I have been playing with freedom box 2.01 with their screen reader called
system access.
It doesn't do everything, but it is really amazing!  I can run microsoft
products with it, echo link, real player, goldwave, winamp.  Eudora doesn't
work, but it works with outlook.
I don't know if their is a way to read current line or paragraph.  I
haven't figured out how to emulate a mouse, or read texxt with spaciffic
attributes.  It tells me more stuff in some dialogues than either jfw or
window-eyes do.
An example, is in the font dialog in word, it tells you what colors are
available for a chosen font.

I didn't try ham radio delux, but I think it will work, since that program
has standard dialogs.  I am thinking that a under $500 computer, a key to
freedom, and a freedom box subscription may be the most ecconomical way for
a person to enter the computer world.  Freedom scan can do your basic
scanning, and off you go.