Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 701
March 14, 2005

The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 701
BID: $OPDX.701
March 14, 2005
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, K1ER, K1XN & GoList, N1DL, NG3K, K3SWZ, W3UR & The Daily DX, KP4BJD, N4AA & QRZ DX, KH6BZF, K8YSE, NE8Z, W0YG, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I1HYW, I0MWI, IK1PMR, IZ8BRI, IZ8CCW, J6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, JT1BV, M5AAV, OH4MDY, ON5NT, PA7FM, UA4CC, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE3EXY, VK4FW and ZS5BBO for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 6th/March, through Sunday, 13th/March there were 233 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1U, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FR, FT5W, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J5, J6, J7, J8, JA, JT, JW, JX, K, KG4, KH0, KH6, KH8, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T32, T5, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TL, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK0M, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, XW, YA, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZD9, ZF, ZK1/s, ZK2, 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).

8Q, MALDIVES. Operators Igor/UA9CDC, Oleg/UA9CDV, Vadim/UA9CLB, Nick/UN4L and Willy/UN9LW will be active as 8Q7DV this week (March 17-29th). The team's main goal is to participate during the Russian DX and CQ WPX SSB Contests. However, look for them outside of the contests on 160-10 meters on CW/SSB/PSK and possibly RTTY. QSL route was not mentioned.

8R, GUYANA. Craig, AH8DX, has made an early announcement that he will be active as 8R1EA in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest (October 29-30th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via AH8DX. His radio will be an Elecraft K2/100 x 2.

9H, MALTA (Activities)...........

9M6, EAST MALAYSIA. Brett, VR2BG, is currently here until Tuesday, March 15th. He is now active as 9M6BG and is operating mostly RTTY and some CW. He is "down there and making a bit of an effort to give folks 9M6 on RTTY." He was active this past weekend in the 'BERU Contest' and states he will be listening for stateside and Caribbean stations in his mornings.

A2, BOTSWANA. Hans/DL7CM and Sid/DM2AYO will be active as A25/homecall from April 6-20th. They plan to be active with two stations with amps on 160-6 meters CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK. There will be an emphasis on the lower bands and RTTY. QSL via their home callsigns. Visit their Web page which will also have an online log search available, at: http://www.QSL.net/dl7cm/A2.htm.

ANTARCTICA NEWS............

DXPEDITIONERS TAKE NOTE! Dr. Rick, NE8Z/HC1MD, informs OPDX that as of March 1, 2005, American Airlines (and possibly others) have new baggage weight restrictions on International travel. 

       per person:   2 bags "50 lbs" each (vs 70 lbs!!)
                     1 carry on bag weighing no more tnan 40 lbs
                     1 camera bag/purse

EY0,TAJIKISTAN. Operators Arkady/UA4CC, Vladislav/UA4LU and Sergej/RX3APM plan to take part in the RDX Contest (March 19-20th) as EY0R. The prefix "EY0" will be used for the first time. They plan to operate on 160-10 meters CW and SSB. QSL via UA4CC. All QSOs will be available on LoTW as well. Before the contest (March 17-21st), the team members will be active on all bands (including the WARC bands) using their own personal callsigns: EY8/UA4CC, EY8/UA4LU and EY8/RX3APM. QSL via their home callsigns. This operation became possible with the support of EY8MM, EY8CQ and another EY HAMs.

FS, SAINT MARTIN. Look for Henry, KR7X, to be active as FS/KR7X in the CQWW SSB Contest (October 29-30th) as Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry.

FT5X, KERGUELEN ISLAND (Update). The only update received this past week (on March 9th) was from Edwin, ZS5BBO, which states:

"The Braveheart departed from Durban today at 17H00 (15H00 GMT) local time. Voyage expected to take 9 to 10 days. Team on board: AG9A, GI0NWG, HB9ASZ, M0DXR, N6MZ, N0TT, SP5XVY, VE3EJ, VK6DXI, W3WL, W7EW, and 9V1YC 73 Edwin, ZS5BBO"

The Microlite Penguins DXpedition Team is expected to hit the airwave before the end of the week (possibly the 18th or 19th). Supposedly, the callsign will not be announced until the time of the operation.

IOTA ISLAND HOPPING DXPEDITION. Karl, N1DL, will be visiting a number of Caribbean Islands in March (Estimated operating period is between March 18-31st -- approximately). His first stop will be the Dominican Republic (HI7), IOTA NA-096. He will be active as N1DL/HI7 and will try to cover most modes - like CW, SSB, PSK and RTTY. Bands will be as conditions permit. Karl will favor the IOTA frequencies and check in daily to the YL ISSB System on 14332 KHz for messages. Look for him to also activate the following:

Also, look for him to be active as maritime mobile as V73FA/mm. His equipment is an ICOM IC706 MKIIG with all filters, a SEC1223 switching power supply (110 and 220 V), MFJ-1668 Screwdriver antenna with 12 foot rod, MixW Tiny Rigexpert USB and audio interface for the digital modes, Mini Paddle from Palm Radio for CW, Dell M60 PC running Hamradio Deluxe for rig control and PSK, DXBase 2005 for logging and MRP4060 for CW. In addition, he will have with him precut dipoles/inverted vees and a backup Screwdriver antenna with Tripod from Superantennas used last year on his South America trip. QSL to his home callsign: Karl Geng, 695 Embassy Ct, Marco Island, FL 34145. Visit the following Web pages for more information and pictures: http://www.n1dl.com and http:/www.marcoisland.org/2005trip.htm.

IOTA NEWS.....................

JU1, MONGOLIA. Naran, JT1BV, informs OPDX that the JTDXA Contest Team will be active as JU1DX in the CQ WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via JT1BV (QRZ.com).

KH8, SWAINS ISLAND (NOW QRT -- Quick Wrap-up). The press release was sent out by John, K1ER, on Friday, March 11th: "We are still merging the logs from our 4 IBM Think Pads so we don't have a total stations worked status for every country of continent but KH8SI worked 9460 in just under 3 days. A few more on SSB than CW, but a good balance. Typhoon Percy crossed over Swains Island just before our arrival and left a mess very similar to the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Rocks, boats, huge concrete structures which HAD been on the beach were deposited in the center of the island. In addition to our radios and supplies we carried food, water, and emergency supplies to the residents of Swains Island. We were able to provide status on the residents of Swains Island back to American Samoa in addition to providing contacts to the world. Typhoon Percy also provided 45 degree rolls and a remarkably bad ride on the way to Swains followed by high surf and dangerous beach conditions. Between the weather and solar conditions, if we missed you, sorry. We were driven by the sea conditions, heat and humidity, and the conditions at this point in the sunspot cycle. Some bands were good, some terrible. However 9460 in 3 days provided IOTA OC200 and hopefully a new one to a good crowd. The openings to Europe were short and weak with probably polar absorption taking its toll. The openings to North and South America, Pacific Ocean area and Asia were good and the runs on SSB and CW fast and disciplined. I hope we worked you, and if not, NEXT TIME. The cooperation and operating skill demonstrated by most operators made it better for everyone. Send your QSL to VE3HO our QSL Manager. If we have more news, check the web pages at www.swains-island.org DX IS. WFWL.... 73 John K1ER" QSL Manager's address is: Garth Allistair Hamilton, P. O. Box 1156, FONTHILL, ON L0S 1E0,CANADA.

LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY. Look for DL2VFR/p and DA0GLH (special callsign for German LH-Award - 1st time QRV) to be active from the Eckernforde LightHouse (FED-074/075/076 and GermanLH [GLHA] 079 -- new!), March 24-28th. The activity will be CW and QRP. QSL via the Bureau. Please visit the following Web page at: http://www.lighthouse-award.com.

OH0, ALAND ISLAND. Operator Andrius, LY2TA, will be active as OH0Z in the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via OH5DX. He will be active otside of the contest as OH0/LY2TA between March 25-28th.

OX, GREELAND. Members of the Pieksamaen Radioamatoorit (OH4AB) will team up and be active as OX/(own callsign) from March 23-30th. The team consists of Anni/OH4JGE, Lasse/OH4HJI and Retu/OH4MDY. Activity will be on 80-10 meters CW/SSB, but mostly CW. OH4MDY will participate in the CQ WPX SSB Contest on some single band. Suggested frequencies on CW are: 3507, 7003, 10104, 14007, 21007, 24897 and 28020 kHz. QSL via CBA to OH4MDY.

PJ7, SINT MAARTEN. Look for Ken, K7ZUM, to be active as PJ7/K7ZUM in the CQWW SSB Contest (October 29-30th) as Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL info TBA.

PY0S, ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL ROCKS. Joca, PS7JN (aka ZW0SAT and ZW0S), who frequently goes to these islands, reports that he will make 3-4 trips to this group during 2005. He plans to operate on the lower frequencies (160/80/40 meters CW/SSB) this year. Callsign will possibly be PY0SA. However, he is looking for donations to buy a new rig. He states that the weather and salt from these islands damages the equipment.

QSL INFO AND NEWS.......................

SILENT KEY. It has been reported that long time contester Bruce (Rush) Drake, K7RM, has become a Silent Key (SK) over the past week. OPDX and its reader would like to send out our deepest sympathy to Rush's family and friends.

ST2, SUDAN. An E-mail was received from Fernando, EA4BB, who many of you may remember working him as D2BB, 9Q5BB and TU5JL in the past, reports that he is now in the Sudan. Fernando writes, "D2BB was QRT by mid- February 2004, as I was reassigned to another job in Haiti. I went back to Angola in June 2004, just for a few days to pack my things and dismantle the station, which I did after a few more days of sporadic appearances on the amateur bands. That was the end of 6 years of activity from that country and many memorable QSOs, indeed a happy time of my life. I didn't apply for a license in Haiti, as I was swamped with work and always moving from one place to the next. I hear it is quite easy and straightforward to get a license in Haiti these days, though. I arrived in Sudan a few weeks ago, and I have got a license here: ST2BF. I don't know how long will I remain in Sudan, but I guess it will be at least one year. For the time being I haven't yet set up my station, which consists of a TS50 and a 3 element tribander, probably with some dipoles for the other bands. I am, however, checking the bands with a CODAN NGT utility transceiver and a whip antenna, until I am ready with the main station. My QSL manager is my good friend Joe, W3HNK. I would like to take this opportunity to send you my best regards from Sudan and make this extensive to all the ham community. Best 73 and DX ... Fernando ST2BF"

TT8, CHAD (Update). Ghis, ON5NT, in A6-land, informs OPDX that Michael/PA5M and Pierre/HB9AMO arrived in N'Djamena this past week. They both already have their licenses in hand. Michael is TT8M and Pierre is TT8AMO. Both operators have moved to the eastern part of the country and will be there for approx. 2 months for work (early May), so activity will be on all bands from 160-6 meters mainly during their evening hours and only during their spare time. QSL both TT8M and TT8AMO via PA7FM. Please keep in mind 1 USD does not cover postage outside Europe anymore. Request without enough return postage or SAE will be answered by the Bureau. Their QSL Manager Dennis, PA7FM, also informs OPDX that the operators have operated on 160 meters, but due to limited space for antennas they had to take the 160m atenna down again. Maybe there will be some more activity on that band later. Look for TT8AMO to operate only CW, while TT8M will do SSB and some digital modes later. Logs for both will be available on: http://www.pa7fm.nl.

V2, ANTIGUA. Jurgis, LY2CY, will be active from the V26B contest station between March 22-29th. He is hoping to sign V25O for the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via LY2TA.

VK9C, COCOS-KEELING ISLAND. Charlie, W0YG, will be here from November 7-21st. He will be active as VK9CG and will probably cease operations on November 20th so he can pack-up and take some of the antennas down. Charlie states, "I will leave some antennas up for VK2IA who will be operating as VK9AA starting the day I depart." Look for Charlie to be mostly on the lower bands, 160 and 80 meters, but he will also do some HF RTTY and CW. All QSLs go to W0YG, please direct only.

WH8, AMERICAN SAMOA (IOTA Op). Paul, F6EXV, is now active as WH8/F6EXV following the KH8SI operation from Larry's, AH8LG, (ex-KS6DV) QTH on Tutuila Island (OC-045). Activity should last until March 19th. Activity will be on all bands, mostly SSB (some CW) on the usual DX frequencies. He was heard this past weekend on 17 meters SSB around 18127 kHz between 1945-2200z. He was also heard on 14222 kHz around 0400z. QSL via his home callsign (see QSL directions tab on his Web page). His Web is: http://www.f5kbw.org/pagesperso/f6exv/. 

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