Glenn,

Good luck with all of this.  It's easy for the rest of us to spend your 
money for you, but  only you can balance your interest in the hobby with 
the available funds.

I would always prefer to buy new, but there is a boatload of good used 
gear out there.  Dollar for dollar, you probably have  the ability to 
get more radio, with more features and accessibility,  on the used market.

Butch's suggestion of the QSY'er is something I hadn't tought of.  I 
think several on this list have used  this unit to make a radio more 
accessible.

Good luck with all this stuff, Steve KW3A

On 6/17/2015 9:35 AM, Glenn / Lenny wrote:
> Hi Steve, and all, thanks for the feedback,
> Although I do plan on upgrading, including learning code, I am hoping to buy
> new, and I have limited funds.
> I have a family to support.
> I'm only able to do this because I won a few hundred from a local radio
> station.
> I may be able to add a little to it.
> Glenn
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Forst" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 6:55 AM
> Subject: Re: iCom UT-102 Speech Chip
>
>
> What is your price range?  Are you buying new, used, or getting a freeby?
>
> I think some on this list have used the 718 and could be a help to you
> if you went that way.
>
> Do you have sighted help available to do at least some initial setup
> with a radio that has menus?
>
> Not trying to be a smart-ass, but instead of being limited to 10 meters,
>    if you upgrade,  with no more CW requirement, getting a general ticket
> is  no more effort than it took to get a tech.  It will open up a whole
> new world for you.
>
> 73, Steve  KW3A
>
>
> On 6/17/2015 12:25 AM, Glenn / Lenny wrote:
>> Hi All,
>> I am still deciding whether I want to go with a Galaxy radio that will get
>> 10 meters, or if I want an iCom,
>> one thing that makes me interested in the iCom is that it is about in my
>> price range, and can be made accessible.  but the speech chip may kick it
>> out of my price range.
>> I found one site that sells the UT-102 speech chip, but it was 80 dollars,
>> 90 with shipping.
>> Since I am really restricted to the 10 meter band at this time, the
>> possibility of accessibility is a strong draw for the iCom IC-718.
>> Are there any iCom units that go from 6 to 12 meters, and at 100 watts?
>> And does anyone know where to get the UT-102 speech chip for less?
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Known  as: Glenn, Lenny, or N0YJV
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>