The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1149
BID: $OPDX.1149
February 10, 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, W2GB, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4FC, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m News, W9ILY, AT International, DD8ZX, DK8JB & The DX News Letter, DL1SBF, DxCoffee.com, DX-World.Net, E21EIC, ES1CW, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, G3RWF, G3XTT, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, JA1XGI, ON7WP, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, Pete's DX-Newsdesk, RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, TA1HZ, VA3RJ & ICPO and the VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 2nd/February, through Sunday, 9th/February there were 230 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9U, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A2, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C6, C9, CE, CE0Z, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FH, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FS, FT5Z, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JX, 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, PJ7, PY, PZ, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T5, T7, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TL, TN, TR, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2E, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z3, Z8, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD9, ZF, ZL, ZP, ZS, ZS8

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

2014 FD PACKETS AVAILABLE
The ARRL Web page announces that the 2014 Field Day (June 28-29th) packets are now available at:

3B9, RODRIGUES ISLAND
Just a reminder that Eric, OE4AAC, will once again be active as 3B9/OE4AAC from Rodrigues Island (AF-017) between February 10-18th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters CW. QSL via OE4AAC.

5B, CYPRUS
Rich, M5RIC, will be active as 5B/M5RIC from Cyprus (AS-004) between July 22-29th. Activity will include the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th) using the callsign C4I as a Single-Op/Mode-SSB/High-Power/24HRS entry. Outside of the contest, look for Rich on SSB and RTTY. QSL via M0OXO.

5V, TOGO (Update)
Operators Phil/F5MVB and Joel/F5AOW are planning to be active as 5V7MP and 5V7BJ, respectively, from Avepozo between March 23-31st. Activity will be on CW and SSB. Details on bands have not been announced yet but will be forthcoming. QSL via their home callsigns, direct or by the Bureau.

5X, UGANDA
Just a reminder that Alan, G3XAQ, will return to be active as 5X1XA from the capital city of Kampala between February 25th and March 16th. Activity will be CW only. He will also be in the RSGB Common- wealth Contest (March 8-9th). QSL 5X1XA via G3SWH.

7P, LESOTHO
Just a reminder that Ewald, DK3ID/OE8IDK, will be active as 7P8ID from Lesotho between February 11-16th. Activity will be on 40-6 meters SSB using 100 watts. QSL via DK3ID or OE8IDK direct.

6W, SENEGAL
Operators Nigel/G3TXF and Col/MM0NDX will be active as 6W/homecall from Le Calao this mid-February. Their tentative schedule is as follows:

February 14-17th - Nigel's (6W/G3TXF) activity will be mainly on CW on the 30/17/12 meter bands. He does plan to be in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16th). QSL ia ClubLog's OQRS.
February 16-22nd - Col's (6W/MM0NDX) activity will be holiday style on 160-10 meters using SSB only. QSL via IW7EGQ
http://iw7egq.jimdo.com/6w

CW - 1826, 3530, 7025, 10115, 14030, 18068, 21030, 24893 and 28030 kHz
SSB - 3780, 7103, 14270, 18155, 21310, 24975 and 28420 kHz
RTTY - 14087 kHz
6m - 50102/CW and 50123/SSB

9X, RWANDA
Nick, G3RWF, will once again be active as 9X0NH from Rwanda between March 3-12th. Activity will be from Kigali on most HF bands and will be mainly CW with some SSB using K3 w/100 watts and wire antennas (Inverted V at about 40 Ft.). There will be no 160m, but he will be on 6 meters. Operations will include an entry in the RSGB Commonwealth Contest (March 8-9th). QSL via G3RWF. Nick states, "I use LoTW and do my own QSLing (prefer ClubLog)."

A3, TONGA (Update/Correction)
Both Keith/GM4YXI and Chris/GM3WOJ/ZL1CT (GM2V, ZK2V, VK9CZ) will be active as A35X and A35V, respectively, from Tongatapu Island (OC-049) between April 4-18th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW and SSB, with some RTTY. QSL both A35V and A35X via N3SL (not N3AL as mentioned last week). Look for more details and updates in the coming weeks at:

C5, THE GAMBIA
Dom, M1TKA, will be active as C5/M1KTA from a beach sea front location in The Gambia between February 27th and March 10th. Activity will be holiday style on 20/17/15 meters operating QRP using CW, SSB and RTTY. He also may try 160m. Dom states, "On the last weekend between 12:00 UTC 8th and 12:00 UTC 9th March, unless you are in a BERU country I will likely ignore you please try another time." QSL via his home callsign or the LoTW. For more details and updates, see his Blog page at:

C5, THE GAMBIA
Pedro, ON7WP/C5WP, announced on QRZ.com that he and Andre, ON7YK/C5YK, are or will be the only two permanent licensed hams in The Gambia for 2014 (as of now). Pedro will be active between April 8-12th, from the village Buntu (where he does charity care -see QRZ.com), and has set up his permanent base station (Kenwood TS480, Kenwood TRC-80, Yaesu FT897, a brand new 5 band Spiderbeam and a V-beam traveling wave antenna 2x120 meter.

Activity should be on 80-6 meters using SSB and PSK. Outside these days, April 7-15th, Pedro will also be mobile on 21300 kHz. He has no grid power, only solar panels and a Chinese generator. Pedro also provided the following info [edited]:

"After a 14 days round trip in The Gambia and Senegal now more than two years ago, I found out I was (according to African standards) incredibly rich and wanted to do something for the locals. So I gave my guide instructions to drive off the regular road into the Savanna and said the first village we would find, would give them some special sponsoring. So we ended in Buntu, where my wife sponsored a repair of a collapsing water well; we fixed a building that used to keep the grains safe from rains; we installed solar panels and donated two laptops to improve their English by watching movies on these.

As a return gift, I was donated some land to build my own house, so we installed 4 small guest houses 'Kerr Pedro' to welcome future visitors-philanthropists. Everybody is invited to stay over for free as long as they bring aid goods along (clothes and educational stuff, or invest in projects, buy food and groceries on their way). Last visit, I installed a big 5 Band spider beam, my friend ON5OF sponsored a 2.2 kW generator so now one of the houses is a fully operational ham radio shack available for guest operators/philanthropists.

I can assist obtaining temporary licenses in The Gambia and provide local transport and guiding using a jeep we also sponsored as part of out Charity project. There is a Kenwood TRC-80 radio available on site.

The 3 dollars we ask for direct QSL goes directly into the development of the village Buntu. QSL cards are sponsored by Max, ON5UR, so most of this donation can be effectively used apart for the return postage. Any more info can be found on the SmileGambia.org website. In April, we go back to check if the active building project for a community hall that also can be used for school will be finished where we will also install satellite TV for further improvement of their English. The amateur radio station could also use a low weight amplifier to improve our signal so if anybody could help on this point making us better readable that would be most appreciated."

FT5Z, AMSTERDAM ISLAND
The FT5ZM team continues for a few more days. It was announced by Ralph, K0IR (via Pilot Station NV9L), on February 3rd, "We will start taking down Antonelli on the morning of the 12th (our time). Mataf will function some during the 12th, but we will be QRT sometime on the 12th (our time)." It was also announced on February 5th, the FT5ZM team hit 100k QSOs. Remember that the FT5ZM log is now available on ClubLog at:

QSL via N2OO. The FT5ZM QSL processing order is as follows:

 
     a.OQRS DIRECT (via ClubLog)         c.OQRS bureau (via ClubLog)
     b.DIRECT MAIL                       d.Regular incoming BUREAU

FY, FRENCH GUYANA
Christian, F5UII, wil be active as FY/F5UII from the radio club station FY5KE in Kourou City between February 18-27th. Activity will be limited because of his work, but look for him on 80-10 meters on SSB. He suggests to look for him during the weekday mornings about 1000- 1100z and after 2100z. Also, look for him in the France SSB Championship which runs from February 22-23rd. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.

H27, CYPRUS
Tony, RT9T, will be active as H27A during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m) entry. QSL via RT9T.

IOTA NEWS
OC-209/
OC-210. The "DX-World.net" reports that Din, YB8RW, will be on a "Northern Indonesia IOTA DXpedition" and plans to activate Miangas Island (OC-209) and Marore Island (OC-210) as YB8RW/p between February 10th and March 10th. Activty will be on the HF bands. QSL via YB9BU.

SA-052. (Update) Joint DXpedition organized by Radio Club Peruano and the Radio Club Group DX Bahia Blanca Argentina, will activate Isla San Lorenzo with the special callsign/prefix OC0I between February 20-24th. Activity will also be part of the sixth edition of the "South America Lighthouse Weekend", with the activation for the first time from Faro Gran Almirante Grau (ARLHS PER-006, WLOTA 0131). Operators mentioned are Pablo/ OA4AI, Cesar/OA4CLU, Tony/OA4DX, David/OA4YX, Carlos/LU7DSY, Charles/LU4ETN, Daniel/LU1HLH, Gustavo/LU7HW and Eduardo/ LU7HEO. The team has the support of the Peru Navy, who will transport equipment and cargo in one of their ships from the port of Callao to the island in addition to providing access facilities and installation on the island. They plan to have two simultaneous stations active 24 hours, on 80-10 meters including the 30/17/12m bands using CW, SSB and PSK31. QSL via LU7DSY direct, by the Bureau via LU3DXG or eQSL.

JW, SVALBARD
Operators Rene/DL2JRM, Andreas/DL5CW and Felix/DL6JF will be active as JW/homecall from the club station in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Island (EU-026, WLOTA 0125), between February 12-19th. Activity will be on all HF bands and modes. They will also be an entry in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16th). QSL via their home callsigns.

KH2/NH2
GUAM. Dave, N2NL, will once again be active as KH2/N2NL from Guam (OC-026) during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16th) and ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 1-2nd) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via LoTW or via W2YC. Check out Dave's Blog page at:

KP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Operator Jaime, WP3A, will be active as KP2B from St. Croix, Virgin Island, during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry. QSL via NP3O direct or LoTW.

PJ6, SABA
Operators Jeff/KB1ZOJ, John/K5AC, George/N4GRN, YL Valerie/ NV9L and Gregg/W6IZT will be active as PJ6A from Saba Island (NA-145, WFF PAFF-027, WLOTA 2043) during the ARRL DX SSB contest (March 1-2nd) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL PJ6A via N4NX. The team will be active outside (before/after) of the contest as PJ6/homecall, possibly on CW and RTTY. Dates were not provided on their stay. Listen for QSL instructions by the operators.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (February 10-16th)

 Feb/10th HN      Feb/13th  AN      Feb/15th  AN
 Feb/11th AN      Feb/14th  AN      Feb/16th  AN
 Feb/12th 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 (February 9th)
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3B8BAE via K5XK          HP1A via HP1RCP          R80SVG via R9CZA
  3DA0US via N2DE          HS0ZKX via W2EN          SG0U via SM3CXS
  3Z51P via SP7AH          J28NC via F5RQQ          SO3Z via SP3IYM
  4L1UN via EA7FTR         JY9FC via E73Y           SO4R via SP4PND
  5C2P via IK2PZC          KH2/AH0CO via JH1QJU     SX2AG via SV2HXV
  5H1Z/3 via F6AML         KP2/AG2J via AG2J        SX2V via SV2GJV
  5P1B via OZ1JUX          LN5O via LA5O            TC10SWAT via TA1HZ
  5P5Q via OZ9XU           LU/OZ1AA via OZ1ACB      TM39PVJ via F8GGZ
  9V1KK via JH1ILX (d)     LX/DK5ON via DK5ON       TO6D via F6ITD
  9X0ZM via JO1CRA         LZ1950SAS via LZ1KCP     V5/DC8QT via DC8QT
  CE0Z/UA4WHX via UA4WHX   MD/EB1BSV via EB1BSV     V73DL via DJ2EH
  CE7/DL1REA via DL1REA    N7ET/DU7 via N7ET        W1AW/KH6 via W1AW
  EA8OM via DJ1OJ          OF40R via OH8DR          W2/CT1GIF via W2-Bureau
  ED9K via EA7LS (d)       OG0Z via W0MM            YL5X via YL2TB
  EF8S via OH2BYS          OT4A via ON4AEK (L/e)    YP25MTG via YO2MTG (d)
  EH5MYC via EA5BX         OX3LX via OZ1PIF         YW80RCV via YV5AJ
  EM11KY via UT1KY         OX5T via OZ0J            ZF35EJ via K6AM
  EO0U via UR4UHE          PA6NB via PA7JWC         ZZ80PB via PT2AA
  FG/F5HRY via F5HRY       PF14ANT via PA0RDY       ZZ80RJ via PT2AA
  FK8DD/M via LZ1JZ        PH44ZU via PC4DX         ZZ80SC via PT2AA
  HC1MD via K8LJG          PI4APD via PE2K          ZZ80SE via PT2AA
  HF0A via SP9YI           PJ4DX via M0URX          ZZ80SP via PT2AA
  HF51SDA via SP7PTM       R0000O via (L/e)
  HG1S via HA1KSA          R2014G via R7AA
  HK8/AL4Q via DJ8QP       R2014I via R7AA
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (L) LoTW only

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3W1T, 5A1AL, 6V7S, C21BN, FJ/DK7LX, HL3IUA, J34J, JY9FC, K9W, P29VCX, PJ7/G3TXF, S21ZBC, T33A, T77BL, TO3JA, V5/DL3DX, V63XG, VP2MXT, VP6T, VR2XMT, YB4IR, YB9Y, Z21ZBC and Z81X

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3D2NB, 3D2RX, 4L5O, 5H2DK, 5R8KS, 5R8X, 5W0M, 5W0YA, 5W1SA, 5Z4DZ,7P8D, 7Q7PRO, 8P5A, 9J3A, 9K2F, 9M0L, A61C, A92IO, BM0LF, BU2AW, BV2013LF, BV2AW, C6ATA, CU2/WA1S, CX1AA, D3AA, D7G, FJ/W5WR, FO5RH, FP/K9OT, FP/KV1J, H44MX, HC2AO, HK3Q, HK6BRK, HP3AK, J28UC, J6/N7QT, J79GV, JD1BLY, JD1BMH, JY9ET, KG4WV, KH0/JM2RUV, KH0R, KL5E, KL7LF, KP2/N2QL, LY5O, MJ/K3PLV, MJ0AWR, NT5V/KP2, NU1AW/9, OJ0R, OJ0V, OX/K8GU, P49Y, PJ2/N0YY, PJ2/W9VA, PJ2/XE2KK, PJ4A, PJ4Z, PJ5/K3TRM, PY0ZFO, SU8N, SU9AF, T30YA, T46RRC, T5TC, TF2JB, TF2LL, TF2MSN, TF3AO, TF3DB, TF3DX/M, TF3HP, TF3ML, TF3SG, TF3VS, TF3W, TF5B, TF8GK, TL8ES, TO22C, TO3J, TT8ES, V21XZ, V25WY, V47NS, V84SMD, VK9CZ, VP2MRS, VP2MYL, VP5/W7YAQ, VX6AO, VY1JA, WH2DX, XV2KK, YB8Y, YE0M, Z21BB, Z81A, Z81X, ZD7XF, ZD8LP, ZD8O, ZF2CG and ZK3YA

R25, RUSSIA (Special Event)
Look for special event station R25AFG to be active until February 28th. Activity is to mark the 25th anniversary of the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan. Activity has been on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via UA4AJD, by the Bureau or direct. More details, an online log and OQRS are available at:

RN22, RUSSIA
Andrey, R9XC, will be active with the special callsign RN22OG during the CQWW WPX RTTY Contest (February 8-9th) as a Single- Op entry. QSL via R9XC. The special event station is for the 22nd Olympic Winter Games in Russia. Website:

SX1, GREECE
Operators Vassilis/SV1CNS, Ioannis/SV1EIW, Michalis/SV1ONV, Nikos/SV1EIG, John/SV1ONK and other friends, will be active as SX1AA from Artemida (KM17XX) during the CQWW 160M SSB Contest (February 21-23rd) as a Multi-Op/High-Power entry. QSL via SV1CNS (direct) or SV1QXU (by the Bureau). See QQRZ.com for details or

TC10, TURKEY
The members of the TCSWAT (Special Wireless Activity Team) will be celebrating their 10th anniversary by using the special callsign TC10SWAT throughout 2014. They will be issuing a new award for this activity. Stations will need to make a minimum of 8 contacts on different bands and/or modes to win the golden award.

Contacts on 7 different bands and/or modes will earn the silver award, and on 6 different bands and/or modes will get a bronze award. In addition, special awards will be issued to stations working the highest number of bands on each mode, and the highest number of modes on each band. However, there will be only one winner for each of these awards. If there is more than one station with equal number of points for a specific band or mode award, the station with the highest number of QSOs will get the award.

The TCSWAT QSL policy is "QSL 100% via the Bureau", so please DO NOT HURRY and send a direct request! The cards will be printed in January 2015, so even if you send a direct request you will have to wait. TCSWAT will definitely send out your QSL card to your Bureau, usually around June or July, most probable delivery during Friedrichshafen Messe. They are using www.eqsl.cc and all the logs will be uploaded to LoTW at the end of activity.
ADDED NOTE: Read about the TCSWAT history under "Additional Bulletin" below.

TK, ICELAND. Robert, KT1K, will be active as TF/KT1K during the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 1-2nd) as a Single-Op/Low-Bands entry. QSL via KT1K. TO4/FM, MARTINIQUE
Just a reminder that XYL Francoise, F4BMR, will join OM Yves, F5GN, who is now active as FM/F5GN on Martinique, as TO4YL between February 8-24th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters. QSNs show that Yves has been on 20/15/10 meters SSB this past week. QSL via F5GN.

TX6, AUSTRAL ISLANDS (Update/Press Release #2)
A group of six operators from the UK will operate as TX6G from the Island of Raivavae in the Australs (OC-114) between March 20th and April 1st. The following press release was sent out on February 7th:

"We are pleased to say that we now have a callsign for our DXpedition to the Australs. It is TX6G. All preparations are going well at this time. We will be operating on CW, SSB and RTTY. We do not plan PSK operation. We are aware that other expeditions will be operating at the same time, so we are not publishing specific operating frequencies in advance ­ tune the bands or keep an eye on the Cluster to find us.

We have been asked several specific questions about operating objectives and plans. Our priority will be to exploit openings to Europe when they are available but we will also ensure that we cover South America, VK/ZL, etc. We should be able to work JA and W/VE for many hours each day so there will be plenty of opportunity for a QSO from those regions. We will not be operating in the CQ WPX SSB contest, but will use that weekend to maximize QSOs on the WARC bands and on CW and RTTY on 80m through 10m.

We will operate nine bands 160m through 10m. No 6m or 60m activity is planned. 160m and 80m will share an antenna, so we expect to alternate operation on those two bands, largely depending on band conditions.

Last but by no means least, we now have a website up and running at

www.tx6g.com where we will post news and updates and where, in due course, you will find a link to Club Log to check the log and make online QSL requests..... Don Field, G3XTT don.field-at-gmail.com"

V5, NAMIBIA
Operators Werner/DC8QT, Georg/DD8ZX and Klaus/DJ9KM are now active as V5/homecall from near Omaruru (JG88ds), some 250km north- west of Windhoek, until February 12th. Goerg informs OPDX that activity will be on holiday style on 160-6 meters using SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via their home callsigns.

V650, MICRONESIA (Update)
Haru, JA1XGI, plans to celebrate his 50th anniversary in amateur radio by using the special callsign V650XG from Pohnpei (OC-010) between May 9-15th. Haru informs OPDX that his activity will be on 40-10 meters, including the 30/17/12m, using CW, SSB and RTTY. He will also look for DX on 6 meters. Suggested frequencies are:

CW - 7025, 10105, 14015, 18080, 21015, 24895 and 28015 kHz
SSB - 7145, 14175, 18135, 21260, 24940 and 28450 kHz
RTTY - 7030, 10140, 14088, 18102, 21088, 24920 and 28088 kHz

VH0H, HEARD ISLAND (Postponed Again!)
In a press release dated February 1st, it was announced that the Heard DXpedition will take "in early 2016". This DXpedition which was originally scheduled for January 2014, and then postponed/moved to January 2015. The press release labeled "Project Descrip- tion v 2.3 for the 2016 Heard Island Expedition" can be found at:

Read PDF file: HE_News_Release_00.1_Background (dated 2/1/2014)
This revised version was developed after the meeting between Expedition Organizer/Leader Robert Schmieder and officials at the Australian Antarc- tic Division (AAD) in November, 2013. Excerpts from the release states,

"The team of 35 biologists, volcanologists, glaciologists, communications specialists, and filmmakers will scale the 9000-foot-high volcano, turn over rocks, sample the snow and ice, probe glacial lagoons, and search the soil and water across this extraordinary 20-mile-long island..... To reach Heard Island, the expedition will assemble in Cape Town, South Africa, and board the Belgian vessel 'Cmdr. Fourcault' for the 10-day voyage to the island. Once onsite, a helicopter will lift the team and equipment onto the island, and then stand by for the 30-day stay."

"We are in the process of building the team. Currently the communications team is almost complete, so now we will be developing the scientific team, the group that will search for unknown species. Concurrently, we are beginning to make contacts for major sponsorship."

XW, LAOS
Champ, E21EIC, informs OPDX, "I will operate as XW0YJY in 2014 until June 30, 2014" which probably means his license expires on that date. However, he states that his next trip will be between February 13-18th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters, with the focus on 17m, using modes CW, SSB and RTTY. Champ will also be in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16th). He prefers QSL requests via ClubLog's OQRS, as well as direct or by the Bureau via E21EIC. Champ will upload the log to LoTW after his trip.

YJ, VANUATA (Update)
Operators Bill/N7OU and Rocky/NE7D will be active as YJ0OU and YJ0ZZ from Port Vila, Vanuatu, between February 11-25th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW. They will be using verticals on a north-facing shore and 500w amps. They mention that they like the challenge of difficult paths and promise not to forget northwestern Europe. Also, they will be a Multi-Single entry in the ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 15-16th) signing YJ0OU. QSL via their home call- signs. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW as soon as they return to the USA.

YN, NICARAGUA
Scott, K7ZO, will once again be active as YN5Z during the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 1-2nd) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. He will operate "Field Day Style" using a Spiderbeam (20-10m) and a vertical for 160-40m. The radio is a TS-590 driving a KPA-500 amp. QSL via LoTW and K7ZO, direct or by the Bureau. Look for Scott to be active before the contest as well.

ZL7, CHATHAM ISLAND (Update)
Sandro, VE7NY, has announced an update on the international team going to Chatham Island as ZL7AAA between March 20th and April 1st. Operators mentioned are Franz/OE2SNL, Sandro/ VE7NY, Graham/ZL1GMB and Barry/ZS1FJ. Activity will be on all HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL are via VE7NY. The ZL7AAA Web site is still under construction at:

TCSWAT HISTORY (by Tevfik Aydin KAZANCIOGLU, TA1HZ (T5TC/ZA1TC/ex-TB1CAK).

It all started in August 2004 when a small group of Turkish hams travelled to Sile Lighthouse to work as TC2LHS. All together 55 contacts were made during the Lighthouse Weekend, but it was the beginning. Year after year, season after season, they started to get new callsigns with the TC prefix, with one exception for the 90th anniversary of Turkish National Assembly, TB90MM. Even when they travelled out of Turkey for a new DXCC, they had the TC in the callsign- ZA1TC (Albania Durres) & T5TC (Somalia Mogadishu).

Always looking forward to bring in young breath to the hobby, they en- couraged new beginners to all aspects of the hobby, but they did not forget those SKs who gave them valuable advice when TCSWAT founders were new to the hobby - TC2J - TC2BK - TC1BW. They were on the air from the field as TC57A, TC9SAM; on the air from the historical lighthouses (too many to cite here); on the air from European Capital of Culture 2010- Istanbul as TC2010CCA/CCE/CCI and others. Together with some of the well-known DXers and contesters, they put the TC prefix into contest lists, such as TC4X , TC2X, TC2C. As a part of their activity ,they are also chasing DXCC while giving out a new one or a new band slot to others on different parts of the world. With TC57A, they earned 'the first DXCC Award for a special prefix from TA'."

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