Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 649
February 23, 2004

The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 649
BID: $OPDX.649
February 23, 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, K1NU, K1XN & GoList, N2KI, W2GD, KK3S, N3SL, NG3K, W3HC, W3UR & The Daily DX, AA4NC, K4JRB, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4WX, K5LBU, WW5L, K6SRZ, K8YSE, NE8Z, W8UVZ, K9UVK, 9K2HN, CO2QQ, DL/VE3ZIK & www.contesting.info, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, DL2VFR, DL5SBA, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, G3CWV, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, LU5FF, LZ1OT, ON5DRE, ON5NT, PA7FM, RW6HS, UT5RP, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE3RGG, XE1GRR and ZP5AZL for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 15th/February, through Sunday, 22nd/February there were 235 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, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9U, 9V, 9Y, A2, A4, A6, A7, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, CE, 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, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, 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, SV9, T2, T30, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP2V, VP5, VP6, VP8, VP8/h, VP8/o, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZD9, ZF, ZK1/s, ZK2, 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).

4N200, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO (Attention Prefix Hunters!). Look for radio club "Novi Beograd", YU1FJK, to be active with special callsign 4N200A. They will be also use this callsign during some contests. QSL via YU1FJK or 4N1A.

5H, TANZANIA. Hans-Peter, HB9BXE, who states that it has taken a long time to receive a license from here, will be active as 5H1BP from March 1-6th. He received his license on February 19th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters on CW/SSB/PSK31 using a FT-857 with only 100 watts into a wire antenna. On Monday (February 23rd), Hans-Peter will start to climb on Kilimandscharo and hope to arrive on top of the highest mountain of Africa at an altitude of 5896m ASL on Friday, February 27th at 0815z. He plans to be active for about 20 minutes on 21.222 kHz +/- QRM. There will be a list taken beforehand by Sigi, HB9DLE, via E-mail of interested amateurs in order to minimize the pile up and to speed up the traffic. Sigi's E-mail address is: hb9dle@uska.ch During the second week, Hans-Peter will be active from Zanzibar Island (AF-032). QSL via his home callsign HB9BXE.

5U, NIGER. Bull, 5U7JB, hopes to be active during the CQ 160 Meters SSB Contest (February 28-29th). He is currently busy putting up an inverted L antenna. Bull has been active during the past week on 75/40/17/12 meters SSB. Watch around 3793 kHz between 0318-0500z, 7080 kHz around 0530z, 17 meters after 0930z and 12 meters between 1045-1630z. QSL via ON5NT.

8P, BARBADOS. Tom, W2SC, will be active as 8P1A in the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th) as a Single-Op/All Band/High Power entry. QSL via NN1N.

8P, BARBADOS. Will/AA4NC (W4MR) and Jim/K4MA, who were active as 8P9JA in the ARRL DX CW Contest this past weekend (QSL via K4MA), will be active for a few more days as 8P9JB. They will go QRT February 24th.

8Q, MALDIVES. Hardy, DL5SBA, will be active as 8Q7BA from about March 4-20th from Athuruga Island (AS-013). Activity will be on 20 meters, possibly 30 and 17 meters as well, on RTTY/PSK only. He will use a TS-50 with 50 watts into a wire quad antenna for 20 meters - possibly 17/30m with the tuner. Hardy tells OPDX that he will be there on vacation not an expedition, so activity will be sporadic. QSL via bureau (preferred) to DL5SBA.

9K2, KUWAIT. Faisal, 9K2RR, will be active in the Russian DX Contest (March 20-21st) as a Single-Op/All Band/CW entry. QSL via the bureau.

9K43, KUWAIT. Hamad, 9K2HN, informs OPDX that they will be celebrating their "National and Liberation Day" in Kuwait on February 25th and 26th. For this event they will be using the special event callsign 9K43NLD. Activity will start on February 25th and last until the 29th. QSL cards go via 9K2RR.

9U, BURUNDI. Michael, PA5M, has finally received his license and will be active as 9U5M until he leaves on March 17th. He is in Bujumbura for work, so activity will mainly be in the evening hours from his hotel starting around 1600 to 1700z. His activity will be on 40-10 meters CW and SSB, including the WARC bands using 100 watts to a vertical. If it is possible for him to stay longer at the office, he "might" be active on 80 meters, too. However, this is not very likely to happen very often due to the local situation as he has to get back to his hotel. This past week he was active on 30 and 20 meters CW between 2000-2130z. There is a Web site which will be updated regularly with info and also an online log search is expected soon at: http://www.pa7fm.nl/9u5m/ QSL requests should go to PA7FM: Dennis Robbemond, Loggerhof 11, 3181NS Rozenburg, The Netherlands (SAE with 2 USDs or 1 IRC outside Europe; inside Europe 1 USD or 1 IRC).

A3 & ZL, TONGA AND NEW ZEALAND (IOTA and Lighthouse Op). Operators Wolfgang/DH3WO, Christoph/DL5DAN and Mathais/DJ2HD will be active from Fafa Island (OC-049), March 15-29th. Look for A35DH (QSL via DH3WO), A35DJ (QSL via DJ2HD) and A35DA (QSL via DL5DAN) to be active on on 80/40/20/17/15/12/10 meters on SSB, PSK31 and RTTY. After March 29th, the trio will be active as ZL/DH3WO, ZL/DL5DAN and ZL/DJ2HD from the Northern Island of New Zealand (OC-036) and possibly from other Islands/Lighthouses there for the next two weeks. QSL via their home callsigns via the bureau.

A6, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Robert, S53R, who was active as A61AJ this past weekend during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd), will be active this coming weekend (using the same callsign) in the CQ 160-Meter SSB Contest (February 28-29th) as a Single-Op/High Power entry. Please remember to QSL as follows: K2UO for North/South America and all the U.S. possessions; and DJ2MX for the rest of the world.

DAYTON 2004 TOPBAND GATHERING. All 160 meter enthusiasts are cordially invited to the Topband dinner on Friday night of the 2004 Dayton Hamvention. This annual event brings together 160 meter fans from around the world for food, drink and camaraderie. Here are the particulars:

    Date:      May 14, 2004
    Time:      6:30 PM Social Hour with Cash Bar - 8:00 PM Dinner
    QTH:       Neil's Heritage House Restaurant, 2323 Schantz Avenue, Dayton
    Fare:      Salad, rolls and butter, dinner entree, dessert & beverage
    Cost:      28.00 USD each which includes complete dinner, taxes and
               gratuity. Choose Roast Sirloin of Beef, Broiled Salmon,
               Breast of Chicken Supreme.

Make your dinner selection and pay in advance to: George Taft (W8UVZ), 271 Parkshore Drive, Battle Creek, MI 49014. Please notify George ASAP by E-mail for a reservation (including your dinner entree choice), at: w8uvz@arrl.net. Reservations must be paid by May 1st. Overseas visitors are most welcome, of course. Please reserve by E-mail and pay at the door, if desired. Map of the restaurant location is available by request.

F5, FRANCE (Castle Activity). Maurice, F5IYU, plans to activate two castles in the Province Champagne Ardennes. Look for him between February 23-27th, to sign F5IYU/p on CW only on 7010 kHz +/- QRM from the Castle of Saint Thierry (References: DFCF 51007) and between March 1-12th from the Castle of Merfy (References: DFCF 51009). For both operations the daily schedule will be from 1900-2130z and sometimes from 1200-1300z. QSL via the French REF Bureau only. Please no direct cards. SWL cards are welcome too.

HD8, GALAPAGOS ISLAND (A Rare Prefix To Be Activated!). Alfredo, HC1HC, will be active as HD8A from Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, from March 2-9th. During the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th), he will sign HD8A/QRP. He may also sign HC1HC/HC8 before and after the contest. His activity will be on 160-10 meters, mostly SSB, some CW. HD8 is a rare prefix which counts for the "HC8/HD8 DX Diploma". View the colorful awards at: http://www.octavia.com/QSL/awards.htm QSL HC1HC/HC8 and HD8A via NE8Z: Rick Dorsch, P.O. Box 616, Hamburg, MI 48139 USA.

IARU TEAM NEEDED. Frosty, K5LBU, is trying to put together a team for the IARU contest this July to operate from Botswana (A22). The contest is on July 10th and 11th. He currently is not sure of the cost, but the team will arrive in Johannesburg on the 7th so they can have a day to unwind before taking a 6 hour drive to Botswana. They plan to be in the country for 10 days. Everyone could have their own A2 callsign to use before and after the contest. Frosty also states their visit includes a visit to one of the game parks to see the big lions, elephants and such. If interested, contact Frosty at: frosty1@pdq.net He would like to have a team in place by the end of May, but have some idea by end of April. Visit the following interesting Web pages at: http://www.k5lbu.com and http://www.dxsafari.com.

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

IS0, SARDINIA. Two members of the Florida DXPedition Group, William/N2WB and Bill/W4WX, will be in Sardinia, March 22-27th. They will operate using the callsigns IS0/N2WB and IS0/W4WX Look for them on the HF bands on CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL IS0/N2WB via N2OO and IS0/W4WX direct or LoTW. JT, MONGOLIA. Igor, JT1FDD, is expected to be active from Mongolia bewteen now and February 29th. The bands/modes of activity were not provided. He was, however, active in the ARRL DX Contest this past weekend. QSL via RW6HS, direct.

KH6, HAWAII. Len, K1NU, will be signing K1NU/KH6 from the SeaQMaui resort (http://www.seaqmaui.com) from March 4-9th. Plans include a low-power entry in the ARRL DX Phone Contest, some WARC band operation (mostly CW) before and after the contest, and possibly some 60m operation, if he can get an antenna up. All operating will be casual - "vacation mode". Logs will be uploaded to LOTW upon his return home. QSL is also OK via the bureau or direct via his home callsign.

OPEN UKRAINE RTTY CHAMPIONSHIP 2004. Dima, UT5RP, Editor of UT5RP PSK31 DX Notes, wants to remind everyone that this contest starts March 6-7th. George, UT1HT, is the organizer of the Championship. The CONTEST consist of two parts:

  1. Low Band (1.8 and 3.5 MHz)
  2. High Band (7, 14, 21 and 28 MHz)

The LOW BAND part includes two rounds: the First round is from 2200-2359z (March 6th), and the Second round from 0000-0159z (March 7th). The HIGH BAND part: from 0800-1159z (March 7th). See full rules on "SM3CER CONTEST SERVICE" at: http://sk3bg.se/contest/ukrartty.htm (english) and http://www.uarl.com.ua (russian)

OY, FAROE ISLANDS. Kevin/ON5DRE and Erwin/ON4QJ are expected to be active from here between May 3-13th. Callsign will be announced at a later date. Activity will be on 160-2 meters. However, they will be mostly active on 80, 40, 17 and 2 meters. Also, if AO-40 survives and gets fixed by then, they will also be active on it. For 2 meters, they will be active on phone as well as some digital modes to compromise the somewhat low power.

P4, ARUBA. Tony, N2KI, will be active as P40KI from May 15-22nd. His activity will be SSB and RTTY on 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters. QSL via his home callsign.

P4, ARUBA (Update). John, W2GD, who was active as P40W in the ARRL DX CW Contest this past weekend, will be active this coming weeknd 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). John will be here until March 1st. Last week before the contest John was quite active on 160/80/40 meters CW. There were some 15 and 10 meters during the day. QSL via N2MM.

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

RX3, EUROPEAN RUSSIAN (Island Activity). Alex, RX3AJL, will try to activate some islands in the White Sea (some RRA NEW ONEs, Kamostrov, Chernetskiy, Kislukhi, Vodokhebikha, Dvinskaya Luda and possibly some others...) during the period of February 23rd and March 6th. Operations will be on 20 meters with 5 watts. QSL via RX3AJL.

SATELLITE NEWS. OSCAR-11 was launched on March 1, 1984. After nearly 20 years in orbit it is still transmitting useful data. To commemorate its 20th birthday, AMSAT-UK is issuing a special QSL for reports of reception during March. There will be special endorsements for hearing the satellite on its birthday, and for mode-S reception. For full details visit the AMSAT-UK Web site at: http://www.amsat-uk.org.uk/

SILENT KEY. OPDX has been informed that well-known DXer, CE7ZK, Percy Raurich, from Port Montt, Chile, has become a Silent Key (SK) last weekend (February 14th). OPDX and its readers would like to send out our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

T33, BANABA (DXpedition Update). Alan, K6SRZ, sent out the following press release this past week: "The T33C Banaba Dxpedition remains on schedule for starting operations on April 4th or 5th and continuing for at least eleven days. This is a major DXpedition, covering all modes and all bands from 160 through 6 meters. Our container of equipment has arrived in Fiji and will shortly be on its way to Tarawa where we will load it aboard the vessel Te Taobe that will take us to Banaba. The expeditioners extend their thanks to all the sponsors, organizations and individuals who have contributed to the expedition. Banaba is not a tourist destination: everything we need, including food and clean drinking water needs to be shipped to the island. Shipping costs have been very high. We still welcome any and all contributions. You can find details of the trip, including the on-line logbook and QSL information at our Web site at: http://www.dx-pedition.de/banaba2004/ There is still room for another one or two operators to join the team, though arranging air transport to Tarawa at this late date may be difficult. Please distribute this to all interested radio amateurs. We look forward to hearing you in the pileups...." Contact: Alan Esheman, K6SRZ, at: doctore@well.com

T48, CUBA. Look for Don Fisher, VE3ESE, and members of the Santiago de Cuba University and City Club to activate T48RAC during the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 7-8th) from Santiago de Cuba. They will be operating 40 and 20 meters. QSL via VE3ESE: Don Fisher, 48 Lucerne Dr., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2E-1B3 (SASE, with IRC or G/S -- Note Canadian postage only).

T98, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA (Correction). Jose, CT1FKN, informs OPDX that he has made a mistake in his announcement of his T98FKN operation (refer to OPDX.648). He does "NOT" have authorization to use 6 meters, but only HF, 144 and 440 MHz.

V47, ST. KITTS. Stephen, K2SB, who was active as V47KP this past weekend in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd), will be active again in two more contests coming up. Look for him to be active this weekend as V47KP in the CQ 160-Meter SSB Contest (February 28-29th). Operating class is to be decided yet. Also, look for Joe/K3NM to join Stephen (using the same V47KP callsign) in the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL all three contests via K2SB.

XF4, REVILLA GIGEDO (Update). Rafael Antonio ("Tony"), XE1GRR, informs OPDX that next month (in March) a team of eight operators will activate Socorro Island (IOTA NA-030, Grid Locator: DK48), in the Revillagigedo Island Group. They will use the callsign XF4IH between March 3-20th. Operators mentioned are: Jose/XE1J, Enrique/XE1IH, David/XE1XR, Ismael/ XE1AVM, Javier/XE1KOF, Luis/XE1GLL, Martin/XE2ML and Tony/XE1GRR. Activity will be on all the bands and modes HF/VHF/UHF including 50 MHz, CW/SSB/ RTTY/SSTV/PSK31/JT44 and the Satellites: AO-40/AO-7/FO-29/AO-27/SO-50. QSL Manager is XE1IH: Enrique Garcia, P.O. Box 118-481, Mexico, D.F. 07051, MEXICO.

ZD8, ASCENSION ISLAND. Glenn, K6NA, will once again be active as ZD8A from February 28th to March 2nd. He is expected to be operating on all HF bands, mostly CW. QSL via N6CW.

ZP5, PARAGUAY. Tom, ZP5AZL, will be active as ZP6Y in the ARRL DX SSB Contest. He informs OPDX that it will probably be an all band operation, but he is not sure about high or low power. QSL via W3HNK or ZP5MAL.

ZS10, SOUTH AFRICA. Look for ZS10RSA to be active to celebrate 10 years of democracy in South Africa. Activity over the past weekend was on 20 meters SSB. QSL via KK3S, direct or via the 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
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUESTS:
   Help:
<mailto:opdx-request@nshore.org?subject=help> Subscribe: <mailto:opdx-request@nshore.org?subject=subscribe> Unsubscribe: <mailto:opdx-request@nshore.org?subject=unsubscribe> OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME PAGE (provided by John, K8YSE): http://www.papays.com/opdx.html ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE: http://www.en.com/users/k8yse/nodxa.html -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Excerpts and distribution of The OPDX Bulletin are granted as long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receive credit. To contribute DX info, please send via InterNet Mail to: kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org - OR - kb8nw@arrl.net Information can now be faxed to the following "NEW" phone line at: 1-419-828-7791 (F A X only!)