The Ohio/Penn Dx 9acketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 524
BID: $OPDX.524
August 13, 2001
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, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, KZ1Z, N1OLO, NC1L, N2OO, WB2YQH, N3SL, W3HNK, W3UR & The Daily DX, WA3VJB, K4VUD, N4AA & QRZ DX, AH6HY, KD6WW, KG6AR, W6DXO, WB6TMY, AC7DX, K8YSE, 9A6AA, 9A5K, 9A9R, BA1DU, BD7NQ, DL5EBE, E21EIC, F8BBL, F5NQL, G3NKC, G3NYY, G3SWH, IK8VRH, JA1ELY, LU6EF, OZ0J, PS7ZZ, PY2ZX, PY3DX, S53R, SP2BIK, UA0MF, UE4NNN, VA3RJ and XE2Z for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT:
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 5/August, through Sunday, 12/August there were 228 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3C, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4W, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C9, CE, CE0Z, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D6, DL, DU, E4, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J8, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JX, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH4, KH6, KH8, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PY0T, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T30, T32, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TI9, TK, TL, TN, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2V, VP5, VP6, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XW, XX9, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZK1/s, ZK2, ZL, ZP, ZS

* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations. As always, you never know - "Work First Worry Later" (WFWL). OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive an additional bulletin (due to its size) with a complete breakdown and "DXCC/Entities Chart of Activity".

3V8, TUNISIA
Tony, IK8VRH, will be active from August 15-30th, from the Scout Club Station in Monastir using the callsign 3V8SQ. QSL via IK8VRH: Antonio Bosse, POB 173, 80016 Marano NA, Italy

. 5R, MADAGASCAR (IOTA activity)
Phil, G3SWH, will be active from Ile Ste Marie (IOTA AF-090) from September 14-20th and has been issued the callsign 5R8HA. This will be a CW only, holiday type operation on all bands 40-10 meters using his IC-706 and wire antennas. QSL via his CBA or via the bureau.

9N, NEPAL. Yuu, JA3IG, (member of the A52A operations) is going to Nepal for vacation in September. Look for Yuu to operate 20m and 15m SSB/CW from September 7-9th, as 9N7IG. QSL via homecall.

A2, BOTSWANA
y, W6DXO, will be active from 2 Safari camps in Botswana from September 19-29th. He has been assigned the callsign A25/KG6GPA. His operating conditions mandate battery powered QRP Ops. His equipment will consist of a Yaesu FT 817, multiple hi-capacity gel cells and a portable 20M dipole. Operations will be concentrated on 20 meters SSB. QRP stations are encouraged to listen for A25/KG6GPA as an effort will be made to work as many other QRP stations as possible. QSL direct only to: W6DXO.

A5, BHUTAN (Also AP, Pakistan)
Robert, S53R, will be going back to AP on the 16th of August and proceed quickly to A5. He will stay at ham center, and time permitting (this is official/work trip), operate as A52RK or A52KR. This should happen just after August 20th for about 7 days, and then he goes back to AP. Activity will mostly be on CW. QSLs via S53R.

C6, BAHAMAS (IOTA activity)
Al, K3TKJ, plans to operate from Andros Island (NA-001) August 13th through Septembe 27th. He has requested the callsign C6TKJ. There was no mention of bands and modes of activity.

C9, MOZAMBIQUE (IOTA activity)
Fredy, DE0MST, reports that Reinhard (Rei), DL6DQW, will be active as C91RF/7 (call not 100% sure), September 19-23rd, from Quirimba island (AF-061). His equipment will be an IC706 and a quad antenna. Activity will be on CW and SSB. QSL to DL6DQW via DARC bureau.

DXCC NEWS
Bill Moore, NC1L, DXCC Manager, reminds everyone, "Once again, the cutoff to be shown in the 2001 yearbook is rapidly approaching. In order to be shown you must have a submission in between October 1, 2000 and September 30, 2001. If you have not submitted and you are not current on the DXCC Honor Roll, you will need to make a submission on or by September 30, 2001. Note, the submission must be in our hands by this date, not postmarked. In 2001, September 30 is a Sunday, so applications received in October 1, only, can be credited for September 30. In order to receive the free copy you must: 1)Be an ARRL member. 2) Be current on the DXCC Honor Roll (325 current entities) or, if not on the Honor Roll you must submit an application by September 30, 2001. The yearbook will be out in the spring of 2002. If you do not qualify for the free copy, it can be purchased for 5 USD each. Previous editions are available starting from 1993 for 5 USD each (includes shipping)."

FO0, AUSTRAL ISLANDS
Dave, AH6HY, will be going to Rurutu Island from September 9-14th. He will be active from the Rurutu Village Hotel using the callsign FO0FLA. He will concentrate on 15/20 meters SSB. QSL via his home callsign AH6HY.

HS, THAILAND
Charly, K4VUD, tells OPDX that he will be "on the air one last time from HS for this trip" as HS0ZCW. He states, "Please look for me after Bangkok sunset. Note, I have had very good propagation to the West coast late in Calif. time morning, so please keep listening. I will try General freqs this time. Date is August 13th, Thailand time. Tnx for all the contacts and the 'stand by-s' when requested!!!!"..... CU from K4VUD by Aug. 18th (taking the long way home)

HS, THAILAND
RAST HQ station HS0AC will be active in the WAE DX CW Contest. It will be operated by Champ, E21EIC, as a Single Op/All Band entry. Look for him between 3524-3526 kHz around 1930-2330z. QSL via G3NOM: Ray Gerrard, P.O.BOX 1300, Nana, Bangkok 10112, THAILAND. Also, look for Yong, HS4BPQ, to be active in the WAE DX CW Contest. QSL via E21EIC.

HS, THAILAND
A member of the Florida West Coast DX Ring, Bruce, AA4XR, will be on the air again as HS0ZCY, from August 14 through September 6th, Activity will be mostly on 20-15-10 meters with some 40 meters, 99% CW of the time and perhaps a little SSB. QSL via WB4FNH.

IOTA NEWS
AN-016. Mark, VK4KMT, is active in his free time as VK0KMT from the Australian Antarctic Base Davis. He is usually active between 0400-1000z, and often can be found on 14180 and 18120 kHz. QSL to home callsign.

AS-NEW. Alan, BA1DU, BI4F team leader, reports that the BI4F team has decided to postpone the IOTA DXpedition at Furong Island (Shandong Province Northwest Group) until earlier September; the exact activity date will be announced later.

AS-131. A group of hams from the Guangdong Province will do a short IOTA operation on Do-Ao Island as BI7D. Expect them to be on the air from 0700z August 17th through 0200z August 19th. They will have 3 HF stations and 1 VHF/UHF station. Activity will be on 80 meters through 70cm on the normal IOTA frequency, CW/SSB/RTTY/PSK31/SATELLITE. QSL via BD7NI: P.O.Box 306, Guangzhou, 510030, P.R.CHINA.

EU-016. Chris, 9A5K, will be active for the next two weeks (minimum 10 days, starting August 12th through August 22nd or 26th) from the Island of Brac, Croatian Islands (IOCA) reference number CI-010. Also, there will be activity possibly from the Island of Solta (CI-126). Activity will be mainly on 40 and 20 meters, but also on 30,17,15,12,10 and 6 meters. Equipment is TS690S (100 w) + verticals. Callsigns to be used are 9A5K/p and 9A/K5CRO. QSL card is OK via bureau or direct to Chris's address listed on: http://www.qrz.com

EU-016. Frano (9A5V/p), Matko (9A3VM/p), Fredi (9A5KV/p) and Zoran (9A4NC/p) will activate two islands in the EU-016 group next weekend with lighthouses on them:
1. Isand of Grebeni (CI-173, WLH-0483) on August 18th.
2. Island of Daksa (CI-165, WLH-0111) on August 19th.
Activity will start on 14260 kHz at 0800z, and for local QSOs on 7060 kHz at 1400z.

EU-048. Didier, F5BJW, will be active September 15-24th from Groix Island (French Brittany - DIFM AT012) as TM2A. Activity will be on the IOTA frequencies on 80-10 meters, mainly SSB. QSL via Didier F5BJW.

EU-125. The Belgian Team of Kurt/ON4CJV, Eddy/ON4AFU, Steven/ON4CLC, and Yves/ON1DHJ, will be active from Romo Island now through August 18th. The operation will be on all HF bands, WARC bands and 6 meters on CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. The callsign used will be OZ/OR0MO (a special one). QSL via ON4AFU (bureau) or direct via ON4AFU: PO Box 41, 9400 Ninove, Belgium.

EU-153. Two operators will be active as RA1OZ/P and UE4NMM/1 from August 21-26th, from Kii island. Activity will be on the IOTA frequencies on all modes (incl. digital) and all bands. QSL via their home calls.

NA-136. Skip/N1IBM, Bob/N2OO and Beth/KF2BQ will be operating from Sheffield Island (USI CT008S, ARLHS Lighthouse USA-753), Connecticut, on August 25-26th, as N1IBM/p, between 1500-2100z each day (later if able). Suggested frequencies: SSB - 7165, 14265 and 21265 kHz; CW - 7030, 14030 and 21030 kHz. QSL via N1IBM: Skip Maze, 847 Dolan Street, Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734 USA. Direct or via the bureau is OK.

KH2, GUAM
Warren, WB6TMY, announced that he will be active has WB6TMY/KH2 now through August 18th. He states that he will try to hang out at 14033 KHz and would be happy to have a QSO with anyone who might want to talk.

KH3, JOHNSTON ISLAND
Dan, KH6UW, will lead a group of four operators including Mike/AL7KC, Bill/W7TSQ and Tom/K7ZZ on a trip to here from September 11-18th. The group will be active on 160-6 meters including the WARC bands using CW and SSB, using the callsign K3J. Two 24-hour stations will be used with a third activated as needed. European contacts will be emphasized when band openings permit. QSL via AH6HN.

KL6, ALASKA (IOTA activity)
Bruce, KD6WW, will be active from Popof Island (NA-087) as KL6/KD6WW from August 18-20th. Bands and modes of activity were not mentioned. However, Bruce states that you may QSL direct, via the bureau or request a bureau card via E-mail at: kd6ww@inreach.com If you request a bureau card via E-mail, Bruce requests to "please do not send him a card."

LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY (2001 ILLW next weekend!)
Look for Esmond, 8R1AK, to be active during the International Lighthouse Weekend on August 18-19th from the Georgetown Lighthouse in Guyana (to be assigned GUY-001). QSL via CBA.

Look for DA0BHV to be activated during the International lighthouse and Lightship Weekend from the August 17-19th. Operators will be Katrin/DL1AXL, Dominik/DL5EBE, Frank/DL7UFP, Torsten/DL7UTM, Fritz/ DL7VRO and Gerda/DL7VYL. They will also be active as DA0BHV/LS from the old lightship "ELBE 3" and as DA0BHV/LGT from the "Bremerhaven Upper Light" lighthouse. QSL via DL5EBE.

Following their successful operation last year, a group from the Wicklow Wireless Society will again activate the Lighthouse at the Old Head of Kinsale during the International Lighthouse Weekend August 18-19th. The Lighthouse reference number is IRE 055 and membership No. is 013. No callsign was mentioned. QSL direct or via the bureau to EI9HQ.

The Western New York DX Association will once again activate K2L from the Buffalo, New York harbor lighthouse during the International Lighthouse Weekend on August 18-19th. The lighthouse is located at the U.S. Coast Guard Station. Activity will be on 80-10 meters CW and SSB with 2 stations using KW power to assorted antennas. This is the third year of this group's activity. A photo QSL is available for SASE or SAE+IRC via WB2YQH: Bob Nadolny, P.O. Box 73, Spring Brook, NY 14140. Each year's QSL is unique.

The Greater Norwalk Amateur Radio CLub (N1EV) will sponosr a DXpedition to Sheffield Island Lighthouse on September 29-30th, with operations beginning at 1300z Saturday and ending 2000z Sunday. Sheffield Island is IOTA NA-136, USI CT-008s and ARLHS USA-753. Operations will be on 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 meters with SSB, CW, RTTY, and PSK31. Specific modes and frequencies will be posted via packet DX cluster. A QSL card featuring Sheffield Lighthouse will be available. Please send a SASE (US) or IRC/greenstamp and envelope (DX). Please no foreign currency. QSL to: GNARC CONTEST CLUB, N1EV [Club], 324 MAIN AVE BOX 115, NORWALK, CT 06851. For further info, please check the web site:

Look for SN2KM to operate from the Krynica Morska Lighthouse (there was no reference number provided) during August 17-19th. QSL via SP2BIK.

The team consisting of RU0LM/Lex, RW0LL/Oleg and UA0MF/Mike will be active from the Island of Skryplyov (AS-066) from the Skryplyov Lighthouse (LH-1309) using the callsign UE0LLH. They plan to be on the air from August 17th for three days with a FT-900, dipoles and GPs. QSL direct to UA0MF: Mike Filippov, P.O.Box 20, Vladivostok, 690021, Russia. (No IRCs please! They are hard to change to stamps for postage return in Russia. USD is preferable)

An operation from Galinhos Lighthouse is planned from now through August 19th. Look for Ed, PS7ZZ, to be active as ZX7ZZ on all bands using SSB, RTTY, PSK and CW. QSL via PS7ZZ.

NEW CONTEST FOR 2002
Raul, LU6EF, GACW Coordinator, informs OPDX that the first "GACW CW DX Contest" will take place next year, 2002, together with the conmemoration of the GACW's 25th anniversary. The rules can be found on the Web site:

QSL INFO AND NEWS
Steve, N3SL, reports that the 3B6RF QSL cards have arrived on August 7th, and they should be all out in the mail as of Saturday, August 11th.

Dave, G3NKC, has just returned from a 2 week vacation in 5B4 (Cyprus). He took no equipment, not expecting to be active, but in the eventuality, made 500 QSOs from the QTH of his good friend, 5B4AGC. Bureau QSLs are fine for the needy; if you really need one direct, please only use the address below which should be good in all 2001 callbooks: Dave Sharred, Chestnut House, 510 Crewe Rd, Wistaston, Crewe. CW2 6PS, U.K.

Activity in the 2001 IOTA Contest by 9A9R/P from the Island of KRK (EU-136) should be QSLed via DJ2MX ONLY for these contest dates.

Vlatko, 9A9R, reports that all QSL cards received directly to 9A9R have already been confirmed and mailed.

Robert, S53R, informs OPDX that, "Please inform people, that by now all direct requests for AP2ARS, EY8/S53R (Feb/March 2000) and UK8AXA (March 2000) have been answered, causing logistical nightmare at the local post office, hi! Have spent my holidays in Corsica, working on the pile of envelopes and no radio this year. Please note that for most SSB contacts, QSL goes via ON5NT, since operator was ON6TT and all CW and some SSB via S53R. Please listen for operator's instuctions regarding QSL route."

Here is the QSL information for K3L, The AM Expedition to Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse activated for National Lighthouse Weekend, August 2-5th, 2001. Please send an E-mail inquiry requesting QSL information to:
K3L@amfone.net
More details and photos on this first-ever activation of #845, TPL, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland are available at the website:

(UPDATE) Ron, AC7DX, who announced last week that he would be the QSL Manager again for Gaby, XE2Z, for the following stations XE2Z, XE2GV, 6D0Z and 6D8Z, has now added XE2XA, XE0DX, 6G0V and 6D2X to the list.

Walt, G3NYY, reports that the D68C QSL cards are starting to come out from manager G3SWH. It's a magnificent 4-page, full color card. You can see a picture of one at:

On-line logs are available for the following callsigns: CF3RJ (QSL via VA3RJ), VA3RJ, VE3JDR, VX3RJ (QSL via VA3RJ), XL3RJ (QSL via VA3RJ), and XM3JDR (QSL via VE3JDR). There is also an E-mail bureau QSL request link on the same page for those who wish one of cards via the bureau. Check the Web page at:

Laurent, F8BBL, reports that he answered all SV9/F8BBL QSLs received by direct, and he will also answer 100% all those received by the bureau.

Joe, W3HNK, reports that he now has all the logs for 1994 and 1997 operations for anyone needing a TI9CF QSL card from Cocos Island.

SPECIAL EVENT STATION
Look for special event station with the callsign EO10J to be active from August 20-28th to celebrate 10 years of independence for the Ukraine. QSL via KG6AR, "DIRECT TO CALL BOOK ADDRESS PLEASE".

SPECIAL EVENT STATION
Look for VI30RC to be active now through August 31st to celebrate the 30 years of the Redcliffe and Districts Radio Club and the opening of the Club's new clubhouse. QSL via VK4RC.

T30, WESTERN KIRIBATI
A long press release was sent out by Pete, KZ1Z, about an operation to Butaritari Island by Eric, N1JSY. OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive the complete press release as an additional bulletin. Excerpts from the release state that Eric works for the Peace Corp and will be active as T30ES during non-work hours. His activity will begin very soon (possibly this week). However, Eric is kept busy during the day with a variety of local projects, developing the country's infrastructure and providing assistance to the people in a number of areas, such as rain water collection, women's medical issues and being an advisor to the school's gardening club. Thanks to the help of the Candlewood Amateur Radio Association (CARA) in Connecticut, Eric will use a TS-430 and two G5RV antennas, positioned separately, on 80-10 meters, with a maximum of 100 watts. He will operate a few hours a day due to limited power resources. Power is limited, with the primary source being solar collectors. Eric has a car battery in his hut that he can charge during the day. Being new to HF and DXing, CARA members will help by providing Net Control assistance in the beginning and act as a QSL manager for this operation. QSL to W1QI: C.A.R.A., Post Office Box 3441, Danbury, CT 06813 U.S.A. Please check the following Web page for operation information and the latest updates:

TI, COSTA RICA
Bill, AK0A, will be operating from the QTH of Henry, TI2HMG, from September 25th through October 9th. Activity will be on all bands on the modes RTTY, PSK, MFSK, CW and SSB in that order. His operations included an entry in the CQWWRTTY Contest and the TARA PSK Rumble. QSL via his home callsign with a SASE for USA or/and DX via the W0 Bureau. His callsign will most likely be TI2/AK0A. He will try for special contest callsign.

UA9, ASIATIC RUSSIA
Oleg, UA9ZZ, is expected to sign as UA9ZZ/p from the high-mountainous plateau, also known as the "Zone of Silence", now through August 17th. Activity will be on 20, 17, 15 and 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL to home callsign.

V6, MICRONESIA
Katsu, JH8BKL (V63KA) and his XYL Michiko, JF8IYR (V63MC) and Susumu, JH8MYB (V63YB) are going to Pohnpei Island (OC-010). They will arrive on August 31st and depart on September 6th. They will be operating on all bands from 80-6 meters, SSB,CW and 10m FM. They expect V63KA to paticipate in the All Asian Phone Contest. QSL V63KA and V63MC via JH8BKL Katsuhide Kawase, 284-30 Kawaguchikisen, Teshio, 098-3312, Japan. QSL V63YB via JH8MYB: Susumu Harada, 3-8 Taga, Mikasa, 068-2152 JAPAN.

V6, MICRONESIA
Sho/JA7HMZ and Hisa/7L4IOU are going to Pohnpei Island (OC-010) for Digital mode DXpediton from September 28th through October 4th. They will activate the mode: RTTY, SSTV and PSK31. Their callsign will be V63DX (Sho) and V63XC (Hisa). QSL via their home callsign:
JA7HMZ - Shoji Igawa, 17 Shirogane, Yokobori, Ogachi, 019-0204 JAPAN
7L4IOU - Hisami Dejima, 2-11-13 Minamikoiwa, Tokyo, 133-0056 JAPAN
They will participate in the CQWW RTTY CONTEST as V63XA and this QSL is via JA7AO: Tokuro Matsumoto, 3-62 Okachimachi, Yuzawa, 012-0856 JAPAN.

V7, MARSHALL ISLAND
Jeff, KA1GJ, has informed OPDX that he will be on Kwajalein Island, RMI (V73) for a three year assignment. He will be active as V73GJ very soon. QSL direct via PO Box 1050, APO AP 96555.

XP, GREENLAND
The callsign XP1AB will once again be heard. XP1AB will be used from Sondrestrom on the west coast of Greenland during the CQWW SSB Contest on October 27-28th. XP1AB was last used in the 1960's and it will now be possible to work this special callsign again. Sondrestrom is in CQ zone 40, ITU Zone 5 and IOTA reference NA-018. A large group of OZ hams expect to arrive on October 24th. They will use the first days to put all the equipment together. If we have the time they will work on all HF bands and 6 meters with their own calls/OX. They may be active on CW before and/or after the contest. They expect to leave on October 31st. QSL Manager is OZ1ACB, and QSL is only possible direct to OZ1ACB. You can find many details/updates regarding the DXpedition on their Web site at:

ZX, BRAZIL (Special Activity)
Look for ZX3B, a special callsign that belongs to the Brazilian Army in order to celebrate the independence birthday of this country. This operation will take place from now through September 9th. Activity is planned to be on all HF bands (including the WARC bands) and on the major modes as well (SSB and CW). The operators will consist of PY3YY (Sgt. Andy), PY3KK (Lt.Ten. Koetz), PY3FOX (Sold. Xris), PY3KN (Sold. Nae), PY3BM (Sgt. Peter), PY3CTA (Col. Gurgel) and PY3DX (Lt.Ten. Toledo). This callsign is already placed on QRZ.com and also at BUCK.com with info concerning the operation itself and the QSL address. Also, you can find more info on this operation on:

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Additional Bulletins for OPDX InterNet Subscribers

Date: Sun, 05 Aug 2001 13:33:30 -0400
To: kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org
From: Pete Kemp {kz1z@arrl.net}
Subject: T30ES DX Operation
Mime-Version: 1.0


                   For Immediate Release


T30ES
Western Kiribati (Butaritari Island) to begin.


Location


Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas) is made of 33 low lying coral atolls. It is
sub-divided into three main groups known as the Gilbert Islands, the
Phoenix and the Line Islands. Kiribati is located in the Central Pacific
between 173 and 177 East Longitude and 4 North and 3 South Latitude. From
North to South, a distance of only 800 km. However, the distance east to
west is more than 3218 km.  Kiribati is 12 hours a head of G.M.T. that is 2
hours a head of Tokyo and 22 hours ahead of Honolulu, on the other side of
the international dateline. Internal self-government was attained in two
stages and it finally became the fully independent Republic of Kiribati on
12 July, 1979. The Peace Corps has been active on Kiribati for over 25 years.


OUR RADIO CONTACT


The Bethel Educational Amateur Radio Society, the BEARS, has started over
675 hams on their radio path.  Some students become active, in others, the
radio seed lies dormant until conditions come together later in life.  Eric
Griffin, N1JSY was one of those students.  After graduating from Penn
State, he decided to spend two years with the Peace Corps, before entering
Medical School.  During the summer of 2000, he upgraded to a General class
operator, hoping that when he received his assignment, amateur radio could
be a link to the outside world.


THE CARA CONNECTION


CARA is the The Candlewood Amateur Radio Association in Connecticut.  In
support of CARA's mission, as a general purpose club, a group formed to
provide amateur radio support for the little activated island of
Butaritari. This project would not only benefit a local ham, in one of the
poorest countries on earth, but the amateur community worldwide.  Many CARA
members immediately volunteered elements of a station.  Jim
Ritterbusch-KD1YV an antenna, John Ahle-W1JMA an antenna and log books,
Barry Connolly-KA1JDD an antenna tuner and Pete Kemp-KZ1Z a TS-430
transceiver and a box of ham things, such as plugs, patch cords, radio
books and hand tools.  Eric has made contact with the local authorities and
will be assigned T30ES for a call sign.  Power is limited, with the primary
source being solar collectors.  Eric has a car battery in his hut, that he
can charge during the day.  Being new to HF and DXing, CARA members will
help by providing Net Control assistance in the beginning and act as a QSL
manager for this operation.


OPERATING SCHEDULE:


All T30ES operations will be conducted during non-work hours.  Eric is kept
busy during the day with a variety of local projects, developing the
country's infrastructure and providing assistance to the people in a number
of areas, such as rain water collection, women's medical issues and being
an advisor to the school's gardening club.  He will be using two G5RV
antennas, positioned separately, on HF 10 through 80 meters, with a maximum
of 100 watts.  He will operate a few hours a day, due to limited power
resources.


QSL ROUTE:


CARA expects our T30ES adventure to begin the first week in September 2001,
lasting for approximately 18 months.  We are currently investigating
methods to transfer log information back to the U.S. in a timely fashion.
Please be patient with your QSL card requests. All cards with an S.A.S.E.
will be answered.  Please check http://people.mags.net/boem/kiribati1.htm
for operation information and the latest updates.


QSL to:               W1QI
                           C.A.R.A.
                           Post Office Box 3441
                           Danbury, CT  06813  U.S.A.


**************


Breaking news:


Our equipment is schedules to clear Kiribati customs on August 8th, for
transfer to the island of Butaritari.


Eric's License to be issued August 7th


It appears our operation will begin earlier than anticipated, the third
week in August.


DX bulletin related questions to kz1z@arrl.net

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