FISTS CW Club

Promoting Morse Code for 36 years 1987-2023

The European Chapter serves members in Europe and the UK

Fri 01 Dec-Sun 31 Dec FISTS Win RSGB Yearbook

Sun 10 Dec FISTS Eu Ladder

Mon 11 Dec-Sun 17 Dec FISTS Mechanical Key Week

Sun 24 Dec FISTS Eu Ladder

Sun 31 Dec-Sun 31 Dec FISTS 100 Years of Big Ben on the Wireless

Mon 01 Jan ICWC Top 9
Quarter 1 season starts

Mon 01 Jan EuCW Snakes & Ladders
winter/spring season starts

Sun 14 Jan FISTS Ladder

Sun 28 Jan FISTS Ladder

More...

Upcoming
events:

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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 CW Club in Europe is the founding chapter of the club.

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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01 Dec 23: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of November 2023.
- Winter Warmer (FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 December.
- Ladder (November) (FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 December.
- Snakes & Ladders (November) (EuCW) no later than 07 December.
- Top9 (November) (ICWC) no later than 09 December.
Notes:
* Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do support the activities by sending in logs.
* For the Ladder, please include in your log ALL your Ladder QSOs from the (up to) 4 sessions in the month. If you need to make changes, send in another log and it will replace the previous log you sent in.
25 Nov 23: Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Ladder, FISTS Winter Warmer 2023 and FISTS Win RSGB Yearbook:
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 26 November 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST, & if applicable, member number.
  - One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 December.
- FISTS Winter Warmer 2023 Wednesday 01 - Thursday 30 November (inclusive) 24x7 UTC:
  Enjoy QSOs on 80m and 160m with the improved propagation at this time of year.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST, & if applicable, member number.
  - One QSO per day with an operator on either 80m or 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 December.
- FISTS Win RSGB Yearbook Friday 01 - Sunday 31 December (inclusive) 24x7 UTC:
  Win an RSGB Yearbook by contacting RSGB members and collecting their RSGB member numbers. Highest number of QSOs wins.
  - Send your RSGB member number if you are an RSGB member.
  - Receive your QSO partner's RSGB member number.
  - One QSO per day with an operator.
  - Any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 January.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
24 Nov 23: CORRECTION: Last FISTS Winter Warmer 2023 on-air activity date is 30 NOVEMBER.

Unfortunately the wrong date was published in the online Upcoming Events web page, November Brass Pounder and December Key Note. Apologies for my error. 73 de Graham G3ZOD.
21 Nov 23: The December 2023 Key Note is now available to all current FISTS CW Club members as PDF and audio (.mp3) files.

Please visit the Members' Area to get your copy:
https://fists.co.uk/members
Items in this issue include:
- My (almost) Unicorn - G3VBS.
- Fun on 60m QRPp - G4ALG.
- CW Spotter - G8LHD.
- Larkspur MKII key assembly - M7GRW.
- It started with a dit.. - M0WXG.
- Horses for courses - VK3DBD.
- The strawberry basket - M0BPT.
... and more besides!
Note: If you don't know your password:
- FISTS Americas members ONLY: you can reset it at https://fistsna.org/memresetpw.php .
- FISTS Europe, East Asia, & Down Under members: please send an email using the 'Membership' address on the Contact Us web page.
10 Nov 23: The FISTS CW Club November 2023 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available.

BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
08 Nov 23: Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Ladder, FISTS Winter Warmer 2023 and FISTS Fall Sprints:
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 12 November 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST, & if applicable, member number.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 December.
- FISTS Winter Warmer 2023 Wednesday 01 - Thursday 30 November (inclusive) 24x7 UTC:
  Enjoy QSOs on 80m and 160m with the improved propagation at this time of year.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST, & if applicable, member number.
  - One QSO per day with an operator on either 80m or 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 December.
- FISTS Fall Sprints Saturday 11 November 00:00-23:59 UTC + Sunday 19 November 00:00-23:59 UTC.
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of RST, member number (if available), US State -or- Canadian Province -or- DXCC number (for non US/Canadian stations).
  - One QSO per station on one of 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, & 10m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 7 days after the Sprint.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
03 Nov 23: Graham G3ZOD writes: The RSGB Marconi CW 2m Contest is this weekend, 04 November 1400 UTC - 05 November 1400 UTC. It is part of a Europe-wide contest and is the third out of three annual RSGB VHF CW contests (6m, 4m and 2m).

Unlike HF contests, QSOs are a bit more relaxed and don't expect to get 599 for each QSO! The exchange is RST, serial number and 6 character locator. Most activity centres around 144.050, with the primary CW band plan segment 144.025 - 144.100 MHz.
01 Nov 23: The new version, 4.4.5, of the FISTS Log Converter program for Windows adds support for the FISTS Win RSGB Yearbook on-air activity and improves support for running on Linux+Wine.

The new version is available from the download web page. Many thanks to the testers.
01 Nov 23: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of October 2023.
- 60m Activation (FISTS CW Club). No logs needed BUT please email a report of your activity (e.g. condx, countries worked, number of QSOs, keys used, power, equipment ...) no later than 07 November.
- Ladder (October) (FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 November.
- Snakes & Ladders (October) (EuCW) no later than 07 November.
- Top9 (October) (ICWC) no later than 09 November.
Notes:
* Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do support the activities by sending in logs.
* For the Ladder, please include in your log ALL your Ladder QSOs from the (up to) 4 sessions in the month. If you need to make changes, send in another log and it will replace the previous log you sent in.
20 Oct 23: Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Ladder, FISTS 60m Activation, FISTS Winter Warmer 2023 and FISTS Fall Sprints:
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 22 October 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST, & if applicable, member number.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 December.
- FISTS 60m Activation Monday 02 - Monday 23 October (inclusive) 24x7 local time:
  A social gathering just for fun – no scores, no result tables, no logs, no minimum exchange – just CW QSOs with anyone on 60m.
  - UK holders of a Full licence only: The RSGB Band Plan 60m primary CW segment is
    5258.5 kHz - 5264.0 kHz and includes a QRP Centre of Activity (CoA) of 5262.0 kHz.
  - Outside UK: There is an IARU Region 1 (Europe) Band Plan that includes a 60m CW and narrow band segment. Please refer to your national guidelines.
  - Any time but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at the following local times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100.
- FISTS Winter Warmer 2023 Wednesday 01 - Thursday 30 November (inclusive) 24x7 local time:
  Enjoy QSOs on 80m and 160m with the improved propagation at this time of year.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST, & if applicable, member number.
  - One QSO per day with an operator on either 80m or 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 December.
- FISTS Fall Sprints Saturday 11 November 00:00-23:59 UTC + Sunday 19 November 00:00-23:59 UTC.
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of RST, member number (if available), US State -or- Canadian Province -or- DXCC number (for non US/Canadian stations).
  - One QSO per station on one of 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, & 10m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 7 days after the Sprint.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
14 Oct 23: The FISTS CW Club October 2023 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available.

BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
07 Oct 23: Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Ladder and FISTS 60m Activation.
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 08 October 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST, & if applicable, member number.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 November.
- FISTS 60m Activation Monday 02 - Monday 23 October (inclusive) 24x7 local time:
  A social gathering just for fun – no scores, no result tables, no logs, no minimum exchange – just CW QSOs with anyone on 60m.
  - UK holders of a Full licence only: The RSGB Band Plan 60m primary CW segment is
    5258.5 kHz - 5264.0 kHz and includes a QRP Centre of Activity (CoA) of 5262.0 kHz.
  - Outside UK: There is an IARU Region 1 (Europe) Band Plan that includes a 60m CW and narrow band segment. Please refer to your national guidelines.
  - Any time but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at the following local times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
02 Oct 23: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of September 2023.
- 30m Activation (FISTS CW Club). No logs needed BUT please email a report of your activity (e.g. condx, countries worked, number of QSOs, keys used, power, equipment ...) no later than 07 October.
- Ladder (September) (FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 October.
- Snakes & Ladders (September) (EuCW) no later than 07 October.
- Top9 (September) (ICWC) no later than 09 October.
Notes:
* Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do support the activities by sending in logs.
* For the Ladder, please include in your log ALL your Ladder QSOs from the (up to) 4 sessions in the month. If you need to make changes, send in another log and it will replace the previous log you sent in.
23 Sep 23: Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Ladder, FISTS 30m Activation and FISTS 60m Activation
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 24 September 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST, & if applicable, member number.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 September.
- FISTS 30m Activation Monday 04 - Monday 25 September (inclusive) 24x7 local time:
  A social gathering just for fun – no scores, no result tables, no logs, no minimum exchange – just CW QSOs with anyone on 30m.
  - Any frequency; note that FISTS centre of activity frequencies are 10.118 & 10.128 MHz.
  - Any time but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at the following local times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100.
- FISTS 60m Activation Monday 02 - Monday 23 October (inclusive) 24x7 local time:
  A social gathering just for fun – no scores, no result tables, no logs, no minimum exchange – just CW QSOs with anyone on 60m.
  - UK holders of a Full licence only: The RSGB Band Plan 60m primary CW segment is
    5258.5 kHz - 5264.0 kHz and includes a QRP Centre of Activity (CoA) of 5262.0 kHz.
  - Outside UK: There is an IARU Region 1 (Europe) Band Plan that includes a 60m CW and narrow band segment. Please refer to your national guidelines.
  - Any time but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at the following local times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
12 Sep 23: The FISTS CW Club September 2023 monthly BrassPounder and Americas quarterly KeyNote newsletters are now available.

BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
08 Sep 23: Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Ladder, FISTS 30m Activation and FISTS Chadburn Cup for Clubs.
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 10 September 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST, & if applicable, member number.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 September.
- FISTS 30m Activation Monday 04 - Monday 25 September (inclusive) 24x7 local time:
  A social gathering just for fun – no scores, no result tables, no logs, no minimum exchange – just CW QSOs with anyone on 30m.
  - Any frequency; note that FISTS centre of activity frequencies are 10.118 & 10.128 MHz.
  - Any time but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at the following local times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
08 Sep 23: The new version, 4.4.2, of the FISTS Log Converter program for Windows adds support for FISTS and EuCW on-air activities in 2023 & 2024.

The new version is available from the download web page. Many thanks to the testers: Alex PA1FOX, Chris G5VZ, and Richard G0ILN.
01 Sep 23: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of August 2023.
- Ladder (August) (FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 September.
- Snakes & Ladders (August) (EuCW) no later than 07 September.
- Top9 (August) (ICWC) no later than 09 September.
- Chadburn Cup for Clubs 2023 (August) (FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 September.
Notes:
* Even if you only had one QSO or feel that you won't be highly placed, please do support the activities by sending in logs.
* For the Ladder, please include in your log ALL your Ladder QSOs from the (up to) 4 sessions in the month. If you need to make changes, send in another log and it will replace the previous log you sent in.

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 a 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 George "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 (SK). Click for a large picture.

The North American Chapter (now known as FISTS Americas) 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 held until sadly she became a Silent Key in 2014.

The FISTS Down Under Chapter representing New Zealand and Australia, was formed in 1998 by Ralph Sutton ZL2AOH to provide a similar service to Australasian members. From a ZL / VK membership of four including a JA and an FO, the FISTS Down Under Chapter has grown in strength to currently 118; 31 New Zealand members and 87 Australian members.

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.

Why not join us?

Acknowledgements: Thank you to Dennis K6DF, Bill NT9K (SK) and Billy AB4RH for permission to use photographs from their key collections.