The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 836
BID: $OPDX.836
December 10, 2007
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (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 DX Bulletin, AA1M, K1XN & GoList, NC1L,NJ1Q, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4ZLE, N4AA & QRZ DX, K5DX, K8BL, K8YSE, K9EL, ND9M, DX-IS News Site, Pete's-DX-Newsdesk, DK8JB, DL7MAE & The DX News Letter, DL7ZZ, EA1FCH, F5NQL & UFT, F5PFP, F8DVD, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, OZ7AEI, RSGB IOTA Web Site, VA3RJ & ICPO, YB0AZ and YO3JW for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 2nd-December, through Sunday, 9th-December there were 216 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5V, 5W, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9X, 9Y, 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, E5/s, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J5, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, 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, PY, PY0F, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TN, TR, TT, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2M, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP8/o, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XF4, XT, XU, XW, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZD9, ZF, 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).

5K, COLOMBIA
Operator Siso, HK3W, will be using the special callsign 5K3W during the CQ 160-Meter SSB Contest (February 23-24th) as a Single- Op/Low-Power entry. He will be using only a dipole and 100w. QSL only direct to his home callsign.

5T, MAURITANIA (Update)
Andreas, DL7ZZ, provides OPDX with another update on the German team's planned DXpedition to Nouakchott, Mauritania, to take place between March 16-30th (2008). He states that their team is now complete. They have added Oliver, DL2ARD, the 10m-SSB operator of DA0HQ. For more information on the operators and their equipment, please visit the Web page at:

A4, OMAN
To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Royal Omani Amateur Radio Society (ROARS), look for all Omani stations to sign homecall/35 from December 12-14th. Also, look for the ROARS HQ station, A47RS, to be active A47RS/35. QSL HQ station via the bureau.

ANTARCTIC CRUISE/DXPEDITION (Update)
Mehdi, F5PFP, organizer of an upcoming Antarctic Cruise/DXpedition for 4 weeks in 2008-2009, states he is still looking for a good CW operator. The Antarctic Cruise/DXpedition program will take you to: Videla station, Almirante Brown station, Yelcho station, Port Lockroy base, Macchu Picchu station, Republica del Ecuador refuge, Gurruchaga refuge, Maldonado station, Juan Carlos station, Station B, and Risopatron station. The trip will start in Ushuaia. If you are interested and for more details, send him an E-mail at: f5pfp@aliceadsl.fr

CN, MOROCCO
Jim, W7EJ, will be active as CN2R during the CQ 160-Meter CW Contest (January 26-27th) as a Single-Op/High-Power entry. QSL via W7EJ. See the station from CN2R at:

CQ MAGAZINE 2007 DX MARATHON
John, K9EL, CQ's Program Manager for the CQ DX Marathon, reports: "Just a few weeks left to the end of the second annual CQ Magazine DX Marathon! Each year from January 1st to December 31st, CQ Magazine sponsors a challenge to work as many countries and zones as possible in the calendar year. This year's edition ends soon, but there is still time to fill in some missing countries and zones. Remember that for 2007, the WARC bands are permitted. For complete rules and submission information, please see our Web site at:

CU2, AZORES
Pedro, EA1FCH, who was active from Sao Miguel (EU-003) in the Eastern Island Group as CU2/EA1FCH during the summer, informs OPDX that he will again return during the summer of 2008. Meanwhile, he also reports that he has begun to confirm QSOs from his 2007 operation. Pedro states that he did not make very QSOs (about 600) because of problems with his antenna. His CU2/EA2FCH log is avaialble at:

DXCC NEWS (DXCC Applications Received Page Information)
Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC Manager, reports: "Recently, I inadvertently noted a mailing date of September 14th in the block on this page. This was, in fact, the date DXCC was entering applications for and not the mailing date. The actual current mailing period in DXCC as noted on the page is the week of August 31st, but this also includes all remaining August applications. All pending August applications should be finished in the next 1-2 weeks. DXCC is currently entering applications received during the 3rd week of September.

DXCC is currently mailing the remaining applications for August.

The current backlog is estimated to be: 15 Weeks.

This reporting is fluid because applications before and after this date may be in progress for both mailing and entering. The above figures represent the average period.
Also, please remember it is currently the Christmas season, and in addition to DXCC mail delays, additional delays may occur in the next few weeks due to USPS overload..........73 es DX!"

EY8, TAJIKISTAN
Nodir, EY8MM, will be active in the CQ 160-Meter CW Contest (January 26-27th) as a Single-Op/High-Power/Assisted entry. QSL via K1BV. Priority will be given to NA QSOs and New ones. See Nodir's Web page at:

GB0, ENGLAND (Satellite News)
Operators John/G7HIA and Robert/G8ATE will be using the special callsign GB0OO (Golf Bravo 0 (Zero) Oscar One) between December 12-16th. The 12th of December is an unofficial "OSCAR DAY" to celebrate the launch of Amateur radio's first satellite "Oscar-1". They will be operating "ONLY" on analogue satellites. Further information can be found at:

HI, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (NA-096)
Costantino, HI3CCP, will be active as HI3C from Loma del Toro (WLOTA L-2274) during the CQ 160-Meter SSB Contest (February 23-24th) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry. QSL via ON4IQ.

IOTA NEWS
AF-018. Operator Raffaele, IH9YMC, will be active from Pantelleria Island (IIA TP-001, MIA MI-124, WW Loc. JM56XT), African Italy, in the CQ 160-Meter SSB Contest (February 23-24th) as a Single- Op/Low-Power entry. QSL direct only.

EU-070. Christian, F8HJV, will be active from the Levant Island (DIFM ME-012 and WLOTA 1083) near the Napoleon Fort until December 22nd. Activity will be mainly on the HF bands on SSB. He was heard this past weekend on 40 meters. This operation will count for the French Forts and Castles Award (Reference DFCF 83117). QSL via his home callsign.

SA-090. Remember to look for a second YL DXpedition organized by the 4M5DX group this week to take place from Chimana Grande Island (DIV-008 for the Venezuela Islands Award), between December 12-16th. YL operators will sign YW6YL, and the team of operators include Andreina/YY4AND, Carolina/YY4CVI, Laura/YY4LCG, Maika/ YY5ALO and Ydorca/YY5EVA. QSL via IT9DAA, direct preferred but the bureau is OK. More information can be found on their new Web site at:

JW, SVALBARD
Unni, LA6RHA, will be making her 16th trip to Svalbard and plans to be active as JW6RHA between January 18-24th. Watch 14248 kHz +/- QRM. QSL via LA6RHA. Visit her interesting Web page at:

LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITIES
Members of the Texas Lighthouse Radio Society will activate several lighthouses along the Texas Gulf Coast using the callsign W5TLH between December 22-29th and during the "ARLHS Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party". Lighthouses expected to be activated:

Texas Maritime Museum (ARLHS USA-1247)
Corpus Christi (ARLHS USA-1137)
Lydia Ann Channel (ARLHS USA-018, IOTA NA-092, USI TX-001S)
Port Isabel (ARLHS USA-649, USi TX-038S)
Brazos Santiago [New] (ARLHS USA-080)
Brazos Santiago [Old] (ARLHS USA-081, IOTA NA-092, USI TX-007S)
Brazos Santiago Depot (ARLHS USA-1393)

Operator Jakob, OZ7AEI and others plan to activate 4 lighthouses of Aggertange (DEN-081, DEN-082, DEN-190 and DEN-191), Saturday, December 15th, all on Vensyssel/Thy Island (EU-171 and DIA NJ-001). They plan on possibly having 2 stations on the air (20m and 40m). More details will be available (December 14th) on the time/schedule of each LH and the callsign to be used on Jakob's Web page at:

NEW OFFICIERS FOR 2008
The Texas DX Society (TDXS) is pleased to announce its officers and board members for 2008:

    President          - Steve Smothers, W9DX
    VP Programs        - Cal White, WF5W
    VP Membership      - Paul Frantz, W5PF
    Secretary/Treasurer- Bill Frink, K5WAF
    Contest Chairman   - Don Daze, N5DD
    Repeater Chairman  - Glenn Anderson, WB5TUF

OH0, ALAND ISLAND (Ops Update)
Operators Ari/OH5DX, Juha/OH1JT, Pasi/ OH1MM, Timo/OH1TM, Mika/OH2JA, and Tomi/OH6EI will be active as OH0Z during the CQ 160-Meter CW Contest (January 26-27th, 2008) as a Multi-Op entry. QSL via W0MM.

OJ1, ANTARCTICA
Mika, OH2FFP, is a team leader on an expedition from Finland to the Antarctica with 11 members heading to the Aboa Scientific Base located on Queen Maud land (73°03'S, 13°25'W) near the Swedish, Norwegian and German bases. By the time you read this, the team should be there, and Mika could be active on the air using the very rare callsign OJ1ABOA. Mika will answer QSLs when they return in three months. The base has several transceivers. Mika plans to use 1 KW to a twin dipole for 40 and 20 meters on a 15 meter tall tower. By the way, Mika is fairly new to amateur radio and has no experience with operating or certainly with pileups, but he is an expert on survival in extreme conditions - which may help on the air! He has written two books on extreme conditions survival.

PJ2, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
Just a reminder that Jerry, WB9Z, will be active this week as PJ2/WB9Z from Signal Point, Curacao (SA-006, WLOTA LH-0942), between December 12-25th. Activity will be holiday style on all bands. QSL via his home callsign.

QSL INFO AND NEWS
QSL ROUTES by Johannes/DK8JB:

    8J7AKARI automaticaly         HS80A via HS1CHB
    BA4DZ via BA4EG               IW3SIP direct
    DQ0A via DJ5BWD

QSLS VIA LOTW: H40MY, HS0ZEE, C6AKQ, ST0RY and OH8L

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3B7C, 3D2WW, AH0BT, C91KDJ, H40MY, JW/G3TXF, P29NI, P29VLR, YN2N, YW5AS, ZL7/SP5EAQ and ZL7/SP9PT

SATELLITE DX REPORT (by John, K8YSE)
AO-51 continues to be the most active/popular FM satellite and can be worked with a VHF/UHF HT with a hand-held Arrow antenna. DX heard from Ohio in the last week includes TG9GIG, WP4CNU, VA7MG, VE3OSC, VE3TEP, XE1HON, XE1NW, XE1SVT, XE2YWB, YV4DYJ, YV5DSL, YV6BFE. TG9GIG was also worked on VO52 on SSB.

AO7, a satellite launched in 1974 which came back to life in 2002 after not being heard from since 1981, provides the best opportunity for longer range contacts. Western Europe is in view of the Eastern U.S. on some passes with G1WPR, PA1TNO, OH8MBN, F6HRO and LA2QAA being logged on the AO7 Web site:

T9, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
A team of operators will activate T93J during the CQ 160-Meter CW Contest (January 26-27th) as a Multi-Op entry. QSL via T98U or OE1EMS.

TN, CONGO
Operators Baldur/DJ6SI and Franz/DJ9ZB are now active as TN6X (CW) and TN9Z (SSB), repsectively, until December 13th. Activity has been on 40/30/20/17/15 meters. QSL via their home callsigns.

TO5, MARTINIQUE
Al, F5VHJ, will be active as TO5A from the Island of Martinique (NA-107, DIFO FM-001, WLOTA L-1041) during the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 1-2nd) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. Al will also be active as TO5A during the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (March 29-30th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL both operations via F5VHJ, LoTW, or the REF Bureau.

TX5C CLIPPERTON ISLAND (Press Release)
Jay, K4ZLE, member of the Clipperton 2008 team, sent out the following press release:

"Time is drawing close for the Clipperton 2008 DXpedition. The team has been recruited. Plans and preparations are underway. Equipment is being staged, and your Clipperton 2008 team is chomping at the bit to make it a reality.

Information on the planned operation can be found at the web site:

http://www.clipperton2008.org Included on the web site is information on how you can support these activities, including providing financial support. As in most operations of this type, each individual has made a sizable up front financial commitment. Also, as in most operations of this type, there are other expenses.

Our antenna plans are quite extensive and it takes a LOT of coax to feed those antennas. If you have good quality 9913 or 213 coax sitting around, we can use it. You may ship your surplus coax to us and accomplish at least two objectives:
1) You become part of the support team. As such, in addition to the personal satisfaction that should give you, you will be listed on the official web page.
2) In addition, as a contributor your donation will we tax deductible to the full extent of current tax regulations. We will provide an appropriate receipt for your contribution.

Prior to shipping to us, please contact Steve Hammer, K6SGH, at:

k6sgh at clipperton2008 dot org He will coordinate this effort. The countdown is underway. The radios and operators are ready to play. So what do you say; contribute your surplus coax today."

VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
OCARC Member Bob/K0OK and Dale/KB7UB are still active as VP5/K0OK and VP5/KB7UB, respectively, from Providenciales (NA-002), until December 11th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters CW and SSB. They were active in last week's ARRL 10 Meter Contest as VP5E (K0OK) and VP5UB (KB7UB). QSL via their home callsigns. Online logs will be available at:

VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Operator Jim, W9VNE, will once again be active from Jodi's, VP5JM, "Hamlet" as VP5/homecall on Providenciales Island (NA-002), February 1-6th. Activity is mainly to participate in the FOC Marathon (a members only event - February 2-4th) on CW. Prefix hunters are welcome to exchange reports with him. QSL via W9VNE to: Jim Danehy, Box 54482, Cincinnati, Ohio 45254 USA.

VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Operator Dave, WJ2O, will be active as VP5/WJ2O from Jodi's, VP5JM, "Hamlet" on Providenciales Island (NA-002), February 15-22nd. His activity will include the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Single-Op entry. QSL via his home callsign.

VQ9, CHAGOS ISLANDS
Jim, ND9M, informs OPDX that he will be returning to Diego Garcia this week (ETA 12th December) for another four month tour and will resume operating as VQ9JC. Jim states, "My ship will be leaving the island in a few weeks, so I don't know yet how much of my four months will be spent there; hopefully we will return in August or September 2008. But there's a possibility that the ship will be reassigned to another port; if that happens, this would likely be my final chance to put out VQ9. If I'm still there in late March, I will try to get another special prefix callsign issued for temporary use around the CQ WPX SSB Contest.

The local licensing authority was very receptive to my request in 2007 and were kind enough to issue me VQ97JC for a two-week period; with luck, they will do it again. Operating time tends to run about 85% CW, 10% SSB, and 5% digital and is mainly on 10-80 meters. I must take a boat from my ship (where I am one of the few remaining Radio Officers) to the island where the ham shack is located and usually cannot be QRV before 1200Z. (Local time is GMT +6 all year.) In order to be on the boat back to the ship, I must QRT by 1630Z on Sundays through Thursday, and by 1730Z on Fridays and Saturdays, although I will occasionally stay overnight to work early morning DX. Even if I do stay overnight, I have to QRT by about 0050Z to make the boat in time to be at my job by 0200Z. (Ops should keep in mind that I'm there on a work assignment; it's not a vacation holiday!)"

QSL via ND9M (ex-WB9IHH); either by the bureau or direct is OK. Jim's XYL will forward direct requests to him every three weeks or so, but mail typically takes about two weeks to get to the island once she mails it.

YE9, INDONESIA (Special Event)
Look for special event station YE9FCCC to be active from Bali until December 14th on the HF and VHF bands. Activity is to promote the United Nations Climate Change Conference through the world via Amateur Radio Frequencies. Most of the activity this past week was on 40/20 meters CW, with some QSNs on 17 meters. QSL Manager is YB1GJS, and QSL card should be mailed via P.O. Box 1096, Jakarta 10010, Indonesia.

YO, ROMANIA
Pit, YO3JW, informs OPDX that starting December 6th (2007) YO stations can use frequencies 7.100 to 7.200 MHz.

ZD7, ST. HELENA ISLAND (AF-022)
Operator Tom, KC0W, will be active as ZD7X during the CQ 160-Meter SSB Contest (February 23-24th) as a Single- Op/Low Power entry. QSL via W0MM (QRZ.com).

PLEASE NOTICE (as of February 12th), NEW ADDRESS CHANGES FOR THE OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUEST:

Help: opdx-request@barf80.org Subject:help
Subscribe: opdx-request@barf80.org Subject:subscribe
Unsubscribe: opdx-request@barf80.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

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