The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 457
BID: $OPDX.457
April 17, 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, ARRL W1AW Bulletin, WF1N, WB2YQH/WB2RAJ & The 59(9) DXReport, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4VUD, W7TSQ, K8YSE, K9LSB, CE0Z/KM9D, K0RX, 4S7DA, DJ5AV & DX News Letter, DK1II, DL1YFF, EA3FQV, EA5BM, F5JBR, HK3TAS, HS0ZBS, JA1ELY, JE1SYN, JI3DST, LU2HF, LU4AAV, OK1DTP, PR7AR, PS7ZZ, SV3EAO, TF8GX, UA4SKW, UR4EYN, VA3JS and VA3PL for the following DX information.

3A, MONACO. Andy, VA3PL, informs OPDX that Henryk/SP3FYM and Wojciech/SP9PT, with the help of I1FIU, I1OJE and 3A2LF, are planning a DXpedition here between April 26th and May 1st. They will use the callsigns 3A/SP3FYM and 3A/SP9PT during their operation. Because of 3A regulation, they will be limited to a vertical antenna (for night operations), wire antennas and a power max. of 100 watts (TS940). Activity will be on CW, SSB and RTTY on all bands with preferences given to the WARC bands. All QSL cards are via SP9PT direct or via SP QSL bureau.

4W, EAST TIMOR. Antonio, 4W6GH, operates almost daily on 17 and 15 meters SSB anytime between 1330 and 1930 (sometimes later) for a few hours at a time. He has gone to 80/40/12 meters but with no set pattern. Reportedly, he is operating from Liquica, which is about 35 kilometers west of the capital Dili. Thanks to Bernie, W3UR, from "The Daily DX", who reports that Thor, 4W6MM, now has a P.O. Box in Australia. The QSL route is: Thorvaldur Stefansson, POB 3699, Darwin, NT 0801, AUSTRALIA. Thor states that he still does not have QSL cards but is planning to order them. Thor mentions that he thinks VK postage is more than 1 USD, and he plans to look at the rates and let everyone know. However, Thor states, "If sufficient postage AND an addressed return envelope is not provided - the QSL will go via the buro - no mercy! I also don't like IRCs, they are a pain in the behind in my experience." Several people have been asking what is the story on 4W/JJ1JJJ, legit or a pirate? This station has been showing up on 40/15 meters CW. Save your time and green stamps. This station is a PIRATE.

7O, YEMEN. Franz, DK1II, informed OPDX early last week that a group of German radio amateurs will be active from Sanaa, the Capital of Yemen. Members of the group are DJ7MG, DK1II, DK9KX and DL5EBE. They will receive the licence documents in Yemen on April 17th and will start operation on the same day; their departure will be on May 1st. The group will be active on all HF bands on CW under the call sign 7O1II and on SSB under the special callsign 7O1YGF (Yemen-German-Friendship). Depending on conditions, 6 meter activity is also planned (50.204 MHz will be continuously monitored). The QSL Manager for 7O1II (CW activity) will be DJ3XD (August Unterwallney, Am Kummerberg 30, 30900 Wedemark 2, Germany) and for 7O1YGF it will be DK9KX (Hans Hannappel, Eschenbruchstr. 1, 51069 Cologne, Germany). QSL via bureau is also accepted. The aim of the operation is to give as many amateurs as possible the opportunity to work 7O as new DXCC entity. Yemen is ranked 4th as the most wanted DXCC entity.

7P, LESOTHO. Operators Joerg/DF6VI, Dieter/DJ9ON, Markus/DL1IAN, Hans/DL1YFF (Team Leader), Tom/DL1QW and Tom/DL4OCM are planning a DXpedition here July 3rd or 4th through July 22nd. They will be active from Roma, near Maseru, the capital of the Kingdom of Lesotho. They will use the callsign 7P8AA. They will have 3 stations active on 160-6 meters including the WARC Bands on CW/SSB/RTTY. QSL via DL7VRO. For more information and updates, check their Web page at: http://www.qsl.net/7p8dxpedition2000.

9N, NEPAL. Toshi, JA1ELY, informs OPDX that two Japanese groups will be operating from Nepal, and here are the following schedules: April 23rd-May 9th - JA8MWU/9N7WU and JR8FEK/9N7EK. May 2-9th - JA9LSZ/9N7SZ, JA9VJ/9N7VJ, JG5CIP/9N7IP and JJ2NYT/9N7YT Activity for both will be on 75-10 meters CW/SSB/RTTY and 10m FM (only 100 watts). QSL via their home callsign.

A5, BHUTAN (No activity yet, but it is coming!). Charles, K4VUD, announced this past week that he is seeking interest from ham licensed United States citizens who may wish to join a tour group to Bhutan for the purpose of operating legal ham radio from that country. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT CONNECTED WITH THE CURRENT DXPEDITION NOW SKED FOR EARLY MAY 2000 organized by W0GJ. He is possibly planning to have two tours going there in July. OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive the complete announcement as an additional bulletin.

AN6, BALEARIC ISLANDS. Julio/EA3AIR and Juan/EA5BM will activate the special callsign, AN6IB, from the lovely Island of Ibiza in the Balearic Islands running EA6IB super-station during next CQWW WPX CW Contest (2000). QSL via EA6IB or Bureau.

ARRL/DXCC NEWS...

• If you missed it (maybe because your not a subscriber to the OPDX bulletin), the ARRL DXAC and Awards Committee voted to add the Chesterfield Islands to the ARRL DXCC List. For DXCC credit contacts made on or after March 23, 2000 will be accepted. Cards for this new entity may be submitted after October 1, 2000.
• Wayne Mills, N7NG, DXAC Chairman and noted DXer, will join the ARRL Headquarters staff as Membership Services Manager effective May 2nd. He succeeds Bill Kennamer, K5NX, who retired in March. The complete announcement by W1AW will be provided to all OPDX InterNer Subscribers as an additional bulletin.

F5, FRANCE. The Radio Club F5KAC will be active from April 22-24th as F5KAC/p from the following DIFM Island (French Island Award): Enez Terch Island MA-093, Vrach Island MA-091, Leach Venn Island MA-101, Longue Island MA-139, Cezon Island MA-092, Valan Island MA-140, Venan Island MA-090 and Enez Ar Vir Island MA-138. QSL via the Bureau or P.O. BOX 5, F-45270 Ladon, FRANCE.

HC8, GALAPAGOS ISLAND. Look for Ted, HC5K, to be active from here using the callsign HC8K for the next 12 days. His activity will be on all modes especially the Data modes including MT63 and Hells. His activity will be restricted around his work hours.

HK3, COLOMBIA (6 meters activity). Alex Artieda, HK3TAS, informs OPDX that he has been very active on 6 meters. He reports that since March 7th he has had some nice openings and has heard stations with very strong signals (s9+20), especially USA and Caribbean stations and also Hawaii. His operating time seems to be around 0330 to 0500z and again after 1600z. Alex states he uses a 4 element Cubical Quad with 100 watts. If anyone would like to make a sked with him (all depends on the solar flux and his time), his E-mail address is: helax@cable.net.co. QSL Manager is HK3SGP.

HM0DX MYSTERY! This station has stirred a lot of activity on 40/15/10 meters since April 11th. If you have not heard, this station is claiming to be operating from North Korea. As always, you "work first worry later" (WFWL). This station has not only stirred activity on the bands but also on the DX InterNet Reflectors. In short, this station seems to be a very knowledgeable operator and not your ordinary pirate. The operator's name is Kim and he states that he is a South Korean and has a P.O. Box in Chongjin. No one seems to know this operator personally, and individuals who are familiar with this area feel this is not a legitimate operation.

HS, THAILAND. Kurt, HS0ZBS, informs OPDX that he is only active on CW especialy around 0000z on 28010 kHz looking for North American stations. QSL only via Kurt Brauer, POB 75, Phanom Sarakham, Chachoengsaao 24120 THAILAND or via the RAST Bureau. Kurt adds that his HB9AMZ callsign has expired because he is now living in HS-land, so he has no QSL Manager.

IOTA NEWS...

• AS-041. Takeshi "TAKE", JI3DST (7N3UXO), is currently planning to go to Oki Archipelago May 27-29th, June 29-31st and August 6-15th.
• AS-043. Takeshi "TAKE", JI3DST (7N3UXO), is currently planning to go to Nampo Archipelago June 16-19th.
• AS-049. Takeshi "TAKE", JI3DST (7N3UXO), is currently planning to go to Tokara Archipelago November 23-26th. He states that he would like to contact as many USA and NA stations from here.
• EU-071. The Radio club of Reykjanes in Iceland will be on Westmann Island in the upcoming IOTA Contest 2000. The callsign will be TF7RX. QSL's go via K1WY DX ASSOCIATION.
• EU-148. The "Castres DX Gang" will be active from "Fort Brescou" (DIFM ME001; WLH 0500; DFCF 34001; LOCATOR: JN13SG) with 4 stations on the air as F5XX/P, May 25-29th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters (WARC bands included). Two stations will on SSB with operators: F5UOE/Daniel, F5AUB/Alain, F5OSN/Guy, F5BJW/Didier. The other two stations will be on CW with operators: F5XX/ Bernard and F5JBR/Andre. Look for F5XX and F5JBR to take part in the CQ WPX CW Contest (as F5XX/P). Look for activity on the WARC bands before the contest. QSL manager is F5XX. QSL via the Bureau or direct to: Vignolles Bernard, Les Planetes, Route de Campans, 81 100 Castres, FRANCE.
• NA-136. Tony/WF1N and Lou/W1DIG will be active from the Thimble Island Group on Pot Island April 28-30th. The operation will start around 1500z Friday and end about 1800z Sunday. Their activity will be with a tribander and amp, on/near the usual IOTA freqs, on SSB. QSL to home callsigns direct (SASE PSE) or Bureau. Tony can be contacted at: megahertz260@mindspring.com.

J8, ST. VINCENT. The "DX News Letter" reports that Mike Wise, J87AB, is an English missionary on Canouan (NA-025). He may go back to England by the end of this year. OPDX has searched QSNs and have found that Mike has been active on 17/12 meters and also on 6 meters. Check 24945 or 18147 kHz after 2100z (and again after 0200z). Also, check 6 meters between 0045 and 0330z.

KH0, MARIANA ISLANDS. Operators Toshi/JE1SYN, Hasi/JL1WPQ, Hiko/JN1HOW and Toshi/JP1IOF will operate from Saipan Island (Zone 27, IOTA OC-086) from April 20-23th. Activity will be on SSB/CW/FM/RTTY on 160-6 meters including the WARC bands. Operators will be using the following callsigns:

LT, ARGENTINA. The members of the "CACHAFAZ DX TEAM", will carry out a DXpedition to the Hill Los Linderos at an altitude of 2760 meters. The Locator is FF78MA, and they will be using the special call LT5H for 24 hours beginning April 29th at 1500z. They will be active from 80-10 meters on SSB, and also on 2 meters and 70 cm on the FM mode. QSL via LU2HF, P. O. Box 14, 5151 La Calera, Cordoba, Argentina.

QSL INFO AND NEWS...

• The log for Bernie's East Timor 4W/W3UR operation are now available on the Web at the following address: http://www.dailydx.com/4W6DXlog.html.
• QSLs for 3D2TC should now go to Craig Thompson (3D2TC), P.O. Box 273, Suva, Fiji Islands, South Pacific. Craig states that if you used the "50 Beach Road" there is a 90% chance he will never get the QSL.
• QSL Manager Bob, W7TSQ, reports to OPDX that he is now the QSL Manager for YB9BON. He also mentions that he finally caught up with all of the requests (in hand) through March 2000 logs for YB0AZ and YB3OSE. Bob states that he will probably get the YB3ASQ, YB3ASQ/9, and A35RK QSLs finished after the Visalia Convention. Lastly, QSL cards for 3D2RK and 3D2SQ have been ordered and on receipt, he will be ready to add labels and send them.
• David, OK1DTP, is glad to announce that the E41/OK1DTP log is now online at: http://www.qsl.net/okdxc (The new Web site of OKDXC.) This log contains about 37000 QSOs. The old Web pages of OKDXC were shut down at: http://www.okdxc.cz. Special thanks to Martin, OK1RR, the web-master of those pages.
• Tony, EA3FQV (EA3BO), reports to OPDX that he is the QSL Manager for the following Cuban stations: CO8DD, CO8WN, CO9NLA (all three since 01/Jan/1999) and CO8TW (since 01/Mar/2000). QSL to EA3FQV or EA3BO.
• Horacio, LU4AAV, states to QSL LU1ZA (Orcadas Base) and LU1ZI (Jubany Base) via the S.A.R.A. (Servicio Auxiliar de Radioaficionados de la Armada) via Argentina Bureau.
• RA3YA has printed QSLs for the following stations and can be obtained direct ONLY via RA3YA's callbook address: 4K1YAR - Antarctica, Molodezhnaya Base (1992-93) UA0QJG/9 - IOTA AS-083, Oleniy Island (1999) UA0QJG/0 - IOTA AS-063, St. Andrew Island (1997-1998) RY3YA reports that he does not have QSL cards printed for the 1994 UA0QJG/0 operation to AS-029. He plans to contact UA0QJG and ask him about the logs for the 1994 activity. If an agreement can be reached RY3YA will print the cards.
• ATTENTION TO RUSSIAN DX-ERS! QSL cards for 9G5MD (AF-084) must be sent to UA4SKW (Only this address) P.O. BOX 7, Volzhsk-8 Mariy-el 425008 Russia + "A" SASE + 2 RUBLES STAMP.
• Tom, UA4SKW, reports that he was NEVER the QSL Manager for UA0QMU. The correct QSL info for UA0QMU is via UA4RC.
• The following are special event callsigns to commemorate the 500th year of the discovery of Brazil.

QSL PR500W via PY1NEW -	Emanual Tavares Filho "Pete", P.O. Box 100659, 24001-970 Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
QSL PT500Z via PY1NEZ -	Rogaciano de Lima Correa Filho, "Lima", 91/1101 Belizario Augusto, 24230-200 Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
QSL ZV500A via PY1MA -	Mario Negreiros dos Anjos, 20 Moacir Begado, 20240-790 Niteroi, RJ, Brazil
QSL ZZ500BR via PR7AR -	Irapuan de Sousa, P.O. Box 60 - 58200-970 Guarabira - PB - Brazil (or bureau)
QSL ZY500BR via PR7QI -	Leonardo Araújo Muniz, P.O. Box 60 - 58200-970, Guarabira - PB - Brazil (or bureau)
QSL ZW500BR via PR7AYE -	Murilo Martins Ferreira, P.O. Box 60 - 58200-970, Guarabira - PB - Brazil (or bureau)

SPECIAL EVENT (Interesting prefix/callsign!). Look for J430 to be active using this special callsign in celebrating the lighting of the Olympic flame in ancient Olympia, Greece. The station will be on the air from May 5-30th. Activity will be on all bands 160-10 meters SSB only. A special colorful QSL card is already printed! QSL via SV3AQR.

SPECIAL EVENT. Look for special event station EM10UCC to be active until April 30th to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Ukrainian Contest Club. Activity has been reported on 30/20/10 meters mostly CW but with some SSB. QSL via UY5ZZ.

SPECIAL EVENT. Look for the callsign EM500E to be aired on all bands and all modes (SSB/CW/RTTY/SSTV/PSK-31) between August 1-31st to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Kazak Glorian in the Ukraine. QSL via UR4EN: Nick I. Golub, P.O.Box 48, Ordzhonikidze, 53300, Ukraine (E-mail: ur4eyn@operamail.com)

SPECIAL EVENT. Ed, PS7ZZ, is another station active with a special callsign, PQ500BA, in the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Brazil. Look for him on CW and RTTY. Activity will last until the end of the month. QSL via PS7ZZ.

VP6, PITCAIRN ISLAND. John, VA3JS, heard Jukka, VP6BR, a couple of days ago say he checks 160 meters on each half hour (i.e 0400z, 0430z, 0500z, 0530z etc.). He transmits on 1801 kHz and wants to be called on 1811 kHz, but as the band is totally quiet there he checks the entire band for those that have frequency restrictions.

XR0Z, SAN FELIX. As of April 15th, an amateur radio DXpedition was activated from Isla San Ambrosio. Together with the Isla San Felix, Isla San Ambrosio constitutes a DXCC entity and an "Island on the Air", SA-O13. San Ambrosio Island is located in the eastern south Pacific ocean, approximately 600 nautical miles NW of Valparaiso, Chile. Position: S26 20' W79 53'. San Ambrosio is uninhabited, but visited on a seasonal basis by fisherman arriving from the Juan Fernandez Archipelago about 400NM further south. A special callsign has been granted for this operation and a single transmitter, favoring CW, will sign XR0ZY. The operation is expected to last until April 20th or 25th. Requests for QSL cards should be directed to the QSL Manager, OM2SA.

XV5, VIETNAM. Members of the YAMATO ARC (JA1ZEK) will be operate from Cat Ba Island (AS-132) in Vietnam from May 1-5th. This is their 8th DXpedition. The operators will be JA1JQY, JA1KJW, JA3MCA and JA8VE using the callsigns XV5JY, XV5TK and XV5VE. Activity will be on 40-10 meters (except 30m) on CW/SSB and 10 meter FM. Suggested 40 meters frequencies are: 7037, 7042 and 7053 kHz. QSL XV5JY via JA1KJW (yes, not via JA1JQY), XV5TK via JA3MCA and XV5VE via JA8VE to either the Bureau or direct (please one IRC or 2USD).

ZK2, NIUE ISLAND. Hans, ZK2XO, has been active over the past week. His activity has been on CW/SSB/RTTY. Check 40 meters CW close to the bottom edge around 0930z. Check 15 meters RTTY around 21084 kHz at 0245z. He has also shown up on the 14226 DX Net around 1100z. QSL via DL8NBE.

OPDX INTERNET SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUEST: opdx-request@nshore.org
OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME PAGE (provided by John, K8YSE): http://www.en.com/users/k8yse/opdx.html ALSO VISIT THE NORTERN 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 28.8k/14400/9600/2400/1200 and leave a message with the Sysop or send via InterNet Mail to: kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org - 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 28.8k-1200 baud