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Awards

This page gives details of the various FISTS awards available:

Central FISTS Awards

Please note that the Awards applications address is fistsawards@fists.org.  By land mail send to:


All award logs, paper and e-mail, should be sent to Dennis unless it is an award that is particular to a FISTS Chapter.

Dupe (Duplicate) Check Sheets

A "Duplicate" Check Sheet must be included with all submitted paper logs of over 100 contacts that are not sorted by FISTS number for Century Awards, or sorted by CC number for Platinum Awards.  If your log is sorted by FISTS number or CC number, you do not need to send a Dupe Sheet.

The NANFA Award does not require a Dupe Sheet.

A "Dupe" check sheet can be viewed online or downloaded here.  To view it online, just click the link below.  To download, "right mouse click" on the link below and "save as" to your hard drive:

fistdupe.pdf

To make your own Dupe Sheet, take a blank sheet of 8.5 by 11 paper and turn it sideways so that the long side is at the top.  Write the numbers 1 through 9 along the top edge of the paper spreading them out so you have plenty of room between each number.  Now, go through your award log and write the FISTS number for each QSO under the numbered column that corresponds with the first number of each FISTS number.  DO NOT USE THE CALL SIGNS. Each time you enter a new number in a column, check down through that column to see if that FISTS number has been previously entered.  If it has, then it is a dupe and should NOT be used for your Award Log.  This "Dupe" sheet needs to be sent with your award log when applying for awards with over 100 contacts.

What is a CC Number?

This is one of the most asked FISTS Questions!  CC stands for Century Certificate.  A CC number is the number on the certificate you get when you earn the Basic Century Award.  Each certificate has a sequentially issued number on it.  That number is your CC number.  People exchange CC numbers on the air because the Platinum awards are earned by "collecting" them.  You need not have a CC number to collect CC numbers, but it makes it more fun if you can give one out, too.

Century Awards

The Century Awards are a group of awards that start off with the Basic Century Award

GUIDELINES

For E-Mail Log Applications:

1. Only files accepted are Word, Excel and Text. (NO Microsoft Works).
2. NO formatting in your log files such as; Borders, Colour text, Tables, Special Fonts etc.
3. ONE log submitted for each award with ALL contacts shown for that award.
4. NO Scanned log sheets will be accepted, that means no scanned images pasted into Word or Excel documents will be accepted either.
5. All QSOs listed in a single column. NO multiple columns in Word.
6. A SINGLE TAB between data fields of a QSO. No spaces. Example: CALL (TAB) DATE (TAB) BAND (TAB) FISTS#(TAB) POINTS.
   
   Place ONLY one TAB character for each "(TAB)" in the example above. I do not care if the data lines up in nice little columns are not, just ONE TAB ONLY please.
7. Only data needed in logs is as follows:
   
   Century Series Awards - Call, Date, Band, FISTS #, Points.
   
   Platinum Series Awards - Call, Date, Band, CC number (NO Points needed for these awards.)
8. Include your Name. Call, FISTS # and address with each log and INDICATE the Award you are applying for.
9. Dupe Check Sheet NOT required for logs sent via e-mail.
10. Dupe check your log BEFORE sending it to me. Logs wits excessive Dupes will be returned and not processed for your award.

For Paper Logs:-

1. A Dupe Check Sheet is required for ALL logs submitted with over 100 contacts listed. ONLY FISTS numbers are to be used on the Dupe Check Sheet NOT Call Signs. FISTS numbers are used so to eliminate number Dupes when call signs are changed.
2. Send ONLY a copy of your award log, NOT your Original Log. (Some original logs have been lost in the mail)
3. One log for each award applied for with ALL contacts needed for that award.
4. DO NOT send a copy of your entire log with FISTS contacts highlighted. Send ONLY the data needed for the award log.
5. Please DO NOT send any checks made out in my name or FISTS CW Club. I do not have access to any FISTS bank accounts and cannot cash them. Stamps are appreciated to help with award mail. (Note the awards are FREE - Ed)
6. Please include a note if you want your log returned to you. I DO NOT keep paper logs nor will I return them to you unless you ask me to do so. Stamps are appreciated to help with award mail.
7. Only data needed in logs is as follows:-
   
   Century Series Awards - Call, Date, Band, FISTS #, Points.
   
   Platinum Series Awards - Call, Date, Band, CC number. (No points needed for these awards).
8. Include your Name, Call, FISTS # and Address with each log and Indicate the Award you are applying for.
9. Dupe check your log BEFORE sending it to me.  That's the purpose of the Dupe Check Sheet.  Logs with excessive Dupes will be returned and not processed for your award.

Following these Guidelines will help me to give you faster service and a quick turn around time for your award certificates.

Thanks and keep banging the brass... CU on the bands... 73, Dennis K6DF.

(The above has been copied from U.S. Keynote, Issue 8, 2003)

IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: A FISTS number can only be counted once.

YOU don't have to be a FISTS member at the time of the contact, but THE PERSON you are claiming for Century Award points must have a FISTS number AT THE TIME OF THE CONTACT. For example, if you QSO with someone who is not a FISTS member, but they join FISTS after the QSO, you must work them again for credit.  You cannot count the QSO you had before they joined FISTS toward the Century Award.

The person you contact does not have to be an Active Member at the time of your contact.  Their number still counts. It would be impossible for our Awards Manager to cross-check dates of renewals to the contact dates, so we make it simple and say "everyone counts".  We would hope that if someone cares enough to give out their FISTS number on the air, they will care enough to support the club, but their number counts regardless whether they are a member in good standing or not.

A QSL card is not needed to claim the contact for Century Awards.  A worksheet is available in PDF format (you need the FREE Adobe Reader to view/use it).  Use it to help keep track of stations worked, and it can be used for ALL of the Century Awards.

Century Award Log Sheet (century.pdf)

Basic Century Award

The Century Award is earned by working 100 points of FISTS members.  FISTS operating from the same country that you are in are worth one point.  FISTS operating from a different country, as defined by DXCC rules, are worth two points.  FISTS affiliated club stations are worth three points.

The following FISTS National Club Stations are worth 5 points towards FISTS awards:

GXØIPX #1, ZL6FF #9600, VK2FDU #9610, KNØWCW #10,000, and JL3YMV #15000

NOTE -- If you earn your award using QRP, (5 watts or less), please state so at the time of your application for that award.  Your call will be printed on the award as, " Your Call - QRP ".

The Silver Century Award

The Silver Century Award has the same rules as the Basic Century and is for a total of 250 points.  Points used to claim the Basic Century may be used toward the Silver Century Award.  Send a log showing all 250 points used for the Silver Award.

NOTE -- If you earn your award using QRP, (5 watts or less), please state so at the time of your application for that award.  Your call will be printed on the award as, " Your Call - QRP ".

The Gold Century Award

The Gold Century Award has the same rules as the Basic Century but it is for a total of 500 points.  Points used to claim the Basic Century & Silver Century may be used toward the Gold Century Award.  Send a log showing all 500 points used for the Gold Award.

NOTE -- If you earn your award using QRP, (5 watts or less), please state so at the time of your application for that award.  Your call will be printed on the award as, " Your Call - QRP ".

The Diamond Century Award

The Diamond Century Award has the same rules as the Basic Century, but it is for a total of 1000 points.  Points used to claim the Basic, Silver, and Gold Centurys may be used toward the Diamond Century.  Send a log showing all 1000 points used for the Diamond Award.

NOTE -- If you earn your award using QRP, (5 watts or less), please state so at the time of your application for that award.  Your call will be printed on the award as, " Your Call - QRP ".

The Platinum Century Award

This award, which used to be called the Century of the Centuries, is earned by working 100 different Century Certificate holders.  The Century Certificate (CC) number must be obtained during an on-air CW QSO.  Each CC number is only counted once, for a total of 100 numbers, regardless of location or band.

You do not have to have a QSL card to claim the contact for the Platinum Awards.  A worksheet is available in PDF format (you need the FREE Adobe Reader to view/use it).  Use it as a check sheet to help keep track of stations worked, and it can be used for ALL of the Platinum Awards.

Platinum Award Log Sheet (platinum.pdf).

The Platinum 250 Century Award

The 250 Platinum Award is for 250 Century Award holder Contacts.  Send a log showing all 250 CC numbers used for the Platinum 250 Award.

The Platinum 500 Century Award

The 500 Platinum Award is for 500 Century Award holder Contacts.  Send a log showing all 500 CC numbers used for the Platinum 500 Award.

Mobile Award

This award is earned by accumulating 100 points of two-way CW OSO's made while MOBILE on or after September 1, 1998.

Point rules are the same as the Basic Century Certificate Award.  Duplicate contacts do not count.

For purposes of this award "MOBILE" means: Any land motor vehicle used to transport people (car, truck, etc.)

Transmitting and receiving antennas must be physically attached to the vehicle.

Transceiver must be located inside the vehicle and powered by the vehicle's electrical system.

You may count the points claimed for the Mobile Award toward the one and two-way QRP Awards if the power is 5 watts or less.  They may also be counted toward the Gold, Platinum, or other awards if you have not previously claimed these contacts.

The FISTS Rag Chewers Award

This award is earned by making 100 two-way CW QSO's, each lasting at least 30 minutes, with another FISTS member on or after the date of September 1, 1998.  Duplicate member contacts are valid, but they must be made on different dates.

1 X QRP Award

The 1 X QRP Award is earned by working 100 points of FISTS members while you are operating QRP, 5 watts or less. Same point rules as the Basic Century Award.

2 X QRP Award

The 2 X QRP Award is earned by working 100 points of FISTS members while you and the other station contacted are both operating QRP, 5 watts or less.  Same point rules as the Basic Century Award.

Nightmare Alpha-Numeric FISTS Award

Start date for this award is January 1, 2003.  All contacts claimed for this award must be made after the starting date.

This award will be a lot of fun as well as a challenge.  The award was created by Jack Bock, K7ZR #2656 (Silent Key).

There is NO TIME LIMIT to complete this award.

1. Contacts must be 2-way CW on-air contacts made on and after Jan 1, 2003.
2. Contacts can be made at any time, any place at any speed.
3. Contacts must be with a person or club with a FISTS number.
4. Contacts can be with FISTS from any country.

The object is to work stations whose call signs fit into the squares on a grid.  There are 260 squares (26 letters and 10 numerals) 'Counters' are the last numeral of the call sign and the first letter of the suffix.  For example, K7ZR goes in the 7 column at the Z row.  WZ8C fits in the 8 column on the C row.  P31ABC would be in the 1 column on the A row.  By convention, use the numeral of a portable designator if there is one - WB9CIS /M3 would be in the 3 column on the C row.  Also put the date (month/day) in the square with the call sign for reference.

You can make your own grid sheet by taking a piece of 8.5" x 11" lined writing paper and drawing 10 each 3/4" vertical columns labeling them "1" through "0".  Then go to the left-hand margin and label 26 of the horizontal stripes "A" through "Z".

A ready-made .pdf grid log is available for downloading on this page below.

Nightmare Alpha-Numeric Log.pdf

To get your NANFA certificate, send your completed grid (filled in with the call signs and dates) along with your log containing the same contact info used for the Basic Century Award.  If you work the award using QRP or Mobile state so on your award application.  Your award certificate will then be printed with "Your Call - QRP" or "Your Call - Mobile".

The Millionaire Award

So, you want to be a millionaire?  You'll feel like a million bucks when you hang this piece of wallpaper in your shack!  This award is simple and obtainable, as well as challenging.  You earn it by working a total of a million in FISTS membership numbers.  The basic award is for one million points with endorsement stickers for additional increments of one million.

For example, if you work member number 11500 and member number 10000 and then work #379, you'd have a total of 21,879 points.

We hope to encourage newer FISTS members to get on the air, since they have "bigger" FISTS membership numbers they will be sought after.

You may only claim member numbers for credit once per band, but use as many bands as you want.  If you use the WARC's please be sure your contact is a legit QSO.  We don't want FISTS to have the reputation of being the ones to spoil the WARCs with hit and run, contest like QSO's.  Exchange FISTS numbers on the air and have a little chat - about the weather, your key, your rig, family...

Two-way CW contacts only.  You do not need to get a QSL confirmation of the QSO - just keep a running total of the FISTS membership number points.  Only contacts made on or after January 1, 2006 are valid.

To claim the award with a paper/written log, include a log sheet that has the contacted callsign, band & date worked and FISTS number - with the numbers totaled - and DUPE sheets for each of the bands used.  Since you may work a FISTS number on different bands for credit, separate dupe sheets for each band are necessary to help the Awards Manager verify your log.

Send paper logs/dupe sheets submissions to the FISTS Awards Manager.

Logs submitted electronically do not need to include dupe sheets.  Email logs to Dennis K6DF fistsawards@fists.org.  Attach your log of all contacts for the award to the e-mail.  The ONLY files that can be accepted are; Excel, Word, and Text files.  Put FISTS in the title of your email.

For ALL award submissions, Include your call sign, name and address, FISTS membership number, and the name of the award you are applying for.  DO NOT send logs that are scanned images of your log pasted into Excel and Word documents.  Scanned images of log pages will not be accepted.

This award is available to FISTS and non-FISTS members.  It is free of charge to members in good standing.

Please answer someone's CQ at the speed they are sending and USE SPACES between your letters and words.  The most common, yet most easily remedied, problem is SPACING.  You can be sending perfectly formed code, but if it's all run together, it still sounds like gibberish and gives you a bad fist.

The CW / Phone Area Code Award

Purpose: The purpose of this award is to promote activity on the CW amateur bands, to encourage the exchange of information that might lead to rag chewing and also to encourage interaction between FISTS members and non-FISTS members.  It also provides a goal for those who need a reason to get on the air and make some QSOs!

Goal: To chat with hams who live in 100 different telephone area code districts.  The area codes may be anywhere in the world, and the hams include all legally licensed operators.  Contacts must be valid two-way Morse code contacts made on any of the legal ham bands.

Exchange: Any information may be exchanged during the course of the QSO, but the minimum information must include Name, QTH, signal report and area code.

Points: Each area code equals one point, with 100 points needed to earn the award.  Each area code must be counted only once.  An area code is defined as the area code for the telephone number of the phone the person uses most often.  One area code is allowed per callsign.  You must use the same area code for all QSO's that you make during the course of the year unless your station is physically moved to another area code.

For example, if you work someone and they give you the area code of their home phone, you cannot work them again and receive the area code of their cell phone or work phone for another point.  Mobiles use the same area code as they use while operating fixed.  One area code per callsign only, unless you move your place of residence.

No multipliers or bonus points for club stations.  Everyone is worth one point.

Log Submission: A dupe sheet must be included with the log and is available here.  Information to be included on the award log submission is Date of contact, Name, RST, QTH and area code.  Awards can be postal mailed to Dennis K6DF FISTS Awards Manager at the address given here.  Contact Dennis via fistsawards@fists.org for information on emailing logs to him.

Certificates will be issued free of charge to FISTS members.  Non-FISTS members, including those whose memberships are not in good standing meaning you haven't paid your dues and your membership has lapsed at the time of application) please include $4 to cover the cost of the certificate, envelope and postage.

Good luck and have fun!

Down Under Awards (Australia and New Zealand)

Enquiries and award submissions should be sent to the FISTS Down Under Awards Manager, Ralph Sutton ZL2AOH:

Fax:	+64-4-473-0847
E-mail:	zl2aoh@ihug.co.nz

*Contacts, with a FISTS Down Under station with a FISTS number below 9000 prior to 1 June 1998 will count, but only if FISTS numbers were exchanged at the time.

Check sheets for all FISTS awards are available free on request.

The system of recording contacts and applying for the FDU award are the same as for all the other FISTS awards except that logs should be forwarded to the FDU Awards Manager, Ralph Sutton ZL2AOH

There is no charge for the award although donations towards the costs involved are always welcome and acknowledged.

FISTS Down Under Award

The FISTS Down Under Award is earned by accumulating 50 points.

For this award contacts with any FISTS Down Under (FDU) member in ZL or VK since the inauguration of FISTS Down Under on 1 June 1998* are worth one point.  Contacts with FDU affiliated club stations are worth five points each.  (Currently ZL6FF, VK2FDU, ZL2SWR and VK4RC/VK4IZ.)  This award is available for all FISTS Club members worldwide.  A station can only be claimed once.  - Note, the one point for working a FDU station is the same for all members, (i.e. there is no premium for working outside one's country.)

FISTS Down Under Prestige Award

The FISTS Down Under Prestige Award is earned by accumulating 100 points or more.
For this award contacts with any FISTS Down Under (FDU) member in ZL or VK since the inauguration of FISTS Down Under on 1 June 1998* are worth one point.  Contacts with FDU affiliated club stations are worth five points each.  (Currently ZL6FF, VK2FDU, ZL2SWR and VK4RC/VK4IZ.)  This award is available for all FISTS Club members worldwide.  However for Australian and New Zealand claimants a FDU club station can only be claimed once, while for claimants elsewhere, a FDU club station and each member can be claimed once on each of three recognised amateur bands, including the WARC bands.

Stickers will be available to add to the award for 150, 200 and 250 Points.

USA Awards

Enquiries and award submissions should be sent to the FISTS Awards Manager.

The Worked All States Award

The WORKED ALL STATES award is earned by working FISTS members in all 50 USA states.  The station worked must be a FISTS member at the time of the contact.

Contacts must be made from the same location, or from locations no two of which are more than 50 miles apart which is affirmed by signature of the applicant on the application.

A checksheet is available in in PDF format (you need the FREE Adobe Reader to view/use it).

FISTS WAS Checksheet

Novice/Tech Activity Awards

To encourage operating activity on the Novice/Tech portions of the CW bands, FISTS is offering two new awards. Here are the rules for the new awards:

• One operating achievement award is ONLY for Novice/Techs who work 25 FISTS members of any license class in the Novice/Tech parts of the band (CW, of course).  The Novice/Tech does not have to be a FISTS member.
• The second one is for FISTS members (General and higher) who work 50 points of Novice/Techs in the Novice/Tech CWsubbands.  N/T's who are FISTS are worth 2 points, non-FISTS N/T's are worth 1 point.

Basic info will be required for the contacts to be legit, including the date, band, RST, name, QTH, Call worked, license class and FISTS number, if applicable.  The starting date for this award is MAY 18, 2009.  Mail logs to: Dennis K6DF FISTS Awards Manager.  Non-FISTS and those with FISTS number who are not current with their dues please include $3 for expenses.  The awards are free for members in good standing.

USA MA Award

Please visit the USA FISTS website for details.

Eu/UK Awards

Enquiries and award submissions should be sent to the FISTS Eu/UK Activities Manager, Rob M0BPT:

E-mail:

m0bpt@yahoo.co.uk

G3ZQS WARC Band Challenge (discontinued)

The WARC Challenge was discontinued at the end of June 2009, but the details are left here for information.

This challenge is separate from all other activities in the FISTS calendar.
Period of challenge:  00.01 1st January  to 23.59 31st December.
Bands 30M, 17M &12M

Rules

Mode: C.W. Only
Scoring: 1 point non members, 2 points FISTS members, 3 points FISTS club stations.
Exchange: FISTS number and IARU locator square. Each square can be used as a multiplier for the total number of contacts made during the year. However for the locator square to be eligible for a multiplier, a club member must have been worked within the square.
Eg:  G9XYZ scores 2,400 points and 12 different locator squares.  2,400 x 12 = 28800 points.
Repeat stations:  These can only be worked a maximum of four times in a month.

Awards:

Outright winner: Trophy with call, year, etc, Engraved.
1st Runner up: certificate
2nd Runner up: Certificate

Logs:

A certificate will also be awarded to the highest points scored by a QRP entrant. (Max 5w output at the transmitter) endorsed accordingly; therefore all entrants must declare their power output.
Monthly returns by the 14th. By email in excel format if possible please to the Rob M0BPT.

General:

The purpose of the challenge is to promote activity on the WARC Bands it is not a contest
CALL "CQ FISTS" on or around the following frequencies;
30m     10.118 MHz  - 17m     18.085 MHz - 12m     24.918 MHz