The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1295
BID: $OPDX.1295
December 12, 2016
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)
Written/Sent From Strongsville, Oh

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, NJ1Q & W1AW, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4UEE, N4AA & QRZ DX, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, CO2JD, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, EA5RM, ES1CW, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, 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, 4th-December, through Sunday, 11th-December there were 221 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C9, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E4, E5/n, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PJ7, PY, PZ, S0, S2, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T2, T30, T5, T7, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, VU7, XE, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YJ, 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".

3Y0Z BOUVET DXPEDITION UPDATE. Bob, K4UEE, sent out the following on
December 7th: Press Release #4 -- Bouvet Island DXpedition 2018 --
  The Bouvet Island DXpedition Team is happy to report the following:
  After extensive examination, we have found a suitable landing zone on
Bouvet Island and have identified what appears to be the best operating
location in the area. Our proposed site is at 540 24’ 23” South and
30  24’ 39” East at approximately 600 ft. ASL. This is on the Slakhallet
Glacier on the northeast quadrant of Bouvet. It is relatively flat with
areas of maximum slope not exceeding 8 degrees. This is well below slope
levels that are prone to avalanches. We have less information on the
presence of crevasses, but do not detect any on the highest resolution
images that we have. Of course, an on-site inspection upon our initial
helicopter landing will determine our actual operating location.
  We have researched and selected our Antarctic shelters. These four
shelters will house our stations, our sleeping quarters, and our eating
and meeting facility (the MEG tent). These were selected to survive the
high winds, precipitation, and temperatures expected on Bouvet. We will
heat our operating shelter and the MEG tent. Our sleeping shelters will
not be heated for safety reasons.
  The ten HF beams that served us so well on Amsterdam Island (FT5ZM)
will accompany us to Bouvet. We intend to deploy them on a line along
2400 to 600. This will keep the antennas from beaming into each other
when aimed at Europe, Japan, and North America. Our verticals for 160,
80, 60, 40, and 30 meters will be placed to minimize interaction. Images
of our antenna plans, shelter layouts, and shelter interiors are on our
website.
  The Japanese support team has reorganized and will be led by Hiro,
JA4DND. Joe, JJ3PRT, will be our new pilot for Japan. JA4BUA, Kuwa, will
be in charge of web and IT duties, and JK1KSB, Oku, will do our public
relations. In addition, we’ve added a VK-ZL-Oceania pilot, VK6VZ.
  Our on-line store has opened! You can now shop at Café Press for 3Y0Z
souvenirs --- mugs, hats, cups, T-shirts, etc. You can purchase fun and
usable products and at the same time... 
  Support the 3Y0Z team. 
  Our Facebook page, 3Y0Z-Bouvet Island DXpedition, now has over 1500
followers. Stop by for photos, articles, updates, and meeting fellow
DXers.
  Fund-raising is an on-going process for us. This is a demanding and
expensive project; possibly the most expensive DXpedition ever. We ask
for your financial support. Please click on our "Donate" buttons on our
website and help us make this happen.
  The Bouvet Island DXpedition-2018 Team wishes you and your families
a wonderful Holiday season and a New Year filled with DX!


4S, SRI LANKA (WWFF Op). Members of the Radio Society of Sri Lanka (4S7RS)
are now active as 4S7RS from Hiyare Forest Reserve (4SFF-0019), Galle,
until December 13th. Activity will be on all HF bands 160-10 meters
using on CW, SSB, JT65 and PSK. Operators mentioned are Victor/4S7VK,
Wijey/4S7VJ, Ron/4S7RO, Jaliya/4S7JL and possibly others. QSL via 4S7RS
direct. For more information, see:        http://www.rssl.lk


5K0, SAN ANDRES. Operators Will/AA4NC and Ron/AA4VK will be on San Andres
between February 14th and March 7th. Callsign are unknown at this point.
It should be either 5K0N or 5K0X. They plan to be active on various HF
bands and 60 meters. QSL info has not be reported yet. ALSO REMEMBER:
Operators Will/AA4NC, Faber/HK6F, Tim/LW9EOC and David/WJ2O have joined
forces to be active as 5J0NA from San Andres during the ARRL International
DX SSB Contest (March 4-5th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via LW9EOC.


5U, NIGER. Operators Alberto/EA1SA, Roberto/EA2RY, Javier/EA5KM, Antoio/
EA5RM (Team Leader), Manuel/EA7AJR, Jose/EA7KW, Tony/F8ATS, Bernard/F9IE,
Faber/HK6F, Fabrizio/IN3ZNR, Mike/RU1WM and Valery/UT7CR, all members of
the Tifariti Gang, will be active as 5U5R from Niamey, Niger, between March
8-21st, 2017. Activity will be on all bands between 160-6 meters using CW,
SSB and RTTY. QSL via EA5RM. An OQRS will be available after the DXpedition.
For more info and updates, watch:     http://www.dxfriends.com/5u5r


60M NEWS. "The 60 Meter DX" newsletter reports that the Finnish Communi-
cation Regulatory Authority (FICORA) made a surprise decision today and
allowed all OH-stations - regardless of the class - to use 5 MHz. It's
the WRC frequencies 5351.5 - 5366.5 kHz and 15 W EIRP. So you might hear
a lot of OH stations on the band today. The decision was retroactive from
the morning of Dec 9th ----- However, those club stations as OH2P aka
OH2BU, who have a special permit to use eight spot frequencies (5278.6,
5288,6, 5298.6, 5330.6, 5346.6, 5366.6, 5371.6, and 5398.6 ) are allowed
to use them as long as their individual license for that is valid. For
some stations the license is valid until the end of 2019. FICORA promised
earlier that the permit will be given from 1.1.2017, but did it now....
  Reported by Jari, OH2BU
Active already has been OH3NE, OH1LEG, OH5ESU, OH7KM and OH3CT.


8Q & LZ, MALDIVES AND BULGARIA. Neven, LZ1COM, who will soon be active
as LZ/8Q7ND from Bulgaria, will also be active as 8Q7ND from the Maldive
Islands between December 29th and January 5th, 2017. Activity will be
on various HF bands. Equipment will be ICOM-7100 with 100w. Antenna is
not clear yet. QSL via his home callsign.


C50, THE GAMBIA. Vlad, UA4WHX, is now active as C50VB from The Gambia.
As always, his length of stay unknown at this time. Activity will be on
various HF bands (currently 40/30/20/17m) using CW, SSB and the Digital
modes. QSL via his home callsign.


HC, ECUADOR. Emanuele, IK2OHG, is now active as HC2HGT from Guayaquil
until January 10th, 2017. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW,
SSB and RTTY. Radio will be an old IC-735 with 100w into a R7 vertical
and a 2 element wire antennas. QSL via LoTW, eQSL, by the Bureau or
direct via IK2OHG.


IOTA NEWS..............
  AN-017.  (Update) Francois, F4HLT, is expected to be active as FT3YL
           from the Dumont d'Urville Station on Petrels Island in the
           Antarctica sometime soon for one year. His license is valid
           until February 1st, 2018. Activity will be limited to his
           free time, but he will be on 20/15/10 meters using SSB and the
           Digital modes. Radio will be an Icom IC-706 transceiver with
           an ACOM 1010 Amp into GPA 30 antenna. QSL via F6KPQ. For more
           details, see:          https://f4hlt.wordpress.com


  EU-157.  Operators Gil/F4FET, Antoine/F5RAB and Alain/F5JTV will be
           active as TM1CEZ from Cezembre Island (WFF FFF-071, DIFM
           MA-008) between December 26-28th. Activity will be on 80-10
           meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. They will have three stations
           on the air. QSL via M0OXO.


  NA-013.  After the great success of their last operation from Sao Tome
           as S9BT and S9WL, operators Josep/EA3BT and YL Nuria/EA3WL
           will be active as H74B and H74WL, respectively, from Big Corn
           Island (Isla del Gran Maíz), Nicaragua, between December 31st
           and January 7th, 2017. Last operation was in 2003 (more than
           13 years ago!!!!). Activity will be on 40-6 meters using mainly
           SSB, with some CW and RTTY. Equipment will be Icom IC-7300
           (supported by HAMBUY) with a Ameritron AL-600 (600w) amp into
           EAxbeam (20-6m) ad wire dipole (40m) (supported by EAxbeam).
           QSL both callsigns via EA3BT. They will use OQRS (preferred).
           Logs will be online. See QRZ.com for more details.


  NA-221/  Members of the "Radio Club PueblaDx" and the "Radio Club AREPAC"
  NA-224.  will activate two IOTAs in December 2016 and all 2017, using
           the callsign XF2L. The XF2 zone is in the Gulf of México. The
           two IOTAs mentioned are:
             NA-221 -- Isla de Lobos   
             NA-224 -- Enmedio, Sacrificios, Salmedina, Santiaguillo,
                       Topatillo and Verde Islands
           Operators mentioned are Paty/XE1SPM, Andres/XE1SGW and Ricardo/
           XE1SOV (Team Leader). All operations will be on the weekends
           and holidays. They state that they will have two different QSL
           cards -- one contact for YLs and other with OMs. QSL via XE1SOV.
           Transportation to the islands are expensive. They need your
           suport -- contact XE1SOV.  


  SA-043.  Members of the Chilean DXpedition Team will be active as XR7T
           from Ascension Island [Archipielago de las Guaitecas](FE36dc).
           Likely dates will be in the period of January 10-17th, 2017.
           The main aim of the DXpedition will be to work the greatest
           possible number of unique callsigns, thus offering a possibility
           also to work "Little Pistols and QRP stations". Activity will
           be on all bands using SSB and the Digital modes. CW is not
           available on this activation. Operators mentioned are Team
           Leader Bruno/CE7PGO, Domingo/CE1DY, Mauricio/CE7KF, Marco/
           CE1TBN and Cesar/CA5GRF. QSL Manager is Julio/CE3OP (direct/
           Bureau/OQRS). Log will be uploaded to LoTW one year later.


JD1, OGASAWARA. Harry, JG7PSJ, will once again be active as JD1BMH from
Chichijima Island (AS-031) between December 23rd and January 1st. Activity
will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via the Bureau to
JD1BMH or direct to JG7PSJ. Visit his Web page for more details at:
                      http://sapphire.es.tohoku.ac.jp/jd1bmh
Also, on Twitter:     https://twitter.com/jd1bmh


Hiroyuki, JG7PSJ will be active again from Chichi Jima Island (IOTA AS-031),
 Ogasawara Islands (Bonin Islands) 23 December 2016 - 1 January 2017 as JD1BMH.
 He will operate on 160 - 10m CW, SSB, RTTY.
 QSL via JD1BMH buro or via JG7PSJ direct


OOOPPPSSS!!!! DEPARTMENT. There were two TYPOs in last week's bulletin
probably due to a "Senior Moment" and/or "Fingers Hitting The Key".
The inform was correct, but headings were wrong. Under "E5, SOUTH COOL
ISLANDS", it should have read "E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS". Under "KP4/WP4,
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS", it should have read "KP2/WP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS".
Maybe it is time to retire????


PJ7, ST. MAARTEN. Ismo, OH2IS, will be active as PJ7/OH2IS from Sint
Maarten (NA-005) between February 17-25th, 2017. Activity will be holiday
style on 80-10 meters using mostly CW, some SSB and possibly RTTY. QSL
via LoTW or ClubLog's OQRS.


PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (December 12-18th).......
 Dec/12th AN      Dec/15th  AN     Dec/17th  AN
 Dec/13th AN      Dec/16th  AN     Dec/18th  AN
 Dec/14th 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


  REALTIME BAND CONDITIONS WEB SITE :
  The purpose of this experimental Web site is to provide 24-7-365 actual
  (REALTIME) band condition information to CW QRPp, QRPe and CW/SSB for
  Contesters interested in increasing their scores. It can also be of
  benefit to other Radio Amateurs to determine band conditions for Nets
  and casual QSO's. This information is NOT based on any software pre-
  dictions or any kind of satellite based readings. It is based on a
  new Ionospheric sounding method called "HF Ionospheric Interferometry"
  which operates very similarly to the PolSAR system used by NASA.


  Also, check out the VOACAP predication Web page at:
                 http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html


QSL INFO AND NEWS...................
  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF.. (December 11th) 
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4O1YOTA via (O/*)      HP3SS via AC2OV         PC30EUDXF via PA1AW
  7Y9SE via SM4VPZ       HR2DMR via KD4POJ       PH30EUDXF via PA1AW
  A91YOTA via (O/*)      J6/K0BBC via K0BBC      R17TCNY via RN3RQ
  C5YK via ON6EG & (L)   J6/KO7M via KO7M (d/e)  S01A via EA2JG
  DL0POLIO via DJ4MG     J6/W6PNG via W6PNG      TY2BP via IK2IQD
  DL1516BIER via DK2HM   OM16YOTA via (O/*)      UP25FW via RW6HS (d)
  DN5PP via DK2KK        ON30EUDXF via ON6CC     UP25KZ via RW6HS (d)
  EA8/SM7BUA via SM7BUA  OP0PPY via ON7LX        UP25ZAF via RW6HS (d)
  EA8AH via OH1RY        OR1Z via ON6IX (d/e)    VP5/W5CW via W5CW
  EG7PIE via EA7DA       OS8D via ON8DN          W5/MM0LID via MM0LID (d/L)
  HB0/OE9HRV via OE9HRV  PA44FF via PH0NO        YP700CJ via YO5KIP (d)
    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (*-B) DX's- Bureau
    (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (L) LoTW only    (*) No QSL Needed


  CORRECTION... QSL TI5/KL9A via W2GR (not AC7DX[SK]).


  T42A via RW6HZ. The Havana Contest Group was active again during this
  past weekend's ARRL 10m Contest (December 10-11th), celebrating their
  first year in contest with this callsign. Operators mentioned were
  CO2II(SSB), CO2AME(SSB), CO2JD(SSB,CW), CO2KL(SSB), CM2YV(SSB) and
  CL2AA(SSB).


  QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 3B9HA, EA3BT, T31T and VU7MS 


  QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 5W7X, AD8J/HR9, KD6WW/VY0 (NA-159), KD6WW/VY0
  (NA-196), R23RRC (AS-091), R3CA/0 (AS-163), T32FS, UE23RRC (AS-142),
  V63FA and ZS2I


  QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3A2MD, 3A2MG, 3A2MW, 3A2NN, 4X4DU, 4Z4DX,
  4Z5FI/M, 4Z5NX/M, 4Z5PG, 4Z5TT, 4Z5WC, 4Z70V, 5B4ES, 5B4MF, 8J1ITU,
  8N8HQ, 9M2TO, A52AEF, DU7/JH1BXH, P3J, RP70KN, RP70L, RP70LU, RP70KN,
  RP70NA, RP70MH, RP71NF, XV2CJB and YB0ANN


V3, BELIZE. Operators Robert/K5PI (V31AT), Leigh/WC0T, John/WC0W (V31TP)
and Stephen/WW0G & XYL Nancie/NM0C, will compete in the ARRL International
DX CW Contest (February 18-19th) as a Multi-Single/Low-Power entry from
Cahal Pech Village in Western Belize. They will use V3T for the contest
callsign. QSL via WC0W or LoTW (no ClubLog). Look for operations before
and after the contest by the operators. They will focus on CW and on the
30/17/12 meter bands mostly. QSL to their home callsigns or possibly LoTW.


VP2M, MONTSERRAT. Operators Redd/AI2N, Ken/N2ZN and Dave/WJ2O will be
active from the Gingerbread House on Montserrat between February 15-22nd,
2017. Callsign(s) were not provided. The trio plan to be in the ARRL DX
CW Contest (February 18-19th) as a Multi-Single entry. Hopefully, more
details will be forthcoming.


VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (60m). Dave, VP5/W5CW, informs W8GEX, "I
have been listening and calling most every evening and have not worked
many stations on 60 meters. I arrived here at VP5 on Nov 21 and return
home to Oklahoma next Tuesday. I will continue to check and call CQ
occasionally each night beginning tonight around 0030 UTC each evening
until I take the station down on Monday evening. I will be on 5405 CW
and/or 5373 CW."


VQ9, CHAGOS ISLANDS. Steve, WB4GHY, is now active as VQ9SC from Diego
Garcia Island (AF-006). His length of stay is unknown at this time.
Activity has been on 40/20/15 meters SSB. QSL via his home callsign.


XW, LAOS (Update). Ken, K4ZW, will once again be active as XW4ZW from
Vientiane between January 6-16th, 2017. Activity will be on all bands,
but with a focus on the lower bands and CW only. QSL via K1SE direct
(with SAE/SASE). Log will be uploaded to LoTW and ClubLog. Ken states,
"All Bureau cards received will be answered, but it is time consuming
and expensive. Please note that I receive cards from the Bureau on average
once or twice per year. It takes up to 1 year to answer the cards. You
will need to be patient."


XX9, MACAO (Update). A German team of operators is planning to be active
as XX9D between February 13-26th, 2017. Operators mentioned are Werner/
DJ9KH, Guenter/DL2AWG, Dietmar/DL2HWA, Bert/DL2RNS, Juergen/DL3HRH,
George/DL4SVA, Paul/DL5CW, Wolf/DM2AUJ, Sid/DM2AYO, Rolf/DL7VEE and
Bom/XX9LT. Activity will be on 80-10 meters (possibly 160/6m) with
an emphasis on CW and RTTY, but with some SSB. They plan to have three
stations on the air. QSL via DL4SVA.


YJ, VANUATU. Operators Minekazu/JA2NQG (YJ0WW), Yuji/JH2BNL (YJ0AA) and
Shigehiko/JI2UAY (YJ0FM) will be active (w/callsigns requested) from Benjor
Resort, Port Vila, on Efate Island (OC-035), between January 20-23rd, 2017.
Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Minekazu states,
"hoping for good conditions on 160". They will have two 500 watt stations
and one 200 watt station into an Inverted L, dipoles, CrankIR and HB9CV.
QSL LoTW for YJ0AA, and all others via their home callsigns.


YN2, NICARAGUA. Jeff, N1SNB, will once again be active as YN2NB during
the ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 18-19th) probably from
the QTH of Octavio, YN2N. He will enter ARRL DX CW as a Single-Op/All-
Bands/possibly High-Power or Low-Power (TBD). QSL via his home callsign.

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