OPDX Bulletin 1223 July 20, 2015

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1223
BID: $OPDX.1223
July 20, 2015
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, ARRL Letter/Web Page, K1XN & GoList, NJ1Q & W1AW, W2VU, K3TRM, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, N6PSE, K8GG, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m News, AA9RR, 4L2M, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, ES1CW, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, LZ1ZF, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE3EXY, VE7TK and VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 12th/July, through Sunday, 19th/July there were 214 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5V, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9V, 9Y, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D4, D6, DL, DU, E4, 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, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PY, PZ, S2, S5, S7, SM, SP, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T30, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TN, TR, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V8, VE, VK, VP2E, VP2M, VP2V, VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZD9, ZF, 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".

4L, GEORGIA (News)
Mamuka Kordzakhia, 4L2M, President of the National Association Radioamateurs of Georgia (NARG), has informed OPDX of two items:
1) Please inform to all radio amateurs of the World, to not send QSL cards to the following stations: 4L1AB, 4L4T, 4L4K, 4L4MM, 4L4TL and 4L7FS because all of them are 'SILENT KEYS' (SK).
2) 4L1AN will be active on 50 MHz for July and August with a temporary license. Normally in Georgia, 50 MHz is prohibited.

CQ NEWS (Press Release)
Rich Moseson, W2VU, sent out the following on July 16th:
LAZAR, SIDDALL, JOIN CQ AS CONTRIBUTING EDITORS -- Two long- time hams will be joining CQ magazine's staff of contributing editors, CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, announced today. Dennis Lazar, W4DNN, has been named interim QRP Editor, effective with the August issue; while David Siddall, K3ZJ, takes over as Contest Editor as of the September issue.

Lazar is a longtime devotee of QRP, or low-power, operating, with 50 years of experience in working the world with 5 watts or less. Originally licensed in 1960 as K8TSQ, Dennis has enjoyed a long and varied career as an electronic technician in the Coast Guard, working for a NASA subcon- tractor on the Apollo moon missions, as a trade magazine editor, a community newspaper publisher and a naturopath specializing in pain management. He has also been a frequent contributor to CQ. Now retired and living in Port Charlotte, Florida, Dennis and his wife, Ruth, K4KLQ, enjoy traveling the country in an RV, with QRP always a part of their travels. Dennis is taking on the role of QRP Editor on an interim basis while he sees how well a column-writing schedule fits in with his travel schedule. His goal for the column, he says, is to use it as a forum to share readers' "QRP challenges and adventures."

Siddall is a veteran contester and past president of the Potomac Valley Radio Club, one of America's leading contesting groups. He lives in suburban Washington,DC, but has a contest station on a mountaintop in West Virginia (featured on the cover of the July 2000 issue of CQ) that may be operated either locally or remotely. A communications attorney practicing in the nation's capital, Dave worked for many years on Capitol Hill and at the FCC before going into private practice in 1998. During his time working for Congress, Dave was frequently active from the U.S. Senate ham station, W3USS, and organized the 1986 BV0BG DXpedition in Taiwan for Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, K7UGA (SK). He is also a past member of the ARRL Contest Advisory Committee and served on the ARRL's national task force on radio frequency interference. Siddall says he hopes to use the CQ contesting column "to bring together tried-and-true contesting techniques" with "new ideas and technologies in a way that encourages contesters to experiment and improve their results."

"Both Dave and Dennis have written for CQ before and I have known each of them for a long time," said Moseson. "I am looking forward to working closely with them in the future."

CY9, ST. PAUL ISLAND (Update)
The St. Paul Island DXpedition scheduled for August 19-29th, 2016, has added another new member/operator to the team -- Phil, VA3QR. This completes their roster (9 operators). Phil has been a ham since his teenage years, enjoys DXing, contesting, and technical aspects of our hobby. This will be his first DXpedition. "How Can You Help?" (per CY9 Web site) - The team is contributing most of the funding for the DXpedition. Individual donations are very helpful and appreciated. No amount is too small. The single most expensive item is the cost for the transportation to access the island. While a contact cannot be guaranteed, those who do "work (QSO) us, that have made a donation, will automatically receive a QSL card. No need for a request to be made, no postage, no green stamps. It is a small way for us to say 'thank you'". We will send your card as soon as possible upon completion of the DXpedition automatically.

Visit their Web site often for details as they develop at:

http://www.CY9dxpedition.com

D4, CAPE VERDE
Operators Jose/EA1ACP, Charly/EA1DVY, Gen/EA5HPX, Francisco/ EA7FTR, Humberto/CX3AN, Gustavo/CX2AM, Mario/CX4CR and David/EB7DX will be active as D4D from Boa Vista, Cape Verde (AF-086), between October 17-24th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters using CW, SSB, and RTTY. It will not be a 24-HRs fully operation, but they will try their best. Support off-island person is Jose, EB5BBM. QSL via EB7DX.

GJ, JERSEY
Members of the Bristol Contest Group will once again be active as GJ6YB during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) from Jersey (EU-013, WLOTA L-0818) as a Multi-Op/Island-DXpedition/Mixed-Mode entry. QSL via G3SWH, direct or by the Bureau.

GJ/MJ, JERSEY
Operators Frederik/ON8ZL and Peter/ON8ZZ will be active as MJ/OT9Z from Channel Islands, Jersey (EU-013), during their holiday between July 23-28th. Activity will be on all HF bands (if time and conditions permit, also 6 meters) using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Frederik will be participating in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) using the local contest callsign of the Jersey Amateur Radio Society, GJ2A. QSL MJ/OT9Z via ON8ZL. QSL GJ2A via ClubLog's OQRS for Bureau and direct cards. Also direct or LoTW.

HC & HC8, ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Martin, LU9EFO, will be active as HC2/LU9EFO from Guayaquil City, Ecuador, and HC8/LU9EFO from the Galapagos Islands between August 3-24th. Activity will be on the HF bands using SSB. QSL via F4BHW direct only or LU9EFO by the Bureau.

IARU NEWS (Second Kosovo Vote; Burundi Admitted)
The ARRL Web page and ARRL Letter (July 16th) reports: International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) www.iaru.org member-societies are taking a second vote on whether to admit Kosovo's national Amateur Radio association, Shoqata e Radio Amatoreve te Kosoves (SHRAK) www.shrak.org/en to IARU membership.

"Many of you will recall that Kosovo was proposed for IARU membership in IARU Proposal 251 in 2014," IARU Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD, explained in an e-mail to members. "Fifty-one affirmative votes were required for approval; 49 affirmative votes were received prior to the close of voting, so the proposal failed."

Stafford pointed out, however, that two more affirmative votes arrived "very shortly after the close of voting" but could not be counted under IARU rules. "Under the circumstances, IARU Region 1 requested the Inter- national Secretariat conduct a revote for the admission of Kosovo," Stafford said. He urged member-societies to return their ballots as soon as possible.

Amateur Radio was revived in Kosovo in 2012, and a training and licensing program has been established there.

Stafford also announced that a vote on IARU Proposal 253 resulted in an affirmative vote on the membership application of the Association Burundaise des Amateurs Radio et Télévision (ABART). Sixty-seven votes were received in favor of admitting Burundi. "It is a pleasure to welcome a new member to the IARU," Stafford said. -- Thanks to Rod Stafford, W6ROD, Secretary, IARU

ICPO "WEEKLY" BULLETIN GOING QRT
Dave, VA3RJ, has announced this past week that the weekly ICPO (Islands, Castles & Portable Operations) Bulletin will soon be ending and will only be available via Dave's Web site in a DX Calendar format at:

http://www.qsl.net/va3rj/icpo.html
Dave states, "It is time to hang up my hat and have some time to play radio, instead of writing about it." Thanks, Dave, for your many years of service to the DX Community, and your weekly bulletin will be surely missed.

IOTA NEWS
AF-018. Operator Raffaele, IH9YMC, will be active from Pantelleria Island (IIA TP-001, MIA MI-124, WW Loc. JM56XT), African Italy, during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) Single-Op/Single- Band (??) entry. QSL via eQSL.

AS-094. Operators Dale/BA4TB, Gu/BD4TS, Xingang/BH4TVU and Fu/BH4XAE will be active as B7/homecall from Hainan Island between July 24th and August 1st. Look for Dale, B7/BA4TB, during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/Mixed-Mode/High-Power entry. Dale mentions on his QRZ.com page, "Due to high cost of the expedition, any donations are appreciated!" QSL all callsigns via the operator's home call.

AS-103. Operators Bruce/BV2KI, Lee/BV2NT, Lee/BX2AB, Chung/BX4AF, Benny/BV9AAC, JH3GVJ, Yuji/JA3EIZ, Ryo/JG3DOR, YL Miyoko/ JO3LVG and Yasuo/ZL1JAP will be active as BV9A from Peng Hu Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Multi-Op/All-Band/Mixed-Mode/High-Power entry. QSL via BV2KI.

AS-134. Zhishi, BD3QZ, will be active from Yuetou Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/Mixed-Mode/ Low-Power entry. QSL via BD3QZ.

AS-107. Operators Tana/E27EK and Capitan/HS7UCQ will be active as E27EK/p from Samet Island, Thailand, during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th). QSL via E27EK.

EU-004. Noel, ON4APU/OO4O, will be active as EA6/OO4O from Majorca, Balearic Islands, during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/Mixed-Mode/Low-Power entry. QSL via LoTW or by the Bureau.

EU-012. Operators Nigel/G3TXF and Ian/G3WVG will be active as GM4S (not MZ5A as announced) from the Island of "Papa Stour" in the Shetland Island Group during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th). QSL via G3TXF or LoTW. EU-016. Operators Mate/9A4M, Braco/9A7R, Branko/9A7YY, Jozef/OM3BC, Rastislav/OM3BH, Jozef/OM3GI and Tobor/OM3RM will be active as 9A8RR from Vis Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Multi-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via OM2VL.

EU-025. Alf, IT9MUO, will be active from Sicily Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/Assisted/CW-Mode/ 12-HRs/High-Power entry. QSL via IT9MUO, LoTW, by the Bureau or direct.

EU-029. Allan, OZ8A, will be from Raagoe Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/DXpedition/QRP/12 HRs entry. QSL via the Bureau.

EU-030. Carten, OZ4CG, will be active from Bornholm Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry. QSL via LoTW.

EU-031. Tony, IC8FBU, will be active from Capri Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/CW-Mode/Low-Power/ 12-HRS (Saturday 2000 UTC to Sunday 0800 UTC) entry. QSL via his home callsign, by the Bureau or direct.

EU-031. Francesco, IK8TEO, will be active IC8/IK8TEO from IC8FBU's radio shack on Capri Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/CW-Mode/Low-Power/12-HRS (Saturday 1200-2000 UTC and Sunday 0800-1200 UTC) entry. Equipment is a FT-920 with 100w and dipoles. QSL via his home callsign by the Bureau.

EU-031. Marcus, DL3NCI, will be active as IC8/DL3NCI from Capri Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/CW- Mode/QRP/12-HRS entry. QSL via the DARC Bureau.

EU-042. Operators Thomas/DK3EE and Louis/DO9EE will be active as DK3T/p from Amrum Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Multi-Op/DXpedition/Low-Power entry.

EU-055. Operators LA6ZP, Morten/LA7XIA, LA9CSA, Knut/LA9RY, Gerald/LA0HK, Vikingstad/LA9YGA and Nils/LA6IOA will be active as LA4C from Utsira Island (WLOTA 0104, ARLHS NOR262) during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Multi-Op/High-Power/DXpedition entry. QSL via LA4C.

EU-057. Joachim, DL5KUD, will once again be active from Ruegen Island (O-07 for the German Islands Award) during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/CW/12-HRS/Low-Power entry. QSL via DL5KUD, by the Bureau or OQRS.

EU-061. Halvard, LA7XK, will be active from his vacation home on Spjaeroy Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single- Op/High-Power entry. QSL via LA7XK.

EU-067. Theodoros, SV1EJD, will be active as SV8/SV1EJD from Syros Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/SSB-Mode/Low-Power/24-HRs entry. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.

EU-092. Jim, MM0BQI, will be active from Tanera Mor, Summer Isles, during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op entry. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.

EU-096. Tony, OH1TD, will be active from his summer home on Korpo Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/ All-Band entry. QSL via direct to OH1TD or LoTW.

EU-099. The F6KOP Team will be active from Les Minquiers between July 25-29th. They will have 4 stations on the air, operating 80-6 meters using CW and SSB. The station QTH will be based in Maîtresse-Ile (GJFF-011). QSL via Bureau, OQRS or direct via F6KOP.

EU-120. Operators Darran/G0BWB, Jim/G1MOZ, Gerald/G3SDY, Chris/G8PUT, YL Barbara/M3CGP and David/M0RIU will be active as G6LD from Lindisfarne Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Multi-Op/Island-DXpedition enty. QSL via G6LD.

EU-120. Members of the Newbury and District Amateur Radio Society (NADARS) will once again be active as G5XV from Isle of Wight during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th), as a Multi-Op/ DXpedition entry. Operators mentioned are Ray/G4FON, Colin/M0DDT, Richard/G3ZGC, Danny/G3XVR, Kevin/G6FOP, Steve/M0SEL, George/ 2E0FEC, 2E0MJE, Nick/M0OJO and Rob/G4LMW. QSL via M0OXO.

EU-123. Doug, GM0ELP, will be active as MM3T from the Isle of Bute (IOSA CL02, SCOTIA CS19, WLOTA 1883) during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/CW-Mode/12-HRs entry. QSL via MM3T.

EU-123. Iain, MM0TFU will be active as MM0TFU/p from Blackwaterfoot, Isle of Arran (IOSA CL01, SCOTIA CS14), between July 22-27th. Activity will include the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th). QSL via LoTW (preferred) or direct to his home callsign.

EU-123. Members of the Stirling & District Amateur Radio Society (GM6NX) will be active as GM9N from Great Cumbrae Island (IOSA CL04, SCOTIA CS17), Clyde Islands, between July 24-27th. Activity will include the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th). Operators mentioned are Billy/GM0OBX, Jonathan/MM0OKG, John/ GM1BSG and Adam/MM0KFX. QSL via GM6NX or LoTW.

EU-124. Philip, MW0DHF, will once again be active as GW8K from Holy Island, Northwest Wales, during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/SSB-Mode/Island-DXpedition/Low-Power entry. QSL via MW0DHF, direct or by the Bureau.

EU-129. Members of the club station "des OV Konigs Wusterhausen" (DL0KWH) will be active as DL0KWH/p from Usedom Island (0-13 for the German Islands Award) during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Multi-Op/Island/High-Power entry. QSL via DL0KWH; Bureau is preferred. Operators mentioned are Rainer/ DL2RVL, Bert/DL2RNS, Georg/DL4SVA and Olaf/DL7JOM.

EU-132. Operators Jarek/SP1C, Ted/SP1NQN, Piotr/SP1GZF, Janusz/SP1RKT, YL Bozena/SQ2NQN, Hubert/SQ2PHG, Pawel/SQ2PHI and Darek/SQ1OD will be active as SN1D from Wolin Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th). QSL via SP1RKT, by the Bureau and direct.

EU-136. Jozef, OM5AW, will be active as 9A/OM5AW from Cres Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/ DXpedition/Low-Power/12HRs entry. QSL via OM2FY.

EU-140. Kari, OH5TS, will be active from Kuorsalo Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/ CW-Mode/High-Power entry. QSL via OH5TS.

EU-140. Members of the OH5AD group and possibly others will be active as OG5A from Nuokot Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Multi-Op/High-Power entry. QSL via OH5AD or OG5A by the Bureau. Operators mentioned are Simo/OH5GIO, Timo/OH5GJZ, Erno/OH5FVY and Vili/OH5GEV.

EU-142. Operators Garcia/EA1ASC, Fermin/EA1RC, Pablo/EA4TX, Jose/EA7KW, Oscar/EC4TA and Fonsi/EC7AKV will be active as ED1M Mouro Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Multi-Op/DX- pedition/Mixed-Mode/Low-Power entry. QSL via EA1DR.

EU-146. Teun, PA5TT, will be active from Schouwen Duiveland during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op entry. QSL via PA5TT.

EU-146. Peter, ON4TO, will once again be active as PA/OQ4T from Schouwen Duiveland during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th). QSL via LoTW or by the Bureau via ON4TO.

EU-172. Henning, OZ1BII, will be active as 5P2I/P from Endelave Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/All- Band/DXpedition/Low-Power entry. QSL via OZ1BII, direct, by the Bureau or LoTW. He does frequently uploaded to LoTW, ClubLog and eQSL.

EU-174. Oliver, DK7TX, will be heading back to Greece between September 3-16th, and will be active as SV8/DK7TX to activate 2-3 islands in this IOTA group. Possible islands are Artemis, Ammouliani and Diaporos. Activity will be holiday style mostly on 20/15/10 meters. He may also sign SV2/DK7TX from Nikiti-Chalkidiki. QSL via his home callsign, by the Bureau or eQSL.

EU-181. Operators Boyan/LZ1BJ, Dechko/LZ1QV, Boyko/LZ1QN, Georgi/LZ1ZF, Boris/LZ2JR, Plamen/LZ3BB and Nasko/LZ3YY will be active as LZ0I from Sveti Ivan Island (WLOTA 0121, ARLHS BUL-022, WCA LZ-00164) during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Multi-Single/DX/High-Power entry. QSL via LZ0I (by the QRZ.com address) or by the Bureau to LZ1BJ. The team will be on the island between July 23-26th. Operations before the contest will be mostly on the 30/17/12 meter bands. For more information about the island, you can read at:

English - http://bulgariatravel.org/en/object/345/Ostrov_Sveti_Ivan
Russian - http://bulgariatravel.org/ru/obyekt/345/Ostrov_Sveti_Ivan

EU-191. Sandro, VE7NY, will be active as YP0H from Insula Fericirii during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th).

EU-187. Operators Christo/LZ3FN, George/SV9GPV, Manos/SV9BMJ, Georgios/ SV9DJO, Giannis/SV9FBG, Yiannis/SV9FBK, Giannis/SV9RGI, Konstan- tinos/SV9OFS and Antonis/SV9KIL will be active as J49G from Crisi Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Multi-Op entry. QSL via LoTW or to QSL Manager SV9GPV.

OC-201. Operators Wes/ZL3TE and John/ZL2DD will be active as ZL3TE/p and ZL2DD/p from Rakino Island during the SGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) with individual entries - CW and SSB. QSL via their home callsigns, LoTW or direct.

OC-177. Budi, YF1AR, will be activating two islands in the Seribu Islands group as YF1AR/0 between July 16-21st. Here are the reference numbers and islands:
YBFF-0025 Seribu Islands Marine National Park, New WWFF
OC-177 Kelapa Island - Seribu Islands [New Island]
OC-177 Harapan Island - Seribu Islands [New Island]
Activity will be on 40-10 meters using mainly SSB. For more details, see Budi's Web page at:

http://www.yf1ar.com/2015/07/yf1ar0-oc-177-ybff-0025-kelapa-harapan.html

SA-029. Members of the Nilo Team will be active as ZV1M from Jurubaiba Island (DIB RJ-22, DFB RJ-24, ARLHS BRA-225) between July 24-26th. Operators mentioned are Marcelo/PY1MT, Andre/PY1SG and Hugo/PY1SB. Activity will be on the HF bands, including an entry in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th). QSL via PY1MT, direct, by the Bureau or LoTW.

NEW DIPLOMA DESIGN
It was announced that there is a new design for the French YL Award. A big thanks goes to Lydie, F5MSS, for this beautiful design. For more details and to view the new design, go to:

http://www.ref-union.net/yls/en/french-yl-diploma-2015

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (July 20-26th)

 Jul/20th DIS     Jul/23rd  AN      Jul/25th  HN
 Jul/21st HN      Jul/24th  AN      Jul/26th  AN
 Jul/22nd BN


   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
REALTIME BAND CONDITIONS WEB SITE
http://www.bandconditions.com
The purpose of this experimental Web site is to provide 24-7-365 actual (REALTIME) band condition information to CW QRPp, QRPe and CW/SSB for Contesters interested in increasing their scores. It can also be of benefit to other Radio Amateurs to determine band conditions for Nets and casual QSO's. This information is NOT based on any software pre- dictions or any kind of satellite based readings. It is based on a new Ionospheric sounding method called "HF Ionospheric Interferometry" which operates very similarly to the PolSAR system used by NASA.

QSL INFO AND NEWS

  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (July 16th)
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  5Q2M via OZ1PIF        KB7OBU/KH2 via JA3VXH     T40HQ via OH2TA
  B1HQ via BA4EG         LA/DJ4UF via DJ4UF        T88CL via JA8CCL
  CR6C via CT1EHX        OL5HQ via OK2JS           TC3HQ via TA3X
  CU5/CU3DX via CU3EJ    OP0HQ via ON7LX           TM0HQ via F5CWU
  DL/IK3GES via IK3GES   OQ5M via ON5ZO            V55HQ via DL9NDS
  EG1ETG via EA1RCI      OZ/DF2SD via DF2SD        VE1/DJ8QP via DJ8QP
  EI/IZ1DSJ via IZ1DSJ   OZ0FR/P via DL2VFR        W1V via WS1SM
  EM3WFF via UT4WA       P40HQ via P43JB           W9L via K9TAL
  EN90IARU via UT5UIA    R2015KK via RA6XPG        YF1AR/0 via N2OO
  HB0/PA5MW via PA5MW    R2015NS via RA6XTE        YO6BZL via YO3KAA
  HB9HQ via HB9JOE       R98KPM via RW3YW          ZA/IK2RLM via IK2RLM
  HF690PMA via SP9KUP    S50HQ via S54G            ZW0HQ via PY2AA
  II3MA via IK3GES       SG2SOP via SM5EFX
  K4C via N4HID          SM7/IK3GES via IK3GES
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (*-B) DX's- Bureau
    (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (L) LoTW only
4O90A QSLS. Nenad, VE3EXY, is the QSL Manager for 4O3A, and recently has been starting to receive 4O90A requests. He states, "I’ll be managing 4O90A once I get the cards from 4O3A. Estimated time is Sept. 2015."

AT150HQ via LoTW or eQSL

TI9/3Z9DX QSL STATUS. Timothy, AA9RR, informs OPDX that Dom, 3Z9DX, informed him early last week (via E-mail) that he has not answered direct cards yet, but will soon.

QSL RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 3B9FR, A35UD, C21EU, FO/UT6UD, H44UD, SV8IIR, TF3T, VK0WR (1969) and ZS8MI

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 9N7WE, DV1UD (OC-093), E41WT, J6/SP7VC, JT1CO, JT1DN, PQ0T, TK/IW5ELA (EU-014), TX5P, VE9IQ, VP2ETE, YB4IR/9 (OC-147), YB4IR/9 (OC-239), YB8RW/P (OC-070), YB8RW/P (OC-246), YB8RW/P (OC-271), YB8RW/P (OC-272), YB8RW/P (OC-273), YB8RW/P (OC-274) and ZA/Z35T

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: R8LAG, SW3FF, SW8SW, SW44FF, SX25C, SX25C/P, SX70D, SX70L, TA1DX, TA2OTT, TA2AO/4 and YO2RR

RI1, FRANZ JOSEF LAND
Eugene, UA4RX, will be staying on Heiss Island (EU-019) for one year starting early next month. If time permits, look for Eugene to be active as RI1FJ. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via UA2FM (see QRZ.com), OQRS or LoTW.

SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR
Toru, JH0CJH, has announced that he will be active from Chile, Peru and Costa Rica between July 19-29th, as CE3/JH0CJH, OA4/JH0CJH and TI (Callsign not yet assigned). Activity will be mainly 40-10 meters CW. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau. Watch QRZ.com for updates.

SV5, DODECANESE
Igor, RD1AP, will once again be active as SV5/RD1AP from Rhodes Island (EU-001) between July 19th and August 6th. Activity will be holiday style using a FT-817ND and "mini buddipole". He plans to be in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/QRP entry. QSL via RD1AP, direct or by the Bureau or via OH2FUW.

SV5, DODECANESE
Kim, ON4BCV, will be active as SV5/ON4BCV/p from Karpathos Island (EU-001) between July 21-28th. Kim states, "I'm working SO-50 Satellite with my Yaesu VX-7R and a hand-held Arrow (USA) antenna. All other SSB SAT's with my portable radio FT-817 using also the Arrow antenna with build in duplexer. I'm also working HF with the Yaesu FT-817 portable QRP, 5 watts and a telescopic multiband antenna abt. 1.5 meter long. QSL via ON4BCV.

SV9, CRETE
Christo, LZ3FN, will again be active, but as SW9AA from two different islands (Crete [main island, EU-015, GIOTA KRS-005, MIA MGC-005, WLOTA 1400] and Dia Island [EU-187]) in the Crete Island chain between July 19th and August 1st. Activity will be holiday style on all bands, mainly CW. He will not use the callsign SW9AA in the RSGB IOTA Contest, but will be part of the J49A team. QSL via LZ1PM.

SV9, CRETE
Alan, G4DJX, will be active as SV9/G4DJX from Crete (main island, EU-015, GIOTA KRS-005, MIA MGC-005, WLOTA 1400) during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry. Activity will be holiday style - limited operations in the IOTA contest with 100W to wire dipoles. QSL via LoTW.

V6, MICRONESIA
Operators Yuji/JH2BNL (V6AAA) and Minekazu/JA2NQG (V6WW) will be active from Pohnpei Island (OC-010) between October 25-29th. Activity will be on all bands, 160-6 meters, using CW, SSB, and RTTY with 500 watts. They will take part in the CWWW DX SSB Contest during the final several hours of the contest. QSL via their home callsign.

VK0EK DXPEDITION NEWS (Heard Island Expedition Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 2)
The current Heard Island Expedition Newsletter (Vol. 1, No. 2) is now out. Individuals may have already received this because they subscribed to it, or you made a donation to the expedition, or they are a team member or a corporate sponsor, or Bob, KK6EK, just happen to know you and think you would like to have it. This issue goes to 666 different people.

Bob also informs [edited], "There is no charge or obligation for this ­ we just want to help you make a QSO with VK0EK, or to collaborate in the scientific work. Future Newsletters will be issued now and then, when we have something to say, probably every few weeks. If you missed a previous Newsletter and would like to have a copy, please send me a note:

schmieder@cordell.org
The expedition is scheduled to begin in early March 2016, and end in late April. You can see the current status of the project on the main website www.heardisland.org, and on the blogsite www.vk0ek.org.

I hope you like this Newsletter and find it useful. If you have sugges- tions, comments, subjects you would like to see addressed, etc., or wish to be removed from the distribution list, please write to me.....

Bob, KK6EK -- Organizer/Expedition Leader"
For more details on the mailing list for the newsletter, go to:

http://www.heardisland.org/HD_pages/HD_newsletter.php

VK9WA WILLIS ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS (Update)
An international team will activate an amateur radio DXpedition station VK9WA from Willis Islets between November 14-23rd. They announced this past week on their Web page http://vk9wa.com the following: "Our eight man team vk9wa.com/team is now complete. Fund-raising and planning continue. We're grateful for significant sponsorships by INDEXA www.indexa.org and the German DX Foundation www.gdxf.de. We're happy to announce a partnership with Tangaroa Blue Foundation xwww.tangaroablue.orgwww.tangaroablue.org and the Australian Marine Debris Initiative www.tangaroablue.org, in conjunction with Parks Australia and the Department of the Environment, to conduct an island cleanup and debris inventory of Middle Cay. This cleanup and our ecology and animal reports will provide valuable data and help protect the many sensitive and threatened species of Willis Island."

ADDED DETAILS: The complete list of operators are now Robert/N7QT (Co- team leader), Jared/N7SMI (Co-team leader), Sandro/VE7NY, Adam/K7EDX, Hawk/SM5AQD, Gus/SM3SGP, Allan/VE7SZ, and Hal/W8HC. Pilot stations are Mike/K4PI (NA), Cédric/F5UKW (EU) and Andre/V51B (AF). The on-air operations will last 10 days with high power CW, SSB, and RTTY on 160-10 meters (possibly 6 meters). Their primary focus will be providing all time new contacts with this highly demanded, rarely activated entity with an emphasis on difficult paths - primarily US East Coast, Europe, and Africa.

VP2E, ANGUILLA
Frank, K3TRM, will once again be active as VP2ERM from Anguilla (NA-022) between July 19th and August 2nd. Activity will be on the HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. Real-time logging will be available on ClubLog. QSL by direct or bureau to his home callsign, OQRS (via ClubLog) and LoTW. Additional information will be available on his Web site at:

http://www.k3trm.com/vp2e-2015.html

VP8SGI & VP8STI DXPEDITION NEWS (Press Release)
Paul, N6PSE, sent out the following press release on July 15th:

The Intrepid DX Group is pleased to announce that all of our plans are moving forward very well. We are testing and re-testing our gear one last time before it goes into a container next week and makes its voyage to meet the RV Braveheart in New Zealand.

This will be a "Pure DX" event. We have assembled a team of World-Class experienced operators, including two DX Hall of Fame members. We are not doing any mountain climbing, creature collection or software development. Our focus is on getting you in our logs!

At this time, we wish to announce that we are adding 6 meters as well as 60 meters to our plans. We will make a solid effort to be QRV and to give out contacts on these bands as well as 10-160 meters.

We wish to clarify our operating strategy: We will be QRV on 6-160 meters with six stations and we invite you to work us on all bands and modes. We will also select a band that is propagating for the most hours of the day, and we will be QRV on that band for the duration of our activity. This is a means to increase the number of unique call signs in our logs and to give everyone a chance to work us. We will be looking to give ATNO contacts at every opportunity.

Our goal is to conduct two 8-10 day DXpeditions to each of these top ten entities. To effectively do that, we need your support. The fourteen members of the VP8STI/VP8SGI team have committed to paying $210,000 of the $425,000 needed to carry out this Dxpedition. To date, we have raised $315,000 which includes our team contribution. We still have a significant deficit of $110,000. The VP8STI/VP8SGI team needs the support of the worldwide DX Community to help us make this Dxpedition a success.

While donations from North America were strong initially, we would greatly appreciate more support from North America, Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East. To date, our donations by continent are as follows:

North America Clubs & Foundations: 84%
Europe: 13%
Asia: 3%
Middle East & Africa: 0%
South America: 0%
Oceania: 0%

Japan will be our most challenging area to work and we are fully committed to make a major effort to work all regions of the globe.

So, please consider a generous contribution to this project. To have your club or organization’s logo included with the QSL card, please contribute $250 or more. Individual contributions of $150 or more will be listed with the QSL card. Everyone who supports the Dxpedition will be listed and properly recognized on our website.

We encourage you to visit our website

xwww.intrepid-dx.com/vp8
and donate via the PayPal link. It’s easy and free to donate. Alternatively, you can mail a check or money order to the address listed below:
Payable to: Intrepid-DX Group
C/O David Jorgensen-WD5COV, CFO/Treasurer
18645 Cortez Rd SE, Deming, NM 88030 USA

Thank you,
The Intrepid-DX Group VP8 Team

YJ, VANUATU
Just a reminder that Geoff, ZL3GA, will once again be active as YJ0GA from the Benjor Beach Club on Efate Island (OC-035) between July 21-27th. Activity will be on the beach in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 24-25th) using 100 watts into a an End Fed Half Wave vertical and as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m)/Mixed-Mode entry. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau or LoTW (preferred).

YN, NICARAGUA
Scott, K7ZO, will once again be active from here, but this time during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 24-25th) as a Single-Op/ All-Band/High-Power entry. He will again use his smaller callsign YN5Z for the contest instead of his usual YN5ZO callsign. He usually operates "Field Day Style" using a 5 band Spiderbeam and a 160-40m vertical. The radio is a TS-590 driving a KPA-500 amp. QSL via LoTW and K7ZO, direct or by the Bureau. Very little operation is expected outside the contest period.

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