[CQ-Contest] Size of Dual Monitors

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

I am scarcely a "master", but have done both SO2V and SO2R, so at least 
I have some relevant experience.

I have two HP L1710s, which are standard aspect ratio 17" (diagonal). 
They were cheap new as discontinued, and are currently available on ebay 
used for as little as $20 plus shipping, or new for $80 or so.

I have occasionally thought about switching to a single 23" wide 
monitor, which would give me similar screen space, but have not done so 
for one reason - greater flexibility.  I have three computers in the 
shack, two of which are on a KVM switch.  Having two monitors means that 
I can continue to watch computer #1, so long as it doesn't need keyboard 
or mouse input, while doing things on computer #2 - to watch a Youtube 
video, for example.

I use a cheap dual-output video card in computer #1 - these are now very 
common for <$40 - to drive the two monitors.  I can even go to different 
resolutions if it seems desirable, though I haven't found an occasion yet.

I know that you want to defer discussion of one computer or two, but to 
get my opinion in early, one is plenty.  Most software's SO2R 
capabilities are designed for single-computer use, and while you could 
use two, pretending to be a multi-single, that raises a whole set of 
networking issues, need for two keyboards and mice or a KVM switch, etc. 
A few of the RTTY guys use 2 or more, but that is inherently a 
slower-moving, more forgiving mode than either CW or phone.  Better 
tolearn and take full advantage of the SO2R-specific capabilities of 
your software , IMO.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
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blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
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On 3/17/2014 4:29 AM, Dick Flanagan wrote:
> I need help from the Masters.
>
> I am in the planning stages of a SO2R station.  The center piece will 
> be the two radios and two LED computer displays above the radios.  The 
> displays will be side-by-side and supporting all of the 
> contesting/logging/propagation windows driven by one central 
> contesting computer.  I could be talked into having two computers--one 
> for each display--but I would appreciate if that discussion were held 
> another day.
>
> Today I am looking for assistance in choosing the proper LED display 
> terminals. What is the optimal size of these monitors? They can be 
> long and skinny or basically square.  Has experience shown that one 
> particular screen size and/or aspect radio to be better than another 
> in this application?  I am partial to Samsung, but I can be talked out 
> of that too if appropriate.
>
> The displays will be mounted above the radios slightly above eye level 
> with their fronts basically even with the front panel of the radios.  
> No wall-mounted monitors here.
>
> Once the displays are chosen, then possible we can wander off into the 
> one vs. two computer forest.
>
> So those of you with two terminals displays, let us know what you hate 
> about them, what you love, what you would do different.  Help me avoid 
> the mistakes I am destined to make without your help.
>
> Needless to say, Thank YOU!
>
> -- 
> Dick Flanagan K7VC
> dick at k7vc.com
>
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