First Class CW Operators' Club
Encyclopedia
The First Class CW Operators' Club (usually known by the abbreviation FOC) is a club for amateur radio
operators who regularly make use of Morse code
.
The club originated in the United Kingdom
and is still headquartered there but has members all over the world. Membership is by invitation only and is limited to 500 worldwide. Invitees must demonstrate the ability to send and receive morse code at a minimum of 25 words per minute, demonstrate regular activity on the amateur frequency bands, and show impeccable levels of courtesy on the air.
Many FOC members are prominent in the world of DXpeditions and amateur radio contesting
, or are known for their skill in chasing DX
. Many, too, are interested in having long conversations using morse code, often at high speed. The Club has an active social programme and many members engage in extensive travel to meet other members in person.
Amateur radio
Amateur radio is the use of designated radio frequency spectrum for purposes of private recreation, non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, and emergency communication...
operators who regularly make use of Morse code
Morse code
Morse code is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment...
.
The club originated in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and is still headquartered there but has members all over the world. Membership is by invitation only and is limited to 500 worldwide. Invitees must demonstrate the ability to send and receive morse code at a minimum of 25 words per minute, demonstrate regular activity on the amateur frequency bands, and show impeccable levels of courtesy on the air.
Many FOC members are prominent in the world of DXpeditions and amateur radio contesting
Contesting
Contesting is a competitive activity pursued by amateur radio operators. In a contest, an amateur radio station, which may be operated by an individual or a team, seeks to contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible in a given period of time and exchange information...
, or are known for their skill in chasing DX
DXing
DXing is the hobby of tuning in and identifying distant radio or television signals, or making two way radio contact with distant stations in amateur radio, citizens' band radio or other two way radio communications. Many DXers also attempt to receive written verifications of reception from the...
. Many, too, are interested in having long conversations using morse code, often at high speed. The Club has an active social programme and many members engage in extensive travel to meet other members in person.