HOW DO I...
Info on How to do just about anything related to FISTS
HOW DO I JOIN?
Membership is open to all people interested in Morse code, irrespective of their speed and ability.
An application form is not necessary to join, but it gives us a more complete picture of our membership. You can download a North American membership application on the FISTS web page: http://www.fists.org.
An application can be mailed to you. Send a message Jim Ranieri, AA9LS, aa9ls@turbotoads.com and he will email it to you, or mail an SASE to him at 33778 Rebecca Rd, Kingston IL 60145 and Jim will send you an application via return postal mail.
To join without an application, send your name, call, and mailing address with your membership fee to Nancy WZ8C, PO Box 47, Hadley, MI 48440 (checks payable to FISTS).
To join using Paypal (www.paypal.com), send the funds to fists@tir.com. In the comments box, type NEW MEMBERSHIP, your callsign, name and mailing address if different from your Paypal address.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Subscriptions are $15.00/year; Under 18= FREE; Age 80 and over=FREE; College students = $10. Family members may join FISTS at no extra charge-only one newsletter is mailed per household.
Please make checks paypable to FISTS CW Club and send to FISTS, P O Box 47, Hadley, MI 48440. Do not send FISTS correspondence to Nancy WZ8C’s callbook address.
Checks can take 6-8 weeks to clear from the day received. Nancy processes them, then takes them to the bookkeeper. The bookkeeper enters them into the “official books”, then takes them to the bank. Depending on schedules that month, it can take 6-8 weeks. It does NOT take 8 weeks to get your number, it just may take that long for your check to clear.
WHAT IF I AM A MEMBER UNDER 18 or OVER 79?
To continue a teen (17-) or old-timer membership (80+), you must notify WZ8C of your continued interest in FISTS, renewals are not automatic.
HOW DO I JOIN USING MY PAYPAL ACCOUNT?
North American FISTS accepts PAYPAL (http://www.paypal.com). Address your PAYPAL payment to FISTS@TIR.COM To join via Paypal, type “New Membership” in the Paypal Comments Box, your name (if different from the name on your Paypal account), callsign, and mailing address.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO RENEW?
A FISTS volunteer sends out renewal postcards, but if you renew prior to your renewal month it will save postage and printing costs as well as volunteer time. Your renewal date is on your Keynote mailing label in the form of year, month, date. For example 2005/4/4 would be a renewal date April 2005. The date of the month is meaningless, but the computer program requires a date, so generally the date of the month is the same as the month. 2005/12/12; 2006/5/5 etc. RENEWALS ARE FREE FOR AGES 80 AND UP & 17 AND YOUNGER.
HOW DO I RENEW?
To renew, send $15 to Nancy WZ8C (checks paypable to FISTS) at FISTS, PO Box 47 Hadley MI 48440.
HOW DO I RENEW WITH PAYPAL?
If you have a Paypal account, send the funds to fists@tir.com; put “RENEWAL” in the Comment Box, along with your callsign.
MAY I RENEW FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR AT A TIME?
Yes! You may renew for as many years at a time as you like, but there is not a ‘quantity’discount.
MY MEMBERSHIP LAPSED, CAN I GET MY OLD NUMBER BACK?
Yes - numbers are not reassigned. If you have had a number in the past, please let Nancy know at the time of your renewal. so she can ‘reactivate’ it
WHERE DO I MAIL A DX APPLICATION OR RENEWAL?
ZL,VK applications are go to Ralph Sutton, ZL2AOH at 12C Herbert Gardens, 186 The Terrace, Wellington 6001, New Zealand.
East Asia inquiries to Jean at join@fists-ea.org
All other applications - Until further notice all DX cheques should be made payable to Chuck
Spence and applications and requests for info sent to:
Chuck Spence,
32 Woodford Walk,
Harewood Park,
Thornaby,
TS17 0LT
HOW DO I GET A NUMBER FOR MY LOCAL CLUB?
Clubs with FCC call signs may be assigned a FISTS number at no charge providing there is at least one FISTS member in good standing in the local club. These clubs are not legally affiliated with FISTS, nor does FISTS have anything to do with how the club is run, etc. It just means the club has a FISTS number and is worth three points toward awards. If the club wants a newsletter, there is a $15 a year charge. To defray costs, please enclose $3 when a club applies for an award and wants a certificate. There is no charge for a Century Certificate number, just for the certificate if one is desired. Membership certificates are $1 for clubs.
HOW DO I UPDATE MY ADDRESS or CALL SIGN ON THE FISTS DATABASE?
Send corrections or changes to Nancy Kott, WZ8C, at FISTS, P. O. Box 47, Hadley, MI 48440 or email to nancy@tir.com. Please send labels with your corrections to the FISTS QSL Bureau so the bureau workers don’t have to change all your SASEs by hand.
HOW DO I GET A PRINTED UP-TO-DATE MEMBER LIST?
Send a SASE with $2.00 (US) to Ed N7CFA 2628 Lilac Street, Longview, WA 98632. Lists are available on the FISTS Web page. The search engine feature on the main web page is updated more frequently than the text list on the web page, but only includes North American members.
HOW DO I GET ON THE FISTS EMAIL LIST?
To receive periodic official Email updates, send your Email address, call sign and FISTS number to Kathi Hilton. fistelist@comcast.net. If you put your email address on your application, it is automatically added to the list.
Due to potential spam problems, the list is NOT given out to the membership and is NOT published on the web page. It is ONLY used to notify you of FISTS items of interest. If you want people to know your e-mail address, we recommend you include it in your listing on QRZ.com or Buckmaster lookup service.
HOW DO I ORDER CLUB SUPPLIES?
Irene W08E 44609 N. Bunker Hill Dr., Clinton Twp, MI 48038 is our Supply Manager. Our supplies are sold as close to cost as possible We offer:
Metallic gold logo stickers, 200 for $3.50
I “red heart graphic” CW Stickers, 3/4” round stickers, $3.50 for 200
Blue enamel cloisonne/gold metal “FISTS CW CLUB” octagon logo pin, with tie-tack type pin back $1.50
White enamel cloisonne pin “I (red heart graphic) CW” ”FISTS CW CLUB” along edge. 3/4" diameter circle tie-tack type pin on back $1.50
Embroidered cloth patch of our rectangle key logo, $1.00. The patches can be ironed on or sewn.
Plastic travel mugs with “I (heart) CW” and FISTS CW Club on them - $5.
You may use Paypal to order supplies. Send the total amount to fists@tir.com and put the items you would like in the comments box. Be sure your name & address are included.
ALL PRICES INCLUDE POSTAGE. DO NOT ADD POSTAGE TO YOUR TOTAL
HOW DO I GET FISTS SHIRTS?
Show the world that you are proud to be a FISTS member. We have t-shirts, sweatshirts, and polo shirts. The front of the t-shirts and sweatshirts are printed in silver:
I’m PROUD to be a KNOW CODE Ham
and the backs of the shirts are printed in light blue with the FISTS key logo graphic and
Join the Code Crusade
http://www.fists.org
Sweat Shirt Front
Sweat Shirt Back
Shirt Front
Shirt Back
Polo Shirt
The T-shirts are available in two solid colors: black or royal blue (a medium blue, not navy)
Sweatshirts are gray with royal blue printing on the front and back.
The polo/golf shirts are sky blue with the FISTS key tastefully EMBROIDERED on the top left side. They are short sleeved and have a knit collar and a couple buttons at the neck.
Sizes are small, medium, large, XL, 2XL, and 3XL. All shirts are 50/50 blend. The T’s are “Best” Fruit of the Loom. Sweats are 5.8 oz Jerzee and Polos are Fruit of the Loom. The total prices including postage are:
T-shirts = $6.00
Sweats = $11.00
Polos = $15.00
NOTE: Contact Nancy WZ8C (nancy@tir.com) for non-USA or bulk order postage.
You may order using Paypal. The email address to use for Paypal is fists@tir.com. Do NOT use nancy@tir.com. In the “comments” box of the Paypal form, please be specific about what you are ordering, since this info will be used to fill your order.
To order by mail, send your order (don’t forget to include what color tshirt you want, and the size!) to
Nancy Kott WZ8C, PO Box 47, Hadley MI 48440
Checks payable to FISTS, Paypal to fists@tir.com.
This is a limited time opportunity. When the shirts are gone - they’re GONE, so get yours now!
HOW DO I GET/SEND FISTS QSL CARDS Via BURO?
Keep SASEs in stock with the FISTS QSL Bureau. Stan Reas K4UK runs the Bureau. Send envelopes to 1020 Long Island Drive
Moneta, Va 24121
HOW DO I SEND APPLICATION OR SAMPLE NEWSLETTER TO A FRIEND?
For a brochure, email Jim AA9LS at aa9ls@turbotoads.com with their name, call sign, and postal address. SASEs are appreciated. Joe’s postal address is 33778 Rebecca Rd, Kingston IL 60145 An application is available for downloading on our web page http://www.fists.org.
PAY FOR THE SUBSCRIPTION OF A DX FISTS MEMBER?
Subs for European FISTS, paid from the USA, are $10/year American Cash. Non-European (Africa etc.) FISTS are $15/year in US CASH. No International Money Orders, postal money orders or personal checks, cash only. Send it to Chuck Spence, 32 Woodford Walk, Harewood Park, Thornaby, S17 0LT CASH ONLY. Don’t forget to include the name and address of the DX ham you want to sponsor. They will receive the DX version of the Keynote, which is written and mailed from England. For Oceana or East Asia, contact these chapters directly. DX questions go to Chuck at m0avw1@ntlworld.com
APPLY FOR AN OPERATING AWARD?
Dennis Franklin K6DF is the Awards Manager. We have many different operating awards. Details are on our web page or in the Keynotes. Dennis’s contact information is fistsawards@comcast.net or 4658 Capitan Drive Fremont,CA 94536-5448. Please put FISTS in the title of your email. Awards are free for members in good standing.
Non-dues paying Clubs with FISTS numbers, non-members and lapsed members who are not in good standing must pay $3 for award certificates to help defray the cost.
WHAT IS KN0WCW AND HOW DO I OPERATE KN0WCW?
KN0WCW is the USA FISTS Callsign. Members in good standing (meaning, paid up dues) can operate KN0WCW from their home station after getting PERMISSION. To get permission, contact Karl Zuege, KB1DSB (kb1dsb@sover.net). A schedule of operators can be found on the FISTS Web page. Remember, when you’re using KN0WCW, you’re flying the flag for FISTS, so please operate responsibly.
HOW DO I VOLUNTEER FOR or GET A CODE BUDDY?
W3HEM, The Historical Electronics Museum Amateur Radio Club members are the volunteers handling the Code Buddy Program. Contact them at Box 1693 MS 4015, Baltimore, MD 21203 or Email Nick at W3HEM@arrl.net. We need ELMERS and Buddies, please volunteer to be a Code Buddy!! You don’t have to be a speed demon to be a Code Buddy, lots of people just want someone to practice with, just like YOU! To volunteer or to get a Code Buddy, include what you need (teacher, student, practice buddy), what bands you can work, and what areas of the country you can reliably work.
HOW DO I GET MY PHOTO ON THE PHOTO PAGES?
Send a snapshot of yourself with your face about the size of a quarter to Ken W8ROG 44609 N. Bunker Hill Dr., Clinton Twp, MI 48038.
HOW DO I RECEIVE THE KEYNOTE ON TAPE?
The Keynote is available on tape, free, to legally blind members. Contact Ken Kott, W8ROG, 44609 N. Bunker Hill Dr., Clinton Twp, MI 48038. The Keynote is read by John Whitt, AI4FR. You can contact John with your
comments and suggestions at AI4FR@Tampabay.rr.com
HOW DO I GET A COPY OF FISTS PRESENTATION to give at my local club meeting?
It’s easy and fun! We send you everything you need for a snazzy 15-20 minute presentation. Contact Joe Spencer, KK5NA, 3618 Montridge Ct, Arlington TX 76016.
HOW DO I SUGGEST IDEAS FOR THE WEB PAGE?
Contact Bill KK4KF at kk4kf@cox.net
HOW DO I ORDER FISTS CLUB QSL CARDS?
You may use the FISTS logos and get cards from any printer you wish. Cheapqsls.com has made a special FISTS card with special pricing for FISTS members. For ordering information and to see the cards visit http://www.cheapqsls.com/fists.htm
HOW DO I ORDER A FISTS CLUB ID BADGE?
Our club badge is dark blue with the FISTS logo in gold and your call sign, first name, FISTS number and "Int’l Morse Preservation Society” in white. More information may be found at www.thesignman.com/clubs/fists.html where easy secure online ordering is available. You may also write: The SignMan of Baton Rouge, P.O. Box 84107, Baton Rouge, LA 70884-4107 or call 225.757.1545 / 888.426.8241.
HOW DO I IMPROVE MY CODE SPEED and MEET LOTS OF NEW FRIENDS?
Join FISTS! Get involved in the nets and activities! Volunteer to be a Code Buddy! Write an article for the Keynote about your interests!
HOW DO I GET A COPY OF THE K7QO CODE COURSE?
FISTS makes this wonderful course available free of charge. To get a copy, when available, send an SASE big enough to hold a CD and with enough return postage to Nancy WZ8C PO Box 47, Hadley MI 48440.
