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Links

Please click on one of the following links to go to a category:

FISTS around the World
FISTS Affiliated Clubs (Europe)  New link!!!
Clubs
Component Suppliers
Construction
CW Kit Suppliers
Learning and Improving Morse Code  New link!!!
Morse History
Morse Keys and Paddles Collections
Morse Key, Paddles, Keyer & Related Device Suppliers
Museums (Real)
Museums (Virtual)
Operating
Publications
QSL Card Suppliers
Serendipity
Software for CW

If you know of any Morse code-related websites that you feel European members (in particular) will be interested in, please send details to in an email.

FISTS around the World

FISTS Affiliated Clubs (Europe)

Clubs with one or more members of both the club and FISTS can be affiliated with FISTS.
For information, visit the club's website or the FISTS Affiliated Clubs web page.

** This section is a work-in-progress, so not all clubs are listed yet.

Clubs

  • AGCW-DL e.V. is Germany's largest club of CW friends.
  • CWops' goal is to bring together Amateur Radio operators who enjoy communicating by Morse Code (CW).
  • Deutscher Telegrafie Club (DTC) is dedicated to and very much engaged in all areas related to telegraphy in the Amateur Radio Service.
  • European CW Association (EuCW) is an association of European CW clubs.  Using the Association as a platform, member clubs may exchange ideas and information, arrange various activities involving mutual participation, and generally co-operate for the benefit of amateur radio CW operation.
  • First Class CW Operators' Club (FOC), founded in 1938, promotes good CW (morse code) operating, activity, friendship and socialising.
  • GQRP Club promotes low power amateur radio and publishes the Sprat magazine.
  • International CW Council (ICWC) logo International CW Council (ICWC) is comprised of representatives from CW clubs world-wide, promotes and aids in the retention and growth of International Morse Code as a mode of communication between amateur radio operators.

    Note: ICWC provides a comprehensive CW Events Calendar.
  • Long Island CW Club (LICW) is an international organisation specialising in learning Morse code.
  • Maritime Radio Historical Society (MRHS) is a small group of dedicated individuals who share the goals of documenting, preserving and restoring the artifacts of maritime radio history.
  • MEGS Morse Enthusiasts Group Scotland was formed in January 1991 to encourage Morse Code working, at all levels of ability.
  • Morse Telegraph Club is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the perpetuation of the knowledge and traditions of telegraphy.
  • Northern Amateur Radio Societies Association (NARSA) organises the Blackpool Amateur Radio, Computer and Electronics Exhibition that takes place at the Norbreck Castle Hotel every year.
  • PA3BWK Ultimate Morse Code Web Site hosts the web pages for the HSC, VHSC, SHSC and EHSC clubs and provides many other Morse resources.
  • QRP Amateur Radio Club International (QRP ARCI) is for QRP enthusiasts worldwide and publishes the QRP Quarterly magazine.
  • RAIBC is the charity working for radio amateurs with disabilities.
  • Radio Amateur Old Timers' Association (RAOTA) seeks to keep alive the pioneer spirit and traditions of the past in today's Amateur Radio by means of personal and radio contact, whilst being mindful of any special needs.
  • Radio Officers Association (ROASS) is a society for ex. Merchant Navy Radio Officers.  The website contains historical information of interest to everyone.
  • UK QRP Group specialises in non-contest low power radio communication via CW (Morse code), phone, and the attended operation of data terminal equipment.
  • Vintage and Military Amateur Radio Society (VMARS) exists to help and support Radio Amateurs and Shortwave Listeners who wish to restore and operate vintage military or commercial radio equipment on the amateur bands.

Component Suppliers

  • AMTOOLS UK supplies crystals and torroids amongst other items.
  • Bitsbox (UK) supplies a wide variety of components with low delivery charges.
  • Bowood Electronics (UK) supplier of components with low delivery costs.
  • CPC (UK) has a good range but expensive.
  • ESR Electronics Components (UK) supplies components.
  • GQRP Club Sales (UK) has common QRP components such as crystals and torroids available for members at very low prices and delivery.
  • JAB Electronic Components (UK) supplies a wide range of components.
  • Mainline Electronics (UK) supplies high voltage variable capacitors (the old Jackson range), reduction drives and other items.
  • PICAXE Store (UK) supplies PICAXE microprocessors and related kits and accessories, including commonly used components.
  • Rapid (UK) has a wide range of components.
  • Spectrum Communications (UK) supplies various components, including replacements for Toko coils.
  • Switch Electronics (UK) has a wide range of components and other items, including Hammond enclosures.
  • W. H. Westlake Electronics (UK) specialises in supplying cables and connectors.
  • 6V6 Vintage Components (UK) component and kit supplier, including several hard-to-get variable capacitors for receiver or QRP work and a range of valves (tubes).

Construction

CW Kit Suppliers

  • Elecraft (USA) supplies the famous K-series transceivers and accessories kits.
  • Five Dash Inc. (USA), run by Tony KB9YIG, supplies inexpensive Software Defined Radio (SDR) kits comprising receivers and transceivers.  For detailed information and documentation, see the softrock40 (Softrock-40 Interest Group) Yahoo group.
  • Four State QRP Group kits index (USA) supplies CW-related kits.
  • HamGadgets.com (USA) supplies the popular PicoKeyer and other kits.
  • Hamshop.cz (Czech Republic) supplies various touch key and keyer kits.
  • HF SIGNALS (India) The Home of BITX transceivers.
  • Idiom Press (USA) supplies kit and assembled keyers.
  • Jackson Harbor Press (USA) supplier of morse-accessory kits.
  • roWaves provide a number of Juma range products including LF CW transmitters.
  • K1EL Systems (USA) provides the popular WinKeyer, WKUSB and other CW-related kits.
  • Kanga Products (UK) supplies kits including the Foxx-3 CW transceiver, OXO and Junk Box Special CW transmitters, Sudden receivers and other items.
  • New England QRP Club (NEQRP) (USA) supplies the well-respected NEScaf audio filter kit.
  • Pacific Antenna (USA) supplies various QRP-related Kits.
  • QRPGuys (USA) supplies supplies a range of CW-related kits including a Mini Paddle (single lever), Mini Keyer/Paddle (single lever), Iambic Mini Paddle, Mini Keyer V1, Mini Keyer V2, and Code Practice Oscillator.
  • QRPme run by Rex Harper, W1REX, supplies QRP CW and other kits including the famous Tuna Tin kits.
  • QRP Labs (UK / FISTS member Hans, G0UPL) supplies many QRP kits, including for QRP CW .
  • SOTABEAMS supplies kits for CW audio DSP filters as well as built units.
  • Walford Electronics (UK) supplier of kits for Radio Amateurs.

Learning and Improving Morse Code

For a more detailed discussion of learning and improving Morse Code, please see the Resources web page.
There are also some downloadable books in the Publications section.
  • CW Forever is a free Morse code training program from Geo W9RFX.
  • CW Freak.NET is a free program that allows you to practice Morse using callsigns.  You can compare your scores to others around the world in monthly, annual, and permanent rankings.
  • ebook2cw is a free program that enables you to convert electronic books and other text into MP3 files containing Morse code at speeds of your choice. 
  • Koch CW Trainer is a free Windows program that enables you to practice Morse using the Koch method, text files, words and callsigns.
  • LCWO Learn CW Online is a website that allows you to practice Morse using the Koch method, code groups, plain text, callsigns, words, QTC and generate practice MP3 files.  Note: Requires Flash.
  • LIDS, run by FISTS member Michael G0POT and who can be found using @lids_cw (X) are committed to helping people try CW and to build their confidence.
  • Morse Code Player, is web-based and can play RSGB news items at chosen speeds and with selectable noise.  It can also play practice items such as letter groups and callsigns and is provided by Graham G4JBD.
  • QRQ is a QRQ (fast CW) trainer for Linux, Unix, OS X, & Windows from the world's leading QRQ expert, Fabian Kurz DJ5CW.
  • QRQcw is a web site specialising learning and using QRQ (fast) CW.
  • RufzXP is a free program that allows you to practice Morse using callsigns and random characters.  You can compare your scores to others around the world.
  • S.M.R.C.C. Morse Practice provides MP3 Morse files with text, QSOs and letter groups at 12, 18 and 25 w.p.m.  S.M.R.C.C (South Manchester Radio and Computing Club) also runs a 80m Morse practise net on Tuesday evenings.
  • Teach8 is the current version of the ZL1AN's free and popular Teach4 Morse code training program for Windows, now maintained by Andrew ZL1AF.
  • The Morse Crusade is Ian G4XFC's website, promoting the teaching of Morse using fast character sending, as employed in training methods such as the Koch method and Farnsworth spacing.
  • The Old Man and the Sea web page created by Petr OK2CQR contains MP3 files of The Old Man and the Sea at 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 words per minute.

Morse History

Morse Keys and Paddles Collections

  • Dennis K6DF (FISTS Awards Manager) provides photographs and descriptions of his key collection.
  • Mark M6BRN provides photographs and descriptions of his collection of telegraph items and crystal radios.
  • Morse Garage is Fred, HB9JCP's website and includes a history and images of Vibroplex keys.
  • MORSEMAD is John G0RDO's website and contains lots of information, history, pictures of bug keys, straight keys, morse items etc. plus links to other CW related sites.
  • Navy Transmitting Key Photos and Info contains lots of photos of US Navy straight keys, bugs and memorabilia.
  • Ron G3YUH makes, collects, and refurbishes Morse keys.
  • W1TP Telegraph Museum contains a vast collection of key photographs, including some very early and obscure ones.

Morse Key, Paddles, Keyer & Related Device Suppliers

Also see the section CW Kit Suppliers for keyer kits.

Museums (Real)

  • National Radio Centre (Bletchley Park, UK) is a showcase for radio communications technology-a technology powering the 21st century economy.  The centre provides the opportunity to get "up close and personal" with the history and technology of radio communications.  The NRC is run by the Radio Society of Great Britain.
  • Radiomuseum has details of 184,000 radio models and 817,000 pictures including tubes(valves) / semiconductors, old time loop antennas, crystal receivers, speakers, radio amateur gear, tape recorders, record players, microphones and boatanchors.
  • Porthcurno Museum of Global Communications (UK) houses collections related to the story of international telegraph communications and the significance of the role of Porthcurno in that story.
  • The Museum of Technology (Throckenholt near Spalding, UK) specialises in the evolution of electrical, electronic and warfare technology between the period 1850 and 1980, inculding a collection of telegraphy items.

Museums (Virtual)

  • Heathkit Virtual Museum has details of Heathkit and their kits, including many photographs.
  • Marconi Archives at the Bodleian Library, University of Oxford has an extensive collection of Marconi-related documents, photos and film clips available.

Operating

  • Amateur Dipole Antenna Calculator can be used to calculate dipole lengths in feet/inches and meters.
  • Azimuthal Map (NS6T) alows you to configure and print Great Circle (Azimuthal) maps.  This is very handy for aligning antennas - countries may not be in the direction you think they are.
  • CW Club RBN (Reverse Beacon) Spotter from Fabian DJ5CW displays frequencies and callsigns of FISTS members and/or other clubs who are currently on the air or have been recently.
  • Find QTH locator or map square alows you to click on a map to find out your QTH Locator (Maidenhead Locator) with up to 10 characters accuracy.  You can also type in a QTH Locator to display where it is on the map.  Note: if printing your Locator on QSL cards, be sure to double-check your location on the map.
  • Hamcall is an online callbook, allowing you to look up details of an amateur radio station using the callsign.
  • Iambic keyer mode A and B is a document describing the differences between Iambic Mode A keying and Iambic Mode B keying.  It's written by Chuck Olson WB9KZY.
  • International Morse Code (PDF) is the official ITU document giving the Morse code for letters, numbers, punctuation and procedural signals.
  • Maidenhead Grid Square Locator Map (K2DSL) alows you find out a QTH Locator (Maidenhead Locator) by typing in a town, post code or ZIP code and viewing a map.  Note: if printing your Locator on QSL cards, be sure to double-check your location on the map.
  • N8FQ FISTS sked page allows contacts to be arranged via the Internet in real time.
  • Ofcom Online Licensing Services allows UK radio amateurs to validate their licence (required at least every 5 years), amend it, or apply for a new one.
  • QRZ.COM is an online callbook, allowing you to look up details of an amateur radio station using the callsign.
  • Time Zone Buddy is a very useful website for determing current or future dates & times in different time zones (e.g. for skeds).

Publications

QSL Card Suppliers

Serendipity

  • adif.org.uk is hosted by FISTS CW Club and contains released and proposed ADIF (Amateur Radio Data Interchange Format) specifications.
  • Elsie is a program for filter design.  The student version is free.
  • Goathiker (Steve WGOAT) has filmed many fascinating videos of his CW and other expeditions into the mountains along with his two "pack goats".  These are very entertaining and even non-radio amateur family members will enjoy the goats' antics.
  • Lego Morse Code Paddles has a video by Hugo M0HSW showing his Lego paddles in action.
  • Lego SideSwiper has a video by Rob G4LMW FISTS #14000 showing his Lego sideswiper key in action.
  • Morse code ringtone generator is free and allows you to generate Morse ring tone (midi) files that you can download to your mobile (cell) phone.
  • Portable in Herefordshire (SOTA setup) (YouTube video) shows FISTS member Sandy G0VQW out in the field demonstrating SOTA to fellow FISTS members Tony G3ZRJ and Rich G4FAD.
  • QRP transmitter powered by a straight key shows details, photographs and a video of Jari OH6DC's straight key powered transmitter.
  • RadioTelegraphy.net has a comprehensive set of links for Morse-related topics.
  • Samuel Morse Regular Font allows you to view and print Morse code versions of documents.
  • SMS Morsecode has a video by Tony HB9BLU showing him using Morse code to send a text (SMS) message on his mobile (cell) phone.  Be sure to read the Morse in the closing credits.
  • Strange Morse Keys by Jari OH6DC has many weird and wonderful Morse keys, all fully working.  The website includes a video for each key, and Jari's Morse code sending skills are very apparent.  Listen out for the amusing comments sent by Morse in each video.
  • Telegraph Clacks out RSS Feeds shows details and lots of photographs of constructing a brass telegraph sounder, based on historical plans.
  • UK Amateur Radio Call Signs has comprehensive historical details of UK amateur radio callsign series and when they were originally issued.
  • Virtual Bug Key provides a simulation of a bug key so that you can press the paddles and see how it works.  Note: requires Flash on your computer.

Software for CW

  • Fldigi is a free, multi-platform digital decoding package that includes a CW decoder.

[1] The price quoted may have changed since the link was last updated; check the supplier's website for the latest information.

Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Michael G0POT for providing updates to this page.

Thank you also to Tony G3ZRJ, Paul G4BNU, John M0CDL, Dave G4AJY, Rob G4LMW, Ian G4MLW, Tom ON4TOM, Ian G6TGO, John G0RDO, Jack WA6KYO, Martyn GW6ITJ, Rob M0BPT, Petr OK2CQR, Gordon G3ZFZ, David N1EA, Dave G4UGM, Malcolm G4YMB, Norman G4LQF, Dennis M0MMX, Frank 2E0YAR, Paul G0UFV, Mauro HB9FBG, and John, G4YTJ for suggesting websites. 

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