The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1229
BID: $OPDX.1229
August 31, 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, K1XN & GoList, NJ1Q & W1AW, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4FC, KY6R, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m News, W0GJ, CU3AA, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, ES1CW, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, HA0HW, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, Mediterraneo International Dx Club, OH2BN, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, Pete Rayer (ISWL), RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, SP1DPA, VA3RJ & ICPO, VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) and YF1AR for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 23rd/August, through Sunday, 30th/August there were 196 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9V, 9Y, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D6, DL, DU, E4, E5/s, E6, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, EU, EX, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J6, JA, JT, JW, 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, PJ4, PJ5, PY, PY0F, PZ, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TT, TU, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2E, VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XU, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z3, Z8, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZD8, 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".

3W, VIETNAM (3W3MD - Press Release #3) [edited]

Great news from the Mediterraneo International Dx Club Team. -- During their already announced Da Nang City, Vietnam, DXpedition with the callsign: 3W3MD between October 31st and November 10th, the international team leading by Antonio, IZ8CCW, and Gabriele, I2VGW, will also be able to be active for some days from Cham Island IOTA AS-162 (claimed only by 17% of IOTA chasers).

As a matter of fact, some operators will leave the main land for 3-4 days, and with two stations and a couple of antennas they will try to give the reference to many IOTA chasers as possible.

Of course the rest of the team (19 skilled DX operators coming from 9 countries) will be on air from the beach of Da Nang with five stations 24 hours around the clock. According to the evaluations that they have done, they are confident to give to a lot of DXers the possibility to work this country on the Low Bands, WARC and especially on the Digital modes.

Quite a bit of equipment and antennas are ready for the new adventure by the MDXC team. All the licenses are in hands of Ant and Gab and all have been already arranged (boat, generators, contacts....etc) for the transfer on Cham Island (AS-162). Save the dates and keep ears open because the callsign for the IOTA operations by the team will be 3W3MD/P. Any donation will be very very appreciated by the team..... For any further news and updates please visit the official Web site for this new great adventure at:

http://www.mdxc.org/3w3md

They have access to a commercial AC power line, but they are taking a 800w gasoline generator for backup/location flexibility. Their operation is subject to commercial systems non-interference rules. UHF activity as band conditions permit. This operation is also good for Polish Gmina Award hunters (SPFF 269PGA SF 01).

5J0, ANDRES ISLAND
Joseph, LU1FM, will once again be active as 5J0B from San Andres Island (NA-033) between October 17-27th. Daniel, LU9FHF, will also be with him. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using SSB and the Digital modes. Also look for him to participate the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 24-25th). Equipment will be an IC-7100 with an ALS MRX 500 amp into a Hex- beam (20-6m) and dipoles for 160/80/40m. QSL via his home callsign. Look for more details and updates at:

5W, SAMOA
Robin, ZL4IG, will be active as 5W0RM from Upolu Island (OC-097) between September 5-13th (and sometime in March 2016 - dates to be con- firmed). Activity will be holiday style on 40-15 meters using CW and SSB. The transmitter will be a 5 watts from a FT-817 with simple wire antennas. QSL via his home callsign.

A5, BHUTAN
Ryo, JH7EQW, is once again active as A52EQW and A52EQW/m from Dochula Resort until September 5th. QSL via the JARL Bureau. He posted the following schedule and frequencies on QRZ.com:

September 3rd (Thursday) - 0700-1300 (UTC) on 18160, 21160, 24960 and 28516 kHz SSB
September 4th (Friday) - 0300-1300 (UTC) -- same as above.
September 5th (Saturday) - 0000-0300 (UTC) -- same as above.

August 16-24th -- Bonaire (SA-006, WLOTA LH-1279); callsign PJ4/AI5P
August 24-31st -- Curacao (SA-099); callsign PJ2/AI5P
August 31st-September 8th -- Aruba (SA-036); P40 callsign P40PX

CR1/CU4/CU7, AZORES
Look for the following stations in September.

CR1IZ - Operator Norman, W3IZ, between September 9-15th. Plan to be in the WAE SSB Contest (September 12-13th). QSL via KI1U.

CU4DX - Operators Bruce/K0BJ and Claudio/IV3VSC between September 11-14th. Plan to be in the WAE SSB Contest (September 12-13th). QSL via KI1U.

CU7CRA - Operators Brian/N5ZGT and Mike/KI1U between September 11-14th. Plan to be in the WAE SSB Contest (September 12-13th). QSL via KI1U.

E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS
Alan, K7AR, will once again be active as E51AAR from the QTH of Andy, E51AND, on Rarotonga Island (OC-013) between September 24-29th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW and SSB. Alan plans to participate in the CQWW DX RTTY Contest (September 26-27th). His equip- ment is an Elecraft K3 and KPA500. QSL via K7AR, direct or by the Bureau. Log will be uploaded to LoTW upon his return home. However, he will try to upload log on a daily basis to ClubLog.

E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS
Steve, G0KIK, will be active as E51KIK from Rarotonga Island (OC-013) between November 9-15th. Activity will be holiday style using a TS-50 running 100 watts into 1/2 size G5RV. QSL via G0KIK.

FS, ST. MARTIN
The "Buddies in the Caribbean" crew will be active as FS/homecall from Villa "Ait na Greine" villaaitnagreine.com/villa.htm, St. Martin Island (NA-105, DIFO FS-001, WLOTA 0383) between February 2-10th. This is the groups' 7th "Buddies in the Caribbean" DXpedition. Operators mentioned are Daniel/WZ1P, Budd/W3FF, Mike/KC4VG, Chris/W6HFP, Bill/W7ZT, Wey/K8EAB, Paul/KB9AVO and Steve/WG0AT. Look for all eight operators to be active on 40-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. As always, the team will be using Buddipole antenna and low power. QSL via the operator's instructions.

HA45, HUNGARY (Special Event)
Look for HA45KHW to be active on the HF bands using CW, SSB, and the Digital modes until the end of this year. The members of the Regionalis Radios Sportklub Puspokladany (HA0KHW) are celebrating their 45th anniversary of the club's foundation. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS, by the Bureau or direct.

IOTA NEWS
VARIOUS. Reports indicate that Din, YB8RW, is planning a solo IOTA DXpedition next month to the following various island groups: OC-075, OC-106, OC-107, OC-108, OC-109, OC-122 and OC-144. QSL directly to home callsign or ClubLog's OQRS, LoTW and no Bureau QSLs.

EU-174. Laci, HA0HW, will once again be active from Thassos Island (GIOTA NAS-037, MIA MG-124, WLOTA LH-4186, QRA KN20HS), as SW8WW (ex-J48HW) between September 6-14th. He will operate mainly CW, with some SSB and RTTY, on the HF bands (usually on 40/30/20/17/12/10 meters) and on 6 meters. His rigs are usually a FT-840 with a MOS-FET amplifier (300-400 watts) and an IC-706 (for 6m only). Antennas are a monoband Gps, dipoles on SPIDER, and dipoles on fishing poles. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the HA Bureau, or by the OQRS via ClubLog is 'OK' as well.

OC-177. If you missed Budi, YF1AR, as YF1AR/0 from Untung Island this past weekend, he will be active again in September 5-6th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using mainly SSB as well as on CW and the Digital modes. QSL via N2OO or by ClubLog's OQRS. For more details, see Budi's Web page at:

ISWL CALLSIGNS (For September)
The following ISWL club callsigns will be used throughout the month of September 2015:

GX4BJC/A - Operated from Skegby, in Nottinghamshire, by Merv, G0UJD. (/A WAB Square SK56 - England, IOTA EU-005, WLOTA 1841).

MX1SWL/A - Operated from Clacton-on-Sea, in Essex, by George, G1IPU. (/A WAB Square TM11 - England, IOTA EU-005, WLOTA 1841). George will also operate as MX1SWL/P from various locations. His WAB information will be given if requested.

KH0, MARIANA ISLANDS
Akira, JH0CKF, will be active once again as AF1Y/KH0 from the Saipan Rental Shack (Himawari Hotel) [USI NI-002S, WLOTA 1333), Northern Mariana Islands (OC-086), for a short operation between September 15-17th. Activity will be holiday style, after sunset, on 20-6 meters using SSB. QSL via DU1/JH0CKF (QSL Manger) via DU Bureau. Please DO NOT send to AF1Y (either Bureau or postal mailing address in Miami). If you would like to exchange QSL cards directly, please send SASE to the postal mailing address: Akira Yokoyama, 7078 Hokujo Hakuba, Nagano 399-9301, JAPAN. For more details about the Saipan Rental Shack, visit the following Web page at:

KH5, PALMYRA (Press Release #3)

Lou (N2TU) and Craig (K9CT) previously announced a DXpedition to Palmyra Atoll at the International DX Convention in Visalia, California.

Palmyra (KH5) ranks #9 on the Most Wanted List and #2 in Europe. The Pacific Islands DXpedition Group has been awarded permission to activate Cooper Island in the Palmyra Atoll, 11-26 January 2016. A callsign will be announced through the normal DX media channels before the operation begins.

One key to the success of activation of a rare entity is a team of pilot stations. These stations gather regional feedback, identify propagation trends and inform the on-island Team of operational issues.

These pilots are well known to the DX community and have either been on DXpeditions or have been pilots on previous high visibility DXpeditions.
* Chief Pilot and Western USA- Rich, KE1B
* Eastern USA/ Caribbean- Don, AA1V
* Europe- Col, MM0NDX
* Africa/ South America- Andre, V51B
* Asia/ Pacific, Hiroo, JA1WSX

Our website, http://palmyra2016.org/ has been updated with photographs and background information of our outstanding Pilot Team.

Additionally, a Palmyra 2016 QSL route has been established. Direct QSLs, with appropriate return postage and envelope, should be sent to:
Palmyra DXpedition
PO Box 73
Elmwood, IL 61529

We urge the DX community to use OQRS via Clublog. This will greatly expedite your QSL!

There is a large payment due shortly and additional funds are needed to meet this obligation. Your donations are required to support the effort to activate this rare entity.

Please visit http://palmyra2016.org/ for the latest news, Team photos, and a list of our generous individual, Foundation and Equipment sponsors.
Lou N2TU
Craig K9CT

P4, ARUBA
Operators Eddy/K5WQG and Bob/N5ET will be active as P40ER and P40ET, respectively, from Oranjestad, Aruba (SA-036), between September 6-20th. Activity will be on the HF bands. QSL both callsigns via N5ET.

PJ2, CURACAO
Andrea, IK7YTT, will be active as PJ2/IK7YTT from Curacao (SA-099, WLOTA LH-0942) between October 19-27th. Activity will be on the HF bands before he joins the Caribbean Contesting Consortium's (CCC) Signal Point Station http://www.pj2t.org Multi-? team in the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 24-25th) as PJ2T. QSL PJ2/IK7YTT via his home call- sign. QSL PJ2T via LoTW or W3HNK.

PJ6, SABA (Update)
Operators John/K5AC, Jeff/NM1Y and Victor/WB0TEV will be active as PJ6A from Saba Island (NA-145, WFF PAFF-027, WLOTA 2043) during the CQWW DX RTTY Contest (September 26-27th) as a Multi- Single entry. QSL via PJ6A or N4NX direct. QSLs are available via the OQRS on ClubLog for direct or Bureau cards. DO NOT QSL via the Bureau. More QSL info is available at:

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (August 31st-September 6th)

 Aug/31st AN      Sep/03rd  BN      Sep/05th  AN
 Sep/01st AN      Sep/04th  AN      Sep/06th  AN
 Sep/02nd HN


   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

PX70, BRAZIL (Special Event)
Rony, PS7AB, will activate special event station PW70FEB between September 1-30th. Activity is to celebrate the 70th anniversary of World War II and to remember the importance of PEACE. The special callsign is also in honor to all who participated in the war, especially the Brazilian Expeditionary Force - FEB, on the battlefields in Italy. Operations will be on 40/20/17/15/10 meters using SSB and CW/ Digital. QSL via PS7AB, direct (2 USDs), by the Bureau, eQSL or LoTW.

A special certificate will be sent in 2016 via E-mail to stations who made contacts with at least 10 Special Event Stations by mode (SSB, CW or Digital), or mixed (3 modes). Each month in 2015, Ronaldo will activate a different callsign and also send 12 different QSLs. PX70FEB is the ninth special event station to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in 2015. For more details, visit the following Web pages at: http://www.radioamador.org.br/certificate_70th_world_war.htm

QSL INFO AND NEWS

  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (August 28th)
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4K6FO via DC9RI       IB0/IK0XBX via IK0XBX    SN0CIPHER via SQ2KLU
  5P1KZX via OZ1KZX     IK0/PA2CHR via PA2CHR    TK/IZ1FRM via IZ1FRM
  8Q7DX via IK2CLB      J62DX via EB7DX          VO1/DJ8QP via DJ8QP
  9M10CSB via 9W2VVH    LY/DL5WW/P via DL5WW     XR6MIN via XQ4CW
  CT9/DK1AX via DK1AX   OE20XAAT via OE3KLU      YB1TIA via HA3JB
  DQ0X via DF7IS        OM2015TITANIC via OM2FY  YL/RM5M via RM5M
  ED7URI via EA7URI     OZ/PG8M via PG8M         YO150ITU via (L)
  EH5VCE via EA5HJY     PA/A61CK via IZ8CLM      ZA/IK2RLM via IZ2LSP (d)
  EJ7NET via HB9DGV     PP2/DL3SEZ via DL3SEZ    ZY156CAT via PP2BO
  GB70VJ via G0TOC      R920RZ via RY2S
  HG150ITU via (L)      RA/UR5IRM via UR5IRM
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (*-B) DX's- Bureau
    (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (L) LoTW only

QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: AD4J/HR9, BX4AG, HI3TEJ, JA7AKH and YB4IR/5 (OC-075)

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 5U5U, ED9K, TN/CT1FJZ and S79HN

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 2SZ, 3D2ML, 3DA0OK, 5B/DL3VU, 5W0M, 5W1SA, 8J7EQ, 8P3A, 8Q7QX, 8Q7SN, 9H3TX, 9L0W, 9N7BM, 9V1PW, A52SV, A5A, C5II, B3C, D2SG, DA300CFG, DM200TSV, DP1POL, DR50RRDXA, DU1/JA3FJE, E30FB, E51C, E51JQY, EA8/DL3GCS, EF6, FG/HB9AOF, GO0RPA, H40FN, H44UD, J34O, J79FCG, JD1YBT, JW/KH0PR, KH0/G3ZEM, MJ5RIC, OC4WW, OH0X, OJ0X, P4/DL6RAI, PJ4DX, PY0F/PP1CZ, ST0R, SV5/DL3DRN, T88QX, TS7TI, V5/DF2UU, V5/DH3WO, V55HQ, VP2MOM, Z6/DF8AN, Z81R, Z81X and ZD8R

SANTA CLAUS IN CHAPTER 11 (For immediate release from Lapland, Northern Finland)
From the Desk of Radio Arcala, OH8X, dated August 25th:

SANTA CLAUS IN CHAPTER 11 ­ THIS CAN ONLY HAPPEN IN FINLAND, THE LAND OF SANTA CLAUS -- Who said that the children’s world is different from ours? Every Christmas, Santa from the Far North of Finland not only delights young ones all over the world but travels to each and every home in the U.S. to deliver his gifts to the kids who Deserve. Similarly, Santa Radio, OF9X together with the elves of Radio Arcala propagate the Christmas spirit across the North Pole on 14226 kHz. Thousands of radio amateurs treasure this gesture, and in three consecutive years have brought their children to talk to Santa via Amateur Radio. For details, see www.QRZ.com/db/OF9X The Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle is a major attraction for visiting children. Visitors and guests provide employment for 11,000 people directly or indirectly during this annual peak of winter tourism. Santa is probably the best-known person coming from Finland.

Now the Village operator is facing bankruptcy and Santa’s existence is in jeopardy. This coming Thursday, the case is brought before the Arctic Court when the creditors will be considering the future of Santa.

The City of Rovaniemi has hired two acting Santas to entertain visiting children. They call it a "two for one approach". Furthermore, it is now proven beyond doubt that Santa is not financially gifted and he will in the future concentrate only on his familiar toys.

Determined not to let Santa suffer, Radio Arcala, OH8X and Pusula Radio Club, OH9W have come to the rescue to make sure that, at Christmas, Santa will once again to bring cheer to the children of the world. Santa's sleigh is well oiled with anti-freeze lubricant, and this coming Christmas will be no different from those of previous years. OF9X will be active. Wait for more striking news from the land of tranquility, aurora borealis and less deliberate QRM.

Links:
------
[1] http://www.QRZ.com/db/OF9X
[2] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/finland/11821280/Santa-Claus-fights-bankruptcy-in-Lapland.html

T2, TUVALU
Operators Stan/LZ1GC, Lubo/OM5ZW and John/KK7L will be active as T2GC from the Vaiaku Lagi Hotel, Funafuti, Tuvalu (OC-015), between September 24th and October 14th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB, PSK and RTTY. They will operate from two different sites and have a target of 30k QSOs. Suggested frequencies are:

CW - 1822.5, 3502, 5371, 7024, 10104, 14010, 18080, 21015, 24905 and 28010 kHz
SSB - 5401, 7164, 14170, 18145, 21265, 21265, 24940 and 28470 kHz
RTTY - 7040, 10138, 14088, 18095, 21088, 24922 and 28088 kHz
6m - 50097/CW and 50120/SSB

T8, PALAU. Akira
JH0CKF/DU1CKF/AF1Y, is once again active as T88MZ from the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009) between October 6-9th. He is there on business, so activity will be limited to his spare time on the HF bands (80-10m). QSL via DU1CKF, direct or by the Bureau, eQSL or LoTW. For more details about the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room), see:

TF, ICELAND (Also OY)
Operators Klaus/DL7UXG, Friedrich/DL4BBH and Ric/DL2VFR will activate three areas of Iceland (EU-021) during mid- September. Their schedule is as follows:

September 15-17th - near Husavik (north)
September 17-19th - Hveragerdi (south-west)
September 19-22nd - near Eskifjördur (east)

TI9, COCOS ISLAND
DX-World.net reports Jorge, TI2HMJ, will once again return to Cocos Island (NA-012). On August 29th, Jorge departed Puntarenas, Costa Rica, aboard the Okeanos Aggressor expecting to arrive on Monday, August 31st. Since his visit is not solely ham radio, he will be active when time permits using an IC-746 and multiband dipole.

V5, NAMIBIA
Heli, DD0VR, will be active as V5/DD0VR (possibly V50VR) from Namibia starting December 10th for one month. Activity will be limited to his spare time because he is on holiday with his XYL Bigi, DE3BWR. Heli will use a KX3 with the HL-1.1KFX amplifier by Tokyo High Power with 500 watts or the RZ3AH PA with GMI-11tube with 350 Watts out -- QRO SSB. For CW, he will only operate with 1-5 watts (G-QRP-Club -- NR. 7073). His antenna is a vertical. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.

V6, MICRONESIA
Lance, W7GJ, is now active as V6M from Falalop Island, Ulithi Atoll (OC-078), celebrating 49 years of VHF DXing until September 3rd. Activity is focused on 6m EME QSOs (WW Loc. PK90va) using JT65A. QSL via his home callsign direct only. For more details, see:

VB2, CANADA (CQ ZONE 2 DXPEDITION)
Operators Jean-Pierre/VA2SG, Jean/ VE2VIA, Jean-Francois/VA2VL and Pierre/VA2CZ will be active as VB2T from ZONE 2 (Sept-Iles, Quebec) during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 24-25th) as a Multi-Single/High-Power entry. QSL via VE2JCW direct only, with 2 USDs for North America and 3 USDs for the rest of the world. More details are available at:

VK0EK HEARD ISLAND NEWS (Team is Now Complete)
In a press release dated August 28th by Rich, KY6R, reports, that the Heard Island team is now complete by adding three new operators for the upcoming VK0EK Heard Island DXpedition in March 2016. Operator mentioned are Arliss/W7XU the DXpedition's doctor/operator/scientist; Jim/N6TQ operator/logistics; and Fred/KM4MXD operator/volcanic field scientist. For the complete press release and details on their bios, see the following URLs:

VK9N, LORD HOWE ISLAND
Leszek, NI1L (ex-JX5O, XR0Y), will be active as VK9LN from Lord Howe Island (OC-004) between September 22-29th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters with low power using mostly CW. QSL via NI1L, direct, by the Bureau or LoTW.

VP2E, ANGUILLA
Operators Rich/KE1B and YL Anna/W6NN will once again be active as VP2EAQ and VP2EAR, respectively, from Anguilla between November 22nd and December 1st. Activity will be "holiday-style" using a single station (an Elecraft K3S) with 100w and a Buddipole antenna system directly adjacent to the sea. Operations will be on all bands 40-10 meters (including 30/17/12m), and all modes (CW/SSB/RTTY). Look for VP2EAQ to be active in CQWW DX CW Contest (November 28-29th). They expect to have Internet access, and plan to upload logs to ClubLog daily. You can check your QSO status and request a QSL card via the Online QSL Request System (OQRS). Direct QSLs are via their home callsign (see QRZ.com for details). Bureau cards should be sent via KE1B.

VP9, BERMUDA
Operators George/K3GP, Larry/K8UT, Ray/ND8L and Jamie/WW3S will be active as VP9I from Ed/VP9GE's Hamilton Parish QTH (NA-005, WLOTA 0201) for the CQWW DX RTTY Contest (September 26-27th) as a Multi-Single/ Low-Power entry. QSL VP9I via WW3S or LoTW. Outside of the contest, look for operators to be active as VP9/homecall. QSL via their home callsigns or LoTW.

W9DXCC NEWS RELEASE (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) [Aug. 26, 2015]

Final arrangements are being made for the 63rd annual W9DXCC DX Convention and Banquet. The Sept. 11-12 gathering in Schaumburg, Illinois, will feature more than $11,000 in prizes (a number still growing daily) donated by vendors at the convention and other manufacturers and distributors. Based on past attendance, this year’s attendees will have a roughly 1 in 3 chance of winning a prize. Sponsored by the Northern Illinois DX Association, the event is an ARRL-approved operating specialty convention.

For the first time, a Contest University program will join the DX University on Friday. Both tracks will have presentations for new and veteran DXers and contest operators. The daylong session on Saturday will feature speakers, exhibits, QSL card checking, a CW pileup contest and many prizes. The banquet that evening is a time to relax with keynote speaker Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, former FCC Special Counsel for Spectrum Enforcement, as well as the DX Countdown and grand prizes.

Some of this year’s major prizes: Yaesu FTDX3000, Icom IC7100, Elecraft KX3 with microphone, Flex Maestro plus gift certificates for discounts on Flex radios, Bird wattmeter, Array Solutions PowerMaster II wattmeter, RadioSport premium headsets. Belden 9913 Coax, Begali, Bencher and N3ZN paddles, subscriptions to ham magazines and DX publications, logging soft- ware, and discount certificates at many major dealers.

The convention is scheduled one week earlier than normal because of hotel availability. Woodfield Mall, which offers a wide array of shopping, is one traffic light south of the convention site at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, 1800 East Golf Road.

DX University and Contest University ­ Friday
* Contesting Basics: What is radio sport? Why do it? Why should you do it? The language of contesting. Ethics.
* Types and conduct of contests: A discussion of the various types of contests, examples, contest exchanges and contest scoring.
* Hardware and software for the new contester: ergonomics, antennas, logging and on-line resources.
* RTTY contesting: How to setup for RTTY, sample exchanges, how to operate and demos.
* Low Band DXing
* DX Seminar discussion
* Antennas and transmission lines
* Portable DXing
* Daily DXing: The road to multi-band DXCC and tools to improve efficiency

(These sessions will be led by some of the best DX’ers and contest operators in the Midwest, including K9CT, K9DX, K9IR, K9EL, N9EP, W9MU, WO9S, K3WA and K9ZO.)

Main Convention ­ Saturday (as of now, with more being added)
* K1N Navassa Island DXpedition (W0GJ)
* Operating from Kuwait (W6RGG)
* Palau DXpedition (K9AJ)
* YK9A February 2001 - What's Happened Since (AE9YL)
* Cycle 24 Update (K9LA)
* ARRL Roundtable Discussion

Registration: Go to http://w9dxcc.com/ and click Registration. Registration is open via PayPal or download the form and send a check. Banquet orders must be received by Sept. 4. Click Location & Lodging for hotel reservations.

Updates: http://w9dxcc.com/ for new developments. For more information: John McCormick, N0FCD@yahoo.com

ZL, NEW ZEALAND
Steve, G0KIK, will be active as ZL1/G0KIK from Waiheke Island (OC-201) between November 17-24th. He is also expected to be active from Perth (dates not provided). Activity will be holiday style using a TS-50 running 100 watts into 1/2 size G5RV. QSL via G0KIK.

TO BE ADDED TO THE OPDX MAILING LIST -- Click or send requests to:
Help: opdx-request@barf80.org Subject:help
Subscribe: opdx-request@barf80.org Subject:subscribe
Unsubscribe: opdx-request@barf80.org Subject:unsubscribe

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
http://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation