The deal-breaker for me on the FT450 was that CW bandwidth could only be
narrowed to 500 Hz, and for all modes there are just three bandwidth
settings.  So even though the FT-950 didn't have any speech synthesizer
option at all, it does have its built-in keypad, various tuning rates that
can be set, reasonably differentiated controls (especially after you put
dymo tape on a few of them) and a lot of features.  If I were buying a new
rig right now, I would have to look at the TS-590, but my 950 is doing
great.

Lloyd Rasmussen, W3IUU, Kensington, Maryland
Home:  http://lras.home.sprynet.com
Work:  http://www.loc.gov/nls
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Michael Ryan
> Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2010 12:09 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re_FT-897D
> 
> I have the FT-450AT version and it blows my 570 away on the receive and =
> audio reports.
> 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.
> 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? 
> 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
> 
> 
> 73:
> 
> Michael
>