[amsat-bb] Re: I'd like your shack ideas

[n0jy@lavabit.com]

David,

I find that a headset/mic and a footswitch are a must.  I did spend a
large portion of my life using a footswitch in my work as a train
dispatcher though so maybe I'm predisposed to that, but it sure frees up
the hands for whatever else you might want to do.  As for the manual
operation, being right handed I always did the tuning with my right hand
and the antennas with my left because the antennas are a bit more
forgiving whereas the tuning requires a bit more accuracy.  And so, even
though it's all PC controlled now, my rotator controller and radio are
still positioned for such.

73,
Jerry
N0JY

> Hello All,
>
> The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter as I complete my
> shack renovations.  Soon I will be at the all important stage of
> figuring out the best way to locate radios, computers, logbooks etc.
>
> This brings to mind a couple of questions.
>
> 2) Given that you really find out how good you are when the PC crashes
> halfway during a QSO and you then have to manually operate two radios
> for Doppler shift and two rotator controllers as well as mic/key, what
> controls do you operate with each hand?  Would a footswitch for PTT be
> worthwhile?
>