I am a relative newbie in RTTY contesting.
I'm also a trackball user, which I prefer because it requires less motion and
is more precise than a mouse.
This past weekend, I had my trackball sitting immediately to the right of my
keyboard, so that I could tap the numeric enter key or move the ball with the
thumb of my right hand, and click trackball buttons / move the scroll wheel
with my index and middle fingers. That left my left hand free to tune, or tap
other keys if needed.
I had one two-plus hour run where I just about kept my right hand on the
trackball, my left index finger on the enter key...and just about didn't need
to make any other motion. The only way it could have been any easier would be
if the station were completely automated.
I've seen and practiced "all keyboard" RTTY contest operation. If I were set
up to be more aggressive in pursuing SO2R operation during a RTTY contest, I
probably would want to be all keyboard. But for single radio, or "occasional
second radio" use...well, my hands were less stressed/tired at 2400Z Sunday
night than they would have been after a similar CW test (where I would have
been "all keyboard").
(My opinion would be different, however, if I used a mouse instead of a
trackball. Too much arm motion to make the mouse work.)
--
Michael Adams | N1EN | mda@n1en.org
-----Original Message-----
From: RTTY [mailto:rtty-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Larry
Sent: Tuesday, 30 September, 2014 11:23
To: rtty@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RTTY] Point-and-click vs typing
I have run RTTY off and on since the 1960's. No point and click with a Model 15.
FWIW, for me (hardly a hardcore RTTY contester), I almost never take my hand
off the mouse for a RTTY contest or DXpedition mode of operation. Entering
something like an exchange item or to make a correction is about the only
reason to let go of the mouse. CW and phone are different, of course, and I
rarely use the mouse for those modes.
73, Larry W6NWS
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