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Reviews For: Begali Expedition

Category: Keys & Paddles

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Review Summary For : Begali Expedition
Reviews: 30MSRP: 295
Description:
A no-frills high performance paddle, rugged enough to be tossed into the bags of a DX expedition, but equally at home in any shack. Jet black titanium oxide finish, solid silver contacts, racing bearings and micro-threaded adjustments make this key a bargain.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.i2rtf.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
12304.9
N3GSB Rating: 2024-11-11
Factory reverse wired key Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received a begali expedition key two days ago. It is wired for left hand use--
The left hand paddle of the key sent me sends dahs. My other iambic paddles of other manufacturers are all wired for right hand use. I am right handed. Right hand paddles are wired to send dits when the left paddle is activated. All my radios and keyers are set up for right hand keys.

I contacted Begali in Italy who had their US representative contact me who told me:

The iambic keys from Begali keys are wired for right hand use, that is, the left finger piece provides dits and the right side provides dahs. I’m sure there is possibility that one has been wired backwards. I have found though that many actually have keys set the opposite and are unaware until they get another key. You can confirm the right handed protocol by removing the cable plug from the key and shorting the tip and the base of the plug. This should send dits.

There are three solutions. The first is to go into the menu settings for the beer or the radio and make changes. This will prove inconvenient for you using multiple keys, radios, and keys. The next solution is the simplest and that is to replace the plug on one end of the cable and swapping the tip and ring connections so as to switch the wires. The third solution is to swap the leads from the jack to the contacts on the key itself. This is not easy for these reasons: The screw that holds the wire lug in place also serves to hold the contact support post in place. Located within the contact support post is a spring and a plastic pill that serve to provide resistance to the contact screw, preventing it from self adjusting. When reassembling the key and tightening the screws, it is a balancing act of aligning the contacts and ensuring the wire lugs are centered so to not short to the body. In lieu of the mechanical switching around, you could simply desolder the wire lugs, rotate the jack, and solder the leads.

I invested in some quality components and am going to make a new cable For all of the cost of the key I expected better solutions than having to build a new cable myself.

I am of the opinion that the unit received was never tested to be wired for right hand use at the factory before it was shipped.

I own a begali spark which I like but I will likely never purchase another Begali key as I find the quality of their support to be less than what I expected for such an expensive key.
VE7CTN Rating: 2024-04-11
Best key ever! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Long awaited and recently acquired a Begali Expedition. What a sheer pleasure it is to use this iambic paddle.
The key is precise, consistently and accurately responsive. I have a relatively “heavy” hand on the paddle and the weight of the base keeps it stable on my desk which further removes any worry about predictability of reaction from the paddles.
CW is my chosen form of operating mode (about 95%) and the Begali Expedition has made this mode even mode enjoyable.
It is a functional piece of art - thanks Bruna and Pietro! You have added a high quality product to ham radio.
WU7X Rating: 2023-11-10
Expedition vs. March R3a, both exactly what I wanted Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
2023-11-10 CWops helped me achieve my goal of 30+ wpm. I am now working with a group of like-minded hams five days a week on ZOOM. Our group consists of folks from Europe, North & Central America, and west to Hawaii. The Begali is as smooth as silk, and sends very crisp code. It allows me to get up to 32-34 wpm, so far. Only issue is that over ZOOM the speaker in my iMac picks up audible clicks as I am sending. This does not happen when actually transmitting over the air. So I use the March on ZOOM. Will make some comments about it on the March R3a review.

For the $$ you can't beat this little gem. I am putting together a portable station and it will be the center of attention. Well done Begali!


2022-1-20 Let's be a bit honest up front, every CW op is different in his/her skill set and expertise. I've been playing with CW for over 30 years and have 134 entities confirmed on LOTW. But I don't consider myself a really good op. I can send 20-25 wpm, but only copy coherently in my head at half that speed. That is why I am enrolled in CW Academy right now. Goal is 25/25 minimum. To reach my goal, I wanted some great equipment.

I recently picked up a Begali Expedition off QRZ (thanks Mike). I've used it exclusively with my KX3. This is a great combination. This summer I hope to be putting out SOTA/POTA contacts with it.

I also own a March R3a. The March is plugged into my IC7610. I now have both paddles set up the way I like them. They have a lot of differences but i don't judge one better than the other.
The biggest difference I can note is that the March feels slightly "looser" when sending than the Begali. both are rock solid on the table. Both send beautiful (I think) CW. The Begali is easier to set the point spacing and the paddles just feel perfect in their location. It is going to work just as I want it to when out in the field.
The March is a work of art in comparison with it's brass build and magnificent engraving. I would not want to take it camping. The March feeds my need for all things steampunk. It looks and plays right in the shack. The Begali is a diamond in a lump of coal; not too pretty to look at, but operates so smoothly. Both are making my error rate drop in comparison to the BY-2 I used for over 20 years.
Both of these paddles should keep me happy for a long, long time.
KC0TRK Rating: 2021-07-23
Incredible! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
As I begin the learning curve to learn code again, I looked for a better product to help me. Previous attempts with cheaply made keys have always ended in failure. If one thinks about the act of keying, the instrument(s) used does make a difference! My new Expedition is no exception. One touch will make a difference in one's attitude towards the art. One is investing in their future in the hobby. No wonder many collect keys as functional art! Topping the manufacturing expertise is the care and professionalism of customer service! Well done, Begali's!
VA7MN Rating: 2021-01-29
Top notch! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my second Begali paddle. I also have a Simplex Palladium. I can only reiterate everyone's praises over Begali's legendary customer service. The key is a serious instrument for those more interested in performance than showing off. However, it does look mighty impressive sitting on the desk. This is a high performance instrument and will push you to up your game and skills. The price is a bargain considering the quality of the item. If you want one, just DO IT!
W7ASA Rating: 2020-12-04
Absolutely Superb - Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This Begali Expedition is absolutely superb!

The customer communication from Bruna at Begali is so refreshing: a very gracious lady. My callsign was engraved very tastefully & exactly where I wanted it; even the packing boxes it was shipped in were quality material and contained many small 'extras' along with 'thanks' for buying a Begali. It's so good to have such a family business who care about their customers and who strive to do the very best in everything.

The paddles themselves, as has been mentioned, are build like fine 'instruments', rounded edges, PRECISION fit & finish. The tactile feed back when sending is subtle, yet definite. I've used bugs for decades, preferring them to paddles, but as speeds increase over 30 wpm, in becomes a LOT of work for me to send good code on a bug. With the Begali , no problem at all. I can turn my keyer up to 35 - 40 WPM and and it's nearly effortless sending. The paddles do not move on my operating desk and soon I find myself sending as if this were my 'old favorite' rather than my new Christmas gift.

If you have been considering a Begali: do it! Think of "one-key-for life", then buy top quality ONCE. An investment in top quality means that you'll have a key that will never limit you and last well into the next century. Who knows: maybe my great grandson will be a ham? If so, I hope for my Begali to be his.

73 de Ray / W7ASA ..._ ._

JA7WTH Rating: 2020-06-30
My 4th Begali key Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Begali Expedition had safely arrived at my place just on Schedule. This new key is my 4th Begali key, Simplex, Intrepid, Blade and Expedition. All the keys were sent to me nicely packaged and so meticulously made keys, I really love those.
Bruna e-mailed me when she shipped it out, and it took 6days to deliver to Japan, a bit longer than usual. We are now in the Covid-19 pandemics and I know Brescia is near the epicenter in Italy. When I opened the Begali page, I found the big letters,” Finally we are back !! “ I instantly pushed the Paypal button ! While in Japan, it’s a bit difficult to purchase Begali keys, but Paypal system makes it so easy and Bruna assisted me so kindly every time. Thanks Begali and stay safe.
Hiroshi, JA7WTH
WA3ZKI Rating: 2020-05-19
The Begali Experience Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Already having two Begali keys (Simplex models) I decided order a third, the Expedition. In corresponding with Bruna I was told that because her section of Italy was near the epicenter of COVID-19 virus in that country the business was temporally suspended and she would keep me informed of the time when it would reopen. About two weeks later Bruna e-mailed me that they were again up and running but they were having difficulty with their carrier and this could involve further delays in getting the key to me. Days later Bruna e-mailed me again that the Begali company was going to send it to me using a different, but more expensive carrier. She further indicated that I would not be charged for the difference in shipping as they were eager to provide their customers with the most timely and efficient service. The key arrived safe and sound at my doorstep at precisely the time it was promised.
This is not the first time that I have received such excellent treatment from the Begali family. When I bought my first key I mistakenly discarded the plastic cover for the Simplex and, after informing them of my mistake, I was sent a replacement cover free of charge. I cannot praise highly enough my experience with the Begali family.
Oh, about the Expedition key; having 2 Begali keys I was anticipating great expectations from this as well. Needless to say this key has exceeded my already high expectations and I join others in their plaudits for its exceptional quality and performance.
Alan, WA3ZKI
VE3IQL Rating: 2019-12-13
A beautiful Best of the best Begali Expedition Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After a great back and forth email conversation with Bruna, I ordered the Expedition and it arrived in Ontario 6 days later. Around $20 duty. It's a fantastic key. I had been away from morse code for quite a few years, and when I sat down with this key, it made it really comfortable. A beautiful piece of craftsmanship to say the least. Bruna answered my emails very fast and with lots of patience.
I can understand why Begali get's rave reviews! Thank you Bruna... I would certainly purchase another Begali..
GARICE10601 Rating: 2019-01-21
A Work Of Art! Time Owned: N.A.
Bruna is truly an artist! This Paddle is beautiful and works perfectly out of the box! Had it engraved with my call, making it uniquely mine! Delivery was nothing short of amazing! It arrived in Georgia from Italy in about a week! He must know someone in Customs! Hesitate no more. Begali keys are the best on the globe! Thanks Begali and Thanks Bruna!