[CQ-Contest] Station design and ergonomics

[Kelly Taylor]

Unknown to me until I ordered them…

You can get what some opticians refer to as computer lenses.

They’re a simplified form of progressive lenses and are typically only suitable for work: the upper half (approx.) is set to give you focus at typical computer monitor distances, with the lower half set to be for closer, reading distances. Good for seeing the keyboard or reading notes and such.

Worth considering.
73, kelly, ve4xt 

> On Mar 7, 2017, at 10:40 AM, Mike Ritz <w7vo at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> I have my monitors (two) at the same plane as the radio, with the radio set to the left so I can move the VFO knob with the left hand while using the right hand to key the keyboard. I've operated at stations with elevated monitors and found that with my bifocal glasses I ended up with a sore neck. Better to keep things you need to look at down low, where the close-up part of the glasses are. Within easy eye reach is also the SWR meter, and within easy left hand reach is the noise phase cancelling box for the lowbands. which often needs to be re-adjusted as I move within the bands. 
> 
> Things that I don't need to get to on a continual basis are on higher shelves (antenna tuner, antenna switches, etc., but still within reach while seated). These are things I only need when changing bands, so they can be more out-of-reach. 
> 
> Having comfortable headsets surely helps. Make sure they are adjusted as to not squish your ears. I take a few minute break ever couple of hours to get up and move around. Just like in an airline on a long flight, it's unhealthy to stay seated for long periods. 
> 
> I have a pretty narrow SSB filter in my FT-2000 that can be selected. I don't like using it unless I have to, as sometimes on weak signals they are easier to understand when you have the full spectrum of their voice. Of course, when you are on 20M and there are wall-to-wall signals it's a different matter! If you are going to use the radio mostly for contesting the 1.9kHz filter will help! 
> 
> Good luck, and see you in the next contest.... 
> 
> 73; 
> Mike 
> W7VO 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> 
> From: "Timothy Holmes" <taholmes160 at gmail.com> 
> To: "cq-contest at contesting.com" <CQ-contest at contesting.com> 
> Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2017 5:32:00 AM 
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Station design and ergonomics 
> 
> Hi Folks: 
> Got to work the ARRL SSB DX INTERNATIONAL contest this weekend, and really 
> had a great time, made some amazing contacts on Saturday, (Tonga, Pitcairn, 
> Australia and New Zealand) and finished up with a score of about 32,000 
> points on 139 Qs. 
> 
> While I was operating, I did notice some things that I have questions 
> about. Im currently operating on a desk that is 43 inches long, 23 inches 
> wide, and 26 inches high. I have an old office chair with an adjustable 
> height that I sit in. My computer monitor is elevated 9 ½ inches over the 
> desk top, putting it right at eye level. The problem is that I find myself 
> getting sore as I am contesting, and need to get up and move every so 
> often. I am curious to know how your stations are laid out and if there is 
> anything I can do to reduce fatigue and soreness as I contesting 
> 
> likewise, I am also curious about how to avoid ear fatigue over the hours 
> of the contest – I try to keep my volume as low as possible, yet be able to 
> hear faint contacts, likewise, I use the phase reverse on my headphones 
> pretty often to change the sounds a bit and keep my hearing as sharp as 
> possible. 
> 
> When it comes to preparing for the contest, what do you all do as far as 
> food, drink, sleep, supplements etc to give yourself stamina for the 
> contest and allow you to be able to functional the day after. 
> 
> Lastly, I have found a 1.9 MHz SSB filter for my 706, I am wondering if 
> that will help in the crowded band conditions to cut down the noise and 
> allow me to narrow in on the signals that I am trying to hear. 
> 
> Thanks in advance 
> 
> TIM 
> W8TAH 
> -- 
> 
> Tim Holmes - W8TAH 
> Sent from my LG Stylo 
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