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| Reviews Summary for Begali CW Machine |
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Reviews: 17
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $295
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Description: An advanced microprocessor-based keyer with many unique functions. Since you can load and update the firmware yourself, this device actually is the platform for different types of keyers, and changing from one type to another is a simple process that is controlled by a Windows program. Initially an advanced memory keyer with full keyboard support and semi-automatic logging for 12000 QSOs will be available. Another unique keyer firmware with advanced features for training purposes will be offered in June of 2007.
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More info: http://www.i2rtf.com
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write your own review of the Begali CW Machine.
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LU1DZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 26, 2008 08:18
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Great CW Machine
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Hello:
Was a pleasure to make bussines with Pietro and his daugther Bruna.
I received my CWM very well presented with a very good packaging.
I started with some problems that Ulrich help me to identify.
I was using my Portable PC with an USB to RS232 converter of poor quality. The problem was solved when I buyed a KEYSPAN cable recomendad by ulrich.
I find the keyer one of the best I ever used, and I used many of them.
Very smootly operation, good screen to watch my mistakes specially timing and rythm.
I use it with a Kent and Super Pascual single paddle.
I find very useful connected to my PC or the CWM itself as a keyer and ADIF logger.
There are enough memories room for many operation and operators options, contest, normal QSO, QRP, field day, etc.
I will make a presentation of the CWM and CWT in next LU3DY Contest Workshop.
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W2ST
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 21, 2008 04:53
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The CW Machine sets a new standard!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I used the superb AEA MM-1 until the even better MM-3 appeared, and -- like many others -- believed that the MM-3 was the ultimate keyer.
No longer. Everything that the MM-3 could do (except -- for the moment -- beacon mode), the CW Machine does better. And it does much more.
As a straight keyer, it is simply the best I have ever used, including a character and word spacing mode that -- once you are used to it -- makes your sending near perfect.
As a memory keyer, it is in a class by itself: loading from computer files, 30 memories, and an impressive collection of inserts/call-ups/references/serial numbers, etc.
As an automatic logger, it detects and logs QSO data, cross-checks dupes, inserts name/qth, etc. into the current and future QSO's: think of what you might like, and it does the job.
As a CW trainer (separately loadable software), it has every imaginable training function, including -- importantly -- readily downloadable text from any source.
Yes, there is a learning curve, but it took me no more than a few hours to master all the functions. You will want to have it connected to a number keypad or a keyboard, and you will need to connect it -- periodically (or permanently if you wish) -- to your computer. This functionality would be impossible without connectivity.
Congratulations are due to the CW Machine team. Functionally, esthetically, operationally, this device sets a new standard.
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BWOETTKE
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 16, 2007 17:44
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Thank you Santa !
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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It really took a little longer than I had anticipated to actually having my very own CW Machine, and not just the unit that I was allowed to take for a spin before Dayton. I understand from Piero that some parts were held up in Italian customs, and it took a little while to get the assembly line going. But now it’s here, just in time for Christmas!
And, boy, was it worth the wait! The software has seen many improvements, from the support of foreign language characters to the ability to let the CW Machine work with other logging programs, but the basic functionality is still as mind boggling as it was back in May. And the CW Trainer firmware / software package is also a “real” product now, not just the prototype that I tried.
This truly is one heck of a software defined device – calling it a keyer would be a severe understatement. I ran it through the motions, and it worked perfectly. But now I have to immerse myself into the handbooks again so that I can take full advantage of all the features – eventually. Fortunately you can just hook it up and start using it as a regular keyer, progressing to the advanced functions step by step. And since my CW has become a little rusty during this sunspot minimum, I think I’ll use the Trainer quite a bit to improve my fist and get my speed back up. Couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas present.
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K2HK
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 5, 2007 13:47
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This keyer is a beautiful thing
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Time owned: months
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Sound like hyperbole? Well this CW Machine is a superb piece of equipment combining masterful construction with extraordinary firmware. It is extremely versatile offering keyer features as well as logging, particularly contest logging. It may be used with a straight key, a bug, a keyer or a keyboard. The software that accompanies it offers auto entry of call sign, name, report and warns if it is a dupe. It is portable, being of compact size and permitting 9 volt battery operation. It does many things that are better described in the manualmand on the website. The firmware and software are frequently upgraded and can be downloaded easily into the keyer. I might add although setup is surprisingly easy for so complicated a piece of machinery the support is outstanding. One final note is that when utilized to its fullest it is somewhat complex but it can just as easily be used in its simplest form which requires little preparation and is quite instinctive.
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N9YB
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 8, 2007 07:52
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WOW!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I was one of the fortunate hams to be able to purchase a first run CW Machine. Many thanks to Piero, Ulrich and Tom for bringing this wonderful tool to the market and allowing me to get unit #6.
First and foremost the CW Machine is a very versital and unique accessory for your shack. Being software defined, your imagination is the only thing holding you back. Ulrich did a wonderful job with the software interface. Simple and straight forward, yet with all of the controls at your finger tips (via the joystick on the machine or software)it can be configured to suit your particular tastes.
Best of all, it is like nothing on the market today. It isn't their version of something already in production. The CW Machine has pushed the envelope and has redefined the state of the art for both keyers and CW trainers.
To this point I have had the most experience with the CW Trainer firmware and software so I will speak to that.
Ulrich took great care to show respect to technically perfect CW, yet as noted before, there are enough configurable features such that you can tweak it to your taste. The machine supports non US characters such as umlauted vowels or the Spanish N with the tilde above it, etc. You can load in your own text or generate random characters. Cut and paste text into a file, load and go or hit the random button after selecting the characters to include, character block length and number of blocks, load and go. Very simple.
The CW machine can be programmed to auto-increment the speed at an inverval you specifiy. Spacing (both word and character) is up to you, accept the default or adjust to suit. Farnsworth style is easy to set up. You can control the tone pitch, volume and whether it is heard through the internal speaker.
Flash card mode is a great feature that doesn't display the word or text block on the LCD or monitor tab until it is completed. A great way to practice "head copy".
Where the envelope was truly pushed to redefine the state of the art is in the monitor function while practicing your sending skills. You can select Iambic A, B or Bug -- hook up your hardware (requires a 1/8" plug converter for those of us using 1/4" plugs) and go.
The monitor will show on either the LCD or the software screen the characters you send. I mentioned before that Ulrich took care to show respect to technically perfect CW...this is the place where you see it the most. The monitor will show you exactly when you take too long to execute the next character by inserting a space in your displayed text. If you deviate from technically perfect CW, the software thinks you intend to communicatee an inter-word space and displays the character stream accordingly.
So the first time I sent N9YB, it was displayed as N 9YB. After sending a mock QSO, I noticed that after N's and U's I tended to take a bit too much time before getting the next character out. Using the montior as a diagnostic aid is invaluable to achieving better sending technique.
For those who love all things CW, the CW Machine will be a required addition to your shack.
Ulrich has been very responsive in both answering questions and soliciting opinions of how the software and firmware of the unit works.
After I work with the standard CW Machine firmware and software for a bit, I will post my review of it.
A must have.
best 73
mike
n9yb
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NN0B
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Rating: 5/5
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May 20, 2007 19:31
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The SDR Keyer
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This keyer is the Software Designed Radio of the keyer world. It is the product of three of the most talented CW craftsmen on the planet: Ulrich Steinberg, N2DE/DJ8GO; Tom Hammond, NØSS; and, of course, Piero Begali, I2RTF. The keyer is the brainchild of Ulrich, and he did the programming of the keyer firmware and the design and development of the Graphic User Interface that runs under Microsoft Windows. Tom designed the PC board and the electronics for the support card, which allows the Butterfly card to interface with the power supply, transceiver, optional outboard audio, key/paddle, and PC. Piero designed and produced a cabinet to house the unit, which is of the same incomparable quality as his world-famous paddles.
Somehow, I was invited to participate in the early stages of the development, but my contribution was simply to do the “Sailor Testing.” For those of you who have not had the benefit of a military career, the Sailor Test involves locking a sailor in a sealed room with an anvil for a week. At the end of the week, if the anvil is not broken or pregnant, it is deemed worthy for further development and refinement. In spite of my best efforts, the keyer passed the test.
The genesis of the project came when Ulrich, Tom, and I agreed that the end of production of the AEA MM-3 keyer represented a tragic loss to the CW world, and Ulrich thought that something should be done about it. He had been experimenting with the AVR Butterfly evaluation board from ATMEL, and was sure that it could be used as the basis for a keyer that could match, and indeed exceed, the capabilities of the MM-3 keyer.
After a year of hard work, Ulrich, Tom, and Piero succeeded in producing the finest keyer unit available. It not only acts as a keyer, but it can log up to 12,000 QSOs by automatically capturing what you send with your paddle while performing dupe checking in the background. It can operate PC-connected; stand-alone with a keyboard; stand-alone with a paddle, bug, or straight key; or just stand-alone (for training). It does everything that any other keyer does while also doing what most logging programs do. As an additional bonus, it will do MUCH more than the MFJ 418 Trainer can do in terms of teaching you code or raising your proficiency. If you don’t believe me, read the manuals at:
http://www.i2rtf.com/docs/CWMachine.pdf
http://www.i2rtf.com/docs/CWMachineManager.pdf
http://www.i2rtf.com/docs/CWMachineHardware.pdf
http://www.i2rtf.com/docs/CWTrainer.pdf
http://www.i2rtf.com/docs/CWTrainerManager.pdf
The best thing about it is that, like the best of the current amateur radio rigs, it is software defined—as features are added, they can be downloaded and installed via the Internet. Currently, there is a firmware release in production for the all-inclusive keyer/logger function. There is also firmware in pre-release field testing for Training and Proficiency development, and firmware is currently in the design stage for QSO Simulation a la the MM-3’s excellent simulator (remember DR DX?). All of this will be available to you for free once you have the basic keyer unit.
I have been extremely fortunate to have had a prototype for testing for the past nine months, and I can assure you that there are no other keyers ANYWHERE that have the current capabilities or future possibilities of this one. If you love CW, this is a must-have item.
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BWOETTKE
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Rating: 5/5
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May 5, 2007 10:40
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Incredible
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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When I heard that Piero and Ulrich were cooking up yet another marvel for CW operators I pestered them long and hard to get my hands on a CW Machine even before the official introduction in Dayton, and I was able to use it for about a week. This device is mind boggling, and it will take much longer than a week to explore all features that are described on more than 100 pages of documentation. The CW Machine comes with pre-installed firmware for an advanced memory keyer/keyboard keyer based on a design that DJ8GO aka N2DE introduced on this site (“The Butterfly is Airborne”) That keyer worked flawlessly during my tests, and it logged about 50 QSOs in its internal memory. It is an incredibly flexible memory keyer with smart messages that insert calls and names during a QSO, and it captures all the information for a complete log record that it stores in Flash memory. Although I used it mostly with my paddles, I tried the keyboard keyer function, and it worked just fine although I'm not a good typist. Being a bit old fashioned I also liked the bug emulation feature for that “hand made” sound.
I also got a sneak preview of the CW Trainer firmware that Ulrich has almost completed and which you can load into the same device – the CW Machine really is a small specialized computer that can run different programs. The CW Trainer is an addictive training tool that will let you improve your CW skills, copying and sending, no matter what level you are at right now. I caught myself loading newspaper articles into it and had them “read” to me in CW on a car trip.
Since only a dozen of these devices exist so far, and they will be demonstrated and sold in Dayton, I couldn’t keep mine. But you can bet that there is already one that is earmarked for me.
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