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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13 Oct 17: The FISTS CW Club Americas Fall Unlimited Speed Sprint takes place on Saturday 14 October 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.
10 Oct 17: The October 2017 Cumulatives Report from FISTS CW Club Americas has been published by Dennis K6DF.

This newsletter contains the results and soapbox comments for the September 2017 Cumulatives on-air sessions.
10 Oct 17: The FISTS BrassPounder October 2017 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 September 2017 Ladder results.
08 Oct 17: Please join us in the upcoming FISTS CW Club Europe on-air activities:
- Ladder Sunday 8 October 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.
- Day-hopper with three, 1-hour sessions per day starting at 0800, 1300, & 1800 UTC on each day. The next four days are:
  * Tuesday 10th October.
  * Wednesday 18th October.
  * Thursday 26th October.
  * Friday 27th October.
  
  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.
07 Oct 17: The next 2017 session of the FISTS Americas Cumulatives is on Sunday 8 October 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.

Small image of a FISTS CW Club Century Award certificate.

02 Oct 17: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

Name	Callsign	Member	Awards
Phil	2E0DPH	#14543	Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement
John	G4LRG	#14873	Millionaire 4 Million Endorsement
Chris	G3XVL	#16207	Rag Chewers 2m Endorsement, Spectrum 40m, Prefix
Joe	AA8TA	#17164	Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement, Spectrum 40m, 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.

01 Oct 17: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.
Laurie	VK2GZ	#15218	Steve	W9BRI	#18343	Dave	GW3VBC	#18407
Kei	7N2SUZ	#15254	David	K4BBH	#18344	Smudge	G3GJW	#18408
Mitu	JI1LMO	#15255	Robert	W8ARC	#18345	Innermoss	GJSWL44	#18409
Jason	W5ZP	#18321	David	W3ENG	#18346	Paul	2E0CPX	#18410
Ronald	N6PUC	#18338	Charles	KM4ZZ	#18347	Marcin	SQ9OZM	#18411
Kenneth	N2FBV	#18339	Leonardo	OA4DQA	#18348	Phil	G4XWR	#18412
John	KD9VN	#18340	Lorn	WY7LM	#18349	Jimmi	OZ7ADL	#18413
Hans	KL4KI	#18341	David	K1MR	#18350
George	W0PHX	#18342	Alan	WB9JTK	#18351

01 Oct 17: If you haven't already, please submit your logs for the following September 2017 activities:
- Cumulatives (FISTS CW Club Americas) no later than 7 October.
- Ladder (FISTS CW Club Europe) no later than 7 October.
- Snakes & Ladders (EuCW) no later than 7 October.
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 Oct 17: The first ever FISTS CW Club Europe Day-hopper sessions start on Monday 2nd October 2017 and continue through into November & December. There are three, 1-hour sessions per day starting at 0800, 1300, & 1800 UTC on each day:

* Monday 2nd October.
* Tuesday 10th October.
* Wednesday 18th October.
* Thursday 26th October.
* Friday 27th October.

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. Members can submit reports of numbers worked, soap-box comments etc. etc. as a "Round-up news" at the end of the sessions (by the end of January 2018, please), and also send any questions, to: .
23 Sep 17: The next 2017 session of the FISTS Americas Cumulatives is on Sunday 24 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.
23 Sep 17: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder sessions: Sunday 24 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.
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.
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:

Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.
Ragav	VU3VWR	#15250	Laird	KC5LL	#18329	Robin	G0KPG	#18400
Threeza	DW3TRZ	#15251	Craig	N8PWM	#18330	Dave	G8FXM	#18401
Katsu	JH0ROS	#15252	Bob	WA9NBU	#18331	Andrew	G0OEY	#18402
Dave	XU7AKG	#15253	Chris	KG5UAZ	#18332	Andy	G0FKW	#18403
Gary	AA1UE	#18324	Donald	W5LHJ	#18333	Jo	F5NFB	#18404
Tom	KB9ENS	#18325	Jerry	N6JNL	#18334	Andy	ON7ALG	#18405
David	N2DAV	#18326	Zollie	K4XR	#18335	Andy	M0RON	#18406
Brian	KQ4MM	#18327	Justo	NO CALL 12	#18336
Frank	KK7HI	#18328	Lee	W2LMT	#18337

03 Sep 17: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

Name	Callsign	Member	Awards
Jarmo	OH2BN	#16593	Silver Century
Ron	DL5CL	#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.
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:

Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.
Ruel	DW1VGX	#15199	Ed	G4KRJ	#18197	Ron	W6YFX	#18305
John	VK4010SWL	#15216	Alan	EI3HDB	#18198	Michael	N1GVF	#18306
Adam	VK8FEET	#15217	Denis	9A7DD	#18199	Richard	AA1FB	#18307
Wout	PE1GXH	#18179	Hal	AA2JQ	#18287	Roy	NQ4D	#18308
FISTS CW Club	II2FIST	#18180	Joseph	KA0ENU	#18288	Alex	N9YHF	#18309
Maarten	PA3DAR	#18181	Thomas	W6ESL	#18289	Jesse	NY2KC	#18310
Antonio	IW2HTH	#18182	Froggy	K8FU	#18290	David	KC1DNY	#18311
Ben	I8QFK	#18183	Bob	KJ7NY	#18291	Tom	N4LKL	#18312
Tom	2E0EFK	#18184	Dan	K0HNL	#18292	Indiana Masonic Home Arc	W9IMH	#18313
Branko	YU4DX	#18185	Bruce	N4BRM	#18293	Samuel	WA9VBG	#18314
Justin	GW0FZY	#18186	Patrick	N0SUR	#18294	Brenda	KC9WLI	#18315
Martin	DH4NWG	#18187	James	KB3EFH	#18295	James	KD9BBU	#18316
Matthias	DF2OF	#18188	Dave	AC7FF	#18296	Irving	KD9AEM	#18317
Klaus	DL2DWP	#18189	Joshua	KG5PFD	#18297	Micheal	KE5YXM	#18318
Bryan	M0IHY	#18190	Tom	W7ZID	#18298	Barry	N4DCR	#18319
Horst	DL8BCJ	#18191	Tom	KG4WPD	#18299	John	WA0DOM	#18320
Frank	DL2CC	#18192	Raymond	W8FLX	#18300	Jason	AA5AF	#18321
Alastair	M0KRR	#18193	Ron	K4SFC	#18301	Jesse	K4FAC	#18322
Robert	M3NQA	#18194	James	AG5FX	#18302	Richard	W0ZAP	#18323
John	M6JLG	#18195	Greg	W0GAS	#18303
Ray	M3YLW	#18196	Albert	KD2LBT	#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:

Name	Callsign	Member	Awards
Volkhard	DL8UVG		Basic Century
Jarmo	OH2BN	#16593	Spectrum 20m
Emil	I5EFO	#17028	Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement
Roger	AE4RM	#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:
- Cumulatives (FISTS CW Club Americas) no later than 7 August.
- Ladder (FISTS CW Club Europe) no later than 7 August.
- Snakes & Ladders (EuCW) no later than 7 August.
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:

Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.
Elio	IU2FZA	#18156	Max	IK2OFR	#18178	Terry	N7TB	#18281
Juan	2E0EJZ	#18172	Van	WB5LAI	#18274	David	N5KWD	#18282
Paul	5B8BA	#18173	Bill	W0TG	#18276	John	KN4VV	#18283
Glenn	M1AQO	#18174	Scott	W7RX	#18277	Ryan	KD5QAQ	#18284
Clive	G8VKQ	#18175	Michael	KI4FND	#18278	Anthony	NA3AR	#18285
Mariusz	SP2SWI	#18176	Tom	KB5RF	#18279	Trocky	K5CEU	#18286
Pierre	ON8GE	#18177	Terry	N8WEL	#18280

01 Jul 17: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

Name	Callsign	Member	Awards
Jean	F6JOE	#16177	Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement
Tom	AK4NY	#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:
- Cumulatives (FISTS CW Club Americas) no later than 7 July.
- Ladder (FISTS CW Club Europe) no later than 7 July.
- Snakes & Ladders (EuCW) no later than 7 July.
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.

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Acknowledgements: Thank you to Dennis K6DF, Bill NT9K and Billy AB4RH for permission to use photographs from their key collections.