Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 655
April 5, 2004

The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 655
BID: $OPDX.655
April 5, 2004
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, K1YR, W1JR, KA1GJ/V73GJ, K1XN & GoList, NC1L, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, K8YSE, W8UVZ, CO8ZZ, DL/VE3ZIK & www.contesting.info, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, G4JVG, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, LU9ESD, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE3EXY, VK3FRS, W1AW Bulletins and the ARRL Letter for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 28th/March, through Sunday, 4th/April there were 232 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1I, 4W, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C5, C6, 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, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J8, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KH8, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PZ, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T2, T30, T33, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VP2E, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZF, ZK1/s, 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).

3B9C RODRIGUES ISLAND DXPEDITION (Update). As this was being written on Sunday morning, the 3B9C team has hit over 126,000 QSOs. Remember, you still have a little over a week to work them. Their activity will last until April 13th, so who can guess what their total QSO count will end up as. According to the updates on their Web page, the team will now move more into the U.S. general parts of the bands. Look for more RTTY and PSK activity (over 3500 QSOs have been made so far). 6 meters and EME activity will continue. They have made four EME contacts on 70cm and one on 6 meters. QSL via the RSGB QSL Bureau or direct to: FSDXA, PO Box 73, Church Stretton, SY6 6WF UK. For more information and updates about the DXpedition (plus online log and a form to request bureau cards), please visit the 3B9C Web page at: http://www.fsdxa.com/3b9c/

7P, LESOTHO. Bernie, ZS4TX, has made an early announcement that he will be active as 7P8Z during the CQ WW DX SSB Contest (October 30-31st) as Single-Op/All-Band/High Power entry. QSL via ZS4TX. Visit his Web at: http://www.zs4tx.co.za/7p8z.htm

7Q, MALAWI (Update/Reminder). Steve, G4JVG, reminds OPDX readers that the UK Malawi DXpedition is only 2 weeks away. The callsign to be used by the UK Malawi DXpedition between April 18th and May 1st will be 7Q7MM. Operators will be Mark/G4AXX, Dick/GU4CHY, Steve/G4JVG and Rich/M5RIC, and they will be active on all bands from 160-10 meters on CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK, and possibly 10 meters FM (subject to demand and propagation). Activity is likely to be limited on April 18th and 19th while the stations and antennas are being built. The operation is expected to start in earnest on April 19th or 20th. Updated detailed propagation predictions to nine locations around the world were uploaded to their Web site at the beginning of April. Logs will be uploaded to the Web site and updated regularly during the DXpedition. Two high-power stations will be on the air as close to 24 hours a day as possible. A third station at 100W will be in use during peak hours of propagation. QSL via G3LQP direct (Roger Brown, 262 Fir Tree Road, Epsom KT17 3NL, England) or via the bureau. The UK Malawi DXpedition Web is available at: http://www.malawi.digital-crocus.com

DXCC NEWS. Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC Manager, advises, "The DXCC Branch recently received a letter from Robert Felicite, 3B9FR, indicating that he has not sent any logs to F6FNU since 1999. Robert asked us to pass this along to the DX community. While we continue to receive these cards, the DXCC Branch will no longer issue 3B9FR credit for F6FNU-confirmed contacts made after 1999. Requests for QSL cards for 3B9FR should be sent direct to: Robert Felicite, P.O. Box 31, Citronelle, Rodriguez Island, REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS, Indian Ocean."

EN60, UKRAINE. Seven stations from Odessa will be active using the EN60 prefix from April 3-17th. Here is a list of stations that will be active with their QSL routes:

FO/M, MARQUESAS ISLANDS. Look for Hiro/JI1JKW and Ari/JI1WTF to be active as FO/JI1JKW and FO/JI1WTF, respectively, from Hiva Oa (OC-027) from April 28th to May 2nd. Activity is planned for 160-6 meters on CW/SSB/RTTY. A 6 meter beacon will be on 50110 kHz. QSL via their home callsigns, direct or by the bureau.

HOW'S DXING IN 2004? (by Joe Reisert, W1JR) Joe, W1JR, sent the following E-mail to OPDX and we thought it would be of interest to the readers:

People are always complaining about the POOR propagation conditions. Let this note be an exception.

Yes, conditions are poor but we have to adapt to them. If you think things are poor now, wait until this time next year!

Anyhow, just to let you know that since January 1st, 2004, W1JR has worked over 240 DXCC using all modes. The split is about rather even with over 210 on each of phone and cw and over 125 on digital modes. So, the bottom line is that the DX is out there. We just have to work a little harder than usual!

Believe it or not, I have missed about 20 other entities that I either heard or missed for one reason or another!" 73, Joe, W1JR

HR1, HONDURAS. Mark, W4CK, announced that he will be back in Tegucigalpa this summer from July 8-15th. He plans to be active as HR1/W4CK from his hotel. Activity will be CW only, and he will make a push for the WARC bands if there is interest.

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

JW, SVALBARD. Francois, F8DVD, is now active as JW/F8DVD. Activity will last until April 10th (Refer to OPDX.653). Activity will be on SSB 80-10 meters. He was heard over the past weekend between 14190-14200 kHz. QSL via F8DVD to the French Bureau or direct.

KH4, MIDWAY ISLAND (Update to OPDX.654). Jeff, KA1GJ, updated OPDX on his possible band activities from KH4-land. He states, "I am trying to determine if the KH4 club antennas are still up and operational. If so, I will be on all bands that I can --- otherwise, I am carrying a 10/12/15/17/20 meter vertical which I will put up after I land." (ed. Does anyone know if the antennas are still up at the club station? I will pass the word onto Jeff... TNX). Remember, Jeff will be operating as KA1GJ/MM from April 16th through May 12th, and is expected to be active as KA1GJ/KH4 on Midway from April 23-25th. QSL via V73GJ, P.O. Box 1050, APO AP 96555 USA.

LOTW CONTINUES TO GROW! According this week's ARRL Letter, the "Logbook of The World" (LoTW), ARRL's electronic awards credit system, is closing in on 40 million separate Amateur Radio contacts. ARRL Special Assistant to the CEO David Patton, NN1N, states, "Right now there are 39.6 million QSOs entered into Logbook, with 1.18 million matched contacts." There are 7000 distinct registered users of the system, holding 9000 authenticated certificates, Patton added. Users may have more than one registered certificate, reflecting operation from home, changing callsigns, operations during DXpeditions, or portable station operation each sporting a separate callsign. To read the complete article, read The ARRL Letter (Vol. 23, No. 14 -- April 2, 2004).

P4, ARUBA (OOOPPPSSS!). In last week's bulletin we called Emily, P43E, as a "him" (OM) instead of a "her" (YL).... SORRY Emily! Anyway, OPDX would like to welcome Emily back to the airwaves again. She was heard this past week on on 20 meters SSB. Activity was on 14192 kHz (and 14217) between 0030-0345z. QSL via the buearu or direct to: Emily Thiel, P.O.Box 614, ARUBA. Visit her Web page at: http://www.qsl.net/p43e/

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

SECOND NOTICE FOR DAYTON TOPBAND GATHERING. George Taft, W8UVZ, states, "STILL TIME TO SIGN UP! All 160 meter enthusiasts are cordially invited to the Topband dinner on Friday night of the 2004 Dayton Hamvention. This annual event brings together 160 meter fans from around the world for food, drink and camaraderie." The event will be held May 14th, at Neil's Heritage House Restaurant (2323 Schantz Avenue, Dayton). Important times: 6:30 PM (Social Hour with Cash Bar) and 8:00 PM (Dinner). Tickets are: 28.00 USD each (includes complete dinner, taxes and gratuity). For more details, contact George Taft, W8UVZ, by E-mail at: w8uvz@arrl.net Reservations must be paid by May 1st.

SPECIAL EVENT. It was announced this past week in "ARRL Special Bulletin (ARLX001)": "The Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial station at ARRL Headquarters, W1AW, will sign with a special designator - /90 - through the rest of 2004. The callsign reflects the 90th anniversary of the League's founding by Maxim and Clarence Tuska in 1914. Operation as W1AW/90 will begin April 3rd. W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, said he will encourage guest operators to use as many modes as possible, including RTTY, PSK31, Satellite and Hellschreiber. 'Plus, we're going to try for SSTV WAS,' he added. 'It'll be tough, but we can do it.' Special QSL cards will be available for W1AW/90 contacts, and Carcia noted that self-addressed, stamped return envelopes should accompany all QSL requests. All contacts with W1AW/90 will also be uploaded to Logbook of The World."

T33C BANABA DXPEDITION. The international team of 19 operators are now on the island. Activity seems to have started early Sunday, April 4th, on 20 meters CW. The DXpedition is expected to last until April 16th. As this was being written Sunday morning, activity was mainly 20 meters (probably because the rest of the team is setting up the other stations). Watch for updates on their Web page. The Web page for the operation is at: http://www.dx-pedition.de/banaba2004/. QSL via F5CWU: Flo Moudar, 25 Rue du Castel Salis, 37100 Tours, France.

VP8, SOUTH ORKNEY AND SOUTH GEORGIA ISLANDS. "The Daily DX" is reporting that Mike, GM0HCQ, is heading to Signy Base, South Orkney, and might operate as VP8SIG (possibly for 1 day) between April 10-12th. Also, he may operate as VP8SGK from Bird Island, South Georgia, between April 14-19th. Mike is currently active as VP8CMH/MM from the ship "James Clark Ross". He was heard this past weekend on 30/20/17/12/10 meters CW between 1300-2030z. For more details on his trip on the "James Clark Ross", please visit Mike's Web page at: http://www.gm0hcq.com

VP9, BERMUDA (Update to OPDX.654). Lou, K1YR, provided OPDX with more details on his upcoming activity from Bermuda. He informs us that he plans to operate the CQ WPX CW Contest from Ed's, VP9GE, QTH. Lou states, "As I have to work that Friday (May 28th), my XYL and I are catching the last plane out to VP9 as the contest begins. I hope to be on about four hours after the contest starts. I'll try to put in the full 36 hours that Single Ops are allowed. If I have any gas left, I'll try the WARC bands and/or 80 and 160 after the contest. We leave early Monday afternoon, so it's not a very long trip. Callsign will be VP9/K1YR and QSL is via my home call."

ZS4, SOUTH AFRICA. Bernie, ZS4TX, has made an early announcement that he will be active in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 27-28th) as as Single-OP/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via ZS4TX. Visit his Web at: http://www.zs4tx.co.za/

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
SPECIAL NOTE BY EDITOR: If you are having a problem receiving bounced mail
by sending mail to me via " kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org ", please send mail to
me via " kb8nw@arrl.net "...... TNX de Tedd KB8NW
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUESTS:
   Help:
<mailto:opdx-request@nshore.org?subject=help> Subscribe: <mailto:opdx-request@nshore.org?subject=subscribe> Unsubscribe: <mailto:opdx-request@nshore.org?subject=unsubscribe> OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME PAGE (provided by John, K8YSE): http://www.papays.com/opdx.html ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE: http://www.en.com/users/k8yse/nodxa.html -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Excerpts and distribution of The OPDX Bulletin are granted as long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receive credit. To contribute DX info, please send via InterNet Mail to: kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org - OR - kb8nw@arrl.net Information can now be faxed to the following "NEW" phone line at: 1-419-828-7791 (F A X only!)