[SOC] A1OP

[David Ring]

Marvin Carter, W4ZMQ was an SOC operator before SOC was even thought
of.  He was an FOC member, and he was on a frequency 3513 or 3518 (I
forget!) with W4AX, Dave Shafer, (former Western Union wirechief),
K4FW, Al Kahn (founder of ElectroVoice and Ten Tec), W4DA, W4DA, Fred
Pharo, (started out as FRO (Flight Radio Officer) with Delta Airlines,
ended up Vice President in charge of the physical plant nationwide,
Fergus Walshe, YV1NX - all of which were then or were eventually were
FOC members - I guess the lone holdout was K4BI from Valdosta, GA -
I've forgotten his name for the moment - but he taught in the Physics
Dept. at the university there.  Without question - all of the
excellent operators.

Most nights after the gab fest was over, Jim Ricks, W9TO joined in and
Marv Carter, W4ZMQ and he would go at it to beat the band.  I guess
when Jim didn't join in the group, he just was puttering around with
the loudspeaker on.  Marv Carter, W4ZMQ was a national typing
chamption at 130 wpm plus on a manual, and a code copying champ as
well.  (Usually Morse ability is 1/2 the typing speed - so this would
be around 65 wpm - which is what I remember him telling me.)  Marvin
also holds the distinction of being the last American out of Iran when
the rebels stormed the US Embassy there.  He got on the helicopter
with his Ten Tec on his lap - no luggage mind you, and the 'chopper
took off less than ten minutes before the embassy fell.  Marv would
end his QSOs with Jim Ricks, W9TO with "Both SOC ### ## ####" - I
asked him what the string of numbers was and he told me "You know how
FOC members are always sending the FOC numbers, well SOC members send
their social security numbers!".  I asked him if I could be a member
so I could be "dual FOC and SOC like him!".  I remember I sent my
social security number but I made a few changes!  I noticed that Jm
didn't do this - perhaps Jim Ricks knew about the dangers of sending
your social security at 40 wpm.

All of those mentioned from the 3512 kHz (I think that's the "real"
frequency) are gone now except Fergus YV1NX and myself.  My last QSO I
reminded him of all the call signs, and he cried - but if I don't send
those call signs to Fergus who will?  I'm the only other one who
remembers.

73

David Ring, N1EA, Former FOC.
-30-

On Fri, Jan 2, 2009 at 9:20 AM, Tom McCulloch <thom2 at att.net> wrote:
> Bill and all,
>  The operative word in Derek's e-mail is "WAS"...obviously he's seen the
> light :)
>
> Tom
> WB2QDG
> soc # (I forget)