Hello guys,

The subject of Scott's post made me think of CW in general, and keys/paddles
more specifically.  I had been mostly a phone operator for quite a few
years.  When I was licensed as a Novice back in 1962, I of course had to use
CW, and I continued using it for some time after getting my General,
Advanced, and ultimately my Extra.  But somewhere along the line I sort of
gave up CW, probably out of pure laziness.  However, in the past 5 years or
so, I decided that it was time to have some fun on CW.  I never had any
trouble copying code, up to about 35 WPM or so, but my fist was sure rusty.
This was partly due to a serious medical problem, and the meds necessary to
ease the pain.  In 2008 I was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and as a
direct result, I have been on powerful narcotics to deal with the pain.  The
side effects of taking drugs like that impacted on my fist, even though I
knew what dots and dashes needed to be sent, my fist would simply not
respond quickly enough.  In any event, I decided that I needed a better
iambic paddle, and after some research, I ended up buying a terrific
magnetic paddle from Begali.  For those that aren't familiar with Begali, it
is an Italion company that used to make precision parts for exotic sports
cars.  Well, the owner decided to retire, but he didn't want to close up
shop, and lay his valued employees off.  Being an avid CW operator himself,
the owner decided that he would manufacture the best keys and paddles
available in the world, and so he has.  Begali paddles are precision made on
computer controlled machines, and are made out of the finest alloys, such as
Titanium, aircraft grade Aluminum, and carbon fiber.  The paddles are
naturally expensive, but boy what a feel they provide.  There are a dozen or
more different models, all which are made of different alloys, and all of
different shapes and weights.  I first bought a model named the Magnetic
Classic, which uses magnets rather than springs.  Spring tensions change
with temperature, and also over time.  Magnets are not subject to varying
temperatures, and there is no mechanical vibration or  binding to deal with.
With a key that uses springs, they need to be readjusted from time to time.
I also remember having to readjust the distance that the arms have to travel
before contact is made.  With magnets, there is none of that.  The magnetic
Classic is a beautiful piece with gold plating, and is at the lower end of
the Begali price spectrum.  I don't mean to say that it is cheap, just that
it costs less than most of the paddles they make.  If I recall correctly,
the key cost me about $275 at Dayton a couple years ago.  Liking the
Magnetic Classic so well, I decided  to order a real beauty called the
Stradivarius.  This model not only uses magnets instead of springs, but it
has no pins and ball bearings as most keys employ.  Instead of pins and
bearings, this one uses torsion blades.  There is absolutely no friction as
there is with the normal pivot arrangement when ball bearings are employed.
Now, I don't want to suggest that there is a lot of friction when precision
bearings and pins are used, but with tortion blades, there is absolutely no
friction at all.  The combination of magnets and torsion blades result in a
mechanism which is almost impossible to believe.  The Stradivarius cost
about $450, but it was worth every penny of it.  Instead of gold plating
that is on my first paddle, this one is plated with Titanium Nitrate which
is black, giving the unit an industrial look.

Will all of this make me a better CW operator, I don't know, but it sure
feels great to use, and everyone that visits my shack can't help noticing
the paddles, even those who know nothing about CW or ham radio.

Best 73, KD7GC


Alan R. Downing
Phoenix, AZ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Scott Howell
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 1:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Vibroplex bug for sale

Hi all,

I have a Vibroplex bug, number 201849, for sale. The bug was purchased =
directly from Vibroplex a couple of years ago and is in very good shape =
for its age. There is a bit of wear on the corners which was present =
when I purchased it. I also will include an extension that slows the =
bug's speed down to somewhere around 10 wpm or a little slower. I'm =
selling it because I have another bug here someone gave me about 15 =
years ago that was a gift. I really don't use the bug very much and =
would like to find it a good home. I'm asking $100 shipped/insured or =
make a reasonable offer.
Please contact me directly at [log in to unmask] to avoid cluttering =
the list.

73
Scott/N3BYY