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Reviews For: Begali CW Machine

Category: Keyers & CW Keyboards

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Review Summary For : Begali CW Machine
Reviews: 58MSRP: 295
Description:
The CW Machine is a unique software-defined keying device which combines the functions of an advanced iambic memory keyer and a keyboard keyer with the functions normally performed by a logging program. The CW Machine will collect the information for a log record from the signal that you are sending out and store up to 12,000 log records. The firmware in the device can be updated with a few mouse clicks in a Windows program to let you stay up-to-date as enhancements are provided. This update capability also lets you load the optional CW Trainer, a combination of Windows software and firmware that runs on the CW Machine device. It lets you improve your copying skills, no matter what level you are currently at, with a great variety of techniques, and the CW- over-IP function even lets you connect to another CW Trainer over the Internet to practice QSOs off the air.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.i2rtf.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
12584.9
W6NRD Rating: 2012-01-01
Just Awesome Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just had the best CW session of my life! I can’t thank Ulrich and the Begali team enough for building this device! So much of my time prior to receiving the CW Machine was focused on listening to CW. Now that I can practice sending I’m finding myself really enjoying practicing sending. Even better is the fact that the sounds have so much more meaning when I’m sending. It’s as if sending is really filling the gaps of understanding. I am finding rythms and patterns in the sounds as I produce the CW – just the word MINE has such a nice rhythm to in in CW I couldn’t stop sending it just to hear it. Then the combination of G,Z,7 was fun – interesting how by mistake you learn a new letter and then just trying to produce that letter over and over you find all the other letters or numbers that are close variations of it. This is way more fun to learn this way and I would have never done this on the air because I’d have no idea what I was sending! Now with the CW Machine displaying what I’m sending and seeing the output immediately following my timing and spacing – it’s just fantastic feedback. Also, the difference in the spacing of the CW machine compared to listening to CW from IPhone apps is HUGE. The IPhone apps have terrible spacing I’m finding when I compare the differences.

I can't say enough how great this device is! For anyone considering it I'd be sure to look at the updated photo - as the device now fits in your hand and is WAY smaller than the photo on the web site and in the manual. It's tiny.

73,
Jason
K2KGF Rating: 2011-07-14
It's more than a CW Machine, it's an adventure!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm an old timer who hasn't been on CW in 30 years. I read the reviews and got the Begali machine about a month ago. I added the Trainer software, sent by e-mail, at Ulrich's suggestion.

The device has been described by others in great detail and there's not much I can add -- except to offer some very subjective observations.

The reports of the legendary patience and knowledge of its designer, Ulrich Steinberg,
have not been overstated. The man is wired as one would expect of a 21st century computnik.
He answers e-mail often within minutes and will gladly do landline consults.

Shortly after Ulrich took me thru the Trainer setup [I needed handholding for this] the software got corrrupted and it would no longer communicate with the PC. It was probably something I did -- nevertheless, Ulrich worked with me tirelessly until we decided that the best course was to return the unit for repair. It was repaired and returned within the week and has been working flawlessly since.

I said that this is an adventure. The capablilties of the machine will undoubtly exceed my needs. Meanwhile, I'm using the Trainer program a few minutes each day to relearn CW. The Trainer is so powerful and varied that you could play with it as an end in itself.

I recommend the purchase to anyone who has a desire to work [or learn] CW. This is the last CW keyer system you will ever need.
WM6Q Rating: 2011-04-03
Superb Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got mine a week ago with the CWTrainer option so I can brush up. Had a few small problems, but Ulrich was very prompt in responding to me and resolving the problem. This is one great machine
PA7RA Rating: 2011-03-31
Great !! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have CWMachine now about 4 months and it really works perfectly.
This way you can also view and improve your Morse.
The CWtrainer works very well although I must say that I've practiced with little CWTrainer.
The support of Ulrich is really magnificent and he has a lot of patience and he will support you until the station CWMachine works as it should.
I have not regretted the purchase of the CW Machine
even though he is perhaps a little expensive but well worth it.
if you really want to improve your Morse CWMachine really is a must.
And the service of Ulrich and Begali is just perfect, no complaints there is immediate action
and the Email will be very quickly answered that it is a big advantage.
N7HF Rating: 2011-02-24
STILL GREAT SERVICE Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I first posted back in October when my CW Machine arrived and I had trouble getting up and running. A computer crash put me back in the same boat and within hours of my email I had all the info I needed to get back on line.

The best thing I can say about the machine is that it works as good as the service!!

Still won't make coffee...Ulrich is probably working on that as I write this. CW Machine, Keys, Service....Begali is the best.
W3BI Rating: 2011-01-24
Great Keyer! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Being the owner of 6 fantastic Begali keys and looking for a new keyer, I was drawn to the mention of a Begali keyer on their web site. I have been using it now for over a year and have been keeping up with the frequent firmware updates. All is working very well. Then after using it for awhile I discovered a couple of refinements that I would like to have. I contacted Ulrich by email and even though he was on travel to Europe he worked with me. When he returned home, and within a day, the changes to the software/firmware were completed and were tested to be perfect. How can you ask for any more than that?! Now the CWMachine is upgraded from Great to Perfect for this operator.
N2SO Rating: 2010-12-31
A fully loaded CW Keyer as well as CW teaching machine. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I initially heard about the CWM in an article entitled "The Single Life: A Simpler Way of Keying" by Bruce Prior, N7RR in WorldRadio On Line, November 2010, P.8. I have been trying to upgrade my CW skills since my re-entry into the hobby in January of 2009 after a 25 year hiatus. Although I can receive about 18-20 WPM I find it very difficult to send and so I am interested in keys and keyers. Then I read Bruce's excellent full review in QST, January 2011, P.51. So I checked out Begali's web site (above) and decided to take the plunge. First of all the CWM is shipped the same day you order not from Italy but by Ulrich Steinberg, N2DE in Pleasantville, NY who is the builder and designer of CWM and author of the software. Ulrich followed up by e-mail and helped me through some initial difficulty with COM port communication. Simply great service! MY CWM is now operational and I have started with my receiving and sending lessons. Yes, you can practice sending by viewing your keying on your computer and getting instant feedback. And if you just want to practice receiving while on vacation, you don't even need a computer since once the lessons are loaded into the CWM you can simply take it with you with a set of ear phones. Of course the CWM is much more than a teaching machine since it also functions as a highly sophisticated keyer and logger as well. I presently use the Winkeyer USB with my K3 for casual QSOs and Contesting but I believe the CWM will considerably expand my CW horizon. But those topics will await a further review. See you on the air!
NW0Q Rating: 2010-09-13
Great Product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Outstanding service, great product. Looking forward to trying out all the features.
KD7RJ Rating: 2010-09-01
WOW! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I got my first CW machine at Dayton 09 by just happening to walk by the Begali booth where I met Ulrich. I am so glad I did. This is an update to the review I did about a year ago. I am sure you all have heard of buyers remorse. In my case it was a case of reverse buyers remorse. I went back to Dayton in 2010 where I purchased my second CW machine. I got all the new remote software where I can run two keyers; one at my station and another where I remotely control the other one and key my station over the internet. Coupled with rig control software it enables me to operate my station and send/receive CW from anywhere. Features like these Ulrich adds periodically to the CW machine keep it at the forefront of modern technology.

Read all the reviews of this product and you will discover it is an amazing device and if you love CW, you must have one. In my case its more like I must have two.

I said this before and its still true, If you want to get the best linear amp, you get an Alpha; if you want to get a great key, you get a Begali and if you want the BEST KEYER ON THE PLANET, you get the CW Machine.

In closing and addressing customer support, Ulrich is not only a great programmer and designer, he is also a great ham, a fantastic person for on-going customer support. Its a pleasure to continue learning things from Ulrich, my CW mentor! As the saying goes, Ask the person that owns one, in this case TWO and I will tell you Buy at least one, you will not be disappointed.
KC4RN Rating: 2010-08-26
Excellent Keyer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had the CW Machine for a little over a year now and I must agree with the previous posts. This is an amazing keyer.

When I first sat down with the keyer, I thought 'Oh my, this thing has so many features, it will take a week to figure out!' Not so. After reading the documentation, I was using the keyer within minutes. The keyer is well documented and has examples to aid in setting up the keyer and keyer messages to use with the numeric keypad (the keypad is included with the CW Machine). You can even plug in a full size PS/2 keyboard and use the keyer as a CW keyboard.

When I sit out on the deck working portable it is neat to use the logging feature of the keyer. No pencil or paper needed. The CW Trainer mode of the keyer is helping build my code speed up to 30/35 wpm for contesting and it is fun to use.

I don't know how Ulrich put all the features into the CW Machine, but he certainly did a great job. His support is first class. E-mails are answered very quickly.

My Begali Sculpture key and the CW Machine are perfect together. Excellent, Ulrich!".

73, Gerald - KC4RN