Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, WB2RAJ/WB2YQH & The 59(9) DXReport, K2KW, N4GN, W5ZPA, KG6AR, W8KKF, W0YR, AP2TJ, CX5BW, CX7BY, DL6DH, G3SXW, G4BUE & DX News Sheet, LZ1BB, IT9JPK, JI3ERV, OH2BH, OM2SA, RA3AUU, XE1AE, ZL2AL and ZP5AZL for the following DX information.
3A, MONACO (Update, please refer to OPDX.326). Mike, W0YR, reports that he and Tom, N9NC, will NOT (repeat NOT) be using the prefix 3A7G for their planned operation from Monaco, October 23-27th. This is due to a mistake by a person who proved to be an inept translator of French, and told Mike that they COULD use the special prefix. 3A7G is only authorized for use by permanent Monaco stations. Mike and Tom will use the more normal callsigns, 3A/W0YR and 3A/N9NC. QSL info reportedly is via OM2SA, bureau or direct. The correct address is: George Sipos, 93013 Trhova-Hradska 550, Republic of Slovakia, Europe.
6Y, JAMAICA. "You never heard Jamaica so loud, MON!", states Kenny, K2KW, team leader of a multinational team ready to operate 6Y4A as a Multi/Multi effort in the 1997 CQ WW CW Contest. The 6Y4A contest team consists of the following: AG9A, JE3MAS, JI3ERV, K2KW, KE7X, N6BT, N6TV, W4SO and W9QA. The team will return to the site used in 1997 ARRL DX CW 6Y4A operation which is located on the north shore of Jamaica. Two adjacent villas will house the team with all the operations done from the main villa. There is a clear shot over the water to Europe, Africa, USA, Japan, and Oceania. The antennas are designed and provided by Force 12 (Thanks Tom!). The 6Y4A team has done extensive empirical testing this summer to determine the correct antennas for this location. The results of the testing were quite intriguing, and hopefully the results will be published in the near future. The team will use quasi-fixed arrays of multi-element parasitic verticals on 80-10m, with most low band antennas using the new ZR vertical by Force 12. All the arrays will be fed with coax subsidized by Nemal Electronics. Six full stations running 500-1500w are being brought down with the team (there is no existing station at this QTH!), and, hopefully, DX packet spotting will be available via the InterNet using DX Telnet software. The team will operate outside the contest from November 21st through December 2nd, signing homecall/6Y5. QSL 6Y4A via WA4WTG. For QSOs outside the contest, QSL via operators home CBA.
AP, PAKISTAN (Pirates using AP prefix on CW). Tariq, AP2TJ, reports that as of late a lot of pirates have been using the AP prefix to operate CW on the ham bands. One example is AP2ZP who was heard last week on 21007 kHz. The only bona fide CW operators in Pakistan today are:
CP, BOLIVIA. Olli, OH0XX, will be active as CP6AA and plans to be a Single-Op/All Band entry in the CQWW CW Contest. QSL voa OH0XX.
CW1, FLORES ISLAND (URUGUAY). Operators Estela/CX3ACS, Daniel/CX2DP, Daniel/CX1AK, Diver/CX6IM Diver, Diego/CX5BBR Diego and Pablo/CX7ACH will be active from this Uruguayan island (IOTA SA-030) between October 24-30th. They will use the special callsign CW1D, and the group is planning to be active in the CQWW DX SSB Contest. QSL via CX1AK: Daniel Muinos, P.O.Box 5, 11.000 - Montevideo, Uruguay.
CW5, ISLA DE LOBOS (URUGUAY). Pedro, CX5BW, reports to OPDX that from now until October 26th, look for this Uruguayan island (IOTA SA-039) to be aired using the callsign CW5R. Last summer this island was damaged by a spread of petroleum, and as it is a natural refuge of wild sea life, thousands of sea wolves and birds were dead. The group going there will be an eyewitness to the recuperation of the island, and will celebrate it by doing a DXpedition and by participating in the CQWW Contest. They will operate all HF, VHF, UHF bands, on SSB and CW modes. They will run high power, and beams on all bands except on 80 and 160 meters were they will use slopers hanging from the lighthouse 200 feet high. QSL via P.O.Box 2, ZC 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay, S.A.
EA8, CANARY ISLANDS. (The following press release was provide by Tim, N4GN): " Martti J. Laine, OH2BH, has been absent from the single op contesting arena during his tour of duty in the Far East for the past 4-years. During that period, he also reached the age of 50--an accomplishment which was celebrated with a team effort in the 1996 CQWW CW Contest as C21BH. But before he retires from the single op game, Martti has once again set his sights on the Canary Islands, and will employ some interesting new technology in the upcoming CQWW SSB Contest. The newly re-born EA8BH station will be based on PC-controlled Kachina 505DSP transceivers and a customized power splitting, selected receiving arrangement that can effectively cover four beam directions simultaneously if desired. The Kachina concept is described on the following webpage: http://www.kachina-az.com The overall station design will be described in a special dual-frame QSL card which will be issued to each and every EA8BH CQWW QSO. Martti and the entire EA8 gang, as well as the people at Kachina Communications Inc. (via N6YY), will be delighted to hear your comments about the sound and penetration of the EA8BH station during the CQWW SSB Contest. EA8BH will be on all bands and welcomes your QSOs and observations.
II9, ITALY. Gianni, IT9PKO, will be active for the CQ WW DX SSB Contest as II9ZZ. He will be on all bands. QSL to IT9PKO, direct or via the bureau.
J3, GRENADA. From October 23-28th, a group will be here active in and outside the CQWW SSB Contest. J3A will be on the air as a Multi-Multi entry in the contest. Members of the group (along with their own J3 callsigns) are: W8KKF/J37K, KC5DJI/J38YL, N0AT/J38AT, KC5AK/J38DD, NH7C/J38NA, N7UE/J38EA, W6SR/J38SR, K6RO/J38RO, N6LL/J38LL and WA8LOW/J38L. QSL manager for J3A is WA8LOW. QSL all others to home call unless otherwise announced. The group is planning a major effort with six complete stations including 4 high power amplifiers and will have antenna improvements. They will operate from the National Emergency Relief Organization emergency operating center. This year and over the past two years, the J3A groups (SSB) and J39A groups (CW) have provided towers, coax, special non amateur equipment, an amplifier and tuner for the NERO EOC. The SSB group expects to have operations outside of the contest starting October 23rd (Thursday) and on Monday and part of Tuesday after the contest. CW and RTTY should be available before and after contest. They state that 10, 15 and 20 meters will have a second antenna available, so several modes may be on at the same time. A beam for 12/17 meters and one for 6 meters are available. The J3EOC beacon on 6 meters is at the contest site.
LZ0, SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS. Dan, LZ2UU, will be the radioman for a scientific team that will visit the Bulgarian Antarctic base "St. Kliment Ohridski" on Livingston Island in the South Shetland group. The team will leave November 24th and is planning to be on the island around December 7th. They will be there for the summer season. Dan will be using the callsign LZ0A which is issued for the base on Livingston Island. Although Dan will be very busy with the scientific team, he will make every effort to be active on the amateurs bands. He plans this year's operation to include RTTY and Packet Radio.
NH2, GUAM. Operators Aki/JI3ERV/NH2C, Kaz/JG3RPL/N1BJ, Seo/JR3RVO/WX8M, Toshi/JR7OMD/WI3O, Kazu/JK3GAD/AL7NC and Kou/JH7QXJ will be active in the upcoming 1997 CQ World Wide DX Contest (phone) next weekend. The operators are the members of Guam Contest Club, and plan to air NH2C as a Multi-Single entry. They report their sunrise/sunset is 2020/0757z. They also mention to look for them between 7075-7100 kHz on 40 meters. QSL via JI3ERV. Any questions or comments are welcomed via E-mail: guam-contest-club@seo.amagasaki.hyogo.jp
QSL INFO AND NEWS...............
SPECIAL EVENT. Look for VY7V to be active October 20th through November 2nd. The Ucluelet ARC will activate this special event station to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Unit #293 Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans. QSL via VE7DUG.
V3, BELIZE. Stan/W5JYK (V31YK), John/K5KR (V31KR) and Mike/W5ZPA (V31MP) will be active from Ambergris Caye (IOTA NA-73) from November 7-10th. They will operate the usual Dx windows on CW, SSB, and RTTY on 80-10 meters. They will try to be active on 160, but that depends on antenna space. QSLs go to each operator's home call with SASE requested.
VK0, MACQUARIE ISLAND (Update and Change). Alan, VK4AAR, reports that since the last notice he was asked to send to the DX bulletins, it has been decided by those concerned that the callsign "VI0ANARE" will not be used on Macquarie Island to celebrate ANARE's 50th anniversary after all. They will be using a similar callsign, and making their own arrangements for QSLing. Please be advised that Alan is the QSL Manager for VI0ANARE (ONLY) and NOT the call they will be using during that period October 25-31st. Meanwhile, Tom, VK0TS, will be using the callsign "VK0ANARE" during October 25-31st. That's right, he will be using VK0 and not VI0 as a callsign for the whole period, including during the CQWW SSB Contest in which Tom will be competing. The QSL route is the same for VK0TS: Simon Trotter, VK1AUS, PO Box 2063, Kambah Village, ACT 2902, Australia.
VP9, BERMUDA. Look for Jeff, AJ2U, to operate as a Single-Op/All Band entry in the CQWW SSB as VP9ID. There will be some CW activity on the WARC bands outside the contest. Jeff will sign AJ2U/VP9 outside the contest. QSL via K1EFI.
ZM7A/ZL7AA, CHATHAM ISLAND. Just a quick reminder that Chatham Island will be activated next week from October 22-27th. A multi-team from New Zealand will be active on all bands with four stations. During the CQWW SSB Contest, the callsign to be used will be ZM7A. The callsign ZL7AA will be used for the few days before and after the contest. The team will consist of ZL2AL, ZL2HU, ZL2TT, ZL2ST, ZL2RR, ZL2LF and ZL2GI (YL op). Some of the operators were part of the team that activated ZL8RI last year. CW will be not be used during the contest time. Yagis will be used and WARC bands will be activated. Remember, there is no commercial sponsorship for this DXpedition, so costs is being paid by the members of the team. QSL ZL7AA and ZM7A via ZL2AL: Lee Jennings, PO Box 54, HASTINGS 4201, NEW ZEALAND or via ZL2AL CBA or bureau.
ZF, CAYMAN ISLAND. The "DX News Sheet" reports that Don, WB8WCU, will be active in the CQ SSB Contest as ZF2VR. QSL via home call.
ZP0, PARAGUAY. Tom, ZP5AZL, reports to OPDX that his contest station will be active in the CQWW SSB Contest as ZP0R. The ZP0R contest team will be active as a Multi/Single entry and the team consists of: Tom/ZP5AZL, Laca/ZP5CGL, Hugo/ZP5XHM, Luis/ZP5WBM, ZP5VAY and Jorge/ CX6VM. Activity will be on all bands from 160-10 meters. USA stations are to look for them on 160 meters starting around 0500z. QSL via ZP5AZL.
IMPORTANT NOTICE! Users of the online BARF-80 BBS (Home of the OPDX Bulletin) take note, the area code has change as of August 16th. The new 440 area code will replace the 216 area code. Currently both area codes can be used, but the 216 area code will be permanently replaced in April 1998. BARF-80 BBS online at 440-237-8208 28.8k-1200 Baud 8/N/1
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
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OPDX SPANISH WEB SITE. (provide by "QTC Magazine" and Tony Pernas, EA1CSI):
http://www.intercom.es/qtc/qtcopdx.htm
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 440-237-8208 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 440-237-8208 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.
Tedd Mirgliotta KB8NW
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