[CW] Begali Sideswipers

Thu Feb 23 21:45:36 EST 2017

I learned it wrong, I guess, as I didn't know better.  I just go back &
forth.  I do not restart each letter on a particular side.  That means I
learned all the characters twice, I guess.  Of course, I'm not very good at
it either.

To avoid confusion, I learned the sideswiper on my left hand, whereas I am
right handed with my other keys.  I do get totally confused if I try to
sideswipe right handed.

73 Kate K6HTN

On Thu, Feb 23, 2017 at 6:19 PM, stan levandowski <sjl219 at optonline.net>
wrote:

> 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
>
> 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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