[RTTY] Point-and-click vs typing

[iw1ayd - Salvatore Irato]

Hi all.
It's really an interesting subject. Just to say I user a gamer keypad - 
USB - , a portable USB keyboard with a two port USB HUB and a trackball. 
But over it all I use N1MM, both Classic and Plus, logger. That's the 
weapons chassis where I mount and use the others things I'd just 
described. Macros and automation functions of N1MM Logger are a bed to 
be programmed, configured and used simply with just some auto learning 
hours.
The logger and the level of automation and reporting of the logger is 
one of the keys.
Right Click + not return, macros for radio filters commands, radio PO 
control are easy to use and under control even when tired. I also use a 
lot the automated LOGTHENPOP, storing calls into the band map. I use it 
FIFO, I prefer it over LOGTHENGRAB or the pure GRAB functions. More 
control by the operator, me and my gestures.
The main use for the gamer keyboard is to simulate the more complex 
CTRL-x running SO2R. Having another escape, some of the F1 to F12 
functions, ALT-R and CTRL-B. Those last are the most reachable, nearest 
to the rest position of the hand.
It is positioned under the left hand.
The main keyboard itself is used for those elusive calls ... on 3 
decoding windows it happened to have UT on one and EPP on another! The I 
type UT5EPP ;-> Or just pushing some ? with UT asking his call on air ...
The main use of the keyboard is anyway the ESC key to stop single radio 
CQ, even when SO2Roaring
The trackball is the other key that stay well positioned under the right 
hand, even when I leave it to type dual hands on the main kbd.
I would not be able to use the standard mouse or a multifunction gamer 
mouse. Not easy for my coordination level to use the same fingers to do 
different things, my fault. After all also I don't like a mouse that 
move, lack of desk real estate, lack of blind finding ability gestures. 
More easy to have a steady trackball. I also moved one of these at work!

The whole thing is aimed to have short leg movements, maximize fingers 
commands, short retrieval time for the tools on the desk, well known 
macro names-positions and almost all the time my focus on the screen 
where action is. Leaving space to attentions to rotors, PAs and other 
things to be checked over time.
In between those two items sets there are other logger windows, 
statistics, multipliers/cluster, bands maps. Those are all on the screen 
but are secondary to incoming data from the decoders. Timingly they 
becomes primary targets of my focus, when statistics numbers becomes 
low, when cluster/multipliers list blimp over a low rate. Also remember 
that all is split by two when attempting to do SO2R.

That's my short experience. I like operate the whole setup and I find 
myself working almost flawlessly even when fatigued after hours and 
hours of contesting. I am not a fast operator, but I like this game. 
Typing is not part of it if not just to enter elusive call signs or save 
my errors when 599 become 15. The PC keyboard is not for typing when 
RTTY Contesting, today, isn't?

           73 de iw1ayd Salvo

PS ... still in need of MMTTY as the primary window, that's for it 
automated unique logging capabilities of the incoming and outgoing text. 
I like to rewind and look at my errors, friends messages or whatever 
else was going on on the screen.