The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 680
BID: $OPDX.680
October 11, 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, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4IK, K4VUD, N4AA & QRZ DX, WX5L, AE6Y, KH6BZF, K8YSE, CO8ZZ, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, E21EIC, EI8IC, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, G3SXW, HK3SGP, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, IK1QBT, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, MM0DFV, OK2BOB, PA5R, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE3EXY, VK2GND, VK4FW, YV5EED and ZS6MG for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 3rd/October, through Sunday, 10th/October there were 220 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5U, 5V, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9U, 9V, 9Y, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, 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, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J5, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JX, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KH8, 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, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T30, T32, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VP5, VP8, VP8/g, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZK1/s, 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).

2ND AAW (Antarctic Activity Week)
Egidio, IZ8BRI, informs OPDX that the WAP Staff announced the 2nd Antarctic Activity Week (2nd AAW) to be celebratedfrom February 21-27th, 2005. One entire week will be dedicated to the researchers and scientists who are working in Antarctica, celebrated by the Radio Amateur World Wide. Everybody can join them! Just apply for a special callsign with ANT as the suffix through your Radio Club. More information and updates will be available on the WAP Web site at:

4L, GEORGIA
Shota, 4L6AM, will be active in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest (October 30-31st) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m)/High-Power entry. QSL via operator's instructions.

5T, MAURITANIA
Yves/F6GDC, Pierre/F6CQX and Eric/F5SSM will be active as 5T5DY (the previous callsign for Yves in 1971-1977) from December 26th to January 9th. Their first week will be from Nouakchott, Atar and Tergit. During the second week, look for Yves to spent 3 days on Banc d'Arguin (IOTA AF-050). They will have a TS-50 with vertical and dipoles. Activity will be on 40-10 meters on SSB and CW (on request). QSL via F6GDC.

6O, SOMALIA
Joe, VA6JWT, is expected to be active as 6O0JT from Galkayo, an autonomous area in the Puntland Province, starting October 14th. He will be here for at least 6 months (possibly longer). Joe will live and operate from the Radio Galkayo amateur radio club.

7P8, LESOTHO
Andre, ZS6WPX, will be active as 7P8ZZ in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 27-28th) as a Single-Op entry. QSL via ZS6WPX using the address on (QRZ.com).

A5, BHUTAN
Members of the Clipperton DX Club will be active from here between October 24th to November 11th. Operators mentioned are: Gerard/F2VX, Jean-Louis/F9DX, Vincent/G0LMX and Alain/F5LMJ. The group will be active from "the Ham Center" in Thimphu until October 31st. During this time they will also be an entry in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest with other Bhutanese operators. After the contest they will then move to Jakar, in central Bhutan, where they will set up a new radio club station in a high school. The CDXC team plans to have at least two stations active every night during their stay. QSL via F9DK, direct or by the bureau. For updates, please visit the CDXC Web at:

C6, BAHAMAS
Robert, N4BP, will be active as C6AKQ from Grand Bahama Island, November 23-30th. Activity will include the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 27-28th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (40m)/Lower-Power entry. QSL via N4BP.

C6, BAHAMAS
Yuri, UR5DEM, will be active as C6AUR in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest (October 30-31st) as a Single-Op/Low-Power (or QRP) entry. QSL via W3MMM. He states he will use an IC-735 and GAP DX Vertical.

C6, BAHAMAS
David, OK1DTP, will be active as C6ATP in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 27-28th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (80m)/Lower-Power entry. QSL via OK1TD. He will be here between November 23-30th and will be active outside of the contest as OK1DTP/C6A from Grand Bahama Island.

CP6, BOLIVIA
Operators CP6UH, KM0O, N0AT, N0STL, W0OR and W0ZR will be active as CP6CW during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 27-28th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via W0ZR. Some individual operators will sign CP6/homecall outside of the contest between November 22-30th. QSL via their home callsign.

D4, CAPE VERDE
Operator Alberto, IV3TAN, will be active as D44TD during the CQ WW DX SSB Contest (October 30-31st) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m)/High-Power entry. QSL via CT1EKF. Look for activity outside the contest between October 24th to November 1st.

DXCC NEWS
Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC Manager, informs OPDX that the following operations are approved for DXCC credit:

9U6PM - Burundi, current operation effective August 20, 2004
YV0D - Aves Island, August 1-4th, 2004
ZS8MI - Prince Edward & Marion Island, April 1st through May 9th, 2004

FT1, AMSTERDAM ISLAND
Reports are coming out again that Sebastain "Seb", FT1ZL, is expected to be active soon on the HF bands. French administrators are or will give the "OK" very soon to let Seb operate on the HF bands. Seb has been working on the island and is expected to be there until the end of the year or early January. QSL via F2YT, direct or via the bureau. ADDED NOTE: Remember, Seb, FT1ZL, is a "novice" on the HF bands. He is mainly a VHF operator, so please be patient and keep your cool in the huge pile-ups. Also, he does not work CW, so please don't ask !

FT5W, CROZET
Two French operators are expected to be active early next year (January/February) from here, but are "waiting for confirmation". Operators mentioned are Nicolas/F4EGX and Jean Paul/F5BU. Jean Paul has his callsign, FT5WG, and Nicolas is awaiting a FT1W* callsign. More details are forthcoming.

HS8, THAILAND (Special Event)
Champ, E21EIC, informs OPDX that the Radio Amateur Society of Chumphon (RASC) and The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Southern Office will sponsor the Royal Plaque Boat Race and the 2004 Hae Phra Festival at Lang Suan, Chumphon Province, between October 29th to November 2nd. The event features a colorful ceremony, a procession of Buddha Images and the Royal Trophy, with various contests between colorfully decorative boats, as well as cheering crowds, and an exciting longboat race and local sports. During the event, operators E20HHK, E21EIC, E21YDP, HS0EHF, HS1NGR, HS8FZ and HS8LR will use the callsign HS8AC/p on 160-10 meters. Operations will be on CW, SSB, RTTY and SSTV. Frequencies on 160m is 1.822 MHz and 80m on 3.504 MHz. Also, they will use "HS8AC" in the CQ WW SSB Contest as a Multi/Single entry. QSL via E21EIC.

IOTA NEWS
AS-102. Paul, BV4FH, and the CTARL DX group will be active on Kinmen Island as BO0K from October 29th to November 1st. QSL via BV4YB. Activity will be on 40/20/15/10 meters CW and SSB only.

AS-117. Operators JE4NKF and JL4GEL plan to operate from the Nomi Island (JIIA AS-117-024) Hiroshima Pre, from October 31st to November 1st. They will sign homecall/4. QSL via the bureau or direct home callsign.

OC-129. Operators DK6PD and DL1PBC will be active as DU6/DL1PBC from Visaya Island between October 16-30th. Activity will be on all bands, CW and SSB. They will also participate in the WAG Contest (October 16-17th). QSL via DL1PBC.

SA-089. The Caracas DX Group will celebrate their 15th anniversary next November 16th. To celebrate it, they are organizing an IOTA DXpedition to Key Peraza, Morrocoy National Park, Falcon State Islands. Activity will be between November 19-21st. Their callsign will be YW1F. Operations will be on SSB, CW, VHF and Digital modes. QSL via W4SO. Please no USA stamps. Cards will be verified and mailed from Venezuela.

ADDED NOTE: IOTA bearing Web page (which gives bearing/distance from your QTH) is at:

KH8/WH8, AMERICAN SAMOA
Lee, KH6BZF, will activate IOTA OC-45 from October 22-28th. As time permits from his busy work schedule, his primary activity will be on 80-17 and 15 meters. Should 10/12 meters open, some activity will occur. He will use the common DX frequencies. Listen for WH8/KH6BZF, especially for those prefix and IOTA hunters. Lee's work will entail a radio engineering survey and to administer both FCC Amateur and Commercial Radio Exams which he is a Chief Volunteer Examiner for both licensees. QSL DIRECT ONLY to www.QRZ.com/KH6BZF using the instructions therein!

KP3, PUERTO RICO
Operator Felipe, NP4Z, will be active as KP3Z during the CQ WW DX SSB Contest (October 30-31st) as a Single-Op/High-Power entry. QSL via WC4E.

KP3/WP3, PUERTO RICO
Barney, DK8ZB, will be active as WP3F in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 27-28th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via DK8ZB.

NEW IARU OFFICIAL
The Caracas DX Group is pleased to announce that Reinaldo Leandro Rodriguez, YV5AMH, has been elected Secretary of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) 2004-2007, at the recent IARU Region II Convention held in Trinidad and Tobago on September 27th to October 1st, 2004.

P29, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (IOTA Op)
Roger/G3SXW and Nigel/G3TXF plan to operate as P29SX and P29XF from Loloata Island (OC-240) from now until October 14th. Operation will be CW only on 80-10 meters. Roger/P29SX will be on the traditional HF bands and Nigel/P29XF will be on the WARC bands. Suggested operating frequencies, where possible, will be "on the three's": 3503, 7003, 10103 (or 10123), 14023, 18073 (or 18083), 21023, 24893 (or 24903), and 28023 kHz. QSL P29SX via G3SXW and P29XF via G3TXF. Checkout the following Web page at:

P4, ARUBA
Andy, AE6Y, informs OPDX that he will be active with his new Arubian callsign, P49Y, between October 26th-November 2nd. His activity will include the CQWW DX SSB Contest. QSL via his home callsign.

QSL INFO AND NEWS
1990 MALPELO (HK0TU) QSLS. Francisco "Siso" Hennessey, HK3SGP, provides the following press release:

"Several Colombian ham radio operators have inappropriately spoken on behalf of the Liga Colombiana de Radioaficionados and have misinformed the world amateur radio community about the status of the Malpelo 1990 DXepedition logs. The board of directors of the Liga Colombiana de Radioaficionados, at their meeting of September 30, 2004, decided to keep these logs open until December 31, 2004. The newly appointed QSL Manager is Mr. Francisco Hennessey, HK3SGP, whose address can be found in QRZ.com. We regret the inconvenient that this misinformation could have caused you, and suggest the DXers that require a QSL card to request it at their earliest convenience......"

The LX/PA6Z activation of Luxembourg by six Dutch operators is now over. There is an up-to-date website about this activity including an online log, picture gallery and QSO statistics. Please visit:

OD5RMK QSLS. Tony, IK1QBT, (one of OD5RMK team) reports that the QSL cards for the July 2004 operation from Ramkin Island (AS-108) have been printed and requests are being processed right now. The QSL route is via I1HJT, by the bureau or direct to: Alfeo Caputo, P.O. Box 111, 17014 Cairo Montenotte - SV, Italy. Full information on the activity and on-line logs can be found at:

SILENT KEY
Bill, VK4FW, informed OPDX that Henry Andersson, VK8HA, passed away at the Darwin Private Hospital on Tuesday, October 5th. For the people who might not know, Henry was a foundation member and later life member of the Darwin Amateur Radio Club and set up and ran the VK8 QSL Bureau for 38 years. In later years, he also managed the "Intruder Watch" for the WIA. OPDX and its readers would like to send out our deepest sympathy to Henry's family and friends.

SV5, DODECANESE
Bob, OK2BOB, will be active as SV5/OK2BOB from Rhodos Island (EU-001), from 1600z, October 12th to 0300z, October 19th. Activity will be 160-10 meters mainly CW, but some SSB. QSL via his home callsign.

T48, CUBA
Members of the "Las Tunas Contest Crew" T48K, will once again activate their contest station during the CQWW DX SSB Contest as a Multi- Single entry transmiting from "Punta Corella" at the north coast of Las Tunas. Operators mentioned are CO8DM, CO8KA, CO8JY, CO7GG, CO8ZZ and guest operators OK1DTP and OK1TP.

TF4, ICELAND
Operator Sigurdur, TF3CW, will be active as TF4CW during the CQ WW DX SSB Contest (October 30-31st) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m) entry. QSL via LX1NO.

TM8, FRANCE (HamExpo and Special Event)
Maurice, F5NQL, DX Page Editor for Megahertz Magazine, informs OPDX that the 26th HamExpo in Auxerre, Burgundy, will take place October 16th and 17th. HamExpo is said to be the most important Ham Show in France and the second in Europe just behind the DARC's Friedrishshaffen of June. To celebrate this new event, the 89th Division of the REF-Union and the F5KCC ARS members will air the special callsign TM8AKR, from October 10-24th. Activity will be on 160-2 meters, included is 6 meters (but the French part of the band is only up ot 50200 kHz); Grid Square JN17. Most of the activity will be on CW, but you'll be able to find this special callsign on SSB, RTTY and PSK31, too. All the QSO will be confirmed via the bureau. Direct cards will be available too, after January 1, 2005, via Pierre, F2WS (SAE + postage due - 2 USD outside Europe, 1 USD for Europe or one IRC for elsewhere). The callsign F5REF (REF-Union's callsign) will also be aired directly from the HamExpo Hall. The REF-Union is the French IARU Society which is organizing this event. Auxerre is located about 160 km south East of Paris, A6 Motorway, exit Auxerre-Sud (Auxerre South), then Auxerrexpo. More information about the HamExpo is available (in French) at:

UK DX RTTY CONTEST
Jurij, MM0DFV, informs OPDX that beginning 2005 the GM Contest Club becomes the official and only Contest Organizer of the "United Kingdom DX RTTY Contest". Foe more info, please check out their new Web site at:

V2, ANTIGUA (Also VP2)
Ratko, YU1NR, will be active as V29NR from October 26th to November 1st. His activity will include the CQ WW DX SSB Contest as a Single-Op/Single-Band (15m) entry. From November 2nd to November 4th, he will be visiting the island of Montserrat and be active as VP2MNR. Before and after the contest he will work various digital modes, especially SSTV. QSL via YU1NR.

V5, NAMIBIA (Update/Change)
Vladimir, ZS6MG, informs OPDX that the QSL info for this year's V55V operation (See OPDX.679) has been changed. QSL V55V via Z33AA: Zlatko Andonov, P.O. Box 55, 1480 Gevgelija, Republic of Macedonia, EUROPE. Vladimir states, "I decided to change the route because of the fact that many direct cards send to me in the past year went missing, and I found that the problem is with the local post office where mail simply 'disappears'(?)." This info is also included on his Web page at:

VE2, CANADA (Zone 2)
Operators Yuri/VE3DZ, Ed/VE3FWA and Sergei/VE2QIP will activate CQ Zone 2 as VE2IM in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest (October 30-31st) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via VE3DZ.

VP9, BERMUDA (Update)
Operators Julio/WD4R, Esteban/W4DTA, Bruce/W4OV and Fred/K9VV will be active as W4OV/VP9 in the CQ WW DX SSB Contest (October 30-31st) as a Multi/?? entry. QSL via W4OV.

VU4, ANDAMAN ISLANDS
OPDX received two interesting reports this past week that a major call for helping and writing campaign to convince the Indian Telecommunication Ministry to authorize an operation to the Andaman Islands. It seems now is the right time to do it. Recently, there has been a sigificant change in the personnel at the Department of Telecommunications. The Minister of Communication is now a radio amateur, Shri Dhayanidhi Maran, VU2DMK. Currently, there are two Indian amateurs who are promoting a writing campaign and trying to obtain a VU4 license. At this time, OPDX is not sure whether the two operators are working together or separately.

1) Bharathi Prasad, VU2RBI, is one of the operators now applying for a good VU4 license. She is the leader of the 1978 DXpedition that last activated VU4, Andaman Islands. VU4 is now second or third on the most wanted DXCC Entity List. Bharathi's previously successful operation is an aid in her application. To help her obtain a VU4 license, please send a letter stating the need for this operation. A suggested letter is provided as follows:
"Please grant permission for amateur ham radio operations on Andaman Island to Mrs. Bharathi Prasad, VU2RBI, and her team. Ham radio contacts with this location is desired by hundreds of thousands of radio operators world-wide, ranking number two of all most wanted places to contact anywhere. Immense good will and increased inter- national understanding will result to India and tourism interest will increase for the Andamans as a result of this ham radio operation. Thank you very much."

They recommend to, please use your own words where possible. Please do this today and mail your letter to: Mrs. Bharathi Prasad, Qtr. #1284, Type IV Special, Sector 12, R.K. Puram, New Delhi, 110022 INDIA.

Charly, K4VUD, states, "Bharathi's ability to receive lots of E-mails will break her budget." Thus, if you have time only to send an E-mail supporting letter, please send it to: k4vud@hotmail.com Charly will print these letters and mail the paper copies to Bharathi. They also state, "LETTERS FROM HAMS OUTSIDE THE USA WILL BE ESPECIALLY HELPFUL!"

2) Miku, VU2WAP, is the second operator who is trying to obtain a license and is requesting letters. Randy, WX5L, who has been taking to Miku, states the following:

"Its seems still there is a lack of information, a lack of under- standing within the ministry about operating from the Andaman's and Miku has written several high level authorities explaining the use of this wonderful hobby. Miku needs support from the DX community to help in his application by letters of support and showcasing its benefits. Components of the letter could emphasize how amateur radio provided emergency communications during recent disasters in India, namely Gujarat earthquake and Andhra cyclone. During his stay he would demonstrate to the local businessmen, non-governmental organizations and the local authorities the use of this wonderful hobby and how it could provide a communications link if traditional modes would fail. Also, it can help open a window to the world showcasing Andaman tourism industry, its beautiful hotels and beaches and excellent fishing. If there are other facts that you feel would promote this effort, please enclose that in your letter."

It is recommanded to please consider helping with your time and a unit of air mail postage which can be sent to the following address: Manoj Agarwal, 44/1E Fair Field Layout Race Course Road, Bangalore 560001, India. A written letter with a signature seems to carry so much more weight; but if you feel E-mailing would be your only recourse, send it to the following two addresses (both):

dmaran@nic.in rhea@touchtelindia.net Randy, WX5L, also mentions that Miku is asking for approval between October 2004 and January 2005, so favorable winter propagation can be used.

YO, ROMANIA
Jean Michel, F6AJA, will again be active as YO/F6AJA from Bucarest between November 2-7th. Activity will be during his free time, and he will operate from the YO3KPA radio club.

ZK1, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS
Mark, VK2GND, will be active as ZK1GND between December 24-30th, from Rarotonga Island (OC-013) in the South Cook Islands. He will be mostly on 14195 kHz and 14273 kHz. QSL via VK2GND.

ZK1, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS
Look for Victor, ZK1CG, on the lower bands. He states that he will try to stay up until 1200z. He will check 1840 kHz +/- between 1000-1015z. He also states that he has been hearing G and EI stations at around 0600z on 3799.5 kHz each night.

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