Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 690
December 20, 2004

The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 690
BID: $OPDX.690
December 20, 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, K1XN & GoList, KA2AEV, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4UUE, K4VUD, N4AA & QRZ DX, N4JF, K6JAT, K8YC, K8YSE, W0YG, CT1GFK, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, DL2VFR, DL5EBE, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, G3SWH, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I1HYW, IZ8BRI, IZ8CCW, IZ8CGS & Mediterraneo DX Club, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, PA2R, VA3RJ & ICPO, VK4FW and XE1KK for the following DX information.

SPECIAL EDITOR'S NOTE: Once again, where did this year go? Anyway, my family (wife/OPDX's chief proof-reader Linda, Teddy [TJ], Katie) and I (KB8NW) would like to wish all DXers, Contesters and OPDX readers a very "Happy Holiday and Season's Greetings". Because the holiday falls on a weekend day, I am going to do my best to release a bulletin next weekend...... 73 and Have a Great Holiday de Tedd KB8NW

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 12th/December, through Sunday, 19th/December there were 215 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J3, 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, S2, S5, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T31, T32, T5, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TN, TR, TT, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP8, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, VU4, XE, XU, XW, 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 or more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work First Worry Later" (WFWL).

3D2, FIJI. Jim/K6JAT and his XYL, Lilah/KE6EHD will be off on vacation to Matangi Island (OC-016) from January 1-7th. They have procured the callsigns 3D2TJ and 3D2EG, respectively. Jim plans on some casual DXing on 40-10 meters SSB with a FT-857D barefoot into a vertical or wires. QSL via their home callsigns.

3Y0X PETER I ISLAND DXPEDITION (Update). Bob, K4UEE, informs OPDX that the 3Y0X DXpedition team can now take contributions toward the Peter I DXpedition via PayPal and Credit Cards. Just go to the Web site and follow the directions at: http://www.peterone.com. Please be sure to include your callsign!

TOPBAND NEWS. Bob, K4UEE, also informed the 160m enthusiasts on the Topband Mail Reflector that this will be only the third DXpedition to Peter I Island and only the second to offer 160m QSOs. The 3Y0PI DXpedition in 1994 made a little over 300 QSOs on topband. Obviously, this means that most 160m ops today still need Peter I Island for a new one. They are planning a very large operation with eight full-KW stations and a low power 30m station. Modes include CW, SSB and various digital options. There are fifteen antennas in their inventory and many spares. On 160m, they will be running full power to a heavy-duty version of the Battle Creek Special (BCS) antenna (the very same antenna that produced 1250 QSOs from VK0IR in 1997). The BCS will be dedicated to 160m. Additionally, they are planning at least one 3 element wire beam on the ice and maybe more. There will be five experienced topband operators fighting each other to have the opportunity to put you in the log on 160m. Operators are Bob/K4UEE, Pertti/ OH2PM, Eric/K3NA, Andy/UA3AB and Alan/K5AB.

4X0, ISRAEL (Castle Activity). Just a reminder that Jan/4X1VF, Ilya/4Z1UF, Shalom/4Z4BS, Mark/4Z4KX, Ruben/4Z5FI, Ruslan/4Z5LA and Yuli/4X6HP will operate for the first time after 16 years from the famous historical site - "MASADA Castle" near the Dead Sea this week. They will use the special callsign 4X0MS, starting at 1000z Friday, December 24th, through 1000z Sunday, December 26th. They plan to operate with two complete stations on CW/SSB on 80-10 meters. QSOs are good for the "Holyland Award" program. The square will be L22BS. QSL Manager is Shalom, 4Z4BS. To get more information about this site, please visit the Web page at: http://www.bibleplaces.com/masada.htm.

5T, MAURITANIA. Operators Phil/G3SWH, Jim/G3RTE, Jean/ON8RA and Adriano/ ON5GA will be active as 5T0CW from Nuachachott between February 24th and March 4th. Activity will be CW only on all bands 160-10 meters. Propagation permitting, they plan to have at least one station on the air on a 24 hour a day basis. QSL via G3SWH, either direct with SAE and return postage or via E-mail for a bureau reply or via the bureau. Phil's E-mail is: phil@g3swh.demon.co.uk.

8Q, MALDIVES. Paolo, IK2QPR, will be active as 8Q7PR from Dunikolhu Island, Baa Atoll, Maldive (AS-013), January 9-17th. Using only 100 watts and a vertical antenna, activity will be CW/SSB on 40/30/20/17/15/12/10 meters. QSL via his home callsign IK2QPR: Paolo Fava, via Bertani 8, 46100 Mantova, Italy.

CDXA OFFICERS FOR 2005. John Scott, K8YC, CDXA Editor, informs OPDX that on Thursday, December 9th, the Carolina DX Association (CDXA) held its "Annual Meeting" along with its annual "Holiday Party". The following were nominated and elected to serve as officers for the 2005 calendar year: 

            President:                 Ted Goldthorpe, W4VHF
            Vice President:            Tom Wright,   N4HN
            Sec./Treasurer             Jim Miller,   K4SQR
            Newsletter Editor:         John Scott  , K8YC
            Cluster Manager:           Joe Simpkins, K4MD
            Assoc. Cluster Mgr:        Paul Sturpe , W3GQ
            Webmaster:                 Wayne Setzer, WB4BXW

Visit the CDXA's Web page at: http://www.cdxa.org/.

CT2ITZ (Pirated Activity). It seems someone is pirating Paulo's, CT2ITZ, callsign on a PacketCluster and putting out false and missing information on the net. Naturally, this aggravates everyone, especially the owner of the callsign (Paulo). Please ignore this lonely individual who is looking for attention (this is what he wants) and do not take it out on Paulo.

DXPEDITION PICTURES ON THE WEB. Pictures of the recent A61AV/p operation from Sirat Al Khawr Island (AS-124) can be viewed at: http://www.mdxc.org/a61av-p.

EY8, TAJIKISTAN. Nodir. EY8MM, will be active in the upcoming CQ WW 160m CW Contest (January 29-30th) as a Single-Op entry. He states that he will have a full size delta vertical and beverages.

GJ2, JERSEY. Richard, K2WR, will be active as GJ2A or MJ0AWR during the CQ WW 160m CW Contest (January 29-30th) as Single-Op entry. QSL via K2WR. There will be some pre-contest activity, and he will concentrate on 80/40/30/17/12 meters CW.

HI, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Curt, W3HQ, will do a two week operation on 160m from here. Look for him to be active as HI/W3HQ and to be active in the CQ WW 160m CW Contest (January 29-30th) as a Single-Op entry. QSL via W3HQ. For E-mail skeds use: fclambert@infonale.com

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

J2, DJIBOUTI. Yves, F5PRU, is currently active from here for the next four months. His stay is job/work related. His callsign is J20FH (This prefix is given to hams who stay less than 6 months in Djibouti). His activity will be limited to his spare time. Look for him on CW/SSB and maybe some digital, on 80-10 meters. Also, look for Yves during the two parts of the French REF Contest which takes place on each of the last full weekends of January (CW) and February (SSB). QSL to F5PRU via the French REF Bureau; preferred (when he returns).

KC4, ANTARCTICA. Brent, KD4VMM/KC4, is active now from Palmer Station (K-10 for the Antarctica Award and USA-23 for the WAP) on Anvers Island (AN-012). Watch 14243 kHz between 2330-0100z. QSL via KD4VMM: Brent A. Evers, 5211 Al Jones Drive, Shady Side, MD 20764, U.S.A.

LU2, ANTARCTICA. Look for LU2ZD, the Primavera Base, to be activated in January by an operator named Paolo (home callsign not provided). His flight to the Antarctic Peninsula will be on the 7th or 9th of January. Primavera Base is only open during the summer season, and any activity on the ham bands will be together with QSL Manager Henry, LU4DXU. At the moment they are still trying to organize a suitable transceiver for this operation. More details will be forthcoming soon.

OO, BELGIUM (Update on Special Activity). Egbert, ON4CAS/N1TOI, UBA Award Manager, informs OPDX that to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Belgium's independance, Belgian stations may use the special prefix "OO" instead of "ON" during 2005. The UBA will take part in the celebrations by issuing an offical commemorative award. The "175 Years Belgium Award" can be earned by contacting stations using the OO prefix between January 1st and December 31st, 2005. A sum of at least 175 points are required for the award. For more details on how to earn points and a picture of the award, please visit the following Web page at: http://www.uba.be/hf/awards/175yr_en.html.

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

SOUTH SHETLAND ACTIVITIES....................

SPECIAL EVENT. Look for special event station TM7VM to be active until December 30th . Activity started for the first time on December 16th, to celebrate the opening of the Millau Viaduct (South France, which is said to be the highest one in the world). This viaduct is 343 meters above the ground at its highest part. The activity is organized by the Millau ARC (F6KSM) under the leadership of Patrick, F5UJZ, who is also the QSL Manager. During the year 2005, the special event station will be activated 9 more times. The dates will be announced at a later time. A technical Web page about this viaduct (in English, Spanish and French), is available at : http://www.viaducdemillaueiffage.com/

VU4, ANDAMAN ISLANDS (Update). Charles Harpole, K4VUD, continued to provide updates on the VU4 operations throughout the week to the DX community. He is now in Port Blair and should be there until just about the end of the operation. He reports that he is taking pictures and video of the VU4 operation. Charles states that there are three stations up and operating now. Bharathi's station is in the Hotel Sinclairs. Saraha's operating location is in a dorm room of a local college. Ram's location was in a rented room in a small apartment building, but now he has moved to the Port Blair Science Center where the public can watch the ham radio action. The antenna farm is growing on VU4-land. Charle states that there is a 7 element tribander at 60 ft. above the hotel roof, inverted Vees everywhere, 80m dipole, SteppIR at 15 feet above Science Center roof, and the newly arrived WARC Cushcraft yagi installed at the college dorm. With most of the activity being on SSB and some CW, there has been some activity on PSK and Slow-Scan TV. Look for 40 and 80 meters to get a lot more attention for the next two weeks. The suggested frequency is around 3.503-5 MHz, the approved frequency. Charles mentioned over weekend that Mr. Suri, VU2MY, head of NIAR, has arrived there and is arranging publicity for all the operators all over India. He is cheering the operators on and giving them lots of encouragement to stay awake and keep the bands hot with their calls!!! Charles is also encouraging all amateur radio operators to be on their best behavior over the next several days as the DXpedition will be hosting several Indian government officials. He also predicts that many youngsters will get VU licenses because of the interest this DXpedition has generated.

The "DX Newsletter" provides the following VU4RBI and VU4NRO operating schedule as follows:

QSL via the National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), Rajbhavan Road, Hyderabad-500 082, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA. HOWEVER, do not include cash in your mail, states Mr. Suri, VU2MY. He also hopes to post on the NIAR Web site a list of all callsigns of received QSLs. If you want to make a donation, please do that by other means rather than the ordinary mail. The team is working on the chance of a stateside QSL address also, but nothing definite at this time. Remember, the NIAR is the ultimate source for news of this operation. Their Web page is: http://www.niar.org

WLH CHANGES. Ric, DL2VFR, informs OPDX that there has been some major changes to the "World LightHouse Program". The entire list of LH had to be reviewed and corrected. The "World LightHouse Program" (WLH) has changed its name to "World Lighthouse On The Air" (WLOTA). A lot more LHs will count now - some LHs were deleted. In order to cope with the large number of LHs in the world, the list of LH counting had to be restricted based on a fixed standard. A multi-national crew has been working on the new award program. The new LH-list is almost completed. For more details and the rules, please visit their new Web site at: http://www.wlota.com.

ZD7 & ZD8, ST. HELENA AND ASCENSION ISLANDS. Martin, G3ZAY, is expected to be visiting Ascension Island (AF-003) and St. Helena (AF-022) over the Christmas period. Look for him to be on Ascension Island between December 21-22nd and again January 3-7th. Martin will be on St. Helena Island between December 24th and January 1st as ZD7ZA. While on Ascension Island, Martin will activate the Ascension Island Lighthouse (WLOTA LH-0299). QSL via his home callsign. 

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