The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 705
BID: $OPDX.705
April 11, 2005
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, ARRL Letter/DX Bulletin, K1XN & GoList, AD1C, WA1S, K2HVE, N2OO, NY2U, WB2YQH, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, N5FG, K8YSE, 4X4PG, DJ8NK, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, DL3ARK, DU1EV, EA5KY, EA5ON, EA5RM, EA7FTR, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, G3XTT, HA0HW, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, IZ8CCW, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, LA9VDA, LZ1BJ, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE2QQ/VE2MBS and VK2CZ for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 3rd/April, through Sunday, 10th/April there were 229 countries active. Countries available: 1S, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, 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, FK, FM, FO, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JX, 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, PJ7, PY, PZ, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T5, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TR, TT, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, XX9, XZ, YA, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZF, ZK1/s, ZK2, 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).

3A, MONACO (Special Event)
Look for members of the Council of Europe Radio Amateur Club (CERAC) and the Amateur Radio Association of Monaco (ARAM) to be active as 3A0CE between May 4-8th. Activity is to celebrate the Council of Europe's anniversary, as well as the admission of Monaco as the 46th member of State in the Council of Europe. QSL via F5LGF.

3B8, MAURITIUS
Mart, DL6UAA, will once again be active as 3B8MM between mid-April through possibly May 10th. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau. Visit his Web page at:

4X/4Z, ISRAEL (Special Event)
The "2005 Holyland Contest", organized by the Israel Amateur Radio Club, will be held on Staurday, April 16th, from 0000-2359z, on both CW and SSB. It will provide a good opportunity to work many 4X/4Z stations toward the "Holyland Award". Full details are available on the Web page (under contests) at:

9K, KUWAIT
With the help of the Kuwait Amateur Radio Society (KARS), operator David, M0AYL, has obtained a licence and will be operating as 9K2/M0AYL beginning April 28th. His length of stay and activity is not sure, but very long. In addition to KARS's help, they have also offered him an open invitation to their Society HQ and shack. He will be active regularly on the "Royal Signal Amateur Radio Society's" (RSARS) recommended calling frequencies and Nets. Visit the RSARS Web page for information on their activities at:

A52, BHUTAN
You still have a few more days to work Stig, 9N7JO, as A52JO until April 12th. He had a very nice signal on 17 meters SSB around 1430z. QSL via 9N7JO.

ANTARCTICA NEWS
The Mediterraneo DX Club reports that the Antarctica Award has issued their 100th certificate to Piero Marino, IT9ZGY, one of the leading DXers in Italy. Visit the following Web pages for more details:

C6, BAHAMAS
Duncan, EA5ON, will once again be active from Freeport as GM7CXM/C6A. Expected dates are from May 26-30th. As in previous years this will be a business trip. However, Duncan hopes to be fairly active on 80-10 meters, mostly on SSB but also some digitals. He may also try to participate in the CQWW WPX CW Contest. The IOTA reference is NA-080 (Grand Bahama Island). QSL via EA7JX.

CY0, SABLE ISLAND (URL Correction)
The correct URL for the Sable Island DXpedition Web page is:

DX0, SPRATLY ISLANDS
Eddie, DU1EV, informs OPDX that he is back in Manila as of last Thursday. However, Gil, 4F2KWT is still operating from DX0K and is waiting for the next available trip back home. He has been operating six meters into JA and HL last Thursday and Friday. Gil shall be DXing until the plane arrives, which is of an uncertain date. Eddie mentions that this time around the antenna for HF is just a dipole, but they used a 500 watt ALS 500. QSL DX0K via 4F2KWT.

E-MAIL UPDATES
Bob Schenck, N2OO/9M6OO, suggests that (Just a thought..) once in awhile everyone out there should check their E-mail addresses listed on (QRZ.com) and HAMCALL.net to make sure it is current. It is truly amazing how many are dead E-mail accounts which cause bounced messages. (Just a thought..... ed. A good thought Bob!)

FM, MARTINIQUE
Operators Berthold/DF5WA and Gunter/DF7GB are expected to be active now as homecalls/FM. Their length of stay is unknown. No QSNs have been reported as this was being typed. Their expected activity is to be on all HF bands, and possibly 160 meters if the location is suitable, using mostly CW but also some SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL to their home callsigns.

FT5XO DXPEDITION WRAP-UP
The Microlite Penguins DXpedition Team sent out a wrap-up press release early last week. OPDX InterNet subscribers will receive the complete release as an additional bulletin. Excerpts from the press release indicate that the DXpedition to the Kerguelen Islands lasted for 11.5 days and netted almost 68,000 QSOs using the callsign FT5XO. QSO break down is as follows: CW 45687 (68%), SSB 19903 (29%), RTTY 2358 (3%) and EME 6. The total was 67954.

HB0, LIECHTENSTEIN (Update)
Some members of the Radio Club Tivadar Puskas (HA5KHC) will once again go here for a week between May 14-21st. Their QTH will be at Chalet Wanni (JN47SD), Masescha 1350m ASL. The operators are: Laci/HA5MA, Pisti/HA5OJ, Ed/HA5BWW, Karl/HA7PC. Operators will sign HB0/homecall. Their equipment: FT-990 + 400 watts PA, FT-1000MP MARK V., dipoles for 160 and 80 meters, and verticals for 40-10 meters including the WARC bands, too. On 2 meters they will try to do something with a FT-100 and an IC-271+1 kW PA and 9 el Yagi. (maybe some WSJT will do too) All QSLs can go to the operators' home addresses or via the HA QSL Bureau.

IOTA NEWS
AS-151. Operator Fan, BA1RB, will be active as BA1RB/2 from Ju Hua Island, May 1-4th. QSL via EA7FTR.

EU-008. Members of the South Chesire ARS will be active as GM6TW from the Isle of Jura (IOSA NH-21 and SCOTIA CS-28), April 16-23rd. Operators mentioned are: Pete/G4RRM, Chris/G0RDK, Ken/M0DQS and Geoff/2E0UNI. Activity will on 160-20 meter CW, SSB and some digital modes. The main frequency will be 14260 kHz. Other suggested frequencies are:

SSB - 28560, 28460, 24950, 21260, 18128, 7055 and 3755 kHz
CW - 28040, 24920, 21040, 18098, 14040, 10115 and 3530 kHz

EU-023. Mathias, DL4ZJ, will be active as 9H3ZJ from Gozo Island, Malta, May 3-13th. Look for him on CW and SSB. QSL via his home callsign.

EU-029. Stefan, DB3LSP, will be active as OZ/DB3LSP from Sjaelland Island (DIA SJ-001 for the Danish Islands Award), May 1-14th. Activity will be mainly CW, but he will also use SSB and PSK-31. QSL via his home callsign.

EU-038. Alfons/ON4AWT, Hugo/ON4CF, Geoffrey/ON6JK, and Stefan/ON4OSA will be active as PA/homecall from Texel Island, April 15-17th. Activity will be on 80/40/20/15/10 meters SSB, with some digital modes. The Texel/Eierland lighthouse (WLH PA-004, ARLHS ARLHS NET-024 and WLOTA L-0003) will also be activated. QSL via their home callsigns direct (QRZ.com), bureau is preferred.

EU-048. Francois, F5JNE, will be active from Belle Ile (AT015) from May 16-24th. During this stay, he has also scheduled to be active from the Poulains Island and Lighthouse (AT-089, WLOTA: 0872, ARLHS: FRA-059, TWLH: F-058 and PB 066) on May 17th and 19th. Activity will be mainly on 40 and 20 meters, CW and SSB. QSL via the Bureau or direct (+ Postage) to: Francois Robert, 4 rue d'Orbandelle, F89000 Auxerre, FRANCE.

EU-056. Operators Trond/LA9VDA, Bjorn/LA5UKA and Andreas/LA8AJA will be active from Gossen Island, April 15-18th. Activity will be on 80-15 meters, CW and SSB with some RTTY. QSL via (QRZ.com).

EU-070. Operators Laurent/F5MNK, Eric/F5LOW, Fabrice/F5NBQ, Jacky/F5OIU, Bertrand/F6HKA, Jean Philippe/F4EEK and Christian/F1SDQ will be active as TM0L from Levant Island (DIFM ME-12), May 21-28th. Activity will be on 160-2 meters on CW/SSB/RTTY/PSK31. QSL via F5OIU.

EU-086. Alex, RX3AJL, will activate some islands in the Kara Sea (Vaygach Island [RR-0601/EU-086] and Tsinkovy and Karpovy Islands [RRA new ones]), April 12-22nd. Activity will mainly be on 20 meters with 5 watts (100 watts possibly on the new ones). QSL via his home callsign.

EU-125. Operators Siggi/DL1AZZ, Peter/DL4AMK, Lutz/DL3ARK and possibly others will be active as OZ/homecall from Mandoe Island between April 30th and May 7th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, 6 meters and on May 3rd 144 MHz in the NAC Contest. QSL via the bureau to their home callsigns.

EU-127. Operators Olaf/DL4HG, Andreas/DL7AT, Joachim/DH9JK, Thorsten/ DG7TG, Andreas/DG3XA and Karl/DJ5KK will be active as DF0CB Helgoland Island (GIA N-14), April 15-17th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using a dipole and a 20 meter GP, with 100 watts. QSL via DF0CB (QRZ.com).

NA-067. Chris, K2HVE, will be active from Hatteras and Okacroke Island, NC, as well as the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (USA-119), from April 11-15th. Activity will be QRP on 40/20/15 meters as time permits. QSL via operator's instructions.

JD1, OGASAWARA ISLAND
Operators Joe/JR1AGC and Nobuyoshi/JH1WCD will be active as JD1BLZ and JD1BLW, respectively, from here, May 5-8th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters, (focusing on 17 and 15 meters.), using mainly SSB. QSL requests should be sent to their home callsigns via the bureau or direct.

KH7K, KURE ISLAND (Update)
It was announced this past week that Ann, WA1S, has been added to the DXpedition to Kure Island K7C (OC-020) in September and October 2005. It is #10 on the DXCC most wanted list in the world. More information can be found on their Website at:

KP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
John/K3CT and his wife Susan/N3DVF will be vacationing and operating from St. Croix between April 19-26th. They will be able to operate on all bands CW and SSB. The callsigns will be KP2/K3CT and KP2/N3DVF. QSL both callsigns via K3CT, either direct or by the bureau.

LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY
Dov, 4Z4DX, will be active as 4Z4DX/LH from the Jaffa Lighthouse (ARLHS reference ISR-005), April 16-17th. QSL direct to his home calsign or e-QSL. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW. See Dov's Web page at:

P4, ARUBA
Operators Gerard/KE9I (P40QX?), Eric/K9GY (P40GY?), Mike/AJ9C (P40C?), Phil/N9LAH (P4/homecall) and Nancy/KB9NSC will be here August 6-20th. They will be active in the WAE CW Contest (possibly as P40QX in remembrance of Leo/N9QX who passed away this year [father of KE9I]).

PIRATE ALERT
David, VK2CZ, reports that the station signing VK9XX during the CQ WPX SSB Contest was a PIRATE and not operating on Christmas Island. Any beam headings or recordings, please forward directly to David. The real VK9XX is off air until the end of the year. David's E-mail address is: k3hz@ieee.org

QSL INFO AND NEWS
5X1GS QSL STATUS. If you are wondering where your QSL is for Graham, 5X1GS, for a QSO from October or November 2004, his QSL Manager Bob, WB2YQH, reports there is a problem in not receiving the logs for that period or any time after. He has tried several attempts to contact Graham by E-Mail, and no reply has come back. He even had a UK station who needed a card find him again and relay the need for sending the logs to WB2YQH. The last time logs were delayed was due to Graham's work schedule out in the bush away from his Kampala location. One other time his telephone wire connection was stolen, and he could not E-mail until it was replaced. Please be patient. If you happen to contact Graham on the bands, ask him to send his logs to WB2YQH as soon as possible to reply to the backlog. Logs are on hand up to September 12, 2004. Also, all logs are available for Graham's other callsigns, 5Z4GS and VP2MGG.

FSDXA QSLING STATUS. Don Field, G3XTT, FSDXA Publicity Officer, reports the following:

"The Five Star DXers Association is pleased to announce that all 9M0C, D68C and 3B9C logs are now on LoTW. This has taken longer than originally anticipated due to some problems in uploading the very large logs (the D68C log alone was 30MB of data). FSDXA has 387,279 QSOs loaded to LoTW, making us probably the biggest single LoTW user. Of these QSO records, there are 30,916 matches against other LoTW logs.

Interestingly, and perhaps a reminder that LoTW is by no means an alternative to paper QSLing, but rather a complement to it, we have received proportionally as many traditional QSL requests for 3B9C as we had for D68C at the same stage. To date, we have confirmed 80,413 3B9C QSOs direct and via the bureau, including electronic requests made via our Web page. We are fully up to date with QSLs requests received."

NEW QSL MANAGER. Frank, EA5RD, is the new QSL Manager for CX1BAC. QSL SP0PAPA via SP3IQ. Activity by the Polish Amateur Radio Society (PZK) and the SP DX Club to commemorate the pontificate of John Paul II, the Pope.

S9, SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
By the time you read this, Tono, EA9CP, should be active from here until April 17th. As of presstime, his callsign is unknown. He will be active on 10, 15 and 20 meters SSB only, and will transmit also from Sao Sebastiao Lighthouse (ARLHS SAO-002). QSL will be via EA9CP/1, via the bureau or direct. (Also see TI below).

SILENT KEY
Well known DXer Stuart "Stu" Greene, WA2MOE, became a Silent Key (SK) last week. Many may remember working Stu from the following locations: 6Y, DL, G5, KH5J, KH5K, KH5P, KP1, KP5, PY0 and SM. OPDX and its readers would like to send out our deepest sympathy to Stu's family and friends.

SPECIAL EVENT (Visalia DX Convention)
Look for special event station N6V to be active April 15-16th, between 1600-0200z, from the 56th annual International DX Convention in Visalia, California. Convention attendees are invited to operate the station. Activity will be on 14190-14240 kHz during the daytime hours and 7175-7250 kHz during the evenings hours. QSL via operator's instructions, and include an SASE with all QSL requests.

SPECIAL EVENT
Special event station LZ8IARU will be active on all bands and modes between now and December 31st to commemorate the 80th anniversary of IARU. Over the past week activity has been on 20 and 30 meters CW. QSL via bureau to LZ1BJ.

SPECIAL EVENT
Industry Canada has issued an authorization to Bob Cooke, VE3BDB, to operate May 7-14th inclusive, using the special event callsign CF3VEDAY. The authorization is to mark the opening of the new Canadian War Museum on May 8th, a date that coincides with the 60th anniversary of VE-DAY, which ended World War Two in Europe. The special callsign is historic in that this is the first time that an Amateur Radio callsign having a five-letter suffix has been issued in Canada. VE3BDB and other members of The Wireless Set No. 19 Group will alternate modern equipment with vintage WW II era military radios during the seven-day operation. Full information can be viewed on-line at:

SPECIAL EVENT PREFIXES (Canada)
At the request of Radio Amateurs of Canada, Industry Canada has authorized all Canadian radio amateurs to use special event prefixes for the month of May, 2005, to mark the opening of the new Canadian War Museum in Ottawa on May 8th, coincident with the 60th anniversary of VE Day. The official opening of the new Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, the national capital of Canada, on May 8th, coincides with the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day -- VE Day -- which, on May 8, 1945, officially ended the Second World War in Europe. The year 2005 has been declared "The Year of the Veteran" by the Canadian government in recognition and commemoration of the determination, service and sacrifice of Canada's WW II veterans. Canadian radio amateurs are authorized to use the following special event prefixes during the period May 1-31st, 2005, inclusive:

     * CF for VA stations        * CI0 for VY0 stations
               * CG for VE stations        * CI1 for VY1 stations
               * CH for VO stations        * CI2 for VY2 stations

SPECIAL EVENT
The Panazol Hams and the F6KTW ARC will activate the special event station TM6PIE (Peace In Europe) between May 1-14th. QSL Manager F6KTW: Chez M. COISNE, 10 rue Rene, DESCARTES 87350 PANAZOL, FRANCE. QSL via the bureau or direct (+ postage).

SPECIAL EVET (Polish)
Look for the following 21 special events stations to be active from Poland between May 1-15th. A special "Victor Day Award" is also available. Please see the following Web page for details:

    3Z1VD by SP1PBW     SN60VD by SP4KSY      HF7VD  by SP7FBQ
    HF1VD by SP1GZT     HF4VD  by SP4ZHT      3Z7VD  by SP7PGK
     TBA  by SP2KAC      TBA   by SP5DZC      HF8VD  by SP8AQA
    3Z2VD by SP2WN       TBA   by SP5NZN      3Z8VD  by SP8MI
    HF3VD by SP3PMA     HF60VD by SP5PSL      HF9VD  by SP9KJM
    3Z3VD by SP3ZBY     HF6VD  by SP6ZDA      3Z9VD  by SP9PDG
    3Z4VD by SP4KHM     3Z6VD  by SP6ZJP      SQ60VD by SP5ZRW

SV5, DODECANESE
Operators Wolfgang/DL3DRN and Joachim/DJ5AA will be vacationing on Rhodos Island (EU-001 and WLOTA L-0045), from May 2-16th. The callsigns and bands/modes of activity were not provided. QSL via operators' instructions.

TARA SKIRMISH (Digital Prefix Contest)
Bill, NY2U, President of the Troy ARA, wants to remind everyone that the "TARA Skirmish" is coming up on April 16th between 0000-2400z. The particulars are as follows:
Frequencies: 160-6 meters, work stations once per band.
Categories : High, Low (less than 100w), Great (less than 20w), QRP (less than 5w) and SWL.
Exchange: Name and Prefix.
Score: QSOs x WPX prefixes x power multiplier. (High x0.5, Low x1, Great x2 and QRP x3) Multipliers count once per band.
For more information: http://www.n2ty.org/seasons/tara_dpx_rules.html or send E-mail to skirmish-manager@n2ty.org

TI, COSTA RICA
After his S9 operation (see above) Tono, EA9CP, will be in San Jose, from May 29th to June 5th. As of presstime, his callsign is unknown. He will be active on 10, 15 and 20 meters on SSB only. QSL via EA9CP/1, by the bureau or direct.

TO5G, GLORIOSO ISLAND (DXpedition Postponed!)
Dany, F5CW, Technical Coordinator for the 2005 Glorioso DXpedition, announced this past week that the French Army, Navy and Air forces have strongly discouraged the landing of the radio team on Gloriosos at the end of May due to security reasons. The DXpedition has now been postponed and is rescheduled until next October or November 2005. Dany states, "Even if solar conditions are falling down, this late 2005 period could be better for low bands since noise level will be a bit lower and low absorption will be better for Northern Hemisphere. We are going to meet all our sponsors to ask them their choice, either they can wait for next start and keep their support or they prefer we send back support amount and we ask them again next August. However, we will hold our web site in the current configuration with latest news updated soon. All current sponsors will stay in good place. Be sure we are a bit upset with this situation, but we never give up! We are very confident with the next opportunity." Watch the following Web page (in French) for updates:

TZ, MALI
The members of the International Amateur Radio Volunteers (IARV) are active as TZ6U until April 13th. Their activity over the past weekend has been on 20 meters SSB (around 14190 kHz) and 30 meters CW (around 10103 kHz). However, watch other bands. Suggested activity is expected on 160-10 meters meters using CW and SSB. QSL via JA1UT.

WAZ CW AWARD MANAGER
Floyd Gerald, N5FG, wants it publicized that he is the WAZ Manager for CW WAZ Award Program, has been since January 1st, 2004. The former manager, Paul, K5RT, continues (after over one year) to receive applications sent to him. Some even come registered mail which he has to go to the Post Office to sign for. Floyd states that it is time for the applicants to: 1) Use the proper forms. 2) MOST IMPORTANT: Send them directly to him, and not Paul! It would help the people wanting to receive the WAZ Awards to see that they are sending it to the proper manager! There will come a time in the NEAR future that Paul will have to refuse to accept those that come his way. PLEASE help him spread the word that ALL WAZ applications should be sent to ONLY Floyd at: Floyd Gerald (N5FG), WAZ Manager, 17 Green Hollow Road, Wiggins, MS. 39577 USA. Feel free to contact him. Send any questions via E-mail. ALL this info and ALL the correct forms are available for free download from the CQ WAZ Website at:

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 (k8yse@papays.com):
http://www.papays.com/opdx.html

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

Additional Bulletins for OPDX InterNet Subscribers

4 April 2005


Lat 42'49"S  Long 88'13"E
South Indian Ocean



The 2005 Microlite DXpedition to The Kerguelen Islands is now history.
11.5 days of operating netted almost 68,000 QSOs using the callsign
FT5XO. The operators for this DXpedition were AG9A, GI0NWG, HB9ASZ,
M0DXR, N6MZ, N0TT, SP5XVY, VE3EJ, VK6DXI, W3WL, W7EW and 9V1YC.


In an effort to equitably cover the variety of openings, bands, and
modes available, the team actively reviewed the QSO stats each day and
adjusted the operating plan accordingly.


The final numbers are as follows:


CW:     45687    68%
SSB:    19903    29%
RTTY:   2358     3%
EME:    6
-------------
TOTAL:  67954




Band-Mode breakdown


Band  CW      SSB    RTTY   TOTAL
---------------------------------
160m: 1173    16     0      1189
80m:  3578    957    0      4535
40m:  9643    2774   160    12577
30m:  9683    0      616    10299
20m:  4012    4640   327    8979
17m:  5144    2168   497    7809
15m:  4485    3964   758    9207
12m:  4411    3499   0      7910
10m:  3558    1885   0      5443


6m EME:   6



Continental breakdown
---------------------
Europe:     53%
Japan:      21%
USA:        17%
Other Asia: 5%
All others: 1% or less each



The journey began in Durban, South Africa on the afternoon of March 9
aboard the R/V Braveheart.  Kerguelen was reached on the morning of
March 19, and camp assembly was started that same afternoon.  The
first QSOs began at about 0700 UTC on March 20.


The operation took place from an old abandoned whaling station at the
center of the island called Port Jeanne d'Arc, which is approximately
30km southwest from the French base at Port Aux Francais. The
operating site was close to the seashore with good take-offs in most
directions.


Antennas consisted of half-wave vertical dipoles for 20m and up,
quarter wave verticals for 30m and 40m (with 2 elevated radials each),
and two Battle Creek Specials for 80m and 160m.  With the exception of
the Battle Creek Specials, all antennas were designed and built by
ZS4TX.  Radios consisted of three Kenwood TS50s, a Yaesu FT897, an
ICOM 756 ProIII, and one Yaesu FT1000MP.  We also had several small
amplifiers for the low bands.


Because we broke from tradition and chose the Austral mid-autumn for
this DXpedition we were able to take advantage of excellent 10 and 12
meter equinox openings which would have otherwise been impossible
during the Austral summer (when most of these types of Antarctic
DXpeditions usually take place).  The drawback is that Kerguelen drops
far below the Antarctic convergence at this time of year bringing with
it a noticeably cooler and harsher climate.


The weather during our stay was typical for islands below the
convergence, with strong wind, rain, sleet and even heavy snow
alternating throughout the day.  In fact, during the space of just one
hour the weather changed many times from calm and sunny to a 45 knot
howling blizzard.  Winds could come from any direction, but the
prevailing trend was usually from the southwest.


Static from snowstorms often produced S9+40 noise, forcing us to
abruptly stop operations until it died down. The intensity of these
snowstorms also caused the antennas to develop kilovolts of static
voltage across the coax connectors (something we learned the hard way
when a large voltage spike from one of the antennas destroyed a power
supply and transceiver during an antenna switchover).


The last QSO was made at approximately 0200 UTC on 31 March.  With
calm weather throughout the morning the teardown went smoothly and on
schedule.  The ship is now on its way to Fremantle (Perth) Western
Australia and should arrive on the morning of April 11.  The total sea
travel time for both legs of the journey is about 22 days.  Operating
time was just over 11 days, which works out to a 2 to 1 ratio of
travel to operating.


We purposely advanced minimal publicity about this trip in the hope
that the chase would be more of a challenge. With good operating
skills combined with attentiveness to both propagation and band
openings it is our belief that FT5XO should have been available to all
who wanted a QSO.  For our part, a great effort was made to work the
weakest of stations and cover as many openings as possible within our
limited time frame. Reading some of the feedback and looking at the
final QSO stats we stand firmly behind the belief that it is mainly
skill, not hardware, that makes a successful DXpedition.  Small teams,
light gear and strong operators are the key. We hope that your call
made it into our log on at least one band.


With the extremely high expense and travel time necessary to reach
these remote Antarctic islands we wish to say thank you in advance for
all contributions sent with your QSL cards.


Special thanks to ZS5BBO and all the members of the Highway Amateur
Radio Club in Durban, South Africa who made our air to sea transit
exceptionally smooth. Thanks also to TAAF (Terres Australes et
Antarctiques Francaises) for their kind support for our adventure.


And finally, we would especially like to thank our sole organizational
sponsor, the Northern California DX Foundation.  Their continued
support for DXpeditions to the far reaches of the world helps to keep
one of the most exciting aspects of amateur radio alive. Without the
NCDXF, this trip would not have been possible.



73, and see you on the bands.


The Microlite Penguins DXpedition Team