The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 557
BID: $OPDX.557
April 8, 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, NC1L, AF2C, N2OO, WA2MOE, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4WX, K5QM, AH6HY, K6GNX, N6HR, N7NG, K8YSE, N8JV, K9EL, Sharon Taratula, ARRL DX Bulletin, 4K5CW, DL1EK & DX News Letter, EA5EYJ, F5JYD, F5NOD, F5NQL & UFT, FJ5DX & La Gazette du DX, HS0/G3NOM, IK4ZHH, IK7JWX, JD1BKQ, JH4PHW, JI3DST, JI6KVR, LU5XPZ, OE1WHC, RN9XA, RU6FA, RW3RN, UX0FF, VA3NA, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE3EXY, VK4GL and VU2SDN for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 31/Machr, through Sunday, 7/April there were 238 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1I, 4U1U, 4W, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C6, CE, CE0A, CE0Z, 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, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, H40, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HM, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J8, 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, PZ, S2, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T30, T32, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TI9, TK, TL, TR, TT, TU, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VP2E, VP5, VP6, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XX9, XZ, 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).

7Q, MALAWI
Chris, EC3ADC, will be in Lilongwe from April 7-17th, and will sign 7Q7DX. Activity will be on 80/40/20/15/12/10 meters. QSL via EA5IQ: Jose Maria Vives, C Moncada 62 6A, 46025 Valencia, Spain.

CORRECTION
In OPDX.556, under "HC8, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS", the Web site listed for the Galapagos Islands DX Award had a typo in it. The correct URL is:

DXCC NEWS
* DXCC Accepting P5/4L4FN Contacts!
Wayne Mills, N7NG, Membership Services Department Manager, reports in a ARRL News Release: "Since early November 2001, Mr. Edisher (Ed) Giorgadze, 4L4FN, a Georgian citizen employed by the United Nations World Food Program, has been active as P5/4L4FN in Pyongyang, DPRK. DXCC Rule 7 states 'Any Amateur Radio operation should take place only with the complete approval and understanding of appropriate administration officials.' The rule continues, 'In any case, credit will be given for contacts where adequate evidence of authorization by appropriate authorities exists.' The ARRL has now received adequate evidence that the operation by Mr. Giorgadze is being conducted with the knowledge and approval of telecommunications officials in Pyongyang. At the present time, this approval is limited to SSB operation. The ARRL Awards Committee has met and concurred that the operation should be accredited. As a result, we are pleased to announce that effective immediately, the DXCC Branch will accept SSB contacts with P5/4L4FN for DXCC credit. Contacts with P5/4L4FN dating back to early November, 2001 will count for this Entity." OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive "ARRL DX Bulletin 14 (ARLD014)" which contains more details of the P5/4L4FN operation and its acceptance as an additional bulletin.

* Bill Moore, NC1L, DXCC Manager, reports: "Documentation for EP3UN (Iran) has been received and approved. QSLs from EP3UN are now being accepted for DXCC credit.

EP, IRAN
Stig, LA7JO, continues to be active as EP3UN. Activity over the past weekend was on 30/15/12 meters CW. Watch 10103 kHz after 0215z, and 21017 and 24901 kHz between 1400 and 1630z. Also, the ARRL DX Bulletin reports that Abdullah, EP2FM, has been active using RTTY on 20 meters around 0300 to 0400 and 1600z.

FG, GUADELOUPE
Look for Michel, F5IN, to be active as FG/F5IN from Capesterre, Guadeloupe (NA-107, DIFI FG001), from May 1-10th. Activity will be on the HF bands and CW only. He plans to meet with Pierre, F6FXS, who has been there since April 16th for some joint CW activity only. This will be a holiday style DXpedition. QSL via F5IN.

HI, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
George/KA3HSW and his son (name and callsign not provided) will be on a missions trip from June 15-27th, and he is hoping to take his rig along and operate as HI8/KA3HSW. George is not sure if he will be able to take along a computer for RTTY, but he will certainly take along cables and a copy of MMTTY in case he can lay his hands on someone else's computer!

IOTA NEWS
AS-008. (Update) Operators JJ2GAZ/1, JQ1QFO/1 and JO1LVZ/1 are planning to be active from Izu Archipelago, Mikura Island, from April 13-14th. Activity will be on CW and SSB on all bands. QSL via their home callsigns.

AS-119. Look for operators from the Royal Omani Amateur Radio Society to be active as A43GI from Al Ghanam Island, April 12-15th. Activity will be on all bands CW/SSB. QSL via A47RS: P.O. Box 981, Muscat 113, Sultanate of Oman.

AS-079. Takeshi, JI3DST, will be active as JI3DST/6 from Miyako Island (Miyako-jima Hirara-city Okinawa-ken) April 27th through May 5th (or possible May 6th). Activity will be on 40/17/15/12/10 meters and also 6/2 meters SSB. He will be looking for DX staition on 6m (Look for AF and SA). QSL via Bureau (BURO is best) or direct to: Takeshi Funaki, 2-18-26 Hannan-cho Abeno-ku Osaka-city, OSAKA 545-0021 JAPAN.

EU-045. Alfredo, IK7JWX, informs OPDX that the A.R.I. and the "Salento DX Team" will activate Zannone Island (Archipelago Island Pontine - I.I.A. LT012 - IOTA EU-045) with special callsign IB0A, June 20-24th. QSL Manager is I0YKN, QSL via the bureau, or direct: Nuccio Meoli Via of the Station 36 04010 CORI (LT) - Italy.

SA-029. Operators PU1NEZ/Carl, PY1LVF/Vieira, PY1NEW/Pete, PY1NEZ/Lima and PY1VOY/Rick were active over the past weekend as PT1G from Grande Island. However, operations will end April 8th. QSL via PY1LVF.

I, ITALY
The city of Rome is celebrating its 2755th anniversary this April. It is suggested to be on the lookout for some special event stations to be active.

JD1, Ogasawara
Tack/JD1BKQ, Nori/JA1OZK and some other operators will install a DX Club Station in Aplil on Ogasawara Island (JD1/O)(AS-031). They will be on the air as JD1YBO from the club station between May 1-5th. Their activities on the air at first from the club station will be on CW, SSB and RTTY, the Low Bands and High Bands including the WARC bands and the 6 meter band. JD1BKQ will be active mainly on the High Bands. JA1OZK will be active mainly on Low Bands and 6 meters. Some of the other club members may join the operation as well. QSL via the Bureau to JD1YBO or direct to the following address: Tatsuhiko Kimura (JD1BKQ), 79-142 Nara-cho, Saitama-city, 331-0042 Saitama, JAPAN.

KH1, BAKER AND HOWLAND ISLANDS
Nenad, VE3EXY, reports the KH1 DXpedition is still on track. According to the latest press release, activity should take place between April 29th and May 9th using a special 1x1 callsign. All standard DX frequencies will be used according to band plans. Operating modes will be: CW, SSB, SSTV, PSK, RTTY, FM and SATELLITE. Here are the suggested frequencies that will be used mostly, unless bad propagations or too big pile-up occurs:
CW - 1825, 3505, 7005, 10005 14025, 18075, 21025, 24895, 28025
SSB - 1825, 3795, 7045, 14195, 18150, 21295, 24950, 28495
28.900 - FM only
50.105 - 6 meters
All QSL cards for CW, RTTY, SSTV, PSK, FM, SATELLITE, will go to YT1AD:
Dr.Hrane Milosevic, 36206 Vitanovac, Yugoslavia, Europe
QSL cards for SSB will go to RZ3AA: Roman Thomas (Adress will be published later). The KH1 web page is now available at:

KH8, AMERICAN SAMOA (IOTA Op)
Dave, AH6HY, will be going to the rare IOTA OC-077, Manua Islands, from May 18-24th. His activity will be on 10, 15 and 20 meters, SSB only. Look for him on the usual IOTA and DX frequencies. His callsign will be AH6HY/AH8. QSL via the bureau is OK or direct (1 new IRC or 1 green stamp for foreign stations). More info can be found at:

LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY
Filippo, IK4ZHH, will be active during the long weekend of April 25-28th and sign as IK4ZHH/P from Cesenatico Lightouse for the "WAIL Award (award of Italian lighthouse) reference number: WAIL ER-OO3. His activity will be on 40/20/15/10 meters CW/SSB during these days. QSL to IK4ZHH: Filippo, P.O. Box 7217, 47100 Forli/7, Italy.

Pablo/LU8DO and Claudio/LU7CC will be activating Punta Piedra Lighthouse (ARLHS: ARG-058), April 13-14th; weather permitting. Pablo is expected to use his own callsign LU8DO. Claudio will use his DXpedition callsign L77C. Using on a 100 watts and dipoles, look for them on the standard ARLHS frequencies (+/- QRM), however, on 10 meters they will be on 28300/28350 kHz in order to contact local novice hams. QSL L77C via LU7CC, and LU8DO/p via LU8DO.

OD, LEBANON
Operator Max, IW0GXY, has received a licence to operate a 6 meter station from here. He will be signing OD5/IW0GXY until June or even September. Watch on or around the frequency 50155 kHz (+/- QRM).

OZ, DENMARK (Danish Islands to be Activated!)
Knud, OZ2ZB, is expected to be active April 11th from the following Danish Islands: Tagholme (DIA: NJ-015, no IOTA) at 1000z, Roenholme (DIA: NJ-014, no IOTA) at 1100z and Livoe (DIA: NJ-007, EU-171) at 1200z. His activity will be around 14270 and 21270 kHz (+/- QRM) SSB. QSL via OZ2ZB to the bureau or direct to: Knud Bach, Tranum Engevej 119, DK-9460, Brovst Denmark.

P5, NORTH KOREA
With the good news of the P5/4L4FN being accepted for DXCC, Ed was once again active over the past weekend on 21225 kHz during his usual time. There was good news reported this week on Bruce's, KK5DO, Web site stating Ed will be in North Korea until June 2003. Also, the Web page reports that Ed has been active on RTTY on 21080 kHz. However, these contacts are not yet being accepted for DXCC credit. Watch the following Web page for updates:

PACIFIC NORTHWEST DX CONVENTION
Lisa Zeug, K7UQT, asks, "Planning your summer vacation? Consider a trip to Oregon. We have mountains, we have ocean beaches, we have spectacular waterfalls, we have delicious seafood, and we have the 2002 Pacific Northwest DX Convention!" The Willamette Valley DX Club would like to invite you to the Northwest's premier DX Convention which will be held August 2-4th, near Portland, Oregon, at the Monarch Hotel, 12566 SE 93rd Ave., Clackamas, OR 97015 (1-800-492-8700). Full details and a registration form will be on their Web site shorty at:

PIRATE ALERT
Serge, 4K5CW, informs OPDX that someone continues to pirate his callsign on the Digital Modes. He states that he has never and will not in nearest future work the DIGI modes.

QSL INFO AND NEWS
LOST LOGS! Bob, N2OO, reports: "I am sorry to report that most logs from the JULY 2001 operation at 9M6AAC were lost. I held about 80 cards while I waited for the 'op' to try to locate the logs on his laptop. However, he has finally reported that he has had no luck salvaging the logs. He is quite heart broken. The only QSO's that we were able to salvage were 200 which were logged on the regular 9M6AAC shack computer from 0822 UTC on July 27th thru 0521 UTC on July 28th. It is quite possible that this may only be a partial log during this timeframe. All QSLs have been returned with a note explaining the problem. Anyone who needs a QSL for this specific "July 2001" operation using the callsign 9M6AAC can contact me via E-mail at n2oo@arrl.net and I will check the log before you send a card. The July 2001 IOTA Contest operation using callsign 9M6A is OK. ALL other 9M6AAC and 9M6A logs are 100% OK. In the 5 years since 9M6AAC started operations, over 200,000 QSO's have been made and this is the first time we have had a lost log. Anyone can view the 9M6AAC web site at

NEED QSL ROUTES for the 2002 CQ WPX SSB Contest? Check Pascual, EA5EYJ, Web site at:

Alex, RU6FA, was informed by Alex, EZ8BD, that his QSL information in the "QRZ CD 2001" is not right. The correct route is: P.O. Box 15, Ashgabat, 744017, Turkmenistan.

The log is available online for the FK8KC/P operation to Puel Island
(FK067 - DIFO reference number) at:

H40XX and H44XX online logs are now available with the exception of CQ WPX SSB activity. The link to the online log can be found at Nick's, VK1AA, page:

Hillar/N6HR and Elsie/N7YX were active in the CQ WPX SSB Contest last week as KH6RS. QSL via N6HR.

Pablo, LU5XPZ, in Ushuaia, on the Island of Tierra del Fuego in Argentina, informs OPDX that he has designated Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK, as his QSL Manager. Cards can be sent direct or through the QSL Bureaus for him. Pablo's entries in QRZ.com and Buckmaster now show WD9EWK as his QSL Manager, and the information for WD9EWK is correct at those Web sites as well as in the Radio Amateur Callbook since 1997.

NOT A QSL MANAGER. Christian, DL6KAC, reports that he continues to receive QSLs for stations from Eastern Europe (EK, EW, 4J etc.) claiming that he is the QSL Manager for these stations. He is NOT a QSL Manager for ANY stations other than his own /p activites (EA6/, W4/, OZ/, SM/, PA/ etc.) and the WAG 2001 contest QSOs for DN2EI (but *only* these QSOs - not the regular QSOs).

QSLs for the 5B4/RV3MA operation go via RW3RN.

On-line logs for RH9XN are now available on the following Web site at:

Nikolay, UX0FF, made about 1000 QSOs on 40 meters in last week's CQ WPX SSB Contest with the short contest callsign UR6F. QSLs for UR6F are via UX0FF.

VP6DI LOGS. Shiro, JH4PHW, reports some 32,712 QSOs have been loaded to the following Web site:

          VP6TK  via N9TK         VP6VT via N9TK
          VP6AJ  via N9TK         VP6MW via Call Book Address

Dr. Bill, K6GNX, reports that the operators from the XR0X DXpedition to San Felix Island are now home and fine. The online logs have been corrected and are now available at:

SPECIAL EVENT STATION
Radio Austria International (the external broadcasting service) operates, as in previous years, special event station OE1M (a special prefix for this day only), on International Marconi Day, April 27th. This operation aims at inviting radio amateurs and broadcast listeners to learn more about each other. The QSL, accordingly, will be issued "cross.-mode" for OE1M-QSOs/RRs and/or reception reports for "Intermedia", Radio Austria International's weekly communications magazine (broadcast via AM, SW, cable, satellite, and internet). For details check:

SV/A, MOUNT ATHOS
Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A, was heard this past week on 20 meters and 12 meters. Watch around 14212 kHz after 0400z and 24943 kHz after 1530z. QSL direct to: Monk Apollo, Monastery Dochiariou, GR-63037 Mt. Athos, Greece. Check out the interesting Web site on Mount Athos at:

TK7, CORSICA
Bruno, F5JYD, informs OPDX that the special callsign TK7I will be activated by the "LOOS DX GANG", April 20-27th, from Etang de Biguglia, South of Bastia (IOTA EU-014). Activity will be on 80-10 meters. QSL via F5JYD CBA or Bureau.

V2 & VP2M, ANTIGUA AND MONTSERRAT
Bill/W4WX (V25WX & VP2MHX) and Larry/W1LR (V2/W1LR & VP2MHS), members of the Florida DXpedition Group, will be active from Montserrat April 9-14th and April 15-16th from Antigua. Look for them on all bands, except 160 meters, on SSB, MMTTY, and PSK-31. QSL via home callsign, direct or via bureau.

V7, MARSHALL ISLANDS. Jim, N8JV, provided the DX community a message from Jim, KC7OKZ, stating that for those of you following Carol/KC7TSX and Jim's sailing adventures on "Morning Wings", they are now on the Marshall Islands. Carol is now V73SX and Jim is V73KZ. Jim reports everything is up and working fine. The Yaesu FT-900 was put into sevice on the way down from Honolulu when their ICOM-706 bit the dust. It is now repaired and functioning. They set up on the atoll with their little Honda genset (only 1000 watts) and a couple of Hamsticks. He states. "Everything worked great. For now we are doing everything from Majuro (OC-029) but within the next couple of months should be able to get out to at least two of the unactivated atolls and put them on the air. Probably Ujelang will be first."

VK9L, LORD HOWE ISLAND
Remember that Jack, VK6CTL, is expected to be active as VK9LT this week (April 11-22nd). Activity will be mostly SSB. QSL via VK6CTL (VK-ZL only) and all others to HB9QR: Erwin Fink, Toedistr. 7, CH-8572 Berg, Switzerland.

VK9ML, MELLISH REEF
By the time you read this, an international team of 10 operators from G, JA, VK, W, and ZL will have set sail for Mellish Reef Monday, April 8th. The voyage is expected to take approx. 3 to 4 days. For up-to-date news, please check the main Web site at:

VQ9, CHAGOS ISLANDS
Jesse, AB5RY, is operating VQ9J for the next few months. His is expected to have a strong station on 160-10 meters. He was heard this past week on 28435 kHz between 2045-2200z. He was also heard on 24987 kHz around 1930z the week before. QSL to K5QM with a S.A.S.E.

VU4 AND VU7 UPDATE (Why The Blanket Ban)
Last week, some of our readers wanted to know why there is a "blanket ban on operations" from Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshdeep Islands. Sahruddin, VU2SDN, President of the Amateur Radio Society of India, provided OPDX with the following answer: "The Government feels that from the point of view of Defence, it is a very sensitive area and they do not want anyone to operate any kind of wireless system. The presumption is apparently based on intelligence reports from people who do not understand what amateur radio is. ( or perhaps, do not want to understand ) Even for Indians, going there is permitted but not to operate from there. Not only this, at present, no licences are being issued to radio amateurs from Jammu and Kashmir and all the North-Eastern States. Whether we agree with this understanding or not, we cannot do anything about it."

XW, LAOS
Ray, HS0/G3NOM, informs OPDX that the plans for the HSDXA/RAST DXpedition to Laos is now finalized. Activity will be between April 10-20th, using the group callsign XW1HS. QSL Manager will be E21EIC: P.O. Box 1090, Kasetsart, Bangkok 10903, Thailand. Operators' individual callsigns are as follows: XW1CW (E20HHK), XW1IC (E21EIC), XW1OM (HS0/G3NOM), XW1CKC (HS1CKC), XW1EQY (HS9EQY) and XW1GBI (HS0GBI). QSL to their home callsign or the Thailand QSL Bureau. Ray states all amateur bands and modes are authorized and will be attempted. Please request any special modes or contacts before April 10th. Ray's E-mail address is: g3nom@rast.or.th It is hoped they will have internet access in Vientiane (to be announced). Suggested main operating frequencies:

CW (MHz) 50.115, 28.006, 28.023, 24.895, 21.006, 21.023, 18.073, 14.006, 14.023, 10.102, 10.108, 7.006, 7.023, 3.506, 3.523 and 1.8265 (QSX JA segments also)
SSB (MHz) 50.115, 24.945, 21.295, 18.140, 14.195, 7.052 (QSX NA 7.2 up), 3.795-3.802 (QSX 3.800 for VK) and 1.835-1.840
RTTY (MHz) 28.080, 24.920, 18.102, 14.080, 10.140, 7.037,
FM (MHz) 50.115, 29.260
SSTV MHz 28.540, 21.340, 14.230

Satellite operation should start on April 11th, and continue until April 20th. A concerted effort will be made. HS2JFW has prepared equipment for operations on AO-10, AO-40, FO-20, FO-29, RS12/13, RS15, AO-27, UO-14. Frequencies bands to be used are 21MHz, 28MHz, 144MHz, 430MHz, 2.4GHz. Modes: CW, SSB, FM, RTTY, SSTV. The uplink signal may be weak on 70cm, so listen carefully. See further details of equipment, antennas, operations and updates on the following Web site:

YA, AFGHANISTAN
Mark Tell, VK4KMT, is now in Pakistan. He will fly to Afghanistan on Monday, April 8th, and be in Mazar-e-Sharif in Northern Afghanistan for a while. Mark does have a Icom 706 with him. Mark will be there for 3 weeks, then head to Kabul to meet up with the other guys as they return from taking their out of country break.

SPECIAL NOTE BY EDITOR: If you are having a problem receiving bounced mail by sending mail to me via " kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org ", please send mail to me via " kb8nw@arrl.net "...... TNX de Tedd KB8NW

OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUEST:

Help: opdx-request@nshore.org Subject:help
Subscribe: opdx-request@nshore.org Subject:subscribe
Unsubscribe: opdx-request@nshore.org Subject:unsubscribe

OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME (provided by John, K8YSE):
http://www.papays.com/opdx.html

ALSO VISIT THE NORTERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
http://www.papays.com/nodxa.html

Excerpts and distribution of The OPDX Bulletin are granted as long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receive credit. To contribute DX info, call BARF-80 BBS online at 440-237-8208 28.8k/14400/9600/2400/1200 and leave a message with the Sysop or send via InterNet Mail to:

Additional Bulletins for OPDX InterNet Subscribers

SB DX @ ARL $ARLD014
ARLD014 DXCC to accept P5/4L4FN contacts for credit

ZCZC AE14
QST de W1AW
DX Bulletin 14 ARLD014
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT April 2, 2002
To all radio amateurs

SB DX ARL ARLD014
ARLD014 DXCC to accept P5/4L4FN contacts for credit

The ARRL has announced it will accept SSB contacts with P5/4L4FN in North Korea (Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea) for DXCC credit. Operator Ed Giorgadze of the Republic of Georgia, has been active from the capital city of Pyongyang since early last November. Valid SSB contacts from the onset of the P5/4L4FN operation last fall may be submitted for DXCC credit, effective immediately.

ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG, said the ARRL now has received adequate evidence that the P5/4L4FN operation was being conducted with the knowledge and approval of North Korean telecommunications officials. Giorgadze has been operating with oral permission from North Korean authorities, but Mills said the ARRL is satisfied on the basis of written information submitted that the P5/4L4FN operation conforms with DXCC rules and should be accepted for credit.

Mills cited DXCC Rule 7, which states ''Any Amateur Radio operation should take place only with the complete approval and understanding of appropriate administration officials.'' The rule continues, ''In any case, credit will be given for contacts where adequate evidence of authorization by appropriate authorities exists.''

Mills said the ARRL Awards Committee met and concurred that the operation should be accredited.

The P5/4L4FN operation is not a DXpedition. Giorgadze is employed by the United Nations World Food Program and often spends as much as 12 hours a day on the job, operating in his off hours. It's expected that he will be in North Korea at least until July and possibly longer. A favorite hangout has been 21.225 MHz (he works split and listens up). He's also been a frequent visitor to 10 meters.

While P5/4L4FN has been doing some RTTY operation in addition to SSB, those contacts are not yet acceptable for DXCC credit.

Bruce Paige, KK5DO, has been acting as QSL manager and liaison for P5/4L4FN. Additional news and information about the operation is on his AMSAT Net Web site, http://www.amsatnet.com. Click on the ''P5 North Korea'' link.
NNNN

Back to the OPDX Index
Back to the NODXA
Back to the EIDX Network