[CQ-Contest] Physics of 2 Keyboard SO2R

[Mark - N5OT]

Hey Mike,

I thought SO2R was illegal for anyone who was over 50.

I am not a fan of the "10-key pad" on full size keyboards, and since 
radio-desk real-estate is always at a premium, I opt for keyboards that 
don't have the 10-key pad.  Mine measures 12.5" which is 5" less than 
yours.  Others will say they can't live without it in contests where 
they have to input digits.

Also, a mouse takes up a lot more space than a trackball.  I use 
trackballs exclusively.  They don't move.

I am pretty sure most other ops would agree that 32" is too high for the 
desktop to the point of discomfort.

So look on the bright side, there are a lot of things you can do :-)

73 - Mark N5OT
Amateur Ergonomicist


On 7/12/2021 11:44 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:
> This is just about KB size & placement, body movement, neck/shoulder pain,
> not specifically "how do you do it" (if that makes sense)
>
>   
>
> I have 2 x 17.5" wide full size keyboards with a mini sized-mouse in between
> (almost no room for it to move)
>
> They are slightly slanted left/right in a flying vee formation to fit my
> small desk. (instead of 100% in-line)
>
> My tabletop is a little high at 32".
>
> The seat of my chair is 22" to the uncompressed seatpad.
>
> I am about 5'7" tall (and 57 yrs old) with the typical middle age spread
> stomach.
>
>   
>
> I don't practice 2KB SO2R so only use it a few times a year, as I don't do
> 2BSIQ SO2R (run/run) in every contest.
>
> Some contests I might run on one keyboard and S&P on the second in a very
> minor way.  The physical problem seems to come when I do 2BSIQ run/run.  In
> IARU this weekend, Cabstats told me I made 363 bandchanges, so I don't know
> if that means I twisted 726 times or what (or even more due to unanswered
> CQ's).  At times I had to stop the 2nd radio as I was in too much pain.(hi)
>
>   
>
> Sooooo, how do you get around neck shoulder pain from the constant twisting?
>
>   
>
> I tend to swivel my chair a little help reduce it(and my
> legs/hips/stomach/core are fine), but even after a few hours I find I have a
> stabbing pain in my shoulder blades & neck.
>
>   
>
> Is my tabletop too high? (probably..I put wheels on my huge shack desk after
> I had everything planned & built some 17 yrs ago and now think that was a
> mistake.)
>
>   
>
> My chair is as high as it'll go.
>
>   
>
> I don't really want to go to mini keyboards as I am a hunt n' peck typist
> and I see everything fairly well as it is.
>
>   
>
> How do you guys do 2KB SO2R and avoid pain?
>
>   
>
> Tnx
>
>   
>
> Mike VE9AA "5NN N" this past weekend
>
> (tnx for all the Q's !)
>
>   
>
>   
>
> Mike, Coreen & Corey
>
> Keswick Ridge, NB
>
>   
>
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