Lloyd and all:
Thanks to David for the great explanation.
And, please know that my earlier comment about the contest and organization
possibly being counter to the spirit of amateur radio was not meant to be
offensive. It was just an observation that came to mind, and now that the
nature of the organization and contest has been clarified, it makes very
much more sense to me.
Maybe someday, when I get more time, I'll make an attempt to join the
organization. I love CW (in fact it's my favorite HF operating mode); and
I am quite comfortable with a speed of 25 WPM. What I don't have is the
connections to the members, but I'm sure that would come through time.
73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lloyd Rasmussen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2013 10:12 AM
Subject: Fw: F O C contest??
>I think David intended this to go to the whole list. It answers a lot of
> questions.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David W Wood
> Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2013 4:22 AM
> To: 'Lloyd Rasmussen'
> Cc: 'Roger Western'
> Subject: RE: F O C contest??
>
> Hi Lloyd and Tom
>
> A bit of a long reply, but your answer will be adequately answered, and be
> copied to the current secretary of F O C.
>
> Your resolution of the acronym is not quite correct I am afraid.
>
> FOC stands for:
>
> Firstclass CW Operators' Club
>
> The 48 hour this weekend is not a contest, but a challenge amongst the
> members.
> The aim is to work as many members of the club, and on as many bands as
> possible with a bonus given for a member on 5 bands, and an additional one
> for 6 bands.
>
> The club was started 75 years ago this year, so you may hear celebratory
> stations on the bands later in the summer, and as an aside, the RSGB
> (Radio
> Society of Great Britain) is celebrating its centenary this year.
>
> F O C is a limited membership club of 500 members world wide.
> Lloyd, you are quite correct that it is a G-based club in origin, but
> probably a majority are now from other countries.
>
> Qualifications for membership can be found on the club's website, but the
> main ones are:
> are that you must be able to send and receive CW at 25 WPM or greater in
> plain text. This isn't done by examination, but being on the air and
> being
> able to rag chew at that speed at least.
> You must be active on the CW portion of the band.
> You must be nominated by 6 existing members, two of whom must be outside
> your own continent.
> You must have met a member on at least two bands.
> The qualification process takes several months as the nominee has to be
> seen
> to be active on the bands.
>
> To my knowledge, there are currently three blind members, K4LTA (Bill),
> GM3WUX (Terry), AND me!
> Our recently much loved and departed contributor, Kevin (K7RX) and I had
> many QSO's on 20M but never made it on another band, otherwise I would
> have
> nominated him as a member. His CW was superb!
>
> I don't know when this challenge started, but it has occurred during the
> first weekend of February for many years.
> FOC also started the Bill Windle QSO party a few years ago. These occur
> twice a year to promote CW interchanges on the bands.
> Bill was an original member of the club, and, I believe, its first
> secretary.
>
> Some members take this weekend very seriously, and there are prizes of
> honour for winning various categories.
> Do not feel shy to call members, but also don't feel shunned should you
> receive a short report of the form of genuine RST plus a 3 or 4 figure
> number which will be that member's membership number.
> The current maximum number will be 2012.
> Hopefully you will be greeted courteously by members.
>
> I have just realised that this means that for the first time in the
> club's
> existence, that a membership number equivalent to the calendar year will
> be
> the same - we await to see who will be 2013!
>
> Another member of the club has been mentioned often in this forum, G4FON!
> Others of notability in ham radio circles are also members. Having said
> that, it isn't an elitist club - after all, I am a member!
>
> Take a look at
> www.foc.org
>
> You may ask why I am not on the bands this weekend!
> The reason being that I am away from home in my former QTH sorting out
> some
> affairs in order to complete my retirement process from my business.
>
> Sorry about the long reply!
>
> 73
>
> David W Wood - G3YXX
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