[Fists] Number Exchanges

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

Hello everyone!

I looked at the FISTS awards page, and it says that a person doesn't have to
be a FISTS member at the time of first QSO with a FISTS member to receive
credit for the QSO.  Secondly, both current (paying members) and non-current
(non-paying members) count.

This would mean that FISTS numbers are not required to be exchanged on the
air for the awards.

That would seem to be very much in the spirit of FISTS - to encourage QSOs
and not  number swapping.

When I applied for FISTS membership, I deliberately did not give my call
sign so that I wouldn't have it associated with my ham call.  I belonged to
First Class CW Operator's Club (a British based ham club) where there were
about quite a few who would QSO new members then you'd never hear from them
again.  I resolved to have nothing to do with number exchanges!

I don't mind exchanging FISTS numbers when they belong to club stations, and
I've always made a point to operate on FISTS frequencies and exchange
numbers from W1AW, KM1CC and K1USN.

73

David N1EA


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Romanchik" <kb6nu at w8pgw.org>
Subject: Re: [Fists] Number Exchanges


Hi, all:

* I would assume that only exchanges over the air would
count towards an award. If not, we could all just exchange
numbers here and ask for our certificates. :) That
definitely defeats the purpose.

* Fortunately, I've not run into anyone that just wants my
FISTS number, but they are undoubtedly out there. They are
certainly missing the point of being a FISTS member.

* Should I ever work someone like that, you can bet that
will be noted in my log, and I won't ever work them again.

* Maybe FISTS should an award that certifies that two
stations have worked 10 times, 20 times, 30 times, and so
on. I think that would be pretty cool, and certainly
encourage FISTS members to get beyond the "HI--FIST NR
XXXX--73 es CUL" type contact.

73!

Dan KB6NU
===================================================
President, ARROW Comm. Assn. (www.w8pgw.org)
ARRL MI Section Affiliated Club Coordinator
Candidate for GL Division Vice Director, Fall 2005
Read my ham radio blog at www.kb6nu.com


Cheryl W. Ring wrote:
> There are some FISTS members (two so far that I've met) who have achieved
> 20
> wpm and who "could" rag chew - their code is so good - but their just want
> your FISTS number, and if you don't send it to them, they just sign saying
> that's all they want.
>
> A few others have said that "already have my number" and decline any
> further
> QSO.
>
> I think they've taken this "number thing" way too far - this type of
> operation happens in clubs where they give out numbers and awards for
> contacting the various numbers.
>
> Imagine one QSO and that's you only chance to speak to someone!
>
> But for beginners in Morse those numbers are wonderful practice!
>
> 73/88/33
> CherYL
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Joe Dubeck" <na9a at comcast.net>
> To: <fists at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 8:32 PM
> Subject: [Fists] Number Exchanges
> Dear FISTS
>
> I've always assumed that FISTS numbers must be exchanged on the air to
> count for awards (like Ten-Ten numbers), but then I've seen postings here
> from members critical of calling "CQ FISTS" because chasing numbers should
> be secondary to enjoying CW QSOs.  Lately I've become a lot more active
> and
> have worked many stations on CW without any exchange of numbers, but later
> have FISTS numbers pop up when I enter the QSOs in my LOGic log.  Do they
> count for awards?
>
> I've read many sections of the FISTS web site but haven't found any rules
> on this subject.
>
> TNX, 73, Joe, NA9A FISTS 1566

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