Wed 01 Aug-Fri 31 Aug FISTS Eu Word Search Month 3 of 4
Sun 26 Aug FISTS Eu Ladder
Sat 01 Sep-Sun 30 Sep FISTS Eu Word Search Month 4 of 4
Sun 09 Sep FISTS Eu Ladder
Sun 23 Sep FISTS Eu 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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  • 10 Aug 18: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    GaryKB0KDX#18682 MauriceKA1S#18699 BobK4FA#18755
    DavidNG9F#18683 JeremyM0RNX#18719 TomKC3TOM#18756
    JosephKI5AAI#18684 JulianG4ETS#18720 EricKE0FZA#18757
    DanielKE8FHF#18685 FabianDJ1YFK#18721 PaulK4XRA#18758
    BrianWD8DCS#18686 NickG0AWH#18722 ScottKI5ANQ#18759
    TomK4THL#18687 BrianG4IYC#18723 CharlesAA4LS#18760
    JeffKC3HWU#18688 PatrickON4BCA#18724 MichaelAD8BE#18761
    MichaelW5KSU#18689 RenePA3GJA#18725 RonaldW1VET#18762
    MichaelVA7MN#18690 SteveM3FGU#18726 DettleffKD8EFM#18763
    KeithWD9GET#18691 BarryG4GMP#18727 DonaldKA0FDY#18764
    BennettNC1WX#18692 MarkG6PMN#18728 MichaelKK7H#18765
    RichW9RJK#18693 PistaHA2EBA#18729 StevenW0GSQ#18766
    PatrickAC0I#18694 MichaelN6MKW#18750 HaywardK5HMG#18767
    MichaelKD6KA#18695 RonaldNB3W#18751 MikeKI7SDQ#18768
    MatthewKD8CWV#18696 BruceKC9HTC#18752 RichardKA2DOV#18769
    RyanK9RL#18697 RobertKD0OJB#18753    
    RobertKM4WUU#18698 ThomasW2PIX#18754    
  • 10 Aug 18: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    MilanOK1KW#4827 Spectrum 40m, Spectrum 30m Endorsement, Spectrum 20m Endorsement, Spectrum 17m Endorsement, Prefix 50 Endorsement, Prefix 100 Endorsement, Prefix 150 Endorsement
    PeteG0PNM#16592 Spectrum 20m Endorsement
    WilliamMI0WWB#18434 Basic Century
    EdwardN7EDK#18504 Basic Century

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • 10 Aug 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 12 August 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.
    • Word Search started on 01 June and runs until Sunday 30 September 23:59 UTC, 24x7.
      Have QSOs with other members and use a letter from their callsigns to build up the phrase "ALFRED VAIL SPEEDWELL".
      Minimum exchange is member number.  Bands are 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 & 2m.  Two sections: QRP and Open - you can include QSOs for both in your log.
  • 02 Aug 18: Please send in your logs for the following July 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.
  • 29 Jun 18: The FISTS CW Club Europe BrassPounder July 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 June 2018 Ladder results.


     
  • 21 Jul 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 22 July 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.
    • Word Search started on 01 June and runs until Sunday 30 September 23:59 UTC, 24x7.
      Have QSOs with other members and use a letter from their callsigns to build up the phrase "ALFRED VAIL SPEEDWELL".
      Minimum exchange is member number.  Bands are 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 & 2m.  Two sections: QRP and Open - you can include QSOs for both in your log.
  • 08 Jul 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe and EuCW on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 08 July 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.
    • EuCW Snakes & Ladders new "summer/autumn"run started on 01 July and ends on 31 December UTC.
      If you've not participated previously, now is a great time to start.  QSOs must take at least five minutes, stations must be European stations and the mode must be CW.  Each station may be contacted once per day, irrespective of the band.
    • Word Search started on 01 June and runs until Sunday 30 September 23:59 UTC, 24x7.
      Have QSOs with other members and use a letter from their callsigns to build up the phrase "ALFRED VAIL SPEEDWELL".
      Minimum exchange is member number.  Bands are 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 & 2m.  Two sections: QRP and Open - you can include QSOs for both in your log.
  • 06 Jul 18: Please send in your logs for the following June 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.
  • 24 Jun 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 24 June 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.
    • Word Search started on 01 June and runs until Sunday 30 September 23:59 UTC, 24x7.
      Have QSOs with other members and use a letter from their callsigns to build up the phrase "ALFRED VAIL SPEEDWELL".
      Minimum exchange is member number.  Bands are 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 & 2m.  Two sections: QRP and Open - you can include QSOs for both in your log.
  • 22 Jun 18: UK amateurs: The annual RSGB 6m CW contest is Sunday 24th June, 0900-1200 UTC.

    The exchange is RST, serial number and 6 character locator, with most European CW activity between 50.080-50.100 MHz.  Unlike HF contests, though, don't expect to get 599 for each QSO!  This should be interesting with the added likelihood of sporadic E propagation.

    QSOs with other FISTS CW Club members count towards FISTS Awards such as the Millionaire.
  • 21 Jun 18: The FISTS CW Club Europe BrassPounder June 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 May 2018 Ladder results.


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

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    IanG4MLW#130 Millionaire 9 Million Endorsement
    ColinG0XCF#2296 Silver Century
    MilanOK1KW#4827 Millionaire 17 Million Endorsement
    GaryAB0BM#13663 Worked All States
    PhilM0PBZ#15583 Basic Century
    MervG4KLE#16273 Millionaire 4 Million Endorsement
    AlanMW0BGL#16507 Millionaire, Rag Chewers 80m Endorsement
    BernardON7ZH#18446 Basic Century
    DanK0FD#18660 Basic Century, Spectrum 40m

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

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    IanVK5IP#15225 TimothyKA5GEX#18645 RonAA0W#18668
    AdamVK2FNHT#15226 ChrisNW6V#18646 NickKD8QLS#18669
    KiyoJA1SKM#15266 StevenW3SPC#18647 DavidKA8OHV#18670
    JunJH1EGX#15267 KerryK7KRY#18648 MichaelKG5NUX#18671
    KennethW4KDK#18626 AlbertK5FFO#18649 BradKD8LWZ#18672
    JamesKG4B#18627 StephenKL3MM#18650 MackenzieSWL91#18673
    MichaelN2EJI#18628 JerryWA0H#18651 KennethK8KCH#18674
    WilliamK1UFO#18629 GaryN3OS#18652 DavidW4NWL#18675
    EricK5EJB#18630 CarlW8WZ#18653 DavidWA6DH#18676
    JohnK8DZR#18631 BobK0FHG#18654 GailN4YAK#18678
    ThomasW5XNA#18632 BobWA8ZKB#18655 StanW6SMF#18679
    EdWR2D#18633 JerryK8VGL#18656 ThomasWD9IGY#18680
    KonstantinWT5NA#18634 NormanKA8ITF#18657 WilliamAA2YV#18681
    WayneNC4B#18635 TimothyW8JJ#18658 RogerG4CGU#18710
    JayKI7JS#18636 DavidKB8ZOC#18659 RickG1WYA#18711
    JeffreyN4VEJ#18637 DanK0FD#18660 KenGM4JMU#18712
    ThomasW9TPB#18638 DonaldSWL90#18661 CeesPA1CA#18713
    BillKG7GMR#18639 JimAJ3DI#18662 IainG4YBN#18714
    DavidVE2DEE#18640 GaryNU0W#18663 MarkG0MGX#18715
    MichaelN5MAJ#18641 SusanKN4MDC#18664 Analogue BobG0CHK#18716
    RichardWA5ED#18642 DickW9XW#18665 DaleG4DKR#18717
    OliverWB3KLI#18643 EdN3OB#18666 JanPA2JS#18718
    RichardNS3C#18644 MardyVE3QEE#18667    
  • 09 Jun 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 10 June 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.
    • Word Search started on 01 June and runs until Sunday 30 September 23:59 UTC, 24x7.
      Have QSOs with other members and use a letter from their callsigns to build up the phrase "ALFRED VAIL SPEEDWELL".
      Minimum exchange is member number.  Bands are 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 & 2m.  Two sections: QRP and Open - you can include QSOs for both in your log.
  • 07 Jun 18: Please send in your logs for the following May 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 Jun 18: Today is the start of the Word Search activity from FISTS Europe.  It runs from 00:01 to Sunday 30 September 23:59 UTC, 24x7.  Have QSOs with other members and use a letter from their callsigns to build up the phrase "ALFRED VAIL SPEEDWELL".

    This is a 'first past the post' activity, so the sooner you start having QSOs for it, the higher you are likely to appear in the final results table.

    Minimum exchange is member number.  Bands are 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 & 2m.  Two sections: QRP and Open - you can include QSOs for either or both in your log.  For more information, please see the Word Search rules.
  • 27 May 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 27 May 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.
    • Word Search Friday 01 June 00:01 to Sunday 30 September 23:59 UTC, 24x7.
      Have QSOs with other members and use a letter from their callsigns to build up the phrase "ALFRED VAIL SPEEDWELL".
      Minimum exchange is member number.  Bands are 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 & 2m.  Two sections: QRP and Open - you can include QSOs for both in your log.
  • 21 May 18: The latest version, 3.5.1, of the free FISTS Log Converter program for Windows is now available.

    This version adds support for the new Word Search 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.
  • 19 May 18: The FISTS CW Club Europe BrassPounder May 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 April 2018 Ladder results.


     
  • 11 May 18: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 13 May 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.
  • 11 May 18: The RSGB 4m (70 MHz) CW Contest 2018 is Sunday 13 May 0900-1200 UTC.

    The exchange is: RST, Serial Number (starting at 001) and a 6 character (e.g. IO92JL) locator and UK stations send the first 2 letters of their Postcode.

    This is one of three RSGB VHF CW contests (6m, 4m, & 2m).  These are more relaxed than HF contests and typically 'real' RSTs are exchanged, so have fun and listen carefully!  If you have QSOs with FISTS CW Club members, these count towards the FISTS Awards.
  • 03 May 18: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    RichardG0ILN#398 Prefix 50 Endorsement
    PeterG4LHI#2219 Spectrum 80m Endorsement
    FritzDL4FDM#2225 Gold Century, Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement, Spectrum 40m, Prefix 50 Endorsement, Prefix 100 Endorsement, Prefix 150 Endorsement
    JohnG4LRG#14873 Gold Century
    JeanF6JOE#16177 Gold Century, Millionaire 5 Million Endorsement
    MikeDF2OK#16604 Basic Century
    SteveG4HXY#16937 Basic Century

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

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    BenedictVR2VVR#15264 DonaldKC0DE#18621 DavidM0ILX#18705
    AkiJO1DGE#15265 RichKD0ZV#18622 Stephen2E0AAO#18706
    MalcolmNB3T#18617 RobertK4MDF#18623 NigelM0ICH#18707
    JoeKA9QAT#18618 MattK2MFW#18624 GarethGM7WFT#18708
    JosephKI7LDI#18619 BryanN3FZ#18625 KenG0OBK#18709
    RonaldK4FET#18620 ChrisHB9AJP#18704    
  • 01 May 18: Please send in your logs for the following April 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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