FISTS CW Club

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News 2025

May 2025

10 May 25: Graham G3ZOD writes: The RSGB 4m (70 MHz) VHF CW Contest 2025 is Sunday 11 May 0900-1200 UTC.

The exchange is: RST, Serial Number (starting at 001) and a 6 character (e.g. IO92JL) locator and UK/CD stations send a 2-letter code from the RSGB postcode list.

This is one of three RSGB VHF CW contests (6m, 4m, & 2m). These are more relaxed than HF contests and typically 'real' RSTs are exchanged, so have fun and listen carefully! If you have QSOs with FISTS CW Club members, these can count towards the FISTS Awards and on-air Activities.
09 May 25: Please join us in these FISTS CW Club on-air activities: Ladder, Word Search Crossword and Bug Key Week 2025.
- Word Search Crossword Tuesday 01 May - Monday 30 June UTC (inclusive):
  Answer the crossword clues then, for each unique letter in your answers, have a CW QSO with that letter in the main part of your QSO partner’s callsign. E.g. C or D or L in F/M0CDL/P. So, the maximum number of QSOs is 26.
  - No minimum exchange.
  - Bands are 160m, 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m, & 2m.
  - One QSO with an operator during the 2 months.
  - For each claimed QSO, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field WSC followed by a space then by the claimed letter, e.g. to claim the letter D: WSC D
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 July.
- Ladder Sunday 11 May 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 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 June.
- Bug Key Week 2025 Monday 12 May - Tuesday 19 May UTC (inclusive):
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - If sending in a log, you must use semi-automatic or fully-automatic bug keys.
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
  - QSOs at any time but operating around these UTC times is recommended: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800 & 2100.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - If you are using a semi-automatic bug key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY BUG
  - If you are using a fully-automatic bug key [*], add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY FAB
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 June.
[*] A fully-automatic bug key is similar to a semi-automatic bug key but has mechanisms for sending streams of dashes as well as dots.

Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
08 May 25: Lindars Radios (UK) has provided an interesting short talk on Facebook by Rob G3MYM about 1940s radio equipment and Morse keys.

April 2025

30 Apr 25: FISTS' Word Search Crossword on-air activity starts on Thursday 01 May! There are two parts to this:
1. Work out and record the answers to the crossword clues.
  
  FISTS Log Converter users can do this in the program (version 4.8.2 or later), which contains the crossword grid and clues.
  
  For those not using the program, the crossword grid and clues are available on the Activities Calendar web page or in the March 2025 BrassPounder newsletter pages 1-2 (requires logging into the Members' Area).
2. Between 01 May - 30 June UTC (inclusive), have CW QSOs where each unique letter in the crossword answers is one of the main letters in one of your QSO partners' callsigns.
  
  E.g. if you have a QSO with F/M0CDL/P, you can claim one of the letters C, D, or L.
  
  Note that an operator can appear once in the QSO list and that the maximum possible number of QSOs required is 26, being the number of letters in the alphabet.
The website contains the full rules.

Logs including the answers and QSOs must be submitted no later than 07 July. HOWEVER, if not using FISTS Log Converter, it is advisable to submit a list of answers and QSOs so far at the end of each month to ensure that errors are not being accumulated.
30 Apr 25: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by 01 May 2025.
- Straight Eight 2025 (FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 May.
- Ladder (April, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 May.
- Snakes & Ladders (April, EuCW) no later than 07 May.
- Top9 (April, ICWC) no later than 09 May.
Don't forget that EuCW QRS Week is now in progress (Monday 28 April to Friday 02 May UTC).

Notes:
- FISTS CW Club results will be published in the BrassPounder newsletter, normally available mid-month.
- 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, if you are taking part on both Sundays in the month, please send in a single log towards the end of the month.
26 Apr 25: Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Ladder and EuCW QRS Week.
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 27 April 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 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 May.
- EuCW QRS Week Monday 28 April - Friday 02 May (inclusive) UTC.
  - Maximum speed is 14 wpm.
  - Call 'CQ' or 'CQ QRS'.
  - Minimum QSO duration is 5 minutes.
  - Logs to be received no later than 31 May.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
12 Apr 25: The FISTS CW Club April 2025 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available in the Members' Area.

BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager, and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
11 Apr 25: Please join us in these FISTS on-air activities: Straight Eight 2025 and Ladder. Note: If using a straight key or sideswiper, a QSO can count for both activities.
- FISTS Straight Eight 2025 Tuesday 08 April to Tuesday 15 April 2025 UTC.
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - If sending in a log, you must use straight keys or sideswipers (no bug keys, keyers, keyboards etc.)
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
  - QSOs at any time but operating around these UTC times is recommended: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800 & 2100.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - If you are using a straight ("up & down") key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY SK
  - If you are using a sideswiper ("cootie") key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY SS
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 May.
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 13 April 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 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 May.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
01 Apr 25: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by 01 April 2025.
- Ladder (March, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 April.
- Snakes & Ladders (March, EuCW) no later than 07 April.
- Top9 (March, ICWC) no later than 09 April.
Notes:
- FISTS CW Club results will be published in the BrassPounder newsletter, normally available mid-month.
- 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, if you are taking part on both Sundays in the month, please send in a single log towards the end of the month.

March 2025

20 Mar 25: Please join us in these FISTS on-air activities: Ladder and Straight Eight 2025.
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 23 March 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 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 April.
- FISTS Straight Eight 2025 Tuesday 08 April to Tuesday 15 April 2025 UTC.
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.
  - If sending in a log, you must use straight keys or sideswipers (no bug keys, keyers, keyboards etc.)
  - Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.
  - QSOs at any time but operating around these UTC times is recommended: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800 & 2100.
  - Activity is typically around 14.058, 7.028, & 3.558 MHz but any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.
  - If you are using a straight ("up & down") key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY SK
  - If you are using a sideswiper ("cootie") key, add to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MYKEY SS
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 May.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
11 Mar 25: The FISTS CW Club March 2025 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available in the Members' Area.

BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager, and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
08 Mar 25: Please join us in the Ladder:
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 09 March 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 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 April.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
03 Mar 25: The March 2025 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:
- Morse code head copying - G0CXP
- Amateur radio on MF - G3XIZ
- A radio journey (Part one) - G0HUZ
- BBC Centenary - GW0WEE
- Activities round up - G4YVM
... 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.
03 Mar 25: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by 03 March 2025.
- Three Hour Sprint (FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 March.
- 60m Activation QSO count/comments/photos only (FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 March.
- Ladder (February, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 March.
- Snakes & Ladders (February, EuCW) no later than 07 March.
- Top9 (February, ICWC) no later than 09 March.
Notes:
- FISTS CW Club results will be published in the BrassPounder newsletter, normally available mid-month.
- 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, if you are taking part on both Sundays in the month, please send in a single log towards the end of the month.

February 2025

21 Feb 25: Please join us in these FISTS on-air activities: Ladder, 60m Activation and Three Hour Sprint.
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 09 February 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 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 March.
- FISTS 60m Activation Monday 10 - Monday 24 February (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 Three Hour Sprint 3-hour period during Sunday 02 March 00:00-23:59 UTC:
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members during a single 3-hour period of your choice. Scoring and bands are the same as for the Ladder.
  - Exchange a minimum of RST & if applicable, member number.
  - One QSO with an operator during the 3-hour period.
  - QSO start times must be within the 3-hour period.
  - Logs to be received no later than 07 March.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
10 Feb 25: The FISTS CW Club February 2025 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available in the Members' Area.

BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager, and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
07 Feb 25: Please join us in these FISTS on-air activities: Winter Sprints, Ladder and 60m Activation.
- FISTS Winter Sprints Saturday 08 February + Sunday 16 February 00:00-23:59 UTC.
  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members. Logs can be Cabrillo files, text files, or on paper. Suggested logging programs are (1) N1MM using the UDC file plus FISTS Call History file and (2) DXLog.net using the FISTS Sprint files.
  - 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 09 February 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 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 March.
- FISTS 60m Activation Monday 10 - Monday 24 February (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.

January 2025

31 Jan 25: Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of January 2025.
- Ladder (January, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 February.
- Snakes & Ladders (January, EuCW) no later than 07 February.
- Top9 (January, ICWC) no later than 09 February.
Notes:
- FISTS CW Club results will be published in the BrassPounder newsletter, normally available mid-month.
- 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, if you are taking part on both Sundays in the month, please send in a single log towards the end of the month.
24 Jan 25: Please join us in the FISTS Ladder 2025 sessions:
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 26 January 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 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 February.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
11 Jan 25: The FISTS CW Club January 2025 monthly BrassPounder newsletter is now available in the Members' Area.

BrassPounder is written by David G4YVM, Activities Manager, and its focus is on on-air activities provided by FISTS CW Club.
10 Jan 25: Please join us in the new FISTS Ladder 2025 sessions:
- FISTS Ladder Sunday 12 January 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 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 February.
Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter.
04 Jan 25: The FISTS Americas December 2024 KeyNote is now available to all current FISTS CW Club members.

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.
01 Jan 25: Happy New Year from all at FISTS CW CLub! Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of October 2024.
- Ladder (December, FISTS CW Club) no later than 07 January.
- Snakes & Ladders (December, EuCW) no later than 07 January.
- Top9 (December, ICWC) no later than 09 January.
Notes:
- FISTS CW Club results will be published in the BrassPounder newsletter, normally available mid-month.
- 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, if you are taking part on both Sundays in the month, please send in a single log towards the end of the month.

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