The International Morse Preservation Society initiated
the FISTS CW Club in England during 1987, and they attracted more than 300
members within one year. This organization consists of amateurs who enjoy
the art of communicating by means of Morse Code. Proficient code operators
are encouraged to slow down to work less experienced amateurs. The purposes
of FISTS are to further Morse Code use on all bands, to encourage newcomers
to use Morse Code, and to promote friendships between operators. This
organization promotes activity and membership by new and experienced amateurs.
You cannot be too slow or too inexperienced a code operator to participate
in FISTS activities. Morse Code contacts concentrate output power in a very
narrow spectrum, thereby providing highly efficient communication opportunities.
In addition, Morse Code allows many more signals to be packed into less frequency
spectrum than is required by any other mode of communication. There is very
little chance that anyone will break into a two way code contact to extend
it into a roundtable one. The more proficient an amateur becomes in the use
of Morse Code, the less likely he or she is to use any other type of emission.
In any case, it is advisable to develop a reasonable Morse Code proficiency.
The following paragraphs detail some of the FISTS features which may be of interest.
Activities. Pete Kozup. K8OUA, is FISTS Activities Manager. His address is 5115 North Park Avenue, Warren, OH 44481. Most of these activities are low-pressure events which new amateurs find comfortable and enjoyable.
The Spring Sprint is a four-hour event held the second Saturday each May. It is open to FISTS members and nonmembers. The Fall Sprint is a four-hour event held the second Saturday each October. Sprints are basically QSO parties: they are not high-pressure, high-speed contests.
The Straight Key Week is run from the FISTS Headquarters in England during the first week of September to commemorate when Geo Longden, G3ZQS, founded the organization. It is open to all amateurs, whether or not they use straight keys: however, you must use only a straight key to be a contender for the awards. This is another opportunity to ragchew with other amateurs. Nominations for the best straight key fist are sent to Geo Longden, G3ZQS. 119 Cemetery Road, Darwen. Lancs BB3 2LZ, England. United Kingdom. The callsign of the FISTS club station in England is GX0IPX.
A Novice Roundup was conducted February 24 to March 3 during 1996, since the ARRL drooped it. I worked about a dozen Novice or Technician-Plus operators during this event, as compared to a few hundred contacts worked during past ARRL Novice Roundups. Increased publicity should improve NR participation in the future.
Nets: A slow-speed traffic net meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 PM Eastern time on 3682 kHz. It demonstrates proper message handling techniques, preparing amateurs to participate in section traffic nets. Net control varies.
A slow-speed QSO group starts at 8PM Eastern time on 3720kHz Wednesdays with Charlie Cotterman, KA8OQF, in charge. He uses the Dayton Amateur Radio Club's W8BI callsign.
The Sunday Century Award Net, geared for helping people earn their Century Award is headed by Scott Bauer, KE3NV. This activity starts at 2000 UTC on 14058 kHz.
A ragchewing roundtable, the Saturday 20 Meter QSO Party with Maggie WP2T/4 on 14.058 at 2000Z. A second Saturday net is on 40 meters, on 7.058 at 2400Z. Relays are appreciated during these activities.
The suggested frequencies for FISTS contacts include 3882, 3720, 7058, 14058, 21058, and 28058 kHz. All amateurs are urged to make contacts on these frequencies. DX FISTS contacts are most likely on 15,20, and 40 meters from the start of an hour to 15 minutes later. Novice and Technician-Plus operators are encouraged to call and listen on 3685, 7125, and 21125 kHz, particularly at the start of each new hour.
Code Buddies. The code Buddies Program pairs up inexperienced and experienced operators to provide practice which will improve the code proficiency of the newcomer. FISTS who need such help, or are willing to provide it, should contact Ed WA3WSJ.
Awards. Lee Kuhn, N9NVV handles the FISTS Awards Program. His address is 4530 North 15th Street. Terre Haute, IN 47805.
The Century Award requires an applicant to earn 100 points. Each contact with an American or Canadian FISTS member counts for one point and contacts with foreign amateurs are worth two points each.
Lee also handles the Novice/Technician Ragchewers Award, which requires an
applicant to accumulate 50 points. Each FISTS Novice and Technician contact
is worth two points, whereas non-FISTS Novice and Technician contacts are
worth one point each. Each contact must include the exchange of name. QTH,
and RST report data plus at least one more item of information. Each contact
must be a regular chat, not just a contest-type QSO.
Newsletters. Nancy WZ8C takes care of the newsletter
and memberships. The KeyNote includes the "North American Memo" and news
from the DX members. Her address is P.O. Box 47. Hadley, MI 48440-0047. When
you join FISTS your membership number is yours for life, but you must be
a current subscriber to receive the newsletter. The yearly rate is $15 and
checks should be made payable to FISTS. Additional amateurs in the same family
may join FISTS at no extra charge but just one newsletter is sent to each
family. The renewal date is the anniversary of the date you join FISTS for
North American members. About twelve newsletters are published each year.
Newsletter advertisements are printed free for FISTS members. Materials from
the newsletter may be copied, with proper credit given to the authors.
QSL Bureau. Brian N8IAG 3050 Rochester Rd, Dryden MI
48428 runs the FISTS QSL Bureau. Members are urged to submit loose stamps,
no envelopes needed to participate in the buro. Domestic and foreign QSL
cards to other FISTS amateurs can be handled via the FISTS QSL Bureau. Brian
forwards North American cards to the FISTS QSL Bureau in England for distribution
to DX amateurs.
QSL Cards. Cards are printed on both sides and start
at $46/1000. They can be ordered from FISTS Club QSL Cards, c/o WX9X QSL
Cards, 354 West St, Valparaiso, IN 46383 (219) 465-7128. You can choose the
Economy card or the Deluxe style and a variety of colors and prints.
Photobook. Ken, W8ROG, is gathering pictures of FISTS
members to be included on the FISTS photo pages, which are sent out with
the newsletter when he gets enough photos to fill up a page.. His address
is 25208 Hayes, Roseville, Ml 48066.
Supplies. Joe Falcone, AA8HV, handles sales of beautiful
heavy, ceramic, dark-blue coffee-type mugs which have the FISTS logo in gold
front and back. The cost is $6.50 each, including shipping and handling.
Checks should be made payable to Joe Falcone.
Octagon patches are three by three inches. FISTS is highlighted in red, CW
Club is in bright blue, and the edging/lines are black against a light-blue
background. These $1.50 embroidered patches are made in America. FISTS logo
pins are gold with a light-blue enamel background. The price is $3.50 each.
The self-adhering stickers are about one inch in diameter with black printing
on a gold background. The stickers are sold at $5.00 for 200. - Patches,
pins, and stickers can be ordered from Irene WO8E, 25206 Hayes, Roseville.
Ml 48066. Shipping costs are included in the stated prices.
The Art and Skill of Telegraphy was written by William Pierpont, N0HFF. It
has about 135 pages and it costs $10, including the shipping charge. The
printer could have done a much better job but the contents are worth the
price. The book can be purchased from WO8E.
Summary. As of the date this article is being written,
there are 2000 FISTS members and on-the-air activity is fair despite poor
band conditions. FISTS has something to offer to everyone who is interested
in Morse Code. The organization actively seeks the support and comments of
Morse Code enthusiasts. It is hoped that many amateurs will take advantage
of the opportunity to acquire the code speeds they need to upgrade to higher
class licenses.
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