FOC Old School Classic 1960s QSO Party

FOC Old School Classic 1960s QSO Party

 

Purpose: To turn the clocks back to what ham radio was like in the 1960s. To the extent possible, re-create the operating practices and gear used by amateurs before computers became a staple in most amateur stations, “contest” software became common, and DX Clusters were used for posting callsigns and frequencies of stations on the air anywhere in the world.

Participation: Open to all licensed amateurs

Date and Time:  Summer: Last weekend in June or first weekend in July: Sunday

Winter: First weekend in January: Sunday

Time: 24 Hours beginning 1200 UTC through 1200 UTC following day.

Dates and Times are subject to change.

Mode: CW Only

Call: “CQ OS” or “CQ OSQP” or “CQ FOC OS”

Suggested CW Speed: 15-30 WPM with 30 WPM maximum speed

Bands: 160M, 80M, 40M, 20M, 15M, 10M and 6M bands only.

Suggested Operating Frequency: 28 to 45 Khz above Band Lower Edge.

Operating Limitations:

  1. No use of a computer for sending Morse code from computer memory or receiving Morse code using decoders
  2. Paper logging is encouraged, but not required. Participants should copy and record the minimum exchange.
  3. No “contest” style logging programs, however a computer may be used for logging using non-contest logging software.
  4. No use of DX-clusters for spotting stations.
  5. Computer control of equipment, such as remote amplifier, remote station or antenna rotation and switching is OK.
  6. Mechanical keying is encouraged by not required. Paddle or keyboard keying is OK if keying is not from a memory keyer using stored messages or phrases.
  7. Vintage and Transition Gear is encouraged but not required. For this event, Vintage gear is defined as transmitters, receivers or transceivers manufactured before 1970. Transition Gear is defined as transmitters, Receivers or transceivers manufactured between 1970 and 1990

Entry Classifications and Station Class Designation Letter:

  • Station Class First Letter
    • “P” – Using paper logging
    • “C” – Using computer logging
  • Station Class Second Letter
    • “V” – Using vintage gear (Pre-1970)
    • “T” – Using Transition gear (1970-1990)
    • “L” – Using late model gear (After 1990)
    • “R” – Using remote gear
  • Station Class Third Letter
    • “M” – Using mechanical key
    • “E” – Using electronic keying (Paddle / Key-Board)

Minimum Exchange: “Actual” RST, + three letter station class designation + year of first license + Name. (See Station Class Designation above).

Example: 569 PVM 1962 Don (569-paper log-vintage gear-mechanical key-licensed 1962-Don

Year can be abbreviated to the last two digits, if desired.

Logging: Minimum requirements are date, time, frequency, call, RST, class, year of license and & name.

Scoring: One point per qualifying QSO. Stations may be worked once per band.

Multipliers: Add 5.0% of your base QSO count if using a paper logs.

Add 10.0% of Base QSO count if using Vintage Gear (Before 1970)

Add 5.0% of Base QSO count if using Transition Gear (1970 to 1990)

Add 5.0% of your base QSO count if using vintage gear.

Add 5.0% of your base QSO count if using mechanical keying.

No compounding of multipliers.

Example: 100 QSOs in Class PVM: Score is 120 Points (100+5+10+5)

Scores to be rounded to the nearest whole number (integer). (No decimal places or fractions).

Submission: Honor system. Participants report total score and comments / suggestions to the Event Manager in the following format:

Your call, station class, total point count, total qualifying QSOs

Email Results to OSQP@g4foc.org

For those participants that are interested in paper logging for the event (for the bonus points in scoring), this document (pdf) contains a paper logging page and a page for calculating the final score. One can print as many of the logging pages as needed for their operation.

Awards: Certificates to the highest score by an FOC Member and the highest score by a non-FOC Member from each continent. Participation Certificates available on line.

Results: Published on the G4FOC.org and other club websites (as allowed)

More Information: Contact Don, WB6BEE

 

2025 FOC Old School Classic 1960s QSO Party Results

The inaugural running of the FOC Old School Classic 1960s QSO Party was held on July 5, 2025. Not a bid field of participation and quite a bit of competition from other events. Propagation was poor.

Number of Scores submitted was 31. Total number of QSOs reported was 350.

The top Scores Submitted per Continent were:

North America FOC K2ZR
Non-FOC Tie between K4NMR & K5OHY
Asia FOC JE1TRV
Non-FOC JK7UST
Europe FOC F8GNV
Non-FOC IK1XPB
Oceania FOC VK5FOC (VK5GG)

The next date for the FOC OSQP will be January 4, 2026 1200Z to January 5, 2026 1200Z

Some Comments Received:

1

Heavy weather and T-Storms prohibited more participation.

2

Fun times, I sure wish condx were better!

3

Icom IC-740 rig pictured.  Tot tt much activity. Next year will fire up HT-37, Drake 2C or Heathkit DX-60.  73 John K3MD

4

Fun event.   I was not aware of it until the day before!   I am not on the Reflector, so perhaps that’s why I was not aware of such a contest!

5

A number of folks had 70s and 80s gear like Kenwood hybrids, Drakes and Ten Tec etc. so my suggestion is when you try again , set the radio bar at pre 1990. 

6

I hope the band condition will be better next time. And vintage gear will beok for the 70s.

7

TRX was the DRAKE TR-3 (1965, photo attached) 

8

Although I thought the rule was interesting and many Jas will participate, The results were disastrous. I sent CQ OSQP in vain for hours.

9

I suggest to change call in “CQ OS FOC” and to date it in October (great date last weekend of october, during CQWW SSB).

10

This QP was a terrific idea and lots of fun.

11

Thanks for a fun event. Even though I didn’t make a ton of contacts it was really fun. Also great practice using my bugs!

12

Thanks for organizing a great new event. The mid-year action is appreciated. It was great to get REAL signal reports! Also, score should be reported to nearest tenth (as above).

13

Much fun.   Looking forward to next year.

14

But I thought participation would have been higher.  I hope we will have another one and interest will be higher.

15

I really enjoyed this event but after 16Q’s, I ran out of stations to work. Couldn’t find anyone nor did I get answers to my CQs. 

16

 WERE MORE FUN THAN ANY CONTEST I HAVE OPERATED IN FOR DECADES.

17

I love the concept and hope it can grow.

18

OSQP is a refreshing change from the plethoria of contests on the bands today.

19

 I feel it is a worthwhile event.

20

Had a great time.   Wish I would have had more op  time