[CQ-Contest] Rig placement and ergonomics

[Jimk8mr at aol.com]

Some ergonomic things I have found that I like, but don't seem to be  
especially common among others:
 
1. Having the keyboard below desktop level, on a pull out tray. At guest op 
 locations I may even put it directly on my lap when a pull out tray is not 
 available. 
 
2. Using a chair without arms, so I can fully drop my elbows and  shoulders.
 
3.  Having enough extra cable length to the back of the transceiver  that I 
can pull the radio out to the front edge of the desktop, ending up with  
the VFO and RIT knob about 2 inches directly above the function keys  on the 
keyboard.
 
4.  Place the monitor to the side of the rig (it would be between the  two 
rigs in a SO2R setup), and far enough back to present a comfortable eye  
focusing distance.
 
 
I don't use this position all the time; I do a lot of operating with a more 
 traditional position with the radio back 18 inches or so from the front of 
the  desk. But the position described above is one I find quite  
comfortable.
 
 
73   -   Jim   K8MR
 
 
 
In a message dated 12/12/2009 7:46:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
aa5jg at yahoo.com writes:

You can  tell that the 10 meter contest has no propagation if I am sending 
out an email  during it.

Let me preface this question by saying that I don't want to  computer 
control the rig.  I have tried that before with a TS-B2000 and  didn't like it.  
I say this because I am sure that it would be the answer  many would reply 
with.

Here is my situation.  On Thanksgiving day  I hurt my right shoulder (I am 
right handed) and as it was getting better I  reinjured it last weekend in 
the 160 contest by excessive tuning of the VFO  dial.  The shack is set up on 
a computer center, and the rig is on the  second shelf, right at eye level. 
This means I have to raise my arm to tune  the VFO dial, and the excessive 
raising last weekend reirritated my  shoulder.  This past week I would just 
use my left hand to tune the VFO  and push buttons instead, but that was 
getting awkward, especially with the 10  meter contest coming up.

Today I broke down and moved the rig to the  desktop instead, so I don't 
have to raise my arm to turn the dial.  I  really don't like it here as it 
looks a little more cluttered now with the  rig, laptop, keyer paddles, and 
rotor control.  Plus is it closer to the  line of fire when my 6 year old 
daughter is throwing things around the  house.  However, this will have to do for 
now.

Now here is my  question:  Have others found that having the rig slightly 
lower than you  is easier on the arms or shoulders over the long run than 
having to raise your  arm to tune the rig?  I was hoping to eventually move it 
back to its  original place, but if I run the risk of straining the shoulder 
more having it  there, I might have to learn to live with it where it is.  

What  has your experience taught you about rig placement?  Maybe there is a 
 doctor or orthopeadist on the list who knows something about ergonomics 
and  injury prevention.  I am using a Yaesu FT857D so I guess I could  
eventually remote mount the faceplate at a lower level and put the body of the  rig 
where it used to be.

Talk about a bummer way to start the 10 meter  contest weekend.

73s John AA5JG