i agree completely.
ease of use, multiple operator configurations and durability are key issues.
although, the 2000 isn't that complicated if one has some of the key buttons
pointed out and briefly explained even on a cheat sheet card...any radio
would need that, or should have it, anyway in an emergency response
location.
but you bring up a good point, if more then one operator is needed for
running multiple nets on vhf/uhf or HF separately, then perhaps dedicated
radios should be considered.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Louis Kim Kline" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 8:01 PM
Subject: Re: amateur radio


> Hi.
>
> For as much as I like the Kenwood TS2000S, I need to play devil's advocate
> here.  The TS2000S is a fairly complex radio, and it took a couple of
"read
> throughs" of the manual to figure it out.  So, my question is this:  "In a
> time of emergency, do you want to spend a lot of time trying to figure out
> a complex radio?  Or would it be better to get a couple of very
> straightforward radios--one for HF and one for VHF/UHF?  All of the modes
> are nice, but I'll almost guarantee that all of the VHF/UHF stuff will go
> through on FM.  And, on HF, you will most likely either use SSB and CW, or
> some digital mode that requires you to put the radio in SSB and uses a
> sound card interface or TNC to send and receive.
>
> I am thinking that something like an Icom IC-718 and a Kenwood TMG707A
> would probably handle everything.
>
> Of course, the Icom IC706MKIIG isn't a bad alternative, as long as someone
> loads up all of the memories ahead of time with all the repeaters and
> PLs.  It's a stinker, if they don't.
>
> But, also consider this.  If you need to be on HF and on a 2 meter
> frequency simultaneously (two operators), you are out of luck with the
> TS2000S, but with two separate radios you are good to go.  I just don't
> think that the "one size fits all" approach is such a great one in this
> instance.
>
> 73, de Lou K2LKK
>
>
>
> At 06:53 PM 7/31/2006 -0400, you wrote:
> >I would say the TS-2000.  It has good accessibility; almost as good as
the
> >480.  It has a built-in tuner, CW and Packet capability; satellite mode;
> >160-2 meters plus 440MHz, and optional 1.2GHz.  If you only have one rig,
> >this one will provide you with the HF, VHF, and UHF coverage on all
modes.
> >
> >Steve, K8SP
>
> Louis Kim Kline
> A.R.S. K2LKK
> Home e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
> Work e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
> Work Telephone:  (585) 697-5753
>