GENERAL INFORMATION

The club has many activities and membership in FISTS is not required to participate, just a love of Morse! All FISTS activities are designed to promote camaraderie among members of the club and help hams hone and improve their Morse skills.



FISTS Calling Frequencies



FISTS members can be found on or near any frequency ending in .x58 or .xx8 (.058, .158, .258, etc.) Here are recommended calling frequencies by band. REMEMBER, these are recommended CALLING frequencies and lengthy QSO's should be moved to another frequency.

BAND Frequency BAND Frequency 160m 1.808 MHz 17m 18.085 MHz 80m 3.558 MHz 15m 21.058 MHz 40m 7.058 MHz - IARU Region 2 12m 24.908 MHz 40m 7.028 MHz - All IARU Regions 10m 28.058 MHz 30m 10.118 MHz 6m 50.085 MHz 20m 14.058 MHz 2m 144.058 MHz

* Please Note : The calling frequencies on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters - are only 2 kHz below the QRP calling frequencies (7.030 MHz is the QRP calling frequency in Europe). Please be considerate to the QRP CW ops and only QSY down from these frequencies.









FISTS FRIDAY - Operating Event



DATE: Friday November 27, 2020



FISTS Friday will be the day after Thanksgiving. All FISTS members are invited to take a break from shopping or football and make at least one QSO during FISTS Friday. A nice Award certificate will be available for download on the FISTS Americas Chapter website.



FISTS FRIDAY RULES are as follows:



[1] Purpose of this event is to increase FISTS activity during the Thanksgiving Weekend.



[2] Operate during your local 24 hour period on Friday Nov 27, 2020.



[3] You must make one on-the-air CW QSO during FISTS Friday with any CW station on any band. No exchange required.



[4] A FISTS Friday award certificate, in PDF format, will be available on on this website for you to download and print.



[5] Operators are requested to send an email to the FISTS Awards Manager, at the following address, with a description of their QSO and anything they would like to say about operating the event.



This is not a contest. All that is required is for one QSO to be made. Hopefully, you will want to make more than one QSO.



On November 27, 2020 a FISTS Friday certificate will be available for downloading "HERE" This link will remain available until 2300 EST on Dec 1, 2020.





We Are FISTS! Joe N8TI









Nancy Kott - FISTS Memorial KN0WCW Event!





On the last weekend of September, we will celebrate Nancy, WZ8C's (SK) long service to Fists CW Club and the Ham Radio community.

Nancy met FISTS' founder George, G3ZQS (SK) in a happenstance QSO in 1988, befriended him and shortly became the head of what is now The Americas Chapter of FISTS. From then till her passing on 2 March of 2014, she worked tirelessly to promote our club and Morse code, showing kindness to all and exemplifying our mottos of "courtesy at all times" and "accuracy transcends speed". She is deeply missed by all, but not forgotten.

2020 event Dates and Times

The 2020 event will take place from

00:01 UTC Saturday September 26 to 06:00 UTC on Monday September 28

to allow participation in USA local time from Friday evening through Sunday night.

Operation will be on all Amateur bands.

This operating event is a friendly celebration of what Nancy called her life's work. All are certainly encouraged to give out their FISTS numbers and collect others but more importantly, to simply be good FISTS that Nancy would be proud of. Let's promote CW on the air, make friends and encourage beginners in accordance with our club's mission.

A big part of this event will be a heavy KN0WCW presence, and ops who work the club call will receive a special QSL card designed to honor Nancy and promote FISTS. Please QSL via the QRZ.com information for KN0WCW. Also, KN0WCW operators who make a minimum of five contacts with the call will receive a KN0WCW operator's certificate from the Awards Manager.

Current members who wish to operate KN0WCW should contact Club Call Manager Cody, KC2LSD at for a time slot and guidelines.









SPRINT INFORMATION







Did you ever want to participate in the Quarterly FISTS Sprints but felt like the speed was just too fast?

Starting in 2015 the "Americas Chapter", of the FISTS CW Club, added four new Slow Speed Sprints to the Sprint Program lineup. Sprints will be held on the first and second Saturdays. The first Saturday will be the Slow Speed Sprint and the second Saturday will be the usual Sprint with no speed limit.

The Slow Speed Sprint is a great opportunity to introduce our newer members to the fun of operating FISTS Sprints and for our old hands maybe to brush off those straight keys, cooties, side swipers, bugs, etc. and also join in the fun!

In the Slow Speed Sprint, all operators should send no faster than 13 WPM and if someone is calling you or CQing at a slower speed, you should QRS to match their speed. That is the only change; all other rules, scoring, etc. will remain as for the usual Sprint!

End-of-Year Certificates will be awarded to stations with the highest cumulative point totals in the QRO, QRP and Club categories for all Sprints (both slow speed and unlimited speed) in each calendar year. End-of-Year Certificates awarded ONLY to FISTS members.

The following are the Official Rules for all FISTS SPRINTS.

OBJECTIVE:

To exchange specified information with as many FISTS members as possible using Morse Code only, and within the time frame stipulated.



HOW TO CALL:

To show you are participating in the FISTS Sprint Event . . . Call "CQ FS CQ FS".



PARTICIPANTS:

Any properly licensed amateur radio operator, FISTS member or non-member is invited to take part in the contest. At least one of the two stations in each QSO must be a FISTS member.



DATES AND TIMES: (See Home page under "Up Coming FISTS Activities!"



Winter SLOW SPEED SPRINT will run from 1700 UTC to 2100 UTC on First Saturday in February.

Winter UNLIMITED SPRINT will run from 1700 UTC to 2100 UTC on Second Saturday in February.



Spring SLOW SPEED SPRINT will run from 1700 UTC to 2100 UTC on First Saturday in May.

Spring UNLIMITED SPRINT will run from 1700 UTC to 2100 UTC on Second Saturday in May.



Summer SLOW SPEED SPRINT will run from 0000 UTC to 0400 UTC on First Saturday in July.

Summer UNLIMITED SPRINT will run from 0000 UTC to 0400 UTC on Second Saturday in July.



Fall SLOW SPEED SPRINT will run from 1700 UTC to 2100 UTC on First Saturday in October.

Fall UNLIMITED SPRINT will run from 1700 UTC to 2100 UTC on Second Saturday in October.



BANDS:

Operation is limited to the following amateur bands: 3.5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 MHz amateur bands.

Work stations only once per band.



ENTRY CLASSES:

There are three entry classes:

QRO: Over 5 watts -100 watts output power. 100 watts is the maximum output power allowed.

QRP: 5 watts output power or less.

Club: (regardless of power).

Entry class MUST be shown on logs to be considered for entry in a particular class, or will be assumed QRO.

An entry must be ONE class only, no combination of classes is allowed.



EXCHANGE:

The following information must be exchanged by both stations to count as a valid contest QSO and MUST be included in your log entry for each QSO listed:

For FISTS members:

RST, U.S. state/Canadian province/DXCC country, first name, FISTS number.

For non-FISTS members:

RST, U.S. state/Canadian province/DXCC country, first name, Power output.

DX COUNTRY STATUS:

U.S. states and Canadian provinces are those states and provinces that are contiguous and found within the North American continent. DX are those entities listed in the current ARRL DXCC publication, other than the above.



MULTIPLIERS:

Each U.S. State and Canadian province counts as 1 multiplier. Count each only once, no matter how many times worked.

Each DXCC entity counts as 1 multiplier. Count each no matter how many times worked.



SCORING:

Each QSO with a FISTS member: 5 points.

Each QSO with a non-FISTS member: 2 points.

Final score is total QSO points times the number of multipliers worked.



CERTIFICATES:

U.S./VE:

Certificates will be awarded to the first, second, and third place finishers in each Entry Class.



LOG SUBMISSIONS:

All log entries must be received within 14 days after the Sprint to be considered valid.

Sending the logs is what counts, and they will be spot checked for accuracy and correct scoring procedures.

Logs not sent to the proper address will not be considered for entry.



ALL LOGS MUST CONTAIN the following information to be considered for entry;



[1] Your name, call sign, mailing address, and FISTS Nr if member.

[2] Club name if entry is for a club.

[3] Sprint worked - Slow or Unlimited.

[4] Entry class - QRO, QRP, or Club.

[5] Number of FISTS members worked.

[6] Number of Non-FISTS worked.

[7]FISTS Number for FISTS QSO's and Power Output for Non-FISTS QSO's.

[8] List of multipliers.

[9] Your claimed score.



The entry form is the best way to record this information.



Download the PDF entry form HERE



ELECTRONIC LOGS:

We will accept E-logs in standard Cabrillo or Text files ONLY . If you're not sure about your format, please contact the Sprint Manager before the contest entry deadline.



E-logs are sent to ONLY.



PAPER LOGS:

Send log and forms to our Sprint Manager:

FISTS Sprint Log

4658 Capitan Drive

Fremont, CA

94536-5448





GET YOUR FEET WET ACTIVITY DAY





One of the biggest challenges with learning to operate CW is overcoming the "fright" of making those first contacts and learning to be comfortable in operating the CW mode. The purpose of this FISTS activity is to provide new or less experienced amateurs the opportunity to make CW contacts and learn to enjoy the mode. Operating in contests, QSO parties, or DX pileups is not a very good place to try operating CW for the first time. This activity will provide a periodic opportunity to encourage new and inexperienced amateurs to get on the air and practice operating CW. Hopefully many experienced CW operators will be willing to get on the air, slow down their CW, and help "Elmer" our new and less experienced members.

This weekend activity is designed to provide you with the opportunity to practice your CW operating and gain some valuable experience.

IT IS NOT A CONTEST.

The activity will be held on the Third Sunday of every month. Operating times will be 0001 UTC to 2400 UTC. This activity will be conducted on the 80 and 40 meter bands, on or near the following Suggested Frequencies: 3.558 and 7.110. Suggested items for exchange are: Name, QTH, FISTS#, RST. Remember these are the minimum items and you can exchange whatever you want because this is not a contest.

When you send in your log, be sure to include some comments on your operating experience during the event and/or send your comments to Karl N2KZ at: . You can make general comments on the number of contacts, your station setup, etc. Also supply your call sign & Fists#. Be sure to use the Subject line: GYFW Feedback. Your comments will be listed in the next issue of The Keynote.

Send in your Logs to the Get Your Feet Wet Activity Manager:

Karl Zuk N2KZ

15 Flintlock Ridge Rd.

Katonah, NY

10536

Karl Zuk N2KZ e-mail -

GYFW Activity Manager











G3ZQS MEMORIAL STRAIGHT KEY CONTEST



The International G3ZQS Memorial Straight Key Contest will be 2300 Hrs UTC September 2 through 2300 Hrs UTC September 4, 2020. Everyone is welcome to participate, but only the logs of those using straight keys for all claimed contacts are eligible for awards.

BANDS:

Operation is limited to 3.5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 MHz amateur bands. No WARCs bands.

Work stations only once per band.

ENTRY CLASSES:

There are three entry classes: QRO, QRP, and Club:



Entry class MUST be shown on logs to be considered for entry in a particular class, or will be assumed QRO. An entry must be ONE class only, no combination of classes is allowed.

CALL: CQ FS (short for fists straight = straight key)

EXCHANGE:

The following information must be exchanged by both stations to count as a valid contest QSO:

For FISTS members:

RST, U.S. state/Canadian province/DXCC country, first name, FISTS number.

For non-FISTS members:

RST, U.S. state/Canadian province/DXCC country, first name, Power output.

MULTIPLIERS:

Each U.S. State and Canadian province counts as 1 multiplier. Count each only once, no matter how many times worked.

Each DXCC entity counts as 1 multiplier. Count each no matter how many times worked.

SCORING:

Each QSO with a FISTS member: 5 points.

Each QSO with a non-FISTS member: 2 points.

Final score is total QSO points times multipliers.

LOGS:

Logs header information must indicate type of key used. Please send Cabrillo or Text files ONLY .

Mail or E-Mail your log within 30 days to:







Karl Zuk N2KZ

15 Flintlock Ridge Rd.

Katonah, NY 10536





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FISTS CW CLUB - TUESDAY ACTIVITY DAY



The FISTS Americas Chapter will have a weekly Activity Day each Tuesday from 0001 until 2400 UTC. No problem if you start a little early or run over. Not a contest, no need to submit your log, just get on the air and make some contacts!

One, two, several or a hundred QSOs it doesn't matter, just get on the air and make some QSOs.

We have invited the International FISTS Community to participate also so you may be able to work some new FISTS and new FISTS countries.

So dust off the key and get on the air and have some fun!

73 es CU on the bands!







OPERATING ACTIVITY QUESTIONS

Questions about the various Operating Activities may be directed to;

Activities and

Sprints Manager



Vacant







Get Your Feet Wet

G3ZQS Activities



Karl Zuk N2KZ

15 Flintlock Ridge Rd.

Katonah, NY

10536

KN0WCW Club

Call Use



Cody Codianni KC2LSD

413 Martin Court

Leonardo, NJ

07737-1317





Website Suggestions and Corrections to Dennis K6DF at

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