FISTS CW Club

Promoting Morse Code for 39 years 1987-2026

The European Chapter serves members in Europe and the UK

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News 2026

April 2026

01 Apr 26: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by 01 April 2026.
- Straight Key 24-Hour Sprint (15 March, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 April.
- Ladder (March, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 April.
- Snakes & Ladders (March, EuCW) no later than 07 April.
- Top9 (March, ICWC) no later than 09 April.
Notes:
- If you use FISTS Log Converter to send in Ladder logs, please type in the same callsign during this calendar year even if your callsign has changed.
- For the Ladder, if you are taking part on both Sundays in the month, please send in a single log towards the end of the month.
- FISTS CW Club results will be published in the BrassPounder newsletter, available around mid-month.
- Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do support the activities by sending in logs.

March 2026

21 Mar 26: Coming up are the FISTS Ladder sessions (Sunday 22 March) and 24-Hour Bug Key Sprint (Wednesday 15 April).
- Ladder Sunday 22 March 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
  - One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
- Bug Key 24 Hour Sprint Wednesday 15 April UTC:
  Have CW QSOs with you using semi-automatic ("bug") mechanical keys and fully-automatic ("bug") mechanical keys only. It does not matter what type of key your QSO partners use.
  - No minimum exchange.
  - Any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - One QSO per day with an operator.
  - If you used a semi-automatic bug key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY BUG
  - If you used a fully-automatic bug key[*], add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY FAB
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
  - If you use FISTS Log Converter, version 4.9.3 or later is required.
  - [*] A fully-automatic bug key is similar to a semi-automatic bug key but has mechanisms for sending streams of dashes as well as dots.
18 Mar 26: The March 2026 Key Note newsletter from FISTS CW Club Europe is now available to all current FISTS CW Club members as PDF and audio (.mp3) files.

Please visit the Members' Area to get your copy:
https://fists.co.uk/members
Items in this issue include:
- Simple local remote operation - G3XIZ.
- Radio-my first encounter - G3YZZ.
- The tour d’Arles (3200km /p operation) Part two - DL2AAA.
- Amateur radio club thoughts - G0ILN.
- Paddles- and a bit of TLC - G4MLW.
- The Strawberry basket - M0BPT.
... and more besides!
Note: If you don't know your password:
- FISTS Americas members ONLY: you can reset it at https://fistsna.org/memresetpw.php .
- FISTS Europe, East Asia, & Down Under members: please send an email using the 'Membership' address on the Contact Us web page.
10 Mar 26: The FISTS CW Club March 2026 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available in the Members' Area. This edition includes results for the FISTS Ladder, Mechanical Key 24 Hour Sprint, & Mechanical Medley.

BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager. Its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
06 Mar 26: Coming up are the FISTS Ladder sessions (Sunday 08 March) and 24-Hour Straight Key Sprint (Sunday 15 March).
- Ladder Sunday 08 March 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
  - One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
- Straight Key 24 Hour Sprint Sunday 15 March UTC:
  Have CW QSOs with you using straight ("up & down") keys and sideswiper (aka "cootie") keys only. It does not matter what type of key your QSO partners use.
  - No minimum exchange.
  - Any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - One QSO per day with an operator.
  - If you used a straight key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY SK
  - If you used a sideswiper key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY SS
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
  - If you use FISTS Log Converter, version 4.9.3 or later is required.
01 Mar 26: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by 01 March 2026.
- Mechanical Key 24-Hour Sprint (15 February, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 March.
- Ladder (February, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 March.
- Snakes & Ladders (February, EuCW) no later than 07 March.
- Top9 (February, ICWC) no later than 09 March.
Notes:
- If you use FISTS Log Converter to send in Ladder logs, please type in the same callsign during this calendar year even if your callsign has changed.
- For the Ladder, if you are taking part on both Sundays in the month, please send in a single log towards the end of the month.
- FISTS CW Club results will be published in the BrassPounder newsletter, available around mid-month.
- Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do support the activities by sending in logs.

February 2026

21 Feb 26: Coming up are the FISTS Ladder sessions (Sunday 22 February) and 24-Hour Straight Key Sprint (Sunday 15 March).
- Ladder Sunday 22 February 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
  - One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
- Straight Key 24 Hour Sprint Sunday 15 March UTC:
  Have CW QSOs with you using straight ("up & down") keys and sideswiper (aka "cootie") keys only. It does not matter what type of key your QSO partners use.
  - No minimum exchange.
  - Any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - One QSO per day with an operator.
  - If you used a straight key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY SK
  - If you used a sideswiper key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY SS
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
  - If you use FISTS Log Converter, version 4.9.3 or later is required.
10 Feb 26: The FISTS CW Club February 2026 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available in the Members' Area.

BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager, and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
08 Feb 26: Coming up are the FISTS Ladder sessions (Sunday 08 February) and 24-Hour Mechanical Key Sprint (Sunday 15 February).
- Ladder Sunday 08 February 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
  - One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
- Mechanical Key 24 Hour Sprint Sunday 15 February UTC:
  Have CW QSOs with you using straight ("up & down") keys, sideswiper (aka "cootie") keys, semi-automatic ("bug") mechanical keys, and fully-automatic ("bug") mechanical keys only. It does not matter what type of key your QSO partners use.
  - No minimum exchange.
  - Any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - One QSO per day with an operator.
  - If you used a straight key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY SK
  - If you used a sideswiper key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY SS
  - If you used a semi-automatic bug key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY BUG
  - If you used a fully-automatic bug key[*], add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY FAB
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
  - If you use FISTS Log Converter, version 4.9.3 or later is required.
  - [*] A fully-automatic bug key is similar to a semi-automatic bug key but has mechanisms for sending streams of dashes as well as dots.
01 Feb 26: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by 01 February 2026.
- Bug Key 24-Hour Sprint (15 January, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 February.
- Ladder (January, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 February.
- Snakes & Ladders (January, EuCW) no later than 07 February.
- Top9 (January, ICWC) no later than 09 February.
Notes:
- If you use FISTS Log Converter to send in Ladder logs, please type in the same callsign during this calendar year even if your callsign has changed.
- For the Ladder, if you are taking part on both Sundays in the month, please send in a single log towards the end of the month.
- FISTS CW Club results will be published in the BrassPounder newsletter, available around mid-month.
- Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do support the activities by sending in logs.

January 2026

23 Jan 26: Coming up are the FISTS Ladder sessions (Sunday 25 January) and 24-Hour Bug Key Sprint (Sunday 15 February).
- Ladder Sunday 25 January 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
  - One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
- Mechanical Key 24 Hour Sprint Sunday 15 February UTC:
  Have CW QSOs with you using straight ("up & down") keys, sideswiper (aka "cootie") keys, semi-automatic ("bug") mechanical keys, and fully-automatic ("bug") mechanical keys only. It does not matter what type of key your QSO partners use.
  - No minimum exchange.
  - Any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - One QSO per day with an operator.
  - If you used a straight key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY SK
  - If you used a sideswiper key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY SS
  - If you used a semi-automatic bug key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY BUG
  - If you used a fully-automatic bug key[*], add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY FAB
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
  - If you use FISTS Log Converter, version 4.9.3 or later is required.
  - [*] A fully-automatic bug key is similar to a semi-automatic bug key but has mechanisms for sending streams of dashes as well as dots.
13 Jan 26: The mechanical key 24-Hour Sprints are back for 2026! They will run on the 15th of each month and cycle around bug keys, any mechanical keys, and straight keys. The first one is a Bug Key 24 Hour Sprint on Thursday 15 January UTC. Have CW QSOs with you using semi-automatic ("bug") mechanical keys and fully-automatic ("bug") mechanical keys only. It does not matter what type of key your QSO partners use.
- No minimum exchange.
- Any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
- One QSO per day with an operator.
- If you used a semi-automatic bug key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY BUG
- If you used a fully-automatic bug key[*], add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY FAB
- Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
- [*] A fully-automatic bug key is similar to a semi-automatic bug key but has mechanisms for sending streams of dashes as well as dots.
Additionally, the twelve 24-Hour Sprint scores will contribute to the Mechanical Medley that will run throught the year, accumulating the scores from each of the monthly Sprints.
12 Jan 26: The FISTS CW Club January 2026 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available in the Members' Area.

BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager, and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
09 Jan 26: Coming up are the first FISTS Ladder sessions (11 January) and 24-Hour Bug Key Sprint (15 January) of the year.
- Ladder Sunday 11 January 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
  - One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
- Bug Key 24 Hour Sprint Thursday 15 January UTC:
  Have CW QSOs with you using semi-automatic ("bug") mechanical keys, and fully-automatic ("bug") mechanical keys only. It does not matter what type of key your QSO partners use.
  - No minimum exchange.
  - Any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - One QSO per day with an operator.
  - If you used a semi-automatic bug key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY BUG
  - If you used a fully-automatic bug key[*], add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY FAB
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 of the following month.
  - If you use FISTS Log Converter, version 4.9.3 or later is required.
  - [*] A fully-automatic bug key is similar to a semi-automatic bug key but has mechanisms for sending streams of dashes as well as dots.
02 Jan 26: Happy New Year from all at FISTS CW CLub! Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by 01 January 2026.
- Ladder (December, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 January.
- Snakes & Ladders (December, EuCW) no later than 07 January.
- Top9 (December, ICWC) no later than 09 January.
Notes:
- If you use FISTS Log Converter to send in Ladder logs, please type in the same callsign during this calendar year even if your callsign has changed.
- For the Ladder, if you are taking part on both Sundays in the month, please send in a single log towards the end of the month.
- FISTS CW Club results will be published in the BrassPounder newsletter, available around mid-month.
- Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do support the activities by sending in logs.

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