The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 677
BID: $OPDX.677
September 20, 2004
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF-80 BBS Cleveland, Ohio

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, K1XN & GoList, NC1L, KA2AEV, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, AA4NN, N4AA & QRZ DX, N4GN, K7USJ & TIARA, K8YSE, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, EA5KY, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, G0PSE, GM0HCQ, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, PA5R, TA3YJ, VA3RJ & ICPO, VK4AAR, VK4FW and the Marine Corps Mars for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 12th/September, through Sunday, 19th/September there were 225 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5U, 5V, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9U, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C6, C9, 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, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH6, KH9, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PY, PZ, R1MV, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TL, TN, TR, TT, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2M, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZD9, ZF, ZK1/s, ZK2, 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" (WFWL).

2004 DX MAGAZINE'S MOST WANTED SURVEY
Once again the "DX Magazine's" annual "Most Wanted Survey" is being conducted now through October 31st. The survey is open to all DXers, and the form is available on the Web at:

3Y, PETER I ISLAND (DXpedition Team 3Y0X Announces Major NCDXF Sponsorship Grant)
From Chicago, on September 18th, the 2005 Peter I (3Y0X) DXpedition Team announced that it has been awarded a major sponsorship grant by the Northern California DX Foundation, Inc. (NCDXF) [see NCDXF below]. The press release states, "A multinational team of twenty operators and one explorer, led by Antarctic DXpedition veterans Ralph Fedor, K0IR, and Bob Allphin, K4UEE, will activate Peter I Island between 14 January and 10 February, 2005. Other team members come from France, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, Finland, Australia, The Netherlands and the United States, and possess significant DXpedition and Antarctic experience. The Chilean registered vessel Antarctic Dream, and its dedicated helicopter, will be supporting the group for their entire journey.

'This DXpedition is funded principally by the contributions of its twenty-one members plus this very generous grant by the Northern California DX Foundation,' said Bob Allphin, K4UEE, co-leader of the DXpedition. However, because of the extraordinary cost of chartering the Antarctic Dream to travel safely to and from this remote location, additional assistance is still being sought from the world-wide DX community."

For further information on the Peter I DXpedition, and how to contribute to the success of this DXpedition, go to:

7X, ALGERIA (Update/Change in Callsign)
Luis, EA5KY, editor of El Mundo del DX in the Radioaficionados, official bulletin of the URE, informs OPDX that operators Angel/EA1QF, Pere/EA3CUU, Paco/EA4BT, Emilio/EA7AAW, Julio/EA7JB, Juan Lucas/EA7TL and Ramom/EB4EPJ will be active from here October 2-9th. Callsign will be 7W0AD, not 7X0AD as first announced. QTH QSL is via EA4URE.

AMSAT ELECTION
As a result of the 2004 AMSAT Board of Directors elections, Thomas Clark/W3IWI, Louis McFadin/W5DID and Paul Shuch/N6TX will serve on the Board for two years. The first alternate is Bruce/KK5DO and the second alternate is Stephen/W4EPI.

ANTARCTIC OPERATIONS (VP8, VP8/G and VP8/O)
Mike, GM0HCQ, who has operated from Antarctica since 1990 and works as a ship's Radio Officer onboard the BAS vessels, has informed OPDX of his forthcoming trip to the Antarctica onboard the British Antarctic Survey vessel RRS James Clark Ross. The vessel sails from the UK on September 22nd, and he will operate as GM0HCQ/MM for the trip to the Falkland Islands (VP8). His Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) is October 20th. From there Mike will then opearte as VP8CMH/MM while onboard the ship. All being well, Mike will also operate from the following bases:

1) Signy Base, South Orkney Islands. Callsign will be VP8SIG. The proposed dates are October 26-31st.

2) South Georgia. Callsign will be VP8SGK. The proposed dates are November 2-7th and November 18th.

3) Rothera Base, Adelaide Island. Callsign will be VP8ROT. The dates are December 7-12th.

All the dates are provisional and may well change for operational reasons. Operating from the bases also depends upon Mike's workload onboard the ship and the work that is being carried out at the base during the ship visit. Mike states, "I hope this year to be able to operate on CW from Signy as I will be taking my Ten-Tec Corsair with me. Normally I use the base equipment, but Signy does not have a CW facility." Mike advises OPDX that he will be publishing information regarding the operation from the bases nearer the time via his Web site at:

C9, MOZAMBIQUE
Operators Joe/AA4NN and Chuck/W4GMY will be active as C91F in the CQWW CW Contest (November 27-28th) as a Multi-Single/All-Band (160-10m) entry. QSL via AA4NN. Pre-contest activity (November 24-26th) will be CW only. Joe will sign C91NN and Chuck will sign C91CG.

DXCC NEWS
Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC Branch Manager, reports that the following operations are approved for DXCC credit:
4W4JEG - Timor-Leste from October 7, 2003 to June 30, 2004
T6RF - Afghanistan from July 1, 2004 to August 31, 2004
TT8KR - Chad from September 7, 2004 to September 14, 2004

EL2, LIBERIA
Pat, EI5IF, who is currently serving with the Irish Army contingent in Liberia has finally succeeded in obtaining a Liberian licence. Listen for him over the next three months using his new callsign EL2PM.

EM0, UKRAINE (Special Activity)
The club station of the "Ukrainian State Centre of Radio Frequencies" will be active as EM0ITU during the period September 20-24th in connection with holding the ITU workshop at the "ITU Centre of Excellence" in Kiev, Ukraine. QSL via UT3UZ: Alex Arbuzov, P.O. Box 240, Kiev-232, 02232, Ukraine.

EUCW EVENT POSTPONED
The "Club Francophone Telegraphiste" (CFT, Belgian CW Club) announced that the first contest organized by the "European CW Association" (EUCW), which was scheduled for September 19th (this past weekend), has been postponed to avoid interferences with the Scandinavian Activity Contest which has taken place for years on the 3rd weekend in September. A new date has been announced for the EUCW Contest event, so please mark your calendar as follows: The Contest will happen November 11th, from 0500-1500z. This contest is "Open", so all EUCW Clubs members and all the other are welcome and invited to enter this competition. For more information and rules, please visit the CFT Web pages (available in French, English and Flemish languages) at:

EY8, TAJIKISTAN
Nodir, EY8MM, plans to be active in contests over the next few months. His contest schedule is as follows:
CQ/RJ DX RTTY Contest (September 25-26th) - Single-Op/Single Band (20m) - Possibly an all bands entry - Depends on his time for antenna work.
CQ WW DX SSB Contest (October 30-31st) - Single-Op/Single Band (20m) or Single-Op/All-Band entry.
CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 27-28th) - Single-Op/Single Band (20m) or Single-Op/All-Band entry.
QSL all via K1BV. Nodir's Web page can be viewed at:

FT/X, KERGUELEN ISLANDS (Microlite Penguins DXpedition Team Press Release).
From Singapore, on September 19th, the Microlite Penguins DXpedition Team announced that it has been awarded an exclusive sponsorship granted by the Northern California DX Foundation, Inc. (NCDXF) [see NCDXF below], thus enabling the planned 2005 DXpedition to the Kerguelen Islands (FT/X). The press release states: "A multinational team of twelve highly experienced operators from France, Ireland, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Singapore, South Africa and the United States will activate Kerguelen on the HF bands between 15 March and 02 April, 2005. The New Zealand registered vessel Braveheart, used during the 2002 Microlite DXpedition to South Georgia (VP8GEO) and South Sandwich (VP8THU), will again be supporting the group for their entire 30-day journey.

'This DXpedition is funded entirely by the twelve team members and a generous and exclusive grant by the Northern California DX Foundation,' said James Brooks, 9V1YC, DXpedition Team Leader. 'There are no other club, foundation, individual, manufacturer or QSL sponsors.' Additional details regarding the Kerguelen Islands DXpedition will be released in the coming weeks."

FW, WALLIS AND FUTUNA ISLANDS (Also 3D2)
Operators Yoshinobu/JA7OV and Yoshiki/JA7AQR will be active as FW7OV and FW7AQR, respectively, from Wallis and Futuna, October 9-15th. Activity on SSB will be on 7088, 14135, 18135, 21235, 24935, 28435 and 50135 kHz. On RTTY, watch 21083 kHz. They will use an IC-706MKIIG and a 2 element Yagi. There will be some quick and short operations from the Fiji (3D2) on October 8th and 16th, using the callsigns 3D2TY (JA7OV) and 3D2YT (JA7AQR). Look for them on 21235 kHz SSB. QSL to their home callsigns, either direct or via the JARL bureau.

IOTA NEWS
AF-019. Gianni, IZ8CGS, will be active from Lampedusa Island (MIA MI-126), September 23-26th. QSL via IK8VRN.

AS-024. Steve, K7USJ, member of the Tokyo Intl. Amateur Radio Assoc., will be active as 7J1AIL/JR6 from Iriomote, in the Yaeyama Islands, from September 29th through October 2nd. Activity will be on 40-6 meters using CW and SSB, as well as FM on 29.300 MHz. QSL to K7USJ direct or to 7J1AIL direct or via JARL Bureau.

AS-037. Operator JQ6GXP/6, who was active from Kami-Koshiki Island (JIIA AS-037-003) over the past weekend, will move over to Shimo-Koshiki Island (JIIA AS-037-007) and will be active until September 21st. QSL via the bureau or direct to JQ6GXP.

EU-011. Members of the Taunton and District ARC, Bill/G3WNI, Tom/G0PSE and Dave/M0AOD will be activating the Isle of Scilly from October 2-9th. The callsign will be GB0SM, and the QTH will be St. Mary's Island. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, possibly also 6 metres. Modes will be CW and SSB. QSL via the Bureau or direct to G0PSE. E-mail requests for Bureau QSLs go to: g0pse@qsl.net

EU-120. Members of the Chippenham and District Amateur Radio Club will be active as GB2LI from Lundy Island, September 21-28th. Activity will be CW/SSB on all HF bands plus possibly 6 and 2 meters as well. QSL via G3YBT.

OC-173. Gary, VK4PY, will activate Melville Island in his spare time. He has just moved there and has work commitments for the next few weeks. He will be very busy there driving bulldozers but has taken a rig and a couple of antennas. He will operate only SSB. QSL direct to VK4FW: Bill Horner, P.O. Box 513, Nambour, 4560, Australia.

KP2/WP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Operators John/K3TEJ and John/K3CT will be active as KP2/K3TEJ and KP2/K3CT from November 23-30th. Also, look for them to be active as WP2Z during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 27-28th) as some kind of Multi-?? entry. QSL contest activity via KU9C. Outside of the contest, a special emphasis will be on 160m and the WARC bands. QSL via their home callsigns.

LX, LUXEMBOURG
Six Dutch operators will be active as LX/PA6Z from Saturday, October 2nd until Friday, October 8th. Their activity will be on all bands from 160-6 meters on CW, SSB and PSK31 (24 hours a day). QSL information is via PA1K (bureau or direct).

NCDXF ANNOUNCEMENT (Major Sponsorship Grants for 2005 DXpeditions)
The Northern California DX Foundation, Inc. (NCDXF) announced at the W9DXCC DX Convention (in Chicago, September 18th) that it has awarded major sponsorship grants, for the 2005 Kerguelen Islands (FT/X) and Peter I (3Y0X) DXpeditions. Together, these grants exceed $100,000, and represent the largest grants made in the history of the NCDXF. The NCDXF press release state: "Len Geraldi, K6ANP, NCDXF's President, noted that these awards are substantially larger than normal amounts provided by NCDXF in aid of major DXpeditions. 'These exceptional grants were awarded in light of the rarity of operations from these locations, the significant individual contributions being made by the participants themselves, as well as the very high cost of mounting DXpeditions to such remote locations,' said Geraldi. He called on the worldwide DX community to continue their support of NCDXF, thereby enabling such rare and challenging locations to be activated for the 'Deserving'."

"The Northern California DX Foundation was founded in 1972 to assist worthwhile amateur radio and scientific projects with funding and equipment. Although the words 'Northern California' still appear in its title, the activities of the Foundation are international in scope, rather than regional. In addition to providing financial aid to significant DXpeditions, the Foundation, in cooperation with the IARU, maintains a worldwide network of high-frequency radio beacons that help amateurs assess the current condition of the ionosphere. The entire system is designed, built and maintained by volunteers at no charge except for the actual cost of the hardware and related components."

"The Foundation is an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law for U.S. taxpayers. The Foundation does not have a paid staff, and no Foundation officer, director or advisor receives a salary or compensation in any form from the Foundation." More information about the NCDXF can be found on its web site at:

OJ0, MARKET REEF
Just a reminder that members of the "World Wide Young Contesters" (WWYC) plan to activate Market Reef (EU-053) as OJ0YC between September 23rd and 26th. The team of operators include SM3WMV/Mike, OZ1AA/Thomas, KU5B/Colin and OH6GDX/Pat at the moment. The DXpedition's goal is to be a multiplier in the Scandinavian Activity SSB Contest (SAC) (September 25-26th), and to be on the air as a serious competing station too. They will also work a bit of RTTY during the contest the same weekend, but the main focus will be on the SAC SSB. Apart from HF, OH6GDX will mainly be focusing on working 2 meters (maybe also 70cm). Activity on 2m will be at least on the FSK441a, CW, SSB, FM modes. Mike promised to work some 6m QSOs too. QSL via OH6GDX: Patrik Willfor, Langviksgatan 24 B13, FI - 65100 Vasa, Finland.

QSL INFO AND NEWS
Alan Roocroft, VK4AAR, informs all OPDX readers that "all DXers should be aware that Australian postal rates increased by 10% starting 6th September. Please make allowances for this when enclosing reply postage. Also, it is not a good idea to attach Australian stamps to your SAE because 95% of DXers get the wrong series of stamps and the wrong value. Please let us do it ourselves. We know the system best and it is different to most countries." JUST A REMINDER! Alan is the QSL Manager for the following stations: 9V0A, 9V1DX, C21RH, KH2VM, P29RH, V63PD, VI0ANARE, VK0MM, VK6AN (OC-266), VK6BM (OC-234), VK6BSI (OC-243), VK6LI (OC-071), VK8AN, VK8AN/6 (OC-154), VK8AN/8 (OC-229), VK8AV/3 (OC-136), VK8DP, VK8MI (OC-173), VK8RH, VK8XC, VU3RSB, YJ8AA, ZK2JJ and ZK2PJ. QSL "DIRECT ONLY" to: Alan Roocroft, P.O. Box 421, Gatton 4343, Australia.

SI9, SWEDEN
During this past weekend, SI9AM was active from Utanede (Grid Locator JP82iw) during the 46th Scandinavian Activity Contest (CW), by SM3EAE, SM3FJF and probably some more SM3-operator. Look for SI9AM to be active again during the Scandinavian Activity Contest (SSB), September 25th, 1200z to September 26th, 1200z by DF6JC and DL1EJS, including some activity outside of the SAC. This is a great opportunity to become qualified for the SI9AM Award. For more information, look at:

SILENT KEY
The MCMARS reports: "Silent Key Captain Lee E Reisenweber, 57, K3RGD (VP2VE), passed away Saturday, February 21, 2004, at the San Juan VA Medical Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is interred at Puerto Rico National Cemetery Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Lee was president of the BVI Amateur Radio League (an IARU member), first licensed at the age of 12. During the Vietnam War, he served in the United States Marine Corps. Lee's family asks that anyone knowing Lee who has pictures or stories they can share or anything of Lee's the family might want, to please send them to D. L. Borgman, 11111 NE 105th Avenue, Archer, Florida 32618 or email to dlb@borgmangroup.com."

SPECIAL EVENT
Look for the special event callsign TM9POR, to be active on HF, VHF and UHF, using SSB, CW, ATV, SSTV, APRS and Packet. QSL via operator's instructions. Activity will take place during the annual "Open Doors for Telecommunications" in Mezieres (Ardennes) (North of France, near the Belgian border) which takes place September 26th.

SPECIAL EVENT
Members of the Cray Valley Radio Society are activating GB2BF next weekend (September 25-26th) to raise money for the British Wireless for the Blind. They will be on all the HF bands, except 24 MHz and 1.8 MHz. They will be running two stations - one on HF, one on the low bands. The more contacts they make, the more money they will raise for the fund. They have people who are sponsoring them per 100 QSOs, so the more QSOs the better! They will be active for the full 48 hours and expect to make well in excess of 1,000 QSOs. A special QSL cards will be available, either direct or via the bureau to Owen, G4DFI.

TC2K4, TURKEY (Special Prefix Activity)
Last week we mentioned that Berkin, TA3J, will activate the special prefix/callsign TC2K4J from Antalya, in the memory of the unforgettable 40 Silent Keys of Turkish Radio Amateurs, between 0240z, September 24th and 0240z, November 2nd (See OPDX.676 for more details.). Nilay, TA3YJ, informs OPDX that the NEW prefix, TC2K4, stands for TC2004. QSL via TA3YJ, direct (only SASE and 1 IRC, no green stamps please) or by the bureau. SWL QSL Cards are OK. Details on the special award which is available, as well as a list of the "TC2K4J Commemoration Program" can be found on the following Web page at:

TRAC ON TRACK! (Special Event)
The Thornhill Radio Amateurs Club (TRAC), with the cooperation of the York-Durham Historical Railroad (YDHR), is pleased to announce: "TRAC on Track - a mini DXpedition". This is not a trip to an exotic island or a perilous perch above an active volcano, but simply a fun trip on a train, with radios. All are invited to contact VA3RRT on Sunday, September 26th, between 1500-2300z. Listen on 7065 kHz +/- and 14200 kHz +/- (Also, 146.550 MHz and possibly 70cm). There will possibly be an APRS station on board. Full details can be found online at:

V26, ANTIGUA
Team Antigua will ride once again into action to activate V26B on the Beautiful Island Nation of Antigua and Barbuda in the 2004 running of the CQWW SSB Contest on October 30th and 31st. Their plans are to enter the Multioperator/Two-transmitter category. For a complete station description, complete with photographs and rate charts of the Team Antigua V26B Superstation, go to the Web page designed by Brian, N3OC (aka V26OC) at:

  V26A   - Dale,  N3BNA   QSL via WB3DNA
  V26B   - Sam,   WT3Q    QSL via KA2AEV        ADDED NOTE: Look for a
  V26EM  - Ed,    W2SN    QSL via W2SN          few new members who will
  V26G   - Ed,    N2ED    QSL via N2ED          announce their QSL routes
  V26KEN - Ken,   N2KEN   QSL via N2KEN         when their Antiguan callsign
  V26OC  - Brian, N3OC    QSL via N3OC          become finalized.
  V26OX  - Kevin, K3OX/2  QSL via K3OX
  V26R   - Mike,  KA2AEV  QSL via KA2AEV

VK9L, LORD HOWE ISLAND (Update)
Bill Horner, VK4FW, President of the Oceania Amateur Radio DX Group Inc (www.odxg.org), reports that after weeks of preparation, all equipment was delivered to the boat last Thursday. It will be stored on the island awaiting the teams arrival on October 9th. Operators include: IV3FSG and VK2IVK (YLs), G3UML, IK6CAC, VK3SU, VK4NEF and VK4FW. As there will be two DXpeditions in the Pacific at the same time, they are adopting the following suggested transmit frequencies:
CW - 1812, 3512, 7012, 10107, 14012, 18072, 21012, 24912 and 28012 kHz
SSB - 3785, 7045, 14260, 18140, 21260, 24950 and 28495 kHz
RTTY - 7080, 10120, 14090, 18100 and 21090 kHz
6m - 50.100 MHz (A Yaesu FT-857 with beacon will cycle on this frequency giving everyone a chance to call)
Bill also states, "As we arrive on the island late in the afternoon we will have very little daylight time to insatll antennas. However, it is our full intention to have one of the multiband verticals installed and on air quickly followed by a low band vertical for 40m. We are still chasing another operator to compliment the above crew." Inquiries can be sent to: vk4fw@westnet.com.au

VP2, ANGUILLA
Look for the VP2E Team to be active again during the 2004 CQ WW SSB Contest (October 30-31st) as a Multi-2 entry. Operators mentioned are: Ray/KC5EA, Gordon/N5AU, Jeff/N5TJ, John/K5MR, John/VE3EJ, Norman/K1DG, and Andrew/N2NT. QSL vai N5AU. Members will be active prior to contest on the WARC bands.

VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Once again four members of the Western Washington DX Club will be hitting the DX trail, this time to VP5 land. Operators Roger/W7VV, Ralph/VE7XF, Rick/KT7G and Dick/K7BTW will be active in the 2004 CQWW CW Contest (November 27-28th) from VP5JM's location on Providenciales Island in the Turks and Caicos Islands. They will enter the contest as a Multi-2 entry and operate as VP5W. Outside of the contest, from November 21-30th, they will use VP5/homecalls. QSL VP5W to W7TSQ, outside the contest QSL to their home callsigns. Outside of the contest, they will concentrate on the WARC bands and 6 meters on CW, SSB and digital modes.

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