THE FIRST CLASS C.W.

OPERATORS CLUB

NEWS SHEET 630

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

Editor: G4BUE

April 2002

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 APRIL ARE 30 & 17 METRES

This News Sheet is being published from the UK, slightly earlier than usual, as we fly back to Florida on 26 March. We arrived in the UK on 9 March as June had a hospital appointment in London on the 12th. The May News Sheet will be published from Florida so please send any snail mail to our Florida Address (see W4/ G4BUE) in the Call Book. We return to the UK for the summer on 22 May and so the June News Sheet will be published from here as usual. FOCUS 50 and the 2002 Call Book are being mailed with this News Sheet. Please check your Call Book entry and let G3MXJ or me know of any corrections or changes to be made to it. I hope all the DXers amongst you managed to make at least one QSO with the Ducie Island DXpedition, VP6DI, and if you were really lucky, like me, a QSO with K5VT for our WAFOCC Award. Whenever I heard Vince operating, he was doing a super job and making himself known to members he worked. With reference to the first paragraph of the programme for the Con-Din on page 6 of FOCUS 50, I have now changed the time for early arrivers to meet at my QTH to 5pm (it was 7pm). DE N3JT: Since W4CK wrote about the room rate of $89 per night at the Double Tree Hotel in the March News Sheet , I have managed to negotiate a reduction in the rate. It is now $74 per night and came as a result of further discussions with the hotel management based on the current tourist industry slump. The new rate of $74 per night is a real bargain for the DC area! DE W1RM: It is early days but so far the following folks are (or have been heard to say) they will be attending: 5B4AGC, GUHK, G3KTZ, G3WGV, G4TSH, K1JD, Connie and KZ5D, NSS and his XYL, N2UU, Nina and N3JT, W1RM and WB1ADL, Laura and W4CK, Jo Ann and W5ZR, and WK2G. How about you?

EDITORIAL by G4BUE

DE K2VUI: At the request of numerous members, I am arranging another visit to the musical satire group The Capitol Steps for the Friday evening. This is an extremely funny and entertaining group and their material is always very current. They perform in downtown Washington at 7.30pm and, unlike prior years, there is no dinner served. Tickets for the performance are $31.50 each and I ask that anyone interested please contact me immediately so that I can make arrangements and obtain the tickets. Members can pay me for their tickets that evening. The show should conclude by 9pm so there will be sufficient time to visit the FOC Hospitality Suite upon return to the hotel. The best way to reach me is by e-mail <K2VUI@ aol.com> or at home telephone (860) 974 9801.

THE 2002 CON-DIN by DJ2BW

30TH NORTH AMERICAN WEEKEND

The ARRLs Logbook of the World (LOTW) electronic contact-verification programme will spark a culture change when it is introduced later this year, predicts Project Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG. Once LOTW is operational, participants will be able to qualify for awards such as DXCC or WAS without having to first secure verification in the form of hard-copy QSL cards. But Mills, who heads the ARRLs Membership Services Department, is quick to add that LOTW will complement the conventional exchange of QSL cards, not replace it. We will not do away with accepting QSL cards in the traditional manner, Mills says. Were not replacing the whole paper QSL scheme with Logbook of the World. Neither will Logbook of the World provide a means to get QSLs, electronic or otherwise, although Mills believes LOTW could incorporate such a feature or work in cooperation with other organisations to provide cards sometime in the future. This is really a system to offer credits for awards, and not just our awards, Mills explained. He hopes to enlist the participation of

(From the ARRL Website 7 March 2002)

LOGBOOK OF THE WORLD WILL COMPENSATE QSL TRADITION

other organisations that grant operating awards, such as CQ and the RSGB. Central to the LOTW concept is a huge repository of constantly updated log data provided by individual DXers, contesters and DXpeditions and maintained by the ARRL. Once it is up and running, Logbook of the World will be able to provide quick contact credit. Mills adds that the system will be open to all, ARRL members and nonmembers, and will benefit operators at all participation levels. Registering and uploading electronic log data to LOTW will be free. The only time users will incur charges is when they wish to apply contact credits toward a particular award programme, such as DXCC, WAS or VUCC. Software development for Logbook of the World continues. Were well into the software implementation phase for the logbook server, said ARRL Web/Software Development Department Manager Jon Bloom, KE3Z. Hardware has been ordered, and initial testing is under way. Bloom said he expects to begin full system testing this spring. What we have spent most of our development time on up till now has been the security systems, the security certificates and the like, Bloom said. The security part is the linchpin of the system. Both Bloom and Mills emphasise that every effort will be made to ensure the integrity of the log data that reside in Logbook of the World. Registrants will have to positively identify themselves via off-line, hard-copy means before being issued a secure, and free, digital signature and granted password access. On a practical level, once they are registered issued digital certificates, those electing to take part in LOTW would routinely upload their electronic log files, either as Amateur Data Interchange Format (ADIF) or Cabrillo files. The ARRL will provide free software to handle ADIF or Cabrillo uploads; it is also working with logging software developers to include this capability. In simple terms, the Logbook system then would determine if its database contained any contact matches with the log data submitted. If so, a user then could apply any credits generated to particular awards at a per-credit fee that is not yet been determined . Mills said the cost would be in line with the fees ARRL award participants now must pay. In situations where an operator disputes a failure to match, Mills said, the operators involved would have to resolve the situation offline. If there is not a match, you will have to deal directly with the operator, Mills said. Operators will continue to be responsible for dealing with QSOs that dont show up in the other stations log. At least in its initial stages, LOTW will accept only relatively recent contact data from participants, primarily for reasons of traffic control, Bloom said. Eventually, participants might be

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION by G3MXJ

Starred List
3. GOPB (Tony): G4VXE, G3RVM, DL7AKC, G3SED, GORH, G3RVM, G3LIK, VE3DZZ, W4QM, W5ZR, K2VCO, K9WA, G4PKD, GCHV, SV1AOW. 3. G3PJT (Bob): 5B4AGC, G3WGV, ZL1AH, G3SXW, GM3YTS. 2. 4Z4KX (Mark): 4X4NJ, LZ1AF, G3UOF, N3JT, S5A, DL4CF, OK1RR, OH2KI, G3XSN, 4X1FC. 2. G3MBN (Brian): ZP6CW, G3XNG, K6TS, G4OEC, VA3LK, ZL1MH, W4LZ, WCGR, G3MCK, SV1AOW. 2. NSS (Tom): KT5X, K1JD, K2VCO, G3ZYV, W4QM, N3JT, G4CEO, G3XAQ, GM3JKS. 2. ZL2TX (Nigel): G3LCS, G3CWW, G3SXW, F3OA, ZL1MH, GM3YTS, KC7V. 1. G4OHX (Sam): VP2MT, G3CWW, W1HMD, VK6WT, SV1AOW. 1. HS/G3NOM (Ray): F5VHC, G4UZN, G3IGW, G3SED, VK2BJ, 5B4AGN.

Additional Nominations

Invitations will be sent to N4XP G3ZRJ and , KF3B.

6. N5AW (Marv): ZP6CW, K5NA. 4. G3HJF (Jim): GM3JKS, G3MCK. 3. LA2TD (Odd): LA1IE. 3. SM7EH (Goesta): SM7BVO. 3. K4OGG (Jay): K4BAI, W4AN, K4EWG, K4LTA. 3. WK2G (Merill): VE3DZZ, K5DQ, W4AN, G3XNG. 3. LX1DA (Andre) : OK1RR, SM3BCS. 2. TL8DV (David): W5ZR, WIAK, W3MC, G4OEC. 2. N1TO (Ed): N4JT. 2. WA2SON (Roy): K2ZR, GEBW. 2. W8FJ (John): N3RS. 2. SV1LV (Castor): SV1AOW. 1. G4TSH (Justin): G3WGV. 1. S53R (Robert): VK6VZ. 1. ON4WW (Mark): VK6VZ. 1. HS/OZ1HET (Finn): LA5HE.

1769 G4PPG (Jim) J. P OSullivan, 40 Sheldon . Avenue, Standish, Nr Wigan, Lancs WN6 0LW; XYL - Sylvia; tel - 01257 421442; e-mail <jim. g4ppg@virgin.net>. 1770 EI6FR (Declan) D. Craig, 167 St Jamess Road, Greenhills, Dublin 12, Ireland; XYL Sandra; tel - 1 4502014; e-mail <ei6fr@gofree. indigo.ie>. 1771 MCVR (Dan) P B. Gurney, 3 Church . Lane, East Meon, Nr Petersfield, Hants GU32 1NL; XYL - Val; tel - 01730 823197: e-mail <m0cvr@btopenworld.com>. 1772 W8LX (R ob) R. W. Peebles, 7711 Southwick Drive, Dublin, OH 43016; XYL Vickie; tel - 614 792 8106; e-mail <w8lx@arrl. net>. 1773 LY2PX (Willy) V Vaseikis, Paberzes 30. 37, 2010 Vilnius, Lithuania; XYL - Jurate; tel 2 465076; e-mail <ly2px@hotmail.com>. able to backfill the database with older contact data. Bloom and Mills believe that Logbook of the World will improve the integrity of the confirmation process. It will remove some of the human factors that lead to errors, Bloom said. And, Mills added, Logbook will minimise

New Members

opportunities to purposely game the system or to outright cheat, something that is not always possible to detect even with paper QSL submittals. As far as exchanging cards, and Mills recognises that many amateurs enjoy DXing primarily to collect QSLs for their wall, amateurs would still be able to solicit QSLs, even electronic cards, although these still may not be used to apply for ARRL awards. Spearheading software development along with Bloom is Web Applications Developer Mark Simcik, WA1VVB. Mills said that he hopes to be able to announce a specific inauguration date for Logbook of the World within a few months. As you will see from the enclosed copy of FOCUS 50 plans are now finalised for our 55th Annual London Dinner on Saturday 5 October 2002 at the Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich. Tickets are priced at 29:50p and are available from Maud Slater at Wychwood, Park Lane, Maplehurst, Horsham, West Sussex RH (telephone 01402 891342). We would like to thank Maud for once again offering to sell these tickets on behalf of the Club. All tickets ordered must be paid for and overseas members and guests can pay for their tickets on the day. The address of the venue is the Trafalgar Tavern, Park Row, Greenwich, London SE 10 and is next to the Greenwich Naval College, now part of the Greenwich University complex. The Club will have sole use of the Hawke and Howe bars and the Nelson Room for our main function during the day. Further details can be read in the accompanying FOCUS article. Negotiation with the management at the Tavern has allowed a drop in ticket price this year coupled with a variety of main course meals and we are now able to offer a choice. When ordering your tickets please indicate to Maud if you require lamb, salmon or a vegetarian dish for your main course. You will be allocated a white, pink or green ticket to indicate which meal you are to be served. It is also suggested that you use your ticket to indicate your preferred seating arrangements by writing your callsign on the reverse of the tickets in the traditional manner. Anybody not ordering a specific choice of meal will be allocated the meat dish. So far we have heard that Hanna and Riki, 4X4NJ; Margot and Herman, DJ2BW, and Ann and Hein, PABW, will be coming. Accommodation is relatively easy as the Ibis Hotel at Greenwich is a short walk away. Reservations can be made at 0208 305 1177, fax number 0208 858 7139, and e-mail <HO975@accor-hotels. com>. Prices range from 58 for a double room. More information on hotels and the events of the London weekend will be published in later New Sheets. Hopefully, again this year, many members will be offering accommodation to our overseas members.

Your Committee looks forward to greeting you at this new and exciting river side venue for the Annual London Dinner.

THE ANNUAL LONDON DINNER by G3VTT

AC5K: Wes has made some improvements to his bicycle mobile QRP CW set up and finally made a QSO across the pond with LY6A. He says, Not bad on 20 metres with just one watt off of a bicycle! I also ran the County on the CW County Hunters Net during the same outing. I had to laugh when they asked me what County I would be in next and I had to tell them I was on a bicycle!. DJ2BW: Margot and Herman will be attending the London Dinner at Greenwich in October. DJ8FW: Ben planned to be QRV 24 March/8 April as CT3AS if the antenna is still on the roof and the rig is working!. G2HKU: Congratulations to Ted on his recent QSO with TI9M taking him to 301 DXCC worked after 63 years on the air! He has also worked 160 DXCC with QRP (5 watts). Ted has been having trouble with the brightness of the digital read-out on his Ten-Tec Omni V and after speaking to Ten-Tec on the telephone, re-soldered all the joints back to the micro-processor and the P/C track of the VDU board and driver. He says, Sad to see the Omni line is now QRT. G3HCT: Jill and John will be in Botswana in April and John will be QRV as A25/G3HCT with an IC-706 on the WARC bands only. G3LZK: Barrys proposed QTH move is now off and he and Helen are staying in Twyning. He had taken his antennas down as the move was imminent! G4BJM: Fraser was QRV as GB5CC in the RSGB Commonwealth Contest and made 869 QSOs of which 190, nearly a quarter, were with FOC members! G4OEC: With reference to the Marathon, Mac writes, I wonder if a lot of members could read, noticing how many were operating from 020 to 030, when on the first page of the Marathon check sheet members were asked to keep clear of 025 due to DXpeditions. I sat on 035 calling CQ for about 20 minutes and managed five QSOs, yet moving down below this frequency it was throbbing. So I began wondering if members did bother to read instructions? Another point, was during a QSO with a member, who shall be nameless, I happened to say so much for a Band of the Month (where I had been calling for sometime on 80 metres with no response until called by this member). His comments were I didnt know there was a Band/s of the Month. Sorry Chris but sometimes the mind boggles!. What do others think about the Band of the Month concept (see the bottom

MEMBERS NEWS by G4BUE

part of the heading on the top of the front page of each News Sheet), should we continue it or drop it? G4UZN: Tony had to go into hospital unexpectedly and had to cancel his trip to Thailand. K4LQ: Congratulations to Fred on achieving DXCC on 6 metres. K5CA: Don had a defibrillator/pacemaker put in for his heart several weeks ago, but he is doing well now - thanks K5DQ. K8JP: Joe went QRT as V31JP at the beginning of March and returned home to Indiana. NNM: Jon, who is QRV as DU9/NNM, now has an Alpha 76 amplifier, thanks to generous donations of 160 metre operators. A pennant receive antenna and preamp have also been sent to Jon who has been QRV regularly on 160 metres recently - thanks Daily DX. N3JT: Jim now has his own Web site at <http://users.rcn.com/jtalens> and invites members to visit it. He writes, Having now joined the idle segment of our economy, I have had time to attend to certain tasks I did not have time to consider before. One of these was to create a Website featuring our new house and antenna system, plus a photograph of Nina. In adjusting Ninas photo for application to the Website, I experimented with a variety of features available in my digital camera software. I tried the 3D enhancement just to see what it did. Well, it caused Ninas hair to appear like a big space ship, taking up half the screen. It was hilarious, and I threatened to use it on the Website if she didnt fork over $.37. Hey, income is income. She refused. In a rare moment of lucidity, I figured if I did what I threatened Id have bigger problems than $.37. So the lesson learned is that I cannot blackmail Nina over photographs on my Website. I must find other ways to make money. N5TP: Pete was reporting back to his ship in Denmark for 90 days duty on 15 March. VP2MT: Ursula suffered a stroke in the middle of March and is in Fawcetter Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, Florida.. Denise and Chas, VA3CH, have regularly visited her and although she still has some way to go to make a full recovery, Chas says she has made

(callsign in brackets indicate G4FOC operator)

FOC CALENDAR

Until April Until April Until 8 April Until 1 May April

V31JP by K8JP (622) ZF2NT by N6NT (624) CT3AS by DJ8FW (630) NA-062 by K2ZR/4 (626/7)

A25/G3HCT (830) Until 29 ZF2NT by N6NT (624) 13/14 GB9MGY by G3YXX (627) 26 West Coast Dinner (629/FOCUS50) 27 Committee meeting 28 Deadline for May News Sheet May (G3LIK) 3/4 North American Weekend (FOCUS 50) 5 K3ZO and W3LPL Open Houses (FOCUS 50) 17/19 Dayton Hamvention 19 Dayton Breakfast? 30 Con-Din Early Arrivers at DJ2BW (630) 31 Con-Din Buffet (FOCUS 50) June 1 Con-Din (FOCUS 50) 28/30 Friedrichshafen (FOCUS 50) July 6 Harrogate Get-Together (FOCUS 50)

a good start. During a visit on 23 March, they discovered Ursula was due to fly to the UK over the week-end but were unable to find out any more details. Chas will post more information on the Internet Members Group when he knows it. W4CK: Mark says the newly formed club, Tennessee FOC, comprising K4LTA, K4XG, K8EJ, W4CK, and W4XJ now has the club callsign N4FOC. They acquired the call through the FCC Vanity Program for possible use in on-the-air events. Mark applied for the call on 30 October; however, when the anthrax problems hit the US mail system all vanity applications were put on-hold, but he recently checked the FCC Web site and found that N4FOC was granted on 6 March. W9IV: Mac is continuing to make a reasonable recovery after his spell in hospital. His son Bob writes, Our fingers remain crossed. I am sure he is not completely out of the woods yet, but at least he seems to be looking for the path! Judy is bearing up well, all things considered.

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 1300z 24 March 2002. Two scores are the total points and the number of different members worked.
W4QM* W5ZR SV1AOW* LZ1AF G4BUE* W6TZD* G3KTZ K6LQA* 455/296 293/226 290/203 255/186 222/181 222/159 198/176 186 EA6ACC* W4ZYT G3JZV* G4BJM* K5DQ* K4EF* G4HZV* VE3DZZ 165/139 146/92 145 143/125 143/116 140/118 138/120 122 G3ZGC 117 G3NKS 109/102 G5LP 102 WCGR* 100/81 KT4P 97 G4PKD 96 G8VG 83 K2VCO 82 KZ5D K4XU G3JJG G3MCK W4CK ZS1EL* G2HKU* N4TY 78/75 77 74 71/70 70 70 67 67 F3AT G3NOH G3KKQ GW3SB* OZ4FF* N4AF G3LCS* G3IY 65 65/63 63 63/62 61 56 55 54/42 W1HT* K5CA G3LHJ LA5HE KC7V K6WG OH2EA 54 51 47 42 37 29 10

THE 2002 BILL WINDLE CENTENARY AWARD