The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 640 BID: $OPDX.640 December 22, 2003 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, NC1L, K2MGA
& CQ Communications Inc., NG3K, W3HC, W3UR & The Daily
DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4WX, N5FG, K8YSE, K9LSB, N0AX, E21EIC,
F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, G3XTT,
I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands
News, LU1BCE, OH2BH, OM3JW and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following
DX information.
SPECIAL EDITOR'S NOTE: Can you believe it!
Another year is almost over. Anyway, my family (wife/OPDX's chief
proof-reader Linda, Teddy [TJ] and wife Jessica, 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 wished 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, 14th/December, through
Sunday, 21st/December there were 224 countries active. Countries
available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4W, 4X,
5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R,
9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5,
A6, A7, AP, BV, BY, C3, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2,
D4, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU,
EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FR/j, FY, G, GD, GI,
GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP,
HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J5, J8, JA, JD/m, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, 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, PY0F, PY0S, PZ,
S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T30, T5, T7, T8,
T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR,
V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9,
VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, YA, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV,
Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD9, ZF, ZK1/s, ZK2, ZL, ZP, ZS.
* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain
"Pirate/SLIM" operations. As always, you never know -
"Work First Worry Later" (WFWL).
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! )
3B9, RODRIGUES ISLAND (Update). OPDX received
an update/bulletin from Don Field, G3XTT, (3B9C Publicity
Officer) on the upcoming Project Star Reach, a project focused
around a major expedition to Rodrigues Island, with the callsign
3B9C, just before going to print. Since their last announcement,
additional team members and several additional sponsors have come
on board. The shipping container has now been packed (seephotos
on the 3B9C Website) and has begun its journey to Rodrigues. This
container holds considerably more equipment and antennas than
they took to the Comoros (D68C), including capability for 70cm
(satellite and moonbounce). They really do intend to cover as
many bands and modes as possible, not only to satisfy the demands
of the many specialist groups within the ranks of amateur radio,
but also to encourage those of you who do tend to specialize
(whether in HF, LF, RTTY or whatever) to try something new.
Excerpts from "Bulletin No. 2" state that the new team
members are Robert/F5VHN and Eric/K3NA. Also, Project Star Reach
intends to use this opportunity for educating non-DXers into the
"how, where and when" of working DX. They are delighted
that several major amateur radio publications recognize the
importance of this in revitalizing our hobby from within, and
have agreed to run articles ahead of the 3B9C operation, giving
suitable hints and tips (which will, of course, be equally
applicable to other expeditions as time goes by). Within the
constraints of time and geography, they are also happy to
entertain requests for club presentations along similar lines.
Don Field, G3XTT, says, "Drop me an E-mail, and let's see
what we can do." Don's E-Mail address is: g3xtt@lineone.net. One way
they hope to encourage participation in Project Star Reach is by
way of the Nevada Rodrigues Trophies. The Nevada Comoros Trophies
offered as part of the D68C DXpedition for working band-slots
were extremely popular with DXers, with the winners working D68C
on 23 band-slots. Trophies were also available to clubs to
encourage their members to be active and work D68C either from
home or perhaps from the club station. During the 3B9C DXpedition
they will be running the Nevada Rodrigues Trophies. The rules
will be broader than those used for the Comoros, and there will
be continental awards as well as awards for clubs outside the UK.
There will also be special awards for newcomers to HF. Details
will be available soon. The Project Star Reach is still looking
for much needed funds to help pay for this DXpedition. The costs
of procuring and shipping so much hardware are high - in the case
of 3B9C, they estimate shipping costs alone to be in the order of
$20k. They are looking for help from commerical, club and
individual sponsors to help make this happen, rather than having
the burden fall totally on the team members (who, of course, will
make some contribution to the logistics costs, in addition to
finding all their own travel and accommodation expenses). Between
now and March further bulletins will be issued, but you can
already find out much more by visiting the Web site which is up
and running at: http://www.fsdxa.com/3b9c.
9V0, ANTARCTICA. Allan, 9V1DX, is now active
as 9V0A from Ellsworth Mountain. He was spotted in 40 and 30
meters CW. Watch 7001 or 10108 kHz between 0130 and 0300z.
AP, PAKISTAN. Bob, AP2JZB, was active on 17
and 12 meters SSB this past weekend. Watch around 18119 and 24946
kHz between 1330 and 1500z.
CQ MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES NEW WAZ AWARDS MANAGER.
On December 15th, CQ Publisher Richard Ross, K2MGA, announced the
appointment of Floyd Gerald, N5FG, as CQ Worked All Zones (WAZ)
Awards Manager, effective January 1, 2004. Floyd succeeds Paul
Blumhardt, K5RT, who is stepping down after four years in the
position due to increased work and family commitments. "We
will miss Paul's dedication to WAZ and the CQ awards program in
general," said Ross, "and we thank him for his many
contributions. He sets an excellent example for his successor,
and we welcome Floyd to the CQ 'family.' " The press release
states, "Floyd Gerald, N5FG has been an amateur since 1972,
and is an accomplished DXer. He holds many amateur radio
operating awards, including 5BWAZ (200 Zones), #1 DXCC Mixed and
SSB, CQ DX Honor Roll SSB and CW, 9 Band DXCC, and 6BWAS. He is
also a founding member of the Magnolia DX Association. Floyd
served as the manager of the W5 QSL bureau from 1998-2002. During
his tenure, the W5 QSL Bureau was the first QSL Bureau to employ
a website so users could check on their QSL 'accounts' on line.
He's also served as CQ Awards and ARRL DXCC Checkpoint, and has
been a QSL manager for several DX stations. Floyd is retired from
the housing industry and lives near Wiggins, Mississippi, with
his wife Sherry on their 5 acre antenna farm. CQ would like to
ask WAZ applicants to delay sending applications (and cards) to
Floyd until 1 February 2004, in order to allow for an orderly
transition and transfer of records. We apologize for this delay,
but feel that it will reduce confusion and possible loss of
anyone's application during the transition. Applications and
cards sent to K5RT will be forwarded to N5FG each month. After
February 1, WAZ applications and cards should be sent to: Floyd
Gerald, N5FG, 17 Green Hollow Rd., Wiggins, MS 39577-8318. The
Worked All Zones awards are part of a comprehensive operating
award program sponsored by CQ magazine, the world's leading
independent amateur radio publication."
DXCC NEWS. Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC
Manager, sent out the following press release: "The
following is approved for DXCC credit: Johnston Island KH3/KT6E -
Only authorized persons are allowed to land on Johnston Island.
Proof of presence at certain DXCC entities is required.
Representatives of most operations are most helpful and
cooperative in providing the necessary proof of presence and/or
operating authorization as required. A very small number are not.
Although no one has provided any information regarding that
status of KH3/KT6E, some research on our part indicates that DXCC
requirements have been met. Therefore, KH3/KT6E is accepted for
DXCC credit."
FO/A, AUSTRAL ISLANDS. "The Daily
DX" and "La Gazette du DX" are reporting that a
Finish group will be active from here between January 5-19th.
Their callsigns are not known yet. The team includes:
Veko/OH1AWW, Jouko/OH1RX, Henri/OH3JR, Veijo/OH6KN and
Kimmo/OH9MDV. Activity will be on all bands on CW/SSB/RTTY/PSK31.
There will be a special emphasis on the low bands. More details
are forthcoming, and the team plans to have a Web page.
IOTA 40TH ANNIVERSARY AWARD. Don Field,
G3XTT, informs OPDX readers: Just a reminder to IOTA enthusiasts
(and would-be IOTA enthusiasts!) that IOTA 2004, the IOTA 40th
Anniversary Awards Programme, starts on 1st January. A set of
files for downloading is now avalable on the CDXC (Chiltern DX
Club, the UK DX Foundation) Web pages, at: http://www.cdxc.org.uk
(follow the IOTA 2004 links). These include a tracking
spreadsheet that does absolutely everything you might need (my
thanks to G3PMR and G3LAS for their work on this) or, if you
don't want that level of complexity, there is a simple
application form and lists of Premium Island Groups (by month)
and Rare and Unnumbered groups qualifying for the DXpeditioners
Awards. Remember that all applications must arrive in electronic
form. No paper applications will be accepted. Full rules and a
list of Frequently Asked Questions also appear on the Website,
but questions may also be sent direct to me." Don Field's,
G3XTT, E-mail address is: don@g3xtt.com.
Any queries about the IOTA Programme as a whole should, of
course, continue to go to the IOTA Manager G3KMA (g3kma@dsl.pipex.com) and
general information about the IOTA Programme is available on the
IOTA Web pages at: http://www.rsgbiota.org.
KG4, GUANTANAMO BAY. Bill, W4WX, will be
active as KG4DX from GTMO January 13-19th. He will operate the HF
bands and 6 meters. QSL to his home call, direct with SASE or via
LoTW.
KP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS. Kan, AB2RF, will be
active as KP2/AB2RF from St. Thomas between December 26-31st.
Activity will be on 80-6 meters CW/SSB/RTTY. QSL via AB2RF using
the address on QRZ.com.
LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY...
Remember, the "Lighthouse Christmas
Lights QSO Party" is between 0001z, December 20th
and 2359z, January 4th.
Warren, WM2Z, plans to activate the
following lighthouses as WM2Z/m during the ARLHS
"Lighthouse Christmas Lights" event: Horton
Point (ARLHS reference USA-387), Long Beach Bar
(USA-440), Orient Point (USA-606) and Plum Island
(USA-633). Activity will be on 20 and 40 meters SSB. QSL
via home call (QRZ.com).
Dave, K7HMP, plans to activate the
Lightship Overfalls (ARLHS USA-573) as K7HMP/4, December
27th, sometime mid to late morning. Depending on
propagation and contacts, later in the day, he will move
to Cape Henlopen State Park and activate Harbor of Refuge
(USA-366) and Delaware Breakwater (USA-222). Dave is also
looking into the "Historic" lights at Cape
Henlopen (USA-120) and the Cape Henlopen Beacon
(USA-1186). If he can activate them from a similar
location, he will; otherwise, he may move to a separate
location for some short period of time. If all goes well
Dave may stay overnight and also operate on December
28th. Being a glutton for punishment, he will also have
the data and log sheets ready for Fenwick Island Light
(USA-283) if time and band conditions allow. Activity
will primarily be SSB on 20 and 40 meters. QSL via his
home call (QRZ.com).
In the framework of the official
launching of the greatest steamship of the world
"QUEEN MARY 2" built in French yards of the
Atlantic in St. Nazaire (Department 44), a station will
be active December 22nd from the lighthouse of the
"Vieux Mtle" (DPLF reference PB-181 for the
French Sea Coast Lighthouses award). Activity will run
from 1200z until 1700z, using the calls F6IFC/P and
F5OGG/P. Look for them on 14250 and 7044 kHz SSB, 14044
and 7024 kHz CW. A special QSL will be available for this
expedition with the picture of the lighthouse and the
QUEEN MARY 2. QSL for F6IFC/P via F6IFC. QSL for F5OGG/P
via LX1NO.
NEW OFFICIERS FOR 2004. The Western
Washington DX Club (WWDXC) have elected the following new
officers for 2004.
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Trustees
- -
-
-
-
-
Joseph Shinners, W7GTO
Dennis Bowman, W7SNH
Brian Moran, N9ADG
Marina Zuetell, N7LSL
ames Hadlock, K7WA
Robert Nielsen, N7XY
Richard Swanson, K7BTW
Mary Lewis, W7QGP
Joe Gregory, W7QN
Kirk Bellar, N7UK
The WWDXC would also like to invite everyone to the Pacific NW
DX Convention to be held in Everett, WA, between July 16-18th.
Details should be available soon on the club Web site at: http://www.wwdxc.org.
QSL INFO AND NEWS...
Steve, OM3JW, reports that the first
batch of 7W4HI (AF-094) QSLs (that were receive direct)
was expected to be mailed on December 19th, and another
batch was expected to go out after Christmas. If you
don't get a 7W4HI QSL at the end of January, send E-mail
to Ivan, OM3CGN at: om3cgn@nextra.sk.
Champ, E21EIC, is the QSL Manager for
9M0SEA (not Spratly Island), the special callsign used
during the SEANET 2003 in Johor Bahru, West Malaysia. He
is also the QSL Manager for 9M4JB the special callsign
used during the CQWW CW Contest in West Malaysia.
Mac, W3HC, informs OPDX that he is the
QSL Manager for new stations: XQ3WTR and CE3WTR.
Hiro, JA6WFM, now active as JA6WFM/HI8
says his QSL Manager is JA6VU (QSL direct only with
SASE). Bureau cards will be handled after Hiro returns to
Japan.
S2, BANGLADESH. Koichirco, S21YY, is active
almost daily on 3507-3508 kHz sometimes starting at 1230z and as
late as 1730z. QSL via JM1HXU.
SPECIAL EVENT. Look for Jack, K9LSB, to be
operating as K9L from March 1-14th in celebration of 50 years as
a licensed operator. K9LSB and members of the Hoosierland Amateur
Mobile Systems will operate all bands and all modes from the home
of K9LSB in Fort Wayne, Indiana. All QSLs go to K9LSB. (a SASE
will get you a nice card in return). Equipment for the activity
will be a FT-1000MP Mark V and a FTV-1000 6 meter transverter
into an A3A at 65ft. He will use dipoles on everything else.
SPECIAL EVENT (Attention Prefix Hunters!).
Carlos Beviglia, LU1BCE, Secretary of the Radio Club Argentino
(RCA), informs OPDX that between January 4-15th, the RCA will
participate in the 6th Andes Mountains Land Cross. It is made
every year honoring the cross that General San Martin did leading
his army to Chile during the American Independence War in 1817.
The cross will be made as San Martin did by land on mules,
through the mountains the same ways the army did, at an average
height of 4500m. The RCA will provide the comunication for the
event for the 300 participants who will divide into 6 columns,
and spread off 750 kms. RCA will set up two HF stations at every
camp point throughout the whole journey. The DX operation will be
mainly on SSB/CW on all HF bands, and the callsign to be used is
LS4M. Attention WPX hunters, the LS4 prefix has not been
activated for many years (nearly 20). A special QSL card and
award (5 QSOs any mode, any band) will be issued. QSL info is via
LU4AA, bureau or direct.
T33, BANABA ISLAND (Update). Preparation for
the 2004 Banaba DXpedition is on its way according to their Web
page. Last week a team finalized the loading of the 20 foot
container with approx. 4500 Kg of materials which is now on its
way to Kiribati. They hope it will arrive there at end of
February. They still mention that they still have 2 operator
spots available (provided travel arrangements to Kiribati can
still be arranged, flights are getting full). The first photos
have been published on the "Pictures" section on their
Web site, so you can get an impression of what is going to be
transported to the island. The 2004 Banaba DXpedition Web page is
at: http://www.dx-pedition.de/banaba2004/pictures-index.html.
The team has put in many weeks of effort to prepare as much as
possible so they don't loose any extra time on the setup of the
station. They state all masts are ready to go; the SteppIR's are
pre-mounted, the 6 and 30 meter beam is pre-mounted, all low band
antennas are pre-cut, generators have had their first hours run
and oil is replaced, ready to play, coax and control cables are
all cut on right length with plugs, etc. Apart of possible
problems with transportation delays, not much can go wrong now.
They are all confident that the Banaba 2004 operation will be a
successful one. They are still looking for addition funds. The
transportation costs are much higher than expected. They had to
buy a container because it was impossible to load it in 2 days
which was expected from them in the first place.
TO4, EUROPA. Interesting week. On Wednesday,
December 17th, an annoucement was sent out stating the TO4E team
was "definitively QRT" because of tropical cyclone
CELA, and the team made about 32000 QSOs. The report stated that
CELA's winds blew violently and the buildings on the island
suffered. Roofs were torn off but nobody, neither the military
detachment or the Europa 2003 team was injured. However, the
report stated that radio equipment was damaged "a lot".
The team was expected to be back on Reunion on Friday, December
19th. However, another delay took place and the team did not
depart from the island. The team's departure has now been pushed
back a few days, and they have obtained permission to continue
using TO4E during this time. The TO4E team came back on the air
Friday, December 19th. QSNs show that they were active on
20/15/12/10 meters. As this was being typed Sunday morning
(1300z), no QSNs were reported. Please refer to the TO4E Web page
for more details and updates at: http://europa2003.free.fr/europa_infos-e.htm.
TT8, CHAD. As mentioned in OPDX.638, Allan,
N5XZ, is now active as TT8XZ using some type of Motorola radio
which is very limited in accessing frequencies (he has to program
each frequency in the radio). He was spotted this past week on
14130, 14195, 7050 and 7055 kHz basically between 1900-2000z. QSL
via N5XZ.
YA, AFGHANISTAN. Johnny, LA5IIA, is now
active as YA8G in Kabul for about the next 5 months. He was
spotted this past weekend on 20/17/12 meters. Most of his
activity will be on CW and some RTTY, with very little SSB. He is
there as a UNICEF worker and plans to be active in his spare
time. QSL via LA4YW. For more details and some interesting
pictures, please visit his Web page at: http://www.qsl.net/la8g/YA8G.htm.
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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Information can now be faxed to the following "NEW"
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