The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 278
BID: $OPDX.278
November 11, 1996
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF-80 BBS Cleveland, Ohio
Online at 216-237-8208 14400/9600/2400/1200/300 8/N/1
Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, KA1GJ, WU1F, K3TLX, N3ED, K4UVT, W5ASP, K7AR, KF7AY, WA8JOC, CT1EEB, D25L/PA3DZN, DF4RD, DL7VOA, DL9GOA & DX NEWS Letter, EA3BHK, F6AJA, G4BUE & DX News Sheet, GM4FDM, OH0XX, ON6TT and SM0CXU for the following DX information.
3B8, MAURITIUS. Jacques, F6HMJ, will be active as 3B8/F6HMJ from 3B8CF's QTH from November 20th to December 5th. After that he will stay at Reunion Island until the middle of December.
4K, AZERBAIJAN. The "DX News Letter" reports to start looking for Axel, DL6KVA (ex Y42DA), to once again be active from the QTH of Vlad, 4K9W. There were no specific dates mentioned. His flight, visa, and also the callsign were all confirmed. Axel will be working CW only and has a very reliable QSL Manager.
5B, CYPRUS. The "DX News Sheet" reports Ted, 5B4OG, is active on 160 meters (1827 kHz) and on 7012 kHz before his sunrise.
5X, UGANDA. Peter, ON6TT, but now active as 5X1T, has finally gotten his low band antenna back and is active now on 80 and 160 meters. He was heard earlier this past week (with a big signal) on 3790 kHz between 2100 and 2300z listening up. Peter reports QSL cards have been printed and are being sent out by his QSL Manager, ON5NT. Peter will be in Uganda until November 27th. Meanwhile, Joe (ex-9Q5MRC), G3MRC, is active as 5X1P. He has been heard on 15 meters CW (21024 kHz) operating split between 1315 and 1400z. Also, watch the WARC bands. There have been reports of activity on 30 and 17 meters.
A45, OMAN. Thomas, SM0CXU/AB5CQ, was invited by Tony, A45ZN, to operate as a Multi/Single from his QTH in Muscat. He states their sunset is at 1400z, and they will try Long Path (US west coast etc.) on 80 and 160 meters. QSL via: Tony Selmes, PO BOX 981, Muscat 113, Oman
CP, BOLIVIA. Olli, OH0XX, will operate CP6AA in CQWW CW Contest as a Single Op all band entry. QSL via Suite 599, 1313 So. Military Trail, Deerfield Beach, FL33442, U.S.A.
D2, ANGOLA (UPDATE from Alex, PA3DZN). Alex, D25L (PA3DZN), sends OPDX the following: "....upon arrival I've been issued the call D25L. Yes, it could have been shorter (D2L was an option), but I fancied the "5" in there.... Since early October I operated only on three ocassions so far; an hour or so sometime mid-October, a few hours before the WW SSB, and the WW SSB itself. Reason being that I "borrowed" the 10 element rotatable logper overlooking the Atlantic and a TL922 from the Portugese army for these purposes as my own equipment had not arrived yet at that time except for my handcarried TS-50. Also, I wasn't sure where exactly in the country I was going to be so in any event, I could not install my station. Now, however, it has been confirmed that I will go to an area in the south-east of the country, and my own equipment arrived this week as well. I will travel coming Friday, November 8, and with a bit of luck, I'll have my equipment up sometime this weekend. In any case, expect some more activity. QSL this operation via PA3DMH. Looking forward to working you all......." 73 Alex, D25L (PA3DZN)
D44, REP. OF CAPE VERDE. It has been reported that Julio, D44BC, stated that he will be very active during the upcoming CW contest. This is good news for CW operators who still need Cape Verde.
FR, REUNION ISLAND. EA2KL and EA3KLM began the activity from FR5DX's QTH at 1145z on 21295 kHz (Nov. 10th). Look for FR/EA2KL & FR/EA3ELM in the usual DX frequencies. Their short operation will finish up Monday, November 11th, but they may be active a little on Tuesday, the 12th, beacause they fly back to Paris at 2300z that same day.
FT5Z, AMSTERDAM ISLAND. FT5ZG is reportedly on his way to Amsterdam Island. He left Reunion Island on November 5th at 1700 local time. He will pass through Crozet and Kerguelen, then he will arrive at Amsterdam around November 20th. He will be using a TS-450SAT with a R5 antenna and NO AMPLIFIER (but he is looking for any sponsor to send him one !!!). His length of stay will be one year and will work on the island as a Transmission Officier and postman. QSL Manager is F5RQQ: Vigier Jean Marc, 14, rue Paul Helbronner, 38000 Grenoble, France. By the way, this country is ranked 4 in the ALL TIME MOST WANTED LIST!
GD, ISLE OF MAN. The DXNS report Steve, G4UOL, will be active as GD4UOL from November 15-28th (including participation in the CQWW CW Contest, low power). Also, November 29-30th, he will be active as GT3FLH from the "Isle of Man ARS" (from Lhergy Dhoo, near Peel), CW only. QSL via CBA. He welcomes skeds (e-mail: steve@g4uol.demon.co.uk). Steve's WEB page contains zipped text files for each year the GD4UOL operation took place since 1988, software to download photographs of the island, QSLs, etc...., and can be found at: http://www.g4uol.demon.co.uk
GM, SCOTLAND. Tom, GM4FDM, will be active in the CQWW CW Contest as GM6X (as he was in the SSB event). He plans to enter as a SO/SB on 40 meters using a 2 element Cushcraft Yagi at 80 ft. QSL via the bureau or direct to his home call GM4FDM.
HC, EDUADOR. F5LGQ, F6AOI, F6BFH, F6AUS, F9IE are currently active as HC2/homecall until November 15th. They are active from Puna Island which is part Guayas/El Oro Province Group (IOTA SA-034).
QSL NEWS AND INFORMATION.....
SV5, DODECANESE. Al, K7AR, will be active as SV5/K7AR from November 21-26th, including participation in the CQWW CW Contest. He states he is likely to do a Single Band 20 meter entry, but may do all band depending on propagation. QSL via AA6BB.
TM, FRANCE (upcoming French activities).......
V2, ANTIGUA. 01 Larry, K3TLX, will operate in the all-band Single Operator category from V2 during the upcoming CQWW CW Contest. A contest call is expected but isn't known at this time. There will be some operation the week before the contest. QSL via K3TLX.
VK0, HEARD ISLAND UPDATE. An additional bulletin will be supplied to all OPDX InterNet subscriber.
XZ1N WEB-SITE NOW IN SPANISH. Warren, KF7AY, states that for DXers in Latin America and Spain, the XZ1N web site is now available in both Spanish and English. You are invited to visit either one at: http://www.getnet.com/~kf7ay/ea.html (espanol) http://www.getnet.com/~kf7ay/myanmar.html (English)
ZF, CAYMAN ISLAND. ZF2RF will be active during the CQ Worldwide CW Contest in the Multi/Single category, all bands 160M thru 10M. Operators to date include K4UVT (ZF2RF), K9LA (ZF2AY), K9MK (ZF2MK), N5HRG (ZF2HR) and N9NS. Indivudual operators will also be active outside the contest on both CW and SSB during the period November 21 -29th. QSL for ZF2RF via K4UVT at PO Box 231240, Montgomery, AL, 36123-1240 with SASE or via bureau (any addresses for K4UVT other than in Alabama are no longer valid). QSL contacts with individual operators via their home call/CBA.
SPECIAL NOTE FROM THE EDITOR. Please send all DX announcements/information "ONLY" to the addresses below and "NOT" to the distribution InterNet address of: dxinfo@barf80.nshore.org
OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME (provided by John, K8YSE):
http://www.en.com/users/k8yse/opdx.html
Excerpts and distribution of The OPDX Bulletin are granted as long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receive credit. To contribute DX info, call BARF-80 BBS online at 216-237-8208 14400/9600/2400/1200/300 and leave a message with the Sysop or send InterNet Mail to one of the two following addresses: kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org -or- aq474@cleveland.freenet.edu - OR - Send a message via packet to KB8NW @ WA8BXN.OH.USA.NA - OR - Use the VOICE or FAX answering machine at 216-237-8208 which shares the same phone line as BARF-80 BBS using a data/fax/phone switch. To access: 1) Dial Number. 2) Wait for first ring (the second ring should be a false ring from the fax/data switch box) and then 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.
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 1996 21:17:23 -0700
To: kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org
From: cordell@ccnet.com (Robert Schmieder)
Subject: Heard Island Update
Friends,
In the absence of the DX reflector, I am writing directly, to give you the latest update on the Heard Island Dxpedition.
We are now just 60 days away from sailing from Reunion Island aboard the Marion Dufresne, bound for Crozet, Heard, and Kerguelen. Half of our gear is already on the ship on Reunion, the other half due to arrive shortly.
We have nearly the entire original team intact, although a recent withdrawall has opened a position. If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact me immediately.
You can see all the information about the project on our web pages at
http://www.ccnet.com/~cordell/HI
The funding for the trip is about 90% complete. We are nowworking to find the last 10%, or $30K. We hope you might be able to help, either by being generous yourselves or by helping us to locate resources. We are open to the possibility of taking one or two "guest/sponsors." These people would not have any formal duties and would not even have to be licensed radio amateurs, but would be financial supporters. If you have any suggestions, please contact us.
We are very interested in making best use of our time and resources, to best serve the amateur community. I would personally be interested in whether you need HI for DXCC, and to what extent you will be listening for us and trying to work us. I mainly want to get a better feeling for the audience, so we can be most responsive.
I have appended to this message a press release that was prepared by Bob Allphin K4UEE and released recently. We would love it if you would distribute it wherever you can.
Thanks for whatever help you may already have given. We're looking forward to making this an event to remember!
Bob KK6EK Expedition Leader
Preparations for the Heard Island Dxpedition have been in high gear for most of the past year. Depending on the survey, Heard Island is either the the #1 or #3 most needed DXCC country and may represent the most difficult and complicated DXpedition ever attempted. The 1995 attempt on Heard was aborted and resulted in financial disaster for the team. The project was then reorganized, and the team enlarged to 20 radio operators in order to reduce the cost per person. Additional equipment, procedures, and travel arrangements were included to ensure safety and success. This project has been developed with the following principles foremost: (1) safety of the participants; (2) reliability of schedule and radio operations; (3) advancement of the art and science of DXing and DXpeditioning. To that end, we have opted for a large team, reliable (albeit expensive) transportation, and considerable backup gear and plans.
In Sep/Oct 1996, two 20 foot containers with almost 15 tons of equipment were shipped to Reunion Island, the jumping off point for the team. The gear includes complete life support and radio equipment for 20 persons for the two-week stay on Heard Island. There are four shelters 12x24 ft. each for sleeping, eating, meeting, the Satellite station, an HF station and storage. There are two additional shelters 8x8 ft. which will house two HF stations each. The radios are Yaesu FT1000MP's, FT900's and ETO 91B linears. The team has shipped large quantities of antennas. Low band antennas are mostly verticals including four-square arrays for 160, 80, 40 and 30m. On the higher bands, monobanders and tribanders will be employed. The reason for so many antennas is to have plenty of spares in case a major storm destroys some or all of the erected antennas.
The expedition team has been essentially intact since it was formed in January, 1996. Currently it includes: EA8AFJ, HB9AHL, K0IR, K4UEE, K9AJ, KK6EK, N6EK, N6MZ, NP4IW, OE9AMJ, ON6TT, PA3DUU, RA3AUU, VK2TQM, W6OTC, W8FMG, WAPUJ, WA3YVN, and 9V1YC. Expedtion leaders believe they have assembled a great mix of Phone, CW,and RTTY operators with a bias toward Low Band (160,80,40,and 30m) operations. The timing of this Dxpedition is ideal for emphasing the Low Bands, as this winter will see the "peak" of the low band propagation in the solar cycle. Good openings are anticipated on 20, 17, 15m as well with fair, sporadic openings on 12 and 10m.
Modern technology will be employed, much like the very successful "DXpedition of the year-1995 " to Easter Island / Salas y Gomez (XR0Y/XR0Z). The team will log using a CT-network. Every day the logs will be uploaded via Pacsat to a central site for posting on the World Wide Web. Anyone will be able to enter basic information about a QSO, and receive confirmation that the QSO is in the log.
Extensive use of pilot operators will help the Heard Island team gets feedback to ensure success of the DXpedition. The pilots will relay your input and suggestions to the Heard team on what can be done to improve performance and results.
Pilots are:
ON4UN - John (Europe & pilot coordinator)
WB2DND - Don (US Eastcoast)
WD0AEK - Bob (US Northcoast)
K0EU - Randy (US Central)
N4PYD - Scotty (US Southcoast)
WA2FIJ/6 - Jay (US Westcoast)
JH1ROJ - Isao (Japan & Asia)
CW SSB RTTY
160M: 1.826.5 N/A
80M: 3.507/3.522 3.799
40M: 7.007 7.065 7.030
30M: 10.104 10.140
20M: 14.024 14.195 14.085
17M: 18.074 18.145 18.105
15M: 21.024 21.295 21.085
12M: 24.894 24.945
10M: 28.024 28.475
The team will assemble on Reunion Island during the last week of December. On Jan. 3, 1997, they will leave aboard the 300-ft. French vessel Marion Dufresne for a 10-day sail to Crozet and then Heard Island. If weather permits, the equipment will be put on the island by helicopter; if not, it will be landed by boat. The stations will come on the air on or before Jan.15, 1997, using the callsign VK0IR. The NCDXF 5-band HF beacon will be set to transmit continuously during the stay. Departure will occur on Jan.27,1997 and after a brief stop on Kergulen will sail to Reunion, arriving on Feb.5,1997. Due to the brievity of the stops on Crozet and Kergulen, operation from these islands is uncertain. However, operation from Reunion is planned both before departure and after the return.
The total budget for the expedition is $320K. Almost 2/3 of this cost is transportation to Heard Island, which is remote from any normal shipping lanes. The balance of the budget is required for special gear and services, such as the shelters, food, fuel, and transportation of the equipment. An example of the high cost of this operation is the charge for shipping and storing the containers of gear, is more than $20K.
Donations are greatly appreciated at one of the addresses listed below. Donations are not at risk. The expedition team is taking all financial responsibility until the expedition is completed. Should the project fail due to other than an Act of God, the donors monies will be returned.
Donations are gratefully accepted via:
Heard Island DXpedition
c/o Bob Allphin, K4UEE
4235 Blackland Dr.
Marietta, GA 30067 USA
mallphin@aol.com
Heard Island DXpedition
c/o Peter Casier, ON6TT
Oude Heerbaan 30B-9230
Wetteren, Belgium
pcasier@innet.be
The Heard Island DXpedition team is committed to carrying out this operation in an exemplary manner. Every effort will be made to insure the maximum number of QSO's on as many band/modes as possible while minimizing interference to other amateur interests. Your feedback and input through the Pilot operators is critical to this goal. What we learn through this project will aid others in carrying out operations in the field safely and reliably in the future, and will serve as a guide for those to follow. We hope you will enjoy and support this expedition, both with your QSO's and finacially and will be proud to say "I helped make it happen".
The most complete set of information about the expedition is available on the Web pages, accessible at:
http://www.ccnet.com/~cordell/HI
ROBERT W. SCHMIEDER KK6EK, Explorers Club, GateAway 4295 Walnut Blvd Cordell Expeditions Walnut Creek, CA 94596. cordell@ccnet.com (510) 934-3735 (voice and fax) http://www.ccnet.com/~cordell
Tedd Mirgliotta KB8NW
InterNet: kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org
Basic Amateur Radio Frequency BBS (BARF-80) +1 216/237-8208
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