Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 493
January 8, 2001

The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 493
BID: $OPDX.493
January 8, 2001
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, KA1GJ, NC1L & DXCC, N7NG/1, KF2TI, WB2YQH/WB2RAJ & The 599 DX Report, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4AVQ, N4AA & QRZ DX, WA4FFW, N5FG, WF5E, K8NA, K8YSE, KE9KD, CE6TBN, EA3BT, EI6FR, ER1LW, HP1AC, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, IN3QBR, JA3MZB, JH6RTO, LA5HE, PS7AB, PY7ZY, YS1RR and ZS5BBO for the following DX information.

3D, CONWAY REEF (Update). According to Raymundo, YS1RR, the planning for the Conway Reef DXpedition is progressing on a "fast track". Operators YT1AD, YU1RL, YU1NR, YU1FW, YU7AV, YU6AO (YZ7AA), YS1RR, Z32AU and Z32ZM are expected to operate from here (refer to OPDX.482/488) from February 19-28th. Their callsign will be announced on February 18th. They have announced the following suggested modes and frequencies:

* ADDED NOTE: Receiving frequencies will be 5 to 30 kHz higher than transmitting frequencies. Additional information will be given during operation time. QSL via YT1AD: Hrane Milosevic, 36206 Vitanovac, Yugoslavia. Raymundo reports that as in all DXpeditions, they are short of funds and your donations will be very helpful to make this operation a great success and any small or big donations are welcome. Donations can be sent to YS1RR: Raymundo Rodriguez, P.O. Box 32, San Salvador, El Salvador or to VIPSAL 682, P.O. Box 02-5364, Miami, FL 33102-5364, USA. Please visit the Conway 2001 Web Page at: http://www.kragujevac.co.yu/3d2/ This is under construction and will be updated frequently.

3D2, FIJI. From the Conway Reef update press release above, the operators will operate from here as 3D2AD, 3D2AU and possibly other individual callsigns after their operation on Conway between March 1-6th.

3E500, PANAMA (Attention Prefix Hunters!). Cam, HP1AC, informs OPDX that the "Radio Club de Panama" has obtained a special permit from the Panama Government Radio Dept. Office so any amateur radio operator in Panama during the month of March 2001 will be able to use the special prefix 3E500 (Three Echo Five Zero Zero). This special prefix is to commemorate the 500th year anniversary of the Discovery of the "Isthmus of Panama" in March 1501 by Don Rodrigo de Bastidas. An example is Cam's callsign (HP1AC), he will be using 3E500AC (Three Echo Fivehundred Alfa Charlie). A special QSL will be issued to confirm all QSOs during the month of March 2001. QSL Manager will be HP1RCP, Radio Club de Panama, P.O.Box 10745, Panama 4, PANAMA.

3G, JUAN FERNANDEZ (Attention Prefix Hunters!). Look for Pat, CE1VLY, to be on the air from Juan Fernandez (SA-005) as 3G0Z the last week of January 2001. Activity will only be on 10 meters. QSL via home callsign.

3W, VIETNAM. Tom, 3W7CW, was active over the weekend on 30/20 meters CW. Check around 14006 kHz between 1530-1630z and 10103 kHz 1630-1800z. QSL via SP5JTF.

3Y, BOUVET. Chuck, 3Y0C, was heard over the weekend on 40 meters SSB for about an hour on 7052 and 7062 kHz between 0400 and 0515z. He was also heard on 20 meters SSB Saturday and Sunday, as well as 12 meters on Friday. His activity may seem short, but this is due to his work schedule which is very demanding, and on most days he can only squeeze 10 minutes in at a time during his breaks to get on the radio. So please be patient with him Chuck understands the high demand for Bouvet, and remember, he is only a one man operation. The following press release below will explain it more.

QSL Manager Mac, WA4FFW, reports that he spoke with 3Y0C on 01/06/01. Chuck has been off the air the past few days because a storm blew down antennas again. Time and weather allowed him to get the beam up 25 feet today. He has the vertical repaired, but because of a storm closing in, he will not put it up until after the storm clears. They have developed an oil leak in the generator, and attempted repairs have not been successful. They can use it but only for 2 hours a day which is sufficient to charge the batteries. He is unable to use the linear without the use of the generator. Chuck will be on as many bands as possible and explains that one of the reasons for such short runs sometimes is that he is trying to work a few stations between other duties to provide as many contacts as possible. He wants to remind the DX fraternity that he is aware of the need for Bouvet Worldwide. However, he is on an official scientific expedition, with specific duties, not a DXpedition. He is trying to give the world as many contacts as the situations there will allow. Because he is on at various times, he has been available to all parts of the world. What must be recognized is the fact that he is not on the same time each day, nor is he always on the same length of time because of his duties.

Mac, WA4FFW, also announced that the QSL address for the 3Y0C QSL cards is as follows: Mark McIntyre, WA4FFW, 2903 Maple Ave., Burlington, NC. 27215 USA. Mac advises that some cards have already arrived. He asked earlier that they not be sent until "this announcement". None have been opened, but he states that he hopes those already received have sufficient postage based on the new postal rates, otherwise they will be returned via bureau. He also would like to inform the international community that the cost to mail a QSL to a foreign country has increased as well effective January 8, 2001. Mac reports he will not have logs until Chuck returns in March, so no QSLs can go out until he has arrived back stateside. Mac said that the delay in announcing the address was to allow the implementation of the new US postal rates. This was done so everyone would have the correct return postage preventing their direct card being shipped via the bureau. He said the reason was based on the postal increase and not that he was moving. He would like to inform all that he has no plans to relocate his antenna farm by moving as he read on the internet was the reason.

7Q, MALAWI. Look for Harry, G0JMU, to be active as 7Q7HB during the month of February. His activity is planned for SSTV, PSK31 and operations on the WARC bands.

7X, ALGERIA. Mohammed, 7X4AN, has been active on 10 meters CW/SSB between 1330-1600z. Watch around 28010 kHz and between 28400 and 28500 kHz. Also, watch around 7001 kHz after 2130z. This past weekend Sadek, 7X4LS, was spotted around 28475 between 1530 and 1600z.

A2, BOTSWANA. Barry/ZS1FJ and Gerald/ZS1GRM are planning to be active from here starting around 1800z, Sunday, January 14th and continuing until late Saturday the 20th. They have requested the callsign A24DX, however, they are having difficulties with the authorities who want them to use the callsign A24/homecall. Activity will be on all bands, mostly SSB on frequencies which will not interfere with the 3Y0C operation. Therefore, suggested frequencies are 28450, 21270 and 14270 kHz at the appropriate times for propagation. On 40 meters they will transmit at 7080 kHz and receive split between 0300-0400z, listening to stateside stations for advice on what frequency to use to suits them. The same will be applied to 80 meters. Barry states that if there should be a demand, they will be active on the WARC bands (18145 and 24950 kHz). They will use an A3S and G5RV antenna with the max power output. They plan to be on from 0300z until, probably, 2200z. QSLs to ZS1FJ.

A5, BHUTAN. Very few QSNs were reported on the Johnson family over the past weekend. Activity by Glenn/A52GJ and son Mark/A52MJ was almost nill. However, Glenn's daughter Melissa/N0MAJ was issued the callsign A52YL and was spotted in the RTTY contest. QSNs report very few takers. According to "The Daily DX" Melissa (16 yrs. old) is the very first YL license from Bhutan. Glenn's wife, Vivien, also has a license, A52VJ, and his other son Paul is A52PJ.

D6, COMOROS (Update). Josep/EA3BT and Nuria/EA3WL have informed OPDX they have only a few days left before they travel to here to be active as D68BT and D68WL (Please refer to OPDX.486). Activity is expected to be between Janaury 13-28th. They state the following: ".... we are really working hard packaging everything and trying not to leave anything. Due to the great demand in 50 MHz, Santa has brought us an antenna for 6 meters. You can see it in the Picture album at our web page ( http://www.qsl.net/ea3bt/ ), where you'll be able to find some more pictures of the preparation. Before leaving, we'll send a new E-mail with all the operating frequencies, and about the pilot to whom you'll be able to send all requests and information interesting for us. If nothing wrong happens, the logs will be also available daily at our page....."

DXCC NEWS........

DX-CENTRAL (New Look!). Kelly, KE9KD, reports that after a long overdue redesign, he has finally managed to get the new DX-Central Website online. You will find some of the same features as the old site with improved functionality, and you will find some new features as well. He still has several enhancements to put in place, it's just a matter of finding a little time. For those of you that have links, software or other things that used pieces of the DX-Central website, you will want to update your code. If you have not been to the site in a while, feel free to drop in. The address is: http://www.dx-central.com

IOTA NEWS.......

JW, SVALBARD. Rag, LA5HE, informs OPDX that he will once again be active as JW5HE in early February. Look for him to be active on the lower bands and the WARC bands. QSL via CBA.

P4, ARUBA. Start looking for Alan, K4AVQ, next weekend as P40AV. He will be there January 13-21st. He states that he will start on 10 meters, if open, and then work the lower bands. Suggested frequencies are: 28500, 28495, 21300, 14155, 14205, 14255, 7150, 3535-45 and 1825. Alan will also try to accommodate special requests for CW and Phone on any band needed when the traffic is low. He will also listen for QRP and Mobile stations. QSL via: Alan B Caplan, 14020 140th Court, Apple Valley, MN 55124-9422 USA.

PY0S, ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL ROCKS. "QRZ DX" reports that a group of Brazilian DXers from Recife, have received permission to operate from here beginning February 7th and operate until approximately February 15th. The dates may vary due to the long voyage. Operators will be Jim/PY7XC (team leader), Fred/PY7ZZ and Cicero/PY7ZY. The team of operators are providing their own transportation, and there will be no limitations on their operating times. Activity will be on 160-10 meters CW, SSB and with the possiblity of RTTY and 6 meters. The callsign and QSL Manager will be announced later along with further details. The team is looking for donations from clubs and individuals. Contributions can be sent to: Bill Smith W9VA, 1345 Linden Ave., Deerfield, IL 60015, USA. Bill is the acting coordinater for this operation on behalf of the Recife DX Group and can be contacted via E-mail at: w9va@aol.com In event the operation is cancelled, all contributions will be returned.

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

S2, BANGLADESH. Stig, S21YJ, was heard this past weekend on 14190 kHz around and after 0200z. QSL via SM4AIO.

SPECIAL DFH ACTIVITY...........

SPECIAL MILLENIUM CALLSIGNS. Be looking for the special Spanish callsigns EF2XXI and ED2XXI to be active to celebrate the new 21st century. Activity is expected to last until January 15th and will be on all bands and modes. QSL to EA2RCF via the bureau or direct. QSL only RTTY/PSK31 QSOs via direct to EC2ADR: Roberto Garcia, P.O. Box 647, C.P. 01080, Vitoria-Alava, Spain.

SU, EGYPT. SU3AM was heard this past weekend on 12 meters on 24950 kHz between 1300 and 1400z. QSL via DL1FCM. Said, SU1SK, was active on 21280 kHz from about 1345z to 1520z.

TD0, GUATEMALA. "The 599 DX Report" reports to look for the special event station TD0G to be active January 26-28th, from the ancient Maya town of Yasha. Activity will be on 80-15 meters. There was no QSL route given.

V7, MARSHALL ISLANDS. Jeff, KA1GJ, will be operating from here as V73GJ, January 16-26th. He states that he will be on business, so operations will be limited to a few hours per day. He plans to be active mostly on CW. QSL via his home callsign, KA1GJ.

XW, LAOS. Mauro, IN3QBR, informed your editor that he and Fabry, IN3ZNR, continue to be active as XW3QBR and XW3ZNR until January 12th. Last Monday he wrote that they are active for more than 15 hours at day on all bands (exl. 160m). He also states that they have had a some contact with U.S. East Coast stations on 80 meters. Their goal is to make more than 15000 QSOs, however, he does state that their time is limited during the evening hours. Over the past weekend a lot of time seemed to be spent on 10 meters CW/SSB and 80 meters.


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