The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1247
BID: $OPDX.1247
January 4, 2016
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, NJ1Q & W1AW, W2GB, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4FC, N6PSE, WB6RSE, NN7A, K8GG, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, DL1SBF, DL2SBY, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, EA1HFI, ES1CW, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, F8DVD, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, JA1XGI, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, Pete Rayer & ISWL, RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, SP6DVP, VA3RJ & ICPO, and VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 27th/December, through Sunday, 3rd/January there were 225 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5B, 5R, 5T, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, CY0, D2, DL, DU, E4, E5/s, E6, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FT/x, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, 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, PJ4, PJ7, PY, PZ, S0, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TL, TR, TT, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2E, VP2M, VP2V, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XW, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, Z8, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZF, 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".

3Z6, POLAND (Special Event)
Look for special event station 3Z6DOBRZEN to be active until January 31st. Activity is to celebrate the 5th anniver- sary of short wave radio activities as part of the Dobrzen Wielki District Cultural Centre. The 3Z6DOBRZEN radio station will be operated by the members of the Piastowski Short Wave Radio Club (SP6PAZ)

5J, SAN ANDRES (Update)
The Polish Team of operators that announced that they would be active from San Luis, San Andres Island (NA-033), in the beginning of March, reported this past week that their callsign will be 5J0P not 5K0P as announced earlier. Operators mentioned are SP2EBG, SP3CYY, SP3GEM, SP6IXF, SP9FOW, SP9RCL, SP9PT and SQ2OFS. Stay tuned for more details.

5W, SAMOA (Update)
Haru, JA1XGI, who was recently active as E51XGI from Rarotonga Islands, will now be active as 5W0XG from Samoa between April 19-25th (not 12-20th as announced earlier). Activity will be on 40-10 meters, including the WARC bands, using mainly CW with some RTTY and PSK. QSL via JA1XGI, direct or by the Bureau. For more details and updates, see:

5Z, KENYA
Rick, M0LEP, continues to be active as 5Z4/M0LEP from a few different locations until January 10th. He is there visiting family and is active on 40-10 meters using mostly SSB. QSL via his home callsign, LoTW, eQSL and ClubLog's OQRS.

6W, SENEGAL (Reminder).
Francis, F6BLP, will once again be active as 6W7SK from Saly Portudal, 80 kms south of Dakar on the coast, between January 3-31st. Activity will be holiday style using the same station as last time (IC-7100, BLA-350, into G5RV antenna and inverted L for 160m) operating mainly CW (some SSB and RTTY) on 160-6 meters. Look for his low band activity during his local sunrise and sunset. QSL via F6BLP, direct or by the Bureau. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW and eQSL. For more details, logs and pictures of his last operation, visit:

6W, SENEGAL
Marcelo, EA1HFI, will be active as 6W/EA1HFI from Ziguinchor between now (January 1st) and March 4th (but may be extended to April or more, depending on his work). Activity will focus on SSB and the Digital modes. For reasons of logistics, it is not possible to install large antennas, so activity will be QRP. His operations will be limited to his free time and weekends. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau. QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW after his return home. You can follow his journey through the social media on Facebook (Marcelo HFI) and Twitter (@EA1HFI).

8J, JAPAN (Special Event)
Japan plays host to the G7 Summit in Ise-Shima, Mie Prefecture, May 26-27th. With the support of Mie Prefecture, the JARL issued the special callsign 8J2SMT. Activity has started on December 25th, and will continue to May 27th. Operation will be on 160m-70cm. QSL will be automatic via the Bureau and there is NO need for your QSL.

C6AMD/MM
This station will operate in Antarctic Seas, CQ Zone 13, from February 16th to March 7th, from the vessel "NG Orion", a vessel flagged in the Bahamas. The station consists of an Elecraft K3/100 and a 53 foot sloping antenna using a 9:1 unun (Balun). The station will be active on CW and SSB on all HF bands with favorable propagation. The operator is Buzz, W3EMD, a passenger on the vessel. QSL via W3EMD, direct or by the Bureau.

E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS
Stephen, VK3SN, will be active as E51JNH from Rarotonga Island (OC-013) during January. Activity will be holiday style using a FT-991 with 100 watts into a Bushcom single wire multi-band dipole on the beach strung up between coconut palms. Operating times will vary according to other activities (snorkeling, swimming, sea kayaking, hiking etc). QSL via his home callsign or eQSL. Visit his Web page at:

E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS (Special Callsign)
Andy, E51AND, will be operating on CW (QRS) from Rarotonga Island (OC-013) using the callsign E5SKCC during January 2016. This is a special event callsign to celebrate ?Straight Key Century Club's (SKCC) 10th anniversary. See QRZ.com for more details. QSL via E51AND, direct or LoTW.

ET, ETHIOPIA
A group of Ukrainian (and possibly Czech) operators will be active as ET7L from the INSA Radio Club in Mekanisa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, sometime this year. More details will be forthcoming later this month. QSL via US0LW.

FG, GUADELOUPE
By the time you read this, Vadym, UT6UD, will be finishing his operation from Grande Terre Island (NA-102) and will be moving onto Basse Terre Island between January 5-10th, as FG/UT6UD. Activity will be on the low bands using CW. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.

IOTA NEWS
AS-130. Herbert, DK2BR, will be active as 3W2BR from Con Son Island (3WFF-0011) in the South China Sea between March 10-26th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters using SSB, RTTY and possibly PSK31. Equipment is an Icom 706 MKIIG into verticals. QSL only direct to his home callsign.

AS-202. Members of Bahrain Amateur Radio Group (BARG) will be active as A91HI from Hawar Island between April 28th and May 1st. QSL via A92AA. Look for more details to be forthcoming.

NA-079. Members of the Mid-Florida DX Association are activating Garden Key (US Island FL013S) as W4FDX. Operators Jim/KG4JSZ and Tony/N2MFT will put grid EL84 on the air during the ARRL January VHF contest. Additionally, this will put the Dry Tortugas National Park (NP17) on the air for the ARRL's National Parks on the Air Event. Here is your chance to get four in one shot: NA-079, FL013S, EL84 and NP17. Multiple stations will be on the air during the whole time. Bands/times will depend on conditions. One station will be on 6 meters during the VHF contest, dependent on band conditions. They will also be calling for Asian stations at different times to give them a chance since they were able to work some while down there in July of 2015. See QRZ.com and http://www.w4fdx.com for QSL info and updates.

NA-091. Mikhail "Mike", VE7ACN, will be active as VE7ACN/7 from Bowen Island between January 21-24th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters (depending on the propagation) with wire antennas and possibly some power, 100w in the worst case scenario. QSL via OQRS (preferred), direct or bureau to VE7ACN.

ISWL CALLSIGNS (For January)
The following ISWL club callsigns will be used throughout the month of January 2016:

GX4BJC/A - Operated from Lambourn, in Berkshire, by John, G0GWK. (/A WAB Square SU37 - England, IOTA EU-005, WLOTA 1841).

MX1SWL/A - Operated from Great Sutton, in Cheshire, by Geoff, M0BAU. (/A WAB Square SJ37 - England, IOTA EU-005, WLOTA 1841).

K5P PALMYRA DXPEDITION REMINDER
Just an early reminder that 9 operators will be active as K5P from Palmyra Atoll, South Pacific, between January 12-25th. Check the K5P Palmyra2016 Web page for updates, propagation predictions and the donation page, at:

P5/3Z9DX, NORTH KOREA
Several sources are now reporting that Dom, who previously announced plans for a January or February operation from P5, has changed plans. His next operation will be from a new location and will likely not take place until the end of summer 2016.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (January 4-10th)

 Jan/04th HN      Jan/07th  HN     Jan/09th  AN
 Jan/05th AN      Jan/08th  HN     Jan/10th  LN
 Jan/06th LN


   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 AND NEWS

  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (January 3rd) www.qslinfo.eu
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3Z6DOBRZEN via SP6PAZ   EI1916E via EI3GC           OE/HB9TZA via HB9TZA
  5P1KZX via OZ1KZX       HB0/IZ3GNG/P via IZ3GNG     OG25YL via OH2YL
  5Z90IARU via 5Z4NU   HB0/OH2LZC via OH2LZC (e/L) OZ/DK2RMP/P via DK2RMP (d/e)
  DF90KWTJ via DL2APJ     HB0/OH6EDY via HB9EDY       P49X via W0YK
  DL/OT6V/P via ON6VI     HB0IARU via EA5IDQ          PA50DRAA via PE2AE
  DP65HSC via DL6LBI      HB9/OH2LZC via OH2LZC (e/L) PI25COM via PA3CAL
  DU1/DL6NCL via DL6NCL   J43TR via SV3DCX            SN90LKK via SP1PMY
  EA6/SP7VC via SP7VC     JV150ITU via JT1CD          UK8ICM via RW6HS (d)
  EA8/F4HHL/P via F5KKD   LZ1012SGM via LZ1KCP        V25LK via OM3AG
  EA8/IK1PMR via HB9FKK   LZ112RAEM via LZ1CF         VK2/F9IE via F9IE
  EG1CWO via M0OXO        LZ4A via LZ1YQ (d)          YJ4AO via DL7VOA
  EG4CWO via EG4CWO (L)   NP2X via K5WW       Z21LS via DE1ZHB (B) & 7Z1HB (d)
  EG8CWO via EA8RM        OE/HB9BIN/P via HB9BIN      ZW7WLA via PU7LAN
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (*-B) DX's- Bureau
    (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (L) LoTW only

OLD QSL COLLECTION (Update). Jean Michel, F6AJA, wants to remind everyone to visit the Les Nouvelles DX (LNDX) Web page to see more than 13000 old QSL cards in several different albums/galleries. This site contains:

- The ten most wanted DXCC entities (2004 to 2014) with more than 400 QSLs
- At least one card for each 60 deleted DXCC countries (more than 1600+ QSLs)
- Nearest the totality of current prefixes, disappeared now (more than 4600+ QSLs)
- Album for stations from North Africa 1945-1962 (400+ QSLs)
- More than 900 QSLs from the Antarctic bases.
- With 270 QSLs from the TAAF (Terres Australes and Antarctiques Francaises).
- More than 450 QSLs for the rare French Pacific Islands such as FK, FK/C, FO/C, FO/A, FO/M, FO/C and FW
- More than 100 cards from Eparses Islands such as FR/B/E/G/J/T
- The FG, FM, FP, FS, FY stations from 1945 to 1969
- Commemoratives stations for ITU and IARU with more than 400 QSL.
- More than 2100 cards for the old timer with more than 150 countries before 1945.
- Cards from the French Department before 1945.
- At least one card from each of the states in the U.S. before 1945.

S79KB QSOS PIRATED. Kasimir, DL2SBY, informs OPDX that he has been receiving many QSL cards for 2014 S79KB operation which were not listed in his log. He states [edited], "On October 13th, 2014, I was QRV on 10m SSB until 13:20 GMT and after many of the European OM's started to call like crazy (chaos) I decided to switch to RTTY. I announced this as well on the frequency. Meanwhile, somebody started operating under my (S79KB) callsign continued to make QSOs for about an hour. You can see it on the DX-Cluster (spots) that there were QSOs on at the same time for SSB and RTTY. So ALL QSOs from October 13th, 2014, from 13:20 pm - 14:30 pm on SSB are NOT valid. Please do not send me any QSL's for this time / mode. All OQRS, direct and Bureau QSL requests have been answered.

QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: CT1FIU, CX2AQ, CX/W1UE, DL4MDJ, DU1ST, JE1RZL, JI1AVY, JJ2LPV, KH6BB, OK1DDY, OK2MK, R3PW, RK2A, RV3KS, SV2ASP/A, UA0FO, VE6CMV, XE2OK, YL2UI and YO9HP

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3B8/DJ7RJ (AF-049), 3W4VE (AS-128), 3XY5M, 4U70UN, 4W/JA8BMK, 5Z4HW, CT9/DJ8OG, E51XGI, HZ1FI, J6/K9AW, JW/OX5M, PJ6/OH1VR, PX8K, T2GC, T32DX, TX3X, VK9WA, XX9TIH and Z21MG

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3G0ZC, 5W0AG, 6Y5X, 9H1AQ, 9H1JQ, 9H1SP, 9H4RH, 9H5DX, 9H5GG, 9H5NE,AH0BT, D44EE, E6GG, FO/KH0PR, FY/F5UII/P, HB0/HA4XG, HD2M, HF110RAEM, HP1/IQ6CC, HZ1TT, J28NC, JD1BMH, JR2IOB, KH0/NH2B, PJ5/OL8R, S21ZBB, S9MX, SW8WW, TC2C, TI2SD, TK/SP7VC, TS8TI, TX3A, TY1KS, V60, V63CX, VK9XSP, VP2MPG, XP2I, XR0ZR, YB1UUN, YJ0X, YJ0ZS, YN5Z, ZA/OU2I, ZK3E, ZL1BGS, ZL1BYZ, ZL1KEN, ZL1MRC, ZL1NZ, ZL1PPY, ZL2AL, ZL2AP, ZL2ACG, ZL2AGY, ZL2AIM, ZL2ARV, ZL2BAQ, ZL2IFB, ZL2JU, ZL3IO, ZL3LF and ZL7E

TM13, FRANCE (Special Event)
Look for special event station TM13AAW to be on the air in February 2016. Activity is to celebrate the 13th Antarctic Activity Week (AAW). Operation will be made by François, F8DVD, from his Mâcon QTH in the eastern part of France, 60 km North of Lyon. The new reference for WAP program is 265. Operations will be on 40-10 meters, mostly SSB. QSL via F8DVD, direct (SAE + 1 new IRC or 2 USD) or by the Bureau. For more information, see http://www.qrz.com/db/TM13AAW or contact François at: a.pole@laposte.net

TY1, BENIN
Pierre, ON7CIP, has been active as TY1AI from Benin. Activity will only last until January 5th. Operations will be on 20/15 meters SSB only using an Icom IC-7000 transceiver into a dipole antenna. QSL via his home callsign.

TYPO IN OPDX.1246
In last week's bulletin OPDX.1246 there was a typo under "TN4, TUNISIA." which should have read "TS4, TUNISIA."

V3, BELIZE
Art, NN7A, will be active as V31JZ/p from South Water Caye, Belize (NA-180) between February 4-11th. This will be a one-person operation using a 100 watt transceiver and wire antennas. Operation will be mostly CW on 160-10 meters including 30/17/12m bands. No online logs. QSL direct via NN7A (Art Phillips, P.O. Box 73, Eckert, CO 81418 USA), or via the ARRL Bureau. Bureau cards sent to Belize cannot be answered (there is no active V3 bureau).

V6, MICRONESIA
Sho, JA7HMZ, will once again be active as V63DX from Pohnpei Island (OC-010) between February 19-24th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters, all modes and including the ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 20-21sth) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry signing V6A. He will be looking for European stations on 160m before and after the contest. QSL via his home callsign. No Bureau QSLs.

VK, AUSTRALIA (IOTA Ops)
Bernard, F9IE, is currently active as VK2/F9IE from Australia. He is expected to go to the Coral Barrier (VK4) early in January. He is scheduled to activate Lady Eliott Island (OC-142) between January 13-16th, and Whitsunday Island (OC-160) between January 17-19th. Bernard will head back to Canberra (VK1) before going onto New Caledonia (FK) between January 30th and February 11th. He will go back to Sydney, between February 14-15th, before going back to France. QSL via his home callsign.

VK9N, NORFOLK ISLAND
Doug, VK4ADC, will be active as VK9NU from Norfolk Island (OC-005) for 9 days on a holiday trip starting April 23rd. It will not be a true DXpedition, so operating times may be sporadic. Equipment will be an Icom IC-7000 (100w) plus a LDG auto-tuner and switch-mode power supply. Antenna will be either a multi-band dipole / inverted V covering 80/40/20/15/10 (and possibly 60m) or a vertical wire. QSLs should be sent direct to his home address (a couple of green stamps should be included for the return card) or via the VK Bureau with VK4ADC clearly marked on the card. Details will be updated on www.vk9nu.net closer to the time of operation, and the log will be put up afterward as internet access is unlikely during the trip itself.

VP8SGI/VP8STI DXPEDITION NEWS (Press Release from the Intrepid-DX Group VP8STI/VP8SGI Team
Paul, N6PSE, sent out the following on December 31st [edited]:
Greetings from the Intrepid DX Group VP8STI/VP8SGI Team -- We are pleased to report that the R/V Braveheart has arrived in Stanley, the Falkland Islands and is making preparations for the arrival of the VP8STI/VP8SGI team. The Braveheart is taking on 90,000 liters of fuel and enough provisions for their 36 day voyage with the Intrepid VP8 team.

At 59 degrees South, Southern Thule in the South Sandwich chain of islands is closer to the Antarctic Circle than either Heard Island (53 degrees) or Bouvet Island (54 degrees) The climate will be cold and harsh with strong winds. Current weather in Southern Thule is -2 degrees C with moderate winds. After camping in tents on Southern Thule for ten days, our team will voyage to South Georgia Island and set up camp for an additional ten days.

Our goals are to operate fast and efficiently and to provide as many all-time new contacts with these rare entities. We will make the extra effort to work the most remote and difficult regions.

All of our plans are going very well. We have raised 74% of the funds needed to complete our Dxpedition. We are very grateful for all Foundation, Club and Individual support.

We have updated our QSL page and OQRS will be live as soon as we complete each activation. We will make every effort to upload our logs to Clublog each day. We expect to have challenges in doing so as at 59 degrees South, Southern Thule Island is outside of the Inmarsat BGAN coverage footprint.

We are very excited to be activating the #3 and #8 most wanted DXCC entities on a combined trip. You can view all details of our Dxpedition at:

Please watch for updates and announcements in The Daily DX, DX-World, DX Coffee and DX News. [as well as the OPDX]

Thank you, and Happy New Year!
Paul N6PSE, Co-Leader, VP8 Team

XW, LAOS
Bruce, 3W3B (HS0ZCY/XU7ADF/XW1B/AA4XR), who lives in Da Nang, is once again active as XW4XR from Vientiane until mid-January. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using only CW and RTTY. QSL via E21EIC and LoTW.

YJ, VANUATU (Reminder)
Daniel, VK4AFU, is now active as YJ0AFU from Port Vila, Efate Island (OC-035, WLOTA 1051), until January 10th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using JT65, JT9, RTTY, CW, SSB and some WSPR. Look for him on 6m using JT65 on 50090 kHz and CW/SSB on 50160 kHz +5 kHz. QSL via LoTW or NA5U direct. LoTW uploads will be done when he returns home. Check QRZ.com for updates.

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OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME (provided by John, K8YSE (k8yse@papays.com):
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ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
http://www.nodxa.org
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