The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1296
BID: $OPDX.1296
December 19, 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, N4AA & QRZ DX, K5WE, N6PSE, WB6RSE, K8GI, K8PGJ, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DL7VEE, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, ES1CW, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, OH2BH, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, PY2SEX, RSGB IOTA Web Site, S50U, Sixitalia Weekly, SP6DVP, VA3RJ & ICPO, and VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) for the following DX information.

SPECIAL NOTE FROM EDITOR:
Due to the Christmas and New Year holidays and family commitments, there is a strong possibility of a much smaller or no bulletins for the next two weeks. However, special announcements will be sent out. Please keep sending the info, you never know what I may do.... Thanks for understanding...73 de Tedd KB8NW

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the
week of Sunday, 11th/December, through Sunday, 18th/December there were
206 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W,
4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 9A, 9G,
9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3,
C5, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D4, DL, DU, E5/n, E5/s, E7,
EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FK, FM,
FP, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HI,
HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, 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, PY, PZ, S0, S2, S5, SM, SP,
ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T2, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TY, TZ, UA,
UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V5, V6, V7, VE, VK, VK9N, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9,
VR, VU, XE, XW, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB,
ZD7, 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".


2016 IDXC. Registration is open for the 68th International DX Convention
which is set for April 21-23rd, 2017, in Visalia, California. It was
announced that this year’s event has been expanded to 3 days to accom-
modate the Contest University (CTU) on Friday, April 21st. There will
be ARRL, DX, Contest and technical seminars/forums as well as ARRL DXCC
QSL card checking and dozens of exhibitors offering their latest gear
on Friday and Saturday. There will also be dinners banquets: Top Band,
IOTA and Contest. Complete details can be found at:
                         http://www.dxconvention.com


5Z4/, KENYA. Sila, AK0SK, will be active as 5Z4/AK0SK from Taveta between
December 22nd and January 6th, 2017. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using
SSB. QSL via his home callsign, LoTW or ClubLog.


7T0, ALGERIA. Operators Mohamed/7X2FK, Aissa/7X5PY, Redha/7X7QB and one
SWL (Lomri) will be active as 7T0A from Djanet in the Great Sahara Desert
between December 18-22nd. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW and
SSB, with two stations on the air. QSL via 7X2RO.


8Q, MALDIVES. Rolf, DL8AZ, will be active as 8Q7AZ from Meeru Island
(AS-013), North Male Atoll, between January 2-11th, 2017. Activity will
be holiday-sytle/spare-time on 40-10 meters using SSB. Radio is an ICOM
IC-7300 w/100w into an Aerial 51 by Spiderbeam (6 Band OCF inverted V);
quarter-wave vertical for 40m by DL1DN and a portable telescopic GFK
pole 10m by DX-wire. QSL via his home callsign.


9Q, DEM. REP. OF THE CONGO. Fernando, EA4BB (ex-9Q5BB, D2BB, ST2BF, TU5JL,
TZ6BB, Z21BB), is now active as 9Q6BB from Kinshasa (eastern part of the
country) for up to the next 3 years. Activity has been on 20/17 meters
using CW. Operations are QRP using an Elecraft KX2 w/5w into a Vertical
telescopic whip 5.2m antenna. QSL via W3HNK.


9X, RWANDA. Harald, DF2WO, will be active as 9X2AW from Kigali, Rwanda,
between March 3-11th, 2017. Activity will be on various HF bands. QSL
via M0OXO, direct or OQRS. NOTE: Please DO NOT send your card via the
Bureau it WILL NOT be received. To receive a bureau card you MUST request
via M0OXO OQRS ONLY!!!


BREAKING NORTH AMERICA NEWS FROM SANTA CLAUS @ OF9X (Press Release from
Martti, OH2BH) -- From Santa Radio Studios, North Pole, Finland, Dec.
12th, 2016 (see OPDX.1295.1).


CTU 2017 DAYTON HAMVENTION. Celebrating its 11th year, Tim Duffy, K3LR,
Contest University Chairman, announces that student registration is now
open for 2017 Dayton ConTest University ("CTU") to be held all day on
Thursday, May 18th, 2017 at the Crowne Plaza in Dayton, Ohio. Complete
details can be found on their new Web page at:
                     http://contestuniversity.com


CU2, AZORES. Mek, SP7VC, will be active as CU2/SP7VC from the Azores
Islands (EU-175) between December 27th and January 3rd, 2017. Activity
will be on 160-10 meters using an IC-7300 w/amp into a verticals for
40-10m and an Inverted­L for 160-80m. QSL via his home callsign, direct,
PayPal or LoTW. See QRZ.com for details.


E5, NORTH COOK ISLANDS. Warwick, E51WL, on Penrhyn Atoll (aka Tongareva
Atoll)(OC-082), has been very busy on JT65. Watch 80/40/30/20/15 meters
between 1200-1600z and 0000-0800z.


FG/TO7, GUADELOUPE. Jean-Pierre, F6ITD, will once again be active as
FG/F6ITD from Guadeloupe and one of its islands between January 19th
and March 9th (2017). Island mentioned is La Desirade Island (IOTA NA-102,
Lighthouse GUA005 and French Flora Faune FFF 1000). Activity will be on
all HF bands (160-6m) using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Look for him
to use the callsign TO7D during some contests. Radio equipment is a
FT-450D + Tokyo 550 Power 500w. QSL via his home callsign, direct or
LoTW (preferred). Logs will be uploaded to ClubLog and LoTW.


HF800, POLAND (Special Event). Members of the Polish Amateur Radio Union
(PZK) and from the Piastowski Klub Krótkofalowców in Opole, will activate
special event station HF800O between January 1st and March 31st, 2017,
to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Opole. Activity will be on 80-10
meters as well as 30/17/12 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via
SP6PAZ, direct or by the Bureau.


HI, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Ez, NK4DX, will be active as HI3AA from Dominican
Republic (NA-096) December 20-30th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters CW
only. QSL via his home callsign or LoTW.


INTREPID-DX GROUP (Press Release, dated December 15th -- Nominations for
2016 Intrepid Spirit Award). The Intrepid-DX Group is seeking nominations
for the individual or group that most displayed their "Intrepid Spirit"
this past year. The Intrepid Spirit for purposes of this award is defined
as:
   An Intrepid Spirit is bold, courageous, dedicated, innovative, fearless,
   generous, resolute and visionary in their approach to Amateur Radio.


  We are seeking to make this award to the group or individual that most
displayed their intrepid spirit in 2016, by expressing an unshakable
commitment to the Amateur Radio DX Community.


  This award is made in memory of our friend, James McLaughlin WA2EWE/T6AF
(SK), Kabul, Afghanistan, April 27th, 2011.


  Nominations may be submitted via email to: intrepiddxgroup@gmail.com


  All nominations must be received by December 31st, 2016. The Board of
Directors of the Intrepid-DX Group will evaluate the nominations and the
award will be presented at the International DX Convention in Visalia,
California on April 22nd, 2017.


  The Intrepid-DX Group was formed in 2010 following our successful
Dxpedition to Iraq.


  You can view our website at http://www.intrepid-dx.com/awards.php


Thank you, 
Paul Ewing-N6PSE -- Vice President and Founder The Intrepid DX Group


IOTA NEWS..............
  AF-078.  Vlad, UA4WHX, is now QRT from the Gambia and is currently
           active as 6W/UA4WHX/p from Carabane Island, Senegal. Activity
           has been on 17 meters using CW and SSB (possibly Digital modes).
           As always, his length of stay unknown at this time. QSL via
           his home callsign.


  OC-151.  Leo, YC9MLL, reports that he will be active again from the
           Flores Island, probably between January 21-22nd and 24th,
           2017, and a few days before and after, July 11-12th, 2017.
           He states on QRZ.com, "I will be transmitting near the towns
           of Bajawa and Soa (January 2017) and later (July 2017) in
           Maumere and near Labuanbajo and hopefully also in the town
           of Ruteng." On his QSL Manager's (M0OXO) Web page, he states,
           [edited] "I will be running 100W mostly on 21 MHz around the
           IOTA calling freq. or at any clear freq. near it. I will try
           to operate split for better results. I have also 14 MHz segment
           in Indonesia so I may also try that band, and 7 MHz also if
           I have a long bamboo pole available. It was not previously
           planned to be there, but it is a great surprise to be allowed
           to be back." Charles, M0OXO, states, "I am mailing out a 12m
           Spiderbeam Pole to Leo so I hope this will be better than his
           'bamboo pole'." QSL via M0OXO - Bureau requests ONLY via
           M0OXO's OQRS.


  OC-237.  Ahdi, YB3MM, was expected to be active as YB3MM/1 from Sangiang
           Island this past weekend. QSL via IZ8CCW.


  SA-028.  Operators PY2ALC, PY2XIZ (Team Leader), PY2GTA, PY2HP, PU2KFL,
           PU2UTY and PU2LEW will be active as ZV2CV from Couves Island
           (DIB-SP022) between January 7-8th, 2017. Activity will be on
           80/40/20/15/10/2 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes.
           QSL via PY2XIZ, direct, by the Bureau or LoTW.


  SA-072.  A group of Brazilian operators will be active as ZZ8P from
           Poldros Island (WWFF PY24, DIB MA 03) between January 14-18th,
           2017. Operators mentioned are Robert/PT2GTI, Daniel/PT7BI,
           Junior/PS8DX, Jesus/PS8ET and Ilo/PS8JIF. Activity will be
           on various HF bands using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL
           via PT2GTI, direct, by the Bureau, ClubLog or LoTW.


KH7, HAWAII. Jim, N6TJ, will once again use the callsign KH7Q (OAHU
CQ Contesting Club callsign) during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February
18-19th, 2017) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL info TBA.


PJ2, CURACAO. Steve, PJ4DX/KH0UN (ex-9M6DXX and 9M8Z. Also G4JVG.),
announced, "I'm planning to operate from neighboring Curacao (IOTA
SA-099) as PJ2/KH0UN on 28 and 31 December 2016. As this will be a part
time and short duration operation, I am not planning to have any QSL cards
printed. However, all QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of The World
immediately after the operation."


PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (December 19-25th).......
 Dec/19th HN      Dec/22nd  BN     Dec/24th  AN
 Dec/20th HN      Dec/23rd  HN     Dec/25th  AN
 Dec/21st LN


   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 18th) 
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4F7OC via DU7ET       E44QX via DF8DX       R99FSB via UA3FQ
  AO5CSM via EA5FJL     EI0IRTS via EI4GXB    SN800L via SP4RKZ
  C50VB via UA4WHX      HF2017HNY via SP2PBM  SX25LSV via SZ8LSV (d)
  CQ8CQ via CU3AA       J79WTA via HB9MFM     W2S via W2CCW
  CU2/OL0M via OK1CDJ   PI35ETL via PA1CPA
  DR2016KIDS via DJ9PH  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    (*) No QSL Needed


  CQ7X via CS5LX, direct or by the Bureau. Special event was from Lisbon,
  Portugal, Parish of Penha de France, on Saturday, December 17th.


  PIRATE ALERT! Per-Einar, LA7DFA, states that he has not used his Jan
  Mayen callsign, JX7DFA, since September 2002.


  QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: BA4TB/4 (AS-136), FS/W9ILY, JA7AUM, TF3SG,
  VE2MF and VE4GV


  QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: AT2SL (AS-176), B4R (AS-135), OJ0JR, T30JY,
  T30KJ, T30MA, TL0A, V26K, V47T, V6Z and ZL7G


  QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 2E1AYS, 3B9FR, A25UK, C44C, EP2A, G5XV
  (EU-120), GB0HI (EU-120), JX5O, JY9ET, MJ0UOO (EU-013), P40FY, V31MA
  and ZD8UW


S55, SLOVENIA (Special Event). Members of the Radio Club Cerkno (S50E)
will be active using the special event callsign S557E throughout 2017.
Activity is to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the club's foundation
since the year 1957. A special QSL will be confirmed for each contact
via the Bureau in early 2018. The Log will be uploaded on the ARRL's LoTW
on a regular basis. For those who want to send cards direct, please send
SASE with 2 IRCs or 2 USDs to cover return postage to the QSL Manager
Miran Voncina, S50O, Cvetkova 35, 5282 Cerkno, Slovenia, with priority
return when getting cards from the printer. Cards with insufficient postage
or no return envelope will be returned via the QSL bureau. Please visit
 for more information.


T8, PALAU. Ted, JA7XBG, will once again be active as T88GA from the VIP
Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009) between December
25-29th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and some Digital
modes. QSL via his home callsign direct or LoTW. For more details about
the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room), see:
            http://www.palau-radio.com/index.php?page=rr2014


TF, ICELAND. Alex, PY2SEX/PY1KS/DL1NX/CT7ANB, will be active as TF/DL1NX
from Iceland between January 20-26th. Activity will be holiday style and
QRP on 80-10 meters using a KX3 and Buddipole. QSL card information will
come later, but LoTW will be 100% confirmed.


V3, BELIZE. Bob, K7YB, is expected to move to Belize and will be active
as V31YB from from San Ignacio, Cayo District, starting sometime in
February 2017. Activity will be on 160-10 meters. He states, "More info
as soon as shack/antennas are operational." QSL via K7YB and LoTW.


VK9N, NORFOLK ISLAND (Reminder). Matt, VK1MA, will be active as VK9NM
from Norfolk Island (OC-005) between December 19-26th. He states, "The
primary aim of the visit is a family holiday, so I will not be operating
for large periods of time whilst there, but do hope to make quite a few
contacts over the stay. As a keen participant in the SOTA (Summits On
The Air) program, I am intending to activate Mt. Bates several times
during my visit. I will also be operating from the rented house near the
center of the island - all going well, I will be using 40m to 10m from
Mt. Bates and I hope, 160m to 10m @100W from the house." QSL via e-QSL
and LoTW only.


XW, LAOS. Bruce, 3W3B (HS0ZCY/XU7ADF/XW1B/AA4XR), who lives in Da Nang,
will once again be active as XW4XR from Vientiane between January 3-15th,
2017. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, RTTY and JT65. QSL via
E21EIC and LoTW.


XX9, MACAO (Update). A German team of operators is planning to be active
as XX9D (now confirmed) 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 160-6 meters with an emphasis on CW
and RTTY, but with some SSB. Suggested frequencies are:
 CW   - 1814.5, 3526, 7026, 10119, 14026, 18086, 21026, 24906 and 28026 kHz
 SSB  - 1849, 3805, 7095/7182, 14210, 18120, 21275, 24955 and 28465 kHz
 RTTY - 3595, 7046, 10136, 14090, 18099, 21090, 24918 and 28090 kHz
  6m  - 50120/CW and 50120/SSB


  ** PLEASE NOTE: These are the planned operating frequencies. Depending
     on local situation, they may change the frequency. Please listen!
     They will work always split....


  They plan to have three stations on the air. QSL via DL4SVA, direct or
  by the Bureau. Please use the OQRS on ClubLog (preferred) for XX9D for
  direct and Bureau requests; they don't need your QSL-card! Their Web
  page is now online at:          http://xx9d.mydx.de


ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS. Jeff, K5WE, will be active as ZF2WE from Cayman Brac,
Cayman Islands, beginning December 21st through December 30th. He will
operate all bands 160-10 meters, mostly CW with some RTTY. Equipment will
include a Kenwood radio with Amplifier. Antennas will be verticals on the
beach. Logs will be uploaded to ClubLog daily. Logs will be uploaded to
LoTW upon returning home. QSL via ClubLog OQRS or via K5WE.


ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS. Pete, K8PGJ, will be active as ZF2PG on the Sunny
Grand Cayman Islands (NA-016) during the week of January 14-22nd, 2017.
This includes an entry in the North American QSO Party. LoTW will be
utilized and direct QSLs go via his home callsign. The daily operating
schedule will be posted on QRZ.com.

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