The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 887
BID: $OPDX.887
December 8, 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, NC1L, NJ1Q, NG3K, N4AA & QRZ DX, KH6BZF, AA7BQ, K8YSE, NE8Z, K9EL, W9DX, DX-IS News Site, Pete's-DX-Newsdesk, 9M6XRO, A35RK, DK8JB, DL2GAC, DL7MAE & The DX News Letter, F1TZG, F5NQL & UFT, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, G3NKC, G3SWH, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP, OH2BH, ON5NT, RSGB IOTA Web Site, TA0U, UT5UGR, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE7SAG, VK2BNG and VK2SOB for the following DX information.
DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the
week of Sunday, 30th-November, through Sunday, 7th-December there were
230 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J,
4L, 4O, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X,
8P, 8Q, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9,
AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX,
D2, D4, DL, DU, E5/n, 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, FS, FY, G, GD, GI,
GJ, GM, GU, GW, H3, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP,
HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J5, J6, J8, JA, JT, JW, JX, JY, K, KG4, KH0,
KH2, KH6, KH8, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0,
OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PZ, S2, S5, SM,
SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T31, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TN, TR,
TT, TU, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK,
VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, XW, YB,
YI, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, 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).
2008 DX MARATHON
John, K9EL, Program Manager for the CQ DX Marathon,
informs OPDX that there are only a few days left in the 2008 version of
the CQ Magazine DX Marathon! He states, "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." For complete rules and submission information, please see the
following Web site at:
5K0, SAN ANDRES
Operators Cal/WF5W, Mike/K5UO (both members of the
Texas DX Society), and Rob/HK3CW will be going to San Andres Island as
a Multi/Single entry for the CQWW 160m CW Contest (January 24-25th). The
callsign will be 5K0CW. After the contest they should be on other CW
bands during the daylight hours. They will also try to be active on
RTTY. The trio is expected to be there a week before returning to Bogota.
This is the second TDXS related trip to this island; this time focusing
on 160 meters. The 160 meter antennas are a modified BC-Special and a
K9AY for receiving.
6W, SENEGAL
William, F1TZG, wil be active as 6W/F1TZG between December
12-14th. Activity will be on ALL bands and 6 meters SSB only. He will
use a TS870 and TS2000 (/w only 100w) into a beam for 20/15/10/6 meters
and a vertical for the other bands. QSL only via his home callsign or
the info on (QRZ.com).
6W, SENEGAL
Tom, DL2RMC, will be active as 6W/DL2RMC or possibly a 6V
callsign between January 16-29th. His activity will be holiday style
but will include the CQ WW 160m CW Contest (January 24-25th). QSL via
DL1RTL.
A6, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Philippe, F5LTB/9Q1TB, who announced back in
August that after 5 years he is leaving the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC), is expected to move to the United Arab Emirates (A6) in late
January. He has already applied for an A6 licence. He states that he
will depart from DRC on December 20th (he was expected to leave in
September), and go to Paris on the 21st. Philippe will be in France until
January 18th and then he will fly to Dubai. Meanwhile, his activity from
DRC will be limited (home station is being fully dismantled; activity
from his office will be during his mornings between 0630-0700z on 14114
kHz and afternoons between 1530-1600z on 21188 kHz). Last QSO will be
on December 19th. He hopes to obtain an A6 callsign in a reasonable amount
of time. His QSL Manager will continue to be SM5DJZ.
DXCC NEWS
Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL Awards Branch Manager, reports that
the following operations are approved for DXCC credit:
VK9DWX - Willis Island; 2008 Operation
VU4RG - Andaman & Nicobar Island; 2008 Operation
E4, PALESTINE
It was announced this past week that an Italian team of
6 operators were granted a license during the period of January 1-11th
(2009). The team will use the callsign E44M and will be active on 160-2
meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and all the digital modes with a maximum
power of 1KW. They will have 3 stations on the air active with beams,
verticals and wire antennas. They state, "Even if early January is not
a a good period for VHF, they will monitor 6 and 2 meters and try any
contact."
The team includes the following 6 members: Simone/IZ0BTV, Bello/IZ0EGM, Giorgio/IZ4AKS, Cortesi/IZ4DPV, Pasquale/IZ8IYX and Vini/ IK2CIO. Operations will be focused on RTTY and the other digital modes, as well as the low bands and 30/17/12 meters. They plan to pay special attention to stations outside Europe when the propagation will allow it. Pilot stations will be announced later. More news will be available in the next few weeks. A Web page is now active at:
E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS
Aki, JA1KAJ, who is currently active from Manihiki
Atoll (OC-014), will move over to Rarotonga Island (OC-013), South Cook
Islands, between December 11-17th. He will continue to sign E51QQQ.
Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via his home
callsign, direct or by the Bureau.
ET3, ETHIOPIA
Operator Abel, active from the E.A.R.S. club station,
ET3AA, has been showing up on 15 meters SSB as early as 0900z and as
late as 1230z. QSL via Box 60258, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
FG, GUADELOUPE (Special Activity)
Look for members of the Radio Club
Guadeloupe (FG5KC) to be active as FG5KC/p during a demonstration for
their youth at a science festival on a University Campus, December 12-13th.
Activity will be on the HF/VHF bands and Digital modes.
FOLLOW THE NEW SUNSPOT CYCLE
Those who are interested in following the
propagation, sunspots and the new sunspot cycle may want to look at the
following Web page provide by Kevin, VE3NE:
FREE MAPS!!
Tim, EI8IC, has a great collection of the most comprehensive
prefix maps on the Web; now available for free to download (ed. Yes, for
FREE!). There are 34 new maps available separately or in a combined zipped
archive. EI8IC also has a unique IOTA Bearing List which has been updated
with all the latest IOTA island numbers. You can create your own list of
beam headings and distance in miles or kilometers to ALL of the IOTA
island groups. He also has maps for CQ Zones, ITU Zones, ITU Regions,
Grid Squares, ARRL Sections and much more. Visit the following Web page
at:
H4 & H40, SOLOMON ISLANDS AND TEMOTU PROVINCE
Bernhard, DL2GAC, informs
OPDX that he will depart from Markdorf, Germany, on January 8th and arrive
in Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, on Saturday, January 10th.
He is expected to stay until April 28th. Bernhard will be active as
H44MS on SSB only but will focus on the 80 and 40 meter bands. He states,
"I do collect U.S. counties. Additionally, I look for missing slots for
my 5B-WAS, 5B-ITU-Zones, 5B-WAZ and new IOTAs." QSL via his home callsign,
by the Bureau or direct after his return home. ADDED NOTES: Bernhard states
that Sigi/DK9FN (CW op) and Hermann/DL2NUD (an EME op) will join him at
the end of February. Together they plan to do a 2-3 week operation to
Temotu (H40). A flight to Lata, capital city of Temotu, is planned for
March 2nd. Sigi/DK9FN will go back home on March 16th, and Hermann/DL2NUD
will stay until April 9th.
HB8/HE8, SWITZERLAND
The Union Schweizerischer Kurzwellen-Amateure
(l'USKA), the Swiss National Ham Society, has granted all Swiss hams to
use the prefixes HE8 and HB8 during the whole year of 2009 to celebrate the
l'USKA 80th anniversary. Stations will sign HE8 instead of HB9, and HB8
instead of HB3. These prefixes are valid only from the Swiss territory.
No foreign operators/activities are allowed (no callsign/HE8 or HE8 is
possible).
IOTA NEWS
AS-151. Operators Semon/BD3BXH, Sandy/BG3DCI and Xiaoming/BG3DDB (and
possibly other operators from the TianJin B3C Club) will be
active as homecall/2 from JuHua Island, December 10-13th.
Activity will be on 80/40/20/17/15/10 meters using CW, SSB
and RTTY. QSL via BD3BXH.
EU-096. Operators Jouni/OH4KZM and Jukka/OH4MFA will be active as OH4JT/1 from Kustavi Island, December 26-30th. Activity will include a Multi-Op entry in the Stew-Perry Topband Challenge. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, mainly CW. QSL via OH4MFA, direct or by the bureau. Further information can be found at:
NA-034. Rick, NE8Z, will be signing NE8Z/4 from Lido Key, FL, located in the Florida State Center West Group between December 7-14th. Activity will be CW and SSB on the IOTA frequencies. His rig will be a TS50s using an Outbacker vertical antenna. QSL via NE8Z.
NA-112. Dennis, WA2USA, will be active as WA2USA/4 from Bogue Banks (USI NC-010S, Carteret County, North Carolina) between February 12-24th. Activity will be 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. He will also participate in the ARRL CW DX and CQ WPX RTTY Contests. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.
NA-141. Bodo, DL3OCH, will be active as KT3Q/4 from Key Biscayne Island (USI FL-030S, WLOTA LH-1246, Dade County, Florida) between December 12-26th. He also plans to activate other IOTAs during his stay. IOTAs mentioned are: NA-052, NA-062, NA-069 or NA-138. Activity will be on 40-15 meters CW. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.
SA-066. (Update/Change) Members of the 4M5DX Group will be active as
YW1TI from Toas Island, in the Zulia State Group, December
9-12th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and
possibly RTTY. Suggested frequencies are:
CW - 1830, 3530, 7025, 10115, 14040, 18098, 21040, 24920,
28040 and 50110 kHz
SSB - 1845, 3755/3790, 7055, 14260/14195, 18128/18145, 21260/
21295, 24950, 28560/28460/28495 and 50110 kHz
RTTY - 7040, 10140, 14090, 18100, 21080, 24920, 28090 and
50110 kHz
The team now includes two YL operators. Team members are: Alex/YV5SSB (team leader, SSB), Manuel/YY4MP (SSB), Rafael/ YY4RN (CW/SSB), Franco/YV1FM (CW/Digi), Rainer/YV5EU (CW), Olli/OH0XX (CW), Jesus/YV5MSG (SSB), Jose/YV5TX (Web/Logistci), Andreina/YY4AND (YL - SSB), Carlos/YY4DCT (SSB) and Laura/ YY4LCG (YL - SSB). This operation is good towards the Venezuela Islands Award. For more details, visit their Web site at:
KH8, AMERICAN SAMOA
Paul, A35RK/KK6H, is now in Pago Pago and is operating
as KH8/KK6H from Larry's, AH8LG, QTH on Tutuila Island (OC-045, USI
AS-007S). You may only have a day or two to work him before he leaves
the morning of the 9th, for Apia, Samoa. On the morning of the 10th,
Paul will depart for Tonga and should be home in Ha'apai on the 12th.
QSNs show that Paul has been on 20 meters SSB and 17 meters CW between
1800-2100z. QSL via W7TSQ or LoTW.
KOSOVO NEWS (Press Release by Martti, OH2BH)
THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO ENTERS A NEW PHASE AS OF DECEMBER 9, 2008
"EULEX will switch on and UNMIK will switch off", as EULEX's head put it
today!
There is no doubt in anyone's mind that the Republic of Kosovo, as it is called in UN terms, is there to stay as it is recognized by fifty-three UN member states today. Even those European countries not recognizing Kosovo because of their own minorities, voted unanimously to let the EULEX take over the next phase of the new country's development work. This is also another historical event where, for the first time, the European Union is working together and with the United States on a peace settlement issue.
This same day also signifies a wonderful occasion to the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Martti Ahtisaari, who acted as the UN Special Envoy for Kosovo and whose "peace roadmap" is now in implementation. Mr. Ahtisaari has served as mediator in many complex negotiations in which there is no standard outcome. Kosovo's road to independence marks a unique case in which the only winners are the people of Kosovo. We all salute Mr. Ahtisaari for his mission under complicated circumstances and congratulate him on winning the Nobel Peace Prize which he will receive on this same day. Amateur Radio operators are grateful to Mr. Ahtisaari for his support of Amateur Radio Mission Goodwill Kosovo currently under implementation in Kosovo.
A special postage stamp is issued in Finland on December 10th in Mr. Ahtisaari's honor, and the next 1000 direct QSL envelopes released by OH2BH/OH2BN/OH2TA/OH2UA for YU8/OH2R, CN2B, CU2X, FJ/OH2AM, OH0X, OH8X, OJ0B, TC4X will bear that stamp." Visit the following Web page to see the stamp:
OH9, FINLAND (Special Event - This one for the kids!)
Once again OH9SCL
will be active from Santa Claus Land (SCL) in the Arctic Circle, during
the month of December. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB
and the Digital modes. There has been plenty of activity over the past
week on 40/20/30 meters, some SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL via OH9UV: PL 50,
96101 Rovaniemi, Finland. A special "Santa Claus Land" award is available.
For more information about the award, please visit the SCL Web page at:
OOOOPPPSSS!! (CORRECTION)
There was a typo in last week's OPDX.886 under
"KH8, AMERICAN SAMOA." We stated that Larry's, AH8LG, callsign was KH8LG
which was incorrect.
OP0, ANTARCTICA
Paul, ON3PC, who got his license only a short time ago,
is expected to be active as OP0LE from the new Belgian Antarctic station
"Princess Elisabeth" (http://www.antarcticstation.org) situated on Dronning
Maud Land. Activities can be expected between mid-December and mid-February
of 2009.
QRZ.COM TO CHANGE
Fred, AA7BQ, QRZ Founder, announced that QRZ.COM will
be changing their database/Web site. He states,
"Today we're pleased to make an initial announcement about a new version of our online callsign database that will soon replace our existing pages. Internally, we've been calling it QRZ 2.0, however, it will soon be known simply as QRZ as it becomes the system default. The new database includes a fresh new layout plus a number of new features and information details that were not previously available. In addition, the new callsign pages are custom- izable by the user to include colors, fonts, and multiple pictures. We've also included the GridFinder as a mainstream part of our data. Additionally, we have made vast improvements in our geo coordinate data- base, and we now include regional mapping information for nearly every callsign, both USA and DX! Once we've had sufficient time to test the new system we will eventually replace all of the callsign pages with the new format."To see an example of their new pages for AA7BQ, go to:
QSL INFO AND NEWS
6Y/G3NKC QSLS. Dave, G3NKC, reports that those who have requested a
direct QSL for any of his QSOs in October, the cards have arrived from
the printers this past week and should have been posted this past
weekend. Anyone else who needs a card may apply direct (with IRC or
2 USDs) or via the Bureau. The logs are on LoTW.
QSL CO0V via EA1EAU. The special callsign was used during the past weekend on the Digital modes by operators Jesus/CO2IZ, Lilliam/CO2XV, Gustavo/CO2NO and Eligio/CM2ELY. For more details, see (QRZ.com).
QSL V31WA via UT5GR. Dim, UT5UGR, was active from Belize for one week which included CQ WW DX CW Contest.
PIRATE ALERT. Phil, G3SWH, reports, "There has been a pirate station using the callsign VP2V/G6AY on CW over the last few weeks, and both Jim, G3RTE, and I have received QSL requests from numerous stations. VP2V/G6AY was the special call of our February 2006 DX-pedition and has not been activated since. Neither do we have any current plans to re-activate the call. All QSL requests received to date have been returned with an explanatory note."
SAZAN ISLAND (ZA0/) QSLS. Alfredo, IK7JWX (ZA0/IK7JWX), reports that all QSLs received via direct will be responsed to before December 18th. He invites all to visit their Web site and sign the guest book at:
QSLS VIA LOTW: G3TXF and VP6DX
QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3D2YA, 3V8BB, 4L0A, 8R1K, 9L1X, A25/DL7DF, CE0Y/JJ2NYT, CE0Z/DL2AH, CN2DX, CT3FQ, DH1TW, DR1A, EK6TA, ER5GB, ET3JA, EW1AR, EW2AA, FK8GX, FO/JJ2NYT, H7/NP3D, HD5J, JA6GCE/HC5, JA6GCE/HC8, JA6SOV/HC5, JA6SOV/HC8, JX/G7VJR, JX/SQ4MP, OX3KQ, OX3XR, T88ZF, TG9NX, UN5J, V73ZF, VO2A, VP2EFB, YJ0AQY, YN2/EW1AR, ZC4VJ and ZL7/DL2AH
QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 4J7WMF, 5Z1A, 6K2AVL, AM5R, EH6R, AN0EB, BG7MVZ, CU8F, CU8T, DLORUG/P, DK150HZ, DR0R, HB9SPACE, LA1S/LH, LZ08KM, PF07XMAS, T93J, T94GB, T96C, T90HQ and T960ARA
S2, BANGLADESH
Good news from S2-land. Belayet, S21RB, General Secretary
Bangladesh Amateur Radio League (BARL), reports that the Bangladesh Tele-
communication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has started giving/conducting
amateur radio license tests again after a long laps of 4 years. Tests were
given as recently as November 27th, using a Computer Based Testing (CBT)
System. Tests consists of a total of 35 multiple-choice type questions
with a minimum of 18 correct answers were needed to pass the test. The
duration of test was one hour. The good news is that a total of 84
candidates took the exam and among them 62 candidates have successfully
passed. This was all possible thanks to three executive committee members
of the BARL who had very productive meetings with the BTRC. Committee
members mentioned were Belayet Robin/S21RB, Dr. Zahid Shipon/S21VA and
Saiful Huda/S21SH. For more details and pictures, please visit the
following Web page at:
T2, TUVALU (OC-015)
Operators Bill/N7OU and Bob/W7YAQ will be active
between February 17th and March 2nd. Their callsigns still have to be
confirmed. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, mainly CW, with some SSB
and RTTY. They plan to be an entry in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February
21-22nd). QSL via their home callsigns, direct or by the Bureau.
TC12, TURKEY (Special Event)
Special event station TC12AKUT is now active
(since December 1st) through December 16th. This is the first activity by
the AKUT DXpedition Team to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the "AKUT
Search & Rescue Association". Team members are: Urcun/TA0U (Leader),
Can/TA1CN, Onder/TA2CL, Eren/TA2FP, Kaya/TA2JG, Serkan/TA2JN and some
other voluntary HAMs and friends. Operations will take place from Kartepe
(2908m ASL) from the Camp/Technical Resp.: Serhat AKBEL. The QSL Manager
is TA0U: P.O. Box 17, 34734 Sahra-i Cedid, Istanbul, Republic of Turkey.
For more information about the event, please view the following Web pages:
VI2, AUSTRALIA (Special Event)
The Australian Communications and Media
Authority (ACMA) has issued a special callsign VI2BV90 to the Waverley
Amateur Radio Society, the oldest continually licensed Amateur Radio
Club in Australia. Waverley ARS was formed on January 27, 1919, and was
issued the licence N249 on August 18, 1920. This became 2BV, then VK2BV,
a callsign it still uses. The special callsign will be in use to celebrate
Waverley's 90th anniversary. Look for their club station to be on the
air from 0000z, January 24th, until 2400z, February 1st (2009). The
operating schedule is currently being discussed, and once it is finalized,
it will be updated on the club's Web site at:
VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Operators John/KX7YT and Rob/N1KEZ will
be active from VP5JM's Hamlet on Providenciales Island (NA-002) as
VP5/homecall between February 12-15th. Activity will include an entry
in the CQWW RTTY Contest (February 14-15th). QSL via their home callsigns.
VP8, FALKLAND ISLANDS (Also CE)
Ghis, ON5NT, informs OPDX, "No more
travels anymore for work .. I am retired now. So time now to start
travelling WITH the XYL. In January 2009 we will be travelling to South
America." He states that he will be active as VP8DLQ from the Falkland
Islands between January 31st and February 7th (2009). Ghis also adds
that this is not a DXpedition, just a holiday trip, so most activity
will be in the local evening hours. He will be island hopping in the
Falklands. Due to weight limitations on small aircrafts for the internal
flights, he will only be hand-carrying his small IC-706MKIIG (100w). QSL
via ON5NT (detailed info at QRZ.com/on5nt). ADDED NOTES: Ghis states,
"Since I am now retired I am cleaning up a huge backlog of bureau cards
for past operations.... I will be QRV from Chile also, but awaiting my
callsign. As soon as I get it I will let you know the details."
XU, CAMBODIA (Also GM!)
John, 9M6XRO, will once again be active as
XU7XRO from December 10-18th. His QTH will be Sihanouk Ville (Kompong
Som). Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL only
via Tim, M0URX, by the Bureau, direct or E-mail requests to M0URX for
Bureau cards. Full QSL info is available at:
ZS8, MARION ISLANDS
There is still no activity reported. For updates
and the first official announcement of ZS8T being on the air, please
visit the official ZS8T Web site at:
PLEASE NOTICE (as of February 12, 2007), 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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