I'v onwned the 440 and the 690, which is the 450 with six meters.  Both 
radios are very similar, but on the 450, Kenwood took a small or perhaps 
a giant step backwards, in that you could not directly access a memory 
number from the keypad as you could on the 440.  Both very good radios 
though.
73
Butch Bussen
wa0vjr
open Node 3148
Las Vegas


On Sat, 29 Jan 2011, Lou Kolb wrote:

> Mike,
>
> I haven't had any experience with the 450 but have had a 440 for more than
> 20 years.  With the voice chip for frequency readout and direct frequency
> entry the 440 is easily usable by a total and I believe the 450 is the same.
> From what I've heard, it's quite similar to the 440.  Hopefully, some one
> with direct experience will comment.  Lou
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Duke, K5XU" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, January 28, 2011 9:22 PM
> Subject: Anyone Using the Yaesu FT450?
>
>
>> I know this subject has been discussed before, but at the time, I
>> wasn't too interested in that rig, so I didn't pay much attention.
>>
>> At our ham fest today, a blind friend who thinks I know a lot, asked
>> me about the FT450.
>>
>> I know it is good at what a rig should be good at, but I don't know
>> how useable it is for a total.
>>
>> If you have experience with the FT450, what should I tell my friend?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Mike Duke, K5XU
>> American Council of Blind Radio Amateurs
>
>