=  NOW 35 WPM  =
AS I NOTED EARLIER, THE OTHER TWO USB JACKS ON THE REAR OF THE FTDX10
SUPPORT A KEYBOARD AND MOUSE.  BECAUSE THE TRANSCEIVER PROVIDES THE ABILITY
TO ENCODE AND DECODE RTTY AND PSK31 SIGNALS, I THOUGHT ID BE ABLE TO USE
THESE PORTS AND DISPENSE WITH AN EXTERNAL COMPUTER ENTIRELY.  ALAS, I
DISCOVERED THAT THE KEYBOARD IS ONLY USED FOR ENTERING CHARACTERS WHEN
NEEDED, SUCH AS CREATING CANNED RTTY AND PSK31 MESSAGES.  YOU CANT USE THE
KEYBOARD TO ENGAGE IN FREEFORM CHATS.  THE MOUSE IS STILL HANDY FOR MENU
ACCESS IF YOUD RATHER NOT POKE AT THE TOUCHSCREEN, OR IF YOU DECIDE TO
DISPLAY THE SCREEN ON A SEPARATE MONITOR.  HAVING SAID ALL THIS, IF YOU
HAVE NO INTEREST IN CAT CONTROL OR DIGITAL OPERATING, THESE POINTS ARE
MOOT.  IF THAT IS THE CASE, JUST CONNECT THE COAXIAL CABLE FEED LINE, THE
DC POWER SUPPLY, A MICROPHONE, AND, IF YOU USE ONE, A KEY.  ON THE AIR
BEFORE TAKING THE FTDX10 FOR ANOTHER QUICK SPIN AROUND THE BLOCK, I THOUGHT
IT BEST TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THE MANUAL.  IM GLAD I DID.  THE FTDX10
OFFERS A VAST ASSORTMENT OF FEATURES, MANY OF WHICH HAVE OPTIONS WITHIN
THEIR FUNCTIONS.  OPERATING THE RADIO ISNT A MATTER OF SIMPLY TOGGLING
FUNCTIONS ON OR OFF.  YOU ARE OFTEN FACED WITH CHOICES ABOUT HOW A GIVEN
FUNCTION SHOULD BE CONFIGURED.  IF YOU LAUNCH INTO A FLURRY OF TWEAKING AND
BUTTON PUSHING WITHOUT FIRST UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU ARE DOING, YOU RUN THE
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