I'm using the Yesu FT 450.  it comes with the speech card in it and I paid 
around $800 for it with the DSP and everything else.  It's a very nice radio 
and very menu driven.  The speech only speaks signal strength, frequency and 
mode but it's really nice.  It is very simple to program channels into 
memory which makes it extremely simple to get to your favorite freqs.  It's 
got such a noise floor that I don't have to run any filters at all and I'm 
in a really noisy spot.  The auto tuner isn't real forgiving so your 
antennas have to be pretty close at least with in 2.5  or 3.0.


... 73 ... KD5QHH ...  Jimmy ...
http://www.podsim.us
MSN or windows live... [log in to unmask]
Skype, jimmy.podsim ...blind people please note the period between the 
names.
Have a great day!


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 9:26 PM
Subject: Re: radio question


> the last couple days we've been discussing a couple radios like this on 
> the
> list.
> The Icom IC718 is about as affordable as you can get in the HF transceiver
> departmentttt and still have something that talks and is relatively easy 
> to
> use.
> The IC-706 is also fairly inexpensive and has a voice chip in it, again,
> accessible enough to get around as a total.
> The IC7000 was probably the radio the store guy was talking about.  Very 
> few
> blind people I know have that rig, and if they did, they didn't have it 
> for
> long.
> There are a couple more which cost a little more but are far more
> accessible.  The kenwood TS480 HF rig and the kenwood ts2000 all mode HF/
> VHF UHF rig.
> You can also look for a kenwood ts570 used, since they're not made 
> anymore.
> I have seen them lately for around $500 or less.
> If you get one used you would more then likely have to get the speech chip
> put in...which is usually around an extra $100 by the time you buy the 
> chip
> and have it installed...unless you can install it yourself wich is very 
> very
> easy.
> The elcraft radios are going to be a nice alternative, however, they do 
> need
> to be assembled like Buddy says at this point, and aren't totally 
> accessible
> with a voice chip.
> 73
> Colin, V A6BKX
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bill Deatherage" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 8:13 PM
> Subject: radio question
>
>
>>
>> Hello to all,
>> I am not sure if I have asked this question before or if and when it has 
>> =
>> been discussed.  some times my memory isn't as good as it used to be.
>> any, way,
>> I was wondering what would you think it would cost to get into HF =
>> opperation.  I am living in an apartment so I will be restricted to what 
>> =
>> I can do.
>> I am looking to use low power so I won't bother people around me.  I =
>> remember once there was a radio made that would only operate on 10 =
>> meeters.  When I up graded to general  I got my Kenwood TS 440.  I was =
>> wondering if yasoo I know I am spelling it wrong but if they or kenwood =
>> made an afordible radio or what would you recomend at the low ind that =
>> would be accessible for a person who is blind or visually impaired.
>> I called a radio store and the salesman told me about a radio made =
>> byIcom that he said all  the amateur radio operaters who were blind were 
>> =
>> using.  I think it sold for 1700.  of course it was new.  He told me you 
>> =
>> didn't need to look at used equiptment because the new was so afordible. 
>> =
>> =20
>> I would be interested in your ideas.  I realize you get what you pay for 
>> =
>> but what do you think a person could get back on HF for.
>> thank you in advance.
>> Bill
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
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>> 10/27/2008
> 7:57 AM
>>
>>