Hello Rob,
Welcome to this blind ham list!
About the only hand-helds that have speech are those made in China.
I wish you the very best in passing your test!
Best 73
Lowell  W8QIY
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rob DeZonia" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2014 5:44 PM
Subject: An Old Newbie with an intro and a couple questions


> Hi List,
>
>
>
> My name is Rob and as the subject states I'm an old guy who will be taking
> my Technician exam fairly soon, not soon enough since they only do it once 
> a
> month in my area and I just missed the test date.
>
> At any rate, back in the day, late 60s early 70s I did have my Novice 
> Ticket
> and have listened to amateur radio pretty much since I was a kid.
>
> My goals are meager, not to build the next communications system for the
> space station, or even to build a crystal set. I just want to talk to 
> folks,
> make new friends both locally and globally.
>
> My question is, what about accessible handheld radios. I live in an area
> where putting up antennas and having a big rig is not feasible right now.
> I've read "eyes-free" manuals on 3 different HT's. Any opinions on the
> easiest to use for a beginner?
>
> I won't even get started with my questions about EchoLink, and IRLP, how 
> to
> find local repeaters and such. That hopefully will come in time once I've
> procured my license.
>
> This is mostly just a howdy.
>
> Thanks in advance for any opinions.
>
> Rob
>
>