[Yaesu] ergonomics and rig placement

[Renée Deeter]

Hi John-
I will second Jim's comments.....I recently had neck surgery and lifting 
my arm etc....was a no no....things I use where I could rest my arm was 
good.....
I suggest a bigger desk.....
take care of that shoulder!! if you keep hurting it it will take longer 
to heal with the possibility of permanent damage.....
my 3 cents worth
Renée, K6FSB

James F. Boehner, MD wrote:
> John,
>
> I am the furthest away from an orthopedist (OB/GYN), but can tell you 
> personal preferences.
>
> Anything that you will use repetitively (tuning knob, keyer, perhaps rotor 
> control) should be at the desktop level.  Preferably, you should be able to 
> rest your hand or upper arm on the desk while doing those motions.  Anything 
> you do on a higher level will affect your shoulder.
>
> My operating desk (picture on QRZ.COM) has keyer, paddle, rig and rotor 
> control on the desk level.  On the second level (higher) is my auto-tune 
> Amp, power meter and my auto-tuner (different than the above picture-I have 
> a Palstar AT-AUTO now).
>
> Sounds like you can remote the FT-857 control head, keep down the clutter, 
> and protect your shoulder!
>
> As the old joke:
>
> Patient: Doc, it hurts when I do this.....
> Doctor:  Well, don't do that!
>
>
> '73 de Jim N2ZZ
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John Geiger" <aa5jg at yahoo.com>
> To: <icom at mailman.qth.net>; <yaesu at mailman.qth.net>; <ft857 at yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Saturday, December 12, 2009 4:59 PM
> Subject: [Yaesu] ergonomics and rig placement
>
>
>   
>> You can tell that the 10 meter contest has no propagation if I am sending 
>> out an email during it.
>>
>> Let me preface this question by saying that I don't want to computer 
>> control the rig.  I have tried that before with a TS-B2000 and didn't like 
>> it.  I say this because I am sure that it would be the answer many would 
>> reply with.
>>
>> Here is my situation.  On Thanksgiving day I hurt my right shoulder (I am 
>> right handed) and as it was getting better I reinjured it last weekend in 
>> the 160 contest by excessive tuning of the VFO dial.  The shack is set up 
>> on a computer center, and the rig is on the second shelf, right at eye 
>> level. This means I have to raise my arm to tune the VFO dial, and the 
>> excessive raising last weekend reirritated my shoulder.  This past week I 
>> would just use my left hand to tune the VFO and push buttons instead, but 
>> that was getting awkward, especially with the 10 meter contest coming up.
>>
>> Today I broke down and moved the rig to the desktop instead, so I don't 
>> have to raise my arm to turn the dial.  I really don't like it here as it 
>> looks a little more cluttered now with the rig, laptop, keyer paddles, and 
>> rotor control.  Plus is it closer to the line of fire when my 6 year old 
>> daughter is throwing things around the house.  However, this will have to 
>> do for now.
>>
>> Now here is my question:  Have others found that having the rig slightly 
>> lower than you is easier on the arms or shoulders over the long run than 
>> having to raise your arm to tune the rig?  I was hoping to eventually move 
>> it back to its original place, but if I run the risk of straining the 
>> shoulder more having it there, I might have to learn to live with it where 
>> it is.
>>
>> What has your experience taught you about rig placement?  Maybe there is a 
>> doctor or orthopeadist on the list who knows something about ergonomics 
>> and injury prevention.  I am using a Yaesu FT857D so I guess I could 
>> eventually remote mount the faceplate at a lower level and put the body of 
>> the rig where it used to be.
>>
>> Talk about a bummer way to start the 10 meter contest weekend.
>>
>> 73s John AA5JG
>>
>>
>>
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>
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