|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
| Reviews Summary for Begali Spark |
|
Reviews: 7
|
Average rating: 4.9/5
|
MSRP: $108 + $15.00 s/h
|
|
Description: High-speed straight key with gold plated mechanics and a heavy cast iron base
|
|
More info: http://www.i2rtf.com
|
|
You can
write your own review of the Begali Spark.
|
K4ZZT
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 18, 2008 19:27
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great sk!
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
I have the gold model, built like a tank,adjustments are simple and work like they should, operates smooth. Highly recommend.
|
|
K7UA
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 14, 2008 15:15
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Very nice
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I ordered a palladium Spark for my old time rig to use on Straight Key Night. The palladium key was out of stock for a short time. Bruna Begali actually arranged to have a Gold Spark sent to me as a loaner so that I could have something to use on SKN! The Begali's are some of the nicest people in the world! Be careful if you order the Gold model. It has a lot of "bling" and was way too bright for my tastes. No matter. The palladium key arrived with only a short delay. I returned the Gold Spark to a US address. They even offered to pay for the return shipping on the loaner key. With the poor US dollar to Euro exchange rate we have been fortunate to be allowed to purchase Begali items in US dollars equal to Euros. A generosity that may not last. This is a heavy key. The finish on the moving part is a highly polished gold. The base is made from cast iron. You cannot expect the cast iron base to be as smooth as a finely machined and polished Sculpture paddle. The palladium finish is black. It looks both professional and a bit old timey. Adjustments are also very good. A keeper for sure.
|
|
M0XIG
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 24, 2007 21:17
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I decided to try a Begali spark key having been informed as to what great keys Begali makes. I have tried a number of straight keys, but have never been very satisfied. I read the reviews before buying and contacted Bill (W4HEX). I liked the idea of Bill's knob design and ordered an identical key. The key arrived with both knobs and I am using Bill's design which I find perfect. The key is compact and has a heavy base and an excellent feel in use. It is not a noisy key in use which I prefer, as it doesn't disturb the house at night. This key is excellently made and looks great on my bench. I wouldn't change it.
I have now ordered the Simplex key. I recommend Begali in every respect.
73 John M0XIG
|
|
NQ5T
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 24, 2007 03:42
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Straight Key!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I own or have owned a wide variety of simple to expensive straight keys over the years. This one is the best. It's HEAVY, has a great crisp feel with just the right level of tactile feedback, and the Navy style knob is at a perfect height for comfortable long-term use.
Like all of Piero's keys, it really stands above the heap.
|
|
W4HEX
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 12, 2007 12:28
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
The New Begali Spark - a first-class, high performance key!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I’ve only been a Ham for a little over a year and my main mode of interest is CW. I learned Morse Code on an old J-38 but started using iambic paddles to learn that sending technique also. I soon found that the quality of a key makes a significant difference not only in how well one can send but also how quickly one can learn to send. I bought a Begali Signature for paddles just after getting my license and being very pleased with the usefulness, workmanship and sheer beauty of that key, I recently decided to purchase a Begali Spark for my primary straight key. I thoroughly enjoy using a straight key and paddles and do on about a 50-50 split, so I decided a top quality straight key was also justifiable.
I can only say good things about the Spark; it’s just too eloquently simple not to be the nearly perfect key. But first of all, what I got is the new Spark, which is not currently pictured on the Begali Web Site. Another pleasant surprise came when I requested a phosphatized finish on the cast iron base and a custom turned knob for my order. There were emails but no objections or hassle.
.… and what I wound up with is a straight key that plays like a fine fiddle, built like a cannon ball and the looks of a Begali Key! The Spark should be ranked very high as a moderately priced, first-class, high performance straight key.
73 – Bill – W4HEX
|
|
EXPAT
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Sep 8, 2004 10:55
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
A bit later in the record...
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
Well, I have had a bit more time with the Spark now and would like to update my previous review. Given the modest interest about this key as shown on this forum, it would seem that most amateurs prefer paddles, but I wanted an old fashioned key to start with and am almost totally satisfied with the Spark.
The key is indeed heavy and stays put, it is not mechanically innovative (no ball bearings) but is true to the old style keys. The mechanism is easily adjusted, fortunate since it must be adjusted frequently to maintain a tight feel. Given the robust construction, I expect to hand this thing down to someone else.
Cosmetically, I expected a bit more. The gold plating on the arm and screws is excellent, but the palladium plating on the base is somewhat irregular. Perhaps the cast iron underneath is corroding a bit, but the base is visibly spotted. Though I accept the rough machining on the base, the plating could have been better.
All in all, I like the key and would not bother to even exchange it (I first wrote these comments to Piero, which I think is polite). I will probably get a paddle later, but have no need for high speed at this time. Indeed, I am still learning code.
Thanks for your consideration, and to Piero Begali for making this style of key available.
Randy KC2NGB
|
|
BWOETTKE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 2, 2004 15:08
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Perfection and Beauty
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I own several of Piero's keys, and I have to admit that I don't use a straight key too often these days although I have a few that I take out of the display cabinet every now and then. Having seen the combination of technical perfection and elegance in Piero's other keys I couldn't resist to buy this one, too.
And it is a straight key that comes as close to perfection as any that I know. The finish of the gold plated moving components is flawless, and the heavy cast iron base with a palladium finish, weighing in at more than 3 pounds, stays steady as a rock. The Navy knob is riding close to the table surface at the perfect height for me, allowing me to keep my wrist on the table.
Even if you're not a heavy brass pounder any more you may want to buy this beauty for the sheer pleasure of looking at a perfect combination of technology and elegance.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
