[CQ-Contest] Contesting keyboard

[Michael Adams]

I used a Steelseries Merc Stealth gaming keyboard for a while, because of the programmable buttons, but gave it up due to realizing I was more dependent on the Ins/Home/PgUp/PgDn/End/Del key block (not present on that device) than I thought.

Now I use a Logitech G510 keyboard, plus a G13 "gameboard".  The layout of the programmable keys isn't as ergonomically friendly as the Merc Stealth, but the G510 does add a discrete USB sound device that might be of use in some situations.

All of those keyboards are corded, but I have had no RF issues with them (although I do, out of habit, put ferrite beads on every USB cable in the shack).  

They're probably overkill for most contesters, but they spare me from wasting brain cycles trying to remember some keyboard shortcuts, and make it possible for different programs to have the same keystrokes to do the same jobs.

Now, if all you're trying to do is work around a pesky laptop keyboard, where you think you have to press Fn+F1 (instead of just F1) to call CQ, you might not need the extra keyboard.  AutoHotKey can handle key remaps, although you might have to do some research/experimentation to determine the codes needed to meet your particular situation.

-- 
Michael Adams | mda at n1en.org

-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Martin , LU5DX
Sent: Tuesday, 28 June, 2016 10:00
To: n6bk at yahoo.com
Cc: CQ-Contest Reflector <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Contesting keyboard

Hi Bob,

I use a Steelseries APEX 350.  It doesn't have Cherry MX switches, it is not wireless, but it has plenty of macro keys: a total of 88.
But actually, since every key is programmable you can have more than that if needed.
It uses the Steelseries Engine, through a GUI that makes the programming of the macro keys very easy.
You can create different profiles and have them ready for each contest, or logging software.
You can do SO2R very comfortably, Instead of having to press two or three key combinations for certain functions, you just need to press one.

73,

Martin LU5DX

On Mon, Jun 27, 2016 at 6:52 PM, Bob Kupps via CQ-Contest < cq-contest at contesting.com> wrote:

> Hi can anyone recommend a good keyboard for contesting?
> Ideally I would like it to be wireless, mini, backlit and have single 
> purpose function keys (ie not requiring pressing a fn key first). But 
> all suggestions welcome.
> Thanks! Bob HS0ZIA