Founded in 1938, and with its roots, history and management in the UK, The First Class CW Operators' Club (FOC) promotes good CW (morse code) operating, activity, friendship and socialising via its worldwide membership of approximately 500. Members are active on all HF bands and the character of the club is best expressed in its motto: “A man should keep his friendship in constant repair” – Samuel Johnson (1755).

Bob G3PJT (FOC 1778) operates 40m CW at GB7HQ

One of the club's past members, W5FXN, summarised the essentials of the organisation in one of the monthly news-sheets:

"FOC is more than a club; it is a way of life, a camaraderie. It is an organised effort to that which is good for all by example. FOC means more than a clean CW operator capable of transcribing 60 wpm in Old-English characters with a 6" brush. FOC means a clean signal, a willingness to QRS to 3 wpm for the struggling beginner, a helping hand for the aspirant down the street, a feeling of one-ness who would like to see the level of amateur radio rise. FOC is not an award, it is a goal."

FOC DX CODE OF CONDUCT

FOC  President, Bob Whelan, created the following proposed DX Code of Conduct early in April 2010. It is gaining widespread international support from other organisations, the media and DX operators. More details will be posted here soon, but in the meantime, here is the current proposal:

1. I WILL LISTEN, AND LISTEN, AND THEN LISTEN SOME MORE

2. I WILL ONLY CALL IF I CAN COPY THE DX STATION PROPERLY

3. I WILL NOT TRUST THE CLUSTER AND WILL BE SURE OF THE DX STATION'S CALL SIGN BEFORE CALLING

4. I WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THE DX STATION NOR ANYONE CALLING HIM AND WILL NEVER TUNE UP ON THE DX FREQUENCY OR IN THE QSX SLOT

5. I WILL WAIT FOR THE DX STATION TO END A CONTACT BEFORE CALLING HIM

6. I WILL ALWAYS SEND MY FULL CALL SIGN

7. I WILL CALL AND THEN LISTEN FOR A REASONABLE INTERVAL. I WILL NOT CALL CONTINUOUSLY

8. I WILL NOT TRANSMIT WHEN THE DX OPERATOR CALLS ANOTHER CALL SIGN, NOT MINE

9. I WILL NOT TRANSMIT WHEN THE DX OPERATOR QUERIES A CALL SIGN NOT LIKE MINE

10.  I WILL NOT TRANSMIT  WHEN THE DX STATION CALLS OTHER GEOGRAPHIC AREAS THAN MINE

11. WHEN THE DX OPERATOR CALLS ME, I WILL NOT REPEAT MY CALL SIGN UNLESS I THINK HE HAS COPIED IT INCORRECTLY

12. I WILL BE THANKFUL IF AND WHEN I DO MAKE A CONTACT

13. I WILL RESPECT MY FELLOW HAMS AND CONDUCT MYSELF SO AS TO EARN THEIR RESPECT

To express your constructive comments and support this initiative, please email Bob directly: g3pjt[at]btinternet.com

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Al Slater Award 2009

The Al Slater, G3FXB, Memorial Award presented by the First Class CW Operators Club

The Award is presented once a year to an individual, group or society that has, in the judgement of the FOC Committee, made an outstanding contribution to the hobby that reflects the attitudes and approach of Al Slater. This came from exemplary and considerate operating standards and a high level of encouragement, friendship and support given to other amateurs, especially newcomers. Al’s whole approach to amateur radio, and indeed, to many aspects of life itself, was something that others appreciate, look up to and seek to emulate.

The winner for 2009 is Don Field, G3XTT, shown here receiving the award from Al Slater's Daughter.

Citation/Bio for Don G3XTT.