The Kenwood ts570 series is a ___fine choice which I'd 4gotten about!!!

Sent from my iPod.

On Mar 7, 2013, at 9:37 PM, Danny Dyer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Carl, welcome to the list!  I wish you well in your procurement of the
> General class license, and in your exploration and enjoyment of
> amateur radio.
> In terms of a blind or sighted user friendly, easily deployed  and
> successfully operated antenna for HF, the MP1 from Superantenna, is a
> choice I've found _Very much to my liking!
> 
> It's not as efficient as an outdoor dipole, beam, vertical, or
> longwire, but it, if used patiently, will generally get you contacts;
> With all other variables,/rig, proper tuning, atmospheric conditions,
> operator expectations, etc, properly adjusted:
> The suggestions offered earlier in terms of rig, are sound ones as well!
> I really like the Kenwood TS-440-sat, but the Kenwood VS1 is somewhat
> scarce, although the Piex corporation in NH,/(spelling may be phonetic
> rather than correct,) sells an after market equivalent.  The 440
> series is getting a little old, but if you can find a good one,
> they're wonderful radios, several of which I've owned and used!
> 
> In terms of more recent and affordable radios, I'd have to agree that
> the Icom IC-718, which I've owned and successfully operated, is my
> favorite!
> Many of them have the ut-106 DSP/digital signal processer, built in,
> and, of course, being sight challenged you'd definitely need the
> ut-102 voice chip, which sells for somewhere between fifty and seventy
> dollars./the DSP is a nice touch, but not nearly so necessary, as is
> the ut102.
> The radios pretty much sell for between four and six hundred dollars
> used, depending on condition and accessories.  The 718 has a direct
> frequency keypad built into the its' front, the radios' speaker is
> also on the front, rather than on the top.
> The controls are pretty intuitive, and although you can successfully
> interface it with a computer, it will also do pretty well without one.
> ***Two Notes.  The TS440SAT from Kenwood _Includes a tuner, but The
> 718 _doesn't include an antenna tuner, and this can present a problem.
> Some kind of tuning device is advantageous for HF operation.  If you
> use, practice with, and are patient with the MP1, I, and many other
> folks, some of them blind hams, have found that that particular
> antenna can be matched/tuned about as effectively ___without an
> external tuner,/by using the variances in the signal to noise ratio,
> audible as the antenna is tuned,  as with one./of course your
> mileage-experience may vary.
> The basic MP1, is designed for 40-10meter operation, and will not____
> successfully tune on sixty or eighty meters without use of sixty and
> or eighty meter coils.  (Basic antenna with basic mount sells for
> around $120, and sixty and or eighty meter coils are around $25Each
> additional.  ***The tuner in the TS440sat will not tune that rig on
> 160 meters, and the MP1, even with extra coils will not work on 160
> meters either.)
> There are other somewhat similar antennas, but in my experience, as
> well as that of other blind hams I know, the mp1 is the best of its'
> type.
> If you have a good dependable stable 20 to 30 amp power supply, you
> should be good to go for HF operation.
> If you'd like, send me a note off list and I'll send you my review of
> the mp1 which I believe is still posted on icanworkthisthing.com
> ********Folks on these blind ham lists are _Very Helpful, and
> experienced much more than I, in much of the HF landscape, but if I
> can be of further assistance, please feel free to get in touch with
> me.
> Sincerely, Danny Dyer, Wb4idu, Toccoa, GA, USA.
> 
> 
> On 3/7/13, John Miller <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> There is a company out there that makes the VS-1 and VS-2 voice modules
>> still.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Bob Ray" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2013 6:36 PM
>> Subject: Re: HF operation on the cheap
>> 
>> 
>>> Karl,  As Butch indicated the IC718 would be a reasonable choice.  The
>>> only
>>> problem with getting one of the older kenwood radios like the TS440, 450
>>> etc
>>> is that they need to VS1 speech module which may be hard to find.  Also
>>> if
>>> they need repair, some of the parts are hard to find.  I haven't done any
>>> pricing recently so I couldn't even guess what anything may be worth on
>>> the
>>> used market.
>>> 
>>> Bob KD0BR
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: For blind ham radio operators
>>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>> On Behalf Of Karl Belannger
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2013 2:57 PM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: Re: HF operation on the cheap
>>> 
>>> I live in a house where I can do prety much whatever I want, but could
>>> end
>>> u= p moving soon depending on what happens with jobs so I want to be
>>> flexible w= here antennas  are concerned. As to what I can afford, I can
>>> potentially sav= e up for whatever, but would really like to know what
>>> the
>>> cheapest options a= re. Anything that gets me on more bands than my
>>> 2m/440
>>> HT is an improvement a= t this point.
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>> On Mar 7, 2013, at 14:00, "Howard, W A 9 Y B W" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> wro=
>>> te:
>>> 
>>>> Hi Karl,
>>>> =20
>>>> Welcome to the list.
>>>> =20
>>>> First, what is your housing arrangement?  Do you live in an apartment,
>>>> con=
>>> do=20
>>>> or do you live in a house either rental or your own?
>>>> =20
>>>> The answer to this question will determine your antenna possibilities.
>>>> =20
>>>> Also, in order for us to give you any recommendations as to an HF
>>>> radio, w=
>>> e=20
>>>> will need to know how much money you have to spend for radio and
>>>> antenna=20=
>>> 
>>>> combined.
>>>> =20
>>>> Answer these and we will go from there.
>>>> =20
>>>> Howard Thomas, W A 9 Y B W, Springfield, Illinois
>>>> =20
>>>> ----- Original Message -----=20
>>>> From: "Karl Belannger" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2013 12:00 PM
>>>> Subject: HF operation on the cheap
>>>> =20
>>>> =20
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>> Before I get into what i'm looking for, I r1lize I may be vague on a
>>>>> few=20=
>>> 
>>>>> thi=3D
>>>>> ngs, but that's only because I either don't know what options I have
>>>>> or=20=
>>> 
>>>>> don'=3D
>>>>> t care about that particular point. I'm planning on getting my
>>>>> general=20=
>>> 
>>>>> licen=3D
>>>>> se rather soon, so I'm looking for some hf rig recommendations.
>>>>> I'm=20 looking f=3D or a rig that przvides at least basic
>>>>> accessibility, an antenna(s) that=20=
>>> 
>>>>> don'=3D
>>>>> t require permanent installation, and to do it as cheaply as
>>>>> possible. I=20=
>>> 
>>>>> rea=3D
>>>>> lize that I'm not going to get a ton of power out of what I'm looking
>>>>> for=
>>> ,=20
>>>>> a=3D
>>>>> nd I'll probably need to make some decisions requiring bands. As for
>>>>> mode=
>>> ,=20
>>>>> I=3D
>>>>> 'm looking for the various voice modes.
>>>>> On the antenna side, the one that looks most like what I want is the
>>>>> MP1=20=
>>> 
>>>>> ant=3D
>>>>> enna. Does anyone have experience with this antenna? Are there any
>>>>> other=20=
>>> 
>>>>> goo=3D
>>>>> d ones that are similarly portable/relocatable?=3D20  Any help and
>>>>> suggestions are greatly appreciated.
>>>>> Karl
>>>>> =20
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone=3D=20
>>