[SOC] Meet the FOCkers

[David J. Ring, Jr.]

Hello Bob,

Your association of SOC with FOC actually goes to the heart of the matter.

The nomination process of FOC has changed a bit over the years, at one time 
the requirements were the ability to QSY - although it didn't say you had to 
be VFO controlled, a guess a box of XTALS would do, the preferred QSK but it 
wasn't required and you had to send and receive a minimum of 18 wpm.  You 
also had to have excellent operating abilities.

In the mid 1950s you were nominated and then appeared on the starred list, 
then you had to gather four more nominations, if no one nominated you for 
three months, you would be taken off the list.

In the mid 1960s, the system was changed again - you had to be nominated by 
five members in six months each of whom you'd have to work on at least two 
bands, one of which had to be from the UK and then you appeared on the 
starred list for three months if no one objected, you'd be a member.

In the mid-1980s, the system was changed again, as above but now you had to 
have a sponsor from another continent.  Stations could no longer say to a 
member:  "I'd be delighted if you would sponsor me." and asking for 
sponsorship was forbidden.

SOC in its murky past was originally started by Jim Ricks, W9TO and Marvin 
Carter, W4ZMQ.  Marvin was one of my FOC sponsors and he'd QSO nightly with 
W9TO Jim, K4BI, Dave, W4AX (FOC), W4DA, K4FW (FOC), N1EA (FOC), YV1NX, and 
others.  Marvin thought it was "funny" that the best operator around - W9TO 
didn't qualify for FOC, so he started sending SOC after his callsign and 
then adding his social security number after that.  ALL of the fellows on 
frequency became FOC members in time - except K4BI and W9TO - both excellent 
operators.

It was very funny.

During the 1950s many of the "one band" operators such as the late W1BB got 
in the club.  It was rare indeed to find Stew on another band than 80 
meters.

But the question for FOC remains - what is a good operator - is he fast?  Or 
can someone send 18 wpm and send it clearly and be a good operator? 
According to the rules that is the qualifications - and I agree with that.

-- 
73
David N1EA ex-WA1DRS
CFO 864, FISTS 9227, SOC 264, SKCC 587, ex-FOC 1271

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Patten" <n4bp at bellsouth.net>
To: "SOC Reflector" <soc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 6:02 AM
Subject: [SOC] Meet the FOCkers


Yesterday (Saturday), I spent several hours participating in the "Bill 
Widdle QSO Party", an FOC sponsored event.  These guys and gals are really a 
very friendly and (in general)
great bunch of operators.  I recognized the majority of calls from having 
worked them previously in many contests.  I also wondered how a few were 
qualified FOCkers, but some
were probably older folks (like me) who were voted in when they were younger 
and more proficient.

Make no mistake though, I am not a traitor and will always be a Second Class 
Operator.

We are also a very friendly and great bunch of operators!  AND, like Avis, 
"since we're second, we try harder".  One of my fellow Florida Contest Group 
members is also an FOC
member and sent me a list of requirements for membership.  You must have 
five sponsors and have worked each on at least two bands.  Also, one of them 
must be a G (UK) and one
other from a different continent.  If the club is at its maximum membership 
of 500, you must wait for someone to either resign or become an SK.

Contrast this with SOC membership requirements - ask for a membership number 
from the "Unknown Secretary".  You're in!  :-)

-- 
73,     Bob Patten, N4BP                Plantation, FL

E-Mail: n4bp at arrl.net                   Website: http://www.qsl.net/n4bp
QRP ARCI #3412    SOC #1    ARS #799    SMIRK #6625          FISTS #7871


_______________________________________________
SOC mailing list
SOC at mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/soc

Mailman: User Guide for List Subscribers
http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm