Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 332
November 24, 1997


The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 332
BID: $OPDX.332
November 24, 1997
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 Network, WB2RAJ/WB2YQH & The 59(9) DXReport, W3UR & The Daily DX, K3ZO, KP3L, K4VUD, N4GN, AC6LF, KU9C, F6AJA & LNDX, FR5CC, G4BUE & DX News Sheet, HB9LEY/JA1LZR, JA1ELY, LU1DZ, TF1MM, UA9CDC, YV1DIG and ZS6RVG for the following DX information.


3E, CONTADORA ISLAND (Panama). Stefan/DL5XX, Swen/DL2BAY and Jelka/S57NW will be active as 3E1DX from now until December 7th. This includes a Multi-Single effort during the CQWW CW contest. KU9C will be the QSL Manager for this operation; note that N0JT is the normal manager for this call for operations outside of this activity.

3V, TUNISIA. Albert, F2KN, will be here from December 9-15th. He will be there mainly for his job, but he will try to operate from the 3V8BB club station, especially during the weekend of December 13th and 14th.

4U/TF1MM NOT IN SYRIA. Thor, TF1MM, is currenty active as 4U/TF1MM and is operating from the Administrative HQ of UNOMIG (United Nations Observer Mission In Georgia) in Pitsunda, Abkhazia, Georgia. He reports there is no government there to apply for a reciprocal licence, so the only possibility is to operate under the umbrella of the UN. This location counts as 4L (Georgia). Thor suggests, "Please QSL only to the TF-Buro - NOT direct to my home call. The callbook address is no longer valid." He will QSL all contacts via the bureau. BTW (by the way), he is looking for a QSL Manager.

7P8, LESOTHO. South African operators Dave/ZS6RVG, Richard/ZS6CAL, Leroy/ZS6XJ and Mark/ZS6HZ will leave Johannesburg on Thursday, the 22nd of January, 1998, to travel a Chalet site at the top of the Sani Pass within the Kingdom of Lesotho. Lesotho is a land locked Kingdom, totally enclosed within the boundaries of the South African Republic. This is an almost totally mountainous nation and is known as "THE ROOF OF AFRICA". The Sani Pass at 2,873 meters (9,425 Ft,) is one of the highest mountain passes in Southern Africa. The highest public house in Africa is, by pure chance, situated at the top of this scenic pass. The ZS6 group's main objective is to establish at the top of the Sani Pass, a mobile amateur radio station for the express purpose of providing SSTV and RTTY communications on the amateur radio bands 2, 10, 15 and 20 meters. (Communication on SSB and CW modes will depend on conditions on site at the time. This is a SSTV and RTTY DXpedition first and foremost.) They plan to start setting up the radio site around their Landrover as soon as they arrive. They may get to operate late Thursday night if all goes well. If not, the operation will be active Friday, the 23rd through Sunday, the 25th of January, 1998. Operators will use their home call /7P8. They plan to be active for a full three days and band conditions and WX are to determine time and modes of operation. Break down of the radio site, clean up, and return to Johannesburg will take place on the 26th. QSL to ZS6RVG via the ZS bureau, or direct to 1997 CBA: Dave Plaskett, P.O. Box 8116, Edleen 1625, Republic of South Africa.

8Q, MALDIVES. Igor, UA9CDC, reports that three friends of his will be active from 8Q7-land during the CQWW CW Contest. The callsigns to use will be 8Q7DV and 8Q7LB. The operators are UA9CDV, UA9CLB and UA9CI. Apart from contest, they will operate during the week after the contest with special attention paid to 80/160 meters and RTTY. QSL via UA9CI (should be OK in the callbook). They will use IC-775, TS-870, AL-80B amp, 3 element tribander, 5 band (80-10) vertical and wires.

9N, NEPAL. Charles, K4VUD, reports that he is planning to go back to Nepal again. This time it will be during February/March, 1998. He will stay in Kathmandu. He has mentioned that if anyone wants to donate any radio equipment to 9N1AA or 9N1HA, the only two native Nepal hams there today, he is willing to carry it in his baggage. Satish, 9N1AA, has a new house with a real permanent ham installation planned there, but cannot receive a beam, because of import restrictions. He wants to get on RTTY and on ham satellites but has no TNC and no 2 meter SSB gear. Serious donors, please phone Charles at (407) 349-2211.

AFRICAN TRIP (Ageless DXer Keeps Them Active!). The 75 year old Mako, JA1OEM, has reported his current plans for an African trip are as follows:

Both of his operations will be mainly on the low bands (80, 40 and 30 meters). He will probably be active on CW/SSB but prefers CW, operating at a very slow speed. Toshi, JA1ELY, Editor of The 59 Magazine, suggests looking for Mako on the following frequencies:

CW, URUGUAY. Raul, CX7BY, reports he will be using the special callsign CW5W in CQWW CW Contest. He will be on 14 Mhz only in the Contest using this special call. QSL via CX7BY or Bureau.

FR5, REUNION. Oliver, ex-FR5HG, is now active with his new callsign FR5CC. Oliver told OPDX that he works a lot of U.S. stations on 10 and 15 meter around 1800z. Looking at the cluster spots, check between 1230 and 1800z around 21005, 21220, 28480 and 28495 kHz. QSL via FR5CC, Olivier DIJOUX, 40, route Gabriel Mace, 97490 Sainte-Clotilde, Reunion Island.

HP1, GRANDE ISLAND (Panama). Gerard, F2JD/HP1XBI, will try to be active as HP1XBI/2 from IOTA NA-202. Activity will be from November 28th to December 1st, and he will participate in the CQWW CW Contest.

HS/E2, THAILAND (Good News for the CQWW CW Contest). The Thai Post and Telegraph Dept. is permitting ALL HS's and E2's, including private individual stations, to use 80 and 160 meters during this year's CQWW CW Contest. So, be looking for club stations HS0AC, HS5AC, E22AAA and possibly other individuals to be active in the contest.

J2, DJIBOUTI. A new operator is expected to be active from here. Bruno, F5OYM/FR5FA (ex-FG5GJ) is expected to be in Djibouti for 3½ months and is currently waiting for his licence.

J49, CRETE ISLAND. Karl, DJ5IL, reports to OPDX that he will activate Crete Island (IOTA EU-015, Zone 20) as J49IL from November 25th until December 3rd. He will be active on 40-10 meters on CW/SSB and also participate in the CQWW CW Contest. QSL via DJ5IL.

KP3, PUERTO RICO. The Puerto Rico contest club will activate KP3Z as a Multi Single entry in the CQWW CW with new antennas.. Operators will be KP3L, NP4Z, NP3J, NP3A, KP4BZ and maybe AA5DX. QSL via WC4E.

OE, AUSTRIA (QRP Operation!). Look for this station "OE2S" to be active in the CQWW CW Contest 1997 in the "QRP" class!. The station will be operated by OE2VEL. QSL via OE2GEN, via bureau.

PJ8, ST. MAARTEN. Isao, JH1ROJ, will be active from December 10-17th, as PJ8/KG8XV. His activity will be limited because he is there on a family holiday. Isao will be on all bands from 160-10 meters CW/SSB. He is interested in low band and plans to use an IC731 with a HL1KGX linear. His antennas will consist of a Triband Yagis and Vertical. QSL via JH1ROJ: Isao Numaguchi, 4-9-31, Naka-Aoki, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0032 JAPAN

QSL INFO AND NEWS......

SPECIAL EVENT. Alberto, LU1DZ, GACW coordinator, reports to OPDX that the CW Group of Argentina will be celebrating their 20th anniversary with a DXpedition to Staten Island using the special callsign L20XSI. The letters of the callsign stand for: L2 - Argentina, 20 - 20th years, X - Tierra del Fuego province and SI - Staten Island. They will be there beginning November 26th/27th and until December the 3rd. The crew will be LU4XS, LU7XP, LU1XQG, LU3XQ and LU1DZ. They will be on the air with two kw stations (TS450 - FL2100Z, TS850 - FL2100B) using a 4 element tribander, dipoles, wires, etc. They will operate mainly CW on all bands including WARC bands, 50 MHz and 1.8 MHz. There will be some SSB also. QSL to LU6EF with SAE and IRCs: Raul M. Diaz, GACW, Box 9, 1875 Wilde, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

SPECIAL EVENT. Hector, LU6UO, and Ernesto (Ernie), LU4AXV, will activate Deception Island base amateur station LU1ZC with the support of the Argentine Antartic Management Agency - DNA and the Navy Amateur Auxiliary Service - SARA in celebration on the 50 anniversary of the base. They are leaving Buenos Aires December 8th in an Hercules C130, and flying to Argentine Antartic Marambio base, located in Seymour Island, and then transfer to the Argentine ice breaker "A. IRIZAR". They hope to be on the air as LU1ZC about December 15th and last until the end of February. Operation will be mainly on CW but some SSB. QSL with some IRCs to LU6EF/GACW address (listed above).

TF, ICELAND. Tim, N4GN, reports to OPDX in a long press release, (which OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive the complete release as an additional bulletin) that he and others will be active during and before the CQWW CW Contest. Look for N6HR/TF and TF/OH4GN (Tim using his Finnish callsign) beginning as early as this Monday (24th November). In the upcoming CQWW CW Contest an operation will take place as a joint effort of the South China Sea DX Team (SCSDXT) and the Iceland Amateur Radio Society (IRA). Three stations will hit the bands in a multi-multi operation from the HQ facilities signing TF3IRA. In addition to running three stations during the contest, ample time is to be set aside for promoting International Amateur Radio and furthering DX and contest activity from Iceland. The team includes OH1EB, OH1RX, OH2BH, OH2TA, N4GN/OH4GN and N6HR, with TF3AOT, TF3DX, TF3GB, TF3HP and other locals added to the mix. You may hear some of the team members testing antennas and radios prior to the contest, sporting their personal call signs. If you are lucky enough to work any of these pre-contest operations, you may QSL via the home call of the operator.

TL, CENTRAL AFRICA. Pascal, F5LNA, is active now using the callsign TL8PL. He will be there until the end of December. He has been heard on 7003 kHz around 2200z, 24945 kHz around 1315z and 14220 kHz around 1200z. QSL via his home call.

TR, GABON. "The 59(9) DXReport" states that Jean, TR8XX, has been active on 160 meters. Check 1823 kHz at 0515z. QSL direct.

TU, IVORY COAST. F5EQ, F5ECX and F3KT will be at the TU2XP QTH from November 24th to December 4th. They will use TU3F callsigns specially during the CQWW CW Contest.

TZ, MALI. Mack, TZ6JA (ex-JA8SLU), has recently returned to Mali and will be there until January, 1999. Look for him on 40 meters this winter DX season. He has reportedly put up a good 40m antenna, but details were not given. QSL via JA3EMU.

VK9NS NEWS. The "DX News Sheet" reports Jim, VK9NS, has gone QRT on November 18th as VU2JBS and is returning home to Australia. He was unable to get permission to be active from A5, S2, Andaman Island or Laccadives Islands.

VU, ANTARCTICA. "The 59(9) DXReport" states that VU2JBK is active from Indian Maiti Station on Queen Maud Land. QSL via VU2DVC.

YA, AFGHANISTAN. There was one report stating that John, PA3BTQ, was active as YA/PA3BTQ on November 17th at 1230z on 14140 kHz. His length of stay is not known, but John is currently working for the Red Cross.

YX, VENEZUELA (Special Prefix). Paolo, YV1DIG, informs OPDX that the CONATEL (same as the FCC in the states) has granted him permission to operate with the "rare and unique" YX1D callsign during next week's CQWW CW Contest. His operation will be on 80 meters with HP. QSL via YV1AVO.

ZK1, SOUTH COOK. ZK1DI has been very active most days between 0530 and 0800z on 30, 40 and 80 meters. Activity has been mainly CW but some SSB was heard on 80 meters. Suggested frequencies to watch (+/- kHz) are: 3504, 3799, 7004 and 10104 kHz. QSL via DK1RV.


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

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