The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1248
BID: $OPDX.1248
January 11, 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, Sharon Taratula, K1XN & GoList, N2OO, K3LR, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, N6PSE, WB6RSE, K8GG, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, K9EL, W0GJ, C31US, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DL7VOA, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, ES1CW, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, JJ2QXI, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, PS7AB, RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, VA3RJ & ICPO, VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) and YT3W for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 3rd/January, through Sunday, 10th/January there were 224 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5R, 5T, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, CY0, D2, D4, DL, DU, E4, E5/s, E6, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FK, FM, FO, 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, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, 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, PJ4, PJ5, PY, PZ, S0, S5, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, YA, YB, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZD8, ZF, ZL, ZL7, ZL9, 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".

2015 DX SOUND BITES!
Tom, K8CX, has done it again. He has provided DXers with 122 memorable rare DX sound clips (now in MP3 format) from 2015. Visit Tom's famous "HAM GALLERY" Web site at: http://hamgallery.com/dx2015 While there also check out some of the other features on his Web page, such as: 18 years of "Rare DX Sound Clips" of the past (as well as some clips from the 1960's and 1970's), QSL Card Museum, Dayton Photo Galleries and Tribute to Silent Key Ham Operators. Tom states, "If anyone has any old HF recordings, I would be interested in hearing from them." (especially sound clips pre-1998 to add to the site) His E-mail address is:

3B8, MAURITIUS
Jean-Paul, HB9ARY, will once again be active as 3B8HC from Mauritius (AF-049) between January 23rd and February 8th. Activity will be holiday style on 80-6 meters (focus on 80m), using mainly SSB, but with some slow CW. Jean-Paul will use an Elevated Delta-Loop for 80-30 meters along with his folded HexBeam for 20/17/15/12/10/6 meters. QSL via NI5DX direct.

4V, HAITI (Special Event)
Members of the Radio Club D'Haïti will be active as 4V1TL from Port-au-Prince, Haiti (NA-096), until April 30th. Activity is to celebrate the 213th anniversary of the death of General Toussaint Louverture -- The Slave Who Defeated Napoleon. He was arrested and sent to France where he was jailed at Fort de Joux (25) and died on April 7, 1803; a few months before the proclamation of Haiti's independence on the 1st of January 1804. QSL via W3HNK.

5J, SAN ANDRES (Update)
The Polish Team of operators announced that they would be active as 5J0P from San Luis, San Andres Island (NA-033), between March 6-21st. Operators mentioned are Bob/SP2EBG, Jan/SP3CYY, Jurek/SP3GEM, Janusz/SP6IXF, Roman/SP9FOW, Piotr/SP9RCL, Woj/SP9PT (Team Leader) and Janusz/SQ2OFS. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Suggested frequencies are:
CW - 1822.5, 3515, 7015, 10115, 14015, 18075, 21015, 24895 and 28015 kHz
SSB - 1845, 3795, 7085/7155, 14273, 18135, 21273, 24965 and 28485 kHz
RTTY - 3585, 7045, 10139, 14085, 18103, 21085, 24915 and 28085 kHz
6m - 50105/CW and 50115/SSB -- 6m Tips available on their Web page

They mention that they don’t collect QSL cards, so they strongly recommend using the Clublog's OQRS tools for Bureau and direct requests. It makes their work faster and more efficient and allows them to save your money. The OQRS system for Bureau and direct requests will be activated at the end of the DXpedition. All QSOs will be uploaded into Clublog on a daily basis during the DXpedition. For LoTW, the complete logs will be uploaded within 6-7 months after the DXpedition. Any questions or claims concerning possible log mistakes should be sent to this E-mail address: 5j0p@wp.pl Please do not send an E-mail until the end of the operation. After the DXpedition is over, your QSO will be checked carefully against the original log by their QSL manager. If you prefer traditional QSL routing (not recom- mended), please send your QSL via the Bureau or direct to their QSL Manager SP6IXF: Mr. JANUSZ SZYMANSKI, P.O.Box 1808, 50-385 Wroclaw 46, POLAND. Direct requests should contain a self-addressed envelope (SAE) and suf- ficient funds to cover the postage fee (3 USDs or IRCs, extra donations are welcome) otherwise the QSL will be returned via the Bureau. For more details, updates, and donate funds, see:

5V, TOGO
Wim, ON6DX, will once again be active as 5V7TH from Agbodrafo, a town in southern Togo, between February 10-22nd (approx.). His exact dates have not yet been confirmed. Wim will arrive in Lomé, the capital of Togo, on February 9th. He states that this will be a one operator DX- pedition. Activity will take place during his local mornings and evenings as much as possible. Operation will be on 40-6 meters, including 30/17/12 meters) using CW, SSB and RTTY. Suggested frequencies are available on the Web page. For more details and updates, see:

5Z, KENYA
George, WF3U, is expected to be active as 5Z4/WF3U from Nairobi until February 29th. Bands and modes of activity were not provided. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau, LoTW or eQSL.

5Z, KENYA
Bertrand, DF3FS, will once again be active as 5Z4/DF3FS from Diani Beach (40km south of Mombasa) from between January 23rd and February 7th. Activity will be holiday style on the HF bands using CW and SSB, with a focus on NA. Antennas will be a SP7IDX Hexbeam for 20-10m and a 30m vertical. He will also have an amp. QSL via DF3FS, direct (see details on Web page) or by the Bureau. He has a Web page at:

60M NEWS (Andorra C3 Status)
Joan Saurí, C31US, President de URA, informs OPDX: After reading the notes published by Salvador, C31CT, in this bulletin about 60 meters band in Andorra, the Unio de Radioaficionats Andorrans, URA, wants to clarify -- 60 meters band authorization in Andorra C3 was temporary up to the end of the WRC on November, 2015. During first days of December, URA requested to C3 PTT that new band segment were granted again in a pro- visional way for 2016 and definitive from January 1, 2017, following the directives of the final resolution of the above mentioned band in the WRC, and in conformity with the IARU R1.

7P, LESOTHO (Update)
Members of F6KOP Amateur Radio Club announced that they will be active as 7P8C from the Maseru District in Lesotho between February 8-17th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY, with 5 stations on the air. More details will be forthcoming a well as a Web page.

8P, BARBADOS
Willy, KB8YRX, will be active as 8P9CA from Barbados (NA-021) between January 16th and February 4th. Activity will be on 20-10 meters using SSB. QSL via KB8YRX and LoTW.

9H, MALTA (Op Wrap-up)
Mack, JJ2QXI/K2QXI, was active as 9H3XI from Republic of Malta during his family holiday around the end of 2015. Activity was entirely holiday style, spare time operation and only 100 watts + L.W. and resulted in about 700 QSOs in the log. QSL route is via JJ2QXI, but please see details at QRZ.com for the information about an on-line log search and OQRS for Bureau replies.

C2, NAURU
Darren, VK4FEAT, has been active as C21DA from Nauru Atoll (OC-031) as of January 7th. Length of stay is not known. Activity will be holiday style on 40/15/10 meters SSB. QSL via VK4FEAT.

C6, BAHAMAS
Operators Bob/N4BP (C6AKQ), Chris/NX4N (C6AWW) and Martin/K1FQL (C6AQL) will operate from Freeport, Bahamas, during the ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 20-21st). QSL C6AKQ via direct only to N4BP (No Bureau). QSL C6AWW via LoTW or direct only to NX4N. QSL C6AQL via LoTW only.

C6, BAHAMAS
Pete, VE3IKV, will once again be active as C6AUX from the Baycaner Beach Resort at Pirate's Well on Mayaguana Island (NA-113) in the far southern Bahamas Islands (Grid FL32) between June 23rd and July 8th. Activity will be on 6 meters (possibly some HF) using CW and SSB. This will be the same set-up as at TF/VE3IKV using 100w and a 8 element yagi. QSL direct via VE3IKV direct.

CB1, CHILE
Members of the Antofagasta Contest Group will be active as CB1H during the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 5-6th) as a Multi-? entry. QSL via CE1DY.

DAYTON HAMVENTION NEWS
* SWODXA DAYTON DX DINNER. The SouthWest Ohio DX Association (SWODXA) is pleased to announce that we will again sponsor the DX Dinner, held in conjunction with the 2016 Dayton Hamvention. This, our 31st annual dinner, will be on Friday, May 20th, 2016, at the Dayton Marriott, 1414 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, OH 45409.

Among other great prizes, Yaesu has generously donated an FT DX-3000 to the DX Dinner and an FT DX1200 to the DX forum!

There will be a cash bar starting at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 7:00. Following the meal, there will be a separate room and cash bar available for more fellowship. This is an excellent opportunity to meet new hams and to renew old acquaintances as well as to learn about past DXpeditions and those in the planning stages. Bring your QSL cards to place on our QSL board!

The Marriott is very accommodating to a group our size. The dining room is on the ground floor so there are no steps, the dining room is very large, and there is ample free, on-site parking.

This dinner is always well attended by some of the most avid DXers in the world. The 2015 dinner had over 410 attendees! As in the past, there will be some major door prizes, and there is always great antic- ipation as to who will be named the "DXpedition of the Year".

We are already getting queries regarding tickets and we have started accepting ticket requests! To accommodate the group requests we had last year, we will be offering the purchase of tables (10 seats) at a discount!

Details and dinner reservation information can be found on the SWODXA Events website www.swodxaevents.org. From there, click on the "Purchase Tickets Today!" banner. We prefer Paypal, but, you can also print the reservation form and submit it with your personal check or money order.

Program details and a list of the prizes will be on the website as they become available and updates will be sent out regularly via Twitter. Follow us on Twitter - @SWODXA

* 24th ANNUAL DAYTON CONTEST DINNER.
The North Coast Contesters are proud to announce: The 24th Annual Dayton Contest Dinner at the Crowne Plaza -- 2016 Contest Dinner tickets are on sale now exclusively via our web site.

Thanks to Scott, KA9FOX and QTH.com for designing, building, donating and running the Contest Dinner web site: http://contestdinner.com

Master of Ceremonies for the Dayton Contest Dinner is Contest Hall of Fame member and World Wide Radio Operators Foundation (WWROF) Chairman, John Dorr, K1AR.

Our featured speaker will be announced later. Watch Contest Dinner website for the announcement.

The 2016 Contest Hall of Fame inductees will be announced during the Contest Dinner.

The Contest Dinner will be held on Saturday night, May 21, 2016 at 6:30PM. Cash bar opens at 5:30 PM.

Located at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (Official Contester Hotel) 5th and Jefferson Streets (Next to the Dayton Convention Center) Dayton (Down- town), Ohio in the PRESIDENTIAL BALLROOM on the second floor.

Seating is random. Tables are set in rounds of 10. You can purchase an entire table for your group (purchased group tables are set for 8).

Tickets are only available on: http://contestdinner.com

There are no tickets for sale at the door.
The 28th annual Contest Super Suite (all FOUR nights during Dayton) details are here: http://contestsupersuite.com

And the 10th Annual Dayton Contest University seats are filling up fast: http://contestuniversity.com

Top Band Dinner tickets will soon be available at: http://topbanddinner.com

We expect another sold out event for the Dayton Contest dinner.
Get your tickets early! http://contestdinner.com

73! Tim K3LR
Dayton Contest Dinner Chairman
President, North Coast Contesters

DX MARATHON (Submission Reminder)
John, K9EL, DX Marathon Manager, reports: Reminder! The submission deadline for CQ's annual DX Marathon is January 10th at 2359z.

The Marathon is a wonderful opportunity to check your skills at working as many countries and zones each year. Many plaques and certificates are available. Individual band and mode awards are available. Submission is easy, especially if you have an ADIF file from your logging software. Simply import your ADIF file into the software and it will create your submission form directly which can then be emailed.

Full details on the DX Marathon are available at www.dxmarathon.com and the ADIF to DX Marathon conversion program can be found at:

DXCC APPROVED OPERATIONS
Sharon Taratula, ARRL Awards Branch Manager, reports that the following operations are approved for DXCC credit:
3B7FA - 2015 Operation
D2FJZ - 2012 and 2015 Operations
TN/CT1FJZ - 2015 Operation

FS, ST. MARTIN
David, F8AAN, will be active as FS/F8AAN from St Martin Island (NA-105) between February 10-26th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters using CW only. He normally uses a FT-897 into a portable antenna. QSL via his home callsign, direct, LoTW, ClubLog and eQSL.

FT4X, KERGUELEN ISLANDS (Update)
Nicolas, F4EGX, continues to be active as FT4XU from a scientific mission at Ratmanoff, 30km northeast of Port- aux-Français, on Kerguelen Island until January 15th. Activity has been on 20 meters SSB (mostly on 14330 kHz and other frequencies) between 1500-1900z. QSL via F1ULQ.

KG4, GUANTANAMO BAY
Operators Bill/W4WV and Al/W6HGF will be active as KG4WV and KG4HF, respectively, from GITMO between February 20th and March 6th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters (possibly 6m) using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Al is planning to operate in the ARRL CW Contest (February 20-22nd) and a RTTY Contest the following week. QSL KG4HF via W6HGF, LoTW or ClubLog OQRS. NO STAMPS or IRCs. Al will try to upload to LoTW and OQRS daily. QSL KG4WV via W4WV. NO LoTW.
LAST MINUTE ADDED NOTE: According to "Daily DX", operators Talley/W4TVG (KG4EU), Ed/KK4PHP (KG4HP) [also Al's son], and Barry/K5VIP (KG4BP) will be joining them next month.

IOTA NEWS
AS-202. (Update) Members of Bahrain Amateur Radio Group (BARG) will be active as A91HI from Hawar Island between April 28th and May 1st. This is a first time activation. Operators mentioned are Fawaz/A92AA (Team Leader), Ahmed/7Z1OO, Khalid/A41OO, Obaid/A61DJ, Ely/A93LT, Jeremy/EI5GM, David/EI9FBB, and Col/ MM0NDX. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY, with four stations running simultaneously. QSL via A92AA, ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW. For more details, see:

EU-055. Hans, DK3PZ, will be active as LA/DK3PZ from Rennesoy Island between June 11-18th. Activity will be holiday style on the HF bands. QSL via eQSL and/or by the Bureau to his home callsign.

EU-092. Jim, MM0BQI, will be active as MM0BQI/p from Tanera Mor (IOSA SC10, SCOTIA CN32), Summer Isles, during July. Activity will include an entry in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 30-31st) using his contest callsign GM1J. QSL both callsigns via MM0BQI, direct, by the Bureau and LoTW.

NA-085. Bruce, K5TEN, will once again be active from Dog Island between May 14-21st. Activity will be on 80-6 meters using CW, SSB and possibly RTTY, PSK31 and JT65A. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau. NO eQSL or LoTW.

OC-063. (Update) Ulli, DL2AH, has announced that prior to his VP6AH Pitcairn Island DXpedition (see OPDX.1241), he will be active as TX2AH from Mangareva/Gambier Islands between August 17-28th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters using SSB and the Digital modes, 100w + Triple Leg or Windom antennas. QSL via his home callsign direct only.

OC-142. Operators Andrew/VK4NM and Peter/VK4LAT will once again be active as VK4NM/p from Fraser Island (VKFF- 216) starting January 29th for 3 days. Activity will be on 80-10 meters. QSL via M0OXO.

SA-031. Dagoberto, CE5COX will be active from Cape Horn Island and lighthouse (CHI-006, WLOTA LH2320) using the two different callsigns as listed below:
XR400CH - Special activation for the "Anniversary of the Discovery of Cape Horn (1616-2016)" between January 29-31st. QSL via CE3AA.

XR400JA - Activation Cape Horn Island and Lighthouse between February 1-6th. QSL via CE5JA.

Activity for both operations will be on 40/20/10 meters using SSB and RTTY. PLEASE NOTE that each operation has a different QSL route.

SA-071. (Update) Operators Murilo/PY2DS, Joao Paulo/PU2POP and William/ PU2XIZ will be active as ZY2QG from Queimada Grande Island [Snake Island] (DIB SP-17 [NEW!]) and lighthouse (DFB SP-11, ARLHS BRA-086, WLOTA 0242) between 1400z, January 12th and 1800z, January 13th (depending on the WX for a good landing). Operation was delayed last time due to sea and weather con- ditions. This operation is labeled as the "deadliest island in the world" because of snakes. Activity will be on 40/20/15/10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via PY2DS, (direct & 2 USDs+SAE) or by the Bureau. See QRZ.com for more details and updates.

K5P PALMYRA DXPEDITION
Look for 9 operators to be active as K5P from Palmyra Atoll, South Pacific, this week between January 12-25th. They will have five stations, with activity on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Check the K5P Palmyra2016 Web page for updates, propagation predictions and the donation page, at:

NCDXF NEWS (Press Release, Dated January 5th)
NCDXF Board Elects Kevin Rowett, K6TD, as Director -- The Northern California DX Foundation is pleased to announce that at its January 3, 2016, meeting Kevin Rowett, K6TD, was unanimously elected as a Director.

Mr. Rowett was first licensed on 1970 and holds an Extra Class license. He has served as Co-Chair of the International DX Convention at Visalia for 2009, 2013 and 2015, Director of the Northern California Contest Club 2009-2012, and California QSO Party Director 2005-2007 and 2015. Mr. Rowett is a key member of the NCDXF Beacon Project team and is a Life Member of ARRL and a member of the Northern California DX Club. He was a member of the K4M Wake Island DXpedition in 2009, the C82DX Mozambique DXpedition in 2013 and the recently-concluded TX3X Chester- field Island DXpedition last year. Professionally, Mr. Rowett has 35 years of electronic design and management experience for various Silicon Valley companies.

Since its founding in 1972, NCDXF has become the premier DX foundation in the world and has funded major DXpeditions to many Most Wanted Entities. In many cases, the NCDXF grant has made possible the successful activation of these rare entities. NCDXF is supported by amateurs around the world who believe in our mission of supporting DXpeditions to rare entities. The credit for the grants made by NCDXF goes to the NCDXF contributors, individuals and clubs who make our grants possible. The upcoming Palmyra Atoll, South Sandwich/South Georgia, Heard Island and Juan de Nova DX- peditions are recipients of major contributions. Have you contributed yet?

73 Glenn Johnson, W0GJ
NCDXF Vice President
http://www.ncdxf.org

NEW OFFICERS FOR 2016
Bob Schenck, N2OO, reports that the South Jersey DX Association elected the following new officers for 2016:
President - Bob Schenck, N2OO
Vice President - Chuck Weber, W2CCW
Secretary - Steve Molo, KI4KWR
Treasurer - Bob Pantazes, W2ARP

A special TNX to Arnie Oberson, W2OB, who is stepping down after being our Secretary since 2004. TNX ARNIE!

SJDXA is preparing for the upcoming VP8 QSL project. Special traveling mercies to the team as they get ready to head to Stanley to board the Braveheart and sail south. See ya' in the Pileups! 73, Bob N2OO

P4, ARUBA
John, W2GD, will be active as P40W from Aruba (SA-036) during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 20-21st) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. He will be there between February 15-22nd. Operations outside of the contest are usually on 160/80m and 30/17/12 meters as time permits. Watch 160m on the hour and 80m on the half hour. QSL via LoTW or direct to N2MM, Bureau cards are no longer accepted. Logs will be loaded on LoTW upon his return to the USA.

PJ2, CURACAO
\Sascha, DH6TJ, is now active as PJ2/DH6TJ from Curacao (SA-099) until February 15th. Activity will be limited (in between scuba diving) on the HF bands using SSB, with a (TRX) SDR Zeus ZS-1, (PA) HLA-300V Plus into ZS6BKW + 15m vert. Dipole. QSL via his home callsign direct only or LoTW.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (January 11-17th)

 Jan/11th HN      Jan/14th  AN     Jan/16th  DIS
 Jan/12th AN      Jan/15th  HN     Jan/17th  BN
 Jan/13th 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

PY0F, FERNANDO DE NORONHA
By the time you read this, Vinicius, PU4VLT, will be active as PY0F/PU4VLT from Fernando de Noronha Island (SA-003) until January 15th. Activity will be on 15/12/10 meters using mainly JT65 and PSK, possibly SSB. QSL via LoTW, eQSL or direct to his home callsign.

QSL INFO AND NEWS

  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (January 10th) 
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3Z16HNY via SP6IEQ       EG5CWO via EA5KA     NP3A via WD8CW
  4S7ULG via UY5ZZ         EM10UFF via UR7UT    OG55W via OH2OT (B/d/L)
  4X/E70A via K2PF or E77E EN90US via UR7UT     R16LEV via R9XC
  4Z/3Z9DX via 3Z9DX       EO90WE via US5WE     R70RAA via UA3RF
  6W6/WA3DX via WA3DX (d)  FG/UT6UD via UT6UD   T88UW via JH7IPR
  7P8VR via DD0VR          II0IEM via IQ0RM     T8CW via JA0FOX (B)
  8P2K via KU9C            IO0LOVE via IQ0TE    TC5OCK via TA5FA
  9A50CBM via 9A1CBM       K3M via N3YIM (d)    TC73TESLA via (L/e)
  CT1/DJ7PR via DJ7PR      KL7SB via NI5DX (d)  UR2Y via US0YW
  DG500BIER via DL8NBM     KP4/K6DTT via K6DTT  ZW400BEL via PY8WW
  DL0IR via DG5MLA         LX8RTTY via LX1DA
  DR200MIB via DL6RCG      LX95J via (LX-B)
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (*-B) DX's- Bureau
    (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (L) LoTW only

7QAA QSLS. Tony, W4FOA, states, "Sadly, I am still receiving quite a number of QSLs for the 2015 7QAA operation. The QSL route for 7QAA is via N7RO. Direct cards received with SAE and postage are being returned to sender with forwarding instructions. QSLs received via the bureau for 7QAA but sent to me are placed in the round file."

QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 4A90IARU, 4O3A, A92AA, BG2AUE, C31KC, CT3MD, CX2DK, DL5AXX, EA1VT, EI1916E, EV90IARU, F5BZB, F5IN, HB9TOC, HZ1TT, JM4MGM, R3PW, RK2A, T88RY, UA9CGL, VE9CB, XE1H, YO9HP and ZL3TE

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 5Z4HW, D4D, J3/KO8SCA, SV2ASP/A, T2GC, TX3X (OC-0176), VK5MAV/8 (OC-229), VK9WA and YB8RW/p (OC-272)

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 4X/R1CC, 5H3EE, 9Y4/DL1QQ, CO88ZZ, CR2T, CT9/DF2ZS, CU2AF, EA8/DJ9BN, FO0PT, FS/LY2IJ, H40FN, HB0/DL4AAE/P, HB0/DL3TU/P, HB0/HB9AON, HK1/CO8ZZ, IT9/LY5W, J8/LY2IJ, JW/DJ4MF, JW/LY2KW, LY49BC, LY50BC, MD/DL9BBE, PP1CZ, PP70FEB, PQ5M, PQ0T, PR2O, PR70FEB, PS5F, PS7AB, PS8RV, PT9ZE, PT70FEB, PU2NOL, PV2P, PV70FEB, PW2P, PW70FEB, PX2W, PY1FC, PY2AA, PY3PA, PY7IQ, PY9MM, T30PY, T30SIX, TO2FH, V5/DM4TK, VK9DLX/LH, VP5/PY2WAS, ZD8D, ZV2C, ZX2F and ZZ461SP

SILENT KEY (SK)
It has been reported that Gojko Mitrovic, 4O1A (ex-YU6AO), became a Silent Key (SK) at the age of 54 years on December 31st. His friends state, "Electronics and communication were his way of life". He formed one of the first free radio stations in Yugoslavia and the first in Montenegro called Radio Elmag. He was a member of Radio Club Podgorica (YU6BLM) and became known for it signing YU6AO. VHF and ARDF were his specialty. He was a representative of Amateur Radio Union of Yugoslavi in ARDF Committee IARU R1. He achieved a lot in life and in amateur radio. Many will sorely miss him. OPDX and its readers would like to send out our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of 4O1A.

SV, GREECE (IOTA Op)
Tommy, VK2IR, will be traveling the Greek Islands between August 2nd and September 7th, and will be active as SV0XBF/8. He states that this will be a backpack holiday style DXpedition. Greek Islands mentioned are Lesvos Island (EU -049), Evia Island (EU-060), Paros Island (EU-067), Naxos Island (EU-067), Antiparos Island (EU-067) and the Greek mainland. QSL via VK2IR.

T8 PALAU
Kiyoshi, JA0EKI, will once again be active as T88XH from the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009) between March 9-15th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via JA0EKI. For more details about the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room), see:

VK0EK HEARD ISLAND NEWS (QSL Manager Announced)
In a press release dated January 6th by Rich, KY6R, reports: VK0EK APPOINTS TIM BEAUMONT MØURX AS QSL MANAGER -- We are pleased to announce that Tim Beaumont, MØURX, will provide the QSL manager service for VK0EK, with cards printed by Max, ON5UR. DXA will be the DXers primary interface with the expedition, and DXers will be able to request their QSLs via the DXA and VK0EK Web pages, with QSL requests fulfilled by Tim and Max’s United Radio QSL Management Bureau. Online requests for direct cards are preferred, although direct paper QSLs via M0URX will also be accepted. Bureau requests will also be made via DXA/VK0EK. To provide efficient service and to reduce workload on the bureau system, all bureau requests should be made on-line.

VP2M, MONTSERRAT (Update)
Operators Scott/NE9U and Ron/KK9K will be active from Montserrat Island (NA-103) between February 16-23rd. Activity will be on CW, SSB and RTTY. Scott is planning to use his VP2MWA callsign before, after and during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 20-21st) as a Multi-? entry. Ron has not received his callsign yet. QSL route(s) have not been announced yet.

VP8SGI/VP8STI DXPEDITION NEWS (Press Release from the Intrepid-DX Group VP8STI/VP8SGI Team)
Paul, N6PSE, sent out the following on January 7th:

The VP8STI/VP8SGI Team is on the way to meet the Braveheart. Let the voyage begin! -- The VP8STI/VP8SGI team is now making their way to Stanley, The Falkland Islands for the eight day voyage to Southern Thule Island (South Sandwich). During our voyage, will be active as VP8IDX/MM. We will be making notes of propagation on each band.

Our route will take us along the treacherous Drake Passage, known for rough seas and bad weather. We expect to land on Southern Thule Island (South Sandwich) and begin operations as VP8STI on January 18th.

Upon completion of our mission, we will voyage three days to Husvik Bay, South Georgia where we expect to land and begin operations sometime on February 1st as VPGSGI.

On February 14th, we will return to Stanley. We will operate as VP8IDX until February 19th. Look for us on 160 meters!

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 75% of the funds needed to complete our Dxpedition. We are very extremely 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 will make very limited updates to our website during the Dxpedition for this reason. New donors will be added once we return to Stanley in mid-February.

We have enabled a new feature on our website where you can follow our progress and track our location: http://www.intrepid-dx.com/vp8/location.php 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:

Thank you, and Happy New Year!

ADDED NOTES (by Editor): To break it down, operators AA7A, DL6KVA, JH4RHF, K1LZ, K3LP, K4ZLE, K9AJ, N4RR, N6PSE, RA9USU, W5XU, W6DR, W7XU and WD5COV should be active as:
VP8IDX/MM - From the Braveheart; traveling between the islands
VP8STI - From South Sandwich Islands between January 18-27th
VP8SGI - From South Georgia Island between February 1-19th
VP8IDX - From Falkland Islands between February 14-19th

YJ, VANUATU (Update)
You only have a few more days to work Robert, DL7VOA, as YJ4AO from the Eratap Beach Resort, Port Vila, Efate Island (OC-035, WLOTA 1051). His last day is January 13th. Robert has posted five drone videos at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJucy5CgYKrbXTnBU7Wh5TQ Activity will be holiday style mainly on 40-10 meters CW during the evening and night hours (maybe some SSB, no Digital). QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau. More detailed information (including a link with exact GPS coordinates) can be found on the QRZ.com Web site at:

ZL9, NEW ZEALAND SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS (Update/Rare IOTA)
From the ZL9A Web page [edited]:
Team Antipodes was scheduled to leave on Sunday, but Stan reports: "Waves are so huge that our captain decided to postpone departure for tomorrow evening, if sea won't settle down will wait another 1 day. Some waves crashing against shoreline are like 30-50 meters, yes meters, high!!! Our QTH is sprayed with salt water, Amazing!!! Huge crashing fountains against cliffs they are enormous! When waves crash against cliffs water strikes up producing huge fountains reaching far inside shoreline, enormous power and low freq deep sound produced." During the week, the team was experiencing rain, hail, and heavy winds which collapsed one of the verticals and damaged antennas. Per ClubLog, as this was being written Sunday morning, the ZL9A team has made 5058 QSOs as of 1836z, January 8th. The ZL9A team also was still active on 30/20 meters (10111 and 14260 kHz). Work them while you can. QSL via VE3LYC, by the Bureau or direct or ClubLog's OQRS.

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