The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1243
BID: $OPDX.1243
December 7, 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, K2HVN, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, K6VVA, KK6EK, WB6RSE, K8GI, K8PGJ, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m News, CT3HF, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, ES1CW, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, JS6RRR/JI3DST, M0RCX, ON7WP, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, PS7AB, RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, TY2CD, VA3RJ & ICPO, and VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF)? for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 29th/November, through Sunday, 6th/December there were 225 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5W, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, CY0, D2, D4, D6, DL, DU, E3, E4, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, J5, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/m, JD/o, 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, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PZ, S0, S5, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T2, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TN, TR, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2E, VP2M, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VR, VU, XE, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, 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".

3B8, MAURITIUS
Robert, M0RCX, will once again be active as 3B8/M0RCX from Mauritius sometime between June 15th and July 14th. Like last time, he will be more of a tourist (DX vacation, with family obligations) and not seen as a "full core" DXpedition. His power will be limited to 100 watts, using a Yaesu FT 991 and Kenwood 480, into a hexbeam, a wire beam for 6m (possibly made from the island's bamboo), as well as a delta loop and long wire available for his activity.

Frequencies will appear on QRZ.comand will be updated shortly. His operating position will be close to the city center of Port Louis in the North West of the Island. Activity will be at least 3 hours a day on the following HF Phone bands: 40/20/17/15/12/10 meters. He is also planning to operate on some PSK31, RTTY and JT65A making some contacts with low to modest power levels (NO amp). There will be no EME. Robert told OPDX last year,

"I plan to live over there in about four years so hopefully I'll get a feel for it. QTH is inland about a mile from the ocean, but there is a mountain behind me (east) this is why I wish to push my signals over to the west."

3D2/P, ROTUMA (Update)
Antoine, 3D2AG, will once again be active as 3D2AG/P from Rotuma Island between December 20th and January 20th (2016), pending shipping schedule. Activity will be on 80-6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. Operations will be entirely Solar-Powered using Sustain- able Renewable Energy! Running barefoot with 100 watts into a Spiderbeam and wire antennas. He mentions, "This will be a one-man DXpedition so not on the air at all times . As I will have no internet or phone connection while in Rotuma, please check cluster for spots. Operating at or close to the usual DX frequencies; also will try and cater for novice station band restrictions by listening split above xx.025 for CW. QSL via his home callsign direct only. Also, watch QRZ.com for update by Antoine.

4S, SRI LANKA
Operators Josep/EA3BT and Núria/EA3WL will be active as 4S7JTO and 4S7NTS, respectively, from Beruwala, Sri Lanka (AS-003), between January 3-8th (2016). Activity will be on 40-10 meters using mainly SSB, CW and RTTY. Equipment is an Icom IC-7000 and a Ameritron AL-600S (600w) amp. QSL both callsigns via EA3BT (by the Bureau, ClubLog's OQRS or direct).
ADDED NOTE: They are also expected to activate Berberyn Island (AS-171) "as much time as possible".

5K3/HK0, SAN ANDRES AND PROVIDENCIA (Update)
Carlos, N4THW, recently back from Iraq (YI9HW), informs OPDX that a new DXpedition is being planned for 2016 to Roncador Island (NA-133) and Quita Sueño Bank in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. Activity will take place sometime between March or April 2016 for 2 weeks. Possible callsigns will have the prefix 5K3 or HK0 [currently waiting to hear from the Colombian Minister of Communications]. He reported this week that there will be 10 operators (6 from Colombia, 2 from the U.S., 2 from Europe and Japan). They are now getting a permit from the Colombian Navy, and started the process of licenses from the Colombian Minister of Communications. Felix, HK0PPY, is helping in San Andres and Ernesto, HK7IPT, in Bogota. Carlos is in the USA getting the donations and contacting the company the do the logistics from Miami to San Andres. They are still looking for funds. Look for more details to be forthcoming.

60 METERS NEWS (From W8GEX's 60 Meter DX Letter)
EA stations: "Spanish 5 MHz users go QRT at 23:00 GMT on November 30th. The Spanish regulator will decide the future allocations of frequencies in the wake of the WRC at Geneva and indeed look into permissible power levels. Until we have the new structure in place, just expect 5 MHz SWL activity here.”

The Netherlands (PA) are back on the air. PA Permission (From Bram, PH9B): Today we received the news that we can operate 60M. Our frequency sheet has been adjusted and published in the state newspaper. From 0000z local time, 2300z time we may operate on 60M. The link below shows the frequency sheet.

8T, ANTARCTICA (Update)
Bhagwati, VU3BPZ, is active as 8T2BH until mid- December 2016 at the Bharati Research Station (WAP IND-04). Activity will be on 20/17/15/10 meters using SSB. QSL via I1HYW.

A9, BAHRAIN (Special Event)
Special event stations A93AR/45 and A92AA/45 are now active until December 18th. Activity is to celebrate Bahrain's National Day. QSL for both callsign via A92AA direct.

CQ90, MADEIRA ISLAND (Special Event)
To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) in 1925, the REP­Delegation in Madeira Island will be joining this celebration between December 17-23rd, to mark this prestigious occasion. They will use the special callsign CQ90IARU. QSL via Bureau, or direct (see QRZ.com). The log will be uploaded to LoTW as well.

CY0, SABLE ISLAND
Aaron, VA1AXC, is once again active as CY0/VA1AXC on Sable Island (NA-063) until the end of January. Activity is SSB only and mainly on 20 meters usually around 2300z. QSL via JE1LET DIRECT ONLY.

E4, PALESTINE
It seems that the E44Y 2016 March DXpedition has been canceled. The Web page and other URLs (FaceBook/Twitter) are down or have not been updated.

E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS (Reminder)
By the time you read this, Haru, JA1XGI, will be active as E51XGI from Rarotonga Islands (OC-013, WAZ - 32) until December 11th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK. Equipment is a ICOM IC7000 into a Trap Vertical (7/10/14/21/28 MHz) only 6.8m long and a VDA (Vertical Dipole Array) (18/24Mhz). QSL via JA1XGI, direct, by the Bureau (about a year wait!) or the OQRS (ClubLog). For more details and updates, watch his Web page at:

E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS
Magnus, SM6WET, will be active as E51WET from both Aitutaki Island (OC-013) and Rarotonga Island (OC-083) between December 14th and January 8th (2016). Most of the activity will be from Aitutaki Island. Operations will be on 160-6 meters (pending cyclone season) using CW, SSB, RTTY and JT65. QSL via his home callsign direct.

EA8, CANARY ISLANDS
After his operation in Turkey, Rieder, HB9FIH, will be active as EA8/HB9FIH from El Hierro Island (AF-004)[is the smallest and farthest south and west of the Canary Islands] between December 16th and March 10th (2016). Activity will be 80-10 meters (possibly 6m) using 100 watts, and mainly on CW, RTTY, PSK and some SSB. When he operates portable (SOTA HI-001) activity will be on 40/30/20 meters using CW. QSL via LoTW, eQSL or by the Bureau.

FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TRIP FROM ONE CONTINENT TO THE NEXT
(ON to C5 -- "not the ordinary DX-pedition, but a unique merging of amateur radio and charity"). The following is an edited press release from Pedro, ON7WP/AA9HX:

"Pedro ON7WP/AA9HX will be driving a Nissan Patrol Jeep, a donation to serve as local utility vehicle in Buntung, from Belgium to The Gambia with amateur radio on board. He will leave Brussels on early morning December 12th, first crossing France and Germany to take a ferry to Ceuta where he will sign as EA9/ON7WP. He applied for licenses for all countries on his way to the Gambia, starting from Morocco as CN9WP, later operating as S0WP from Western Sahara and 5T0WP from Mauritania and maybe also from Senegal if they read their mail...

Mobile equipment will be a Codan SRX2012 with Codan 9350 antenna and a Kenwood TS480 for 6 meter operations. Evenings on campsites he will deploy a Butternut Vertical. Frequencies will be centered around 7145, 14200, 18150, 21300, 24950, 28500 and 50150 non-split while mobile as the Codan rig does not really allow smooth split operation.

Arriving finally end of December, Pedro, ON7WP, will be active from his second home "Kerr Pedro" in Buntung, The Gambia, using his other callsign C5WP. Kerr means "house of" in local Pular language. Pedro is actively involved in a private charity organization

www.SmileGambia.org that supports a small Village called "Buntung" inland central Gambia. It is a remote town with no water or electricity. During the past years, Pedro and his family installed a water well, solar power, grinders for the pearl millet crop, a fuel powered kilowatt generator, a few laptops on solar power, a small school and some guest houses to accept other philanthropists.

Last year he installed a Spiderbeam antenna that greatly improved his signal. Due to an almost non-existent noise level he can hear all the weak ones, and this year he is going to do some extra efforts for the lower bands, not easy on the savanna grounds. Plenty of space to put antennas but no towers apart from the palm trees, and serious restrictions on any hardware that all has to be flown in by plane. Since August, he has a vertically polarized delta loop for 40 meter that gave outstanding world- wide coverage from just the barefoot solar powered TS480 Kenwood rig.

Active from around Christmas onwards, he will focus on WARC band operation but also try some 6 meter traffic. Plans exist to put up apart from the delta loop for 40 meter a Butternut vertical for 40 and 80 meters. After a week of solar powered operations, he will move to the coastal area where he will focus on low bands, having possibilities for sea-side traveling wave antennas that proved to be good last year. End of the operations will be January 9th. Another period op operations is planned later this year when Pedro will be driving a Nissan Patrol Jeep, to serve as local utility vehicle in Buntu, from Belgium to The Gambia with amateur radio on board.

There are currently only two permanent licenses issued in the Gambia, being C5WP and C5YK. C5YK will depart for good beginning 2016 so Pedro will be the only one left at the time being.

As charity work comes on the first place, Pedro’s operations will be limited to his free time. QSL will be only direct to his home address in Belgium, and the 3 Euro asked for will be awarded with a full color QSL card showing the Buntu Village guest houses. Payment can be included with the card, but alternatively also paid online using Paypal using the "donate" button on the www.SmileGambia.org website. The small profit goes entirely into the charity project.

Amateurs interested in operating from the Buntu village facilities are invited to contact Pedro c5wp@smilegambia.org for details. Last year they had a visit of MD Dirk, ON5OF, who did some outstanding work dealing with the health of the population. Most people never went to see a doctor in their whole life! This road trip Pedro gets company from Kurt Adams, a solar power specialist who will improve the little power plant in Buntung with fresh panels. The trailer with help goods he helped build uses solar panels as fences and roof.

If you dreamed of operating from a remote African location and you are ready to bring some donations for the people or improve their life by your expertise, whatever it may be, this might be an experience of a lifetime.

IOTA NEWS
AS-079. (Update) Take, JS6RRR/JI3DST, will once again be active as JS6RRR (sometime as JI3DST/6) from Miyako Island between 0900z, December 26th and 0000z, January 4th. Activity will be on 160/80/40/30/20/17/15/12/10 meters using CW, SSB, FM and RTTY. Operations may vary in case of heavy rains or other conditions. QSL routes are as follows: QSL JS6RRR via JS6RRR and JI3DST/6 via JI3DST. Via the Bureau is best. Please check QRZ.com for more details or his Web page at: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/ji3dst ADDED NOTE: Take will use the special callsign 8N3KCJ/6 from Miyako Island at various time between December 26-31st. This activity is to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the "Keymen's Club of Japan". QSL via JO3OMA.

AS-153. Members of West Bengal Radio Club (VU2MQT) from Sodepur, Kolkata, India http://wbradioclub.in will be active as 8T5GSM from Sagar Island between January 9-16th. Activity will be on the HF bands. QSL via info on QRZ.com.

SA-071. (Update) Operators Murilo/PY2DS, Joao Carlos/PU2KKE (newly added op), Joao Paulo/PU2POP and William/PU2XIZ will be active as ZY2QG from Queimada Grande Island [Snake Island] (DIB SP-17 [NEW!]) and lighthouse (DFB SP-11, ARLHS BRA-086, WLOTA 0242) between 1500z, December 10th and 1800z, December 11th (depending on the WX for a good landing). This operation is labeled as the "deadliest island in the world" because of snakes. Activity will be on 40/20/15/10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via PY2DS, (direct & 2 USDs+SAE) or by the Bureau. See QRZ.com for more details and updates.

J6, ST. LUCIA
Once again, "Buddies in the Caribbean Suitcase DXpedition" team will activate St. Lucia (NA-108) between December 6-14th. This 'Suit- case DXpedition' will operate QRP to 100-watt radio stations using back- packable Buddipole antennas to make contacts from a villa, the surrounding mountains, and (of course) from St. Lucia's superb beaches. The eight operators are Budd/W3FF (J68FF), Rick/AA4W (J68RL), Chris/W6HFP (J68HF), and Tom/K4ZGB, Bryan/N8WD, David/W2LNX, Larry/W7DGP and Jack/WB9OTX an will be signing their own callsign with a 'J6/'. QSL via the operators' instructions. With several stations on the air, operations will be on CW, SSB, and/or the Digital modes on 160-10 meters. There will also be satellite operations.

P5CW (P5/K6VVA) PROJECT UPDATE
Rick, K6VVA, has posted another "Project Update" on his possible North Korean (P5) CW only DXpedition at:

PACIFIC TOUR
Dave, G4BUO, is once again going on a Pacific tour for his holiday. Activity will start at Maui, Hawaii (KH6), between December 26th and January 1st. No callsign was mentioned. From KH6, Dave will head to Samoa (5W) and be active as 5W0UO. Length of stay unknown. Activity will be holiday style, CW only, using a FT-857 into a doublet or vertical for 40-10 meters. QSL via G4BUO.

PACIFIC TOUR
Bob, W7YAQ, will be activating two islands in the Pacific during February 2016. His tentative schedule is as follows:

February 6-7th -- Moorea Island (OC-046), French Polynesia, using the callsign FO/W7YAQ.
February 10-14th -- Easter Island 9SA-001) between February 10-14th, using the callsign CE0Y/W7YAQ.

PJ6, SABA
Nigel, G3TXF, will be active as PJ6/G3TXF from Saba Island (NA-145) between December 9-13th. Look for him to be active during the ARRL 10m Contest (December 12-13th). QSL via G3TXF, or the OQRS on ClubLog for both direct or Bureau QSLs.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (December 7-13th)

 Dec/07th BN      Dec/10th  HN     Dec/12th  AN
 Dec/08th LN      Dec/11th  AN     Dec/13th  HN
 Dec/09th 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 6th) 
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3D2RJ via N7RO           HP90IARU via HP2BWJ      PD15XMAS via PD7DX
  7T150LH via IK2DUW       HS90IARU via E21EIC      PD6YOTA via OM2FY
  7X2YOTA via OM2FY        II3VVF via 9A8ARS        R18KDR/9 via RQ7L
  CT9/DL5AXX via DL5AXX    II5YOTA via OM2FY        SP3YOTA via OM2FY
  DQ0YOTA via OM2FY        IT9/PB8DX via PB8DX      SW9AA via LZ1PM
  E20AX via E21EIC         IV3FIV via 9A8ARS        SX90IARU via SV-Bureau
  EA7/PE1DMH via PE1DMH    J6/K9AW via K9AW         TK0C via S56ZZZ & (L/e)
  EA8/YP9W via YO9WF       J62YOTA via OM2FY        TM4TLT via F4KIP
  EE9AA via EA7FKH         JD1BON via JA1UII        TM900HAG via F8CRS
  EF8O via DJ1OJ           LZ362MT via LZ1KCP       TX90IARU via NI5DX
  EG5ERC via EA5HJY        OE0YOTA via OM2FY        UN7TX via RW6HS (d)
  EG9YOTA via OM2FY        OE15YOTA via OM2FY       UW7M via UR3MP
  EI/SQ9C via SQ9C         OH2YOTA via OM2FY        VP2EAR via KE1B & (L)
  FM/DL7VOG via DL7VOG     OM15YOTA via OM2FY       YT15YOTA via OM2FY
  GW15YOTA via OM2FY       OM9YOTA via OM2FY
  HG30CW via HA3NU         OP7CK via ON7CK
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (*-B) DX's- Bureau
    (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (L) LoTW only

S79OWZ QSL STATUS. Roman, RA3R, reports that "All direct QSL cards for S79OWZ have been sent."

QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 5Z0L, C31MF, DL5DC, DL1NRC, DL1ZU, DL5FU, EA1DR, F6CSR, F6GCI, GW4OGO, HB9CIC, HZ1TT, J3/KO8SCA, JJ0NCC, LX1NO, OE1PMU, R7AL/0 (AS-172), R7DA, S79C (AF-119), SP3CGK, SP4AXU, SV5/OM3AG/P, TT8AMO, VE3XN, VP2EAQ and XE1RBV

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3G0ZC, 3W4VX, 6Y9X, 9G5XA, E51DWC, FY5FY, HC1PF, HI3TT, K1ZT/KH6, LX9YL, R7AL/0 (AS-172), S01WS, S79SP, T46BC, TZ4AM, UA0ZC/p (AS-203), UA2F, YB4IR/3 (OC-217) and YS1YS

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 2E1RAF, 3A/EA5IDQ, 3B9FR, 3DA0CF, 3G3P, 4B3DX, 4X1DF, 4X1IM, 4X4PG, 4XREM, 4X4YM, 4X6FR, 4X6HP, 4X6RA, 4X6ZM, 4X0T, 4X67VF, 4Z1WP, 4Z4BS, 4Z4IW/P, 4Z4KM, 4Z4UT, 4Z5AG, 4Z5JO, 4Z5LA, 4Z5LV, 4Z5MR, 4Z5MX, 4Z5NX/M, 4Z5PJ, 4Z5TT, 4Z65TT, 5B/G3RWF, 5R8IC, 5U6E, 5X1NH, 5X8C, 9A1WFF, 9H3JA, A25HQ, A65BD, AM01AST, AM03NN, AM04DUT, AM07ZY, AM590IDQ, AN03FLY, AO05JC, C6AGU, C31CT, C37AC, C5X, C91CF, CM2CCA, EA6/EA7AAW, EA6AIF, EA6AIS, EA6AZ, EA6ALW, EA6ES, EA6SX, EA6TS, EA6VQ, EA6WU, EA6ZS, EA8AB, EA8AF, EA8AHM, EA8AMY, EA8BZH, EA8CP, EA8CRX, EA8CSD, EA8CSG, EA8DQ, EA8DBQ, EA8KL, EA8OV, EA8QP, EA9BO, EB8AIU, ED8B, EE6K, EF9O, EG8TT, FM/F5MCC, FR1GV, FW5JJ, FY/F5UII, G100C, GR2HQ, GR4RCG, H7H, HG0VBD, HP0INT/3, J28NC, J28UC, MD/EB1BSV/P, T6AG, TC7V, TF/EA5IDQ, TJ3AY, TK5AE, TK5NJ, TO2R, TO5BR, TM57YL, TM75FOC, TT8CY, TU5XV, VK5PAS, PY4KS, ZA/F4DTO, ZY4C and ZZ80TO

S9, SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE (Update OPDX.1240)
Bruno, HB9BEI, who is currently in Brazil and is active as PY7ZBK during the winter months, informs OPDX that he will be active as S9BK (requested) from Sao Tome (AF-023) between February 25th and March 25th (2016). During this period he will also travel to Principe (AF-044) between March 7-12th. Activity from both islands will be holiday style on 40-10 meters using mainly SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via his home callsign.

TO2, ST. BARTHELEMY (Update)
Bill, K2HVN, will be active using the special callsign TO2EE from Saint Barthelemy Island (NA-146, DIFO FJ-001, WLOTA 0377) between December 12-19th. Activity will be on "all bands CW and SSB accept 80 meters" using 100 watts into Buddipole Vertical. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.

TZ, MALI
Operators Christian/F4WBN and Rene/F5DUX will be active as TZ9A from Mali between December 7-19th. Activity will be on the HF bands with a focus on RTTY. QSL via F4WBN direct only.

V4, ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
David, K1KA, announced that he will be active as V47KA from Calypso Bay, St. Kitts (NA-104), in February 2016. Details of activity were not provided. QSL via his home callsign, direct or LoTW.

VK0EK DXPEDITION NEWS (Heard Island Expedition Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 7)
The current Heard Island Expedition Newsletter (Vol. 1, No. 7 -- dated November 28th) is now out. Individuals may have already received this because they subscribed to it, or they made a donation to the expedition, or they are a team member or a corporate sponsor, or Bob, KK6EK, just happens to know you and think you would like to have it. This issue goes to 1369 different people.

Bob also informs [edited],

"There is no charge or obligation for this ­ we just want to help you make a QSO with VK0EK, or to collaborate in the scientific work. Future Newsletters will be issued now and then, when we have something to say, probably every few weeks. If you missed a previous Newsletter and would like to have a copy, you can find a link on p. 4 http://www.heardisland.org/HD_pages/HD_newsletter_back_issues.html to download the back issue.

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

I hope you like this Newsletter and find it useful. If you have sugges- tions, comments, subjects you would like to see addressed, etc., or wish to be removed from the distribution list, please write to me..... Bob, KK6EK -- Organizer/Expedition Leader"

W1, UNITED STATES (Special Event)
Look for special event station W1Q to be active until December 15th. Activity is to commemorating the 100th anniversary of "QST", the ARRL's monthly magazine. Operators will be on the air on various bands and modes. One of the operators is Harold Kramer, WJ1B, QST Publisher and ARRL COO. Also, a number of ARRL staff and volun- teers will be operating: Martin/AA6E, Chuck/K0BOG, Sean/KX9X, Joe/NJ1Q, John/NP2B, David/WA1OUI and Rick/WW1ME. QSL via WJ1B, direct, by the Bureau, and LoTW. Watch QRZ.com (under WJ1B) for more details. Also, see:

ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS
Pete, K8PGJ, will be active as ZF2PG on the Sunny Grand Cayman Islands (NA-016) during the week of January 9-17th (2016). Activity when not diving will occur on 20-10 meters SSB on the week- days and the evening of the 14th on 160-40 meters. He will activate the Caymans during the NAQP SSB Contest (January 9-10th) on 160-10 meters. LoTW will be utilized and direct QSL go via his home callsign. Schedule will be posted on QRZ.com.

ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS
Fred, WW4LL, will be active as ZF2LL from Grand Cayman Island (NA-016) between December 31st and January 5th. Activity seems to be focused on the ARRL RTTY Round Up (January 2-3rd), but there will be some limited SSB and RTTY before and after the contest. QSL via LoTW.

ZY70, BRAZIL (Special Event)
Rony, PS7AB, will activate special event station ZY70FEB between December 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. ZY70FEB is the 12th 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:

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