Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 373
September 6, 1998


The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 373
BID: $OPDX.373
September 7, 1998
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF-80 BBS Cleveland, Ohio
Online at 440-237-8208 28.8k-1200 Baud 8/N/1 (New Area Code!)

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster WB2RAJ/WB2YQH & The 59(9) DXReport, KF2TI, K4DX, WD4NGB, W5ZPA, KH7RS, K7WX, K8AL, WD8MGQ, CE6TBN, DJ5AV & DX News Letter, DL7IO, EA3NY, EA5GRC, G4BUE & DX News Sheet, HB9AMO, JA1ELY, JI3ERV, JO1CRA, ZP5AZL and ZS5BBO for the following DX information.


5V7A WEB SITE. Warren, K7WX, reports that he has finished the code for the 1998 5V7A contest DXpedition Web page. This is the Web site for the West Africa VooDoo Contest group lead by G3SXW. They have had the first place CQ WW CW DX Contest multi-multi score for five out of the last six years. The previous URL (http://www.getnet.com/~k7wx/5v7a.html) is no longer functional. If you have a link to this prior site, now may be a good time to update it to the current URL: http://voodudes.com/ This new site is a complete re-write and has some interesting features. Check it out!

8Q, MALDIVES (Update). Holger, DL7IO, has informed OPDX with some additional information on the upcoming "Berlin-DX-Group/NODXA" DXpedition to the Maldives, October 18th-November 5th (on the air, Oct.19th-Nov.4th). He reports that 20 people (not 20 Hams) plus kids will travel to 8Q-land. Holger states a couple of the operators are experienced, "but also some are newcomers in the DXpedition business. So, please remember this if the guy is not running a 200 + rate." A complete list of operators/details can be found in last week's, OPDX.372. The group will be taking about 150 kg of aluminum and titanum with them along with 5 transceivers, notebooks and 3 amps (400W). "So it should be possible to get in contact with us", states Holger. They will have 2 V80E (20m high) verticals for 80m and 160m so they can operate on both bands at the same time. They will also be able to run 3 RTTY stations simultaneous. Also, part of their luggage are 2-3 beams (starting at 40m in length), towers (10/15m and smaller) and verticals like a R7 and HF9V. The group now has a 8Q7IQ/8Q7IO DXpedition Web site online at: http://www.qsl.net/8q7io/ The log search page has been tested and is working. This will be updated daily (Of course no logs are in it now). They will also have an active E-mail address at: 8q7io@qsl.net -- Holger will retrieve the mailings until their departure, and than the E-mails will be forwarded to 8Q7 so you will be able to send them your comments, tips, sked-wishes etc... (but please remember that only once a day they will retrieve the messages). The QSL route is, of course, DL7VRO. Cards will be printed after the tour, so it will take about 3 months. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: They prefer E-mail request for QSLs. Cards will be go out via bureau. Another important announcment is the new E-mail address for Fritz, DL7VRO: dl7vro@ibm.net By the way, Fritz is QSL Manager for following callsigns and QSL requests via E-mail are "OK" (bureau): 3D2AO/IO/XO, 5V7HR, 9I2A/M/Z, C56/DL7UBA, CT3/DL7UBA, CT3/DL7UTM, EA8/DL7AU, EA8/DL7IO, ED8CMT, FW/Y31XO, FW/Y58IO, H44IO/IQ/XO, SO1HH, SO5OE/1, T21XO, T28IO, T25AO, TN2M, TN4U and YJ0AIO/AIQ.

CY9, SAINT PAUL ISLAND. If the weather permits, look for Duane, WV2B, to sign CY9/WV2B in the middle of the week (September 9-14th). QSL via WV2B.

E3, ERITREA. Bruce, WD4NGB, reports that he has been working on a DXpedition for the last 5 months to Eritrea (E3) for the "Space A DX Group" (Please refer to OPDX.341). Eritrea is number 5 on the ARRL DXCC needed list. In case you do not know, Eritrea has been tied up with a border problem since May 6th with Ethiopia. Bruce was told in April to send a request in writing and they would process it. The border problem has since taken priority for them, of course. Bruce received a fax from Eritrea last week saying that they would be able to complete action on his request on September 16th. He has requested the callsign E31DX. This DX pedition will be by the "Space A DXpedition Group" with a few selected other operators also. They will have 10-12 operators to operate 3 stations 24 hours a day. Bruce states he wants to do this as near to the Fall Equinox as possible, and also allow enough time for the border problem to be resolved or remain stable. Since many of the operators have plans for one or both of the CQWW contests, they will be making their tentative plans for November 3-18th. The group feels that doing this near the Equinox will give them the best world wide coverage on all bands from 160-10 meters and maybe even 6 meters. Bruce says, "Things on the border have been very stable since the first part of June, when the UN and other groups got involved to help with this problem. If the border maintains as is, we should be able to firm up our dates soon. At this time we have 3 operator spots vacant. We are looking for operators that have prior DXpedition experience, with least 300 countries confirmed and with extensive low band experience. Since we do not have any operators from Europe in our group, they will be given preference in the remaining spots." The list of operators at this time are, WD4NGB/Bruce, W4WX/Bill, W6RJ/Bob, W6KR/Rob, JH1AJT/Zorro, XE1CI/Nellie, K5VT/Vince, KO4RR/Joe, and N5VL/Vance. They will have online logs available, with daily updates. They have set up 3 Web sites to make sure that at least one of them will be up at all times:

Donations for "Non operator" expenses can be sent to Bruce Richards, 533 Briarwood Dr, Clarksville Tn. In the event that for any reason this trip does not take place, all funds will be returned. Any large donations by a group or individual will be shown on the QSL cards. At the completion of the DXpedition, all funds received with the QSL cards will be used to defray the cost, not on other trip expenses. Bruce states that they will make another announcement in a couple of weeks as more information becomes available. If you wish to fill one of the remaining spots, contact Bruce at: wd4ngb@m2.sprynet.com

FS, SAINT MARTIN. Eddie, EA3NY, will be FS5PL during the CQWW RTTY Contest, September 26-27th. He will also be on SSB and RTTY before the contest. He will use a FT-900 (and possibly Ameritron Amp) with a A4S Cushcraft antenna (with an add on kit) for 10-15-20-40 meters and a dipole for 80 meters. To setup skeds with Eddy, send E-mail to: ea3ny@bitradio.com for skeds

IOTA NEWS.......

J43, GREECE. The "DX News Letter" reports that the Diploma Interests Group (DIG) club station J43DIG has announced that they will be on CW and SSB on the usual DIG frequencies from Septemeber 9-26th. QSL via bureau to DJ8OT or via Eberhard Warnecke, Box 101244, D-42512 Velbert, Germany.

KH2, GUAM. Ramon, WH6ASW/KH2, is a resident on Guam and has been very active. He is active on CW and SSB (maybe more on CW). He likes 17 and 20 meters. He is a Science teacher at a High School and gets on the bands after work. No specific QRNs were reported and none were found on the cluster network. QSL to VK4FW. Meanwhile, if you were lucky during the past weekend to work AH2R or NH2C, QSL via JI3ERV. Operators were JG3RPL/N1BJ and JI3ERV/NH2C. Their activity was to be on 160-6 meters (especially 160/80m) with operations on SSB/CW/RTTY and activity in the All Asia Contest (PH).

KP2, VIRGIN ISLAND. The "DX News Sheet" reports that Bill/W4WX, Bill/N2WB, Clarence/W4CJK, Chris/VE3FU and Ernie/W5OXA of the Clay County DX Association (CCDXA) will be active October 19-27th, using their home callsign /WP2, /NP2 or /KP2. During the CQWW SSB Contest, they will use WP2Z from the Windwood contest station. They are currently looking for someone to replace Joe/W4USN, who was part of the team but has had to withdraw after a stroke. If interested, contact Bill, W4WX, at: w4wx@bellsouth.net

LU, SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS. "The 59(9) DXReport" states to look for Ricardo, LU1ZI, on Sundays, on 3630 kHz at 0230z from Tenierente Jubany Base. QSL direct to: Base Cientifica Jubany, Correo Argentino El Palomar, Via Base Marambio, 9411 Antartica Argentina.

NEW IOTA. Operators HR1RMG and YN1RFV/YN6 will activate the station H76C between October 6-11th from Cardon Island (group D of Pacific Ocean Islands of Nicaragua) and the expect to receive a new IOTA reference number during the operation. QSL via HR1RMG.

NEW IOTA TO BE ACTIVATED FOR ONLY 24 HOURS. Look for W5BOS/7 to be active and on the air to commemorate the great storm of 1934 when winds of 100 knots and seas covered the entire island including the lighthouse on Tillamook Rock. Lanny, W5BOS, has been granted permission to operate from Tillamook Rock lighthouse (Terrible Tilly, 45.56N 124.01W). This is in the Oregon state group, little letter ( a ), the last of the unnumbered island groups in the USA. The operation will be for only 24 hours, beginning at approx 2200z on Monday, September 21st. Lanny will be using 100 watts and a small yagi plus a dipole for 40 meters. Suggested frequencies will be: CW - 7030, 14040, 21040, 28040 and SSB - 14260, 21260 and 28460. Lanny will do all that is possible to get the European and South East Asian as well as North and South America IOTA operators in the log. For info and pictures of the island and the lighthouse, check out the WEB site: http://www.worldlights.com QSL via W5BOS: Lanny Phillips, 8381 FM 2101, Quinlan, Tx.

N1V, NAVASSA DXPEDITION. Dan, K8RF, continues to work and put together a DXpedition to Navassa Island, but the dates are not set yet, however they should be around November or December. The callsign will be N1V. Operators include K8RF, WA4DAN, AA4NC, W4WX, K7BV, DJ9ZB, KG4CQ and three others to be announced when schedule is firmed up.

QSL INFO AND NEWS......

SPECIAL EVENT. In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the first pioneer settlement in Guernsey County, Ohio, the Cambridge Amateur Radio Association will operate the special event station W8G on the 19th and 20th of September. QSL via W8VP, Box 1804, Cambridge, Ohio 43725. Suggested frequencies will be:

SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS (ZS3 and ZS75 by ZS5BBO).........

TZ, MALI (Update). As reported a couple a weeks ago, Bob, K4RB, is on the air from Bamako as TZ6DX. He will be there for a multi-year assignment and will be active on most bands and modes. He is an avid CW contester. He was heard this past week on 15 meters CW between 1800 and 1930z. His QSL Manager is K4DX (ex-WA4FVT). K4DX is good in 1998 sources only. Any address for WA4FVT since 1973 is still good. Specifically, the address is: Bill Strickland, 355 Segrest Circle, Athens, GA 30605 USA

XR40, CHILE. Look for the special event station XR40TC to be active during all the month of September to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Radio Club Temuco. QSL via the buearu or direct to CE6TC: P.O. Box 1234, Temuco, Chile.

YI98, IRAQ (Special Event). Between September 22nd and October 1st, look for the special event callsign, YI98BIF, which will be used to celebrate the 10th Babylon International Festival. It was mentioned that any ham radio operator is invited to the festival and can visit the ruins of the old Babylon City (2656 BC). OTHER YI NEWS: Pierre, HB9AMO, reports that during his 3 months stay in Iraq, he twice visited the Radio Club of Baghdad, YI1RS, and also met the President of the Iraqi Radio Club, Mr. Anan M. Aswad, YI1DX. He has learn the country has about 30 hams with a YI licence, but the only radio station they are permitted to use is the Radio-Club of Baghdad (from here they can use their own callsign). The station has old equipment with a small 3 band beam and a 40m dipole. The WARC band are permitted to be used, however 80m and 160m are not allowed. They cannot use their Yaesu FT-101E any more because of a broken pair of final amplifier tubes. This makes their activity very low because they have to use an old fixed frequency radio station. If anyone has a pair of 6JS5C tubes or equivalent (6KD6, 6LB6, 6LR6), they could be sent to: Radio Club of Baghdad Iraqi Association for Radio Amateurs, PO BOX 55027, Baghdad, Iraq. Pierre also mentions that the main activity of the radio club station is usually on Friday around 1200-1400z.

ZG2, GIBRALTAR. Start looking for ZB2 stations who MAY use the ZG2 prefix September 5-13th to celebrate Gibraltar's National Day which takes place on September 10th. QSL via their regular ZB2 callsign.

ZP0, PARAGUAY (Prefix Update). Tom, ZP5AZL, reported last week he would be using ZP0Z during the WAE SSB Contest. This has changed! Tom has been informed by the Paraguay licensing authority that ZP0 callsigns will no longer be issued. Look for Tom to use the callsign ZP5Z in the upcoming contest and possibly future contest. QSL W3HNK.

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 INTERNET SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUEST: opdx-request@nshore.org
OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME (provided by John, K8YSE):
http://www.en.com/users/k8yse/opdx.html
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
InterNet: kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org
Basic Amateur Radio Frequency BBS (BARF-80) +1 440/237-8208
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