista and above, and works best with a
braille display.
--
Jim, KE5AL
-----Original Message-----
From: Richard B McDonald
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 9:13 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Customized Control Software for the Kenwood TS-2000 and TS-590
Hi Jim!
That is so cool what you have done! You know, your setup is better than it
is for sighted people since all they know are menu numbers and must turn to
tables and cheat sheets to translate a menu number into what it really
means; like 1 = Display. Well done!
I am wondering if this is some sort of stand-alone application you have
written? Or, is it some sort of customization of JAWS or some other screen
reader? Does what you have written work in conjunction with the ARCP-2000
and ARCP-590 programs for the TS-2000 and TS-590, respectively? Or, do you
use some third party application?
On a related point, some have commented that rarely does one actually go
into these menus. Basically, the point is made that once menu settings are
made using the ARCP-2000 or ARCP-590 programs, operation of the rig happens
mostly via the front panel buttons. Is that right?
73,
Richard
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Jim Shaffer
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 12:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
The software I've written, currently just for my own use, will speak the
menu functions. For example, on the 590 menu 0 says "display brightness",
and then you can tab to the values which are numeric. Menu 1 though says
"display backlight color", and the values say "amber" and "green". It also
works with the 2000 submenus.
-----Original Message-----
From: John Miller
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 1:34 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
True the ones that are just menu number settings are the same for sighted
people as well.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
> you were misinformed then because the ts2000 menus are perfectly
> accessible and they all speak.
> However, sometimes the values within the menus are numbered and don't
> specify what the value actually represents, but I suspect that is the
> case for the sighted, or blind user and either would have to refer to
> a menu table to be sure which values to set...
> Once you set stuff in the menus, you rarely have to go back in there
> anyway...either way though, menus are fully accessible.
> Check out the material on the ts2000 available from:
> HTTP:/www.icanworkthisthing.com
>
> some excellent stuff there that will help allot.
>
> 73
> Colin, V A6BKX
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Jim Shaffer" <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 12:10 PM
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
>
>> I knew this would be an interesting thread. I'm about to borrow a
>> TS-2000
>> from my friend who some of you know, Rod Moag, W5NDS. As I
>> understand it, the menu access with speech isn't good, if it exists
>> at all, with the TS-2000. My software will access both the 2000 and
>> 590 menus though.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jim Gammon
>> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 11:28 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
>>
>> One important difference between the 590 and 2000 is that I don't
>> think the 590 covers VHF and UHF. Am pretty certain it stops at
>> 6 meters, (54 MHZ) 73, Jim WA6EKS
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Colin McDonald <[log in to unmask]
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Date sent: Mon, 19 May 2014 09:43:19 -0600
>> Subject: Re: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
>>
>> Both radios are very accessible. The ts590 speaks more for sure,
>> with voice readout of swr, power, mike gain, compression and all that
>> stuff...the
>> ts2000 doesn't voice all those things, but it's easy enough to
>> determine your settings anyway by click counting or whatever.
>> the ts2000 is using 14 year old technology, while the ts590 is much
>> much newer than that...similar performance perhaps ON HF etc, but the
>> overall newer technology gives the ts590 an edge in receiver
>> performance.
>> It is nice to have everything in one radio though...the vhf and UHF
>> sections of the ts2000 are extremely good, as good as any dual band
>> mobile etc.
>> why you would want to control these particular radios with software
>> is beyond me since that is usually far more cumbersome than using the
>> buttons on the front of the rig.
>> The ts2000 programming software is accessible and is useful for
>> programming your vhf and uhf channels etc...I presume the ts590's
>> programming software is equally accessible as kenwood software is
>> generally.
>> Not sure about control software though.
>>
>> If it's me, I would buy the ts2000. Better bang for your buck right
>> now, even though it's older technology. It gives you everything in
>> one radio, is easy to operate and is reasonably accessible.
>> If your after mostly HF, then the ts590 is definitely the way to go.
>> It's an excellent little rig and competes with anything else on the
>> market.
>>
>> 73
>> Colin, V A6BKX
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Richard B McDonald" <[log in to unmask]
>> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 9:22 AM
>> To: <[log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
>>
>> Hi!
>>
>>
>>
>> I am trying to decide which is a better rig for me between the
>> Kenwood
>> TS-2000 and the Kenwood TS-590. This breaks down into two
>> considerations:
>> 1) "accessibility" since I am blind and 2) radio functionality.
>>
>>
>>
>> As far as accessibility, from what I have read the TS-590 seems to be
>> a bit more accessible. However, this difference seems to be small.
>> One thing I
>> read from a accessibility review
>> <http://active-elements.org/2012/12/01/kenwood-ts-2000/> of the
>> TS-2000
>> is
>> " The TS-2000 was fitted with the optional VS-3 voice chip. The
>> VS-3 has
>> been superseded by the excellent VGS-1 on newer Kenwood's, but gave
>> unparalleled access to Kenwood radios when introduced." Does this
>> mean that the VGS-1 chip can be used in the TS-2000 to get its better
>> performance.
>> Also, both rigs have a computer control software interface option.
>> How accessible are they with JAWS? Any comments about the
>> accessibility differences of these two rigs would be greatly
>> appreciated.
>>
>>
>>
>> As far as radio functionality, the TS-590 seems to be a better HF rig
>> (160 -
>> 6 meters); but that is all its got. On the other hand, the
>> TS-2000 has a
>> far more broader range of capabilities: 160 meters - 70 cm; 23 cm
>> option, TNC, and on and on. From what I have read, the TS-2000 is a
>> very good HF rig; and the difference between it and the TS-590 here
>> are not all that great. So, what are your thoughts about the radio
>> functionality between these two rigs?
>>
>>
>>
>> Many thanks!
>>
>>
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Richard
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