When I came in to the hard times I'm still in, a lot of stuff was 
loaned/given to me, the loans were the type where "when/if you're done with 
it, let me know and I'll decide then if I want it back." I'm very thankful 
for those people since my HF antennas at the former QTH got completely 
destroyed in a storm and finding what fit and worked here was a challenge 
but I did it finally.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Eric Oyen
Sent: Friday, August 28, 2015 4:35 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Debate

well, I can honestly say that a lot of radio equipment manufacturers =
need to design in accessibility from minute one. THis is why I have =
stuck with Kenwood all these years. The problem I see with them is this: =
you mention accessibility and their responses are "niche market" or =
"orphan equipment". At that point, trying to reason with them is =
impossible. However, the one thing I know is this: Money doesn't talk, =
it screams at the top of its lungs. If the manufacturers want our =
business (which averages out to some 18 billion annually among the =
blind, their friends and families), they will have to accede to our =
demand. If they don't want us, then we need not spend money there.

BTW, I am the owner of a TS-480 here and I like the radio a lot. I can =
do a surprising number of things with it. THere are some quirks and =
system omissions that drive me a little batty. One is that I can't get =
the unit to read me the SWR. THe other is that I can't seem to find a =
way to set the ALC. I also ran on borrowed equipment for a long time. =
WHen I went to return it, I was told to pass it on to another ham in =
need (which I did). I also got some donated equipment from Another ham =
(Jim WIlson  N7JW). He is willing to help out blind hams as much as =
possible.

DE n7zzt Eric

On Aug 28, 2015, at 1:03 PM, Michael Ryan wrote:

> I agree with you Colin although this is probably gonna draw a line in =
the sand. LOL=20
> All my station I had to get through my own dollars and once I could do =
that, any borrowed equipment had to be returned. I also don't like =
having things shoved down my throat with regards to this hobby.=20
> There are allot out there think that I should take an ax to my vintage =
gear and have nothing but a Kenwood TS-590, along with the suggestion =
that a wire antenna and 100W is good enough for you while they are =
running KWs of power. LOL Now that's not to say I didn't have any =
problems with my equipment along the way and I would have been better =
served by a new solid state rig with full accessibility but I chose the =
vintage Yaesu root and love my station which seems to be behaving now =
that I'm having my XYL look over my shoulder to check things now and =
then and keeping my max tune up power to 150W CW.=20
> I think some of this hand holding while ya leak needs to go away. LOL=20=

>=20
> 73:=20
> Mike DE VO1AX