Active Elements Accessibility Evaluations and Reviews

In February 2010 I was asked to evaluate some equipment and radios for use by blind radio amateurs. Initially this equipment was to be purchased by RAIBC the charity working for radio amateurs with disabilities, and loaned to amateurs in the UK. Due to the popularity of the evaluations, we are now extending their scope to include any amateur equipment, and making them available to anyone with an interest.

I would guess the majority of new radio amateurs are loaned their first radio by a friend. Unfortunately, This avenue will not be open to most blind amateurs, as independent operation will require the equipment is accessible.

Much of the equipment reviewed here has been looked at for a few hours only, so it is important you try before you buy. I cannot accept any responsibility for incorrect information leading to purchases. Also, I am sure there is a lot of equipment being successfully used, but no one has thought to make this public. I continually run across accessible equipment by pure chance!

I have no qualifications for testing the performance of these radios, but I have years of practical experience as a blind Ham. Therefore, my comments are about the ease with which the radios can be used by a blind person, not how they perform.

With the advent of computer control, it is possible for a blind amateur to extract much vital information from most modern radios, but the operator will need a PC, screen reading software, and good computer skills if this method is to be used. Therefore, the evaluations are mainly based on how easy the equipment is to use as a standalone unit. Some modern radios have voice synthesizers available as an optional extra, and some have them included as standard. Where needed, the voice synthesizer has been fitted.

I appreciate these findings might influence buying decisions, but I would point out that accessibility is only one part of the story, and that ultimately the radio’s performance is a crucial factor. I think it is important you try before you buy! If you are a CW operator, it is even more important you check the specifications and you know what filtering you are getting.

Saying all that, you may decide the best radio in the world is not much good if it cannot be used by yourself independently!

All evaluations and demonstrations produced by M0AID and others on this site are the property and copyright
of their respective authors, and may not be downloaded or copied without written permission.
Both Kenwood Electronics UK and Icom UK have given permission for accessibility recordings of their equipment manuals to be hosted on this site