Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 608
April 21, 2003

The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 608
BID: $OPDX.608
April 21, 2003
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF-80 BBS Cleveland, Ohio
Online at 440-237-8208 28.8k-1200 Baud 8/N/1

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, ARRL Letter and Web Site, K1XN & GoList, N1WON, K2FF, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, AD5A, K8YSE, 9V1SM, DL1EK/DL7VOA & DX Newsletter, DL2GG, DL2VFR & IOTA-POST, F5NQL & UFT, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, F6KOP IOTA Team, FJ5DX & La Gazette du DX, G4OBK, G0NFA, I1JQJ & IK1ADH - 425 DX NEWS, IT9EJW, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, LA3OHA, OE8KDK, OZ6B, OZ6OM/OZ7M & OZ 50 MHz DX Bulletin, SQ4NR, UA9OBA, VA3RJ & ICPO and VE7DP for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 13th/April, through Sunday, 20th/April there were 231 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3C, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9U, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C6, C9, CE, CE0Z, 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, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH3, 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, R1FJ, S0, S2, S5, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TL, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9X, VP2E, VP2V, VP5, VP6, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, XX9, XZ, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZD9, ZF, ZK1/s, ZL, ZP, ZS

* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations. As always, you never know - "Work First Worry Later" (WFWL).

3 YEAR DXPEDITION (Amazing Lady!). OPDX was informed by Skipper Susan Meckley, W7KFI, that she was starting her 3 year DXpedition to Central America and the South Pacific. At the time she contacted us she was in Mexico soon to sign W7KFI/mm. NOW FOR THE AMAZING PART! Susan told OPDX that she originally was to go on a 1946 Brewer, the vessel called Menage-A-tROIS. However, she states she soon found out that, at the age of 69 years old (YES 69), she could no longer single handedly sail the boat in heavy weather. She stated, "It was just too much boat for an old lady." (ed. AMAZING) Susan traded her boat for a Challenger 1932. The Vessel S/V Dharma. She stated, "This size boat I can handle all by myself." (ed. WOW!). Susan left Oakland, CA, in January and has been slowly working her way south. She has spent time in many ports, and she found them very nice. Susan has been in Ensenada, Mexico (Baja California), for the last month, but has now left again on Wednesday, April 16th, for San Jose, Punta Cabras. Heading south, Susan told OPDX that she would be operating from an island that has not been operated on before, the Isle San Martin (NA-162). She was heard April 17th as XE2/W7KFI from San Martin on 14249 kHz at 2341z. The length of her stay is not unknown. However, Susan provided OPDX with her next stops (no dates given). Her next stop will be at Bahia de Torguga (Turtle bay), and from there to Magdelina Bay, Cabo San Lucas, and finally La Paz. Susan will be in La Paz for a few weeks, then it is off to the islands in the Sea of Cortez for operating....and into Guymas for the hurricane season. Come fall she will go down the mainland coast ending in Costa Rica. In April 2004, she is off to Galapagos Islands and into the South Pacific. Susan states, "I will be in the South Pacific for up to three years, operating from any island that will give me a license to operate. This is a fully self-funded expedition. I asked all around for support but was unable to get any. Rig is an FT-847 with two 32' pop-up masts and I will be on all modes except SSTV...including Pactor. I intend to follow in the footsteps of Danny Weil from the 50's. Hopefully, I will not end up on a reef like he did." We hope Susan will continue to contact us on her amazing trip, and we wish her the best. One last note. Susan told us that she has room on board for a crewmember if anyone wants to go. If interested, let us know and we will forward the message.

7P8, LESOTHO (Update). A fifth operator has been added to the July 7P8 Lesotho DXpedition that will give the group an added plus in the digital mode operation. The newest operator to join the group is Dave Anderson, K4SV, a veteran of many world-class DXpeditions and a world class RTTY and digital modes operator. Dave Anderson of Ashville, NC, whose 7P8 callsign is expected to be 7P8DA. Dave joins Charles Frost, K5LBU/7P8CF; Madison Jones, W5MJ/7P8MJ; Neil King VA7DX/7P8NK; and Tom Anderson WW5L/7P8TA, on the all bands and modes operation July 18-25th from Mohale's Hoek, Lesotho. REMEMBER: THIS OPERATION IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED with the "African Double Jump DXpedition". Dave gives the team some added strength on the digital modes and is a very experienced DXpedition member (member of the A50A and A52A Bhutan, VP5/KW4DA Turks & Caicos 2000 & 2003 operations, T2DA Tuvalu, 3D2CW Fiji, K1B Baker Island, and ZL7C Chatham Islands). QSLs will be handled by each operator separately via their home callsign as each will have their own 7P8 callsign. Look for more details to be released after June.

A6, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Ghis, ON5NT, is now in Dubai for the UN for the next 3 months. Look for possible activity from him.

C9, MOZAMBIQUE (Update). Filippo, IK4ZHH, has informed OPDX that he has left for Mozambique on Friday, April 18th. Remember to look for Max/IZ4DPV and Filippo/IK4ZHH to be active as C93CM and C93FF, respectively, now through May 4th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters CW/SSB and possibly RTTY and 6 meters. They will also participate in the ARI DX Contest (May 3-4th). QSL via their home callsign, either direct or through the bureau.

GD, ISLE OF MAN. Phil, G4OBK, will be on holiday here soon and will operate as GD4OBK/P from near Andreas in the north part of the Island from April 27th until May 2nd. The WAB square is NX40. Phil expects to be active for an hour or two every day on HF 40-10 meters on CW and RTTY. He will use an Icom IC-706 and doublet antenna/ATU. QSL is via his home callsign on QRZ.com. Also, a log search will be available on his home page in early May at: http://www.qsl.net/g4obk/

IOTA NEWS.......................

J5, GUINEA- BISSAU. Sebastien, F8DQZ, who was active from 3X with the callsign 3XD02 from the mainland and IOTA AF-051, will be here for the next two weeks starting April 19th.

KH9, WAKE ISLAND. Jake, N6XIV, will once again operate from Wake Island. His travel plans will have him arriving on or about April 19th. At this point he expects to stay for at least 30 days...with the possibility of up to 60 days. Once again operating time(s) will be limited due to his work requirements. However, Jake states he will carry along his AH-4 tuner in order to try and operate on multiple bands if the opportunity affords itself. As before, K2FF - Glenn in Mississippi and W6FRH - Bob in California will help with piloting duties. All QSLs go via K2FF direct or via the bureau.

OE, AUSTRIA. Dieter Kritzer, OE8KDK (HF-Contest Manager), informs OPDX that the Austrian Radio Amateurs and the Austrian Goverment Radiostations will do a national EMERGENCY TEST on the 1st of May. Activity will be from 0500-0800z and 1400-1700z on the 80 and 30 meter bands and they will be using the CW and SSB mode. The following stations are expected to be active:

The Goverment Stations have no permission to make international QSOs, but SWL reports are available via the Austrian QSL Bureau.

PIRATE ALERT. Sasi, 9V1SM, informs OPDX that his QSL Manager W3HNK has been receiving QSLs for 9V1SM on 12 meters CW. This is not Sasi and this operation is a pirate. Sasi states that he only operates on PSK31 and SSB. All QSLs received for this band and mode will be returned to the sender. If you did happen to have a QSO on this band/mode, Sasi would greatly appreciate it if you could drop him a note before sending the card to his manager at: tmssn@nus.edu.sg

QSL INFO AND NEWS..................

RRA/RDA ACTIVITY. Members of the RZ6AZZ team (which include UA6AMB, RU6AX, RX6AH, RW6CT, RA6AX, UA6MF and RA6AU) will be active from the Caspian Sea Islands between April 23-28th. They plan to activate Morskoy Ivan Karaul Island (RRA-new for the Russian Robinson Award and RDA KM-05 for the Russian Districts Award) using the call UE6IKI, and Morskaya Chapura Island (RRA-new, RDA KM-05) using the call UE6IAA. Activity will be on 40-10 meter CW/SSB. It is possible that the team will be active with personal callsign/p. QSL UE6IKI and UE6IAA via RA6AU.

S0, WESTERN SAHARA. By the time you read this, the S05X DXpedition should be winding down or QRT. Full details on the DXpedition are available at: http://www.pagus.it/s05x/ Logs will be updated daily and will be available at: http://www.pagus.it/s05x/ As this bulletin was being prepared, a press release announced last Saturday that the S05X DXpedition has logged about 26,000 QSOs (CW 8135, SSB 14491 and RTTY 1953). QSL via EA4URE either direct or through the bureau. Donations to help offset the trip will be gratefully accepted and can be sent via the QSL Manager, EA4URE (URE - Union de Radioaficionados Espanoles, Avda. Monte Igueldo 102, Madrid 28053, Spain; E-mail ure@ure.es).

SPECIAL EVENT. A team of SP4KSY club members will be active as HF650O to celebrate 650 years of Olsztyn city. The station will be active from May 1st to July 31st, on CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via SQ4NR, bureau or direct to: Grzegorz Gawel, ul. Herdera 16/14, 10-691 Olsztyn POLAND.

TM5, FRANCE. Dominique, F5SJB, will once again be active as TM5CW from May 24th to June 7th. There was NO mention what the special callsign is for.

VP2V, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. Bob, N6RFM, will be active as VP2V/N6RFM from April 22-25th. He will be on vacation, so his activity will be limited as time permits. Activity will be PSK31 QRP on 20 meteres only. QSL via his home callsign.

VUSHF NEWSLETTER. Derek, G0NFA, reports that the 144 MHz & Above Newsletter (Now Includes 50 MHz News), which is updated daily, and includes all the VUSHF News, DXpeditions, VUSHF Contests, 50MHz News, Beacon News, Etc Etc and much more, can be found at: http://www.144mhz.co.uk You will also find at the bottom of the page a link to join the VUSHF E-mail List. The 144MHzEu is hosted by G0NFA using Topica and is very popular (w/500 Subscribers). Please sign the guestbook with your comments. ADDED NOTE: G0NFA will be active in Gibraltar for the August 2003 Perseids.

YI, IRAQ (Update). With the mention of portable YI operations in last week's bulletin, many have been wondering whether or not these operations would count for DXCC. Well, this past week ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG, provided the answer in/on the ARRL Letter and ARRL Web page. Here is your answer: "ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills, N7NG, says the League will accept for DXCC credit YI/ operations from Iraq by U.S. or British military personnel provided the operator has written permission from his or her commanding officer. 'There is precedent for this,' Mills said, citing an operation during the 1991 Gulf War. 'These operators will need written authorization to operate from their commanding officers until an interim Iraqi civilian government is in place,' Mills said. After that point, operators would need documented permission from Iraqi authorities." YI portable activity heard so far has been from Mark Smith/NG5L, Jim Dunkerton, KT4CK and Bob Furzer/9K2ZZ/K4CY. ADDED NOTE: There has been some mention of Ed Giorgadze, 4L4FN, who is now in the Middle East after wrapping up his North Korean (P5) operation last fall, may be heading to Iraq because of his involvement in the United Nations World Food Program.

ZA, ALBANIA (Update to OPDX.607). Team ZA3/ has announced that during their May 29th-June 3rd operation, they have organized on June 2nd a demonstration called the "Day of the Forces of Peace from the Foreign Countries". They will have two stations (radio/mobile) active from the Port of Durres, Albania, for mutual QSO exchanges by civilians and military personnel from Italy and the bordering nations with Albania (that includes Kosovo - Greece - Macedonia - Yugoslavia). All the radio amateurs of the world, particularly military (and ex-military) operators are invited to be on the radio June 2nd.

ZK1, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS. Operators Jun/VK4SJ and Doug/VK4BP will be active as ZK1AYL and ZK1SIM from April 27th through May 26th. They plan to visit Aitutaki (OC-083) April 27th through 14 May, and then Rarotonga (OC-013) from May 15-26th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters. QSL via VK4SJ either via the bureau or direct to: June Sim, P.O. Box 406, Caloundra 4551, Queensland, Australia. E-QSLs will not be accepted.

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