The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1258
BID: $OPDX.1258
March 21, 2016
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, K1XN & GoList, NJ1Q & W1AW, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, NW4JG, K5GS, WB6RSE, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, DL1NX, 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, JG7PSJ, LU5BE, OE1WHC, OH2YY, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, PY2SEX, RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, VA3RJ & ICPO, VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) and XE3DX for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 13th/March, through Sunday, 20th/March there were 230 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3C, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E4, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FK, FM, FO, FO/m, FP, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, J5, J6, J7, JA, 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, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PZ, S0, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T32, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TL, TR, TT, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9C, VP2E, VP8, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, 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".

4A. MEXICO (Bird Op, Special Event)
Operators Ismael/XE1AY and David/XE3DX will be active using the special event callsign 4A1DX between now and June 14th. Activity is to celebrate 11th anniversary of the Grupo DXXE, Mexico's top contest and DX radio club. Operations will be on the satellite, FM only (**SO-50, AO-85 y Lilacsat-2). The QSL Manager is Dick, N7RO, direct or by the Bureau (Make sure your Bureau QSL card is clearly marked via N7RO). Don't send your QSL cards to the Mexican Bureau; they will not be answered because they have no QSLs. They will be uploading the log to LoTW and ClubLog at the end of their operation (June 2016). QSOs with this station are also good for the DXXE Award.
ADDED NOTE: The special event callsign 4A1DX is also active on all HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK31, JT65 and EME. QSL Manager is also N7RO. See QRZ.com under 4A1DX for more details.

5V, TOGO
Operators Werner/DL9MBI, Robert/DL6MFK, Armin/DF1AI and Rudi/ DL5MEV will be active as 5V7D from Kpeme (outside the capital city Lome, between the sea and Lac Togo) between March 24th and April 11th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and EME. QSL via DL9MBI, direct or by the Bureau. They will try to upload their log daily on ClubLog.

8P, BARBADOS
Tom, W2SC, will be active as 8P5A during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via LoTW or direct to NN1N.

9M4, SPRATLY ISLAND
Operators Pekka/OH2YY and Pekka/OH1TV will activate Spratly Islands from Pulau Layang Layang Island (AS-051) between April 5-9th. They will have two K3 stations with verticals for 80-20 meters and a 2-element antennas for 17-6 meters. The callsign will be released on April 4th. They will try to get the logs to ClubLog daily and also inform daily the band/frequency-plan for the next day. SSB will be the main mode, but they plan to do some CW as well. QSL via OH2YY or by the SRAL Bureau.

9Y, TRINDADE AND TOBAGO (Update)
Bill, K2HVN, will be active as 9Y/K2HVN on the Island of Tobago between April 19-26th (he informs that he will arrive on the 14th, but setup later than expected). Activity will be vacation style operation on 40-10 meters. He informs OPDX, "I will only be on 40m CW and only on 10m and 12m if the bands are open. Will be on CW and SSB on all bands (except 40m SSB)." QSL via his home callsign. Cards are already printed. NO LoTW. See QRZ.com for info.

AT, INDIA
Operators Prasad/VU2PTT, Nand/VU2NKS, Deepak/VU2CDP, Sai/VU2SGW and Gaurav/VU2WE will be active as AT5R from Rangaon Beach, Vasai, near Mumbai, during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via LoTW or eQSL only. NO Bureau or direct. No paper QSLs will be printed. Log will be uploaded to LoTW and eQSL.

BG3/BG9, CHINA
Richard, BG9GXM, will be active as BG9GXM/3 from Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, between March 22-29th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters (possibly 80/6 meters) using mainly SSB, T65 and possibly CW. He also plans to be in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest as BG3ITB. QSL both callsign via BG9GXM direct.

C5, THE GAMBIA
Operators Bogdan/SP2FUD and Zenon/SP2GCJ will be active as C5FUD and C5GCJ, respectively, from Brufut, The Gambia, between March 20th and April 1st. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL C5FUD via SP2FUD. QSL C5GCJ via SP2GCJ.

CE0X, SAN FELIX
Two sources are reporting that Felipe, CE5WQO, is planning to operate from San Felix once he obtains the official Chilean licence and authorization to land on the island. San Felix is ranked #12 on ClubLog's most wanted list. Felpie hopes to activate San Felix sometime between July and September in 2016 for up to 3 weeks. The dates will be confirmed by the Chilean Maritime Authority. Look for more details to be forthcoming in a press release.

CN2, MOROCCO
A Russian team is expected to be active again as CN2AA during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via UA2FM and LoTW. Look for updates at:

D41, CAPE VERDE
Members of the Monteverde Contest Team will be active using the special callsign D41CV from Sao Vicente Island (AF-086) during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Multi-Multi entry. The D41CV special callsign is to commemorate the 41st anniversary of Cape Verde in- dependence. QSL via IZ4DPV. Operators mentioned are Fabio/I4UFH, Massimo/ IZ4DPV, Andrea/HB9DUR, Helmut/DF7ZS, Rafal/SQ9CNN, Pete/SQ9DIE, Sergey/ RW1F, Oleg/RD1A, Oliver/DL9OLI and Saif/A71AM. For more details, see:

E4, PALESTINE
Operators YL Elvira/IV3FSG and Angelo/IK2CKR will be active as E44YL from Bethlehem between March 23rd and April 7th. Activity will be on the HF bands. Look for Elvira to operate SSB and the Digital modes, while Angelo is on CW. Elvira and Lui/YT3PL will be in CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL all SSB and Digital mode QSOs via IK3GES. QSL all CW QSOs via IK2CKR.

E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS
Doug, W6HB, will once again be active as E51DLD, probably from the QTH of Andy/E51AND/E50A and Jim/E51JD, on Rarotonga Island between April 24th and May 10th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters. QSL via his home callsign. No LOTW, no E-QSL, no QRZ.com logs -- hard cards ONLY folks.

EA6, BALEARIC ISLANDS
Mark, M0DXR, will be active EA6/M0DXR from Minorca Island (EU-004) during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 30-31st) as a Single-Op/ All-Band/Mode-CW/High-Power entry. Mark will also be active during the week before the contest. QSL via M0DXR, direct or by the Bureau.

FO, FRENCH POLYNESIA
Operators John/K3JZ and XYL Marjorie/N7SOF will be active as FO/K3JZ and FO/N7SOF from various locations/islands in the Society Islands of French Polynesia sometime in late March and early April (specific dates were not provided). Activity will be on CW, RTTY, and JT65. Bands were not provided. They will upload their logs to LoTW and ClubLog after their return. QSL card requests are via ClubLog's OQRS or direct.

FT4JA JUAN DE NOVA DXPEDITION NEWS
Operators Pat/F2DX and Jacques/F6BEE are now active as FH/F2DX and FH/F6BEE, respectively from Mayotte Island (AF-027) until March 24th. They will be joined by the FT4JA Juan De Nova DXpedition team later this week. FT4JA DXpedition is expected to take place between March 29th and April 11th. The FT4JA team announced on their Web page March 16th, the PET and a 6m EME page has just been updated and gives all the details of their operation. They show the days and hours of their attempts EME (contacts via the moon). The URL is:

FY, FRENCH GUIANA
Operator Didier, FY5FY, will be active during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via FY5FY.

HB0, LIECHTENSTEIN
Alex, PY2SEX/DL1NX/PY1KS, will be active as HB0/DL1NX from Liechtenstein between March 24-27th. Activity will be vacation style operating QRP with a Buddipole and KX3 using CW and SSB. He also plans to participate inn the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th). Alex informs, "I will try to be on low bands as well with a Long Wire, but not confirmed yet." QSL via DL1NX, direct, by the DARC Bureau or LoTW.

HB20, SWITZERLAND (Special Event)
Operators Philippe/HB9ARF, Enio/HB9RHI and a team will be active as HB20AA throughout the year to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the St-Cergue Radio Club (HB9AA). Look for them to be in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Multi-Single/Low- Power entry. QSL via HB9ARF.

IOTA NEWS
AS-037. After Taka's, JA8COE, activation of IOTA AS-056 look for him to sign as JA8COE/6 from Kami Koshiji Island between March 22-24th. QSL via JA8COE, direct, by the Bureau or ClubLog.

EU-030. Ron, DG2RON, is now active as OZ/DG2RON from Bornholm (DIA BO-001) until March 26th. Activity will be holiday style, but he plans to activate 5 WWFFs, 5 lighthouses and 3 WCA references. QSL via DG2RON, direct, by the Bureau, LoTW or eQSL.

EU-114. Members of "The Vulture Squadron Contest Group" will be active as GU9V from Guernsey between July 30-31st. Operators mentioned are Iain/M0PCB, Peter/2E0SQL and Tom/2U0TKB. Activity will be during the RSGB IOTA Contest. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS. For more details, see Website: http://www.m0vsq.co.uk

EU-145. Operators Colin/G3VCQ (CT7ACG), Cliff/CT7ANG, Andy/M0GAV and Sharon/M3VCQ will activate Culatra Island (DIA AI-01, DIP AL-001) in the Algarve Province of Portugal during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 30-31st). They will use the special callsign CR5CW from the the Cabo de Santa Maria Lighthouse (ARLHS POR-013, DFFA FA-06, DFP FAL06, WLOTA 0144), located in the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa (WWFF CTFF-007). QSL via CT7ACG.

NA-079. Operators Ricky/K4JTT, Tim/WK4U, Nathan/K4NHW, Emmett/W0QH and Emmett/KD0DTS will be active K4T from Dry Tortugas Island (USI FL013S, NPOTA NP17, WWF KFF-0023, ARLHS USA-316 & USA-236, WW Loc. EL84) between May 6-9th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW and SSB. Suggested operating frequencies are: CW - 3530, 7030, 10105, 14030, 21030 and 28030 kHz SSB - 3950-3990, 7250-7290, 14250-14290, 21350-21390, 24950, 28350-28390 kHz QSL via by the Bureau, direct, LoTW or eQSL. Look for updates to be posted on QRZ.com.

SA-061. (Callsign/Update) Operators Alejandro/CE6SAX, Marcos/CE6VMO, Sergio/LU7YS, Carlos/LU1YT, Frank/LU7YWC, Claudio/LU7DW and Fernando/LW2DX will be active as XR5M (not XR6M as announced earlier) from Mocha Island between November 4-11th. QSL via CE6TC.
They now have a Web page at: http://xr5m.com
FaceBook page at: https://www.facebook.com/XR5M-DXpedition-545242172302151

J8, ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINE ISLANDS
Operators YL Lori/KB2HZI, Pat/N2IEN, Ray/W2RE and Lee/WW2DX will be active as J8/WW2DX from Bequia Island, Grenadine Islands (NA-025, WW Loc. FK92jx) between March 20-27th. Activity will be on 160-2 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and EME. QSL via NR6M.

JD1, OGASAWARA
Harry, JG7PSJ, will once again be active as JD1BMH from Chichijima Island (AS-031) between April 27th and May 6th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters (maybe 80m) using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via the Bureau to JD1BMH or direct to JG7PSJ. Visit his Web page for more details at:

LU/R, ARGENTINA
Operators Horacio/LU5BE (CW), Henry/LU8EFF and Arnaldo/ LU3AAL will be active as homecalls/R from San Jose, Province of Catamarca (Grid Locator FG63xe), a Region in Argentina with very little activity and almost no CW operations between April 14-17th. They will try to have 2 active stations. Activity will be on 80/40/30/20/17/15/12/10 meters using CW, SSB, PSK31 and JT65. They will try to be on the air from 2300 UTC on the 14th. QSL via their home callsigns (see QRZ.com).

NP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Yuriy, N2TTA, will once again be active from here as NP2P during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Single- Op/All-Band entry. QSL via LoTW.

OE16, AUSTRIA (Special Event)
The Amateur Radio Section of ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation) and the Documentary Archive Radio Communications/ QSL Collection will operate, for 72 hours only, a special event station with the callsign OE16M on Friday, April 22nd­Sunday, April 24th (00:00- 24:00 UTC). OE16M is an official "International Marconi Day" station. Contacts made on Saturday, April 23rd, are valid for the IMD Award. QSL info available at:

PJ2, CURACAO
Ron, PB0AEX, will be active as PJ2/PB0AEX from Curacao Island (SA-099) between May 16th and June 6th. Activity will be on 20/15/10m using SSB. QSL via LoTW or eQSL.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (March 21-27th)

 Mar/21st AN      Mar/24th  AN     Mar/26th  AN
 Mar/22nd AN      Mar/25th  AN     Mar/27th  AN
 Mar/23rd 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

Also, checkout the VOACAP predication Web page at:

QSL INFO AND NEWS

  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (March 20th) 
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4A1DX via N7RO           GD4SKA via M0OXO        SC90SSA via SM7HZK
  4U1WB via KK4HD          HP3/VY2SS via AC2OV     SQ65HSC via SP3LPR
  5Q0X via OZ1EHW          II0IDP via IS0IGV       TC101GS via TA3X
  5T2AI via NI5DX          II1IGG via I2AZ         UP0L via DL8KAC
  A31MM via EA5GL & (L)    J42PIKRA via SV2DSJ     VK8NSB via M0URX
  CW5W via CX6VM (d)       ON9VB via UA4WHX        VK9CK via LA6OP
  CX/N3BNA via N3BNA       OP28TLV via ON4CRD      YP0C via YO3CZW
  EG7SSM via EA7DK         P4/PA7DA via PA7DA      YR110PILOT via YO2DGR
  F/DJ5YL via DJ5YL        PJ2/DD5ZZ via DD5ZZ     YR110VUIA via YO7KAJ (d)
  FH/F6BEE via F6BEE       PS2T via K3IRV
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (*-B) DX's- Bureau
    (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (L) LoTW only

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3W3MD, 4O7CW, 4U0ITU, BG2AUE, DU1/YL3JM (OC-126), EA1GIB/p (EU-080), JW7QIA, K5P, P5/3Z9DX, UA1ATD/1, VY0JCW, YF1AR/8 (OC-157) and ZL9A (OC-286)

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3G0ZC, 4L8A, 4M5IR, 5X8C, 5X8EW, 6W/F6IRS/P, 7S6W, 8Q7NC, 9X0PY, BA1AK, BA1PK, BA1SN, BA4ALC, BD1LT, BD2SH/2, BD3MV, BD4HF/8, BD5FFK, BD9XE, FG/F6ITD, FK8CP, FR5DZ, FR/F5PAC, FT4TA, FY5LH, FY/F5UII/P, FY/F5UOW, HK3R, HS0ZKG, J73CCM, PJ2/YV1DIG, SI6W, TM150ITU, TO6D, TX5P, VK9N/SM3TLG, XE1FAA, YV1DIG, YW5T, YY4KWB, ZA/F4DTO and ZA100I

SX9, CRETE (EU-015)
Once again the special callsign SX9C will be aired during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th) as a Multi-Multi entry. Operators are from the following contest clubs: Radio Amateur Association of Western Greece (SZ1?), Northern Greece Contest Team (J42T) and Cretan SV9 DX Team (SX9C). QSL via SV9COL direct. All QSOs will be uploaded to ClubLog or LoTW.

T31, CENTRAL KIRIBATI (Press Release #1, dated March 13th). [edited]
Kanton Island 2017 DX-pedition --
The Perseverance DX Group is pleased to announce their intention to activate Central Kiribati (Kanton Island) T31, currently on Clublog's number 22 most wanted. Initial planning has begun for a DX-pedition later in 2017. Subject to licensing and landing formalities, it is expected a team of up to 11 operators will be on the island for up to 12 days. Initial dis- cussions with a boat owner/skipper are scheduled to begin soon. Team members committed, or considering their participation, include: Pista/HA5AO, Les/W2LK, Mike/WA6O, Steve/W1SRD, Arnie/N6HC, Glenn/KE4KY and Gene/K5GS. Additional team members will be added throughout the plan- ning phase. Our website is under construction. Watch the usual DX sources for information. We will announce additional details as they develop.

Please direct questions to Gene K5GS or Pista HA5AO at their QRZ.com address.
73, Team Kanton Island 2017

V3, BELIZE
Mike, VO1OK, will be active as V31OK from Belize City between April 24-27th and from Ambergris Caye Island (NA-073) between April 28th and May 3rd. Activity will be on 40/20/10 meters using SSB with an Elecraft KX3 HF Transceiver into a LNR end-fed or an Apha Vertical antennas. QSL via his home callsign, LoTW or eQSL.

VK0EK HEARD ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS
As this was being written, the VK0EK team is now expected to arrive on Heard Island, March 22nd at noon (weather permitting). The team continues to be active as ZL/ZS9HI/MM (some are sign ZL/homecall/MM) onboard the Brave Heart. On Friday, they reported that they have made about 5000 QSOs. Activity has been mainly on CW on 40/30/17/15/10 meters. Several press releases were again sent out and posted on their Web page over past week. This includes many pictures being posted. All press releases can be views at:

March 14th: WSPR = Grid Square!
March 14th: First at Sea Status Report!
March 14th: News From Dave, K3EL ­ Radio Team Leader and Comms Leader Adam, K2ARB
March 14th: Grid Squares in DX Atlas
March 15th: How to Get in the VK0EK Log (Pt. 8): DX Confidence (Be Prepared!)
March 15th: Status Update from the Team
March 16th: How to Get in the VK0EK Log (Pt. 9): Reverse Beacon Network
March 17th: First Pictures from the Braveheart as They Pass The Half Way Point!
March 17th: Sea Birds and Dolphins!
March 17th: “Open Source” Expedition!
March 18th: ARRL News Reports on W5KUB Amateur Radio Roundtable’s VK0EK Live Coverage
March 18th: Introducing VK0EK “Heard Live”!
March 18th: 3th Argo Deployed ­ Dedicated to Morristown High School!
March 18th: VK0EK and the “Internet of Oceanographic Things”
March 19th: CQ Amateur Radio Press Coverage!
March 19th: Rave Reviews for Our Team
March 19th: Calling All New DX-ers (and Future DXpeditioners!)
March 19th: Whats The Weather Like on Heard Island Right Now?
March 19th: 700 Miles Away!
March 19th: How to Get in the VK0EK Log (Pt. 10): Working Split and LISTENING
March 20th: Welcome to DXing ­ Mike, K6VGQ!

"I operate with an Icom 7200 with PW-1 amp. Antennas are Force 12 (40-10m), M2 (6 meters), and a Alpha Delta dipole (160-10 meters). We live on a hill and the antennas are about 150' above the Southern Atlantic Ocean. I also work all Digital modes. Have finally received on the island all the gear for satellite and EME with Yaesu FT736R, 5500 antenna control... etc."

XW, LAOS (Reminder)
Makoto, JA7FGI, will be active as XW7FG from Vientiane between March 29th and April 4th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters using SSB, RTTY and possibly PSK31. There will be a focus on the high bands. QSL via JA7FGI, by the Bureau or eQSL.

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

OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME (provided by John, K8YSE (k8yse@papays.com):
http://www.papays.com/opdx.html

ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
http://www.nodxa.org
http://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation