The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1249
BID: $OPDX.1249
January 18, 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, ARRL Web Site, K1XN & GoList, K3LR, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, N4BP, NX4N, KK6EK, WB6RSE, K8GG, K8GI, K8YSE, NE8Z, W8GEX & 60m DX News, K9EL, W9ILY, N0TG, DL1SBF, DL2SBY, 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, M0OXO Web page, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, PS7AB, RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, 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, 10th/January, through Sunday, 17th/January there were 220 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5V, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A2, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C5, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, CY0, D2, DL, DU, E4, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FR, FS, FT/x, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/m, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH5, 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, PY, PY0F, PZ, S0, S5, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, 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, VP2E, VP5, VP6, VP8, VP8/h, VP8/s, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZD8, ZF, ZK3, 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".

5H, TANZANIA
Stan, WS5K, will be active as 5H2SF from Dar Es Salaam between January 26th and February 10th. Look for more details to be forthcoming.

5V, TOGO
Operators Gabi/DF9TM, Baldur/DJ6SI and Frank/DL2SWW are now active as 5V7GD (SSB), 5V7BD (CW) and 5V7FMD (SSB/RTTY), respectively, from Togo until January 26th. QSL 5V7BD via DJ6SI. QSL 5V7GD via DF9TM. QSL 5V7FMD via DL2SWW.

6W, SENEGAL
Jacques, F6HMJ, will once again be active from Senegal, but as 6W7/F6HMJ this time between February 10th to March 1st. Activity is usually on 80-10 meters on mostly CW, with some SSB and RTTY. He will use an IC-706 MKIIG into dipoles. QSL via his home callsign.

6W, SENEGAL (Canceled)
Francis, F6BLP, who was to be active as 6W7SK from Saly Portudal between January 5-31st, had to cancel due to a health problem.

7P, LESOTHO (Update)
Members of F6KOP Amateur Radio Club announced that they will be active as 7P8C (callsign is official from the LCA [Lesotho Communication Authority]) 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.

9A70, CROATIA (Special Event)
Members of the Radio Club Karlovac (9A1CVW) will be active as 9A70CVW until December 31st, 2016, to celebrate the club's 70th anniversary. Activity will be on all bands. QSL via 9A6Z.

AX, AUSTRALIA (Australia's National Day)
Jim, VK3PC, reports [edited]:
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) automatically allows all radio amateurs to substitute their normal VK Callsign prefix with the letters AX, every Australia Day. Our National Day this year falls on Tuesday, January 26th.

This gives radio amateurs the chance to be part of the commemoration the First Fleet's arrival in 1788 at Sydney Gove and the establishment of a European settlement at Port Jackson, with the raising of the British flag by Governor Arthur Phillip. On Australia Day many celebrate our country and culture.

This includes the granting of awards, honors and the welcoming to citizenship of many immigrants. National flags will be flown and the celebrations include fireworks displays.

The AX prefix is popular among prefix hunters and others. The use of a special QSL card is encouraged by the Wireless Institute of Australia. The same alternative AX prefix applies on ANZAC Day, April 25th, and International Telecommunications Day, May 17th.

C6, BAHAMAS (Update)
Operators Bob/N4BP (C6AKQ), Chris/NX4N (C6AWW) and Martin/K1FQL (C6AQL) will operate from Freeport, Bahamas (NA-080, Grid FL06qm), between February 16-23rd. The three operators will do 100% CW and randomly operate on all HF bands including the WARC bands before and after the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 20-21st) as Single-Op/Single- Band entry. For the contest, operators will operate as the following: C6AKQ (N4BP) - Single-Band 80m with a K3, 100w into a Dipole @ 100ft C6AQL (K1FQL) - Single-Band 20m with an IC-706MKIIG, 100w into an End fed long wire

C6AWW (NX4N) - Single-Band 40m with a K3, 100w* into a Dipole @ 80ft *NX4N may bring a KPA500

COWS OVER THE WORLD (DXpeditions Planned)
The ARRL Web Site/Daily DX reported on January 12th: Tom Callas, KC0W, has announced the all-CW "Cows Over the World" DXpeditions for 2016. All callsign suffixes will contain "COW". The schedule calls for a summer departure to (in this order): American Samoa, Samoa, Tokelau, Solomon Islands, Temotu Province, and Bangladesh. He may add Nepal and Bhutan. There will be no time frame for operation from each entity.

"The determining factor will be when the pileups die down it's time to pack everything up and move along", he said. Callas said he's spent months researching the absolute best DXing locations for each island and for Bangladesh (he's secured all but Tokelau). "This will be the only DX- pedition that I'm aware of in which the operator will operate from separate sides of the islands", he said.

The Minnesota DXer pointed out that the west and east coasts of South Pacific islands are separated by mountains, and that he learned first-hand how much mountains attenuate HF signals while he was operating from Haiti. Emphasis will be on 160, 80, and 40 meters. A tentative phase II "Cows Over Africa" DXpedition is on the drawing board.

CY9, ST. PAUL ISLAND (Update)
The St. Paul Island DXpedition scheduled for August 19-29th, will have 9 operators: Murray/WA4DAN (Co-Leader), Randy/N0TG (Co-Leader), Will/AA4NC, Jay/K4ZLE, Bill/K5DHY, Wayne/K8LEE, John/N8AA, Aaron/VA1AXC and Phil/VA3QR. Activity and setup will be: Elecraft Transceivers and 500 Watt Amps. Operations on 160-6m, SSB, CW, and RTTY. Beams, Battlecreek Special (160), dedicated station for RTTY, and closely monitoring 12/10/6 meters for open band condx. Randy updated OPDX on January 15th: The official documentation granting permission for St. Paul operations has been issued. As always for DXpeditions, many details and documentation involved; the Canadian officials were kindly, professional and a pleasure to work with. We have begun gathering the many items required for the DXpedition operation. Firm arrangements for transport have been secured."

The team continues to look for funds/donations due to the following as reported on January 1st: "One of the requirements for permission to access St. Paul is a very large Liability Insurance Policy. The dollar coverage size is large and finding an underwriter was a challenge. We are pleased to report that we now have the insurance policy paid for and in hand. This was a major challenge that team members worked diligently to accomplish."

Those that have donated are listed on the Sponsor's list on the Web page at:

The single most expensive item is the cost for the transportation to access the island. Donations can be made via this link:

DAYTON HAMVENTION NEWS
* 2016 DAYTON TOPBAND DINNER (27th Annual Event!) - Continuing the great Dayton Top Band Dinner tradition that George, K8GG, and George, W8UVZ, started, I am proud to announce the 27th Annual Dayton TopBand Dinner. Dinner reservations are now available for 2016!

Friday evening May 20, 2016, at the Crowne Plaza in the Presidential Ballroom - downtown Dayton, Ohio. Top Band Social hour is at 6:00 PM and Dinner starts at 7:00 PM. Come and have dinner with the guys you work on 160 meters and enjoy great TopBand discussions.

The excellent 2016 Top Band Dinner program is being assembled. I will update the website soon.

Dinner reservations are available on line with credit cards and PayPal. Use the contact us information from the web site if you need to make other arrangements.

The 2016 Dayton Top Band Dinner details are here:

* CONTEST DINNER (full table update) - We sold ALL of the round tables of 8 in less than a week this year - last year it took 4 months! So we have opened up larger table reservations - you can now get a table for 12!

DX MARATHON (High Claimed Scores now available!)
John, K9EL, DX Marathon Manager reports that the 2015 High Claimed scores for the DX Marathon are now available at:

ET, ETHIOPIA (Update)
A group of Ukrainian operators are now active as ET7L from the INSA Radio Club in Mekanisa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They were heard on 30 meters CW on January 17th. It was reported/possted on January 17th [edited]: "The members of UT7L Contest Club (Yarik/UW7LL and Andy/UR4LRQ) have safely arrived in Addis Ababa. All equipment has already come through all custom controls. We have a plan for the Low Bands activity. But don't forget - this is not a DXpedition, timetable of the operation depends of our main job. Logs will be daily uploaded on Clublog; OQRS will be later. LoTW, as usual, after the end of operation. Website is still in process. See all of you in the pile ups." QSL Manager is US0LW.

EN5, SPAIN (AAW Op)
Operators Salva/EA5BB, Jose/EA5FL, Tony/EA5BY, Vic/EA5KV, Eugin/EC5EA and Juan/EC5JC will activate the special 13th Antarctic Activity Week (AAW) station EH5WAP (WAP-267) between February 22-28th. Activity will be on the HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via EA5FL.

FJ, ST. BARTHELEMY
Gene, N9SW, will once again be active as FJ/N9SW from St. Barthelemy (NA-146, DIFO FJ-001, WLOTA 0377) between January 28th and February 9th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-6 meters (possibly 80m) and mainly CW. QSL via his home callsign.

FS, ST. MARTIN
John, K9EL, will once again be active as FS/K9EL from Orient Bay, St. Martin (NA-105, DIFO FS-001, WLOTA 0383, WW Loc. FK88) between June 2-21st. Activity will probably be on 80-6 meters (with an emphasis on 6m when the band is open) using CW, SSB and RTTY. He will be running 500 watts into a 3 element yagi on 6m, dipoles for 10-30m and a vertical for 40-80m. John usually will operate on 60m if there is interest. There will be daily uploads to ClubLog and LoTW. QSL via his home callsign or on ClubLog's OQRS. His operating frequencies (except during contests) will be announced in real time via Twitter at: https://twitter.com/FSK9EL

GD4, ISLE OF MAN
John, GW4SKA, will be active as GD4SKA from the Isle of Man (EU-116) between March 15-23rd. Activity will be mainly on RTTY with some PSK when things slow down. Operations will be on 80-10 meters using a TS590S, Acom 600S amp, Hexbeam, wires and verticals for the low bands. John will also be active as GD0A in the BARTG HF RTTY Contest (March 19-20th). Logs will be posted on ClubLog daily. QSL via M0OXO OQRS or direct.

HC, ECUADOR
Rick, NE8Z/HC1MD, will once again be active between January 16th and February 6th from Ecuador as the following:

HC1MD------Tumbaco, Provincia de Pichincha
HC1MD/HC2--Ballenita, Provincia de Santa Elena and the Capay on Hill Lighthouse (ARLHS ECU-017)

QSL via direct to K8LJG & LOTW after the trip. VIEW the HC/Ecuador and HC8/Galapagos DX-Diplomas at: http://webpages.charter.net/ne8z

IOTA NEWS
SA-031. (Update) 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.

3G9JA (not XR400JA*) - Activation Cape Horn Island and Lighthouse between February 1-6th. QSL via CE5JA.

* It was necessary to advise that in order to avoid confusing with a similar callsign already on the air and cluster, the XR400JA callsign was already changed to 3G9JA which will be used by the Concepcion Radio Club from the Cape Horn Island and lighthouse. This also a new WPX. They apologize for the conflict?.

SA-047. Orlando, PT2OP, will be active as PS5M from two different lighthouses on Mel Island (DIB PR-01) between February 18-21st, during the 2016 - VIII South American Lighthouses Weekend. Lighthouses mentioned are:

Conchas Lighthouse: ARLHS BRA-074, WLOTA L-1435, DFB PR-01, Lat: 25o 32' S - Long: 048o 17' W and Grid: GG54ul

Caraguatá Lighthouse: ARLHS BRA-023, WLOTA L-1435, DFB PR-02, Lat: 25o 34' S - Long: 048o 19' W and Grid: GG54uk

SA-090. Members of the Grupo DX Caracas will be active as YW6Z from Isla Píritu Afuera between February 18-21st. Activity will be on all bands using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via W4SO direct.

J64, ST. LUCIA (Special Event)
Members of the J6DX Group will once again activate the special event station J64SLI between February 20-26th. The special callsign is to celebrate St. Lucia 37th anniversary of Independ- ence. Activity will be on the HF bands using CW, SSB and the Digital bands. The team will be running QRP with 5 watts, using Buddipoles in a variety of configurations, all directly on the beach. QSL via WB5Q.

J7, DOMINICA
Stig, SM3PHM, will be active as J79M from Dominica (NA-101) between January 17th and February 3rd. Activity will be holiday style, CW only and using 100 watts into a G5RV antenna. QSL via SM3PHM.

K5P PALMYRA DXPEDITION
Nine operators are nowe active as K5P from Palmyra Atoll in the South Pacific until January 25th. Activity has been on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. The 6m beacon is set on 50.106 MHz. As this was being written, the K5P team has made 30940 QSOs with 9767 Unique callsign per ClubLog as of 1456z, January 17th. Breakdown by modes are 19802/CW, 8759/SSB and 2379/RTTY. Breakdown by percentage by Continents are .5/AF, 0/AN, 36.4/AS, 9.9/EU, 44.5/NA, 5.5/OC and 3.2/SA. QSL via the OQRS by ClubLog is "Highly Recommended". Logs will be posted to LoTW 3-6 months after the conclusion of the DX- pedition. For other routes see their Web page. Check the K5P Palmyra2016 Web page for updates, propagation predictions and the donation page, at:

LX95, LUXEMBOURG (Special Event)
Members of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Union (LARU) will activate the special callsign LX95J between January and June. Activity is to celebrate the 95th anniversary of His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg. Operators mentioned are André/LX1AM (SSB), Ed/LX1EA (SSB, Digi) and Patrick/LX3X (Digi). A special QSL card will be issued for each QSO via the Bureau. QSOs will also be confirmed via LoTW and eQSL. Logs will be online after each month of activity. QSL cards will be sent to the worldwide Bureaus via the LARU LX QSL Bureau. If you cannot receive a Bureau card, send yours direct and they will reply direct. Please include 2 Greenstamps or 1 IRC. They advise you to send your direct card(s) after the June activity in one envelope. More details via QRZ.com.

P5/3Z9DX NEWS
Reports indicate that Dom, 3Z9DX, has submitted his docu- mentation to ARRL DXCC Desk for his recent P5/3Z9DX operation for approval.

PACIFIC TOUR
Randy, WW6RG, will activate two islands in the Pacific in the last half of January. His plans are to be active as V73/WW6RG from Kwajalein Island (OC-028) in the Marshall Islands between January 18-28th. Activity will be on 20 meters between 0400-0800z using 100 watts. Look for him to make a day trip to Wake Island (OC-053) on January 22nd. Randy will sign WW6RG/KH9 and operate as QRP between 0400-0800z on 20 and 15 meters. Also, look for Randy to visit the ANZA Net from both places starting around 0500z on 14183 kHz.

PJ2, CURACAO
Thilo, DL9NBJ, will once again be active as PJ2/DL9NBJ from Westpunt, Curacao (SA-099), between January 19th and February 9th. Using an Elecraft KX3 with a KXPA100 100 watt PA into vertical wire dipole, 12m fiberglass pole and a ZS6BKW. Look for him on the HF bands operating CW and SSB. QSL only via ClubLog's OQRS. He states, "Please no SASE and no cards via Bureau. I don't need your cards, I will put it into trash can."

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (January 18-24th)

 Jan/18th HN      Jan/21st  AN     Jan/23rd  HN
 Jan/19th HN      Jan/22nd  HN     Jan/24th  AN
 Jan/20th HN


   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 17th) 
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3A/JH1NBN via JH1NBN (d)    GU/RL5D via RL5D      OG3P via OH3P
  4J90UD via DL6KVA           HA22IAS via HA7HN     OM50CND via OM3CND
  4Z/SP7VC via SP7VC (d/L)    HG5A via HA5KDQ       OS8A via ON8VK
  5B4AHL via M0URX            HG5C via HA5MA    PY0F/PU4VLT via PU4VLT (d/L)
  9A1700SBD via 9A4J          HG5P via HA5KHC       R1CC via DJ1ND
  9H3XI via JJ2QXI (C)        HP1/YV5IAL via YV5IAL SV2/RW3AL via RW3AL
  9M2/JE1SCJ via JE1SCJ       KW7Y via KW7Y (L)     T88RR via JA6UBY (d)
  CT9/MJ0ASP via MJ0ASP       LA1916FIRE via LA7USA VP8IDX/MM via N2OO
  DL500BIER via DJ6SI         MU/RL5D via RL5D      ZL3FRI via JA3FRI
  E51JLL via DL7JLL (*)       MU/RT9T via RT9T
  EW1TZ via EW1TZ (d/L)       OD5PY via KU9C
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (*-B) DX's- Bureau
    (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (L) LoTW only    (*) Correction

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3XY5M, E51MKW, D8A, FY5FY, KP2Q, PJ6/G3TXF, PZ5W, RT9K/0 (AS-203), T2GC, TX3X, TZ4AM, VK5MAV/8 (OC-229), VK9WA (OC-007), YB8RW/5 (OC-108), ZA/YT7DQ, ZD7W and ZV5O

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 4L1MA, 4L3T, 4W/PE7T, 6W/PD9DX, 7Q0NL, 9M2IDJ, 9M2MRS, A6/PG5M, A61AV/P, A61NT, A61Q/P, A65CA, CN2OS, CW1R, DK0FC/LGT, EA6/ON4LO/P, E73W, E73Y, E78DX, FK8DD, FM1AG, FS/PA3EYC/P, HB0/ON4WRC, HS0ZJF/8, IG9Y, IS0MVE, LX/PA3EZC/P, MJ/OT1S, MU/PG8M, OH0CC, OJ0V, OM13YOTA, OP14S, OS0C, PJ2/ON6DX, PA70AIRBORNE, PA70POLISH, PI65ZI, PY2AB, PY2CC, PS43GPB, PS77AB, PU2SGL, PU8YPL, PU9OSB, SI9AM, SV5/DL3DRN, T8GM, TJ3TS, TK5MH, TN2MS, V6G, XR2T, XU7TAS, YB0/PD9DX, YP0IPA, Z3/PA3FPQ, ZA/ON4ANN, ZA/ON4CAU, ZA/PA2CHR, ZS/PA2CHR, ZX2F and ZZ461SP

S7, SEYCHELLES
Kasimir, DL2SBY, will once again be active as S79KB from two islands in the Seychelles between September 24th and October 8th. He is scheduled to activate Praslin (between September 24th-October 2nd) and Eden Island/Mahe (October 2-8th). Both islands are IOTA AF-024. Activity will be on 40-10 meters including 17/12 meters and possibly 30 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. His equipment will be a FT900AT with an ACOM 1010 amp (600w) into an ultra-light weight Dunax-Verticals GPN4B + GPW3B. He will upload the log onto ClubLog. The QSL cards will be printed as soon as possible. QSL via DL2SBY direct or ClubLog's OQRS (direct or Bureau [you don't need to send the QSL via the Bureau]).

SV9, CRETE
David, OK6DJ, will be active as SV9/OK6DJ from Crete (EU-015) between July 2-8th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW. QSL via his home callsign, direct, LoTW, eQSL or ClubLog's OQRS (direct or Bureau). Do not send QSLs to OK6DJ via the Bureau. Use the OQRS to request your "one-way" Bureau QSL (much faster).

TO1, FRENCH GUYANA
Herve, F5HRY, will be active as TO1A during the ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 20-21st) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (15m) entry. QSL via his home callsign or LoTW.

TX7, MARQUESAS
Operatrs Ernoe/DK2AMM, Hans/DL6JGN, Tom/GM4FDM and Ronald/ PA3EWP will be active as TX7EU from Nuku Hiva, Marquesas (OC-027) between March 2-15th. Their QTH is the Hinako Nui Pension in Hatiheu on the northern side of the island. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. They will have two stations (2x K3, 1x Expert 1, 3k-FA and 1x 600 Watts homemade amplifier), a Hexbeam and vertical antennas. One station will be running 24/7. Their focus on the end of the sunspot cycle is on the high bands. Subject to a reliable Internet connection, they will upload the log to ClubLog on a daily basis. Otherwise the complete log will be uploaded upon their return. QSL via DK2AMM, ClubLog's OQRS, direct or by the Bureau. For more details and updates, watch:

VK0EK DXPEDITION NEWS (Heard Island Expedition Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 1)
The current Heard Island Expedition Newsletter (Vol. 2, No. 1 -- dated January 15th) is now out. Individuals may have already received this because they subscribed to it, or they made a donation to the expedition, or they are a team member or a corporate sponsor, or Bob, KK6EK, just happens to know you and think you would like to have it. This issue goes to 1458 different people.

Bob also informs [edited], "There is no charge or obligation for this ­ we just want to help you make a QSO with VK0EK, or to collaborate in the scientific work. Future Newsletters will be issued now and then, when we have something to say, probably every few weeks. If you missed a previous Newsletter and would like to have a copy, you can find a link on p. 4 http://www.heardisland.org/HD_pages/HD_newsletter_back_issues.html to download the back issue.

The expedition is scheduled to begin in early March 2016, and end in late April. You can see the current status of the project on the main website , and on the blogsite www.vk0ek.org.

I hope you like this Newsletter and find it useful. If you have sugges- tions, comments, subjects you would like to see addressed, etc., or wish to be removed from the distribution list, please write to me.....

Bob, KK6EK -- Organizer/Expedition Leader"

For more details on the mailing list for the newsletter, go to:

VISALIA IDXC NEWS (2016 Visalia Top Band Dinner)
Announcing the 2016 Top Band Dinner at the Visalia International DX Convention April 15th, 2016 -- Craig Thompson, K9CT, will present: "Top Band from Palmyra, K5P." There will be a self-serve buffet dinner and door prizes. Complete details and registration information can be found at:

VP8STI SOUTH SANDWICH ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS
By the time you read this, members of the Intrepid-DX Group should be active as VP8STI from Southern Thule Island (AN-009) until January 27th. Reports as this was being written Sunday state, "They had some minor difficulty with landing but are now setting up their tents and antennas, and the rest of the camp. They hope to have 2 or 3 stations QRV later today. High winds and snow is falling on the island." Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Suggested frequencies are:

CW - 1826.5, 3523, Tx5405/Rx5373, 7023, 10105, 14023, 18079, 21023, 24894 and 28023 kHz
SSB - 3790, Tx5403.5/Rx5371.5, 7082, 14185, 18130, 21285, 24944 and 28485 kHz
RTTY - 3580, 7045, 10142, 14080, 18099, 21080, 24912 and 28080 kHz
6m - 50105/CW and 50105/SSB

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

XV, VIETNAM
Torsten, SM3NFB (ex-XV7TH, XV9TH), is once again active from Vietnam, but this time from Da Nang as XV3TH until February 6th. Activity will be on 40-6 meters using CW, SSB and PSK31. He is reportedly using an Icom IC-735 transceiver into vertical antenna. QSL via SM3NFB.

ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS
Operators John/K6AM and Dan/N6MJ will be active as ZF1A from Grand Cayman Island (NA-016, WLOTA LH-1042) during the ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 20-21st) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via K6AM, direct, by the W6 Bureau or LoTW.

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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