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Links

Please click on one of the following links to go to a category:

FISTS around the World
Antennas
Clubs
Component Suppliers
CW Kit Suppliers
Learning and Improving Morse Code
Members' Websites
Morse Keys and Paddles Collections
Morse Key, Paddles and Keyer Suppliers
Operating
Publications
QSL Card Suppliers
Serendipity

Recent additions are shown in red.  If you know of any Morse code-related websites that you feel European members will be interested in, please send details to webmaster@fists.co.uk in an email.

FISTS around the World

Antennas

Clubs

  • European CW Association (EUCW) is an association of European CW clubs and organises various events including, in conjunction with FISTS, the EUCW QRS Party.
  • GQRP Club - Low Power Amateur Radio.
  • MEGS Morse Enthusiasts Group Scotland.
  • RAIBC is a national society dedicated to providing help or assistance to invalid, blind or vision-impaired radio amateurs and short wave listeners.
  • The Radio Officers Association (ROASS) is a society for ex. Merchant Navy Radio Officers.  The website contains historical information of interest to everyone.
  • UK Six Meter Group (UKSMG) is a society that supports and encourages activity on 6m (a very active band for CW).  The website contains invaluable operating information for 6m.

Component Suppliers

  • AMTOOLS UK supplies crystals and torroids amongst other items.
  • Bitsbox (UK) supplies a wide variety of components with only £1.50 delivery and no minimum order.
  • Bowood Electronics (UK) supplier of components with reasonable delivery costs.
  • CPC (UK) has a good range but expensive.
  • ESR Electronics Components (UK) supplies components.
  • Mainline Electronics (UK) supplies high voltage variable capacitors (the old Jackson range), reduction drives and other items.
  • GQRP Club (UK) has common QRP components such as crystals and torroids available for members at very low prices and delivery.
  • N. R. Bardwell Ltd. (UK) supplies components.
  • Rapid (UK) has reasonable prices and range of components. Delivery free for £30+.
  • Sycom (UK) component supplier.
  • 6V6 Vintage Components (UK) component and kit supplier, including several hard-to-get variable capacitors for receiver or QRP work and a range of valves (tubes).

CW Kit Suppliers

Learning and Improving Morse Code

For a more detailed discussion of learning and improving Morse Code, please see the Resources page.
  • ebook2cw is a free program that enables you to convert electronic books and other text into MP3 files containing Morse code at speeds of your choice. 
  • Koch CW Trainer is a free Windows program that enables you to practice Morse using the Koch method, text files, words and callsigns.
  • LCWO Learn CW Online is a website that allows you to practice Morse using the Koch method, code groups, plain text, callsigns, words, QTC and generate practice MP3 files.  Note: Requires Flash.
  • RufzXP is a free program that allows you to practice Morse using callsigns and random characters.  You can compare your scores to others around the world.

Members' Websites

Morse Keys and Paddles Collections

  • Bill NT9K provides photographs of his key collection on his home page, which includes some stunning home-made straight keys and sideswiper keys.  .
  • Dennis K6DF (FISTS Awards Manager) provides photographs and descriptions of his key collection.
  • MORSEMAD is John G0RDO's website and contains lots of information, history, pictures of bug keys, straight keys, morse items etc. plus links to other CW related sites.
  • Ron G3YUH makes, collects, refurbishes and sells keys.  Click on the image links on his home page to see hundreds of keys.

Morse Key, Paddles and Keyer Suppliers

Also see the section CW Kit Suppliers for keyer kits.

Operating

  • Azimuthal Map (NS6T) alows you to configure and print Great Circle (Azimuthal) maps.  This is very handy for aligning antennas - countries may not be in the direction you think they are.
  • Distance Calculator alows you type in two callsigns and calculates the distance in miles or km and the miles per watt or km per watt value without you having to supply locators.
  • Find your QTH locator alows you to click on a map to find out your QTH Locator (Maidenhead Locator).  You can also type in a QTH Locator to display where it is on the map.  Note: if printing your Locator on QSL cards, be sure to double-check your location on the map.
  • FISTS Frequencies Chart provides an A4 sheet containing a visual representation of FISTS frequencies, CW band plans, and QRP frequencies.
  • Hamcall is an online callbook, allowing you to look up details of an amateur radio station using the callsign.  Hamcall occasionally has European callsigns on that QRZ.COM doesn't, but the free version is otherwise very restricted, not allowing copy and paste and limiting you to around 5-10 callsigns only.
  • Iambic keyer mode A and B is a document describing the differences between Iambic Mode A keying and Iambic Mode B keying.  It's written by Chuck Olson WB9KZY.
  • Maidenhead Grid Square Locator Map (K2DSL) alows you find out a QTH Locator (Maidenhead Locator) by typing in a town, post code or ZIP code and viewing a map.  Note: if printing your Locator on QSL cards, be sure to double-check your location on the map.
  • QRZ.COM is an online callbook, allowing you to look up details of an amateur radio station using the callsign.  Information can be copied and pasted and there is no restriction on usage.
  • The Ham Radio Resource Guide contains links to various useful web pages (e.g. Q codes and callsign prefixes).
  • Time Zone Converter is very useful for determing current or future times in different timezones (e.g. skeds).

Publications

  • FISTS Key Note is a quarterly magazine delivered to FISTS members by email or postal mail.  A public archive is available to non-members.

    Also, a separate members' archive is available, which includes editions from the last 12 months. 

    RAIBC provides free spoken versions of Key Note for 2008 onwards as MP3 files, available from their Keynote page.
  • K9YA Telegraph is a free monthly online magazine, specialising in personal stories and Morse history.
  • The Art & Skill of Radio Telegraphy is a free, downloadable book that contains much information on learning Morse to a very high standard and is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Morse code.

QSL Card Suppliers

Serendipity

  • Goathiker (Steve WGOAT) has filmed many fascinating videos of his CW and other expeditions into the mountains along with his two "pack goats".  These are very entertaining and even non-radio amateur family members will enjoy the goats' antics.
  • Beethoven's 5th Symphony in Morse code is an unusual and rather bizarre rendition of the first movement (Allegro con brio) from Ludwig Van Beethoven's 5th Symphony in Morse code - not just the "V"s (di di di dah)!
  • Lego SideSwiper has a video by Rob G4LMW FISTS #14000 showing his Lego sideswiper key in action.
  • Lego Morse Code Paddles has a video by Hugo M0HSW showing his Lego paddles in action.
  • Morse code ringtone generator is free and allows you to generate Morse ring tone (midi) files that you can download to your mobile (cell) phone.
  • Morse Code Vs. SMS has the classic video clip of CW operators beating the pants off a world champion SMS texter.  Chip (Charles H. Margelli) K7JA is sending while Ken (Kenneth V. Miller) K6CTW receives using Yaesu FT-817 transceivers.
  • SMS Morsecode has a video by Tony HB9BLU showing him using Morse code to send a text (SMS) message on his mobile (cell) phone.  Be sure to read the Morse in the closing credits.
  • Strange Morse Keys by Jari OH6DC has many weird and wonderful Morse keys, all fully working.  The website includes a video for each key, and Jari's Morse code sending skills are very apparent.  Listen out for the amusing comments sent by Morse in each video.
  • Virtual Bug Key provides a simulation of a bug key so that you can press the paddles and see how it works.  Note: requires Flash on your computer.
  • Virtual Spark Transmitter provides a simulation of a spark transmitter, allowing you to make adjustments and send Morse Code.

Acknowledgements: Thank you to Dave G4AJY, Rob G4LMW, Ian G4MLW, Tom ON4TOM, Paul G4BNU, Ian G6TGO, John G0RDO, Jack WA6KYO, Martyn GW6ITJ, Rob M0BPT and Kristi for suggesting websites. 

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