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Activities Calendar
Please choose a year for the activities:
2020
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 2020
To see a list of dates and times for these and some other on-air activities, please visit the Upcoming Events web page.New!!! Mechanical Key Days 2020 (MKD) |
2m Chronophage 2020 |
Dunkirk Memorial 2020 |
Straight Key Week 2020 (SKW) |
Word Search 2020 |
Ladder 2020 |
Low Bands Day Hopper 2020 |
MECHANICAL KEY DAYS 2020 (MKD) | |||||||||||
DESCRIPTION | Mechanical Key Days runs from Monday 16 - Sunday 22 November 2020. You must send CQs and have QSOs using a straight ("up & down") key, a sideswiper (aka "cootie") key or a semi-automatic (aka "bug") key - no electronic keyers, keyboards, or other gizmos! If in doubt about the eligibility of your key, please ask. It does not matter what type of key your QSO partner uses. | ||||||||||
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 Monday 16 November to 22:00 UTC Sunday 22 November. |
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FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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SCORING |
A station can be claimed once on each day. Scoring:
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LOGS |
Send in your entry after the last day. Entries must be received by 07 December 2020 and
must include your callsign, name,
and email address (if you have one). Log formats:
|
2M CHRONOPHAGE 2020 | |
DESCRIPTION | Those of you who know your Latin or your clocks will know the chronophage as a time eater (do Google Chronophage and if you can get to Cambridge, do so…it is well worth the trip! www.johnctaylor.com/the-chronophage). |
DATES and TIMES |
Sept 28th to Oct 25th. Monday, Friday Saturday and Sunday. 1200, 1500, 1900 Z each day. |
FREQUENCIES |
2m ONLY, CW obviously. Now this is contentious. I would say calling on 144.050 but I know some FISTS would also say no, no, it's on 144.058. SO... Calling on either 144.050 or 144.058, you take your pick. I would like to be able to be hard and fast on this but that's just not possible. Perhaps what I should say is… "call CQ and tune low to high"! Now that takes us back! |
LOGS and COMMENTS | Logs and comments welcome to ...let's have some VHF fun. |
DUNKIRK MEMORIAL 2020 | |||||||||
DESCRIPTION |
During the period 18th May 0001z to 5th June 2359z,
which date covers both the memorial event and the actual operation dates, this activity is to simply work as many stations around Dunkirk and Dover (the operation was run from Dover) as you can. Remember it is FUN. Exchanges should be normal but more points will be awarded for stations within 50 miles of Dover or Dunkirk. Distances will be based on Locator distances. Locators do NOT need to be exchanged but for stations in Belgium, England, France, & Netherlands, you MUST enter the locator of the station into your log to claim "within 50 miles" bonus points. If you are not given the locator over the ear, it is often shown as the Grid Square in QRZ.com. If it's not there, you can find it using the postal address from QRZ.com on this Maidenhead Grid Square Locator Map web page. The scores are 1 point per qso, 3 points per qso within 50 miles of either Dunkirk or Dover castle, and 10 points for the Andover club special event callsign GB4DLS. Locators for the two anchor points are:
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DATES and TIMES |
18th May 0001z to 5th June 2359 UTC. | ||||||||
FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
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EXCHANGE | There is no minimum exchange. | ||||||||
SCORING |
You may claim only ONE QSO with any given operator during the activity, i.e. all QSOs claimed must be unique callsigns.
Scoring:
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LOGS |
Send in your entry after the last day. Entries must be received by 07 July 2020 and must include your callsign, name,
and email address (if you have one). Log formats:
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STRAIGHT KEY WEEK 2020 (SKW) | |||||||||||
DESCRIPTION | Straight Key Week runs for 7 days in July. 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. | ||||||||||
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 Wednesday 01 July to 22:00 UTC Tuesday 07 July. |
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FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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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:
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LOGS |
Send in your entry after the last day. Entries must be received by 07 August
2020 and must include your callsign, name,
and email address (if you have one). Log formats:
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WORD SEARCH 2020 | |
DESCRIPTION |
The idea is for members to work sufficient FISTS members to be able to use one letter of each callsign to spell
'FOR GOD'S SAKE SEND US ASSISTANCE!'. DE SS TREVEAL.
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DATES and TIMES |
Every day, 0001 hours August 1st 2020 - 2359 hours October 31st 2020. 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
'FOR GOD'S SAKE SEND US ASSISTANCE!'. DE SS TREVEAL.
For example, in M0CDL/P the suffix letters are "CDL" and any of them can be used as they all occur in the phrase.There are two sections:
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, G4LHI counts as an H for WHAT 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 G4LHI AGAIN on a different day to get the H 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 number of letters achieved and the start date and time of the final qualifying QSO. |
LOGS |
You can send in your log at any time but no later than 7th November 2020 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:
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LADDER 2020 | |||||||||||
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. The results at the end of the year will list the leading three entries in two categories:
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DATES and TIMES |
Session times are 14:00-16:00 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC on the following Sundays: 12/26 January, 09/23 February, 08/22 March, 12/26 April, 10/24 May, 14/28 June, 12/26 July, 09/23 August, 13/27 September, 11/25 October, 08/22 November, 13/27 December. |
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FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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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:
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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:
|
LOW BANDS DAY HOPPER 2020 | |
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 and 2m bands. NOTE band restrictions for this one! |
DATES and TIMES |
Friday 17th January, Saturday 25th. Sunday February 2nd, Monday 10th, Tuesday 18th, Wednesday 26th. Thursday 5th March, Friday 13th, Saturday 21st, Sunday 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 Apr 2020 please) to
Please email David G4YVM with any questions: |
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.Word Search 2019 |
Chirp n Drift 2019 |
Iconic Rig Event 2019 |
2m Bank Holiday Refresher 2019 |
Straight Key Week 2019 (SKW) |
Winter Sports 2019 |
Ladder 2019 |
WORD SEARCH 2019 | |
DESCRIPTION |
New for 2019: If you are entering the Open section only,
you can opt to have the letters chosen automatically for you! The idea is for members to work sufficient FISTS members to be able to use one letter of each callsign to spell WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT? SFB MORSE. |
DATES and TIMES |
Every day, 0001 hours July 1st 2019 - 2359 hours September 30th 2019. 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
WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT? SFB MORSE
For example, in M2AGW/P one of the three letters A, G, or W can be used.There are two sections:
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, G4LHI counts as an H for WHAT 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 G4LHI AGAIN on a different day to get the H 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 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 2019 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:
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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. |
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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). |
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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:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS number (if applicable). |
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SCORING |
A QSO can only be claimed once per session.
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. |
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LOGS |
Please submit logs from the 3 highest scoring sessions that you participate in by Friday 7th June.
Entries must include your callsign, name,
and email address (if you have one). Log formats:
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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. |
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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. |
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FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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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:
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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:
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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:
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 JumpParticipants must, on one UTC day, make four contacts spread over three or four bands. Points are awarded for furthest DX on the fourth contact.
Add WJUMP to each QSO you are claiming in your logbook's Comment or Notes field. Alpine SkiingParticipants 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):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 SkiingParticipants 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.
(*) For the purposes of this event, 'UK' comprises England, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Scotland, & Wales but NOT Northern Ireland. BobsleighParticipants 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 SkatingParticipants 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 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. |
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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:
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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:
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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. |
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FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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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:
|
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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:
|
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 |
|
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. |
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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. |
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FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
|
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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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:
|
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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:
|
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:
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 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:
|
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:
|
POINTS |
If you joined on or after 01 March 2017, you can claim:
|
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:
|
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:
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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. |
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FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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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:
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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:
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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 | |
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. |
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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. |
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FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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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:
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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:
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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:
Changes for 2017: Higher scores for FISTS members/clubs and the last entry date is now the 7th of the following month. |
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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. |
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FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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. |
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FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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. |
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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:
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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 |
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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:
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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:
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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. |
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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:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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SCORING |
A station can be claimed once on each day. Scoring:
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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:
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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:
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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.
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FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, 6-character locator, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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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.
There is an official distance and multiplier calculator available at https://fists.co.uk/distance.aspx. |
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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:
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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. |
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DATES and TIMES |
There are two sessions: 14:00-16:00 UTC Sunday 11 September. 14:00-16:00 UTC Sunday 25 September. |
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FREQUENCIES |
The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, FISTS member number (if applicable), 3-letter word & 3-digit number (if available). |
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SCORING |
A station can be claimed once per session.
Scoring:
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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:
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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. |
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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:
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EXCHANGE |
The minimum exchange is: RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable). |
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SCORING |
A station can be claimed once on each day. Scoring:
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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:
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Details of earlier activities are available on the Activities Calendar Archive web page.