OPDX Bulletin - Internet Edition
OPDX 523 August 6, 2001

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The Ohio/Penn Dx 9acketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 523
BID: $OPDX.523
August 6, 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, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, KF2TI, WF1N, K2JXW, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4VUD, KW4DA, N4AA & QRZ DX, W5FI, KM6HB, N6HR, AC7DX, KL7AK, W7QF, K8YSE, BA1DU, DJ7IK, DL6KAC, DS5RNM, EA4DX, EA4ST, F5NQL, GM4SUC, HA0HW, LU4BR, OH2LRE, PA5ET, PA5NT, PS7AB, PT7WA, PY2ZX, PY3DF, RZ1AK, VA3RJ, VU2JOS, 9A6AA and 9M2TO for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT:
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Saturday, 28/July, through Saturday, 4/August there were 211 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4W, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5V, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9V, 9Y, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, D6, DL, DU, E4, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J8, JA, JT, JW, JX, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH4, KH6, KH8, 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, PY0F, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, SM, SP, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T32, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TL, TN, TR, TT, TU, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, XW, XX9, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZB, ZC4, 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). OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive an additional bulletin (due to its size) with a complete breakdown and "DXCC/Entities Chart of Activity".

3V, TUNISIA
Now through September 15th, all Tunisian stations will use the special callsign 3V8MED. MED stands for the "MEDiterranean Games 2001" in Tunis. See the following Web page for details:

http://www.tunis2001.tn/en/indexen.html

5B, CYPRUS
Laci, HA0HW, informs OPDX that he and his family will spend their holidays on Cyprus between August 7-21st. He will use his radio as 5B4/HA0HW/p on the basis of CEPT license. His activity will be limited to the early mornings and later evenings mainly on CW. QSL cards will be OK via the HA bureau or direct.

CARIBBEAN TOUR 2001 (Update)
Rob, PA5ET, reports that the callsign J3PA, which was previously announced, can't be used and has been changed by the Government of Grenade into J38PA. The 8 in the callsign is for visitors and MUST unfortunately be used. Remember, the Low Land DXpedition Team (LLDXT) will be active from the Island of Carriacou, Grenada, (IOTA NA-147) August 2-15th and the Island Bequia, St.Vincent, (IOTA NA-025) August 16-27th. The team members will be Bouke/PA0ZH, Ronald/PA3EWP, Rob/PA5ET and Dennis/PA7FM. The callsigns will be J3/homecall, J8/homecall and J38PA. The J38PA callsign will be used on Topband and during contests. Their activity will be around the clock on 160-10 meters on the modes CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. The Tour Web site, which will be updated daily with the latest information, on-line logs, tour diary, digital photo's, propagation forecasts and digital pile-up recordings, can be found at:

http://www.qsl.net/lldxt
All QSLs will be managed again by PA5ET: Rob Snieder, Van Leeuwenstraat 137, 2273 VS Voorburg, The Netherlands.

H40. TEMOTU PROVINCE
Roberto, EA4DX, will operate for two weeks beginning August 15, from Lata on Santa Cruz Island (OC-100). The H4 callsigns will be issued upon arrival. Before and after his Temotu operation, he will be signing H44** from Honiara (OC-047). The operation, as usual, will be a one man effort only SSB, usually operating +18 hours a day. His equipment includes Yagis for 10/12/15/17/20 meters and a Vertical for 40/80 meters using a 1 Kw. His suggested frequencies, as circumstances permit, will be as follows: 3795-3799, 7042-7045, 14195, 18135, 21295, 24945 and 28395 kHz. QSL via EA4DX: Doce de Octubre #4, 28009 Madrid SPAIN. A log search will be updated "only" after his return at:

http://www.qsl.net/ea4dx/

IOTA NEWS
AS-NEW. Alan, BA1DU, informs OPDX that the Beijing DX Club will team up with Jiangsu DX Club to work out the last unnumbered IOTA group in China. The activity will be at Furong Island (37 20'E,119 48'N) which belongs to Shandong Province Northwest Group of the IOTA program. The island is entirely a desolate and uninhabited island and is used as a bomb-dropping range by the Chinese Air Force. They plan to set up four stations at the island including two Yagi antennas and two linear amplifiers and expect to be active at about 1200z on August 10th. Their operations will be continued until the local morning of August 13th. Activity will be on SSB, CW, RTTY and SSTV, using the normal IOTA frequencies from 40 meters to 6 meters. Their callsign sign will be BI4F. The team members consist of BA1AJ, BA1DU, BA1FB, BA1KA, BA1MK, BA1MT, BA1RB, BA1TU, BD1CC, BD1CL, BD1CU, BA4KR, BA4RD, BA4TA, BD4RS, BD5RV and others. Since this Island is a military area the activity schedule may be changed at last minute. QSL via Jin, BA4TA, directly or to the Chinese QSL bureau.

AS-148. Lee, DS5RNM, informs OPDX that he and other members of Taegu DX Club (TDXC - 6N0YO) in Korea will be active as 6N0YO/4 from Wi Island, August 17-19th. Activity will be on all bands, CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. A special emphasis will be given to the North America. QSL via 6N0YO: Taegu DX Club, POB 4, TAEGU, 700-600, KOREA (or the KARL bureau). For more info check the Web page at:

http://myhome2.karl.or.kr/6n0yo/

EU-133. Dennis RZ1AK, Vlad UA1CIO and Tim UA3DPB will be active from Vysotskiy Island (RR-01-14) and a few other islands in the Baltic Sea on August 5-12th. Most of the islands would qualify for IOTA EU-133. Look for RK1A/p, RZ1CXF/p, RZ1CXO/p and possibly some other callsigns. All QSLs are via RZ1AK, either through the bureau or direct to: Dennis Eremin, PO Box 202, St.Petersburg 196070, Russia.

EU-136. Paul, 9A/DK8SP/p is active from the Island of Rab (CI-096) until August 10th, mainly on 20m SSB.

EU-136. Jozo, 9A5RJ, will activate the Island of Pag in the Kvarner Group (CI-082), now through August 8th. He will be active on 20/15/17/12 and 10 meters.

EU-136. Emir, 9A6AA will try a short trip to two islands on August 9-10th (weather permitting). On August 9th, look for him to be on the Island of Galiola (EU-136, LH-0315, CI-020, not inhabited) beginning at 1000z on 14240 kHz (plans to also work on 40, 20, 15 and 10m, too). On August 10th, look for him to be on the Island of Unije (EU-136, CI-135), between 1000-1300z on 40 and 20 meters. QSL only direct to 9A6AA, Emir Mahmutovic per the following addresses:
Up to September 1st (The island of Losinj):
Zad Bone 8, 51551 Veli Losinj, CROATIAM
After September 1st (home): Slovenska 15, 10000 Zagreb, CROATIA

NA-053. Richard, KL7AK, and others will be active from the Trinity Islands, Alaska, from about 2130z August 9th, to about 1800z August 14th. They will be operating from the island called Sitkinak. Activity will mainly be on SSB on or near the 20 meter IOTA frequency of 14260, but they also plan to operate on 15 and 10 meters CW/SSB, propagation permitting, and possibly on 40 meters. They will be operating on the Amateur Satellites, mainly AO-27 during the daylight passes only, and UO-14 on all daily passes. For IOTA, this is a very very rare island. There will be 4 operators and the main station will consist of a Kenwood TS-570D transceiver, an Ameritron AL-80A amp, and a Mosley 3 element Yagi up about 30 feet. A backup station and antennas will also be taken. QSL Manager is Fred, N6AWD.

SA-055. L80AA/D will be active on August 11-12th from Martin Garcia Island. Activity will be from Martin Garcia Lighthouse (ARG-045) on HF-VHF-SSB-CW. QSL via LU4AA.

LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY
PRIZES AND AWARDS FOR THE NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE - LIGHTSHIP WEEKEND, AUGUST 3-5, 2001. In honor of the USA national Lighthouse Weekend, "EVERY" participant who submits an NLLW log showing valid contacts with at least one USA lighthouse OR one ARLHS member will receive a "FREE" Harbour Lights collectible lighthouse miniature prize. (See the Harbour Lights web site at: http://www.harbourlights.com )

The Harbour Lights company, makers of miniature lighthouse collectibles and a sponsor of the ARLHS, has donated one lighthouse miniature for every NLLW participant. These exquisitely detailed models are among the most valued by collectors. All you have to do is participate in the NLLW event and submit 1 USD along with your valid log to the ARLHS secretary, Lee Graves, WA7OBH, 4341 SE Satinleaf Place, Stuart, FL 34997. All logs must be postmarked by August 31, 2001, and must show the ARLHS lighthouse number (see page 10 of the web site: http://www.arlhs.com ) or the member number for at least one contact. Be sure to include your name and address. Logs submitted that do not meet all the requirements and guidelines are not eligible for this prize.

The Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society makes the following Public announcement: "Through a lot of hard work and dedication by some ham radio operators, Thomas Point Light in the Chesapeake Bay (ARLHS USA-845) will be activated by two ham groups under two call signs for the ARLHS, NLLW and ILLW events, August 4-5th and August 18-19th. More important, this is the FIRST time the Coast Guard has granted permission for hams (or members of the general public for that matter) to board this automated and rather isolated lighthouse. We owe a debt of gratitude to the US Coast Guard for their interest in and support of this project. It is a tribute to the professionalism and expertise of the ham operators that the Coast Guard has placed enough trust to allow our boarding of this previously "off-limits" beacon. So significant is this event that Baltimore news- papers and TV are planning coverage, and there will be a live broadcast from the light over radio station WBCQ, 7415 MHz, at 7 PM eastern time on Saturday night, Aug 4th. The stations will operate from both the light and Thomas Point Park. Look for special event station W3T, which, through the efforts of Reg, W3REG, and his crew, will concentrate on CW and some SSB. Reg will also be giving out ARLHS member #329, as well as the ARLHS Thomas Point number. Then, if you are an old fan of AM radio, look for K3L set up at the light. This may be your only chance to work Thomas Point on AM fone, and the event takes on further significance in that it celebrates the first 'voice' transmission made from Cobb Island in MD by Reginald Fesseden. Ops N2INR and WA3VJB, among others in their group, deserve a lot of credit for taking initiative in activating AM phone operation and in choosing Thomas Point for their celebration." Further information can be gotten from the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS) web page at http://arlhs.com or by sending an E-mail to Jim Weidner, K2JXW, President and Founder of ARLHS, at: k2jxw@arrl.net The North Fulton Amateur Radio League (Atlanta, GA, USA) will operate special event station K4T from Tybee Island Lighthouse on the Georgia coast during the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society's National Lighthouse Weekend, August 4 and 5th. Stations will be operating on (+/-): 28270, 21270, 14270, 7270 and 3970 kHz. QSL via K4PCF.

Members of the Metro Amateur Radio Club (MAC) will activate K9Y from Grosse Point Lighthouse (USA 359) in Evanston, Illinois. They will participate in the National Lighthouse Weekend sponsored by the Amateur Lighthouse Society. This is the first time that Grosse Point Lighthouse will be on the air for an amateur radio event. Grosse Point Lighthouse is one of eight lighthouses in the United States designated as a National historic landmark, and the only one located on the Great Lakes. Look for K9Y on August 5th, on CW and SSB (1800 to 2300 Zulu) on or around these frequencies: CW - 7030, 14030, 21030 and 28030; SSB - 7270, 14270, 21370 and 28370. A special event QSL card is available by sending a SASE to N9BOR via the callbook address. They will not reply to e-QSLs. Visit the Metro Amateur Radio Club (MAC) web site at:

http://www.qsl.net/mac

Christian, DL6KAC, reports to look for activity from Helios Lighthouse in Cologne/Ehrenfeld (FED-107) during the International Lighthouse weekend. Callsign will be DN1KAV (QSL via DH4KAV / bureau) or DN2EI (QSL via DH7KAT / bureau). Activity will be on 40-10 meters, maybe on 80 meters on SSB.

During the International Lighthouses weekend (August 18-19th), look for Francis/F6HKS and Jean Claude/F6HDH, operating from Cordouan Lighthouse (located in the middle of the Gironde at sea). They will sign homecall/p and be active on 40/20 meters SSB/CW. QSL via their home calls. Cordouan reference numbers are: WLH - 0271; French "Phares et Balises du littoral (PBLF)" award - PB 018; ARLHS - FRA 007; IOTA - EU-159 and DIFM - AT-032.

Mike, GM4SUC, reports that with just about two weeks to go for the Internationl Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend (0001z Saturday, August 18th through 2359z on Sunday, August 19th), they have 257 lighthouse/lightship stations in 37 countries confirmed. Here is the list of countries and their number of stations: Argentina 4, Australia 17, Austria 2, Belgium 4, Brazil 5, Canada 6, Canary Islands 1, Croatia 1, Denmark 17, England 22, Finland 8, France 2, Germany 20, Gibraltar 1, Greece 2, Iceland 3, Ireland 3, Isle of Man 1, Israel 1, Italy 2, Japan 1, Lithuania 2, Malta 1, Netherlands 9, New Zealand 8, Northern Ireland 5, Norway 3, Poland 2, Portugal 1, Puerto Rico 3, Scotland 11, Slovenia 1, South Africa 8, Sweden 10, Turkey 1, USA 65 and Wales 4. Countries represented = 37, Lighthouses/Lightships = 257 A full list, including callsigns QTH and QSL information can be found at:

http://www.vk2ce.com/ILLW/2001.htm

PRESS RELEASE:
OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive an additional bulletin containing a special press release from the ARRL by Wayne Mills, N7NG, about the details of the new "Logbook of the World".

PY0T, TRINDADE ISLAND
Operators PY1LVF and PY1VOY are sailing to Trindade for a short operation to take place from August 7-10th. Currently it is unclear whether or not there has been confirmation from the Brazilian Navy that the two have received the requested callsigns ZX0T and PT0T. If not, they will be active as homecall/PY0T. Look for them on CW/SBB on 40-10 meters, including the WARC bands. QSL via PY1LVF, Jose Luiz Vieira Fernandes, P.O. Box 18009, 20722-970 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Those reading Portuguese can find more details at:

http://br.geocities.com/py1lvf/destaques/destaques.htm

QSL INFO AND NEWS
Ron, AC7DX, would like to let everyone know that after sorting everything out and being promised the logs by Gabby, he will again be the QSL Manager for the following stations: XE2Z, XE2GV, 6D0Z and 6D8Z.

You can request Bureau cards via E-mail for the operation by WF1N and W1DIG from Thacher Island (IOTA NA-148, ARLH USA105 and USI MA001S) from:
Tony, WF1N, megahertz260@mindspring.com
Lou, W1DIG, megawatt@snet.net

Hillar N6HR/VE7 and Elsie N7YX/VE7 operated from NA-075 Gabriola Island (BC-013) during the IOTA contest. Please QSL via N6HR.

TEX, 9M2TO, has a new QTH and address. As of August 1st, please QSL via: Tex Izumo, 2C-10-03, Ferringhi Mutiara Apt., JLN. Sungai Emas 11100, Batu Ferringhi, Penang Is., MALAYSIA.

QSL CQ2I via EA4URJ: URE Jarama, P.O.Box 123, 28700 San Sebastian de los Reyes, Madrid, Spain.

OH0/OH2K/M was active from a sailing boat fastened to an island from Aland Islands (OH0) in July 2001. QSL via the bureau via OH2LRE or direct to: Simonito, PO BOX 73, 02710 ESPOO, FINLAND.

Gerben, PA5NT, reports that the you can find the story about the JW0PK operation to Prins Karls Forland on the following web site: http://dx.to (select Dxpeditions and then Prins Karls Forland)

Lenio Marobin, PY3DF, International League of Esperantists RAdioamateurs Secretary (ILERA), reports that special event station, 9A0E, has the QSL Manager of DJ4PG: Hans Welling, zum Ortenbrink 42, 49205 Hasbergen, GERMANY (also via bureau). The early manager DL1CC is still valid if someone already sent a card. 9A0E was located within the Congress complex at the Faculty of Electronics and Computing in Zagreb and was operated by DJ4PG and PY3DF.

Dave, VA3RJ, reports that the logs for Helmut's operation from Costa Rica, TI2/DJ4VW (March 13-26, 2001) are now on-line at his web site:

http://www.qsl.net/va3rj/search_ti2-dj4vw.html
http://webhome.idirect.com/~va3rj/search_ti2-dj4vw.html
(Mirror)

S2, BANGLADESH
Junji, JA7KXD, will operate S21YT again from now through 1759z August 8th. Bands and modes of activity were not mentioned, however, he was active last time on 20 meters CW. QSL via JA7KXD: Mr. Junji Ogawa, 2-3-51, Kimachidori, Aoba-Ku, Sendai 980-0801, JAPAN.

VU (India) NEWS
Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, informed the DX community last week that permission to use the following frequencies by Indian Amateurs has been extended up to January 31, 2002. (It was to expire at July 31st, 2001). VU operators can use: 3790 to 3800 kHz, 10100 to 10150 kHz; and 50.35 and 50.55 MHz.

XW, LAOS
Charly, K4VUD, reports that he had to abandon his efforts to obtain a XW license this summer. He states that the process is rather difficult, but the personel at the Lao PDR are very friendly and responded to his E-mails in a timely manner. The big draw back seems to be the visa. The usual Laos visa is for only 15 days, and the license application process takes longer than that. Charly states, "One must depart Loas (or somehow get a longer term visa), wait for the license approval, and then return for ham operations." He recommands to work Hiroo, XW0X, who is now there and will be active in Laos for a limited period.

XX9, MACAU
Gary Jones, W5FI, informed OPDX that he will be active from here and will be arriving in Macau on August 5th and hopes to be operational on the 5th of August. He will operate until the 8th or 9th depending on when transportation has to depart back to Hong Kong. This is part of a business and pleasure trip to Asia and includes travel to Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan, however, he intends to operate only in Macau. Gary will be staying at a hotel and using a roof mounted Butternut vertical. He will be operational on all major modes: CW, RTTY, SSB, and PSK-31. His suggested frequencies will be the standard DX frequencies, QSX up as announced. Gary will operate on all bands 80 through 10 meters including the WARC bands. He will emphasize RTTY and will show on RTTY early in the operation since Macau is most rare on digital modes. RTTY frequency will be 14083 kHz and PSK31 14070 kHz. Gary states he will be running only 100 watts (maybe less on digital) to the Butternut vertical and dipoles. He is sorry the signal will be weak, but he will try to make up for it with persistence. His previous DXpeditions have been single operator solo operations at: HS0AC (1993), JD1/7J1AYK (Ogasawara - ChiChiJima, 1996), and ZB2/W5FI (Gibraltar, 1999), and some other smaller operations.

ZK1, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS (Update/Reminder)
Mark, KM6HB, will again be operating from the South Cook Islands next week, August 7-17th. Look for him to be active as ZK1AHB, from August 7-8th on Rarotonga (OC-013), August 9-11th on Mangaia Island (OC-159), August 11-16th on Autituki Atoll (OC-083) and then back to Rarotonga, August 13-17th. Activity will be on all modes including RTTY and PSK31, on 40-6 meters. QSL via KM6HB or the W6 bureau.

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From: "Taratula, Sharon" {staratula@arrl.org}
To: "Mirgliotta, Ted KB8NW" {kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org}
Subject: ARRL News Release -- Logbook of the World
Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2001 15:46:38 -0400
MIME-Version: 1.0

ARRL NEWS RELEASE

August 2, 2001

For Further Information Contact: Wayne Mills, N7NG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Logbook of the World

Fast on the heels of approval of the "Logbook of the World" by the ARRL Board of Directors, software design to support the electronic contact-verification program is continuing apace. ARRL Membership Services Manager and LOTW Project Manager, Wayne Mills, N7NG, said the ARRL hopes soon to make LOTW software modules available to vendors for incorporation into their logging programs. These modules are being developed as part of the Trusted QSL open-source project headed by Darryl Wagoner, WA1GON. (More information about the Trusted QSL project can be found at "sourceforge.net/projects/trustedqsl")

"We have been in touch with 15 or so developers of popular logging software," Mills said. "We're also looking at providing a basic, do-it-yourself program to get contact data to ARRL."

At the heart of the Logbook of the World concept is a huge repository of log data provided by operators--from individual DXers and contesters to major DXpeditions--and maintained by ARRL. Mills says the system will benefit big and little guns alike by providing quick QSO credit for awards offered by ARRL, and, it's hoped, for awards offered by other organizations as well.

Once it becomes available--which could be as early as the middle of next year--Logbook of the World will accept authenticated data directly from computerized logs via the Internet. "This is an e-mail based system that uses easy-to-obtain digital signatures for authentication," Mills said. "Once you get your digital certificate, a few keystrokes will do the trick."

Mills said the program envisions user access to the LOTW "confirmed database" so an operator can see what "matches" turn up--such as confirmation of new DXCC entities, states or grid squares. "We'll also publish a list of logs that have been submitted," he said, adding that operators may access the LOTW database once they've uploaded their own log data.

Heading up software development is ARRL Electronic Publications Manager Jon Bloom, KE3Z, along with Web Applications Developer, Mark Simcik, WA1VVB. Software specifications already have been established. Advising the project are Darryl Wagoner, WA1GON, Dick Green, WC1M and Ted Demopoulos, KR1G. ARRL staffer and well-known contester and DXer Dave Patton, NT1N, who conducted the original electronic QSL project study, is also assisting.

Mills said that he hopes to be able to announce a specific inauguration date for Logbook of the World within a few months, as the software design progresses.

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