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.
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).
Interested in becoming a member?
Find out more about our history.
Latest News:
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25 Jan 12: We are offering coffee/tea mugs in celebration of FISTS 25th Anniversary this year. The mugs start at 4.99 GBP + 3.30 GBP delivery to a UK address. They are available in two colour styles, lilac and black. At a small extra cost, you can have your callsign added under the logo on the front or on the rear of the mug. The standard delivery charge covers up to two mugs to UK addresses, so why not get one for yourself and one as a present for a friend? We can deliver these to the UK, Eu and USA. For more details, please see the FISTS 25th Anniversary Mug web page.
- 18 Jan 12: During 2012, UK individual and club stations can apply to vary their callsigns for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee (5 weeks with a letter Q in place of a regional identifier)... View full item
- 17 Jan 12: I need to hear from UK members who could commit to an individual/group day of operation on behalf of the society for the dates 2nd-8th September 2012 inclusive... View full item
- 16 Jan 12: The FISTS Brasspounder December 2011 newsletter has just been published by Rob M0BPT. Brasspounder provides news, views and results for FISTS Activities in Europe/UK.
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12 Jan 12: Please note that FISTS
Prefix Award
applications must be sent by email to
lee-n7nu@comcast.net or by post to Lee Hallin N7NU, 3413 Walton Lane, Eugene, OR, 97408-4673, USA. - 10 Jan 12: The next FISTS Ladder sessions are on 22nd January 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC. (FISTS in Europe but members worldwide are welcome.)
- 09 Jan 12: The EUCW QRS Activity Week, previously organized by FISTS, is to continue as a permanent event now organized directly by EUCW. The dates for 2012 are April 23, 00:00 UTC to April 27, 23:59 UTC. For more information, please see EUCW QRS Activity Week.
- 06 Jan 12: We're delighted to welcome our latest members: Hiro JA3UMK 15103, Jun 9V1JJ 15104, Jim GW0BBO 15809 and Les 2E0LAI 15811.
- 04 Jan 12: The January edition of "morsEAsia" from FISTS East Asia is now available.
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02 Jan 12: Congratulations to the following award winners:
Ian G4MLW, #130 Silver Century and Millionaire David KB9MLE, #13933 Millionaire 3 Million Sticker - 02 Jan 12: The next FISTS Ladder sessions are on Sunday 8th January 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC (FISTS in Europe but members worldwide are welcome). Please submit your December entries for the Ladder by the 5th January and Four Seasons by the 7th January to Rob M0BPT.
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01 Jan 12: Happy New Year!
Remember that the FISTS
Prefix Awards
have now started.
There is no time limit on the Version 1 award,
but the Version 2 and 3 Awards need to be completed by 31st December 2012,
so it's time to get busy with them!
Note an amendment to the Version 3 rules: If no one in a Chapter completes the qualifications, a plaque will be awarded to that Chapter's FISTS member with the highest number of prefixes worked. The number of plaques for each Chapter is still being determined.
The Prefix awards are fully supported by the latest version (2.3.0) of the free FISTS Log Converter Windows program. Alternatively, printable log sheets, application forms and spreadsheets will be provided on the website during January. - 29 Dec 11: We're very pleased to welcome our latest members: Roy G3MPB 15802, Alan M0GNA 15803, Ferdinand PB4TUG 15804, Geoff G3MLL 15805, John GM1VYG 15806, Ian M0UAT 15807, Andy GW8NBI 15808, Spen Valley Amateur Radio Society (SVARS) G3SVC 15810 and Blackwood & District Amateur Radio Society GW6GW 15820.
Interested in becoming a member?
FISTS HQ welcomes new members who have a passion for Morse Code.
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
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.
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, Bill NT9K and Billy AB4RH for permission to use photographs from their key collections.