justout of curiosity, just how much speech access do blind hams enjoy 
with the 480?

On 19/02/2008 6:06 AM, the old scribe known as Lou Kline was able to 
impart this pearl of wisdom:
> Hi Shaun.
> 
> If you are looking at used gear, and can live without the S-meter, a gem on 
> the used market would be the Kenwood TS450S or the TS690S.  These radios 
> had very little menus other than the setup menu to tell the radio what 
> filters were installed, and if you get one that has the AT450 auto tuner, 
> that tuner was a bit more forgiving than the newer tuners I've worked 
> with.  Also, if you can find a Kenwood TS440S in good shape with the auto 
> tuner and voice board, that is another good candidate.  You have to be 
> careful with the TS440S radios as they tended to develop microprocessor and 
> keypad problems, but if you can find one that isn't exhibiting any keypad 
> problems and will turn on, you would otherwise have a gem of a radio.
> 
> Regarding the S-meter, I don't put very much stock in them because most of 
> them are grossly inaccurate anyway.  The one in the TS2000S isn't accurate 
> within a mile.  They are only relative, and what they tell you is whether 
> one signal is stronger than another, but they don't even tell you 
> accurately how much stronger.  So, I just don't put a lot of stock in those 
> meters.
> 
> 73, de Lou K2LKK
> 
> 
> 
> At 07:01 PM 2/18/2008 +1100, you wrote:
>> the budget unfortunately precludes me from some of the nicer kenwoods.
>> so yeah, am looking for the best for the bucks I got. as long as it
>> tells me what frequency I'm on and s meter readings, and possibly mode,
>> then that will do. everything else is incidental at this juncture.
>> I'm not registered on ebay and don't plan on it at this time either. I
>> do look around vkham.com and various dealers that stock second-hand gear
>> to see what I might be able to pick up and, for how much.
>> right now, if I want no accessibility, teh Yaesu FT817 is looking great
>> problem there is I'd have to fork out for a milenium QSYer. so the Icom
>> IC718 looks the go for the time being. I did want an IC703 but they're
>> not carried over here in australia anymore and to import one would cost
>> me more than I'm prepared to fork over for a radio of that type.
>>
>>
>> On 18/02/2008 6:05 PM, the old scribe known as Colin McDonald was able
>> to impart this pearl of wisdom:
>>> are you looking for the least expensive accessible HF radio? or the most
>>> accessible HF radio?
>>> Or are you looking for VHF/UHF?
>>> The IC-718 is probably the cheapest HF rig with a voice chip out there.
>>> Although, you can get an IC-706 mark II g on ebay in good condition for
>>> quite a bit less.
>>> the 706 will cover 160M through 70CM...though without great sensativity or
>>> performance on the HF bands.
>>> The ts-2000 is of course probably the most accessible, with the most
>>> features right now.
>>> The ts480 is also very accessible, likely the most blind accessible HF 
>> radio
>>> on the market.
>>> But, if you have a lower budget which won't allow for something like the
>>> ts-480 or the ts-2000, perhaps the 718 might be your best option for
>>> strictly 160M through 10M.
>>> You can also find used ts-570's out there.  these are a very 
>> accessible, and
>>> great performing radio.
>>> 73
>>> Colin, V A6BKX
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Shaun Oliver" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:39 PM
>>> Subject: prasee of accessible radios.
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi ladies and gents, would it be at all possible to get a general
>>>> overview from you all of what you think is the most blind friendly radio
>>>> and why? my budget might just stretch far enough to get me an icom
>>>> IC718, however, I ain't gonna go into this blindly as it were. I realise
>>>> there's plenty of reviews already but, I want to hear from those in
>>>> particular that have been around when things were just that much harder.
>>>> thanks in advance.
>>>> shaun
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>
>>
>>
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>> 5:50 AM
> 
> Louis Kim Kline
> A.R.S. K2LKK
> Home e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
> Work e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
> Work Telephone:  (585) 697-5740  
> 
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