[Premium-Rx] Rubberized coating

[Tisha Hayes]

I have seen some radios with soft plastic (rubber-like) coating on the
tuning controls. Maybe not so much with premium receivers but there are
quite a few radios that have membrane keypads over push-buttons. An example
would be the Motorola MOBAT/Micom.

I prefer the radios that use machined aluminum with the cross-hatched feel
and a detent or pointer that you can find the switch or tuning position by
touch.

Often I do not look at a radio when changing settings. It is nice to know
where a switch position is by touch, when you really know a piece of
equipment you are able to walk your fingers across the control panel and
visualize exactly how the radio is set-up.

I have taken some receivers like the Racal RA6790 and replaced those cheap
plastic knobs with machined aluminum. That too is another comparison of
what I like or dislike... The membrane keypads on the RA6790 do not give a
tactile feedback. Whereas a Harris RF-590A... you know exactly what the
front panel is all about.

-- 
Ms. Tisha Hayes. AA4HA

*""It is not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It is
because we dare not venture that they are difficult." -Seneca"*