The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 845
BID: $OPDX.845
February 11, 2008
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, K1XN & GoList, KV1J, N1DG, NC1L, N2TTA, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, N4JF, N4NW, N7OU, NN7A, K8YSE, N8OFS, DX-IS News Site, Pete's-DX-Newsdesk, 9M6XRO, CO8TW, DK7PE, DK8JB, DL7MAE & The DX News Letter, EA4TV, F5NQL & UFT, F6EXV, I1HYW, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, LA5YJ, OE9AMJ, RSGB IOTA Web Site, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE5MC, VK2XQ and ZS5BBO for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 3rd-February, through Sunday, 10th-February there were 226 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 3X, 3Y/b, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4U1U, 4X, 5B, 5N, 5R, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, 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, E5/s, E7, 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, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PZ, R1FJ, S0, S2, S5, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T32, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TI9, TK, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2V, VP5, VP6, VP8, VP8/g, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, Z7, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZF, 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).

3B8 & 3B9, MAURITIUS AND RODRIGUES ISLANDS
Jose, ON4LAC, will be active from Mauritius Island (3B8, AF-049), October 18th through November 6th, and then from Rodrigues Island (3B9, AF-017) November 7th through December 12th. Jose is waiting to receive his callsigns from ICTA. QSL via his home callsign.

3Y, BOUVET ISLAND (Update)
Petrus, 3Y0E, is now QRT as of February 9th, at 1915z. For more details, visit the official 3Y0E operation Web page at:

4U1U, UNITED NATIONS HQ
Look for operators Johnny/LA5IIA, George/N2GA and Tony/N2UN to be active as 4U1UN during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Multi-Op entry. QSL via HB9BOU. ADDED NOTE: Johnny/LA5IIA was active this past weekend in the CQ WPX RTTY Contest. Also QSL via HB9BOU.

5Z4, KENYA
Sigi, DL7DF, will be on holiday with his XYL Sabine at Diani Beach at the coastline of Kenya. He will be active as 5Z4HW from February 27th to March 11th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, CW, SSB, RTTY and SSTV. Operations will be limited (holiday style). He will use an IC-735 and Linear TY900. Antennas will be a R7 vertical and 18m Tower for 160/80m. QSL via DL7DF, direct or by the DARC Bureau. Visit his Web page at:

7P, LESOTHO
Belgium operators and members of the Radio Club Secunda from South Africa will be active from Katse Dam in Lesotho from March 27th to April 3rd. The team consists of: Filip/ON4AEO (previously operated 3DA0FC), Kath/ON7BK (previously operated 3DA0FC), Gert/ZS6GC (previously operated 3DA0FC), Sid/ZS5AYC, Lucas/ZS6ACT, Tom/ZS6TMO, Adele/ZR6APT, Edwin/ZS5BBO, Janet/ZS5JAN, Steffi and Elna. The following are the suggested frequencies and modes:

	             BANDS     SSB    RTTY    PSK
                       -----    -----  ------  ----- 
                       160m      1845     -      -
                        80m      3780    3590    -
                        40m      7063    7040  7038
                        20m     14185   14084 14072
                        17m     18136   18104 18102
                        15m     21290   21084 21072
                        12m     24930   24924 24922
                        10m     28490   28084 28122 kHz

A4, OMAN
Chris, A45XR, received permission last week on February 3rd from the Ministry of Telecommunications to operate on 30 meters. He has been quite active over the past week on 30 meters at various times. Reports indicate that he is using a 160/80 meter vertical with a tuner. Chris plans to build a 2 element Delta Loop very soon. His QSL address is: Chris Dabrowski, P.O. Box 2038, CPO 111, Oman. Chris suggests to send IRCs if possible. If you use currency, tape envelope securely.

AAW
The Antarctic Activity Week (AAW) is quickly approaching (February 18-24th). There are several special event stations already on the air along with special "IPY" callsigns and other special world-wide callsigns to celebrate the 2008 Antarctic event and the International Polar Year "IPY". On the WAP Web site you can get the whole list of participants to the 5th Edition of AAW by clicking on the appropriate window marked "Antarctic Activity Week", at:

C5, THE GAMBIA
Just a reminder that two Belgium operators will be active here this week. Andre, ON7YK, will once again be active as C56YK from February 11th through March 6th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters SSB. He will use a 80/40m FD4 antenna and spiderbeam for all the other bands. QSL C56YK via the info on QRZ.com. QSL Manager: Bourbon Andre, Route de Xhoffraix 30, B-4970 Hockai-Stavelot, Belgium. Also, look for Jose, ON4LAC, to be active as C56JC between February 12th and March 5th. He will focus on the PSK and RTTY modes with some SSB. QSL via his home callsign.

CN, MOROCCO
Hartwig, DL7BC, will be active as CN2BC during the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (March 29-30th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry. QSL via DL7BC.

CO, CUBA
Juan, CO8TW, will be active during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m)/Low-Power entry. QSL via HB9SVT. The log will be online after the contest at:

DXCC NEWS
* Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC Manager, reports that the following operations are approved for DXCC credit: E4/OM2DX - Palestine; 2007 Operation
J5C - Guinea-Bissau; 2008 Operation

* NEW ENTITY ABOUT TO HAPPEN - According to the "Associated Press" on Friday, February 8th, a Serbian minister for Kosovo stated that his government has received information that the Province's Albanian leadership will declare independence on February 17th. For details, go to:

* (MORE) STILL WAITING for the return of your DXCC applications?
Well, read this from Bill Moore (date February 6th):

"DXCC Pushes to Get Ahead -- Due to several factors, including greater activity from new and reactivated DXCC entities, the ARRL DXCC Desk has been experiencing QSL card processing delays. According to ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, there are approximately 2300 applications currently on the list of received applications, resulting in a processing backlog of more than 12 weeks. 'People usually have to wait 4-6 weeks from the time they send in their application to the time they receive their cards back,' Moore said.

Even with the low sunspot numbers of the now defunct Solar Cycle 23, there has been an increase in DXCC activity, Dave Patton, NN1N, Manager of the ARRL Membership and Volunteer Services Department, said; DXCC is a division of this department. 'We've added or reactivated new entities like Scarborough Reef, Swains Island and Montenegro,' he said. 'ARRL membership is up, and more people out there have HF privileges.' DXCC rules state that US hams must be ARRL members to participate in DXCC; there is no membership requirement for foreign participants. Moore estimates that one-third of the DXCC applications come from outside the US. Sharon Taratula, Membership and Volunteer Programs Supervisor, said that approximately 500 DXCC applications are processed each month.

ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, said that a new full-time person has just been added to the DXCC staff. 'We are actively looking for an additional full-time employee for DXCC. By adding more staff, we can definitely cut down on the time it takes to process applications.'

'While we are not happy with the delayed turnaround time for DXCC applications, I can assure everyone that we are maintaining our high level of concern for accuracy in processing and care for our customers QSLs and awards,' Patton said. 'I'm pleased that interest in operating awards is so high, and indeed there is evidence that new and returning ops are participating in ever increasing numbers. In the near future, as we continue to refine and improve LoTW and our processes, turnaround time will improve, the quality of our awards will improve and we can hopefully offer new and expanded awards programs like the brand new Fred Fish Memorial Award for confirming QSOs with the 488 grid squares in the continental US on 6 meters.'

Patton thanked the many DXCC Field Checkers and Awards Card Checkers around the world. 'They give so freely of their time and resources to make participation in operating awards so much more convenient for everyone. And I also want to thank all of the volunteers working in QSL Bureaus throughout the world, as well. The QSL Bureau system is still very important to collectors and awards chasers, and activity in the bureau is maintaining and even increasing despite the lack of sunspots.'

Kramer said, 'We take great care with people's DXCC applications. The DXCC crew is very diligent in handling and checking each applicant's cards. We don't rush the process because we don't want to make mistakes -- we know how important this program is to DXCC participants.'"

FO, FRENCH POLYNESIA
Yoshi, JJ8DEN, who was recently active from Pitcairn Island, is now heading for Oeno, then Gambier Island (OC-063). He plans to be active from the Gambier as FO/KH0PR. However, his operations will be limited because he will only have access to solar power. QSL via JJ8DEN, direct to: Yoshitake Izumi, 7 Minami-24 Nishi-1 Obihiro-city, Hokkaido 080-0011 JAPAN. Please send a SASE with 2 USDs or 1 IRC. Yoshi requests that the envelope be 162mm X 114mm or more. If a small envelope is sent, he will return the QSL card by surface mail (ship mail).

FP, ST. PIERRE AND MIQUELON
Operators Eric/KV1J and his son Matthew/W1MAT, will be active from Miquelon (NA-32, DIFO FP-002, Grid GN17) as FP/KV1J and FP/W1MAT from July 9-14th. Activity will be on all bands 80-6 meters, SSB, CW and RTTY, using only 100 watts into verticals and a TW2010. During the IARU Contest, look for FP/KV1J (running low power) and FP/W1MAT (running QRP) from Zone 9. QSL via their home callsign, direct or by the Bureau or LoTW. For more details and up-to-date info, visit their Web page at:

FT/X, KERGUELEN ISLAND
Gwenael, F4EFI, reports that Gildas, TU5KG, will be in the Kerguelen Island area (possibly signing FT5XR/mm) February 15th and 16th to refuel the ship. He plans to be active from the base Port aux Francais, Kerguelen Island (AF-048, DIFO FT-011, WLOTA LH-0439) as FT5XR during this period if the weather is good to land, not like last time. QSL via F4EFI, direct or by the bureau.

INTERESTING WEB SITES OF THE WEEK
Jaime, EA4TV, provides an interesting look at a different DX calendar for DXers. Take a look at:

Also, visit the WOTA (Women On The Air) Web page. The Web site, put together by a SWL (FE11DX) Steven has interesting pictures and bio's of active YLs around the globe. Take a look at:

GM7, SCOTLAND
Operators Keith/GM4YXI and Chris/GM3WOJ will be active as GM7V during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via M0CMK.

IO4, ITALY
Operators Andrea/IK4VET, Roberto/IK4XCL, Alessio/IZ4EFN and possibly others will be active as IO4T during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via IZ4JMA direct.

JD, MINAMI TORISHIMA (OC-073)
Masa, JA6GXK, is now active as JD1BMM until February 19th. Activity will be limited to his spare time, but he will concentrate on North America and Europe on the low bands. Aki, JH2RMU, reports to look for Masa on 160m. He will TX on 1822 and RX 1827 for USA at 1200z, and for EU at 2030z. This past week he was on 40/20/15 meters SSB and 15 meters RTTY.

JX, JAN MAYEN (EU-022)
Svein, LA9JKA, will be active as JX9JKA from March 27th through October 8th. He plans to operate SSB and the digital modes on 160-6 meters. QSL via his home callsign.

KP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Operators John/K3CT and John/K3TEJ as KP2/K3CT and KP2/K3TEJ, respectively, will be active between February 10-20th. Activity will include the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Multi-2 entry using the callsign KP2M. Outside of the contest, activity will have an emphasis on 160m and 30/17/12 meter bands. QSL KP2M via AI4U. QSL their KP2/homecall to their home addresses.

LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY
Operators Eric/VE5EL and Murray/VE5MC plan to be active this summer as VE5LGT from Cochin Lighthouse (ILLW CA0013), August 15-17th. They will have two stations on the air with 100 watts, SSB only, using dipoles and vertical antennas. QSL via the Bureau or direct to: COCHIN LIGHTHOUSE, c/o Murray Crandon, 1034 Henleaze Avenue, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 3V6, CANADA. See QRZ.com for more details.

LX, LUXEMBURG
Operators Ulrich/DJ9IE, Carsten/DL1EFD, Heinrich/DL2OBF and possibly others will be active as LX7I during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Multi-2 or Multi-Single entry. QSL via LX2A. Visit the following Web page at:

NP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Yuri, N2TTA, will be active as NP2/N2TTA between February 12-19th. His activity will include the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as NP2S and as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. Outside of the contest, Yuri informs OPDX that he will be active on CW and SSB on all bands including 30/17/12 meters. However, his focus will be on the lower bands. QSL both callsigns via W3HNK.

PJ7, ST. MAARTEN
Bil/W8EB and his wife Dorothy/W8DVC will be here between February 24th and March 23rd. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31 as PJ7/W8EB and possibly PJ7/W8DVC. Operations will be limited because he is on holiday. Bil will operate in the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 1-2nd) as PJ7B, and as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry. This will be Bil's 13th consecutive ARRL DX SSB Contest participation from St. Maarten. Also look for him to be in any RTTY contests. All QSL requests go to W8EB. Visit their PJ7B Web site at:

QSL INFO AND NEWS
QSL ROUTES by Johannes/DK8JB:
RV3AAG direct (117311, Moscow, pr. Vernadskogo, 9/10, MGRSTK, RUSSIA)
RV3AAL direct (117311, Moscow, pr. Vernadskogo, 9/10, MGRSTK, RUSSIA)
RV3AGB direct (117311, Moscow, pr. Vernadskogo, 9/10, MGRSTK, RUSSIA)
RV3AIJ direct (117311, Moscow, pr. Vernadskogo, 9/10, MGRSTK, RUSSIA)
RX3BT direct (111401 Moskva a/ia 1)

QSL 3D2/JM1YGG via JM1YGG. Activity was by 17 members of the Mitsubishi Electric Tokyo ARC. See (QRZ.com) for more info.

UA4WHX QSL STATUS. Vlad and his helpers are still mailing cards for his African and Middle East activity in 2005 and 2007. The cards are hand written so it takes a very long time, but he says they are working very hard to get them done. The backlog is greater than their efforts. He says, "Volunteers to come and fill them out are more than welcome here."

QSLS VIA LOTW: CT1ILT, HB9CVQ, HK6DOS, KG4SS, MD0CCE, TR8CA, V5/DJ4SO and ZF2BJ

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3Y0E, AH0V, BY1TX/4, CT3FT, D2NX, E4/OM2DX, E51MMM, HV50VR, J28OO, PY7XC, S79UU, TA3J, V8FWU, VK9ANH, VK9WWI, VP8DIZ, YM1907FB, YN9H, Z29KM, ZK2AH and ZL7/DL2AH

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: None reported this week.

S2, BANGLADESH
Hugo, LA5YJ, is now active as S21XF. He tells OPDX that he will be here until the beginning of April. His activity over the past week has been mainly CW on 30/20/17/15 meters. He was heard on 20 meters SSB in QSO with a VK6 station. QSL via LA5YJ.

T32, EASTERN KIRIBATI (Update)
Operators Bill/N7OU and Bob/W7YAQ will be active from Christmas Island (OC-024) as T32OU and T32YA, respectively, February 12-26th. The duo will be a Multi-Single entry in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) using the callsign T32OU. Outside of the contest they will be active mostly on 160-10 meters, on CW, but some SSB and RTTY, using only 100w and verticals antennas. QSL via their home callsigns.

T6, AFGHANISTAN
Sigfrido, T6AB, has been active on 40/20 meters SSB. Watch around 14200 kHz +/- 10 kHz between 0615-0930z and again between 1600-1730z. He was also heard on 7067 kHz after his 20 meters activity. QSL via IT9YVO.

TI2, COSTA RICA
Jean-Pierre, F6FQX, will be active as TI2/F6FQX between now and February 29th. Suggested frequencies are 10123 and 14023 kHz between 1330-1400z on most days. QSL via F6FQX.

TI9, COCOS ISLAND (Update/QSL Route Change)
The international team of operators are now active as TI9KK (not TI9K as first announced). Activity will last until February 14th. Operations will be on all modes and bands including 60 meters and EME, with 6 stations on the air. It was announced last week (by DH8WR/EA2CRX, DJ7JC and OE9AMJ) that the QSL Manager was changed for this operation. The new QSL Manager is EA1DR. However, beware that the TI9 Web site still states EA2CRX, but QRZ.com does have the correct QSL info. There will be E-mail requests for Bureau QSLs. However, Bureau QSLs will be sent via the Bureau later. For more details and updates, visit the TI9 Web page at:

TM6, FRANCE
Members of the Radio-Club Electrans (CSAM) will be active from their F6KHM club station as TM6M during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Multi-? entry. QSL via F4DXW. Operators mentioned are: F1AKK, F5MUX, F5TTU and F8DBF.

TO5FJ OPERATION UPDATE
Paul, F6EXV, informs OPDX that his recent TO5FJ operation is valid for DXCC. He will start answering cards within a couple of weeks. Paul suggests for those who want to QSL direct and have not sent cards yet, please do so rapidly, as there will be a postal increase on March 1st. Please do "NOT" use SASE (Self-Addressed _*STAMPED*_ Envelopes), and refer to his Web page for QSL directions and online log at:

V3, BELIZE (Correction to QSL Address)
Last week we reported that Art, NN7A, will be active as V31JZ/p from South Water Caye (NA-180), February 22-26th. However, we reported Art's old mailing address and the direct route should be: Art Phillips, P.O. Box 73, Eckert, CO 81418 USA.

VK9C, COCOS-KEELING ISLAND (OC-003)
Bernd, VK2IA, will be active as VK9AA during the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 29-30th) as a Single-Op/ All-Band entry. QSL via DL8YR (QRZ.com).

VK9N, NORFOLK ISLAND
Last week we reported that Jim Smith, VK9NS, now has a couple of aerials set up for 6 meters. Since then, we have received a couple of QSNs. Jim was heard working VK/ZL on 6m SSB, last Saturday, February 2nd around 0100z and again on Monday, February 4th around 0035z on SSB.

VP2V, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (NA-023)
Look for Steve/AK0M and his XYL Sandy/KC0RD to be active as VP2V/homecall from the Island of Anegada, February 11-18th. Activity will be on 40-6 meters, possibly some 80m operations if the antenna situation permits. Their emphasis will be on 40/30/17 meters, also 12m if the band is open. Operations will be primarily on CW, but with some possible SSB. Look for activity to be sporadic since this is a holiday style operation, but they do plan to be on the air at least 2-3 hours a day. Some limited time of participation, possibly 6-12 hours, is expected in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 16-17th). Their operating locations will vary between portable locations including the beach and from their living accomodations. QSL via AK0M, direct or by the bureau (processed once a year). Logs will also be available on LoTW after the trip. For more details/information about their operation, visit:

VP6, DUCIE ISLAND (Update)
By the time you read this, the VP6DX operation should be active. The VP6DX team was expected to arrive a day early on the island (Friday, February 8th) and should be done with their setup on February 10th. For more details on donating funds and updates, visit the VP6DX Web page at:

XU, CAMBODIA
Operators Bernd/DK7TF and Rudi/DK7PE are now active as XU7DLH until February 14th. Activity has been on 160/80/40/30/20 meters. Rudi has been operating on 160/80/40 meters CW, while Bernd has been on 20 meters SSB. Rudi suggests (for 160m) for Japan the transmit frequency will be on 1821 kHz and receiving on 1824.5 kHz. For NA and EU, Rudi might change his TX Frequency to 1824.5 kHz (QSX up 5) if needed due to possible QRM on 1821 in NA. Please let him now if QSY is necessary. QSL via DK7TF.

XU, CAMBODIA
John, 9M6XRO, will be active as XU7XRO from February 20-26th. QTH will be Sihanouk Ville (Kompong Som). Activity will be CW, SSB and Digi modes. John hopes to be on Top Band SSB during the CQWW 160m DX Contest. QSL is only via M5AAV, either direct or by the bureau.

YI, IRAQ (Update)
Tom, N4NW, informs OPDX that the Stafford DX Association's efforts to procure an amplifier for YI9PT are moving along. However, donations have reached only 65% of their goal of the needed 1,300.00 USDs. Please support this operation by donating any amount you can now. Radar is now active and is being worked in Europe with 100 watts and a dipole. With the planned amplifier, his signal will be improved significantly on the lower bands outside Europe. Please visit the following Web page for complete information on how to help support this operation at:

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

Additional Bulletins for OPDX InterNet Subscribers

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