Request for seconding membership nomination for - Joel, KB7RYU and Rich N2NA (whom I am nominating). Current membership requirements no longer require seconding nominations but they remain desirable.
Carmen, (and fellow CFO members)
Carmen, aren't you membership secretary now?
I'm under the understanding that we've gone back to the original method of membership which was "if a member thinks you're a good CW operator, then you're in." That was the original way, no requirement for "keyboard" or paddle sending at 40 WPM and higher. Many of our original members were excellent Vibroplex operators like W0BMU Tex. And of course the ability to carry on a conversation in Morse. The big complaint these days about FOC is that they've forgotten all this in favor of just having excellent contest operators in their club.
As you know, our founder, Jim Rick's, W9TO was able to rag chew at 60 WPM and faster, and encouraged others to build Morse keyboards or just use his legendary TO Keyer / W9TO keyer, the design of which Jim sold to Hallicrafters Radio manufacturing company which they manufactured under the name of the "TO Keyer".
I've pushed back on the keyer or keyboard only advocates in the club by reminding members of our roots.
I remember there was a fellow nominated for FOC back in the 1970s when I was a member who was straight key only. I think his call was W3RF. He was an excellent operators.
Bill Windle, G8VG (SK) FOC #6 was membership secretary at the time and Bill operated with straight key and sideswiper exclusively.
At the time, I was concentrating on increasing my Morse speed into the 60 WPM area and I was solidly part of the CFO was a speed club group until I realized how much of our legacy we would lose by completely going in that direction. So I widened my appreciation of Morse to include ALL excellent Morse operators who could ragchew.
HI JOEL,
GREETINGS FROM SALEM, NH.
CONGRATS ON YOUR MANY YEARS OF HAM RADIO.
PLEASE CONTACT DAVID - N1EA REGARDING A
MEMBERSHIP IN THE CFO.
I HAVE COPIED DAVID ON THIS EMAIL AND I KNOW
HE WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU OUT WITH A
CFO MEMBERSHHIP.
WELCOME BACK TO THE WONDERFUL FUN
FILLED WORLD OF CW.
73 - K1LKP--
Hello Carmen,
I am interested in becoming a "Chicken Fat Operator" (CFO). I have been a ham since I was 13 in 1993, and quickly became interested in QRQ CW. At the time I had QSOs with local QRQ operators, Nick W7ZMD, and Woody WB9CQX (now K7CQX). I also recently had a QSO with Rick, N4RLD.
I was inactive for some time, but became active again this past November. I only operate CW. I can copy CW up to somewhere in the 40s WPM range, and send in the low 30s. Is this fast enough?
What may I do to become a CFO?
Thanks and 73!
-Joel, KB7RYU