On/Off, Vol, SQ — and last, RFG — are my concern.
A work day which begins pre-dawn and extends to mid or late afternoon during the Solar Cycle Peak means control manipulation plenty of times in a 300-600/mile day. (Skip is a bear).
Yes, he can memorize buttons by feel with aid of control beep, but it’s preferable he doesn’t.
I don’t mind it with SSB, per se, as use is limited when AM-19 is the whole game . . . but to stay in range by changing to such as departure speed is 140-MPH from initial contact point means both parties need to be pretty quick in change-over.
I might scan SSB out of boredom and the needed motions are practice for the above.
If I have to do the same for a mobile used on the highway for the controls mentioned, I don’t like it for the reasons given.
A radio to be used at a freight yard, rock quarry, campground, lake/river camp, etc, it doesn’t matter too much. Even less in a home.
There’s a limit to size versus function re controls. This hits it.
— A small radio that can be tucked away is a great thing, no question. One which involves a bit of looking away from road for basic controls is classic “distracted driving”; caution recommended.
If I want SSB, I’m not seeing an advantage, here, versus a detachable faceplate. Higher price isn’t penalty its Value.
PRESIDENT Lincoln is complicated enough, and RADIODDITY QT80 small enough that controls versus their era-appropriate performance is quite high. These radios already assume Junior Radio Nerd status: just blew past the majority of potential users.
— S/NR “capture” plus HQ TX/RX audio matter most; above size-only where easy control use can also be assumed (w/minor adaptation).
Where the last starts to divert is the criticism as radio nerds aren’t exempt from high speed mistakes.
Functional Tool (Comms), not gee whiz toy (QSO) is the order of priority.
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