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Welcome to FISTS CW Club

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


NYE 320-001 Straight Key from Dennis K6DF's collection.  Click to go to a larger picture We have three straightforward goals:
  • Further the use of CW (Morse Code)
  • Engender friendships among members
  • Encourage newcomers to use CW (Morse Code)

FISTS UK is the Headquarters of the FISTS Club (International Morse Preservation Society).
Bencher BY-1 Paddle from Dennis K6DF's collection.  Click to go to a larger picture
Interested in becoming a member?

Find out more about our history.

Latest News:

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  • 25 Jul 10: The member lists on the website have been updated to remove HQ members who haven't renewed for 2010-2011.  To check you are still in the list and confirm your name and QTH, please visit the Member Lists web page.  Please send details of any corrections to webmaster@fists.co.uk .
  • 23 Jul 10: A very warm welcome to our latest members: Barrie G4OKB #14840 and Geoff 2E0BTR #14841.
  • 21 Jul 10: Rob M0BPT has just published the BrassPounder June 2010 newsletter.
  • 19 Jul 10: The second and final session of the new FISTS 3 Hour Sprint 2010 Activity takes place this coming Saturday 24th July, 00:01 - 23:59 UTC.  For the full details, please see FISTS 3 Hour Sprint 2010.
    Please submit logs to Rob M0BPT, FISTS Activities Manager, by 7th August 2010.  If you keep your log on a computer, you can use the free FISTS Log Converter 1.0.0 Windows program, which will select your best 3 hours and create a log and score in the required form.
  • 17 Jul 10: We're delighted to welcome our latest members: Paul PD0TAS #14838 and Janez S50JA #14839.
  • 13 Jul 10: If your membership certificate is lost or damaged and you'd like a replacement, you can now order one on the Order Replacement FISTS Member Certificate web page.
  • 13 Jul 10: The next Ladder sessions are on Sunday 25th July 15:00-17:00 BST and 19:00-21:00 BST (14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC).
  • 10 Jul 10: Rob M0BPT, FISTS Activities Manager, has published the EUCW QRS Party results 2010.
  • 05 Jul 10: It's a pleasure to welcome to our latest members: Gerard PA0RKT #14835 and David G4COE #14837.
  • 29 Jun 10: The next Ladder sessions are on Sunday 11th July 15:00-17:00 BST and 19:00-21:00 BST (14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC).
    Please submit your June Ladder entries by the end of Monday 5th July to Rob M0BPT.  If you keep your log on a computer, you can use the free FISTS Log Converter 1.0.0 Windows program to create logs for the Ladder and other FISTS Activities in seconds.

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

Interested in becoming a member?

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

1990 Vibroplex from Dennis K6DF's collection. Click to go to a larger picture Benefits of membership include:
  • Our popular Quarterly A5 News Booklet
  • Free use of the FISTS QSL Bureau
  • Access to our members-only area
  • Help and support from like minded people
The FISTS Club is one of amateur radio's fastest growing organisations.  It's an unique club, founded and maintained on solid principles using radio's oldest and yet most reliable communications mode - CW!  Why not join us?

FISTS History

The FISTS Club, (International Morse Preservation Society) was founded in 1987 by the late Geo Longden G3ZQS of Darwen, Lancashire England, after recognising a need for a club in which veteran operators would help newcomers and less-experienced operators learn and improve CW proficiency.  During the first year, membership reached 300, most of whom were in Great Britain and Europe.  The original Introduction to FISTS by Geo holds as true today as it did when he wrote it.  Geo also explains how he chose the name FISTS.

Sideswiper ('cootie') Key Number 9 made by Bill NT9K.  Click for a large picture.

The North American Chapter was formed in 1990 to assist 11 members in the USA receive the newsletter and as a banking convenience.  Nancy Kott WZ8C of Hadley, Michigan was named US representative, a position she still holds but she now handles the affairs of over 7,000 members in the Americas.

The Down Under Chapter (New Zealand / Australia) was formed in 1998 to provide a similar service to Australasian members, with Ralph Sutton ZL2AOH as the VK/ZL representative.  From a VK/ZL membership of four, there are now over 100 members "Down Under", principally in New Zealand. The New Zealand membership is the largest in any country outside England, Wales and North America.

The East Asia Chapter was formed in 2004 by a few Taiwanese and Japanese members to provide East Asian members with various services in their native languages.

Worldwide, FISTS members number over 10,000 members, growing each month.

Why not join us?


Acknowledgements: Thank you to Dennis K6DF and Bill NT9K for permission to use photographs from their key collections.