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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 UK is the Headquarters of the FISTS Club (International Morse Preservation Society).
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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  • 12 Dec 13: I have for sale a Vibroplex Square Racer paddle, as new, hardly used.

    Photograph available here.

    Phil fists 13270
    G0ABY yeti585@ntlworld.com
     
  • 07 Dec 13: Ladder Sunday: Now that Straight Key Week is over, don't forget that the next FISTS Eu Ladder sessions follow on immediately: Sunday 8th December, 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.

     
  • 04 Dec 13: Please join us in congratulating the following FISTS Awards winners:

    IanG4MLW#130 Millionaire 4 Million Endorsement
    StanK4UK#2934 Perpetual Prefix 50 Endorsement
    AlanKA5VZG#15363 Perpetual Prefix 50, 100, and 150 Endorsements
    DavidG4DXX#15919 Basic Century
    ViktorOE7LVI#15921 Basic Century
    UriaIZ4ZBN#16562 Basic Century

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • Elecraft photograph of their K1 QRP CW transceiver.
    02 Dec 13: I am selling my Elecraft K1, 2 years old, built by me, 4-band board (40, 30, 20 and 17 meters, crystal for 15 meters is still available), built-in ATU and battery-pack complete with rechargeable Eneloop batteries.  In perfect working condition, only used at home.  User guide in English, bought directly from Elecraft USA.

    For further info., I can be reached via DM4RW@arrl.net.  Vy 73, Robert, DM4RW FISTS nr 15890.
  • 02 Dec 13: The latest version (2.6.6) of the free FISTS Log Converter program for Windows fixes issues with scoring for the FISTS Europe Straight Key Week 2013 Activity.
    For users of the optional internal logbook, new features include fields for My Rig, My Antenna, and SOTA.

    The program is available from the download page.

    FISTS Log Converter can be used to track and apply for central FISTS Awards, FISTS Down Under Awards, and create submissions for FISTS European on-air activities.  It can either read ADIF files created by logbook programs, or its own internal logbook can be used.  Many thanks to Peter G4LHI and Richard G0ILN for helping with testing this new version.
  • 30 Nov 13: Join us in FISTS Eu Straight Key Week 2013, Sun 1st - Sat 7th December UTC inclusive.  Use your straight (pump) key or a sideswiper and enjoy relaxed, friendly QSOs.

    One QSO with a station per band per day and exchange a minimum of RST, name, QTH, & member number (if available).  Log submissions are desirable but not essential - the main thing is to enjoy the QSOs.  Hope to hear you there!

    Note: Optionally, the FISTS Log Converter Windows program can be used to create a log and score for Straight Key Week; just record the FISTS member numbers in your electronic logbook's comments / remarks, e.g. FISTS 765432
  • 29 Nov 13: It's a pleasure to welcome our latest members:

    PeterEA6TS#16588 Kelvin2E1ADT#16589 BarryM0IML#16590
    DerekG3ZCH#16591 PeteG0PNM#16592 JarmoOH2BN#16593
  • 29 Nov 13: The eighth and final FISTS Eu International Day activity of the year, St. Andrew Day, is on Saturday 30th November, 14:00-17:00 UTC.  Activity is typically around 7.028 and 14.058 MHz.

    The minimum exchange is RST, name, QTH and (if applicable) FISTS member number.  European FISTS Activities are relaxed events with sociable QSOs and everyone, from those relatively new to CW to experts, is encouraged to join in.  The scoring provides most points for contacting members and non-members from Scotland.  Log submissions are welcomed but not essential.
  • 29 Nov 13: Hi all, I will be QRV on Barbados again from 28th Nov'.  I will have a laptop with me so I will post info' on bands etc.  I hope to make contact with many FISTS members during my two week stay.  I will have with me my FT897D and as a backup my FT817D, antenna wise I have various options, a RACAL kevlar dipole 72 feet on each leg and an offset with the longest section at 76 feet with a home brew 9:1 unun for beach operating with the long section up a coconut tree and if all fails a roll of wire.  I never know what my situation will be for antennas until I arrive; however, I usually manage to get something going.

    I will be visiting the local club The Radio Society of Barbados (8P6AW) on Friday nights as usual, their very well appointed shack is at my disposal.  However, the club opens up at 19.30 local that makes it 23.30 GMT in the UK.  I did ok last year by getting up at 02.00 local on 40 mtrs to make contact with fellow Dover Club members on 40 mtrs from 06.00 GMT; a bit of a wrench but hey I can sleep some on a sunbed later, the advantage of CW shines through, headphones on, my Palm Paddle and disturb no one in the middle of the night.

    73 Peter G0KOK, G6USA, 8P9CC #13226
  • 27 Nov 13: N3ZN Keys has introduced a new single lever paddle version of 'The Hulk', the ZN-SLH.

    This is the heaviest of the N3ZN single lever paddles with a weight of 4 pounds, 5 ounces.  The fingerpieces are available in red, blue, or black carbon fiber.
     
  • 27 Nov 13: CW - The King of Modes.

    An analysis of QSOs uploaded to Club Log showed that there is now a higher percentage of CW QSOs being uploaded than SSB!

    To see the graph and discussion, visit Michael G7VJR's blog entry.
  • 23 Nov 13: Ladder Sunday: The next FISTS Eu Ladder sessions are on Sunday 24th November, 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.

    The Ladder involves relaxed, conversational QSOs and is a good opportunity to meet up with other members.  Call CQ or call other people at a speed of your own choosing.  Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028 and 3.558 MHz, and QSOs must include exchange of name, RST received, QTH and (if applicable) FISTS member number.  Members worldwide are encouraged to join in.
  • 22 Nov 13: The FISTS Down Under December 2013 Newsletter is now available.

    FISTS Down Under is the Australian & New Zealand Chapter of the FISTS CW Club.

     
  • 17 Nov 13: The FISTS North America Fall Sprint results are now available.

    Included in the participants are Vanni I5ECW and Peter G4LHI from FISTS in Europe!
     
  • 17 Nov 13: New key from GHD: GF501A Single Lever Speed Key.

    GHD has released a successor to the late lamented GF601 "Speed Key," the new GF501A.  The GF501A is a Double-speed Key, Cootie Key, and single lever paddle combined.  It has a distinctive "lollypop" fingerpiece and highly polished chrome base measuring 4" x 3.25" and it weighs in at 2 Lb 1 oz.  GH-GF501A GHD Single Lever Speed Key $209.95.

    Available from Morse Express (USA).
  • 17 Nov 13: New key from Scheunemann: SM140 Kleine Handtaste.

    The Schurr MMK has been reincarnated as the Scheunemann Kleine Handtaste or "Small Hand Key".  Actually a midsize hand key with a comfortable and a solid brass base, the Kleine Handtaste will sit solidly on the desk and provide hours of comfortable brass-pounding for the discerning operator.

    Available from Morse Express (USA).  Weight: 16 oz.  Size: 4.3"x2"x1.6"  Price: $209.95 (USD).
  • 16 Nov 13: Morse Express are taking pre-orders for their 2013 Christmas Key, a fully functional miniature telegraph key made by GHD Telegraph Key in Sendai City, Japan.

    The key is fully adjustable, with precision pin bearings at the trunnion, and it has two miniature binding posts.  Its balance is perfect, and lever tension is provided by an unusual but very effective piston compression spring that is located forward of the trunnion post.  The contacts are hard-silver and the unique and distinctive triangular base is finished in mirror-polished hard chrome.  The knob is hand-turned ebony, and there are three small anti-skid rubber feet on the bottom for stability.
  • 16 Nov 13: We're delighted to welcome our latest members:

    MikeVE3YF#16428 SummerVE5SDH#16429 JimVE5EIS#16430
    BillN9HKN#16431 DennisW6DQ#16432 SpikeK9MX#16433
    PhilAF6GA#16434 SeanKB1YOQ#16435 CharlieKJ4VUD#16436
    BillWB4WTN#16437 BrunoWA8DHP#16438 WardN1QVW#16439
    DonK4KI#16440 BillAC2JO#16441 BillK1AQB#16442
    DavidW4JKU#16443 TonyG1JMX#16580 BobG3ZNH#16581
    ChrisSM4LRA#16582 JohnG4YSB#16583 RoyG4GRM#16584
    GrahamG7NEH#16585 SteveG1KQH#16586 AndreaIZ2ZYN#16587

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 an 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 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 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 still holds but she now handles the affairs of over 7,000 members in the Americas.

The Down Under Chapter (New Zealand / Australia) was formed in 1998 to provide a similar service to Australasian members, with Ralph Sutton ZL2AOH as the VK/ZL representative.  From a VK/ZL membership of four, there are now over 100 members "Down Under", principally in New Zealand. The New Zealand membership is the largest in any country outside England, Wales and North America.

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.

Worldwide, FISTS members number over 10,000 members, growing each month.

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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