Hi John,
Yes. I looked at the 703. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like it would be
quite as portable as the FT817, and the power source issue would be a
greater concern. The FT817 has an internal battery as well as the
capability to take AA cells. As far as I can tell from my research, the
IC-703 is just a little bit more like a traditional mobile HF rig in these
areas; there's no mention of having as much ultra-portability. Some of the
other attributes of the 703 are a bit nicer; it seems to have a bit more
frequency coverage and power output. If I'm wrong about the power issue,
please advise.
Also, and I know this would represent a *huge* compromise indeed, the Yaesu
can be configured to use its BNC connector for its HF antenna, and there are
whips available for just this type of HF operation. While it is a *huge*
compromise, it does meet the portability need better than anything else I
can find...
Of course, all of this does me no good if there's no way a blind person can
use it... If it is possible to use most of the features in some way, even
with a little difficulty, then I'll probably go for the Yaesu due to my
non-blindness needs.
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2004 5:53 PM
Subject: Re: Considering purchase of Yaesu FT817 QRP rig.
> I would suggest the icom 703 long before any yaesu product, in fact, I
> wouldn't buy anything from yaesu at this point, but that's just me, just
the
> attitude I got from them was not good when I asked about accessibility.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Pat Byrne" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2004 7:51 PM
> Subject: Re: Considering purchase of Yaesu FT817 QRP rig.
>
>
> > Darrell,
> >
> > I've had no first hand experience with either transceiver, but how about
> > the Icom IC703? Maybe the folks on this list will have opinions.
> >
> > Good luck with your new venture.
> >
> > Pat, K9JAUAt 05:07 PM 3/27/2004 -0700, you wrote:
> > >Hi all,
> > >
> > >First, before I get going, I know that many blind hams consider Yaesu
> gear
> > >to be blind unfriendly. Unfortunately, my circumstances seem to
dictate
> > >just what the Yaesu FT817 might provide.
> > >
> > >I am going to return to the air, from my apartment, using what I
realize
> > >will be an *EXTREMELY* compromised setup. I want ultra-portability,
> stealth
> > >antenna and battery power for portable use, such as for Field Day... I
> will
> > >also want to run QRP to minimize the possibility of interference.
Though
> I
> > >realize it'll be extremely difficult under the circumstances just
> indicated,
> > >I also know that it will be possible to actually make QSOs...
> > >
> > >So, the Yaesu FT817 "hand held" HF rig has come up. It has an internal
> > >battery supply, plus, supposedly, it takes AA cells. This is exactly
> what I
> > >need for the extreme portability requirement. So, does *anyone* know
of
> a
> > >way that a blind person could use this rig, despite its accessibility
> > >limitations? Is there computer control available for it, and is that
> > >software accessible or could it be made so through JAWS scripts? If
not,
> > >can anyone suggest a rig that has attributes similar enough to the
FT817
> > >that they might meet my requirements?
> > >
> > >Thanks.
> >
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