[Fists] Towards a FISTS Operations Manual

[Robert Block]

In 1956, W6DTY wrote a classic article in QST, " Your Novice Accent And 
What To Do About It!".

By now, many of the suggestions are inappropriate for current usage and 
conditions.  Nevertheless, beginners need an authoritative guide on what 
constitutes "good CW operating practice".  The ARRL Operating Manual could 
have been a good source but treatment of CW is largely superficial.

What I'd like to see is an operating manual devoted exclusively to CW.
Herewith, a proposed organization of topics:

Learning CW
        Learning to copy code
        Learning to send code
        Adjusting your key
        Choosing a first rig
        Your first QSO
CW Procedures
        Prosigns and Procedures
        Calling another station
        Soliciting calls
        The idiom of CW
        QSO's long and short
        Courtesy on the air
        Deprecated procedures
        Dealing with common problems
        Logging and QSLing
The FISTS Club
        History
        Organization
        Activities
        QSL Bureau
Field Guide to the HF Bands
        Propagation Basics
        Band characteristics
        Inhabitants and customs
        Where to look for a contact
        Suggestions on setting up a station
Special Activities
        DX
        Nets
        Contesting
        QRP
        VHF
        Mobile and portable operation
        Awards
        CW in many languages
        Teaching others

Is there a need for such a manual?  Are there any volunteers?   There has 
been a lot of criticism of the ARRL in this forum.  I think it's time to 
get past that and produce the educational material we want and need.

73,
W2SR