Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 692
January 3, 2005

The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 692
BID: $OPDX.692
January 3, 2005
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, K1XN & GoList, N3SL, NG3K, W3HNK, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4VUD, N4AA & QRZ DX, K5LBU, KN5G, K8FF, K8YSE, CE6TBN, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, G0IAS, HK1XX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I1HYW, IZ8BRI, J6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, JJ1BDX/3, LU3DW, UA9CDC, VA3RJ & ICPO, VK4FW, XE2K and YZ1EW for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 26th/December, through Sunday, 2nd/January there were 219 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FK, FM, FO, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH6, 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, PY0F, PZ, R1FJ, S5, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T5, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, VU4, XE, XU, XW, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZF, ZK1/s, 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).

3DA0, SWAZILAND (Update). Frosty, K5LBU, states he has received several replies to his last E-mail message requesting/looking for operators to go to Swaziland in July of this year. It sounds as if he still needs some operators for the trip and is hoping to have 3 CW operators and 3 SSB operators. He does mention that they plan to be in the IARU Contest on July 9th and 10th. He hopes to have two stations on with towers and beams. If interested, visit the following Web pages for more info at: http://www.k5lbu.com/ and http://www.dxsafari.com/

3D2/R, ROTUMA. The "425 DX News" reports that Charlie/HA8IB and Eli/HA9RE will be active from here between January 27th and February 21-22nd. They plan to have two stations active on 160-10 meters CW, SSB and RTTY. The operators also plan to participate in the CQ WW 160 Meter CW and ARRL DX CW contests.

6Y, JAMAICA. Martin, KN5G, is currently in Negril until January 8th. He is just on vacation, eventhough he took his K2 and some wire along. If active, look for him to sign 6Y5/KN5G on RTTY, CW and SSB. He informs OPDX that he can operate all bands except 160m. QSL via the bureau or KN5G.

7Q, MALAWI. Allan, G0IAS, informs OPDX about the recent activity from here. He reports that Les, 7Q7LA, will be here for another couple of weeks. Looking over the QSNs, Les seem to be active most days at various times (after 0330z, 1200z or 1600z) on one or more of the following bands: 40, 30, 20, 15 and 10 meters. Harry, 7Q7HB, (who is apparently back home) has no current plans for his next trip down there. Ron, 7Q7RM, seems to have lost a lot of interest after being there for 50 years.

8Q, MALDIVES (Op Cancelled). Paolo, IK2QPR, reports that he has cancelled his 8Q7PR January 9-17th operation due to the tragic events in southern Asia.

8Q, MALDIVES (Web pictures). Igor, UA9CDC, invites those who are interested in seeing some 80+ pictures of his recent 8Q7DV CQWW CW Contest operation to visit: http://www.fotki.com/8q7dv/

CORRECTION. Last week we had an incomplete URL address for the Web page listing under "CQ CELEBRATES ITS 60TH". The correct URL address for all the complete rules for the "CQ Gang 60th Anniversary" activity is on the CQ Web site at: http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/CQ60%20Award%20%20Dec04.pdf

HK0, MALPELO ISLAND. Pedro, HK1XX, announced this past week that the DX Colombia Group are making plans for a possible Malpelo DXpedition between June 2005 and March 2006. They are looking to put together an international team of operators which will include 13 Colombian operators and 7 international guest operators. Suggested modes of operation are CW, SSB, Satellite, PSK, RTTY, 6 meters and possibly EME. The DX Colombia Group is looking for possible operators, sponsors and equipment. E-mails will be sent out to interested parties. More details are forthcoming at the 2005 Dayton HamVention. They also invite everyone to visit their Web page at: http://www.dxcolombia.com

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

• AS-017. Youichi, JL3CRS, will be active as homecall/6 from the following islands:
  • January 7th - Henza Island (JIIA AS-017-010) or Ike Island (JIIA AS-017-01) Okinawa Pre
  • January 8th - Yagachi Island (JIIA AS-017-040) or Sesoko Island (JIIA AS-017-035)
  • January 8th - Okinawa Honto (JIIA AS-017-033); operation only at night.
  QSL via the bureau or direct to his home callsign.
• NA-164/NA-165. Operators Ray/N6VR, Norman/N6JV, Gerardo/XE2Q, Marco/ XE2TG, Miguel/XE2UCT, Diana/XE2DN and Hector/XE2K will be active as XF1K sometime between January 9-14th from the following islands:
  • NA-164 - Asuncion Island; to be activated around 2300z, January 10th, depending on WX and tides. Estimated time of operation is 72 hours from this group.
  • NA-165 - Santa Ines Island; to be activated around 2000z, January 14th, depending on WX and tides. Estimated time of operation is 48 hours from this group.
  They plan to have 2-3 (100 watt) stations on the air 12-18 hours daily simultaneously, on 80-6 meters and possibly 160m, on CW/SSB 100. QSL via N6AWD: Fred K. Stenger, 6000 Hesket Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93309 USA. More details are available on the IREF Web page at: http://www.islandradio.org
• SA-043. Marco, CE6TBN, will be on the air as CE6TBN/7 from Ascension Island, Las Guaitecas Archipelago (DICE ICE-704), January 14-16th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters plus the WARC bands are included. Operations will be on SSB and CW. QSL via CE6TBN via the bureau or direct to: Marco A. Quijada Q., P.O.Box 1234, Temuco, Chile. Please visit his Web site at: http://www.qsl.net/ce6tbn/
• SA-055. The Radio Club Argentino, LU4AA, will operate from the lighthouse (ARG-045) on Martin Garcia Island, starting 2100z, January 13th to 1500z, January 16th. They will have two stations on the air on 80-10 meters using the callsigns LR4D (CW) and LR5D (SSB). QSL via LU4AA Radio Club Argentino, direct or by the bureau.

JD1, MINAMI TORISHIMA. Masa, JA1BVA (ex-JD1AHC and JA8IEV/JD1), a former member of Japan Meteorological Agency Amateur Radio Club at Minami-Torishima (JD1YAA), has reported that an active member of JD1YAA will visit Minami-Torishima for a three month job assignment during the Summer of 2005, and that the QSL procedure and manager for JD1YAA will be decided by the operation. This information is not final and details TBA later.

KP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS. Norm, K8NI, will again be active from St.Croix beginning January 29th for about two weeks. Activity will be on SSB, CW and PSK31 (band operation was not provided). Since this is mainly a vacation operation, look for him during the early mornings and evenings.

LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY. The Naval Postgraduate School ARC (K6LY) will activate the Point Pinos Lighthouse (ARLHS USA-634) between February 1-7th. Their activity is to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse. Suggested frequencies are: 7270, 14270, 21370 and 28370 kHz (+/- QRM). QSL direct to WC6DX at: G. Costello, PO Box 1332, Monterey, CA 93942, U.S.A.

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

• TOP 5 QSL MANAGER NOMINATIONS. John, K1XN, from the "GoList", reminds everyone that January is the last month to nominate your 5 choices for "The Top 5 QSL Managers for 2004". He reports, "With just 1 month to go, the nominations are lagging behind last year, but the nominations are grouping up much better than last year. There has been fewer different managers nominated so far, could be it is just an 'off' year! If you have not sent in your nominations for the best managers that sent you confirmations this year, please do so soon." Send your 5 or less nominations to [ golist@golist.net ] and put in the Subject line: TOP 5 NOMINATIONS. This will help John see it and add your vote right away.
• VK9LA AND VK9LW QSL STATUS. Bill, VK4FW, informs OPDX that all direct cards received there have been answered up-to-date. Many of you will receive your cards in the next few days. A reminder to all that overseas postage in Australia has increased to 1.80 USD. A single USD no longer covers return postage. You must use 2 USDs.
• VK4UC QSLING UPDATE. Steve, N3SL, informs OPDX that the new cards for VK4UC were received December 27th from UX5UO, and just over 400 cards have been processed as of that evening. About 50 of those are direct, and the rest will go to the ARRL outbound bureau the following day. Steve states, "It is apparent that we do not have logs for the 2002 WPX-CW, Oceana Contest, or CQWW-CW, as we have about 100 more requests for those time periods. John is in the U.S. right now, and I have E-mailed him about the missing logs. I doubt he has access to them, however, until he returns to VK-land in a couple of months."

SPECIAL ACTIVITY. To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the YUCW Club in the State Union of Serbia And Montenegro (SUSAM), look for the special callsign 4N35CW to be activated. Members of the YUCWK will also be active using their special callsigns. Look for the following stations:

   YT1AA-4N35AA, YT1AD-YT35AD, YT1II-YT35II, YT6A-YT35A, YT7AA-YT35AA,
   YU1AA-YU35AA, YU1BM-YU35BM, YU1CY-YU35CY, YU1DX-YU35DX, YU1GG-YU35GG,
   YU1HC-YU35HC, YU1MM-YU35MM, YU1MV-YU35MV, YU1NW-YU35NW, YU1RJ-YU35RJ,
   YU1SB-YU35SB, YU1UB-YU35UB, YU1VT-YU35VT, YU1VV-YU35VV, YU1WR-YU35WR,
   YU1XW-YU35XW, YU1ZZ-YU35ZZ, YU6AW-YU35AW, YU7DR-YU35DR, YU7EV-YU35EV,
   YU8YL-YU35YL, YZ1AA-YZ35AA, YZ1AU-YZ35AU, 4N1GM-4N35GM

QSL via the operators' instructions.

SPECIAL EVENT. Look for special event station VE3TMG to be active to celebrate the 40th anniversay of the Canadian Flag, February 19-20th. Operating times for both days will be from 1600-2200z. Activity will be on 7268 and 14268 kHz (+/- QRM). QSL via VE3TMG (QRZ.com). A certificate is being offered for stations who work VE3TMG. For a certificate, please send a 9 x 12 inch SAE to: Terry Greenwood, 2210 Janette Ave., Windsor, ON N8X 1Z8, Canada. U.S. stations, please send 1 USD, Canadian stations can send a loony.

SPECIAL EVENT (QSL Update). John, SM7CRW, will be using the special callsign SF50A between now and December 31, 2005. He is celebrating his 50th year of hamming and promises an exclusive QSL for everyone who works him and requests it. QSL SF50A via W3HNK.

SV/A, MOUNT ATHOS. Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A, has been quite active lately. His activity has been on 80/40/20 meters SSB. Watch 80 or 40 meters between 1730-1830z and 20 meters between 0830-0930z.

V3, BELIZE. Art, NN7A, will operate as V31JZ/p from South Water Caye, Belize (IOTA NA-180), February 10-14th. This will be a one-person operation with 100 watts, a vertical and wire antennas. Operation will be CW on 40-10 meters including the WARC bands; some 80m and 160m is possible. Some SSB is possible on 20 and 15 meter IOTA frequencies, if conditions are permitting. NA-180 was opened as a new IOTA by Art and Mike Sharp, NG7S / V31RL, in February, 1993. This will be Art's 5th operation from South Water Caye, and his 11th trip to Belize since 1988. QSL via NN7A, by the ARRL W7 Bureau or direct to: Art Phillips, P.O. Box 201, Flagstaff, AZ 86002 USA. No V3 bureau cards. No skeds, please.

VP2V, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (Update). Curt, W3HQ, has announced he will be in VP2V-land, Virgin Gorda BVI, for the CW CQ Worldwide 160 Meter Contest. Start looking for him on January 26th through February 5th most evenings. He will accept SKEDS via - W3HQ@arrl.net - up to Saturday, January 22nd.

VU3, ANTARCTICA. By the time you read this Bhagwati, VU3BPZ, should have reached the Antarctica via the M/V EMERALDS Sea (A8DU3) and is expected to be active from the Maitri Base (starting January 3rd). Bhagwati is the Communication Officer for the XXIV Indian Antartic Expedition (2004-2006). ADDED NOTE: Gianni/I1HYW and Egidio/IZ8BRI want to remind the OPDX's readers that the WAP Worldwide Antarctic Program is fully available at: http://www.ddxc.net/wap/ They would like to extend to the DX Community and Antarctic Chasers the very best for the New coming Year and a Happy and Prosperous 2005.

VU4, ANDAMAN ISLANDS (Update). Most of you by now have heard of the tragic events that took place last weekend (December 26th). It is real sad and shocking to see the major devastation that took place because of the earthquakes and tsunamis. I am sure most of you can understand the need for the VU4RBI/VU4NRO operations to stop and only provide Health and Welfare emergency communciations. We are lucky our VU2 friends and Charles Harpole, K4VUD, survived this terrible event.

Excerpts from Charles' updates over the past week indicate that he is back in Bangkok, and Bharathi, VU2RBI/VU4RBI, is back in her home in Delhi. Several Indian hams have been added to the VU4 team now, and are spread over the Andaman and Nicobar Island trouble spots. They continue to pass emergency traffic mainly on 14190 and 7095 kHz on phone. Charles states that the VU4 log books are safely now in Hydrabad at the NIAR, and to please check the NIAR Web site for more news from this date onward about the VU4 DXpedition. The Web page is: http://www.niar.org

ZK1, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS. Victor, ZK1CG, has been active again on 160 and 80 meters. Listen for him between 0900 and 1330z.

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