THE FIRST CLASS C.W.

OPERATORS CLUB

NEWS SHEET 617

(http://www.firstclasscw.org.uk)

Editor: G4BUE

March 2001

A man should keep his friendship in constant repair - Samuel Johnson (1755)
(3525, 7025, 10120-10125, 14025, 18080-18085, 21025, 24905-24910 and 28025kHz)

BANDS OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH ARE 40 & 20 METRES

Last month Jim, W6CF, offered some positive suggestions on what might be done to support CW for the long-term good and another Jim, K4OJ, asked how we might convince radio amateurs to try CW. This spurred some thoughts from Gerald, G3MCK: There are significant differences between professional and amateur requirements. When governments see no need to master CW they are only thinking about professional users so their views are not relevant to amateur radio. We need to educate people in the fact that watt for watt, CW is more powerful than SSB; the RSGB Operators Manual gives 20dB. We need to shout this from the roof-tops and show what this means to the average urban amateur. We need to explain that this means that a station running 100 watts CW to a dipole at 30 feet on 20 metres is putting a signal into DXland comparable with that coming from a station running 400 watts SSB to a tri-bander at 60 feet. Look at the cost, EMC and planning problems that the CW station has avoided. The EMC gurus give the following rule of thumb: on HF expect EMC problems when running 100 watts SSB, expect to be clear of EMC problems when running 5 watts CW. Of course you may not have to go down to 5 watts to clear the EMC problem but there is no doubt that one of the easiest ways to get rid of an EMC problem is to reduce power. With its 20dB advantage over SSB low power CW is a very viable way of getting on HF. In short, CW may be the only way that the typical urban amateur can get on HF, make contacts and have fun. Amateur radio is different from professional radio and we should make this clear. Once learned, an obvious fact can so easily be taken for granted. Gerald is right - we need to spread the word about the simple (but to us, all too obvious) facts of life. His point applies equally to a tri-bander at 30 feet on CW competing with a mono-bander at 90 feet on SSB, and to an indoor dipole on CW competing with a tri-bander at 30 feet on SSB. And we all take

TOPICAL ISSUES by G3SXW

to heart the point about reducing power to beat EMC problems. Mine were all solved at a stroke when putting aside the linear amplifier, reducing from 400 to 100 watts. But 100 watts of CW. Everything is relative but CW is always a lot more efficient (equals fun) than SSB. Just space for a reminder that this News Sheet is being published early, and the April News Sheet will not be published until the middle of the month because June and I will be in Florida between 25 February and 10 April. We will be reading our e-mail but will not be able to deal with any other Club business while we are away. The Committee met on 27 January for a six hour meeting attended by all members except G3WGV (with D68C), plus G3RXP (President) and G3VTT for an item about Lords. Electronic submissions for awards using Excel were now being easily read and the system is working well, but the wording of the format for the Marathon logs needs some clarification. Almost all subscriptions have now been paid and the new credit card arrangement is working very well indeed, although not all members follow the guidelines. 4578 had been paid into the club account and GW3KDB will have the Draft Accounts ready for consideration at the next meeting. The subscription rates will be added to the reminder note in the News Sheet at the end of the year. It was decided to postpone publication of the 2001 Call Book until the July News Sheet to enable the situation with subscription non-payers to be resolved and the Internet pages to be updated. It had been decided at the meeting in September 2000 that the Millennium Award would not be repeated in 2001 and that options would be left open for 2002. A request had been received to repeat the event in 2001 but this could not be dealt with until this meeting. There had also been concerns expressed about the point chasing culture surrounding the Award. Entries had

EDITORIAL by G4BUE

COMMITTEE REPORT by G3PDL

been received by G3KTZ and a list of comments had been compiled from them which showed approximately 80% were favourable, but there were few requests for a repetition of it in 2001. It was agreed not to repeat the Award in 2001 and to review it later in the year for 2002. A lengthy discussion about the Review of the Sponsoring System was held, much of which centred on the advantages and disadvantages of widening the existing criteria used for sponsoring. Opinions in Committee are as diverse as those among members generally, and it was thought that the only way to resolve the issue is to ask for opinions and comments by sending a Questionnaire to all members. This proved to be a very useful exercise when last carried out by G3SXW in 1986, who will base a new draft Questionnaire on that one for consideration at the next meeting. G3VTT presented costings for the 2001 Annual Dinner at Lords. The room hire charge and the meal price had increased from last year making the raffle an even more important way of assisting with costs. The ticket price was fixed at 32. There are now 474 paid up members in the Club, nine associate members and two temporary associate members. A review showed there had been 153 nominations from 98 members in 2000, compared with 172 nominations from 108 members during 1999. The latest number issued was 1745 to OK1RP and an invitation had been sent to G4BWP Objections to three nomi. nees were discussed at considerable length, one was upheld and two were overruled. The debate highlighted the difficulties which the Committee has in dealing with objections and ideas for a better system were discussed and considered. It was decided to trial a new system after the detail has been further considered and agreed at the next meeting. It was decided that e-mail communications between Committee members can be used to progress some items but that policy decisions will only be made at a Committee meeting. It was also agreed that all communications from members to Committee members about Committee business will be circulated to the rest of the Committee by e-mail. The Committee considered complaints from some members over the way the Club e-mail address List had been used to set up a new Discussion Group (CW Ops) but decided not to take any action other than to remind members in the next Call Book that the use of the List is restricted to private communication between members and not for blanket type messaging. It is was agreed for FOC to take a major role in the distribution of QRP CW kits to places in the world which would benefit from them as a means of promoting the use of CW. The kits are being provided by the Northern Californian QRP Club (NORCAL) and have been distributed by G-QRP Club so far, but FOC can make

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION by G3MXJ

Starred List
3. DK4AN: DJ5ZN, DL4CF, DL7AKC, KL7HF, W1HMD, DK8IT, G3MCK, SV1AOW. 3. K4WJ: K4EFZ, K2UFT, YV1NX, W1HMD, F5VEX, GW3HCL. 2. VE3HX: VA3LK, K5DQ, N6NT, G4OEC, G3LZK, ZL1MH, G2FFO, G3NKS. 1. G3ZGC: G3RVM, GORH, K4AO, G3LIK, W8XM, G3LWI, SV1AOW. 1. VE3VA: DK8IT, K4AO, G3LZK, G3IEW, VA3LK. 1. K4UEE: W4ZYT, W1RAN, N1DG, 9V1YC, G4ZDB. 5. K6LQA: K6TS, K1AJ, W4LZ, W1RAN, G3IEW. 5. VE3OU: K2UFT, K4AO, W2MEL, KT5X, VE3BHZ. 5. W6JD: W6CYX. 4. K3TF: N2UU, W1OT, K5CA, G4ZDB. 3. KP3R: KP4L, KP4P . 3. LU6EF: K4EWG, K4BAI, W6IJ. 3. G3ORH: K4EWG. 3. OZ7UW: K4EWG 3. K2KQ: W1WEF. 3. OE3GSA: ZS6AL, ZS6QU. 2. KVA: W2DX, K4AO. 2. AA4Z: G3LZK, G3LIK, N4OO. 2. KZ5D: W5ZR. 2. G5LP: G4XRV, GKDZ. 1. ZS1WA: G3LIK. 1. G4VHH: G3LPN. 1. LY2PX: SV1AOW. 1. N6XI: W6CYX. 1. K7SS: N6NT.

Additional Nominations

An invitation will be sent to VK4EMM.

Amendments

G3OHP (A917): resigned. PR7PO ( 1294): new address - Av Severino Brandao 463, Araticum, Lagoa Seca, Paraiba 5811 7000, Brazil. VE7CC (1544): add xyl - Melissa, VA7MI. ZS6AL (658): new address - PostNet 128, Private Bag X15, Somerset West 7129, Republic of South Africa. a real impact as a partner in the scheme. G3SXW will co-ordinate the project and the distribution of kits and will prepare an article for the next FOCUS about it (page 31 of FOCUS 46). It was agreed that the Special Donations fund could be used to support this initiative. The next meeting will be on 21 April. Further to the details published on page 2 of last months News Sheet about the 18th annual West Coast FOC Dinner on 20 April in Visalia California, I now have to add the following. This year I have decided not to solicit prizes from businesses and organisations, but to ask those members who desire to do so to bring some thing that they wish to have given away, or to make a small cash donation (donors will be anonymous) to help pay for the grand prize. Please note that gifts or donations are entirely optional!

2001 WEST COAST DINNER by K2VCO

The 29th North American Weekend, the first of the Millennium, will be held 11-13 May 2001. The venue, as in recent years, will be the DoubleTree Hotel, Tysons Corner, Falls Church, Virginia. As past attendees know, this location is ideal, offering an abundance of upscale shopping as well as entertainment in theatre, art, and music. The hotel is only about 10 miles from the White House, the US Capitol, all the historic monuments, as well as the Smithsonian Institutions many museums. With a new US President in Washington, there is lots of excitement in the area! The North American weekend is always a great opportunity to see old friends, renew acquaintances, and chat into the late night hours Friday and Saturday nights in the hospitality room. Friday night offers multiple group activities from pizza to the arts, or just getting together with a small group for a quiet dinner. Upon check-in at the hotel, ask for the North American FOC Activities Sheet (prepared by Jim, N3JT) which will provide details about some of your options for weekend enjoyment. There is truly something for everyone! Thanks to Bruce, K1AJ, dedicated operators will be able to be QRV from W3FOC in the hotel. Of course, the weekend climaxes on Saturday evening with the wonderful dinner - always a culinary delight! A very special thanks to Fred, K3ZO, and Frank, W3LPL, who have again graciously opened their homes for gatherings on Sunday - yet more opportunities for food and conversation. Anyone wanting more information on the Washington, DC area via the Internet, the following URL may serve as your gateway <http:/ /www.house.gov/house/tour_dc.html>. The DoubleTree Hotels North American FOC group rate, valid from Thursday through Sunday, is $139 per night for single occupancy and $149 per night for double occupancy. It is always best to arrange hotel reservations well in advance, so why not call the hotel at (800) 222-8733, toll free in the USA, or you may dial (703) 893-1340. The hotel fax number is (703) 749-8528. The cost of the Saturday evening banquet will be $65 per person. US members and invited guests are requested to submit payment to Bob, N2UU, in advance of the weekend. Non-US attendees may pay Bob upon arrival. Everyone planning to attend the dinner must notify N2UU (e-mail to <bweiman@wwfpaper.com> or via other means) at least one week prior to the event, as a dinner count must be provided to the hotel banquet staff. This is the first North American Dinner of the new Millennium, and the organisers are expecting a great crowd! For more information, please contact N2UU, N3JT, or myself.

29TH NORTH AMERICAN WEEKEND by W4CK

The Marathon logs have started coming in, but will the member who sent in a log with a score of 506 points from 374 QSOs, please tell me who they are? They did not include their callsign, name or give me any other clue as to who they are! The Millennium Award was announced on page 24 of FOCUS 40 and was intended as a one-off event for the year 2000 only. A number of letters and comments about the Award were received during 2000, including a request from one member for it to continue in 2001. The Committee, at their September meeting, decided not to repeat the event in 2001 due to the number of protesters, as well as those supporting the award. The protests centred around complaints of breakers chasing points with minimum length QSOs. The Committee decided to wait until the applications for the Award for 2000 had been received, and to consider members comments, before making a decision as to whether the Award should continue in 2002. The Committee were able to do this at their January 2001 meeting and after perusing the comments received with the applications, found about 7580% of these were favourable to the Award, but very few asked for its continuation in 2001 and, in fact, twice as many objected to it continuing. On balance, probably most members would have liked a repetition of the Award, but it was decided that it was too late to implement it officially for 2001, and the situation for 2002 will be reviewed later in the year. There will, of course, be a report in the next FOCUS (page 27 of FOCUS 46) when all of the entries have been fully analysed. I have completed adjudicating the 225 logs that I received for the 2000 Windle Award and show the top ten positions below
1 2 3 W8XM LZ1AF W1HMD W4QM 425 410 402 402 5 6 7 K4LTA G4BUE W6CYX GM3POI 400 391 387 380 8 5B4AGC 376 G3LIK 376 10 EA8CN 374

MARATHON LOGS by G3LIK

THE MILLENNIUM AWARD by G3PDL

2000 WINDLE AWARD by GW3KGV

Congratulations to Dick, W8XM, for taking the top position, with the commendable score of 425 points. George, 5B4AGC; Andy, EA8CN; Fergus, YV1NX, and Russ, VK4XA, are also to be congratulated once again for winning their respective continental plaques, and again Bob, W6CYX, has the highest score from the North American West Coast. This year LZ1AF, wins in Europe, congratulations Dimiter, and Chris, G4BUE, had the top UK score. The full results and report will be published on page 18 of the next FOCUS.

DJ6SI: Baldur was QRV 2/9 February (including the Marathon) as CU8/DJ6SI. DJ8FW: Ben injured his leg in a nasty road accident in December and after a spell in hospital is now home learning to walk with the aid of sticks. He plans to be QRV 2/16 April as CT3AS, 10-40m on CW, RTTY and PSK31. F3AT: Ivan has worked D68C on nine bands and says he is proud of that because I have very bad reception on 160 metres. Fortunately with two 250Hz filters and a good notch on my FT1000MP I have been able to hear them for a , few minutes and make a QSO. G2HKU: Congratulations to Ted on working D68C on four bands with 5W QRP from his IC7215, They must have good ears, he says. Our good wishes to Stella, who fell on her leg with the plates in during the Marathon, for a quick recovery. G3YXX: Congratulations to 12 year old Rachel, Davids daughter, who is now 2E1IAV and now working on her CW. David was due to be on holiday in EA8 during the second half of February and was planning to meet up with EA8CN and G4AFU, who is will also be in the vicinity on Holiday. I6BQI: Angelo has amended some of the dates for his Pacific trip. He will now be QRV 26/27 February as A35BQ, 27 February/13 March as ZK2BQI, 15/16 March as A35BQ again and 18 March/ 6 April from Vanuatu, possibly as YJBQI. His suggested QRGs are 1825, 3515, 7015, 10115, 14015, 18075, 21015, 24905, 28015 and 50115kHz. QSL via home call. JH1WIX: Older members will be saddened to hear that ex-member Taroh became a Silent Key on 29 January aged 93 years. He was first licensed in 1924 and was a member of FOC (1273) between 1975 and 1995 - thanks W9KNI. K1SS: Sid is taking it easy after having artery bypass surgery again (for the third time in seven months). He is now home from hospital and hopes to get back on the air soon. KF7E: Congratulations to Jim on being elected Vice-President of the Central Arizona DX Associations for 2001. KL7PJ: Chuck recently returned home from a week at a local hospital. Apparently, after his Marathon operation, his heart started acting up and he was admitted to the coronary unit in Anchorage. After a couple of treatments with the Electric Paddles his heart returned to normal. Chuck feels fine now - thanks KL7HF.

MEMBERS NEWS by G4BUE

(callsign in brackets indicate G4FOC operator)

FOC CALENDAR

Until 20 May

JW3FL from Hopen Island (EU-063) by LA3FL (616) February - 80m & 15m (G3RXP) 26/27 A35BQ by I6BQI (617) 26/9 Apr W4/G4BUE (616) 27/6 Mar PJ8/W1HL (616) 27/13 Mar ZK2BQI by I6BQI (617) March - 40m & 20m (GW3KGV) 15/16 A35BQ by I6BQI (617) 18/6 Apr YJBQI by I6BQI (617) April - 30m & 17m (G3PDL) 2/16 CT3AS by DJ8BW (617) 9 Deadline for April N/Sheet 20 West Coast Dinner at Visalia (616) 21 Committee meeting N3BB: Jim thanks members for their QSOs during the ARRL DX CW Contest. He made QSOs with 31 UK and 18 DX members and says, While these are contest Windles, and therefore very quick QSOs, I did try to send the name to every member who called me. There were many hi Jim comments back to me when I called a member running Ws. Jim added, Out of all the great signals from Europe, I recall the GIVZ 40 metre signal and the S5A 80 metre signal as incredible!. W3ABC: Hugh has been diagnosed as having congestive heart failure which prevented him being QRV for the Marathon, but he says things are looking up and Im back enjoying amateur radio. W9NN: This is an extract from the ARRL OnLine Letter: Bob Baird, W9NN, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, has been a radio amateur for 80 years and is one of the founding fathers of the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QWCA). He also turns 95 on February. Friends will gather for a dual-celebration luncheon 17 February at the Stage Coach Inn at Mosinee. Bob Bairds work in founding the QCWA took place about 1921. He is a member of Chapter 174. A QCWA plaque presentation is on the program. Baird was engineering supervisor at Chicagos WGN radio for 36 years. He also was the founder of the W9DXCC. He continues to be active on CW and possibly other modes - thanks K2VCO. ZS6AL: Vidi is to relocate to Somerset West, about 20 kilometres east of Cape Town at the end of February, and he and Hester-Ann will be changing to ZS1 calls in due course.

Score updates can be passed to G4BUE or any committee member. An asterisk against the call indicates the score has been updated this month. Table shows the scores received by 1040z 22 February 2001.
W8XM G3HSP LY3BA G4HZV* 176 172 138 113 VA3UZ* G3NKS* F3AT* G2FFO* 111 105 102 101 G4BUE* 101 F5VEX 83 DJ5ZN 79 N3BB* 77 G4BJM G3SXW* GW3SYL* G2HKU* 71 56 55 52 G3MCK N2KW G3IY 52 51 50 G4XRV* GW3SB* W4IF* 39 37 35 W1HT* G8VG K4II 32 31 31 W4ZYT ZP6CW K2ZR* 25 17 12

THE 2001 WINDLE AWARD