Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of June 2024.  - Ladder (June, FISTS CW Club https://fists.co.uk/ladder ) no later than 07 July.  - European Tour 2024 (FISTS CW Club https://fists.co.uk/et ) no later than 07 July.  - Snakes & Ladders (June, EuCW https://eucw.org/sl.html ) no later than 07 July.  - Top9 (June, ICWC https://fists.co.uk/top9 ) no later than 09 July.  Notes:  o 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.  o 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.

Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Ladder, European Tour, Dave Dixon G0AYD Memorial and Call that an Aerial? - FISTS Dave Dixon G0AYD Memorial Saturday 01 June - Monday 30 September (inclusive) UTC.  Category 1: Portable (/P) stations running no more than 15 Watts and not using mains electricity can earn points from contacting any station on CW.  Category 2: Those unable to go out portable can earn points from contacting portable (/P) stations on CW.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH & RST.  o One QSO per day with a station.  o 24x7 but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100 UTC.  o Any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 October.  o FISTS Log Converter users: version 4.6.3 or later is needed https://fists.co.uk/flc   - FISTS European Tour Saturday 01 June - Sunday 30 June (inclusive) UTC.  Contact as many CW stations from as many European Countries (DXCC entities) as possible.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.  o One QSO per day with a station.  o 24x7 but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100 UTC.  o Any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 July.  o FISTS Log Converter users: version 4.6.2 or later is needed https://fists.co.uk/flc   - FISTS Ladder Sunday 23 June 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC: Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.  o One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.  o 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.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 June.  - FISTS Call that an Aerial? Monday 01 July - Saturday 30 November (inclusive) UTC.  Contact as many CW stations from as many European Countries (DXCC entities) as possible.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, & RST.  o One QSO per day with a station.  o 24x7 but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100 UTC.  o Any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.  o Add this to your logbook's 'Comment' (or similar) field: CTA  o Logs to be received no later than 07 December.  o FISTS Log Converter users: version 4.6.3 or later is needed https://fists.co.uk/flc   Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter https://fists.co.uk/bp

Graham G3ZOD writes: UK amateurs, the annual RSGB 6m CW contest is Sunday 23 June, 0900-1200 UTC https://tinyurl.com/6mcw2024 .  The exchange is RST, serial number and 6 character locator, with most European CW activity between 50.080-50.100 MHz.  Unlike HF contests, though, don't expect to get 599 for each QSO!  This should be interesting with the added likelihood of sporadic E propagation.  QSOs with FISTS CW Club members count towards FISTS Awards such as the Century and Millionaire https://fists.co.uk/awards

The FISTS CW Club June 2024 monthly BrassPounder newsletter https://fists.co.uk/bp2406 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.

Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Ladder, European Tour and Dave Dixon G0AYD Memorial.  - FISTS European Tour https://fists.co.uk/et Saturday 01 June - Sunday 30 June (inclusive) UTC.  Contact as many CW stations from as many European Countries (DXCC entities) as possible.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.  o One QSO per day with a station.  o 24x7 but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100 UTC.  o Any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 July.  o FISTS Log Converter users: version 4.6.2 or later https://fists.co.uk/flc is needed. - FISTS Dave Dixon G0AYD Memorial https://fists.co.uk/ayd Saturday 01 June - Monday 30 September (inclusive) UTC.  Category 1: Portable (/P) stations running no more than 15 Watts and not using mains electricy can earn points from contacting any station on CW.  Category 2: Those unable to go out portable can earn points from contacting portable (/P) stations on CW.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH & RST.  o One QSO per day with a station.  o 24x7 but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100 UTC.  o Any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 October.  o FISTS Log Converter users: version 4.6.3 or later https://fists.co.uk/flc is needed. - FISTS Ladder https://fists.co.uk/ladder Sunday 09 June 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.  o One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.  o 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.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 June.  Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter https://fists.co.uk/bp

The June 2024 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:  - The Mechograph - GW0WEE.  - The Electric Telegraph - M0BPT.  - There is no Unicorn! - G3VBS.  - The NATO Morse Key - VE2KM.  - The Morse-Vail correspondent key - M0BPT.  - More on Morse courses - M0CDL.  - 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 https://fists.co.uk/contactus.html

Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of May 2024.  - Ladder (May, FISTS CW Club) https://fists.co.uk/ladder no later than 07 June.  - Top Gun 2024 (FISTS CW Club) https://fists.co.uk/tg no later than 07 June.  - Snakes & Ladders (May, EuCW) https://eucw.org/sl.html no later than 07 June.  - Top9 (May, ICWC) https://fists.co.uk/top9 no later than 09 June.  Notes:  o 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.  o 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.

Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Ladder, European Tour and Dave Dixon G0AYD Memorial.  - FISTS Ladder https://fists.co.uk/ladder Sunday 26 May 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.  o One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.  o 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.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 June.  - FISTS European Tour https://fists.co.uk/et Saturday 01 June - Sunday 30 June (inclusive) UTC.  Contact as many CW stations from as many European Countries (DXCC entities) as possible.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.  o One QSO per day with a station.  o 24x7 but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100 UTC.  o Any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 July.  o FISTS Log Converter users: version 4.6.2 or later https://fists.co.uk/flc is needed. - FISTS Dave Dixon G0AYD Memorial https://fists.co.uk/ayd Saturday 01 June - Monday 30 September (inclusive) UTC.  Category 1: Portable (/P) stations running no more than 15 Watts and not using mains electricy can earn points from contacting any station on CW.  Category 2: Those unable to go out portable can earn points from contacting portable (/P) stations on CW.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH & RST.  o One QSO per day with a station.  o 24x7 but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100 UTC.  o Any licensed band is allowed except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 October.  o FISTS Log Converter users: version 4.6.3 or later https://fists.co.uk/flc is needed. Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter https://fists.co.uk/bp

Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following recent activities.  - Sunday Spring Sprint (FISTS CW Club) https://fists.co.uk/sprint no later than 25 May.  - Top Gun 2024 (FISTS CW Club) https://fists.co.uk/tg no later than 07 June.  - QRS Week 2024 (EuCW) https://www.eucw.org/euqrs.html no later than 31 May. 

The FISTS CW Club May 2024 monthly BrassPounder newsletter https://fists.co.uk/bp2405 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.

Graham G3ZOD writes: The RSGB 4m (70 MHz) CW Contest 2024 https://tinyurl.com/fourmcw24 is Sunday 12 May 0900-1200 UTC.  The exchange is: RST, Serial Number (starting at 001) and a 6 character (e.g. IO92JL) locator and UK stations send the first 2 letters of their Postcode.  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.

Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Ladder and FISTS Spring Sprints.  - FISTS Ladder https://fists.co.uk/ladder Sunday 12 May 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC: Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.  o One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.  o 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.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 June.  - FISTS Spring Sprints https://fists.co.uk/sprint Saturday 11 May 00:00-23:59 UTC + Sunday 19 May 00:00-23:59 UTC.  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.  o Exchange a minimum of RST, member number (if available), US State -or- Canadian Province -or- DXCC number (for non US/Canadian stations).  o One QSO per station on one of 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, & 10m.  o Logs to be received no later than 7 days after the Sprint.  Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter https://fists.co.uk/bp

Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of April 2024.  - Ladder (April, FISTS CW Club) https://fists.co.uk/ladder no later than 07 May.  - Snakes & Ladders (April, EuCW) https://eucw.org/sl.html no later than 07 May.  - Top9 (April, ICWC) https://fists.co.uk/top9 no later than 09 May.  Notes:  o 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.  o 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.

Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Ladder, EuCW QRS Week, FISTS Top Gun and FISTS Spring Sprints.  - FISTS Ladder https://fists.co.uk/ladder : Sunday 28 April 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC:  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.  o One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.  o 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.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 May.  - EuCW QRS Week https://eucw.org/euqrs.html Monday 29 April to Friday 03 May (inclusive) 24x7 UTC.  o Maximum speed is 14 wpm.  o Call 'CQ' or 'CQ QRS'.  o Minimum QSO duration is 5 minutes.  o Logs to be received no later than 31 May.  - FISTS Top Gun https://fists.co.uk/sprint Saturday 04 May - Monday 06 May (inclusive) 24x7 UTC.  This is focussed on the Kanga Products Rooster kit as part of the FISTS club project.  Highest points are for QSOs with members using Roosters and other homebrew/kit-built equipment.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, Rig, RST & if applicable, member number.  o Typically around 7.0283 MHz but also licensed bands except for 12m, 17m, 30m, 60m and bands lower in frequency than 160m.  o One category for entrants using a Rooster and one category for any other equipment.  o If QSO partner is using a Rooster, add RIG_ROOSTER to QSO's 'Comment' or similar field.  o If QSO partner is using homebrew/kit-built, add RIG_HOMEBREW to QSO's 'Comment' or similar field.  o If you are using a Rooster, add MYRIG_ROOSTER to QSO's 'Comment' or similar field.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 June.  o FISTS Log Converter users: version 4.6.2 or later is needed.  - FISTS Spring Sprints https://fists.co.uk/tg  Saturday 11 May 00:00-23:59 UTC + Sunday 19 May 00:00-23:59 UTC.  Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.  o Exchange a minimum of RST, member number (if available), US State -or- Canadian Province -or- DXCC number (for non US/Canadian stations).  o One QSO per station on one of 80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, & 10m.  o Logs to be received no later than 7 days after the Sprint.  Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter https://fists.co.uk/bp

FISTS will be attending the NARSA Rally https://narsa.org.uk/ at the Norbreck Exhibition Centre, Blackpool, UK on Sunday 21st April.  We're on stand 59.  This is a lively event with a wide range of club and trade stands - well worth a visit.  The entrance fee is £8.  The doors open at 10:30 BST and maps etc. are available on the NARSA website https://narsa.org.uk/   IMPORTANT: For free parking in the venue's car park, write your car registration on the flip chart at the NARSA stand 57.

Please join us in the FISTS CW Club Ladder on-air activity https://fists.co.uk/ladder Sunday 14 April 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC: Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.  o One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.  o 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.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 May.  Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter https://fists.co.uk/bp

The FISTS CW Club April 2024 monthly BrassPounder newsletter https://fists.co.uk/bp2404 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.

Please send in your details, logs, comments and photos for the following activities that finished by the end of March 2024.  - Win Copy of Roger So Far (FISTS CW Club) https://fists.co.uk/wrsf no later than 07 April.  If you are current FISTS member and had any CW QSOs in March, you are eligible!  If using FISTS Log Converter, just mark each of your QSOs in your best 100 minute period with WRSF in your logbook's '"Comment" / "Notes" field.  - Ladder (March, FISTS CW Club) https://fists.co.uk/ladder no later than 07 April.  - Snakes & Ladders (March, EuCW) https://eucw.org/sl.html no later than 07 April.  - Top9 (March, ICWC) https://fists.co.uk/top9 no later than 09 April.  Notes: o 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.  o 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.

If you haven't already decided on your 100 minutes' of QSOs for Win Copy of Roger So Far, Sunday's Ladder sessions are a good opportunity, so please join us in these FISTS CW Club on-air activities:  - FISTS Ladder https://fists.co.uk/ladder Sunday 24 March 14:00-15:59 & 18:00-19:59 UTC: Collect points for CW QSOs with members and non-members.  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST & if applicable, member number.  o One QSO per 2-hour session with an operator.  o 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.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 April.  - Win Copy of Roger So Far https://fists.co.uk/wrsf   100 minute period during Friday 01 March - Sunday 31 March 2024 UTC:  An opportunity for members to win a copy of the book "Roger So Far - The first 100 years of the Royal Corps of Signals".  o Highest number of CW QSOs in a 100 minute period wins.  o No minimum exchange.  o Any licensed band except for 60m, 30m, 17m, 12m & bands lower in frequency than 160m.  o FISTS Log Converter users MUST add WRSF to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field.  o Logs to be received no later than 07 April.  Monthly and end-of-year results are published each month in the BrassPounder newsletter https://fists.co.uk/bp