I was one of those guys who required an explanation from Mark that he was
not a dupe. Sometimes you see what you want to see when you look at the
visible dupe sheet. As a very part-time contester, I've struggled with some
pretty
horrific logging problems over the years and I've made some adjustments that
I think have helped, despite a bonehead error or two during this most recent
Sprint.
Here are a few things that I know have helped:
Keyboard/monitor alignment: I think it is vital to have the main portion
of the keyboard directly below the monitor. I bought one of those space-saver
keyboards to help accomplish this. At first I thought the crowded keys
(much like a laptop) would only make things more difficult, but after getting
used to it, I think it is much better. The keyboard being only 11" wide
allows
me to position my paddle and my remote VFO knob where the num pad normally is
on a full-sized keyboard. This makes everything much more accessible for
me.
Use a keyboard arrangement that works for you: I decided to try a black
keyboard with white letters and I find it is easier to see the keys. Another
advantage is that I can use an indelible Sharpie marker and black out all
those
extra markings on dual function keys and other keys that are never used with
TR. I've also had an O versus 0 issue, my current computer shows a slashed
0 which really helps, can this be set for most computers?
Wear glasses! I'm one of only a few people my age (58) who can get by most
of the time without glasses. I've finally decided to use readers that have
only a minor correction, and it does make the screen and the keyboard look
much more crisp and well-defined.
Use the automated features of the software for checking info. In my
situation with Mark, I saw K5OT on my dupe sheet and responded that he was a
dupe.
Had I typed in his callsign as I heard it (N5OT) the computer would have
overridden my mental processing error and completed the Q without disruption.
Record yourself for practice. The little Sony minidisc recorders are really
super for this. In the LP4 recording mode they'll go for over 6 hours in
stereo on one disc with very good quality, and a single AA battery seems to
last forever. You can insert a track mark very easily to highlight problem
areas for review. Its also very easy to record to your computer hard drive, I
just like the convenience of the little recorder, I can plug it into my car
stereo or listen to it on an airplane. There are also a couple of hard-drive
recording devices similar to an iPod that record for a zillion hours directly
into stereo MP-3 format. They are still pricey, but the price will eventually
come down. Listening to yourself struggle with keystrokes and callsigns is
painful, but illuminating. After listening to your own recordings, go to
K5ZD's site and listen to Randy's contest recordings to see how it should be
done.
I hardly one to be an example of how to "get it right", but I've learned a
few things and I hope to get better. I'm interested in hearing from others
about their improvement efforts.
Paul, K5AF
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