EF8, CANARY ISLANDS
Jaime, WP3A, will be active as EF8U from the Las Palmas Contest station on Gran Canaria Island (AF-004) during the CQWW WPX SSB (March 29-30th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power/Assisted entry. QSL via LoTW or direct to EA8URE. Outside of the contest, between March 26th and April 6th, Jaime will be active as EA8/WP3A. Listen for QSL instructions.

EA9, CEUTA AND MELILLA
Jorge, EA9LZ, will be active from Ceuta during the CQWW WPX RTTY Contest (February 8-9th) as a Single-Op entry. QSL via LoTW or via EA5KB.

FP, ST. PIERRE AND MIQUELON
Al, W6HGF, will once again be active as FP/W6HGF from Miquelon Island (NA-032,DIFO FP-002, WLOTA 1417) between February 7-18th, depending on transportation and weather. Activity will be on 160-10 meters but focused on the Digital modes, mostly RTTY, including an entry into the CQWW WPX RTTY Contest (February 8-9th) and ARRL CW Contest (February 15-16th). QSL via LoTW, direct to W6HGF, eQSL or via the ClubLog OQRS. For more details, updates and daily summaries, watch:

FT5Z, AMSTERDAM ISLAND
As this was being typed, the FT5ZM team continues to be active from Amsterdam Island possibly until February 9th. They landed on the island on January 24th, and were expected to have 18 days to set up, conduct the DXpedition, and tear down for departure which means they would leave on February 10th. Activity has been on all bands, 160-10 meters. Operations during last week were mainly CW and SSB, but on Sunday, the FT5ZM Web site reported: "Earlier today, Ralph, K0IR, started RTTY activities. This was not a pirate. The team will continue with this mode until the end of operations." The FT5ZM log is now available on ClubLog at:

QSL via N2OO. The FT5ZM QSL processing order is as follows:

     a.OQRS DIRECT (via ClubLog)         c.OQRS bureau (via ClubLog)
     b.DIRECT MAIL                       d.Regular incoming BUREAU

HI, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Operators Edwin/HI3K, Tino/HI3CC, Ezequiel/HI3EPR Alfredo/HI8CR and Elio/HI8EFS will be active in the ARRL DX SSB Contest as HI3K (March 1-2nd) as a Multi-Single entry from Lomas del Toro in Santiago (Lomadeltoro Contest Team's HI3CCP station):

IOTA NEWS
AF-032. (Update/Reminder) By the time you read this, a group of an Italian operators should be active as 5I0DX from an Italian village at the Kiwengwa Beach Resort on Zanzibar Island (WWF 5HFF-003) until February 13th. The European DXpedition Zanzibar 2014 Team wants to thank the sponsors, individual contributors, clubs and associations. Special thanks to the Tanzania Communi- cation Regulatory Authority (TCRA), the Tanzania Amateur Radio Club (TARC) and their secretary Hidan, 5H3HO, for the collabor- ation and help.

Activity will be on all HF bands 160-10 meters, including the 30/17/12 meter bands, using CW, SSB, PSK (31/63/ 125) and RTTY. Also, look for special SSB and Digital activity using the callsigns during this operation: 5I0AM (op. IS0AGY), 5I0WL (op. I8LWL) and 5H3AN (ops IK7JWX and IV3FSG). Current operators mentioned are Fred/IK7JWX, Leo/I8LWL, Ampelio/IS0AGY, Stenfano/IK6JRI, Elvira/IV3FSG (YL), Lana/IZ6JOD (YL), Simon/ IZ7ATN and Fulvio/HB9DHG (CW op). Look for 5I0DX to participate in the CQ WPX RTTY Contest (February 8-9th).

It was announced earlier that this DXpedition will also be a humanitarian oper- ation with donations of medicines to the "Italy Day Hospital". Italy QSL Manager is via IK7JWX. World QSL Manager is via IS0AGY, direct (3 USD or 3 IRCs) or by the Bureau. All logs will be uploaded to LoTW and NetLog. They are looking for sponsors for donations to Radio Club of Dar Es Salaam and Italy Day Hospital of Zanzibar (See QRZ.com for details.). Currently, updates are available on QQRZ.com http://www.qrz.com/db/5i0dx Also, check- out the following FaceBook page:

AS-080. Members of the Korea Contest Club (KCC) will be active as D70LW from Anmyon Island during the CQWW WPX RTTY Contest (February 8-9th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via DS4NYE. Operators mentioned are Han/DS2GOO, YeonSun/DS4DBF, SeungMin/ DS4NYE, Kim/HL1OYF and Rocky/HL1VAU.

AS-134. Operators Zhang/BA3AX and Lu/BD3AEO will be active as BA3AX/3 and BD3AEO/3 from Yuetuo Island between March 21-24th. Planned activity will be on 20/17/15 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL via BA3AX, by the Bureau, direct or LoTW. QSL information can be found on QRZ.com.

EU-051. Members of the Calabria DX Team will be active as IE9Y from Ustica Island between October 2-5th. Operators and other details will be forthcoming. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, direct to IK8YFU or the OQRS.

EU-094. Operators Francis/ON8AZ, Geert/ON7USB, Pat/ON7PQ, Luc/ON7KZ and Tim/ON5HC will be active as TM4U from Île Saint Nicolas, Glenan Islands, between May 25-30th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via ON8AZ. For more details and updates, visit: http://www.eu094.be

OC-076. Operators Joppy/YB8XM (Team Leader), Marthin/YB8VM, Danny/ YC8VDT, Richard/YD8VSR, Agustinus/YD8VRA, Richard/YD8VRS, Fransicus/YC8VFB and Andy/YC0MVP are planning to be active from Sula Islands, North Maluku Province, Indonesia, as home- call/p (except YC0MVP, homecall/8). Specific days have not yet been announced. Looks like activity will be on 80-10 meters with three stations. Modes were not mentioned. All QSL cards will be handled by QSL Manager YB8XM. QSL direct with SAE + 2 IRCs (No Green Stamps and No via Bureau). PayPal available (see Web page). For more details and updates, see:

OC-173/
OC-228. Craig, VK5CE, is planning to be active from Bathurst Island (OC-173) and Granite Island (OC-228) as VK5CE/8 later in the year. His activity will be mainly focused on Bathurst because it is the rarest and has not been activated since 1999. He plans to be there 4 days between August 26-29th. Activity will be on the HF bands, but with a focus on 20m and 15m with 400 watts. Craig adds, "I'll also spend a little time on 12m SSB/digital and 30m digital." He is looking for funds to help off-set the cost. QSL via his home callsign. He does use ClubLog. For more details and updates, visit his Blog page at:

OC-273. (QSL Correction) QSL YB0AI/8 via YB0AI (see QRZ.com), not YB0IA as mentioned last week.

J6, ST. LUCIA
Ernest, J69AZ, reports that he and a group of hams (not named) are planning to be active as portable every weekend. Their group (called the J6Dx Portable Group) is in place to help Hams coming to St. Lucia (for a day cruise, or for a week or more) to meet and greet them, as well as let them use their radios at the beach for the day, or at their hotel until they leave the island. The group is also planning to celebrate St. Lucia's 35th anniversary of independence by activating Rat Island (which is about 1/4 mile from the main land) by using a special callsign (not yet approved, possibly J6SLI35) between February 21-23rd. Operators mentioned are Ernest/J69AZ, Fay/J69EJ, Frans/J69DS and Francis/ J66CA. They will be operating QRP for the three days using Buddipole antennas.

The J6Dx Portable Group is now looking for help from their radio friends to raise funds to purchase three solar panels and some band pass filters. John, KD5SRW, has partnered with them and is heading up the project in collecting the funds. The Buddipole Company has also partnered with them this year and donated antennas, tripods and masts. Ernest states that he would like to partner with any group or club anywhere anytime for this project. Their motto is: "Rehab is not a option - RF all the way!"

J8, ST. VINCENT
The "Buddies in the Caribbean" crew will be active as J8/homecall from Bequia (Pronounced Beck-wee) Island (NA-025 - in the Grenadines IOTA Group) between February 10-18th. Operators mentioned are Daniel/WZ1P, Budd/W3FF, Mike/KC4VG, Chris/W6HFP, Bill/W7ZT, Wey/K8EAB, Paul/KB9AVO and Steve/WG0AT. Look for all eight operators to be active on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes, from mountain tops, beaches and the Isis Villa

KH2, GUAM
Hisashi, JF2SKV, will once again be active as NH0S/KH2, this time during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16th) as a Single-Op/ All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via JF2SKV.

KH8, AMERICAN SAMOA
Operators Günter/DL2AWG, Hans/DL6JGN and Ron/ PA3EWP will be active as KH8/homecall from Ofu Island (OC-077) between April 9-20th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Günter informs OPDX that their rigs are 2x K3 with 600w solid state amps. They plan to have one station on 24 hours and the second on sometimes. The antennas they will be using are monoband GPs (40-10m). QSL via their home callsigns.

NP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Yuriy, N2TTA, will once again be active from here as NP2P during the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 1-2nd) as a Single-Op/ All-Band/Low-Power entry. QSL via LoTW.

P4, ARUBA
Andy, K2LE, will once again be active as P40LE during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (15m) entry. QSL via K2LE.

PJ2, CURACAO
A group of operators will activate PJ2T, the Caribbean Contesting Consortium's (CCC) Signal Point Station on Curacao (SA-099, WLOTA LH-0942) during the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 1-2nd) as a Multi- Single entry. QSL PJ2T via LoTW or W3HNK. Operators mentioned are John/ K6AM, Martin/G4XUM and Geoff/W0CG/PJ2DX. Look for operators to possibly be active before and after the contest using their own PJ2 callsign or PJ2/homecall callsigns. QSL via their home callsigns unless where indicated.

PJ5, SINT EUSTATIUS
Opertaors Jeff/K5WE and his son Erik/N5WR will be active as PJ5/homecall from Sint Eustatius (NA-145) starting February 5th. Activity should be on all HF bands using mostly CW with some SSB and RTTY, and an entry in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16th) using the callsign PJ5W. QSL PJ5/N5WR via N5WR. QSL PJ5/K5WE and PJ5W via K5WE. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW.
ADDED NOTE: Do not forget to read Erik's article in February's QST titled "Father and Son DXpedition to St. Barts" which took place last year June 2013.

PJ7, SINT MAARTEN (Possibly FS)
Jeff, VA3QSL, will be active as PJ7/home- call from Dutch Sint Maarten (NA-105, WLOTA 0711) between February 9-17th. Activity will be holiday style on 80-10 meters using CW and SSB. There may also be some activity from French St. Martin as FS/homecall. QSL to his home callsign, by the Bureau, direct (2 USDs) or LoTW.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (February 3-9th)

 Feb/03rd AN      Feb/06th  AN      Feb/08th  AN
 Feb/04th AN      Feb/07th  AN      Feb/09th  AN
 Feb/05th AN


   SOLAR REFERENCE KEYS/INDEXES AND GEOMAGNETIC REFERENCE
   ======================================================
    NORMALITY               GEOMAG       K Values    Alpha
   -----------------        ------       --------    ------
   AN  - Above Normal       Quiet        K=0-1       0-7
   HN  - High Normal        Unsettled    K=2         8-15
   LN  - Low Normal         Active       K=3         16-29
   BN  - Below Normal       Minor Storm  K=4         30-49
   DIS - Disturbed          Major Storm  K=5         50-99
   VRY DIS - Very Disturbed Severe Storm K=6-9       100-400

  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (January 26th and February 2nd)
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  5P5M via OZ2MLS           HF4HELP via SQ4JEN        OT4A via ON4AEK (L/e)
  8S0DX via SM0DSG (B)      HG5A via HA5KDQ           R2014C via R7AA
  A52JR via PP5VB           HG7T via HA7TM            R2014H via R7AA
  A92AA via IZ8CLM          HG8DX via HA8FT           R2014P via R7AA
  AX3CWB via VK3CWB         HI8/HB9EMR via HB9EMR     R25AFG via UA4AJD
  AX5SFA via VK5SFA         IQ5TT via IZ5DIY          S9TF via IK5CRH
  AX6WX via VK6WX           J79JG via AD8J            SD2014ECC via SM2UVU
  AX7GN via VK7GN & NA5AR   J79VC via SP7VC           SH2014ECC via SM2GSR
  BW/VK2HSL via VK2HSL (d)  KC4AAA via K1IED (d)      SK7DX via SM7DXQ
  CM2CCA via EA7TV          LV6D via EA5KB            SM0T via SM0DZB
  CO2RVA via EA5GL          LX/ON5SE/P via ON5SE      SN7Q via SP7GIQ
  CS2C via OK1RF            LZ9W via LZ1PM            SN9O via SP9KGC
  CW5O via CX2ABC           OD5ZZ via NI5DX (d)       TM200CF via F4DTO
  DA0CA via DC2YY           OK2D via OK2KJT           TM5OTT via F4SGU
  E51CDW via E51CDW         OK5T via OK1VSL           UE70DV via RZ1AWA
  EA5URO via EA5HOX         OK6T via OK-Bureau        VP2ETE via W3HNK
  EA8/PA0PMD via PA0PMD     OK7K via OK1BN            YP0C via YO3CZW
  EX9M via EX8O             OL50OL via OK-Bureau      YR85PE via YR85PE
  FT5ZM via N2OO            OM150JM via OM7AX         ZF2LC via W2SM
  FW5JJ via F5RXL           OM6A via OM3KHE           ZF2LC via W2SM
  HB40VC via HB9DKZ         OM7M via OM3PA            ZF2TA via K8AQM
  HC1/AL4Q via DJ8QP        OM9OT via OM3MB           ZW7REF via PR7ZAJ
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (L) LoTW only

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3D2GC, 3D2GC/p, C21BN, CT3FM, D44AC, FR/DJ7RJ, H40TA, J88HL, JI3DST/6, K9W, P29FR, S21ZBB, S21ZBC, T33A, VE6ITV, VK5CE/4, VR2XMT, XT26D, XZ1Z, Z68BH, Z81X and ZD7FT

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3V8SS, 5B/RZ3DJ, 5B4AIA, 5C5T, 5D7AT, 5H1Z, 5P4MG, 5R8IC, 5R8PR, 5T0SL, 5Z4/DL7UCX, 6V7S, 6W7SK, 6Y5/DL3JH, 7O6T, 7P8YI, 7Q7DFC, 8Q7AU, 8Q7DV, 8Q7TE, 9H3FW, 9H3TR, 9M0L, 9N7CB, 9Q6AL, 9Y4W, AH0BT, CE0ZY, CN2LO, CN2SS, CT8/DG5GS, CT8/ON7LX, D2EV, D3AA, D64K, DV1UD, E51C, E51TLA, EA6/F9IE, EA8/DJ9ZB, EA8/DL2AXA, EA8/DL7ASL, EA8/ISL, EA8/R2DX/P, EJ8GQB, EX8VM, FK8CE, FM/F5UFX, FM5CD, FO5RH, FY/F5HRY, H40FN, H44G, H44MS, HB0/DJ2IA, HB0/DL2JRM, HB0/IN3HUU, HC2/RC5A, HF550, HK0NA, HU2DX, I0SSW, J25DXA, J28RO, J38FR, J6/DL7AFS, JD1BLY, JD1BMH, JW/OZ1AA, KH0R, OX/OZ1LXJ, OY3AA, OY9R, P4/R5GA, P40R, PJ2/DL8AKI, R1ANB, SV9/DF8DX, SV9/DL2RPS/P, T48RRC, T6TL, TC1BW, TC57A, TF/OZ1CX, TK/F5OZF, TK/F6EXV, TK13RNB, TK5MH, TM3B, TO3X, TX5A, TX7M, UK/UA1ZEY, V21ZG, V26M, V5/DJ4SO, V5/DK1CE, V5/DL5XL, VK9NB, VP2MYL, WH0E, XP1A, XP2I, XV7RRC, YB8Y, YB9/DL5CO, YV8AD, YY8CAM, YY8JJM, Z60WW, ZD8W,ZD9T and ZK3N

S9, SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE (Update/Reminder)
By the time you read this, operators Giovanni/IK5BCM, Giuseppe/IK5CBE and Giovanni/IK5CRH will be active as S9TF from Principe Island (AF-044) until February 13th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Suggested frequencies are:

CW - 3505, 7005, 10103, 14005, 18069, 21005, 24910 and 28005 kHz
SSB - 3680, 7140, 14245, 18145, 21305, 24970 and 28505 kHz
RTTY - 3593, 7045, 10133, 14093, 18107, 21093, 24923 and 28095 kHz

TI8, COSTA RICA
Operators Keith/W4KTR, Eddie/K4UN, Bob/W4BW, Lex/W4XO, Carlos/TI2KAC, Juan Carlos/TI2JCY and Mauricio/TI4ZM will be active as TI8M from Costa de Pajaros, during the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 1-2nd) as a Multi-? entry. QSL via TI2KAC, direct preferred but bureau "OK". See QRZ.com for details. Their operations will be on 160-10 meters during the contest. Look for operations outside of the contest (holiday style).

V3, BELIZE
Todd, KC1SQ, is planning on going "sailboat mobile" out of Placencia, Belize, between March 10-18th. He has obtained the local callsign V31SQ. Operations will be low power (100W) with an Icom IC-7000 w/AH-4 tuner into a simple wire going up the mast of their 42 foot sailboat. Operation will all be SSB, and he will likely concentrate on 40/20/15/10m bands. QSLs to his home callsign.

V6, MICRONESIA (IOTA Op)
Yuki, JH1NBN, will be on a business trip and plans to be active from different locations in Micronesia. Look for him to be active from the following between now and February 25th:

Pohnpei Island (OC-010) - Currently active as V6P through February 4th
Aboard a boat - Active as V63AQ/MM between February 4-7th
Woleai Atoll (OC-132) - Callsign V6T; between February 7-15th.
Aboard a boat - Active as V63AQ/MM between February 15-21st.
Pohnpei Island (OC-010) - Active as V63AQ/MM between February 21-25th.

V7, MARSHALL ISLANDS (Update/Postponed)
Bill, N6MW, who was expected to be active as V73MW from the Long Island Hotel on Majuro Atoll (OC-029), Marshall Islands, between February 4-14th, informs OPDX that his operation is being postponed (dates TBA later) "due to a last minute E-mail notice from another operator who says he is doing a very similar but unannounced DXpedition to V7 (February 1-18th), followed by an unsuccessful negotiation for cooperation".

VK9M, MELLISH REEF (Press Release #6) [edited]

"For Immediate Release:
Mellish Reef 2014 -- January 26, 2014 -- Mellish Reef DX-pedition is scheduled for March 28, 2014 to April 9, 2014.

Status: We are on schedule and will soon be on autopilot. Team members booked their travel to Mackay, Australia, local contacts in Mackay are established, as well as suppliers to assist with logistics. Generators were ordered and will ship later in February from Sydney, Australia. One of the biggest logistical challenges will be purchasing 1,400 liters of petrol. The skipper of Evohe, Steve Kafka, agreed to handle the sourcing and take delivery of the petrol removing from the team this task.

Antennas from SteppIR, coax / accessories from DX-Engineering and folding hex beams from foldingantennas.com will be air shipped to Australia in early February from the USA. Another shipment from Hungary is also scheduled for February, some equipment will be hand carried. Joining the antenna lineup is a 4 Square provided by Norbert DJ7JC.

Update to the QSL Policy: We are happy to announce that any individual donating $50(USDs) or more to VK9MT will automatically receive their QSL for all QSOs, free of charge. These donors will not need to request QSL cards or take any action to redeem the QSL. Our QSL manager, Tim Beaumont M0URX, will post the cards to all $50+ donors as soon as the cards are ready, thank you Tim for this wonderful service.

Global Pilot Team: The pilot team will manage all DX community communi- cation between the island team and DXers. Prior to sailing we'll update the web site with process details and e-mail addresses. While on the island we will not be checking personal e-mail accounts. Please direct operational suggestions to the pilot designated for your region.

Fund Raising: Like all DX-peditions to rare and semi-rare DXCC entities, donations are welcomed through vk9mt.com please use the Donate Button on the web site to insure your name is automatically added to the donor list, or by check / money order in US dollars to:

                        Mellish Reef 2014 DX-pedition
                        Gene Spinelli, Treasurer
                        PO Box 189
                        Divide, CO
                        USA 80814

For our friends outside the USA please use PayPal or e-mail for wire transfer instructions: info@vk9mt.com We appreciate the generosity of the foundations, clubs and individuals who have already made a donation or a commitment. At the completion of the DX-pedition a financial summary will be sent to all club / foundation donors.

For additional information please e-mail: info@vk9mt.com And, of course, good luck to the FT5ZM team that is now QRV.
73, Team Mellish 2014"

YB0, INDONESIA
Pri, YB0ECT, from Jakarta, will be active during the CQWW WPX RTTY Contest (February 8-9th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low- Power entry. QSL via W2FB only!

PLEASE NOTICE (as of February 12, 2007), NEW ADDRESS CHANGES FOR THE OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUEST:

Help: opdx-request@barf80.org Subject:help
Subscribe: opdx-request@barf80.org Subject:subscribe
Unsubscribe: opdx-request@barf80.org Subject:unsubscribe

OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME (provided by John, K8YSE (k8yse@papays.com):
http://www.papays.com/opdx.html

ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
http://www.nodxa.org

http://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation