The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 547
BID: $OPDX.547
January 28, 2002
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF-80 BBS Cleveland, Ohio
Online at 440-237-8208 28.8k-1200 Baud 8/N/1

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, N3SIG, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, WA4TLI, K6RO, K8YSE, Kurt Brandstetter, CO8DM, CO8ZZ, CT1EEB, DL1EK & DX News Letter, DL5EBE, EA7FTR, G4XTA, HK6DOS, IZ8BRI & Diamond News, JH8KYU, JM1LRQ, LA6EIA, LA8AJA, PA0DVM, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE7AHA/VA7CW and XQ5SM for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 20/January, through Sunday, 27/January there were 240 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3C, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4W, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9U, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C6, CE, CE0A, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HM, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JX, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH4, KH6, KH8, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PZ, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T30, T32, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TL, TN, TR, TT, TU, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP5, VP6, VP8, VP8/h, VP8/o, VP8/s, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZD9, ZF, ZK1/s, ZL, ZP, ZS

* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations. As always, you never know - "Work First Worry Later" (WFWL).

3C5, EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Mirek, SP1NY, showed up this past weekend as 3C5/SP1NY from Bioco Island (AF-010). The length of his activity is currently unknown. However, he was active mainly on CW, on 30/12/10 meters. QSL via his home callsign.

5R, MADAGASCAR
Bruno, F5DKO, will be active March 4-16th from some Madagascar islands. He expects to be active during the first week of his trip from Madagascar's Coastal Islands West Group (AF-057), and the second week from Madagascar's Coastal Islands East Group (AF-090). QSL via IZ8CCW: Antonio Cannataro, P.o.Box:360, 87100 Cosenza, Italy.

A LETTER FROM MONK APOLLO, SV2ASP/A
OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive an additional bulletin containing a letter from SV2ASP/A explaining his view on the "SY" prefix situation.

ANTARCTIC NEW ZEALAND DX TRIP
Chris Post, N3SIG, informs OPDX that the first ever Antarctic New Zealand DX Trip will take place next weekend on February 2nd. The McMurdo Station Amateur Radio Club will sponsor this first ever event. The primary operators will be Chris Post, N3SIG, and Mike Poole, KE6ZYK. They will operate portable HF from the Ross Ice Shelf in front of Scott Base. Operating primarily on 20/17/15 meters; with the possiabliy of 40 and 80 meters as well. Start to look for them on 20 meters at or about 14243 kHz starting at 0500z Saturday the 2nd of February or 2:00 AM Eastern US Time. Times may change to be earlier. Their equipment will be an Icom 706MkII with IC2KL amp at about 500W. Antennas will be all wire antannas. QSL cards go to AI3D with SASE please. Chris states that this should be very popular with the big DXers as the Antarctic New Zealand ham radio callsigns are very rare and Scott Base has no hams or any type of a ham shack like they do at McMurdo. A special QSL card will be printed when Chris returns. For more info on the Scott Base Antarctica check out their Web page at:

LZ0A has been pleasing many on 80/40/30/20/15 meters. Some activity has been on CW and SSB. Watch around 3793 kHz between 0130 and 0530z. He also showed up on a net on 21275 kHz around 1815z. QSL via LZ1KDP.

CO, CUBA (6 meters)
Doug, CO8DM, informs OPDX that he has been working many Europeans and stateside stations on 6 meters, and thanks everybody for the QSO. He is running 100 watts and a wire dipole. Activity seems to be around 50125 kHz after 2130z. His QSL Manager is KU9C.

EP, IRAN
There has been a lot of activity from EP3PTT lately. That is because Stig, LA7JO, has been given permission to operate and is the first foreigner to obtain an official operating license since 1979. He is allowed to use the club station of the PTT (using the callsign EP3PTT) and has been active on 40/20/15/12/10 meters. QSL via LA7JO.
ADDED NOTE: It has been mentioned that you can QSL Stig direct to the address: UNICEF Iran, Stig Lindblom, No. 30 East Farzan St., Naji St., Dastgerdi Ave., Tehran 19187, Islamic Republic of Iran. However, please avoiding writing any callsign on the envelope and DO NOT send IRCs.

FS, SAINT MARTIN
George/W4LW and Fredrick/K4FMD will be active February 2-8th from the French side of the island of St. Martin using the callsign FS/K4UP. Their plans are to be active mainly on SSB on 10, 15, 20 and possibly some 80 meter frequencies. They will try to be on 28495, 21295, 14195, 14260 and 3795 kHz. Most of their time on the air will be after dinner or around breakfast time and possibly other air time as much as possible. (They mention that their wives are with them and they have to devote some time to vacation.) They are taking a Yaesu 900, G5RV, and a Carolina Windom 20 and a laptop. QSL via K4UP.

IOTA NEWS
SA-070. This past weekend, some members of Southern Cross DX Group, plus a couple of guest ops were active from Santa Maria Island for the first time using special Chilean call XR5SM. However, if you missed them this past weekend they will repeat the operation again in February (no dates provided). Their main activity will be on HF bands, both CW and SSB. It takes a two hour sailing trip through the Arauco Gulf to reach the island. QSL route for this past weekend's operation is via Fernando, XQ5SM: Bureau or direct is OK. There is an informative Web page with details at:

J7, DOMINICA
Look for Lars, SM0CCM, to be active this weekend as J73CCM between February 2nd through March 4. His activity will be mainly on CW (with some PSK31) with 100 watts and vertical. QSL via SM0CCM.

KH2, GUAM
Hide, JH8KYU, plans to be active from here as K8YU/KH2 from February 8-11th. The main purpose of his stay is to take part in the CQ/RJ WPX RTTY Contest. His entry will be Single Operator/All Band and the frequencies used will be on all HF bands. He states that he may also operate on CW and SSB in spite of his short stay because Single Ops are limited to operate within 30 hours only in this contest. QSL via JH8KYU, either direct to his mailing address in Tokyo or through the JARL bureau. Don't send any cards to the K8YU's callbook address or bureaus of W8 or KH2.

KH0, MARIANA ISLANDS
Nobuyuki "Nob", JM1LRQ, will be active as KH0/JM1LRQ from Saipan Island (OC-086), February 14-18th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters CW/SSB. He will also participate in the ARRL International DX CW Contest as Single Operator/All Band entry. Nob will concentrate on SSB and the WARC bands outside of the contest. QSL via the bureau or direct as follows: Nobuyuki Arai, 5-6-1-1002 Kitayamata, Tsuzuki, Yokohama, 224-0021, Japan.

LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY AND NEWS
A special event operation will take place from Sturgeon Point Lighthouse (USA-823) on August 17-19th, with the combined cooperation of Gary, K8IKW, and the Alcona County Amateur Radio Club. Gary has secured the special event callsign K8S for this event weekend during the Inter- national Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend. There will also be a joint event with the Alcona County (Michigan) Historical Society for their local heritage festival, and many people are expected to attend these events. The local radio club, and Gary are discussing the use of an old time antique wireless radio from the lighthouse, vintage 1930's and 1940's. A high volume of HF operations are expected during this event weekend. Further details will follow later in the spring and early summer of this year as details become more final.

The Metro Amateur Radio Club (MAC) of Chicago will activate Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society USA #171, on February 9-10th. The special event station K9Y will be operated from Columbia Yacht Club, according to Mike Dinelli, N9BOR. A special QSL will be available. The usual ARLHS frequencies will be used: SSB on 7270, 14270, 21370, 28370; and CW on 7030, 14030, 21030 and 28030 kHz. For more information, please visit the MAC website at:

P5, NORTH KOREA
Ed, P5/4L4LN, is back on the air testing out his new Butternut Vertical. Reports indicate that Ed is being heard better, and he has begun operating on 15 meters. Look for him to show up on 21225 kHz (now his primary frequency) after 2300z, working stations by call areas and other parts of the world. Also, continue to watch 28580 kHz; he may show up here.

PIRATE ALERT
Oscar, HK6DOS, QSL Manager for Abel, CO6XN, informs OPDX that a PIRATE station using Abel's callsign was active on 21020.9 kHz, January 16th. Any cards sent to Oscar for activity on this date will be sent back.

PJ2, NETHERLAND ANTILLES
Larry/K6RO and Ron/W6UL will be on Curacau, February 27th through March 5th, for the ARRL SSB contest. Larry will be a Single Op/All Band/High Power entry using the call PJ2K. Ron will be using the callsign PJ2/W6UL before and after the contest. They will be using CW and SSB before and after the contest concentrating on the WARC bands and 160m. They will be operating from the CCC "Signal Point" station. QSL via KU9C.

QSL INFO AND NEWS
Jose, CT1EEB, reports that the backlog of 4W/CU3FT cards is now clear, and he is replying to both 4W/CU3FT and 4W6EB (also CU3/CT1EEB) QSLs on a daily basis. Over the past couple of weeks, he has sent some 112 envelopes for 4W/CU3FT via airmail and over 800 4W6EB, CU3/CT1EEB and CT1EEB QSL cards via the REP QSL bureau system [also a few 4W/CU3FT QSL cards].

Fran, EA7FTR, reports to OPDX that he is now the QSL Manager for Jose/YV5LIX, Marco/YN1ZZE and Jan/5X1BK in Uganda.

IRC OR USD? THAT IS THE QUESTION. The IRC discussion still continues on some of the DX reflectors about the use of IRCs and the "NEW IRC". OPDX was informed this week by David, PA0DVM, that in The Netherlands such a discussion no longer makes sense. The Dutch Post Office just informed him that from January 1, 2002 on, they stopped selling IRCs completely. So, for the amateurs in The Netherlands, the use of green stamps is the only possibility left, or they could try to collect IRCs from other countries. David added that airmail postage from Holland to outside Europe is 0.75 Euro, and that is well below one USD which is quite different from the situation in Germany.

Also, Paul, G4XTA, reports/states the following to OPDX: "I've seen all the hype about the NEW IRC's and read that the USA and Australia already only issue the new type and that my stocks of old ones will be worthless soon. All the changes allegedly took place on January 1, 2002. BUT.......this just ain't true! I've called the international section of the ROYAL MAIL here in the UK. They know nothing about it. All British Post Offices are still fully stocked with 'OLD' type IRC's which they continue to sell. I've also talked to many DXers in USA and Australia, and they've never seen the new type of IRC, and say that their post offices are also still selling the 'OLD' ones."

So, many DXers and QSL Manager, would have to ask what is going on? Do we dump the old IRC (cash in) or use them? Any advice would be appreciated.....

JW REPORT. Andreas, LA8AJA, reports that JW8AJA worked about 3400 QSOs. JW5QFA worked about 1000 QSOs and JW4X (6M) worked 273 QSOs with 18 DXCC entities. QSLs for JW8AJA are via LA8AJA, JW5QFA and JW4X are via LA6EIA. QSL cards are not printed yet, please be patient. For more info, pictures, story and logsearch (JW4X), go to the Web page at:

SWL Kurt Brandstetter (OE 1002419) reports for those who are interested he has updated his "Marconi QSL's 2001" Web page with QSLs from the International Marconi Day 2001 and Marconi Memorial Stations that was active on the 12th of December 2001 (Celebrating the first radio transmission across the Atlantic on December 12, 1901). The Web page is at:

S9, SAO TOME (Attention Top Banders)
Ole, LA6EIA, will be joining the Scandinavian group which will be active from Sao Tome from February 4-10th. Their callsign will be S9LA. He states they will transmit CW on 1827.5 kHz (listening up) and SSB on 1845 kHz (listening on 1850 kHz). The antenna on the topband will be a TITANEX 160E (if they can get it up...). For more details, look at the S9LA Web page at:

T4, CUBA
The Las Tunas Contest Crew, T48K, will be active during the next ARRL International DX CW Contest as a Multi-Single category. The operators will be: Josy/CO8JY, Doug/CO8DM, Geo/CO2JZ and Raul/CO8ZZ. QSL via DK1WI.

TG, GUATEMALA
Tom/W9AEB and Bob/WF9V are expected to be active this week as TG7/W9AEB from Central Guatemala between January 31st and February 9th. Activity will be on 20-10 meters CW/SSB. QSL via WF9V.

V3, BELIZE
Andy, VE7AHA/VA7CW, informs OPDX that he will active as V31HA from February 2-16th, near the town of Hopkins on the mainland (no IOTA), and also near V31JP whom he hopes to visit. He states, "We will be there for radio, snork, fishing and beer. Not always in that order." QSL via VE7AHA.

VP8, SOUTH GEORGIA ISLAND
The multi-national team of twelve experienced operators (EI6FR, EI5IQ, HB9ASZ, PA3FQA, K0IR, W3WL, K4UEE, VE3EJ, N5KO, K5TR, W7EW and 9V1YC), active as VP8THU, went QRT from Southern Thule (South Sandwich Islands) early morning January 22nd. As this was being written, the team was expected to be active from South Georgia Island, Sunday, January 26th. However, it has been rumoured that a bad storm is delaying their landing, and they remain on the vessel "Braveheart". The callsign and the QSL route will be announced once the operation begins. QSL VP8THU via VE3XN: Garry Hammond, 5 McLaren Avenue, Listowel, Ontario N4W 3K1 CANADA.

YA, AFGHANISTAN
There are no new updates on Peter and boys other than what we reported last week. However, a new station, YA0USA, was reported on the air this past week operating on 17 meters CW/SSB. Watch 18068 and 18120 kHz after 1330z. Also, watch 14210 kHz around 1700. The operator is Karl, K4YT, who is working at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. He states to QSL via K4YT. A report from "The Daily DX" over the past weekend states Karl has been there "for about a week and has just obtained a club license from the Minister of Communications for the American Embassy in Kabul." Reportedly, the license, YA0USA, can be operated by Embassy U.S. government officials; there are several of them stationed there now. Karl will be here until the end of the month and will be active in his spare time. "The Daily DX" states Karl is using a TS-50 and a 80 meter dipole with a tuner.

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Additional Bulletins for OPDX InterNet Subscribers

The following letter from Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A, has been sent to OPDX over the past fews weeks. Thanks to DL5EBE, GW3CDP, SV2WT, and W6/IK3ZAW for providing the following...............

--------------------------------------------------------------------
NEWS FROM MOUNT ATHOS

Dear Friends DXers,
Thank God, despite a number of difficulties, year 2000 saw the accomplishment of Mount Athos' 10 years on the air. To celebrate this event I had required and I obtained the special call-sign SY2A. My aim was to provide as many collegues as possible with a contact with Mount Athos. Within the year the prefix 'SY' (belonging to Mount Athos as a DXCC entity) was heard a number of times, while being used from stations without any relationship with Mount Athos. This happening created a great confusion within the international amateur radio community. Hence, I demanded the Ministry some explanation. I was answered that after a recent circular Greek ham radio stations can apply for the 'SY' as a special call. This made me very sorry, so on September the 10th 2000 I wrote the Ministry about that, informing them that after this happening I had decided not to use the SY2A call-sign at all. Since they might not be familiar with amateur radio matters, I sent them international lists where Mount Athos appears as 'SY', as well as the CEPT list. So far, I have received no answer. Despite all this, some collegues begged me to show up as SY2A, and so, as a monk, I obeied and I made happy over 6500 operators! Nevertheless, after that (end of year 2000) I stopped, waiting for some answer from the Ministry. Unfortunately, the people working at the Ministry are not ham radios and they cannot understand the importance that Mount Athos has for the DX, being it a separate DXCC entity. Since in these months I have been asked by many friends from abroad why I do not show up, today I let you know the reason. Furthermore, I ask for your help. You can send a message to the Ministry (E-mail: yme@otenet.gr) and ask them to stop issuing the SY as a special prefix, since it has belonged to Mount Athos for the last 30 years, as international lists and maps show. Furthermore, seizing the opportunity, you could ask that SY will be permanently assigned to Mount Athos, as it is reported also on the 'CEPT' list, so that confusion will come to an end, once for all. Placing my trust in God, I wait for the solution of the problem, and then I will be with you again... as much as my monastic duties and all the difficulties here will allow it to me. From Mount Athos, "the Garden of the Virgin Mary", I send all of you my best wishes for a peaceful 2002!!!

God bless you.
Monk Apollo SV2ASP/A

From: "Steve Romagni" {eromagni@yahoo.com}
To: kb8nw@arrl.net
Subject: DX FORUM & DX DINNER AT MIAMI HAMFEST 2001
Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2002 11:13:07 -0500
MIME-Version: 1.0

Pass this information along...

73 de Steve W4DTA

The South Florida DX Association is again proud to be hosting the DX Forum at this year's Miami Tropical Hamboree on February 2nd.

The DX Forum will include a presentation by N1ND Dan Henderson from the ARRL on "Logbook Of The World", how it is proceeding and how it will affect us in the future. We will also be giving away 8 great door prizes.

We will also have a "Gathering of Friends," a.k.a. the DX Dinner, at La Carreta Restaurant (HAMFEST CASUAL ATTIRE). There will be a DX "Happy Hour" Cocktail Party in our private room at the restaurant from 5:00 pm until 6:30 pm, when dinner will start.

The Cocktail Party will be a cash bar and DXCC cards will be checked during "Happy Hour" Even if you can't stay for dinner, come to the Cocktail Party and have an 807 (or a 4-400A) with your friend. There will be 2 great door prizes given out during the cocktail party and 3 at the dinner.

Tickets for the drawing are FREE and will be given out at the door to all who attend but you must be present to win.

There is no fixed dinner menu or minimum price - order what you want from the Cuban menu (yes, it's in English and Spanish) and you pay for your separate check.

For more information, please visit http://www.qsl.net/k4fk and in case you need further assistance the frequency is 147.330 (simplex). See you there!

*Door prizes will be awarded during the DX forum, cocktail party and dx dinner, but you must be present to win.

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