The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1058
BID: $OPDX.1058
April 16, 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, ARRL Web Page, K1XN & GoList, W1HEO, AB2E, KH2AR/W4, NG3K & ADXO, WK3N, W3UR & The Daily DX, WP3GW, K4UEE, N4AA & QRZ DX, N4GN, N4JF, KH6BZF, KH6CG, WB6RSE, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m News, W9ILY, 9A2TN, AT Inter- national, DK8JB & The DX News Letter, DL1SBF, DxCoffee.com, DX-World.Net, ES1CW, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, OZ1CTK, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, Pete's DX-Newsdesk, PY2YP, RSGB IOTA Web Site, VA3RJ & ICPO, VHF-DX-Portal, VE2XB and YO3JW for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 8th-April, through Sunday, 15th-April there were 222 countries active. Countries available: 1S, 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3D2/r, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, 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, FK, FM, FO, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JX, JY, K, KH0, KH2, KH6, KH8, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ5, PJ7, PY, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TR, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK0M, VK9N, VK9X, VP2M, VP2V, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, 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).

2012 DX TRAVELS/OPERATING TOUR
Jeff, N6GQ, plans to travel to several different locations this year and operate using his Elecraft K3/100. His expected schedule for the year is:

May 23-28th - Dodecanese (EU-001, GIOTA DKS-006, MIA MGD-028, WLOTA 0045); callsign SV5/N6GQ; plans to be in the CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 26-27th) as a SOAB QRP entry. QSL via LoTW or N6GQ.

May 28th-June 17th - Greece; callsign SV8/N6GQ; plans to be active from various IOTAs (EU-049 and EU-052) in SV8. QSL via LoTW or N6GQ.

June 17-29th - Malta (EU-023, MIA MM-001, WLOTA 1113); callsign 9H3ZZ. QSL via LoTW or N6GQ.

October 23-29th - Nicaragua; callsign YN2AA; plans to be in the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 27-28th) as SOAB HP entry. QSL via LoTW or NN3W. Outside of contest weekend, look for him on 160-6 meters, and he may try 6m JT65 EME.

Send a standard application form (GCR List - log extract), including the list of QSOs, on or before May 31st to: The Radio Amateur's Journal MK QTC, Suchacz-Zamek - Wielmozy 5b, 82-340 Tolkmicko, Poland. The price of the WARD Award is 7 USDs, 5 IRCs or 5 Euros. The full colored Award size is: 210 x 297 mm. The WARD Award is also available to SWLs for the same numbers of reports. For more info on the WARD, see:

5B, CYPRUS
Mark, M0DXR, will be active as 5B/M0DXR during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 27-28th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via his home callsign.

5V, TOGO (Update)
Wim, ON4CIT, is still reporting that a DXpedition to Togo will take place at the end of 2012 or the beginning of 2013. The callsign mentioned is 5V7TH. The exact dates are still to be deter- mined. Details are forthcoming.

DXCC NEWS (DXCC Card Checking Rule Change)
It was announced late last week that a notice of an upcoming change in an administrative procedure contained in the DXCC Rules. The change in the DXCC Rules will permit volunteer Card Checkers who have achieved DXCC on 160 meters to check 160 meter QSLs in the field, and all Card Checkers to check cards for Deleted Entities. Until now there has been a requirement that 160 meter cards be checked by Headquarters staff. The main issue has been that some cards for 18 MHz QSOs can be altered to show 1.8 MHz without the alter- ation being detected. Therefore, the time of the QSO becomes significant.

Some cards for Deleted Entities date back to 1960 and before, and sometimes it is difficult in the field to determine what entity the card ought to count for. Deleted Entities do not count for the DXCC Challenge or for the Honor Roll but do count toward all-time totals.

After discussion during the teleconference the "Programs and Services Committee" (PSC) unanimously voted to authorize staff to amend the DXCC rules as proposed but with no change in how Card Checkers are appointed. For complete details on the change, please take a look at:

HB, SWITZERLAND (WFF Op)
A group from the Switzerland World Flora Fauna, Radio Club Locarno (HB8RL) and the Insubria Radio Club (HB9IRC), will activate the following Swiss Park and Natural Reserves:

April 21st - Operators HB9EFJ, HB9FBI, HB9FBJ, HB9FAQ and HB9TZA will be active as HB9WFF/P between 0700-1800z, from Magadino Park (HBFF-101, DCS-TI073, WASL-TI002, WCA-HB00898). Activity will be on 40 and 20 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via HB9FBI, by the Bureau only. For more details on the park see: http://www.bolledimagadino.com April 22nd - Operators HB9TUZ, HB9EFJ, HB9FBI, HB9FBJ and HB9FAQ will be active as HB9IRC/P between 0700-1700z, from Magadino Park (HBFF-101, DRI-HB9004, DCS-TI073, WASL-TI002, WCA- HB00898). Activity will be on 40 and 20 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via HB9OCR, by the Bureau only.

HH, HAITI
Tiho, 9A7GAE, is on a Red Cross mission in Léogâne, and is expected to receive his Haitian license by the time you read this. He will be active as HH2/9A7GAE on 80/40/20/17/10/6 meters using as CP6 antenna. Activity will be limited to his free time (this is not a DX- pedition). He will operate on SSB and later on the Digital modes. His equipment arrived from the USA, but now he has a problem of finding any tower sections, cables, connectors...etc. (there is nothing available in Leogane). QSL card via his home callsign (LoTW later).

IOTA NEWS
AS-147. Yuki, JO2ASQ, will be active as JO2ASQ/8 from both Rishiri and Rebun Islands between April 30th and May 3rd. Look for updates on his Twitter page [in Japanese] at: https://twitter.com/#!/JO2ASQ

EU-043. Operators Ric/DL2VFR and Norbert/DL2RNS will be active as SD7V/6 and SD7N/6, respectively, from Orust Island between May 11-14th. Activity will be on the HF bands using CW and SSB, with high power. QSL via their home callsigns, by the Bureau or direct.

EU-047. Operators Friedrich/DL4BBH and Ric/DL2VFR will activate the special callsign DM50IOTA from Borkum Island (GIA N-001, WLOTA 1022) between July 27-29th. Activity will include an entry in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 28-29th). Operations will be on all HF bands and modes, propagation permitting. QSL direct or by the Bureau to DM50IOTA.

EU-061. Operators Ric/DL2VFR and Norbert/DL2RNS will be active as LA/homecall from the Hvaler Islands between May 16-21st. Activity will be on the HF bands, using CW and SSB, with high power. QSL via their home callsigns, direct or by the Bureau.

EU-073. Operators Vin/IK7IMO, Piero/IK7VJX and Roby/IK7XIV will be active as IJ7A from Isola San Pietro (IIA TA-002, MIA MI-094) between July 27-31th. Activity will include the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 28-29th) as a Multi-? entry. Operations will be all HF bands and modes. QSL via IK7IMO.

EU-090. Operators Jiri/OK1IEC, Rudolf/OK1HWS, Jan/OK1JK and Vlasta/ OK1UXH will be active as 9A8OK from Palagruza Island (ACIA IC-901, CIA-33, IOCA CI-084, MIA MC-284) and the lighthouse (ARLHS CRO-012, CLH-100, TWLHD WLH 9A-046, WLOTA 0057) between September 29th and October 6th. Activity will be on all HF bands and modes. QSL via OK1HWS, direct or by the Bureau. Visit their Web site at:

SA-029. Operators Marcelo/PY1MT, Moreira/PU1MMZ, Mauricio/PU1SET, Jose/PY1MX and Jair/PY1HS will be active as ZV1M during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 28-29th) from Itacuruca Island (DIB RJ-08), Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. QSL via PY1MT, direct only with SASE/SAE + 2 USDs (no IRC). Their Web site is available at:

KH3, JOHNSTON ATOLL (Op Cancelled!)
It was reported this past week that Susan, W7KFI, has officially given up on KH3. This will be a big disappointment to many who have been waiting for her to be on the air.

KH6BZF PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (April 9-15th)

 Apr/16th  AN      Apr/19th  AN      Apr/21st  AN
 Apr/17th  AN      Apr/20th  AN      Apr/22nd  AN
 Apr/18th  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

KP4, PUERTO RICO
Members of the Puerto Rico Field Day Group will once again be active as KP4FD to celebrate the International Amateur Radio Union's 87th anniversary during the "World Amateur Radio Day" on April 18th. This year's theme: Amateur Radio Satellites - Celebrating the 50 years in Space in remembrance of the launch of OSCAR 1 on December 12, 1961, and OSCAR 2 on June 2, 1962. Activity will be on the HF bands and on SSB. An electronic Certificate will be available at request via WP3GW. Confirmations will be via eQSL and LoTW.

P487, ARUBA
In celebration of the International Amateur Radio Union's (IARU) 87th anniversary, look for special event station P487IARU to be active between now and April 30th. This is the first time the prefix P487 has been activated, and actually the first time Aruba has issued a 4 letter suffix. The log will be uploaded to LoTW in due time. QSL via LoTW.

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE DESK OF RADIO ARCALA
(By Martti Laine, OH2BH, dated March 14th) [edited]:

"Toni, OH2UA at Controls of Remote CQ8X in Azores -- Wow, what a weekend it was! Radio Arcala's engineers allowed a first serious remote contest operation - over the internet - from the CR2X station located 4500 kilometers away from the actual operating position. It was a gas running those endless U.S. pileups from the Azores while gazing at the Northern Lights through the window at home 65 degrees north. It presented a new challenge, following the words of Hamlet - to be or not to be (there)?

With ever increasing antenna restrictions and noisier environments, going remote is the most likely way for serious folks to utilize the current technology for the common good. Radio Arcala is in the forefront of pushing for IP address driven station building blocks, such as radios and amps, while our vision is that each station accessory will soon have its own IP facility.

Running the highest continental number of QSOs (4543) in a first serious effort at remote operation shows the potential of the remote concept. There is still room for improvement and, honestly, it has to be said that the world is not ready - but we are one step closer.

Radio Arcala welcomes the approach taken by CQ Magazine's and ARRL's Contest administration in blessing our future by allowing remote operations in contesting under existing rules.

These QSOs do not count for DXCC but they do count for the true spirit of Amateur Radio, being in the vanguard of state-of-the-art technology and its applications.

Radio Arcala, OH8X, is a team of serious hams dedicating their efforts to interesting and novel areas of amateur radio. They push the issues to extreme, and their contest team, "Arcala Xtremes, is used as their test lab to verify the results. Arcala labs are located at 65 degrees north in the village of Arcala, Finland. www.radioarcala.com"

  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (dated April 15th)
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  5B/M0VKY via M0VKY       JX9JKA via LA9JKA       PC100T via PA7HPH
  EH3MGY via EB3JT         K1T via N1NS            TJ6RM via OM3CGN
  EJ0PL via EI5JQ          LN2G via LA2G           TM210VH via F4GFE
  EM8NFF/P via UT7NW       ON100TT via ON4EKO      V29CB via KT3A
  GI2012MGY via GI4GOS     OT100MGY via ON4PRA     YU0KRUNA via YU1EFG
  GR100MGY via G3SXW

HK0NA QSL UPDATE. It was announced on April 11th [edited]: "The HK0NA QSL design has been completed, and they are in the process of being printed. We expect delivery by the end of April. Our QSL Manager N2OO is posting QSL processing updates online at

P4/W1HEO QSL STATUS. "Dee," W1HEO, reports that all direct P4/W1HEO QSL requests have been answered along with all Bureau cards received to date. He will confirm remaining DX contacts via the Bureau. Note that he does not use "Logbook of The World" (LoTW), and reminds state- side operators who want a QSL to send requests with a SASE to W1HEO at 9901 Cypress Circle, Mentor, OH 44060.

QSL RECEIVED AFTER 9 YEARS! Scotty, WK3N, reports receiving QSLs for the ZW0S St. Peter and Paul Archipelago (PY0S) 2003 operation which has been deemed difficult at best. He states that after 7 tries in sending in 9 years, he finally received his QSLs. The return address on the envelope was: PS7JN-JOCA, Rua Goias, 312, Teresina-PI-Brazil.

QSL RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 9A5Y, 9A8A, HL2IFR, HQ2N, IR4M, JG3RPL, KH7Y, KP2/K3CT, LZ9W, TI5N, TM9R, UB5IJG, UU0JM and XE1EE

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3C9B, 3D2T, 9N7BM, 9Q6AL, C91NW, EA9/G3TXF, FK8CP, HU2DX, LA7QIA, PJ4/K4BAI, PS5F, RI1FJA, SV2ASP/A, T2T, TI5/JT1CO, TN2T, VP2EC, VP5OU, VP6T, VK100WIA, ZD8Z and ZD7XF

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3D2DX, 3A2ND, 5R8IC, 6M0W/4, 6M0W/5, 9X0Z, AH2Y, AH0DX, C21AV, D2QMN, D44TBV, CN2A, H40HL, J5V, JD1BIE, JD1BLY, JD1BMH, JD1BMM, JT1GCW, KH2/WX8C, MJ/OP9X/P, RAEM, T8CW, T88RX, XV3RRC, XT2AEF and XX9TKV

SE, SWEDEN (Update/Special Event/Callsign Change)
Richard, SM2TOS, and some other operators will be active as SE2EE (not SG2SNF as first announced) 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. They will be on the shortwave bands around the clock! They mention that they do not have to worry about daylight, as there will be sunlight 24/7!! The sun never goes down during the summer up here in the north part of Sweden. (High above the Arctic circle). For more details, pictures and QSL info, see (QRZ.com). They also have a Web site at:

SV9, CRETE
Seppo, OH1VR, will be active as SV9/OH1VR from Crete (EU-015, GIOTA KRS-005, MIA MGC-005, WLOTA 1400) between April 21-28th. QSL via his home callsign.

TO3, SAINT BARTHELEMY (Reminder)
Operators Wim/ON4CIT and Paul/ON4BEC will be active as TO3X from St. Barthelemy (NA-146) between April 16-30th. Activity will be on 40-6 meters using mostly SSB and RTTY with some CW. They will look for JA stations every day during 2300-0200z on 15/12/10 meters on SSB and RTTY. QSL via ON4CIT, direct or by the Bureau. An online log will be available at ClubLog as well as an OQRS. Log will be uploaded to LoTW later in the year. For more details and suggested frequencies, see the TO3X Web page at:

V2, ANTIGUA
Darrell, AB2E, will once again be active as V26E from Antigua (NA-100) between May 23-30th. Activity will include the CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 26-27th) as Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power (A) entry -- same as last year which resulted in #2 World and #1 North America for the category. All operations before and after the contests will be either on the 30/17/12 meter bands or the lower bands. Also, for the first time he will attempt RTTY on all bands. QSL direct via AB2E for any and all operations from 1993 to present. Be sure to include an SASE, green stamp, or new IRC, or you won't get a card. Sorry, no Bureau cards at this time, and no eQSL. As of February 28, 2011, all logs from all V26E operations (including 2010) have been uploaded to LoTW as well.

V3, BELIZE
Mike, VE2XB, will once again be active as V31XB from Caye Caulker Island (NA-073) between May 11-31st. Activity will be on all HF bands, as well as 6m, using CW and SSB. He will be using his K3 into a Hexbeam. Mike states that he will be looking especially for JA stations to work this IOTA (as well as everyone else). QSL via VE2XB (see (QRZ.com)).

VK9X, CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Sadao, JA1PBV, is now active as VK9XS from Christ- mas Island (OC-002) until April 17th. Activity is on the HF bands, 80-6 meters using CW and RTTY. A log search is available at:

VK0, MACQUARIE ISLAND (Update)
Trevor, VK0TH, was expected to go QRT on April 14th, but he announced this past week (April 12th), "Good News!!

­ Looks like I will be able to continue operating until the 19th so that gives us another 7 days!!" See the schedule on (QRZ.com) for his operating hours. Trevor states, "I have been been 'squeezing' additional hours in during working days at lunchtime etc when I can." QSL via JE1LET direct ONLY.

VP9, BERMUDA
Operators Seppo/OH1VR and Egbert/OH1ZAA will be active as OH1VR/VP9 and OH1ZAA/VP9, respectively, from Bermuda (NA-005) between May 7-13th. Activity will be on the HF bands and 6 meters, and using CW and SSB. QSL via their home callsign.

XP, GREENLAND
Henning, OU2I/OZ1BII, will be active as XP2I from Kanger- lussuaq during the CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 26-27th) as a Single-Op/ All-Band/Low-Power entry. QSL via OZ1BII

XU, CAMBODIA
Barry, ZL1DD, is now active as XU7AEL from the XU7AAA Rental Shack in Cambodia until April 21st. Activity is on 80-6 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via his home callsign.

YP1, ROMANIA (Special Event/WFF Op!)
A group of Romanian hams will activate the callsign YP1WFF from YOFF-111 and DYO-08

ZD8, ASCENSION ISLAND
Oliver, W6NV, will once again be active as ZD8W from Ascension Island (AF-003) during the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 24-28th) as a Single-Op entry. Look for activity on the low bands before the contest weekend. QSL via his home callsign.

ZL9, CAMPBELL ISLAND (Update)
The Hellenic Amateur Radio of Association of Australia (HARAOA) is organizing a DXpedition to Campbell Island (OC-037) and will be active between November 17-30th. Campbell Island is Number 15 on the current DXCC most wanted list. The HARAOA team was finally issued the callsign ZL9HR on April 13th. The DXpedition team will consist of nine (9) operators: Tommy/VK2IR (Team Leader), John/VK3YP (Team Co-Leader), Les/W2LK, Gene/K5GS, Dave/K3EL, Glenn/KE4KY, Jacques/ ZL3CW, Pista/HA5AO and Don/VE7DS. For updates and details, visit the 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