The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 952
BID: $OPDX.952
March 22, 2010
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, K1LZ, K1XN & GoList, NJ1Q, W2VU, NG3K & ADXO, N4AA & QRZ DX, KH6BZF, K6ND, W7VOA, K8AQM, K8GI, K8YSE, KG8CO, W8GEX (60m News), WD8MGZ, N0TG, A35A, AT International, DL2VFR, DL6UAA, DL7MAE & The DX News Letter, DX World.Net, F5NQL & UFT, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, JA1MFR, JA1XGI, MM0DFV, ON4ZD, ON5NT, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, Pete's- DX-Newsdesk, RSGB IOTA Web Site, VA3RJ & ICPO, VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) and VE8EV for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 14th-March, through Sunday, 21st-March there were 235 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1U, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C5, C6, CE, CE0Y, 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, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FS, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J5, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH2, KH6, KH9, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T32, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TL, TN, TR, TT, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9W, VP2E, VP2M, VP2V, VP5, VP6, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZF, ZK2, ZK3, 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).

3B8, MAURITIUS (AF-049)
Mart, DL6UAA, will once again be back in Mauritius as 3B8MM beginning April 4th; duration will be 3 weeks. Activity will be on 160-10 meters mostly CW. Some SSB and Digital will be possible. QSL via DL6UAA, by the Bureau or direct.

3B8, MAURITIUS (AF-049)
Slavo, SP2JMB, will once again be active from here between April 7­14th, but as 3B8SC this time. Activity will be on all HF bands using CW. QSL via his home callsign. View photos of Slavo's 2008 trip and operation as 3B8/SP2JMB at:

5D, MOROCCO
Operators Stefano/IK2QEI and Matteo/IK2SGC will be active with the special callsign 5D5A from CN3A contest station during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via I2WIJ or LoTW.

8P, BARBADOS
Tom, W2SC, will be active as 8P5A during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via LoTW or direct to NN1N.

8Q, MALDIVES
Bodo, DL3OCH, will be active as 8Q7QX from North Ari Atoll (AS-103) between March 21st and April 4th. Activity will be mainly on 40-12 meters (depending on conditions), mostly on CW and possibly some RTTY and PSK31, using an IC-7000 (w/100 watts only) into a vertical antenna. Bodo will also try some 80 meters, but there will not be any 160 meters activity. QSL via his home callsign. Look for the log to be uploaded to the LoTW after DXpedition.
ADDED NOTE: Bodo is also part of the crew that will be active on 6m, 2m, 70cm and 23cm EME. This EME crew consists of Hermann/DL2NUD (8Q7HP), Bodo/DL3OCH (8Q7QX), Dan/HB9CRQ (8Q7RQ) and Pierre/HB9QQ (8Q7QQ).

9H, MALTA
Steve, G0SGB, will be active as 9H3/G0SGB/p from Malta (EU-023, MIA MM-001, WLOTA LH-1113) between June 12-25th. He will also be active from Gozo Island (EU-023, MIA MM-004, WLOTA LH-0046) as 9H4/G0SGB/p. (No specific dates were provided). His activity will focus on lighthouse activations from Malta. QSL via his home callsign, direct only.

9Q, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Ghis, ON5NT (ex-9Q1NT), reports that Georges, VE2EK, will once again be active as 9Q1EK from Kinshasa very soon and will be the ONLY radio amateur station left in the DRC with a VALID LICENSE. According to George's BLOG http://ve2ek.blogspot.com (edited):

"Soon... ! After several months of standby, I will be again on air. Due to a QSY of my QRA (in flat now..!!!). I'm going to install very soon my station on my prof. radio broadcast site. The available hours will be reduced. Station will be FT2000 with a OM2500HF. Dipoles for 160, 80, 40 + Delta loop + beam on 45m tower. Major activity will be on CW."

A5, BHUTAN
Steve, W7VOA, is scheduled to be active again as A52SW next month in Thimpu from about April 23rd until, at least, May 1st. Activity is planned for CW and SSB, primarily 80-10 meters. RF output is limited to 100w, and his planned antenna is a full-length G5RV. Steve informs OPDX that he will be the sole operator. This is a work trip, so his activity will be limited mainly on the weekends and during the evening weekday hours. Paper QSLs go to his QSL Manager K2AU and e-QSLs via the LoTW only. Steve states (edited), "Although my goal is to complete DXCC for the A52SW callsign. I'll be happy to work as many North American and JA stations as I possibly can."

A7, QATAR (Special Event)
Look for special event station A71RCAR to be active during the "2010 Regional Conference on Amateur Radio" in Doha, April 4-6th. This year's event is being hosted by the "Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS - A71A) in collaboration with the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) in Region 1. A special QSL card will be available to commemorate this event. QSL via QARS Bureau: Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS), PO Box 22122, Doha, Qatar.

CQ NEWS
Richard Moseson, W2VU, Editor for CQ Amateur Radio, sent out the following press release March 16th: "Cam Hartford, N6GA, Named CQ Magazine QRP Editor -- Cam Hartford, N6GA, of Claremont, California, has been named QRP Editor of CQ Amateur Radio magazine, Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, announced today. Hartford succeeds Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, who passed away in January. Ingram's final bi-monthly QRP column appears in the April issue of CQ. Hartford's first column will be in the June issue.

QRP is the art of low-power ham radio communication. QRP enthusiasts typically use 5 watts or less to make contacts around the world. Many also enjoy building their own portable low-power gear and/or communicating from remote, temporary, locations.

Hartford, who works for book publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, has been a ham since 1961, when he was originally licensed in Ohio as WN8DJX. After moving to California, he was issued WA6PTX; then on upgrading to Extra Class, was able to choose his current callsign of N6GA.

Cam has been active in low-power operating for more than 20 years. From 1989-1991, he served on the Board of Directors of QRPARCI, the QRP Amateur Radio Club International. He also served as that organization's Contest Manager from 1993-1999. Since then, Hartford says, he has spent his ham radio time "building and operating little radios" and trying to find 'the perfect combination of radios, logging computers, power sources, wire antenna arrays and hot chocolate for a very excellent QRP Field Day.'

CQ Editor Rich Moseson said, 'I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with Cam, who comes highly recommended by well-known QRPers and CQ columnists Richard Fisher, KI6SN, and Rich Arland, K7SZ. Cam will have large shoes to fill, following in the footsteps of the late Dave Ingram, K4TWJ. Yet, one of Dave's strengths was his ability to draw on the talents and experiences of our readers, and I am sure that they will continue to provide the same sort of input to Cam as he continues our QRP column.'"

CY0, SABLE ISLAND
Randy, N0TG, informs OPDX: "Planning is continuing and we have identified MID-October for the operation. Commitments of support continue to come in, most recently from the German DX Foundation (GDXF), Tokyo 610 DX Group, 59-Magazine( Japan Ham Radio), Mississippi Valley DX/Contest Club, The Danish DX Group, JA1ELY, and loan of the Battle Creek Special antenna by W8UVZ and group. All sponsors' LOGOs are displayed on the Web site:

DXCC NEWS (8 year old receives DXCC certificate!)
Bill Moore, NC1L, Awards Branch Manager, reports that 8 year old William Ferguson, KJ4EYZ, was formally presented his DXCC certificate at a Virginia DX Century Club meeting by the club's Vice President, Ron Young, W8RJL, on March 16th. William is the son of Rich, N2XQM. His achievement makes him the youngest full member of the VaDXCC, and one of the youngest members of the DX Century Club. On a added note, William's 10-year old sister Carissa, KJ4EZA, has 82 countries worked - The DXCC expect to be be hearing from her shortly! To see William's presentation, go to:

FSDXA'S PLANS FOR 2011
Members of the Five Star DXers Association (FSDXA) are planning something in 2011 and will be heading to the Pacific Ocean this time. Specific destination has not been released yet. This group is well known for their great operations to: Comoros (D68C), St. Brandon Island (3B7C), Rodriguez Island (3B9C) and Spratley Islands (9M0C).

GB8, SCOTLAND (WFF Op)
Members of the GMFF team have applied for official permission to visit Rum National Nature Reserve (GMFF-058) located on the same name Isle of Rum (IOTA EU-008) and are planning to activate it between April 30th and May 3rd. They have applied for the special callsign GB8RUM to be used from the island during the DXpedition. More details are forth- coming on this WFF (New One) DXpedition. More information is available at:

GW9, WALES
Operators Steve/MW0ZZK and Mike/GW6NLP will be active as GW9T during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Multi-Op entry. QSL via GW6NLP.

HB0, LIECHTENSTEIN
Marc, OZ1MDX, will be active as HB0/OU4U between June 22-27th. Activity will be on the HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY and possibly PSK31. Direct QSL for HB0/OU4U is via Tim, M0URX (United Radio QSL Bureau). For Bureau QSL by E-mail requests, please visit:

IOTA NEWS
AS-118. Members of the Kuwait Amateur Radio Society (KARS - 9K2RA) will be active using a special callsign 9K2F from Failaka Island between April 1-5th. QSL via 9K2HN. Visit KARS Web page at:

EU-068. Operators Thomas/F4BCG, Patrick/F4FCS, Antoine/F5RAB, Christian/ F6AXN, Didier/F6DXE, Francis/F6DPD and Jacky/F8AEJ will be active as TM5EL from Sein Island (DIFM AT007) between April 7-14th. Activity will be on the HF bands, as well as 6m, 2m, 70cm and 23cm, using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via F6KHI.

EU-121. Olivier, ON4EI, will be active as EJ8GQW on a solo expedition to Bere Island, Ireland, between March 21-28th. Unfortunately, he does not operate CW, but will be active mainly on SSB and sometimes on RTTY. PLEASE NOTE: He has never managed a pile-up on RTTY, so be kind if you try to work him in this mode. Also, Olivier plans to be in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th). Look for additional info to be on:

NA-085. If you worked K9RR/4 and K8GI/4 this past weekend, you worked Bill and Rick, respectively, from St. George Island, FL. Using two stations, they were expected to be on CW, SSB, RTTY and possibly some satellite operations. QSL via their home callsign using the (QRZ.com) addresses.

NA-177. Operators Louis/VE2EZD and Jean-Pierre/VA2SG will be active as VA2SG from Bonaventure Island (CISA QC002) during the RSGB IOTA Contest on July 24th. Activity will be on 40 and 20 meters CW only, and operating QRP. QSL direct via VE2EZD using the (QRZ.com) address.

NA-182. (Update) John, VE8EV, informs us that contrary to what was reported in the last edition, a second operator for the expedition to Greens Island has been ruled out due to cost and logistical concerns. The trip is now scheduled to go ahead as a solo operation from April 15-20th, using the callsign CK8G (rare prefix as well!). Donations are still being sought to help cover the costs of travelling to this very rare Arctic IOTA. Full information can be found at:

JD1, OGASAWARA (Update)
Just a reminder that the "JD1 PROJECT 2010" will take place next weekend between March 28th and April 12th. Operators and their callsigns are: Ted/K8AQM (JD1BNM), Kirk/JF3MYU (JD1BNN), Brian/KG8CO (JD1BNJ), Stan/AC8W (JD1BNK) and Steve/K8KQY (JD1BNQ). Activity will be from Chichi-jima Island (AS-031), on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY (JD1BNJ only on RTTY). QSL JD1BNN direct to JF3MYU. QSL JD1BNM, JD1BNJ, JD1BNK, JD1BNQ direct to K8AQM, by the Bureau or LoTW. PLEASE NOTE to JA Operators: Do NOT send QSL to the JARL Bureau. Send SASE direct to K8AQM, except QSL request for JD1BNN. A web site is now up and will have online logs. Visit the "JD1/o Ogasawara 2010" Web page at:

KH0, MARIANA ISLANDS
Nine years old Yoshiki, JF1UCV, is planning to be in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as KH0UA, from the Aquarius Beach Tower Contest Club's radio shack (AH0BT), as a rookie Single-Op/ All-Band/High-Power entry. Yoshiki has just upgraded his licence to Amateur Extra, and it will be his first experience as an entry in this DX contest. QSL via JF1UCV.

KH6BZF PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (For March 22-28th)

 Mar  22   HN-LN        SOLAR REFERENCE KEYS
 Mar  23   LN-HN        --------------------
 Mar  24    AN          BN - Below Normal
 Mar  25    AN          AN - Above Normal/Geomagnetic Level is QUIET
 Mar  26    AN          LN - Low Normal
 Mar  27    AN          HN - High Normal/Geomagnetic Level is UNSETTLED
 Mar  28    AN          DIS  - Disturbed
                        VDIS - Very Disturbed


   GEOMAGNETIC REFERENCE
   ---------------------
   QUIET - The "A" index is expected to be between
           0-7 and the "K" index will be 2 or less
   UNSETTLED - The "A" index is expected to be between
           7-16 and "K" index will be 3 or less

P4, ARUBA
Stefan, DK1MM, will be active as P4/DK1MM between March 19th and April 1st. Activity will include the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry using the callsign P41M. QSL both callsign via DK1MM.

PJ2, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES (Also P4)
Seppo, OH1VR, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of GAREC [Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communi- cations] will be in Curacao (SA-006, WLOTA LH-0942) for some meetings with VERONA (IARU Member Society in the Netherlands Antilles) and hotel etc.. between March 23-30th. If time allows, he plans to be active as PJ2/OH1VR.
ADDED NOTE: Seppo may also have a one day operation as P41CW from Aruba on March 25th or 29th.

PJ4, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
Andy, W9NJY, will once again be active as PJ4/W9NJY from Bonaire (SA-006 and WLOTA L1279) between now and April 2nd. Activity is usually casual on 40-10 meters and mainly CW. QSL via WD9DZV or by the LoTW and eQSL.

PJ5, ST. EUSTATIUS (NETHERLANDS ANTILLES)
Joe/W8GEX has announced (along w/co-leader Joe/AA4NN) that plans are in the works to activate St. Eustatius this autumn when it becomes a new country. Their plans include 10 days of operations, with an international crew of operators, and at least four stations on the air 24/7. Look for more details to be forthcoming.

QSL INFO AND NEWS
MM0DGR/p via MM0DFV. Activity this past weekend (Saturday, March 20th) was from Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve (GMFF-011). The station will be located at the Caerlaverock Castle south of Bowhouse on the north coast of the Solway Firth (NY018651). Reference numbers: WAB Square NY06, QRA Locator IO84GW, EU Area SC06 (Dumfries and Galloway), IOTA EU-005 and WLOTA LH-1234. More information is available at:

QSLS VIA LoTW: None Reported This Week!

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3B8DB, 3D20CR, 6Y7AM, HB0/DL2OBO, M0OVL/p, VP8DMN, XR0Y and Z21DXI

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 5J0E, 5K0CW, 5X4X, 7P8FC, J3/DL5AXX, J3/DL7CM, K9FD/KH6, NP2B, RK2FWA, T94B, TM9R, S79NS, UA6LV and VP6PR

ST, SUDAN
Robert, S53R, will be active as ST2AR from Khartoum during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via S53R.

SZ1, GREECE
Members of the Technological Educational Institute of Athens will be active as SZ1TEIA during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Multi-Single entry. Operators mentioned are: Tom/SV1BFW and Yiannis/ SV5FRI. Listen for a QSL route.

T30, WESTERN KIRIBATI
Haru, JA1XGI/W8XGI, informs OPDX that he will be active once again from Western Kiribati as T30XG or T30/T32XG between June 3-9th. Activity will be on 40-6 meters, including 30/17/12m, using CW and the Digital modes. QSL via JA1XGI, direct or by the Bureau.

T32, EASTERN KIRIBATI (Update)
Operators Nils/SM6CAS, Steve/G4EDG, Mike/K9AJ, Derek/G3KHZ and Steve/9M6DXX are now on their way sailing to Malden Island (OC-279) as of March 20th; the first of 4 uninhabited IOTAs to be activated in the Southern Line Islands group. As per their Web page (dated March 21st, 08:15), the team sailing boarded the "S/V Kwai", did not have favorable wind at present and their estimated time on the sea is "at least 3 more days". Watch their Web page for an accurate arrival time.

The callsign to be used on Malden Island will be T32MI. Their length of stay is not known. The team wants to remind everyone that this is "primarily an IOTA operation". They will be "concentrating on providing a contact with as many different stations as possible irrespective of band or mode". Activity will therefore be 80-10 meters using CW and SSB, "whichever is providing the best propagation conditions at the time." There will be no operations on 6m moon bounce, RTTY, PSK, low band SSB, 160m etc, etc. For more details and updates, visit the T32 Southern Line Islands DXpedition's Web page at:

TM8, FRANCE (Special Event)
Members of the Radio Club Haut-Rhin (REF68) will activate special event station TM68X between April 5-18th. Activity is to celebrate "World Amateur Radio Day" on April 18th. The club will also organize a special exhibit at the MJC Fernand Anna de Wittenheim in Upper Rhine. QSL via F8BUO. Visit their Web page at:

V2, BARBUDA AND ANTIQUA
Randy, WD8MGZ, will be active as V25WV from Codrington Village on Barbuda (NA-100) between April 24th and May 1st. For frequencies and schedules, use Twitter.com and search wd8mgz. Also, contact Randy via echolink (V21RW-R). He will be using a Icom 706 and a Yaseu 2 meter mobile. For more information, use the Web site:

VP5/VP50, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Dave, W5CW, will once again be active as VP5/W5CW between March 23rd and April 6th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters (this will include 30/17/12m) using CW and SSB. He will also be in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry using the special callsign VP50V. QSL via PO Box 88, Morris, OK 74445-0088.

VP8, FALKLAND ISLANDS
Iain, M0PCB, is now active from the RAF Amateur Radio Club Station located at Mount Pleasant Airport using the callsigns VP8FIR or VP8RAF until April 7th. QSNs show that he has been on 15 meters CW. QSL via his home callsign. QSL cards will be printed once Iain is back in the UK.

WH0, MARIANA ISLANDS
Eri, JF1VGZ (10 year old YL OP), will be active as WH0/WH7ZJ during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/ 10m-Band/Low-Power entry. QSL via JF1VGZ.

WH0, MARIANA ISLANDS
Kuro, AL5A (JH0MGJ), will once again be active as WH0/AL5A from Saipan Island (OC-086), Northern Mariana Islands (KH0), between April 24-26th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW and SSB. He plans to listen especially for "weak" European stations. QSL direct to JA7JEC. Send Bureau QSLs to the JARL Bureau to JH0MGJ.

WRTC 2010 (Russia)
Krassy Petkov, K1LZ, U.S. Fundraiser for the WRTC 2010 Organizing Committee, reports: "I am writing to you today to ask for your financial support of the upcoming WRTC Championship Competition that is being held in Moscow, Russia, this coming July 2010. As you may already know, this event is the 'Olympics of Amateur Radio' and about 50 teams from all over the world will compete for Gold, Silver and Bronze in the fields near Moscow.

This time, teams will be set up in tents with generators supplying the power and special new rules will allow both operators to make contacts in a modified form of SO2R with interlocked radios ­ meaning only one signal at a time is permitted on the air.

Our Russian friends have laid on what sounds like a wonderful week of amateur competition for competitors and spectators alike! There will be some side-trips for visitors and, of course, WRTC week always provides wonderful opportunities for socializing and just 'hanging out' with some of the very best amateur radio contesting operators in the world. This will be 'the place to be this July' ­ no doubt about it!

Putting on an event of this magnitude is no small effort both in terms of time and monetary expense. If you are a competitor or plan to be a spectator, I ask that you please consider making a donation to this worthy effort. If you are potentially a corporate sponsor, I also ask for your support in the name of international brotherhood and radiosport com- petition. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law for USA taxpayers and can be made as follows:

Please make your check payable to 'NCDXF'. In the lower left corner, write 'For WRTC 2010'. Kindly mail it to Mr. Rusty Epps, W6OAT, 651 Handley Trail, Emerald Hills, CA 94062 USA. For Pay-Pal or credit card donations, please use the NCDXF website

XV2, VIETNAM
Retu, OH4MDY (OX3RZ/XU7MDY/XV2MDY), will once again be active as XV2RZ from Southeast Vietnam between March 26th and April 6th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using the "normal modes". QSL only direct via OH4MDY with a SASE and 2 USDs.

YI, IRAQ (Update)
Plans for the YI9PSE DXpedition to Kurdistan is progressing and the operation will take place in about two weeks. The YI9PSE team reported this past week that they shipped 1600KG of radio gear to IRAQ. Their equipment consists of five Icom IC-7600s, four Acom amps, numerous antennas and over 5000' of coax. For more details and updates, visit:

ZK3, TOKELAU
Operators Bill/N7OU and Bob/W7YAQ continue to be active as ZK3OU and ZK3YA, from Te Mahina (The Moon) guesthouse on the six-mile wide Nukunonu lagoon, until March 25th, unless the boat schedule changes. Bob states, "Te Mahina is owned by Zak, the General Manager of Nukunonu atoll. We occupy one upstairs bedroom facing the lagoon as the ham shack, and use another upstairs room to sleep. There is a large eating area downstairs. Zak’s sister Lydia cooks our meals and does our laundry.

A DXers paradise!!! The U.S. is straight across the lagoon to the northeast, Europe north, Japan northwest, and South America east. It's a great radio QTH. We have one HF9V on the neighboring property to the east. It is great — no noise, and away from tin roofs. The other HF9V is on the seawall directly in front of the house — more manmade noise, and about an S-unit poorer on the higher bands. Our 160 antenna to the left, among the palms about 75 feet from the water — not an ideal spot, and we had to move it once because the palm fronds were banging into it during a windy 2 day period.

160 condx have been very poor, and we are trying to figure out what to do to improve our signal. We would like to get it out near the water and away from the palms, but there is lots of wave action in the lagoon and the villagers use the beach for their boats. We are getting out well on the other bands, especially on the east HF9V. We have been able to work into Europe on 12/15 meters — eastern EU at our sunset, western EU at our sunrise." The duo's activity has been on CW, SSB, RTTY and the lower bands. QSL via their home callsigns.

ZL7, CHATHAM ISLAND
Operator Kaz Oya, ZL3JP, will be active from here between April 28th and May 3rd. He will use ZL7J, a special and temporary callsign issued only to ZL3JP for this operation from Chatham Island. Kaz is planning to arrive on Chatham Island (OC-038) on April 27th, and will be leaving on May 4th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW and SSB. His QSL Manager is JH1HRJ. QSL by the Bureau, direct (w/SASE) and/or e-QSL is also planned.

ZS8M PIRATE?
Pierre, ZS1HF, reports this past week: "Hi All, Yes, in true tradition, we will have an idiot pirating my callsign - ZS8M. Shame on you! Please note....ZS8M will only be operational from approx 15 May 2010. Before I get operational, I will notify you all via qrz.com once I am ready. Please do not entertain any idiot pirating my call sign before I make the announcement. My technical training is progressing well. The complete team gathers on Tuesday 23 March in Cape Town to start team training - fire fighting, first aid and cooking.
73 for now..... Pierre ZS1HF"

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