The FISTS CW Club August 2024 monthly BrassPounder newsletter https://fists.co.uk/bp2408 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 Summer Sprints, Ladder, Mechanical Key Week, Call that an Aerial? and Dave Dixon G0AYD Memorial.  - FISTS Summer Sprints https://fists.co.uk/sprint Saturday 10 August 00:00-23:59 UTC + Sunday 18 August 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.  - FISTS Ladder https://fists.co.uk/ladder Sunday 11 August 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 September.  - FISTS Mechanical Key Week https://fists.co.uk/mkw Thursday 01 - Sunday 11 August (inclusive) 24x7 UTC:  Call CQ and have QSOs using mechanical keys (straight keys, side-swiper ('cootie') keys & fully- or semi-automatic ('bug') keys).  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST, & if applicable, member number.  o One QSO per day with a station.  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 24x7 but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at the following times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100 UTC.  o Add this to your logbook's "Comment" (or similar) field: MKW  o Logs to be received no later than 07 September.  o FISTS Log Converter users: version 4.7.1 or later is needed.  - FISTS Call that an Aerial? https://fists.co.uk/cta 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.  - 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 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.  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 July 2024.  - Ladder (July, FISTS CW Club) https://fists.co.uk/ladder no later than 07 August.  - Snakes & Ladders (July, EuCW) https://eucw.org/sl.html no later than 07 August.  - Top9 (July, ICWC) https://fists.co.uk/top9 no later than 09 August.  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 Mechanical Key Week, Call that an Aerial?, Dave Dixon G0AYD Memorial and Ladder.  - FISTS Mechanical Key Week: https://fists.co.uk/mkw Thursday 01 - Sunday 11 August (inclusive) 24x7 UTC:  Call CQ and have QSOs using mechanical keys (straight keys, side-swiper ('cootie') keys & fully- or semi-automatic ('bug') keys).  o Exchange a minimum of Name, QTH, RST, & if applicable, member number.  o One QSO per day with a station.  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 24x7 but suggested operating times are 1 hour periods starting at the following times: 0000, 0300, 0600, 0900, 1200, 1500, 1800, & 2100 UTC.  o Add this to your logbook's Comment (or similar) field: MKW  o Logs to be received no later than 07 September.  o FISTS Log Converter users: version 4.7.1 or later is needed.  - FISTS Call that an Aerial? https://fists.co.uk/cta 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.  - 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 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.  - FISTS Ladder https://fists.co.uk/ladder Sunday 14 July 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

Please join us in these on-air activities: FISTS Call that an Aerial?, Dave Dixon G0AYD Memorial and Ladder. - FISTS Call that an Aerial? https://fists.co.uk/cta 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.  o 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 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.  o FISTS Ladder https://fists.co.uk/ladder Sunday 14 July 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 FISTS CW Club July 2024 monthly BrassPounder newsletter https://fists.co.uk/bp2407 is now available in the Members' Area.  This edition includes the results of the FISTS European Tour on-air activity.  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 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.