The Bill Windle QSO Party (BWQP), formerly known as the FOC QSO Party (FOCQP), is held twice a year and is open to all radio amateurs world-wide.

It’s not a contest but, rather, an activity day in memory of Bill Windle, G8VG (SK), a past Chairman of FOC who was very keen that we should all be as active as possible on the bands. Stations participating in the BWQP should call “CQ BW” in memory of Bill.

Participants have often reported this is one of their favourite operating events!

The idea behind the BWQP is to offer some stress-free opportunity for FOC Members to meet and greet both other members and non-members.

Each one of us can make this event what you want it to be – some get on for a few casual QSOs, others spend several hours on different bands and still others treat it like a “mini-marathon”.

The basic concept is just to work as many stations as you can over a 24-hour period, from:

Just call “CQ BW” from 015 to 040kHz on all bands, excluding the WARC bands. The exchange is: RST, name, and FOC number (non-members send RST and name).

Many people also take the opportunity to engage in longer QSOs; this is definitely encouraged but it is entirely up to you! However, please note, we still call “CQ BW” to initiate a QSO, a tribute to Bill Windle who did so much to foster activity in our Club.

2025 BWQPs

– Saturday March 22

– Saturday Sept. 27

0000z to 2359z

* Note: Starts Friday in the U.S.

How to Report Your Results

If you are interested in reporting your results during a BWQP, simply log onto this website page and fill out the form: https://focqp.g4foc.org . It’s as simple as that. No logs are required because we work on the honour system. There is also an Excel spreadsheet available on the Downloads page to track QSOs manually, but it cannot be used to submit your results.

When reporting scores we separate according to: Europe, North America, North America “West Coast”, Asia, Africa and South America, and this is done automatically for you when you enter your information on the web form.

Reports are due 7 days after the event. A complete list of the stations who report, and their totals, will be included here on our public website. Handsome certificates are awarded to members and non-members on each continent reporting the highest number of QSOs.

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The September 2024 Bill Windle QSO Party

 By Susan, K5DU

(Download all  September  2024 member  scores or read them here) – to be available soon.

(Download all September 2024  non-member scores or read them here) – to be available soon.

The Fall 2024 BW QSO Party was held on September 14, 2024

The top score in each Continent

Continent	Call	Name	QSOs	FOC QSOs
Africa	ZS1C	Raoul	243	215
Asia	JA1GZV	Motoaki	30	27
Europe	DK9PY	Armin	674	525
North America	K3WW	Chas	792	609
West North  America	KY7M	Lee	511	390
Oceania	VK2BJ	Barry	197	161
South  America	HK3CQ	Juan	131	125	Nonmember

 

No member from Africa or South America submitted a score. Almost every participant added soapbox comments. Those comments fell into two categories – it was fun, and conditions were horrible.  

The comments about conditions ranged from “Other than the abysmal propagation…” to “dire.”  And “awful.” No one said conditions were good. Poor conditions didn’t keep members from participating 

Everyone said they enjoyed the activity despite the conditions. HK3CQ’s comments neatly summarized the QSO Party: “Amazing event. First time participation. Many years waiting to be on air again and share with FOC friends. Enjoyed a lot. Worked with old fantastic IC 775DSP, Hex Bean, Dipole for 40 meters, Low Power. Thanks to all who answered my call. BW characteristic is always friendship. Hope to participate again. Long life to CW!!! Juan, HK3CQ”  

For me, K5DU, it’s a reminder of my first hours as an FOC member. I became #2152 at the starting minute of the Spring 2020 BWQP. After a scheduled QSO with my sponsor KZ5D I was hit by a pileup of members all sending “Welcome” and “Hello” and “161.” I loved it.  

Do take part in the March 2025 BWQP. And be ready for the September 22, 2025 BWQP next Fall. 

There lots of Soapbox comments.  Read them all. – to be available soon.

Complete results appear below.

(Download all September 2024 member scores or read them here) – to be available soon.

(Download all September 2024 non-member scores or read them here) – to be available soon.

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BWQP Results by Year