First Class CW Operators' Club

Join our 75th anniversary on-air activity throughout May
 
2013 and work toward the FOC75 Award. Have you joined
 
the fun yet? These hams have:
G4OTV: "Thank you for putting on all the 75FOC stations. They are an absolute pleasure to work."

UA6CEY: "First of all - congratulations with 75th anniversary of your Club! Due to high activity of special FOC suffix station I gained 50 points during single day (May, 1)."

DF3EC "It was a pleasure meeting the special FOC stations, I will keep on calling."

G3PLE: "Fantastic event – I do hold a First Class PMG certificate at 25wpm and so I thought I would have a go. Within 20 hours I have achieved a Gold !!! For this reason I am going to attempt to get not 50 but 500 points during the month.Great challenge."

HA1DAE: "Thank you very much and congratulation for the jubilee."

N2JNZ(QRP): "Thanks !!! Lots of fun and I'll continue to work more !! Fun event !!!"

RV6AAA: "Congratulation with 75th anniversary First Class CW Operators' Club"

 Get details of the FOC75 activity here.


Founded in 1938, and with its roots, history and management in the UK, The First Class CW Operators' Club (FOC) promotes good CW (Morse code) operating, activity, friendship and socialising via its worldwide membership of approximately 500. Members are active on all HF bands and the character of the club is best expressed in its motto.
MOTTO

"A man should keep his friendship in constant repair" - Samuel Johnson (1755)
   
FOC MEMBERS AIM TO….
  1. Foster and encourage a high standard of CW operating ability and behaviour on the amateur bands.
  2. Observe the licence conditions and principles of band planning.  
  3. Be considerate to other amateurs at all times.  
  4. Protect the future of the hobby through being active, encouraging newcomers and supporting a national society.
BECOMING A MEMBER

If you have a genuine love of CW with a minimum operating speed of 25 wpm, and enjoy socialising with others of like interest then FOC could be just right for you. It takes some work to join - it’s not simply a matter of filling in a form and sending off a cheque.
First, someone must nominate you - based on their experience of working you on CW on at least two bands within the last year and your sponsor’s belief that you will live up to the aims of the club that are listed above. While you may feel free to ask members for information about the club, actually asking to be nominated is frowned upon.

Once you have been nominated, and you accept, you are added to the Nominations List, which means that all FOC members know you are seeking further sponsorship.

You must then receive sponsorships from four more members within the next six months. Sponsors must come from at least two continents, with no more than three of the five from any one continent, and at least one must be from the UK. All sponsors must have a CW QSO with you on at least two bands.

In recent years, just over half of those nominated have gone on to attain membership. If you are active on the bands, particularly around 25kHz up from the band edge (10120 to 10125, 18080 to 18085 and 24905 to 24910kHz in the WARC bands), you will often find FOC members and, if you can hold a QSO at 25 WPM or so without your CW falling apart, you will find members eager to sponsor you.

CLUB FREQUENCIES

3525, 7025, 10120-10125, 14025, 18080-18085, 21025, 24905-24910 and 28025kHz
BAND OF THE MONTH
 
May: 17m
 
 
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

G3WPH Mike 2019
OZ8SW Steen 2018
F6HKA Bert 2017
9V1VV John 2016
G4IIY Ian 2015
GU4YOX Bob 2014
GI4CFQ Gary 2013
ZS1REC Raoul 2012
K2RSK Peter 2011
VE3USP Pista 2010
TF3DC Oskar 2009
GW3VPL Steve 2008
K2NV Tony 2007
G3BJ Don 2006
5T0JL Jean 2005
N6TT Steven 2004
K5TF Richard 2003
G3YEC Rick 2002
K9FN David 2001
G4IRN John 2000
IK0IXI (KF1B) Fabio 1999
GM0GAV Gavin 1998



COMMITTEE OFFICERS

President  G3IZD, Ivan
Committee Chairman  GM3YTS, Rob
Committee Secretary  G3SXW, Roger
Membership Secretary  N4TY, Tyler
Internet Services  G4FON, Ray
Treasurer G4FNL, Graham
Committee Member  G4BUO, Dave  
Committee Member KR3E, Ed
Committee Member AC5K, Wes


WEB SITE

N4TY, Tyler
KR3E, Ed
G7VJR, Michael


 
 

© First Class CW Operators' Club - www.g4foc.org