The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1194
BID: $OPDX.1194
December 22d 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, K2AU, K2PF, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, N6PSE, K6VVA, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m News, W9ILY, W0GJ, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DL1SBF, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, ES1CW, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, OE1WHC, OH2BH, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, PT7WA , RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, VA3RJ & ICPO, snd the VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) for the following DX information.

SPECIAL NOTE FROM EDITOR (Tedd, KB8NW)
My family (wife/OPDX's chief proof-reader Lin
da, son Teddy [TJ] and his wife Jessi, daughter Katie and her husband Kevin and son Lliam and daughter Lilly Grace), and I (KB8NW) would like to wish all DXers, Contesters and OPDX readers a very "Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings". Thanks to the many individuals who sent holiday wishes to my family and me.
73 and Have a Great Holiday de Tedd KB8NW

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 14th-December, through Sunday, 21st-December there were 215 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 9A, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9V, 9Y, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, CY0, D2, D4, DL, DU, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HI, HK, HK0/a, 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, KH8, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OZ, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PJ7, PY, PZ, S0, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T30, T5, T7, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2V, VP8, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, 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".

A6, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Andy, DL3YM, will be active as A6/DL3YM between December 23rd and January 5th (2015). Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters using CW. QSL via DL3YM, direct, by the Bureau, eQSL or LoTW.

C6, BAHAMAS
Robert, AK4BM, will once again be active as C6AGT from Green Turtle Cay (NA-080) between December 21st and January 3rd. He plans to have a beacon (most likely on 10 meters) active during the day and will be operating SSB, and possibly the Digital modes (PSK31 and JT65) during the evenings on various bands between 40-10 meters, as conditions permit. He may also operate from other uninhabited islands around Green Turtle Cay using a low power transmitter (Yaesu 817nd) using wire antennas, and probably on the 20 meter band. All QSL cards will be returned with a photo QSL from the island upon his return. Please send them direct to his home callsign AK4BM (w/SASE/Green Stamps appreciated, but not required).

CN, MOROCCO
By the time you read this, Dariusa "Laser", SP9DLM, will be active as CN2DM from Agadir until January 2nd (2015). Activity will be on 40/20/15 meters using a FT-857 and YT-100 into an end-fed wire antenna. QSL via his home callsign.

DXPEDITION SURVEY AVAILABLE
Once again "DX-World.net" will be taking your votes for the "2014 DXpedition of the Year". The top 5 votes will receive trophies from "DX-World.net", working in partnership with Northern Californian DX Club (NCDXC), who has agreed to sponsor all trophies this year. To vote, go to:

E4, PALESTINE (Update)
Members of the "PALESTINE 2016 TEAM" will be active as E44Y from the village of Sebastia in the Mosaic Guesthouse sometime during March of 2016. The team has added two operators this past week -- Franz, DJ9ZB, and Salim (Sal) Gechem, HK1T. Franz is a well known DXer and DXpeditioner, and Sal is very active contester on Super M/M contest station HK1NA and was a member of HK0NA DXpedition. Visit the following URLs for more details and updates:

Web page -- http://palestine.ig9y.com FaceBook -- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Palestine-Dxpedition-2016/729525207130528 Twitter -- https://twitter.com/PALESTINE_DXped

January 27th-February 1st - Basse Terre Island (main island); his callsign FG/F6ITD.
February 2nd-March 30th - La Desirade Island; his callsign FG/F6ITD and TO6D during contest.

H4, SOLOMON ISLANDS
Bernhard, DL2GAC, will once again be active as H44MS on a DX vacation to Honiara, Guadalcanal (WLOTA 0086), Solomon Islands (OC-047), between February 1st and April 30th (2015). Activity will be on 80-6 meters SSB only. QSL via his home callsign, by the Bureau or direct.

IOTA NEWS
NA-178. (POSTPONED) An operation to the Farallon Islands was expected this past week, but due to 8 foot ocean swells, the NA-178 trip was unfortunately canceled. The callsign would have been K6F. The team will retry to operate during the week of January 5th (2015).

SA-026. John, PU2KKE, will be operating from several beaches on the Island of Santa Catarina (SA-026) as ZV5WSC between December 27-31st. Activity will be on 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via his home callsign.

SA-071. Paulo, PY2SEI, wil be active as PS2AI from As Ilhas between January 23-25th (2015). Activity will be on the HF bands. QSL via his home callsign. LAST MINUTE UPDATE: Operation has been postponed until June 2015.

JD1, OGASAWARA
Take, JA1UII, will once again be active as JD1BON from Chichijima Island (AS-031) between December 22nd and January 2nd (2015). Activity will be on 80-6 meters with 200 watts using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign, by the JARL Bureau or direct [see QRZ.com] (w/SASE+2 USDs or 1 IRC).

K1N NAVASSA DXPEDITION (Press Release - December 20th) [edited]
The KP1-5 Project Team would like to report progress in preparations for a late January landing on Navassa is coming along very well! A container is being shipped from Atlanta, GA, to our staging point in the Caribbean.

Bob, N2OO, is our chief pilot and has organized an excellent worldwide team to collect reports and suggestions from our target areas. Feedback will be prioritized, filtered and/or condensed to pass along to the team at least daily. We have a very special pilot, Brandon KF5NYQ. Brandon is 11 years old and one of the youngest hams ever to have achieved DXCC!!! Brandon will be collecting feedback from young hams. On our website,

We are now on FACEBOOK and TWITTER!!!
- Check out our Facebook page: Navassa 2015 K1N and invite your ham (and non-ham) friends to follow us!
- For Twitter: You can Google Twitter and open an account. Then when it's open within the Twitter program search for @navassa2015. Then follow K1N.

Team co-leader, Glenn, W0GJ, was interviewed by DokuFunk Radio earlier this week. You can hear the entire interview (14 minutes) at

This week the team paid the first half of the nearly $200,000 helicopter transportation contract. The second half is due to be paid February 10th. By the end of this month, in order to progress with the operation, we must pay the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service $95,000 - $97,000 for the transportation of the Law Enforcement team who must accompany us. We will know our exact dates when our payment is due at the end of December. We will have a press release when we know our exact dates.

The cost of the K1N operation is very high and the time to raise the money needed to fully fund the project is exceptionally short. Inherent risks of a water landing on Navassa have dictated using a helicopter to transport men and materials to avoid the risk of scaling the 5-10 meter high cliffs during the period of rough seas (January ­ February).

The 15 operators have collectively contributed $157,500 toward the K1N operation, roughly half of what it will cost. DX Foundations, Radio Clubs, and Individuals have been exceptionally generous in their financial support of the K1N operation (see the list of donors at www.navassadx.com under the Sponsors tab). Team members are paying all of their own expenses to and from the staging point.

But the K1N Team still needs to raise a significant amount of additional money BEFORE the operation commences in late January..... to ensure payment for the extraordinary transportation costs. Final payment for helicopter services is due just before completion of the operation.

Contributions by continent as of 18 Dec 14 (excludes team members): 64%/USA, 20%/EU, 14%/AS, 1%/SA, 1%/OC and 0%/AF.

Contributions have been lagging from the Most Needed target areas of Europe and Asia. Our North American support has been doing quite well, where Navassa is much further down the Most Needed List.

If you are in the U.S., consider making a generous year end tax deductible donation. The link below explains a simple process that allows you to achieve tax deductible status via the Northern California DX Foundation.

Follow this link: http://www.navassadx.com/ncdxf.htm If you are not in the U.S. or don’t need to take advantage of a tax- deductible contribution, you can click on the donate button on the bottom of our home page.

Time is short and K1N will be active within 6 weeks!
....thank you for your consideration and support!!!

For the KP1-5 Project: Bob Allphin, K4UEE
Glenn Johnson, W0GJ
Mike Thomas, NA5U

KP1, NAVASSA (Press Release -- DokuFunk)
Wolf Harranth, OE1WHC, from the Amateur Radio Section of ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation) and the Documentary Archives Radio Communications/QSL Collection, has informed OPDX [edited]:

In his first of three scheduled exclusive interviews for the Documentary Archives (DokuFunk), Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, co-teamleader of the forthcoming K1N Navassa DXpedition explains how and under which conditions the activation was made possible; he discloses the team's working schedule and how they plan to cope with deliberate interference, a great annoyance at recent DXpeditions.

Audio file at www.dokufunk.org/navassa-e where also all pervious Navassa activations are amply documented. A second interview is scheduled during the operation, and a third one, a sum-up, afterwards.

Over a period of several years, Santa Claus has appeared on Amateur Radio bands to bring cheer to the whole world, adults and children alike, with the thrill of hamcasting from Santa Claus Land (SCL) and even talking directly to kids of all ages all over the world.

Santa himself at OH9SCL in the capital of Lapland, and OF9X, Santa's communication arm, will again be active on all bands. But this Christmas, Santa goes beyond his normal mission and welcomes you and your children to join him in the spirit of World Vision www.worldvision.org,

This is to bring Christmas also to needy children on all continents and this year specifically in Albania. Radio Arcala and World Vision UK have signed an agreement for cooperation aimed at increasing the value of Amateur Radio in society at large. The worthy cause directly involves amateurs in Albania as well. You can join the mission at http://qrz.com/db/of9x/ via a World Vision link and also find Santa’s ClubLog and spot windows.

Additionally, contacting both OH9SCL and OF9X this Christmas will earn you an attractive Santa World Vision Award at no cost following your email request to of9x@sral.fi,

The activity starts on Friday, December 19 and ends on the last day of the year, December 31. All bands, CW/SSB/RTTY, will be used, typically some 25 kHz from the band edge. When the station is operating on 20M SSB around 14.225 kHz, Santa's audio and video will occasionally be streamed at www.ustream.tv/channel/of9x-tv.

Those participating in the OH9SCL activity are Ynsky, OH9KL; Tuomo, OH9JML; Jarmo, OH9EGH; Juha, OH9MM and Kimmo, OH9MDV.

At the controls of OF9X you will find Olli, OH0XX; Ville, OH1JD; Timo, OH1NX; Jaakko, OH1TX; Raimo, OH2BCI; Pertti, OH2BEE; Martti, OH2BH; Mari, OH2FPK (YL); Jyri, OH2KM; Arto, OH2KW; Pertti, OH2PM; Pekka, OH2TA; Pauli, OH5BQ; Veijo, OH6KN and Kim, OH6KZP.

Santa will soon be at your service.
QSL via OH2BH.

ADDED UPDATE (December 20th): SANTA CLAUS STATIONS, OF9X and OH9SCL STARTED YESTERDAY 14228 KHz AND OTHER BANDS -- ONCE I HAD A DREAM ­ AS WE ALL DID - by Martti Laine, OH2BH: Back in those other years, Albania (ZA) was growing in rarity, and at one time it was the most wanted DXCC country in the world. Travel was restricted and obtaining a license seemed an impossi- bility. It took just about twenty years of hard work before ZA1A was able to hit the airwaves and to provide the amateur radio community with a new member.

We were honored to give you that opportunity and share the excitement with you together with the locals who soon became part of our brotherhood. Emotions were running high and made me personally adjust some of my values - and see the world differently.

We have returned to Albania many times, continuing with the original charter. Albania is not rare any more but it remains dear in our hearts. Albania has not made the progress we once hoped but many things have moved forward. Now we have decided to travel there once again with all of you on board through World Vision. We still have a dream!

World Vision is the largest international children’s charity, working to bring real hope to millions of children in the world’s hardest places. And they do it all as a sign of God’s unconditional love. World Vision is headquartered in the United States and they have a local presence in Albania.

We have now agreed with World Vision in Finland, the United Kingdom and the United States to step forth and help children in need and travel to Albania again and make a difference. For the first time World Vision is cooperating with Amateur Radio - understanding that we exist for society at large. We call on our own students in ZA to be part of this worthy cause and we will bring you another ZA with a good feeling.

So, just check out http://www.justgiving.com/martti-laine/ and make your donation to World Vision UK who will transfer it to their office in Albania to be used solely for the assigned purpose. Any amount is blessed and highly appreciated. We thank you kindly and Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful Year 2015.

Note for US donors: World Vision Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible in full or in part. If you are U.S citizen you can use the following link and receipt will follow: http://donate.worldvision.org/giftregistry/view/index/id/549471a359af8/.

In case of any difficulties, please contact of9x@sral.fi.

Cordially - Santa Claus with World Vision Council
Martti, OH2BH; Juha, OH8NC; Rich, K7ZV; Wayne, N7NG; Hans, PB2T,
Mario, S56A; Fatos, ZA1G, Jovan; ZA1H and Vjollca, Z61VB.

MISSION STATEMENT
Through sponsoring this World Vision project in Albania, you are helping protect the rights of children and ensuring they are included as members of society. This program started in 2014, and for the next two years will contribute to the protection of child rights focusing on improving access to basic services for children. It will also work towards ensuring children, parents and adults at all levels of society actively include children in education services.

P2, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Norbert, DH1NK, will once again be active as P29NK from Papua New Guinea between January 15th and June 15th (2015). Activity will be limited (due to work at the hospital) on 80-10 meters using SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via DH1NK by the Bureau.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (December 22-28th)

 Dec/22nd AN      Dec/25th  AN      Dec/27th  AN
 Dec/23rd AN      Dec/26th  AN      Dec/28th  AN
 Dec/24th 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 AND NEWS

  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (December 21st)
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4K8F via UA9AB (d)         GX4HRC/A via G3SVK       UE55SM via (e/L)
  5Q2J via OZ2JBC            J400EG via SV2HTI        UE72L via RQ7L
  AP2TN via DJ9ZB            OF9X via OH2BH           UW3E via UR3EZ
  DB50FIRAC via DL8DWL (B/L) OK/IK5YOJ/M via IK5YOJ   V5/DL3DXX via DL3DXX
  DR800BI via DL1YFF         ON70NUTS via ON4CFB      YC8UTI via YB3MM
  EA8/IK1PMR via HB9FKK      PB50REM via PA7DA        YT0PUPIN via YT7WA
  EA8/OH1LEG via OH1LEG      R100DA/AM via GM0WRR     ZR9C via EA7FTR & (L)
  EE1D via EA1ACP            TC9SAM via TA1HZ
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (L) LoTW only
    (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only

QSL RECEIVED VIA LoTW: DL2RTL, DO5HVO, G4PEO, M6T, RK3ER, RT0C, TY1AA, UA0DM, VK4LDX/P, VK5CE, VK5CE/4, VK7CW, VK8BI, VK8CE/8, VK9XSP and VU4KV

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 7O2A, 7X2JV, 9N7KT, DP0GVN/p, E30FB, VK9XSP, XT2AW and ZD8O

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3D2FW, 3D2ML, 4O7TC, 4O/UA3RF/P, 4X/OG1G, 5B/R2DX, 5B/RN3TT, 5Q1A, 6Y7W, 7S6A, 8S0DX, 9M2/R6AF/P, 9X0PY, 9X0ZM, CE5JZO, CT9/R9DX, EA8/RC5A, HC2AO, HC2/SM6FKF, HD2M, J79TA, OX3MC, P40F, R0QA, R13CWC,R20RRC/1, R20RRC/0, RM1Q, RT0F, RV110RAEM, RW110RAEM, S79DX, SU9AF, T48RRC, T88VW, TC75ATA, U0AL, UF2F/P, VK7/OZ8SW, YO900AIR, YP6Z, YQ0BIKE and ZS1/RD3MX

R230, EUROPEAN RUSSIA (Republic Of Crimea)
Look for special events station R230S to be on the air between December 20-28th. Activity is to celebrate the 230th anniversary of the founding of the city of Simferopol. QSL via OQRS or ClubLog or direct to K2PF. A special free electronic award will be available for contacts with Simferopol stations. See the R230S listing at QRZ.com for complete information.

T8, PALAU (Just A Reminder)
Ryosei, JH0IXE, will be active as T8CW from the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009) between December 25th and January 4th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, JT65 ad PSK31. QSL via JA0FOX by the Bureau, JH0IXE direct, LoTW or eQSL. He now has a Web page at:

V2, ANTIGUA
. Kei, KG2A (JJ1RJR)will once again be active as V25A from Antigua (NA-100) between December 25-30th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters (possibly 160/80m), including the 30/17/12 meter bands, and using CW and SSB. QSL direct only with SASE to KG2A. PLEASE NOTE: Kei informs OPDX that his callsign V25A is a reissued callsign. QSL ONLY TO KG2A and not to W9NJB listed on QRZ.com.

VK0EK, HEARD ISLANDS NEWS
* The tentative dates have been announced by Richard, KY6R, for the VK0EK Heard Island DXpedition - between November 17th and December 23rd (2015). Richard states, "Actual dates still subject to change - but will happen in Nov. - Dec. 2015. We are finalizing the actual weeks with the ship / tour operator. The shift now will only be +/- one week. For more details and updates, watch the following URL sites at:

* The Local Team: Preparing for Heard Island, VK0EK - by KY6R -- On Sunday, December 14th, ten hearty souls showed up at the Cordell Expeditions ware- house in Richmond, California. This is less than a mile away from where Kaiser Steel and others had ship works going during WWII - building big ships for the Pacific Theatre of the war, and about 10 miles away from where Emelia Earhardt took off on her final flight.

We prepared for VK0EK, The Heard Island 2015 DX-pedition. Since pictures and videos speak far louder than words, enjoy the show - the hard work - DX-ers talking DX, and the awesome camaraderie at:

* ANGEL DONOR CREATES $50,000 MATCHING FUND FOR THE HEARD ISLAND EXPEDITION. Read the complete press release at:

VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Stephen, VE3OC, will be active as VP5/VE3OC from Providenciales Island (NA-002), Caicos Islands, between December 19-26th. Activity will be holiday style (in between scuba diving) on the HF bands using an Icom IC-7000 into a Buddiepole antenna and running on a Lithium-Ion battery for portable use on the beach and cliff sides. QSL via home callsign direct or LoTW and eQSL. NO Bureau.

VP8/SG & VP8/SS, SOUTH GEORGIA ISLAND AND SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS (Short Preview Video)
The Intrepid-DX Group and Paul/N6PSE (Co-Leader, VP8 DXpedition to South Sandwich/South Georgia) has placed a "Preview Video" of their VP8 South Sandwich/South Georgia DXpedition on their Video Page at:

XR0Y, EASTER ISLAND (Update)
A team of Japanese operators will be active as XR0YJ from Hare Kapone on Easter Island between January 10-16th, (2015). Operators mentioned are Tatsuo/JA3ARJ, Masumi/JA3AVO, Shozo/JA3HJI, Jusei/ JA3IVU, Kunio/JH3LSS, YL Hiroko/JH3PBL and Shima/JI3DNN. Some of these operators are from the Lord Howe Island DXpedition last year. Activity will be holiday style on 80-6 meters (possibly 160m) using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via the ClubLog's OQRS (preferred) or direct to JA3AVO: Masumi Nakade, 3-94 KOYA ITAMI HYOGO, JAPAN, Zip:664-0881. QSL via Bureau (Global-QSL). Logs will be uploaded to LoTW after activity. For more details and updates, watch the following:

YJ, VANUATU
Haru, JA1XGI, will be active as YJ0XG from Port Villa in the middle of April 2015. Activity is usually on 160-10 meters, looking for EU/NA on lower bands. Modes will be CW (mainly), SSB and the Digital. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau. Usually an OQRS will be available on ClubLog. Look for more details to be forth- coming or watch his Blog at: http://kcv-net.easymyweb.jp/member/dxvacation

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OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME (provided by John, K8YSE (k8yse@papays.com):
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ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
http://www.nodxa.org
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