Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 642
January 5, 2004

The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 642
BID: $OPDX.642
January 5, 2004
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, AA1M K1XN & GoList, NC1L, KP2/K2ZZ, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, N5DD, N5FG, K8YSE, W9OL, AK0M, DL/VE3ZIK & www.contesting.info, DL2VFR & IOTA-POST, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, OH6KN, UA4WHX/AC4LN, VA3RJ & ICPO, VK4AAR and XE1BEF DX Bulletin for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 28th/December, through Sunday, 4th/January there were 229 countries active. Countries available: 1A, 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4W, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5U, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, AP, BV, BY, C3, C6, CE, CE0A, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D4, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KH0, KH2, 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, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T2, T32, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TN, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VP2E, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD9, ZF, ZK1/s, ZL, ZP, ZS

* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations. As always, you never know - "Work First Worry Later" (WFWL).

1A, SMOM (Sovereign Military Order of Malta). By the time you read this, the team of 1A0KM operators led by Francesco, IK0FVC, should be QRT (as of January 5th). Remember to QSL via Sergio, IK0FTA. The logs are expected to be available after the operation at the following Web page: http://www.sixitalia.org/1a0km/1a0km2004.htm

5V, TOGO (Update). An English Web page is now available on the InterNet for the upcoming Le Radio Club de Provins 77 (F6KOP) DXpedition to Lome, Togo, as 5V7C from March 6-12th. Please visit it at: http://5v7c.free.fr/les_newsleng.htm

80 METER NEWS. Amateurs from VK-land are now active on their newly expanded 80m phone frequencies. They now have privileges on 3776-3800 kHz (their old allocation was 3795-3800 kHz).

AC4LN/UA4WHX OPERATION WRAP. OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive an additional bulletin containing an interesting E-mail received from Vladimir, UA4WHX/AC4LN. In the long E-mail, Vladimir talks about QSLing his operations and provides a list of all the DXCC and IOTA entities that he activated (with dates and time UTC) between May 1, 2003 and December 25, 2003. He made a little under 85000 QSOs and states he practically never operated from hotels. Almost all QTHs were local families that he stayed with.

ANNUAL TOP 5 QSL MANAGER SURVEY. John, K1XN, Editor of the GoList, states that it is that time again for the "Annual TOP 5 QSL MANAGER SURVEY". This is a nomination process by DXers of the Top 5 QSL Managers with whom they have had dealings with in 2003. Please send the callsigns of the 5 Best QSL Managers (in your opinion) for 2003. Send your nominations to: golist@golist.net The results of this survey will be given to Carl, N4AA, for inclusion in the QRZ-DX bulletin and also announced on the GOLIST Reflector by Mid month in February. The purpose of this voting is to give at least a small "THANK YOU" to the work performed by QSL Managers around the world. They do not receive enough praise for the work they perform, nor are they respected enough by the DXers who benefit from their work. VOTING WILL END FEBRUARY 1, 2004. John is looking forward to receiving responses from everyone. This is NOT a closed survey, but open to every DXer world-wide.

C6, BAHAMAS. Steve, AK0M, informs OPDX that he will be operating C6ASB from the Sand Dollar Villa (Web Site at: http://www.sanddollarvilla.com ) at Treasure Cay, Bahamas, from February 21-28th. This is IOTA NA-080 and Grid Square FL16. There will be some casual all-band operation in the ARRL CW DX Contest (February 21-22nd) after arrival on Saturday, but some antenna work will have to be finished first that will add 30m, 40m and 75/80m capability to the rental QTH. Casual operation will continue throughout the week after the contest on 80-10 meters, including 12m, 17m and 30m, also 6m if the band opens. Modes are CW (preferred) and SSB, small possibility also of some digital modes. Station will be verticals and FT857 (100W), also FT817 and Buddipole from the beach. His XYL Sandy, KC0RD, may also be on as C6ASC. QSL via AK0M. For those still awaiting cards from the C6ASB operation in July, the cards have been received from the printer and will go out in the next week or two. More info at: http://pages.cfu.net/~sjs/c6asb.htm

D4, CAPE VERDE. Alexander, 4L5A, plans to activate the D4B contest station again in the following two contests. Look for D4B during the CQ WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/All Band/High Power entry. Also, look for D4B in the CQ WPX CW Contest (May 29-30th) as Single-Op/All Band/High Power entry. QSL both operations to K1BV. For details and pictures of the D4B contest stations, visit the Web page at: http://www.qsl.net/d44tt/

DXCC NEWS. Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC Manager, reports that the following operation is approved for DXCC credit: Pratas Island - BQ9P (September 9-16th, 2003)

ADDED NOTES: Do you have questions regarding DXCC program issues? Visit the DXCC Web site. Here you will find the program rules, the current and deleted DXCC lists and all of the forms needed to participate. If, after reading the information here, you still have questions regarding the DXCC Program, contact the DXCC Desk. The DXCC Web page is at: http://www.arrl.org/awards/dxcc/

FG, GUADELOUPE. Pierre, F6FXS, will be active once again as FG/F6FXS from Guadeloupe mainland, January 14th to February 13th. His planned activity will be on CW only and low power (30 watts) into a long wire antenna. Operations will be on 40/30/20/15/10 meters. His daily time schedule is from 1300-1400z and 2200-2400z (possibly more time, especially for European stations). QSL via his home callsign, direct or the bureau.

FM, MARTINIQUE. Fabrice, F5FUA, will be active as FM/F5FUA/p from the Martinique (NA-107, DIFO FM-001) from February 3-24th. Activity is scheduled daily from 1100-1300z and 2200-2400z on 80/40/20/15/10 meters using an IC 706 MKIIG and a Double Dipole Multi-band Diamond W-8010. No information was provided on modes. QSL via the French REF Bureau is preferred.

FO, AUSTRAL ISLANDS (Update). Veijo, OH6KN, informed OPDX that a group of OH amateurs will be going to Tubuai Island (IOTA OC-152) in the Austral Islands. Operations will take place January 6-18th. Their callsigns are not yet known yet. The team consists of the following: Henri/OH3JR, Veko/OH1AWW, Veijo/OH6KN, Kimmo/OH9MDV, Jouko/OH1RX and Merja (OH1RX's XYL). Their main focus will be on the low bands (160-30 meters) and QSOs with Europe and USA Eastcoast. The suggested operating frequencies are (+/- QRM):

Note: Split up operations will be used.

Some activity will be on RTTY. There will be 2-3 stations in operation and antennas will be 1/2 element verticals on low bands and yagis on the high bands. QSL Manager is OH9MDV: Kimmo Rautio, Sieppotie 10 as 1B, 90650 Oulu, Finland. QSLs are "OK" direct or via the Bureau. Their DXpedition Web pages are at: http://personal.inet.fi/private/pcf2004/ The Web site will also contain a log search.

ISLAND AND LIGHTHOUSE 2004 TOUR. Look for Manfred/DL8DXL and possibly others to activate the following IOTAs and lighthouses. Information provided was very vague. No bands or modes of activity were provided. Callsign to be used are: DL8DXL/p and DL/LX1NO (only for new activations). Here is the planned schedule:

                              IOTA      GIA    GLHA      WLH       ARLHS
  May 16-19th Baltrum Island  EU-047   N-06     -         -          -
  May 20-23rd Neuwerk Island  EU-127   N-12     38       2311      FED-165
  May 22nd    Scharhoern Isl. EU-127   N-11     -         -          -
  May 24-27th Oland Island    EU-042   N-20     new      0712      FED-174
  May 27-29th Langeness Isl.  EU-042   N-19     -         -          -
  May 29th    Langeness Isl.  EU-042   N-19     new      1245      FED-134

J3, GRENADA. Bob/AA1M and Mike/W1USN will be active from here as J3/homecall from January 29th through February 6th. They will be operating on CW, SSB and some PSK on the HF bands. QSL to their home callsigns either direct or via the bureau.

KP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLAND. George, KP2/K2ZZ, informs OPDX that he is now living in St. Thomas. He plans to be active on 20-6 meters. His QSL Manager is W1QJ. George also announced this past week that he will be in the ARRL CW DX Contest (February 21-22nd) as a Single-Op/Single Band (15m)/Low Power entry.

LX, LUXEMBOURG. Operators Jorgen/DL4SDW, Bernd/DL8SCG and Philippe/LX2AJ will be active as LX7I in the CQ 160-Meter CW Contest (January 24-25th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via LX2AJ.

MD4, ISLE OF MAN. Operators Martin/G4XUM, G0HSS and Tim/M0BEW will be active as MD4K during the CQ 160-Meter CW Contest (January 24-25th) as a Multi entry. QSL via G3NKC.

NEW OFFICERS FOR 2004. The Texas DX Society has elected the following new officers to serve in 2004:

   President      - Mike Anderson, N5MV    Secretary - Ed Gerber, W5GCX
   Vice-President - Don Daze, N5DD         Treasurer - Dave Topp, W5BXX

The Texas DX Society fosters the growth of DX and contest activities centered around South Texas. Please visit the society's Web site at: http://www.tdxs.org. For more information, please E-mail Don, N5DD, at: n5dd@arrl.net.

OX, GREENLAND (IOTA Op). Operators Frank/DL2SWW and Ric/DL2VFR will be active as OX/homecall from Maniitsoq Island (Inuit-name or in Danish it is called Sukkertoppen), April 23rd to May 5th. Maniitsoq Island is IOTA NA-220 (12.4 % confirmed according to the most wanted IOTA-list). Ric informs OPDX that "the area will be probably difficult for the signal takeoff - the following information is taken from the Web site of the Maniitsoq Tourist Bureau:

The word 'Maniitsoq' means 'uneven' in the Inuit language. And uneven it is. The Maniitsup community is surrounded by the highest and wildest mountains in West Greenland. The wild mountains and the long and narrow fjords makes this landscape very unique and completely different from other landscapes in Greenland. The community has 4,000 inhabitants. 3,000 live in the town of Maniitsoq, situated on the island of the same name. Its distinctive appearance is due to the rugged landscape. From the small centre by the sea, the town stretches along the narrow valleys with wooden houses and even relatively big apartment buildings clinging to the hillsides. As a result the town is blessed with a labyrinth of stairways. There also used to be a number of canals and the town was called the Venice of Greenland. Today most of these canals are gone and have made way for roads and houses."

Activity will be CW/SSB and the operator's equipment is: two ICOM 706, 1 Finnfet Amplifier 1kW, 1 Amplifier 500 W, and vertical antennas (e.g. HF6V-Butternut). The operator's objectives are:

  1. To give/provide NA-220 to as many IOTA chasers as possible.
  2. Provide new band counters from OX as much as propagations allows. (They do not expect to have any good propagation on 160 or 80m according to the time/season. However, they are going to try. Also, they are not planning any 6 meters operations.)
  3. There is a possibility to activate Lighthouses GRN-031 or GRN-030 (ARLHS numbers).

QSL via the bureau or via their homecall (if requested direct, return postage is: Europe 1 USD or outside of Europe 2 USD). There will be no E-QSL. For more updates and information, go to the Web page at: http://www.iota-expedition.com. Logs will be available on the above Web site after their DXpedition. ADDED NOTE: Frank/DL2SWW will celebrate his 50th birthday during this DXpedition.

P4, ARUBA. John, W2GD, will be active as P40W during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd) as a Single-Op/All Band entry. QSL via N2MM.

P4, ARUBA. John, KK9A, will be active from the Iguana Villa between March 1-30th. His activity will include two contests. Look for John to be active as P40A in the ARRL DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th) as a Single-Op/Single Band (20m) entry. Also, look for him as P40A in the CQ WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/All Band entry. QSL both operations to WD9DZA. To see the QTH, visit the Web page at: http://www.iguanavilla.com

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

SV/A, MOUNT ATHOS. Monk Apollo, SV1ASP/A, was active this past weekend on 17 meters. Watch 18145 and 18160 between 0800 and 1400z. Also, there was a QSN on 24945 kHz at 0954z.

THE 9TH CCF CONTEST/DX MEETING. The Contest Club Finland (CCF) gladly once again calls all the contesters/DXers around the whole contesting/DXing world to come and join the great contesting/DXing company and atmosphere in the CCF's 9th annual Contest/DX meeting held on January 16-18th. The meeting will be held at Sokos Hotel Vantaa, in the city of Vantaa, near Helsinki. There is plenty of activity on their agenda. Read more detailed information about agenda, hotel, contest dinner etc.... at the following Web page: http://www.qsl.net/ccf/meet9th.htm

V3, BELIZE (Lighthouse Activity). Gerd/DJ4KW and Gisela/DK9GG are expected to be active from here January 10th through February 29th. Look for them to sign V31YN on CW and V31GW on RTTY. Activity will be on 160-10 meters. The duo plans a side trip between February 2-6th and operate as V31YN/P from Lighthouse Reef (NA-123). Activity will be CW only on 40-10 meters. QSL via their home callsigns, direct or by the bureau. Logs are expected to be available at the following two Web sites: http://www.qsl.net/dj4kw/ and http://www.qsl.net/dk9gg/.

VK9, COCOS-KEELING ISLAND (Update). There has been a report that Ken, JA1CMD, has had to cancel his VK9CA DXpedition due to transportation problems.

XU, CAMBODIA. Hiroo, JA2EZD, is once again in XU-land and is active with his new callsign XU7AAA. However, you only have a few more days to work him. He will go QRT on January 7th. Activity will be on all HF bands and 6 meters CW/SSB. QSL via the address: Hiroo Yonezuka, P.O. Box 10003, Vientiane, Laos. Check out the following Web page for more details: http://www.qth.net/dxshack/

XU, CAMBODIA. Remember, Peter, NO2R, will be active as XU7ACY from Sihanoukville, now through January 12th. Activity will be on 160, 80 and 40 meters exclusively. QSL via K2NJ, direct.

** IMPORTANT NOTICE/REMINDER ** The Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin now has a new FAX number. Contributors can now send/fax their DX information to the following number: 1-419-828-7791 ( F A X only! )

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