The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 450
BID: $OPDX.450
February 28, 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, AI2Q, K1CL, K1KO, N2BT, WB2YQH/WB2RAJ & The 59(9) DXReport, W3LEO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4GN, N5UR, W5FI, K6NDV, KD6WW, W6BJH, K8YSE, BV2VA, DJ5AV & DX News Letter, DL2SBY, DL7VRO, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, G3SWH, G3SXW, IK3ZAW, JN1HOW, LA5HE, LA7MFA, PA3GIO, PT7WA, PY2YP, PA4HT, SV1DKL, US5WE, UY5XE, VE3EXY, VK3DYL, VK4ZEK and XQ3IDY for the following DX information.
UNWANTED MESSAGES RECEIVED. Your editor and the mailing list administrator would like to apologize for the several unwanted messages that went out on the mailing list last week (Actually, only 5 messages, if you received more, it was not from the OPDX Mailing List.) The "SmartList" mailing software was updated recently, and a parameter was not set to keep the OPDX Mailing List moderated. This left the door opened, and someone sent a message to the list which was relayed to all subscribers. The parameter is set now to have the mailing list moderated. My biggest disappointment on this matter was that several individuals overreacted and helped compound the problem. They expressed their overreaction and complaints on the OPDX Mailing List (which caused added messages to go to the 3050 plus subscribers on the mailing list), instead of sending an E-mail message directly to me (my E-mail address is listed below on every bulletin). I am glad 99.99% of the subscribers kept a cool head, but I sorry that they witnessed the display that took place. Lastly, the OPDX Bulletin is FREE to read and can be used for information as long as credit is given. However, no one has permisson to redistribute or create another mailing list for the OPDX Bulletin (Web posting is OK). There is no need because the OPDX Mailing List is "FREE"... 73 de Tedd KB8NW
3G, EASTER ISLANDS. OPDX has been informed that Dan/XQ3IDY and CE3WDH will be active from here, March 4-13th. They will be on 160/80/40 meters and the WARC bands. No mention was made of the other bands. They will be using the unique callsign of 3G0Y.
9E, ETHIOPIA. Claudio, IV3OWC, is expected to be active as 9E1C from March 20-30th. Activity will be on all bands and modes. Also, look for 9E1S to be active in the CQ WPX SSB Contest. QSL via IV3OWC.
4S, SRI LANKA. The "DX News Letter" reports that Mario, HB9BRM, will be active as 4S7BRG starting February 28th for about 3 months. Activity will be on all bands with 100 watts into a Yagi, Delta-Loop and dipoles. QSL via USKA-bureau to HB9BRM.
BQ9P DXPEDITION IN APRIL 2000. WILLIAM, BV2VA, reported this week on the DX UseNet group that the CTARL group is organizing an operation to Pratas Island in April using the callsign BQ9P. Operators mentioned are: BV2VA, BV2KI, BV4AS, BV4DP, BV2KS, and possibly others.
CORRECTIONS TO OPDX.449 (OOOPPPSS Department, ed. I need a vacation).......
CQ7, PORTUGAL. The A.R.V.M. will activate Aldeia da Luz (Grid LocaterIM58HI) during March 18-19th using the special callsign CQ7LUZ. Suggested frequencies are: 14195 kHz, 21295 kHz, 28695 kHz, 145.350 Mhz and 434.350 Mhz. For more details, visit the Web page: http://www.qsl.net/arvm/aldeiadaluz/
CU, AZORES ISLANDS (QRP Activity). Chuck, K1CL, will be operating from Terceira Island now through March 1st. Likely times are 2200z through 2359z. His callsign was not mentioned. The rig will be a DSW-20 working to an end-fed half-wave wire around 14.060 MHz. If anyone is interested in a QRP QSO from the Azores, please listen around those times.
ET3, ETHIOPIA (G4ZVJ activities update). Roger/G3SXW reports that Andy/G4ZVJ will now be in Ethiopia from February 29th through March 7th. There should be CW activity on all bands (callsign to be announced). ADDED WRAP-UP TO ANDY'S PAST ACTIVITIES: Andy, G4ZVJ, made 10500 CW QSOs during his recent S21VJ operation from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Activity was mainly on 80-10 meters with his IC-706 (100w) and a simple doublet antenna. The length of the operation was limited to seven days due to the visitor licence restrictions. QSL via G4ZVJ. During Andy's visit to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in early February, he made 4200 CW QSOs as XU7AAV. QSL via G4ZVJ. Also, Andy did visit Vientiane, Laos in early February but could not get operating permission at that time. However, he was active as XW2A with Hiroo, JA2EZD, (refer to OPDX.449). By the time you read this he will be QTH, but Hiroo will continue to be active. QSL is to CallBook address XW2A (direct only and 2 IRC) or via G4ZVJ (direct/bureau). Roger will have the logs and QSLs in the UK.
FO, CLIPPERTON ISLAND. The "Clipperton2000 DXpedition" should begin on March 1st. According to the latest updates before going to print:
OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive the press release by Alex, PA1AW, (as an additional bulletin) that was sent out earlier in the week. For updates and details, check the Clipperton Web site at: http://www.qsl.net/clipperton2000/
FO0, MARQUESAS ISLANDS. The "LNDX" reprts that Alain, F2HE, is active as FO0CLA for about one month (around March 20th). He has been active on 20/15/10 meters, mainly CW, but has been heard on 20 meters SSB. Alain will be travelling to Temotu (H40) after his operation on Marquesas. QSL via F6CLT.
HR, HONDURAS. "The 59(9) DXReport" reports that Conny, DL1DA, will be active March 1-4th as DL1DA/HR2 from San Pedro Sula. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, mostly CW, some SSB and PSK 31. QSL via homecall.
IOTA DXPEDITION. Phil Whitchurch, G3SWH, reports that the DXpedition to Wasini Island (AF-067) is only a couple of weeks away and all is proceeding according to plan. The special callsign 5Z4WI has been allocated, and they will arrive on the island late in the afternoon on March 8th. They expect to be up and running with two stations on the late morning of the 9th until the afternoon of March 16th. Preferred operating frequencies will be:
(All plus/minus QRM. They will ALWAYS work split, listening up about 5 kHz.)
From 1200z on March 11th until 1200z on March 12th, they will participate in the RSGB Commonwealth Contest as an HQ station. However, they will not restrict QSOs to British Commonwealth stations only during this period. QSLs will be handled by G3SWH, Phil Whitchurch, 21 Dickensons Grove, Congresbury, Bristol, BS49 5HQ, United Kingdom (with SASE and return postage if a direct reply is required). Either two properly stamped IRC's or 1 USD is required for an intercontinental air mail reply. No other foreign currency PLEASE. Cards will also be responded to via the RSGB QSL bureau, but please note that delays of the order of two years are not uncommon. Donations towards the cost of the expedition are invited and may be sent to G3SWH at the above address.
IOTA-PEDITION TO CENTRAL AMERICA. Bert, PA3GIO, will activate IOTA NA-180 from two different spots in March as V31GI. He will activate Southwest Caye, Glover's Reef, Belize, from March 19-24th and Little Water Caye, Belize, from March 26-29th. Activity from both places will be SSB only on 80/40/20/15/12/10 meters. Suggested operating times are 1530-1900z, 2000-0100z and sometimes between 0200-0300z. He will use his Kenwood TS-50 w/100 watts into a Doublet. QSLs are preferred by the Bureau to PA3GIO. The following Web pages are available for this operation:
Also, visit Bert's updated S79GI Seychelles Web page.
J7, DOMINICA. The "Foundation for Amateur International Radio Service Inc." (FAIRS) announces their annual operation from Dominica Island will take place March 3-13th. Operators with their callsigns are: Dave, KK4WW/J79WW; Gaynell, KK4WWW/J79WWW; Don, KE4UGF/J79UGF; Kay, KF4EKH/ J79EKH; Peter, 8R1WD/J79WD and Koh, JA7KAC/J79AC. Two operation sites will be used. The first is same as last year at Itassi Cottage in Roseau, only half of a mile from the ocean and up about 400 feet. The equipment at this site will be an Alinco DX70HT transceiver, 500 watt solid state MFJ ALS-500 amplifier, and antennas: 2 element monbanders on 20/17/15/10/6 meters at about 40 feet; Dipoles on 160/80/40 meters. Only SSB operation is planned from this site. The second location is at the QTH of J73CPL and J73HPL, Clements and Hetty. The site is about 7 miles out of Roseau and up a steep mountain at Watton Waven (1000 feet or more up). It is reported to be an excellent location but is still on the west side of the island, therefore the European path will remain the most difficult one. The equipment at this site will be an IC-706 and Alinco DX70HT, 1KW amp with 500 watt back up, a 2 element Cushcraft tribander for 20/15/10, dipoles on 160/75/40/17/12 meters. Koh and Peter are expected to operate from here most of the time both CW and SSB. Koh is arriving on the 1st of March and leaving on the 9th. Peter is arriving on the 7th and leaving on the 14th. Suggested frequencies are: 3795, 7195, 14195, 14245, 18135, 21395, 24940, 28450, 28525 and 51100 kHz. QSL via KK4WW: Dave Larsen, P.O. Box 341, Floyd, VA 24091, USA. For more details and photos, check out the Web site: http://www.public.usit.net/dlarsen/
JD1, OGASAWARA. Hiko, JN1HOW, will be active from Chichi-Jima Island (AS-031, Ogasawara Archipelago), March 17-20th, as JN1HOW/JD1. He will be operating on 40/30/20/17/15/12/10 meter CW/SSB, using his Icom IC706 w/50 watts into a R7000 or dipole. QSL via JARL bureau or direct (1 IRC is best) to JN1HOW: Toshihiko Niwa, 1081-8, Sakae, Kitakawabe, Kitasaitama, SAITAMA 349-1213 JAPAN.
KP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS. Fred/K4FMD and Wicky/W4WWT will operate as K4UP/KP2 from St. Johns (NA-106), from February 28th through March 5th including activity in the ARRL DX Phone contest. Equipment will be a Yaesu FT-900 transceiver and a G5RV antenna. Activity will be on all bands. QSL to K4UP, Castalia Island DX Association, P.O. Box 3, Castalia, NC 27816 (SASE please)
LX, LUXEMBOURG. Kazik, DL2SBY, informs OPDX that he will be active as LX/DL2SBY from March 3-11th, which includes the ARRL Contest. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, including the WARC bands CW/SSB/RTTY. He also mentions that he is sorry for the QSL delay (direct request) for his HB0/DL2SBY expedition. QSLs are ready for mailing, but he wants to wait until after his LX operation is over. If you worked him from HB0 and now from LX, Kazik will send both cards together in your envelope.
MM, SCOTLAND. Leo, W3LEO, will again be active from Portpatrick in southwest Scotland from about February 29th through March 17th. However, Leo states that this is a vacation not a DXpedition and "time on the air will depend on the antennas, on propagation, and on when the nearby pubs are open, HI..." He will use the callsign MM/W3LEO and plans to be in the ARRL International DX SSB Contest. Outside of the contest, he will concentrate on 10, 12, and 17 meters SSB. He will use an Icom 706, w/100 watts, into an R-5 vertical (10/12/15/17/20 meters), and wire antennas on a DK9SQ mast for 40 and perhaps 80 meters. QSL via his CBA (with SASE) or via bureau. ADDED NOTE: The CEPT callsign for someone visiting Scotland is your callsign preceded by "MM/" [not "GM/"] -- and there is NO number after the prefix. Last fall Leo had some hams tell him he had to have a number after the prefix; not true... This was confirmed by a telephone call to the U.K. Radicommunications Agency.
NEW ONE FOR UIA! UY5XE states to watch for UT3IZZ/p on March 2-5th. This will be a new island (KL-01) for the "Ukrainian Island Award" (UIA).
OH0, ALAND ISLANDS. Well-known DXer Martti, OH2BH, will be signing OH0B in the upcoming ARRL DX SSB Contest, March 4-5th. QSL via OH2BH.
QSL INFO AND NEWS.................
SY1, GREECE. A group of four Athenian Contesters (SV1DNW, SV1DKL, SV1DKR and SV1DZB) plan to use this prefix during the following contests:
The group will be active as a Multi-Multi, Multi-Two, or Single Operator entries according to the availability of the operators. The callsign which will be used in these contests will be SY1D. The QSL information is via SV1DNW: Elias Bakopoulos, P.O. BOX 31669, Athens, GR-100 35, Hellas, Greece !!!DIRECT ONLY!!! because Elias is not a member in any QSL bureau service.
T31, KANTON ISLAND. Lech, LA7MFA, informs OPDX that Ueata, T31UT, is progressing and is making CW QSOs. Lech has sent Ueata a CW paddle, logs and amateur radio maps, plus ARRL Handbook donated by Jim KF7E. His CW is OK (over 12 WPM) even if he still does not have an automatic keyer. Ueata has now made 50 QSOs, so he is not very active. He will stay on the island for 1-2 years.
TX0DX DXPEDITION UPDATE. Excerpts from a press release by Tim, N4GN, states, The "Association des Radio Amateurs de Nouvelle Caledonie" (ARANC), the Amateur Radio Society of New Caledonia, reports that the Chesterfield Islands DXpedition remains on target and the departure date for the expedition vessel has now been set for Monday, March 13th. The New Caledonian telecommunication authorities have issued another call sign for the IOTA phase of the operation. The callsign TX8CI (Chesterfield Islands) will be used initially, while the distinctive TX0DX callsign will become effective at 0000z, March 23rd, assuming the needed parameters of the new DXCC entity requirement have been positively acted upon prior to that target date. The complete press release will be sent to all OPDX InterNet Subscribers as an additional bulletin. More details and standard operating frequencies can be found on the TX0DX Web site at: http://www.n4gn.com/tx0dx/
V2, ANTIGUA (Operation Cancelled). A very disappointed Bill, V2/W4WX (want-to-be), informs OPDX, "Hey guys, Space A means space available. There was no available space.. We be back home. Try again some other time." Please refer to OPDX.449.
VK9W, WILLIS ISLAND. There was an anouncement this past week that an operation from here will take place May 2000. They will use the callsign VK9WI. Willis Island is located in the Coral Sea at approximately 16 deg 17 min South, 149 deg 57 min East. It is used as a manned Australian weather station and is separated by more than 350 km from the rest of Australia. The team will use a 43 ft. sailing catamaran, "Bach and Byte", and will be leaving from Bowen, Queensland, approx. May 6th. Depending on the weather, they expect to arrive at Willis Island around May 10th and will be operating soon after. They plan to be on air for approx. 10 days. Suggested operating frequencies:
Generally, the VK9WI operators will be running split and will announce their listening frequencies as appropriate at the time. On 50 Mhz, they will have a 24 hr. beacon running CW on 50.009 on board their off-shore QTH "Bach and Byte". The 6 meter rig on the Island will be listening to 50.110. The 160 meter operation will depend on availability of antennas, gear, and further sponsorship. The VK9WI QSLs will be handled by VK4APG: P.J. Garden VK4APG, 58 Minerva Court, Eatons Hill, Brisbane, Australia In addition to "Green Stamps", any donations to assist with the costs of the DXpedition will be gratefully received and acknowledged. Cards also may be sent via the VK bureau: Attention VK4APG. Bureau replies will be sent after the initial batch of direct requests are serviced. More details will be available later. Check out their great Web page at: http://www.qsl.net/vk9wi/index.htm
VP6BR, PITCAIRN ISLAND (Update). Lech, LA7MFA, informs OPDX that Jukka, VP6BR, has made 3155 QSOs in ARRL DX Contest on CW last weekend which gave him 2.07M points. His aluminum 2 inch mast holding his beams up folded over in a wind storm. He and Tom, VP6TC, cut the mast in two and as the beams were not damaged they remounted them on the 2 pieces. He has now made over 15000 QSO in addition to the contest contacts. Lech has received the first logs (through February 7th) via mail and these are now available on-line at: http://www.qsl.net/oh2br/logs.html Jukka always listens on 50.120 MHz in case anyone is looking for him. He has worked 5 KH6's, one XE and some south American stations on 6 meters. Martin, ZL1ANJ, has located a new 1 kW 10-160m linear amplifier and is looking for the next ship. The cost will be rather high, so donations are very much welcomed. If you would like to help, please contact Olavi, OH5BR, at: oh5br@sral.fi
VQ9, CHAGOS ISLAND. Patrick, W3PO, is signing VQ9PO and will be active until May. He has been spotted on 20 meters CW after 0300z for a few hours. After 20 meters he will move to 12 and 10 meters SSB. QSL via W3PO.
YI9, IRAQ. Several bulletins report that Peter, OM6TX, showed up on the bands February 16th as YI9OM. He was operating on 10 meters CW around 1415z. "The Daily DX" reports that he is licensed to operate 40-10 meters, except on the WARC bands. His length of stay is unknown. Peter is a member of the Slovak Embassy. QSL via OM6TX.
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
ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
http://www.en.com/users/k8yse/nodxa.html
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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