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Activities and Events

Animated image showing a straight key sending CQ in Morse code
FISTS provides a number of on-air activities:

  • At any time, members are encouraged to meet up on or around the FISTS frequencies and contact both members and non-members (a non-member is a member who hasn't joined us yet!).

    Please visit the FISTS frequencies page for a list of frequencies and guidelines.
     
  • "Challenges" include the twice monthly Ladder activity and others such as the annual Straight Key Week.  These are friendly, relaxed and fun.  They do not consist of exchanging 599001 TU!  You are encouraged to submit logs and scores but this is optional.  Even if you're not in the least competitive, it's still worth coming on to meet other members - they will be happy to exchange name etc. with you.  Results are published monthly in Rob M0BPT's BrassPounder newsletter.

    For a current list of Challenges, please see the Activities Calendar page.
    Results for all Activities are available from the Activity Results page.
  • FISTS offers a number of operating Awards for members.  One of the most popular is the Century Award.  For the initial award you need 100 points, earned by contacting other members (1 point for a member in your country, 2 points for outside your country with extra points available for Club Stations).

    To see the full list of operating awards available for members, please visit see the Awards page.

We also visit a number of Amateur Radio Rallies.  Below is a selection of photographs from the rallies.

NARSA Norbreck Rally 2010

We were at the NARSA Norbreck Rally (Blackpool) on Sunday 11th April.  This was extremely busy, especially during the first few hours, and the FISTS stand had lots of visitors.
Photograph of Frank G4XHZ at the NARSA Norbreck Rally in April 2010
This is Frank G4XHZ #8, who has the earliest FISTS number allocated to a current member.
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Photograph of Ian G6TGO and part of the UKMSG stand at the NARSA Norbreck Rally in April 2010
Ian G6TGO #14556 writes the VHF/UHF/SHF section for Key Note.  He's shown here next to part of the smart stand he put on for the UK Six Meter Group (UKSMG).
Notice the light fittings and decor of the hall (the smaller of the two used).  Definitely up-market for an amateur radio rally!
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Photograph of the Morse decoding exhibit and John M0CDL working on his laptop at the NARSA Norbreck Rally in April 2010
John M0CDL #5592 (Membership Secretary) was kept very busy dealing with new members, renewals and sales of the FISTS Morse Course.
The picture also shows the straight-key and decoding computer.  As usual this proved very popular.  A number of people asked what the software was; it's CwGet, which is a shareware program.
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Photograph of Paul M0BMN discussing his QRP (low power) CW transceivers with a visitor at the NARSA Norbreck Rally in April 2010
Paul M0BMN #5533 (Key Note editor) is shown here discussing the extensive collection of QRP (low power) CW transceivers he brought.
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Close up photograph of Paul M0BMN's QRP (low power) CW transceivers at the NARSA Norbreck Rally in April 2010
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Running from top left to bottom right, the equipment shown is a Small Wonder Labs SW-80+ (black case with white panel), behind it the open chassis is a Hendricks QRP Kits Scout Regen Receiver, Elecraft K1, Small Wonder Labs Rockmite (in white Altoids tin), behind it being operated by Paul is an BD4RG HB1A Mk. II, not sure what the grey case with the black end panels is and finally, a ZM4 (Z match) ATU.
Photograph of a tram running along the sea front opposite the NARSA Norbreck Rally venue in April 2010
Blackpool is a seaside resort on the North West coast of England.  Taken from outside the rally venue, this shows one of the features it's well-known for - an electric tram.  These provide a service for several miles along the sea front.  Blackpool is also notorious for wet and cold weather,  but the day of the rally was warm and sunny.
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Leicester Amateur Radio Show 2009

We were at the Leicester Amateur Radio Show (actually in Loughborough) on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 2009.  It was great to meet up with existing members and others there.  Paul M0BMN's "hands on" exhibit with a straight Morse key connected to a computer decoding the sending proved irresistable to many people.  Some had trouble getting it to decode their sending, but for others it worked 100% (enough said!).  His beautifully made QRP rigs generated a lot of interest too.  For more information, see Paul's QRP Rigs.

Here are some photographs taken on Sunday.

Photograph of Leicester 2009 FISTS stand showing Paul M0BMN, Rob M0BPT/JNR, Alf G3UAA, John M0CDL and Keith G3KYF

From left to right, Paul M0BMN, Rob M0BPT/JNR, Alf G3UAA, John M0CDL and Keith G3KYF.

Photograph of Leicester 2009 FISTS stand showing Paul M0BMN, John M0CDL and Keith G3KYF discussing a tiny Australian straight key

From left to right, Paul M0BMN, John M0CDL and Keith G3KYF discussing a tiny Australian straight key.

Photograph of Leicester 2009 FISTS stand showing Tony G3ZRJ, his XYL Sally and a large transceiver-size cardboard box. In the background is John M0CDL and possibly Rob M0BPT

In the foreground, Tony G3ZRJ and XYL Sally.  No prizes for guessing what might be in Tony's box!  In the background is John M0CDL, not sure who the centre gentleman is and to the right possibly Rob M0BPT (?).

Photograph of a lake, fountain and building at the Loughborough campus

The campus at Loughborough is huge and a lot of it is very attractive.  The photograph shows the area adjacent to the main car park.

Rallies in 2008

Photograph of Yeovil 24th QRP Convention FISTS stand showing Paul M0BMN

This is from the Yeovil 24th QRP Convention with Paul M0BMN behind the table.

Photograph of Donnington 2008 FISTS stand showing Mary G0NZA

Mary G0NZA at Donnington 2008.

Photograph of Donnington 2008 FISTS stand showing John M0CDL, Derrick M0BDD and Derrick's dog Peggy.

John M0CDL, Derrick M0BDD and Derrick's four-legged friend Peggy, at Donnington 2008.

Photograph of Donnington 2008 FISTS stand showing John M0CDL

John M0CDL recruiting at Donnington 2008.

Rallies in 2007

Photograph of Elvaston Castle 2007 FISTS outdoors stand showing a large group of people including John M0CDL.

This is from Elvaston Castle 10th June 2007, FISTS' first outdoor show and a great day out it was.

Photograph of Elvaston Castle 2007 FISTS outdoors stand showing a small group of people including John M0CDL.

Photograph of the FISTS stand at a Rally in 2007 including a group of people with John M0CDL.

Rallies in 2006

Photograph at Leicester 2006 of Rob Mannion G3XFD presenting Peter G4LHI with an Award recognising Peter's CW teaching achievements.

Practical Wireless's Editor Rob Mannion G3XFD at Leicester presenting Peter G4LHI with his award on behalf of FISTS and the amateur movement in general, recognising Peter's 25th year of teaching students the art of Morse Code.

Photograph of Wythall 2006 Rally FISTS stand showing Stan G0BYA and John M0CDL.

This one is at the Wythall Radio Club Rally in Birmingham on the 12th March 2006.  FISTS member Stan G0BYA is having a play with Paul's K2!  Behind the desk is John M0CDL.

Photograph of Red Rose 2006 Rally FISTS stand showing John M0CDL.

This is at the Red Rose Rally.  John M0CDL is behind the desk.

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