The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1299
BID: $OPDX.1299
January 9, 2017
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)
Written/Sent From Strongsville, Oh

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, NJ1Q & W1AW, N2OO, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, WB6RSE, K7BHM, K8CX, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, K9EL, W9ILY, DD8ZX, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DL7VEE, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, ES1CW, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, OH2BH, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, PA0RRS, RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, UA4CC, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE9NC 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, 1st/January, through Sunday, 8th/January there were 222 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5V, 5W, 5Z, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D4, D6, DL, DU, E3, E5/n, E5/s, E6, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GM, GU, GW, H4, H40, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PJ7, PY, PZ, S0, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T2, T32, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TL, TR, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP5, VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XW, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z3, 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".

2016 DX MARATHON DEADLINE (January 10th, 2017). John, K9EL, DX Marathon
Manager, reports: We hope everyone had an exciting year of DX in 2016.
CQ's annual DX Marathon is a great way to keep motivated each year looking
for DX. The Marathon can be used competitively as any other contest or
just for yourself to improve your score each year. The Marathon is also
perfect for Club competitions. There are 4 classes to accommodate all
levels of power and antennas. Complete information is available at:
                       http://www.dxmarathon.com
  Several excellent software tools are available to make the submission
process easy. The submission deadline for the 2016 DX Marathon is 2359z,
January 10, 2017.  


2016 DX SOUND BITES! Tom, K8CX, has done it again. He has provided DXers
with 226 memorable rare DX sound clips (now in MP3 format) from 2016.
Visit Tom's famous "HAM GALLERY" Web site at:  http://hamgallery.com/dx2016
While there also check out some of the other features on his Web page,
such as: 19 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: 
                            k8cx@hamgallery.com


3Y0/B, BOUVET. Reports of Dom, 3Z9DX, activating Bouvet Island continue
to surface. This past week the callsign 3Y0G appeared on ClubLog and
a fews weeks before on QRZ.com: http://www.clublog.org/charts/?c=3Y0G
                                https://www.qrz.com/lookup/3y0g
The most interesting report this week was from the "Daily DX", stating,
"We (Dom & a DX team) are going for about 2 months trip to do radio
activity from Bouvetoya island". Hopefully, more details will be forth-
coming from Dom.


4O, MONTENEGRO. Ark, UA4CC, is once again active as 4O7CC from Becici
until January 14th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and
the Digital modes (JT65/JT9). QSL via UA4CC, LoTW or ClubLog's OQRS.
Skeds are possible.


4S, SIR LANKA. Peter, DC0KK, is once again active as 4S7KKG from Moragalla,
Sri Lanka (AS-003, WLOTA 0762). He has been active since November 1st,
and will be there until April 1st. Activity will be mainly on CW and the
Digital modes with operation on 20-10 meters. QSL via DC0KK, by the Bureau
(preferred) or direct (see QRZ.com). LoTW on request. All QSLs for all
QSOs will be sent via the QSL Bureau.


5H, TANZANIA. Maurizio, IK2GZU, will once again return to the "Mission
Ilembula" to do some work at the new hospital and orphanage between
March 14th and April 12th. He plans to be active during his spare time
as 5H3MB on various HF bands. Maurizio will use his FT-100 and the mission's
TS-850 into a tri-band 3 element beam (20/15/10m) fixed on Europe and a
vertical or dipole for the other bands. QSL via IK2GZU, direct or by the
Bureau. Also, QSL via LoTW (after his return home) and eQSL. For more
details, updates and an online log, visit his Web pages at:
               http://www.buffoli-pm.it/5h/Tanzania%202011.htm
               http://www.buffoli-pm.it/5h/qsl%20request.htm


5K0, SAN ANDRES (Update). Operators WJ2O, Will/AA4NC, AJ9V, HK6F and
Tim/LW9EOC will be active as 5K0NA from San Andres Island between February
12th and March 13th. They plan to be active on various HF bands and 60
meters. Activity will include the ARRL International DX CW Contest
(February 18-19th) and ARRL International DX SSB Contest (March 4-5th)
as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via LW9EOC. Also, Tim, LW9EOC, will be in
the CQWW WPX DX Contest (March 25-26th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry
signing 5K0NA. QSL via LW9EOC.


9M2, WEST MALAYSIA. Rich, PA0RRS, will once again be active as 9M2MRS
from Penang Island (AS-015) between December 1st and until the end of
January 2018. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW, RTTY, PSK,
JT65 and/or JT9. He states, "On special request also SSB, I will take
a small hand-mike with me in the luggage." QSL via PA0RRS, by the Bureau,
LoTW, eQSL, direct or ClubLog. For direct QSL, he has a new address
to send to (he moved): Rich Smeets, Valeriaan 14, 5052 CT Goirle, The
Netherlands.


BW, TAIWAN. Koji, JL3RDC, will once again be active as BW/JL3RDC from
Taipei during the CQWW WPX DX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-
Op/All-Band entry. QSL via JL3RDC.


BW, TAIWAN. Kushi, JP3PZG, will once again be active as BW/JP3PZG from
Taipei during the CQWW WPX DX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-
Op/All-Band entry. QSL via JP3PZG.


CE0Y & CE0Z, EASTER AND JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLANDS. Michael, DF8AN, will be
active as CE0Y/DF8AN from Easter Island (SA-001) between February 10-17th,
and as CE0Z/DF8AN from Robinson Crusoe Island, Juan Fernandez Islands
(SA-005), between February 21-24th. Activity from both locations will be
on various HF bands using CW and the Digital modes. QSL via his home
callsign, direct, by the Bureau or eQSL. NO LoTW.


CENTRAL AMERICA TOUR. Mek, SP7VC, announced this past week that he will
be on a Central American tour. Not very many details were provided, but
he is expected to be active from the following: Panama (HP/SP7VC), Costa
Rica (TI/SP7VC), Nicaragua (YN/SP7VC), Honduras (HR/SP7VC), El Salvador
(YS1/SP7VC), Guatemala (TG/SP7VC), Belize (V31/SP7VC) and Mexico (XE/SP7VC).


CG9, CANADA (Special Event). Paul, VE9NC, from Hampton, New Brunswick,
will be using the prefix CG9 to commemorate Canada's 150th birthday during
the entire 2017 year. Most contacts will be on the Digital modes. Especially
on JT9 and JT65, other Digital modes, as well as the CW and SSB contests.
Look for him to be using the CG9NC callsign. Paul states that he will be
active daily on most of the HF bands and 80-6 meters depending on the band
openings. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau, eQSL or LoTW.


CU9, AZORES. Antonio, CU8AS/CU9AB, will be active as CU9AB from Corvo
Island (EU-089) during the CQWW DX 160m CW Contest (January 27-29th) as
a Single-Op/High-Power entry. QSL via HB9CRV or LoTW. The first 50 QSOs
will be automatically confirmed directly from the Corvo Post Office!!!


DAYTON DX DINNER NEWS (SWODXA Press Release, dated January 3rd). The
SouthWest Ohio DX Association (SWODXA) is pleased to announce that we
will again sponsor the DX Dinner, held in conjunction with the 2017
Dayton Hamvention®. This, our 32nd annual dinner, will be on Friday,
May 19th, 2017, 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.
  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 2016 dinner had over 400 attendees! As in the past, there
will be some major door prizes, and there is always great anticipation
as to who will be named the “DXpedition of the Year”.
  We have started accepting ticket requests via the website! To accom-
modate group requests, 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 . 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


DAYTON CONTEST DINNER NEWS. Tim, K3LR, Dayton Contest Dinner Chairman,
Vice President of North Coast Contesters, reported this past week [edited]:
  The North Coast Contesters are proud to announce -- The 25th Annual
Dayton Contest Dinner at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Dayton, Ohio.
  Check out our NEW and improved website! 2017 Contest Dinner tickets
are on sale now exclusively via our web site. HUGE thanks to Scott, KA9FOX,
and QTH.com for designing, building, donating and running the Contest
Dinner web site at:             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.
 -  To celebrate our 25th Anniversary the featured speakers are K1AR and
    K3LR.
 -  The main prize for the 25th anniversary dinner will be a NEW ICOM
    IC-7610!
 -  The 2017 Contest Hall of Fame inductees will be announced during
    the Contest Dinner.
  The Contest Dinner will be held on Saturday night, May 20, 2017 at 6:30
PM  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 (Downtown), Ohio in the PRESIDENTIAL BALLROOM on the second
floor. Seating is random. Tables are set in rounds of 10 and rectangles of
12. You can purchase an entire table for your group (purchased group tables
are set for round 10 or rectangle 12). Tickets are only available on:
                         http://contestdinner.com
There are no tickets for sale at the door.
  -  The 29th annual Contest Super Suite (all FOUR nights during Dayton)
     details are here:       http://contestsupersuite.com
  -  And the 11th Annual Dayton Contest University seats are filling up
    fast at:                 http://contestuniversity.com
  - The 28th annual Dayton Top Band Dinner tickets are 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


E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS. Dick, AD7AF, will once again be active as E51WWA
from Kii Kii Motel and Suites on Rarotonga Island (OC-013) between January
9-26th. Activity will be holiday style on 80-10 meters using CW and SSB.
The rig is a K3 with vertical antennas and inverted L's on 40 and 80 next
to the salt water. QSL via his home callsign, direct or LoTW. Dick states,
"Internet is expensive and can be spotty on Rarotonga, so the log may not
get loaded onto LoTW until my return to the U.S.A. I will load the log
onto ClubLog whenever I have time and good internet is available."


FP, ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON. Eric, KV1J, will once again be operating
from the Island of Miquelon (NA-032, DIFO FP-002 WLOTA 1417, Grid GN17)
as FP/KV1J between July 4-18th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using
CW, SSB and RTTY (but primarily SSB and RTTY). He will generally be on
the highest frequency band that is open (favoring 12/10m). He will be
active in the IARU HF Contest (July 8-9th), NA QSO Party-RTTY (July
15-16th) and the CQ VHF Contest [6M only] (July 15-16th). QSL via KV1J,
direct or by the Bureau. Also eQSL and LoTW. For more details and updates,
check out his Web page at:      http://www.kv1j.com/fp/July17.html
PLEASE NOTE: Eric mentions, "I will also be on the analog Satellites when
the WX is good enough to operate from outside."


FS, ST. MARTIN. David, F8AAN, will once again be active as FS/F8AAN from
St. Martin Island (NA-105) between February 17th and March 10th. 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.


H40, TEMOTU PROVINCE. Darren, VK4FEDX, is now active as H40DA from Nendo
Island (OC-100) in the Temotu Province. The length of his stay is currently
unknown. Activity will be holiday style on 80/40/15/10 meters. QSL via
VK4FEDX direct.


HH, HAITI. Operators Dale/N3BNA and Harry/N3FMO will once again return
to Haiti for some humanitarian/radio work between January 13-25th. The
duo will operate very limited as HH8/N3BNA and HH8/N3FMO during their
spare time. QSL via their home callsigns, direct or LoTW.


IOTA NEWS..............
  AS-153.  Members of the West Bengal Amateur Radio Club (VU2MQT) will
           be active as AU2WBR from Sagar Island between January 9-17th.
           Their activity coincides with the 2017 Ganga Sagar Mela pil-
           grimage, and will be on various HF bands. QSL via VU2NRO.


  NA-041.  Mikhail, VE7ACN, will be active as KL7/VE7ACN from Prince of
           Wales Island between March 8-20th. Activity will be on the
           various IOTA frequencies and HF bands. He will focus on 160/
           80/30 meters. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau
           or ClubLog's OQRS.


  NA-061.  Mikhail, VE7ACN, will once again be active as VE7ACN/7 from
           Kaien Island (CISA BC-005) between March 21-26th. Activity
           will be on the various IOTA frequencies and HF bands. QSL via
           his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau or ClubLog's OQRS.


  OC-177.  A group of Indonesian operators will be active as YE0S from
           Sebira Island, part of Seribu Islands, north of the Jakarta
           City, between March 20-27th. The Sebira Island is the outer-
           most island of Jakarta Special Capital City Distric of the
           Republic of Indonesia. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using
           CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Operators mentioned are Ferry/
           YB0AR, Wisnu/YB0AZ, Sugiyanto/YB0BUI, Ferry/YB0CBI, Budi/YB0HD
           (Team Leader), Sur/YB0JS, Joy/YB0NSI, Yadi/YB0YAD (Co-Leader)
           and possibly others. An Online QSL Request Service (OQRS) will
           be used for this DXpedition, and if you want a direct QSL,
           you will need to send minimum 3 USDs for each card to cover
           the cost of the postage to your country. Maximum five QSOs on
           one QSL card. All DIRECT QSL cards are addressed to ORARI
           Daerah DKI Jakarta address: Gedung Prasada Sasana Karya Lt.10,
           Jl. Suryopranoto no.8, Jakarta 10130, Indonesia.


KC4, ANTARCTICA. Mike, RW1AI, a member of the Russian Speaking Radio Club
(N2TA), is now active as KC4/N2TA from the Novolazarevskaya Antarctic
Station until the end of February. Activity will be on 80-20 meters using
CW and JT65. QSL only to: Russian Speaking Radio Club, P.O. Box 715,
Brooklyn, NY 11230 USA.


NH2, GUAM. Koji, JL3RDC, will once again be active as NH0DX/NH2 from Guam
between January 20-22nd. Activity will be on various HF bands using SSB
only. QSL via JL3RDC direct.


NP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS. Yuriy, N2TTA, will be active as NP2P during
the ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 18-19th) as a Single-
Op/All-Band entry. QSL via LoTW.


OA0, SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS (Update). Members of the Peruano Radio Club
of Peru will be active OA0MP the Machu Picchu Antarctic Base on King George
Island, South Shetland Islands (AN-010), between January 9th and March
31st. Activity will be mainly on 40/20 meters using SSB. QSL via OA4O.


OFFICERS FOR 2017.  The Central Arizona DX Association is celebrating
their 42nd year as an ARRL affiliated Amateur Radio Club. They have over
140 avid DXers from the greater Phoenix Area which many of whom have
participated on various major DXpeditions over the past several years.
They are proud to have recently selected their officers for 2017:
      President         - Lee Finkel, KY7M
      V. President      - Fred Hoffert, NA2U
      Secretary         - Bill Poole, AA4Q
      Treasurer         - Alton Chaney, W7ACX
      Members at Large  - Mickey LeBoeuf, K5ML
                          Larry Loen, WO7R
      Past President    - Tom Kramer, NQ7R
      Historian         - Bob Davies ­ K7BHM


PJ7, SINT MAARTEN (Update). Tom, AA9A, will once again be active as PJ7AA
from Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten (NA-105), between February 15th and March
18th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and JT65.
If like last year, Tom may spend a few hours in both the ARRL International
CW (February 18-19th) and SSB (March 4-5th) Contests. Operations will be
with 100 watts with a K3 and Buddi-pole. QSL via AA9A or LoTW.


PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (January 9-15th).......
 Jan/09th AN      Jan/12th  AN     Jan/14th  AN
 Jan/10th AN      Jan/13th  AN     Jan/15th  AN
 Jan/11th 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


  REALTIME BAND CONDITIONS WEB SITE :
  The purpose of this experimental Web site is to provide 24-7-365 actual
  (REALTIME) band condition information to CW QRPp, QRPe and CW/SSB for
  Contesters interested in increasing their scores. It can also be of
  benefit to other Radio Amateurs to determine band conditions for Nets
  and casual QSO's. This information is NOT based on any software pre-
  dictions or any kind of satellite based readings. It is based on a
  new Ionospheric sounding method called "HF Ionospheric Interferometry"
  which operates very similarly to the PolSAR system used by NASA.


  Also, check out the VOACAP predication Web page at:
                 http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html


QSL INFO AND NEWS...................
  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF.. (January 8th) 
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4K6N via RW6HS (d)     DL1250BRET via DF9IK   MI/EI7GEB/P via EI7GEB (L/e/B)
  4V1TL via W3HNK        DL500ML via DH3FX       OF0TA via OH2TA
  5P90EDR via OZ1ACB     DL60NEU via DC1MAS      OF3077F via OH3JF
  5Z4/DL2RMC via DL2RMC  DM5LUTHER via DJ6SI     OF3FM via OH3FM (L/e)
  6E0C via XE1EE         DQ70PEINE via DK5AX (*) OY1OF via M0URX
  9A57AX via 9A5AX       DR500MLE via DL3HQN     OZ90EDR via OZ1ACB & (L)
  A61FJ via LZ1YE (d)    EA6DX via EA6DX (L/e)   R17TCNY via RN3RQ
  A61Q via EA7FTR        EA8/DH2MS via DH2MS     R870M via RK3AW
  A70X via M0OXO         EI88WAW via EI6AL(O) RA/NT2X via NT2X; RW1AI(UA-Stns)
  AN5CRM via EA5URL      H44SHD via HB9SHD       RU55IA via R2DX
  CT8/UA4WHX via UA4WHX  H74B via EA3BT          TM100WB via TM100WB (e)
  CT9/UA4WHX via UA4WHX  HA45KKC via (O)(*)      TM17HNY via F4GTT
  D44TBT via SM5EPO      HG17EYOF via HG1S (d)   VE100VIMY via N7RO
  DA0WFF via DG5DAN      HV0A via IK0FVC         VR2USJ via JF1RCY
  DG8SBX/AM via DG8SBX (d) II0IAAR via IZ8DBJ    W0N via KR0P (d)
  DK60HERTEN via DJ5QE (*) KP2/AF6WU via AF6WU   YV50ARV via W4DTA
   (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (*-B) DX's- Bureau
   (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (L) LoTW only    (*) No QSL Needed


  PIRATE ALERT. Daniel, OX5T, informs that he has been QRT since November
  7th, 2016. So the recent operations are by PIRATES.


  OLD QSL COLLECTION (Update). Jean Michel, F6AJA, wants to remind everyone
  to visit the Les Nouvelles DX (LNDX) Web page to see more than 14300 old
  QSL cards in several different albums/galleries. This site contains:
    - The ten most wanted DXCC entities (2004 to 2016) with more than
      500 QSLs
    - At least one card for each 60 deleted DXCC countries (more than
      1700+ QSLs)
    - Nearest the totality of current prefixes, disappeared now (more
      than 4900+ QSLs)
    - Album for stations from North Africa 1945-1962 (400+ QSLs)
    - More than 950 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 500 QSL.
    - More than 2300 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.


    The URL address for the Web site is:  http://LesNouvellesDX.free.fr
  Some cards are still needed for the collection, and your particip-
  ation is welcome. Only a ".jpg" file (both sides of the card) is required.
  Please visit the site and give them your comments by sending an E-mail
  to:                          LesNouvellesDX@free.fr


  QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 5T5TI, DJ5LA, J3/VE7ACN, MI0M, T32SB (OC-024),
  TA2DX (EU-186), UR2MO, VK4KEE and YO9HP


  QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 5A1AL, 5Z4/DL2RMC, 8P9JH, A5A, C5FUD, FH/HB9AMO,
  JY9FC, S01WS, S9YY, TL0A, TZ4AM, VK9NF, VP2EGR, VP6J, ZF9CW and ZL7G


  QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3DA0VB, 3XY5M, 4O/ON5SE, 4S7SAE, 4W/PE7T,
  5V7TH, 5X1T, CN3CQ, CW5F (SA-057), D3T, EA6/OO4O, EA8/ON4LBI/P, EI0YOTA,
  EL2WW, HB0/ON4WRC, HK0/UA4WHX, HS0ZJF/9 (AS-126), IS0/DL6JF, LX/PA3DUU,
  LY9A, MJ0KUC, OH0CC, YB9/PB5X, YB0OKR, XW7T and Z38VB


SANTA AND HIS ELVES ARE OVERJOYED WITH THEIR RECENT 2016 XMAS UNDER-
TAKING (Press Release by Martti/OH2BH, date January 3rd). [edited] Despite
the worst December for decades, propagation wise, Santa's team blew their
horns in a big way. With a total of 33,615 QSOs in their books they now
salute their 17,062 QSO partners as 2017 kicks off. Yes, indeed USA (NW)
was the most difficult path with 2365 QSOs while Japan (NE) was much
easier with 3277.  Most of the U.S QSOs were remoted from Radio Arcala's
(OH8X) mammoth 24 elements array on 20M atop the 350ft. rotating tower.
  Romanian Lacy, YO6CFB, kept a low profile along the way, but took the
podium as world winner with an astonishing 64 band-pointers while con-
tacting all twelve elves. Not far behind were Ralf, DL3ZZ (61) and Wolf-
gang, DL4FCS (60).
  North America was a real tight horse race with ARRL’s Vice President
(Hon) John Kannode, N4MM, leading the pack to the final corner only to
see Canadian Pierre, VA2CZ, taking the honors (16) with a higher 20M
CW/SSB count along with his 160m success.
  Joergen/VK2KJJ, Val/PY2XU, Manuel/EA8DO and Sergei/RV9DC were the winners
of their respective continents.
  ARRL President, Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, saluted the Santa Team for making
a special effort towards the youngsters of the families with their QRZ.com
personalized audio & video streaming.
  And so, Santa is now joining the OH-ranks for their 100th Year of
Independence Centennial where it is not only Santa who would sign Old
Father (OF), but the entire nation is now getting started with their
OF-festivities.
  Happy New Year, Martti, OH2BH, on behalf of entire OF9X Santa Radio Team
  See the results at:        https://www.qrz.com/db/OF9X


SILENT KEY. As editor of the OPDX and President of the Northern Ohio DX
Association (NODXA), I (Tedd/KB8NW) am sad to report that NODXA has
unexpectedly lost one of our members on January 2nd. Karl E. Gruber, K8BCK,
age 70, of Walton Hills, Ohio, became a Silent Key (SK) on Monday. Karl
was an avid DXer with 350 DXCC entities on CW, an IOTA chaser, enjoyed
race cars, was actively involved with the Cleveland Zoo and the American
Philatelic Society. He will dearly be missed by the NODXA membership.
NODXA and the OPDX readers would like to send out our deepest sympathy
to the family and friends K8BCK.


T8, PALAU. Kazuyoushi, JH6WDG, will once again be active as T88AQ from
the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009) between
January 6-13th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and the
Digital modes. QSL via his home callsign or LoTW. For more details about
the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room), see:
            http://www.palau-radio.com/index.php?page=rr2014


TG, GUATEMALA. Dieter "Dick", DJ2EH, will be active as TG9/DJ2EH from
Guatemala between January 10-24th. Activity will be on various HF bands
using CW and RTTY. There will be a focus on 160/80 meters. QSL via his
home callsign.


V3, BELIZE (Update). Mike, W0MU, will be active as V31MU from Placencia
between February 14-28th. QSL via his home callsign, ClubLog's OQRS and
LoTW. He will also be joined by Jonathan, G0DVJ, for the ARRL International
DX CW Contest (February 18-19th) signing V3M. QSL via W0MU (only for 2017
QSOs) or ClubLog's OQRS. Activity will be vacation style outside of the
contest.


V5, NAMIBIA. Operators Georg/DD8ZX and Klaus/DJ9KM will once again be
active as V5/DD8ZX and V5/DJ9KM from Omaruru, Otjikoko Guest farm, between
February 6-18th. Activity will be holiday style with a focus on 160-10
meters and if possible on 6m. Operating modes are SSB, RTTY and PSK.
They will participate in the CQWW WPX RTTY Contest (February 13-14th).
Possible contest callsign is V55V (QSL via DJ8VC). QSL via V5/DD8ZX via
DD8ZX, direct or by the Bureau. QSL V5/DJ9KM via DJ9KM, direct, by the
Bureau or LoTW.


V7, MARSHALL ISLANDS. Haru, JA1XGI, will be active as V73XG from Majuro
Island (OC-029) between April 5-13th. Activity will probably be on 160-10
meters, including the 30/17/12m bands, using mainly CW with some SSB,
RTTY, JT65 and PSK. Equipment is an IC-7300 into two different verticals.
QSL via JA1XGI, direct, by the Bureau or LoTW. Look for more details and
Web page to be forthcoming.


VP2V, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. "DX-World" reports that operators Andy/W4KDN,
Charlie/W4KZK and John/WA5FAC will be active as VP2VAW from Tortolla,
British Virgin Islands between January 14-21st. Their activity coincides
with the North American QSO CW Party (January 14-15th) and the North
American QSO SSB Party (January 21-22nd). Activity will be holiday style
outside of the contests with three stations on the air being all band
capable (160-10 meters; depending on the propagation). They however plan
to concentrate on 30 meters CW, 40 meters SSB and 160/75 meters Digital
(mostly JT-65 and PSK-31). They also plan to activate 60 meters on the
new world-wide allocation at primarily a dial frequency 5357 KHz. QSL
will be preferred direct to W4KZK: Charlies Lamb, PO Box 211, Bent Mountain,
VA 24059. Only two members use digital logging, but you can also try
requesting confirmations by eQSL or LoTW.


XP5, GREENLAND. Bjorn, OZ5BD, will soon be active as XP5T from Greenland
(NA-018). The length of his stay is unknown at this time. Activity will
be on various HF Bands. QSL via OZ0J or LoTW.


YASME NEWS. There was a Yasme Foundation Press Release sent out earlier
in the week about "THE YASME FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW WEBSITE, YASME
EXCELLENCE AWARDS AND YEAR-END SUPPORTING GRANTS". Read OPDX Special
Bulletin OPDX.1298.1 at:
OPDX Archives Mail List -- http://hamnet.org/pipermail/opdx/2017/000710.html
OPDX Web page -- http://papays.com/opdx1298.1.html


YN, NICARAGUA. A team of four operators, sponsored by Texas DX Society,
will be operating near Granada beginning March 20th and ending March 27th.
Operators mentioned are Keith/NM5G (YN2MG), Ken/KD2KW (YN2KW), Bill/K5WL
(YN2WL) and Marty/W5MF (YN2MF). The group plans to participate in the CQWW
WPX SSB Contest (March 25-26th) as YN2KW and station, as a Multi-Op/Single-
Transmitter/All-Bands/Low-Power entry. Outside of the contest, operators
will use their own callsigns on CW, SSB, RTTY and other Digital modes.
They will also have equipment to make some satellite contacts as time
and weather permit. QSL YN2KW via N5ET, all others callsigns listen for
instructions, but probably the same route.


ZS8, MARION ISLAND. Just a reminder that David, ZS1BCE, will once again
return to Marion Island as a communications technician and be active as
ZS8Z. He is expected to be active soon (sometime this month) and through
May 2018. "The Daily DX" reports that David has arrived on the island on
December 26th, but needs to "sort out his license" and "his HF antenna
is completely broken". Activity will be limited to when time permits on
various HF bands using SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via ZS1LS.

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