all the external keypad does is direct frequency input,  you'd need the dtmf
mic for it to do auto patch and all. I'm not bothering to get that though,
my main use for the radio is portable HF and maybe some 2 meters and 440 but
the only time I have ever used the DTMF tones on a radio were checking my
signal to a repeater on cape cod, beyond that I never use them so I'm not
wasting $60 on a mic I'll probably never need.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2005 2:47 PM
Subject: Re: radio differences


> what does the external keypad offer? things like direct frequency entry?
> also if you are working repeaters wouldn't the keypad be good for auto
> patch
> or for dialing up IRLP nodes and such?
> Regards
> Colin
>