Someone I know who's sighted had the FT-450D at a special event in the fall 
and tried to turn on the voice function for me, it took him well over an 
hour to get it figured out. The only 450 that will ever be in my house is 
the real 450, with a TS before it, never an FT. I still don't understand 
yaesu's love for taking model numbers from Kenwood just to cause as much 
confusion as they can.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kelvin Marsh" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2013 7:32 AM
Subject: Re: Inquiry: ham station set-up for easier, more independent 
operation


> Hi All,
>
> I evaluated a Yaesu FT-450 a few months ago, but haven't had chance to 
> write
> it up for www.active-elements.org, but I personally don't consider it to 
> be
> suitable for a totally blind op.
>
> My fear that by adding a voice chip, the FT-450 might appear to be
> accessible, was confirmed.  There is no keypad, and on the model I
> evaluated, the voice stopped short of reading the full frequency down to 
> the
> 10Hz figure.  Without checking my notes and working from memory, I found 
> it
> was almost impossible to make all the usual adjustments such as filtering.
> Finally, the 450 was not supported by the QSYER keypad, although John 
> hopes
> to add support sometime.
>
> It might be a good low cost option for someone with low vision, but I 
> would
> personally take it off the list for the totally blind.  There are far 
> better
> accessibility options, in my opinion.
>
> BTW, I did not look at the D model, so things may have inproved.
>
> 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 Howard Kaufman
> Sent: 24 May 2013 07:21
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Inquiry: ham station set-up for easier, more independent
> operation
>
> Dave welcome to the list.
> So far, their have been two accessible watt meters made.  Right now, 
> neither
>
> is on the market, but occasionally one shows up on the list.
> The TW1 from LDG talks, is usable, unless accuracy is a major issue.  It
> does seem to be consistently in accurate however and is with in 10 per 
> cent
> of the real reading.  Their also is a 2000 watt CW meter.  I think it is 
> the
>
> p-2000.  I will be corrected if I am wrong.
> Many hams still use a voltage controlled oscillator with  the voltage 
> taken
> from across a watt meter.  This is very accurate in giving you feedback as
> you tune for forward or reflected power.  Highest pitch highest output.
>
> The modern radios are light years ahead of those wonderful old radios that
> you are using.  Kenwood and eilcraft lead the pack, and you can pay from
> $8000 to $1100 for new radios that do not need tuning, have talking menus
> for just about everything, and internal antenna tuners.  I don't know
> anything about the yaesu amp, but it sounds like a big one.
> Some icom radios like the 7200 have usable speech, and the ft-450 will 
> talk
> the frequency.  Maybe a yeasu radio can do unique things with that amp,
> don't know.  Tentec has stopped respecting us, and yaesu never did.  So 
> yes,
>
> you can do anything you want concerning station operation.  Yes you can
> spend what ever you want to do it.  I have handled the eilcraft radios, 
> but
> not one that was set up for speech.  If you do competitive stuff, great. 
> If
>
> you rag chew with the boys, not necessary at all.  You don't need a race 
> car
>
> to go to the grocery store.
> Others will have input and comments.  Their was a used 590 here a week or
> so.  I have a 480, which I really enjoy.  Its a mobile sized 100 watt 
> radio
> with a removable control head.  I am unwilling to put my hands on a 590,
> because I might not like my 480 as much after doing that.  I know "thal
> shalt not cuvvit another ham's radio" so by not knowing I don't cuvviteth.
>
> Enjoy and you will find their is very little you can't do with out 
> eyesight.
>
> you have to do many things differently, but they still can be done.
>
>
>
> -----
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