From karl at fistsna.org Mon Jan 5 11:19:05 2015 From: karl at fistsna.org (Karl) Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2015 10:19:05 -0600 Subject: [Fists] New for 2015, Slow Speed Sprints! Message-ID: <006a01d02903$54cfce50$fe6f6af0$@org> Did you ever want to participate in the Quarterly FISTS Sprints but felt like the speed was just too fast? Starting in 2015 the FISTS CW Club N.A. is adding 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 to maybe 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 Sprint rules, scoring, etc., will remain the same. 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 calendar year 2015. The award will be a special framed certificate acknowledging the achievement. To win a certificate, operators must be current or life members. If you participate in a Sprint, and submit a log showing a minimum of five (5) QSO's, you will have a chance to win a $150 gift certificate at the end of the year. You get one chance for each Sprint log that you submit. There will be one gift certificate awarded to QRP entries and one for QRO entries. A random drawing will be held after the last Sprint of the year. Only active and life members are eligible to win the gift certificate, and winners can choose the amateur radio company from whom they want the gift certificate. Please go to http://fistsna.org/operating.html#sprints for full Sprint info. Posted on behalf of Ed, N2ED, Chapter on-air Activities Coordinator 73 de Karl, KB1DSB From karl at fistsna.org Mon Jan 5 11:29:32 2015 From: karl at fistsna.org (Karl) Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2015 10:29:32 -0600 Subject: [Fists] 2015 Sprint Schedule Message-ID: <008201d02904$cae7c7e0$60b757a0$@org> The 2015 Sprint Schedule is as follows: Winter Sprints 1700 - 2100 UTC Slow Speed Sprint 2/7/15 Unlimited Sprint 2/14/15 Spring Sprints 1700 - 2100 UTC Slow Speed Sprint 5/2/15 Unlimited Sprint 5/9/15 Summer Sprint 0000 - 0400 UTC Slow Speed Sprint 7/4/15 Unlimited Sprint 7/11/15 Fall Sprint 1700 - 2100 UTC Slow Speed Sprint 10/3/15 Unlimited Sprint 10/10/15 Posted on behalf of Ed, N2ED, Chapter, on-air activities coordinator 73, Karl, KB1DSB From karl at fistsna.org Thu Jan 8 16:10:07 2015 From: karl at fistsna.org (Karl) Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2015 15:10:07 -0600 Subject: [Fists] FISTS Store Close out Sale on Some Items Message-ID: <009e01d02b87$7c7beca0$7573c5e0$@org> We are holding a "close out sale: All FISTS 25th Anniversary items, coffee mug, tee shirts, polo shirts; "Know Code" Blue and Black Tee Shirts; and "Know Code" Sweat shirts. The costs are as low as we can make them and still cover postage for the items(s). 73, Karl, KB1DSB From karl at fistsna.org Thu Jan 8 17:54:47 2015 From: karl at fistsna.org (Karl) Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2015 16:54:47 -0600 Subject: [Fists] 25th Anniversary Mug Message-ID: <00f601d02b96$1b5b9560$5212c020$@org> The 25th Anniversary Mug is sold out! Thank you for your business with the FISTS CW Club Store. 73, Karl, KB1DSB From ac5shfistop at gmail.com Sat Jan 10 14:53:40 2015 From: ac5shfistop at gmail.com (Tim O) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 13:53:40 -0600 Subject: [Fists] Thanks to Prez Karl and all our vols. Message-ID: Beaucoup new and modified events, website changes, getting our new structure in order etc etc etc. Yes, we have been busy. >From Prez Karl on down, we have been busy. Many volunteers deserve thanks for keeping this club going and I'm not even gonna try to mention them all, but Karl especially deserves thanks for stepping up to take on the BIG job of President, not only keeping his former duties but shouldering a tremendous administrative load as well. In addition, he has provided leadership and we are seeing some interesting new wrinkles to keep the club alive. Not to diminish anyone else, but I would like to invite all to join me in thanking Karl, KB1DSB for all his hard work of late. Thanks, Karl! :) 73 Tim, AC5SH From bmckirry at myfairpoint.net Sat Jan 10 15:16:37 2015 From: bmckirry at myfairpoint.net (Brad) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 15:16:37 -0500 Subject: [Fists] Test Message-ID: <54B188A5.3000109@myfairpoint.net> Test -- Brad McKirryher N1VWD Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery and Today is a gift. From AA1SU at arrl.net Sat Jan 10 20:37:12 2015 From: AA1SU at arrl.net (Paul N. Gayet AA1SU) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 20:37:12 -0500 Subject: [Fists] Thanks to Prez Karl and all our vols. In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <54B1D3C8.3050607@arrl.net> Tim AC5SH, I totally agree. Karl has done an outstanding job, even though he had such huge shoes to fill. Back in the day, Karl was my Section Traffic Manager (STM). He was so good with this important appointment, I didn't have to do anything. He motivated the other Net Manager, and always had his report into the ARRL every month. As a side note, right now, I have no STM, but that's another story. Karl - thanks for taking the reigns with FISTS and keeping the club going with new ideas and sprints. Also, thanks for sending me the latest issue of the Keynote, even though I am behind in my dues. I will get caught up on that shortly - honest :-[ . 73 Paul N. Gayet AA1SU ARRL Vermont Section Manager AA1SU at arrl.org On 1/10/2015 2:53 PM, Tim O wrote: > > Beaucoup new and modified events, website changes, getting our new > structure in order etc etc etc. > Yes, we have been busy. > From Prez Karl on down, we have been busy. > Many volunteers deserve thanks for keeping this club going and I'm not even > gonna try to mention them all, but Karl especially deserves thanks for > stepping up to take on the BIG job of President, not only keeping his > former duties but shouldering a tremendous administrative load as well. > In addition, he has provided leadership and we are seeing some interesting > new wrinkles to keep the club alive. > Not to diminish anyone else, but I would like to invite all to join me in > thanking Karl, KB1DSB for all his hard work of late. > > Thanks, Karl! :) > > 73 > Tim, AC5SH > ______________________________________________________________ > FISTS mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/fists > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:FISTS at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html From karl at fistsna.org Tue Jan 13 10:01:57 2015 From: karl at fistsna.org (Karl) Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 09:01:57 -0600 Subject: [Fists] Get Your Feet Wet Activity Day, January 18th Message-ID: <002301d02f41$e37f12c0$aa7d3840$@org> It's Your Speed CW couldn't be easier! No need to procrastinate! Get on the air! You'll be great! Try FISTS' Get Your Feet Wet event coming up this weekend. We'll be looking for you from 0001 UTC through 2400 UTC on Sunday, January 18, 2015 - that's Saturday night 7pm Eastern, 6pm Central, 5pm Mountain and 4pm Pacific until Sunday night at the same time. It's 24 hours of casual fun at the speed of your choice. We will go as slow as you need to go! Look for other participating FISTS members on or around these two frequencies: 3558 kHz 80m CW and 7110 kHz 40m CW. Newbies, Elmers and everyone in between are invited! When you are done, send a note to us about your experiences, comments and suggestions to: feetwetlogs at fistsna.org. Send in your log showing you made 5 or more contacts. Do this for every GYFW you take part in this year. Your name will go in a bucket for a chance to win one of two gift certificates to active FISTS members. Remember to let us know what kind or rig, output power, antenna and key you were using! Remember THIS IS NOT A CONTEST only a great way to build confidence as a fine CW operator. You can do it! Complete details can be found at: http://fistsna.org/operating.html#feetwet. See you on the air! 73 de Feet Wet coordinator Karl Zuk N2KZ Dit Dit. From karl at fistsna.org Tue Jan 13 10:48:17 2015 From: karl at fistsna.org (Karl) Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 09:48:17 -0600 Subject: [Fists] Dues Expiration Date Look up on Our Web Site Message-ID: <004f01d02f48$5ae82b20$10b88160$@org> We have a new help area on our web site. If you are an active member of our chapter, you can go to http://fistsna.org/expdate.php to find you renewal date. You can also go to the main menu page, go to the "Info" button, click it and scroll down to "Your Dues Expired Date", click on it. It will take you to the page above. Life members will have their expiration date show as 1/1/2099. As, always, any questions, discrepancies or errors, contact me. 73, Karl, KB1DSB karl at fistsna.org From w2lj at verizon.net Wed Jan 14 20:30:20 2015 From: w2lj at verizon.net (Larry Makoski) Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 20:30:20 -0500 Subject: [Fists] NAQCC 160 Meter Sprint Thursday Night Message-ID: <205175.29120.bm@smtp118.sbc.mail.ne1.yahoo.com> NAQCC 160 Meter Sprint Thursday night! The January 160 Meter sprint is this coming Thursday evening local time (January 15th, EST - 8:30-10:30PM, CST - 7:30-9:30PM, MST - 6:30-8:30PM, PST - 5:30-7:30PM), which translates as Friday, January 16th, 0130 to 0330Z in all cases. For all the "official" information, please go to: http://naqcc.info/sprint201501_160.html There you will find all the details as to time, frequencies and other important information. Certificates: SWA (simple wire antennas) certificates by call area, VE and DX for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers (New!). A Certificate for top score in the GAIN antenna category. This is a special event that caters to the CW veteran, the CW newcomer, straight key and bug fans. All are welcome to participate in this "Top Band" Sprint - 1805-1815 kHz. If you've been hesitant to join in our sprints because you hear other sprints running at breakneck speeds, have no fear. Our sprints are geared to the newcomer to CW and/or contesting. Virtually everyone including the many veteran contesters who regularly enter our sprints will slow down to YOUR speed to help you make your contacts. If you are not already a member of NAQCC... membership is FREE! Now is your chance to join the largest QRP CW Club in the world!! We currently have 7100+ members in: All 50 States - 9 VE Provinces - 100 Countries. Sign up on the NAQCC website today (http://naqcc.info/) and receive a handsome certificate, with your membership number on it, which is good for life. Come join us and have a real good time! 72/73 de Larry W2LJ NAQCC #35 for NAQCC http://naqcc.info/ --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com From w2lj at verizon.net Sat Jan 17 13:33:06 2015 From: w2lj at verizon.net (Larry Makoski) Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 13:33:06 -0500 Subject: [Fists] January RFTB Tomorrow Night! Message-ID: <124750.91621.bm@smtp113.sbc.mail.ne1.yahoo.com> Tomorrow night is the January 2015 edition of the Run For The Bacon. That friendly lil' ol' QRP Sprint sponsored by your friends at the Flying Pigs QRP Amateur Radio Club International. Join us for a spell to have some fun and to say "Hi" to friends, old and new. The time is the same as always: East coast - 9:00 to 11:00 PM local time Midwest - 8:00 to 10:00 PM local time Rockies - 7:00 to 9:00 PM local time West coast - 6:00 to 8:00 PM local time The rules are at: http://fpqrp.org/pigrun/ 73 de Larry W2LJ FP# 612 QRP ARCI# 4488 --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com From w2lj at verizon.net Tue Jan 20 23:17:55 2015 From: w2lj at verizon.net (Larry Makoski) Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 23:17:55 -0500 Subject: [Fists] NAQCC Sprint Wednesday Night! Message-ID: <183781.69248.bm@smtp120.sbc.mail.ne1.yahoo.com> NAQCC Sprint Wednesday night! The January sprint is this coming Wednesday evening local time (January 21st, EST - 8:30-10:30PM, CST - 7:30-9:30PM, MST - 6:30-8:30PM, PST - 5:30-7:30PM), which translates as Thursday, January 22nd, 0130 to 0330Z in all cases. For all the "official" information, please go to: http://naqcc.info/sprint201501.html There you will find all the details as to time, frequencies and other important information. Certificates: SWA (simple wire antennas) certificates by call area, VE and DX for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers (New!). A Certificate for top score in the GAIN antenna category. Prizes: Too many to list!! - check out the prizes page on our website. This is a monthly event that caters to the CW veteran, the CW newcomer, straight key and bug fans. All are welcome to participate (this includes QRO); but you must use QRP power levels to compete for awards. If you've been hesitant to join in our sprints because you hear other sprints running at breakneck speeds, have no fear. Our sprints are geared to the newcomer to CW and/or contesting. Virtually everyone including the many veteran contesters who regularly enter our sprints will slow down to YOUR speed to help you make your contacts. If you are not already a member of NAQCC... membership is FREE! Now is your chance to join the largest QRP CW Club in the world!! We currently have 7100+ members in: All 50 States - 9 VE Provinces - 100 Countries. Sign up on the NAQCC website today (http://naqcc.info/) and receive a handsome certificate, with your membership number on it, which is good for life. Come join us and have a real good time! 72/73 de Larry W2LJ NAQCC #35 for NAQCC http://naqcc.info/ --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com From karl at fistsna.org Tue Jan 27 20:08:38 2015 From: karl at fistsna.org (Karl) Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 19:08:38 -0600 Subject: [Fists] FISTS Events Calendar on our Website Message-ID: <011901d03a96$f40d1d70$dc275850$@org> Thanks to the hard work of Dennis, K6DF, we have an on air events calendar now on our website. It will serve as an all encompassing calendar where we will post on air activities of our chapter and all FISTS worldwide. When KN0WCW will be operating, it will be posted to this calendar. Go to our home page: http://fistsna.org/. Look for the row of buttons. Put your cursor over "Operating". It will display a drop down list. At the bottom is the "Events Calendar". Click on it to open the calendar. Clicking on an individual entry will give you more info. Here is the link directly to the calendar page: http://fistsna.org/calendar.html . I hope you will Bookmark this page. If you have any on-air FISTS Activity you would like posted to the calendar, contact myself, or Dennis, K6DF, webmaster at fistna.org 73 de Karl, KB1DSB karl at fistna.org