Quarter 1 season starts
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.
- 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.

Interested in becoming a member?
Find out more about our history.
Latest News:
Also available via RSS


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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.
-
FISTS Ladder
Sunday 26 November 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
-
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.
-
FISTS Ladder
Sunday 12 November 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
-
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.
-
UK holders of a Full licence only:
The
RSGB Band Plan
60m primary CW segment is
-
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.
-
FISTS Ladder
Sunday 22 October 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
-
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.
-
UK holders of a Full licence only:
The
RSGB Band Plan
60m primary CW segment is
-
FISTS Ladder
Sunday 08 October 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
-
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.
-
UK holders of a Full licence only:
The
RSGB Band Plan
60m primary CW segment is
-
FISTS Ladder
Sunday 24 September 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
-
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.
-
FISTS Ladder
Sunday 10 September 14:00-16:00 & 18:00-20:00 UTC.
-
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.
Interested in becoming a member?
FISTS HQ welcomes new members who have a passion for Morse Code.
- 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
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.

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.
