David,
Well they probably took it apart at least for a thorough cleaning, but
that's not to be reccommended, in most displays I've seen the pins for each
dot are seperate parts in at least four different lengths and a pin spill
would be a real mess.

Gaads eeks, i didn't know Alva, much as I like their displays, ever did
anything for a "small" cost. although they're not as horrendous as Baum.
tom Fowle WA6IVG

On Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 09:56:46AM -0000, David W Wood wrote:
> Tom, Lloyd and all
> 
> As you say, Tom, it can be difficult to determine the integrity of the
> cells.
> However, I am sure that there is a better way than alcohol and brush to
> cleanse them as, when my Alva had a failure, it went back to Holland for
> repair, and on return, all the cells were immaculate.
> I am sure that they hadn't been replaced as the cost was small.
> 
> 73
> 
> David W Wood 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Tom Fowle
> Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2016 4:17 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: changed topic, braille displays:
> 
> I have never been told anything but use a soft cloth. It'd be hard to tell
> whether a non-responding dot was just physically stuck or the piezo reed had
> gone poor.
> 
> tom Fowle WA6IVG
> 
> On Mon, Jan 11, 2016 at 08:25:36AM -0000, David W Wood wrote:
> > Tom
> > 
> > The biggest issue with Braille displays is dots getting stuck.
> > 
> > Wondering what method you use to clean them?
> > 
> > 73
> > 
> > David W Wood 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > On Behalf Of Tom Fowle
> > Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 3:41 AM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: changed topic, braille displays:
> > 
> > Servicing braille displays can be a problem cause usually a fewof the
> piezo
> > reeds get weak and you have to have access to the specific part. That or
> > switches wear out same deal.
> > 
> > Embossers do need cleaning as paper dust cloggs them, but were I in the
> > situation where the dealer didn't want to service an older unit I'd
> probably
> > try taking it apart and doing some cleaning and lubricating by guess and
> by
> > goodluck. If that is the unit had become basically unusable. Embossers
> > aren't that complicated, and they have to be heavilly built to take the
> > pounding.
> > 
> > tom Fowle WA6IVG
> > 
> > On Mon, Jan 11, 2016 at 09:11:02AM +1300, Dave Allen wrote:
> > > Hi Tom and others!
> > > 
> > > I have a similar machine to Tom. Mine is a Juliet classic. Tomn's is a
> > > newer, fancier machine, nevertheless, mine cost around $4000 when it was
> > > bought back around 1990.
> > > 
> > > I don't produce anywhere near the volume that Tom does, so it don't need
> > > serviced as frequently. I did think, however, last year, that it had
> been
> > > around 10 years so I enquired about getting it serviced generally. The
> > > response I got from the distributor here was a quote for the embosser
> that
> > > has replaced it in their line-up. That probably isn't too unreasonable
> for
> > a
> > > 25-year life span, but the quote for a replacement came in at around
> > $7,000,
> > > which certainly seemed accessive to me.
> > > 
> > > I then elected not to go that route and my machine still works when I
> need
> > > it to. 
> > > 
> > > They are incredibly reliable machines.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 73,
> > > Dave
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: For blind ham radio operators
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > > On Behalf Of Ed Malmgren
> > > Sent: Monday, 11 January 2016 8:07 a.m.
> > > To: [log in to unmask]
> > > Subject: Re: changed topic, braille displays:
> > > 
> > > It seems to me that anything they have for blind and folks with medical
> > > needs cost much more than it should and I think it is because they got
> us
> > > over a barrel and I do realize however the less of anything they make
> the
> > > cost is higher of course. One big racket is hearing aids.  you can buy
> > three
> > > or four Kenwood 590sg radios cheaper than a so called good pair of aids.
> > 73
> > > 
> > > 
> > > ED K7UC
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Tom Behler
> > > Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2016 11:29 AM
> > > To: [log in to unmask]
> > > Subject: Re: changed topic, braille displays:
> > > 
> > > Tom:
> > > 
> > > I currently am facing the same situation with a Juliet Pro-60 embosser I
> > > personally own.
> > > 
> > > The embosser was purchased for approximately $4000 back in 2000 or so,
> and
> > I
> > > have found that it must be sent in for cleaning and servicing every 3 or
> 4
> > > years.  The last time it was serviced was in the Spring of 2012, and I
> > just
> > > saw the bill the other day as I was looking through my records.  It cost
> > > $800 for basic cleaning and servicing, with only something like $30 in
> > > parts--the rest was the service charge.  And, this did not include the
> > cost
> > > of shipping the embosser down to Enabling Technologies.  It should be
> kept
> > > in mind that I probably emboss from 500 to 700 pages of Braille with
> this
> > > embosser each year for both personal and professional purposes.
> > > 
> > > The embosser is acting up again now, and I have just been quoted a
> service
> > > charge anywhere from $800 - $1300, for probably the same
> > > cleaning/maintenance process, since the embosser is exhibiting the same
> > > problem that it always has.
> > > 
> > > Sometimes, you really do get the feeling that these service fees are
> > > charged, just because they canbe be.
> > > 
> > > In saying all of this, I do want to be fair. ...  I realize that Braille
> > > embossers and displays are extremely complicated devices that not just
> > > anyone can service.  I also have to believe that the cleaning and
> > servicing
> > > process is very labor intensive.  However, it does seem that the fees
> > > charged for both purchasing and servicing are exorbitant.
> > > 
> > > My real fear is that if this kind of thing continues, Braille will
> > continue
> > > to be used by fewer and fewer people, due not only to the costs of
> > > production, but also to the fact that many of us will not be able to
> > afford
> > > the devices in the future that produce it.
> > > 
> > > Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
> > > 
> > > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: For blind ham radio operators
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> > > On Behalf Of Tom Fowle
> > > Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2016 11:00 PM
> > > To: [log in to unmask]
> > > Subject: changed topic, braille displays:
> > > 
> > > Prices for braille displays run about $50.00 a cell and up.
> > > 
> > > I've seen some better deals, particularly through flying-blind.com on
> > > slightly older but usable displays some even with some warranty left.
> The
> > > risk there is that older displays may no longer be servicable, they
> don't
> > > keep parts around too long.
> > > 
> > > The makers of the cells and their overpriced fancy boxes believe they
> are
> > > selling to government agencies not to blind folks, so they think money
> is
> > > endless.
> > > 
> > > It's close enough to true in Europe and some states here that they don't
> > > have to care.
> > > 
> > > Why do you think Freaky Science Fiction is owned by a private equity
> firm.
> > > 
> > > Too bad somebody can't find a new display technology, the actual cells
> are
> > > identical in operation as the first one invented in about 1970 by
> > > Tratiokoff.
> > > 
> > > At least there is NVDA and linux so we no longer are forced to pay a K
> for
> > a
> > > screen reader.
> > > 
> > > Sorry for the diatribe, they're all crooks!
> > > Tom Fowle WA6IVG
> > > 
> > > On Sat, Jan 09, 2016 at 01:45:15PM -0500, 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.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > 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.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > 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
> > > > Jose Tamayo
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -----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
> > > >
> > > > Jim:
> > > >
> > > > 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.
> > > >
> > > > But what about those who don't have access to, or cannot afford a 
> > > > Braille display?
> > > >
> > > > Perhaps I'm missing your point, so please feel free to correct any 
> > > > errors in my thinking here.
> > > >
> > > > Just trying to have an open discussion.
> > > >
> > > > Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -----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
> > > >
> > > > Ron, good point.
> > > >
> > > > However, I consider audio access to a radio as minimal accessibility.
> > > > 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
> > > >
> > > > 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.
> > > >
> > > > 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.
> > > >
> > > > Ron, K8HSY
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -----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
> > > >
> > > > 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
> > > >
> > > > 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.
> > > >
> > > > 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.
> > > >
> > > > Also, I need to be able to provide support for reasonably priced rigs.
> > > > Unfortunately, many blind folks are on limited budgets.
> > > >
> > > > hth, and thanks again.
> > > > --
> > > > Jim Shaffer, KE5AL
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ---
> > > > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> > > > http://www.avast.com
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ---
> > > > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> > > > http://www.avast.com