I just sent the below note to Universal Radio, as I understand they're telling blind hams that the TYT radios are the most accessible from a blindness perspective. 

--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY



Begin forwarded message:

> From: Buddy Brannan <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Baofeng UV-5R/RA description and also blind hams
> Date: November 10, 2012 9:49:47 PM EST
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> Hi,
> 
> In your Baofeng UV-5R description, you state:
> 
> This radio requires purchase of the USB-02 programming cable and downloading of software prior to use. These radios are certified under FCC part 90 and operate differently from traditional amateur equipment. FCC Part 90 radios do not operate natively in the VFO mode and are not as frequency agile and are best suited when frequencies are programmed into memory and operated in a channelized mode. Although they offer good value, they may not be suitable as a "first radio". 
> 
> While this radio is a bit quirky, to say that it requires a programming cable is absolutely false. It is definitely field programmable from the front panel. See this document:
> http://buddy.brannan.name/baofeng-uv5r-eyes-free.rtf
> 
> Or, generally,
> http://www.miklor.com/uv5r
> 
> Also, a tip.
> 
> I have written a similar guide for the Wouxun KG-UVD1P/UV2D/UV3D, which is mostly applicable to the UV6D. I've also had in my possession a TYT TH-UVF9, which I've been able to poke at for finding out about its accessibility. As a blind ham myself, having a handle on these radios, especially being that they're inexpensive and have some limited voice feedback, has been important to me. So, I offer the following observations to you for when blind hams ask about these radios:
> 
> 1) Though the TYT TH-UVF9 (and, I understand, the TH-UVF1) talk more than the Baofeng or Wouxun radios, the TYT is, paradoxically, less accessible. This is because the things on it that don't talk are kind of important, and there is no way to set them, reliably, non visually. These are channel spacing, channel width, and CTCSS/DCS tones. Whereas on the Wouxun and Baofeng radios, all menu settings can be changed directly via the numeric keypad, the TYT only allows these parameters to be changed with the up and down arrow keys. Moreover, these menus rap, and they have no audible indication of when the beginning or end of the menu  is reached. Thus, there is no reference to count up or down from. If the TYT spoke these menus, it would absolutely be the best one available as far as accessibility is concerned. However, this simply isn't the case. While it's about 90% there, the 10% that isn't there is fairly critical. 
> 
> 2) The good news is that the TYT programming software, latest version, can sort of work with screen readers if "alternate GUI" is selected in the settings menu. Note that this must be done each time the software is run.
> 
> 3) Between the Wouxun radios and the Baofeng UV-5R, accessibility is virtually identical. I would give a slight edge to the Baofeng for two reasons:
> 
> a) The Baofeng takes longer for the menu to time out, about 10 seconds versus the Wouxun's about 3 seconds, and
> 
> B) CTCSS tones can be directly entered, i.e. 1862 for a 186.2. On the Wouxun, one must look up where on the table of CTCSS tones the desired tone is. For instance, 186.2 is at #36. Thus, the Baofeng leaves one less thing to remember. 
> 
> Some may find that its programming quirks, i.e. that the radio doesn't store offsets, that you must program from the A display, and you must have the correct band (VHF or UHF) selected, negate this advantage. That's why I say it's a pretty even match. My personal preference, however, would come down slightly in Baofeng's favor.
> 
> 4) Both Baofeng and Wouxun software are pretty dreadful from an accessibility standpoint. Wouxun's software is only slightly less dreadful, meaning you can sort of use it with a screen reader, but it isn't easy. Whereas, the Baofeng software is absolutely impossible.
> 
> BTW, for completeness, here's a link to the Wouxun eyes-free guide:
> https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1053407/wouxun-eyes-free.rtf
> 
> I haven't worked one up for the TYT TH-UVF9 yet, sorry. It's on my list. 
> 
> If I can be of any further assistance with these things, let me know.
> 
> Vy 73,
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
> 
> 
>