[CQ-Contest] The (physical) Mechanics of 2 KB SO2R

[Michael Adams]

I don't do two-keyboard SO2R.  I prefer a single keyboard with auto-hotkey remapping a few keys to improve the ergonomics.

However, I do have a couple of computers in my shack/office.  For reasons beyond the scope of this thread, on my "side desk", I have two keyboards, one on a little shelf above the other.

I imagine that if I were to do two-keyboard SO2R, that would be an arrangement I would seriously consider, so as to avoid the strains of swiveling or reaching.   However, the challenge is that in this layout, only one keyboard can be at "proper" height.  (In my case, one is properly-situated for sitting use, and the other for standing use...but again, that's for reasons not relevant to this discussion.)

Or...I recently upgraded/standardized my keyboards in the house.  In the research I did prior to investing, I discovered that there are apparently quite a few gamers who prefer "60% keyboards", keyboards made small by omitting "extra" keys.   I can't see how they'd be good for contesting, as they lack dedicated function keys, but someone concerned about the ergonomics of two-keyboard SO2R might want to look into them; I imagine you could minimize the body/arm-shifting.

-- 
Michael Adams | mda at n1en.org

-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+mda=n1en.org at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Mike Smith VE9AA
Sent: Thursday, 14 January, 2021 19:38
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: [CQ-Contest] The (physical) Mechanics of 2 KB SO2R

Those of you doing SO2R with TWO Keyboards.

Are you typing on the left keyboard only with one hand (the left, obviously)

and on the right keyboard with only one hand (the right)

 

or

 

are you swiveling your chair just a little each time you move to the other keyboard (and using both hands)

 

or

 

are you twisting your body slightly to be able to reach all keys on whichever KB (and using both hands)

 

or

 

Something I haven't thought of.

 

I can't get to a level of comfort on any of the 3 above..I can type one keyboard/one hand and it's semi-comfortable

as my torso remains mostly upright/facing forward, but it's not fast enough to keep up, whereas I can keep up no problem swiveling or twisting but muscles ache and pain after an hour or two and I have to stop.  

 

Case in point..I put in only 6hrs and 11 mins in last w/e's NAQP CW (and that's with a 2 hour break midway and I made 20.5% extra Q's on the 2nd radio, but on Sunday I felt like I had been twisted like a pretzel by Lou Ferrigno or something.

 

Maybe that says more about my lack of a slender physique these days than my technique.

 

I dunno.

 

Any ideas?  I use full size keyboards (a 17" and an 18").and a mouse + paddles up on top of a radio I try to avoid.

Not sure if going to mini keyboards (about 12" wide) is the answer or something else I haven't thought of.

 

I don't really want to go back to one keyboard, as 2 is so intuitive..and my mistakes have been greatly reduced.

 

Tnx !

 

Mike VE9AA

 

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB

 

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