In mid-1995 several local hams who were members of the International Society for the Preservation of Morse Code (CW FISTS Club) were chatting about their fun with the international organization and their CW contacts and suggested starting a branch club in Cowlitz County. There was an old ham club call laying around, WA7YYY, which had at one time belonged to the Kelso-Longview Radio Club. The license had been kept up just in case someone wanted to start a club. At that time, new club licenses were not available.

The new club was officially chartered on October 12, 1995, with about 15 members, the first such club internationally. Qualification for membership is simple. You must be a member of the international organization and you must be interested in furthering the use of CW. Operating is not a requirement but strongly suggested. After all, that is where the fun comes in. There are no dues for WA7YYY membership. A voluntary donation was taken up to get the group started.

Meetings are held quarterly at the LCARA club building, usually on an "off-Thursday" from the LCARA meetings.

The group has held several special events which were listed in the "Keynote", which is the publication of the international group. In 1996 four local members went to the Dayton HamVention, Dayton, Ohio, and met many of the members from the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom. About eight plan to go in May of this year (1998).

Why? Well the members enjoy Morse Code and the friendships they have made among members. Ham radio is fun, CW is fun. Interested? For info on membership in the international and the local organization, ask any of the local officers listed. Meeting date? Check with our President K7WF, Stu.

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