The RT systems software is great!  I have it for a lot of my
handhelds/mobiles and I'll tell you it is exelent, i don't have the radios
you mention but I do have the software for both, both are great problems, I
have the ft-51, that I need the software for a few things but that is a
great little radio for me.  Too bad they discontinued it right after I got
it.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Patrick Byrne" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2001 6:58 PM
Subject: Re: Accessibility of Multi-Band Handhelds


> Hi Dave,
>
> I have owned both handhelds.  As a matter of fact, I owned a couple of
> O2ATs.  The VX5R is accessible, but all of the menus seem to have added
> levels within them and are a bit hard to program from the keyboard.  I saw
> a response that suggested the R T systems VX5 software.  I think that is
> god software, and the only thing that I had trouble accessing was the
> "power level".  Finally that was accesible using the JAWS cursor.  Good
> radio and tough as hell.
>
> The new Kenwood is new to me:  I have only had it a few weeks but I like
it
> a lot.  Its keyboard is just a bit more intuitive to me; I think that Icom
> has the most intuitive HTs, but they haven't come out with anything as
> grand as the Kenwood or the Yaesu.  The headphone/mike jack on the Yaesu
is
> a four circuit device and it was hard for me to find a proper plug to
> listen with an earphone.  Turns out that the programming cable for the R T
> software will permit you to use a standard 1/8 headphone plug.  The
Kenwood
> uses a micro plug; it is easier to find than the four circuit, but is a
bit
> inconvenient.  I carry a little adapter to go from 1/8 to micro, and that
> does the job.
>
> Press the zero on the VX5 and you get the strongest NOAA weather
broadcase.
>  Press "4" on the Kenwood and you get the same deal.  Nice feature.
>
> Battery technology is great with both transceivers.  Part of me is a
little
> sad that I let the Yaesu go, but I had to to afford the Kenwood.
>
> Both transceivers use the S  M A antenna connector, so all the old B N C
> based antennas you used with the Icom are obsolete unless you buy a $10
> adapter!!
>
> Hope this helps; both are great radios.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Pat,     K9JAU At 02:17 PM 12/11/01 -0800, you wrote:
> >Hi Listers,
> >
> >        My old Icom O 2 A T  has given up the ghost, so I am in the
market
> for a
> >new handheld.  I am considering the Kenwood THF6 and the Yaesu VX5R.  How
> >is the accessibility of these?  I apologize if this has already been
> >discussed.  I am a new subscriber.
> >
> >73,
> >
> >Dave A F 6 Y
> >
> >