Well, you should be able to find it at most amateur radio dealers.  I 
didn't truthfully shop around a lot.  I have my favorite dealers to deal 
with, generally either AES, R&L Electronics, or The Ham Station, and I 
honestly don't remember which one I bought it from.  One other suggestion, 
though.  Go to R&L Electronics web site at www.randl.com and look through 
their listings on the Jetstream antennas.  They are less expensive than the 
Comet antennas, and I've talked to a couple of hams that have bought them 
and like them.

73, de Lou K2LKK



At 01:50 PM 9/28/2007 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi Lou,
>The Comet GP15 sounds like a good antenna from what I've read about it.  Do
>you know where the best place is to order one.  Most of the sites I've seen
>give the price in pounds.
>
>Thanks
>Gary
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>On Behalf Of Lou Kline
>Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 1:05 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: advice on equipment
>
>Hi David.
>
>You will have a very hard time finding a radio that Includes 1.25 meters
>(222 MHz for those who missed it and thought he was talking about 1.2
>GHz).  I think the best you are going to do for 1.25 meters is either a
>transverter off a 2 meter all mode or 10 meter all mode, or your other
>alternative is to look around for a used Icom IC375A with a voice
>board--not an easy thing to find.
>
>Generally, for HF work the TS570 series, the TS2000 series, and the TS480
>series radios are all quite good from an accessibility standpoint.  The
>TS480 series and the TS2000 series are really the best from an
>accessibility standpoint, but of course the TS480 series radios do not
>cover frequencies above 6 meters, so probably one of the TS2000 radios
>would be better for you.
>
>To answer your question on the TS2000 radios, the TS-B2000 is a radio that
>is designed to be run from a computer--it has no front panel, and all
>functions are run from the Kenwood ARCP2000 software control package, which
>is mostly accessible but not completely accessible.
>
>The TS2000S is the model that is designed to run as a stand-alone radio,
>although it can also be software controlled if you wish.  it covers 160,
>80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, 6, 2 meters, and 70 cm all modes.  An
>optional module can be obtained for 1.2 GHz, which will require
>installation by either a Kenwood service technician, or a very experienced
>ham radio operator who is experienced with working on tightly packed solid
>state boards.  If you are considering the 1.2 GHz option, then you probably
>should buy the TS2000X instead because it already includes 1.2 GHz, so you
>won't have to go through the hassle and expense of having it installed.
>
>The VS3 voice synthesizer is very easily understood, and on the Kenwood
>TS2000 series radios, it can be set up to read the frequency, and the
>S-meter.  Mode information is sent in CW when you switch in the various
>modes.
>
>If you get the TS2000S or the TS2000X, be sure to go to a computer store or
>Radio Shack and obtain a serial cable that has DB9 connectors on both
>ends.  This cable will be invaluable for using with the MCP2000 memory
>control software which is a free download from Kenwood's web site.  The
>advantage to the memory control software is that it allows you to load the
>memories, set up PL tones on repeaters that you store in memory, and best
>of all, it lets you set up all of the menus in the TS2000 and the software
>is 100% JAWS compatible and should work equally well with Window-Eyes.
>
>I am frankly not impressed with Icom's accessibility.  While you can get
>the voice boards to read frequency, mode, and s-meter, the menus are harder
>to access, and PL tones are almost impossible to load without sighted
>assistance.  I have an Icom IC706 MkIIG and it is just not anywhere near as
>accessible as the Kenwood stuff.  Also, the receiver front end in the Icom
>IC706 MkIIG is not anywhere near as good as on the TS2000S.  If you get
>into the higher priced Icom radios, the receivers get much much better, but
>you are still going to be disappointed with the accessibility.
>
>Don't get me wrong--you can use the Icom radios, but you will fight with
>them more and you are more likely to have to call a sighted person over for
>assistance.  I can do everything on my Kenwood TS2000S without assistance.
>
>As for antennas, take a look at the Carolina Windom--it will give you the
>most bang for your buck in my estimation.  Comet and Diamond make some good
>multiband VHF FM antennas.  I have the Comet GP15 which covers 6 meters, 2
>meters, and 70 cm.  They also make antennas that cover 2 meters, 1.25
>meters, and 70 cm.  Pay attention to the feedline--use 9913 or similar low
>loss coax.  RG8 isn't nearly good enough for 70 cm work unless you have a
>fairly short run of it because you will lose most of your signal in coax
>losses at UHF frequencies if you use RG8.
>
>Also, if you are debating about where to spend your money, spend it on the
>antennas.  The best radio in the world won't do an acceptable job on a poor
>antenna, but a mediocre radio will yield good results in a good antenna
>system.  Antennas are the most important part of your station.
>
>Well that is probably more than enough for now.
>
>73, de Lou K2LKK
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >--
> >No virus found in this incoming message.
> >Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> >Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.13.32/1033 - Release Date:
> >9/27/2007 11:06 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
>
>
>
>--
>No virus found in this incoming message.
>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.13.33/1037 - Release Date: 
>9/29/2007 1:32 PM

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