The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 656
BID: $OPDX.656
April 12, 2004
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF-80 BBS 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, AD1C, NC1L, K2FRD, NG3K, W3PP, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, N4CC, N4GN, K5LBU, N6DHZ, K7ZO, K8YSE, K0NW, 9A7K, DL/VE3ZIK & www.contesting.info, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, G3NOM, G4JVG, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, IZ4COT, JA0SC, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, LU7DSY, OH2BH, OK1JR, PA4JJ, PA7FM, SP5XSD, SP9GKM, VA3RJ & ICPO, 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, 4th/April, through Sunday, 11th/April there were 225 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1I, 4W, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A3, A4, A6, A7, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E3, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J6, JA, JD/m, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, 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, PY, PZ, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T2, T32, T33, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TL, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VP2E, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZF, ZK1/s, ZL, ZL7, ZP, ZS, ZS8

* 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 hit 150,000 QSOs at 1113z. Even with the poor propagation the 3B9C team continues to be active until April 13th. According to the updates on their Web page, the team has begun (on Friday, April 9th) to take some antennas down. They also make note that there has been some pirated operations, especially on RTTY (as well as CW and SSB). Check your QSOs on their Web page. 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:

6Y5, JAMAICA
Riccardo/IZ5EBL and Rossella/IZ5BRO will be on the air as 6Y5/IZ5EBL and 6Y5/IZ5BRO from April 11-19th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters SSB/CW/PSK31. QSL via their home callsigns.

7Q, MALAWI (Update/Reminder)
OPDX reminds readers that the UK Malawi DXpedition will start this coming Sunday. The callsign to be used by the UK Malawi DXpedition between April 18th and May 1st will be 7Q7MM. Steve, G4JVG, has updated the list of operators, and they will be Mark/G4AXX, Dick/GU4CHY, Steve/G4JVG, Steve/G4EDG and Rich/M5RIC. For more details, please refer to OPDX.650 and OPDX.655, or visit the UK Malawi DXpedition Web page at:

A22, BOTSWANA (Last Call!)
Frosty, K5LBU, announced this past week that it looks like the trip to Botswana is not going to happen. He states only one person has stepped forward and said he will go. Frosty says, "So unless I hear from at least 4 more.... It will be a no go this year. Will try next year for the IARU contest." K5LBU's E-mail address is: frosty1@pdq.net

CROATIAN ISLANDS AWARD (New Rule)
Kresimir, 9A7K, informs OPDX that after many suggestions from E-mails he received from many radio amateurs from all over the world, the Executive Committee of Croatian IOTA Hunters Group has decided to implement a new rule. From now on, the Croatian Islands Award (CIA) can be also obtained by the activators. To read the complete rules as well as viewing a picture of the CIA award, please visit the Award Manager's Web page at:

DXCC NEWS
Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC Manager, reports the following operation has been approved for DXCC credit:

FIRST ALBANIA DX CONVENTION (JUNE 19-20th)
Martti Laine, OH2H, sent out the following press release this past week and has invited DXers to "Make a Trip of Your Lifetime to the Land of the Double Headed Eagle". The press release states: "Have you ever visited a country that was once the rarest of them all but then became another household name in DX? That's Albania. Meet your ZA contact and help new ZA amateurs get operational. Share your views with them and enjoy amateur radio at its best. Operate ZA and be part of a great fun weekend in this sunny Balkan country. Monitor www.za1a.com for further details.

You are expected to arrive no later than Friday, June 18, and the festivities are scheduled to finish by Sunday evening. The actual DX convention will be on Saturday afternoon, with a gala dinner and Sunday morning program. Sightseeing will be organized after lunch on Sunday.

Your gateways to Tirana, Albania are Budapest in Hungary, Milan in Italy and Vienna in Austria. The following carriers serve these cities even from New York: Malev Airlines, Austrian Airlines and Alitalia. See their respective websites.

Timing is such that by the following weekend you can end up in Friedrichshafen, Germany and experience Europe's No.1 ham radio exhibition. Further details are available at:

FO/M, MARQUESAS ISLANDS
Hiro, JA0SC, informs OPDX that he will be active from Nuku Hiva Island in the Marquesas Island group, April 13-18th. His callsign is not in hand yet, but he will be receiving one once he arrives in Papeete, French Polynesia. His activity will be mostly on the digital modes, especialy SSTV, on the 20-10 meter bands. Hiro will be using a 200 watts rig and a 2 element HB9CV tribander Yagi beam. QSL to his home callsign, JA0SC, direct only (QRZ.com address).

HB0, LIECHTENSTEIN
Operators Gerry/IZ1DSH, Giovanni/IK1WEG and Riccardo/ IW1FWI will be active from Gaflei, May 1-2nd. Callsigns were not provided (probably HB0/homecall). Activity will be on 80-6 meters. QSL via their home callsigns.

INTERNATIONAL DX CONVENTION (Update)
James, N6DHZ, reports: "The 2004 International DX Convention is pleased to announce that the program schedule is now available on the web. Along with the program schedule we are also announcing this year's participants in the 'Vendor Showcase'. Several manufacturers will be announcing new products at the vendor showcase so be sure to check the vendor showcase page to see what is new for 2004." The Web site address is:

IOTA NEWS
AF-018. Martin, OL5Y, will be active as IH9/OL5Y or IH9P from the African Italy Island of Pantelleria during the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 27-28th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (80m)/ High-Power entry. QSL via OK1MG.

AS-NEW. (OP Cancelled!) Word from Japan is that the JS2VAE/6 operator(s) departed from Ishigaki Island earlier noon, April 8th for Senkaku Island (Uoturi-shima -- The last unnumbered IOTA for JA). However, operator(s) were turned back about 60km from Uoturi-shima due to the weather deterioration. Landing will be scheduled again in the future.

EU-038. Dennis, PA7FM, is expected to activate this IOTA group starting April 23rd. He will sign PA7FM with 100w into a vertical antenna. QSL via CBA.

NA-039. Scott, K7ZO, will be operating from Adak Island as K7ZO/KL7, May 16-20th. Operation will be on 20 meters SSB with 100w into a vertical or dipole. Specific operating times are uncertain. QSL via K7ZO.

NA-184. (OP Cancelled!) Ed, K0NW, informed OPDX that he is sorry to report their planned activation of St. Georges Reef (and the Lighthouse ARLHS USA 793) in May, by Laurence/WA6LUT and him, has been cancelled for this year. Coordination with the lighthouse administration is very difficult. Ed state, "Maybe next year."

OC-144. Operator Stan/YB0AJR (OK1JR) was expected to activate Bangka Island this past weekend between April 9-12th. He will sign YB0AJR/4 and will be active on 40, 15 and 10 meters CW/SSB. QSL to OK1JN. Suggested frequencies are:
SSB - 7055, 21260 and 28560
CW - 7025, 21040 and 28040 kHz

SA-021. (OP Cancelled!). Activity from Wood Island was cancelled due to weather. However, the team did activate Bermejo Island (also SA-021). A new date for the activation of Wood Island will be announced soon.

IR4, ITALY
The IR4A contest team will be on air during the ARI International Contest, May 1-2nd. The team will consist of: IK4MSV, IK4SWX, IK4IDS, IZ4COT, IZ4AFP, IZ4DIW and IZ4AGI. QSL via the Bureau (preferable) or direct to: ARI P.O. Box 178, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy.

JW, SVALBARD
Lars, LA5LJA, will be active as JW3R during the CQ WPX CW Contest (May 29-30th). Operating class is not known. QSL via LA3R, by the bureau or direct with 1 IRC or 2 USD.

QSL INFO AND NEWS
Dennis, PA7FM, informs OPDX that the 9U5M photo QSLs have just arrived from the printer. He will try to answer all the direct QSLs in the next 2 weeks before he leaves for a small holiday (see EU-038 above). After he answers the direct QSLs, Dennis will start answering bureau requests as they arrive. He mentions that he is still receiving many direct requests with insufficient return postage or even without SAE. They will be answered by the bureau.

Jan, PA4JJ (ex-PA9JJ), reports that the QSL cards have been received from printer and the online logs of the C56JJ DXpedition can be found on: http://www.qsl.net/c56jj/html/2004_log.html

QSL SO5O via SP5KVW by the Bureau or direct to: RadioKlub SP5KVW, P.O. Box 56, 07-410 Ostroleka, POLAND. The club's E-mail address is: sp5kvw@wp.pl
Their Web page URL address is: http://sp5kvw.webpark.pl
On the Web page, details can be found on the upcoming SP DX Contest and a SO5O picture gallery.

RARE COUNTY TO BE ACTIVATED
Attention county hunters! It was announced this past week that the rare county of Kalawao (Kalaupapa, Mokokai Island in Hawaii) will be activated this week. Word has it -- "People are allowed in by invitation ONLY". This will be a "limited" HF SSB operation starting on Tuesday, April 13th to early Sunday, April 18th. The callsign AH6NF and AH6RH will be used to activate this rare county as time allows (fitting radio operations around a daily work schedule). Most operating will likely take place in the evening and nighttime hours (Hawaii time). Suggested frequencies are: 7088 (split), 14200, 21250 and 28495 kHz. QSL information was not provided, so listen for the operator instructions.

SILENT KEY
It is with great sadness to report that well known contester Bill J. Fisher, W4AN (ex-KM9P), of Alpharetta, Georgia, died unexpectedly April 4th, at the age of 41. According to the ARRL's W1AW Bulletin and the ARRL Letter: "Fisher was the founder of the "Contesting.com" Web site. During the 1980s and 1990s, he contributed more than a dozen articles to the National Contest Journal. He was a member of the South East Contest Club, the South East DX Club, the First-Class CW Operators' Club and the A-1 Operator Club. In addition to being a ham radio contester, he was an avid bicycle racer. Fisher was founder and Vice President of Concentric Systems Inc and he also established and served as president of Akorn Access Inc, an Internet service provider and consulting company." OPDX and its readers would like to send out our deepest sympathy to Bill's family and friends.

SPECIAL EVENT (HS on the WARCs)
The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST) has applied for a special licence to celebrate Her Majesty, the Queen's 72nd Birthday and the PTD issued the callsign HS72B. At the same time, the RAST asked if they could use the WARC bands during this special occasion. The administration has agreed. The use of this licence and this callsign has to be strictly controlled by RAST, and will not be available for general use. The first event will be an operation from Koh Chang Island (AS-125), in about a week's time and will be followed by operations from the new club station HS0AC and for use by SEANET Control, and the SEANET convention in November. There will be one QSL Manager for all HS72B operations, and this will be announced soon. Details of the Koh Chang AS-125 operation will be announced very soon.

Ray/G3NOM/HS0ZDZ informs OPDX of the following two updates:
1) Look for HS72B to be activated by the members of the RAST April 12-17th from Koh Chang (IOTA AS-125). There will be activity on the WARC bands. Operators include E21LSE, E20NTS, HS1CKC, HS0GBI and HS6NDK (XW1N). QSLs for "ALL" HS72B operations until 31st December 2004 to E20NTS: Mr. Supote Saripan, P.O. Box 5, Klongtanon, Bangkok, 10222, Thailand. The DXpedition leader HS1CKC says "This will be a low profile operation with two budget transceivers and vertical antennas". The special permission was granted very quickly and took everyone by surprise.

2) Arrangements are also being made to use HS72B at the new HS0AC Club Station which is scheduled to start operations on 1st May 2004 by Ray, HS0ZDZ, for SEANET net control and 40m net control, in addition to the SEANET Convention in November 2004. Sequential operations by other Thai stations will be announced in due course.

SPECIAL EVENT
On May 1st, Poland will become a full member of the European Union. To celebrate this event, look for the special callsign SP0EURO. Activity will take place between April 28th and May 3rd. Activity will be on 160-10 meters (including the WARC bands), 145 MHz and 435MHz. Modes will be: CW, SSB, FM, PSK31 and SSTV. QSL via SP9PKZ.

ST, SUDAN
Magdi, ST2M, was heard active on 12 and 17 meters this past week. Watch around 24940 kHz after 1200z and 18150 kHz after 0900z. If you still need ST2 on 20 meters, watch 14200 kHz after 0330z and the Arabian Knights Net on 14252 kHz after 0630z.

T33C BANABA DXPEDITION
The international team of 19 operators are now active until April 16th. As this was being written Sunday morning, their Web reports 36,000 QSOs on Friday, April 9th. QSOs were split between CW/SSB. Watch for updates on their Web page, and they do have online logs, but there has been some reports of errors in the online log. The Web page for the operation is at:

XU, CAMBODIA
Jaak/ES1FB and Oleg/ES1RA will be active from here as XU7ACE and XU7ARA, respectively, from May 7-19th. An IOTA operation is also planned from Koh Pas (AS-133) using the callsign XU7ACV. QSL via their home callsign (Bureau is OK). XU7ACE will also be on the LoTW.

ZK1, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS
Harald, LA5UF, will be active as ZK1UFF from Rarotonga (OC-013), now through April 16th. QSL via his home callsign.

ZL7, CHATHAM ISLAND
Franz/ZL2III/DK1II and Dom/DL5EBE are now active as ZL7II until April 14th. The duo have been very active on all bands, mainly CW, but there has been some SSB and RTTY. QSL via DL5EBE.

ZONE 2
Fred, K2FRD, will once again be active as VO2/K2FRD. He informs OPDX that he will be conducting another mini-DXpedition to VO2 Zone 2 Labrador this summer from June 1st until about September 7th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters. However, he states that he plans to work the Maximun Useable Frequency as much as possible. So look for him to be on 20 and 17 meters more than the other bands, but he will try 15/12/10 meters if open. Fred states that 40 meters is difficult due to QRM and he will doing some 30 meter CW. He will put up antennas for 160/80 meters, but he thinks he will not have any success on those bands. Operations will be mainly SSB with some CW and PSK31, and possibly some RTTY. For more details, visit his Web page at:

ZS8, MARION ISLAND
ZS8MI has been active during the past week. However, activity has been on a net. It is recommand to start listening to 14245 kHz around 1400z. QSL via ZS6M. Visit the Web page at:

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