Hi Karl,

Interesting scenario!  I assume you are completely blind?

You have received several suggestions about low cost rigs, and in the main,
they are cheap because of the age.  These are radios such as the Kenwood
TS440.  But, I would contend that what you are really after is a radio
offering good value and accessibility for the price.  Unless you can borrow
a radio or be prepared to compromise significantly on accessibility or age,
I suggest it is worth spending just a little more, and get lots of
accessibility and performance benefits.

I would suggest the best radio for your needs would be the Kenwood TS570.
Firstly, it has a good auto ATU, and has DSP.  The VS-3 voice chip reads the
menu system, and it is a very reliable radio.  The RAIBC in the UK has
loaned many 570s over the years, and they very seldom have had any issues.
Best of all, a secondhand 570 should be readily available.

We have recently posted a 570 accessibility evaluation on the Active
Elements website, and this includes the full manual in MP3, and a front
panel layout in text.  The address of the review is:

http://active-elements.org/2013/03/01/ts-570/

Although production of the 570 stopped when lead free solder had to be used,
it is still relatively modern.  

BTW, There are other accessibility reviews on the site, but these are mainly
for radios still in production.

Best wishes, Kelvin Marsh - M0AID

Working to improve accessibility for radio amateurs with disabilities

www.active-elements.org

For accessibility evaluations of amateur equipment and MP3 manuals


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Karl Belannger
Sent: 07 March 2013 18:00
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: HF operation on the cheap

Hi,
Before I get into what i'm looking for, I r1lize I may be vague on a few
thi=
ngs, but that's only because I either don't know what options I have or
don'=
t care about that particular point. I'm planning on getting my general
licen=
se rather soon, so I'm looking for some hf rig recommendations. I'm looking
f=
or a rig that przvides at least basic accessibility, an antenna(s) that
don'=
t require permanent installation, and to do it as cheaply as possible. I
rea=
lize that I'm not going to get a ton of power out of what I'm looking for,
a=
nd I'll probably need to make some decisions requiring bands. As for mode,
I=
'm looking for the various voice modes.
On the antenna side, the one that looks most like what I want is the MP1
ant=
enna. Does anyone have experience with this antenna? Are there any other
goo=
d ones that are similarly portable/relocatable?=20
Any help and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Karl

Sent from my iPhone=



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