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Activities Calendar

Please choose a year for the activities:
2023 2022 2021 Older
To see reports and tables of results, visit the Activity Results page.  The free FISTS Log Converter program for Windows can be used to create entries for all the applicable FISTS activities below.

Activities Calendar 2023

See the Upcoming Events page for a full list of dates and times for these and some other on-air activities.

Win RSGB Yearbook 01 December - 31 December 2023, 24x7 UTC
Mechanical Key Week 11 December - 17 December 2023, 24x7 UTC
100 Years of Big Ben on the Wireless 31 December 2023, 00:01-23:59 UTC
Ladder 2023 2nd and 4th Sundays, January - December 2023,
14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC
 
Winter Warmer 2023 Finished
60m Activation Finished
30m Activation Finished
Act Your Age Week 2023 Finished
Straight Eight 2023 Finished
Chadburn Cup for Affiliated Clubs 2023 Finished

WIN RSGB YEARBOOK
DESCRIPTION Win an RSGB Yearbook by contacting RSGB members and collecting their RSGB member numbers.  Highest number of QSOs wins!

The Yearbook:
  • Includes more than 100,000 UK and Northern Ireland callsigns.
  • The most comprehensive guide to amateur radio in the UK and worldwide.
  • Over 170 pages of invaluable reference material for just about everything you are ever likely to want to know about amateur radio.
Note: Open to FISTS CW Club members only (do not need to be RSGB members).  In the event of a tie, a winner will be chosen at random.
DATES and
TIMES 		Continuous running, 24/7 from start to finish BUT if you concentrate your activity around the cardinal hours it will improve chances…maybe!  So, operate any time at all but try to be on at 00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21.

00:01Z Friday 1st December to 23:59Z Sunday 31st December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange you SEND is:
If you are an RSGB member, your RSGB member number.

The minimum exchange you RECEIVE is:
RSGB member number.
SCORING You may claim only ONE QSO with any given RSGB member per day regardless of callsign.

Scoring: 1 point per QSO.
LOGS Entries must be received no later than 7th January 2024 and must include your callsign, name and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program version 4.4.5 or later for Windows (available in November) is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Freq, Time_On, Mode, Comment, Points
    Example:
    2023/12/03,G3QNH,3.557,17:05,CW,RSGB 54321,1
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 3.557
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Comment' must include an RSGB member number, e.g. Temp 20C RSGB 54321
    'Points' can contain 1 or be left blank, e.g. 1
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


30M ACTIVATION
DESCRIPTION Let's get busy on 30m in September with 3 weeks of CW QSOs with anyone on the band (no scores, no results tables!)
DATES and
TIMES 		Continuous running, 24/7 from start to finish BUT if you concentrate your activity around the cardinal hours it will improve chances…maybe!  So, operate any time at all but try to be on at 00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21 LOCAL TIME PLEASE  (if you want to work Dx then adjust accordingly).  Also try different times of the day and night to learn about propagation.

Monday 4th September till Monday 25th September - 3 weeks activity.
FREQUENCIES Remember the FISTS Centres of Activity (CoA) are 10.118 & 10.128 and the most used QRP CoA is 10.116.
EXCHANGE There is no minimum exchange.
SCORING There are no points.
LOGS In order to assess the success or otherwise of this event I would appreciate soapbox comments and total number of QSO please to .


60M ACTIVATION
DESCRIPTION Let's get busy on 60m in October with 3 weeks of CW QSOs with anyone on the band (no scores, no results tables!)
DATES and
TIMES 		Continuous running, 24/7 from start to finish BUT if you concentrate your activity around the cardinal hours it will improve chances…maybe!  So, operate any time at all but try to be on at 00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21 LOCAL TIME PLEASE  (if you want to work Dx then adjust accordingly).  Also try different times of the day and night to learn about propagation.

Monday 2nd October till Monday 23rd October - 3 weeks activity.
FREQUENCIES Any 60m frequency you are licensed to use for CW.
EXCHANGE There is no minimum exchange.
SCORING There are no points.
LOGS In order to assess the success or otherwise of this event I would appreciate soapbox comments and total number of QSO please to .


WINTER WARMER 2023
DESCRIPTION November is here, winter must be acknowledged!  What summer we had is now a memory but for amateurs it means top band and 80m are our playground again.  And if it’s chilly…get the valve amps out and have a real warm up…
DATES and
TIMES 		Continuous running, 24/7 from start to finish BUT if you concentrate your activity around the cardinal hours it will improve chances…maybe!  So, operate any time at all but try to be on at 00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21.

00:01Z Wednesday 1st November to 23:59Z Thursday 30th November.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING You may claim only ONE QSO with any given operator per day,  i.e. all QSOs claimed each day must be unique callsigns.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).

BONUS MULTIPLIER: QSO SCORE X 2 FOR QSO WITH A DIFFERENT FISTS CHAPTER.  E.g. 6 points for a European member contacting an Americas member.
LOGS Entries must be received no later than 7th December 2023 and must include your callsign, name and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html version 4.4.0 or later for Windows (available in September) is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2023/11/03,G4YVM,David,Salisbury,3.557,599,559,17:05,15868,CW,3
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 3.557
    'FISTS' can be a FISTS member number or be left blank, e.g. 15868
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


MECHANICAL KEY WEEK 2023
DESCRIPTION Mechanical Key Week runs for 7 days in December.  You must send CQs and have QSOs using a straight ("up & down") key, sideswiper (aka "cootie") key or semi-automatic (aka "bug") key; no electronic keyers.  If in doubt about the eligibility of your key, please ask.  It does not matter what type of key your QSO partner uses.

Call "CQ MKW" 
DATES and
TIMES 		Continuous running, 24/7 from start to finish BUT if you concentrate your MKW activity around the cardinal hours it will improve chances…maybe!  So, operate any time at all but try to be on at 00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21.

00:01 UTC Monday 11th December to 23:59 UTC Sunday 17th December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING You may claim only ONE QSO with any given operator per day,  i.e. all QSOs claimed each day must be unique callsigns.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).

BONUS MULTIPLIER: QSO SCORE X 2 FOR QSO WITH A DIFFERENT FISTS CHAPTER.  E.g. 6 points for a European member contacting an Americas member.
LOGS Send in your entry after the last day.

Entries must be received by 7th January 2024 and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must include this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: MKW
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html version 4.4.0 or later for Windows (available in September) is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment
    Example:
    2023/12/13,GR4YVM,David,Salisbury,7.026,599,559,17:05,15868,CW,9,MKW
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'FISTS' can be a FISTS member number or be left blank, e.g. 15868
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 9
    'Comment' must include MKW, e.g. Nice QSO MKW
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


100 YEARS OF BIG BEN ON THE WIRELESS
DESCRIPTION 100 years ago this month, on 31st December 1923 the BBC broadcast the sound of Big Ben for the very first time…and hasn’t stopped since.  Big Ben, iconic bell in the Elizabeth Tower in the Palace of Westminster weighs in at almost 14 tons, and is known around the globe.  Join us for this one day commemoration of Big Ben’s wireless debut!  We are using ONLY 80m and 20m, good winter night and day bands.  AND they add up to 100!!

Call "CQ BigBen"
DATES and
TIMES 		Continuous running for 24 hours BUT if you concentrate your activity around the cardinal hours it will improve chances…maybe!  So, operate any time at all but try to be on at 00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21.

00:01Z to 23:59Z Sunday 31st December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use 80m and 20m only.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m and 20m these are 3.560 and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING You may claim only ONE QSO with any given operator per day,  i.e. all QSOs claimed each day must be unique callsigns.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).

BONUS MULTIPLIER: QSO SCORE X 2 FOR QSO WITH A DIFFERENT FISTS CHAPTER.  E.g. 6 points for a European member contacting an Americas member.
LOGS Entries must be received no later than 7th January 2024 and must include your callsign, name and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html version 4.4.0 or later for Windows (available in September) is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2023/12/31,G4YVM,David,Salisbury,3.557,599,559,17:05,15868,CW,3
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 3.557
    'FISTS' can be a FISTS member number or be left blank, e.g. 15868
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


ACT YOUR AGE WEEK 2023 (AYAW)
DESCRIPTION Act your Age Week runs for 7 days in July.  Any QSO counts but the important thing is the other person's age.  They must send their age because this is how points are scored.  Please ask them AT MOST ONCE; not everyone will be willing to reveal their age.

Any radio, any key, any band listed below under FREQUENCIES so long as the entire QSO is conducted in Morse code.

Call "CQ Age” or simply "CQ".
DATES and
TIMES 		Continuous running, 24/7 from start to finish BUT if you concentrate your Age activity around the cardinal hours it will improve chances…maybe!  So, operate any time at all but try to be on at 00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21.

00:01 UTC Monday 3 July to 23:59 UTC Sunday 9 July 2023.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.  This is a courtesy. 
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name and Age.
Age is sent as a whole number of years, e.g. 54
SCORING You may claim only ONE QSO with any given operator per day, i.e. all QSOs claimed each day must be unique callsigns.

  • All QSOs score 1 point for each year of age.
  • Bonus of 10% of age (rounded) for each QSO starting between 0000-0059, 0300-0359, 0600-0659, 0900-0959, 1200-1259, 1500-1559, 1800-1859 & 2100-2159 UTC.
Examples:

QSO with someone aged 59 at 17:20 is 59 points (59 + no bonus).
QSO with someone aged 64 at 18:10 is 70 points (64 + bonus of 6).
QSO with someone aged 65 at 18:30 is 72 points (65 + bonus of 7).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last day.

Entries must be received by 31 July 2023 and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html version 4.3.3 or later for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, Mode, Age, Points
    Example:
    2023/07/05,G4QNH,John,7.026,599,559,18:05,CW,54,59
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.026
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Age' is a whole number of years, e.g. 54
    'Points' can contain the QSO points or be left blank, e.g. 59
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
    Note: if your logbook application does not provide an AGE field, you can instead include age in a COMMENT or NOTES field, e.g. NICE QSO AGE 54
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


STRAIGHT EIGHT 2023 (SK8)
DESCRIPTION Straight Eight runs for 8 days in May.  You must send CQs and have QSOs using a straight ("up & down") key or a sideswiper (aka "cootie") key; no semi-automatic (aka "bug") keys or electronic keyers.  If in doubt about the eligibility of your key, please ask.  It does not matter what type of key your QSO partner uses.

Call "CQ SK8" 
DATES and
TIMES 		Continuous running, 24/7 from start to finish BUT if you concentrate your SK8 activity around the cardinal hours it will improve chances…maybe! So, operate any time at all but try to be on at 00, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21.

00:01 UTC Monday 1st May to 23:59 UTC Monday 8th May.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING You may claim only ONE QSO with any given operator per day,  i.e. all QSOs claimed each day must be unique callsigns.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).

BONUS MULTIPLIER: QSO SCORE X 2 FOR QSO WITH A DIFFERENT FISTS CHAPTER.  E.g. 6 points for a European member contacting an Americas member.

BONUS MULTIPLIER: QSO SCORE X 3 FOR QSO WITH CORONATION RSL “R”. e.g GR4YVM, MR0ABC, 2R0PEC.
LOGS Send in your entry after the last day.

Entries must be received by 15TH MAY 2023 and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must include this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: SK8
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html version 4.3.2 or later for Windows (available in March) is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment
    Example:
    2023/05/03,GR4YVM,David,Salisbury,7.026,599,559,17:05,15868,CW,9,SK8
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 9
    'Comment' must include SK8, e.g. Nice QSO SK8
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


CHADBURN CUP FOR AFFILIATED CLUBS 2023
DESCRIPTION There are many Clubs who choose to be affiliated to FISTS, so this cup is for them and their members.  Anyone can enter the cup challenge provided they are a member of an affiliated club and the more members of an affiliated club who enter, the better the chances of that club winning.

Please note: overseas clubs may enter.  The cup is open to all affiliated clubs.

The challenge runs from January to December each year and it is a simple challenge: the more points a club team gains the better its chances of winning.  The winning club is the club with most points at the end of the year.

Operators may belong to and operate for more than one club, as many members already do.

Team members MUST operate using their club callsigns.  I.e. ANY club member, and any number of club members can operate for the award but they MUST use the club callsign whilst on air.
DATES and
TIMES 		Ended early in September 2023.

7 days a week, continuous running.  Starting 0000Z January 1st each year and running till 2359Z December 31st of the same year.
FREQUENCIES 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m & 2m.
SCORING All QSOs made for the purposes of the award must be made using a club callsign registered with FISTS CW Club.

Clubs with multiple callsigns MAY be worked more than once per day provided each QSO is with a different operator and is on a different band – so you can’t count Fred, who is using GX0ABC and then simply changes to GX0ARC for the same club, twice.  Working GX0ARC twice on one day is not permitted, working GX0ARC on 20m and working GX6ARC on 80m in the same day IS permitted.

A member callsign (rather than a club callsign) may NOT be worked more than once per day.

Note that "callsign" means a main callsign. For example G4YVM/P counts as the main callsign G4YVM.

Contest QSOs are permitted because we can’t police them but FISTS numbers MUST be transmitted during the QSO.  Also see the note re club calls: if you work the contest as a club, fine, if you work it as yourself or as a Specific contest call, not fine.  As ever, honesty to the fore please.

Points will be awarded as follows:

  • For non-FISTS stations worked – nil points.
  • For FISTS members worked – 1 point.
  • For FISTS HQ callsigns worked – 5 points.
  • For FISTS affiliated clubs worked – 10 points.
Points are NOT awarded for intra-club QSO (e.g for GX0ARC working GX0ARC, no points.  For GX0ARC working GX6ARC – the same club – NO POINTS).  Points are only awarded for QSOs between different clubs.  If a club station works an operator who is also a member of the same club, NO POINTS.  Obviously we cannot check everything so please, a little honesty!

QSO must be held both ways in Morse code.
LOGS Entries must be received no later than the 7th of the following month and include:
  • The club's name.
  • The name and email address of the person submitting the log.
  • The club's callsign optionally followed by a "/" and one of the operators' callsigns, e.g. either GX0ARC or GX0ARC/G4YVM
A single club log can be submitted each month or a club's members may submit logs containing just their QSOs.  In the single log or combined log for the club, contacted stations’ FISTS member numbers must appear in QSOs no more than once per day (QSOs with non-club callsigns) and no more than once per band per day (QSOs with club callsigns).

Clubs must be affiliated to enter the cup challenge.  Logs of non-affiliated clubs will not be counted.  Clubs MAY affiliate part way through the event but must be aware that no logs from the period pre-affiliation will be counted.

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program for Windows version 4.3.1 or later is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Time_On, Freq, FISTS, Station_Callsign, Operator, Mode, Points
    Examples:
    2023/02/03,G5VZ,14:25,7.027,12540,GX0ARC,G4YVM,CW,1
    2023/02/03,G3ZOD,17:16,3.552,8385,,,CW,1
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number, e.g. 7.027
    'FISTS' must contain a FISTS member number, e.g. 12540
    'Station_Callsign' can be left blank if all the QSOs in the log are using the club callsign specified in the covering information e.g. GX0ARC.  Otherwise, 'Station_Callsign' must contain the operator's callsign for the QSO e.g. G3QFE.
    'Operator' can be left blank if all the QSOs in the log are from the operator whose callsign is included in the covering information e.g. G4YVM.  Otherwise, 'Operator' must contain the operator's callsign for the QSO e.g. G3QFE.
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 1
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.  If the ADIF file includes the STATION_CALLSIGN field in QSO records, this must be set to one of the club's callsigns.
  • Other electronic file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • NO PAPER LOGS ACCEPTED.

The email address for questions and entries is .
PRIZES Each year the affiliated club with most points will be awarded "the" Chadburn cup to retain as well as an electronic certificate which they can print for each club participant.


LADDER 2023
DESCRIPTION The Ladder is a monthly activity with two, two-hour sessions on the 2nd and 4th Sunday in a month.  As with all FISTS Europe activities, it is a relaxed and sociable activity.

The results at the end of the year will list the leading three entries in two categories:
  • Entrants located anywhere.
  • Entrants located outside DXCC entity 223 (England).
(If operating from more than one DXCC entity, the location will be the one used most in the sessions.)
DATES and
TIMES 		Session times are 14:00-16:00 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC on the following Sundays:

08/22 January, 12/26 February, 12/26 March, 09/23 April, 14/28 May, 11/25 June, 09/23 July, 13/27 August, 10/24 September, 08/22 October, 12/26 November, 10/24 December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING There are four 2-hour sessions in each month of which at most two can be claimed.  Within each claimed session, a station can be worked once; it follows that a station can earn points at most twice (once per claimed session).  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last session in a month.  Entries must be received no later than the 7th of the following month and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2023/01/22,G4YVM,David,Salisbury,7.027,599,559,14:25,15868,CW,3
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 8385
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


Activities Calendar 2022

To see a list of dates and times for these and some other on-air activities, please visit the Upcoming Events web page. 

Straight Key Week 2022
Autumn Party
Royal Platinum Jubilee Weekend Celebration
35th Anniversary Challenge 2022
Ladder 2022
2m Chronophage 2022

STRAIGHT KEY WEEK 2022 (SKW)
DESCRIPTION Straight Key Week runs for 7 days in November.  You must send CQs and have QSOs using a straight ("up & down") key or a sideswiper (aka "cootie") key; no semi-automatic (aka "bug") keys or electronic keyers.  If in doubt about the eligibility of your key, please ask.  It does not matter what type of key your QSO partner uses.
DATES and
TIMES 		ONE hour periods commencing at the cardinal times of the clock (think radio room clock silence periods), 12, 3, 6, 9.  Twice per 24hrs, so EIGHT x ONE hour operating periods per 24hrs.

00:01 UTC Monday 14 November to 23:59 UTC Sunday 20 November.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING You may claim only ONE QSO with any given operator per day,  i.e. all QSOs claimed each day must be unique callsigns.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).

BONUS MULTIPLIER: QSO SCORE X 2 FOR QSO WITH A DIFFERENT FISTS CHAPTER.  E.g. 6 points for a European member contacting an Americas member.
LOGS Send in your entry after the last day.  Entries must be received by 07 December 2022 and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must include this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: SKW
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html version 4.3.0 or later for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment
    Example:
    2022/11/15,G4YVM,David,Salisbury,7.026,599,559,18:05,15868,CW,3,SKW
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
    'Comment' must include SKW, e.g. Nice QSO SKW
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


AUTUMN PARTY
DESCRIPTION We are having a meet-up on the bands this autumn.  Not a ladder, not an award or other points collection, just a FISTS gathering.

As far as can be seen from contest calendars, there’s very little CW going on, so let’s wheel out the homebrew, the military gear, the old stuff and the new and let's just chat to each other.  No points, any bands, just around the FISTS Centre of Activity frequencies, shall we?
DATE & TIME Saturday October 22nd at 1900Z to 2359Z.


ROYAL PLATINUM JUBILEE WEEKEND CELEBRATION
INTRODUCTION FISTS CW Club is celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth over the holiday weekend at the beginning on June 2022.

The celebration will take the form of an international on-air activity and culminates in the award of commemorative plaques to two participants.
OVERVIEW An on-air activity on the days Friday, 3. June; Saturday, 4. June; Sunday, 5. June 2022.

UK stations may use the RSL 'Q' per Ofcom regulation. NoV applications can be made on the RSGB NoV web page.
ACTIVITY The activity is open to all licensed radio amateurs.

Work as many stations as you can over the three days – starting at 0001UTC on Friday, 3. June 2022 and ending at 2359UTC on Sunday, 5. June 2022.

All HF bands from 160m to 10m, excluding WARC bands and 60m: That is, CW contacts on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m.

Each contact must include the exchange of callsigns and, as a minimum, must also include signal reports, operators’ names, location of stations and – as applicable – each operator’s FISTS number.
SCORING Only CW contacts may be counted for scoring purposes.
1 point for each QSO per station contacted per band per day (One callsign only once per band on each of the three days).
One QSO point plus bonus points added.
  • 1 bonus point added for working any UK station using 'Q' RSL
  • 1 bonus point added for a FISTS member when their member number is received on air and logged
  • 5 bonus points added for a FISTS HQ station – including GX0IPX or GQ0IPX, GX3ZQS or GQ3ZQS, MX5IPX or MQ5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW.
Scores will be subject to adjudication by FISTS Europe and that process will be final.
AWARDS Two awards will be presented: one for the highest scoring UK station using 'Q' RSL; one for a station – UK-based or elsewhere – being the station, not using 'Q' RSL, with most points. These awards will be commemorative plaques, engraved with the recipient’s callsign and name.
LOGS Logs must be submitted before the end of Monday, 13. June 2022 using FISTS Log Converter or by email in one of the following formats (paper logs cannot be accepted). 
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html for Windows version 4.2.2 or later is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2022/06/03,GQ5VZ,Chris,Pontefract,7.027,589,579,14:25,12540,CW,3
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 12540
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.

The email address for questions and entries is .


35TH ANNIVERSARY CHALLENGE 2022
DESCRIPTION A cunning way to celebrate 35 glorious years of FISTS with a fantastic prize at the end worth at least a few bob!

Stations do not have to be members to join in or count for points.

Whilst manual Morse is to be preferred, any form of coding / decoding is permitted.

The challenge is to accrue points throughout the year.  Points are accrued by a simple summation of the callsign numbers.  All the digits in the callsign are added (so S53 for example is NOT worth fifty three but eight).  Callsigns that are exclusively zeros, e.g 2E0ABC, will score the number of points equivalent to the date: 2E0ABC is worth 1pt on the 1st, 7pts on the 7th and 31pts on the 31st.  So if you work G4, DL7 and IK6 you accrue 17 points.  If you work G3, F6 and W0AB you get 3+6+the date’s number!

Extra secondary locators or other digits separated by slashes will not count.  G4YVM is four points. F4/G4YVM is still four points.

However, you can count a maximum of 35 points each day (if you get more than 35 points in any one day, the excess do not count).  If you get 65 points today and no points for the rest of the month, you score 35.  These points will add up to quite a lot over time!

MONTH Days Max pts (days x 35)
May 31 1085
June 30 1050
July 31 1085
August 31 1085
September 30 1050
October 31 1085
November 30 1050
December 31 1085

Max aggregate = 8575.
DATES and
TIMES 		7 days a week, continuous running.  Starting 0000Z May 1st 2022 and running till 2359Z December 31st 2022.
FREQUENCIES 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 10m & 2m.
SCORING No station may be counted more than once per day.  “Station” means main callsign…G4YVM and G4YVM/P may NOT be worked on the same day.

Stations can be members or non-members.

QSO must be held both ways in Morse code.
LOGS Entries must be received no later than the 7th of the following month and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html for Windows version 4.2.1 or later is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Freq, Time_On, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2022/05/10,G4YVM,7.027,14:25,CW,4
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 4
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .
PRIZES As well as a very nice anniversary mug for the winner.  There is one mug for the FISTS member winner and one for the winning NON-MEMBER.  Chris G5VZ has donated a plaque for the winner and the runner up and these will be awarded to members only.  Entrants do not need to state which section they enter, there is ONE section.  The winning member will be the member with most points and the winning non-member will be the non-member with most points at the close of the activity 2359Z December 31st 2022.  In the event that no non-members their prizes will not be issued.  In the event of a tie normal joint-prizes will be issued.


LADDER 2022
DESCRIPTION The Ladder is a monthly activity with two, two-hour sessions on the 2nd and 4th Sunday in a month.  As with all FISTS Europe activities, it is a relaxed and sociable activity.

The results at the end of the year will list the leading three entries in two categories:
  • Entrants located anywhere.
  • Entrants located outside DXCC entity 223 (England).
(If operating from more than one DXCC entity, the location will be the one used most in the sessions.)
DATES and
TIMES 		Session times are 14:00-16:00 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC on the following Sundays:

09/23 January, 13/27 February, 13/27 March, 10/24 April, 08/22 May, 12/26 June, 10/24 July, 14/28 August, 11/25 September, 09/23 October, 13/27 November, 11/25 December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING There are four 2-hour sessions in each month of which at most two can be claimed.  Within each claimed session, a station can be worked once; it follows that a station can earn points at most twice (once per claimed session).  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last session in a month.  Entries must be received no later than the 7th of the following month and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2022/01/23,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.027,599,559,14:25,2219,CW,3
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 8385
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


2M CHRONOPHAGE 2022
DESCRIPTION Named after the eponymous clock in Cambridge, the chronophage is a fun event on 2m CW.  Most folks these days have only vertical antennas, so try both polarisations if you have the choice!  No points, no contest mode.
Licence power limits.
DATES and
TIMES 		February 27th to March 6th

Sunday. Tuesday. Thursday. Saturday. Sunday.  NB the Tuesday is planned to coincide with the UKAC contest 1st March 2000 – 2230Z.  This is intentional to introduce people to it and to maximise chances of a QSO.

All day each day.
FREQUENCIES 2m, 144.050 or 144.058.  During UKAC it will be all over the band.
LOGS and COMMENTS Logs and comments welcome to ...let's have some VHF fun.


Activities Calendar 2021

To see a list of dates and times for these and some other on-air activities, please visit the Upcoming Events web page. 

Straight Key Week 2021
What 3 Words 2021
Mechanical Key Days 2021
Spring Word Search 2021
Ladder 2021

STRAIGHT KEY WEEK 2021 (SKW)
DESCRIPTION Straight Key Week runs for 7 days in September/October.  You must send CQs and have QSOs using a straight ("up & down") key or a sideswiper (aka "cootie") key; no semi-automatic (aka "bug") keys or electronic keyers.  If in doubt about the eligibility of your key, please ask.  It does not matter what type of key your QSO partner uses.
DATES and
TIMES 		ONE hour periods commencing at the cardinal times of the clock (think radio room clock silence periods), 12, 3, 6, 9.  Twice per 24hrs, so EIGHT x ONE hour operating periods per 24hrs.

00:01 UTC Monday 27 September to 23:59 UTC Sunday 03 October.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING You may claim only ONE QSO with any given operator per day,  i.e. all QSOs claimed each day must be unique callsigns.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last day.  Entries must be received by 07 November 2021 and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must include this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: SKW
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html version 4.1.1 or later for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment
    Example:
    2021/09/30,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.026,599,559,18:05,2219,CW,2,SKW
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
    'Comment' must include SKW, e.g. Nice QSO SKW
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


WHAT 3 WORDS 2021 (W3W)
DESCRIPTION An activity designed to encourage further familiarity with the What 3 Words locating app.  Qualifying QSO will be QSO wherein a W3W location is exchanged.  This can be the station location OR a stated location sent by the sender, e.g. Salisbury Cathedral, STOPS.YAPPY.MASS
DATES and
TIMES 		ONE hour periods commencing at the cardinal times of the clock (think radio room clock silence periods), 12, 3, 6, 9. Twice per 24hrs, so EIGHT x ONE hour operating periods per 24hrs.

00:01- 2359UTC first Friday, Saturday and Sunday in July, August and September 2021
July 2,3,4, August 6,7,8 and September 3,4,5.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Please use FISTS Centre of Activity and UP frequencies keeping clear of QRP frequencies unless using QRP.
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, W3W locator OR W3W locator AND the stated place (see text), and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING A station can be claimed once on each day.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1 Any station exchanging W3W.
LOGS Send in the your entries by the following dates:
July entry no later than 07 August.
August entry no later than 07 September.
September entry no later than 07 October.

Entries must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must put this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: W3W followed by the W3W locator in double-quotes or the W3W locator and stated place in double-quotes.  E.g.
    W3W  "stops.yappy.mass  Salisbury  Cathedral"
    W3W  "gravel.grades.margin"
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html version 4.0.7 or later for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment
    Examples:
    2021/07/02,G3ZOD,Gra,3.559,559,549,21:15,8385,CW,1,W3W  "gravel.grades.margin"
    2021/07/03,G4YVM/P,David,7.026,599,589,15:05,2219,CW,1,
    W3W  "stops.yappy.mass  Salisbury  Cathedral"
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain 1 or be left blank, e.g. 1
    'Comment' must include W3W followed by double-quotes surrounding the W3W locator or W3W locator and stated place.
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


MECHANICAL KEY DAYS 2021 (MKD)
DESCRIPTION Mechanical Key Days runs from May to December 2021.  You must send CQs and have QSOs using a straight ("up & down") key, a sideswiper (aka "cootie") key or a semi-automatic (aka "bug") key - no electronic keyers, keyboards, or other gizmos!  If in doubt about the eligibility of your key, please ask.  It does not matter what type of key your QSO partner uses.
DATES and
TIMES 		FIRST day of each month - 0001hrs to 2359hrs UTC.
01 May, 01 June, 01 July, 01 August, 01 September, 01 October, 01 November, & 01 December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Please use FISTS Centre of Activity and UP frequencies keeping clear of QRP frequencies unless using QRP.
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING A station can be claimed once on each day.  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Each month's entry must be received no later than 07 of that month and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • You must put this in your log's 'Comment' (or similar) field: MKD
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html version 4.0.6 or later for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points, Comment
    Example:
    2021/06/01,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.026,599,559,17:05,2219,CW,2,MKD QSO
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
    'Comment' must include MKD, e.g. Nice QSO MKD
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .


SPRING WORD SEARCH 2021
DESCRIPTION The idea is for members to work sufficient stations to be able to use one letter of each callsign to spell
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
DATES and
TIMES 		Every day, 0001 hours April 1st 2021 - 2359 hours June 30th 2021.  All times Zulu.
BANDS Operation only on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m, & 2m bands.
RECOMMENDED
FREQUENCIES		 FISTS Centre of Activity frequencies AND UP PLEASE.
EXCHANGE There is no required exchange.

Why not say you're chasing the letters and which letter of theirs you're using?
GENERAL ANY STATION COUNTS.  FISTS OR NOT.  The aim is to use any letter of a callsign suffix to spell
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;

For example, in M0CDL/P the suffix letters are "CDL" and any one of them can be used as they all occur in the phrase.

There are two sections:
  • QRP (5 Watts or less)
  • Open (any power)
Entrants can use ANY letter from a suffix but they cannot use a callsign more than once under any circumstances EXCEPT that if you use a callsign for one section (say, QRP) then choose to enter the other section (Open) you CAN work the station a second time and use the callsign in the new section.  Note that it must be a new QSO on a different day though.  Under all other circumstances, even making multiple QSOs, does not permit reuse of the callsign at all.

Entrants may use QRP (5 Watts or less) or Open (any power).  Callsigns used in one section may be used in the other but they must be worked again.  Whilst QSOs of greater than 5 Watts cannot be counted in the QRP section, QSOs made using QRP can be counted in the Open section if desired.

For example, G4LHI counts as an H for HIGH but if I work him using 5 Watts I can count him in the QRP section OR the Open section BUT if I choose subsequently to enter the other section as well, I MUST work G4LHI AGAIN on a different day to get the H for the new section.

Please email the Activities Manager, David G4YVM, with any questions:
POINTS Points for LETTERS IN PHRASE.  1 PER LETTER.

The winning three places will be based on the number of letters achieved and the start date and time of the final qualifying QSO.  IF THREE PEOPLE ALL GET ALL LETTERS, THE TIMES OF QSO WILL DECIDE THE WINNER.
LOGS You can send in your log at any time but no later than 7th July 2021 please.  If you send in more than one log, each log must contain the full list of QSOs and the most recent log supersedes earlier logs.  Include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc.html version 4.0.5 or later for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Freq, Time_On, Mode, TX_Pwr, Points, Comment

    Example (1): Choosing letters automatically (Open section only):
    2021/04/18,G4LHI,7.032,14:25,CW,100,1,
    2021/05/21,G3ZOD,3.562,10:05,CW,2.5,1,

    Example (2): Choosing letters yourself (any section):
    2021/04/18,G4LHI,7.032,14:25,2219,CW,100,1,WSOPEN  H
    2021/06/21,G3ZOD,3.562,10:05,CW,2.5,1,WSQRP  D
    • 'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    • 'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.032
    • 'Mode' must be CW
    • 'TX_Pwr' is your power and can be:
      - for the QRP section, a number not greater than 5, e.g. 2.5
      - for the Open section, blank or your power e.g. 100 
    • 'Points' can contain 1 or be left blank, e.g. 1
    • 'Comment' is optional:
      • To enter the Open section and choose letters automatically, do NOT include WSQRP or WSOPEN in 'Comment' in any QSO log entries.
      • To choose the letters yourself or enter the QRP section, you MUST include WSQRP (QRP section) or WSOPEN (Open section) followed by the letter being claimed, e.g. Nice QSO WSOPEN  W
      Note: if you have QSOs with one or more callsigns that contain more than one required letter in the callsign, you may achieve letters sooner if you choose them carefully yourself.
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above except where it says above that a field can be blank.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for entries is .


LADDER 2021
DESCRIPTION The Ladder is a monthly activity with two, two-hour sessions on the 2nd and 4th Sunday in a month.  As with all FISTS Europe activities, it is a relaxed and sociable activity.

The results at the end of the year will list the leading three entries in two categories:
  • Entrants located anywhere.
  • Entrants located outside DXCC entity 223 (England).
(If operating from more than one DXCC entity, the location will be the one used most in the sessions.)
DATES and
TIMES 		Session times are 14:00-16:00 UTC and 18:00-20:00 UTC on the following Sundays:

10/24 January, 14/28 February, 14/28 March, 11/25 April, 09/23 May, 13/27 June, 11/25 July, 08/22 August, 12/26 September, 10/24 October, 14/28 November, 12/26 December.
FREQUENCIES The following rules apply only if you are sending in an entry:
  • You can use any amateur radio band in your licence except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m, and bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  • Keep at least 1 kHz away from QRP centre of activity frequencies unless running QRP.  (For 80m, 40m, and 20m, these are 3.560, 7.030, and 14.060 MHz.)
  • After you finish a QSO on 3.558 or 7.028 MHz, unless you replied to a CQ or tail-ended a QSO, you must QSY by at least 500 Hz for a minimum of 10 minutes.
EXCHANGE The minimum exchange is:
RST, Name, QTH, and FISTS member number (if applicable).
SCORING There are four 2-hour sessions in each month of which at most two can be claimed.  Within each claimed session, a station can be worked once; it follows that a station can earn points at most twice (once per claimed session).  Scoring:
PointsStation
1Non-member.
3FISTS member (current or lapsed).
5FISTS-affiliated club station.
8FISTS HQ station (GX0IPX, GX3ZQS, MX5IPX, VK2FDU, ZL6FF, JL3YMV, KN0WCW).
LOGS Send in your entry after the last session in a month.  Entries must be received no later than the 7th of the following month and must include your callsign, name, and email address (if you have one).

Log formats:
  • The free FISTS Log Converter program https://fists.co.uk/flc for Windows is recommended for creating and submitting logs quickly and easily.
  • Excel, Calc, CSV (comma-separated values), or TSV (tab-separated values) files.  The first row/record in the file must include these exact column names although they don't need to be in this order:
    QSO_Date, Call, Name, QTH, Freq, RST_Sent, RST_Rcvd, Time_On, FISTS, Mode, Points
    Example:
    2021/01/24,G4LHI,Peter,Huntingdon,7.027,599,559,14:25,2219,CW,3
    'QSO_Date' and 'Time_On' are UTC.
    'Freq' is in MHz and must be a decimal number only, e.g. 7.027
    'FISTS' must either be blank or contain a FISTS member number only, e.g. 8385
    'Mode' must be CW
    'Points' can contain a number or be left blank, e.g. 3
  • ADIF files.  These can be ADI (text) files or ADX (XML) files and must include the fields named above.
  • Other file formats may be acceptable - please ask.
  • If you don't have access to email, you can use official FISTS Activity paper log sheets; please ask and we will post you a set.
The email address for questions and entries is .



Details of earlier activities are available on the Activities Calendar Archive web page.
Back to Activities & Awards page