The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 643 BID: $OPDX.643 January 12, 2004 Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)
Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern
Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K &
the AR TelNet Clusters Network, K1XN & GoList, W1JR, K2UO,
NO2R, K3CT, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX,
W4WX, W6ZPL, AA8LL, K8YSE, NE8Z, 4J9RI, CE6TBN, CT1END, DJ5JH,
DL5EBE, DL6UAA, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT,
HA5X, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA
Islands News, PA9JJ, UA3SAQ, VA3RJ & ICPO, VK4AAR, VU3DJQ and
ZL4HU for the following DX information.
DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the
AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 4th/January, through
Sunday, 11th/January there were 223 countries active. Countries
available: 1A, 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1I,
4X, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P,
9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9V, 9Y, A2, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9,
AP, BS7, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, CE, CE0Z, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3,
CU, CX, D2, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES,
EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ,
GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS,
HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, J5, J6, J7, J8, JA, JT, JW, JX, JY, K, KH0,
KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0,
OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PZ, S2, S5,
S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T2, T30, T7, T9, TA,
TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TR, TT, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR,
V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/h,
VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, YA, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV,
Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD9, ZF, ZK1/s, ZL, ZP, ZS.
* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain
"Pirate/SLIM" operations. As always, you never know -
"Work First Worry Later" (WFWL).
1A, SMOM (Sovereign Military Order of Malta).
Well, this may be confusing. According to the 1A0KM Web page:
"Different from what we said the official log of 1A0KM 2004,
we will be not online, maybe only in a second time." This
seems to indicate that the online logs will not be available this
time, but possibly the next operation as promised. They also
state that there were some pirate operations. The Web page
states: "You have to consider pirate activity these QSO in
these times, all QSOs are on CW:
QSOs of January 2nd 2004 between 2300z and 2400z on 7 Mhz
QSOs of January 3rd 2004 between 0800z and 0900z on 14
Mhz, (it was active a real station on the same band on
SSB in these times)
QSOs of January 4th 2004 between 0100z and 0600z on 7 Mhz
QSOs of January 4th 2004 between 2000z and 2100z on 7
Mhz."
2003 DXING (A Year In Review By Joe, W1JR).
Joe Reisert, W1JR, informed OPDX last weekend that "2003
wasn't such a bad year for DXing after all. I worked 286
entities, slightly less than in 2002. I missed 4 that I know of
that were usually on lists or nets (which I try to avoid). Hence,
for record keepers sake, about 45 entities did not have a valid
operation in 2003." So I asked Joe to put together something
and I would publish it. Here is what Joe sent to OPDX: "As I
said, I worked 286 DXCC entities in 2003, all of which I believe
were legit stations and QSOs. Here's my list of the countries I
believe were NOT active (legitimately) in 2003.
S. America: CE0X, HK0 (Malpelo), VP8 (S. Georgia) and VP8 (S.
Sandwich) In addition, I missed 5 last year that I believe were
active: 5V, TN, V5, VP8 (S. Orkney) and C2. I missed some of
these because I don't do Nets and Lists! So far in 2004 (by
January 9th), I've worked over 120 entities. Best of DXing for
2004. 73, Joe, W1JR"
425TROPHY. The "425 DX News" group
has announced a new survery is being taken. The group has
selected 14 DXpeditions for you to vote on as the best 2003
DXpedition. The "425TROPHY" will be given to the winner
during a DX Convention (to be announced). The group is also
accepting donations EXCLUSIVELY for the 425TROPHY. The
callsigns/names of the donors will be engraved on the TROPHY and
listed on the 425 Web site. To vote, please visit the Web page
at: http://www.425dxn.org/trophy_2003.
4U1I, ITU HQ (Taking 160m Requests). Ivan,
OM3CGN, states he will be in Geneva until December 15, 2004. He
is taking requests for 160 meters contacts via E-mail. His E-mail
address is: om3cgn@nextra.sk.
5V, TOGO (Update from the 5V7C crew and F6KOP, Provins
ARC). Operators Dominique/F5VHQ and Franck/F5TVG will
arrive in Togo on the 4th of March to pick up the licences and
begin to install the gear; especially the antennas on the traffic
site. They will also do some testing. You may be able to contact
5V7C earlier than the 6th of March. This is when the rest of the
crew will join F5VHQ and F5YVG. Visit the 5V7C Web site at: http://5v7c.free.fr/defaulteng.htm.
Sign their guestbook at: http://5v7c.free.fr/livre.html.
AT0, INDIA. Did you work AT0D this past
weekend? This was Ram, VU3DJQ. He informed OPDX that he has
permission to operate as AT0D (or possible AT0DJQ) during
contests. Look out for him between now and the end of March.
Operations will be on 20 meters only. QSLs go to EA7FTR.
C5, THE GAMBIA. Jan, PA9JJ, will be active as
C56JJ from March 29th until April 5th from a QTH in Kololi
(Senegambia Beach Hotel). Jan states he will try to put up an
antenna for 160 meters but is not sure if he can work 160 due to
the very high QRN and QRM levels. Jan tells OPDX that he will
also be using RTTY and/or PSK31 and focus on the Warc bands if 80
and 160 meters are no good. There will be no activity on 6 meters
for he has no antenna for this band. This will be a one man
DXpedition and he will use a FT-100 and a G5RV. QSL via the
address on QRZ.com. Jan states, "NO E-QSL request for I do
not use e-qsl."
C6, BAHAMAS (IOTA and Lighthouse Op). Wade,
AA8LL, informs OPDX that he and Liz, K8LIZ, will be active again
as AA8LL/C6A and K8LIZ/C6A and will operate from Pittstown Point
on Crooked Island (IOTA NA-113), Jaunary 16-19th. This operation
also counts for Bird Rock Lighthouse, ARLHS BAH-005. On January
17-18th, they will operate as C6ALB from the Bird Rock Lighthouse
proper. This counts for WLA LH-0118 in addition to ARLHS BAH-005
and NA-113. Activity will be mostly SSB from 40-10 meters (They
love the WARC bands!) but other bands/modes are possible. QSL to
AA8LL or K8LIZ direct or bureau.
CE9, SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS. Ricardo, CE3HDI,
is expected to be on the air as CE9R from King George Island
(IOTA AN-010 and DICE ICE-901) "Presidente Eduardo Frei
Montalva Base" (WABA CE-03) from now until February 24th.
Activity will be on all bands CW/SSB. QSL via CE3HDI.
CASTLE ACTIVITY. The Association of
Radioamadores de Coimbra will activate Castle Lousa as CS6ARC/p
on Janaury 18th. QSL via the CBA. The reference number for the
Diploma of the Castles and Forts of Portugal is: DCFP C-065
DX MAGAZINE'S MOST WANTED SURVEY (Results Are In!).
The DX Magazine has announced the results of its annual
"Most Wanted Survey" which was taken between late
September and ended during mid-October of 2003. The total results
are published in the January/February 2004 issue of the DX
Magazine. The magazine breaks down the results by world-wide,
Europe only, world-wide (No Europe or USA), overall USA, USA/NA
Eastern Time Zone, USA/NA Central Time Zone, USA/NA Mountain Time
Zone and US/NA Pacific Time Zone. Here are the top 10 Most
Wanted:
1) Scarborough Reef (BS7) 6) Yemen (7O)
2) Andaman & Nicobar Islands (VU4) 7) Juan de Nova & Europa (FR/J & FR/E)
3) North Korea (P5) 8) Navassa Island (KP1)
4) Lakshadweep Islands (VU7) 9) Desecheo Island (KP5)
5) Peter I Island (3Y) 10) Aves Island (YV0)
This survey was taken by Carl Smith, Editor of QRZ DX and The
DX Magazine. For more information on these publications, please
visit the Web page at: http://www.dxpub.com.
FM, MARTINIQUE. Guy, F5MNW, will be active as
FM/F5MNW between February 21st and March 6th from the main island
(NA-107 and DIFO FM001). Activity will be CW only on the HF
bands. Guy will be active during his spare time. QSL direct via
his HC (SAE + 1 IRC or 2 USD - One green stamp is no more
sufficient to cover today's postal fees for a card sent to the
Americas, Asia or Oceania) or via the French REF Bureau.
FO (FO/A & FO/M), FRENCH POLYNESIA, AUSTRAL AND
MARQUESAS ISLANDS. Gerard, ON4AXU (ex-C21XU, T30XU,
3D2XU, ZK1AXU (North/South), 5W0GD and A35XU) has informed OPDX
that his plans for 2004 are to go to FO, FO/A and FO/M between
May 13th and June 13th. His plans/schedules are as follows:
Callsigns and bands/modes of operations have not yet been
announced. However, Gerard has a Web page and is looking for
comments/suggestions for this operation. Please visit: http://www.qsl.net/on4axu.
FS, FRENCH ST. MARTIN. Operators Dave/K3LP
(Team Leader), Larry/N7DD, Steve/N3SB, Tyler/K3MM, Jeff/N8II,
Clint/W3ARS and Kam/N3KS will be on the island from February
18-24th. They will operate from Mort's (W1UQ's) QTH at Paradis
Peak (1,400 elevation). Each team member will operate with their
own FS/homecall prior to and after the ARRL Contest. During the
ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd), the team will be active as
FS5UQ during the contest as a Multi-Multi entry. All QSLs are via
www.QRZ.com.
HC1, ECUADOR. Rick, NE8Z, informs OPDX that
he will be operating as HC1MD from Tumbaco, Ecuador, January
22-28th. Tumbaco is located "just over the hill" from
HCJB's massive antenna complex in Pifo, Ecuador. Rick will be
using a TS850s + SB200 + Carolina Windom on 80-10 meters CW/SSB.
He will be paying special attention to the WARC bands on this
trip. On Monday, January 26th, Rick will be monitoring 50.110 MHz
all day. That will be the only day that he will have access to 6
meters (100w + 5 element Cushcraft yagi). Please view the HC-DX
Awards at: http://www.octavia.com/qsl/awards.htm. QSL
via QRZ.com or K8LJG at: John Kroll, 3528 Craig Drive, Flint, MI
48506 USA.
IOTA NEWS...
SA-031. Marco, CE6TBN, plans to be
active as CE6TBN/8 from Riesco Island (DICE ICE-804),
January 12-15th. Activity will be on 40, 20, 17, 15, 12
and 10 meters SSB, using monoband vertical antennas and a
TS-140. QSL via N1IBM: Morris E. Maze III, 847 Dolan St.,
Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey 08734, USA.
SA-032. Marco, CE6TBN, plans to be
active as CE6TBN/8 from Wellington Island (DICE ICE-802),
January 17-20th. Activity will be on 40, 20, 17, 15, 12
and 10 meterd SSB, using monoband vertical antennas and a
TS-140. QSL via N1IBM: Morris E. Maze III, 847 Dolan St.,
Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey 08734, USA.
SA-047. Emilio, PU5HAS, will be active
as PY5/PU5HAS from Mel Island, January 15-17th. Activity
will be on 80-10 meters, SSB only (limited license). QSL
via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.
KG4, GUANTANAMO BAY (Op Cancelled). Bill,
KG4DX (W4WX), informs OPDX that his January 13-19th operation to
GTMO is cancelled due to shortage of billeting at GTMO. He will
try again later.
LU, SOUTH ORKNEYS ISLANDS. Martin, LU3DO, the
new medical doctor for the Orcadas Base on the South Orkneys, is
expected (might) be active as LU3DO/Z for about one year until
March 2005. He will use the equipment which Henry, LU4DXU, will
leave behind on the island after his departure to Laurie Island
(January 23rd).
NEW OFFICERS FOR 2004. Robert Paquette,
W6ZPL, Secretary of the Southern California DX Club (SCDXC),
informs: "We are pleased to announce the election of
following amateurs to serve as officers in the Southern
California DX Club (SCDXC) for 2004. History was made with this
year's elections; for the first time in the clubs 58 year history
we have elected our first woman president. Cathy Gardenias, K6VC,
is a well know amateur radio operator and a first class DXer.
Cathy has won the SCDXC Clipperton Award (1998-99) for the member
who worked the most DXCC entities in their first year as a
member. She has also been awarded the SCDXC DXer of the Year
Award which she won along with her husband ARRL Orange Section
Manager (Southwest Div.) Carl Gardenias, WU6D. Cathy has been a
great asset to the SCDXC, and we are proud to add her to the very
distinguished list of amateurs who have served this club as
president.
The official mailing address for all SCDXC correspondences
during 2003 will be:
Southern California DX Club (SCDXC)
Attn: Robert Paquette, W6ZPL, Secretary
2253 W. Whittier Bl.
La Habra, CA 90631
E-mail: secretary@scdxc.org
Please visit the SCDXC Web site for the latest club
information at: http://www.scdxc.org.
P4, ARUBA (Update). Last week we mentioned
that John, W2GD, would be active as P40W in the ARRL DX CW
Contest as SOAB entry. John has told OPDX that he will be there
between February 18-23rd. Before and after the contest there will
be some operation on all bands SSB and CW, with an emphasis on
160 meters at night, 10 meters during the day. QSL via N2MM.
PJ5, ST. EUSTATIUS. Jim, K1NA, will be active
as PJ5NA during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd) as a
Single-Op/All Band entry. QSL via K1NA.
POSTAGE CONTINUES TO INCREASE...
Mart, DL6UAA, informs OPDX that as of
Janaury 2004, the postage for a airmail letter from DL to
outside of Europe is now a bit higher. OLD: 1.50 (EURO)
NEW: 1.55 (EURO). Wolf, DJ5JH, adds that currently this
is 1.99 USD at the rapidly deteriorating exchange rate (1
EURO = 1.28 USD). He states, "Soon 2 USD will not be
enough to postage for direct QSL." Some hams still
continue to add only 1 USD with their QSL card as return
postage.
Alan Roocroft, VK4AAR, informs OPDX:
"I must finally capitulate but I DID try to avoid
the inevitable increase like other VK and ZL managers.
When sending QSLs to me for one of my people, I must
humbly ask DXers to send USD 2.00 as long as our dollar
remains this strong against the US dollar. 'Greenstamps'
are the preferred way as IRCs are a pain in the
'you-know-where'. By the way, there is no surface mail to
overseas destinations from Australia (with the exception
of large parcels etc). Air mail is the only possibility
for cards and letters."
Ken Holdom, ZL4HU, reports: "In my
previous E-mail I advised that due to the strong value of
the New Zealand Dollar all cards received directly with
one green stamp or USD will be replied to via the bureau.
Today I exchanged some U.S. currency and the rate was 1
USD = NZD 1.40. This is the worst it has been in our
times of DXing and DXpeditioning. Our current ecconomy
postal charges worldwide are NZD 1.50 so as you can see
there is a real difference. Airmail is at NZD 2.00. As
our Association does not have sufficient funds to meet
the additional postage costs, cards with insufficient
postage WILL be replied to via the BUREAU. I am sorry for
this but it is simply beyond our control and I hope you
will all appreciate our situation. Kind Regards and Good
DXing. Ken Holdom ZL4HU Kermadec DX ASSOCIATION"
QSL INFO AND NEWS...
NEW QSL MANAGER. Rashad/4J9RI and
Stan/UA3SAQ report that as of Janaury 1, 2004, the Radio
Club 4K7Z (also 4K1V, 4J1S, 4K60AA and 4K7DWZ) has a new
QSL Manager: Uljanov Vladimir (UA3FDX), P.O. Box 10,
Moscow, 121615 Russia.
A61AJ QSL UPDATE: George, K2UO, reports
that 7,000 QSLs have been processed and sent out directly
or via the bureau. This clears up the backlog of cards
with the exception of those from QSLs with "missing
log segments", these number about 1,000, both direct
and bureau. Most of the missing log segments are in 2002.
Ghis and the boys in A6 are trying to find the missing
log segments and hopefully will be successful. ALL direct
cards are being answered the "same day" they
are received (IF K2UO has logs for ALL QSOs requested).
K2UO is the QSL manager for U.S., U.S. possessions, North
and South America and the Caribbean. DJ2MX is QSL manager
for Europe/Asia/Africa/Pacific.
LOGS NOW ON LOTW! Bill, W9OL, reports
that the following logs have been upload and are now
available on the "Logbook of The World": A4XYS
- Logs for September 1983 through March 1984; KB4ATV/4S7
- Logs for April 4, 1984 through April 8, 1984 He states
that he is still working on some of them and will
continue to provide hardcard QSLs upon request. USA only
requires a SASE. Non USA only requires a SAE, 1 IRC is
sufficient. All bureau requests will be replied via the
bureau. Bill states, "If you feel that you have a
QSO that is not included in the LoTW log, feel free to
E-mail me with particulars and I will re-examine the
log." His E-mail address is: w9ol@billnjudy.com.
QSLs for IR7LH, a special activation of
a beacon that is on the air between November 1st (2003)
to April 30th (2004), should be QSled via IK7JWX, by the
bureau or direct with a SASE. Operators are: IK7JWX on
SSB and I7PXV on CW.
Special event station N2MO was activated
by Ocean Monmouth ARC (OMARC) this past weekend.
Operations were from the historic Project Diana site and
activity was to commemorate the first ever successful
moon bounce experiment as conducted by the U.S. Army
Signal Corps held on 10th of January 1946. QSL via N2MO.
For more information on the Diana Project and for QSL
info please visit the OMARC web site at: http://www.omarc.org.
Also visit the InfoAge Learning Center for more Diana
Project history at: http://www.infoage.org/diana.html.
SPECIAL EVENT. Chris, HA5X, informs OPDX that
on May 1, 2004, the Republic of Hungary becomes a full member of
the European Union (EU). The EU which currently consists of 15
member states will become a union of 25 European countries.
Throughout the year of this accession, members of MOM Radioclub
will be using the special amateur radio callsign, HA2004EU. Their
aim is to make the year 2004 a remarkable event for ham radio
operators world wide, whether or not they live in or outside the
EU, which is carrying out its biggest ever enlargement. They
would like to make as many amateur radio contacts as possible
using different amateur radio equipment and various operating
techniques. They are looking forward to a year full of
interesting experiments and amateur radio ventures. One of the
principles of the EU is the easy travel within the Union. To
symbolize what that freedom of movement means for amateur radio
operators, they plan to visit several current and new members
states of the EU, and make amateur radio contacts from all the
countries they visit. Beside the operation of the special
callsign from Hungary and other member states, the MOM Radioclub
also plans to issue an award to those amateur radio operators of
the world who can fulfill its requirements. For more information,
expedition announcements and stories, please visit the following
Web page at: http://ha2004.eu/.
TO5, MARTINIQUE. Albert, NH7A, will be active
as TO5A during the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th) as a
Single-Op/All Band entry. QSL via F5VHJ.
V31, BELIZE (Lighthouse Activated).
Gerd/DJ4KW and Gisela/DK9GG are expected to be active as V31YN
(CW) and V31GW (RTTY), respectively, from Consejo Shores, between
now and February 29th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters. From
February 2-6th, they will be active as V31YN/P from Lighthouse
Reef (IOTA NA-123). This activity will be 40-10 meters CW only.
QSL via their home callsigns, direct or by the bureau.
XU7, CAMBODIA (Update/Correction). Peter,
NO2R, was not active from here last week as reported in OPDX.643.
However, Pete told OPDX that he will be leaving for Cambodia
January 31st and expects/hopes to be on the air by February 2nd
for 7 days. He will concentrate his activities on 160 meters and
80/40 meters. QSL via K2NJ, direct.
Z22, ZIMBABWE. Dudley, Z22JE, can be found
daily, usually on 21290 kHz (+/- 5 kHz) starting around 1830z.
OPDX was informed by John, K3CT, that Dudley is also looking for
a manual for a Robot 800 RTTY Terminal Unit. He has one but it is
lacking the manual. His QSL manager is K3PD.
IMPORTANT NOTICE/REMINDER. The Ohio/Penn DX
Bulletin now has a new FAX number. Contributors can now send/fax
their DX information to the following number: 1-419-828-7791 ( F
A X only! )
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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Information can now be faxed to the following "NEW"
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