Home > Activities & Awards > Activities Calendar

Activities Calendar

Please choose a year for the activities:
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

To see reports and tables of results, visit the Activity Results page.  The free FISTS Log Converter program for Windows can be used to create entries for all the FISTS activities below.

Activities Calendar 2019

To see a list of dates and times for these and some other on-air activities, please visit the Upcoming Events web page. 

New!!! Chirp n Drift 2019
New!!! Iconic Rig Event 2019
New!!! 2m Bank Holiday Refresher 2019
New!!! Straight Key Week 2019 (SKW)
Winter Sports 2019
Ladder 2019

FISTS CHIRP N DRIFT 2019
DESCRIPTION As requested, a second Chirp n Drift activity is scheduled for Monday 6th May, a UK Bank Holiday.  Let's go for 1800Z to 0000Z (which if you recall is after BST so will be 7pm to 1am British time).  Last time we had some German and Dutch stations joining in so for you chaps it will be 8pm I think, but as it's not a Bank Holiday for you that might suit quite well).  Monday 6th May then, dust off the chirpy gear and spread the word for another exciting and interesting event.  I hope to work a few more 1154s and elusive Parasets this time, but homebrew gear is also most welcome!!
DATES and
TIMES (UTC)		 Monday 6th May 18:00 - 00:00Z (BST: 6th May 19:00 - 7th May 01:00)
LOGS No logs BUT please send reports and photos to .


ICONIC RIG EVENT 2019
DESCRIPTION After the last Chirp N Drift I was asked to organise an event for classic rigs which might rarely get an outing but which do not chirp or drift!  So, time to add volts to that FT7B, TS180, Drake TR7 and of course, the Gentleman of rigs, the FT101ZD plus a host of others time has removed from my memory.  Let's hear them!  I suggest we run this on May 27th, another UK Bank Holiday.  Let's go, again, for 1800Z to 0000Z (7pm to 1am British time).
DATES and
TIMES (UTC)		 Monday 27th May 18:00 - 00:00Z (BST: 27th May 19:00 - 28th May 01:00)
LOGS No logs BUT please send reports and photos to .


FISTS 2M BANK HOLIDAY REFRESHER 2019
DESCRIPTION The Refresher is to encourage activity on the 2m band over six 2 hour periods, between Easter Bank Holiday Monday and Spring Bank Holiday Monday with an easy going pace.

Intended for all CW operators, it is aimed specifically for those who haven't operated for a while, feel a little rusty or just need a little confidence boost!!

The idea is to encourage members to take part in an event, where the minimum expectation is to have a basic QSO exchange with other operators.

HOWEVER if members feel they are confident to have a longer in depth QSO, then that's encouraged also.

To add to the fun, points can be claimed for each station worked to create a little healthy, light hearted competition.
DATES and
TIMES (UTC)		 Monday 22nd April 19:00 - 21:00 (Easter Bank Holiday).

Tuesday 30th April 19:00 - 21:00.

Wednesday 8th May 19:00 - 21:00.

Thursday 16th May 19:00 - 21:00.

Saturday 25th May 14:00 - 16:00.

Monday 27th May 10:00 - 12:00 (Spring Bank Holiday).
FREQUENCIES Recommended 144.025 - 144.100 with centre of activity 144.052.

Please keep clear of the Calling (144.050) and QRP (144.060) centre of activity frequencies by at least ±1 kHz.

Example recommended CQ call:
CQ CQ DE G4YVM G4YVM G4YVM IO91CC IO91CC IO91CC, BEAMING NORTH K
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS number (if applicable).
SCORING A QSO can only be claimed once per session.
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX).

For each session a multiplier will apply which will be the total number of points claimed, multiplied by the number of stations worked, multiplied by the number of countries worked.

E.g. 45 points claimed, 17 stations worked, 3 countries worked - 45×17×3 = 2,295.
LOGS Please submit logs from the 3 highest scoring sessions that you participate in by Friday 15th June.  Entries must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc version 3.7.0 or later for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2019/04/22,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,144.052,599,559,19:25,2219,CW,3
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 144.054
    'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 2219
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


STRAIGHT KEY WEEK 2019 (SKW)
DESCRIPTION Straight Key Week runs for 7 days in December.  You must send CQs and have QSOs using a straight ("up & down") key or a sideswiper (aka "cootie") key; no semi-automatic (aka "bug") keys or electronic keyers.  If in doubt about the eligibility of your key, please ask.  It does not matter what type of key your QSO partner uses.

Certificates will be awarded for the first, second and third highest scores.
DATES and
TIMES		 ONE hour periods commencing at the cardinal times of the clock (think radio room clock silence periods), 12, 3, 6, 9.  Twice per 24hrs, so EIGHT x ONE hour operating periods per 24hrs.

00:01 UTC Sunday 01 December to 22:00 UTC Saturday 07 December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING You may claim only ONE QSO with any given operator per day,  i.e. all QSOs claimed each day must be unique callsigns.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last day.  Entries must be received by 31 December 2019 and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must put this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: SKW
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc version 3.7.0 or later for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment
    Example:
    2019/12/07,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.026,599,559,17:05,2219,CW,2,SKW QSO
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
    'Comment' must include SKW, e.g. Nice QSO SKW
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


WINTER SPORTS 2019
DESCRIPTION Winter Sports is a set of five events (Ski Jump, Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Bobsleigh, & Speed Skating) that take place between 0001Z January 19th 2019 and 2359Z March 31st 2019.

There are two sections in each event:
  • QRP (5 Watts or less).
  • Open (any power).

Each event can be entered up to two times; once in the QRP section and once in the Open section.  An individual QSO can be used in more than one event; however it must be used either only in QRP sections or only in Open sections.

Only the highest scoring day for each event section will count in the final results.  However, you can try on as many days as you like to improve on your scores.

Bands: 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 MHz only.

Add WQRP to each QSO you are claiming as QRP in your logbook's Comment or Notes field.  If you are claiming a QRP QSO, you must also log your transmit output power.

Ski Jump

Participants must, on one UTC day, make four contacts spread over three or four bands.  Points are awarded for furthest DX on the fourth contact. 
  • First 3 QSOs: Must be with one or more FISTS members.  Each QSO must be on a different band in descending frequency order (e.g. 10m, 40m, 80m).  FISTS member numbers must be exchanged and logged.
  • Fourth ("jump") QSO: Can be with a FISTS member or non-member.  This QSO must be on the same band as the third QSO -or- a band that is lower in frequency (continuing the example above, it could be either on 80m or 160m).  You must log your 6-character locator and the contacted station's 6-character locator.
Your score is the distance in kilometres from you to the station in the fourth QSO.

Add WJUMP to each QSO you are claiming in your logbook's Comment or Notes field. 

Alpine Skiing

Participants must contact, on one UTC day, one station (FISTS or non-FISTS) in Austria, followed by up to eight more with one in each bordering country (in any order):
Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia, & Switzerland
 
Points awarded are 1 per country (maximum of 9).  The objective is to work Austria and all bordering countries.

Each QSO log entry must include a value for DXCC (ARRL DXCC Entity Code).  All good logbook programs will include DXCC automatically based on the station's prefix; however, if logging using (for example) a spreadsheet, you must enter the DXCC code yourself..

Add WALPINE to each QSO you are claiming in your logbook's Comment or Notes field.

Cross Country Skiing

Participants must contact, on one UTC day, FISTS members or non-members in contiguous countries as listed in the table below.  Points are for the number of contiguous countries worked.  The objective is to use a map and selectively call / answer on air.  Note: not all countries worldwide are included - only the ones in the table are allowed.

Each QSO log entry must include a value for DXCC (ARRL DXCC Entity Code).  All good logbook programs will include DXCC automatically based on the station's prefix; however, if logging using (for example) a spreadsheet, you must enter the DXCC code yourself..

Add WCROSS  to each QSO you are claiming in your logbook's Comment or Notes field.

Table of valid movements between countries
FromAllowed Destinations
UK(*)Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Ireland
IrelandNorthern Ireland, UK(*)
BelgiumFrance, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands
DenmarkFaroe, Greenland, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Sweden, UK(*)
GermanyDenmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands
NetherlandsGermany, Belgium, France, UK(*)
NorwaySweden, Finland, Russia
FranceBelgium, German, Italy, Netherlands, Spain
Northern IrelandIreland, UK(*)
SpainFrance, Portugal
AustriaCzech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland
Czech RepublicSlovakia, Poland, Austria, Hungary
HungarySlovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria
ItalyFrance, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, San Marino, Vatican City
LiechtensteinAustria, Switzerland
SlovakiaGermany, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Poland
SloveniaAustria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy.
RussiaNorway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, North Korea, China
LatviaRussia, Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania
LithuaniaBelarus, Latvia, Poland, Russia
PolandGermany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Russia
EstoniaLatvia, Russia
BelarusLatvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine

(*) For the purposes of this event, 'UK' comprises England, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Scotland, & Wales but NOT Northern Ireland.

Bobsleigh

Participants must work, on one UTC day, with one or more FISTS stations on at least three bands, i.e. the same team have a net QSO on three or more bands.  The same team members must be included in the net on each band.  Points are number in team multiplied by the number of bands.  Obviously this activity promotes sked making.  The objective is to net with a group consistently.

A net on a band must be logged as a separate QSO with each team member.  To count as part of the net, each QSO on a band must have a start time that is within 5 minutes of the start time of the first QSO.

FISTS member numbers must be logged but don't need to be exchanged on-air.

Add WBOB to each QSO you are claiming in your logbook's Comment or Notes field. 

Speed Skating

Participants must work, on one UTC day, stations on as many bands as possible (minimum 2 and maximum 6) and as fast as possible.  You have a choice on a day whether to work FISTS members or not:
  • If you contact a non-FISTS member on the first QSO of the day, all the following QSOs must be with the same non-member.
  • If you contact a FISTS member on the first QSO of the day, all the following QSOs must be with one or more FISTS members.
Points are for the number of bands and least time between the first and last QSO.  This is calculated as follows (you don't need to do this - it will be done after you send in your log!):
(10,000,000 x number of bands) / time between last and first QSO in minutes
 
If contacting FISTS members, their member numbers must be exchanged on-air and logged.

Add WSPEED to each QSO you are claiming in your logbook's Comment or Notes field. 
LOGS Entries must be received no later than the 7th of April 2019 and include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Freq, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, TX_Pwr, My_Gridsquare, Gridsquare, DXCC, Comment
    Example:
    2019/02/28, G3ZOD, 1.825, 17:30, 8385, CW, 5, IO83WJ, IO93WJ, 223, WQRP  WJUMP
    • 'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    • 'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    • 'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 8385
    • 'Mode' must be CW
    • 'My_Gridsquare' can contain your 6-character locator or be left blank, e.g. IO83WJ
    • 'Gridsquare' can contain the contacted station's 6-character locator or be left blank, e.g. IO83WJ
    • 'DXCC' for Alpine Skiing and Cross Country Skiing must contain an ARRL DXCC Entity Code.  Otherwise it can be be left blank.  E.g. for England it is 223
    • 'Comment' must contain one or more of the following: WJUMP WALPINE WCROSS WBOB WSPEED.  Optionally it can also contain WQRP.
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


LADDER 2019
DESCRIPTION The Ladder is a monthly activity with two, two-hour sessions on the 2nd and 4th Sunday in a month.  As with all FISTS Europe activities, it is a relaxed and sociable activity.

Certificates will be awarded at the end of the year for the first, second and third highest scores in two categories:
  • Entrants located anywhere.
  • Entrants located outside DXCC entity 223 (England).
(If operating from more than one DXCC entity, the location will be the one used most in the sessions.)
DATES and
TIMES		 Session times are 14:00-16:00 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC on the following Sundays:

13/27 January, 10/24 February, 10/24 March, 14/28 April, 12/26 May, 09/23 June, 14/28 July, 11/25 August, 08/22 September, 13/27 October, 10/24 November, 08/22 December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING There are four 2-hour sessions in each month of which at most two can be claimed.  Within each claimed session, a station can be worked once; it follows that a station can earn points at most twice (once per claimed session).  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last session in a month.  Entries must be received no later than the 7th of the following month and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2019/01/08,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.027,599,559,14:25,2219,CW,3
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 8385
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


Activities Calendar 2018

To see a list of dates and times for these and some other on-air activities, please visit the Upcoming Events web page. 

Chirp 'n' Drift Day 2018 (CNDD)
Day-hopper 2018
Straight Key Week 2018 (SKW)
Word Search 2018
Listen for Learners 2018
Ladder 2018

CHIRP 'N' DRIFT DAY 2018 (CNDD)
DESCRIPTION A one-day event for all those radios that are a tad embarrassing or quirky for everyday use ... they drift, they chirp, they do what they feel like ... yet they are fun or iconic.  Parasets, T1154s, anything you fancy!
DATES and
TIMES		 1800Z Friday 2nd November to 0100Z Saturday 3rd November.
FREQUENCIES
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, transmitter/receiver type, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
CONTACT The email address for questions and soap box comments is .


STRAIGHT KEY WEEK 2018 (SKW)
DESCRIPTION Straight Key Week runs for 7 days in December.  You must send CQs and have QSOs using a straight ("up & down") key or a sideswiper (aka "cootie") key; no semi-automatic (aka "bug") keys or electronic keyers.  If in doubt about the eligibility of your key, please ask.  It does not matter what type of key your QSO partner uses.

Certificates will be awarded for the first, second and third highest scores.
DATES and
TIMES		 ONE hour periods commencing at the cardinal times of the clock (think radio room clock silence periods), 12, 3, 6, 9.  Twice per 24hrs, so EIGHT x ONE hour operating periods per 24hrs.

00:01 UTC Sunday 02 December to 22:00 UTC Saturday 08 December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING You may claim only ONE QSO with any given operator per day,  i.e. all QSOs claimed each day must be unique callsigns.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last day.  Entries must be received by 31 December 2018 and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must put this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: SKW
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc version 3.5.3 or later for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment
    Example:
    2018/12/07,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.026,599,559,17:05,2219,CW,2,SKW QSO
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
    'Comment' must include SKW, e.g. Nice QSO SKW
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


DAY-HOPPER 2018
DESCRIPTION The idea is absolutely NOT a contest but a means of enabling us to meet each other on air.
BANDS Operation only on 160,80,40,20,15,10m bands.
DATES and TIMES Monday October 1st, Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 17th, Thursday 25th, Friday 26th, Wednesday 31st.

Thursday November 8th, Friday 16th, Monday 19th, Tuesday 27th.

Monday December 3rd, Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 19th, Thursday 27th, Friday 28th.

Three periods per day 08-0900, 13-1400, 18-1900 Zulu.
FREQUENCIES FISTS CoA.

Perhaps call "CQ FISTS".
GENERAL 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:


WORD SEARCH 2018
DESCRIPTION The idea is for members to work sufficient FISTS members to be able to use one letter of each callsign to spell ALFRED VAIL SPEEDWELL.
DATES and
TIMES		 Every day, 0001 hours June 1st 2018 - 2359 hours September 30th 2018.  All times Zulu.
BANDS Operation only on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m, & 2m bands.
RECOMMENDED
FREQUENCIES		 FISTS Centre of Activity frequencies.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
FISTS member number.

Why not say you're chasing the letters and which letter of theirs you're using?
GENERAL ONLY FISTS members count.  The aim is to use any letter of a callsign suffix to spell ALFRED VAIL SPEEDWELL
For example, in M2AVS/P one of the three letters A, V, or S can be used.

There are two sections:
  • QRP (5 Watts or less)
  • Open (any power)
Entrants can use ANY letter from a FISTS suffix but they cannot use a callsign more than once under any circumstances EXCEPT that if you use a callsign for one section (say, QRP) then choose to enter the other section (Open) you CAN work the station a second time and use the callsign in the new section.  Note that it must be a new QSO on a different day though.  Under all other circumstances, even making multiple QSOs, does not permit reuse of the callsign at all.

Entrants may use QRP (5 Watts or less) or Open (any power).  Callsigns used in one section may be used in the other but they must be worked again.  Whilst QSOs of greater than 5 Watts cannot be counted in the QRP section, QSOs made using QRP can be counted in the Open section if desired.

For example, G3ZXL counts as an L for SpeedwelL but if I work him using 5 Watts I can count him in the QRP section OR the Open section BUT if I choose subsequently to enter the other section as well, I MUST work G3ZXL AGAIN on a different day to get the L for the new section.

Please email the Activities Manager, David G4YVM, with any questions:
POINTS Points for FISTS:FISTS only.

The winning three places will be based on the the number of letters achieved and the start date and time of the final qualifying QSO.

The winning three places can have a certificate.
LOGS You can send in your log at any time but no later than 7th October 2018 please.  If you send in more than one log, each log must contain the full list of QSOs and the most recent log supersedes earlier logs.  Include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc version 3.5.1 or later for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Freq, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, TX_Pwr, Points, Comment

    Examples:
    2018/06/18,G4LHI,7.027,14:25,2219,CW,100,1,WSOPEN  L
    2018/07/21,G3ZOD,3.554,10:05,8385,CW,2.5,1,WSQRP  D
    • 'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    • 'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    • 'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 8385
    • 'Mode' must be CW
    • 'TX_Pwr' is your power and can be:
      - for the QRP section, a number not greater than 5, e.g. 2.5
      - for the Open section, blank or your power e.g. 100 
    • 'Points' can contain 1 or be left blank, e.g. 1
    • 'Comment' must include WSQRP (QRP section) or WSOPEN (Open section) followed by the letter being claimed, e.g. Nice QSO WSOPEN  L
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above except where it says above that a field can be blank.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for entries is .


LISTEN FOR LEARNERS 2018
DESCRIPTION The idea is for older hands to work newcomers.  We encourage listening specifically for newcomers during the periods stated.  This is not an award; it's a simple activity.
DATES and
TIMES		 Every day, March 2018.  All times Zulu.
BANDS Operation only on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m, & 2m bands.
FREQUENCIES FISTS Centres of Activity.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
FISTS member number (if applicable).
GENERAL New members who joined FISTS on or after 01 March 2017 to call CQ LFL at the recommended times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, 2100 Zulu.  Established members, who joined FISTS before 01 March 2017, to avoid calling CQ for 5 minutes on the cardinal times (00, 15, 30, 45).  Established QSOs are not expected to cease and if you forget the activity and call CQ, never mind.  Members can submit reports of numbers worked, soap-box comments etc. etc.

New members who joined FISTS on or after 01 March 2017 have member numbers starting with:
  • FISTS Europe: 18137
  • FISTS Down Under: 15212
  • FISTS East Asia: 15193
  • FISTS North America: 18033
Please email the Activities Manager, David G4YVM, with any questions:
POINTS If you joined on or after 01 March 2017, you can claim:
  • 1 point per QSO with a new member (joined on or after 01 March 2017).
  • 1 point per QSO with an established member (joined before 01 March 2017) provided the QSO is at least 10 minutes long.
If you joined before 01 March 2017, you can claim:
  • 1 point per QSO with a new member (joined on or after 01 March 2017).
Points for FISTS:FISTS only.
LOGS Send in your entry no later than the 7th of April and include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must put this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: LFL
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc version 3.4.6 or later for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Freq, Time_On, Time_Off, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment
    Example:
    2018/03/01,G4LHI,7.027,15:02,15:23,2219,CW,1,LFL
    'QSO_Date', 'Time_On', & 'Time_Off' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 2219
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 1
    'Comment' must include LFL, e.g. Nice QSO LFL
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for entries is .


LADDER 2018
DESCRIPTION The Ladder is a monthly activity with two, two-hour sessions on the 2nd and 4th Sunday in a month.  As with all FISTS Europe activities, it is a relaxed and sociable activity.

Certificates will be awarded at the end of the year for the first, second and third highest scores in two categories:
  • Entrants located anywhere.
  • Entrants located outside DXCC entity 223 (England).
(If operating from more than one DXCC entity, the location will be the one used most in the sessions.)
DATES and
TIMES		 Session times are 14:00-16:00 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC on the following Sundays:

14/28 January, 11/25 February, 11/25 March, 08/22 April, 13/27 May, 10/24 June, 08/22 July, 12/26 August, 09/23 September, 14/28 October, 11/25 November, 09/23 December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING There are four 2-hour sessions in each month of which at most two can be claimed.  Within each claimed session, a station can be worked once; it follows that a station can earn points at most twice (once per claimed session).  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last session in a month.  Entries must be received no later than the 7th of the following month and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2018/01/08,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.027,599,559,14:25,2219,CW,3
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 8385
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


Activities Calendar 2017

To see a list of dates and times for these and some other on-air activities, please visit the Upcoming Events web page. 

Day-hopper 2017
Straight Key Week 2017 (SKW)
Ladder 2017

DAY-HOPPER 2017
DESCRIPTION The idea is absolutely NOT a contest but a means of enabling us to meet each other on air.
BANDS Operation only on 160,80,40,20,15,10m bands.
DATES and TIMES 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.
FREQUENCIES FISTS CoA.

Perhaps call "CQ FISTS".
GENERAL 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:


STRAIGHT KEY WEEK 2017 (SKW)
DESCRIPTION Straight Key Week runs for 7 days in December.  You must send CQs and have QSOs using a straight ("up & down") key or a sideswiper (aka "cootie") key; no semi-automatic (aka "bug") keys or electronic keyers.  If in doubt about the eligibility of your key, please ask.  It does not matter what type of key your QSO partner uses.

Certificates will be awarded for the first, second and third highest scores.
DATES and
TIMES		 Note changes in times for 2017!

ONE hour periods commencing at the cardinal times of the clock (think radio room clock silence periods), 12, 3, 6, 9.  Twice per 24hrs, so EIGHT x ONE hour operating periods per 24hrs.

00:01 UTC Sunday 03 December to 22:00 UTC Saturday 09 December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING You may claim only ONE QSO with any given operator per day,  i.e. all QSOs claimed each day must be unique callsigns.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last day.  Entries must be received by 31 December 2017 and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must put this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: SKW
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment
    Example:
    2017/12/07,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.026,599,559,17:05,2219,CW,2,SKW QSO
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
    'Comment' must include SKW, e.g. Nice QSO SKW
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


LADDER 2017
DESCRIPTION The Ladder is a monthly activity with two, two-hour sessions on the 2nd and 4th Sunday in a month.  As with all FISTS Europe activities, it is a relaxed and sociable activity.

Certificates will be awarded at the end of the year for the first, second and third highest scores in two categories:
  • Entrants located anywhere.
  • Entrants located outside DXCC entity 223 (England).
(If operating from more than one DXCC entity, the location will be the one used most in the sessions.)

Changes for 2017: Higher scores for FISTS members/clubs and the last entry date is now the 7th of the following month.
DATES and
TIMES		 Session times are 14:00-16:00 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC on the following Sundays:

08/22 January, 12/26 February, 12/26 March, 09/23 April, 14/28 May, 11/25 June, 09/23 July, 13/27 August, 10/24 September, 08/22 October, 12/26 November, 10/24 December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING A station can be claimed once in each two hour session.  Up to two out of the four sessions in a month can be claimed.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last session in a month.  Entries must be received no later than the 7th of the following month and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2017/01/08,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.027,599,559,14:25,2219,CW,3
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 8385
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


Activities Calendar 2016

New for this year by request is the 5-day Mechanical Key Days - a variation on Straight Key Week with the use of semi-automatic ("bug") keys included.  Also new is the Accuracy Challenge, in which the accuracy of the exchanged information becomes key (!)

This year the Fifth Sundays activity has changed to be a 24 hour QRS activity - QRS Fifth Sundays.  The Two Metre activity is back for two months in the year.  Other activities continuing from last year are the Ladder and Straight Key Week.  Additionally, Exchange Your Age Week is back by request after a year's absence.

In previous years some activities permitted a QSO with a station per band per day; this year, in the interest of keeping participants together and so increasing the probability of having QSOs, all activities allow one QSO with a station per session (Ladder) or per day (all other activities).

Note that for Straight Key Week, Mechanical Key Days, and QRS Fifth Sundays, qualifying QSOs must have SKW, MKD, or QRS (respectively) included in the log book's 'Comment' (or similar) field.  This will make it simpler where an entrant has a mixture of qualifying and non-qualifying QSOs during the activities' time periods.

To see a list of dates and times for these and some other on-air activities, please visit the Upcoming Events web page.  There is a convenient 2016 Year Planner available, showing all the dates on a single A4 page.  Many thanks to Robert DM4RW for creating it.

Ladder 2016
QRS Fifth Sundays 2016
Exchange Your Age Week 2016 (EYAW)
Mechanical Key Days 2016 (MKD)
Two Metre Months 2016
Accuracy Challenge 2016
Straight Key Week 2016 (SKW)

LADDER 2016
DESCRIPTION The Ladder is a monthly activity with two, two-hour sessions on the 2nd and 4th Sunday in a month.  As with all FISTS Europe activities, it is a relaxed and sociable activity.

Certificates will be awarded at the end of the year for the first, second and third highest scores in two categories:
  • Entrants located anywhere.
  • Entrants located outside DXCC entity 223 (England).
(If operating from more than one DXCC entity, the location will be the one used most in the sessions.)
DATES and
TIMES		 Session times are 14:00-16:00 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC on the following Sundays:

10/24 January, 14/28 February, 13/27 March, 10/24 April, 08/22 May, 12/26 June, 10/24 July, 14/28 August, 11/25 September, 09/23 October, 13/27 November, and 11/25 December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING A station can be claimed once in each two hour session.  Up to two out of the four sessions in a month can be claimed.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
2FISTS member (current or lapsed).
3FISTS-affiliated club station.
5FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last session in a month.  Entries must be received by the 5th of the following month and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2016/01/10,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.027,599,559,14:25,2219,CW,2
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 8385
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 2
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


QRS FIFTH SUNDAYS 2016
DESCRIPTION QRS Fifth Sundays is new for 2016.  It runs for 24 hours on each fifth Sunday in a month.  You must send at no more than 14 words per minute (wpm) but it does not matter what speed your QSO partner sends at.  Don't send faster than they do!

Certificates will be awarded at the end of the year for the first, second and third highest scores.
DATES and
TIMES		 Session times are 00:01-23:59 UTC on the following Sundays:

31 January, 29 May, 31 July, and 30 October.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, and QTH.
SCORING A station can be claimed once on each Sunday.  There is 1 point per QSO.
LOGS Send in your entry after each day.  Entries must be received by the 10th of the following month and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must put this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: QRS
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, Mode, Points, Comment
    Example:
    2016/01/31,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.026,599,559,17:05,CW,1,QRS QSO
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain the number 1 or be left blank, e.g. 1
    'Comment' must include QRS, e.g. Nice QSO QRS
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


EXCHANGE YOUR AGE WEEK 2016 (EYAW)
DESCRIPTION Exchange Your Age Week runs for 7 days in March.  You get bonus points by exchanging your age with your QSO partner (if they are willing to give it; please ask them at most once).

Certificates will be awarded for the first, second and third highest scores.
DATES and
TIMES		 00:01 UTC Sunday 06 March to 23:59 UTC Saturday 12 March.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, FISTS member number (if applicable), and Age (if available).
Age is sent as a whole number of years, e.g. 54
SCORING A station can be claimed once on each day.  Add your QSO partner's age (if available) to the following to get the final score for a QSO:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last day.  Entries must be received by 31 March 2016 and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Age, Points
    Example:
    2016/03/07,G4QNH,John,Peterborough,7.026,599,559,17:05,54321,CW,54,56
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Age' is either blank or a whole number of years, e.g. 54
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 57
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


MECHANICAL KEY DAYS 2016 (MKD)
DESCRIPTION Mechanical Key Days runs for 5 days in June.  You must send CQs and have QSOs using a straight ("up & down") key or a sideswiper (aka "cootie") key or a semi-automatic (aka "bug") key - no electronic keyers.  If in doubt about the eligibility of your key, please ask.  It does not matter what type of key your QSO partner uses.

Certificates will be awarded for the first, second and third highest scores.
DATES and
TIMES		 00:01 UTC Monday 06 June to 23:59 UTC Friday 10 June.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING A station can be claimed once on each day.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last day.  Entries must be received by 30 June 2016 and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must put this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: MKD
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment
    Example:
    2016/06/07,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.026,599,559,17:05,2219,CW,2,MKD QSO
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
    'Comment' must include MKD, e.g. Nice QSO MKD
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


TWO METRE MONTHS 2016
DESCRIPTION Two Metre Months activity runs for 1 hour on every Saturday and Sunday morning during August and November.

Note that for 2016, the recommended centre frequency has moved to 144.052 - see FREQUENCIES below.

Certificates will be awarded at the end of the year in these categories:
  • First, second, and third highest score.
  • Most distant QSO.
  • Most number of QSOs.
DATES and
TIMES		 Session times are 08:00-09:00 UTC on the following days:
06/07 August, 13/14 August, 20/21 August, 27/28 August

and 09:00-10:00 UTC on the following days:
05/06 November, 12/13 November, 19/20 November, 26/27 November.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • Activity is centred around 144.052 MHz.
  • For CQs and QSOs, keep at least 1 kHz away from 144.050 MHz.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, 6-character locator, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING A station can be claimed once per day.  For each QSO, the multiplier is the rounded-down distance between you and your QSO partner in kilometres, divided by 10, and rounded down.  Multiply the QSO points (1 or 2) by the multiplier.
PointsStation
1Non-member.
2FISTS member (current or lapsed), FISTS-affiliated club station, or FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
E.g. for a QSO with a club member at 177.8 km, 177.8 rounded down is 177.  Dividing 177 by 10 gives 17.7, which rounded down is 17.  Multiplying 2 (for a club member) by 17 gives 34 points.
There is an official distance and multiplier calculator available at http://fists.co.uk/distance.aspx.
LOGS Send in an entry after the last session in a month.  Entries must be received by the 10th of the following month and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, My_Gridsquare, Gridsquare, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2016/08/07,G4LHI,Peter,IO83WJ,IO92WI,Huntingdon,144.0515,599,559,09:25,2219,CW,34
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 144.052
    'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 8385
    'My_Gridsquare' must contain your Maidenhead Locator with at least 6 characters, e.g. IO92WI 'Gridsquare' must contain your QSO partner's Maidenhead Locator with at least 6 characters, e.g. IO83WJ 'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 34
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


ACCURACY CHALLENGE 2016
DESCRIPTION The Accuracy Challenge consists of two, two hour sessions that run concurrently with the afternoon Ladder sessions in September.  In addition to the normal FISTS activity QSO exchange, send and receive a 3-letter word and 3-digit number, e.g. CAT 481.  There are substantial bonus points for accurate receipt of these.

The words and numbers will be available from 01 August 2016 at http;//fists.co.uk/mac or by email to .

Certificates will be awarded after the two sessions for the first, second and third highest scores.
DATES and
TIMES		 There are two sessions:

14:00-16:00 UTC Sunday 11 September.
14:00-16:00 UTC Sunday 25 September.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, FISTS member number (if applicable), 3-letter word & 3-digit number (if available).
SCORING A station can be claimed once per session.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
2FISTS member (current or lapsed), FISTS-affiliated club station, or FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
There is a bonus of 15 points for each pair of correctly-received 3-letter words and 3-digit numbers.
LOGS Send in your entry after the second session.  Entries must be received by 05 October 2016 and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment.
    Example:
    2016/09/25,M0QFE,Albert,Coventry,7.027,599,559,14:32,65432,CW,17,CAT 481
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Comment' must include the 3-letter word followed by the 3-digit number (if received).  Use of a space between the word & number and upper/lower case is unimportant.  However, the letters and numbers must be typed accurately - be careful not to confuse the letter l with digit 1 (one) or letter O with digit 0 (zero).)  Examples:
    CAT 481
    Cat481
    cat481 heavy QSB
    Nice QSO cat 481
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 2
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


STRAIGHT KEY WEEK 2016 (SKW)
DESCRIPTION Straight Key Week runs for 7 days in December.  You must send CQs and have QSOs using a straight ("up & down") key or a sideswiper (aka "cootie") key; no semi-automatic (aka "bug") keys or electronic keyers.  If in doubt about the eligibility of your key, please ask.  It does not matter what type of key your QSO partner uses.

Certificates will be awarded for the first, second and third highest scores.
DATES and
TIMES		 00:01 UTC Sunday 04 December to 23:59 UTC Saturday 10 December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING A station can be claimed once on each day.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last day.  Entries must be received by 31 December 2016 and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must put this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: SKW
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program http://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment
    Example:
    2016/12/07,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.026,599,559,17:05,2219,CW,2,SKW QSO
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
    'Comment' must include SKW, e.g. Nice QSO SKW
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .



Details of earlier activities are available on the Activities Calendar Archive web page.
Back to Activities & Awards page