Hi, Ed.  Glad I asked the HRO folks to install the filter and the 
VGS1 board.  They've done that for me in the past, so figured I'd ask 
this time.  Guess most radios aren't like computers, where you can 
put in or take out a PC board.  Am really looking forward to getting 
this rig.--Matt, N1IBB.

At 04:14 PM 1/2/2015, you wrote:
>Matt, the c w filter has to be soldered in and it is very small and I think
>it is surface mount so for a blind person it would be very trickey.  The
>filter is almost a must I think if your into d x c w work.  You will love
>the rig.  73
>
>
>
>ED K7UC
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Matthew Chao
>Sent: Friday, January 02, 2015 11:50 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: A Few Things and a Question
>
>Hi, Steve.  Am looking forward to my new toy.  Considered the
>TS590SG, but didn't really want to spend the double the money on it
>vs. a 480SAT.
>
>I've taken computers apart to reseat or replace boards, so, as long
>as I know what and where to look for, I can do these kinds of
>things.  It's just that the first time's a bear, especially if you
>get it wrong - been there and wrote the postcard.  Didn't know the
>filters had to be soldered on; thought they were boards like the VGS1.
>
>Joe's tutorial on the 480SAT was well-done.  Would have liked to know
>how to slow down the CW responses of the rig, especially status of
>antenna tuning.
>
>Anyway, thanks again for the info.--Matt, N1IBB.
>
>At 01:38 PM 1/2/2015, you wrote:
> >Matt,
> >
> >Good luck with the new toy.  I think if you are reasonably comfortable
> >opening up a new radio, and  have an idea of where things need to go,
> >you could put in the voice board.
> >
> >Filters are another matter.   There is a board that needs to be removed,
> >then the filters soldered to it.   Perhaps you have the experience and
> >proper tools to do this.   I think most blind hams wouldn't want to try
> >this without some  help.   Of course, some amount of usable vision on
> >your part  might make it easier.
> >
> >I think as technology changes, the optional filters are  becoming less
> >common.  The TS-590, and even the TS-2000  have no provisions for
> >optional filters.
> >
> >73, Steve KW3A
> >
> >On 1/2/2015 1:26 PM, Matthew Chao wrote:
> > > Hi, Folks.  First, I'd like to say thanks to all who answered my
> > > questions about the TS-480SAT.  I sort of did things butt backwards
> > > and bought before I got all the facts, gambling on Kenwood's
> > > reputation on accessible rigs.  As it turned out, it was a good
> > > call.  Also, thanks for referring me to alternate sources for
> > > information regarding using this rig.  This is an awesome list.
> > >
> > > Also, for future reference, how difficult or easy is it for a blind
> > > operator to open up the rig to put in various boards, such as the
> > > VGS1 or the 500 hertz filter?  I might do that stuff when I purchase
> > > rigs in the future.
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance.--Matt, N1IBB.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >