How do I join FOC ?

FOC is not for everybody! But if you have a genuine love of CW and enjoy socialising with others of like interests then FOC could be just right for you.

The route to membership is quite lengthy but it is open to anyone who has the necessary skills and the right attitude.

FOC is not a closed society; anyone who really wants to be a member can get there.

The formal process

To become a member, you must be sponsored by five existing members, from at least two continents, who have been in contact with you during the past 12 months. At least one sponsor must reside in Great Britain. It is expected that a potential member will have demonstrated his good operating practice, over the air, during an extended period. During the sponsoring period, other members of the club may have the opportunity to object to the nomination of a specific station. Grounds for objection may include evidence of bad or ill-mannered operating, poor CW ability or even evidence that nominations have been openly solicited.

Objections are rare and are carefully considered by the Club's Committee which will only uphold the objection if there are ample grounds.

The required sponsorship must be obtained within a period of six months. If you get your five sponsors in that time then you progess to the "starred list" for a period of three months during which the objections process described above still apply. At the end of the starred list period you will be eligible for membership and if there is room then you will receive an offer immediately.

Sometimes the rate of sponsorship exceeds the availability of places and then a "QRX list" is operated with the next available place being filled by the person who has been on the QRX list for the longest time.

Once having attained membership continued reasonable levels of activity and continued observance of good operating practices are still required.

What does this all mean in practice?

You'll need to be able to do about 25wpm as a minimum. This doesn't just mean contest exchange style! You need to be able and willing to rag-chew at a decent speed without your CW going to pot after the first couple of minutes.

You'll need to be active. Hang around 025 and make yourself known. If the time is right, then you'll soon find that members start noticing you and before long the sponsorships will start. Normally a member will tell you that he is intending to sponsor you and most sponsors will help you to understand the process and keep you updated with how you are getting on.

As you get to know FOC members there's a good chance that one of them will invite you to one of the social events organised by FOC. Take up the offer! It's a wonderful way to get to know more members and, naturally, you are more likely to get sponsorship from members that you know well. Some of the social events are mentioned in the "what does FOC do" section of this site.

Anyone who has the underlying skills and who really wants to become a member should have no real difficulty in achieving that goal.

And when I become a member?

You get a number! For example, your Web Master's membership number is 1623. That means that he was the 1623th radio amateur invited to join the club since its formation. You get a callbook with the names, addresses and where applicable, e-mail of every other member.

But most of all you get to be very popular!

For FOC'ers, a new member turning up on the band is akin to a new DXCC country being created.

Everyone wants to work you. It's great.