Bob,
I had a TS940 for a number of years.  I had a board failure and a 
local, really competent service guy was able to fix it but said that 
parts were a big issue and likely to get bigger over time.  I sold 
the rig and wound up with a TS850 which I still have and really 
love.  However, I fear the day it fails.  Perhaps be the same 
scenario and my service friend is now a silent key!
But a great transceiver it is.
Pat, K9JAUAt 05:00 PM 9/27/2014, you wrote:
>And there are a lot of good, used equipment out there.=20
>
>I have a Kenwood 940 which reads everything except the meter. With a =
>antenna tuner that indicates SWR, you don=E2=80=99t need to read the =
>meter.=20
>
>It is however a boat anchor. But sure is a good rig. Other than Collins =
>in the 80s, it was primo.=20
>
>You can find them now for around $600.=20
>
>-Bob Ringwald K6YBV
>
>
>
>From: Alan R. Downing=20
>Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2014 2:46 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Accessible transceivers
>
>I hate to spoil your day, but most new HF rigs cost a lot more than =
>$1500.
>$1500 is a lot closer to the bottom end of the price scale than it is to =
>the
>top end.  Whining and complaining won't change reality.
>
>Alan
>
>
>
>Alan R. Downing
>Phoenix, AZ
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: For blind ham radio operators =
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>On Behalf Of Matthew Chao
>Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2014 1:49 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Accessible transceivers
>
>Amen to that one.  $1500 is quite a bit for any radio.  8=20
>grand?  Well, that's beyond us working sitffs.--Matt, N1IBB.
>
>At 04:31 PM 9/27/2014, Michael Thurman wrote:
> >yes if you are rich enough to pay  8 grand for the 990. There are a lot =
>=3D
> >of usable radios out there of those who are on a shoestring budget, and =
>=3D
> >there are often good deals on used equipment as well. The 990 I am sure =
>=3D
> >is an incredible radio, but for us mortals don=3D92t think that you =
>have =3D
> >to morgtage our house and sell your children to get an enjoyable radio.
> >Michael Thurman
> >[log in to unmask]
> >
> >
> >
> >On Sep 26, 2014, at 7:48 PM, Alan R. Downing <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > > Butch can probably tell you more about the Kenwood 480, 590, and =
>990.  =3D
> >The
> > > 990 is supposed to be the best rig ever in terms of speech output =
>=3D
> >covering
> > > everything, including all menus.
> > >=3D20
> > >=3D20
> > > Alan R. Downing
> > > Phoenix, AZ
> > >=3D20
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: For blind ham radio operators =3D
> >[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > > On Behalf Of Joe Quinn
> > > Sent: Friday, September 26, 2014 4:01 PM
> > > To: [log in to unmask]
> > > Subject: Accessible transceivers
> > >=3D20
> > > Is there any information on any accessible HF radio's with speech =
>=3D
> >output?
> > > An=3D3D
> > > d if so, are they all as expensive as the  Kenwood ts2000?  I want =
>to =3D
> >be
> > > abl=3D3D
> > > e to turn into the seven MHz things and WWB and things of that =
>nature, =3D
> >but
> > > a=3D3D
> > > ll I have is an ht of the wouxung variety. And that's not going to =
>be =3D
> >able
> > > t=3D3D
> > > o let me Tune In to Morse code and things. Thanks!
> > > Joe Quinn kd0ess=3D3D