Begali Traveler's Light Morse Key Review.

[@redman840]

I have the exact same set of paddles.Smooth,light touch,precise,and easy to operate.I use them portable,and at the home station,too.

[@haramanggapuja]

I have essential tremor. Been going on for decades now. Decade some ago I met Piero Begali and ended up trying one of his keys. First the Simplex, which I found I could use to the point of getting back on the air with CW again. It brought the fun back to me. (I was a US Navy radioman, so CW was a big deal with me.) Then I tried a Pearl. Good grief! What a beautiful key. Then, one year I managed to get a Traveler. Yes, light is true. Very light. To the point of my having to strap it to my leg or the table to use it. But now, now I can go portable, Parks on the Air &c again. Every year since I have worked with Piero at the Begali booth at the Dayton Hamvention. Well, until the plague. We haven't had a Hamvention in two years. We can hope this year that we can get together again. If you ever get a chance to go to visit Italy and get to Cellatica outside Brescia, be sure to visit with Piero. He & his family and crew are amazing people. Heck, you might even meet me there, trying to put tiny screws in tiny holes with my shaky hands ;-)

[@RadioPrepper]

Great Nils, well, tell him I really like his key!

[@George-bb9yi]

Awesome key!

[@walteredwards544]

I've been looking at this key (I have yet to learn Morse Code) by I will learn eventually. If you buy something expensive and it lasts a lifetime, I'd say it's worth every penny.

[@qrptedmac]

I just placed my order for that key.

[@RadioPrepper]

You won't regret it. Tell them I sent you ;-)

[@k2wo1]

Nice video Gil. I agree with all of your comments on the Begali Traveler Light. Like all Begali's it's more than a key, it's a work of art. I own a Traveler Light (SN: 1201 vs your 1289) and absolutely love it. I wish I had purchased the aluminum finger pieces like you have. May yet do that. 73 and keep up the great job on your Channel. George K2WO

[@RadioPrepper]

Awesome thanks!

[@DrHWO]

I have 2 of the more budget friendly Begali desktop keys, despite which, the build quality is absolutely astonishing, so clearly quality oozes throughout the range! For me the ultimate portable key is the Ultra Porta Paddle (Doug at American Morse Equipment). It has neodymium magnet returns and has a solid but beautiful feel to it, despite weighing 65g (2.3oz).

[@RadioPrepper]

I used to own a porta-paddle, regular model, good key!

[@andreVE4BK]

You get what you pay for… I met Pietro and his lovely daughter some years ago at a Hamvention here in the U.K. I have a Begali and never regretted buying it. The traveler light may be my next addition. 73 and stay safe!

[@RadioPrepper]

You won't regret that one either ;-)

[@jayj4142]

4:00 Likely powder-coated. I want one, btw. :)

[@v31ry]

I have one these paddles, I use it when activating parks for WWFF / POTA from my car. I am not operating mobile, I use a fixed antenna (32 ft mast behind the car) and wire antennas, the point of the paddle is the leg strap which anchors the paddle and permits fast CW operating.

[@RadioPrepper]

Great, I'll have to use that strap...

[@raybans4980]

Begali really does radiate fine workmanship. My 'Expedition' by Begali was a retirement gift and engraved with my callsign : I might be buried with it. Hopefully they'll wait until I'm actually dead, but you don't know, with my family ;-)

[@RadioPrepper]

LOL.

[@R2AUK]

Thanks for the review, Gil. But - c'mon - don't be that categorical. Don't forget, when it comes to CW keys, it's all subjective. To me personally if the key wights less than 1 kg it's way too lightweight! I like HEAVY keys so that under NO circumstances it will move :) This being said Begali makes great keys indeed, the Traveler Light is just not the right one for me. These keys are far from optimum in terms of price-quality ratio, but it's not that bad if you consider a CW key to be a long-term investment.

[@RadioPrepper]

Right, it all depends of the way you want to use it...

[@Bob814u]

I love mine. I replaced the plastic with aluminum finger pads. It is a quality key.

[@RadioPrepper]

Yep, I got the aluminum pieces..

[@darrinpearce9780]

I have a Begali Spark straight key and I'm not worthy of it, at least yet ;) Thanks for the review. 73's

[@kq6up]

I have a Kent and a Begali, and I actually prefer the Kent slightly, but the Begali is waaay sexier. However, it my opinion may change as time goes on.

[@ericmartin372]

J'ai la meme en noire. Elle est superbe! Elle est parfaite ! C' est un prêt ou tu en as acheté une? Il faut que Xavier s'en achete une et pratique la cw avec son MCHF...

[@RadioPrepper]

Oui, c'est un don..

[@AdamosDad]

🖐🏼🎙73's kd9oam

[@Ira06002]

Great question on whether you want to buy a $400 key. Well I’m typically frugal (aka cheap) but I did break down and bought a Begali 60th Anniversary Sculpture and I never regretted it. Smooth sending with confidence and precision. Worth ever penny. Thank you Team Begali. 73 ~ Steve (K1KTF)

[@RadioPrepper]

We go around only once...

[@NamasenITN]

Palm Radio closed down forever, sadly.

[@RadioPrepper]

Indeed..

[@Henk660R]

One remark: at the last Ham Radio fair in Friedrichshafen (2019) some stock of new Palm Radio morse keys were sold. Their booth was located near or even shared with QRP-labs if I remember correctly . Let's see if they show up there in 2022 :-).

[@RadioPrepper]

No doubt someone will or is copying the design...

[@Henk660R]

@@RadioPrepper Well, I bought a Pico-pedal. It came with the original case and leaflet. Overall good workmanship for the price. Begali is a another level for sure. I doubt that anyone will put such effort (e.g. copying injections molds with original PALM logo) in a knock-off. The market is way too small. You need to be an enthusiast to design/produce such things anyway.

[@RadioPrepper]

Right, One is see 3D printed knock-offs though..