Sun 24 Sep FISTS Eu Ladder
Sun 24 Sep FISTS Am Cumulatives
Mon 02 Oct FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Sat 07 Oct FISTS Am Fall Slow Speed Sprint
Sun 08 Oct FISTS Eu Ladder
Sun 08 Oct FISTS Am Cumulatives
Tue 10 Oct FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Sat 14 Oct FISTS Am Fall Unlimited Sprint
Wed 18 Oct FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Sun 22 Oct FISTS Eu Ladder
Sun 22 Oct FISTS Am Cumulatives
Thu 26 Oct FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Fri 27 Oct FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Wed 01 Nov FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Sat 04 Nov-Sun 05 Nov RSGB 2m CW Marconi Contest
Thu 09 Nov FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Sun 12 Nov FISTS Eu Ladder
Sun 12 Nov FISTS Am Cumulatives
More...

Upcoming
events:
Home

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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  • 15 Sep 17: The FISTS BrassPounder September 2017 newsletter has just been published.

    BrassPounder provides the results and comments for FISTS CW Club on-air Activities in Europe/UK.

    This edition includes details of the August 2017 Ladder results.



     
  • FISTS pentagon logo.
    14 Sep 17: FISTS CW Club Europe is delighted to welcome two new club team members:
    • David G4YVM, who will be Activities Manager.
    • Ian G4MLW, who will be dealing with Awards Printing and Distribution.
  • 13 Sep 17: The September 2017 Cumulatives Report from FISTS CW Club Americas has been published.

    This newsletter contains the results and soapbox comments for the August 2017 Cumulatives on-air sessions.




     
  • 09 Sep 17: The next 2017 session of the FISTS Americas Cumulatives is on Sunday 10 September 1900-2100 UTC.

    This is a relaxed activity with minimum 5 minute QSOs.  Even if you don't want to send an entry in - and we hope you will - you can come along for some friendly QSOs and perhaps earn points towards FISTS Awards.

    The Cumulatives run on the 2nd and 4th Sundays throughout 2017.  QSOs must be at least 5 minutes long and on 80m, 40m, or 20m.  Exchange:
        RST, name, QTH or state, and member number (if applicable).

    Calling "CQ FISTS" is recommended.  Don't forget to log QSO end times!

    Vibroplex "Bug" Keys will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place operators at the end of the year!
    Be sure to send in your logs!

    NOTE: FISTS CW Club Officers are NOT eligible for key prizes.

    See the full details on the website.
  • 09 Sep 17: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder sessions: Sunday 10 September 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.
  • 03 Sep 17: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    RagavVU3VWR#15250 LairdKC5LL#18329 RobinG0KPG#18400
    ThreezaDW3TRZ#15251 CraigN8PWM#18330 DaveG8FXM#18401
    KatsuJH0ROS#15252 BobWA9NBU#18331 AndrewG0OEY#18402
    DaveXU7AKG#15253 ChrisKG5UAZ#18332 AndyG0FKW#18403
    GaryAA1UE#18324 DonaldW5LHJ#18333 JoF5NFB#18404
    TomKB9ENS#18325 JerryN6JNL#18334 AndyON7ALG#18405
    DavidN2DAV#18326 ZollieK4XR#18335 AndyM0RON#18406
    BrianKQ4MM#18327 JustoNO CALL 12#18336    
    FrankKK7HI#18328 LeeW2LMT#18337    
  • 03 Sep 17: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    JarmoOH2BN#16593 Silver Century
    RonDL5CL#17425 Spectrum 40m

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • 01 Sep 17: If you haven't already, please submit your logs for the following August 2017 activities:
    • Cumulatives (FISTS CW Club Americas) no later than 7 September.
    • Ladder (FISTS CW Club Europe) no later than 7 September.
    • Snakes & Ladders (EuCW) no later than 7 September.

    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 Sep 16: FISTS CW Club Americas G3ZQS Memorial Straight Key Contest starts on Friday 1st September 23:00 UTC and runs until Sunday 3rd September 23:00 UTC.

    Bands are: 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m.  Call "CQ FS".  The exchange is:
    RST, U.S. state/Canadian province/DXCC country, first name, FISTS number (or power output for non-FISTS).

    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 .  A FISTS Call History File is also available.  Thanks to Les G4OGB for providing the UDC file.
  • 28 Aug 17: FISTS CW Club will be at the Telford Hamfest & G-QRP Convention 2017 (UK) on Sunday 3rd September 2017, so please come and say hello.

    The doors open at 10:15 BST and maps etc. are available from the Telford HamFest website.
  • 27 Aug 17: The new QCX from QRP Labs (FISTS member Hans G0UPL) is a mono-band 5W CW transceiver kit, with a along list of features including rotary-encoder-turned synthesised VFO, Iambic keyer, CW decoder, and a WSPR beacon mode.  It is available in 80, 60, 40, 30, 20 and 17m options, priced only $49.  The built-in test equipment (BITE) is used for aligning and debugging the transceiver, making it possible to build and adjust this radio with literally NO other test equipment!

    This is a kit of parts that you assemble yourself.  There are NO surface mount components to solder (two SMD ICs are already factory pre-soldered).

    Features:
    • Easy to build, single-board design, 10 x 8cm, all controls are board-mounted.
    • Professional quality double-sided, through-hole plated, silk-screen printed PCB.
    • Choice of single band, 80, 60, 40, 30, 20 or 17m.
    • Approximately 3-5W CW output (depending on supply voltage).
    • 7-16V recommended supply voltage.
    • Class E power amplifier, transistors run cool... even with no heatsinks.
    • 7-element Low Pass Filter ensures regulatory compliance.
    • CW envelope shaping to remove key clicks.
    • High performance receiver with at least 50dB of unwanted sideband cancellation.
    • 200Hz CW filter with no ringing.
    • Si5351A Synthesized VFO with rotary encoder tuning.
    • 16 x 2 blue backlight LCD screen.
    • Iambic keyer or straight key option included in the firmware.
    • Simple Digital Signal Processing assisted CW decoder, displayed real-time on-screen.
    • On-screen S-meter.
    • Full or semi QSK operation using fast solid-state transmit/receive switching.
    • Frequency presets, VFO A/B Split operation, RIT, configurable CW Offset.
    • Configurable sidetone frequency and volume.
    • Connectors: Power, 3.5mm keyer jack, 3.5mm stereo earphone jack, BNC RF output.
    • Onboard microswitch can be used as a simple straight Morse key.
    • Built-in test signal generator and alignment tools to complete simple set-up adjustments.
    • Built-in test equipment: voltmeter, RF power meter, frequency counter, signal generator.
    • Beacon mode, supporting automatic CW or WSPR operation.
    • GPS interface for reference frequency calibration and time-keeping (for WSPR beacon).
  • 26 Aug 17: The next 2017 session of the FISTS Americas Cumulatives is on Sunday 27 August 1900-2100 UTC.

    This is a relaxed activity with minimum 5 minute QSOs.  Even if you don't want to send an entry in - and we hope you will - you can come along for some friendly QSOs and perhaps earn points towards FISTS Awards.

    The Cumulatives run on the 2nd and 4th Sundays throughout 2017.  QSOs must be at least 5 minutes long and on 80m, 40m, or 20m.  Exchange:
        RST, name, QTH or state, and member number (if applicable).

    Calling "CQ FISTS" is recommended.  Don't forget to log QSO end times!

    Vibroplex "Bug" Keys will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place operators at the end of the year!
    Be sure to send in your logs!

    NOTE: FISTS CW Club Officers are NOT eligible for key prizes.

    See the full details on the website.
  • 26 Aug 17: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder sessions: Sunday 27 August 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.
  • FISTS logo.
    17 Aug 17: New FISTS Day-hopper On-air Activity, October - December 2017

    FISTS CW Club Europe is pleased to announce the new Day-hopper on-air Activity, October - December 2017.

    Operation only on 160,80,40,20,15,10m bands.

    Activity dates:

    Monday October 2nd, Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 18th, Thursday 26th, Friday 27th.
    Wednesday November 1st, Thursday 9th, Friday 17th, Monday 20th, Tuesday 28th.
    Monday December 4th, Tuesday 12th, Wednesday 20th, Thursday 28th, Friday 29th.

    Three periods per day  08-0900, 13-1400, 18-1900 Zulu.

    Freq, FISTS CoA.

    Perhaps call "CQ FISTS".

    Members can submit reports of numbers worked, soap-box comments etc. etc. as a "Round-up news" at the end of the session (by end Jan 2018 please) to

    Please email David G4YVM with any questions:
  • 15 Aug 17: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    RuelDW1VGX#15199 EdG4KRJ#18197 RonW6YFX#18305
    JohnVK4010SWL#15216 AlanEI3HDB#18198 MichaelN1GVF#18306
    AdamVK8FEET#15217 Denis9A7DD#18199 RichardAA1FB#18307
    WoutPE1GXH#18179 HalAA2JQ#18287 RoyNQ4D#18308
    FISTS CW ClubII2FIST#18180 JosephKA0ENU#18288 AlexN9YHF#18309
    MaartenPA3DAR#18181 ThomasW6ESL#18289 JesseNY2KC#18310
    AntonioIW2HTH#18182 FroggyK8FU#18290 DavidKC1DNY#18311
    BenI8QFK#18183 BobKJ7NY#18291 TomN4LKL#18312
    Tom2E0EFK#18184 DanK0HNL#18292 Indiana Masonic Home ArcW9IMH#18313
    BrankoYU4DX#18185 BruceN4BRM#18293 SamuelWA9VBG#18314
    JustinGW0FZY#18186 PatrickN0SUR#18294 BrendaKC9WLI#18315
    MartinDH4NWG#18187 JamesKB3EFH#18295 JamesKD9BBU#18316
    MatthiasDF2OF#18188 DaveAC7FF#18296 IrvingKD9AEM#18317
    KlausDL2DWP#18189 JoshuaKG5PFD#18297 MichealKE5YXM#18318
    BryanM0IHY#18190 TomW7ZID#18298 BarryN4DCR#18319
    HorstDL8BCJ#18191 TomKG4WPD#18299 JohnWA0DOM#18320
    FrankDL2CC#18192 RaymondW8FLX#18300 JasonAA5AF#18321
    AlastairM0KRR#18193 RonK4SFC#18301 JesseK4FAC#18322
    RobertM3NQA#18194 JamesAG5FX#18302 RichardW0ZAP#18323
    JohnM6JLG#18195 GregW0GAS#18303    
    RayM3YLW#18196 AlbertKD2LBT#18304    
  • 13 Aug 17: The next 2017 session of the FISTS Americas Cumulatives is on Sunday 13 August 1900-2100 UTC.

    This is a relaxed activity with minimum 5 minute QSOs.  Even if you don't want to send an entry in - and we hope you will - you can come along for some friendly QSOs and perhaps earn points towards FISTS Awards.

    The Cumulatives run on the 2nd and 4th Sundays throughout 2017.  QSOs must be at least 5 minutes long and on 80m, 40m, or 20m.  Exchange:
        RST, name, QTH or state, and member number (if applicable).

    Calling "CQ FISTS" is recommended.  Don't forget to log QSO end times!

    Vibroplex "Bug" Keys will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place operators at the end of the year!
    Be sure to send in your logs!

    NOTE: FISTS CW Club Officers are NOT eligible for key prizes.

    See the full details on the website.
  • 13 Aug 17: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder sessions: Sunday 13 August 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.
  • 12 Aug 17: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    VolkhardDL8UVG  Basic Century
    JarmoOH2BN#16593 Spectrum 20m
    EmilI5EFO#17028 Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement
    RogerAE4RM#17946 Millionaire

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • 12 Aug 17: The August 2017 Cumulatives Report from FISTS CW Club Americas has been published.

    This newsletter contains the results and soapbox comments for the July 2017 Cumulatives on-air sessions.




     
  • 11 Aug 17: The FISTS BrassPounder August 2017 newsletter has just been published.

    BrassPounder provides the results and comments for FISTS CW Club on-air Activities in Europe/UK.

    This edition includes details of the July 2017 Ladder results.



     
  • 06 Aug 17: If you haven't already, please submit your logs for the following July 2017 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.
  • 21 Jul 17: The next 2017 session of the FISTS Americas Cumulatives is on Sunday 23 July 1900-2100 UTC.

    This is a relaxed activity with minimum 5 minute QSOs.  Even if you don't want to send an entry in - and we hope you will - you can come along for some friendly QSOs and perhaps earn points towards FISTS Awards.

    The Cumulatives run on the 2nd and 4th Sundays throughout 2017.  QSOs must be at least 5 minutes long and on 80m, 40m, or 20m.  Exchange:
        RST, name, QTH or state, and member number (if applicable).

    Calling "CQ FISTS" is recommended.  Don't forget to log QSO end times!

    Vibroplex "Bug" Keys will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place operators at the end of the year!
    Be sure to send in your logs!

    NOTE: FISTS CW Club Officers are NOT eligible for key prizes.

    See the full details on the website.
  • 21 Jul 17: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder sessions: Sunday 23 July 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 Jul 17: The July 2017 Cumulatives Report from FISTS CW Club Americas has been published.

    This newsletter contains the results and soapbox comments for the June 2017 Cumulatives on-air sessions.




     
  • 08 Jul 17: The FISTS BrassPounder July 2017 newsletter has just been published.

    BrassPounder provides the results and comments for FISTS CW Club on-air Activities in Europe/UK.

    This edition includes details of the June 2017 Ladder results.



     
  • 07 Jul 17: The next 2017 session of the FISTS Americas Cumulatives is on Sunday 9 July 1900-2100 UTC.

    This is a relaxed activity with minimum 5 minute QSOs.  Even if you don't want to send an entry in - and we hope you will - you can come along for some friendly QSOs and perhaps earn points towards FISTS Awards.

    The Cumulatives run on the 2nd and 4th Sundays throughout 2017.  QSOs must be at least 5 minutes long and on 80m, 40m, or 20m.  Exchange:
        RST, name, QTH or state, and member number (if applicable).

    Calling "CQ FISTS" is recommended.  Don't forget to log QSO end times!

    Vibroplex "Bug" Keys will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place operators at the end of the year!
    Be sure to send in your logs!

    NOTE: FISTS CW Club Officers are NOT eligible for key prizes.

    See the full details on the website.
  • 07 Jul 17: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder sessions: Sunday 9 July 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.
  • 01 Jul 17: The FISTS CW Club Americas Summer Unlimited Sprint takes place on Saturday 8 July 0000-0400 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.
  • 01 Jul 17: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    ElioIU2FZA#18156 MaxIK2OFR#18178 TerryN7TB#18281
    Juan2E0EJZ#18172 VanWB5LAI#18274 DavidN5KWD#18282
    Paul5B8BA#18173 BillW0TG#18276 JohnKN4VV#18283
    GlennM1AQO#18174 ScottW7RX#18277 RyanKD5QAQ#18284
    CliveG8VKQ#18175 MichaelKI4FND#18278 AnthonyNA3AR#18285
    MariuszSP2SWI#18176 TomKB5RF#18279 TrockyK5CEU#18286
    PierreON8GE#18177 TerryN8WEL#18280    
  • 01 Jul 17: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    JeanF6JOE#16177 Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement
    TomAK4NY#17578 Silver Century, Millionaire, 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

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • 01 Jul 17: If you haven't already, please submit your logs for the following June 2017 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.
  • 27 Jun 17: The "summer/autumn" EuCW Snakes & Ladders run starts on Saturday 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.

    For full details, please see the comprehensive rules.
     
  • 27 Jun 17: The FISTS CW Club Americas Summer Slow Speed Sprint (max. 13 wpm) takes place on Saturday 1 July 0000-0400 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.
  • 24 Jun 17: UK amateurs: The annual RSGB 6m CW contest is Sunday 25th 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.
  • 24 Jun 17: The next 2017 session of the FISTS Americas Cumulatives is on Sunday 25 June 1900-2100 UTC.

    This is a relaxed activity with minimum 5 minute QSOs.  Even if you don't want to send an entry in - and we hope you will - you can come along for some friendly QSOs and perhaps earn points towards FISTS Awards.

    The Cumulatives run on the 2nd and 4th Sundays throughout 2017.  QSOs must be at least 5 minutes long and on 80m, 40m, or 20m.  Exchange:
        RST, name, QTH or state, and member number (if applicable).

    Calling "CQ FISTS" is recommended.  Don't forget to log QSO end times!

    Vibroplex "Bug" Keys will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place operators at the end of the year!
    Be sure to send in your logs!

    NOTE: FISTS CW Club Officers are NOT eligible for key prizes.

    See the full details on the website.
  • 24 Jun 17: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder sessions: Sunday 25 June 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.
  • 15 Jun 17: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    JayBV3FQ#15196 JohnWM6W#18212 KaryW2KDK#18243
    JackBV2QS#15197 RobertAB9NP#18213 GeorgeKC9AAX#18244
    PoojithVU3YPP#15198 TorreKC9THA#18214 DougW8DHV#18245
    BillVK1FWBK#15215 DarrylK4VLP#18215 MikeKC0UKA#18246
    JohnG0CDB#18150 TimothyWM4P#18216 DustinKD8LZL#18247
    RoySM4VLG#18151 DallasKG5STN#18217 BobN9GG#18248
    AreLB3SA#18152 MichaelW4NLT#18218 GlennN4MJ#18249
    MikeG3VTO#18153 EdwardKV4WN#18219 JohnKC3CBQ#18250
    PetruHB9GKP#18154 DavidKD8QAB#18220 JimK5JFB#18251
    YrjoeOH3CK#18157 MichaelK8HA#18221 MarkKA9FQG#18252
    XaviEA3BP#18158 PhilK7PB#18222 JeniKC9PRL#18253
    DuncanMM0CMV#18160 DavidKD8KOR#18223 DavidN1MRR#18254
    GrazianoIW2NOY#18161 DaleWB6MMQ#18224 ChrisN0DQI#18255
    JasonGSWL43#18162 NelsonW0NRK#18225 MikeN8DAW#18256
    CliveG0ULR#18163 GeorgeKC3RV#18226 DanielK4DSH#18257
    AllanGW4VPX#18164 RichardKC2GVP#18227 JoeKA9OPL#18258
    JolG6KTO#18165 PatriciaAB4CT#18228 ScottKD4SIR#18259
    MarkM6VMS#18166 WarrenKH6WM#18229 ChrisAK1Z#18260
    BobM0KLO#18167 JamesKC1ENX#18230 JeffreyN1DJS#18261
    StefDL5DG#18168 StephenKD2KRG#18231 CarlosK4IGL#18262
    RenatoIZ8NXG#18169 GeorgeKC1BJT#18232 LarryN7TNT#18263
    JonM0JPS#18170 ElbertKQ3K#18233 PhilipW2OZB#18264
    TerryM6AQW#18171 FredK0FG#18234 CurtisKD0ZCY#18265
    AlW2WW#18204 JamesW3GYM#18235 PeteN4CQN#18266
    HeidiKG0GGY#18205 GregKG4USQ#18236 StuWA6BTK#18267
    StanK7BTA#18206 RonaldN1ZTY#18237 JohnKD0WGH#18268
    KimballN5RKO#18207 JimNJ3T#18238 GeraldKD2FSH#18269
    DavidWW9S#18208 LinN4YCI#18239 MarkKM4AHP#18270
    JoshuaKD9IAC#18209 MarilynKB8PAL#18240 KrisAC0UD#18271
    DaleAD9LZ#18210 DanWD8ASG#18241 DonaldKG5TKW#18272
    DanielAB8SI#18211 SusanSWL-42#18242 KentK0WRY#18273
  • 15 Jun 17: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    DanN8VV#10386 Basic Century, Silver Century, Millionaire, Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement, Worked All States
    JeanF6JOE#16177 Basic Century, Silver Century, Millionaire, Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement
    PeteG0PNM#16592 Gold Century, Millionaire 4 Million Endorsement, Prefix 150 Endorsement
    IanEA7JUK#17613 Basic Century, 1 X QRP
    PaulM0GSX#17642 Basic Century

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • 14 Jun 17: The June 2017 Cumulatives Report from FISTS CW Club Americas has been published.

    This newsletter contains the results and soapbox comments for the May 2017 Cumulatives on-air sessions.




     
  • 11 Jun 17: The FISTS BrassPounder June 2017 newsletter has just been published.

    BrassPounder provides the results and comments for FISTS CW Club on-air Activities in Europe/UK.

    This edition includes details of the May 2017 Ladder results.



     
  • 10 Jun 17: The next 2017 session of the FISTS Americas Cumulatives is on Sunday 11 June 1900-2100 UTC.

    This is a relaxed activity with minimum 5 minute QSOs.  Even if you don't want to send an entry in - and we hope you will - you can come along for some friendly QSOs and perhaps earn points towards FISTS Awards.

    The Cumulatives run on the 2nd and 4th Sundays throughout 2017.  QSOs must be at least 5 minutes long and on 80m, 40m, or 20m.  Exchange:
        RST, name, QTH or state, and member number (if applicable).

    Calling "CQ FISTS" is recommended.  Don't forget to log QSO end times!

    Vibroplex "Bug" Keys will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place operators at the end of the year!
    Be sure to send in your logs!

    NOTE: FISTS CW Club Officers are NOT eligible for key prizes.

    See the full details on the website.
  • 10 Jun 17: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder sessions: Sunday 11 June 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.
  • 01 Jun 17: If you haven't already, please submit your logs for the following May 2017 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 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.

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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