Sun 28 Apr FISTS Ladder
Mon 29 Apr-Fri 03 May EuCW QRS Week
Sat 04 May-Mon 06 May FISTS Top Gun
Sat 11 May FISTS Spring Sprint
Sun 12 May RSGB 4m CW Contest
Sun 12 May FISTS Ladder
Sun 19 May FISTS Spring Sprint
Sun 26 May FISTS Ladder
Sat 01 Jun-Sun 30 Jun FISTS European Tour
Sun 09 Jun FISTS Ladder
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Welcome to FISTS CW Club

FISTS supports the use, preservation and education of Morse code.  The club is devoted exclusively to CW operators, CW operating and people who are passionate about Morse code.


NYE 320-001 Straight Key from Dennis K6DF's collection.  Click to go to a larger picture We have three straightforward goals:
  • Further the use of CW (Morse Code)
  • Engender friendships among members
  • Encourage newcomers to use CW (Morse Code)

FISTS CW Club in Europe is the founding chapter of the club.
Bencher BY-1 Paddle from Dennis K6DF's collection.  Click to go to a larger picture
Interested in becoming a member?

Find out more about our history.

Latest News:

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  • 17 Apr 24: FISTS will be attending the NARSA Rally at the Norbreck Exhibition Centre, Blackpool, UK on Sunday 21st April.  We're on stand 59.

    This is a lively event with a wide range of club and trade stands - well worth a visit.  The entrance fee is £8.  The doors open at 10:30 BST and maps etc. are available on the NARSA website.

    IMPORTANT: For free parking in the venue's car park, write your car registration on the flip chart at the NARSA stand 57.
  • 13 Apr 24: Please join us in these FISTS CW Club on-air activities: Ladder
    • FISTS Ladder Sunday 14 April 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:
      Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members. 
      • Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
      • One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
      • Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
      • Logs to be received no later than 07 May.
    Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
  • 09 Apr 24: The FISTS CW Club April 2024 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available in the Members' Area.

    BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
     
  • 01 Apr 24: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of March 2024. 
    • Win Copy of Roger So Far (FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 April.  If you are current FISTS member and had any CW QSOs in March, you are eligible!  If using FISTS Log Converter, just mark each of your QSOs in your best 100 minute period with WRSF in your logbook's '"Comment" / "Notes" field.
    • Ladder (March, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 April.
    • Snakes & Ladders (March, EuCW) no later than 07 April.
    • Top9 (March, ICWC) no later than 09 April.

    Notes:
    • Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do support the activities by sending in logs.
    • For the Ladder, please include in your log ALL your Ladder QSOs from the (up to) 4 sessions in the month.  If you need to make changes, send in another log and it will replace the previous log you sent in.
  • 23 Mar 24: If you haven't already decided on your 100 minutes' of QSOs for Win Copy of Roger So Far, Sunday's Ladder sessions are a good opportunity, so please join us in these FISTS CW Club on-air activities: Ladder and Win Copy of Roger So Far. 
    • FISTS Ladder Sunday 24 March 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:
      Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members. 
      • Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
      • One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
      • Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
      • Logs to be received no later than 07 April.
    • Win Copy of Roger So Far  100 minute period during Friday 01 March - Sunday 31 March 2024 UTC:
      An opportunity for members to win a copy of the book "Roger So Far - The first 100 years of the Royal Corps of Signals".
      • Highest number of CW QSOs in a 100 minute period wins.
      • No minimum exchange.
      • Any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
      • FISTS Log Converter users MUST add WRSF to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field.
      • Logs to be received no later than 07 April.
    Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
  • 17 Mar 24: The FISTS CW Club March 2024 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available in the Members' Area.

    BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
     
  • 11 Mar 24: Please send in your logs, comments and photos for Straight Eight 2024 no later than 15 March 2024.  The results will be published in the upcoming March 2024 BrassPounder newsletter.

     
  • 09 Mar 24: Please join us in these FISTS CW Club on-air activities: Ladder and Win Copy of Roger So Far. 
    • FISTS Ladder Sunday 10 March 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:
      Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members. 
      • Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
      • One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
      • Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
      • Logs to be received no later than 07 April.
    • Win Copy of Roger So Far  100 minute period during Friday 01 March - Sunday 31 March 2024 UTC:
      An opportunity for members to win a copy of the book "Roger So Far - The first 100 years of the Royal Corps of Signals".
      • Highest number of CW QSOs in a 100 minute period wins.
      • No minimum exchange.
      • Any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
      • FISTS Log Converter users MUST add WRSF to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field.
      • Logs to be received no later than 07 April.
    Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
  • 01 Mar 24: Please join us in these newly-started FISTS CW Club on-air activities: Straight Eight 2024 and Win Copy of Roger So Far. 
    • Straight Eight 2024  Friday 01 March - Friday 08 March 2024 UTC:
      Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members. 
      • If you are sending in a log, you must use straight keys or sideswipers (no bug keys, keyers, keyboards etc.)
      • Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
      • QSOs at any time but operating around these UTC times is recommended: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800 & 2100. 
      • Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
      • FISTS Log Converter users MUST add SK8 to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field.
      • Logs to be received no later than 07 April.
    • Win Copy of Roger So Far  100 minute period during Friday 01 March - Sunday 31 March 2024 UTC:
      An opportunity for members to win a copy of the book "Roger So Far - The first 100 years of the Royal Corps of Signals".
      • Highest number of CW QSOs in a 100 minute period wins.
      • No minimum exchange.
      • Any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
      • FISTS Log Converter users MUST add WRSF to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field.
      • Logs to be received no later than 07 April.
    Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
  • 01 Mar 24: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of February 2024. 
    • Ladder (February, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 March.
    • Snakes & Ladders (February, EuCW) no later than 07 March.
    • Top9 (February, ICWC) no later than 09 March.
    • 60m Activation (FISTS CW Club).  No logs needed BUT please email a report of your activity (e.g. condx, countries worked, number of QSOs, keys used, power, equipment ...) no later than 07 March.

    Notes:
    • Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do support the activities by sending in logs.
    • For the Ladder, please include in your log ALL your Ladder QSOs from the (up to) 4 sessions in the month.  If you need to make changes, send in another log and it will replace the previous log you sent in.
  • 23 Feb 24: Please join us in these FISTS CW Club on-air activities: Ladder and 60m Activation. 
    • FISTS Ladder Sunday 25 February 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:
      Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members. 
      • Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
      • One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
      • Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
      • Logs to be received no later than 07 March.
    • FISTS 60m Activation Monday 12 - Monday 26 February (inclusive) 24x7 local time:
      A social gathering just for fun – no scores, no result tables, no logs, no minimum exchange – just CW QSOs with anyone on 60m. 
      • UK holders of a Full licence only: The RSGB Band Plan 60m primary CW segment is
        5258.5 kHz - 5264.0 kHz and includes a QRP Centre of Activity (CoA) of 5262.0 kHz.
      • Outside UK: There is an IARU Region 1 (Europe) Band Plan that includes a 60m CW and narrow band segment.  Please refer to your national guidelines.
      • Any time but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at the following local times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100.
    Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
  • 09 Feb 24: The March 2024 Key Note is now available to all current FISTS CW Club members as PDF and audio (.mp3) files.

    Please visit the Members' Area to get your copy:
    https://fists.co.uk/members


    Items in this issue include:
    • CW character recognition - VE2KM.
    • Codes and Cyphers - GW0WEE.
    • Fern Blodgett-Sunde - N1EA.
    • It seemed easy, but.. - G3VBS.

    ... and more besides!





    Note: If you don't know your password:
  • 09 Feb 24: The FISTS CW Club February 2024 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available.  This edition includes details of the club "Rooster" project.

    BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
     
  • 09 Feb 24: Please join us in these FISTS CW Club on-air activities: Winter Sprints, Ladder and 60m Activation. 
    • FISTS Winter Sprints Saturday 10 February 00:00-23:59 UTC + Sunday 18 February 00:00-23:59 UTC.
      Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members. 
      • Exchange a minimum of RST, member number (if available), US State -or- Canadian Province -or- DXCC number (for non US/Canadian stations).
      • One QSO per station on one of 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, & 10m.
      • Logs to be received no later than 7 days after the Sprint.
    • FISTS Ladder Sunday 11 February 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:
      Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members. 
      • Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
      • One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
      • Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
      • Logs to be received no later than 07 February.
    • FISTS 60m Activation Monday 12 - Monday 26 February (inclusive) 24x7 local time:
      A social gathering just for fun – no scores, no result tables, no logs, no minimum exchange – just CW QSOs with anyone on 60m. 
      • UK holders of a Full licence only: The RSGB Band Plan 60m primary CW segment is
        5258.5 kHz - 5264.0 kHz and includes a QRP Centre of Activity (CoA) of 5262.0 kHz.
      • Outside UK: There is an IARU Region 1 (Europe) Band Plan that includes a 60m CW and narrow band segment.  Please refer to your national guidelines.
      • Any time but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at the following local times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100.
    Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
  • 01 Feb 24: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of January 2024. 
    • Ladder (January) (FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 February.
    • Snakes & Ladders (January) (EuCW) no later than 07 February.
    • Top9 (January) (ICWC) no later than 09 February.

    Notes:
    * Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do support the activities by sending in logs.
    * For the Ladder, please include in your log ALL your Ladder QSOs from the (up to) 4 sessions in the month.  If you need to make changes, send in another log and it will replace the previous log you sent in.
  • 27 Jan 24: The new version, 4.5.0, of the FISTS Log Converter program for Windows adds support for the FISTS Straight Eight 2024 and Win Copy of Roger So Far 2024 on-air activities.

    The new version is available from the download web page.  Many thanks to the testers.
  • 27 Jan 24: Please join us in this FISTS CW Club on-air activity: Ladder:
    • FISTS Ladder Sunday 28 January 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC:
      Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members. 
      • Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
      • One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
      • Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
      • Logs to be received no later than 07 February.
    Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
  • 15 Jan 24: The FISTS CW Club January 2024 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available.

    BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
     
  • 12 Jan 24: Please join us in this FISTS CW Club on-air activity: Ladder:
    • FISTS Ladder Sunday 14 January 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC:
      Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members. 
      • Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
      • One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
      • Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
      • Logs to be received no later than 07 January.
    Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
  • 01 Jan 24: Happy New Year!!  Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of December 2023. 
    Notes:
    * Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do support the activities by sending in logs.
    * For the Ladder, please include in your log ALL your Ladder QSOs from the (up to) 4 sessions in the month.  If you need to make changes, send in another log and it will replace the previous log you sent in.

Please visit the News page for a full list of recent and older news items.

Interested in becoming a member?

FISTS HQ welcomes new members who have a passion for Morse Code.

1990 Vibroplex from Dennis K6DF's collection. Click to go to a larger picture Benefits of membership include:
  • Our popular Quarterly A5 News Booklet
  • Free use of the FISTS QSL Bureau
  • Access to our members-only area
  • Help and support from like minded people
The FISTS Club is one of amateur radio's fastest growing organisations.  It's a unique club, founded and maintained on solid principles using radio's oldest and yet most reliable communications mode - CW!  Why not join us?

FISTS History

The FISTS Club, (International Morse Preservation Society) was founded in 1987 by the late George "Geo" Longden G3ZQS of Darwen, Lancashire England, after recognising a need for a club in which veteran operators would help newcomers and less-experienced operators learn and improve CW proficiency.  During the first year, membership reached 300, most of whom were in Great Britain and Europe.  The original Introduction to FISTS by Geo holds as true today as it did when he wrote it.  Geo also explains how he chose the name FISTS.

Sideswiper ('cootie') Key Number 9 made by Bill NT9K (SK).  Click for a large picture.

The North American Chapter (now known as FISTS Americas) was formed in 1990 to assist 11 members in the USA receive the newsletter and as a banking convenience.  Nancy Kott WZ8C of Hadley, Michigan was named US representative, a position she held until sadly she became a Silent Key in 2014.

The FISTS Down Under Chapter representing New Zealand and Australia, was formed in 1998 by Ralph Sutton ZL2AOH to provide a similar service to Australasian members.  From a ZL / VK membership of four including a JA and an FO, the FISTS Down Under Chapter has grown in strength to currently 118; 31 New Zealand members and 87 Australian members.

The East Asia Chapter was formed in 2004 by a few Taiwanese and Japanese members to provide East Asian members with various services in their native languages.

Why not join us?


Acknowledgements: Thank you to Dennis K6DF, Bill NT9K (SK) and Billy AB4RH for permission to use photographs from their key collections.

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