The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 494 BID: $OPDX.494 January 15, 2001 Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF-80 BBS Cleveland, Ohio
Online at 440-237-8208 28.8k-1200 Baud 8/N/1
Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern
Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, K1VV,
KF2TI, W2DEC, WB2YQH/WB2RAJ & The 59(9) DX Report, W3LEO,
W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, WB4PVT, WD4NGB, AC6V,
K6IPV, K8YSE, KU9C, 9V1YC, CE6TBN, DL5EBE, DL7AFS, EA3AJI, EA5KB,
G3XTT, JQ1SUO, OZ6OM/OZ7M & OZ 50 MHz DX Bulletin, SM0AGD,
UU6JM, VE3EXY, VK3TZ, YS1RR and Arja Laine for the following DX
information.
IMPORTANT NOTICE (Time for you to write to MSN.COM).
Your editor was informed this week by our ISP provider that
MSN.COM E-mails are being banned and will no longer be accepted
on the "NSHORE.ORG" system. This is due to the large
amount of "spam e-mail" that comes to
"nshore.org" every day. This has grown to the extent of
no longer being just an annoyance, but actually dangerous to the
ISP systems. After much thought and discussion with other system
administrators, that, because the administrators of
"msn.com" are obviously unwilling to even talk (i.e.,
to even respond) to inquiries, to "nshore.org", my ISP
is going to join several other ISPs from permitting any E-mail
address that contains the domain name "msn.com" in it
from coming onto his system. In other words, until such time as
"msn.com" can guarantee them that significant measures
are taken to prohibit the originating/mailing/relaying of this
"spam email" from that corporation, users interested in
any of the services provided by "nshore.org" are going
to be required to acquire mailboxes on other systems (e.g.,
"hotmail.com" or "juno.com", etc.) What this
means for subscribers and individuals who send info for the OPDX
is that if your E-mail address ends in "msn.com", you
will no longer be able to send email _to_ "nshore.org",
but you will continue to receive email _from_
"nshore.org", such as the OPDX Bulletin. It is HIGHLY
recommend if you need to send me any DX info from
"msn.com", PLEASE send it to: kb8nw@arrl.net (until a change
takes place). If you want to unsubscribe from the OPDX, you can
send an unsubscribe message (with your msn address after the word
unsubscribe) from another system or send me a message to the
"ARRL.NET" address, and I will do it manually...... 73
de Tedd KB8NW
3C1, EQUATORIAL GUINEA. Erik, SM0AGD, reports
that he will be visiting Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from January
23rd through February 5th. This will be on Bioco Island, IOTA
AF-010. Eril was active from the same location in 1975 and 1989.
His amateur radio licence has been granted and will be issued
after his arrival. So, currently his callsign is not yet known.
Erik is calling this an old-fashioned, small-scale DX-operation:
Just one operator, low power and no directional antennas. He will
be active on all HF bands, 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY,
running only 100 watts into a vertical and wire antennas. High
power is not allowed, but the location is good and should help
somewhat. His QTH will be at the same old Hotel Bahia where he
was staying in 1975 with a free view of the northern hemisphere
over The Gulf of Guinea. Erik intends to spend some time in the
CQWW 160m Contest on January 26-28th, and also in the BARTG RTTY
Contest the same weekend. His friend Jan, SM5DJZ, has agreed to
act as a pilot and will be able to QSP information in both
directions. Jan's E-mail address is: djz@swipnet.se. This operation
is sponsored by Northern California Dx Foundation. QSLs go to his
home callsign SM0AGD.
3C0, BOUVET. Chuck, 3Y0C, was heard over the
weekend mainly on 20 meters on 14260 kHz between 2345 and 0030z.
However, there were a few on 75 meters on 3772 kHz around 0245z.
During the past week, he was also heard on 17/15/12/10 meters. An
update from the WD4NGB Web page states the following from the
island: "Murphy has struck again at Bouvet. They had a
avalanche there this week along with the other bad weather, that
killed a lot of the seals. That put their already very busy
schedule on overload. The other news is they have been informed
that the ship will be back to pick them up earlier than planned.
They were given the date of March 2nd as the latest pickup date,
but it could be as much as 2 weeks earlier than this." For
up-to-date info and a new set of pictures from the island, check
out the Web page: http://www.qsl.net/wd4ngb/3y0.htm.
3D, CONWAY REEF (Update). According to
Raymundo, YS1RR, the planning for the Conway Reef DXpedition
continues, and you can see the Conway Reef 2001 Licensee
Authorization from the Government of Fiji on the Web Page at: http://www.kragujevac.co.yu/3d2/licence/licence.htm.
He also mentions donations/contributions are NOT coming in for
this operation. So far only 150 USD have been sent (from Korea
only), none from Europe/Japan/USA. Nenad, VE3EXY, reports that
once the team including Raymundo, YS1RR, are on their way to
Conway, the only contact will be by the radio, and the source of
info will be at the following Web site: http://www.magma.ca/~ve3exy.
Currently the web page just repeats the info, and provides the
link to YU site. This site will be more interesting during the DX
operation.
4U, ITU HQ. Plently of activity from this one
over the past week. There were operations on 80/30/20/17/15/12/10
meters CW/SSB. Keep an eye on the clusters for spots. QSL via CBA
or the bureau.
4W, EAST TIMOR. 4W1CW and 4W1UN were heard
active this past week. 4W1CW was heard on 24907 kHz and 4W1UN was
heard on 10106 kHz, both between 0200-0230z.
9M6, EAST MALAYSIA (Also possibly V8). From a
press release, Don/K6IPV and Dave/W6AQ, will operate from the
Hillview Gardens Resort Club radio station, 9M6AAC, between
February 10-22nd. Their personal callsigns will be 9M6IPT and
9M6AQT, respectively. This time frame covers the ARRL DX CW
Contest. The duo will not know whether they will be blessed with
a special contest callsign or not, but they will announce the
callsign to be used before the contest. Also, since they have
missed out on Spratley (9M0) for this trip, they are hoping that
they may be able to get over to Brunei (V8) for two or three days
maybe for contest operations from there instead of Hillview
Gardens. QSL route/s are to be announced in due course. (The
complete press release will be sent to all OPDX InterNet
Subscribers as an additional bulletin.)
A5, BHUTAN. The whole Johnson family,
Glenn/A52GJ, wife Vivien/A52VJ, son Mark/A52MJ, son Paul A52PJ
and daughter Melissa/A52YL, was heard active this past week. Glen
was heard active on 80/40/30/20 meters, mostly CW, but some SSB
on 20 meters. Mark was active on 80/20/10 meters mostly SSB, but
with some 80 meters CW. Paul was heard mainly on 20/10 meters
SSB. Vivien and Melissa were active on 20 meters SSB.
A52A VIDEO IS HERE! James, 9V1YC, informs
OPDX that the A52A Bhutan video is now ready! If you've ever
wondered what Bhutan is really like from the inside, or how it
feels to be behind an opening day pileup at the #2 most-wanted,
then you might be interested in this one. By request, Jim threw
in lots more SSB pileups this time, but also included plenty of
scenery, people, music, and background info on this absolutely
beautiful country. For those that enjoyed the videos from FO0AAA
and ZL9CI, this latest addition should be a treat. (And you just
might hear *your* QSO in there, too). The video is 60 minutes.
Available on VHS (PAL or NTSC). All digitally filmed and edited,
and mastered to Digital Betacam. For more information, go to the
Web page at: http://home.pacific.net.sg/~jamesb.
AX, AUSTRALIA (Attention Prefix Hunters!).
Tony, VK3TZ, reports that for those of you who missed the
"AX" prefix during the Olympics games, it is customary
for the Australia Communications Authority (ACA) to permit all
Aussie amateurs to use the "AX" prefix on Australia Day
- January 26th each year. If you chase WPX prefixes and need this
one, there should be quite a few VKs using the AX prefix on that
date. Tony adds, "When I can confirm details I will send the
exact times, sometimes its the whole weekend, sometimes (last few
years) just the 26th only."
CE0X, SAN AMBROSIO ISLAND (Update). Marco,
CE6TBN, Team Leader for the CE0XT DXpedition to San Ambrosio
Island during the second week in February, reports that the team
will use the following suggested frequencies:
CW - 1827.5, 3504/3524, 7004/7024, 10104, 14024, 18074, 21024, 24894, 28004 and 50105 kHz
SSB - 3795, 7075, 14195, 18145, 21295, 24945, 28495 and 50120 kHz
RTTY - 7030, 14080, 18055, 21080, 24920 and 28080 kHz
FM - 29400 kHz
The 6 Meters Beacon will be on 50.105 MHz. It will repeat
every 30-45 seconds. The team states that "they will
probably listen on the same frequency, using the squelch of the
rig to cut the noise down. When a signal break the squelch, that
is a sign to get someone onto the 6 meter rig and begin making
QSOs. We probably will run the beacon at 50 watts so that the rig
doesn't get hot." A new team member was added. Mike Mraz,
N6MZ, will replace Mario, CE6NE. Mike has been active from many
locations, such as: 9M6OO (Spratly group) 1999, 9M6AAC 1999,
BV0DX 1999, KH9/N6MZ 1998, ZK1XXP 1997, (Expedition of the Year
at Dayton 1998) VK0IR Heard Island 1997, (Expedition of the Year
at Dayton 1997) TO0R (FR5) 1997, FT5XL 1997, VR2WO 1997 and
CQWW/CW SV5/N6MZ 1993. The following pilot stations have been
chosen for the CE0XT operation:
CQ MAGAZINE INTRODUCES "The CQ Millennium
Award". CQ magazine is introducing a special
operating award for the year 2001 to mark the start of the new
millennium. "The CQ Millennium Award" recognizes anyone
who meets the minimum requirements for any of CQ's four permanent
operating awards, minus the QSL cards, during calendar year 2001.
Hams and short wave listeners may qualify for "The CQ
Millennium Award" in one of the following four ways during
the calendar year 2001 (0000z, January 1, 2001 to 2359z, December
31, 2001):
Work stations in 500 U.S. counties -- The basic level for
the USA-CA Award
Work 100 countries -- The basic criterion for the CQ DX
Award
Work one station in each of the 40 CQ zones -- The Worked
All Zones basic qualification.
Work either 400 prefixes mixed-mode or 300 prefixes
single mode (CW or SSB only), as required for the CQ WPX
Award.
Applications should include log extracts showing the
information required by the standard award rules, in the format
required by the standard award rules, plus a 6 USD processing fee
(12 USD outside the US). ADDED NOTE: There will be special
recognition for those who qualify on the basis of more than one
award program's requirements. Full details are published on page
15 in the January, 2001, issue of CQ magazine. For rules and
forms go to the CQ website: http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/.
D6, COMOROS. Josep/EA3BT and Nuria/EA3WL
became active from here on Saturday, around 1530z, as D68BT and
D68WL. However, information from their pilot station state that
upon the duo's arrival, it was raining cats and dogs and they
only could build the 3 element beam for 10-15-20 meters and had
only 1 station active running only 100 watts. By the time you
read this, they hope to build the 40-80 and 6 meters antennas and
have the second station active. Their suggested frequencies are:
CW - 10103 and 14025 kHz
RTTY - 14083 and 21083 kHz
SSB - 3795, 7052, 14195, 18145, 21195/21295, 24945, 28495 and 50110 kHz
In order to receive feedback from the DX community, the
following pilot stations have been selected. You can get in touch
with each pilot of your area/zone:
Europe and Central/South America: Pere Galimany, EA3AJI -
E-mail address: pilot_d68@ea3aji.com
North America: Dr. Bill Avery, K6GNX - E-mail address: k6gnx@telemetry.com
Japan, Asia & Oceania: Yuki Deguchi, JI6KVR - E-mail address:
ji6kvr@orange.ocn.ne.jp
Periodically information will be sent through the main DX
reflectors. Remember that the logs will be posted daily, along
with additional information and pictures posted by Xavier,
EA3BHK, at the following web page: http://www.qsl.net/ea3bt.
D68C, COMOROS DXPEDITION. Don, G3XTT, from
the "Five Star DXers Association", has sent out another
huge press release (Bulletin #4) stating the forthcoming D68C
DXpedition to the Comoros (active from about 8th to 28th
February) is less than four weeks to go! This press release
brings you the latest news, including some information about the
technical innovations they will be using on the trip, and news of
a series of awards for working D68C. So, their suggested
operating frequencies:
Also - 28MHz FM: 29580; 6m beacon 50.090. Also remember that
they will be working the main satellites. The D68C Web Page
continues to be updated with the latest news. To remind everyone,
the URL is: http://www.dxbands.com/comoros. The complete
press release will be sent to all OPDX InterNet Subscribers as an
addtional bulletin.
DX HOLIDAY WEB SITE (The Ultimate Dxpediton
Resource!). The following Web site offers a starting
point for people looking for a QTH for a DXpedition, Contest
Expedition, or IOTA Expedition!. The site lists Rena-a-QTH, Ham
Friendly Villas, Radio Clubs, etc. There is information on places
to operate from over 100 countries, with additional DXpedition
resource information covering: Picking your DX destination,
licensing, travel documentation and money matters, health,
emergency , weather issues, announcing your DXpedition, equipment
packing tips and many other topics. Check it out at: http://pages.prodigy.net/k2kw/qthlist/.
EZ21, TURKMENISTAN (Attention Prefix Hunters!).
Start looking for amateurs in this country to use the special
prefix EZ21 to commemorate the new Millennium. EZ21BO was spotted
on 10112 kHz around 2100z and EZ21A around 14242 and 14266 kHz
after 0230z.
IOTA NEWS...
AS-117. Look for JA2HMD/2, JA2JTN/2,
7N2JZT/2 and JQ1SUO/2 from Hatushima Island between
February 10th and 12th. Activity will be 160-10 meters
CW/SSB. QSL via home call or CBA.
EU-180. Look for club station UU4JXM to
be active from Kosa Tuzla Island during the CQWW 160
Meter CW Contest as UU7J/P. The team leader of the
expedition, Andy, UU6JM, will arrive from Kerch on
January 23rd and will be active as UU4JXM/P. Activity
will be mostly during the evening time on 160-20 meters
CW and SSB. Andy has indicated that weather conditions
don't permit operations on 15-10 meters. Antennas will be
a Delta Loop, GP and Beverages. Operators UU0JM, UU4JMG,
UU8JK and maybe UU2JQ will join Andy/UU6JM on January
26th. The QSL Manager will be UU8JK: Alex Kotovskij,
p.o.box 57, 98312 Kerch, Ukraine. Please note: UU6JF is
not the QSL Manager for UU4JXM/UU7J.
J2, DJIBOUTI. "The 59(9) DX Report"
reports to look for David, F5THR (ex-6W1AE, TL8CD), to be active
from here as J28EX until January 2002. Activity will be on 160-10
meters. He is going to have a 4 element beam up for 6 meters. QSL
via FB1BON: Patrick Brochet, P.O. Box 522, 85305 Challans CX,
France.
KH9, WAKE ISLAND (also V7). Look for Bruce,
AC4G, to be active as AC4G/KH9 from here February 9-27th.
Activity will be on all bands with an attempt on 6 meters if he
can get an antenna up in time. Reportedly, Bruce already has
antennas on the island and will be using a Yaesu FT-847 for SSB
and CW. He will be working on the island and will operate only
during his spare time. He has plans to participate in the ARRL CW
DX Contest and the CQ WW SSB 160 Contest. QSL via AC4G: Bruce
Smith, 1056 Old Railroad Bed Road, Taft, TN 38488.
KH0, MARIANA ISLANDS. Look for JQ1NGT and
JI1EFP to be active as KH0/JI1EFP and KH0/JQ1NGT from Saipan
between February 16-19th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters on CW
and SSB. The two operators plan to participate in the ARRL CW DX
Contest either as Single Op or as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via
JQ1NGT: Kenji Sekine, 3-4-7 Honcyo, Fukiage,369-0115 JAPAN.
OH0, ALAND ISLANDS. The Aland Islands contest
station OH0Z will be active on both modes in the ARRL DX Contest
as a single-op/all bands entry. Pasi, OH1MM, will operate the
station on CW and Ari, OH1EH, on SSB. QSLs via OH1EH: Ari
Korhonen, Kreetalank. 9 A 1, FIN29200 Harjavalta, Finland. For
more info on the OH0Z station, check the Web page: http://www.qsl.net/oh0z.
QSL INFO AND NEWS...
Steve, KU9C, reports that QSL cards for
the 4W/K7BV and 4W/N6FF East Timor operation are expected
to be in his hands by February 1st, and will begin
hitting the mail box immediately. Steve states, "I
expect to have most of them out within a few weeks, and
all received by the end of February should be in the mail
by March 1st. If you didn't apply enough postage due to
the recent US postage rate change, do not worry....I will
put the required stamps on the envelope to make sure they
don't get held up in the mail process. The card is a full
color one...and I hope you enjoy it.....It's a beautiful
picture of the QTH at sunset......so you can see what
Dick/Dennis had to look at before working you on the low
bands that evening!"
A61AJ QSLs. Bernie, W3UR, DX Editor and
QSL Manager, reports the following: "Recently I have
had many requests as to what the situation is on the
A61AJ QSL cards. I am currently waiting for Ali to order
new photo QSL cards. All direct (3,098) and bureau (13,
109) requests have been entered into the computer logs.
Once Ali orders the QSLs and I receive them from the
printer they will be quickly sent out. Please be patient
during this transition time. By the way I am unable to
except e-qsls or e-qsl bureau requests. For those who
have not done so already please QSL to: A61AJ, c/o Bernie
McClenny, W3UR, 3025 Hobbs Road, Glenwood, MD 21738 USA.
Please do not send second requests as this just slows the
whole process down."
Bernd, DL2DXA, reports that he has
received more then 400 direct requests for both
DL2DXA/HI9 and DL2DXA/CT3. He states that he has received
the QSL cards from the printer, and you should be seeing
cards in the mail soon.
Pepe, EA5KB, informs OPDX that he is the
QSL Manager for the following stations: TG9AAK, TG9AMD,
CO8EJ, CO2FN, CO3JR and CM6QN. He has all the logs.
Please QSL to him via the Bureau of Spain or direct to
his CBA.
QSLs for YJ0AYL/AZG and A35YL/ZG. Babs,
DL7AFS, reports to expect your direct QSLs within the
next 2 weeks. More then 2500 oversea and 1500 European
requests were sent and include 1 of 4 full colored QSLs.
QSL cards will be answered as they come in now. Babs
mentions that they have kept nearly 250 requests in a
cardboard box that were without postage, or had only 1
USD return postage for oversea mail. Babs states,
"Remember please, the oversea postage is 1.60 USD or
3DM or an IRC. We will be waiting 3 months or so to send
these QSL cards via bureau. European postage is 1.10 DM
or 1 IRC." ADDED NOTE: Babs, DL7AFS, is still QSL
Manager for the following past operations: C50YL, C53HP,
S79YL, S79ZG, S79FAG, EA6/DL7AFS and EA6/DJ7ZG.
R1, ANTARCTICA. Look for Nick, UA3YH, to be
active as R1ANM from the Amundsen-Scott Base starting on/around
January 15th through February 15th. R1ANW, Mirny: the operator
after Wally's departure will be Slava Vasilkov. Slava worked as
RX1OX/FJL from Franz-Joseph-Land before. He is a good CW
operator. QSL should be via DL6YET.
SPECIAL EVENT. Bob "Whitey"
Doherty, K1VV, President of the Marconi Radio Club, W1AA, informs
OPDX that the Marconi Radio Club will celebrate the 98th
Anniversary of Guglielmo Marconi's First Transatlantic Radio
Transmission between Cape Cod Massachusetts and England. The
Marconi Radio Club will operate from Cape Cod using the call sign
W1AA/CC. "CC" was Marconi's first call sign for his
transatlantic Cape Cod Station long before the existence of the
FCC and issuing of call signs. The Marconi Radio Club will
operate two High Frequency amateur radio stations on CW and Phone
and one on 2 meter FM. Hours of planned operation are from 1200z
through 2200z, January 18, 2001 on the 20 through 10 meter bands.
DX stations QSL via the W1 Bureau and W/K stations to the W1AA
Callbook address with an S.A.S.E. Operation will be from a former
Coast Guard Life Boat Station close to the original 1903 Marconi
Transatlantic Radio Station site within the National Sea Shore
Park, as almost all of the original 1903 Marconi station site has
been carried away by beach erosion. Look at the W1AA web page for
photos of the site and additional information at: http://personal.tmlp.com/k1vv/w1aa/event2001.html.
SPECIAL EVENT. Look for special event station
"W3I" to be active from Mount Airy, MD (30 miles North
of Washington, DC), on January 20, 2001 (1400-2400z). Activity is
to celebrate the 54th U.S. Presidential Inauguration. Suggested
frequencies are [+/-]: 7.240, 14.240, 21.320, 28.420, 50.140 and
144.140 MHz. For QSL card, send your QSL and SASE to: MADRAS,
P.O. Box 2468, Wheaton, MD 20902 or via bureau to W3LEO.
SPECIAL EVENT. Be looking for the
"Challenger Middle School ARC", KI6YG, in San Diego,
CA, to be active January 28th, from 1430-2400z. This activity is
to commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Space Shuttle
Challenger Tragedy. Suggested frequencies are: 14.250, 21.350,
28.350, 146.52 MHz. QSL to: Challenger Middle School ARC, 10810
Parkdale Ave, San Diego, CA, 92126.
V7, MARSHALL ISLAND. Bruce, AC4G, will be
active from Kwajalein Island as V73CW before going to Wake Island
(see KH9 above). This will be during the last week of January.
Activity should be on all bands. QSL via AC4G: Bruce Smith, 1056
Old Railroad Bed Road, Taft, TN 38488.
VU, INDIA. According to Jose, VU2JOS, the VU
stations can operate on 30 meters until 1830z January 31, 2001.
OPDX found the following stations active on 30 meters:
VU2BGS - 10105 kHz at 1245z and after 0200z.
VU2JOS - between 10105-10110 kHz as early as 2200z and as late as 0200z.
VU2TS - 10104 kHz at 1230z.
YV, VENEZUELA. Rick, W0IS, will be going on a
mini-DXpedition here at the end of the month. Look for activity
from Caracas beginning late Friday evening, January 26th. He will
travel on Saturday for one day and expects to be active for one
night from Los Roques (SA-035). Look for him to be on the air
Sunday, January 28th, probably around 0400-1000z. Activity will
probably be somewhere near 7040 CW or 7075 SSB. Feel free to call
him on CW even if he is on SSB, and he states that he will be
glad to switch over to CW to give you a report. He will just be
using a dipole. He believes his callsign will be YV5/W0IS,
although he is not positive on the number. Please QSL to his home
address or via the W0 bureau.
SPECIAL NOTE BY EDITOR: If you are having a problem receiving
bounced mail by sending mail to me via kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org,
please send mail to me via kb8nw@arrl.net
...... TNX de Tedd KB8NW
Excerpts and distribution of The OPDX Bulletin are granted as
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VOICE or FAX answering machine at 440-237-8208 which shares the
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dial four quick ones ("1111"). (NOTE: Some FAX machines
that send single "BEEPS" every second will not have to
do this step.) 3) The phone will pick up and after the
"BEEP" leave your voice message or FAX.
Tedd Mirgliotta KB8NW
InterNet: kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org
Basic Amateur Radio Frequency BBS (BARF-80) +1 (440) 237-8208
"Totally devoted to Amateur Radio" - 24 Hrs a day 8/N/1
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