The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1045
BID: $OPDX.1045
January 16, 2012
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 & ARRL DX, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, N4JF, K6VVA, KH6BZF, N7OU, N7UN, NN7A, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX (60m News), W9OL, 5Q2J, AT International, DK8JB & The DX News Letter, DL1SBF, DxCoffee.com, DX-World.Net, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, HA0HW, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I1RBJ, LU1FAM, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, PS7AB, RSGB IOTA Web Site, SM3CVM, TA1HZ, VA3RJ & ICPO, VHF-DX- Portal, YT3W and ZS2DL for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 8th-January, through Sunday, 15th-January there were 215 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1I, 4W, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5U, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/m, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/o, JT, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PJ5, PJ7, PY, PZ, S2, S5, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T32, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TL, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V8, VE, VK, VK0M, VP2E, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, 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" (WFWL).

3D2C, CONWAY REEF
Operators Hrane/YT1AD (Team leader), David/K3LP (Technical Co-leader), Aleksey/UA4HOX (Organization Co-leader), Paul/ N6PSE (PR), Atilano/PY5EG, Vasily/RW4NW, David/WD5COV, Carlos/EA1IR, Joe/AA4NN, David/AH6HY, Alan/AD6E, Gabriele/I2VGW and Alan/K6SRZ (Medical Doctor) and possibly two others (spots are open!) will be active as 3D2C from Conway Reef (OC-112) between September 25th and October 6th. Most of these operators were active from Rotuma as 3D2R last year. Activity will be on 160-2 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, SSTV and PSK31. Suggested frequencies are:
 CW - 1822, 3503, 7005, 10105, 14025, 18075, 21025, 24895 and 28025 kHz
 SSB - 1835, 3795, 5403.5, 7082, 14190, 18150, 21295, 24950 and 28495 kHz
 RTTY - 1835, 3582, 7035, 10145, 14081, 18100, 21081, 24920 and 28081 kHz
  SSTV - 3723, 7035, 14230, 21335 and 28680 kHz
 PSK31 - 1835, 3582, 7035, 10145, 14081, 18100, 21081, 24920 and 28081 kHz

The 3D2C team will be active from Conway Reef on 2m and 6 EME using WSJT65 (A,B,C) on 50.375 MHz and 144.375 MHz. A 6 meter beacon will be active on 50.095 MHz. QSL via YT1AD, direct (w/SAE or SASE + 1 USD for normal postage, 2 USDs for Airmail) or by the Bureau. For more details and updates, visit the 3D2C Web page at:

3V, TUNISIA
SWL Ashraf "Ash", 3V4-002 (KF5EYY), will be active as 3V8SS from the "Radio Club Station of Tunisian Scouts" in Sousse, during the CQ 160-Meter CW Contest (January 27-29th) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry. QSL via LoTW or to LX1NO. Read about Ashraf on the following Web page at:

4W, TIMOR-LESTE
Vlad, UA4WHX, is once again on the move and is currently active as 4W0VB from Timor-Leste (OC-148). His length of stay is not known as of press time. Activity has been mainly CW on 40/30/20/17/12 meters. QSL via UA4WHX.

7P8, LESOTHO
Donovan, ZS2DL, will lead a team of operators to Lesotho between November 9-19th. The team of 8 operators will be active on 80-10 meters focusing mainly on CW and RTTY with possibly some SSB. A callsign has not yet been assigned (currently awaiting official papers from the Lesotho Communications Authority - possibly 7P8D). Donovan is looking for operators and sponsors. QSL direct via: LESOTHO DXPEDITION 2012, P.O. Box 29169, Sunridge Park, 6008, SOUTH AFRICA (w/2 USDs - Please no IRC as it is difficult to convert at the post office). A OQRS system (PayPal) will also be implemented just before the expedition. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW within 12 months after the DXpedition has ended. For more details, visit:

8Q, MALDIVES (Date Change)
Operators Bert/CX3AN and Mario/CX4CR will be active as 8Q7HU from Maafushi Island, Kaafu Atoll (AS-013), between February 6-15th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. There will be a special emphasis on South America.

9M2, WEST MALAYSIA (Special Event)
Neoh, 9M2CLN, station master for the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitter Society (MARTS), announced that the special event callsign, 9M4CNY, will be active to celebrate the "Chinese New Year Cultural And Heritage Celebration 2012" from Penang Island (AS-015) on January 29th, between 0700-1600z. Suggested frequency are 14288 kHz and 7088 kHz, SSB only. QSL only direct to address on (QRZ.com).

A5, BHUTAN
Iain, G4SGX, will be active as A52JF from Bhutan between February 11-15th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW, SSB, PSK and JT65. He will use K3 radio. QSL via his home callsign. For updates, watch Iain's Blog page at:

C5, GAMBIA
Alan, G3XAQ, will be active as C56XA from The Gambia between February 27th and March 15th. Activity will be on the HF bands using CW. Also, look for Alan to participation in the RSGB Commonwealth Contest (March 10-11th). QSL via G3SWH.

CT9, MADEIRA ISLANDS
Julius, OM7JG, will once again be active from Madeira Island (AF-014) as CT9/OM7JG during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 18-19th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry. QSL via OM7JG.

CT9, MADEIRA ISLANDS
Tibor, OM3RM, will be active as CR3A during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 18-19th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via CT3EE. Look for him before the contest as CT9/OM3RM.

CY0, SABLE ISLAND (Update)
From the

1st Operator - WA4DAN - 70% SSB, 30% CW
2nd Operator - AA4VK - 100% SSB
3rd Operator - ?????? - 70% CW, 30% SSB

DAYTON HAMVENTION (Press Release - SWODXA DX Dinner)
Joe, W8GEX, reports: "The SOUTHWEST OHIO DX Association (SWODXA) is pleased to announce that we will again sponsor the DX Dinner ™, held in conjunction with the 2012 Dayton Hamvention®. This, our 27th annual dinner, will be on Friday, May 18, 2012. The dinner will again be at the Dayton Marriott, 1414 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, OH 45409.

There will be a cash bar starting at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 7:00. Following the meal, there will be a separate room and cash bar available for more fellowship. This is an excellent opportunity to meet new hams, and renew old acquaintances, as well as learn about past DXpeditions and those in the planning stages.

We were pleased with our new venue at the Marriott last year. The dining room is on the ground floor so there are no steps, there is a larger capacity, and there is ample free, on-site parking.

This dinner is always well attended by some of the most avid DXers in the world. As in the past, there will be some major door prizes, and there is always great anticipation as to who will be named the 'DXpedition of the Year'.

The Marriott is a large hotel with many room choices. Should you need accommodations, their Web site is

Details and dinner reservation information can be found on the SWODXA Web site, at

You can print the reservation form and submit it with your personal check or money order. And as an alternative, we are happy to announce that this year we are also accepting PayPal and credit card payments.

Program details and a list of the prizes will be on the Web site as they become available. Check out our Facebook page at 'Southwest Ohio DX Association', or follow us on Twitter @SWODXA"

FR, REUNION
Pierre, F8APV, will be active as FR/F8APV from Reunion Island (AF-016) between January 22nd and February 10th. Activity will take place everyday between 0100-0400z on 40/30 meters CW, and then between 1700-1900z on 20 meters SSB. QSL via his home callsign.

FS, SAINT MARTIN (Also PJ7)
Benoit, F8PDR, will be active as FS/F8PDR from Saint Martin (NA-105, WLOTA 383, DIFO FS-001) between February 5-16th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using mainly CW and RTTY, with 100 watts into a dipole and vertical antennas. He is also planning a side trip to Sint Maarten (PJ7). QSL via F8DPR, direct or by the Bureau and also LoTW.

HK0NA DXPEDITION (Latest News Dated January 12th)
The following press release is from the HK0NA Web page [edited]: "The 'Fabulous Four' (Faber/ HK6F, Jim/HK1N, Bolmar/HK1MW and Salim/HK1T) advance team continue their work of building the infrastructure for HK0NA with emphasis shifting now to OP. A (top of the mountain). And ..in their spare time making some QSOs with the deserving.

Of course, we are hearing from a small minority that they are doing everything wrong and not listening here or there or whatever. May we suggest to you and everyone be patient, and remember that 16 more operators will be there the morning of the 21st for up to 17 days.

Yesterday the DXCC desk confirmed that QSOs made by the advance team, when they used their individual calls, will count for DXCC purposes. Those logs will not be available until after the DXpedition concludes. May we suggest that you work HK0NA also.

We intend to upload the HK0NA logs to ClubLog soon after the arrival of the main operating team. Don't bother checking the 'Log Online' until then.

Lastly, our volunteer pilots kindly request that you not contact them until after the main operation begins! .... Thanks to all!"

ADDED NOTE: Some pictures are now available and can be viewed on the HK0NA Web page under "Camp Setup". For more details and updates, visit:

IOTA DXPEDITION (NA-172/NA-050/NA-004). Rick, K6VVA, informs OPDX [edited]:
"After completing NA-242 last July with Mike, K9AJ, 2012 is the year to now wrap up a 'Clean Sweep' of the KL7 North Slope IOTA #'s. Plans are to start with NA-172 left over from last year partly due to area fog problems. Mike may also join me for the other two. I hope to finalize NA-004 approval soon. Several other KL7 IOTA trips are also in the planning stages, and Mike (and I) still have NA-240 targeted for June 28-30th, 2012." Stay tuned for more details on the "KL7 North Slope IOTA EXTRAVAGANZA!!", by watching the Web page at:

IOTA NEWS
EU-059. Operators Allan/GM3OZB, Barry/GM3YEH, Bill/GM3ZRT, John/GM0DJG, Gordon/MM0BIM and Declan/EI6FR will be active as GM7WCO/p from St. Kilda Island between May 16-21st. Activity will be on the HF bands and 6 meters using CW, SSB and possibly RTTY. QSL via GM7WCO.

NA-085. Dennis, WA2USA, is to be active as WA2USA/4 from St. George Island (USI FL007S, Franklin County, Fl) between February 1-27th. Activity will be on all HF bands. QSL via WA2USA, direct or by the Bureau. For more details, see Dennis's Web site at:

SA-018. (UPDATE) Operators Roberto/CE3CT (ex-CE4CT), Pedro/CE3FZ and Luc/LU1FAM will be active as 3G7C from Chiloé Islands between April 15-18th. Activity will be focused on 30 meters and the low bands. They will have 2 stations active on CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via: PO BOX 3159, SANTIAGO DE CHILE, CHILE. They are looking for funds and support would be appreciated, please contact: lu1fam@yahoo.com For updates and operating frequencies, visit:

SA-030. Look for a Uruguayan team to activate Flores Island as CV5A during March. QSL via CX2ABC. No other details were provided.

J3, GRENADA
Once again, members of the "Buddies in the Caribbean" 2012 (Team #1) will mount a mini-DXpedition to Grenada (NA-024) between February 1-9th. The Buddipole team, which specializes in 100 watts or less low power radios and the Buddipole portable antenna systems, will have fixed oper- ations from a cliff-top villa and portable operations from various points on the island using CW, SSB, and the Digital modes, on 160-10 meters. The team consists of the following operators: Budd/W3FF, Mike KC4VG, Chris/W6HFP, Guy/N7UN, Bill/W7ZT, Weymouth/K8EAB, Paul/KB9AVO and Steve/ WG0AT. Licensing is not yet complete, but each operator is expected to receive their J3/callsign. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, or mail to operator's home callsign (SASE required).

J3, GRENADA
Roy, KE4TG, will once again be active as J38RF between February 8th and March 8th. His primary interest is the Digital modes using a K-3 with a G5RV and phased vertical antennas. There may be some CW and SSB. QSL via his home callsign.

J3, GRENADA
Harry, AC8G, will once again be active as J37K between March 1-5th. Activity will include the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 3-4th) as a Single-Op/High-Power entry. QSL to AC8G, stateside direct with SASE. For others sending by the Bureau, please clearly mark for QSLs to go to AC8G. Also via LoTW (a week or so after the contest).

JD1, OGASAWARA
Koji, JI1LET, will once again be active as JI1LET/JD1 from Chichijima Islands (AS-031) between April 29th and May 5th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign.

JW, SVALBARD
Torkel, LA6VJA, will once again be active as JW6VJA from the JW5E club station in Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen Island (EU-026) for only 24 hours on February 11th. Activity will probably be on the low bands as it will be in the dark hours around the clock. QSL via LA6VJA, direct or by the Bureau. Also, he will upload his log to LoTW. For more details, visit:

KH6BZF PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (January 16-22nd)

 Jan/16th  AN      Jan/19th  AN      Jan/21st  AN
 Jan/17th  AN      Jan/20th  AN      Jan/22nd  AN-HN
 Jan/18th  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

P4, ARUBA
Helmut, DF7ZS, will be active from Aruba (SA-036) possibly as P40S from P40V's QTH between March 21-27th. Activity will include the CQ WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th). QSL via DF7ZS.

PACIFIC TOUR (Changes To The HA Operation)
Laci, HA0HW, received the following press release from Pista, HA5AO [edited]: "HA South Pacific Tour 2012 - Press Release II - (For immediate release) -- We had two focuses on our announced January/February 2012 South Pacific DX Tour: T2 and T30 with possible operation from T33. We are regret to advise that we had to cancel the operation from T2 and T30. That was the bad news. The good one is that our new target is C2, Nauru.

The reasons of these very last minute changes, which are out of our control, are as follows:
1) We had to cancel the T30 as the flights from Fiji to Tarawa have been suspended since 12 September 2011, due to the air traffic dispute between Kiribati and Fiji. There is high risk to extend the flight disruption for an even longer period. After the consultation with the airlines and our consulate in Canberra, we were advised that 'there is high risk of not getting to Tarawa or not being able to leave Tarawa for a long, undefined period of time. This situation does not affect the flights to Tuvalu and Nauru.' We were waiting until the very last minute hoping that the air traffic dispute between Fiji-Tarawa-Fiji will be solved, but the flights have not been restarted, yet.

2) The Tuvalu government declared a nation-wide state of emergency on 28 September 2011 due to critical shortages of drinking water. The state of emergency was declared after existing desalination plants broke, exacerbating an already dire situation. The water crisis is still serious on two of the worse affected islands, the capital island of Funafuti and Nukulaelae. The airlines still do not accept excess baggage at all, including hand luggages, because of the loads of drinking water containers by Red Cross. We could only check in less than a third of our technical stuff, resulting in significant and unreasonable limitation of the station set up. Due to this restriction we decided to cancel the T2HA Tuvalu operation, as well.

3) Due to the above detailed situation, we decided to change the target of our DXpedition to C2, Nauru. Operation is planned between 10th January and 6th February 2012 as C21HA with two stations on all HF bands. Log search and further info:

It was the first time that we asked support and received contributions from DX Foundations, DX Organizations and individuals. We appreciate these supports very much. However, we will contact all organizations and individuals who supported us, and will pay the donations back if these changes would make them disappointed, despite the fact that Nauru is much better ranked on the most wanted DXCC list.....
73' Pista, HA5AO and George, HA5UK"

QSL INFO AND NEWS

 QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (dated January 15th)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3Z20WOS via SP5YOW     DL/MD0VMD via MD0VMD        OD5PY via KU9C
  4L4ZA via DJ1CW        DL50LINDAU via DL1CBQ       PJ4C via F9IE
  4W0VB via UA4WHX       DQ775BLN via DL7PI          TI2/AA8VL via AA8VL (*)
  9A201A via 9A1A        ED7IVN via EA7IVN           UA1ZEY/MM via RW6HS (d)
  9A205K via 9A5K        EK6TA via DJ0MCZ (d)        V5/DJ5AO via DJ5AO
  9G1YK via PA3ERA       FJ/SN2012WW via SP9KRT      V47GIW via W4GIW (L)
  A65BP via UA6MF        HK1T via EA5KB              VE2CSI via M0URX
  DB50EFA via DL8DWL     KT3Q/6 via DF8DX            ZF2ZE via NE8Z

    (b) - Bureau only    (L) - LoTW only
    (d) - Direct only    (*) - TI address and eQSL

PLEASE HAVE PATIENCE
* JX5O QSLS. Stan, SQ8X, reported this past week about the delay of the JX5O QSL cards. He states, "In August 2011 I had been diagnosed a serious illness that put my life all upside-down. I really stopped counting how many times I've been to a hospital or clinic since then. I also had to put all things like my job, not to mention ­ hobbies ­ totally aside for a long while. Finally, after many months, I start to recover and feel slightly better and also finally got sometime to take care of things that really bother me because of the delay. One of them is JX5O QSL management, which I declare I'm still in charge of. I know that many DXers who worked us at Jan Mayen are really anxious about receiving the confirmation from JX5O. Unfortu- nately, the reason of the delay has been really serious. And the only thing I ask for now is a little bit more patience. All OQRS requests and direct requests are secured and there is no need to re-send them or to worry that your card has been lost." To read Stan's full press press release, go to:

* Paul, I1RBJ, informs OPDX readers [edited]: "I left France last November to recover in hospital in Italy for a very aggressive cancer. I went twice under surgery and I survived although I am now almost an invalid, but I thank God I'm still with Caterina, Sara, Luca and my old parents. It's a very hard to accept for a man like me always around but it's life and I must accept it.. I'll again be QRT for a long while for I must undergo chemio and radio therapies. All QSLs must go now to my Italian address (see QRZ) I'll do my best to send them quickly with the help of my father I1RB. All the best to my fellow DXers, hope to see you all again before too long.....Paul rbj"

** OPDX and its readers hope for a quick recovery for both Stan/SQ8X and Paul/I1RBJ.

QSL STATUS ON E51MAN AND E51NOU. Bill, N7OU, reports: "The logs for E51MAN and E51NOU have been uploaded to LoTW. If you think there's an error, notify me by E-mail and I'll look into it. QSL cards for both callsigns are beginning to go out, but it may be 6-8 weeks before I'm caught up."

QSL RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 5B4AIF, AL9A, DP1POL, EI6IL, EI7M, FG5LA, HG6N, IO5O, IR1A, JA0FVU, JA1VND, OA1F, P49X, PA30BR, PY5ZD, S58N, SP3DOI, TO5G, VA7AM, VE5UA, XE2B, XU7ACY, ZK2V and ZS2EZ

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3D2R, 4L1MA, 5N7Q, 5Z4HW, 6Y3M, 7P8BA, 7Q7GM, 9G5MP, 9M6XRO, A25FC, A52VM, E51MAN, E51NOU, EL2LF, EL2WS, EX8MLE, FP/KV1J, HB9EHJ, HK4CZE, HR9/AI5P, J79WE, JW5AJA, MU/PA9M, PJ7NK, S9SS, TU2T, TY1KS, UA0MF, YJ0VK, YN2CC, ZD8ZZ, ZF2AH, ZK2V and ZS6EZ

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: NONE REPORTED THIS WEEK!

SI9, SWEDEN (Special Event)
Special event station SI9AM from the King Chulalongkorn Memorial in Ragunda, Sweden, the largest Thai Pavilion in the world outside Thailand, will be active once again between January 25-30th. Operators will be Raf/ON5RZ, Dirk/ON7DS and Fons/ON4AWT. The trio plan to be an entry in the UBA DX Contest (January 28-29th). Outside of the contest, activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and FM. Suggested frequencies are:
CW - 1817, 3517, 7017, 10117, 14017, 18077, 21017, 24897 and 28017 kHz
SSB - 1840, 3760, 7060, 14210, 18160, 21310, 24960 and 28510 kHz
FM - 145.550 MHz and repeater RV49 - 145.612.
QSL via SM3CVM, direct or by the Bureau. For more information, visit the SI9AM Web page at:

T6, AFGHANISTAN (Update)
Jørgen "Joe", 5Q2J/OZ2JBC, informs OPDX that he will be active as T6JP possibly late February. Joe is an electronic mechanic in the Danish Army. Activity will be on 160-10 meters depending on the conditions, mostly on RTTY, PSK and SSB with a Yaesu FT-857D (100W). QSL via 5Q2J. More details will be forthcoming.

TC2012, TURKEY (Special Event)
Members of the Special Wireless Activity Team (TCSWAT) and the Giresun Radio Amateurs and Nature Sports Club (GITRAD), in collaboration with Turkish Society of Nephrology-Istanbul Branch, will be on the air as TC2012WKD on March 8th. Activity is taking place on "World Kidney Day" to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health, and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. Operations will be on the HF bands using CW, SSB, BPSK31 and SSTV. Stations making contacts on three or more bands or modes will receive a special award via E-mail. QSL via the TA Incoming QSL Bureau or via TCSWAT. Details about "World Kidney Day" is available at:

TF, ICELAND
Siggi, TF3CW, has announced that he will be active in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 18-19th) as Single-Op/Single-Band entry. QSL via LX1NO.

TM70, FRANCE (Special Event)
Members of the French Army ARC will be active and using the special callsign TM70TRS during the major domestic and international contests throughout the year 2012. Activity is to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the French Army Signal Corps. Look for operations to also take place during French Army activities (like open doors and other meetings) and during the French "Coupe du REF" contests (both CW and SSB parts) on the last weekends of January and February. QSL via F6KHX.

V3, BELIZE
Art, NN7A, will once again be active as V31JZ/p, but this time from South Water Caye (NA-180) between January 27th and February 1st. Activity will be on 160-10 meters including the WARC bands and mostly CW using only 100 watts and wire antennas. There may be some SSB on the 20/15m IOTA frequencies, and if condition permit. Art will also be an entry in the CQ 160m Contest (January 27-29th). There will be no online log or skeds. QSL via NN7A, by the QSL Bureau or direct to: Art Phillips, P.O. Box 73, Eckert, CO 81418 USA. DO NOT QSL via the Belize QSL Bureau because there is no active V3 Bureau.

VK0, MACQUARIE ISLAND (VK0TH QRT??)
It seems Trevor, VK0TH, has had enough with the bad behavior during the pile-ups. Trevor, who is expected to stay on Macquarie until the end of April, states the following on (QRZ.com) (January 14th):

"VK0TH QRT - Operator behavior has become a problem
JA stations and EU stations that constantly call over other stations, don't hear or jam have turned a fun hobby into a stressful environment. I worked over 200 JA stations today (13/14 January) and when sending NO JA in the call it all got very ugly. I will be QRT for the next few days while I reevaluate how much radio I will continue doing while on Macquarie Island and how it is done. My apologies to those that wanted VK0/M, I can't see this behaviour changing, and I'm not willing to spend my free time doing something that is no longer fun. My apologies. Trevor."

Effective immediately - No longer will I list real time frequency inform- ation on my (QRZ.com) page, and I will no longer self spot on the cluster when I have limited time available. I will make a habit of 'dropping' into nets and conversations more often and will QSY when operations become difficult. Again my apologies, I thought I could work through these huge pileups and bring order to the chaos. Those that haven't been involved in these sorts of pileups have all the solutions, splits, work by numbers and can't understand what is so difficult. I will post some audio samples of SSB and CW pileups and perhaps that will give you some idea."

VP2, MONTSERRAT
Operators Norbert/DL2RNS, Olaf/DL7JOM and Rudi/DM2XO will be active as VP2MSN, VP2MOM and VP2MXO, respectively, from Montserrat (NA-103, WLOTA 1475) between February 27th and March 10th. Activity will probably be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via their home callsigns.

VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Operators Bill/N7OU, Bob/W7YAQ, Alan/K7AR and Rocky/NE7D will be active as VP5OU during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 18-19th) as a Multi-Sinlge/Low-Power entry. QSL via LoTW or via N7OU. The group will be on the island between February 15-22nd. Outside of the contest, they will be signing VP5/homecalls, operating on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY.

VP6, PITCAIRN ISLAND (Reminder/Update)
Just a reminder that the VP6T Dxpedition from Pitcairn Island (OC-044, CQ Zone 32) between January 20th and February 4th. This past week, the VP6T Web page reported on January 11th [edited]: "Since we got many requests asking for 6m oper- ations, EME, SSTV, 60m, etc .. we would like to clarify the following:

We are a small team of 5 operators, and we were very limited in baggage weight and size, mainly on the Air Tahiti domestic flight. So we had to make choices. While most of us are 6m operators, we had decided to not spend much of our precious time and effort on this band.

No antenna will be taken for 6m, as well as no time slot is booked for 6m in our operation schedule (it will already be very hard to keep 3 HF stations running 24/7 with 5 operators).

On the other side, we are aware there is potentially an old 5 element Yagi 6m antenna (left by OH2BR probably). If time permits, we will try to locate it and if it is still in good shape after 12 years spent on the island, then we may install it and make some tests on 6m, using con- ventional modes (CW and/or SSB). In that case, it will be announced on this web site, or on air by the HF operators.

So to summarize, 6m operation from Pitcairn has not been on our agenda since the early planning stage, as well as all others bands/modes that are not specified on this web site. Thank you for your understanding."

The QSL Manager is Nigel, G3TXF. In addition to the usual routes (Direct QSLing, QSLing via the Bureau and E-mail requests for Bureau cards to "QSL at G3TXF dot com"), they will also be using the new "Online QSL Request Service (OQRS) provided by ClubLog." For more details and the suggested frequencies, visit the VP6T Web site at:

XP2, GREENLAND
Henning, OZ1BII, will be active as XP2I from OX3KQ's QTH in Kangerlussuaq between February 24-29th. Activity will be on the "useable" HF bands mainly on CW. QSL via OZ1BII.

ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS
Daryl, W7TAE, will be active as ZF2TE from Grand Cayman Islands (NA-016) between January 22-27th. Activity will be on 20-6 meters using mainly SSB with some CW. Operations will take place during his early mornings and afternoon hours. He will operate with 100 watts into a 1/2 wave vertical antenna. Daryl will also be active in the ARRL VHF Contest, 6 meters only on Sunday the 22nd. QSL via his home callsign.

ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS
Operators Paul/W3GQ and Paul/W3HGT will be active as ZF2GQ and ZF2GT, respectively, from Grand Cayman (NA-016) between February 4-11th. QSL via their home callsigns. Both W3GQ and W3HGT state, "Log will be uploaded to LoTW upon return to USA. Direct QSL requests should include SASE and sufficient postage. Bureau card requests will be sent at no charge. eQSL by request only."

ZY78, BRAZIL (Special Event)
On February 2nd, the Liga de Amadores Brasileiros de Rádio Emissão-LABRE (Brazilian Amateur Radio League) will be celebrating their 78th anniversary. In commemoration of the event, look for special operations to take place between February 1-5th, on all bands and modes. Also, look for the National LABRE station to be active using the special callsign ZY78AA during and throughout the month of February. All QSOs will be confirmed with a beautiful commemo- rative QSL card. To receive directly (by mail), send a SAE + IRC or 2 USDs. QSL to all LABRE callsigns via PT2AA.

PLEASE NOTICE (as of February 12, 2007), NEW ADDRESS CHANGES FOR THE OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUEST:

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 NORTERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
http://www.papays.com/nodxa.html