[CQ-Contest] Keyboard for Contesting

[AB2E Darrell]

Hi All,
I would recommend a USB mini-keyboard (that's what it's listed as but it has full-size keys). I bought it over a year ago, took it to V26E and used with my 11in Aspire laptop. It's a nice small size (11in X 5 X 1 in), has a nice layout (I use the Insert key for N1MM send exchange and that's right along the bottom edge next to the Delete key - perfect!). Also it roughly a 5ft USB cord - so you can place it anywhere near your laptop that you like. For me it really took away some fatigue by being able to move the keyboard where I wanted it without worrying about the laptop or screen.
It's still on eBay for $26 (I'm not sure this is where I bought it but the model number is correct - Multimedia Keyboard W9828 )

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SMALL-W9828-Multimedia-PC-USB-Mini-Keyboard-SILVER-/350232773294?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item518b8002ae

Along with this I use a Gigaware USB mini-hub to add 5 USB ports to the laptop and that works great as well (got that at Radio Shack).

73 and hope you all look for me in WPX CW as V26E in May (WARC, 80/160 before/after the contest from 23may-30may)
Darrell AB2E



> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> From: aldewey at aol.com
> Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:04:13 -0400
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Keyboard for Contesting
> 
> 
> Pete;
> 
> I don't have a specific suggestion for you but I glad to know that I am not alone with my concern over 
> recent keyboard design provided with desktops.  I have two recent DEL desktops at home and 
> find the provided keyboard with each is less than optimal for contesting use.  I like the fact that 
> these new keyboards take less space on the operatirng table but find them more error prone (at least for me) 
> than the bigger keyboads with seperated keys.  Best solution would be some kind of compromise between 
> size and key seperation.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Al, K0AD
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr at contesting.com>
> To: CQ Contest <cq-contest at contesting.com>
> Sent: Tue, Mar 27, 2012 11:45 am
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Keyboard for Contesting
> 
> 
> I know this subject has been covered before, but the market moves so 
> apidly that data more than a year old is apt to be obsolete.
> Here's my problem.  I just got a new Dell computer for the shack.  I am 
>  hunt and peck typist with a high fat-finger rate.  The previous 
> eyboard had nicely separated keytops, while the new one is much more 
> ike a laptop.  As a consequence, my error rate is way up.  I can't use 
> he old keyboard because it was PS/2, and my KVM switch doesn't 
> ecognize it with an adapter.
> What I'm looking for is recommendations for a wired or wireless USB 
> eyboard that has widely separated keys like an 8-year-old Dell.  Please 
> rop me a note off the reflector, and I'll summarize the responses I get.
> Thanks!
> -- 
> 3, Pete N4ZR
> he World Contest Station Database, updated daily atwww.conteststations.com
> he Reverse Beacon Network athttp://reversebeacon.net, blog at 
> eversebeacon.blogspot.com,
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