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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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  • 17 Jun 13: The FISTS North America Spring Sprint 2013 results are now available.

    The Sprints are run quarterly.  For more information about them, please see Sprints on the FISTS North America website.
  • 16 Jun 13: We're very pleased to welcome our latest members:

    Portsmouth Radio ClubN8QA#16100 David2E0CTU#16259 MauroHB9FBG#16260
    SteveDB1AAY#16261 RochelleAE7ZQ#16333 BobWU5Q#16346
    BobN7WY#16347 StuartKD5ZIG#16348 TomKL3QI#16349
    PrestonNR6L#16350
  • 14 Jun 13: Stephan Rafler presents a "tap code" for fast, easy and efficient communication over channels that allow only two signal types: a single sound (e.g. a knock), or no sound (i.e. silence).

    He has written a paper about this and a program.  There is also a YouTube video available.
  • 14 Jun 13: India's oldest communication services - the telegram - will become history on July 15, 2013.

    Financial constraints have forced the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd to wind up the telegraphic service, which would be remembered mainly as a historically inexpensive but relatively quick method of sending alerts related to births, deaths and emergency situations.  For more information, see the article in the The Hindu.
  • 14 Jun 13: In celebration of the RSGB's Centenary, all UK amateurs can apply for an NOV for use of the special prefix GV, MV, or 2V, for use from July 5, at 0001 BST until July 31 at 2359 BST.

    If you're working towards the FISTS Prefix award and endorsements, look out for stations using these prefixes.

    Applications can be made online.  You will need to have your licence number ready.
  • RSGB logo, copyright RSGB.
    14 Jun 13: UK amateurs: The RSGB is asking for local and national clubs to submit newsetters to an archive:
    "The RSGB Archives at the national Radio Centre would like electronic copies of local and national club newsletters - including back numbers - which will be held for the benefit of future amateur radio researchers.  If your club would be willing to let us keep copies of this material, please contact Martin Atherton, G3ZAY (g3zay at btinternet dot com) or Elaine Richards, G4LFM (elaine.richards at rsgb dot org dot uk) so that we can discuss the best way to transfer them."
  • 14 Jun 13: UK Amateurs: As part of the RSGB Centenary celebrations Society Members can join a friend for just £1.00 (GBP).

    The offer is strictly limited to those in the UK and is only valid until July 14, 2013.

    Further information at http://rsgbshop.org/poundmember

    Note: UK Radio Amateurs aged under 18 or those aged 25 and under in Full Time Education are already entitled to Free RSGB membership, see http://rsgb.org/main/myrsgb/join-us/
  • 09 Jun 13: I will be QRV as IK0IXI/0 from Trasimeno Lake, central Italy, ww loc. JN63AE from June 21 to 29.  It will be a 10 days relaxing holiday in a Camping located on the northern shore of the Lake.  The location is valid for the Italian Lake Award (aka Diploma del Laghi Italiani - D.L.I.) as I0-058.

    Activity will be mostly QRO (100W and Dipoles-GP) on 40m and 20m around 7.025 and 14025 kHz, with some tests on QRP frequencies using my homemade rigs.

    See you.  73 Fabio, IK0IXI.  FISTS 14539
  • 08 Jun 13: Palm Radio (makers of the Palm Mini Paddle MP-817) now offers a brand new CW paddle, called the "Pico Paddle".

    Special mounting kits are available for the FT-817 and KX3 along with other accessories.

    The new paddle and the related items are available at the Friedrichshafen HAM Radio fair at the end of this month, Hall A1, booth E 602.
  • 08 Jun 13: Ladder Sunday: The next FISTS Eu Ladder sessions are on Sunday 9th June, 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.  These involve relaxed, conversational QSOs.  Call CQ or call other people at a speed of your own choosing.  Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028 and 3.558 MHz, and QSOs must include exchange of name, QTH and (if applicable) FISTS member number.  Members worldwide are encouraged to join in.
  • 05 Jun 13: From 1st June 2013, the Prefix Award has been extended to include endorsements for adding 50, 100, and 150 more prefixes (5, 10, and 15 per call area number respectively).

     
  • 04 Jun 13: A very warm welcome to our latest members:

    GeoffG3UCK#16250 GordonMM0MUR#16251 RobGD4RFZ#16252
    PatM0XII#16253 SydM0SGF#16254 JohnGSWL18#16255
    DuncanG3WZD#16256 RickM0ZAV#16257 ScottWA9STI#16318
    MikeAA6AE#16319 JohnN2DVD#16320 NancyK9DIG#16321
    DanKC9UPP#16322 TimKQ8M#16323 TomyKF7GC#16324
    MarkWA2NYY#16325 RickKB1CU#16326 AlvinW8UJM#16327
    DannyKF7TDF#16328 EdwardKE3HL#16329 TravisW3TMB#16330
    GordonVE3OLH#16331 MikeW3ASW#16332 WilliamAD4SM#16333
    JohnWA8UXO#16334 AndrewW8XCT#16335 DanW9CP#16336
    DavidAE5SS#16337 PaulNR3P#16338 LarryWB1DBY#16339
    GeorgeKD8SMH#16340 AndyNB0O#16341 DaveW5KKC#16342
    JeffKA0KAF#16343 ChuckKM9U#16344 DanWT7D#16345
    RickW1GHF#16351 NickN3CK#16352 DanNJ4V#16353
    DaveW5QZ#16354 GrantKC9YUF#16355 ShellyKC9RQN#16356
    CharlesKC9PRJ#16357
  • 04 Jun 13: Band Endorsements are now also available for the FISTS Rag Chewers Award.

    Qualifying QSOs must be on or after 1st June 2013.
     
     
     
  • 03 Jun 13: From 1st June 2013, the FISTS Worked All (US) States Award has been extended to include endorsements for contacting all 50 US States on individual bands.

    Qualifying QSOs must be on or after 1st June 2013.

    (At the time of writing, the FISTS Log Converter program only supports the basic WAS Award; it will be extended to cover the WAS band endorsements later in the year.  The new version will work retrospectively, so start logging those QSOs now!)
  • 03 Jun 13: Please join us in congratulating the following FISTS Awards winners:

    GrahamG3ZOD#8835 Millionaire 2 Million Sticker
    RobertKB9MLE#13933 Millionaire 4 Million Sticker, Worked All States

    For more information about FISTS Awards, available free to paid-up members worldwide, please see the Awards web page.
  • 03 Jun 13: The Four State QRP Group is pleased to announce the availability of the Cyclone 40 Transceiver.

    This innovative and simple transceiver by NM0S is an enhanced version of Dave's QRP ARCI's 72 Part Challenge Design Contest entry in 2010.  This is a complete kit, including the enclosure.  The price is a buck a part plus shipping, $104 (USD) total, for domestic sales.  Purchasing info and more details are on the kit's home page here http://www.4sqrp.com/cyclone.php .   Here are some of the design features:
    • All through hole parts and easy assembly.  NO SMD parts
    • Less than 100 components
    • Superhet receiver with very good sensitivity and selectivity
    • "Perfect" QSK very high speed and absolutely seamless operation.
    • VFO tunes the entire 125 kHZ CW segment of the 40M band at a comfortable tuning rate.
    • Transmitter output is nominally 4W.  Those built so far are running ~ 4.6W
    • Frequency readout is included so you know where you are at all times.
    • A very attractive PCB enclosure is included, asy to assemble, looks great.
    • All parts are included, jacks, knobs, enclosure, transformers, everything.
    This is a complete kit, including a black enclosure with white silkscreened labels.

    We hope you enjoy this high performance transceiver.
  • 03 Jun 13: FISTS member Andy, G0JLX / A45WY, is operational on Saturdays from the Royal Omani Radio Society (ROARS) HQ operating under their callsign A47RS.  Andy writes:
    "Initially at least, I shall be restricted to operating from the HQ station, so will be signing A47RS, but identifying myself with my own call from time to time.

    For the latest information, see A45WY on QRZ.COM or my A45WY web page http://www.g0jlx.org.uk/a45wy/.

    Operating will likely be "holiday style" which will be rather ad-hoc for a few hours each week, most probably on a Saturday (our second weekend day) in the afternoons - evenings.

    Oman is GMT + 4 (or BST + 3 if you prefer), so 1200 noon GMT is 1300 BST and is 1600 locally.  The ROARS HQ closes at 2200 local, so we leave the operations room a bit before that.  There are no Friday operations.

    HQ has an all band capability, although there are maintenance works going on with some of the WARC band antennas at the moment.

    QSL is all direct, via the singular address I've put up on QRZ.com as the logs are all manual, in a paper-based log book that needs signing every time we use it.  I don't have any QSL cards printed up yet, but will get some done.  Please be aware that airmail postage here is expensive.

    I'm afraid I cannot accept 'sked' requests as I never know who might be already operating when I get there and my work has to take absolute priority anyway.  However, that said, I shall enjoy swinging the beams to 320° and calling G land."
  • 03 Jun 13: Frank PA4N has created a web application that reads Reverse Beacon Network skimmer spots, and filters for calls of CW Clubs.  The matching calls are then listed in band map format.  This makes it easy to find where your fellow CW club members are currently active on the bands.

    The application has the following features:
    • Choose which CW clubs members you want to see.  The program supports CWops, FISTS, FOC, HSC, VHSC, SHSC, EHSC and SKCC.
    • Choose which bands you are interested in (160 - 6 meters).
    • Choose which CW speeds you want to see spots for (selectable in 5 WPM steps).
    • Choose from which continent(s) you want skimmers to be enabled.
    • Choose what maximum spot age you want to see.
    The application is available at http://pa4n.xs4all.nl:1161/
  • 03 Jun 13: Martin IK2RMZ has announced the results of the EUCW QRS Activity Week 2013.  For the second year running, FISTS achieved the top club position.

    In the individual over 5 watts category, FISTS Member Peter G4LHI was placed in first position.  Phil 2E0DPH achieved first place in the 5 watts and under section.

    In addition to Peter and Phil, the following members contributed to the club position:  Derek M0DRK, Dick SV0XBN/9, Piet PA3AFF, Ray G0EML, Richard G0ILN, Timo OH5FNI, and Graham G3ZOD.
    For the full results, please see http://www.eucw.org/euqrs13.html
  • 30 May 13: Please listen out for the special event callsign GB4SSC, CW-only, 1 July - 14 July 2013 inclusive on 160m, 80m, 40m, 30m and 20m.

    This celebrates the invention of the jet engine by Sir Frank Whittle.

    For more information, please see http://qrz.com/db/GB4SSC.  Geoffrey M1EDF.
  • 30 May 13: FISTS has a new operating award coming soon!

    Watch FISTS News here for details!
     
  • 30 May 13: Heathkit is back with a survey!

    There is a survey from Heathkit here (be warned - it's fairly long) and it includes an opportunity to sign up to a mailing list:

    http://heathkit.com/survey/index.php/278489?lang=en

    This is a bit of a surprise after the apparent final demise of the Heathkit company and name last year.
  • 30 May 13: K1EL Systems, supplier of the well-known Winkeyer keyers, has been re-named Hamcrafters.

    Hamcrafters continues to be a joint venture by Art K1BX and Steve K1EL.
     
     
  • 27 May 13: The FISTS Down Under June 2013 newsletter is now available.
     
    Late breaking news: VK4EI/VK4SWE-Lyn #14132 is to participate in a DXpedition H44IOTA to the Solomon Islands during June and July 2013.  They will be visiting seven IOTA Islands.  You can see more information and also how to make donation to the project at http://h44iota.com
     
    FISTS Down Under is the Australian & New Zealand Chapter of the FISTS CW Club.

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, Bill NT9K and Billy AB4RH for permission to use photographs from their key collections.

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