[SOC] Bill Windle QSO Party

[Bob Patten]

Ian C. Purdie wrote:
> Back a long time ago some of the clowns among us realised we could
> never, ever join their ranks. Unkind folks would even talk about "their
> uppity closed shop" and mumble all sorts of unkind comments [even in
> writing!], then again our good friend Bob Patten is a member so they
> can't be all that bad.
First, I am NOT a member of FOC, but I have many friends who are.
Agree they are a "closed shop", but very few are "uppity".
Several member of FOC are also members of SOC - those with a good sense 
of humor.
> 
> Anyhoo, as one consequence, we scoured among all the dregs of the
> International AR community, the absolute bottom of the barrel types AND;
Disagree strongly that we (SOC) are bottom of the barrel.  We have many 
members who would easily meet FOC criteria, but their selection process 
is quite complicated.  The difference is that anyone who applies, 
qualifies for SOC.

Our goal should NOT be to run down FOC.
I like to think that we are like Hertz Car Rental, "Since we are second, 
we try harder".  That should be our main goal.
> 
> True story. Where is our founding father?
I started SOC as a joke, never thinking that it would catch on as it did.
Like FOC, we have a very find membership - but not limited in numbers or 
requiring nomination by other members.


-- 
73,     Bob Patten, N4BP                Plantation, FL

E-Mail :   n4bp at arrl.net                Website: http://www.qsl.net/n4bp
SOC #1          ARS #799                QRP ARCI #3412       FISTS #7871
NAQCC #1306     FP #1491                SMIRK #6625