yes, the attitude that "well, if your not going to make it accessible for 
me, i'm not going to buy your product and I'm certainly not going to ask for 
it." and that because there are indeed other similar and potentially 
"better" products to choose from in the same class.
If given a choice between an 857D and an IC7000...well of course i'm going 
to choose the 7000...firstly because I like Icom equipment, secondly because 
it's got freq s-meter and mode readout.
But, if I was given an 857d, or found a super good deal on one, I'd 
definitely try it out for myself...perhaps I might not like it, but I 
wouldn't discount it just because it's "yaesu" or doesn't have a speech 
option.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Ryan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2010 10:08 AM
Subject: Re_FT-897D


>I have the FT-450AT version and it blows my 570 away on the receive and =
> audio reports.=20
> Look at the filtering as well. I'm also willing to bet that it will run =
> nicely against the TS-480 and similar priced Icomm's. As for =
> accessibility, I think Icomm has some work to do with regards to =
> configuration and so on but with the increased flexibility of screen =
> readers, rig control software, all of Yaesu's HF rigs would give you =
> what Icomm gives you.=20
> This is probably why Yaesu doesn't focus on speech accessibility, Tentec =
> also doesn't focus and most of they're rigs, if not all, can be accessed =
> with software. I am puzzled though, If Yaesu can put speech in its 450, =
> why not its top of the line rigs like Icomm has done and Kw but will the =
> VGS-1 be an option for Kenwood's up and coming =
> FTDX-5000/IC-7600/7700/7800/TT-565 Orion competitor, which is going to =
> be released next year? =20
> Also, maybe not enough of the blind ham community isn't pressuring Yaesu =
> enough. After all all we have to do is just buy another brand and forget =
> it. LOL=20
>
>
> 73:=20
>
> Michael=20
>
> ?=20