[UK-CONTEST] The FOC Bill Windle QSO Party

[Chris Page]

Do you fancy making some CW QSOs in a semi-contest style but at a 
more leisurely pace, and/or would you like an opportunity to improve 
your CW?  If so, then you may like to take part in FOC's Bill Windle 
QSO Party (BWQP) this coming Saturday - 18 October 2008.

Bill Windle, G8VG, ran FOC almost single-handed for many years in the 
1970s and 1980s and the BWQP is held twice a year in his memory.  
Bill tried to make FOC a club of 'active' CW radio amateurs and was 
constantly cajoling and persuading members to either get on the air 
and make CW QSOs or leave the Club.  The BWQP is an activity day to 
encourage FOC members to be active for at least some time during the 
24 hour period and to make CW QSOs, not only between FOC members, but 
with non-members as well.  During recent years many non-members have 
taken part in BWQPs and found it to be a welcome change from the 
normal type of contest operating.  In addition, many of them have 
gone on to become members of FOC.

The October BWQP will be held during the 24 hour period 0000z and 
2359 GMT  on Saturday 18 October, between 015 and 040kHz on 10, 15, 
20, 40, 80 and 160 metres.  Call "CQ BW" and the minimum exchange is 
RST and your name, but feel free to engage in longer QSOs if you 
desire.  FOC members will also give their FOC number and may include 
'FOC' in their CQs from time to time to indicate they are a FOC 
member.  You can make the BWQP what you want - solely contest style 
operating, solely rag-chewing style operating or (like most 
participants) a combination of both. 

After it is over, you are encouraged to send an activity report by e-
mail to Art, KZ5D, at <kz5d at aol.com>, but it is not required.  The 
report need only contain the total number of QSOs you made with FOC 
members, counted once per band, and any comments.  Art will compile a 
report for FOCUS, the quarterly magazine of FOC, and send a copy to 
all non-members who submit a report to him.  Certificates will be 
awarded to the non-members with the highest QSO scores from each 
continent.

Please pass the word around to your friends who might like to take 
part in the BWQP, and feel free to forward this e-mail to other 
mailing groups and reflectors with members who may be interested in 
participating.  The full details about the BWQP are on the FOC web-
site at <http://www.firstclasscw.org.uk/>, click on 'FOC Activity' in 
the left menu and then 'BW QSO Party' in the top horizontal menu.

73 de Chris, G4BUE