THE FIRST CLASS CW OPERATORS CLUB

NEWS SHEET 639

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

Editor: G4BUE

(g4bue@adur-press.co.uk)

January 2003

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

ACTIVITY DAYS FOR JANUARY: 4th (SAT), 15th (WED), 27th (MON)
June and I wish you and your families a happy and healthy New Year. Have you made your New Year resolutions yet? How about joining me in making one together? May I draw your attention to G3NOHs Awards News on page 22 of FOCUS 53 (being mailed with this News Sheet) where George says he has not issued any WAFOC or WAFOCC certificates for some time. The number of stickers issued in recent years has also been very small. I can only assume that other members have been like me in that they have been making the QSOs but not keeping the paperwork up to date. I had always given lack of time as the reason and, before I retired, I said that one of my retirement projects would be to get my WAFOC and WAFOCC records up to date. Next September I will have been retired for ten years and have still been giving lack of time as the reason for not having done it! At the Florida Dinner, W5ZR gave a presentation on his software written to keep track of the FOC awards. Bert also gave a disk of the program to everyone who attended the Dinner. I tried out the Windle part of the program and found it to be excellent for running (alongside my normal logging program and DX Cluster software) while I operate to immediately tell me who I have worked on what band during 2002. Berts program has also given me the incentive to use the WAFOC and WAFOCC parts to get my records up to date and hence to make my New Year resolution - to make a WAFOC and WAFOCC claim in 2003. How about joining me and doing the same, and give George more work to do in checking claims? By the way, Berts program also keeps track of the new FOC WAS Award (see page 16 of FOCUS 53). I have not published a Windle table this month as it is the end of the year and you are asked to send in your final score, tick-sheet and comments to GW3KGV or G3RVM please. The results and a report will be published in FOCUS 54 and I will start the 2003 table in the February News Sheet, provided I receive a sufficient number of scores to start it.

EDITORIAL by G4BUE

You should also receive tick-sheets for the 2003 Marathon, 2003 Windle Award and WAFOC Check Sheet with this News Sheet. Please note that the format of the Marathon and Windle sheets has reverted to the old three section (UK, USA and Rest of World) style. The Committee changed back as a result of the negative feedback received about the alpha-numeric format introduced for the 2002 tick-sheets. It is possible that some of you who have opted to receive the News Sheet only via e-mail (see page 1 of the November News Sheet) will receive a hard copy of the News Sheet in those months when it is published with FOCUS (January, April, July and October). This is because FOCUS, Call Book, tick sheets etc have to be mailed to you and Derek, G3LHJ, and myself may not always remember not to include a News Sheet in your envelope. Please do not bombard us with e-mails etc if this happens, but wait until the following month when you should not receive a hard copy of the News Sheet. If you do, then please let us know - thanks. Finally, please note the new Activity Days that start in January. I will publish the dates for each month at the top of the front page of the News Sheet and in the FOC Calendar. Do you plan to join us on 16 August 2003 (see the information on page 2 of the December News Sheet)? There will be a three course menu, with a choice, and details will be published in the February news Sheet. Tickets are 20 and are available from Jim, G3HJF, April Cottage, Springfield Lane, Birdlip, Glos GL4 8JH; e-mail <g3hjf@btinternet.com> and telephone 01452 862655. The College need to have an idea of the final number in order to reserve dining accommodation. Bed and Breakfast is available. So please act now if you want to join us. You wont regret it. The 20th annual West Coast Dinner will be held Friday 2 May 2003 at the International DX Convention in Visalia, California. More infor-

2003 SOUTH & WEST DINNER by G8VG

2003 WEST COAST DINNER by K2VCO

mation will be forthcoming shortly, but if you are planning to come it is not too early to make hotel reservations! The DX Convention and our dinner will be at the Holiday Inn, Visalia, California (tel: 559651-5000). The Convention this year is sponsored by the Northern California DX Club, and information (including the hotel telephone numbers) can be found on the Internet at <http:// ncdxc.org/Ncdxc/Convention/>. This year promises to be one of our best ever. Please join us for food and wine, fellowship, an engaging program, our overseas visitors, and prizes. The annual January W5 FOC meeting is being held at a new location and date this year. It is moving to the heart of Louisianas Cajun country - Lafayette, over the week-end of 7, 8 and 9 March. The event has been planned around the world famous Mardi Gras to allow attendees the opportunity to visit either New Orleans or Lafayette and join in the celebrations. There is no other place in the world that stages a party like the Louisiana Mardi Gras that includes a host of parades and parties. New Orleans is the site of the largest celebrations in the state, while Lafayette ranks a notto-distant second. The Mardi Gras events actually peak during the week-end proceeding our meeting. Travellers may want to arrive on Saturday 1 March. The celebration reaches its climax on Fat Tuesday 4 March. Visitors will find a lot of site-seeing opportunities to occupy their time until the W5 Weekend begins on Friday 7 March. If you are arriving by air, you may want to fly into New Orleans and then rent a car for the two hour drive to Lafayette, or you can fly direct into Lafayette via Continental, Delta, or Northwest airlines. The hotel has arranged for a block of rooms at a special rate of $69.99 for king size or double. This rate is available for three days prior to the Saturday and the cutoff date for the special rate is 19 February 2003. A complimentary hospitality suite/radio shack will be open on the Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. The room will be well equipped with equipment and liquid refreshments and W5FOC will be active during the weekend. Friday 7 March: attendees can pick up their folders with the weekends activities upon check-in. A special evenings entertainment will include an informal dinner at Randols Restaurant, world renown for genuine Cajun cuisine, music, and dancing. FOC members will not be required to dance! Meet in the lobby at 6pm to depart for the restaurant. Saturday 8 March: a continental breakfast will be available in the suite. A tour of one of North Americas largest antenna farms (W5WMU with 20+ towers) will depart at 10am and will include a stop for lunch and return to

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION by G3MXJ

Starred List
3. DK7VW (Joe): KT4P GJWB, DL7AKC, DJ5ZN, DK8IT, , N3BB. 2. DJ1YFK (Fabian): PA5XM, YO4PX, K1JD, DJ5ZN, DK8IT, PADIN, SM5COP KT4P, OY3QN, G3MCK, G4VHH, GKDZ. , 2. K5ALU (Red): W1WEF, WCGR, AA4Z, K5AX, VA3LK, K5CA, G3NOH, ZS6QU. 1. K1DG (Doug): S5A, N6NT, N2AA, KC7V, N7BG, K4OJ, SM3EVR, G3SXW. 1. G3JAG (John): ZL1AH, VK6VZ, ZS6QU, G2FFO, ZL1MH. 1. N2JZ (Mike): N4UB, K5DQ, N2UU, KZ5D, G2FFO, KF2AT, DK8IT. 1. DL1BUG (Red): DL7AKC, PA5XM, DL6TQ, DJ5ZN, DK8IT, DL4CF, PADIN, GJWB, W1HMD, K9QVB.

THE W5 WEEKEND by W5ZR

QRX List

An invitation will be sent to G3PDH.

Additional Nominations

6. K6TA (Ken): K6TS, N6NT. 5. G4GZG (Larry): G3LPN, G3MCK. 5. G3ILO (Steve): N3RS. 4. W3EF (Maury): G3NOH, K2VUI. 4. WA2RUE (Phil): W4PM, K6LQA, N2UU, DK8IT, N4UB. 3. KL7J (Les): W5ZR, G4SIE. 3. G3XTT (Don): W9KNI, G3SED, K9QVB. 3. OH2PM (Pertti): W6IJ, VK6VZ. 2. W6ZH (Pete): K2VUI, W9KNI, W5GEL, K4FW, W4DGJ. 1. VK4TT (Keith): VK4XA. 1. KFX (Don): N4UB, K9QVB.

Amendments

G3PDL (1012): new address- Terrain Rise, Alvingham Road, Keddington, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 7HG. MCVR (1771): tel - 01884 277576. TL8DV (1787): change call - W1DV; new address - c/o Van Kirk, 5 Resthaven Dr, Phelps, NY 14532, USA. VK4XA (757): resigned. the hotel by early afternoon. Attendees can spend some time operating in the suite or touring the local attractions. The banquet will be held at one of Lafayettes finest restaurants. An open bar will be available starting at 6.30pm with a la carte dinner at 7.30pm. Menu items will include Cajun delicacies, seafood, or steaks. Sunday 9 March: an FOC meeting will be held in the suite at 10am in the suite. Hotel reservations: when contacting the Holidome-Lafayette be sure to mention FOC Meeting to get the special rate. This rate is available only by contacting this hotel directly: telephone 1-800-942-4868 (LA/USA) or 337233-6815; fax 337-235-1954; mail to Reservations, Holidome-Holiday Inn Central, PO Box 91807, Lafayette, LA 70501. Driving instructions: the Holidome is conveniently located just half a mile off Interstate I-10 (exit 103 South-Lafayette). For those driving from New Orleans on US90, it is a direct drive to the Holidome located at 2032 NE Evangeline Thruway.

Meeting registration: e-mail to me at <W5ZR@aol.com> or to Art at <KZ5D@aol. com>. The hospitality room fee of $20 is payable upon arrival. Eight out of the ten operators at XT2DX during the CQ WW CW Contest were FOC members. For those who need to identify Windle points, here is their operating schedule during the contest:
G3PJT
23 Nov 0400-0600 0700-0900 1200-1600 1700-2000 80m 10m 10m 80m 24 Nov 0200-0600 80m 1000-1300 10m 1700-2200 10m 24 Nov 0000-0400 15m 0800-1200 15m 1600-2000 40m 24 Nov 0400-0800 15m 1600-2000 15m 2000-2400 40m 24 Nov 0000-0200160m 0400-1000 10m 1300-1700 10m 1700-2000160m 24 Nov 0400-0800 40m 1200-1400 15m 2000-2400 15m 24 Nov 0000-0400 40m 0700-1200 20m 1600-2200 20m 24 Nov 0000-0400 10m 1400-1600 15m 2000-2400 80m 24 Nov 0000-0200 1200-1600 1700-2000 2200-2400 80m 20m 80m 20m

2002 CQ WW CW CONTEST by G3SXW

G3SXW

23 Nov 0000-0400 40m 0800-1200 15m 1600-1800 15m

G4BWP

23 Nov 0400-0800 40m 1800-2400 15m

GM3YTS

23 Nov 0200-0700 10m 2000-2400160m

K4UEE

23 Nov 0000-0600 15m 1200-1400 - 15m 2000-2400 40m

K5VT

23 Nov 0000-0400 20m 1600-2000 40m

KC7V

23 Nov 0000-0400 0900-1200 1600-2000 2200-2400

KY7M

80m 10m 10m 10m

23 Nov 0400-0800 20m 1200-1600 20m 2000-2400 80m

4Z4KX: Mark was QRV as LY/4Z4KX 31 December while visiting LY2PX for the New Year. 5B4AGN: Bob was QRV in the CQ WW CW Contest as P3F and made 6.1M points despite only being QRV for 28 hours due to QRN from the 11kV power feed to his village. 9J2BO: Brian has changed his QSL manager to M J Mills, G3TEV 3 Tylers Way, Chalford , Hill, Stroud, Glos GL6 8ND - thanks KF7E. EA8CN: Andy writes, Twelve hours after the ARRL 10 Meter Contest we had an orkan here taking my vertical down. However, I found out that from the 11 metre vertical I was just using five metres of it due to oxide and salt in two of the connections of the tubes. I now realise that it was not my radial system that was bad but the tubes in the antenna. Everything is now back on place.

MEMBERSS NEWS by G4BUE

GWKJ: Chris will be QRV 3 January for a month as 9H3CT with an IC-706 - thanks G3LIK. G3AB: Andy arrived back home on 6 December after being QRV for 26 days as 9L1AB from Freetown. 40,362 QSOs were logged on CW, SSB and RTTY on all bands 6-160m with 959 QSOs on 6m and 1265 QSOs on 160m using only a dipole and inverted L antennas. A full report with statistics and photographs will appear soon on his Website <http://www.g3ab.net/ 9l1ab.htm>. G3IZD: Ivan made over 200 QSOs in the ARRL 10 Meter Contest as AE4WK from his QTH on Floridas Gulf Coast with 100 watts and a 25 feet vertical. G3MRC: Joe has put up a new tower at his 7Q7BP QTH and has the 15m element on his hex beam. Weather permitting, he was planning to add the 20 and 10m elements before Christmas and 17 and 12m after the holidays. It looks like he is going to be QRV for another year as 7Q7BP - thanks Daily DX. G3RWL: Richard will be QRV 5/20 April as 8P6DR, 40-10m with 80m and 6m if antennas can be arranged. G3SJJ: Chris was QRV in the CQ WW CW Contest as G8D. G3XAQ: Alan will be visiting Malabo, Equatorial Guinea 9/21 January and expects to be QRV 10 through 160m (especially LF CW) with a K2/ 1OO and wire antennas. He has requested the callsign 3C5XA. QSL direct to G3XAQ CBA thanks Daily DX. G4IP: Syd had a second stroke in December and has been in a coma for two weeks - thanks G3LIK. GW3NJW: Clive was QRV in the CQ WW CW Contest as GW7X. JE1JKL: Saty will be visiting Hanoi, Vietnam 1/6 January and has been told his licence will be issued by the time of his arrival, he has applied for XV9NA. Hewill be QRV 40-10m, including the WARC bands. K2TT: Congratulations to Bill on being appointed to Chairman of the Defense Science Board in the Department of Defense - thanks W2MUM. K5RC: Tom was QRV in the CQ WW CW Contest as W7TTT, a new club call that he uses from time to time. The western USA had record high winds, snow and rain over the ARRL 10 Meter Contest weekend and Tom says, I lost one tower in the wind and have damage to most of the other Yagis. It looks like a quiet second half of the contest season from here as it will be May before the snow melts. K6NA: Glen was QRV as ZD8A for two weeks at the end of November - thanks Daily DX. K9BG: Jerry was QRV in the ARRL 10 Meter Contest as PJ2T. KL7HF: Good news from Del who says, I am back on the air and feeling fairly well after my bout with cardiac failure.

OH2EA: Hans was off in December for his usual winter in South East Asia. Going to Thailand and will stay until the end of February or so and will be QRV on a very much maybe basis depending on the availability of suitable club stations. PAVDV: During four weeks being QRV as PJ2/ PAVDV Joeke made 2247 QSOs, including 170 , with FOC members. PJ2AM: Art has been QRT for some months due to rig trouble. I left my spare rig at my sisters in Holland. How dumb can you get? thanks W2MUM. SM6CUK: Lars was visiting Australia for three weeks from 8 December and planned to be QRV from Darwin with QRP and a FT-817. VK4XA: Russ writes to say that after 40 years in FOC, he finds himself in the situation where he can no longer maintain a reasonable contribution to the Clubs activities. This is the result of a changed lifestyle where he spends half of his time in Melbourne without any radio facilities. He also finds that he has lost much of his interest in the hobby with so much emphasis on computer technology, in which he has no interest. Russ says he feels he has had his share of fun. TL8DV: Jean and Dave returned to the USA on 17 December and will be staying in upstate New York until at least April where Dave will be QRV as W1DV He says, We hope to return to Bangui . (TL8) in April or May but this is not at all certain. Things are still very unsettled in that part of the world and until some stability arrives, we are not going back. VE3/N3ZSQ: Joci is QRV again after being QRT for some time since he has been in VE3 land, thanks to all the help from the VE gang and especially from VE3DZZ - thanks W1HMD. VE3BHZ: Dave had a triple heart bypass in July and was recovering well when other complications set in and he had to go into hospital again at the end of November for another operation. He came home before Christmas - thanks G3LIK & VE3AR. VE3DZZ: Pat was QRV 28 December in the RAC Contest as VA3RAC on 80m 0200-0600z, 40m 1000-12000z and on 10m 1200-1400z. W1RAN: Ned was dogged by health problems this summer culminating in a big operation on 21 August. He is finally doing better - thanks W2MUM. W1WEF: Jack writes, We leave in the motorhome shortly after Christmas and travel until early February hanging out around 025 daily when we stop for the night. We will go home for a few weeks in February (so I can operate in the ARRL CW Contest) and hit the road again after the contest, headed to Florida and Disney World where we will meet our grandkids. The major project for 2002 was an improved 80m antenna and I now have phased four-squares on 80m. They are spaced a full wave on centre, and are all wires in the woods (eight wire verticals with

January 1/6 XV9NA? by JE1JKL (639) 3/31 9H3CT by GWKJ (639) 4 FOC Activity Day 11/12 GB2AL by G4PKD (638) 14 Deadline for 2003 Subscriptions 15 FOC Activity Day 19 Committee meeting at G3MXJ QTH. 27 FOC Activity Day 28 Deadline for February News Sheet 31/2 Feb Marathon 80 elevated radials in all). They are working great but I still have some improvements to make!. W2AGW: Howie, who resigned from the Associate List in May (813), became a Silent Key on 7 December. He joined FOC in June 1964. In October 2000, the Daily DX said After 75 years of chasing DX, Howie had worked and confirmed all countries on the DXCC list (he got P5 in the last year) and all countries on the deleted list except two, FI8, French Indo-China and CR8, Damao Diu. After working TXDX (Chesterfield Islands) for a new one in 2000, Howie said, If you live long enough many great things happen! Howies advice for DXers: Shut your mouth and open your ears. W4CXH: Dick got back home at the beginning of December after staying in three different hospitals and a nursing home and having five operations on his knee since May. W4OO: Our condolences to Gene who lost his wife Marese in September after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in June. He writes, I was no asset during that period as I had a cataract operation in late May which left me completely blind for the next month or so. I learnt to navigate around the house by feel and although I got quite good at it, while trying to seat myself, I missed the chair and broke my coccyx. I spent six days in the same hospital as Marese, came home and a month later was back again with suspected pneumonia. I seem to be ok now. Heres hoping that 2003 is a better year for you Gene. W6TZD: Gene writes, My son put my beam up a few weeks ago and Im now a happy man again. The new QTH, 6000 feet up in the San Bernardino mountains, sounds like it is going to work out well. Some power line noise, but signals seem to be much louder up here. - thanks W2MUM. W8FJ: John saw the neurosurgeon about his cervical disc. It does not require surgery but could take up to a year to regress. Since then he has been in hospital having successful emergency surgery to repair an incarcerated umbilical hernia. W9VNE: Jim plans to attend the W5 Weekend in Louisiana in March.

(callsign in brackets indicate G4FOC operator)

FOC CALENDAR