Begali "Blade" v Begali "Signature"

[W0GW]

Hi Folks,
This is my first entry on this Forum.  I'm getting back into "Hamming" after a 10-year hiatus.  I am starting from scratch with everything equipment-wise and have convinced myself that I want to focus on CW for communication.  I had great experiences when I was a Novice back in 1964 when I was 14 with great Elmers.  For whatever reason, I left CW and was a "phone operator".  As you can see, I am having a dilemma in what type of key I should acquire since I only want to use one key.  I would really appreciate you who are experts in CW giving me your thoughts on which one I should acquire.  By the way, I have never used or touched a "paddle" before.  I am an average CW op inching my way back up to 20 wpm.  I don't really know if I want to go any faster or I would have to use my keyboard to keep up with the code. I know this is a straight key group I am asking you all as I am leaning towards that key.  I guess honestly that I am considering the paddle as I want to exploit the most from my radio's features. Thanks for your input and this Forum.  Oh, the Begali purchase is my way of staying off the phone bands!

 

[G3UCQ]

Before starting with a paddle kit of any make I suggest you start with a straight key to get your rhythym and timing right. I.E don't run before you can walk.  Have fun though.

 

[G4HAA]

I know this is a straight key group I am asking you all as I am leaning towards that key.

Hey Gary.
First off, straight keys, paddle keys, keyboard senders, it's all the same to us on here! The important thing is Morse Code! bd

I don't own a Begali Blade, but I do have a Begali Spark straight key, and also a Begali Signature. I have the feeling that ANY Begali key would be top quality! I also acquired one of Begali's bug keys a short while ago, again, all I can say is superb quality and a joy to use.

Looking at your comments about the 'final' speed you are aiming for (20wpm), I would think that if you just had the occasional rubber stamp type QSO then a straight key would be fine. But if you intend to do LOTS of working, with multiple QSO's per session on air, then I would suspect that a straight key might prove to be hard work if used at your top speed for a long period of time. Electronic keyers really do make life a lot easier for rag chewing, pile-up working and so on.

20wpm is kind of a no-man's land, a little slower I would say straight key without hesitation, any faster (say 25wpm or more) and I would have said use a paddle.

I have a feeling that if you really get back in to CW then your 20wpm limit will soon be forgotten about and you will naturally progress to higher speeds as you get more familiar with the mode again. So as such that would tend to make the argument go in favour of a paddle key.

I tinker with, and collect, all kinds of keys here, and over the years I've found that all the various types of keys have good and bad points. I can't think of one single key that I could say would fit every bill.

As I said at the beginning of this post, Begali do make very good quality keys (I have around 300+ keys here to compare the brand against), and if nothing else if you did decide to resell a key by Begali at least you know it will hold its value on the second hand market.

73, Mark...

 

[W0GW]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the kind responses and education.  I have decided that I don't need a paddle to start off with but need to go slow and get my "fist" developed properly.  I have decided to go with the Begali "Spark" straight key in that it sits low on the desk and can be used for "American" sending where the arm is on the table.  I couldn't see me using the key for any period of time with my arm elevated off the desk.  I am going to eventually (I think) move to a Begali Iambic keyer probably the "Signature".  I am excited about getting the key and getting some actual practice in.  I have a "download" of a morse program called "Morse Mania".  It costs less than $20 and you can listen to code in just about any way you want to.  I'm practicing using the Farnsworth method with code sent at 20 wpm but with intervals where I am about at 13 wpm.  I am pretty proud of myself that I remember so much code lost for the last 10 years.  Anyways,  I am glad HAM radio is blossoming and is really taking off again.  I sincerely believe code kept a lot of people out of Amateur Radio IMHO but am ecstatic how many new hams have joined in to learn CW.  I plan on working the Novice band and trying to get those new hams up and going on their code and contacts.  It will also help me to develop my fist and sending style so that anyone listening can and will want to communicate with me.  I wanted to say since I'm starting over again I plan to get a good radio that will work 160 thru 6 meters.  Thinking seriously about the IC7300 and the Alpha HOA Buster as I don't want to put up any large antenna setup.  This antenna sounds as if it will get me out even though it uses your gutters as the antenna.  If any Company other than Alpha offered this antenna I would have not considered purchasing it.  I know they are a good Company and do a lot of military contracting.  I wanted also to say since I'm getting a straight key I went ahead and renewed my membership with the Straight Key Century Club.  I found I had joined them in 2013 so maybe it's been less than 10 years away from the hobby. Anyways wanted to thank you both again for the kind input about my re-emergence into the hobby. 73 Gary

 

[Kd5txx]

Sounds good.  I dont own any boutique keys.  I started with a J38.  I now mostly use paddles.  If I'm on a paddle and need to switch it to hand key mode to work SKCC that's easy enough.  Congrats on getting back into CW and radio.  I love CW and that's what I operate 99% of the time.  Also look at POTA.  It's an easy contact that can help your sending and receiving.  And its addictive.