THE FIRST CLASS C.W.

OPERATORS CLUB
Editor: G4BUE

NEWS SHEET 590

(http://members.aol.com/focuk)

December 1998

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 DECEMBER ARE 30 & 15 METRES

1999 SUBSCRIPTIONS
Did you receive a blue subscription renewal form with your October News Sheet? If so, have you paid yet?
Friends You will see from the Committee report that the News Sheet will change in size and format from the January issue. I have often had difficulty including everything I want to publish into two A4 sides and the new four page A5 size (as FOCUS) will give me more flexibility without increasing printing or mailing costs. I apologise in advance for those of you who will have to buy new binders or folders to accommodate the new size News Sheet, but they can still be accommodated in your existing binder by being folded flat. Sadly June and I had to cancel our plans to visit Orlando for the Florida Dinner due to building work at Highcroft taking longer than expected. I have attended the last five Florida Dinners so the first weekend of December will seem very quiet this year. June and I wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas and hope to meet many of you again during 1999 at our various club functions. On your behalf I wish to thank June for all the help she has given me in my role as editor of FOCUS and the News Sheet during the year. She is the one who enters all the handwritten articles into the computer, proof reads the ones I do, gets the envelopes ready for mailing and inserts FOCUS and the News Sheet in them, in addition to acting as the perfect host for all our FOC visitors during the year.

(callsign in brackets indicate G4FOC op)

FOC CALENDAR
Dec/Mar HS/OH2EA (590) 4/6 M8N by GORH and G3RVM (589) 6 Florida Dinner (F 35) 19/3 Jan CT/G3IZD (590) 28 Deadline for January News Sheet

Until April ZF2NT by N6NT (588) Until 28 Dec PJ9/PAVDV (589) December - 30 and 15m (GW3KGV) 1999 Subscriptions due (CB)

Starred List

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION by G3MXJ

5. G3HSP: GCMM, F5VEX, G3LIK, G4YNU, GBQV, K1JD. 5. JY9QJ: KL7HF, K8MFO, W1PL, SM3BCS, ZL2AGY, N9SW, SM6AOU. 3. 3DACA: KT5X, K4LT, N9RD, N9SW. 3. OZ4FF: W1PL, OK1KT. 3. GKDZ: F5VEX, G3IY. 3. K8NA: YO3AC, N8GZ. 3. W4PA: K4FW, K4LT, VA3LK, NR7O, K4FU. 2. G3UFY: VK8AV. 2. ZL2AZ (ex ZL1AIZ): ZL2AGY, G4BUE. 2. DJ7AA: N9RD, N9SW. 1. SM4BZH: K4EWG. 1. LA8XM: OZ8RO. IXXR (1424): change tel - 0686 320487. JA5DQH (1541): xyl Ries callsign W7YL. K2SX (1599): xyl Betty. N5TP (1234): change tel - 972 442 3928. Sheet. Please let Dennis, G3MXJ, know as soon as possible if you will be operating with a callsign other than your normal one, and to G4BUE for mention in the News Sheet. Our President Ron, G3KTZ, will be operating G4FOC. All committee members attended a meeting at G3MXJs QTH on 7 November. The FOC document on the UK Morse Test Requirement had been passed to FASC and liaison will be maintained with RSGB Council members and the RA. (The RSGB intend publishing an extract of the document in Rad Com early in 1999.) The low attendance (96) at Lords was discussed along with possible reasons and options for future annual dinners. A move away from Lords and/or London was considered along with a change of format to something similar to the North American Weekend. More research is to be done by G3PDL and G3WGV for further discussion at the next meeting. The new blue sub-

I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As a dedicated CW man I was most honoured to be elected at Lords this year, meeting friends of over many years again. Numbers were down which caused concern, but it was as enjoyable as ever. Meeting W4CK and his charming xyl was a special highlight for me, I look forward to seeing them again at Washington and Dayton. With cycle 23 struggling to establish its self we should be able work more members with greater ease, having QSOs of better quality. But I implore you, dont treat the New Year as the start of a contest. I like to work as many members each year as my life permits, but not at the expense of our code of operating standards. I am looking forward to the Marathon this year as running G4FOC, but I am no slick contest operator, so please bear with me. We should be able to score more five and six banders in the Marathon this year as we must have left the wilderness years behind us by now, surely. With improved conditions the DXpeditions will be wanting to use the 14025 spot more, so It will be necessary to keep our ears open. See you on the bands. Have fun. 161 de Ron, G3KTZ.

PRESIDENTS CHRISTMAS MESSAGE by G3KTZ

3. LZ1AF: G3HZL, N3JT, N6NT, OH2KI, YO3AC (+W8KJP ZL2AGY, VK4XA). , 2. DJ6SI: DJ5ZN, DK8EI, GW3KGV, K8MFO, K9QVB (+GW3KDB, DJ2BW, SM3BCS, OK1RR, K4EWG, N9RD) 2. N8DCJ: EA8CN, G2FDF, K4LT, K8MFO, W8AV. 2. N2NT: GW3SYL, GORH, K4OJ, N5TJ, N6NT (+W4AN). 1. G3HCT: G3NKS, G3VMW, K4EWG, K4LT, PALOU (+5B4AGC, N9SW). The objection to DJ6SI has been overruled by the Committee. An objection to OK1TN is under consideration by the Committee. An invitation has been sent to 9H1EL.

Additional Nominations
6. K6RIM: W6CYX, W9KNI. 5. K6ZSR: W6THN, K5DQ.

Amendments

The table in this News Sheet will be the last for 1998. Please send your 1998 tick sheet and final scores to me by 31 January so the results can appear in FOCUS 38 (Spring 1999). The first table for 1999 will be published in the February News Sheet providing we receive sufficient scores by the 28 January deadline. The rules for the Marathon are on page 7 of the Call Book. You are reminded of the addition to the rules agreed at the July Committee meeting, based on paragraph 2.1.2 of the ARRL General Rules for ARRL Contests on HF: Single operator stations are allowed only one transmitted signal at any given time. Continental runner-up certificates will only be awarded where the station has achieved 50% of the points of the section winner. The tick sheets will be printed in the middle of December and mailed with the January News

1998 WINDLE AWARD by GW3KGV

COMMITTEE REPORT by G4BUE

THE 1999 MARATHON by G3LIK

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 1800z 28 November 1998.
K4KQ* W9GIL EA8CN K4FU G3LIK W1HMD DL6TQ GORH* G4BUE* W6CYX W3NZ N2KW VE1BN* G4PKT GM3POI G3KTZ YV1NX G4OEC HA7PB 374 309 308 305 300 300 289 286 276 275 269 265 262 255 251 250 250 243 240 OZ4UN SMCCE G3TXF GW3KDB PAVDV F5VEX* W8EGB G4HZV* YO4PX* G3GFG PABW WA4SNI ZS6QU G3IY W8KJP* G4BJM N4TO G3ZEM GW3KGV 238 238 234 233 225 223 220 217 215 214 214 214 212 211 210 209 209 208 203 G3HZL 201 G2FDF 200 G4ZDB 200 K5DQ 200 W4QM 200 SM5COP*199 ZP6CW 195 K2VCO 191 GEBW 187 NP3F 187 ZL1MH 185 NP3G 184 N4AR 183 G4PKD 180 K4BAI 178 OH2FOC 177 N4TY 175 OK1KT 175 N3BB 174 G3WGV* 173 KF2AT 173 W4YE* 170 GIVZ 168 W9GW 168 GBQV* 165 G3IZD* 165 GW3HCL*164 W6RGG* 163 G3LHJ* 156 G3SED* 156 ZS6AL 155 W4DGJ 154 G3KKQ 152 XE2/NR7O152 AC5K 150 G3IEW* 150 G3SXW ZL2AGY G4BUO K5DQ LA1IE G3LWI* G8VG* K4II G3LTV W2DX 4X1FC G2FFO* G3PDL G3JJG G3YXX* W6TZD GCHV DJ5ZN 150 148 147 147 146 144 143 143 142 142 141 141 141 139 139 139 138 136 DK4LX* G3PQC JA7SSB ON4RU W1NV EA6ZY W8XM K4XU GM3JKS K4EF WIAK GFJT* K7UOT VK6RU G3AZ G3HEJ K2SX* I7ALE 135 135 135 135 135 134 134 131 130 130 130 129 129 126 125 125 125 124 W4ZYT 124 GW3SB* 121 W4TAJ* 121 F3AT 119 G3MCK 119 KT5X 119 W6THN 117 N4LS 115 G3RFE 113 K6RA 112 N4WJ 112 W1BIH 112 N9RD 110 PADIN 108 W4CK* 107 N4JT 106 SM6AOU*106 K1YT 105 G4XRV GM3HUN G3LZK ZL1AH W1HT W2GW W1FJ G3MXJ SM6AOU W1WEF K1AO K6TS G2HKU G3JJZ K2VUI K4DL PALOU N4XR 104 104 103 103 102 101 100 99 99 96 94 93 92 92 92 92 91 90 W4FOA WB2YQH U3DR OZ1LO N1BB* G3NOH* IXXR* W1HL GW3SYL DJ9SB* G3NKS K5AX W4PM LA3FL* VE3AR W5GEL N1DG W9NN 89 89 88 87 85 84 84 79 78 75 74 74 73 72 72 72 70 68 G4DJX OH2KI KC7V W2MEL W6IJ* W1RM W8VSK OH2EA* K2TT PAINA K1AJ* K2SR* K6RA OH6KI GVLW K7GE VA3LK VK8AV 66 60 58 58 53 50 50 49 47 43 42 40 40 40 36 35 30 27

THE 1998 WINDLE AWARD

scription sheet appears to be working well. Replies to rules 8 letters were considered and the appropriate action taken. Two objections to membership were considered, one overruled and the other referred to the next meeting for further information. The lack of guidelines or policy on what is currently acceptable as a model for a new member, and under what circumstances an objection to membership is likely to be accepted, was discussed. There was general support for some form of guidelines and G3MXJ will prepare a draft document for the next meeting. The final editing of the History Book has been delayed, and costings were discussed for the printing and mailing of the book. The new facility on the Web page for down-loading the News Sheet was discussed together with options for further services to members. G3WGV is liaising with OZ1LQH over this. 50.9% of the membership are now using the Internet. The style and format of the News Sheet was discussed. It was agreed that more topical information should be included in it together with it being used as a platform for members to debate matters affecting the use of Morse code on the amateur bands and other controversial and topical issues affecting members. Ideas for two new regular columns were considered together with a change of format. G4BUE presented some examples of the News Sheet printed in A5 size (as FOCUS) showing that more text can be included without increasing printing or mailing costs. It was decided to adopt this format in blue from the January 1999 issue. G3KTZ received two ideas from WB2YQH and I7ALE for a Millennium Award but more ideas were needed before a final decision can be taken. The new Augie plaques are to be made available in the form of membership certificates upon an appropriate fee. DK8EI had offered to organise the 1999 Con-Din on similar lines to 1998 and new WAFOC sheets will be printed and mailed with the 1999 Marathon and Windle sheets, FOCUS 37 and the January News Sheet. The next meeting will be 10am Saturday 23 January at Maud Slaters QTH. GBQV: Mary made about 1060 QSOs as A4/ GBQV and says it was nice to meet Regina and Chris, A45XR. G3IZD: Ivan will be QRV 19 December to 3 January as CT/G3IZD from Portugal (Algarve). G3LHJ: Congratulations to Derrick on achieving first place on SSB and CW on Low Power 70MHz in the VHF Field Day. G3MXJ: Den found some spare time, in San Francisco, during a recent business trip and was delighted to find Joe, K2VUI, also in town so

MEMBERS NEWS by G4BUE

they were able to enjoy dinner together at a bayside restaurant. Next day, Den visited Bob, W9KNI, where he was able to inspect the new Bencher Skyhawk tri-band beam which Bob was just assembling. He was very impressed with the mechanical design and construction and is looking forward to hearing it on the air. Bob said the beam is now in full production and being delivered in the US. They also went out to lunch - which involved a fun-hop across the mountains in Bobs Cessna to a small town in the Sacramento Valley. G3SED: Mike will be in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics show and then Los Angeles from 8/20 January and would like to meet some of the west coast gang whilst there. He is regularly QRV on 20m CW and will try to liaise on that band with members for potential meetings. G3SWH: Phil made 1576 QSOs as FR/G3SWH, mainly on 12, 20 and 30m with only a handful on 10, 15 and 17m. He worked lots of US members but not many from the UK or Europe. G4HZV: Bob says the new club WARC QRGs 17 and 12 metres seem to work fine; I have no problem finding plenty of people to talk to. Initially I thought the 30 metre frequencies were too high but this bit of the band now seems to be well populated with Club activity. G8VG: Pete is QRV on 6 and 2m but says CW is pretty rare on both bands. Could I put in a plea for more activity up there from members? How about a weekend devoted to 6 and 2m? It might surprise everybody who cares to join in. I have worked 11 G members and OZ1LO on 6m and some of them have also been worked on 2m via RS-12 so it shows there is life up there. GW3HCL: Dan says, the new meeting place QRGs on the WARC bands have yet to catch on, members seem to prefer to work lower in frequency. Quite often I hear members using 73 and 161 or 161 and 88. I always thought our 161 trademark meant 73 and 88?. JA5DQH: Aki and Rie, W7YL, met up with Rag, OZ8RO, in Honolulu recently. K2LE: If you QSOd K2LE/1 in the CQ CW Contest, then you may have worked K2LE, N1BB, W1FJ or K2SX operating from Andys ski chalet in the Green Mountains of southwest Vermont as part of a multi-multi team. K2SX: Congratulations to Dennis on his recent marriage to Betty. He says, it is a bit hard telling her why she is now an X YL since she doesnt feel any older. Betty was with Dennis in Washington for the last two North American Weekends. Andy, K2LE, attended the wedding. LA3FL: Per leaves 7 December for Acapulco to relax for two days before rejoining his cruise liner, the Crystal Symphony. His next shore leave is scheduled for Hong Kong in March.

N3JT: Jim, Nina and Ninas dad (Bob) ventured to Belgium in late October to visit places in the Ardennes where Bob spent part of WW2 in foxholes. It was Bobs first time back since 1945. They found the tiny village of Wy (near Soy), which was not on any maps, where Bob was stationed. Bob was able to gaze on the quiet farmland that was the focus of horrific fighting in WW2. Only half a kilometre away, along the road between Wy and Soy - entirely by eerie coincidence - NATO troops were engaged in military exercises, with tanks and personnel carriers, giving Bob a realistic return to his past. During the visit to Belgium, they were able to spend time with and enjoy the hospitality of Mar, ON4RU, and his family, and Jules, ON4WD. OH2EA: At the beginning of December Hans is going to Thailand until March and will again be sporadically QRV as HS/OH2EA if and when the opportunity presents itself. There is no HF club station where Im staying, and the license still stipulates operation from club stations only. OH2KI: Jorma joined Glen, K6NA, and Tony, N7BG, as three of the operators of the TI1C CQ CW Contest multi-multi team. VE7NH: Doug took up playing golf on his 70th birthday in August and now goes every morning for four hours. He has all the parts for a four element quad on a 30 foot boom, but cannot install it at his present QTH because of a noise problem. Doug changed his car in September and has personalised plates on it - GM3CXE! VK2AYD: Dee and David were planning to attend the Florida Dinner and then going to Miltenberg Germany for a few days before arriving in London to spend Christmas with Dees sister at Northolt. They will be back home in time for the Marathon. W1NV: Referring to the club 30m QRG, Carl says I have been there several times and called CQ without any response. I caught K4FU one afternoon, who was doing the same, again without much luck. There is a lot of packet/RTTY in the area over here, seems to be coming from Europe by beam heading. The clearest spot seems to be from 10120-10122kHz. W4CK: Congratulations to Mark on being elected as the mayor of Fayetteville in the recent elections. W8KJP: Del made 204 QSOs as HL9DC but only seven members in the log. He used a Kachina which was quite interesting but lacks the fine tune of CW programs. It worked well though for 100W. ZL1MH: Referring to the new club 30m frequency, Mike says yesterday morning, our time, I worked PAINA, HB9QO, G3SXW and G3SED in succession on 10124kHz - never QSOd four members in succession before!.