The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 489
BID: $OPDX.489
December 11, 2000
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF-80 BBS Cleveland, Ohio
Online at 440-237-8208 28.8k-1200 Baud 8/N/1
Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AD1C, NB1B, AI2Q, WB2YQH/ WB2RAJ & The 59(9) DX Report, K3BEQ, W3UR & The Daily DX, WB3JFS, K4VUD, KJ4UY, W4WX, AI5P, WA5PAE, K6IPV, K8YSE, CX6VM, DF4SA, DJ2PJ, DJ5AV & DX News Letter, DJ7ZG, F5PBL, G3XTT, IN3QBR, JF2MBF, LA4LN, PA3AXU, SM7CRW, UT5RP, UX2RY and VU2JOS for the following DX information.
1S, SEALAND
As of press time, there is NO sign of 1SL1A on the air from
the "Principality of Sealnd". Operation was to begin on December 9th and
last until the 12th. Also, 1SL1A was going to be active in the 10 meter
contest this past weekend. Stay tuned!
9M6, EAST MALAYSIA
Don/K6IPV and Dave/W6AQ will operate from the Hillview
Gardens Resort club station, 9M6AAC, a few days before the ARRL CW DX Contest
in February 2001. Their orginal plans were to be active from Layang-Layang
in the Spratley Islands (9M0) for the ARRL CW DX Contest (February 17-18th).
However, Don, K6IPV, informs OPDX that "Murphy's Law" has struck their
operation. He states, "No sooner do we firm up our arrangements and
announce our trip to the Spratleys (9M0) but we find that the island has
'been closed for repairs'! It will reopen on March 1st, too late for us.
We're rapidly putting together another potential side trip from Hillview
Gardens Resort and 9M6AAC. We still intend to operate from there and may
operate the contest from there. Further details to follow in the next few
days." Stay tuned!
A5, BHUTAN
By the time you read this, Charly's, K4VUD, A52UD operation
will be coming to a close (December 12th). Yani, 9M6US, has QRTed his
operation as A52AP last week. Earlier in the week Charly reported on some
interesting details on his trip to A5. Here is an excerpt from his E-mail
message: "Arrived Thimphu Bhutan Ham Center after airplane routing problems
from Frankfurt to Bangkok. Someone in India is now using my laptop computer,
Heil footswitch, and many other things stolen out of my suitcases while in
transit via India! So, hand logging all the way. Also, bags were delayed
(to give time to really steal all the good stuff) so I had no earphones for
a while... that made pileup management even more difficult. Now, I have my
Heil and squeeze key so will be a little bit better for you guys. Was
sending with the buttons on the ICOM mic for a while! The Sophun Ham Center
in Bhutan is GREAT... several rigs, three linears, and A-3S up 30 ft along
with dipoles. Jani (A52AP) and I strung a beverage south, and put up an
inverted L resonated in 160m. The WARC A-3W goes up this afternoon. The
hotel is supurb with lots of beautiful finished wood and Bhutanese
decoration. Food is great, too. Recommended....5 stars!" Remember to
QSL A52UD to K4VUD and A52AP to N2OO.
CARIBBEAN TRIP (J6/J7)
Tom, LA4LN, will be operating as J6/LA4LN (or
a separate J6 callsign) from St. Lucia, December 14-28th, and as J7/LA4LN
(or separate J7 callsign) from Dominica, December 28th through January 4th
(2001). He states that his licence applications were filed along time ago,
but licences will have to be picked upon his arrivals. Tom will be on the
radio when time permits, using an Icom IC-706MkII transceiver and wire
antennas. He will be equipped to operate all HF bands from 160-10 meters,
plus 6 meters. Activity will mainly be on CW with some RTTY possibly. His
suggested CW frequencies are: 3505, 7005, 10105, 14025, 18073, 21025,
24895, 28025 and 50105 kHz (all +/- QRM). 160 meters will be tried if
the noise conditions make it possible. There will be split frequency
operation when needed. Please QSL DIRECT to LA4LN's home address at:
Tom V. Segalstad, P.O. Box 15 Kjelsas, N-0411 OSLO, NORWAY.
CX, URUGUAY
Jorge, CX6VM, reports that he is active Monday through
Friday on 12 meters (around 24897 kHz) and on 17 meters (around 18073
kHz) between 1030-1200z and between 2130-2330z. During the weekends
he will be on more on these bands. Jorge's station uses a Cushcraft R7000
vertical and 100 watts. QSL ONLY DIRECT (please) to W3HNK because
he is having trouble getting cards from the bureau. W3HNK's address is:
Joseph Arcure Jr., P. O. Box 73, Edgemont, PA 19028 USA
D6, COMOROS
Don, G3XTT, sent out a press release this past week and an
update on the forthcoming "Five Star DXers" D68C DXpedition to the Comoros
to be active about Febraury 8-28th (Complete press release will be provided
to all OPDX InterNet Subscribers as an additional bulletin). In short,
they state that they will be the "biggest DXpeditions of all time". Some
3000kg (3 metric tons) of equipment has been shipped and 28 operators
are signed up to participate (some will be there for the whole of the
period, some for part of the time). Three new members have been added
to the team: Jens/DL7AKC, John/N7CQQ and Victor/UT8LL. A container of
equipment was shipped on the "Julius Oldendorff" ex-Felixstowe (UK) on
November 30th. It's a 20 foot container and is about three-quarters full
- there is around 20 cu. meters of kit with a total weight of over 3
tons (3,000 kgs). In the container there are 10 transceivers, 9 linears,
4000 meters of coax, 1600 meters of control cable, 6000 meters of radial
wire, 9 Yagi antennas, 11 masts, Four-squares for 40m and 80m, Verticals
for 30m and Top Band, 64+ heavy guy stakes, 11 lap-top computers and
1 generator etc etc... Their activity will be on all bands including the
WARC bands and also an entry in the ARRL CW DX Contest (February 17-18th).
For more details, check the D68C Web Page which continues to be updated
with the latest news. The Web address is:
EA8, CANARY ISLANDS
Look for Alan, G3XAQ, to be active as EA8/G3XAQ
from December 21-28th. Hie activity will be mainly on CW.
EN23, UKRAINE (Special Event)
Just a reminder that on December 15th,
the Ukraine Unit-III of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP) will be
closing. During December 14-16th a group of Ukraine operators from the
town of Slavutich will activate the special callsign EN23RW. A special
full colored QSL card will be available for making contacts with EN23RW.
QSL direct to UX2RY: Andre Asriyanz, P.O.Box 14, Slavutich-3, Kiev obl.,
07100, Ukraine, or through bureau. The log will placed on the following
Web page at:
EP, IRAN
Mohsen, EP3SMH, has been very active over the last week on
15 and 20 meters. Activity seems to take place between 1230 and 1800z
(with some activity as late as 2000z on 40 meters SSB working JAs). QSL
via Box 17665-411, Teheran, Iran.
HB, SWITZERLAND
George, N2APB, will be spending the next week here
on business, but will also be bringing along some QRP gear. He will be
signing as HB/N2APB. George will be working on the QRP frequencies on
20/30/40 meters. Also, he will be bringing his portable PSK station
to work 20 meters PSK. He hopes to be operating on Mon, Tues, Wed and
Fri during 0200-0400z. Here is the interesting part as George states, "On
Thursday, I'll be taking a train up into the Swiss Alps which will end
close to the top of Eiger Mountain. (Remember movie 'The Eiger Sanction'
from years ago, starring a young Clint Eastwood?) There's a restaurant up
there at 11,000 feet at which most normal people have lunch and look around
for a couple of hours. I, however, being of not-quite sound mind and body,
will be outside in the sub-sub-zero temperatures and low-oxygen air working
my Portable PSK (controller & PSK-20 in a box, no computer) with a St.
Louis Vest Pocket Vertical antenna (featured in recent QRPp and QHB). The
time for this should be around 1200z on Thursday. Hope to work some of
you guys! (Hope I make it back down, unfrozen.)"
IOTA NEWS
EU-098. Look for DH3ZK to be active now through Decemebr 17th from
Poel Island. DX stations please listen on 14260 and 21260
kHz, and Europe on 7095 kHz. JA stations listen between
0900-1000z on 21260 kHz.
NA-140. Look for K3RE to be active from Smith Island, Maryland (in Cheasapeake Bay). The reference number for the USIA is MD-030S. This activity will be from December 16-17th, (1700-1700z, 24 hour operation). Suggested frequencies are: 7260, 3860, 14260, 21260 and 28460 on SSB and .040 on CW. QSL to K3RE (USA stations SASE and stations outside the USA - SAE, 1 Greenstamp or appropriate number of IRCs.).
JT, MONGOLIA
Naranbaatar (Naran), JT1BV, informs OPDX that he has been
active around 28475 (+/-10 kHz) at about 0100-0300z for the USA and at
about 0800-1130z for Europe. QSL via direct only to: Mr. Naranbaatar T,
C.P.O Box 820, Ulaanbaatar-13, MONGOLIA (via JAPAN).
KG4, GUANTANAMO BAY
Bill, W4WX, a member of the Florida DXPedition
Group, will operate from GTMO as KG4GC from December 12-18th. Bill will
concentrate on RTTY and 6 meters. QSL via bureau or direct to his home
callsign W4WX.
QSL INFO AND NEWS
Dennis, NB1B, a USPS Postmaster, reported on some more postal increases
this week. He was able to verify that the cost of IRCs will go from
1.05 USD to 1.75 USD on January 7th. The 1.05 USD sounds like a bargain
right now! Dennis was also able to verify that, as of that date, IRCs
can be exchanged for 80 cents worth of stamps or other postal products
- no cash refunds. For an airmail letter, 1 ounce to anywhere in the
world will be 80 cents (except Canada and Mexico which is 60 cents).
A 2 ounce airmail letter, however, will cost as follows:
1.60 USD for Rate Group 3 which is mainly Western Europe, but not totally.
1.70 USD for Rate Group 4 which is Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
1.55 USD for Rate Group 5 which is the rest of the world.
More details on the U.S. postal increase can also be found on the
web at:
Manu/3DA0AE and Norby/3DA0AD are the callsigns that were granted for these two to be active from Swaziland. They participated in the ARRL 10 Meter Contest this past weekend. QSL to LX1NO.
John, SM7CRW, was active in the ARRL 10 Meters Contest this past weekend from Oland Island (EU-037 for IOTA awards) as 8S7A. The Island is new for the "World Heritage List" (001112). QSL via W3HNK.
Con, DF4SA, who was active as 9H3MM in Malta during the CQWW CW Contest informs OPDX that all QSOs will be confirmed through the bureau via DF4SA. If somebody still wants to send direct, please only QSL to the following address: Cornelius Paul, Adelberger Weg 3, D-73104 Breech, Germany. QSL cards will be printed next month (January/2001).
LOG STILL OPEN! Fred, K4MPI, who operated from Taiwan as BV1US from July 1959 and June 1961, and made about 20,000 QSOs, states that folks can still request QSLs from his current CBA address.
Please take note! There is a new QSL Manager for CO8DM. QSL now via DL9US. CO8DM's former QSL Manager, DL5DSH, has become a "Silent Key" last week at the age of 37 leaving behind a family with two young children... OPDX sends out our deepest sympathy to DL5DSH's family.
Rick, AI5P, announced this past week that the AI5P/CY9 and FP/AI5P QSLs have arrived, and he is currently sending out the direct cards. All bureau cards will be answered via the bureau.
The recent operation of GJ2A during the CQWW CW Contest should be QSLed to: JARS, PO Box 338, Jersey, United Kingdom, JE4 9YG. Some sources are stating to QSL via MJ0BJU (Anne). This is OK, but may take longer due to Anne not being on the island for the next month.
Nob, JF2MBF, informs OPDX that the ZK1NDK (Penrhyn Atoll, N. Cook Island) log is now available on-line log at:
T2, TUVALU (also possibly 3D2)
The "DX Newletter" reports that Albert,
HB9BCK, intends to be active as T20CK from December 28 through January 8th.
Activity will be on 40-10 meters on CW/SSB (perhaps RTTY/PSK31) running
an IC-706 into wire antennas. Perhaps he will show up also from Fiji
operating as 3D2BCK two days prior/after the T2 operation. QSL via bureau
to HB9BCK or CBA (Europe: 1USD/IRC, outside EU 2USD/IRC).
V4, ST. KITTS
Larry, KJ4UY, will be operating as V47UY from December
10-18th. Using an Icom IC-756 with an R-7 and A-3, he will be active on
10 meters through 40 meters. He states that he may use a dipole for 80
meters but NO 160 meter activity on this trip. The IOTA number for St.
Kitts is NA-104. QSL to his home callsign, KJ4UY, at: Larry Wolf,
3528 Oak Grove Court, Haines City, Florida 33844-9298.
VK0, MACQUARIE ISLAND
This will be the last week to work Alan, VK0MM.
He will be QRT on or around December 17th. Activity lately seems to be
mainly on 30 meters CW and 20 meters CW/SSB. Check these bands after
0630z and again after 1100z. NO QSL ROUTE IS AVAILABLE YET.
VP8, FALKLAND ISLANDS
Rees, VP8DCD, has been quite active recently on
15 and 20 meters. He seems to frequent 21263 and 14260 kHz after or around
2300z. There seems to be some confusion on the QSL route for this one.
Most sources say QSL via G0JLE, however, Rees has been stating on the
air to QSL via P.O. Box 260, MPA, Falkland Islands.
VU, INDIA (Special Callsign)
Jose, VU2JOS, mentioned this past week that
the "Ham Radio 2000 Millenium" meeting is to be held in Hyderabad, India,
on December 22, 23 and 24th. The station, using the special callsign
VU2HR2000, will be operational during that time.
WHERE TO GO NEXT?
Gerard, PA3AXU, states/informs OPDX the following:
After my A3, 5W, ZK1/S and ZK1/N activities, I am looking for inputs
from the DX community for my next years' stop in the South Pacific.
Please submit your "wishes" through my home page at:
XW, LAOS (Also possibly XU)
Mauro, IN3QBR, informs OPDX that he and
Fabry, IN3ZNR, have received amateur radio licenses from the Laotian MPTC
and will be active with the callsigns XW3QBR and XW3ZNR. Mauro will travel
to Vientiane on December 18th and Fabry will follow him on the 24th. They
plan to be on air the afternoon of the 27th. They will operate on CW and
SSB mode, and possibly RTTY. Activity will be on all HF bands including
the WARC bands. They will be looking for stateside stations, and will
transmit in the "general class" portion of the bands. XW3ZNR will QRT
on January 5th and XW3QBR on the 8th. They hope to have a good signal on
the air, but their power is limited at only 100 watts. Antennas are a
tribander and dipoles. QSL cards are sure via direct or bureau via QSL
Manager IN3ZNR: Fabrizio Vedovelli, Via Gramsci, 38100 Trento, ITALY.
Mauro also informs us that he will travel to Phnom Pen after his Laos
operation and will stay for four days. He states that he holds the XU7AAZ
callsign, and it is possible that he will be on the air January 10th or
11th. More details are forthcoming about the first few days of the new
year.
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Additional Bulletins for OPDX InterNet Subscribers
From: "Don Field" {g3xtt@lineone.net}
To: "OPDX Bulletin" {kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org}
Subject: D68C - Bulletin 3
Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2000 21:39:26 -0000
MIME-Version: 1.0
Hello all.
I am pleased to send you the third of our D68C Bulletins. You have requested it as a flat text file. Hope this is readable OK.
73 Don G3XTT
g3xtt@lineone.net
We are delighted to say that everything remains on course for what will be one of the biggest DXpeditions of all time. Some 3000kg (3 metric tonnes) of equipment has been shipped (see below) and 28 operators are signed up to participate (some will be there for the whole of the period, some for part of the time).
New Team Members
Since the last bulletin, the following have joined the DXpedition team: Jens DL7AKC, John N7CQQ, and Victor UT8LL. Jens is a CW expert, with significant DX and contest experience. John was leader of the recent, highly successful FO0AAA Clipperton Island expedition and brings a wealth of expertise. Victor has organised and participated in many DXpeditions, particularly for IOTA (Islands on the Air). The team is now, barring possible last-minute changes, complete and consists of: George, 5B4AGC, Marios 5B4WN, Jeff 9H1EL, Jens DL7AKC, Tony G0OPB, Neville G3NUG, Don G3OZF, Mike G3SED, Steve G3VMW, John G3WGV, Don G3XTT, Steve G4JVG, Nigel G4KIU, Justin G4TSH, Tim G4VXE, Bob GU4YOX, Kazu JA1RJU, Taizo JA3AER, Yoichi JP1NWZ, Shaun M0BJL, Mark M0DXR, John N7CQQ, Rob PE9PE, Hawk SM5AQD, Victor UT8LL, Maury W3EF and Wes W3WL. Full biographies of all members, along with photographs, can be found on the D68C Web page (see below).
Support Personnel
As well as chief pilot G3ZAY, we are delighted that Ray 9M2OM (G3NOM) will be pilot for Asia. We expect to announce pilots for other regions in the next bulletin.
The purpose of a DXpedition's pilot is to ensure smooth, timely, responsive, two-way communication between the DXpedition team and the 'deserving'. Topics which the pilot might be asked to communicate about are varied and could include: The suitability of chosen transmit and receive frequencies with respect to recurrent QRM and local licensing rules, The width and position of the split frequency listening range, The emphasis given to different bands and modes, The general operating style of team members, Optimal timing for each part of the world on each band, Antenna improvements, Policy on sked times for individuals, The QRT time for the DXpedition and station and band dismantling sequences. Of course, DXers may also offer congratulations and bouquets - a valuable morale booster for the DXpedition team when conditions are poor or when sleep deficits are beginning to accumulate!
As well as the pilot stations, other support members include Don N1DG and Richard G4ZFE (who, together, will handle online logs), Phil Whitchurch G3SWH (QSLing, see Bulletin 1) and Bob Treacher BRS32525 who, as with 9M0C, will handle SWL QSLs. Bob's address is 93 Elibank Rd, Eltham, London SE9 1QJ, England.
Logistics
A container was shipped on the "Julius Oldendorff" ex-Felixstowe (UK) on 30th November. It's a 20 foot container and is about three-quarters full - there is around 20 cu. metres of kit with a total weight of over 3 tonnes (3,000 kgs). In the container are 10 transceivers, 9 linears, 4000 metres of coax, 1600 metres of control cable, 6000 metres of radial wire, 9 Yagi antennas, 11 masts, Four-squares for 40m and 80m, Verticals for 30m and Top Band, 64+ heavy guy stakes, 11 lap-top computers 1 generator etc etc.
Sponsorship
We are pleased to have several new sponsors who all help to make the expedition possible. These include Dunestar, whose filters will make it possible for us to operate simultaneously on many bands without mutual interference, Linear Amp UK who are providing a suitable amplifier for 6m operation, and Air Mauritius who those travelling from the UK will be using for their travel to D68. Full details of all sponsorship appears on the D68C Web site.
Further sponsorship is sought, especially from DX groups and foundations, to help with the high cost of shipping some 3 tonnes of equipment to D68, along with a number of other logistical matters. We have now mailed our colour brochure to over 150 DX Clubs. If you are involved with a DX Club which has not received a copy, please contact Steve G4JVG (below). Sponsorship is being co-ordinated by the following:
US: Wes W3WL (blamboley@aol.com)
Japan: Taizo JA3AER (arakawa@sakuranet.co.jp)
Rest of the World: Steve G4JVG (g4jvg@cwcom.net)
Our treasurer John G3WGV (g3wgv@aol.com) will be pleased to accept donations.
ARRL CW Contest
Contest enthusiasts will have noted that the D68C operation covers the weekend of the ARRL DX CW Contest. It isn't always appropriate for DXpeditions to engage in contest activity, as it can reduce the opportunity for "little pistols" to work the DXpedition, while the "big guns" who have already made a contact do so all over again in the contest. However, given the scale of D68C, we believe we can comfortably accommodate both constituencies. D68C will, therefore, participate in the multi-two section of the contest, aiming for a new African record. By choosing this section, we will continue to have several complete stations available at D68C to work the WARC bands and SSB on the other main bands. CW operation on the six contest bands will be restricted to W/VE contacts for the duration of the contest (17 February at 0000Z to 18 February at 2400Z). The contest operation is being co-ordinated by Maury, W3EF.
Antennas
As well as the antennas described in earlier bulletins, D68C will have available pairs of Force 12 vertical dipoles for 15m and 20m similar to the ones used at K5K. It will be interesting to see how they compare with the monobanders. All the antennas were fully assembled before despatch.
Web Page
The D68C Web Page continues to be updated with the latest news. To remind everyone, the URL is www.dxbands.com/comoros There have already been some 4000 "hits" on the site.
Look out for:
Future bulletins will be issued at roughly monthly intervals until our departure. Now that the heavy equipment is pre-assembled and shipped, we can start to focus on operating plans, propagation predictions, etc. If you are not on my mailing list and wish to be, then please send me an e-mail.
Don Field G3XTT, NK1G (g3xtt@lineone.net) 2nd December 2000
(D68C Publicity Officer)
"DXpeditioning Behind the Scenes", edited by Neville Cheadle G3NUG and Steve Telenius-Lowe G4JVG offers, in the words of Wayne Mills N7NG, "A comprehensive view of virtually all aspects of a major expedition for the traveler and DXer alike. From early planning through QSLing, this book offers a variety of thoughts and suggestions on every facet of the DXpedition. It is by far the most complete 'how to' reference available". The book is available in the USA for $28 plus $3 shipping from IREF Inc, 118 Oak Ridge Drive, New Braunfels, Tx 78132. E-mail: ad5a@sat.net Elsewhere the book can be obtained for =A316.95 plus postage from Nevada (www.nevada.co.uk/book-DX.htmlNew), Unit 1, Fitzherbert Spur, Farlington, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1TT, England (Tel: +44 23 9231 3090). Ordering can be by credit card. All surpluses from the sale of the book will be used to sponsor future DXpeditions.
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