[UK-CONTEST] Keyboard reduces fatigue

[G3SXW]

Dear UK-Contest,
The 'Keyer versus keyboard' discussion has, I think, omitted
the most crucial point: keyboards reduce operator-fatigue.
If a 'good' contester is at least competent with both keyer
and keyboard then it is a tactical decision which to use,
whichever most increases the score.
Concentration needs to be far higher when sending with a
paddle. Conversely, there are thousands of moments in
a contest when the PC could be sending the CW and the
operator can relax just a little, momentarily.
The cumulative effect over 24-48 hours really reduces
fatigue, leading to fewer errors. Additionally, when the PC is
transmitting the brain can switch momentarily to thinking
about other things: band-changes, beam-headings, double-
checking typed call-sign etc, - all contributing to the score.
Personally, I prefer to send CW from the paddle only when
the QSO-rate is slow, to avoid boredom.
Yes, of course a paddle is absolutely essential, for those
panic moments.
73 de Roger/G3SXW.