This software works best with braille, but it works with speech too.  I have 
really only used it myself, so it likely has some goinks in it that other 
users will find, because they do things a little different than I do them. 
If I send this software out, I'd like to be able to communicate with the 
user by phone or skype while trying it for the first time.

As for use with other rigs, it might work to some extent at least with other 
Kenwood rigs, but I doubt it will work well with non-Kenwood radios, since 
it uses the Kenwood computer commands to control/monitor the radio.
--
Jim, KE5AL
-----Original Message----- 
From: Michael Thurman
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 5:43 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Customized Control Software for the Kenwood TS-2000 and TS-590

I would love to try it as well, does it require a braille display, or is =
tha trust a nice  option. I will be getting a braille display sometime =
hopefully soon and then hopefully learning braille again.=20
Michael Thurman
[log in to unmask]



On May 19, 2014, at 11:01 PM, Jim Shaffer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Richard, my software is stand alone.  It can be used to control and =
monitor=20
> the rig, along with logging.  If interested, I can send you the=20
> documentation.  It works on Windows Vista and above, and works best =
with a=20
> braille display.
> --
> Jim, KE5AL
>=20
> -----Original Message-----=20
> From: Richard B McDonald
> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 9:13 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Customized Control Software for the Kenwood TS-2000 and =
TS-590
>=20
> Hi Jim!
>=20
> That is so cool what you have done!  You know, your setup is better =
than it
> is for sighted people since all they know are menu numbers and must =
turn to
> tables and cheat sheets to translate a menu number into what it really
> means; like 1 =3D Display.  Well done!
>=20
> I am wondering if this is some sort of stand-alone application you =
have
> written?  Or, is it some sort of customization of JAWS or some other =
screen
> reader?  Does what you have written work in conjunction with the =
ARCP-2000
> and ARCP-590 programs for the TS-2000 and TS-590, respectively?  Or, =
do you
> use some third party application?
>=20
> On a related point, some have commented that rarely does one actually =
go
> into these menus.  Basically, the point is made that once menu =
settings are
> made using the ARCP-2000 or ARCP-590 programs, operation of the rig =
happens
> mostly via the front panel buttons.  Is that right?
>=20
> 73,
> Richard
>=20
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators =
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Jim Shaffer
> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 12:02 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
>=20
> The software I've written, currently just for my own use, will speak =
the
> menu functions.  For example, on the 590 menu 0 says "display =
brightness",
> and then you can tab to the values which are numeric.  Menu 1 though =
says
> "display backlight color", and the values say "amber" and "green".  It =
also
> works with the 2000 submenus.
>=20
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Miller
> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 1:34 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
>=20
> True the ones that are just menu number settings are the same for =
sighted
> people as well.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 2:15 PM
> Subject: Re: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
>=20
>=20
>> you were misinformed then because the ts2000 menus are perfectly
>> accessible
>> and they all speak.
>> However, sometimes the values within the menus are numbered and don't
>> specify what the value actually represents, but I suspect that is the =
case
>> for the sighted, or blind user and either would have to refer to a =
menu
>> table to be sure which values to set...
>> Once you set stuff in the menus, you rarely have to go back in there
>> anyway...either way though, menus are fully accessible.
>> Check out  the material on the ts2000 available from:
>> HTTP:/www.icanworkthisthing.com
>>=20
>> some excellent stuff there that will help allot.
>>=20
>> 73
>> Colin, V A6BKX
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Jim Shaffer" <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 12:10 PM
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Re: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
>>=20
>>> I knew this would be an interesting thread.  I'm about to borrow a
>>> TS-2000
>>> from my friend who some of you know, Rod Moag, W5NDS.  As I =
understand
>>> it,
>>> the menu access with speech isn't good, if it exists at all, with =
the
>>> TS-2000.  My software will access both the 2000 and 590 menus =
though.
>>>=20
>>> -----Original Message-----=20
>>> From: Jim Gammon
>>> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 11:28 AM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: Re: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
>>>=20
>>> One important difference between the 590 and 2000 is that I don't
>>> think the 590 covers VHF and UHF.  Am pretty certain it stops at
>>> 6 meters, (54 MHZ) 73, Jim WA6EKS
>>>=20
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Colin McDonald <[log in to unmask]
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Date sent: Mon, 19 May 2014 09:43:19 -0600
>>> Subject: Re: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
>>>=20
>>> Both radios are very accessible.  The ts590 speaks more for sure,
>>> with voice
>>> readout of swr, power, mike gain, compression and all that
>>> stuff...the
>>> ts2000 doesn't voice all those things, but it's easy enough to
>>> determine
>>> your settings anyway by click counting or whatever.
>>> the ts2000 is using 14 year old technology, while the ts590 is
>>> much much
>>> newer than that...similar performance perhaps ON HF etc, but the
>>> overall
>>> newer technology gives  the ts590 an edge in receiver
>>> performance.
>>> It is nice to have everything in one radio though...the vhf and
>>> UHF sections
>>> of the ts2000 are extremely good, as good as any dual band mobile
>>> etc.
>>> why you would want to control these particular radios with
>>> software is
>>> beyond me since that is usually far more cumbersome than using
>>> the buttons
>>> on the front of the rig.
>>> The ts2000 programming software is accessible and is useful for
>>> programming
>>> your vhf and uhf channels etc...I presume the ts590's programming
>>> software
>>> is equally accessible as kenwood software is generally.
>>> Not sure about control software though.
>>>=20
>>> If it's me, I would buy the ts2000.  Better bang for your buck
>>> right now,
>>> even though it's older technology.  It gives you everything in
>>> one radio, is
>>> easy to operate and is reasonably accessible.
>>> If your after mostly HF, then the ts590 is definitely the way to
>>> go.  It's
>>> an excellent little rig and competes with anything else on the
>>> market.
>>>=20
>>> 73
>>> Colin, V A6BKX
>>>=20
>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>> From: "Richard B McDonald" <[log in to unmask]
>>> Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 9:22 AM
>>> To: <[log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: Kenwood TS-2000 Versus TS-590
>>>=20
>>> Hi!
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>> I am trying to decide which is a better rig for me between the
>>> Kenwood
>>> TS-2000 and the Kenwood TS-590.  This breaks down into two
>>> considerations:
>>> 1) "accessibility" since I am blind and 2) radio functionality.
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>> As far as accessibility, from what I have read the TS-590 seems
>>> to be a
>>> bit
>>> more accessible.  However, this difference seems to be small.
>>> One thing I
>>> read from a accessibility review
>>> <http://active-elements.org/2012/12/01/kenwood-ts-2000/>  of the
>>> TS-2000
>>> is
>>> " The TS-2000 was fitted with the optional VS-3 voice chip.  The
>>> VS-3 has
>>> been superseded by the excellent VGS-1 on newer Kenwood's, but
>>> gave
>>> unparalleled access to Kenwood radios when introduced."  Does
>>> this mean
>>> that
>>> the VGS-1 chip can be used in the TS-2000 to get its better
>>> performance.
>>> Also, both rigs have a computer control software interface
>>> option.  How
>>> accessible are they with JAWS?  Any comments about the
>>> accessibility
>>> differences of these two rigs would be greatly appreciated.
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>> As far as radio functionality, the TS-590 seems to be a better
>>> HF rig
>>> (160 -
>>> 6 meters); but that is all its got.  On the other hand, the
>>> TS-2000 has a
>>> far more broader range of capabilities: 160 meters - 70 cm; 23
>>> cm option,
>>> TNC, and on and on.  =46rom what I have read, the TS-2000 is a
>>> very good HF
>>> rig; and the difference between it and the TS-590 here are not
>>> all that
>>> great.  So, what are your thoughts about the radio functionality
>>> between
>>> these two rigs?
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>> Many thanks!
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>> 73,
>>>=20
>>> Richard=20