FISTS CW Club

FISTS supports the use, preservation and education of Morse code. The club is devoted exclusively to CW operators, CW operating and people who are passionate about Morse code.

NYE 320-001 Straight Key from Dennis K6DF's collection. Click to go to a larger picture

We have three straightforward goals:

Further the use of CW (Morse Code)
Engender friendships among members
Encourage newcomers to use CW (Morse Code)

FISTS UK is the Headquarters of the FISTS Club (International Morse Preservation Society).

Bencher BY-1 Paddle from Dennis K6DF's collection. Click to go to a larger picture

Interested in becoming a member?

Find out more about our history.

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23 Jan 15: FISTS Europe Weekend activities 24-25 Jan.

Please join us in the Two Meter & Ladder sessions:

Sat 15:00-16:00 & Sun 10:00-11:00 UTC (note the change in times for 2015):
Two Metre Activity is around 144.058. Exchange a minimum of RST, name, 6 character locator, & member number (if applicable).

Sun 14:00-16:00 & Sun 18:00-20:00 UTC:
Ladder 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. Logs are welcome but not essential - the main objective is to enjoy the QSOs. Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with members of FISTS Europe.

17 Jan 15: We're very pleased to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.
Ken	ZL3AA	#14183	John	M0HFH	#17022	Stephen	GI0HHV	#17023
John	G3HTA	#17024	John	G4VLF	#17025	Jaap	M0HNY	#17026
Cliff	G4VJI	#17027	Emil	I5EFO	#17028	John	2M0JCG	#17029
Ernest	K8EEE	#17114	John	KF7ICN	#17115	Dave	NJ4F	#17116
Floyd	W5FEC	#17117	Kurt	WB9TZY	#17118	David	K8RXB	#17119
Ron	KD2HRN	#17120	Ed	NR4CW	#17121	Gary	K7ORG	#17122
Mike	WD5KCQ	#17123	August	WA2HTF	#17124	Ed	N7NSL	#17125
Anthony	AB9YC	#17126	Drew	W3ZW	#17127	David	WA2WAP	#17128
Ed	KC8SBV	#17129	Juan	N5RGV	#17130

15 Jan 15: New EZKeyer 3 kit from Four State QRP Group: Building on the popular EZKeyer and EZKeyer II, this third generation very capable Morse Code keyer has some additional features - a beautiful new easy building enclosure, a smaller footprint, new PIC microcontroller, Speed Pot, larger message memories, new printed circuit board layout, and large push button switches.

All connectors, switches, the speed pot, and components are board mounted, making the keyer completely self contained on the board. No external parts or wires are required (excepting battery leads).

See the kit's web page for more details and ordering information.
10 Jan 15: FISTS CW Club member Mike G0CVZ from Czech Morse Keys reports:

We now have only 3 Czech Morse keys with minor scratches and/or slight rust, however the internals are as new. So if you want a key then please order by the 10th Jan 2015, after which the Paypal buttons will be removed. In Feb 2015 we will then carry out a final stock check and put the remaining keys up for sale. If you want any spare parts (springs, cables, etc), then now is the time to email and ask, thank you.

I would like to thank all those who have purchased from us; and hope you continue to use your keys. It has been a pleasure to bring these keys to hams all over the world and I have enjoyed meeting and communicating with many new found friends. Have fun with CW, enjoy it and long may it continue.
10 Jan 15: FISTS Europe Weekend activities 10-11 Jan.

Please join us in the Two Meter & Ladder sessions:

Sat 15:00-16:00 & Sun 10:00-11:00 UTC (note the change in times for 2015):
Two Metre Activity is around 144.058. Exchange a minimum of RST, name, 6 character locator, & member number (if applicable).

Sun 14:00-16:00 & Sun 18:00-20:00 UTC:
Ladder 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. Logs are welcome but not essential - the main objective is to enjoy the QSOs. Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with members of FISTS Europe.
07 Jan 15: FISTS North America Members: You can now check if your dues are due on the website's new FISTS Expiration Date web page.

If they are due, you can pay your dues online.

(Note: FISTS Eu members can check their date in the website's Members' Area web page.)
06 Jan 15: Morse Classes at Danbury Essex (UK)
Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society (Essex, UK) invite you to join their Morse classes which will be starting at 7pm on Thursday, January 15 at the Danbury Village Hall CM3 4NQ.

Newcomers will be made very welcome. Start either as a complete beginner or the Morse team can help you to build up your confidence on the Morse and paddle key. Contact Andrew, G0IBN, on 01621 868347 or email: g0ibn<at>kersey1.freeserve.co.uk

Also starting January 15 is the Foundation training course. To find out more speak to Clive G1EUC on
Tel: 01245-224577,
Mob: 07860-418835,
E-mail: training2015 at g0mwt.org.uk,
Web: http://g0mwt.org.uk/training/
06 Jan 15: Kanga Products (Dennis G6YBC) is now selling plug-in band pass filter kits for the W1REX Texas Topper QRP/QRPP to 5 Watt amplifer.

The kit includes parts and PCBs to build 3 filters for 80m, 30m, and 20m, enabling the amplifier to be used on these bands in addition to the supplied 40m band.
06 Jan 15: The January 2015 edition of the "morsEAsia" newsletter from FISTS CW Club East Asia is available.

This edition includes Japan's new Band Plans, effective on January 5, 2015.

FISTS East Asia was formed in 2004 to provide East Asian members with various services in their native languages.
06 Jan 15: Hendricks QRP Kits is closing temporarily. Doug Hendricks writes:

"Hendricks QRP kits will be closing for a short time. I have to have some minor surgery done. I am fine and it is not life-threatening but I need to take care of it and take care of my health. We will be closed from now until March 1 which is the target reopening date. Thank you for all of your past business. All orders currently placed will ship in the next few days."
04 Jan 15: Starting in 2015 the FISTS CW Club North America is adding four new Slow Speed Sprints to the Sprint Program line up. Sprints will be held on the first and second Saturdays. The first Saturday will be the Slow Speed Sprint and the second Saturday will be the usual Sprint with no speed limit.

The Slow Speed Sprint is a great opportunity to introduce our newer members to the fun of operating FISTS Sprints and for our old hands maybe to brush off those straight keys, cooties, side swipers, bugs, etc. and also join in the fun!

In the Slow Speed Sprint, all operators should send no faster than 13 WPM and if someone is calling you or CQing at a slower speed, you should QRS to match their speed. That is the only change; all other rules, scoring, etc. will remain as for the usual Sprint!

03 Jan 15: A very warm welcome to our latest FISTS CW Club members:

Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.
Ed	AF7BN	#16896	Colin	W5CCM	#16897	Mark	WD8NZP	#16898
Julian	KE0CEB	#16899	Ashley	G0PFD	#17019	CJ	M3AHT	#17020
Claude	F6FAS	#17021	Scotty	K4RZR	#17100	David	AF5UO	#17101
John	W9YX	#17102	Pete	WW3O	#17103	Allan	W4EAB	#17104
Glenn	K3SWZ	#17105	Bill	VE3EBN	#17106	Howard	WB1AJX	#17107
Erik	KD8RNF	#17108	Frank	WA2BQU	#17109	James	AC2IL	#17110
Rick	KX9DX	#17111	John	K0OT	#17112	David	N7XHX	#17113

03 Jan 2015: If you haven't already, please submit your logs for the following December 2014 activities:
Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you can't win, it's really helpful to send in logs so that the organisers and other participants are aware of the levels of activity. For all FISTS Eu Activities, logs can be submitted using the FISTS Log Converter program or may be in Excel, CSV or Cabrillo format or neatly reproduced on paper; see the Activity Calendar web page for details.

See the EuCW Snakes & Ladders web page for details on submitting Snakes & Ladders logs.

Small image of a FISTS CW Club Century Award certificate.

02 Jan 15: Please join us in congratulating the recent FISTS CW Club Awards winners:

Name	Callsign	Member	Awards
Peter	G4LHI	#2219	Millionaire 8 Million Endorsement
Peter	M5ABN	#6423	Millionaire 2 Million Endorsement
Don	VE3HUR	#11349	Millionaire 6 Million Endorsement
Phil	2E0DPH	#14543	Millionaire
Pete	WA6OEF	#15666	1 X QRP

For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.

01 Jan 15: Happy New Year from all at FISTS CW Club!

This weekend, 3-4 Jan, we start with a new 6 month Two Metre Activity (Jan-Jun). Please note the time changes: Sat 15:00-16:00 & Sun 10:00-11:00 UTC.
Activity is around 144.058. Exchange a minimum of RST, name, 6 character locator, & member number (if applicable). QSOs are friendly and conversational. Logs are welcome but not essential - the main objective is to enjoy the QSOs. Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with members of FISTS Europe.

The FISTS Ladder and FISTS Fifth Sunday Activities also start afresh in 2015.

Participants in the EuCW Snakes & Ladders activity, please be aware that the 2014/2014 activity continues until the end of March 2015. This is followed by a new activity running from 1st April 2015 to 31st December 2015.

The EuCW ON5ME 160m party takes place on 3rd Jan 20:00- 23:00 UTC and 4th Jan 04:00 - 07:00 UTC.

Last but not least, if you have achieved one or more of the FISTS East Asia 10th Anniversary Awards during 2014, please remember to apply for them on or before 15th January 2015.
28 Dec 14: N3ZN Keys (USA) has introduced a new straight key for 2015, the ZN-HKR.

It is an all brass straight key built on a 3 1/2" diameter brass base. It features 4 ball bearing and silver contact points with a weight of 2 pounds 14 ounces. The knob is bakelite and available in black only. The ZN-HKR puts true meaning into "pounding brass".
26 Dec 14: FISTS Europe Weekend activities 27-28 Dec.

We hope everyone had a very enjoyable Christmas. Please join us in the final Two Meter & Ladder sessions of the year:

Sat 17:00-18:00 & Sun 09:00-10:00 UTC:
Two Metre Activity is around 144.058. Exchange a minimum of RST, name, 6 character locator, & member number (if applicable).

Sun 14:00-16:00 & Sun 18:00-20:00 UTC:
Ladder 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. Logs are welcome but not essential - the main objective is to enjoy the QSOs. Members from all FISTS Chapters are encouraged to join in; QSOs do not have to be with members of FISTS Europe.

21 Dec 14: It's a pleasure to welcome our latest FISTS CW Club members:

Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.	Name	Call	No.
Edward	K1BDR	#16884	Joel	W4JBB	#16885	Scott	N6PG	#16886
Herb	K0HEA	#16887	Murray	K3BEQ	#16888	John	VA7BY	#16889
Ivan	KP3IV	#16890	Bob	W9JOP	#16891	Kevin	K3NTD	#16892
John	K6JRO	#16893	Scott	N5XTC	#16894	Ronald	W3TU	#16895
Pete	G4NTN	#17016	Evan	M0TJU	#17017	Hans	PA5FN	#17018

Please visit the News page for a full list of recent and older news items.

Interested in becoming a member?

FISTS HQ welcomes new members who have a passion for Morse Code.

1990 Vibroplex from Dennis K6DF's collection. Click to go to a larger picture

Benefits of membership include:

Our popular Quarterly A5 News Booklet
Free use of the FISTS QSL Bureau
Access to our members-only area
Help and support from like minded people

The FISTS Club is one of amateur radio's fastest growing organisations. It's an unique club, founded and maintained on solid principles using radio's oldest and yet most reliable communications mode - CW! Why not join us?

FISTS History

The FISTS Club, (International Morse Preservation Society) was founded in 1987 by the late 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 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.