Dear Tracy: You hit the nail on the head about poorly designed electronic
equipment! I have never see it explained better! Where I work our department
just purchased two new Xerox copiers. Now for 30 years I have had no problem
using copy machines but the control panel for these contraptions are so
abstract I cannot figure out how to use them! Even the resident computer
people have trouble figuring out how to make a copy. The instruction manual
looks like an encyclopedia! I must now take a ½ day off from my job to attend
a class, paid for by poor tax payers, just to learn how to use a copy machine!
Outrageous! (I think this is a marketing trap, they low ball you to get the
order so they can rip you off to take a class to learn how to use the "high
tech" or "state of the art" contraption!) Now please explain just what a
"cognative memory problem" is? I have a serious memory problem also, it is
more scientifically referred to as "advancing age"! - Corn - k4own
>>> "W7TRX" <w7trx@mindspring.com> 12/07/00 02:17AM >>>
George,
I can't speak for others, only myself. I picked the 706 because it has all
the coverage I could want in one small package. Low profile shack, the wife
is happy. It has a very nice remote tuner that works well with my horizontal
loop. Press the button and tuned up.
As far as simplicity and intuitive use, I have a cognitive memory problem.
No fun, and I can adapt to it in many ways, but it is frustrating at times.
If I don't use the radio daily, most of the lesser used functions are
forgotten. I've sold several Yaesu rigs for Icom rigs, because for me the
Icom radios were more intuitive to use. Example: on my Yeasu FT-10 HT there
is no "scan" button. I don't often use the 2m HT, but when I do, I cannot
remember the key sequence to scan. It is not intuitive whatsoever. This is
absurd as far as I'm concerned. It also has the squelch hidden in a menu
instead of an easily adjusted knob. Give me a break. I was suckered by the
sexy little radio and didn't do my homework. My new Icom IC22 has a "scan"
button. Press it and it scans. Turn the squelch knob to adjust the squelch.
I see this as a good thing. This is basic stuff that does not have to be
complicated. I can look at the radio and use much of it's features. I don't
think it is asking too much to have intuitive functions on equipment. I
think quite often the poor user interfaces on equipment in general is driven
by designers, engineers, and cost, rather than customer ease.
The best example of this in the recent past is the difference between DOS
and Windows. DOS required plenty of memorized commands and functions to
navigate. Sure you could learn all this, I did, but when you could have
windows, why would you want to? Some even take great pleasure in writing
their own computer code. I'm not interested in that. The computer is a tool
that assists me to accomplish a task. That's it. I have work to do, not a
computer to master.
There will always be those techno geeks the love the complexity of some
device. The mastery of the device. The challenge. I bear them no ill will.
I'm sure you have equally good reasons for enjoying all the complexity and
options a radio can offer. I however prefer to enjoy my time operating. I
have no interest in being chained to an operations manual to make basic
changes to a radios function. The unnecessary complexity of some radios
hinders my enjoyment of the hobby. Even without my cognitive problem, there
is a legitimate niche for simple, intuitive operating radios. What you ask
for in a radio is different than my needs. We all have different goals and
interests in this hobby. Mine no less legitimate than yours.
George, I hope you enjoy your complicated radios, with bells and whistles
galore, but I'll keep looking.
73, Tracy
W7TRX
----- Original Message -----
From: George, W5YR <w5yr@att.net>
To: W7TRX <w7trx@mindspring.com>
Cc: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2000 9:07 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Jupiter- How easy to operate?
> I think that I am missing a very basic point here:
>
> Why would anyone spend over a thousand bucks for a radio and then not be
> willing to spend the time that it takes to absorb the contents of an
> instruction manual that tells how to operate it?
>
> Which is more important for a radio: doing the job it is intended to do,
> and do it well, or being easy to operate? Why?
>
> I agree that it is initially convenient for a radio to be "intuitively
> obvious" to operate, but how much of the inherent performance of a
> complex rig goes unrealized if the owner is unwilling to invest the time
> required to learn "all about it."
>
> Tracy, I am not trying to rattle your chain especially, but I see this
> same sentiment a lot and wonder what is behind it.
>
> 72/73, George W5YR - the Yellow Rose of Texas NETXQRP 6
> Fairview, TX 30 mi NE Dallas in Collin county QRP-L 1373
> Amateur Radio W5YR, in the 55th year and it just keeps getting better!
> Icom IC-756 PRO #02121 (9/00) Kachina #91900556 (12/99) IC-765 (6/90)
>
> W7TRX wrote:
> >
> > The Jupiter is an intriguing rig. The trait that I am most interested in
is
> > ease of use. How intuitive is it to operate? I really don't care for
radios
> > with tons of menus, cryptic buttons, and non-intuitive procedures to
work
> > them. I have sold several 2m mobile and HT rigs for just this reason. I
> > currently have an Icom 706IIG. I've learned how to work it for day to
day
> > needs, but to access all the other features requires the operators
manual
> > within reach. Ten-Tec advertises the Jupiter as simple to operate. The
pics
> > I've seen would seem to confirm this.
> >
> > So, how about it, new Jupiter owners. Can you understand and operate
this
> > radio without looking at the operations manual?
> >
> > Keep your bells and whistles. I'm hankering from a solid, easy to use
radio.
> > I fear I'll have to go back to an 80s vintage radio or analog to achieve
> > this.
> >
> > Thanks for your input.
> >
> > 73, Tracy
> > W7TRX
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