FISTS CW CLUB EVENTS

Have you heard of the FISTS organization? No, it's not a fighting club, so put away those boxing gloves. It is the International Morse Preservation Society, a club dedicated to promoting Morse code activity on the ham radio bands. The name FISTS comes from the traditional description of a Morse telegrapher's particular style of sending the code. A good operator was said to have a "good fist".

Anyway, FISTS is a great organization to check out if you are interested in learning Morse or honing your speed skills. Here are three upcoming operating events:

1. The International G3ZQS Memorial Straight Key Contest 2300Z September 7, to 2300Z September 9
2. Get Your Feet Wet Weekend 00:00Z Friday September 14 (Thursday USA) to 00:00Z September 17 (Sunday USA)
3. Coast-to-Coast Event (C2C) 1700Z September 29 to 1700Z September 30

Details are on the FISTS website:http://www.fists.org/

— SEMARA FISTS #10555 —

CANADIAN SPECIAL EVENT STATION - VO1ARES

A demonstration of cooperation in emergency communications preparedness between Canadian radio amateurs and those in the United States is planned for September 29-30 with a special event station VO1ARES <http://www.rac.ca/fieldorg/aresjointevent.htm>. It will be located at the Marconi memorial station on historic Signal Hill, St John's, Newfoundland, where reception of the first transatlantic wireless transmission occurred in 1901.

The objectives of the special event are threefold:

1. to highlight the capabilities of Amateur Radio in providing emergency communications in times of crisis;
2. to illustrate the cooperation between Canada and the United States on emergency preparedness within the context of the Security and Prosperity Partnership signed by the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Canada in 2005;
3. and to create a database of communications "first responders" that the Government of Canada could contact for emergency communications assistance in times of crisis.

Radio amateurs from across Canada and the US are being invited to participate in this first-time official activity, with opening festivities scheduled September 29 from 1430-1730 UTC. Operations will feature virtually all transmission modes on most HF bands over the two-day period. Times and frequencies are yet to be determined.

A commemorative QSL card will be issued. QSLs may be sent direct to VO1ARES via VE9GLF. All replies from VO1ARES will be via the bureau.

Check the RAC website <http://www.rac.ca/> for the latest details. http://www.rac.ca/fieldorg/aresjointevent.htm will be active September 27-October 1.