[CW] Begali Sideswipers

Thu Feb 23 21:19:27 EST 2017

I had the Intrepid.  It is by far the smoothest bug I've ever used.  The 
transition from dits to dahs and dahs to dits is absolutely fabulous.  I 
was frequently accused of using a paddle.  The thing is HEAVY and it 
doesn't move even for an aggressive slapper.  The finishing is superb. 
 I seem to recall the lower speed range was about 12 wpm with the 
supplied weight.  Piero Begali is a freakin' genius machinist. 

In fact I had just about all of the top end Begali keys.  I used to have 
this "job" which "paid" me with my choice of a Begali key every year. 
 Then I got sick a few years back and I thought I was a short timer so I 
sold my entire collection of high end keys so my XYL wouldn't have to 
deal with it.

Well, I'm still here and now I have a 70s era Vibroplex Presentation and 
(soon!) a GHD cootie plus the "mandatory" paddle (N3ZN) to remain 
competitive with DX stations using Morse readers at 40+wpm  and reverse 
beacons that don't recognize anything but "perfect code."

As far as the Begali Swing goes.  I agree with David that it's the 
ultimate cootie key for all the reasons he laid out.  I never owned a 
Swing but I was fortunate to be able to borrow Ulrich N2DE's #001 for 
several months while he was out of the country a couple years ago.  it 
was long enough for me to fall in love with it.  The parting was sad 
indeed!  While I used it I managed to find a weak spot that Piero has 
since fixed - I broke the (too) thin extension arm that held the gold 
ball.  

I would also like to say that I also owned an Alberto Frattini 
Dyna-Maniflex reincarnation which was another superb key that I sold 
off.  Alberto is another highly talented machinist but he sticks to more 
traditional things like his J-36 replica.  His finishing is out of this 
world! Of all the keys I sold, I wish I had the Dyna Maniflex back! 

Finally, if anyone is nearing FCC renewal time be advised that FCC 
changed some software in late 2016 and you might encounter some 
difficulty renewing online.  On Monday, I renewed my T2 and it was no 
problem until I went to pay the $70 with my credit card.  The system 
choked and after two hours and two calls to FCC customer service, it 
finally went through OK.  My friend Tony, W1ZMB renewed his T2 last week 
and had similar issues. 

73, Stan WB2LQF  

On Thu, Feb 23, 2017 at 08:14 PM, Troy,  W6HV wrote:

I would really like to have the Intrepid—but at $481
currently! Can’t do that.

73,

Troy, W6HV

From: D.J.J. Ring,
Jr.

Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2017 3:45 PM

To: CW Reflector

Subject: Re: [CW] Begali Sideswipers

I'm not using a Begali Sideswiper, but I had a chance to
use the Begali Sculputure Swing, and it's just got the feel that I want 
in a
sideswiper.  It has the best of the stiff lever action of the Vibroplex 
and
the Bunnell Double Speed Key (which probably is the best sideswiper 
going, but I
DO like the feel of the flex in a hacksaw blade) and it has the flex 
feeling of
a hacksaw blade also.

http://www.i2rtf.com/sculpture-swing.html 
<http://www.i2rtf.com/sculpture-swing.html>

Cost enough, $518.63 at today's EUR to USD rates, I don't
know if this includes VAT which we are exempt from.

Unlike with paddles or straight keys, you want the
contact closure in a cootie key to be soft. You see the elaborate 
sliding
contact assembly at the back of the key - changing its position 
determines how
stiff the long needle arm feels.  At the front you see concentric
spring-loaded stops and a cam which determine the center position and 
the
magnetic return force. When you move the long lever the concentric stop 
will be
compressed, and eventually the gold plated ball on the needle arm will 
touch the
contact in the contact post without abruptly stopping your movement.  
This
is a key for specialists with a “feel” and hand movements which are 
unlike any
other key - but once you have mastered it, it will provide the 
satisfaction of a
high-speed key that does not need an electronic keyer.

73

DR

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