Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 442
January 3, 2000

The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 442
BID: $OPDX.442
January 3, 2000
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF-80 BBS Cleveland, Ohio
Online at 440-237-8208 28.8k-1200 Baud 8/N/1

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, ARRL/QST, AD1C, K1XN & The GoList, KB2NMV, N2JTX, WB2RAJ/WB2YQH & The 59(9) DXReport, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4VUD, K7WX, K8YSE, KE0UI, 9A4DU, CE6TBN, DL3XM, DL5EBE, DL7VRO, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, HK6DOS, HL0C, IK2BHX, JM1LJS, OH2PM, PA5BW, PA5ET, PT2BW, SV8CS, VE6JO and VK9NS for the following DX information.

1A0KM, SOV. MIL. ORDER OF MALTA. "The Daily DX" reports that Francesco, IK0FVC, states that there will probably be no operation from here until the summer.

4U0G, UNITED NATIONS OFFICE IN GENEVA. The station 4U0G has been on the air since just before Christmas 1999. This station is located in the Palais des Nations, the Headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland (UNOG). The callsign 4U0G was issued to mark the emergency preparedness measures set up at Headquarters by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for the Y2K rollover period, and it may become, in the future, the official callsign of the UNOG Amateur Radio Club. The callsign counts as Switzerland for DXCC. Most of the activity over the past week was on 20 meters CW (around 14005 kHz after 1245z). QSL via the bureau only to IK2BHX. For additional information (and for plenty of color ham-related pictures!), visit the Web site: http://ik2bhx.homepage.com

8Q, MALDIVES (Update). The callsigns are now confirmed and Rob/PA5ET will be signing 8Q7ET and Ronald/PA3EWP will sign 8Q7WP. Their activity will take place January 12-18th from Kuramathi (IOTA AS-013). Please refer to OPDX.441.

9N, NEPAL. Charles, K4VUD, is back in 9N-land after being active in Laos (XW) and plans to be active from 9N1AA's QTH as 9N7UD. He would like to be active on the WARC bands but states that there are only a few takers. Charles states, "It is just too boring and waste of time to sit on WARCs and work two in an hour... not because of dead bands but because no one is there to work..." He will move to the WARC bands if several USA stations ask him too. Charles also mentioned this past weekend, beginning January 3rd, he will listen on 10110 kHz at 1300z and 0100z for ten minutes on each hour for three hours.

CE0Z, JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLAND (DXpedition Update). Marco, CE6TBN, reports their CE0Z DXpedition is set to go January 6-16th. He provides the following suggested modes and bands/frequencies: Modes: SSB, FM, CW, Packet, RTTY, SSTV, PSK and Satelite Bands/Freq:

   80m - 3795, 3510
   40m - 7045, 7015, 7030
   20m - 14190, 4.020, 14.105
   17m - 18150, 18075, 18055
   15m - 21290, 21025, 21085
   12m - 24950, 24900, 24920
   10m - 28520, 29400, 28025, 28045
    6m, 2m and 70 cm

DXCC AWARDS "NEW" FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM. As of January 1, 2000, a few new additions have been added to the ARRL DXCC Awards program. Complete details are available from the 1999 December QST (page 47) or the ARRRL Web page at: http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/

1. The "DXCC 2000 MILLENNIUM AWARD" is available to members and non- members. The DXCC 2000 Millennium Award certificate is awarded for working 100 or more of the entities on the ARRL DXCC List. Contacts may consist of any combination of bands or modes, and all contacts must be made between the period of 0000 UTC 1st January, 2000, and end at 2359 UTC on 31st December, 2000. The DXCC 2000 Millennium Award is a separate award and does not provide credits for any of the traditional DXCC awards programs. So, no endorsements of any kind are offered and certificates are dated but not numbered. However, the applicant must certify on the original application the authenticity of log extract information for contact with the 100 entities on the DXCC List. No QSL cards are required for this award. The official application must be used to facilitate processing, and the application forms are available at the above Web site for down- loading or send an SASE, or an SASE with 1 IRC for Amateurs outside the US to the following address: DXCC 2000 Millennium Applications, American Radio Relay League, 225 Main Street, Newington CT 06111 USA
2. The DXCC Challenge is the accumulation of credits for all eligible bands within the DXCC program based upon the current listings only. The standing is calculated annually from the total of the number of eligible current entities on each of the eligible bands and is listed as a number only. The submission deadline is September 30th of each year. For qualification, participants must be the holder of a 5 Band DXCC Award. A plaque is available for 1,500 DXCC Challenge credits, with endorsement plates for increments of 500. (Please refer to the 1999 December QST or the ARRL Web site for more details.)
3. The new "20 Meter Single-band DXCC Award" is now available for 100 contacts with current entities on the DXCC List and will be credited, beginning with the QSO date (on any mode; mode is not specific) of November 15, 1945. Awards will be dated but not numbered. (Please refer to the 1999 December QST or the ARRL Web site for more details.)
4. The DeSoto Cup named after Clinton B. DeSoto who wrote the definitive article describing the DXCC program in 1935, will be awarded to the leader of the DXCC Challenge each year. Only one Cup will be awarded per individual during his lifetime.

DXCC ENTITIES SINKING INTO THE OCEAN!!! The Cable News Network (CNN) reported this past week that Kiribati has doubts about its long-term future. Global warming and rising sea levels are taking their toll on the Pacific island nation. According to some reports, Kiribati (pronounced kir-ee-bass) could be entirely under water by 2025. Portions of Kiribati's islands have already disappeared. For more details on the story, go to the Web Page: http://cnn.com/1999/ASIANOW/australasia/12/29/kiribati.millenium/

FH, MAYOTTE. Christian, 6W1QV (ex-TR8SA), will be active as FH/TU5AX from January 5th for 5 months. He will take 2 transceivers with him and a R-70000. Christian will be active on 40-6 meters. QSL via F5OGL.

IOTA NEWS.......

• AS-085. The Hanyang University Wave Research Club (HL0C) has postponed their DXpedition to Tokara Archipelago due to various reasons. (Please refer to OPDX.441)
• EU-016. Ante/9A4DU, Zof/9A4NC, Maro/9A5ANY, and Nick/9A6DX are planning to be active from islands of Korcula (IOTA EU-016, IOCA CI-041) and Proizd (IOTA EU-016, IOCA CI-093) January 21-23rd. They will be on the air using their own callsign/p (e. 9A6DX/p, 9A4NC/p..). Activity will be on all bands (80/40/20/15/10 meters) including 6 meters, mostly on the IOTA frequencies. QSL via their home callsigns or to: Box 300, 20000 Dubrovnik, CROATIA. They also report that more activity is expected in February from the islands of Sipan (IOCA CI-122), Lopud (IOCA CI-057) and Kolocep (IOCA CI-038), all in IOTA EU-016 group.
• EU-052. Spiros, SV8CS, informs OPDX that he is active from the western Greece island of Zante every day on 80 meters. He states that he looks for the USA West Coast stations on LP (long path) between 3789 and 3880 kHz at 1700-1800z. He is also active again at 2000-2300z on the same frequencies for the JA and USA East Coast stations. Spiros uses a full size vertical and a 3 element wire beam pointed at 150 degrees to the West Coast LP. Also, he has 5 beverages for reception. Look for him in the CQWW DX Contest in February on 160 meters.
• SA-047. PA3DES and another operator are planning activity from Ilha do Mel (PY5). They will be active on all bands SSB, PSK31 and SSTV. Their activity will start at the end of February and last for several weeks. Details about a more accurate starting and ending date and callsigns will follow as soon as they are known.

MORE 2000 SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS.......

• "The 59(9) DXReport" reports that the UK amateurs may sign /2K during January to celebrate the Millennium. This includes all UK calls such as G, GD, GI, GM, GU GW, M, MD, MI, etc.
• ATTENTION PREFIX HUNTERS! Look for special event station 9AY2K who will be active now through December 31st for the new year 2000. QSL via 9A1A.
• RAC Headquarters announced that the Industry Canada informed Canadian Radio Amateurs that the following National Special Event prefixes are authorized for Y2K. Look for Canadian stations to use these special prefixes until February 16, 2000:

            VE1 -> CG1   VA1 -> CF1   VO1 -> CH1    VY0 -> CI0
            VE2 -> CG2   VA2 -> CF2   VO2 -> CH2    VY1 -> CI1
            VE3 -> CG3   VA3 -> CF3                 VY2 -> CI2
            VE4 -> CG4   VA4 -> CF4
            VE5 -> CG5   VA5 -> CF5
            VE6 -> CG6   VA6 -> CF6
            VE7 -> CG7   VA7 -> CF7
            VE8 -> CG8   VE9 -> CG9
  

• By the time you read this, Ari, PT2BW, will probably be QRT as ZW2OOO. His activity was to end January 3rd. If you were lucky to work him, QSL via either the Bureau or direct to: Ariosto R. de Souza, P.O. Box 03821, 70084-970 Brasilia, DF - BRAZIL.

OPDX INTERNET SUBSCRIBERS. The subscribers will receive a special message as an addition from Monk Apollo SV2ASP/A provided by Dominik, DL5EBE, DX Editor of the "CQ DL Magazine".

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

• QSL Manager W3EVW reports that he has not heard from or received logs for 9Y4VU in two years. He states that he is no longer the QSL Manager.
• Andre, ZS6WPX, reports that several sources are reporting the QSL Manager for 3DA0WPX is ZS5WPX. This is incorrect per Andre. The correct QSL Manager is ZS6WPX.
• QSL special event station CS2MIL for celebrating the New Year 2000 via CT1END. Logs will be available On-Line at: http://www.qsl.net/ct1end/ Jean Michel, F6AJA, reports that he has received the cards for FK8VHT/P (Lifou Island) from last October. All direct requests will be on their way soon.
• Oscar, HK6DOS, reports that the new QSL Manager for CO8ZZ is now DK1WI: Erhard Hauptmann, Erlenstr. 31, Katzwinkel, 57581, Fed. Rep. of Germany.
• Pertti, OH2PM, informs readers "PLEASE" do not send QSLs to Pertti, OH2PM (XX9TR, XX9TRR, OH2PM/BY1QH or BY1DX) to the Beijing, China address. The new address is: Pertti Simovaara, OH2PM, Pohj.pikatie 957, 04940 Levanto, Finland. Direct QSLing of XX9TR and XX9TRR are via N6XJ CBA and BY1DX via OH2BH.
• Guenter, DL3XM, reports that he has been receiving QSLs from JA stations for PY0ZFO which he is NOT the QSL Manager. He is, however, the QSL Manager for PY0FZM who was Hardy, DL2HZM, living on Fernando de Noronha but is now deceased as of November 21, 1999. Guenter is also QSL Manager for his 1997 Caribbean Tour: P40XM, VP2EXM, FS/DL8WAA (only 1997), PJ8- and PJ9/DL5LYM.
• Jim Smith, VK9NS, reports that QSL cards for VK8ML/CI operation will be available in a few days and he should have the QSL cards in hand. Look for them coming out soon.
• QSL Manager, Fritz, DL7VRO, reports that Y2K is a pirate and DK2OC is not the QSL Manager, since he processes all cards for Uli.
• QSL Manager, Fritz, DL7VRO, also reports that QSL cards for 3D2AO/R and 3D2IO/R for the latest Rotuma operation will be going out sometime during the beginning of the year.

T88, PALAU (Update). Hide, JM1LJS, was able to extend his V63LJ Ponape operation until January 4th before he heads to Palau. Remember, he will be in Ponape from January 4-10th, but will only be active for 24 hours as T88LJ. Please refer to OPDX.441.

VK, AUSTRALIA. "The 59(9) DXReport" reports that Josep, EA6ACC will be active from here January 20th through March 15th as VK4FOC. He also expects to be active in other sections of Australia such as VK2, VK3, VK5 and VK8. He will only be using 100w into a R-7000.

VK0, MACQUARIE ISLANDS (A Millennium surprise!). Alan, VK0LD, who announced that "VK0LD was going QRT" less than two weeks ago, has announced that he will be active as VK0MM (Macquarie Millennium) over the year 2000. This operation will be the same as VK0LD, activity on all HF bands primarily CW but also SSB. He will concentrate mainly on 20 meters and maybe 15 meters for early part of the year to give a new country to as many as possible. Alan works CW at 30 wpm and states, "It is almost CERTAIN that this will be the LAST VK0/m operation using CW, possibly the LAST VK0/m operation full stop (cannot go into reasons why) so instead of griping & pontificating just work me or get out of the way & let someone else work me !!" FINALLY AND VERY IMPORTANT! Currently, there is no QSL route for VK0LD or VK0MM and no manager for VK0LD or VK0MM. QSLs will be issued upon Alan's return home, around December 2000. A QSL route will be announced at that time. Also, Alan states, ".... QSL mail sent to the QTHR/callbook address will be destroyed unopened and QSL via the Buro will not be accepted." Alan also states from his Web site, "Do not attempt multiple "insurance" QSOs. Duplicate QSOs on the same band/mode will result in ALL QSOs for that station being automatically removed from the log by the logging software." Alan reports that he has already removed several stations from his log for doing this. For updates and schedules for operations, please go to the Web site at: http://www.geocities.com/vk0ld/1.html

VP9, BERMUDA. Bob, KE0UI, will be active from here (IOTA NA-005), January 8-15th as VP9/KE0UI in the rare Hamilton Parish. Activity will be CW and SSB on 80-10 meters. QSL is to the home callsign CBA (preferred) or the stateside Zero Bureau.

XZ, MYANMAR. A press release by Warren, K7WX, was sent out this past weekend and states that the first group of XZ0A operators departs for Myanmar on January 9th. They will reach Thahtay Kyun Island (off the southernmost tip of the Union of Myanmar, Zone 26, Southeast Asia) by the afternoon of January 12th and hope to be active by the afternoon of the 14th at the latest. They expect to have a total of eight stations running FT-1000MPs and Alpha amplifiers with full size antennas on all bands. Although the majority of contacts will be made on 80 through 10 meters, there will also be dedicated stations, with specialized operators, for Top Band, RTTY and 6-meters. This will be the first ever XZ IOTA, and a brand new prefix. This DXpedition will run continuously through February 6, 2000. QSL requests can be made directly, or via the appropriate bureau. Direct QSLs go to: XZ0A QSL Request, c/o Bob Myers, W1XT, 37875 North 10th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85086 USA. Bureau QSL cards should be clearly marked: XZ0A via W1XT. More complete details can be found at the DXpedition web site: http://getnet.com/~k7wx/myanmar.htm OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive the complete press release as an additional bulletin.

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
"Totally devoted to Amateur Radio" - 24 Hrs a day 8/N/1 14.4k-300 baud