Sat 25 Jan FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Sun 26 Jan FISTS Eu Ladder
Sun 02 Feb FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Sun 09 Feb FISTS Eu Ladder
Mon 10 Feb FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Tue 18 Feb FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Sun 23 Feb FISTS Eu Ladder
Wed 26 Feb FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Thu 05 Mar FISTS Eu Day Hopper
Sun 08 Mar FISTS Eu Ladder
Fri 13 Mar FISTS Eu Day Hopper
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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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  • 17 Jan 20: The Autumn 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:
    • Operation from "Down Under" - G3WZD.
    • Xiegu G90 Review - M0GSX.
    • FMT kit review - GI0BEY.
    • Marconi mystery key solved? - M6BRN.
    • A visitor to the National Radio Station - G4KLE.
    • Tools - For the use of.. - G3VBS.
    • RPP. Reverse protection polarity - M0BMN.

    ... and more besides!

     
  • 11 Jan 20: The latest version, 3.8.0, of the free FISTS Log Converter program for Windows is now available.

    This version adds support for the FISTS CW Club Europe's Ladder and EuCW's Snakes & Ladders and QRS Week activities.

    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, Peter G4LHI, and Richard G0ILN.

     
  • 09 Jan 20: Please join us in the Ladder and Low Bands Day-hopper on-air activities (FISTS CW Club Europe):
    • Ladder Sunday 12 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.
    • Low Bands Day-hopper
      January: Fri 17, Sat 25.
      February: Sun 02, Mon 10, Tue 18, Wed 26.
      March: Thu 05, Fri 13, Sat 21, Sun 29.
      This has has three, 1-hour sessions per day starting at 0800, 1300, & 1800 UTC on each day.

      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, & 2m.  Calling 'CQ FISTS' on or around the FISTS centre of activity frequencies is recommended.
  • 08 Jan 20: The FISTS CW Club Europe BrassPounder December 2019 newsletter written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager, is now available.

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

    This edition includes the results for the November 2019 Ladder activity and provides information about the upcoming activities.
     
  • 04 Jan 20: Please send in your logs and comments for the following activities that took place or finished in December 2019:

    Notes: You can send in logs at any time and more than once, but each log MUST include ALL QSOs (the most recent log replaces earlier ones).  In all the activities, even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do send in logs because it encourages others to join in.
  • 21 Dec 19: Please join us in the Ladder on-air activity (FISTS CW Club Europe):
    • Ladder Sunday 22 December 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
      These are the final 2019 Ladder sessions ... but the Ladder will start afresh in 2020!
      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.
  • 08 Dec 19: Please join us in the Ladder on-air activity (FISTS CW Club Europe):
    • Ladder Sunday 8 December 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.
  • 03 Dec 19: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    DanielVK7DP#15248 DonnaWB9TFF#19625 JanLA7VV#19652
    GaryZL1FAB#15249 EricW0RLY#19626 MikeLX1ML#19654
    FulYD1AUI#15288 FranciscoPY2FRA#19627 PaulG4AIB#19655
    PeterM7PFB#19542 PhilKF0AX#19628 TorvaldLB1FI#19656
    WillyIT9GQH#19544 TimN8UH#19629 BobG4VSO#19657
    ShaunVK6BEK#19545 JohnK4JSK#19630 LouisPA3FTP#19658
    TedKI5AZX#19604 RonaldVE3FXX#19631 GerEI6DP#19659
    OwenK1OJ#19605 ChrisKC9UXC#19632 Felixstowe and District ARSGX4ZFR#19660
    GaryWB2RPW#19606 PaulWA2DII#19633 KeithG3WGE#19661
    RobbKC1LZX#19607 RobertN0RSN#19634 Martin2W0NKS#19662
    AdamW7MP#19608 DaveWB4NCT#19635 DeclanG4RGH#19663
    DavidKD6EOD#19609 MichaelKX6A#19636 AndreasLASWL53#19664
    FrankKB4VU#19610 GregKB9KLC#19637 JohnG4LTH#19665
    FabioPT7CA#19611 MichaelN6MST#19638 DamienGI0LDI#19666
    GregKF5OAS#19612 MarkWA1MD#19639 PeteGI0FZT#19667
    GeorgeAC3EA#19613 PaulK7VIQ#19640 Bill2E0FLT#19668
    JimmyWB5MET#19614 TerryW7AMI#19641 ColinG3TA#19669
    RussellKM4RSD#19615 HowardW4KTX#19642 JohnG7PXK#19670
    TravisKC3IJQ#19616 DavidW1BLU#19643 FredEA5IST#19671
    PeterKA6SGT#19617 GaryW6GVS#19644 JanPA5JW#19672
    WilliamK5KB#19618 StephenKJ6PZB#19645 DerekMM0OVD#19673
    KennethW4KAC#19619 CliffordN0LKC#19646 RAOTA Radio Amateur Old Timers AssociationG2OT#19680
    LaurentVE2WI#19620 MichaelVA3MD#19647 Yuma Desert ContestersWF7X#19700
    WilliamKD0WW#19621 JeffKE4FWE#19648 GregWA1JXR#19701
    ThomasAA3NA#19622 OttoK2BY#19649 TylerAG7SU#19702
    JohnKB0AQS#19623 MauroIZ2FLX#19650    
    RobertVA3RCX#19624 PhilM0PLB#19651    
  • 02 Dec 19: Please send in your logs and comments for the following activities that took place or finished in November 2019:

    Notes: You can send in logs at any time and more than once, but each log MUST include ALL QSOs (the most recent log replaces earlier ones).  In all the activities, even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do send in logs because it encourages others to join in.
  • 01 Dec 19: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    IanG4MLW#130 Millionaire 10 Million Endorsement
    CharlieNP3K#5110 Millionaire 5 Million Endorsement
    JohnKE6K#8549 Millionaire
    PhilK4NE#13030 Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement, Spectrum 40m
    FabioIK0IXI#14539 Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement
    JarmoOH2BN#16593 Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement
    RonDL5CL#17425 Spectrum 80m Endorsement
    AngelN4SNI#18388 Millionaire
    WilliamMI0WWB#18434 Spectrum 40m Endorsement, Prefix 150 Endorsement
    BernardON7ZH#18446 Silver Century
    VladoIU0HMB#18894 Millionaire
    MarioDD7CW#19528 Basic Century, Silver Century, Millionaire, Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement, Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement, Spectrum 40m

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • 30 Nov 19: Straight Key Week (FISTS CW Club Europe), starts on Sunday 01 December and finishes on Saturday 07 December UTC. 

    DON'T FORGET to add SKW to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field and that the operating times are 1 hour periods starting at the following UTC times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100.
    If you are sending in a log, you must use straight keys or sideswipers (no bug keys, keyers, keyboards etc.)

    Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028 and 3.558 MHz.  Exchange a minimum of:
        Name, RST, QTH, & member number (if applicable).

    QSOs are friendly and conversational.  Submitting logs is not essential but very much appreciated.  Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with members of FISTS Europe.
  • 24 Nov 19: Please join us in the Ladder on-air activity (FISTS CW Club Europe):
    • Ladder Sunday 24 November 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
      Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz.  While conditions will be difficult due to contest activity, bear in mind that VHF (and even UHF and higher) bands can also be used in the Ladder.  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.
  • 14 Nov 19: The FISTS CW Club Europe BrassPounder November 2019 newsletter has just been published by David G4YVM, Activities Manager.

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

    This edition includes the results for the October 2019 Ladder activity and provides information about the upcoming activities.

     
  • 09 Nov 19: Please join us in the Ladder on-air activity (FISTS CW Club Europe):
    • Ladder Sunday 10 November 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.
  • 03 Nov 19: Please send in your logs and comments for the following activities that took place or finished in October 2019:

    Notes: You can send in logs at any time and more than once, but each log MUST include ALL QSOs (the most recent log replaces earlier ones).  In all the activities, even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do send in logs because it encourages others to join in.
  • 02 Nov 19: Graham G3ZOD writes:  The RSGB Marconi CW 2m Contest is this Weekend, 2 November 1400 UTC - 3 November 1400 UTC.  It is part of a Europe-wide contest and is the third out of three annual RSGB VHF CW contests (6m, 4m and 2m).

    NOTE: This year the rules concerning the 6 hour operating section have changed - see the rules!

    Unlike HF contests, QSOs are a bit more relaxed and don't expect to get 599 for each QSO!  The exchange is RST, serial number and 6 character locator.  Most activity centres around 144.050, with the primary CW band plan segment 144.025 - 144.110 MHz.
  • 26 Oct 19: Please join us in the Ladder on-air activity (FISTS CW Club Europe):
    • Ladder Sunday 27 October 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: On Sunday, clocks in much of Europe will have changed from daylight savings (summer) time to winter time.  E.g. the UK will have changed from BST to UTC.

      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.
  • 24 Oct 19: The Summer 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:
    • Ralph Sutton ZL2AOH SK.
    • The electro-bug key - IK0IXI.
    • Why is my key called a "Bug" - M0MMX.
    • My passage into Morse Code - MI0WWB.
    • The G5RV antenna - G4BEQ.
    • Be happy with your (P)lot - G3VBS.
    • A mystery Marconi Key? - G3XMM.
    • Restoring a double current key - G3YZZ.

    ... and more besides!

     
  • 21 Oct 19: FISTS Europe members: At the time of writing, 313 members have not yet renewed their membership.

    The latest "Key Note" should be arriving through letter boxes within a few days' time!  If you receive the printed copy, please check the envelope's address label for your next renewal date - if it says "July 2019", it could be the last "Key Note" you will receive.

    Also, all European members can check their next renewal date on the website at:
    http://fists.co.uk/members.

    If you want to renew your membership, you can do it here:
    http://fists.co.uk/renew.
  • 16 Oct 19: The FISTS CW Club Europe BrassPounder October 2019 newsletter has just been published by David G4YVM, Activities Manager.

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

    This edition includes the results for the October 2019 Ladder activity, the Word Search 2019 activity, and provides information about the upcoming activities.

     
  • 12 Oct 19: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

    NameCallsignMemberAwards
    PeterG4LHI#2219 Down Under 5 Day QRP QSOs
    PeterM5ABN#6423 Down Under Gold 25, Down Under Gold 50
    DerekM0DRK#8344 Gold Century
    FabioIK0IXI#14539 Silver Century, Rag Chewers 80m Endorsement, Rag Chewers, Spectrum 20m, Down Under Gold 50
    BertF6HKA#14577 Spectrum 80m Endorsement, Spectrum 30m Endorsement, Worked All States 15m Endorsement, Down Under Gold 25, Down Under Gold 75
    BenDH0DK#16573 Down Under 5 Day QRP QSOs
    PeteG0PNM#16592 Down Under Gold 25
    MikIZ2FME#18103 Silver Century, Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement, Down Under Gold 25
    RobinG4DNP#18149 Down Under 5 Day QRP QSOs
    AndrewG0OEY#18402 Down Under Gold 25
    WilliamMI0WWB#18434 1 X QRP, Millionaire 3 Million Endorsement, Prefix 100 Endorsement, Down Under Gold 75
    RichardG4TGJ#18559 Down Under 5 Day QRP QSOs
    RayM0DHP#18562 Basic Century
    JoeIK2WAD#18599 Millionaire, Prefix, Prefix 50 Endorsement, Prefix 100 Endorsement, Prefix 150 Endorsement
    IvanG0BON#18877 Millionaire
    VladoIU0HMB#18894 Basic Century
    JohnG4YTJ#19024 Down Under 5 Day QRP QSOs
    JohnM6BLV#19277 Down Under 5 Day QRP QSOs

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • 12 Oct 19: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

    NameCallNo. NameCallNo. NameCallNo.
    DanielVK7DPF#15248 NickG8SYE#19511 BillN2RKL#19562
    RameshVU2LU#15287 BarryG6JMX#19512 RoyKN4WOJ#19563
    PederW7RPK#19463 Luke2W0LXT#19513 ConoW2ZMZ#19564
    RichardN0JBF#19464 TimG4YTD#19514 FabioPY1RCH#19565
    IraWB2POP#19465 SamG0BOM#19515 TonyW8CDC#19566
    MichaelKD9MED#19466 TerryG3VMT#19516 WardKL7IXW#19567
    RaymondKC3NDZ#19467 JimG4EQX#19517 AlK7AJG#19568
    KeithKN4RFL#19468 WinDK6JK#19518 PeterKA1IFG#19569
    CharlesAF5AO#19469 PeteG8RXZ#19519 MatthewW4MLS#19570
    JohnN8GOU#19470 ClausDJ0DX#19520 KevinK4MCX#19571
    BillN5CX#19471 RogerG3KMV#19521 MarkWW5SS#19572
    DavidWB6DNL#19472 SalIK7UKF#19522 ThomasW8WEU#19573
    DavidNN7RM#19473 GeoffMW0PUG#19523 RonnieN4PHL#19574
    DaleKJ4VTS#19474 AndyM0TIZ#19524 BobK4DJG#19575
    RichardW9KMF#19475 RoyG0VFS#19525 MichaelK6VN#19576
    RonKW1Q#19476 IanGI0AZB#19526 PedroWP4O#19577
    JoeyW4JF#19477 EstherGI0AZA#19527 LuisNP4RA#19578
    DavidKO4MC#19478 MarioDD7CW#19528 RayAK6E#19579
    BillNF6R#19479 NigelG4DFQ#19529 WilliamW1WRH#19580
    MichelVE2BJG#19480 AdrianG0EHG#19530 DavidK5DWJ#19581
    SonnyW4KXQ#19481 KenM0OAE#19531 ChristopherN2MCS#19582
    LesKT3R#19482 KevinM0KHZ#19532 JamesW5JT#19583
    RickWW9JD#19483 LeonardoIZ2VTO#19533 RichardK4CRD#19584
    GregWB7DUO#19484 Paddy2E0TWD#19534 CecilW5CFT#19585
    DavidKB7QHL#19485 BrunoEA4EPY#19535 DarrellAA9OM#19586
    DavidXE2AD#19486 FrankM6JZO#19536 NeilK6UIP#19587
    AaronW8AAR#19487 ThomasDG6UAX#19537 EricKZ5ED#19588
    ClaudeVE2DPE#19488 IanEI4DP#19538 BobAC8ZU#19589
    JeffreyKC9TR#19489 AaronM0IER#19539 RobertN9TO#19590
    RichardNZ2I#19490 ChrisG4WVF#19540 JoshuaKI5FXG#19591
    SteveW0AZ#19491 GeorgeG0UCF#19541 DonKI5AIU#19592
    JayK4EMF#19492 LaurenceWA0EJX#19550 GuillermoKM4OOD#19593
    MarkW8EWH#19493 RichardKU4NZ#19551 JoeAG7FH#19594
    PhilK5PGH#19494 MikeWB0BEE#19552 OscarNK3B#19595
    TomKF4YEY#19495 ArtK7DWI#19553 MarkKC0MH#19596
    PeterKW0FRE#19496 SamKN4SYS#19554 DavidVE3KIU#19597
    ThomasW4OLR#19497 DudleyKD0NMD#19555 KennethKB3HXA#19598
    StevenWB2GDD#19498 GregoryKE8GC#19556 RichKB1FGC#19599
    PaulNZ7Q#19499 FrankK8WY#19557 DennisWV8DX#19600
    AlDA6RAM#19508 BobWA4SUH#19558 JoelND5V#19601
    JimMM1DPH#19509 RobertK6DDS#19559 MarkAC2ZR#19602
    JeffMW6OVT#19510 GeneVE6EFC#19561 DavidWA5DJJ#19603
  • 12 Oct 19: Please join us in the Ladder on-air activity (FISTS CW Club Europe):
    • Ladder Sunday 13 October 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.
  • 02 Oct 19: The FISTS CW Club Europe BrassPounder September 2019 newsletter has just been published by David G4YVM, Activities Manager.

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

    This edition includes the results for the September 2019 Ladder activity and provides information about the upcoming activities.

     
  • 01 Oct 19: Please send in your logs and comments for the following activities that took place or finished in September 2019:

    Notes:

    (1) If you had any Ladder QSOs between 01 July and 30 September, you are almost guaranteed to be able to send in a Word Search log; please do!!

    (2) You can send in logs at any time and more than once, but each log MUST include ALL QSOs (the most recent log replaces earlier ones).  In all the activities, even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do send in logs because it encourages 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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