[SOC] Pot-Pourri

[soc@mailman.qth.net]

Bonjour to the NAers & EUers,
'Soir Ian,

Let's make a global one to avoid boring too much people with my stories.

Let's start with Bob, 0UF :
<<
These are questions for you old SOCs.

When did we stop issuing SOC Certificates?
Did we stop because they weren't SOC enough?

Terry sent me copies of his and they look very nice.
>>

You can refer to the SOC web site, Award page. Truth is that our fellow Award 
issuer has moved to a new place "some years ago" (2-3 ?) and is still in the 
process of localizing the blank awards in some box somewhere in the garage.
So, unfortunately, SOC awards are not more issued. This I have learnt when I 
joined you and asked Adam, N7YA, for an award.
Besides that, John (W2AGN) has proven to be a good Award designer too (check 
the Award issued to Adam, also visible on the SOC site, at the Officer page.

BTW, and that will be _my_ question to old SOCs, especially Ian (he knows 
why !) : Any fresh news from Adam ?

Let's go on with Bob (agn 0UF) & Bill,

<<
> > 
> > I think only two votes should count, but will bow to the wishes of the
> > French Judge.
> 
> What is this, figure skating?
>>

That can not be figure skating bcoz we then need also a Russian part in the 
game, and up to now we do not have that here.
As this vote should be fully impartial, I guess we can try cricket and thus 
referring to Ian, Mr P., Chris and Lloyd (aka "The new cricket fan").
Brit fairplay is well-known, so their referees should be impartial, or so do I 
guess !

In every vote, there is some lobbying pressures. I think at SOC we should do it 
the same way. So let's see how many liters/gallons O.J. I will receive .. ;o)
As for Terry's vote, I am also ok for 2 votes only. If Terry wants to validate 
more, my postal address is OK at QRZ.COM ;op

Next one : Bob, 7XY, regarding call taxes :
The CEPT agreement is for a /P operation only, limited to 3 months. If you stay 
more than 3 months "in a row" _and_ want to go on operating in a legal way (!), 
you have to apply for a temporary license just like you did in the UK. But, at 
least here in France, still will it be base on your home-call, e.g. F/N7XY.
This license is valid for one year. Same cost as the national license : 
$45/year.
Only way to get a "real" F call : get your exam here.

<<
The bank charged me an additional $15 to issue the check in British pounds.
>>

Eh, at least we are a bit better here : "only" $10 charged.

<<
The newspaper today said the Bush administration is studying to see if 
the "rich" are carrying too much of the tax burden, so I expect taxes to 
increase for the rest of us.
>>

You can tell to Tonton George that Tonton Jacques has yet decided for that. The 
richer are now less-taxed ("discount" being from -10% to -20%) and you bet 
what ... we now have to balance the lost of income, "of course".

But as we ironicaly say : we are still rich enough to have to pay taxes ... sic.

So, here you are for now.

Today, 18th of Dec. Guys, "The 2 towers" day !!
But pse do not say nothing before Sunday for I have planned that for Sunday 
early morning. Tnx for helping !

72!
Claude