Eric:

First of all, welcome to the list.  You will find a bunch of neat people
here with lots of information to share.

Your thoughts on possible VHF/UHF rigs seem to be in line with the
conventional wisdom out there in terms of accessibility, etc.

As for hooking up a power supply, what I do is first get some sighted
assistance so I know which wire is positive, and which is negative, and then
I put dymo tape labels on the wires accordingly.  The second step is to
label the luggs on the power supply itself.  This can also be done with dymo
tape.

All you do then is match labels on the wires with those on the supply, and
you're good to go.

Hope this helps.

Best 73 from tom Behler: Kb8TYJ

----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Patterson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 11:33 PM
Subject: accessible VHF equipment


> Hi all, I am a new member on this list and have a question about VHF
> equipment.  My name is Eric Patterson and my call is kb7vfr.  I have been
an
> amateur radio operator since 1993.
>         Currently, I have an old FT-470 portable radio, whose battery does
not
> maintain a charge anymore.  I am looking at getting a new VHF/UHF radio.
> Here are the options I am considering:
> 1.  getting a portable such as the Icom IC-t90 or Kenwood TH-f6a.
> 2.  getting a mobile unit like the Kenwood Tm-g707.  The advantage to
going
> this route is that it might allow me to install a voice synthesizer for
> checking the frequency.  However, because I have no useable vision, I
would
> have trouble hooking up the power supply.  Please send recommendations on
> accessible mobile or portable VHF radios and instructions for hooking up
> power supplies.  Thanks in advance.
>
> Eric Patterson
>