Station Design – Ergonomic Considerations Ray Conrad KT4W PVRC Contest College

Considerations for the Modern Station Functional Considerations Functional Considerations Ergonomics Ergonomics Additional Considerations Additional Considerations A few funny stories A few funny stories Presentation draws upon many guest appearances Presentation draws upon many guest appearances Thanks to those who sent photos, and to those whose photos are on the web Thanks to those who sent photos, and to those whose photos are on the web

Functional Considerations Contest stations have evolved Contest stations have evolved –Pencil and paper (until ~1985) – Computer aided operation (starting ~1985) driven by innovations Computer software Computer software –Allowed SO2R Packet Packet Station design must accommodate the human user! Station design must accommodate the human user! Proper design helps reduce operator fatigue Proper design helps reduce operator fatigue

Workstation design considers the user Who is the user? Who is the user? –Single OP? So, fit yourself So, fit yourself –Multi-op? More considerations More considerations –Does tall one hit his head? –Short one, can she reach? Can you accommodate users from 5 feet tall to about 6 foot 4 inches? Can you accommodate users from 5 feet tall to about 6 foot 4 inches?

Fundamentals of computer workstation design Establish proper sitting height Establish proper sitting height –Feet flat on floor –Weight supported in chair pan, little pressure on back of thighs –Arms are horizontal Now, set the keyboard height Now, set the keyboard height –Correct keyboard height allows wrists to be in neutral position Finally, set monitor height Finally, set monitor height –Height should be allow eyes to look down slightly from the horizontal Avoid sharp edges on desks which are pressure points Avoid sharp edges on desks which are pressure points

Some common issues Chairs are not adjusted properly Chairs are not adjusted properly –Read the owner’s manual!! Chairs do not support large users – giving pressure points in the buttocks Chairs do not support large users – giving pressure points in the buttocks Tables are frequently too high for keyboards Tables are frequently too high for keyboards –Keyboard height is a major consideration Monitors are too high, sometimes much too high Monitors are too high, sometimes much too high

Other Display Considerations Display Display –Correct RX for font and distance Do NOT tip your head to use reading bifocal Do NOT tip your head to use reading bifocal Glare Sources Glare Sources –Overhead lights –Windows behind user –Task lights shining on screen Flicker or jitter Flicker or jitter –Re-position, possible grounding and EMI issues

More Ergonomic Considerations Acoustic Noise Acoustic Noise –Equipment Blowers –Building HVAC, esp. heat pump blowers and oil fired furnaces –Appliances Washer, dryer, dishwasher, plumbing noises Washer, dryer, dishwasher, plumbing noises –Inter-operator noise “Are you operating from a hotel?” “Are you operating from a hotel?” Is the room live? Hard walls, floors and ceilings? Is the room live? Hard walls, floors and ceilings? –Family Considerations Do NOT put shack under the bedrooms!! Do NOT put shack under the bedrooms!! –4 year old: “Mommy said she is going to hit you with a stick.”

Designing for multi-op Quick tests of user friendly stations Quick tests of user friendly stations –Is a long tutorial needed before a guest can operate? –Do guest “break” your station? Logical grouping of displays and controls Logical grouping of displays and controls –Top rotor box controls top antenna –Bottom rotor box controls bottom antenna Controls should give expected results Controls should give expected results –Up is on; down is off – USA, but v.v. in England –What happens when a knob is turned clockwise? –Antenna rotation if switch is moved to the right?

Case studies Participants should have a sharper eye for design criteria Participants should have a sharper eye for design criteria –Critique stations shown –What’s good in each design? –Offer suggestions for improvements –Take away good ideas –Bring forward lessons learned from your station