THE FIRST CLASS C.W.

OPERATORS CLUB
Editor: G4BUE

NEWS SHEET 566

FOC CALENDAR

December 1996

A man should keep his friendship in constant repair - Samuel Johnson (1755).

BANDS OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER IS 40 AND 17 METRES

Friends Just enough space for June and me to wish you and your families a very Happy Chrismas and everything you wish yourselves for 1997. Dont forget the future of the CW and encouraging youngsters into our hobby when you make your New Year resolutions.

the memories are still vivid. It was an honour to be asked to join the list of distinguished Past Presidents and it means a great deal to me. I shall try to serve you as well as they have. As the nights draw in and the weather deteriorates in the UK, we are looking forward to the Marathon. Is it a contest or an activity weekend with a scoring system? Whatever it is to you it is a unique event and must cause thousands of other CW operators to pause and wonder during that weekend. Their impressions will vary greatly, and will form the backbone of the reputation our club has earned over the years, so let us give them a display of first class operating to remember. We shall be asked to avoid DX frequencies during the weekend. We may have been responsible for creating this problem ourselves as so many members have used these frequencies from exotic places over the years. Thousands of other operators will never be aware of our claim to 025 and it would be easy to earn a bad reputation for causing QRM deliberately, however undeservedly, so undoing all the good work. Habits die hard but I shall try to QSY up the band as the committee have requested. I have been a member since 1968 and that is the year I started teaching in High School too. I know how difficult it is these days to interest young people in radio when there are so many new and effortless ways to communicate with the rest of the world. Those who do become engrossed in our hobby, and especially those who are bitten by the CW bug (pun intended!), need all the encouragement they can get. They are the future members of the club about which we care so much. Assembled in our club we have an enormous amount of operating talent and skill. Could we all slow down once in a while and give a newcomer a QSO to remember, and perhaps even be an Elmer (I shall be forever grateful to mine). Diane and I hope you have a very happy festive season and wish you all you wish yourselves for the coming year. The 1997 Marathon will be held 2100z Friday 31 January to 2100z Sunday 2 February 1997. This is a change from that shown in the FOC Calendar of the September and November News Sheets, which was a mistake. The rules are set out on page 7 of the Call Book and everyone is

December - 40m and 17m 3/19 C6AHF by N6RA 4/11 FS/W2QM by W2QM, W2JB and W2AGW 7 7th Florida Dinner 7/8 Pump Handle Party FROM YOUR PRESIDENT The dust has settled on Lords for 1996 but 29 Deadline for January N/Sheet

January - 160m and 20m 1 Subscriptions due 8/late March PJ9JT by W1BIH 25 Committee Meeting 28 Deadline for February N/Sheet February - 80m and 15m 30 Jan/1-2 Marathon

3. G3IZD: G3JFF, G3LIK, G3XNG, W2BA, W4QM (+G3RFE, G3VCN). 2. W4PBC: G3UOF, W4MJ, W4QM, W9GW, ZL1MH (+W2AMS) 2. JA7SSB: G3IGW, JP1BJR, K1JKS, KT5X, W9KNI (+K6RA). 2. WHZ: EI5BW, G4PKT, W2DX, WIAK, WKZV (+K2OZ, K1GUP). 1. ZS6QU: G4PKT, K2OZ, KL7HF, SM6DHU, 9J2BO (+W1HMD, W1PL, PAABM, N4AR, G3JFF, GW3KGV, G3IAF). The objection to YO3APJ has been overruled by the Committee. Invitations have been issued to W4FOA and YO3APJ. 6. 5. 3. 3. 3. 2. 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. NNF: ZL2AGY, K1RH. HA7PJ: W1PL, W2MEL, N3SZQ. GBQV: G3LTV, EI5BW, EA8CN, G3JFF, G3LIK. N4KG: N4AR. K9DX: N4AR, W9KNI, VK2BJ, N9SW. VE3UPG: VE1BN. G3PQC: G3LPN. GEBW: G3MRP . G3SED: N4AR. K2UFT: KT5X. G3MRC (9Q5MRC): G3JFF.

Starred List

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION by G3MXJ

SMCOP (1514): change call - SM5COP; amend telephone/fax - 8 552 47137. VS6DO (A1524): Resigned. W1BIH (673): telephone - 860 489 7697. WA1G (1635): change call - K1AJ. K1JKS (1591): change call - N1BB. W1RM (1159): change e-mail - w1rm@snet.net K1ZX (1222): change call K4OJ. WB2DND (1619): change call - N1DG. W2QM (1255): e-mail - w2qm@juno.com W2SR (1218): e-mail - w2sr@ct.net WB3EPC (1616): change call - W3IL; change xyl Kathys call - K3IL. WB4CSK (1515): change call - W4CK. K4EFZ (1374): e-mail - k4efz@aol.com K5BGB (1338): amend telephone - 281 497 7567; change e-mail rod.k5bgb@worldnet.att.net K5NA (1539): xyl Susan change call - K5DU. AA6KX (1669): change call N6NT. WJ6O (1652): change call - W6IJ. N8ABL (1450): change call - N8BR; e-mail Wbischo@uoft02.utoledo.edu; telephone - 419 882 0934; xyl - Patti. WD8AUB (1576): change call K4LT; new address - 261 Webster Road, Independence, KY 41051, USA; telephone - 606 647 1848; add xyl Anitas call KC8BBE. WD8LLD (1657): change call - W8AV. WKZV (1460): change call - WZR. KRY (1633): change call N5TJ. G3MXJ, know as soon as possible for inclusion in the Marathon rosta and News Sheet. At the present time I am only aware of Andy, K2LE, who will be P4/K2LE, and John, W1BIH, who will be PJ9JT again. Our President Pete, G3PDL, will be operating G4FOC. Computer generated logs are accepted but please include a hard copy and complete the front sheet of the Marathon rosta which will be sent out with your January News Sheet. Marathon logs should be submitted to me as soon as possible after the event and in any case by the end of February please.

Additional Nominations

G4CEO (1644): e-mail bedspolice@kbnet.co.uk; fax - 01234 842006. EA5BS (1543): e-mail - bernabeu@filnet.es OK1KT (1655): e-mail vaverka@intersrv.army.cz requested to spread out on all bands, between 015 and 035kHz on LF and between 030 and 045kHz on HF. Please remember we are trying to keep away from the traditional 025kHz spot on the HF bands, which in 1997 is likely to be used by the VKIR Heard Island DXpedition. You are also requested to avoid 1820-1832kHz on 160 metres. The ears of the world will be listening, some of them only too willing to make comments on our behaviour on the bands. Members intending to operate from DX or different locations from their home QTH, or with special callsigns, are requested to let Dennis,

Amendments

THE 1997 MARATHON by G3LIK

THE 1996 WINDLE TROPHY

Score updates can be passed to any G3LIK, G3MXJ, G4BUE or any committee member. An asterisk against the call indicates the score has been updated this month. Table shows the scores received by 2200z 24 November 1996.
GM3POI K4KQ* EA8CN* W4QM G4BLX G3JZV* W1HMD G4ZDB W9KNI* G3LIK* G3KTZ* W3NZ W2BA K4LTA G4PKT* N3SZQ* K4EF OZ4UN DL6TQ VE1BN G3RVM* G4ZVJ W6OV* K9BG 391 374 363 352 313 310 305 300 300 296 294 288 282 275 274 272 271 265 254 248 244 237 235 231 G4BUE* K9QVB OH2BDA K5DQ* VE3DZZ* K6OU W3VT N3RS G3IY F3AT K2LE VE3DHZ G3FDF G4BUO* K1RM W8KJP* G4HZV WA4SNI W6DU YV1NX G4ODV* AC5K* G3HZL K4II 230 229 227 221 221 220 220 217 205 203 203 202 200 200 200 198 194 194 191 190 184 183 183 183 K4XU 183 N4AR* 182 G4PKD 180 G4BJM 179 W6THN* 178 LA1IE 177 W6RGG* 176 W6CYX 173 K4BAI 171 W8XM 171 W9GW 171 GCMM 168 G3MXJ* 167 G3IGW* 165 G4RMV 165 W1BIH* 162 ZL2AGY* 162 GW3SYL 161 W2MUM 160 G3NOH 159 DL7AKC* 157 KT5X* 157 G3IEW 156 U3DR* 156 DJ6RX 155 GM3UA 155 GW3KGV*154 WJ6O* 154 G3HZV 153 AA5DX 152 W2GW 152 G3KKQ 148 WB2YQH*148 GW3HCL 147 K6DC* 147 YO4PX 147 G3LHJ 146 G3GFG 145 OK1RR 145 W4YE 145 WB4CSK*145 K4FU 144 K6RA 143 W1WEF 143 W2DX 141 ZL1MH 139 G3KDB 138 G3AZ 137 N4UB* 137 GWFJT*117 GM3HUN 101 OH2BDP* 78 WD8AUB* 60 59 101 XE2/NR7O 77 W1FZY G3RCU 135 W1NV 116 K6TS 75 PAINA 57 K1JKS 135 K5MA 115 KL7PJ 101 G3DRQ PALOU* 135 W2MEL* 113 AA6KX* 100 GM3YTS 75 G3ZWH 56 54 G3LWI* 134 G3LZK 112 G3LKZ 100 G4FNL* 75 ZL1AH 52 G3TXF 133 N3JT 112 G3LTV 100 WD8LLD 75 K2VUI* 74 VE3AR 51 112 OH2KI* 100 G3JJZ G4UPS* 131 N4TO 51 SMCOP*131 W1HT 112 OZ8RO 100 G3LPN* 69 W3NX 50 68 VK3MJ W6GTI 130 W4TAJ 112 WB2DND 100 W1HX 50 99 WA1G* 67 W1FJ GIVZ 129 G3JHF 111 K4DL 50 97 G3SXW 66 W1RM OK1KT* 129 GM4SID 111 K1GUP 49 66 W9FKC 96 K1SS G3NKS* 128 PABW 111 DK4LX 65 W4DGJ 48 110 GW3SB* 95 DJ9SB DL4CF 124 KRY 42 93 OK1CZ 65 G4FM G3JFF* 124 W4DHZ 109 W5GEL 64 W4/GIHM39 108 G3ZEM* 92 4X1FC G3MCK 123 N9RD W5XJ* 122 W1EYT 107 W2SR* 92 SO5TW 63 WB4OSN 39 38 62 W4MJ G3WGV 121 G4SFO 105 DJOS 90 KP4L 89 PADIN 62 JP1BJR 30 K7UOT 121 G3ZYV 104 W8TPS 29 87 N4LS 61 K5XK G2HKU* 120 LA3FL 104 W9NN 26 85 W9VNE* 61 ZS6AL AA5TN* 119 G3UEN 103 VK8AV 60 N4WJ 24 81 K1JD OZ5DX 118 G3VCN 102 W1HL* 60 OZ7YL 21 79 LA2UA ZP6CW* 118 G4XRV 102 N4XR 10 60 DL8CT G8VG 117 W6TZD 102 KC7V 78 OX3XR Note - old USA calls retained for consistency for the last 1996 table. OH2KI: Jorma cancelled his planned ZB2X CQ CW Contest operation and was QRV as EA8EA, 80 metres single band. He will be in southeast Asia from 4 December for three months and will try to be QRV from HS, DU and 9M2. Jorma may also take part in future OH2BH South China Sea operations. SMCOP: Rune operates from two locations and is QRV as SMCOP and SM5COP. Having better antennas at the new QTH, SM5COP will be the call most frequently used. U3DR: Vlad is now QRV on 160 metres and will be looking for members daily between 1800 and 1900z on 1832kHz. VK8HA: Henry says the current dip in the solar cycle is the worst he can remember, and 80 metres did not come as good as it did in the late 1950s/early 1960s. VS6DO: Paul currently has no prospect of improving his present location and, with increased work commitments involving extensive travel, has little hope of becoming active again in the near future, and has decided to drop out of the Club. Thanks for your past support. W1BIH: John will be QRV from 8 January until late March as PJ9JT again, QSL via W1AX. W1AXA: Members will be saddened to hear of the passing of Ralph after an illness. He left FOC in April 1995. W6OV: Dick is recovering well after an operation on his knee. He is doing lots of walking but cant yet bend his knee to tie his shoe laces! W6RGG: Bob worked 35 members in the ARRL CW Sweepstakes and says it was good to hear so many members in this great contest. W8AV: Goose has been involved in a major station refurbishment during the past summer with new systems for 160, 40 and 20 metres which has kept his on-air activity level fairly low. He now plans to spend much more time on the air putting his new callsign to good use.

The Committee are considering the purchase of new club ties and want to know the likely demand. Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing one (by 25 January please). I shall be printing the 1997 Marathon and Windle tick sheets when I return from the USA on 20 December. Please let Dennis, G3MXJ, have any changes you want as soon as possible. All members and the President, G3PDL, attended the meeting on 9 November. G3LIK is liaising with the EUCW with a view to amalgamating our Pump Handle Party with their similar event. A suggestion from G3PDL for the Band of the Month concept to continue with two bands per month (one HF and one LF) was agreed (see FOC Calendar). Arrangements for the acceptance of computer logs for WAFOC have been finalised and an article by G4HZV will be published in FOCUS 29. G3MXJ reported current membership at 478 and 19 Associates. An objection to YO3APJ was overruled, arrangements made for the annual review of on-air activity by G3LIK based on the Windle logs, and a number of Associate memberships reviewed. The annual dinner at Lords made a profit of 277 and arrangements for the 1997 50th Dinner were discussed, including a proposed memento in conjunction with the 25th North American Dinner. The date of the Marathon was confirmed as 31 January/2 February to avoid a clash with PACC and the North American Sprint, and to be consistent with the Marathon falling on the first Saturday/Sunday of February. A potential clash with the VKIR Heard Island DXpedition was considered and guidance on frequencies to be

CLUB TIES by G3LIK

1997 TICK SHEETS by G4BUE

published in the News Sheet. A suggestion from W9KNI for a change in the scoring was considered and it was decided not to make any change. The 1997 Windle and Marathon tick sheets will be mailed with FOCUS 29 and the January News Sheet, and a re-print of the WAFOC record sheets will be made in 1997. Acquisition of some new club ties was considered. Next meeting on 25 January 1997 at G3LIKs QTH.

COMMITTEE REPORT by G4BUE

MEMBERS NEWS by G4BUE

EA8CN: Andy has just bought the NIR-12 and the ANC-4 to help reception. G3IGW: Congratulations to Pauline and Mike on their ruby wedding anniversary recently. G3JBA: My apologies for the typo (G3ZBA) in the reference to Jims passing in the last News Sheet - thanks G3IGW. N3JT: Jim has obtained the call W3FOC for use at the Washington Dinners and other occasions. K1AJ: Bruce has obtained the callsign W1FOC for New England FOC. K4EFZ: All Chriss antennas have been down for several weeks for renovation. He will be putting up a Mosley TA53M at 60 feet and a Cushcraft two element yagi for 40 metres at 50 feet. Chriss old TA33 stayed up for 17 years without any problems, until it was hit by lightning blowing a reflector trap apart! K4LT: Doug has moved to a house on a five acre plot just south of Cincinnati Airport in Kentucky following a job change. Wihin three weeks he has a small tower holding a full size sloper for 80 metres up, but more antennas are planned. K5BGB: Rod recently ordered a Ten-Tec Centaur amplifier after running 100W for years. KT5X: Fred is the trustee of the callsign N5FOC for Southwest FOC. N6RA: Tom will be QRV 3/19 December from Harbour Island as C6AHF, including the ARRL 10 Meter and 160 Meter Contests.

Designed and printed for F.O.C. by