The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 695
BID: $OPDX.695
January 24, 2005
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, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4ZLE, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4WX, K8YSE, K9EL, K0IR & K4UEE, N0VD, 4L2M, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, DL2VFR, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, HA9PP, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I1HYW, I2YSB, IZ8BRI, IZ8CCW, J6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, OE3MZC, OZ6OM & OZ50MHz DX News and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 16th/January, through Sunday, 23rd/January there were 217 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9Q, 9U, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C6, C9, CE, CE0A, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D4, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FH, FK, FM, FO, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HC, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J5, J6, J7, JA, JT, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, 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, PZ, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T30, T32, T5, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TN, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK0M, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZF, ZK1/s, 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).

3D2/R, ROTUMA ISLAND (Also Fiji)
By the time you read this, Eli/HA9RE and Charlie/HA8IB have left Budapest, and they are expected to be active as 3D2RE/R from Rotuma Island (OC-060), January 26th through February 22nd. Activity will be on all bands 160-10 meters on CW/SSB/RTTY. They plan to have two stations on the air. They also plan to participate in the CQ WW 160 Meter CW Contest and ARRL DX CW Contest. On their return trip, look for them to be active from Fiji (OC-016) for a few days as 3D2RE, starting on February 23rd. QSL direct only via HA8IB. No Bureau QSLs.

3Y0X PETER I ISLAND DXPEDITION UPDATE (New Dates)
On January 21st, the following was a press release sent out by Team Co-leaders Ralph Fedor, K0IR, and Bob Allphin, K4UEE: "Our last press release announced a delay in the 3Y0X Dxpedition to Peter I. We can now give you more specific information.

The vessel we have chartered could not meet the original sailing date. The renovations and modifications taking place on the ship were not completed on schedule. K4UEE and LA6VM just returned from a visit to Chile that included an inspection of the team's chartered vessel, a meeting with the CEO of the charter company and the shipyard project supervisor, and an inspection of the team's equipment/supplies in our sea container stored in Punta Arenas.

We were disappointed to see that the ship is still not ready. Work is progressing, however, and the charter company tells us they expect to be ready to sail for Peter I on February 10. We are not entirely confident the work can be completed on time, but the team is prepared to assemble in Punta Arenas, Chile on February 8.

If all things go well, we will arrive at the island about 6-7 days after departure, depending on the route, weather, and ice conditions. Our landing operations will commence immediately once the weather allows for safe helicopter operation.

We will first establish a safe, secure, and self-sufficient camp. Once this is complete we will begin setting up stations and antennas. We will be on the air as soon as possible, but this too is dependent on the conditions on the island. Blizzards, high winds, and low visibility are very real potential problems. We still plan to bring up 9 stations with amplifiers and a large array of antennas. Despite the schedule change, the team still hopes to spend 2 full weeks on the island. And, very importantly, our entire team remains intact.

The state of preparation of the ship, the location, complex logistics, weather, and sea ice are all challenges and largely out of our control. We will do all that is within our power to complete this DXpedition safely and within this new time frame. If all goes well and we sail as planned on February 10, we will return to Punta Arenas on March 10th. Check our web site, www.peterone.com, regularly for updates."

4L, GEORGIA
Mamuka, 4L2M, has announced that he will be active in both the CQ WW 160 CW and CQ WW 160 SSB Contest. QSL via the information on (QRZ.com).

6O0, SOMALIA (Update)
Silvano, I2YSB, updates OPDX and its readers on the upcoming February 3-17th DXpedition to Somalia. The tentative transmitting frequencies for 6O0CW (CW and RTTY) and 6O0G (SSB) are as follows:

CW - 1820, 3505, 7005, 10115, 14055, 18095, 21055, 24910, 28055, 50100
SSB - 1840, 3790, 7050, 14210, 18140, 21270, 24960, 28450, 50110
RTTY - 3560, 7035, 10130, 14079, 18120, 21080, 24935, 28080 kHz

Silvano states, "We understand that proposed frequencies may sound 'unusual', however we made this proposal due to the recent delays announced by the 3Y0X major expedition to Peter One Island, originally scheduled for late January-early February but now probably overlaying our 6O schedule. Our aim is to minimize QRM, avoid confusion and give everybody a better opportunity to work us. Comments and suggestions are welcome, and please note that new frequencies might be selected based on actual local conditions. We expect to start operations on February 3 evening (UTC)." Comments and questions can be sent via E--mail to: i2ysb@i2ysb.com For more information and updates, please visit the following Web page at:

8P, BARBADOS
Tom, W2SC, will be active as 8P5A in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 19-20th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via NN1N.

9H, MALTA
Several sources report that Chris, G0WKJ, is expected to now be active as 9H3CT until February 25th. No QSNs have been reported as of yet. QSL via his home callsign.

9M6, EAST MALAYSIA
Rich, PA0RRS, will be active as 9M6/PA0RRS from Sabah, Borneo Island (IOTA OC-088), February 3-13th. QSL via his home callsign, by the Bureau or direct to: Richard Smeets, Schoorveken 100, 5121NM Rijen, The Netherlands.

CARIBBEAN OPERATION (V2 and VP2M)
Operators Larry/W1LR and Bill/W4WX, members of the Florida DXPedition Group, Inc., will operate from Antigua as V25LR and V25WX, respectively, from February 21-24th. They will then travel to Montserrat on the 24th and operate from the Volcano Island, February 24th through March 2nd, using the callsigns VP2MHS (W1LR) and VP2MHX (W4WX). The activity will primarily be on PSK-31 and RTTY on 20/17/15/12/10/6 meters. QSL direct only to their home callsigns.

CN2, MOROCCO
Jim, K7EJ, will be active from here starting February 22nd. While there, he is expected to be active as CN2J in three different contests. Look for him to be in the CQ WW 160mSSB Contest (February 26-27th) as a Single-Op/High-Power entry. Also, look for him to be in the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 5-6th) and CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry in both contests. Look for activity outside the contests on the WARC bands. QSL via W7EJ.

CY9, ST. PAUL ISLAND
There is a summer CY9 operation planned for 2005. The CY9SS DXpedition is scheduled to take place between June 7th and July 7th. The list of operators include: Robert/VY2RO, Grant/W1AIM, Jim/VE9WH, William/VY2LI, Justin/K9MU, Robert/VY2SS, Doug/VE1PZ, Glenn/VE9GJ, Lowell/VY2OX, Steve/VE2TKH and Dave/VA2DV. The team is planning activity for the following:

2m weak signal SSB/CW/WSJT-M/S-EME 2 HF stations
6m station on Europe 24/7 6m station NA/SA

"DAYTON HAMVENTION® NEWS" (SWODXA DX DINNER)
Jay, K4ZLE, informs OPDX that the SouthWest Ohio DX Association is pleased to sponsor the 20th annual DX Dinner to be held in conjunction with the 2005 Dayton HamVention®. The dinner will be Friday evening, 20th May, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, located in Dayton city center. This is the same venue as in years past. They are also pleased to announce no increase in cost. Tickets are 34.00 USD per meal, payable in US funds, and may be ordered from Jay Slough, K4ZLE, at his CBA. They will attempt to honor group seating requests when tickets are ordered together. There are eight seats per table and seating is limited. Program details will be announced as soon as they are finalized. This is an excellent opportunity to meet/renew acquaintance with some of the ops you work and compete against away from the hustle and bustle of HamVention® itself. Further information may be obtained from Jay at:

FS, ST. MARTIN
John, K9EL, plans to operate as FS/K9EL from February 16-26th. He will be on holiday with his family, but they are very understanding for his need to be on the radio! John will be active during the ARRL DX CW Contest to hand out multipliers but not as a serious entry. He will be using a vertical for 10/12/15/17/20 meters and will string some wires for 30/40 meters, and if possible 80 meters as well. A 160m operation is very unlikely. He will only use 100w, no amplifier. No PSK or RTTY. QSL via his home callsign. Skeds are "OK" via E-mail at:

IOTA NEWS
AF-004. Frank, DL1JFI, will be active from Fuerteventura Island (DIE S-006, EAA: GC) between January 29th and February 5th. Activity will be on all bands, mostly CW. QSL via his home callsign (QRZ.com).

AS-140. The "425 DX News" is reporting that Manjurul/S21AM and Dave/EI3IO will be active as S3A from Bhola Island during their February 4-7th operation. No details were provided on bands/modes of operation. Their logs will be available on-line (and on LoTW per "The Daily DX") after their operation at:

EU-023. Roger, G4IPE, will be active as 9H3RW from Gozo Island, January 31st through February. Activity will be mainly on 20 meter SSB (IOTA frequency 14.260 MHz). QSL via his home callsign, direct (QRZ.com) or by the bureau.

EU-170. A team of operators from 9A1A are expected to activate the Veli Rat Lighthouse (CRO-183) on Dugi Otok (IOCA CI-018), January 27-30th.

J6, ST. LUCIA
Dave, K3LP, will be active from here February 15-22nd. Look for him to sign J6R in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 19-20th) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry. For activity before and after the contest, he will sign J6/K3LP. QSL both callsign via K3LP.

KH0, MARIANA ISLANDS
Shun/JH7IMX and Takashi/JF1MIA will be active from here between January 28-31st. Look for Takashi/JF1MIA to be active as KH0A in the CQ WW 160m CW Contest (January 29-30th) and Shun/JH7IMX to be active as K7WD/KH0 in the UK DX RTTY Contest (January 29-30th). QSL KH0A via JF1MIA and K7WD/KH0 via JH7IMX.

MD4, ISLE OF MAN
Martin, G4XUM, will be active as MD4K for the CQ WW 160m SSB Contest (February 26-27th). QSL via G3NKC.

MU, GUERNSEY
Rich, M5RIC, will be active as MU5RIC/p from here March 24-28th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters SSB only and will include a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power T/S entry in the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as MU2Z. QSL both callsigns via M5RIC.

OE50, AUSTRIA (Special Event)
Mike, OE3MZC (ex-VK3FPF, ex-8Q7MZ), President of Austrian Amateur Radio Society, informs/reminds OPDX readers that all Austrian radio amateurs are allowed to use OE50 prefix instead of their ususal OE(1-9) prefixes (ex: OE1XHQ is now OE50XHQ. QSL via OE1XHQ). The use of the OE50 prefix is to celebrate Austria's 50th anniversary in the signing of the state treaty in 1955 leading to their independence after World War II. The use of the special prefix OE50 is valid from January 1, 2005, until December 31, 2005.

OOPPPSS DEPARTMENT
In last week's bulletin (OPDX.694), under "XV2, VIETNAM (IOTA Op)", the date (at the end) was missing from the following text: "By the time you read this, operator Masa, JA7GAX, is expected to be active as XV2G from Con Son Island (IOTA AS-130) until 1700z January 23rd."

P4, ARUBA
John, W2GD, will be here February 23rd through March 8th. Look for him to be active as P40W in the CQ WW 160m SSB Contest (February 26-27th) as Single-Op/High-Power entry. He will also be active in the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 5-6th) as Single-Op/High-Power entry. Activity before and after both contests will be on CW and the WARC bands. QSL via N2MM.

PJ2, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
Operators Jerry/WB9Z, Tom/AE9B, Martin/NW0L, Jeff/K8ND and Geoff/W0CG will be active as PJ2T from Curacao in the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 5-6th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via N9AG.

PJ7, ST.MAARTEN
While on vacation, Ron/ND5S and Sue/KF5LG will once again operate from Dutch St. Maarten (IOTA NA-105) as PJ7/ND5S and PJ7/KF5LG, respectively, from February 6-26th. Ron will be active as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry in both the CQ/RJ RTTY WPX Contest (February 12-13th) and the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 19-20th). Pre-contest activity will be on CW/RTTY/SSB and on 160-10 meters. Ron states some 20,000 contacts have been made from here in his past operations. For more details, please visit the Web site:

QSL INFO AND NEWS
TOP 5 QSL MANAGERS FOR 2004 SURVEY UPDATE. John, K1XM, reports that the final days for the TOP 5 QSL MANAGER nominations for 2004 are coming to an end on January 31st. He states, "As the end date is approaching to send in your 5 nominees for the TOP 5 QSL MANAGERS for 2004, my mailbox has been flooded by European DXers. It seems that these folks have more interest in the QSL Manager system than USA folks. Well, at least they are responding at a margin of 7 to 1 now. Just over 2000 DXers have made nominations for this year's survey, so I don' think we will surpass last years mark, but many more NON USA DXers responded this year. When the final tally is made, it will be interesting to compare the 2003 winners with the new 2004 winners. I know how it is looking, but I am NOT telling. There will be 5 pleasantly surprised QSL Managers this year when a package arrives at their door. Thanks to the very generous GOLISTER who donated all 5 plaques this year and to those that have sent donations towards the shipping expenses. All is very much appreciated. All for now, have a great DXing week." Send your 5 or less nominations to: golist@golist.net Please, put in the "SUBJECT:" line TOP 5 NOMINATIONS.

QSLS FOR DL7FT (Silet Key). Ric, DL2VFR, reports that Frank, DL7FT, became a silent key some months ago - he used to QSL only direct. His old postal box in Berlin remained active for a while but is now closed. If there are still QSL requests, - they need to be sent to: Frau Sigrid HANDKE, DL7CN, Quakerstrasse 21, 13403 BERLIN, GERMANY.

QSL TO7DSR and TO7ACR via the Bureau (RADIO CLUB ACRA): Radio Club A.C.R.A Guadeloupe, BP 126, Messagerie, Pointe-A-Pitre, CEDEX 97110, GUADELOUPE. Club's Web site: http://site.voila.fr/acra-radioclub For help, contact FG1JD.

VP5/N0VD QSL STATUS
Kelly, N0VD, informs OPDX that he has answered all direct requests for his VP5 trip in October/November 2004. The last batch of DX bound cards went out on Saturday. Bureau cards are just starting to trickle in, and those will be returned via the bureau as time permits.

TO0, MARTINIQUE
Just a reminder that Thomas, KC0W, will be active as TO0O from January 27th through February 13th. His activity will include an entry in the CQ WW 160 Meter CW Contest (next weekend) as Single-Op/ High-Power entry. QSL direct to KC0W.

TO5, MARTINIQUE
Al, F5VHJ, will once again be active as TO5A for the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 5-6th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via F5VHJ.

V3, BELIZE
Members of the NEWDXA will be operating from V31MD's shack from March 2-9th. The operators George/W9MDP, John/NZ9Z and Tom/W8JWN will also be in the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 5-6th) as a Multi-2 entry. The contest callsign and QSL info will be announced later. Look for activity on all bands and modes, 80-6 meters, before and after the contest.

V4, NEVIS
Mark, K0EJ, will be active as V44/K0EJ (possibly a special contest callsign) during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 19-20th) as as Single-Op/Single-Band (15m)/Low-Power entry.

VK0M, MACQUARIE ISLAND
Dave, VK0MT (VK3KR), was heard this past week mainly on 20 meters SSB. Watch 14205 and 14245 kHz between 0630-1330z. Also, watch 40 meters (7085 kHz) between 1100-1130z. QSL via JE1LET.

XV3, VIETNAM (Also Taiwan)
Operators JA9BV and JA3DYU will be vacationing in Vietnam and Taiwan during middle March. Look for them to be active as XV3BV and XV3DYU from the ancient town of Hoi An, March 14-17th. The two operators will leave from Saigon to Taipei, Taiwan, on March 18th, and will operate as BW2/JA9BV and BX2/JA3DYU until the 23rd. Activity will be on mostly SSB and CW. Suggested frequencies are:

CW - 3515, 7014, 14040, 21040 kHz
SSB - 3540, 7040, 14160, 21160 KHz

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