Boy, are you right about the nuisance of having to program a radio via
computer.  I don't make a habit of carrying a laptop everywhere.  And I
agree with you that I'd opt for ruggedness over bells and whistles.  In
fact, I'd just as soon have *no* memories:  if I can't remember
frequencies, then I'd better pack it in and find another hobby.  And I
figure that if it takes me more than two or three keystrokes from
*anywhere* in a radio's operations beyond those needed to enter
frequencies, the radio is too complex.  If I want to listen to something
while I'm out, I'll bring a book or CD.

And my "ruggedness test" would be to drop the radio from ten feet onto
concrete and expect not a scratch, loose knob, intermitent in the
circuitry or anything.  and my remote microphone test would be to swing it
around my head fifty times and expect it to work.  Seems to me that this
would be engineering time better spent than on frills.  But this would
mean real engineering time as opposed to jus redesigning software so guess
the companies won't pay for it.

Oh well!

Mike Freeman < K 7 U I J >

On Wed, 22 Jan 2003, Richard WEbb wrote:

> Message-Id: <20030122153344.RVO25548.imf00bis.bellsouth.net@[209.214.148.122]>
>
> On 2003-01-22 [log in to unmask] said:
>    >I wish someone would make a multiband HT with the features one
>    >really needs (PL-tones and the like) but without such complicated
>    >menus that it takes a Ph.D. to figure them out.  And unlike most on
>    >this list, I suppose, I don't give a hoot what's happening outside
>    >the ham bands except possibly for EMS and WX frequencies.
> YOu and me both MIke!  I also feel that if the only way I can program
> it reliably is with a windows box then it's not usable.  I want to
> deal with computers and cables to program my radio I'll go ahead and
> buy commercial equipment from Motorolla or somebody which is rugged
> such as that used by police and firefighters.  My Kenwood thg-71a
> gives me the features I want and is easy to use, but not quite as
> rugged as I'd like.
>
> I did get to see one of the Icom units at a hamfest last weekend, and
> like the cw output of frequency display idea.  That one's kinda cool.
> WOuld like to have 6 meters and or 220 mhz in the same ht, but for the
> most part use 2 and 70cm the most around here.
>
> WOuld i buy another 71a?  OF what's out there right now probably yes.
> THough it's not as rugged as I'd like it's quite field programmable
> and that's an important part of owning any radio for me.  Get much
> more complex and I'd have to use a computer interface, and if I have
> to go to that much trouble I'd go with the commercial vendors that
> make ruggedized equipment which can stand a little more hard use.
>
> AS they say:  "HOrses for courses."
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Richard Webb
>
> Electric Spider Productions
>
> "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
>
> --- Benjamin Franklin November 1755
>
>
>