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Author Topic: Begali Pearl disassembly for maintenance?  (Read 329 times)

WA5BDU

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Begali Pearl disassembly for maintenance?
« on: June 30, 2021, 06:12:03 PM »

I've had occasional issues with my Begali Pearl, such as contacts shorted, and sometimes high resistance with contacts closed. There's not much one can do other than clean contacts without some disassembly. I'm wondering if this is a straightforward task or would I regret trying it.

I have a tendency to want to blame the 3.5 mm jack, but I don't think it's the root cause of all issues.

Any experience?

73,

Nick, WA5BDU
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AE8W

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Re: Begali Pearl disassembly for maintenance?
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2021, 07:06:19 PM »

I think all Begali keys have gold contacts so I would be quite hesitant to touch them ... unless the air dirty around the key. Smoker?

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ZL1BBW

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Re: Begali Pearl disassembly for maintenance?
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2021, 07:44:22 PM »

Have you tried a squirt of a good quality switch cleaner? 

I occasionally, like once in a blue moon, pull a clean piece of paper through the contact's on my kent double key, not for any real reason just makes me feel like I am doing something instead of just using it.
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ex MN Radio Officer, Portishead Radio GKA, BT Radio Amateur Morse Tester.  Licensed as G3YCP ZL1DAB, now taken over my father (sk) call as ZL1BBW.

W6MK

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Re: Begali Pearl disassembly for maintenance?
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2021, 07:49:57 PM »

I'm wondering if this is a straightforward task or would I regret trying it.

The spacing and tension adjustment screws in many Begali paddles have
spring-and-ball-bearing friction devices within the posts that hold the screws.

It's likely to be a complex task removing the screws and friction devices and
reassembling them.

Why not contact Begali for advice?
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OZ8AGB

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Re: Begali Pearl disassembly for maintenance?
« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2021, 05:49:55 AM »

Send an e-mail to them. They usually answer fast.
https://www.i2rtf.com/contact-us.html
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ZL1BBW

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ex MN Radio Officer, Portishead Radio GKA, BT Radio Amateur Morse Tester.  Licensed as G3YCP ZL1DAB, now taken over my father (sk) call as ZL1BBW.

WA5BDU

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Re: Begali Pearl disassembly for maintenance?
« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2021, 07:11:17 AM »

Thanks ZL1BBW and others responding. I should have thought about checking for a Facebook group. It does make me think twice about disassembly without having direction from the experts.

The issue is not about the contacts. The contacts are easily accessed, cleaned, inspected and so on. The rest of the circuit is a bit of a mystery. 

73 - Nick, WA5BDU
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W4MSL

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Re: Begali Pearl disassembly for maintenance?
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2021, 06:13:49 AM »

Send an e-mail to them. They usually answer fast.
https://www.i2rtf.com/contact-us.html

If the OP hasn't already solved the problem, I second OZ8AGB's recommendation. Contact Begali. They have an excellent US-based service rep who can take care of things. I had a problem w my Sculpture, and Begali had me send it to the US-based rep. Service was fast, competent, courteous, and (for my problem, at least) inexpensive. I was only asked to pay for return shipping. YMMV, of course, depending on the nature of the problem. I recommend against trying to do this yourself. Let us know, please, how you get this sorted.
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