The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 648 BID: $OPDX.648 February 16, 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, W1HEO, K2DM,
WA2VQW, NG3K, W3HC, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX,
N4KG, NX4D, W4DTA, W4WX, N5DD, W6SJ, AA7UC, K8YSE, WA9HMN, N0HJZ,
W0YG, CT1FKN, CX8FB, DL/VE3ZIK & www.contesting.info, DL1EK
& The DX News Letter, DL5MBY, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX,
F5NOD, F5NQL & UFT, G3XTT, G0IAS, HB9PL, I1JQJ/IK1ADH &
425 DX News, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, JQ2GYU/JF1LZQ,
LU6EF, UY5XE and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX
information.
DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the
AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 8th/February, through
Sunday, 15th/February there were 237 countries active. Countries
available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1I, 4W,
4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5U, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R,
9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A2, A4, A6, A7, AP,
BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE0Y, CE0Z, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3,
CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER,
ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FY, G,
GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a,
HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J5, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/m, JD/o,
JT, JW, JX, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH6, KH8, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX,
LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA,
PJ2, PJ7, PY, PZ, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9,
T2, T30, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TN, TR, TT, TU, TY,
UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9L,
VK9N, VP2E, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP8/o, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE,
XU, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA,
ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZD9, ZF, ZK1/s, ZK3, ZL, ZP, ZS.
* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain
"Pirate/SLIM" operations or more likely a "BUSTED
CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work First
Worry Later" (WFWL).
3B9, RODRIGUES ISLAND (Update). Don Field,
G3XTT (NK1G), 3B9C Publicity Officer, sent out on February 12th,
a third bulletin concerning "Project Star Reach", a
project focused around a major expedition to Rodrigues Island,
with the callsign 3B9C. Excerpts from the very long press release
states, "All preparations for 3B9C are on track, and
everything is looking good. Our container should arrive in
Rodrigues on 26 February. This bulletin brings news of the Nevada
Rodrigues Trophies for working 3B9C, some information about
QSLing, and other items of interest." The release mentions
that Rodrigues Island has moved up the "Most Wanted
List" according to "DX Magazine's" latest
rankings. It shows that Rodrigues has moved from 81st on the
"Most Wanted Worldwide" in 2002 to 75 in 2003. For the
U.S. the change is even more marked, up from 79 to 53 in the
Eastern time zone and from 49 to 33 on the West Coast. Also
mentioned were details of their "Nevada Rodrigues Awards
Programme". The objective of the "Nevada Rodrigues
Trophy Programme" is to encourage individual stations of all
types worldwide as well as local club stations to make contact
with the 3B9C DXpedition during March/ April 2004. They are very
keen to encourage all amateurs to participate, particularly those
with low power, relatively poor antennas or who are new to HF.
They also want to encourage members of local clubs to
participate. Trophies will be awarded to stations who work 3B9C
on the highest number of band-slots. There are also trophies for
SWLs. For specific details on the award, please go to their Web
page.They state that the callsign of the 3B9C QSL Manager and
P.O. Box will be announced in the next press release. Requests
for bureau cards, however, can also be made via the 3B9C Web
page. Direct cards will be available shortly after the DXpedition
members return home. For more information and updates, please
visit the 3B9C Web site at: http://www.fsdxa.com/3b9c.
4L, GEORGIA. Shota, 4L6AM, will be active in
the CQ WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/Single Band
(20m)/High Power entry. QSL via address on QRZ.com.
5V, TOGO (Update). Members of the F6KOP Le
Radio Club de Provins 77 (near Paris) will be active as 5V7C from
March 6-13th. Propagation forecasts, the band plan scheduled and
the world azimutal map for beaming to Togo are now available on
the 5V7C Web site at: http://5v7c.free.fr/Infopropag.htm.
6Y, JAMAICA. The RZS Amateur Radio Club
(W2RZS), consisting of Bob/WB2NVR, Mike/WA2VQW, Adam/N2DHH and
Bob/N2DVQ, announce that they will be operating from here during
the time period March 24-30th. This will include their
participation in the CQ WPX SSB Contest as 6Y2RZ. Before and
after the contest the club's callsign W2RZS/6Y5 will be used,
however; it is also possible that the club's members may elect to
use their homecalls/6Y5. Mike intends to be particularly active
on the WARC bands during non contest times, 30m is his favorite.
All QSLs will be sent to, and answered via the bureaus. You may,
of course, QSL direct with SASE if desired. WB2NVR collects
stamps, so he will pay special attention to those!
7Q, MALAWI. Allen, G0IAS, informs OPDX that
Harry, G0JMU, is once again active as 7Q7HB. Harry has a busy
work schedule, but as he is there for a minimum of 10 weeks, he
should be able to get a bit of operating time in. He was active
this past week on 30 meters, so look for him between 2100-2300z.
Also, watch 15 meters (CW/SSB) between 1130-1530z. QSL is via
G0IAS DIRECT ONLY (There is NO 7Q Bureau, and Harry has no
cards). Allen, G0IAS, also reports to OPDX that Ron, 7Q7RM,
informed him that the 7Q 50 MHz Beacon which was hit by lightning
is now repaired. However, as the supply of aluminium in 7Q-land
is non existant, the antenna will be remade when he gets back
from Rep. South Africa. The UK 6 meter group has offered to
supply a new antenna and are waiting for a response from Malawi.
8Q, MALDIVES. Pierre, HB9QQ, will again air
8Q7QQ from Velighoo (North Atoll) between April 13-27th.
Operations will take place on 30/17/12 meters with full size
loops. QSL via his home callsign.
BOOK REVIEW (by Tedd, KB8NW). A new book is
available for DXers to add to their collection. This interesting
book is for both old and new DXers who are trying to reach the
"Top of the DXCC Honor Roll". The 32 page book titled
"Tips To The Top From DX Pros" is written by Devere
"Dee" Logan, W1HEO. The book contains details of a
survey conducted among 100 leading leading DX operators listed in
the DXCC Honor Roll, Worked All Zones and CQ DX Awards rankings,
plus key DXpeditioners. With over 40 percent of the 100 surveyed,
this book provides "A Summary of Tips, Tactics and Secrets
for reaching the Top of the DX heap - From those who've made
it". The book's contents deals with subjects such as, mark
of a good DXer, Station equipment (and features), Favorite DX
Antennas, Stalking the Rare DX and Success in the Pileups. It
also contains subjects on logging memorable DX QSOs, QSLing, and
a listing of some helpful DX tools to use. If you want something
that is very "Helpful" as well as "Quick and Easy
to Read", this book is for you. Book cost 9.00 USD (plus
1.50 USD shipping and handling per copy). Available via: DX Book,
9901 Cypress Cir., Mentor, OH 44060.
C6, BAHAMAS. Randy, W6SJ, informs OPDX that
he will be active as C6AWS in the ARRL CW DX Contest (February
21-22nd) as a Single-Op/All Band/Low Power entry. Between
February 17-21st, he will operate as C6A/W6SJ. He will be active
primarily on CW with an emphasis on the WARC Bands. QSL via his
home call.
CLIPPERTON OPERATION CANCELLED. The
Clipperton Island DXpedition, which was to begin in early March
(around March 8th), has been postponed due to transportation
problems. The team still plans to go to Clipperton, and as soon
as they can find and arrange new transportation, the DXpedition
will be a go. However, this may take some time (few months). Be
looking for updates.
CS6, PORTUGAL. Operators Ulrich/DL3OI,
Diemo/DL4LQM, Wolfgang/DL4WG, Ulf/DL5AXX, Thomas/DL5LYM and
Frank/DL8WAA will once again be active from Portugal using the
callsign CS6V during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd).
QSL via DL5AXX, no eQSL.
EA8, CANARY ISLANDS. Jim, ON5UM, will be
active as EA8/ON5UM during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February
21-22nd) as a Single-Op/All Band/Not Assisted/LOW Power entry.
Activity will mainly be on 40-10 meters with some 80 meters if
QRM permits and if he gets an antenna up. QSL via eQSL or via his
home callsign direct.
FS & HH OPS CANCELLED. Craig, AH8DX,
reports, "A war has broken out in Haiti and all U.S.
personal have been asked to leave the country. I therefore have
canceled both of my trips to FS and HH in the upcoming contests.
I will stay home and be safe."
HR, HONDURAS. Rich, N0HJZ, will be operating
from Roatan Island (NA-057) from March 3-9th. He will be very
active in the ARRL DX Phone Contest as a Single-Op/Low Power
entry. The callsign will be HR9/N0HJZ. QSL via bureau or via his
home address with SASE please.
INDEXA NEWS RELEASE (INDEXA appoints Vice President!).
Judy Roush, AA7UC, President of INDEXA, informs OPDX readers:
"The International DX Association (INDEXA) announces the
appointment of Ron Wright, ZL1AMO, to the position of Vice
President, INDEXA. Ron succeeds Bill "Pick" Pickard,
WA5PAE, who became a Silent Key in late November, 2003. For many
years, Ron, renowned for his passion for DX and his numerous
DXpeditions, has supported INDEXA by serving as an INDEXA
director. INDEXA now welcomes ZL1AMO in the additional capacity
of Vice President, INDEXA. The professionalism, creativity, and
commitment Ron brings to the job will benefit the future of DX,
worldwide."
IOTA 2004. Don Field, G3XTT, IOTA 2004 Awards
Manager, wants to remind everyone that participation in the IOTA
40th Anniversary Program, IOTA 2004, continues to increase.
During March, islands in the BV, BY, 9M2, HS, VK6, 9V and 9M6
areas will count for premium points towards your annual total.
Some of the more common groups to qualify for premium points in
March include:
OC-088 9M,V8,YB7 - Borneo (Main Island Only)
AS-015 9M2 - Penang State Group
AS-058 9M2 - Perlis/Kedah State Group
AS-019 9V - Singapore Island
OC-090 DU1 - Calamian Group
AS-053 HS - Malay Peninsula West Group
OC-002 VK9 - Christmas Island
OC-003 VK9 - Cocos (Keeling) Islands
AS-006 VR2 - Hong Kong Group
OC-021 YB0-3 - Java (Jawa) Island (Main Island Only)
OC-143 YB4-6 - Sumatra Island (Main Island Only)
OC-075 YB5 - Riau Islands
OC-022 YB9 - Bali Island
Full rules and details of how to apply (including an automated
tracking sheet in Excel) can be downloaded from the Chiltern DX
Club (CDXC, the UK DX Foundation) Web page (follow the IOTA 2004
links) at: http://www.cdxc.org.uk.
"You are also encouraged to upload your score on a regular
basis - this makes for a more interesting program, when
participants can see how others are doing! Thanks to those who
have already done so. Of course, you don't have to be a hardened
island chaser to participate in IOTA 2004, though you may well
become hooked!" de Don Field, G3XTT
IOTA NEWS...
NA-069. John, WA9HMN, will be operating
from Estero Island, Florida, Lee County, North American
Island FL35S, from February 18-23rd as time permits. This
is a vacation with some Ham radio thrown in, not a full
time operation. John will be operating 20, 17, 15, 12 or
10 meters SSB around the usual IOTA frequencies depending
on band conditions. QSL to WA9HMN with SASE. Bureau cards
are OK.
SA-008. Alberto, LU1DZ, will be in
Ushuaia on Tierra Del Fuego Island from February 17-21st.
In his spare time, he will be signing LU1DZ/X, while
transmitting from Jorge's, LU7XP(SK), legendary station
(Thanks to Mary). This activity is not only good for IOTA
SA-008, but also for several other awards.
SA-057. (Postponed!) Rainer, CX8FB,
informs OPDX that due to some health and tranportation
problems, the CX group going to San Gabriel Island (refer
to OPDX.647) had to postpone their trip.
JW, SVALBARD. Francois, F8DVD, will once
again be active from here between April 4-10th. He will operate
from the town called Longyearbyen (reference numbers - IOTA
EU-026, WAZ40 and Grid Loc JQ78TF). For this second expedition,
Francois will use the callsign JW/F8DVD. Activity will be on all
bands between 80-10 meters. QSL via the French Bureau or direct
to: Francois Bergez, 6, rue de la Liberte, F-71000 MACON, France
(with a SAE + IRC or USD - 1 USD for EU, 2 USD for others
countries).
NEW OFFICERS FOR 2004-2005. The following are
the new elected South Flordia DX Associations (SFDXA) officials
for 2004-2005:
P4, ARUBA. John, KK9A, will be active from
the Iguana Villa between March 1-30th. He will be operating on
160-10 meters, CW and SSB using the callsign P40A. John will be
very active in the ARRL DX SSB and CQ WPX SSB Contests. QSL via
WD9DZV.
P4, ARUBA. John, W2GD, will be active as P40W
in the CQ 160-Meter SSB Contest (February 28-29th). His operating
class has not been decided, and it will not be decided until
contest time (possibly Single-Op or Multi-Op). Activity outside
of the contest will be on all bands SSB and CW, with an emphasis
on 160 meters at night and 10 meters during the day. QSL via
N2MM.
PJ4, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES. Operators
Girts/YL2KL, Sintsovs/YL3CW, Juris/YL2GM, Andris/YL2GQT,
Agris/YL2VW and Herbert/K7GEX will be active as PJ4U during the
CQ WPX CW Contest (May 29-30th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via
YL2KL.
QSL INFO AND NEWS...
OUTGOING QSL BUREAU CHANGE! Martin,
N1FOC, announced from the ARRL in Newington, CT, that the
League has added 7 countries to the list of countries
that they "do not serve". He states, "It
got very costly to keep sending boxes of cards to these
countries and have them keep bouncing back. They tried
E-mailing the respective organizations and got ZERO
response from that, and snail mail didn't work
either." Effective immediately the ARRL Outgoing QSL
Bureau had added the following countries to the "do
not serve" list:
CN - Morocco
J8 - St. Vincent
P2 - Papua New Guinea
PZ - Suriname
UK - Uzbekistan
ZA - Albania
9Y - Trinidad & Tobago
A full list of countries not served by the ARRL Outgoing
QSL Service is available on the ARRL Web site.
A61AJ QSLS. John, K1XN, from "The
GoList", received a note from George, K2UO, the
A61AJ QSL Manager for North/South America and all U.S.
possessions (Remember, Mario, DJ2MX, is the QSL route for
the rest of the world), stating he has answered well over
7,000 QSL requests since taking over for Joe, N4QB. A
good deal of the QSLs were backlog bureau cards George
received from Joe. He has also answered the DIRECT
backlog. Currently, George has ZERO backlog and answers
cards the day he receives them. HOWEVER, there are
considerable missing log segments, notably in 2002,
especially March-April-May 2002; the WARC band QSOs. He
does have a considerable backlog of MISSING LOG cards,
and he is hopeful that Ghis/ON5NT and Robert/S53R will be
able to find those logs. He has sent them a list of the
missing dates/bands based upon QSL requests. So,
guidelines for QSLing (per George) are as follows: If you
send for multiple QSOs (with a single SASE) and one or
more are in the "missing log" category, your
card will be held until the boys in A6-land either get
George the missing logs or declare that the logs are
unrecoverable.
JD1YAB AND JD1YAB/JD1 QSL STATUS. Mr.
Saburoh Asano, JA1MRM, the QSL Manager for JD1YAB and
JD1YAB/JD1 (Also QSL Manager for 8N1OGA as well), has
announced that all direct QSL cards (more than 15,000)
for QSOs in the log and received by February 5th, were
sent to the JARL Bureau on February 7th. Please DO NOT
send YOUR QSL card to the BUREAU. The JARL BUREAU will
not forward YOUR QSL cards to JD1YAB and JD1YAB/JD1. If
you do not receive a QSL card(s) from JD1YAB, JD1YAB/JD1,
or 8N1OGA after appropriate period, you can make a
request to Mr. Asano about the QSL status via E-mail. His
E-mail address is: ja1mrm@jarl.com.
Ulli, DL5MBY, announced that the log for
JY9QJ has been updated (on the following Web page)
including QSOs up to February 10th. You can also check
the status of your JY8YB, JY9QJ and JY8B QSOs on the
online log at: http://www.qsl.net/dl5mby.
Mac, W3HC, informs OPDX that he is now
the QSL Manager for the following stations: XQ3WTR,
CE3WTR, PY2OMS and PT5T.
NOT THE QSL MANAGER! (Update/Correction)
Last in OPDX.647 we mentioned that KZ5RO was the QSL
Manager for TA3DD and not KB2MS. However, last week we
were informed that KZ5RO who was the QSL Manager, became
a "Silent Key" in October 2003. A couple of
sources report that Pete, K3PD, is now handling the QSL
duties for Ron, KZ5RO (SK).
Geo, UY5XE, informs OPDX that the
UA0ZAL/p (AS-039, October 2001) QSL cards are printed and
are ready.
SILENT KEY. It has been reported that Jim
White, K4OJ, became a "Silent Key (SK)" on February
12th during the morning following liver failure after a somewhat
risky heart valve replacement. Jim enjoyed contesting and was the
first president of the Florida Contest Group. Jim will be surely
missed. OPDX and its readers would like to send out our deepest
sympathy to his family and friends. For more information on K4OJ,
please read this week's "ARRL Letter" (Vol. 23, No. 07,
dated February 13, 2004).
T70, SAN MARINO. Two members of the Florida
DXPedition Group, William/N2WB and Bill/W4WX will be in San
Marino from March 16-22nd. They will operate as guest operators
from the T70A Club Station using the club's callsign. Look for
them on the HF bands on CW, SSB and RTTY. All QSLs go to:
A.R.R.S.M. RADIO CLUB, P.O.BOX 77, 47890 SAN MARINO, REPUBLIC OF
SAN MARINO - ITALY.
T98, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. Jose, CT1FKN
(4W6FK), informed OPDX that he has received the T98FKN callsign
(dated February 6th to August 6th) and is currently in
Bosnia-Herzegovina as a SFOR Member in the city of Doboj. He
plans to operate on the HF and 6 meter bands during his free
time. QSL via CT1FKN, direct or to the Portuguese Bureau.
TOP 5 QSL MANAGERS FOR 2003. John, K1XN, from
"The GoList", announced this week the results of his
"TOP 5 QSL MANAGERS OF 2003" survey. Over 2600 DXers
from around the world nominated QSL Managers and here are the
results: AC7DX, G3SWH, KU9C, N3SL and W3HNK.
V26, ANTIGUA. Operators George/K2DM and
Peter/K3ZM will be active as V26DX in the ARRL DX CW Contest
(February 21-22nd) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via KU9C.
Activity will be on the 6 primary HF bands only. George told OPDX
that he and his brother Pete will be there between February
18-24th. They will erect the antennas on Thursday, then secure
them on Tuesday after the contest. Most of their operations will
be during the contest, but they will operate some outside of the
contest starting Thursday evening and ending Monday night. Their
operations will primarily be on CW with some SSB.
V3, BELIZE. Don/N5DD, Amy/KC5DJI,
James/AG5TX, and Renee/KD5YCG will be operating from the
Palcencia peninsula in southern Belize. Operations will be from
March 13-20th. Activity will be SSB, RTTY, and PSK. Special
attention will be paid to 12, 17, 80, and 40 meters, and possibly
160 and 6 meters. Callsign will be V31AD. QSL via N5DD. For more
information and updates, please visit the Web site at: http://www.dxpileup.net.
VK9C, COCOS-KEELING ISLAND. An early
announcement by Bernd, VK2IA, states he will be active as VK9AA
in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 27-28th) as a Single-Op/All
Band entry. QSL via DL8YR.
VK9L, LORD HOWE ISLAND. Remember to look for
Babs/DL7AFS and Lot/DJ7ZG to be active from here between now and
February 27th. Their callsign will be VK9LB. Activity will be on
80-6 meters on SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via DL7AFS, via the DARC
Bureau or direct to: Baerbel Linge, Eichwaldstrasse 86, D-34123
Kassel, Germany.
VK9X, CHRISTMAS ISLAND. Charlie, W0YG, will
once again be active as VK9XG between November 22nd and December
9th. He states, "Hopefully, those who didn't make it in the
log this last time will this next time." Charlie also
mentions that all VK9XG cards for his operation in October and
November 2003 should be out this week. He adds, "I can tell
that propagation conditions were not good by the number of 'not
in log' returns I have had to send. Sorry conditions were so bad
but it is not often that one schedules a Dxpedition when three
mass coronal ejections appear."
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
long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receive credit. To contribute DX info,
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- OR - kb8nw@arrl.net
Information can now be faxed to the following "NEW"
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