OPDX Bulletin 1054 March 19, 2012

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1054
BID: $OPDX.1054
March 19, 2012
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 and ARRL Web Page, NJ1Q & ARRL DX, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4FW, N4AA & QRZ DX, W5CW, KH6BZF, K8YSE, N8KOL, W8GEX & 60m News, W8XD, K9MM, W9ILY, AT International, CX3AL, DK8JB & The DX News Letter, DL1SBF, DL2SBY, DL7UFR, DxCoffee.com, DX-World.Net, ES1CW, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, IZ8BGY, OH2YY, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, Pete's DX-Newsdesk, PE1NCP, RSGB IOTA Web Site, S50U, SA0AAZ, TA1HZ, VA3RJ & ICPO, VHF-DX-Portal, VE3ZZ, YO3JW and ZS1HF for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 11th-March, through Sunday, 18th-March there were 226 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3C0, 3D2, 3D2/r, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5U, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, 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, FK, FM, FO, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HC, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ5, PJ7, PY, PZ, R1FJ, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T32, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TR, TT, TU, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK0M, VK9C, VP2E, VP2M, VP2V, VP8, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZD9, ZF, ZL, ZL7, 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).

5T, MAURITANIA. Jean, ON8RA/5T0JL, at the age of 84, will once again be active from Nouakchott starting possible March 21st. Activity will be on 80/40/20/15/12 meters and mainly on CW. QSL via ON8RA (see QRZ.com for new QSLing practices). 7U50, ALGERIA (Special Event)
Members of the Djelfa Radio Club (7X2VFK) will activate 7U50ND to celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Algerian independence and the 20th anniversary of the Djelfa Radio Club. Activity will take place between May 20-26th, during the 4th International Ham Meeting in Djelfa. Details are available on (QRZ.com).

8Y, GUYANA (Update)
Operators Anderson/PY2TNT and Alex/PY2WAS will be active as 8R1PY from Lethem, Guyana, between April 5-8th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters, including 30/17/12 meters, using CW and SSB. QSL via PY2WAS, direct or by the Bureau, and a OQRS will be available. The Mediterraneo DX Club (MDXC) is supporting the 8R1PY DXpedition and has activated a Web site (with updated news, log search and propagation charts - TNX to IK8LOV) at:

http://www.mdxc.org/8r1py

9M6, EAST MALAYSIA
Pekka, OH2YY, will activate the Hillview Gardens club station 9M6AAC between March 21-22nd. Activity will be on 40-10 meters SSB. Bands will depend on the antennas available. QSL via N2OO.

A3, TONGA
There is less than a week to work A35YZ DXpedition. The A35YZ team is expected to be on until March 24th. Many have been asking where is the SSB. Operator Frank, DL7UFR, informs OPDX that they will operate on SBB when it is possible, but the conditions currently are so bad that SSB is very difficult. All the signals they hear are very weak there. Their SSB ops hope that the conditions will approve so they can make more SSB QSOs. QSL via DL7DF, direct or by the Bureau.

C5, THE GAMBIA
Jan, OZ1IIL, is now active as C56LH until March 26th. Activity this past week has been mainly on 20/17/10 meters SSB, but can operate on 80-10 meters using a G5RV and an IC-746. QSL via OZ1IIL.

DXCC NEWS
* Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL Awards Branch Manager, reports that the following operations are approved for DXCC credit:
 XW1A - Laos; Current Operations
 XW0ZJZ - Laos; Current Operations

* (ARRL Announces New DXCC Fee Structure!) Effective Monday, April 2nd, the way DXCC fees are assessed will change. These changes will include both rate increases and rate decreases. There are several reasons for the fee change:
- Promoting more frequent applications
- Removing the "hybrid application" problem
- Simplifying the price structure for DXCC
- Raising the rates slightly to help offset ARRL's increased costs
- Improving customer service

Here are "some" of the interesting changes to take place:

- There are no limits on the number of applications that can be submitted. There will be no more surcharges added to the second or subsequent applications.

- A DXCC application submitted using LoTW will have an application fee of 5 USDs for ARRL members and 10 USDs for non-members. There are no limits on the number of QSOs that can be included as part of a LoTW application. Each QSO used in LoTW for an award will cost 12 cents, down from a minimum of 15 cents in 2011. They will no longer sell LoTW "credits" in bulk. If you have credits stored, you will still be able to use them.

- The free DXCC Yearbook that was sent to ARRL members will now be made available electronically, and it will appear in an edition of Digital QST. For those who want a League-printed Yearbook, it will still be available at a modest cost.

To read the complete press release and details of all the changes, go to:
http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-announces-new-dxcc-fee-structure

DXCC ONLINE (Web Tool!)
Over the past several years, the DXCC has been working on a system where applicants would enter QSO data from their QSLs into a digital DXCC application. With DXCC staff's data entry time reduced, they could charge less than a traditional application, process more applications in the same time, and provide better customer service. Well word has come out that their programmers are near completion and are currently beta-testing the system which will be called "Online DXCC".

The following is a brief description of this system and the Card Checker's role:

"For the most part, the DXCC Card Checker's job hasn't changed much. After the applicant has typed-in the QSO data from the QSLs (or loaded-in an ADIF file that comes from a logging program), he/she will print the application and either bring it to a DXCC Card Checker or mail it and the cards to HQ, like normal. They will still heavily rely on a DXCC Card Checker's expertise and knowledge to inspect the QSL cards and ensure that the data that has been entered and printed by the applicant is correct. The DXCC Card Checker will still need to carefully mark changes on the printout. When all is done, the DXCC Card Checker will sign-off on the application and mail it to HQ, as before."
What is different is that the applicant will not have to organize cards by band and mode, but instead can simply enter the data from each card in any order they are found. The applicant must leave the cards in the same order in which they are entered, as it obviously that makes it easy for the DXCC Card Checker to work through the cards and compare against the record sheet. If a QSL has two or more QSOs listed, and the applicant needs them all, he/she no longer must put these cards at the back of the application.

Also new is that there is an option for the applicant to pay for the application with a credit card inside "Online DXCC". Unfortunately, there is no easy way to have the applicant pay electronically for the DXCC Card Checker's mailing expense, so they will still have to collect cash for mailing in the same manner as they do now. The "Online DXCC" forms them- selves are representations of the paper forms to which everyone is currently accustomed too. The "Online DXCC" is expected to possibly be available in less than a month. Be looking for more details to be forth- coming.

ED9, CEUTA AND MELILLA
Operators Jorge/EA7HZ, Al/EA7JR, Manolo/EA7LL, Chris/EA7RU, Pedro/EA7IZJ, Jorge/EA9LZ and possibly others will be active as ED9Z during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a Multi-? entry. The group will be using Spiderbeam antennas. QSL via EA9LZ.

HB0, LIECHTENSTEIN (HF and EME)
Operators Kasimir/DL2SBY and Georg/DF1SR will be active from Liechtenstein between April 25th and May 5th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Their HF equipment includes a TS2000, FT900AT, Acom1010, HF9V vertical and a Spiderbeam for 10/12/15/ 17/20m. There will be EME activity. On April 28-29th, the Dubus EME Contest will take place, and they will be on 13cm. Between April 30th and May 3rd, they will be active on EME on 9cm and 6cm (this would be a first-ever EME activity on both bands from Liechtenstein!).

They state, "You will find us in the HB9Q-Chat room." EME equipment will be a FT726R, Dish 3, 7m and 2m amplifier for both bands. They will use two separate callsigns for this operation. For the HF bands, they will use HB0/DL2SBY, and for the EME activity they will sign HB0/DF1SR. QSL via their home callsigns by the Bureau or direct.

II9, ITALY
The II9K Contest Team will be active from Sicily (EU-025, IIA SC-001, MIA MI-107, WLOTA 1362) during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a Multi-Single/High-Power entry. They will be using a new antenna setup improvement for the contest. Operators mentioned are Giuseppe/IT9HBT, Girolamo/IT9GNG, Rino/IT9FXY, Vincenzo/IT9ECQ, Mike/IF9ZWA, Maria/IT9FRA, Domenico/IW9GTD, Antonino/IW9HII and Dario/ IT9RDZ. QSL via IT9HBT.

IOTA NEWS
EU-008. Operators Ray/M1REK, Mark/M0UTD and Tom/M0DCG will be active as GM6TW from The Isle of Jura between March 31st and April 6th. Activity will be on the HF bands. The trio also plans to be active from Islay and Colonsay; also all EU-008. For more details, see:

http://www.m1rek.co.uk/jura-2012

EU-012. A group of YL operators will be active as GB2YLS from Fair Isle between August 16-22nd. Activity will also be during the International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend (August 18-19th) from the Southern Lighthouse (UK0127). Operators mentioned are Unni/LA6RHA, Chantal/PA5YL, Ruth/IT9ESZ, Nicky/MM5YLO, Elaine/2E1BVS and Denise/MM6ZDW. Activity will be on CW and SSB. QSL via MM5YLO.

EU-017. Members of the "RadioAmatori Siciliani nel Mondo" (RASM) will be active as ID9Z from Lipari Island between May 17-20th. Operators mentioned are Carmelo/IT9TFX, Fabio/IT9AHI, Antonino/ IT9YMM, Sergio/IW9FSG, Max/IT9AKC and Gino/IZ8MWG. QSL via LoTW.

EU-042. Klaus, DL7UXG, will be active as DL7UXG/p from Foehr Island (GIA N-017, WFF DLFF-013, WLOTA 4067) between April 10-12th. Activity will be on the HF bands on/or near the usual island and IOTA frequencies. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.

EU-114. The Martello Tower Group will be active as GP0PKT from Herm Island between October 5-7th. Operators mentioned are Keith/ G6NHU, Tony/G0MBA, Yan/M0YNK, Colin/M1EAK, Chris/M6GSD and Richard/G7HJK. Activity will be on all HF bands and modes. QSL via G6NHU, by the Bureau or direct.

NA-240. (Update/NEW IOTA!) Members of the Russian Robinson Club (RRC) with the support of the Bethel Amateur Radio Club (BARK) will activate the last new IOTA in Alaska in the Bethel County IOTA Group possibly around May 9-16th (they postponed their January 5-8th operation due to weather earlier in the year). The callsign will be KL7RRC/p. The group's main reason for this activation is to participate in the RSGB IOTA Marathon. See details at:

http://www.rsgbiota.org/marathon/index.php
The current team members are: Yuri N3QQ and Tim/NL8F. QSL via UA9OBA (Europe/Russia) and N7RO; either manager can confirm any contact. More details, updates and "real time team's location" can be seen at:
http://www.na-234.com

OC-156. Aki, JA1NLX, is now active as 3D2YA from Yageta Island until March 21st. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using mainly CW with some SSB and RTTY. He will QSL all QSOs via the Bureau. Log will be uploaded to LoTW. For more details, check his Blog Page at:

http://ja1nlx-aki.blogspot.com

SA-039. Members of the "RADIO CLUB URUGUAYO" will activate the special event callsign CW4R for the first time from Isla Gorriti (WW Loc. GF25ma) between March 23-25th. Activity will be on all HF bands using CW, SSB and te Digital modes. Also, look for CW4R to be in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a Multi-Op entry. QSL this activity by the Bureau or direct to: Radio Club Uruguayo, P.O.Box 37, 11000, Montevideo, URUGUAY, SOUTH AMERICA (w/SAE and 1 new IRC or 2 green stamps).

JW, SVALBARD
Magne, LA2XNA, is now active as JW2XNA from the JW5E club station in Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen Island (EU-026) until March 20th. Activity is on SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via LA2XNA.

JW, SVALBARD
Torkel, LA6VJA, will once again be active as JW6VJA from the JW5E club station in Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen Island (EU-026) between August 10-12th. Fredrik, LA6TMA, will also join him and be active as JW6TMA. Activity by JW6VJA will mainly be CW with some SSB, while JW6TMA will be active mostly on the Digital modes. QSL via their home callsigns, direct or by the Bureau. Also, JW6VJA will upload his log to LoTW. For more details, visit:

http://www.bitwrap.no/web/index.php?id=6

JX, JAN MAYEN
Svein, LA9JKA, will once again be active as JX9JKA from Jan Mayen (EU-022) between March 29th through approx. March 20th, 2013. He plans to operate SSB and the digital modes on 160-6 meters. QSL via his home callsign direct only (see (QRZ.com)).

KH6BZF PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (March 19-25th)

 Mar/19th  HN      Mar/22nd  AN      Mar/24th  AN
 Mar/20th  AN-HN   Mar/23rd  AN      Mar/25th  AN
 Mar/21st  AN


   SOLAR REFERENCE KEYS/INDEXES AND GEOMAGNETIC REFERENCE
   ======================================================
    NORMALITY               GEOMAG       K Values    Alpha
   -----------------        ------       --------    ------
   AN  - Above Normal       Quiet        K=0-1       0-7
   HN  - High Normal        Unsettled    K=2         8-15
   LN  - Low Normal         Active       K=3         16-29
   BN  - Below Normal       Minor Storm  K=4         30-49
   DIS - Disturbed          Major Storm  K=5         50-99
   VRY DIS - Very Disturbed Severe Storm K=6-9       100-400
NEW OFFICERS FOR 2012
The members of the Northern Illinois DX Association (NIDXA) have elected the following officers for 2012:
   President: Jim O'Connell, W9WU       Directors: Joe Schroeder, W9JUV
   Vice-President: John Becker, K9MM               Howie Huntington, K9KM
   Secretary: Randy Brothers, K9OR                 Gary Hornbuckle, K9MMS
   Treasurer: Don Whiteman, KK9H
For more information about NIDXA, go to at:
http://www.nidxa.org

PH, NETHERLANDS (Special Event)
A group of operators will be active as PH4RTM/WHE between April 5-13th. Activity is taking place during the World Horticultural Expo, THE FLORIADE

http://www.floriade.com
in Venlo. Operations will be on all bands and modes. QSLs will be returned 100% via the Bureau by PH4RTM.

QSL INFO AND NEWS

  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (dated March 18th)
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3Z45HBW via SP5ZRW      DV1/JO7KMB via JO7KMB     MW2I via WW2R
  4J3DF via RW6HS (d)     EA8/DL7JTZ via DL7JTZ     OJ0VM via OH6VM
  4K0CW via DL6KVA        EB5BBM/BA7PI via EB5BBM   OK/OE5HCE/P via OE5HCE
  5A2FHE via IN3FHE       EE3CME via EB3JP          OK7T via OK1FHI
  7Z1HB via DE1ZHB (B)    EY8DX via UA4LCH          OZ/DL4LAX via DL4LAX
  A41CK via A47RS         FK8CE via LZ1JZ           P3N via RW3RN
  C56LH via OZ1IIL        HD91CM via W7SE           PJ2/DK5ON via DK5ON
  CM8RRM via EA5KB        HF4KUMURADOJO via SP9PDG  PJ2/DL5RDP via DL5RDP
  CT9/RC5A via RC5A       KH0WW via JP1IOF          SM7CRW via W3HNK
  DK3UZ via G6XOU (B)     LX/DL5AXX via DL5AXX      TM0X via F4BKV (L)
  DU6/JJ1LQG via JI0PFZ   LZ1784SIB via LZ1KCP      UN/RT9T via RT9T
                                                    XF1AA via IT9EJW
  (B) Bureau Only    (L) LoTW
  (d) direct Only
QSL MANAGER OF THE YEAR. The Golist QSL Manager Data Service is reviving its "QSL Manager of the Year Award". The purpose of this award is to recognize the service of QSL Managers world wide for the service they provide to the World-Wide DX Community. Nominations for this award will be accepted by the Golist from DX and Contest clubs, world-wide, for the year of 2012. Ending Date: August 1, 2012. Each DX club and Contest club is encouraged to poll their members for their nominations for the "Top 5 QSL Managers for 2012".

The definition of a QSL Manager for this award is any person who confirms contacts via printed QSL Card for any station other than their Primary Callsign. Each club should tabulate the votes of their members and submit to the Golist the Top 5 vote getters as voted by members of their club. Votes should be tabulated and sent to the Golist by August 1, 2012, to be eligible for the QSL Manager of the Year award. Each club world-wide may only send one submission for voting purposes.

Records of submission will be maintained by the Golist. A plaque, donated by DX Publishing, Inc., publisher of "QRZ-DX and THE DX MAGAZINE", will be awarded to the selected "QSL Manager of the Year" at the W4DXCC Convention held in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in September 2012. The recognized format for your club's submission is as follows: Club Name; Club Officer (Name, Call Sign, club office and E-mail address); Top 5 QSL Manager Nominees (list name and callsign). In the subject line of your official E-mail put "QSL Manager of the Year-2012" and send it to: golist@gmail.com

TC18M VIA TA1HZ. Members of the Special Wireless Activity Team (TCSWAT) were active as TC18M this past week to commemorate the Naval Victory of March 18, 1915. QSL Manager is again TA1HZ, and information is available at (QRZ.com) and . The QSL cards will be ready for the Friedrichshafen Messe (end of June) distribution; therefore, please do not hurry for sending in your QSL cards direct (unless you need them for DXCC).

TO3J QSL STATUS. QSL Manager Nao, JA1HGY, reports that all direct and OQRS TO3J QSLs were answered as of March 12th.

UA4WHX QSLS STATUS. According to Vlad, UA4WHX, QRZ.com page:
 1. By now there are no direct African QSLs left unanswered.
 2. If you sent your QSLs directly but you have not received them, then it probably is that your cards have been lost either way. Contact me ua4whx@udm.ru to check their status.
If you need a paper QSL, request it directly, not via the bureau. All QSOs have been LoTW uploaded.

QSL RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 3G3M, 4U1ITU, C6ANM, CR6K, CW5W, E74AA, E7DX, EF8R, EO3Q, F5BZB, FY5KE, GM7R, HK1T, HK3JJB, I5HOR, II2E, J38A, J7Y, JQ2VVH, KH6LC, KH7Y, LS1D, OA4SS, P40L, PI4DX, PJ2T, PJ4X, PT5T, PW7T, PY1MK, PY1ZV, PY2LED, PY2MTV, PY4OG, PY4RGS, S53M, S58A, S57AL, TF3W, TG7/N6HD, TM6M, TO5A, TO5X, UV5U, UW5Q, V25WY, V31RR, VE3EY, VK7ZE, VP5B, VP5OU, VP9I, WH7Y, XE1MM, XE2S, XW3DT, YW4D, YW5T and ZF2AM

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3D2R, 4W0VB, 5W1SA, 8Q7DV, A31IO, AP2IA, C37N, EY7AD, GJ6UW, H40FK, H40KJ, J8/JA7SGV, PJ4/WA1Z, TL0CW, TN2T, TO3J, V25RV, VU3BPZ/mm and ZL1RS (6m)

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3C0C, 5R8IC, 8P9NX, 9H3KX, AO8GLH, C37NL, EA9AK, ES0/F5BLC/P, EY8/F4EGS, FG4NO, FK8CP, FK/F5NHJ, FM/F5IRO, FR1LB, H44AS, IS0/DL8JJ/M, J27JUIN, J28CDX, J28RO, MJ/EA1SA, TK5EP, TK0WT, TK/F5MCC, TA4CW, TT8PK, TT8ZZ and V55DLH

S55, SLOVENIA (Special Event)
Members of the Radio Club Cerkno (S50E) will activate the special event callsigns S555E and S55CERKNO throughout 2012. Activity is to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Club's foun- dation. A special full colored four page folded QSL card will be confirmed automatically by the Bureau sometime in early 2013. The logs for S555E and S55CERKNO will also be uploaded to the ARRL's LoTW on a regular basis. Online logs will be available on the Club's Web site at:

http://www.s50e.si
For those who want to send card direct, please send SASE with 2 USDs to cover return postage to Radioclub Cerkno, P.O. BOX 16, 5282 Cerkno, Slovenia, with priority return when getting cards from the printer. Cards with insufficient postage or no return envelope will be returned via the QSL Bureau.

SG, SWEDEN (Special Event)
Richard, SM2TOS, and some other operators will be active as SG2SNF from Porjus between June 16-17th. Activity will be from the Lancaster bomber "Easy Elsie", which crashed at Porjus in Sweden on October 29th, 1944. For more details, pictures and QSL info, see (QRZ.com).

TO5, MARTINIQUE
Vlad, RC0F, will be active as FM/RC0F from Martinique (NA-107) between March 20-28th. Activity will also include the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry using the callsign TO5K. QSL via RC0F or LoTW.

V5, NAMIBIA (Update)
A group of German operators will be active as V55V from V52W's QTH in Omaruru during CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a Multi-? entry. QSL via DJ8VC. Operators currently mentioned are Winfried/DK9IP, Suad/DK6XZ, Tobias/DH1TW, Uwe/DL9NDS, Dietmar/DL3DXX and Mathew/DJ2HD. Look for operators to be active before and after the contest (as early as March 16th, and until the 27th) as V5/homecall. Activity will probably be on all bands 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY, but with a focus on 160/80/40m and RTTY. QSL via their home callsign (see (QRZ.com)).

V6, MICRONESIA
Swedish couple Jonas/SA0AAZ, and Carin/SA0BAC will be active as V63AAZ and V63BAC from the Truk Stop Hotel on Weno Island (OC-011) [a municipality and capital of Chuuk State of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)] between March 26th and April 10th. Jonas tells OPDX that this is a diving holiday trip, and all radio work will be limited. Activity will be on the HF bands using CW and SSB. Equipment is an IC-7000 with 100w into some wire type antenna with ladder feed. Jonas also suggests to please go easy on them because they are "only ordinary hams with ordinary standards, so please adjust operation technique and speed accordingly." QSL both via SA0AAZ.

V7, MARSHALL ISLANDS (Update)
By the time you read this, Jim, K4FW, will once again be on Kwajalein Island (OC-028) between March 19-26th, because of his job with the Orbital Sciences Corporation. He works with the Pegasus launch vehicle. More specifically, as the Launch Panel Operator (LPO) and is part of the flight crew on the Orbital's L-1011. Jim informs OPDX that the launch is scheduled for March 26th, and he plans to be active as much as he can between the time he arrives and the launch. Activity will be from the Kwajalein club station (V73AX) on the southern most side of the island, and he hopes to once again sign V73FW (application was sent in), if not then he will probably use V7/K4FW and not the club callsign. Activity will be after his work hours for the day on Kwajalein.

He states, "I'm taking a Ten Tec Eagle out with me to use and plan to do SSB on any band that's open and use whatever V73AX has for antennas." QSL via K4FW, direct or by the Bureau.

VC2, CANADA
Operators Noel/VE2BR and Gregg/VE3ZZ will once again be active as VC2G during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a Multi-Single entry. The QTH will be from Mercier, Quebec (Zone 5, Grid Loc. FN35ch). QSL via VE2BR, direct or by the Bureau.

VP2V, BRITISH VIGRIN ISLANDS
Operators Art/N3DXX and Steven/AA7V will be active as VP2V/homecall from Virgin Gorda (Tortola) between November 21st and December 1st. Activity will be focused on 160 meters and the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 24-25th) as a Multi-Single entry signing as VP2V/N3DXX. QSL via K2PF.

VP5/VP52, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Dave, W5CW, will once again be active as VP5/W5CW from the VP5JM Hamlet QTH on the Island of Providenciales (NA-002, WLOTA 1476) between March 20th and April 11th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW and SSB. Dave also plans to be in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry and using the callsign VP52V. QSL direct to his home callsign ((QRZ.com) address) at: PO Box 88, Morris, OK 74445-0088 U.S.A.

WORLD-WIDE IRON HAM CONTEST (Dates Changes)
The Araucaria DX Group (GADX) has moved the dates of their "World-Wide Iron Ham Contest" (WWIH) to avoid having two South American contests on the same day. They decided to move their competition to: The last full weekend of December. So, this year's WWIH contest will be from 12:00 GMT Saturday, Dec. 29th, to 11:59 GMT, Sunday the 30th. Complete details and rules are available at:

http://www.araucariadx.com/site

XU, CAMBODIA
Operators Seihachi/JA7LU and Hiroo/JA2VWG will once again be active as XU7NPC and XU7DDD, respectively, from Sihanoukville between March 16-26th. Activity will be on 40-6 meters using SSB and the Digital modes. They also plan to be active from Koh Rong Samloem Island (AS-133) between March 26-28th. QSL XU7NPC via JA7LU, direct or by the Bureau. QSL XU7DDD via JA2VWG direct only.

XV, VIETNAM
Mal, VK6LC, will once again be active as XV4LC from Vinh Long, Vietnam, between April 19-24th. Activity will be on 17/20 meters only, using CW and SSB (portable station and experimental new Mekong Delta site). QSL via VK6LC only direct. He does NOT use the QSL Bureau.

YJ, VANUATU
Chris, VK3QB, from the Oceania DX Group Inc. (ODXG), will once again lead a team of operators to Port Vila on Efate Island (OC-035), Vanuatu, and be active as YJ0VK between April 21st and May 5th. Operators mentioned are Chris/VK3QB (team leader), Luke/VK3HJ, Lee/VK3GK, Mike/ VK3GHM, Benton/VK3CBV and Allan/VK2CA. Activity will be on all HF bands 160-10 meters, with an emphasis on 30/17/12 meter bands using CW, SSB, and RTTY/PSK31. They do plan to have three stations on the air as often as possible. QSL via VK2CA, direct or by the Bureau. LoTW log upload will be available on completion of operation. For updates, visit the YJ0VK Web page at:

http://yj0vk.odxg.org/yj0vk2012/default.html

YO WEEKDAY CONTEST
Members of "The Romanian Society of Radio Amateur" (YO3KSR) have organized the 35th Edition of the HF International Contest "Bucuresti" to be held on 19th of March, between 1800-2059z, and on both 80m and 40m bands, using CW, SSB and PSK. Complete details are available on the YO3KSR Web page at:

http://www.yo3ksr.ro

ZS8, MARION ISLAND
Pierre, ZS1HF/ZS8M, informs OPDX that he is in the planning stages to lead a DXpedition to Marion Island, hopefully in April 2014. He states [edited],

"This all depends on permission granted for a DXpedition team by the Dept. of Environmental Affairs (Antarctic Islands). South Africa is receiving its new polar supply ship, the 'SA Agulhas II (number 2)', on the 3rd of May this year. The old/original 'SA Agulhas' will be doing her last trip to Marion Island in April this year, and then she will be transferred to another state department."

At this stage, Pierre will only consider contacting the Director General (DG) of the Department early next year once the new ship has completed her maiden voyage to Gough Island (ZD9) in September and has returned from their Antarctica base in December. This will give all the hype and excitement of the new ship some time to sink in and subside.

A team of between 4-10 operators is a possibility, but this depends on how many beds will be available for them on the ship. The hunt for operators is now on its way. The operators must be able to have six weeks of free time, in which fours weeks will be spent on the island. Pierre also mentions:

"Permission to erect Yagi's, vertical or dipoles will have to be negotiated. HF antennas on Marion Island have a history of injuring and killing many birds in the past, so there is an automatic tendency to be against ham radio and HF antennas."

Pierre states that he has many challenges to consider in the coming year to plan for this DXpediton. He is looking for any comments and support as well as names of potential DXers who would be interested in joining his operation. Look for more details to be forthcoming.

** IMPORTANT NOTICE/REMINDER **
The Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin now has a new FAX number.
Contributors can now send/fax their DX information to the following number:
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SPECIAL NOTE BY EDITOR:
If you are having a problem receiving bounced mail by sending mail to me via " kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org ",
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