THE FIRST CLASS C.W.

OPERATORS CLUB

NEWS SHEET 621

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

Editor: G4BUE

July 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 JULY ARE 40 & 12 METRES

THE 2001 LORDS ANNUAL DINNER

Saturday 6 October 2001 See April News Sheet for full information
Tickets 32 each from Maud Slater, Wychwood, Park Lane, Maplehurst, West Sussex. Telephone 01403 891342.
You should receive your 2001 Call Book and FOCUS 47 with this News Sheet. Please check your entry in the Call Book and let G3MXJ or myself know if it is not correct. Several responses have been received to G3SXWs last Topical Comments column in the June News Sheet, including a letter to the Committee from K8JP Roger and I intend incorpo. rating the comments into article(s) for future News Sheets but Joes letter is published here as it gives an opposing view to Rogers and may invoke more comment from members. I read with great interest, but with confusion, Rogers Topical Issues in the June News Sheet 620. I have read and reread my FOC Call Book. I have read my 60 Years of FOC and, as well, I have read all of the available News Sheets that are posted to the Web. Thank you Rene. The rules are clear. The objectives of the rules are clear. How come I am confused? My history with the FOC is not so short. Yes, I am a new member, but I have known and have been friends with many of the members for a good number of years. I have admired the Club because of its membership, the cream of the crop CW operators. A few years ago, I thought I wanted to be a member. But why did I want to be a member then? It was for the status symbol. Wrong Reason! A year or so ago, I revisited the thought of being a member. My operating habits and attitudes had changed. I went to the FOC Web page. I listened to the members chat among themselves and to other nonmembers. Yes, this is a club that I would like to be associated with. Among these members are noted DXers and contesters. The members I most looked up to were, besides being great CW operators, were balanced in their activities. They were active on the air in not just one arena. They are, in my mind, what I strive to be. Now, back to my confusion. The rules, as they are written, I believe, promotes these balanced type of good CW operators, that are active, to be our members. There are a couple of areas that we must be falling short in to have so many objections. First off, a sponsor should be sure that a candidate fits the criteria per the rules before submitting his name. That is by our written rules, not what he or she thinks the rules should be. Then, I believe, the sponsor(s) should guide the candidate through the process with advice, updates on their progress and encouragement. This happened with me and I am very grateful to my sponsors. Most of all, inform your candidate that normal activity is required and what normal activity is, according to our rules. Now comes the rules question . If, as a Club, we are in disagreement with the rules, we need to improve the rules. Note, I said, Improve, not change, if that is what is causing the problem. Or, is it? It is good to nominate someone that is not active in the normal operating scheme of activities. An objection that is upheld is a source of resentment against our great Club. Some members interpret the Windle rules that would exclude a contest QSO with a member (besides the Marathon). For some members, a contest QSO is their normal QSO type. I have to say that I disagree with Roger, that rag-chewing is on the decline. I believe it is on the increase. What I believe clouds the issue is

EDITORIAL BY G4BUE

LETTER TO THE COMMITTEE by K8JP

that the 5NN TU QSOs are, maybe, on a more rapid increase. In my effort, I try to encourage more of the rag-chewing type QSOs on CW. I have been on both ends of the pile up and know the 5NN TU routine well. From V3, the pileups never seem to end. Even from there, I often try to strike up a conversation. I, also, know there seems to be many who need the QSO and QSL card for awards. I, in turn, do my fair share of Wham, bang, thank you Mum QSOs. I love to contest. It gives me great pleasure when the station performs well. It is a great reward for all the sweat and dollars I have spent putting it together. Likewise, the new DXCC entity I work is another reward for those efforts. Yes, I put forth a large effort to have a big signal. How nice it is to rag-chew with a station that is easy to copy and who finds I am easy to copy. I hope I am easy to copy, strength and quality wise. I agree that just rag-chewing amongst ourselves will not serve the aim of the Club to promote CW, but you would start to believe that some members seem to avoid fellow members. I know that some members have expressed a dissenting opinion about contests. What I am reading is, they are discouraging that we bring in the contest only or contest mainly type of operators. We have many now. Not that they are against contesters, but they are looking for balanced operators. Number hunting goes along this same vane. I know that most of my Windle point QSOs include a chat. There have been a few that were quick because one or both of us were pressed for time or poor conditions descended upon us. A few were in contests, as that is the normal operating for some of our members. These were the exception, not the norm. I know I missed a few Windle points because the member I wanted to say hello to was busy and then had to QRT or I had to leave. There is always tomorrow. If not, it is because I died and then what difference does it make? I will not be rude and break in for a Windle point. There are many CW clubs. FISTS is a good example of a club that encourages CW activity with a large number of operators, some of it by number chasing. But there is activity. I would think, that as a Club, we would encourage these, and other efforts, to increase CW activity. We should lead by example. Is CW contesting all bad? Is number chasing all bad? Is DXing all bad? Ah, is rag-chewing all bad? I believe the answer to all these questions is no! At least I hope not because I participate in all these activities. For example, the number chasing seems to get folks on the air. What you do with the QSO after that is what makes the difference. Before we can fix the problem, we need to identify what the problem really is. Are the rules wrong or outdated? Are they in need of a clarification rewrite? Are our sponsoring methods poor? Do we need to elaborate on sponsoring and give more details to a prospective candidate? I, for one, believe we should give candi-

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION by G3MXJ

Starred List
3. G5LP: G4XRV, GKDZ, G3LIK, G4BJM, G3JUL, SV1AOW, W4QM, K9QVB, G3VMW, VE1BN, K4EWG. 3. G4VHH: G3LPN, G8VG, G3HSP G4BJM, GADE, GBQV, , W4QM, K9QVB. 1. KZ5D: W5ZR. GKDZ, K6TS, K5AX, W8XM, K5CA, G4HZV, G4AFU, SV1AOW. 1. LU6EF: K4EWG, K4BAI, W6IJ, G3SXW, PAVDV, PR7PO, ON4RU. 1. K5RC: W4AN, W4QM, W5GEL, G3RTE, N3BB, G4BUE.

Additional Nominations

An objection to K4UEE is under consideration by the Committee. Invitations will be sent to K6LQA, K3TF and AA4Z

6. KVA: W2DX, K4AO. 5. ZS1WA: G3LIK, ZS1EL, ZS6QU. 5. LY2PX: SV1AOW, LZ1AF, W2DX, I7ALE. 5. N6XI: W6CYX, N6NT, LZ1AF. 5. K7SS: N6NT, W1WEF. 3. W8PBO: G4HZV, W6OV, W1OT, W5ZR, N6NT, K5XK, VA3LK, VE1BN, N3BB, K2VCO. 2. I3KAN: K6TS. 2. DL8LBK: DL4CF, W1HMD, N4TY, DJ5ZN. 2. N6FB: G3IEW, W5ZR, LZ1AF, W1WEF. 1. N4XP: OK1GT. 1. G4PPG: G3HSP .

New Members

1751 VE3HX (Alan): A. Goodacre, 1286 Woodside Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2C 2G9, Canada; XYL - Lise; tel - 613 224 8728; e-mail <ve3hx@home.com>. 1752 G3ZGC (Richard): R. T. Jolliffe, 54 Glendale Avenue, Wash Common, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 6RU; XYL - Valerie; tel - 01635 46241; e-mail - <g3zgc@aol.com>. 1753 VE3VA (Jeff): J. K. Knight, 28 Cedar Springs Drive, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4S 2B1, Canada; XYL - Jean; tel - 905 884 3299; e-mail - <ve3va@idirect.ca>.

Amendments

G3AJP (1502): resigned (ill health).

G3GFG (1040): Delete - subscription not received and no reply to correspondence.

GM3PFQ (873): Silent Key. G4GLL (1440): Silent Key. G8GP (A597): delete - subscription not received and no reply to correspondence. F/GCMM ( 1511): new address - Chez Bell, Le Magnou, 86700 Romagne, La Vienee, France; new callsign - F5VHC. N3JT (1067): new address - 6017 Woodley Road, McLean, VA 22101-3345, USA. K4OJ ( 1222): new address - 3527 King George Way, Seffner, FL 33584, USA; tel - 813 654 9777. dates a current set of our rules. That way they will know that the member they are working maybe a yearling member and cannot sponsor anyone in their first year. Is this a problem area? Are our attitudes in poor shape? Are we intolerant of others proper but different activi-

ties? What operating trends are proper for the growth of CW, ie 5NN TU, the rag-chew, award chasing? I would think that CW rag-chewing is the main stay, but using the other activities to increase the rag-chew type of activities may be the means to a good end. I know if I am not in a contest, I still try to pass out points if I can to members that are in the contest. Let us first decide the problem(s). Once properly identified, we then need to decide the proper solution(s). Quite frankly, I would guess that the recent objections were valid. The fault may lay at the hands of the sponsors. Remember that the current rules apply. I do not believe the fault lays beyond that now. The increase in objections recently may be from the disregard toward our current rules. The differing views have not been put on the table to be voted on. This appears to be another problem. It appears it is time for the proposed survey. Then, as I see the FOCs position in the scheme of things, we need to lead by good example. I dont mean to offend anyone, just to maybe present a newcomers view. I wanted to do this before I developed a jaded view after a long (I hope) membership in the Club. Maybe this view will help determine the problem(s) and develop a solution(s). A point of maybe some interest, I have accumulated 280 plus Windle points and, using the Y2K criteria, accumulated 1774 points to this date (22 June). Also, I enjoyed the nomination process. It was great fun meeting members and I have developed a large number of friendships through it. It, also, further developed my patience. That is good. You need great patience driving through Mexico to Belize! I have recently heard that Monica and Peter, VK2BPN, will be attending Lords this year (in addition to N4AR, N4TO, W6RGG and possibly K2VCO - G4BUE). I think it is the prospect of meeting our far flung overseas members, like Peter, that makes our October gathering so important. Overseas members can book tickets by sending me an e-mail to <g3vtt@aol.com> and I will ensure that Maud, who is again handling the tickets, includes you in the guest list. Planning for the Dinner continues and I am now asking if members are able to donate an item for our raffle, as it provides a large part of the funding for the Dinner. I have yet to receive any comments from members about changes they would like to see to the day activities, so these will continue along the lines of previous years with the suite open from 9.30am and all facilities laid on in the time honoured fashion. Coffee and tea will be provided and members not staying for the Dinner in the evening are kindly requested to pay 5 to defray costs.

The menu will consist of roasted tomato soup, roasted shank of lamb with vegetables concluding with lemon tart, coffee and mints. Our sincere thanks go to Pete, G3PDL, who very kindly printed the tickets for this year and the menu covers at short notice. Dont forget that the Dinner is the major event in the Club calendar with the presentation of awards and the installation of the new President. How about you coming along this year? DJ6SI: Baldur was QRV in June as T5X from Somalia. He and Christa will be on holiday 6/ 20 July in Florida (Cape Coral 941-540-2651 and at the Hotel Golden Tulip Casablanca, Miami Beach). EA8CN: Andy is in Gavle, Sweden for the summer and QRV as SM3/EA8CN. F/GCMM: John now has a permanent French callsign of F5VHC and a new QTH in France. F5NZY: Steph writes, G4VXE and myself have a DSL connection at home and this morning (23 June) we found each other on the GB7DJK DX Cluster and found that we can connect through Telnet. Then we tried MSN Messenger and had a voice QSO! It was very friendly and we exchanged URLs, pictures and other information and invite other members to join us. It is absolutely free and Messenger is very fast and easy to install from <http://messenger.msn.com/ download/download2.asp>. Then you add contacts by Hotmail address, Tims is <tim_h_kirby@hotmail.com> and mine is <stephanecollas@hotmail.com>. Tim adds, It is probably also an aid to activity. As well as the voice chat that Steph mentions, we were able to try some different bands and frequencies, on air, which was interesting. G3JZV: Mort will be on holiday in SV8 in September and asks if anyone can loan him a lightweight rig so he can be QRV as SV8/G3JZV . G3LIK: Mick will be QRV 4/30 August as GB2FOS for the Festival of the Sea being held in Portsmouth on 24/27 August. G3MRC: Joe has been QRV as C93MR from Beira Province and in July will be QRV from Capo del Gado and Niassa Provinces in the north as C97MR and from Nampula Province as C96MR. He will also be QRV from time to time as C91MR from Maputo, the capital city. He is using a TS-50 and a SCS PTC-II modem for PSK31, RTTY and Pactor - thanks Daily DX. G3RWL: Richard made 625 QSOs 11/15 May from ZB2, including some on 6 metres for the first time, but none with the USA as he was on the opposite side of the rock from the USA. He uses a DX70 and asks if anyone has any mods for it to improve the receiver when on the hot end of a pile-up? G3VTT: Hilary and Colin spent their summer half term on a trip through Belgium and Holland staying with ON4SK and PABW and fin-

MEMBERS NEWS by G4BUE

LORDS UPDATE by G3VTT

ishing at their apartment in Domburg. They are returning for a week in mid-August when Colin will be QRV as PA/G3VTT with the DX70 and a short wire around the gutter. G4GLL: Geoff sadly became a Silent Key at 5pm 2 June after an illness. The funeral was on 8 June at Shipley, West Yorkshire - thanks G3IGW & G4YNU. G8VG: Referring to his Importing Equipment article in News Sheet 620, Pete says the Customs & Excise have now refunded his import duty that he paid when he imported the K2 kit. GM3PFQ: John sadly became a Silent Key on 20 June after a short illness. The funeral took place on 25 June - thanks GM3HUN. GM3POI: Clive was QRV as GM4FOC/P and Dennis as GM3MXJ/P during the European Field Day weekend (2/3 June) from Clives Orkney Island QTH. GW3KGV: Ken reports an attendance of 47 at the first Con-Din to be held in LX land. K2LE: Andy says his Vermont contest station will be QRV as NU1AW (IARU HQ station) in the IARU HF Championship on 14/15 July using three stations and with K2SX and W1RM helping Andy do the operating. K2UFT: Dick met OK1KT at a Southeastern DX Club meeting in Atlanta while Vrata was on his way to Dayton. K4XU: Dick is due to give a presentation on kilowatt linear amplifier design at the Friedrichshafen Hamfest on 29 June. K5DQ: Peggy reports the 2002 Galveston Gathering will be held on 12/13 January. K5MA: Congratulations to Jan on his appointment to the ARRL Headquarters staff to supervise the Book team - thanks K5XK. K8MFO: Don reports the Internet URL for the Desoto cup (The DXCC Challenge in News Sheet 620) is <http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/listings/desoto-cup.html>. It contains a full list of the competition and Don says there are FOC members interspersed throughout it. K9WA: Congratulations to Jim on his retirement on 1 June after 36 years with the same company. He enjoyed meeting members at the Dayton Breakfast. VE1BN: Dons trip to W1 land was delayed and he and Maxine planned to leave on 26 June. W1RM: Congratulations to Pete on a promotion

(callsign in brackets indicate G4FOC operator)

FOC CALENDAR

July - 40m & 12m (G4BUE) W1/VE1BN (620/621) 14/15 K2LE, K2SX & W1RM as NU1AW (621) 15 Committee meeting 19/26 HR1/W4CK (619) 29 Deadline August N/Sheet August - 30m & 10m (G3SXW) PA/G3VTT (621) 4/30 GB2FOS by G3LIK (621) 20 Deadline FOCUS 48 29 Deadline September N/Sheet at work in October. He has a new FT1000MP Mk V and says What operating Ive done shows the rig to be a great one. Im very pleased with it. W1WEF: Jack says, Most of my operating these days between contests is mobile and it is great company. I have been doing mobile CW now for about 20 years I have just arrived home after a three hour trip and had a great QSO with W4QM among others. It makes the trip go faster. W3NZ: Fritz writes, FOC activities have come to a new low during my entire membership. Am I too concerned? I am very sorry that I sponsored *****. Before he was a member he was very QRV He called me many times and he could . also QSY to any band I asked him to go to. Since he became a member, I have not heard him once! If he wants to play games, he does not belong. We need active members. To offset this disappointment, last evening I worked a member who thanked me profusely for sponsoring him a few years ago. He is still active and enjoys the Club. What an uplifting QSO we had!. W4LZ: Kathy and Mike enjoyed a mini FOC lunch with Greet and Teun, PA5TT, on 19 May when they met their cruise ship in Zeebrugge, Belgium and drove them to a small village called Retranchment in the Netherlands for lunch at La Parleviker restaurant. Afterwards they toured the old city of Brugge. Mike says, It was a real pleasure to meet them both and a good time was had by all. W5ZR: Bert has added a four element quad for 17 metres to his antenna farm and says It is amazing how much better I hear now!.

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 0900z 29 June 2001.
W8XM* 331 YV1NX 267 W4QM* 250 W5ZR* 229 SV1AOW* 218 G3KTZ* 217 K9QVB 199 LY3BA 195 G3MXJ 180 F5VEX* 178 G4BUE* W3NZ* W1HMD G4BJM G4HZV DL6TQ W6OV* W6TZD* G2FFO* KT4P 171 169 168 164 163 150 150 147 143 140 G3NKS VE1BN* K2VCO W6TZD W1WEF* G2HKU* PA5TT* N3BB* G3IEW 133 219 122 122 120 116 116 115 114 DJ5ZN WCGR K5DQ* W3MC G3JJG G3IY F3AT G3HEJ* G3KKQ 112 112 110 110 109 106 102 102 102 SM5COP* K6TS* G3MCK G3LHJ* W9GW ZL1AH PABW* W2DX 4X1FC 99 96 89 88 88 78 77 76 75 W4YE G4XRV* K4II WIAK G8VG GW3SB* G3JZV* W4CK* W6IJ* 75 74 72 71 68 67 65 64 63 W5GEL W8VSK OZ4FF KC7V VK8AV W6THN W6RGG* G4PKD* W4ZYT 61 57 56 55 55 55 54 53 52 N2KW ZP6CW* W1HT W1FZY W4IF K2UFT* W2MEL* OH2EA K6OU 51 50 48 44 35 26 26 13 12

THE 2001 WINDLE AWARD