[UK-CONTEST] Typing skills (or lack of)

[Roger Western]

Flexibility! Hitting F keys for regular QSOs is best for reducing stress and 
fatigue, with one finger or ten on the keyboard as best suits you. But a 
paddle is essential for messed up entries or correcting partial call-signs, 
then it's left digit on keyboard and right hand on paddle. I also like to 
make QSOs with the paddle when the rate is slow - otherwise there's nothing 
to do while the F key is doing its thing, adding to risk of dozing! If 
you're on a long operating stint this reduction in mental stress is really 
important. Aim for whichever works best for you (accuracy, avoiding fatigue, 
fun) - there's no one-size-fits-all.
73 de Roger/G3SXW.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Dave Sergeant
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 9:21 PM
To: uk-contest at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Typing skills (or lack of)

On 15 Aug 2011 at 19:41, Ken Eastty wrote:

> There are some operators who type with one hand whilst at the same time
> keying with the other in which case touch typing wouldn't help,

When I am working people my hands are all over the place, rapidly
moving between the keyboard (while receiving exchanges), the paddle
when sending and the tuning knob between QSOs. And grabbing a slurp
from the cup of tea by the side. But while typing my two hands and ten
fingers and thumbs are where they should be - hovering over the home
keys. My eyes of course are on the screen watching what I am typing.
This is so instinctive you don't need to think about it. Once you can
touch type you ALWAYS do so, it is impossible to do it with two fingers
or one hand (and you won't find any spelling errors in this email
either...).

73 Dave G3YMC

http://www.davesergeant.com

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