Sat 19 Jan-Sun 31 Mar FISTS Eu Winter Sports
Fri 01 Feb-Sun 31 Mar FISTS Eu Winter Sports continues
Sun 24 Feb FISTS Eu Ladder
Fri 01 Mar-Sun 31 Mar FISTS Eu Winter Sports continues
Sun 10 Mar FISTS Eu Ladder
Sun 24 Mar FISTS Eu Ladder
More...

Upcoming
events:
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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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  • 10 Feb 19: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    BertVK2BNX#15241 RandyKF4O#19099 DougN4NYK#19128
    PascalIK7TVE#19009 LinWN4BIY#19100 AlKA9OUT#19129
    DeanM6XUT#19010 PatrickAA2R#19101 LanceWU0Q#19130
    EddieG3WNQ#19011 TravisKN4QDE#19102 JohnKC3IVN#19131
    PaulG6UVS#19012 LawrenceW0LRF#19103 DickKA1TE#19132
    MarcoON8RAT#19013 GeorgeAC8KJ#19104 TimothyAJ7F#19133
    FeriHA7UL#19014 SusanK5YNC#19105 RonWB5UPS#19134
    LiamM7LPD#19015 RichardW7YC#19106 ScottWX1J#19135
    EnricoIZ2UQE#19016 CarolKP4MD#19107 StanK0IV#19136
    MartinM3NTR#19017 ScottKE1RR#19108 SkipKG5SW#19137
    PatrickPA3SKY#19018 IraAA4IB#19109 Noel MatosCM8NMN#19138
    SlavEI2IDB#19019 DoloresKD0CIV#19110 BruceKA0TZX#19139
    AndyIK5VLL#19020 ReedK7FLY#19111 RonaldKD4KPR#19140
    BrianG0HCT#19021 JoseN1NQ#19112 StephenWB5CTS#19141
    AllanG4YWX#19022 LeonardWD5CAY#19113 GaryWB2FQL#19142
    WillemPA3CNI#19023 SafdarP41S#19114 JohnN2YKG#19143
    JohnG4YTJ#19024 RandyN4SAX#19115 StevenKM6VOV#19144
    AlanG0FTN#19025 JackWH6AJM#19116 LigiaKM6VOW#19145
    FabF4GYM#19026 WilliamK7RY#19117 DavidKG0EW#19146
    AndrasHA5DSA#19027 JimW8YKG#19118 SheliaKN4IRZ#19147
    LarryVE3NLW#19090 JerryKC1FFN#19119 RichN4DPM#19148
    DouglasNJ1T#19091 JohnAD4HX#19120 NoelWA4JNP#19149
    DavidWB2CRI#19092 LeviW7AMF#19121 LenVE5LEN#19150
    BobVE3ORK#19093 JosephKE8DUP#19122 RyanKB8HOC#19151
    RudyW5HRH#19094 JohnKB8ZPZ#19123 JohnWB9JPH#19152
    HectorKP4AMU#19095 LoyalW4LAS#19124 JamesW7JRD#19153
    JerryKE0PRQ#19096 DennisK7CPY#19125 RandallKE8JWB#19154
    DannyZF1DM#19097 DominicKD2EPM#19126    
    RickeyKC4S#19098 LemuelW1LEM#19127    
  • 09 Feb 19: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    RichardG0ILN#398 Rag Chewers 80m Endorsement
    CharlieNP3K#5110 Worked All States
    FredG3YJQ#16276 Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement
    AlanMW0BGL#16507 Silver Century
    CeesPA0VLD#18138 Basic Century
    WilliamMI0WWB#18434 Prefix

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • 09 Feb 19: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder and Winter Sports on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 10 February 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
      Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz.  Exchange a minimum of:
          Name, QTH, RST, & member number (if applicable).

      NOTE: Ladder QSOs can also be used to claim Winter Sports points.  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.
    • Winter Sports continues until 31 March 23:59 UTC.  This is a set of five varied events, each of which has QRP and Open sections: Ski Jump, Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Bobsleigh, & Speed Skating.

      Operation is on 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, & 10m.  Wrap up well and have your Morse key polished and ready!

      (If you are using FISTS Log Converter (strongly recommended for Winter Sports), please ensure you have version 3.6.2 or later installed.)
  • 09 Feb 19: The FISTS CW Club Europe BrassPounder February 2019 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 2019 Ladder results.




     
  • 03 Feb 19: Please send in your logs for the following January 2019 activities:

    Winter Sports (FISTS CW Club Europe) logs are not due until 07 April **HOWEVER** note that 27 January Ladder QSOs can be used towards Winter Sports! 
    At a bare minimum, one QSO with a member will count towards the Cross Country event, and your QSOs may qualify for more points in the Winter Sports events.

    In all the activities, 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.
  • 26 Jan 19: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder and Winter Sports on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 27 January 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
      Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz.  Exchange a minimum of:
          Name, QTH, RST, & member number (if applicable).

      NOTE: Ladder QSOs can also be used to claim Winter Sports points.  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.
    • Winter Sports continues until 31 March 23:59 UTC.  This is a set of five varied events, each of which has QRP and Open sections: Ski Jump, Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Bobsleigh, & Speed Skating.

      Operation is on 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, & 10m.  Wrap up well and have your Morse key polished and ready!

      (If you are using FISTS Log Converter (strongly recommended for Winter Sports), please ensure you have version 3.6.1 or later installed.)
  • 23 Jan 19: The FISTS CW Club Europe BrassPounder January 2019 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 2018 Ladder and Straight Key Week results.


     
  • 16 Jan 19: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    BrentonVK3YB#15237 RobertKC4LRR#19053 NealAD0UI#19072
    IanVK6EA#15238 KentAE4Y#19054 BillN7HHS#19073
    JohnVK5FLEA#15239 RichardWA0LIF#19055 GregWI4T#19074
    BrynVK4GF#15240 ScottKD4MSR#19056 MontiKG7WZT#19075
    EmersonDV3CEP#15278 PaulW6DIZ#19057 JamesKD9FEK#19076
    AnthonyN2DOE#18993 AudieW6ZDR#19058 SteveKS2A#19077
    SeanK2NEL#18994 BillAB7LG#19059 JoeW0MQY#19078
    MikeVE3EDX#18995 JeffKA4WYC#19060 RickN9GSU#19079
    JerryWA8LUC#18996 BillW4EDN#19061 VincentW2YNT#19080
    GrahamNY4ZZ#18997 WilliamK4CS#19062 BruceN9DBJ#19081
    AlvenN7GVF#18998 EricW7IGC#19063 DaveKD2SAM#19082
    RickKK5RX#18999 DaveW0DAS#19064 EdwardKG4VDY#19083
    DickPA3CW#19005 MikeKJ4POM#19065 TonyVE3HDA#19084
    LoekPE0MJX#19006 DonKG5CMS#19066 JoeKC7FSE#19085
    StuartG4WCP#19007 JonathanKC3KBE#19067 DanielWB0SSC#19086
    GeorgeSV2SBE#19008 DaveW8XAL#19068 JudithKD0ZTF#19087
    BradleyKG5VXA#19050 ScottWE3Q#19069 DavidKB1PJ#19088
    RonVE3DFI#19051 EdWA9MNF#19070 TimKM6WYH#19089
    SteveKN4PMF#19052 BryanNU1N#19071    
  • 15 Jan 19: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    PeterG4LHI#2219 Rag Chewers 80m Endorsement
    MilanOK1KW#4827 Millionaire 18 Million Endorsement
    CharlieNP3K#5110 Diamond Century, Millionaire, Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement
    AlanMW0BGL#16507 Spectrum 80m
    Ivan9H1PI#18886 Basic Century

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • 14 Jan 19: The latest version, 3.6.1, of the free FISTS Log Converter program for Windows is now available.

    This version adds support for the Winter Sports 2019 on-air activity (FISTS CW Club Europe).

    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.
  • 13 Jan 19: The FISTS CW Club Europe BrassPounder December 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 November 2018 Ladder results and the rules for the 2019 Winter Sports.


     
  • 12 Jan 19: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 13 January 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 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.
    • Winter Sports runs from 19 January to 31 March inclusive.  This is a set of five varied events that have QRP and Open sections: Ski Jump, Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Bobsleigh, & Speed Skating.

      Operation is on 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, & 10m.  Wrap up well and have your Morse key polished and ready!
  • 31 Dec 18: The latest version, 3.6.0, of the free FISTS Log Converter program for Windows is now available.

    This version adds support for these on-air 2019 Activities:
    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.
  • 29 Dec 18: Please send in your logs for the following December 2018 activities:
    • Straight Key Week (FISTS CW Club Europe) no later than 31 December.
    • Ladder (FISTS CW Club Europe) no later than 7 January.
    • Snakes & Ladders (EuCW; note S&L 2018 finishes on 31 December) 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.
  • 22 Dec 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 23 December 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 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.
    • Day-hopper has three, 1-hour sessions per day starting at 0800, 1300, & 1800 UTC on each day.  Upcoming days in December are Thursday 27th, Friday 28th.

      The idea is absolutely NOT a contest but a means of enabling us to meet each other on air.  Operation is on 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, & 10m.  Calling 'CQ FISTS' on or around the FISTS centre of activity frequencies is recommended.
  • 20 Dec 18: The Autumn 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:
    • Ship's Radio Room Clocks - A Little History
    • Morse Code Sending Bars
    • Review: Hamshop.cz CW Touch Paddle
    • Keys that are out of this World
    • QUA
    • New "FISTS Collection" Disc from Club Sales
    • QRP operation from Malta 9H3FC/G4UDG
    • "Hunting for the Unicorn" G3VBS

    ... and more besides!

     
  • 13 Dec 18: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    DennisK6DF#3076 Prefix
    PrestonWA6OEF#15666 Millionaire 12 Million Endorsement
    VanniI5ECW#16505 Diamond Century, Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 4 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 5 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 6 Million Endorsement, Spectrum 40m, Spectrum 20m Endorsement, Prefix, Prefix 50 Endorsement
    JoeIK2WAD#18599 Basic Century
    DannyON4VT#18890 Basic Century, Millionaire, Prefix, Prefix 50 Endorsement, Prefix 100 Endorsement, Prefix 150 Endorsement

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • 12 Dec 18: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    TotoYD9DRB#15277 EdwardW4EMM#18938 StephenKC1KCV#18968
    KenN7KO#18836 ScottieAB8TI#18939 GeorgeWB2BNB#18969
    SakiDD5XX#18874 NormanKN4GSL#18940 TimKF7WJY#18970
    EriksYL3AKE#18881 EliN2ELI#18941 StephenWB0UWE#18971
    SandroIW2EAB#18882 BobKI5CDC#18942 BillW5HWZ#18972
    MuiM0MUI#18883 Karl HeinzK5KHK#18943 DavidW0DCX#18973
    LesG4JDS#18884 JimKA3LXM#18944 CarlW1AGE#18974
    Jean ClaudeF6EJU#18885 KenAA5CF#18945 TomN0TLW#18975
    Ivan9H1PI#18886 BryanKO4YB#18946 MichaelAB7RU#18976
    PaulM0PLA#18887 BillN3EDO#18947 SteveK9ZW#18977
    PeterGM0EUL#18888 MichaelKD2IYI#18948 IraKB2DJJ#18978
    EdM0TZX#18889 BillKK4LYQ#18949 MikeVE3WDM#18979
    DannyON4VT#18890 JustinKN4PRB#18950 RichardN4BC#18980
    SteveG6SGA#18892 RobertK6ZLU#18951 BrianAA9KG#18981
    GeoffG0UVX#18893 DavidKA9KOJ#18952 BeverlinKH7LM#18982
    VladoIU0HMB#18894 BillN2NDF#18953 GordonN8GMM#18983
    ChrisG0WUS#18895 WayneW5EGT#18954 BillW2IIT#18984
    TomGM3ZLC#18896 RogerN3GE#18955 JerryWA5RAF#18985
    AdamG0ORY#18897 WalterKC3CEY#18956 RobertKN4IXU#18986
    John2E0GUA#18898 AlN1SMB#18957 PierreVA4PM#18987
    RodG3RTB#18899 AlfredN3BXZ#18958 JimK2PHD#18988
    MacG3ZHZ#18900 BrentKF7IIG#18959 BillW4OM#18989
    TedW1HGY#18930 DavidNN4E#18960 SteveKB3JC#18990
    EnzoVE3VTG#18931 MarvinW8MLL#18961 JerryN5EKO#18991
    ToddN7TMS#18932 JamesWZ9Q#18962 ThomasKE8HUM#18992
    DavidND4K#18933 KevinKW0KW#18963 RudiDF1ZA#19000
    RonK3SEW#18934 PhilN4KEZ#18964 SeanG0OOQ#19001
    CharlesKN4QEH#18935 DennisK6DS#18965 TonyG0JYI#19002
    TonyKV6DC#18936 MichaelW4MDV#18966 CliffGI4CZW#19003
    WesK4WDB#18937 CleonWA7RCT#18967 PaulG0DJF#19004
  • 09 Dec 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 09 December 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 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.
    • Day-hopper has three, 1-hour sessions per day starting at 0800, 1300, & 1800 UTC on each day.  Upcoming days in December are Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 19th, Thursday 27th, Friday 28th.

      The idea is absolutely NOT a contest but a means of enabling us to meet each other on air.  Operation is on 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, & 10m.  Calling 'CQ FISTS' on or around the FISTS centre of activity frequencies is recommended.
  • 03 Dec 18: Please send in your logs for the following November 2018 activities:

    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.
  • 01 Dec 18: Straight Key Week (FISTS CW Club Europe), starts on Sunday 02 December and finishes on Saturday 08 December UTC. 

    DON'T FORGET to add SKW to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field and that the operating times are 1 hour periods starting at the following UTC times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100.
    Entrants must use straight keys or sideswipers (no bug keys, keyers, keyboards etc.)

    Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028 and 3.558 MHz.  Exchange a minimum of:
        Name, RST, QTH, & member number (if applicable).

    QSOs are friendly and conversational.  Submitting logs is not essential but very much appreciated.  Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with members of FISTS Europe.
  • 24 Nov 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 25 November 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 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.
    • Day-hopper has three, 1-hour sessions per day starting at 0800, 1300, & 1800 UTC on each day.  Upcoming day in November is Tuesday 27th.  Upcoming days in December are Monday 3rd, Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 19th, Thursday 27th, Friday 28th.

      The idea is absolutely NOT a contest but a means of enabling us to meet each other on air.  Operation is on 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, & 10m.  Calling 'CQ FISTS' on or around the FISTS centre of activity frequencies is recommended.
  • 14 Nov 18: The FISTS CW Club Europe BrassPounder November 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 upcoming FISTS Winter Sports and the October 2018 Ladder results.


     
  • 09 Nov 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 11 November 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 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.
    • Day-hopper has three, 1-hour sessions per day starting at 0800, 1300, & 1800 UTC on each day.  Upcoming days in November are Friday 16th, Monday 19th, Tuesday 27th.  Upcoming days in December are Monday 3rd, Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 19th, Thursday 27th, Friday 28th.

      The idea is absolutely NOT a contest but a means of enabling us to meet each other on air.  Operation is on 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, & 10m.  Calling 'CQ FISTS' on or around the FISTS centre of activity frequencies is recommended.
  • 04 Nov 18: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    DennisK6DF#3076 Millionaire 6 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 7 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 8 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 9 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 10 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 11 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 12 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 13 Million Endorsement, Spectrum 20m
    GaryAB0BM#13663 Diamond Century, Millionaire 8 Million Endorsement
    NilsDL3HR#18556 Basic Century

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • 03 Nov 18: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    GraemeVK3TUX#15234 GeneAC0ZU#18901 ButchWA0CIE#18916
    RobVK4FRMZ#15235 PatrickWX2PAT#18902 MikeW7ACP#18917
    JamesWD0JB#18839 ChuckK0XM#18903 ChristopherKB0CSA#18918
    StephenKC5TTY#18845 HoraceKI5WA#18904 DavidN5DJH#18919
    JoshAF0U#18846 BobAD4PM#18905 RandyW7RAN#18920
    RonK3OLN#18847 KevinW9YAP#18906 DonAE4DD#18921
    JodyKE8GKO#18848 GeorgeKA2DDI#18907 AllenKM5VJ#18922
    RcWH6FQE#18849 GiseldaKB2RWC#18908 JosephKX4ND#18923
    JohnK0AE#18850 ClintonKB2RBA#18909 CharlesVE3CQH#18924
    SteveG3ZPS#18875 JohnN8KIJ#18910 MattAA4MB#18925
    GuyON4KLG#18876 DaveAD8WR#18911 ArtN9HTL#18926
    IvanG0BON#18877 JosephWX1E#18912 GlennWN4T#18927
    MarkG0TMT#18878 BobN5BXN#18913 SteveKO6ZC#18928
    FrancisEI5GOB#18879 KathleenW0UM#18914 GwenNG3P#18929
    MarkM0RKA#18880 RandallN4LCV#18915    
  • 03 Nov 18: Graham G3ZOD writes:  The RSGB Marconi CW 2m Contest is this Weekend, 3 November 1400 UTC - 4 November 1400 UTC.  It is part of a Europe-wide contest and is the third out of three annual RSGB VHF CW contests (6m, 4m and 2m).

    Unlike HF contests, QSOs are a bit more relaxed and don't expect to get 599 for each QSO!  The exchange is RST, serial number and 6 character locator.  Most activity centres around 144.050, with the primary CW band plan segment 144.025 - 144.110 MHz.
  • 01 Nov 18: Please send in your logs for the following October 2018 activities:

    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.

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

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