Hi Kevin.
Lou, K2LKK here. I am not totally blind, but I have no useable vision, so
I think I can speak adequately to the accessibility concerns for the Icom
706 MkII, which I presently have with the voice board and an external
controller.
I don't think this radio is as accessible as some, but it is useable. You
will definitely want the QSYer, no two ways about it. It will simplify
moving around a great deal. In fact, that is one of the reasons why I have
kept mine. Also, if the budget will allow it, consider getting the AT-180
auto tuner. Even if you have another auto tuner like the LDG electronics
AT-11, the AT-180 blows it away, hands down. It is by far the best auto
tuner I've ever had. And, it works from 160 thru 6 meters.
The hardest part about the Icom IC-706 is remembering the myriad of things
that can be set through the menus. The radio does use some articulating
beeps, so a blind person can pick a reference point and navigate through
the menus if they know exactly what menu they need to go to, and precisely
which key to hit. The beep for menu 1 is slightly longer than the other
beeps, making navigation possible. Still, I find myself wishing for a
sighted person around her a lot of the time (I am a single home-owner, so I
can't just call someone over to look at the radio).
I have considered the prospects of computer controlling it with JAWS, but
haven't really investigated how practical that would be. However, what I
will say is that in our club's last Field Day exercise, the Icom 706 MkII
and AT-180 were the darling of the event for our club. With the MFJ 25 Amp
switching supply, AT-180, and Icom 706MkII with mike, key, and various
cables plus the controller, I was able to get the entire station into a
package small enough to go in a L.L. Bean backpack, and still keep the
weight quite manageable. I think a backpackable HF/VHF station is very
impressive.
So, while I would not rate the IC-706 Mk II as optimally accessible, I
would say that it is useable, and certainly very entertaining. Hope that
this helps.
Oh, by the way, the voice synthesizer, as it is configured on my radio
reads off S-meter reading, frequency, and mode.
73, de Lou K2LKK
At 08:49 AM 9/9/02 -0700, you wrote:
>Hi All,
>
>I may be in a position to purchase a small HF radio for travel purposes and
>the like. I know the question of accessibility for various radios comes up
>here often; but, I have to admit, I don't usually read all of them unless
>I'm interested at that point. So, if the things I am about to ask are
>already in the archives, someone please tell me how to get there.
>
>Here goes. The radios I am very interested in are the Icom IC-706 in some
>flavor, Yaesu FT-100 and Kenwood TS-50. I am also interested in looking at
>something like the Icom 718 but I don't know how big it is. My emphasis
>here is size and accessibility. I am totally blind. Can any of these
>radios be operated by a totally blind person with help from an external
>source such as the QSY'er for the Icom and Yaesu? Please feel free to share
>your opinions with me off list if you choose. Please send cc as well to
>[log in to unmask]
>
>Thanks for your patience and 73.
>Kevin, K7RX
>
>Kevin Nathan, Independent Living Coordinator
>Dept. of Services for the Blind
>3411 S. Alaska
>Seattle, Wa 98118
>Voice: (206) 721-6450
>Cell: (206) 604-4767
>Toll Free: (800) 552-7103
>Fax: (206) 721-6403
>Email: [log in to unmask]
Louis (Kim) Kline, A.R.S. K2LKK
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Work e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Work Tel. (585) 697-5753
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