Eric,

There is no 40-cell U2.  The U2 has only 32 cells.

Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric Oyen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: January 09, 2016 19:49
Subject: Re: Accessibility of Ten Tec radios


> hmmm. mine must be a top of the line model. It's a Braille Sense U2 40 =
> cell model. retails for $5,995. I am still paying on a 72 month contract =
> to own it. I am about halfway through it, so I have a while to go. =
> Honestly, I don't see how these things should cost this much. Seriously, =
> the cost per cell to actually manufacture a cell is $0.15 (I know, I =
> checked and it took a lot of digging to find that). Mostly, a lions =
> share of the cost is probably the per unit license for windows CE. =
> still, with an alternative CPU and some other goodies (as well as an =
> open source OS), the unit could be made for far cheaper and be more =
> powerful and a better quality.
>
> ANyway, this is a bit off the ham radio thing.
>
> DE n7zzt Eric
>
> On Jan 9, 2016, at 11:45 AM, Jose Tamayo wrote:
>
>> A braille display, while ideal and very important, is beyond the reach =
> of
>> many folks who need it / want it.  I think the last time I checked, a
>> Braille display was priced at around $200 per refreshable cell.  I may =
> be
>> off since I recently heard a friend of mine purchased a Braille NSpeak =
> for
>> around $2000.
>>=20
>>=20
>> MY BrailleNote was a Humanware BrailleNote MPower BT 32 and it was
>> spectacular but the price tag was very high.  Not affordable for all =
> in Ham
>> radio.
>>=20
>>=20
>> So, indeed the  braille display would be helpful  but it would also =
> depend
>> on the software accessibility.  For example, if the Screen reader =
> can't read
>> the software interface, then a braille display would be useless, or =
> perhaps
>> we were discussing another topic and I am completely off.
>> Smiles=20
>> Jose Tamayo=20
>>=20
>>=20
>>=20
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: For blind ham radio operators =
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> On Behalf Of Tom Behler
>> Sent: Friday, January 8, 2016 2:37 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Accessibility of Ten Tec radios
>>=20
>> Jim:
>>=20
>> I hear you. ...  Braille access to ham rigs is great, and I truly =
> applaud
>> you for all your efforts with the J J software, which is on my list of
>> things to try just as soon as possible.
>>=20
>> But what about those who don't have access to, or cannot afford a =
> Braille
>> display?
>>=20
>> Perhaps I'm missing your point, so please feel free to correct any =
> errors in
>> my thinking here.
>>=20
>> Just trying to have an open discussion.
>>=20
>> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>=20
>>=20
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: For blind ham radio operators =
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> On Behalf Of Jim Shaffer
>> Sent: Friday, January 08, 2016 1:55 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Accessibility of Ten Tec radios
>>=20
>> Ron, good point.
>>=20
>> However, I consider audio access to a radio as minimal accessibility.=20=
>
>> Imagine a car where, in order to drive it, you had to take your eyes =
> off the
>> road.  I've become convinced that braille provides the only true =
> access to
>> ham rigs.
>> --
>> Jim, KE5AL
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Dr. Ronald E. Milliman
>> Sent: Friday, January 08, 2016 11:21 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Accessibility of Ten Tec radios
>>=20
>> Jim and others here on the list, please accept my comments in the =
> positive
>> manner in which they are intended. First, I certainly applaud the =
> actions
>> Mike and Jim have taken. Too many times we only complain but do little =
> to
>> solve our own problems.
>>=20
>> However, we need to communicate to Mike Dishop and John, the Ten Tec
>> developer, that Jim's software approach is only one solution and in =
> the
>> longer run, we need a solution built into the Ten Tec line of =
> transceivers
>> that is completely independent of Jim's software. We need to be able =
> to
>> purchase Ten Tec rigs that are accessible right out of the box just =
> like
>> they are for sighted hams, much like the Kenwood line of transceivers.
>>=20
>> Ron, K8HSY
>>=20
>>=20
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: For blind ham radio operators =
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> On Behalf Of Jim Shaffer
>> Sent: Friday, January 08, 2016 10:08 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Accessibility of Ten Tec radios
>>=20
>> Here's a note I sent to the Ten Tec developer in response to his =
> query...
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jim Shaffer
>> Sent: Friday, January 08, 2016 10:03 AM
>> Subject: Re: Accessibility of Ten Tec radios
>>=20
>> John, in addition to VFO, Frequency and mode, blind hams need readings =
> such
>> as s-meter, SWR, AGC on/off and level, noise blanker on/off and level, =
> noise
>> reduction on/off and level, VOX/breakin settings, mic and speech =
> processor
>> settings, ALC, and anything that might effect operations.  For =
> example, the
>> TS-590 has a feature to drive an amp with minimal power from the =
> radio.  If
>> accidentally set, the rig basically doesn't transmit.  It is nice to =
> know
>> the receive filter settings, but these are generally set by ear =
> anyway.  I
>> would say that the ability to control the AF and RF gain is of minimal
>> importance, at least where accessibility is concerned.
>>=20
>> Also, for many radios, access to the memories and menus is often =
> difficult,
>> if possible at all.  My software reports and sets memory values as =
> well as
>> providing text for the menu settings.
>>=20
>> Also, I need to be able to provide support for reasonably priced rigs.
>> Unfortunately, many blind folks are on limited budgets.
>>=20
>> hth, and thanks again.
>> --
>> Jim Shaffer, KE5AL
>>=20
>>=20
>> ---
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>>=20
>>=20
>> ---
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