The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 542 BID: $OPDX.542 December 24, 2001 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, AB5K &
the AR TelNet Clusters Network, KE1HZ, W1DAD, W3UR & The
Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, N4GN, KG4DX/W4WX, K5JIM, K6NX,
N6DHZ, W6KK, AC7DX, K8YSE, N8KM, NE8Z, Antarctic DX Bulletin,
DL1EK & DX News Letter, DL7IO, DL7IQ, F5NQL & UFT, F6AJA
& LNDX, G3TMA, HA2NM, HA0HW, JE8KKX, OH2BH, OH6KN, PA1KW,
SM5BFJ, TG9AJR, UA0SJ, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE3XAP, VK4CP, VK6VZ,
YU1AB and ZS6DX for the following DX information.
SPECIAL EDITOR'S NOTE - Can you believe
another year is almost over! 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".
Also, we would like thank the many who have contributed
information over the year (there are too many to list). REMEMBER,
without them there would not be an OPDX Bulletin. I would also
thank the many who sent holiday greetings. I tried to answer
some, and wish I could answer each one of them individually, but
it would take a huge amount of time. You would not believe the
amount of E-mail I receive...... 73 and Have a Great Holiday de
Tedd KB8NW
DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT - According to the
AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 16/December, through
Sunday, 23/December there were 233 countries active. Countries
available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4W, 4X, 5B, 5H,
5N, 5R, 5V, 5W, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L,
9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9U, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV,
BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE0A, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX,
D2, D4, DL, DU, E3, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES,
ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI,
GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP,
HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JT, JW, JX, JY, K,
KG4, KH0, KH2, KH4, KH6, KH8, KH9, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY,
LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA,
PJ2, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV,
SV/a, SV5, SV9, T2, T30, T32, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TL, TR,
TU, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK,
VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XZ,
YB, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8,
ZD9, ZF, ZK1/s, ZL, ZL7, ZP, ZS.
* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain
"Pirate/SLIM" operations. As always, you never know -
"Work First Worry Later" (WFWL).
2002 INTERNATIONAL DX CONVENTION WEB SITE -
The 2002 International DX Convention now has a Web site at: http://www.qsl.net/visalia2002.
The International DX Convention is held each year in Visalia,
California, USA. The year 2002 will be the 53rd year for the
convention and is presented this year by the Southern California
DX Club.
5W & A3, WESTERN SAMOA AND TONGA (OH Pacific
2001-2002 DXpedition) - There will be three Finish
amateurs, OH3JR, OH1AWW and OH6KN, going to A3 and 5W. The main
focus will be on the low bands (1.8-10 MHz) and QSOs to Europe.
The operation dates for 5W-land are now through January 2nd and
for A3-land, January 5-15th. The operating frequencies will be on
the following (+/- QRM and split up operation will be used):
CW - 1822, 3503, 7003, 10105, 14005, 18075, 21005, 24895 and
28005
SSB - 1845, 3790, 7050, 14195, 18145, 21295, 24945 and 28495
RTTY - 14080, 21080, 28070 +/- QRM and split up
There will be three stations in operation and antennas will be
1/2 element verticals / vertical dipoles for 1.8-28 MHz. QSL via
OH3JR direct or via bureau. OH3JR's address is: Henri Olander,
Helavalkeantie 15, 13270 Hameenlinna, Finland. The DXpedition's
Web pages are at: http://www.qsl.net/ohpacific. There will be a
log search available depending on InterNet connection
possibilities from the islands.
8Q, MALDIVES - Ian, G3TMA, will be doing a
holiday operation from here from December 31st through January
7th. His callsign will be 8Q7IJ (he received his license December
17th). Operation will be mostly CW. QSL via G3TMA.
AP, PAKISTAN - Sam, VE3XAP, informs OPDX that
after 17 years he will be reactivating AP2ZA from CQ Zone 21,
starting December 26th and running through the RAC Winter Contest
December 29th. He will be returning on January 1st. Activity will
be on all bands, 160-10 meters, mostly SSB, using a mixture of
Yagis and Alpha Delta with high power. He prefers to run split if
bands are open and activity is high. Look for him generally in
the DX windows of the bands.
CORRECTIONS TO OPDX.541 - Please note in last
week's bulletin the Web site listed under "5U, NIGER
(Update)" was incorrect. The Web site's URL address should
have been: http://www.qsl.net/niger-2001. Also, the QSL
Manager listed under "9U, BURUNDI" was incorrect. The
QSL route for 9U5D is SM5BFJ not SM5BFS as listed. Sorry for the
mistakes, editor's fingers at times do get carried away.
DU, PHILIPPINES - Gerard, F2JD, has received
his DU1/G0SHN license. Look for him to be active as DU6/G0SHN
from Boracay Island, in the Visayas Island grooup (OC-129) now
through January 1st with his IC708 and dipoles. He will be active
on SSB and CW. QSL via F6AJA.
FG, GUADELOUPE - Look for Pierre, F6FXS, to
be active from here starting January 16th through February 7th,
as FG/F6FXS or FG5/F6FXS. Important reference numbers are: DXCC -
FG, WAZ - 08 , IOTA - NA-102 and DIFO - FG001. Activity will be
on HF bands, including the WARC bands, with his IC-706MKII (100
watts) and wire antennas. This will be a holiday style
DXpedition. QSL via his home call direct with SASE or via bureau.
HC, ECUADOR - Dr. Rick Dorsch, NE8Z/HC1MD,
will once again be active from Ecuador between February 1-16th,
2002. His activity will be on 80-10 meters CW/SSB. His equipment
will be TS-850/SB200 amp, 3 element tribander and 80-10m Carolina
Windom. Dr. Rick will use the following callsigns from the
following areas:
Rick states, "Any assistance in helping me locate and
work the following countries for my HC1MD DXCC would be greatly
appreciated: 4W-East Timor, YA5T, P5/4L4FN and FO/Australs."
His E-mail address is: ne8z@yahoo.com.
QSL via K8LJG: John Kroll, 3528 Craig Drive, Flint, Michigan
48506 Please view the HC/HD DX Award "Equatorial Line
Diploma" at: http://www.octavia.com/qsl/awards.htm.
HF0, SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS - Miroslaw
Stefansky is expected to be active as HF0POL from the Polish base
"Hanryk Arctowsky" on King George Island (AN-010) from
January 1st through December 31st, 2002. He plans to operate
CW/RTTY/PSK-31 on all bands, WARC included. Watch for him on the
usual DX frequencies. QSL via SQ5TA.
HS, THAILAND - Dave, W3VK, has been assigned
to the U.S. embassy in Thailand and is now using the callsign
HS0ZDP.
IOTA NEWS...
NA-079. On January 5-6th, look for
Ralph, K8RYU, to operate from Dry Tortugas. He plans to
be on 40-10 meters, mostly CW with some SSB. Ralph will
be using a K2 and a vertical and/or dipole for antennas.
Look for him around the usual IOTA frequencies. QSL to
his home call.
OC-215. Adhi YC3MM, will be active as
YC3MM/P from Madura Island, January 3-4th. Activity will
be 15 meters CW only. More details are forthcoming.
KH1, BAKER ISLAND - Hrane, YT1AD, will lead a
team here next year. His team plans to set sail from the Fiji
Islands on April 25th. The trip is expected to take 6 days to get
to this rare island. The group will stay for 10 days and plan to
be on all bands. After the DXpedition the team will head back to
the Fiji Islands and then on to the Dayton Hamvention. The
DXpedition is expected to cost 50,000 (USD) and donations are
being sought. More details are forthcoming.
KH0, MARIANA ISLANDS - Nozomu, JE8KKX, is
planning to go to Saipan and be active as AH2K/KH0 between
January 3-6th. His activity will be on 40-6 meters bands CW/SSB.
If time permits, he would like to try 160m, 80m and the WARC
bands. QSL via JE8KKX: Nozomu Takahashi, 2-5, 5chome 18jo Toko,
Asahikawa, Hokkaido, 078-8358 Japan.
LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY...
LCL 2001 HAS BEGAN! Just a reminder that
all participants in the Amateur Radio Lighthouse
Society's (ARLHS) Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party
(LCL 2001) will be eligible to receive a Harbour Lights
miniature lighthouse collectible. This second annual
edition of the popular event started at 0000z December
22nd and goes through January 2, 2002. (Please refer to
OPDX.536). Complete details on frequencies, exchanges,
scoring, certificates and prizes can be found on the
ARLHS organization's Web site at: http://www.arlhs.com.
Steve, VK6VZ, will be operating as
VK6VZ/6 from Australia's first lighthouse located at Cape
Leeuwin (grid OF75), 9 km north of Augusta and around 300
km south of Perth. Cape Leeuwin is located on a
promontory and marks the place on the Western Australian
coastline where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet. His
activity will include an entry in the Stew Perry Topband
Distance Challenge on December 29-30th. The lighthouse
balcony is around 39 meters above ground and for the
contest an inverted vee dipole will be sited there giving
the antenna apex an effective height of approaching 100
meters over the sea which surrounds the lighthouse on
three sides. The only problem is that Cape Leeuwin is
probably the windiest place in Western Australia, so
keeping an antenna in the air could be tricky!
Transmission may be done between 1810 and 1815 with QSX
10-15 kHz up the band in the spirit of the old W1BB
trans-Pacific QSOs. As the operation is LP, if operation
takes place higher in the band (i.e. 1820 - 1835), QSX up
1 is likely to be used. A special QSL card commemorating
the operation will be available for those who contact
VK6VZ/6 at Cape Leeuwin.
P5, NORTH KOREA (Not Me!) - Several P5/HA0HW
spots were posted on the cluster networks this past week. Laci,
HA0HW, reports that it was NOT him (but wished it was true). He
recommends to not make contacts, or do not spot this callsign,
and do not send QSL requests because all are pirate operation. He
also stated that if he goes somewhere aboard it will be published
or announced first in a DX bulletin or on a DX Mailing List
before he leaves.
P5, NORTH KOREA - Toma, YU1AB, informs OPDX
that Hrane/YT1AD and Voja/YU7AV are in Pyngyang still trying to
get license. All operations heard on the air this past week were
pirates.
QSL INFO AND NEWS...
CHESTERFIELD (TX0DX) QSL OPERATIONS. (A
message from OH2BH): "It is now 20 months from the
date TX0DX hit the airwaves and provided a new counter
for those who Deserve. We are delighted to inform the DX
community that all QSLs--direct, bureau, and even for
those who did not ever claim their cards--have been
released into the QSL network. In the U.S, TX0DX cards
were sent directly to Newington from where they were
distribited to area QSL bureaus some two weeks ago. The
JA cards were taken to JARL in Tokyo and the rest were
released through OH QSL bureau. The job is now 100
percent completed. The TX0DX expedition is delighted to
recognize several sub-QSL managers that did a splendid
job. Those outside of the TX0DX operating team were N4GN,
OH1BV, OH2BAD and OH2BN."
NO QSL BUREAU. Clayton, KG4PK, is the
president of the Guantanamo Bay KG4AN radio club. He
reports that there is NO QSL Bureau in GTMO. All cards
should be sent direct to home callsigns or via bureau to
their home callsign and not to the KG4 calls.
OPDX has been informed that LU5DX has a
new QSL Manager as of December 2001. QSL via AC7DX.
QSL Manager Bert, PA1KW, reports that
QSL cards for LX9SW which was activated by Dutch
operators from September 15-22nd, will be sent in about
the fourth week in the year 2002. The printers have had
them for about 2 weeks in Germany.
PLEASE UPDATE your QSL databases for
TG9AJR. QSL to: Juan Carlos Munoz, P.O. Box 61
Periferico, Guatemala 01011, GUATEMALA or via QSL Manager
WA1ECA.
Rudi, ZS6DX/V51VE, reports that he has
been receiving cards for 3C0A, for contacts made on May
2001 on 10 MHz. He is stating that he is not the QSL
manager. The station 3C0A is reportedly a PIRATE!
S7, SEYCHELLES - Karesz, HA8EU, will be
active from Mahe Island as S79EU between January 28th and
February 18th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters, primarily on CW
with some SSB. QSL via HA2NM, direct or Bureau.
SILENT KEY - It is with great sorrow to
report the passing of a good friend and member of NODXA, QSL
Manager Fritz Stefan Bergner, DL7VRO. Last Sunday, (December
16th) Fritz became a silent key. His death was unexpected and
caught many of his friends and family by suprise. He is survived
by Gerda (DL7VYL) his wife, 2 children, 3 grandchildren and his
son-in-law Roy (DL7UBA). Most of you know him as a very active
and reliable QSL Manager for about 50 callsigns. But he also was
an active DXer with more than 325 countries confirmed, holder of
5-Band-DXCC and a successful contester. He organized and took
part in a couple of DXpeditions (e.g. TN2M/TN4U, 8Q7IO, ED8CMT)
and IOTA activities (DL, OZ, SP) even while he was sitting in a
wheelchair. Everybody who knew him personally will agree he had a
great personality and a man with heart and charisma. The members
of NODXA, the readers of the OPDX and the DX community would like
to send our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of DL7VRO.
He will be surely missed. ADDED NOTE: Birgit, DL7IQ, informed
your editor that Roy, DL7UBA, Fritz's son-in-law will take over
Fritz's QSLing chores for the time being for DXpeditions of the
past. He has the same postal address. Holger, DL7IO, also
mentioned that Fritz was up-to-date on all his QSLing chores. He
did not leave any QSLs to be answered!
SPECIAL EVENT - Special event station K1D
will be active now through January 5th to encourage participation
in Kid's Day (January 5th). Look for activity on 28370, 21370,
14270 and 3895 kHz. The operators will be Peter/W1DAD and
Jeanne/K1MOM Schipelliti, 7 Dearborn Ridge Rd, Atkinson, NH
03811, USA. A free (via E-mail) K1MOM Amateur Radio Coloring Book
for children, including operating aids for Kid's Day, log sheet,
WAS map to color in, and phonetic alphabet is available from k1mom@arrl.net.
TF, ICELAND - Thor Stefansson, 4W6MM, is back
in Iceland as TF3MM now through January 10th. He was heard on
14002 kHz around 2200z. QSL TF3MM only via the TF bureau.
V5, NAMIBIA - Rudi, ZS6DX, will be active as
V51VE from Windhoek after Christmas. QSLs for both V51KV (Katti
who was active before Christmas) and V51VE go via ZS6DX, direct
or via Bureau.
VK9, NORFOLK ISLAND - Look for Bernd,
VK2IA/DL1VJ, to be active as VK9AA/9 beginning Dec 23rd, for
about 7 days on Norfolk Island. He will be active mostly on CW on
the WARC bands. QSL via DL8YR.
VP6/D, DUCIE ISLAND - Bill Kennamer, K5NX,
sent out a press release this week by Tom Christian, VP6TC,
President PIARA, with more details on the upcoming Ducie Island
DXpedition (OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive the complete
press release as an additional bulletin). Excerpts from the press
release state after weather conditions near Ducie Island did not
permit landing in November, the Pitcairn Island Amateur Radio
Association (PIARA) announces that all planning is now complete
for their second attempt to activate Ducie Island. The group will
depart from Mangareva on March 12th, on the ship Braveheart which
is more adequate for the task. They will use a VP6 callsign to be
announced at the beginning of the operation, and plan to be
operational as soon as possible after arriving upon the island.
Operators will be: VP6TC, VP6DB, VP6AZ, VP6MW, VP6BK/JA1BK,
JA3USA, JF1IST, K9AJ, and K5VT. Randy, an SWL, will be going to
provide additional logistical support. QSL Manager is Garth
Hamilton, VE3HO, for all HF operations only. QSL manager for 6
Meter operation is JA1BK. Log checks will be available at: http://www.big.or.jp/~ham/dx.html.
Once again the groups operating are intended to provide contacts
with as many different Amateur Radio operators as possible during
their stay on the island. The band plan is as follows: 21.020 Mhz
(CW) and 21.295 Mhz (SSB) will be QRV 24 hours each day. This is
to allow more individuals to find and work the group, depending
upon propagation to their area. 28.495 Mhz, and 14.195 Mhz will
be the prime SSB frequencies, and 14.020 Mhz will be the prime CW
frequency other than 15 meters. It is planned that there will be
some operation on all bands, 160-6 meters, and RTTY in addition
to SSB and CW operations. It is expected that Low Band and WARC
operations are more likely to take place in the last days of the
operation since concentration from the beginning will be to allow
as many operators as possible to work this new DXCC Entity. For
the latest updates on this operation, it is recommend to watch
the following Web sites: http://www.qsl.net/wd4ngb/ducie.htm
and http://www.ve3ho.com/ve3ho-qslmgr.htm.
XR0, SAN FELIX ISLAND - A radio amateur
expedition to San Felix Island will be conducted March 12-30th,
2002, using the callsign XR0X. Lying 900 km northwest of
Valparaiso, San Felix is a barren rocky island about 3 km across,
with two small islets nearby. Access to the site is restricted,
due to the presence of a military garrison there. Little is known
of the natural history of the island or of its possible
prehistoric importance. The major goal of this expedition is
provide radio contact with this remote and seldom-activated
island. Secondary goals include documenting indigenous species
and searching for evidence of ancient occupation. The expedition
is being organized and led by Carlos G-Nascimento, NP4IW/CE3AQI,
who was a principal organizer of the 1995 Easter Island/Salas y
Gomez (XROX/Y) and the 1997 Heard Island (VK0IR) expeditions. The
project is being carried out in conjunction with Cordell
Expeditions (Robert Schmieder, KK6EK), a nonprofit organization
that has carried out expeditions to remote sites for more than 20
years. All permits, including landing, radio operation, and
specimen collections have been obtained. The 13-member team
includes the following radio amateurs: NP4IW, K5AB, I8NHJ, N7CQQ,
DJ9ZB, CE0YWS, N6MZ, KO4RR, KK6EK, W6KK, HB9AHL, K5AND and N6TQS.
The team and a 20-ft. container of gear will travel from
Valparaiso (Chile) to San Felix aboard the Chilean Navy vessel
Chacabuco, and be airlifted on the island by Chilean Navy
helicopter. The vessel will then proceed on to Easter Island,
leaving the team on San Felix. Returning 2 weeks later, the
vessel will retrieve the crew and gear and then return to
Valparaiso. The expedition is being financed by the participants,
supplemented by donations from DX associations, radio clubs, and
individuals. Contributions made to the expedition through Cordell
Expeditions are eligible for deduction as a donation to a 501( c
)( 3 ) organization. The San Felix Expedition Web site is: http://www.cordell.org/SFX.
For more information, please contact: Carlos George-Nascimento
(NP4IW/CE3AQI) 2061 Magnolia Way, Walnut Creek, CA 94595 Tel/Fax:
925-935-2768 or E-mail: cgnascim@attbi.com.
XV9, SPRATLY - The Vietnam Amateur Radio Club
(VARC) is planning to be on the Spratly Islands (AS-051) during
April 2002 with the callsign XV9TH, however the specific dates
are currently unknown. More details are to follow.
ZONE 18 - Yuri, UA0SJ, can sometimes be found
on 20 meters SSB (between 14180 and 14200 kHz) after 0200z. He
lives in the city called Bratsk, about 600 kilometers north from
Lake Baikal. His equipment is a Kenwood TS-50S with AT-50
(100watt only) into a KT-34a antenna. Please send QSL via direct
only: Yuri A. Maltsev, P.O. Box 2304, Bratsk-city, 665700,
Russia, Asiatic. His E-mail address is: ua0sj@mail.ru.
SPECIAL NOTE BY EDITOR: If you are having a problem receiving
bounced mail by sending mail to me via "kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org",
please send mail to me via "kb8nw@arrl.net"......
TNX de Tedd KB8NW
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