Sun 28 Apr FISTS Eu Ladder
Mon 29 Apr-Fri 03 May EuCW QRS Week
Tue 30 Apr FISTS Eu 2m Refresher
Mon 06 May FISTS Eu Chirp n Drift
Wed 08 May FISTS Eu 2m Refresher
Sun 12 May RSGB 4m CW Contest
Sun 12 May FISTS Eu Ladder
Thu 16 May FISTS Eu 2m Refresher
Sat 25 May FISTS Eu 2m Refresher
Sun 26 May FISTS Eu Ladder
Mon 27 May FISTS Eu 2m Refresher
Mon 27 May FISTS Eu Iconic Rig Event
Sun 09 Jun FISTS Eu Ladder
Sun 23 Jun RSGB 6m CW Contest
Sun 23 Jun FISTS Eu Ladder
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:

    Also available via RSS Subscribe to RSS news feed  Twitter Go to FISTS_CW_Club on Twitter  Facebook Go to FISTS CW Club on Facebook
  • 22 Apr 19: The 2m Bank Holiday Refresher (FISTS CW Club Europe) starts with Monday 22nd & Tuesday 30th April 19:00-21:00 UTC (with 4 further sessions in May).
    This is a return to 2m CW with a set of 2 hour sessions on different days and times in April and May.  Send in logs for your best three scoring sessions.  Exchange a minimum of:
        RST, name, QTH, member number (if available).

    Recommended frequencies 144.025 - 144.100 with centre of activity 144.052.  QSO points are as per the Ladder but also multipliers apply.  If you use FISTS Log Converter, please install version 3.7.2 or later.

    Dates and times (UTC):
    Mon 22 April19:00 - 21:00 (Easter Bank Holiday).
    Tue 30 April19:00 - 21:00.
    Wed 08 May19:00 - 21:00.
    Thu 16 May19:00 - 21:00.
    Sat 25 May14:00 - 16:00.
    Mon 27 May10:00 - 12:00 (Spring Bank Holiday).
  • 13 Apr 19: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder and 2m Bank Holiday Refresher on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 14 April 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.
    • 2m Bank Holiday Refresher Monday 22nd & Tuesday 30th April 19:00-21:00 UTC (& 4 May sessions).
      This is a return to 2m CW with a set of 2 hour sessions on different days and times in April and May.  Send in logs for your best three scoring sessions.  Exchange a minimum of:
          RST, name, QTH, member number (if available).

      Recommended frequencies 144.025 - 144.100 with centre of activity 144.052.  QSO points are as per the Ladder but also multipliers apply.  If you use FISTS Log Converter, please install version 3.7.2 or later.
  • 06 Apr 19: Please send in your logs for the following activities that took place or finished in March 2019:

    *** If you had Ladder QSOs on any or all of 24 February, 10 March, 24 March, PLEASE do send in a Winter Sports log.  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 other Winter Sports events.  See the Winter Sports rules for more information.
  • 25 Mar 19: The Winter 2019 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:
    • Hunting for the Unicorn Part 2.
    • QRSS Very slow CW.
    • Setting up the straight key.
    • Robert Stoddart M0BYJ 1917-2018 Obituary.
    • QUA.
    • S81/2R! A significant Morse Key.
    • NARSA Rally. Blackpool 28th April 2019.

    ... and more besides!

     
  • 24 Mar 19: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder and Winter Sports on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 24 March 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.)
  • 16 Mar 19: The FISTS CW Club Europe BrassPounder March 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 February 2019 Ladder results and information about the upcoming activities in April and May.




     
  • 10 Mar 19: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder and Winter Sports on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 10 March 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.)
  • 01 Mar 19: Please send in your logs for the following February 2019 activities:

    Winter Sports (FISTS CW Club Europe) logs are not due until 07 April; **HOWEVER** note that 27 February 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 other 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.
  • 23 Feb 19: Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Europe Ladder and Winter Sports on-air activities:
    • Ladder Sunday 24 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.)
  • 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!

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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