CW Contest station ergonomics

[N2CJ]

I am in the habit of keeping my iambic keyer to the upper left of my desk and reaching across with my right hand to key.
My computer keyboard is on a slide out drawer in front of me. A pad and paper are in the middle of the desk. This setup is fine for everyday operation, but with contests it is awkward as I'm trying to do everything with my right hand. The pad and paper are something of a crutch because I tend to want to write the calls down first rather than key them directly into the computer.
I can key almost as well with my left hand, but in the heat of battle I find myself resorting to my comfortable right-handed keying style.
Has anyone else had issues with their station ergonomics and how have they dealt with it?

Or is everyone else just using keyboard generated CW?

[N4OGW]

Or is everyone else just using keyboard generated CW?

Yes

Tor
N4OGW

[WB2WIK]

If you're using computer logging anyway -- and I cannot imagine trying to even enter, let alone win, an HF contest any other way -- why use the paddle for anything except in a real pinch?

The logging programs will all send the exchange and anything else you want.  Get rid of the paper and pencil!  This is just double the work -- impossible to run up to 200-250 Qs/hour doing it that way.  I do keep paddles handy "just in case," and use them every now and then during a contest, but certainly not often.  They don't need to be in the most comfortable place as long as they're within reach, since they're used so infrequently, and usually only to send a few letters or maybe a callsign.  Sometimes while I'm correcting an error (like, oops -- I copied the guy's call wrong, and have to go back and correct it using the keyboard) I have need to send at the same time, and of course the keyboard/computer can't do both at once; so I've found myself typing with my left hand on the keyboard and sending with paddles using my right hand at the same time -- very occasionally, maybe 2-3 times in 48 hours.

[N3QE]

Mostly, everybody else is using keyboard generated CW.

In fact that's not really true, with most of the logging programs that drive keyers, it's function keys that generate the majority of the CW exchanges. N1MM is way cool for me but others have their favorites.

In terms of ergonomics, some foot switches for the function keys really was a step forward at eliminating cross-hand clutter.

Tim.

[WX7G]

I leave the station set up the same for everyday use and contesting. The laptop is on the desk directly in front of me. The transceiver is to the left and angled. My left hand works the transceiver. The paddles are just to the right of the laptop.

[N2CJ]

Thank you for the replies. After reading them I reexamined my keying situation. Since I use MixW 2.19 for all logging and digital operations, I was able to use a USB to serial adapter and repurpose an old PTT circuit (serial connector with a transistor and resistor) to key CW directly from the computer. I had not originally thought this was possible because earlier versions of MixW only supported audio CW keying through the soundcard. (I could be wrong about this but that was my understanding).

I now have my COM1 keying the transceiver PTT in digital modes, and COM7 (USB adapter) keying CW.

Anyway, I will have to get my macros in order and get up to speed with keyboard based CW contesting.
I still have the paddles available on the desktop in case of emergency.

[N2EY]

Here's how I do it:

The computer is set up to key the rig (I use N3FJP software because it's simple, inexpensive and will run on any old computer without any trouble).

The key is by my right hand because I'm right-handed. Next to it is the tuning knob of the rig.

I forced myself to learn not to write anything down. Instead I type calls and other info into the entry spaces. If it's wrong, one or two keystrokes erases it. Much of the typing is left-hand-only, because the right hand is doing something else.

It's a bit of a learning curve at first, but the results are worth it. Writing stuff down is extra work; might as well keep a paper log (which I did for many years).

The reason to have the key hooked up at all is because sometimes you need to send something that just isn't in a macro. That's rare, but it might as well be made as easy as possible.

73 de Jim, N2EY

[N1YE]

Good question.

I am left handed. I have a Vibroplex iambic and straight key combination that sits on the desk directly between the two rigs.  The keyer unit sits just above the keys. During a long contest I use the function keys on my keyboard to generate Morse (as probably most contesters do). This is handy because as I get weary, I sometimes become "fumble fingered". Having the keyboard ensures that the guy on the other end does not have to suffer through. During the slow times or even non-contest times, I prefer to use my paddles, mainly because that is what I am use to all of these years. It was awkward at first...too many choices..but with practice I became use to switching back and forth with ease.  The paddles/straightkey are on a longer cord so that they may be pulled out to any position on my desk that seems comfortable for that moment. The goal is to have fun, and the guy on the other end doesn't care "how" i generate the morse, as long as he (or she) gets the needed information.  Use whatever is appropriate for a given event. The centered arrangement works best for me.

[K3AN]

My setup is just like WX7G's. I do have a small notepad in case I know I made a copying mistake but don't want to edit the contact right now 'cuz I've got a run going.

The best way to improve your direct ear-to-keyboard CW copying skills is with RUFZ. It's free and it's great. Google it for the link.

[K5END]

I use CQ/X from NO5W  and find it very convenient. You can operate run or search and pounce by function keys, and if the sequence of the exchange is normal, just hitting the enter key steps thru the process for you in most cases. It has an option to enter a note for any exchange. It will store messages with other keyboard functions, so you could come close to running a contest without a key or paddle...close, but not in practice.

It also has a lot of prompts to assist you during the furious contesting...when I find the adrenaline makes me forget even my own call sign sometimes. It's designed for mobile contesting; it interfaces with your GPS and logs your location and county for you, and can log the lat. long. for each exchange.

The K2 and K3 interface directly to the pc for keying and the radio parameters, but you can also use WinKey and the Hamgadgets MK-1. I've used all those methods in the very few contests I've done so far. I like the K2 set up the best...partly because I don't own a K3...yet.

[AB3CX]

There always are times I want to use my paddles, even though I have N1MM all set up with keying, macros,and enter sent messages mode. I have a slide out drawer under the op desk for the keyboard, and I set my paddles just to the right of the keyboard (I'm a righty) for quick use during contests. I can focus my attention on the typing/keying area easily. I think the ergonomic challenge for us older guys is moving the eyes up and down from the computer monitors to the keyboard/paddle area quickly without losing speed and focus. Minimizing neck movement is a big thing as well. I'm not a great typist, I'm a two finger typer, so that's a big drawback for me.

[K3AN]

Another point- in my opinion the chair is THE most important aspect of contesting ergonomics. You're gonna park your butt there for hours on end, so it better be comfortable and provide you with the proper back/lumbar support. And of course a chair that works well for one person might not be the right choice for someone else.

[N1YE]

I agree. The chair is the most important.  Having just sat through the better portion of a 48 hour contest, it occurred to me that the one thing that I didn't have was a tired rear end.  I had previously bought a better office chair with detachable arms.  I was contrasting this event with memories of other contests that I spent sitting in a folding lawn chair or even a  wooden camping box.

It makes no sense to invest good money into building a station, only to sit on whatever is handy.

Next...I would buy really good headphones. 

73,
Gene

[NK5G]

For what it's worth, check out the pic of my setup on QRZ.
I placed the monitor so it is directly in front of my face. The radio to my lower right for S&P. I made sure I had about 15 inches of couter space to extend my arm and let it rest on the desk.
I am also using a wireless keyboard and mouse to keep things modular.
I am right handed, so equipment that I don't adjust on a regular basis on on my left. (amp and tuner)
I have a nice comfy chair also, but contesting keeps me on the edge of it anyway.  

[N1YE]

Yes, it is a nice, clear layout. I like the large monitor.
 73
Gene