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FISTS blue pentagon logo containing 'CW FISTS CLUB' and hand sending Morse using a straight key
  • 25 Jul 10: The member lists on the website have been updated to remove HQ members who haven't renewed for 2010-2011.  To check you are still in the list and confirm your name and QTH, please visit the Member Lists web page.  Please send details of any corrections to webmaster@fists.co.uk .
  • 23 Jul 10: A very warm welcome to our latest members: Barrie G4OKB #14840 and Geoff 2E0BTR #14841.
  • 21 Jul 10: Rob M0BPT has just published the BrassPounder June 2010 newsletter.
  • 19 Jul 10: The second and final session of the new FISTS 3 Hour Sprint 2010 Activity takes place this coming Saturday 24th July, 00:01 - 23:59 UTC.  For the full details, please see FISTS 3 Hour Sprint 2010.
    Please submit logs to Rob M0BPT, FISTS Activities Manager, by 7th August 2010.  If you keep your log on a computer, you can use the free FISTS Log Converter 1.0.0 Windows program, which will select your best 3 hours and create a log and score in the required form.
  • 17 Jul 10: We're delighted to welcome our latest members: Paul PD0TAS #14838 and Janez S50JA #14839.
  • 13 Jul 10: If your membership certificate is lost or damaged and you'd like a replacement, you can now order one on the Order Replacement FISTS Member Certificate web page.
  • 13 Jul 10: The next Ladder sessions are on Sunday 25th July 15:00-17:00 BST and 19:00-21:00 BST (14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC).
  • 10 Jul 10: Rob M0BPT, FISTS Activities Manager, has published the EUCW QRS Party results 2010.
  • 05 Jul 10: It's a pleasure to welcome to our latest members: Gerard PA0RKT #14835 and David G4COE #14837.
  • 29 Jun 10: The next Ladder sessions are on Sunday 11th July 15:00-17:00 BST and 19:00-21:00 BST (14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC).
    Please submit your June Ladder entries by the end of Monday 5th July to Rob M0BPT.  If you keep your log on a computer, you can use the free FISTS Log Converter 1.0.0 Windows program to create logs for the Ladder and other FISTS Activities in seconds.

Older News

June 2010

  • 25 Jun 10: Wednesday 30th June is the very last day for existing members to renew their membership for 2010-2011.  After this, member details will be removed and it'll be necessary to re-join and fill in a membership application form.
  • 25 Jun 10: We're very pleased to welcome the following new members:
    Jerry AA1OF #14832, Stephen G4GVD #14833 and Tony 2E0VHA #14834.
  • 22 Jun 10: The first session of the new FISTS 3 Hour Sprint 2010 Activity takes place this coming Saturday 26th June, 00:01 - 23:59 UTC.  For the full details, please see FISTS 3 Hour Sprint 2010.
    If you keep your log on a computer, you can use the free FISTS Log Converter 1.0.0 Windows program, which will select your best 3 hours and create a log and score in the form required by Rob M0BPT.
    The second and final session takes place on Saturday 24th July.
  • 19 Jun 10: A very warm welcome to our latest member: Mervyn 2E0WVE #14831.
  • 17 Jun 10: Rob M0BPT has just published the BrassPounder May 2010 newsletter.
  • 14 Jun 10: The next Ladder sessions are on Sunday 27th June 15:00-17:00 BST and 19:00-21:00 BST (14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC).
  • 10 Jun 10: We're delighted to welcome our latest members: Derek G4GVM #14828, Vincent G0ORC #14829 and Martyn GW6ITJ #14830.
  • 10 Jun 10: Kanga Products (UK), re-formed earlier this year, has extended its range of QRP CW transceivers, transmitters and receivers, including making extra bands available.
  • 05 Jun 10: We're very pleased to welcome our latest members: Herb OE5BFM #14826 and Ken GW4GJA #14827.
  • 03 Jun 10: The next Ladder sessions are on Sunday 13th June 15:00-17:00 BST and 19:00-21:00 BST (14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC).
    Please submit your May Ladder entries by the end of Saturday 5th June to Rob M0BPT.  If you keep your log on a computer, you can use the free FISTS Log Converter 1.0.0 Windows program to create logs for the Ladder and other FISTS Activities in seconds.

May 2010

  • 28 May 10: A very warm welcome to our latest member: Paul PA3AQL #14825.
  • 23 May 10: Tomorrow (Monday 24th May), look out for Tony G3ZRJ #7727 operating as GB10GKA on 80m (around 3.550 MHz, 17:00-20:00 UTC) and 160m (around 1.835 MHz, 20:00 UTC onwards).  GB10GKA is marking the 10th Anniversary of the closure of the world's largest maritime radio station, Portishead Radio / GKA, and is manned by ex. GKA Radio Officers.  For more information, please see GB10GKA.
  • 22 May 10: Look out for the article "National Coastwatch Institution" written by Ian G6TGO #14556 and just published in the June 2010 edition of RadCom (the Radio Society of Great Britain's monthly magazine).
  • 21 May 10: Colin M5FRA #7738 has written an interesting short article Portable nostalgia about going /P on 2m in the 1970s.  For some of us this brings back a lot memories of when going on VHF meant a strange mixture of commercial, adapted PMR and home-built equipment.
  • 21 May 10: It's a pleasure to welcome our latest member: Graham VE3GTC #14824.
  • 19 May 10: The website now has a page dedicated to remembering Silent Keys (members who have passed away).  It is available here: Silent Keys
  • 15 May 10: Rob M0BPT has just published the BrassPounder April 2010 newsletter.
  • 10 May 10: If you had any QSOs, even if only "giving points away", during the EUCW Fraternizing CW QSO Party please submit an entry as the points will help towards our FISTS club score.
  • 10 May 10: The next Ladder sessions are Sunday 23rd May 15:00-17:00 BST and 19:00-21:00 BST (14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC).
  • 07 May 10: We're sad to have to report that Fred G3VVP became a silent key at the end of April.  Although in 2008 Fred decided not to continue his membership, he was an enthusiastic and active member of FISTS and this is a sad loss to the amateur radio and CW communities.
  • 07 May 10: We're delighted to welcome our latest members: Justin G0KSC #14820, Thomas F8VOD #14821, Graham 2E0JYK #14822 and Tuomas OH5JJL #14823.
  • 05 May 10: The EUCW Fraternizing CW QSO Party takes place this coming weekend:
    Saturday 8th May 10:00 - 12:00 UTC and
    Sunday 9th May 18:00 - 20:00 UTC.
    The bands that can be used are 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m and 10m.  The EUCW Fraternizing Party web page gives preferred frequency ranges and also the IARU Region 1 Band Plan contest-preferred frequency ranges apply.  FISTS is a member of the EUCW, an association of European CW clubs, so please help support this event.
  • 02 May 10: Congratulations to the following members:
    Geoff G4AQZ #7768 has achieved the Diamond Century Award and
    Milan OK1KW #4827 has achieved the Platinum 250 Century Award and the Millionaire Award 4 Million Endorsement Sticker.
  • 01 May 10: We're pleased to welcome our latest member: Paul ON6WP #14819.
  • 01 May 10: The next Ladder session is Sunday 9th May 15:00-17:00 BST and 19:00-21:00 BST (14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC).
    Please submit your April Ladder entries by the end of Wednesday 5th May and EUCW QRS Party logs by 31st May to Rob M0BPT.  If you keep your log on a computer, you can use the free FISTS Log Converter 1.0.0 Windows program to create logs for the Ladder, EUCW QRS Party and other FISTS Activities in seconds.

April 2010

  • 23 Apr 10: We're pleased to welcome the following new members:
    Paul G4LNA #14815, Thomas G3YVZ #14816, Ruben EA4FYQ #14817 and David M0DKN #14818.
  • 21 Apr 10: Rob M0BPT has just published the BrassPounder March 2010 newsletter.  Included in this is news that the G0HGA VHF/UHF/SHF CW Activity is being discontinued due to lack of support.
  • 20 Apr 10: The EUCW QRS Party runs from this coming Monday 26th April 00:01 UTC to Friday 30th April 23:59 UTC.  Maximum speed is 14 WPM.  This is not a contest, but you are encouraged to submit logs to Rob M0BPT.  EUCW is an association of European CW clubs.  The EUCW QRS Party is organised by FISTS, so please help support it.
  • 20 Apr 10: The next Ladder sessions are on Sunday 25th April 15:00-17:00 BST and 19:00-21:00 BST (14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC).
  • 16 Apr 10: Welcome to our new members:
    Mike G4VSS #14802,
    Arnold M0AIS #14803,
    Anne 2E0MLD #14804,
    Peter 2E0LKC #14805,
    Widnes & Runcorn ARC GX7HOA #14806,
    John G0UCP #14807,
    Nick G4OOE #14808,
    Gareth 2E0BKW #14809,
    Robert M0BJX #14810,
    Anthony G0YSS #14811,
    Craig MM0SSG #14812,
    Alan G4GVB #14813 and
    Ger EI4GXB #14814.
  • 12 Apr 10: We had a very successful time at the NARSA Norbreck Rally in Blackpool.  There are photographs on the Activities & Events page.
  • 10 Apr 10: Welcome to our latest member, Duncan G4DFV #14801.
  • 07 Apr 10: Congratulations to Milan OK1KW #4827 on achieving the Millionaire Award along with the 2 Million and 3 Million Endorsement Stickers.
  • 04 Apr 10: Welcome to our latest member, John M0JCM #14800.
  • 04 Apr 10: Please submit your March Ladder entries to Rob M0BPT by the end of tomorrow (Monday 5th April).  If you keep your log on a computer, you can use the free FISTS Log Converter 1.0.0 Windows program to create the log in seconds.  Please also consider submitting a log for the March G0HGA VHF/UHF/SHF CW Activity by the 14th April (the program can be used for this too).  All that's needed is normal CW contacts on 6m, 4m, 2m, 70cm, 23cm and 3cm.  The next Ladder sessions are Sunday 11th April 15:00-17:00 BST and 19:00-21:00 BST (14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC).
  • 03 Apr 10: The web archive of the FISTS club magazine / newsletter, Key Note, has been extended to include the very first newsletter, published in October 1987.  This is available from the members' Key Notes Archive and the public Key Notes Archive web pages.
    If you have copies of any of the following Key Notes and are willing to scan them or loan them for scanning, or believe that they were not published, please contact Graham G3ZOD webmaster@fists.co.uk : any for the years 1987-1988, June 1989, December 1989, October 1990 and June 1993.
  • 02 Apr 10: Rob M0BPT has published the Exchange Your Age Week 2010 results.
  • 01 Apr 10: We've received an email from a relative of the late Gerry Jackson G3HQU FISTS #39 asking for any information about him.  If you knew Gerry, please can you send Graham G3ZOD webmaster@fists.co.uk an email.

March 2010

  • 27 Mar 10: Annual renewals are due on 1st April - less than a week away now.  Payment can be accepted by various methods - for details, please see the Subscription Rewewal page.  Note: If you have an existing Standing Order, you will need to replace it or amend it due to the change in subscriptions.  If you want to use the Standing Order form that was printed in the Spring Key Note but don't want to cut up your magazine, you can print a copy of the form from the website here: Standing Order form.
  • 25 Mar 10: FISTS will be attending the NARSA Rally at the Norbreck Exhibition Centre, Blackpool on Sunday 11th April so please come and visit us.  Maps etc. are available on the NARSA website.
  • 25 Mar 10: The Spring Key Note is available on the website from the Members' Area's Key Notes Archive.  Postal copies should start arriving from this weekend onwards.
  • 24 Mar 10: The next FISTS Activity is the Ladder on Sunday 28th March.  Bear in mind the clocks move forwards in the UK this coming weekend, so the local times are now 15:00-17:00 BST and 19:00-21:00 BST (14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC).
  • 16 Mar 10: Sadly Tony G8XGQ #8949 became a silent key today after a long illness.  He will be missed by FISTS members and in particular the Huntingdon Chapter.
  • 15 Mar 10: Rob M0BPT has just published the BrassPounder February 2010 newsletter.
  • 15 Mar 10: Please make sure that you send your Exchange Your Age Week 2010 logs and reports to Rob M0BPT by Monday 22nd March.  Even if you were only there to give points away, logs are very much appreciated.  The next FISTS Activity is the Ladder on Sunday 28th March 14:00-16:00 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC.
  • 15 Mar 10: Brian M0ETO FISTS #7710 has announced his intention to cease running the 40m FISTS net.  This is due to low participation and antenna/noise problems at his QTH.
  • 14 Mar 10: Welcome to our new members, Kurt HB9DOI #14594, Vlad OK2MTV #14595, Allister G4MLG #14596, David G3UFO #14597, Bob G4GQP #14598 and Matt G4ZZB #14599.
  • 14 Mar 10: Graham G3ZOD webmaster@fists.co.uk has made the program FISTS Log Converter 1.0.0 available.  If you keep an electronic log, this program makes it very easy to score FISTS Activities such as Exchange Your Age Week 2010 and create logs in the format preferred by Rob M0BPT.
  • 07 Mar 10: Graham G3ZOD webmaster@fists.co.uk has a Windows program that will accept electronic logs and create Exchange Your Age Week 2010 (EYAW) logs in Rob M0BPT's preferred format including working out the points and checking the FISTS numbers. If anyone might be interested, it just needs that in the Remarks/Comments entry in your log, you include the age and FISTS number (as applicable) somewhere like this:
    FISTS 54321 AGE 99
    The exact order, position and case doesn't matter, e.g. this would be fine:
    Running 5kw dipole age 99 terrible chirp fists 54321
    It will accept ADIF files (most logging programs can create them) or Ham Radio Deluxe .MDB (Access database) logbook files.
    It also works for the FISTS Ladder, G0HGA VHF/UHF/SHF CW Activity and Straight Key Week (SKW) 2010 activities.
    Graham is tidying up the program and will post a copy on the website by the end of next Saturday.
  • 07 Mar 10: Welcome to our new members, Jacques ON4YZ #14592 and Paul M0PNN #14593.
  • 05 Mar 10: Exchange Your Age Week 2010 (EYAW) starts this coming Sunday 7th March 00:01 UTC and runs for 7 days.  This proved a popular event in 2009, so don't miss out!  For details, please see Exchange Your Age Week 2010.
  • 04 Mar 10: Congratulations to Bert F6HKA #14577 on achieving the Basic Century Award and the Silver Century Award - well done!
  • 04 Mar 10: Logs and reports for the February FISTS Ladder need to be submitted to Rob M0BPT by the end of Friday 5th March.  Logs and reports for the G0HGA VHF/UHF/SHF CW Activity need to be submitted by 14th March.  The next Ladder session are on Sunday 14th March 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC.

February 2010

  • 28 Feb 10: Welcome to our latest members, Klaas PA0KBN #14587, Jack F8WAK/W4MZV #14588, John G7GUN #14589, William 2E0WAR #14590 and Christian DK5CH #14591.
  • 22 Feb 10: The next FISTS Ladder sessions are on Sunday 28th February 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC.  Please come and join in - submitting logs is not required (but it is appreciated).
  • 22 Feb 10: If you're writing an article, letter etc. for the upcoming Spring edition of Key Note, please ensure that Paul M0BMN receives it by this coming Sunday (28th February).  Articles can be emailed to Paul at paul@fists.co.uk.
  • 19 Feb 10: Welcome to our newest member, Colin DD5CF #14586.
  • 17 Feb 10: Rob M0BPT has just published the BrassPounder January 2010 newsletter.
  • 12 Feb 10: Welcome to our new members, Edwin HB9BQJ #14583, Norman G0WNT #14584 and William G7PVZ #14585.
  • 10 Feb 10: If you use CW on 6m or higher frequency bands, please write to Ian G6TGO vhf@fists.co.uk as soon as possible with a report on your activities for inclusion in the Spring Key Note VHF/UHF section.
  • 10 Feb 10: If you have any ideas for articles for the upcoming Spring edition of Key Note, please let Paul M0BMN (email paul@fists.co.uk ) have your articles by 28th February.  All submissions are very welcome, from notes about what you have been up to over the last few months to fully-fledged articles.
  • 06 Feb 10: Ever wondered how long your callsign takes to transmit and how it compares with other people's callsigns?  Visit the new Measure Callsign Weight web page to find out!
  • 05 Feb 10: Welcome to our latest members, Roger G3SNT #14581 and Ken G6VGN #14582.
  • 04 Feb 10: Logs and reports for the January FISTS Ladder need to be submitted to Rob M0BPT by the end of Friday 5th February.  Logs and reports for the G0HGA VHF/UHF/SHF CW Activity need to be submitted by 14th February.  The next Ladder session are on Sunday 14th February 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC.
  • 01 Feb 10: Congratulations to Milan OK1KW #4827 on achieving the Diamond Century Award. This is a significant achievement - well done Milan!
  • 01 Feb 10: The work on the website is now complete.  It may take up to 24 hours for the website to be available to everyone due to the time it takes for address (DNS) changes to be propagated around the Internet.  If there are any problems, please let me know by sending an email to webmaster@fists.co.uk.

January 2010

  • 31 Jan 10: There will be some disruption to the main website http://www.fists.co.uk during the week starting 1st February.  The temporary website http://www.fists.org.uk can be used while it's unavailable.  Apologies for the inconvenience.
  • 29 Jan 10: Welcome to Roger G3LDI #14580, our latest member.
  • 26 Jan 10: We have a new QSL bureau sub-manager for G0, GD0, GI0, GJ0, GM0 and GU0 callsigns.
    Please see the QSL Bureau web page for details.
  • 22 Jan 10: Welcome to new members David EI9FBB #14576, Bert F6HKA #14577, Jamie MW3ZKP #14578 and William 2E0LBD #14579, who have just joined us.
  • 22 Jan 10: The first 2010 FISTS Ladder sessions were disappointing due to a concurrent 80m CW contest during the afternoon session and unhelpful propagation during the evening session.  However, this coming Sunday's sessions (24th January 14:00-16:00 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC) look to be clear of any contests, so please do give the Ladder another try.  80m and 20m are the most used bands currently in the Ladder, but any can be used except 30m, 17m and 12m.
  • 19 Jan 10: The web archive of the FISTS club magazine / newsletter, Key Note, has been extended to include December 1988 to 1993, now covering over 20 years.  This is available from the members' Key Notes Archive and the public Key Notes Archive web pages.
    It would be great if we could extend the archive even closer to the start of FISTS in 1987.  If you have copies of any of the following Key Notes and are willing to scan them or loan them for scanning, or believe that they were not published, please contact Graham G3ZOD webmaster@fists.co.uk : any for the years 1987-1988, June 1989, December 1989, October 1990 and June 1993.
  • 16 Jan 10: Welcome to our new members, Colin M0XED #14573, Andrew G4CWX #14574 and Tom EI5CA #14575, who joined us recently.
  • 16 Jan 10: The new G0HGA VHF/UHF/SHF CW Activity 2010 has been extended to include 23cm and 3cm (10GHz), so the valid bands are 6m, 4m, 2m, 70cm, 23cm and 3cm.  As we're half way through January, there's still plenty of time to join in! 
  • 13 Jan 10: If you currently have a Standing Order for your FISTS annual subscription, please bear in mind that you need to alter it or replace it *before* the 1st April to reflect the changes in subscription.  For a list of the 2010 fees, please visit the Annual Renewal web page.
  • 09 Jan 10: Welcome to our latest members, Maurizio IT9RRU #14568, Richard M0RKY #14569, Jan PA7O #14570, Jonathan G6HKA #14571 and Ken G3HSU #14572, who have joined us recently.
  • 09 Jan 10: There is a new email address for contacting the FISTS Awards Manager Dennis K6DF: fistsawards@fists.org.  When writing, please put the word "FISTS" in the subject line.
  • 03 Jan 10: The new 2010 FISTS Ladder starts on Sunday 10th January!  The Ladder is a great way to meet up with members in friendly "normal" QSOs rather than "599 TU".  There is no need to submit logs - just come and join in - but if you do submit logs and reports to Rob M0BPT, it's very much appreciated and makes it more fun.  There are two, two hour sessions on every second and fourth Sunday in the month.  Just join in one or both sessions as you wish.  The first sessions are on Sunday 10th January 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC.  Note: Participants in the 2009 Ladder, please submit your final logs and reports to Rob M0BPT by 5th January (see the Activity Calendar for details).
  • 01 Jan 10: Happy New Year!  Welcome to our latest members, George MM0GFR #14566 and Zoran 9A3Y #14567, who joined us recently.

December 2009

  • 26 Dec 09: Welcome to our latest members, Paul #14564 and Ron G3SEN #14565, who have just joined us.
  • 24 Dec 09: The Online Search feature on the Member Lists page has been revised.  The results for Eu/UK callsigns will now be more up-to-date (normally changes are incorporated within 24 hours).  Additionally, you can search for part of a callsign and display all matching results.  The callsigns are provided as links that you can click to go to the corresponding QRZ.COM web page.
  • 24 Dec 09: The Winter 2009 Key Note is available in the members' Key Notes Archive and the Winter 2008 edition is now available in the public Key Notes Archive.
  • 20 Dec 09: Welcome to our latest member, Dan IK2UWA #14563, who has just joined us.
  • 17 Dec 09: The final 2009 FISTS Ladder sessions are on Sunday 27th December 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC.  Please see the Activity Calendar for details.
  • 11 Dec 09: Welcome to our latest member, Chris ZS6RI #14562, who has just joined us.
  • 05 Dec 09: Welcome to the following new members who have joined us recently: David GW0HBZ #14560 and Chris M6FRY #14561.
  • 02 Dec 09: The next FISTS Ladder sessions are on Sunday 13th December 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC.  Please submit logs for November to Rob M0BPT by 5th December (see the Activity Calendar for details).

November 2009

  • 30 Nov 09: G0 callsigns: Please don't send envelopes to the QSL Bureau until further notice.  FISTS is currently looking for a new sub-manager for G0.
    If you need more information, please contact Chuck M0AVW bureau@fists.co.uk
  • 29 Nov 09: Welcome to our latest member, Eric M0KZB #14559, who has just joined us.
  • 29 Nov 09: The CW / Phone Area Code Award, previously available for this year (2009) only, has now been made a permanent FISTS Award.
  • 25 Nov 09: The public Key Notes Archive and the members' Key Notes Archive have been extended to include most Key Notes between 1993 and 1999.  It would be great if we could extend the Archive further.  If you have copies of any of the following Key Notes and are willing to scan them or loan them for scanning, please contact webmaster@fists.co.uk:
    February 1995, January 1994, May 1994, February-April 1993, June-November 1993 and any for the years 1987 - 1992.
  • 24 Nov 09: Interested in taking part in a club construction project?  Paul M0BMN paul@fists.co.uk has asked for suggestions for a new club construction project.  If you have ideas for what could be built, whether it be a radio or CW-related accessory/gadget, please send the details in an email to Paul paul@fists.co.uk .  It's also worth considering joining in the ongoing discussions about this on the FISTSCW Yahoo Group.  If you are not currently a member of the Yahoo group, you can join here.
  • 21 Nov 09: Welcome to our latest member, Derrick G3LHJ #14558, who has joined us recently.
  • 20 Nov 09: Rob M0BPT has published the BrassPounder October 2009 newsletter today.
  • 17 Nov 09: Ian G6TGO will be writing a VHF/UHF section in future Key Notes.  Please help him by sending regular reports of what you have been doing on VHF/UHF CW and what stations you have heard or worked.  Ian can be contacted at vhf@fists.co.uk.
  • 15 Nov 09: The deadline for articles for the Winter edition of Key Note is 28th November.  Please contribute by providing Paul M0BMN with as many articles as possible.  Articles can be emailed to Paul at paul@fists.co.uk.
  • 15 Nov 09: The Autumn edition of Key Note magazine will be sent out by postal mail on Monday 16th November.
  • 14 Nov 09: Welcome to the following new members who have joined us recently: Jerry G0AZR #14553, Mike G0CVZ #14554, James MD0MDI #14555, Ian G6TGO #14556 and Bob M6ATK #14557.
  • 09 Nov 09: The next FISTS Ladder sessions are on Sunday 22nd November 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC.  This is a great opportunity to meet up with members and is very relaxed; please give it a try.  Just have normal QSOs and, if you are a member, please include your FISTS number in the exchange.  Most activity takes place at 3.558 MHz and 14.058 MHz and lower (to avoid the QRP areas).
  • 06 Nov 09: Welcome to the following new members who have joined us recently: Bal EA8BVP #14551 and Ken GI4ERM #14552.

October 2009

  • 31 Oct 09: Welcome to the following new members who have joined us recently: Marek DH9SB #14549 and Rienus PA0RBA #14550.
  • 26 Oct 09: The next FISTS Ladder sessions are on Sunday 8th November 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC.  Please submit logs for October to Rob M0BPT by 5th November (see the Activity Calendar for details).
  • 23 Oct 09: Congratulations to Peter G4LHI #2219 on achieving the 2009 CW / Phone Area Code Award - well done!
  • 23 Oct 09: Welcome to the following new members who have joined us recently: Allan M0KIS #14546, Gordon G4FGJ #14547 and Petr OK2CQR #14548.
  • 20 Oct 09: Rob M0BPT has published the BrassPounder September 2009 newsletter today.
  • 20 Oct 09: Straight Key Week (SKW) 2009 results and reports have been published by Rob M0BPT.
  • 19 Oct 09: The next FISTS Ladder sessions are on Sunday 25th October 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC.  UK members: bear in mind that UTC will be the same as local time due to the clocks moving back on 25th October, so the sessions will be an hour earlier than usual!
  • 19 Oct 09: The Club Sales web page now includes the recently-available FISTS CW Course and the new-style Standard FISTS QSL Cards.
  • 16 Oct 09: We welcome the following new members who have joined us recently: Chris GM4YLM #14544 and Vincent ON3WAG #14545.
  • 10 Oct 09: Welcome to the following new members who have joined us recently: John G4NCZ #14541, Theo PA3GHJ #14542 and Phil M6PHL #14543.
  • 10 Oct 09: The website now allows subscriptions and purchase of club items (badges, car stickers, key rings and QSL cards) to be paid for directly using Credit Cards / PayPal.
  • 06 Oct 09: Rob M0BPT has released the 2010 FISTS Activities Calendar.  This includes two new activities: G0HGA VHF/UHF CW Activity 2010 and FISTS 3 Hour Sprint 2010.
  • 03 Oct 09: Welcome to the following new members who have joined us recently: Wallace MM0AMV #14538, Fabio IK0IXI / NB1V #14539 and David CE2WZ #14540.

September 2009

  • 28 Sep 09: The next FISTS Ladder sessions are on Sunday 11th October 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC.  Please submit logs for September to Rob M0BPT by 5th October (see the Activity Calendar for details).
  • 26 Sep 09: Welcome to the following new members who have joined us recently: Darren 2E0JUG #14527, David M0TUB #14528, Chris G4KUE #14529, Al G4VZQ #14530, Wayne M0WAY #14531, Roby IZ2CPS #14532, Art G4MYU #14533, John G4SRE #14534, Tom ON4TOM #14535, Gordon G3WOV #14536 and Dave G4AJY #14537.
  • 25 Sep 09: The website's Members' Area has some new pages: Key Note Archive containing Eu/UK Key Notes for 2000 - 2009 for viewing or download, QSL Bureau details and FISTS Logos so that you can add logos to your website, QSL cards, print them on tee shirts etc.
  • 20 Sep 09: The FISTS East Asia (FEA) website has their colourful September 2009 Newsletter "morsEAsia" available as a free sample download on the FEA FISTS Newsletters web page.
  • 17 Sep 09: The Events page now has photographs from the Leicester Amateur Radio Show.
    Additionally, there is now a Paul's QRP Rigs page with details of the much-admired transceivers Paul M0BMN had at the show.
  • 16 Sep 09: Rob M0BPT has published the August BrassPounder newsletter today.
  • 14 Sep 09: The FISTS Straight Key Week finished on Saturday 12th and lots of stations were to be heard.  Please submit logs to Rob M0BPT m0bpt(at)yahoo.co.uk by 26th September.  The scoring and log details required are available on Rob's Activities Page.
  • 14 Sep 09: Welcome to the new members who joined us at the Leicester Amateur Radio Show on Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September 2009 and thank you to the existing members who visited us.
  • 14 Sep 09: The next FISTS Ladder sessions are on Sunday 27th September 14:00-1600 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC. It's a great opportunity to join in and meet other FISTS members in relaxed QSOs.  For more information, please see the rules.
  • 14 Sep 09: The members lists and copies of Key Note magazine are up-to-date.  Please visit the Members Area to download copies.
  • 14 Sep 09: The deadline for articles for the Autumn 2009 edition of Key Note is this coming Saturday 19th September.  Please let Paul M0BMN paul@fists.co.uk have lots of articles by then.
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