The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1184
BID: $OPDX.1184
October 13, 2014
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, K1XN & GoList, NJ1Q & W1AW, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, WA3RHW, N4AA & QRZ DX, K5WE, AA6RE, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m News, AT International, CE5WQO, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DL1SBF, DxCoffee.com, DX-World.Net, EA5RM, ES1CW, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, IK7JWY, OH2BH, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, RN3RQ, RSGB IOTA Web Site, S50A, Sixitalia Weekly, VA3RJ & ICPO, and the VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) for the following DX information.

SPECIAL NOTICE BY EDITOR
OPDX Webmaster John, K8YSE's, satellite grid expedition trip has come to an end as of October 1st, and he is now signing as K8YSE/7 from Mesa, Arizona. He states,

"We operated in 27 different grids, most of them very rare, and we saw some beautiful country and weather conditions from snow to rain and hail. Most of the time it was warm and sunny. We operated from South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada and Arizona and drove over 7300 miles in 27 days. We tent camped (about 65%) as weather and time permitted. All equipment functioned throughout the trip. An Icom 910H, computer controlled, was used on the linear birds and a Kenwood V7A was used on the SO-50 FM bird. Arrow antennas were used exclusively and performed well." ADDED NOTE: John also informed me that "All of the September's Bulletins are now formatted in HTML for easier reading."

PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations or more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work First Worry Later".

3B9, RODRIGUES ISLAND
By the time you read this, Diego, F4HAU, will be leaving Reunion Island (AF-016) and will be heading to his next African island, Rodrigues Island (AF-017) to be active as 3B9/F4HAU between October 13-17th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters SSB using a FT857D with a HLA amp (300W) into verticals and VDA antennas. He will return to Reunion Island as FR/F4HAU and be active as FR/F4HAU. QSL both operations via home callsigns.

4L, GEORGIA
Operator Gia, 4L4WW, will be active as 4L0A from Obcha (Western Georgia) during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th) as a Single-Op/Single-All/High-Power entry. QSL via LoTW or via EA7FTR. He states, "PLEASE do not send QSL cards direct to him".

4L, GEORGIA
Operator Vaho, 4L8A, will be active during the CQWW DX CW Contests (November 29-30th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m) entry. QSL via K1BV or LoTW.

5R, MADAGASCAR
Eric, F6ICX, will once again be active as 5R8IC from Saint Marie Island (AF-090) between November 3rd and December 12th. Activity will be holiday style on all HF bands operating maily CW, but some SSB, RTTY, and PSK63, using a FT450 with 100 watts into various GPs or Inverted-Ls and a Hexbeam for 20-10 meters. There will be no online log during his activity. QSL via his home callsign (QRZ.com). Logs will be uploaded to ClubLog and LoTW.

6Y, JAMAICA
Armin, DK9PY will be active as 6Y6N from Saint Elizabeth between November 26th and December 17th. Activity will be holiday style on the HF bands using his FT-857 into an inverted L. Look for him to be in the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 29-30th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry using Josh, 6Y5WJ, station. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.

7P, LESOTHO
"The Daily DX" reports that Nick, G3RWF, is heading back to Southern Africa for a 5 week holiday starting in Lesotho and being active as 7P8NH between December 11-14th. Listen for him on the higher bands on CW (no SSB). QSL via G3RWF.

8Q, MALDIVES
Valery, UA3QNS, is now active as 8Q7SN from Horubadhoo, Baa Atoll, Maldives (AS-013) until October 16th. He mentions on QRZ.com, "Unfortunately, during transport my CW key was broken. Attempts to work with the computer nothing good resulted. But any way I will try work CW. Will be active 10m-20m SSB and time to time CW only." He is using 100w into a GP Cushcraft R5 on the beach. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau, eQSL and LoTW (best way). Log will be on ClubLog at:

9K, KUWAIT
Abdallah, 9K2GS, will be on during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via EA5KB or LoTW.

9Y4, TRINDADE AND TOBAGO
Chris, 9Y4D (ex-9Y4NZ), will be active during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (15m)/Low-Power entry. QSL via 9Y4D (see QRZ.com), LoTW or eQSL.

AH0, MARIANA ISLANDS
Operators Jussi-Pekka/OH6RX and Esa/OH7WV will be active during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th) as AH0K from the Mariana Intrepid Contest Club on Tinian Island as a Multi-2 entry. Also, Harry/WX8C will join the team later for the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 29-30th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL both operations via OH6GDX. Look for possible activity a day or two before the contests.

CE0Z, JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLAND
Felipe, CE5WQO, will be active as CE0Z/CE5WQO from Juan Fernandez Island (SA-005) between November 19-27th. He informs OPDX that this will be a vacation, so operations will be holiday style on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Equipment will be an Icom IC-746Pro + Icom PS 125 with a Yaesu FL-2100z amp (600w) into a W8AMZ G5RV antenna and 2 element yagi for 10m.
PLEASE NOTE: Felipe would like to know which bands and modes the HAM community needs for CE0Z. Also, if any one wants to sponsor a better antenna, to please contact him so he can receive any package at his address in Miami, FL. QSL via KA3LKM (w/2 IRCs or greenstamps).

CN, MOROCCO
Operators Roberto/EA2RY (CN2RY), Julio/EA5XX (CN2XX), Manuel/EA7AJR (CN2JR) and Antonio/EA5RM (CN2C) will be on the air from Rabat between October 22-27th. Activity will be on the HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via their home callsigns. For more details, log search and updates, visit:

DXCC NEWS
The following has been accepted/approved by the ARRL DXCC Desk for DXCC credit:

E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS
Just a reminder that Bill, N7OU, will once again be operating as E51NOU from Rarotonga (OC-013), South Cook Islands, between October 13th and November 9th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, CW only, in his spare time as work allows. QSL via N7OU.

FT4T, TROMELIN (Press Release, October 10th)
Flo, F5CWU, sent out and posted an interesting article called "Conversation with Jacques FR5ZU..." on the FT4TA Web page at:

IOTA NEWS
AF-019. (Correction - Not AF-109) Miran, S50O, will operate as IG9/S50O from Lampedusa Island, QTH Punto Alaimo (WW LOC JM65HM) until end of November. Miran will participate in both SSB and CW CQWW Contests as IO9Y team member in Multi/Multi entry from ZONE 33. All QSLs for IG9/S50O via his home callsign by the Bureau, direct with SASE + 2 USDs or Clublog's OQRS. Cards will be ready to print soon into 2015, LoTW later.

AS-026. Members of the Korea Contest Club (KCC) will be active as D70LW from Cheju Island during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via DS4NYE. Log also will be uploaded to LoTW after the operation. Operators mentioned are Han/DS2GOO, YeonSun/DS4DBF, SeungMin/DS4NYE, Rocky/HL1VAU, Kijun/HL3AMO, Kang/HL4HGE and possibly others.

AS-200. Operators Taka/JS6ROO and Takeshi "TAKE"/JI3DST(JS6RRR) will be active as JS6ROO/5 (CW/SSB/FM/AM/DIGI), JS6RRR/5 (SSB/CW) and JI3DST/5 (RTTY/FM), respectively, from Shodo Island (in the Shikoku's Coastal Islands) between 0700z, November 1st and 2300z, November 3rd. Activity will be on 40/30/20/17/15/ 12/10/6 meters. This operation is subject to change because of bad WX or other conditions. QSL JS6ROO/5 via the Bureau (NEVER SEND DIRECT!!). QSL JS6RRR/5 and JI3DST/5 via the Bureau or by ClubLog's OQRS. Please check QRZ.com for more details.

KH8, AMERICAN SAMOA (Reminder)
Masahiro, JH3PRR, will be active as KH8B from Pago Pago between October 21-27th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters with a focus on 10 meters CQ ZONE 14 and 80/160m for AS/EU LP. He also plans to be in the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th) as a Single-Op/ All-Band/High-Power entry. Equipment: K3+2K-FA 1.5kW. 10-20m HEXBEAM and 30-160m VDP. QSL via JH3PRR or LoTW (preferred). OQRS via ClubLog will also be available too.

OH-DX-RING (Press Release: 50th Anniversary Party)
Martti, OH2BH, sent out the following Thurday, October 9th [info maybe late, but interesting]:

OF2AM / OH0AM / OJ0AM --- SET TO REACH ALAND ISLANDS THIS FRIDAY, 10TH OF OCTOBER

Pekka, OH2TA, and Martti, OH2BH, will activate the original OH0AM this weekend in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the prominent Contest Club of Finland which ruled the airwaves in those other ancient years. OH0AM and OF2AM may also energize the bands a few more times during the jubilee year 2014.

See http://qrz.com/db/OH0AM

OH0AM was first aired in 1965 and the club has been active ever since - often heard sporting slick callsigns such as OG0A, OH0B, OH0R and OH0X from Brando, the easternmost of Aland Islands. Meanwhile, OJ0B and OJ0AM have kept Market Reef on the air since the reef gained its DXCC status.

You are most welcome to join and salute the party. QSL via OH2BH. Recent OJ0AM operation will be added to LoTW momentarily.

PJ2, CURACAO
Operators Martin/K2PLF, Jeff/K8ND, Gene/KB7Q, Bill/K9HZ, Lee/KY7M, Rich/N0YY, Fred/NA2U, Jim/W8WTS, Geoff/W0CG (PJ2DX), Kyle/WA4PGM, Joerg/DF9LJ and possibly others will be active from the Caribbean Contesting Consortium's (CCC) Signal Point contest station on Curacao Island (SA-099, WLOTA 0942) between November 18th and December 2nd. The team's main focus will be on the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 29-30th) as a Multi/? entry using the callsign PJ2T. Outside the contest, operators will be signing PJ2/homecall or their own personal PJ2 callsign. QSL PJ2T via W3HNK. QSL PJ2DX direct to W0CG. QSL all others via their home callsigns.

PJ7, SINT MAARTEN
Jeff, K5WE will be active as PJ7/K5WE from Sint Maarten (NA-105) starting October 25th through November 2nd. Activity will be on 80-6 meters, mostly CW and some RTTY and some SSB in the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th). Logs will be uploaded daily to ClubLog, and to LoTW shortly after his return home. Jeff states that he will be trying out a new antenna for 30 meters, and hopes to have a better signal on 30m than with the dipoles on previous trips. QSL via his home callsign, or via ClubLog's OQRS request.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (October 13-19th)

 Oct/13th AN      Oct/16th  LN      Oct/18th  AN
 Oct/14th AN      Oct/17th  HN      Oct/19th  AN
 Oct/15th 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

  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (October 12th)
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2SZ via M0OXO            K6M via N7LE           SE4E via SM4DQE
  5W0AG via SP7DQR         LI3C via LA9DFA        SG6T via SM6WET
  5W1SA via JA1DXA         M2G via M0OXO          SI2014ECC via SK2AT
  8Q7NS via UA3QNS         N2F via WX2S           SI9AM via SM3TIR
  9M2/HS1FVL via HS1FVL    OE/PA3FYG/P via PA3FYG SJ2W via SM2LIY (L/d)
  9M2/HS7BHK via HS7BHK    OE30EMS via OE3XMS     SK3W via SM5DJZ
  A61BM via A61BK (*)      OG1M via OH1VR (d)     SN60SKW via SP6KEO
  A92AA via IZ8CLM         OH0AM via OH2BH        SV9/DL1SAP via DL1SAP
  CP8MW via DF7NX          OH0V via OH6LI         TC0MI via TA1ED
  DP90RKS via DF6HF        OH1F via OH1AF         TI2ERS via TI0RC
  EA9/F6CTF via F6CTF (d)  OH8L via OH8LQ         TM100BD via F4KIW
  EG5VOR via EA5RKB        OP14T via ON2NL        TX5Z via N7QT
  GP0STH via G4DIY (d)     OU4ZZ/P via DL4ZZ      UK8GRM via RW6HS (d)
  GW0WBS via G0DZA         P40JR via N5JR         V6O via JH3QFL
  II0THOR via IZ0FVD       P40JW via NT5V         YJ0X via ZL3PAH
  II4CDN via IZ4FUE        PJ4DX via M0URX        ZK3Q via SP7DQR
  JW4GUA via JW4GUA (d/L)  PJ7/MM0NDX via MM0NDX  ZV14LABRE via PY2AA
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (L) LoTW only
    (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (*) New Manager

QSL RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 3W3B, 4W/G3ZEM, 8J2VE, 8P6SH, 9M2CNC, 9M2ESM, A52O, A92AA, CO2JD, CU7MD, DV1JM, EY8MM, IE9/IQ8QX, JA7ZFN, JH1GNU, JH4UTP, KL7SB, LU6DU, LW2EIY, LX7I, MW0ZZK, OH0Z, P49X, RK9UN, RT0Q, SV2DSJ, TF5B, T32RC, VK9AN and VU2NKS

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3B9EME, 5E7R, DU7ET, UK8IF and YB8RW/p

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3B9FR, 3V8SM, 4K9W, 5V7TH, 5W1SA, 9M2TO, 9M6XRO, A61QQ, AC2BF/KH2, BN0HQ, BU2AW, C50C, D2CQ, DS1RLZ/2, DS2XUM, DU1IST, DV1/JO7KMB, FY1FY, HZ1PS, HZ1SK, J88HL, MS0OXE, RI1ANF, T88TF, T8CW, T88XH, V5/DL3DXX, V73TS, VK9NT, XV9NPS, YJ0VK, ZA/OK1FCJ, ZD8O, ZD8UW and ZK3N

V6, MICRONESIA
Naoki, JS3LSQ, will be active as V63WJ from Micronesia between October 29th and November 4th. Activity will be on 20/17/15/12/10 meters using SSB. QSL via JS3LSQ, direct (w/SAE and 1 IRC or 2 GSs) or by the Bureau.

VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Operators Frank/WA2VYA, Tony/K4QE and Bruce/WA3RHW will be active as VP5/homecalls from Providenciales Island (NA-002) between October 21-28th. The trio will be active as VP5T during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25­26th). QSL VP5T via WA3RHW, direct (with return postage or IRC), by the W3 QSL Bureau, (there is NO VP5 Bureau) or LoTW. Because they like cards, please send them your card via the W3 Bureau, if you use LoTW. VP5/WA2VYA, will be primarily on CW on the low bands, the 30/17/12m bands, as well as 10m and 6m. QSL via WA2VYA, direct or by the W2 QSL Bureau. No return postage is required for direct replies because Frank likes cards. Please QSL VP5/K4QE via LoTW. QSL VP5/WA3RHW direct with postage or IRC or via the W3 Bureau. Bruce will be primarily on SSB on the 17/12m bands.

VK9X, CHRISTMAS ISLAND (Reminder)
A Polish team of operators will be active as VK9XSP from Christmas Island (OC-002) between October 18-31st. Operators mentioned are Bob/SP2EBG, YL Gala/SP2GKS, Jan/SP3CYY, Jurek/ SP3GEM, Wlodek/SP6EQZ, Ryszard/SP6FXY, Janusz/SP6IXF and Roman/SP9FOW. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Suggested frequencies are are listed in OPDX.1168. They will have two to three stations on the air 24 hours a day, and pay a special attention to the lower bands and to areas where VK9X is the most difficult to work from. Also, look for one station to be in the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th). QSL via SP6EQZ. For more details and updates, watch:

VK0EK, HEARD ISLANDS NEWS (Press Releases)

* "Needed Poll" Page Added -- Rich, KY6R, reports: "I've added a simple 'VK0EK Needed Poll' page to the site. Please vote. Our priority will be to hand out as many ATNO's as the highest priority, but will also be providing a 'full service' DX-pedition. We will publish our detailed plans as well as some new innovative ideas on how we can help you get into the VK0EK log for your QSO needs - ATNO's as well as band fills.
Please Stay tuned. The new Poll page can be found here:
http://vk0ek.org/vk0ek-band-mode-poll/ "

* "Team Update" -- Rich, KY6R, reports: "We are pleased to announce that we have more than the minimum number of team members required for the vessel charter, and also that the team is well-balanced between scientists and radio operators. This enables us to proceed with the preparations for the expedition, including acquisition of facilities and equipment, planning logistics, defining specific scientific and radio operation goals, development of software, fund- raising, and other activities.

Approximately half the team will be carrying out exploratory science, searching for rare and unknown species of plants and animals. It is predicted that between 200 and 300 species live on Heard Island that are presently unknown. This comprises a significant part of the total biodiversity of this extremely isolated island, crucial for testing model predictions of the effects of global climate change.

The other half of the team will carry out a major amateur radio operation, using the callsign VK0EK. With the anticipated stay of up to 21 days on the island, we expect to log well over 100,000 contacts worldwide. Some aspects of the activity on the island will be seen in real time on the expedition website http://www.heardisland.org.

The full team, including the participants who will travel to the island, is listed here http://www.heardisland.org/HD_pages/HD_Team.html.

Although participation is by invitation only, we welcome inquiries from anyone. The project is described in detail in the Project Description. Other documents are available on the expedition website. For more infor- mation, please contact the Expedition Leader: robert@schmieder.com The Radio Team and Radio Team Support members are listed here:

http://vk0ek.org/the-team/"

WRTC 2018 NEWS
Tine Brajnik, S50A, WRTC SC Chairman, reports: "WRTC Sanctioning Committee is very pleased to announce that the organization of World Radiosport Team Championship 2018 was granted to a German group consisting of representatives of DARC, BCC and RRDXA. German application was very well prepared and knowing their experiences we all expect another outstanding meeting and competition among world's best contesters. All following information with qualifying process will be published by the Organizing committee." A Web site has been set up to provide further details at:

XX9, MACAU (Update to OPDX.1183)
The XX9R team will be active from Praia de Cheoc Van, at the Pousada of Coloane Hotel between October 22nd and November 1st. The team will also be an entry in the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th) as a Multi-Single. QSL via EB7DX. For more details and updates, see:

YC8, INDONESIA
Ron, YC8ROP, will be active from Sangihe Island (OC-210) during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th) as a a Single-Op/Single- Band (15m)/Low-Power entry. QSL via LoTW or direct to YC8OP.

ZD8, ASCENSION ISLAND
Marko, N5ZO, will be active as ZD8O from Ascension Island between November 17th and December 2nd. Activity will be mainly in contests. His activity in the CQWW DX CW Contest will be Single-Op/All- Band entry. QSL via OH0XX.

ZD9, TRISTAN DA CUNHA
Members of the Italian DXpedition Team (IDT) have announced that their ZD9TT DXpedition, originally planned for September 2014, but later postponed until September 2015, due to transportation problems, has been canceled their operation. They also state, "The Italian DXpedition Team will no longer advertise its plans in advance. We regret that this decision might affect the plans of other Teams, we feel compelled to adopt this policy due to the course of events." Visit the IDT Web page at:

ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS
Henning, OZ1BII, will be active as ZF2EE from George Town, Cayman Islands (NA-016) between November 27th and December 1st. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, including the 30/17/12m bands and mainly CW using an Elecraft K3 w/100w into Cushcraft R6 vertical and a 110 ft Long Wire. He plans to be in the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 29-30th) as a Single-Op entry. QSL via OZ1BII.

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OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME (provided by John, K8YSE (k8yse@papays.com):
http://www.papays.com/opdx.html

ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
http://www.nodxa.org
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