All:
 Original article from: Wayne Sarosi 
 Reposted by Rob Dennis,Moderator HAM_TECH,for use of the FIDO HAM_TECH echo.
  THIS POST/SERIES NOT TO BE USED IN ANY CDROM COMPILATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL
 SALE WITHOUT EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF ORIGINAL AUTHOR(S) OF THIS POST.
               ALL AND ANY COPYRIGHTS RETAINED BY AUTHOR(S).
SUBJECT: Shack Design, part 3, Ergonomics
 Amateur-ergonomics. Just what is that? What it boils down to ease of
operation with ease of maintence in relation to the Ham Shack.
 What would make your shack a whole lot easier on you? Maybe a good chair?
 How about an easy way to get to you coax? Or maybe your power connections?
 Just how easy is it to get to all these things?
 Let's look at your rigs.
 How easy is it to operate from your operating postion?
 Can you change antennas quickly?
 Do you need to move position to operate another rig or a computer?
 Is your chair comfortable?
 Is the lighting good enough?
=======================================================
 Personally,I enjoy a centralized set-up with computer,HF,VHF,and UHF rigs
within easy reach. In my current shack design I have made this so.
 Overhead lighting and operational lighting are a must.
 Also,a handy RF patch panel for connection to alternate antennas.
 Desk lamps help,and at this station I use a lamp with a 15w bulb,which is
bright enough for writing yet soft enough not to wash out the display or 
ause
glare.
 How about your electrical power?
 Can you get to the breaker box within 5 seconds?
 Do you have a lightning detector receiver?
 A simple car radio,with AM, will do. With a small whip (12-in),an AM radio
makes a good lightning detector,picking up lightning crashes in your area,and
will give you early warning to lightning storms when tuned between stations.
========================================================
 Do you have a Low Pass Filter (LPF) on your RF output?
 How about an RF patch panel with a common ground?
 If you have battery operation,do you have a power distribution system and
a way to monitor your battery voltage levels?
 Do you have a telephone in your shack and how about a phone-patch?
 A telephone patch is an item I thought I would never use in a shack until I
started patching or troops home in the MARS program. Before that I used the
patch for a special purpose. This purpose was to patch anyone that needed a
patch in an emergency,was mobile and needed to make a call,or to connect 
ome-
one with a friend they hadn't talked to in years.
 I made two of those patches. One from New Mexico to Titusville,FL and 
nother
from Alaska to Mims, FL.
 Both were mobiles,the NM mobile contacted an old school friend and the AK
station contacted her Mom whom she hadn't talked to in many years.
=========================================================
 An spacious writing area is needed. If you have trouble finding room for a
keyboard and a writing tablet, you don't have enough writing room.
 How about a computer? Do you have RFI protection on your monitor lines?
 Do you have a logging program?
=========================================================
 All these items are personnal preferance. I have seen shacks consisting of a
radio parked on a pair of work horses in a garage to a setup that would make
the FCC green with envy.
 It's up to you concerning ergonomics.
 If it's worth the time and money to make your shack as easy as possible,
I recommend it.
-WS
--- GoldED 2.42.G1219
---------------