Begali HST Single Lever Key

The Begali HST Single Lever Key was inspired by a design that several of the top competitors at the High Speed Telegraphy competition in Pordenone (HST 2008) were using. Their keys were home made from simple materials, but they were capable of remarkably high speeds in the right hands. So, Begali could not resist trying to improve upon that basic design - the result was the original HST key. Over the years the HST has evolved from the Mark II to the Begali HST Mark III Single Lever Key, with two major changes: 1. The switch that lets you choose between single lever mode or sideswiper (Cootie) mode has been moved, from the back of the base on the HST II, to the left side of the Mark HST III.

2. A 3.5mm TRS socket has been added to the back of the base so the Mark III can be quickly plugged into the transceiver, instead of having to solder a cable. A 3.5mm male patch cable is included.

The Begali HST Mark III Single Lever Key uses a unique heavy cast iron base which makes sure that it will not move. The black base of this key is made by melting and casting phosphatized iron. As a result, no two bases will be identical, even though the overall shape and dimensions are ensured by the mold. A rough, uneven surface with individual patterns is characteristic of this process.

The HST Mark III’s aluminum alloy single lever is held by two precision racing bearings at the back. The oversized finger piece is perforated to prevent your fingers from slipping. The contact spacing and the tension can be adjusted with fine pitch gold plated screws. The return force is created by magnets and an ingenious cam mechanism, which ensures consistency over a wide range of forces and a clearly defined center position.

The end result is an elegant key with a low profile and state of the art materials that can be used at championship speeds. Even if you are not at that level, you can proudly display the Begali HST Mark III Single Lever Key on your desk, and use it at speeds suitable for us mere mortals.