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.
- 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.

Interested in becoming a member?
Find out more about our history.
Latest News:
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22 Apr 18: The FISTS CW Club Europe
BrassPounder April 2018 newsletter
has just been published by David G4YVM, Activities Manager.
BrassPounder provides the results and comments for FISTS CW Club on-air Activities in Europe/UK.
This edition includes details of the March 2018 Ladder results.
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22 Apr 18: The 2018
EuCW QRS Week
activity is Monday 23 April to Friday 27 April inclusive.
Maximum speed is 14 wpm.
Call 'CQ' or 'CQ QRS'.
See the full details on the EuCW website.
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21 Apr 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
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Ladder
Sunday 22 April 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz. Exchange a minimum of:
Name, QTH, RST, & member number (if applicable).
QSOs are friendly and conversational. Submitting logs is very much appreciated but not essential. Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with FISTS members.
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Ladder
Sunday 22 April 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
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07 Apr 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
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Ladder
Sunday 08 April 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz. Exchange a minimum of:
Name, QTH, RST, & member number (if applicable).
QSOs are friendly and conversational. Submitting logs is very much appreciated but not essential. Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with FISTS members.
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Ladder
Sunday 08 April 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
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04 Apr 18: We're very pleased to welcome our latest
FISTS CW Club members:
Name Call No. Name Call No. Name Call No. Diarmuid VK1FDHA #15224 David M6KSF #18586 Wayne KK6ZPL #18604 Chang BX2AK #15262 Steve M6KLR #18587 Joe KU5M #18605 Lee BX2AB #15263 Mark M0MRX #18588 Al KC1IVZ #18606 Bo W4GHV #18541 Glyn G7UQN #18589 James AD0YO #18607 Ian W9IAN #18542 Julian M0JCE #18590 Alex KK6ZLY #18608 Lee KV5M #18543 Tony G6MEW #18591 Jonathan KC4DEJ #18609 Robert K4BKC #18544 Phil G8HTW #18592 Joseph VE9OCR #18610 Craig KD2NSP #18545 Matt M6XHX #18593 Manuel KC6ZSY #18611 John W4ZZY #18546 Mark M0LTG #18594 Clarence K0JZ #18612 Hector W1DEA #18547 Petr OK1LIX #18595 Thomas NS3U #18613 Ed KB7S #18548 Slade M6SQB #18596 Howard AE0Z #18614 John WA1QDX #18549 John GSWL48 #18597 Ben K2CPU #18615 Pekka OH7GYN #18580 Andreas DJ3EI #18598 Ralph N4RLI #18616 John G4SJY #18581 Joe IK2WAD #18599 John GW4LPB #18700 Andrew 9H4BA #18582 Los Alamos Arc W5PDO #18600 Grahame M0OSB #18701 Andy DF1BV #18583 Maynard KC1IXM #18601 Gavin G8XJR #18702 Nigel G8NYZ #18584 Michael K9MB #18602 Colin G4RTJ #18703 Matt 2E0LJZ #18585 Stephen KC3ANQ #18603 -
02 Apr 18: Please join us in congratulating the recent
FISTS CW Club Awards
winners:
Name Callsign Member Awards Dave G0DEB #380 1 X QRP Richard G0ILN #398 Millionaire 5 Million Endorsement Michael W3QT #13724 Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement Steve VK7CW #14164 Millionaire 7 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 8 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 9 Million Endorsement, Spectrum 40m Endorsement Jean F6JOE #16177 Spectrum 20m Endorsement
For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page. -
02 Apr 18: Please send in your logs for the following March 2018 activities:
- Listen for Learners (FISTS CW Club Europe) no later than 7 April.
- Ladder (FISTS CW Club Europe) no later than 7 April.
- Snakes & Ladders (EuCW) no later than 7 April.
Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do send in logs to encourage others to join in.
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23 Mar 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
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Ladder
Sunday 25 March 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz. Exchange a minimum of:
Name, QTH, RST, & member number (if applicable).
QSOs are friendly and conversational. Submitting logs is very much appreciated but not essential. Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with FISTS members. -
Listen for Learners
activity (FISTS CW Club Europe) runs throughout March and encourages QSOs with newer members who joined
on or after 01 March 2017.
QSOs can be at any time BUT it's recommended that newer members call CQ LFL on or around the centre of activity frequencies starting on the hour for up to 5 minutes at: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100 UTC. Bands 160/80/40/20/15/10/2m. Minimum exchange is FISTS member number but otherwise talk about whatever you wish e.g. RST, Name, QTH, WX, transceiver, antenna, Morse key,...
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Ladder
Sunday 25 March 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
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14 Mar 18: The
February 2018 Key Note
is now available to all current FISTS CW Club members.
Please visit the Members' Area to get your copy:
https://fists.co.uk/members/members.aspx
Items in this issue include:
- Getting the Hump over the Camelback Key
- Jet Setting and a Sad Story to tell
- QRP in Britagne
- Samuel Finley Breese Morse
- What makes a Good CW Operator?
- Review: MTR3-B QRP Transceiver
- Review: Palm Radio Palm Pico Single Key
- Review: The 9A5N Solid State Paddle
... and more besides!
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13 Mar 18: The FISTS CW Club Europe
BrassPounder March 2018 newsletter
has just been published by David G4YVM, Activities Manager.
BrassPounder provides the results and comments for FISTS CW Club on-air Activities in Europe/UK.
This edition includes details of the February 2018 Ladder results.
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08 Mar 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
-
Ladder
Sunday 11 March 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz. Exchange a minimum of:
Name, QTH, RST, & member number (if applicable).
QSOs are friendly and conversational. Submitting logs is very much appreciated but not essential. Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with FISTS members. -
Listen for Learners
activity (FISTS CW Club Europe) runs throughout March and encourages QSOs with newer members who joined
on or after 01 March 2017.
QSOs can be at any time BUT it's recommended that newer members call CQ LFL on or around the centre of activity frequencies starting on the hour for up to 5 minutes at: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100 UTC. Bands 160/80/40/20/15/10/2m. Minimum exchange is FISTS member number but otherwise talk about whatever you wish e.g. RST, Name, QTH, WX, transceiver, antenna, Morse key,...
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Ladder
Sunday 11 March 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
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07 Mar 18: The latest version, 3.4.8, of the free
FISTS Log Converter
program for Windows is now available.
This version adds support for 2m in the new Listen for Learners activity (FISTS CW Club Europe). Note that this works retrospectively; qualifying 2m QSOs starting from 01 March will be included when sending a log in at the start of April. It also includes fixes for several issues.
FISTS Log Converter can be used in conjunction with almost all amateur radio logbook programs -or- for anyone not currently using one, it includes its own optional, easy-to-use logbook.
The program is available from the download web page. Many thanks to the testers: Alex PA1FOX, Michael G0POT, Peter G4LHI, and Richard G0ILN. -
02 Mar 18: If you haven't already, please submit your logs for the following February 2018 activities:
- Ladder (FISTS CW Club Europe) no later than 7 March.
- Snakes & Ladders (EuCW) no later than 7 March.
Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do send in logs to encourage others to join in.
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02 Mar 18: We're very pleased to welcome our latest
FISTS CW Club members:
Name Call No. Name Call No. Name Call No. Glenn VK2GST #15223 Roger K5PE #18519 Marc KN4BKR #18538 Sun DS5PXJ #15261 Charles K9DCC #18520 Scott W9VHE #18539 James KF5KAQ #18502 Doug KI7RZB #18521 Michael N4IBG #18540 Greg K8ULT #18503 Mark KK7VP #18522 Karl SM3CNH #18564 Edward N7EDK #18504 Ben VE1AHX #18523 Alex DJ0MDO #18565 Brent VE1KF #18505 Tabren NO CALL 14 #18524 Graham 2E0XBA #18566 Andrew WB7DKZ #18506 Tony VE2KM #18525 Richard M0HGL #18567 Larry KJ1RE #18507 Patrick NO CALL 15 #18526 Matt M6NCQ #18568 James KI5II #18508 Frank N5NI #18527 Pieter ON3PH #18569 Robert KI4F #18509 Claude K5JTO #18528 Paul 2E0IGL #18570 Dennis KK0DJ #18510 John KC3ARN #18529 Chris GSWL47 #18571 Kevin WA9VFD #18511 Philip W1GEE #18530 Cris IZ3GAK #18572 John AB5GQ #18512 Robert N3XKB #18531 Paul G7VKZ #18573 Gregory KC1IVW #18513 Konstantin KZ4IG #18532 Joe IZ8AJU #18574 Mike KC3GEM #18514 John AJ6BJ #18533 Brian G3LTM #18575 Edmond Ars K5EOK #18515 Charles N9VJ #18534 Steve G7JHU #18576 Shelli K6SRJ #18516 Timothy KC3KUE #18535 Harry M0JFN #18577 Danica KC9W #18517 James K6JNX #18536 Mario IK2CMN #18578 Dana K3DWC #18518 David W5FUY #18537 Chris M0TCH #18579 -
01 Mar 18: Please join us in congratulating the recent
FISTS CW Club Awards
winners:
Name Callsign Member Awards Richard G0ILN #398 Spectrum 80m Endorsement Peter G4LHI #2219 Millionaire 10 Million Endorsement Ken G4RHR #2248 Gold Century, Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement
For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page. -
28 Feb 18: The new
Listen for Learners
activity (FISTS CW Club Europe) runs throughout March and encourages QSOs with newer members who joined
on or after 01 March 2017.
QSOs can be at any time BUT it's recommended that newer members call CQ LFL on or around the centre of activity frequencies starting on the hour for up to 5 minutes at: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100 UTC. Bands 160/80/40/20/15/10/2m. Minimum exchange is FISTS member number but otherwise talk about whatever you wish e.g. RST, Name, QTH, WX, transceiver, antenna, Morse key,...
See the Listen for Learners rules for full details.
The latest version of FISTS Log Converter, 3.4.6, supports Listen for Learners for 160m-10m. A newer version will be available within a few days that adds support for 2m. -
27 Feb 18: The latest version (3.4.6) of the free
FISTS Log Converter
program for Windows is now available.
This version adds initial support for the new Listen for Learners activity (FISTS CW Club Europe). (There will also be a further version soon that adds 2m to Listen for Learners.)
FISTS Log Converter can be used in conjunction with almost all amateur radio logbook programs -or- for anyone not currently using one, it includes its own optional, easy-to-use logbook.
The program is available from the download web page. Many thanks to the testers: Alex PA1FOX, Peter G4LHI, and Richard G0ILN. -
25 Feb 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
-
Ladder
Sunday 25 February 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz. Exchange a minimum of:
Name, QTH, RST, & member number (if applicable).
QSOs are friendly and conversational. Submitting logs is very much appreciated but not essential. Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with FISTS members. - "Listen for Learners" starts on Thursday 01 March and runs throughout March - final details to be announced soon!
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Ladder
Sunday 25 February 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
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11 Feb 18: The FISTS CW Club Europe
BrassPounder February 2018 newsletter
has just been published by David G4YVM, Activities Manager.
BrassPounder provides the results and comments for FISTS CW Club on-air Activities in Europe/UK.
This edition includes details of the January 2018 Ladder results and the upcoming Listen for Learners Activity.
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11 Feb 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air Ladder activity:
-
Ladder
Sunday 11 February 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz. Exchange a minimum of:
Name, QTH, RST, & member number (if applicable).
QSOs are friendly and conversational. Submitting logs is very much appreciated but not essential. Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with FISTS members.
-
Ladder
Sunday 11 February 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
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08 Feb 18: The latest version (3.4.5) of the free
FISTS Log Converter
program for Windows is now available.
This version adds support for the new DXCC entity 'Republic of Kosovo'.
FISTS Log Converter can be used in conjunction with almost all amateur radio logbook programs -or- for anyone not currently using one, it includes its own optional, easy-to-use logbook.
The program is available from the download web page. Many thanks to the testers: Alex PA1FOX, Peter G4LHI, and Richard G0ILN. -
04 Feb 18: We're very pleased to welcome our latest
FISTS CW Club members:
Name Call No. Name Call No. Name Call No. Toku JP7MLT #15259 Mark W3DXG #18487 Joseph N7WJ #18501 Kazu JR4GGT #15260 Foy WE0FC #18488 Vagi VU2JXL #18551 Phil W0NLK #18466 Stephen K4OBL #18489 Steve G1TOL #18552 Tom KN4GPT #18476 Judith KD0TOT #18490 David M0WDD #18553 Kurt AD0WE #18477 Patrick KK6YK #18491 Brian 2E0OET #18554 Dan N9WJ #18478 Eric K0EAP #18492 Jim 2E0HBV #18555 Harry N3HWH #18479 Barry KA0DXB #18493 Nils DL3HR #18556 Rod WI8A #18480 Chris K2HAE #18494 Pete M6VPH #18557 Robert K4UYQ #18481 Jim KI6KRO #18495 Richard GW0HDY #18558 Ken KD2KEH #18482 Ricky KX4RC #18496 Richard G4TGJ #18559 Richard K1CDX #18483 Dennis N0SMX #18497 Simon M0ILR #18560 Ryan KB0RAH #18484 Andrew AB3U #18498 Luca IK1OWC #18561 Thomas K4AEN #18485 Dennis AD6DM #18499 Ray M0DHP #18562 John W9WN #18486 Richard WR4RW #18500 -
04 Feb 18: Please join us in congratulating the recent
FISTS CW Club Awards
winners:
Name Callsign Member Awards Andy SP9NLI #3741 Prefix Peter M5ABN #6423 Millionaire 5 Million Endorsement Phil K4NE #13030 Silver Century, Millionaire, Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement Jean F6JOE #16177 Millionaire 4 Million Endorsement, Spectrum 80m Endorsement, Spectrum 40m Mike WI5H #16705 Basic Century, 1 X QRP, Millionaire, Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement, Spectrum 20m Emil I5EFO #17028 Spectrum 40m Fanis SV2BBK #18061 Millionaire
For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page. -
03 Feb 18: If you haven't already, please submit your logs for the following January 2017 activities:
- Ladder (FISTS CW Club Europe) no later than 7 February.
- Snakes & Ladders (EuCW) no later than 7 February.
Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do send in logs to encourage others to join in.
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03 Feb 18: The FISTS CW Club Americas
Winter Slow Speed Sprint
(max. 13 wpm) takes place on Saturday 3 February 1700-2100 UTC on 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m & 10m.
Call "CQ FS". The exchange includes:RST, U.S. state or Canadian province or DXCC country, first name, FISTS member number.
Non-members send their power output in Watts instead of a member number.
Members worldwide are invited to participate.
For N1MM contest logger users, a User Defined Contest (UDC) file is available. Go to the N1MM website, choose "FILES" then "User Defined Contests (UDC)" and look for the file G3ZQSmem.zip (can be used for Sprints despite the name). A FISTS Call History File is also available. -
27 Jan 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air Ladder activity:
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Ladder
Sunday 28 January 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz. Exchange a minimum of:
Name, QTH, RST, & member number (if applicable).
QSOs are friendly and conversational. Submitting logs is very much appreciated but not essential. Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with FISTS members.
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Ladder
Sunday 28 January 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
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19 Jan 18: The final
Cumulatives Report
from FISTS CW Club Americas has been published by Dennis K6DF.
This newsletter contains the results and soapbox comments for the Cumulatives on-air sessions during 2018.
Please note that the Cumulatives have now finished and are not running in 2018. Congratulations to the certificate and key winners and thank you to everyone who has participated.
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17 Jan 18: The FISTS CW Club Europe
BrassPounder January 2018 newsletter
has just been published by David G4YVM, Activities Manager.
BrassPounder provides the results and comments for FISTS CW Club on-air Activities in Europe/UK.
This edition includes details of the final results for the 2017 Ladder and Straight Key Week.
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13 Jan 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air Ladder activity:
-
Ladder
Sunday 14 January 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz. Exchange a minimum of:
Name, QTH, RST, & member number (if applicable).
QSOs are friendly and conversational. Submitting logs is very much appreciated but not essential. Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with FISTS members.
-
Ladder
Sunday 14 January 1400-1600 & 1800-2000 UTC.
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08 Jan 18: We're very pleased to welcome our latest
FISTS CW Club members:
Name Call No. Name Call No. Name Call No. Herman VK7HW #15220 Tristan MW3VJN #18448 Don K6LPQ #18464 Karen VK2AKB #15221 Mike G4TSQ #18449 Christopher N0UK #18465 Brett VK2CBD #15222 Derek N0GB #18453 Philip WA0NLK #18466 Angel N4SNI #18388 Melanie K0MBM #18454 John AF6HC #18467 Andi DL5CG #18439 Robert NQ1A #18455 Bob AF4OI #18468 Trevor G0KIN #18440 Charles WS6A #18456 QRU Radio Club KX4S #18470 Ari OH2ECG #18441 Douglas K1CTR #18457 Curtis K4TL #18471 John GW0RAD #18442 Gene W2BXR #18458 Martin KM6MFI #18472 Graham G4JBD #18443 David KM4QVM #18459 Mark VA6MPJ #18473 Jim GI4SZW #18444 Michael NG0C #18460 Michael KM6PCX #18474 Robert G7IOC #18445 David KD9SU #18461 Paul K7AZT #18475 Bernard ON7ZH #18446 Thomas WD5GBS #18462 Tony 2E0FTF #18550 Mau IZ0GPP #18447 Aaron KG6OVR #18463 -
02 Jan 18: Please join us in congratulating the recent
FISTS CW Club Awards
winners:
Name Callsign Member Awards Andy SP9NLI #3741 Prefix Phil K4NE #13030 Silver Century, Millionaire, Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement
For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page. -
02 Jan 18: If you haven't already, please submit your logs for the following December 2017 activities:
- Cumulatives (FISTS CW Club Americas) no later than 7 January.
- Straight Key Week (FISTS CW Club Europe) no later than 7 January.
- Ladder (FISTS CW Club Europe) no later than 7 January.
- Snakes & Ladders (EuCW) no later than 7 January.
Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do send in logs to encourage others to join in.
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01 Jan 18: The "winter/spring"
EuCW Snakes & Ladders
run starts today, Monday 01 January, and finishes at the end of 30 June (UTC).
If you've not participated previously, now is a great time to start. QSOs must take at least five minutes, stations contacted must be European stations and the mode must be CW. Each station may be contacted once per day, irrespective of the band.
For more details, please see the comprehensive rules.
Have a very Happy New Year from all at FISTS CW Club.
Interested in becoming a member?
FISTS HQ welcomes new members who have a passion for Morse Code.
- 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
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.

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 and Billy AB4RH for permission to use photographs from their key collections.
