[Elecraft] New KX1 comment

[Buddy Brannan]

Trev writes:
> and he informed me that all menu items can also be heard through the CW
> annunciator.

Let the big three sit up and take notice! Whether intentional or not,
Elecraft has designed great accessibility for eyes-free operation into
their new toy. And done it for the K2 recently, too...eh Jack? Here's
a note I sent to QST yesterday. It'll probably be stripped beyond all
recognition if it gets in, but....

Late yesterday evening, Elecraft introduced its newest product, the
KX1 ultra-portable QRP cw transceiver. In a small box, they managed to
put a three-band rig for the portable operator--with lots of features
that any ham could appreciate. This time, I really mean *any* ham,
because right out of the box (or off the workbench, as it were),
Elecraft built accessibility features right into the rig. Whether
intentional or not, (and I suspect it was a factor), they designed a
rig that it seems a blind ham can easily use. With cw output of rig
settings and frequency, the blind ham has the same access to this
rig's operation as do his sighted brethren. 

This small company has done what the bigger manufacturers of ham gear
have either not done or, for the most part, only halfheartedly
done. Elecraft has striven to make their rigs as accessible to the
disabled population of hams as to the fully able-bodied. They've
listened to our suggestions and have implemented them. From keeping a
list of hams willing to build equipment for others--something they
certainly didn't have to do--to releasing talking computer software to
control their rigs, to a cw interface for the K2, and now the new KX1,
Elecraft has done what other companies have not been willing to
do. They have listened to the needs of potential users of their
products and done their dead level best to make eyes-free use of their
equipment a reality. They didn't do it as an afterthought, or in a
haphazard or halfhearted way. They gave real thought to our needs and
made their design decisions in order to include us. And they did it
without sacrificing ease-of-use for the fully sighted or able-bodied
operator. 

We've been told in the past that we just aren't worth bothering with,
that we can' afford to buy new gear, so there's no need to take our
needs into account. We've been told that it's too difficult to design
accessibility into a rig without compromising on other usability
features. Or they might make all the right sort of noises but then not
do anything else. Well guys, sit up and take notice. It can be done,
and Elecraft has done it. I want to publicly acknowledge them and
thank them for their efforts. Other companies would do well to follow
your lead--technologically and in forward thinking toward equipment accessibility.
-- 
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV/3    | But I will lay my burden 
Email: davros@ycardz.com   | in the cradle of your grace,
ICQ: 36621210              | And the shining beaches of your love,
http://www.ycardz.com      | and the sea of your embrace.--Dave Carter