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Author Topic: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM  (Read 1754 times)

KB7TT

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Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« on: August 14, 2020, 09:44:18 AM »

I just received my first RA1AOM single paddle from Valery last week.  Magnificent construction with a beautiful stone base. 
I also have a Begali gold plated iambic.  Its way cool too. 
I am curious what others say about these two manufacturers as I am considering selling the Begali and having Valery make me an Iambic paddle...  BTW I believe they are both exellent keys.  Just wondering what other observe

Any opinions???


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K6AER

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2020, 10:14:57 AM »



Bengali has been making keys for a long time and has a huge following.

Another Russian key manufacture is UR5CDX. I have one of his keys also and they are very good.
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WA9AFM

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2020, 01:13:14 PM »

I've always admired good CW operators.  I've also always admired the primary tool of their trade, the key, be it speed, iambic, straight, etc.  At Hamvention, I've always paid a visit to the Begali, Kent, and Vibroplex booths to enjoy the fine, precision craftsmanship of their product.  They aren't 'just telegraph keys', they are fine instruments.
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NI0C

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2020, 04:47:51 AM »

I just received my first RA1AOM single paddle from Valery last week.  Magnificent construction with a beautiful stone base. 
I also have a Begali gold plated iambic.  Its way cool too. 
I am curious what others say about these two manufacturers as I am considering selling the Begali and having Valery make me an Iambic paddle...  BTW I believe they are both exellent keys.  Just wondering what other observe

Any opinions???
Sounds like you have a couple of the most expensive keys in the world. Which one do you prefer using?
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KB7TT

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2020, 07:32:37 AM »

II got the Begali used for $250.00 and the Russian key cost $360. shipped to my door.  There are many keys higher in price.  I like the Russian key a little better as it makes zero noise.  No clacking of the contacts.  Other than that they are both very good.
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AE8W

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2020, 08:19:14 AM »

@KB7TT .. I also like no noise keys. Goes back to my days as a teenager & getting up at 4AM for a QSO with JA land. Sometimes my mother would be awakened which made for an abrupt SK.

Now a days I have a Begali Sculpure sideswiper which is adjusted very quiet. I do like the looks of the stone base. I wonder how heavy that is compared to a metal base?
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NI0C

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2020, 08:35:51 AM »

KB7TT:
Thanks for the pricing info. It sounds like you are equally adept with the iambic vs. single lever keys. I use the same keying technique with my N3ZN iambic and SL keys, and they seem equally good. I'm getting intrigued by the touch-keys, and am looking at N1KW's TP-1. I've heard some really good QRQ code from some of the guys who use them.
73 de Chuck NI0C
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AE8W

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2020, 10:08:19 AM »

Since you mentioned touch keys, I also have 9A5N's solid state key. http://www.9a5n.eu/  Try to find the key in the 2nd picture on his home page. ::)

9A5N's SS key might be considered easier to adjust than the Begali, but because it is a sideswiper, once it is adjusted it is done.
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VK5ISO

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2020, 12:21:32 AM »

I had thought of ordering one of RA1AOM's beautiful keys last year, but remember reading a review by a German ham who commented that while the natural stone bases were gorgeous, adjustment was rather coarse and demurred. My apologies, I am unable to find the review, so this is by memory alone as I have never used one myself, but that's why I didn't order one.

Regarding Begalis, I have had a couple and have had mixed experiences.

Of  the two Begalis I owned, the HST-III  had serious QC problems: when I examined the posts supporting the contacts with a magnifying glass, one of the posts was  10-15 degrees from perpendicular to the frame (i.e the screw hole was drilled at an angle). I eventually got rid of it as it was impossible to adjust. You can read my review on Eham. This is pretty basic.

 At the end of the day, you do get what you pay for: Begali's high-end models, like the Leonessa, are gorgeous.

To be frank with you, my personal preference has always gone to paddles and keys which were a bit understated and not too flash and where one feels the money goes towards engineering more than towards rare materials and beautiful finishes.

N3ZN, Scheunemann, and Larry, N0SA's phenomenal paddles would fall in the second category. With Begali, I always had the lingering suspicion (I can't say for RA1AOM) that beauty and rare materials came first.

N0SA and N3ZN are the best paddles I have ever used, bar none and I still use an N3ZN ZN-SL as my main paddle. Unfortunately, N0SA's paddles are a bit too widely spaced for me and I sold mine to a  very happy VK ham.

At the end of the day, a paddle is basically a contact and the skill of the operator is what really matters.

A good CW operator sends great code with an old Vibroplex!
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KB4MNG

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #9 on: August 25, 2020, 05:18:20 AM »

I hope to own a Begali one day. Currently run a k8ra p6 and cannot imagine anything better but Begali is the standard. Never put my hands on one. I was told you wont see much sending difference however you are buying it as an art piece.
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W6MK

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #10 on: August 25, 2020, 08:10:00 AM »

Run a k8ra p6 and cannot imagine anything better but Begali is the standard. Never put my hands on one.
I don't know where you get the idea that a Begali key "is the standard."

There are imaginative, quite functional Begali designs.  In terms of beauty it's certainly a matter of personal choice.

I have three Begalis and I use them daily. I appreciate the varied and unique designs. Only some of the designs are obviously designed to be visually impressive. Many designs are simply examples of form following function. I appreciate this aspect.

I don't consider them to be "the standard." If you look around you will find many different keys which work exceedingly well and are very handsome.
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K0RS

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2020, 10:38:18 AM »

@VK5ISO:

Thanks for your accurate and observant post.

Like you, I've owned two Begalis with mixed experiences.  I currently have an HST III which I purchased unused from a ham in New England.  As advertised, it arrived new-in-the-box.  Fortunately I've not seen the QC problems you have.  I have the HST wired in parallel with an N3ZN-SL so I can switch from one to the other.  Performance is quite similar actually. 

My other Begali was a Simplex Mono, which was unsatisfactory.  The Mono was unable to accommodate close contact settings.  It would add an opposite element at the end of character if the points were set too closely.  Hence an "S" would become a "V" or an "M" a "G."  Very frustrating.  Begali sent a .3 mm feeler gauge with the Mono and they weren't kidding.  .3 mm spacing was the absolute minimum the key could tolerate without misbehaving.  To be fair, the Mono is one of Begali's least expensive keys.  Although for the same money one could own (say) a Kent which, while not as visually striking, is at least known for its reliable performance.  I actually gave the Mono a 4 star review here on eHam, but in retrospect it should have probably been a three.

The HST,  not unlike the Mono, seems to prefer somewhat wider contact spacing too, but not objectionably so.  I actually like it quite a lot.  It has a clever, easy to use return force adjustment that may not be popular if you're one of the rare ops the prefers a stronger return force on one side to the other.  One complaint I do have is the cord connection.  Why in the world would Begali mount it on the top instead of the rear in an unobtrusive location?  It's mandatory to use a right-angle plug to prevent the cord from looping up ridiculously.  And the sideswiper switch seems, at least to me, to be a superfluous afterthought.

I've had three N3ZNs and found all three to have similar excellent performance, not unexpected as they all use the same keying mechanism.  Only the base or color varies.  I sold a Junior because I found the base too small for home station use, yet too large and heavy as a portable.  I use my second on a backup station.

I tried one of Larry, N0SA's keys.  It was a single lever and, like you, I was attracted to its simple good looks and functionality.  With translucent red fingerpieces it was quite striking.  Inexplicably I had to clean the contact points every time I wanted to use it or it would not make clean, reliable characters.  Go figure.

I had poor experience with a single lever Scheunemann purchased on eBay from an estate.  It was an early model, with no centering mechanism other than spring tension.  An absolute nightmare.  This key has been re-engineered and is likely vastly superior to the one I owned.

I find I agree with W6MK as I don't find the Begali to be the "standard" unless it's for proliferation of models and mechanisms.  Gotta give Pietro credit for ambition and an active imagination.  Unfortunately, far too many CW beginners buy Begalis, having been impressed with rave reviews and impressive photos, when they would better served with less expensive, more prosaic keys.  One can always move up to a premium key as one gains experience.  Too many tyros seem to believe that an expensive key will instantly make them a proficient CW op.

And yes, I owned a Vibroplex VibroKeyer, purchase in 1965 as a Novice, with which I made thousands of QSOs.  In fact the is the one remaining piece of gear that I still own from that era.  I would return to that if deprived of some other more recent (and ostensibly superior) keys.
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"90% of the people in a pile-up have no idea what's going on.  It's up to you to be in the remaining 10%."  *W9KNI*

W6MK

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2020, 02:18:04 PM »

The Mono was unable to accommodate close contact settings.

I had poor experience with a single lever Scheunemann purchased on eBay from an estate.

One can always move up to a premium key as one gains experience.  Too many tyros seem to believe that an expensive key will instantly make them a proficient CW op.

I owned a Vibroplex VibroKeyer, purchase in 1965 [and] I would return to that if deprived of some other more recent (and ostensibly superior) keys.
It's absolutely essential that beginners start with basic, serviceable gear, including straight keys. The attainment of experience and the development of skills is fundamental to appreciating anything especially well-designed and made. The very functional military keys widely available are the best tools to start with.

The problems with Begali Simplex Monos are well-known. Part of the problem is the design and part of the problem is the fad of extra-close contact settings. I think that the heart of the problem is not with the key but with the fad. Close contact settings not only challenge otherwise serviceable key design but also encourages poor sending. More contact space is no barrier to speed but it can be a barrier to control and clarity.

I have a tiny Scheunemann straight key which is one of the most evolved keys I've ever used. The lower contact is mounted on (lexan?) plastic which provides a slightly dampened feel akin to that of a huge Swedish pump style key (often the favorite design of experienced CW ops). The lever is mounted at the far end so that its functional length is equivalent to that of a much larger key. An exceptional key in every way and very small.

I know many really fine CW ops who began with a Vibroplex paddle and still use it. Simple and functional which is all that is needed.

It's really a shame that there is so much interest in the hobby in obtaining the "best" gear. I think this perspective goes along with the contemporary feeling that learning something new is bad and to be avoided. So beginners go out and buy the "best" of everything and decide that the hobby isn't any fun.
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K4EMF

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #13 on: November 16, 2020, 07:26:20 AM »

I hope to own a Begali one day.....
Me too.  Have my eye on Sculpture Mono but at $574 US I'm having trouble rationalizing the cost. 
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K4EMF

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Re: Comparing keys Begali vs. RA1AOM
« Reply #14 on: December 19, 2020, 05:28:02 PM »

...Another Russian key manufacture is UR5CDX. I have one of his keys also and they are very good.
I have the CT755 model of theirs.  I'm happy with mine as well.
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