The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 544
BID: $OPDX.544
January 7, 2002
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, K2EWB, KF2TI, N3SL, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4WX, WA6WZO, K8AV, K8YSE, Steve Romagni, DJ2PJ, DL1EK & DX News Letter, G3SWH, G3SXW, GW3CDP, G4PYR, JA6VQA, JE2EHP, JF2MBF, OA4AHW, RW3XA, VA3RJ & ICPO and VK1AA for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT:
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 30/December, through Sunday, 6/January there were 228 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9U, 9V, 9Y, A3, A4, A6, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, CE, CE0A, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E3, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JX, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH4, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PZ, S2, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T30, T5, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TL, TR, TU, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2V, VP5, VP6, VP8, VP8/h, VP8/o, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD9, ZF, ZL, ZP, ZS

* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations. As always, you never know - "Work First Worry Later" (WFWL).

4T, PERU
Rene/DL2JRM and Daniel/DL5SE will operate as 4T4X and 4T4V from the station at the Radio Club Peruano on all HF bands, 160-10 meters, with priority on CW and some SSB from January 3-13th. They may operate from some island during the coming dates, but they now plan to operate "full-time" from OA4O (Radio Club Peruano station) using their special callsigns. They hope to operate long hours in order to achieve as many contacts as possible. QSL 4T4X via DL2JRM and 4T4V via DL5SE.

8Q, MALDIVES
Look for Giovanni, I5JHW, to be active as 8Q7CG from here starting January 6th for one week. There was no announcement of bands or modes of activity. QSL via his home callsign.

9U, BURUNDI
Gus, 9U5D, was very active over this past week on 12 meters (around 24988 kHz between 1830 and 2130z). If he is not on 12 meters check 20 meters (around 14185 kHz). QSL 9U5D via SM5BFJ, only direct, NOT via the operator SM5DIC. The new address for SM5BFJ (ex-SM0BFJ) is: Leif Hammarstrom, Lerklockan 4, SE - 73091 Riddarhyttan, SWEDEN.

AH0, MARIANA ISLANDS (Attention Top-banders!)
Kazu, JA1RJU, will be active from here and making a special effort to work North American and European top-banders from KH0 Northern Mariana between January 10-15th using the callsign KH2K/AH0. Look for him on 1827.5 kHz using a full sized dipole with a 1kw. QSL via JA1RJU either JARL bureau or direct (SAE+IRC or GS). Do NOT send your QSL to the KH0 or KH2 bureau. ADDED NOTES: Do not get KH2K/AH0 mixed up with AH2K/KH0 who has been operating at present. Kazu will also operate on other HF bands and 6m, however, he won't stay on much since the main purpose of the operation is 160 meters. This is a one-man operation.

CE9, SOUTH SHETLANDS ISLANDS
Oleg, UA1PBA, is expected to be active as CE9/R1ANF from a Chilean base on King George Island in the South Shetlands (AN-010) on January 8th. QSL via RK1PWA.

DX FORUM AND DINNER AT THE MIAMI HAMFEST
The South Florida DX Association is again proud to be hosting the DX Forum at this year's Miami Tropical Hamboree on February 2nd. The DX Forum will include a presentation by Dan Henderson, N1ND, from the ARRL on "Logbooks Of The World", how it is proceeding and how it will affect us in the future. They will also be hosting an informal DX Dinner ("A Gathering Of Friends") Saturday evening (more information on the location to come). They will have door prizes during the DX Forum and dinner. For more information about the Forum and DX dinner, please visit the SFDXA Web site at:

H40, TEMOTU PROVINCE
Nick, VK1AA, reports that he is in the final stage of preparation for his Temotu DXpedition, March 28th-April 12th. He is going there to do some serious activity on 160 and 80 meters. He intends to spend as much time as possible on the low bands. However, the bad news is that due to the strict baggage limits of only 16kg, Nick had no choice but to make some special (costly!) arrangements with Solomon Airlines which would allow him to take a 160/80m vertical and amplifier. His total transport/flying cost of this one-man operation is approx. 3500 USD. Nick mentions that most of this sum is already provided by private funding, more support is needed and much appreciated. Temotu is not a "holiday island" - it is a place where malaria, civil unrests, lack of basic necessities from drinking water to reliable power, unreliable transport and flying arrangements is to be expected. If you are in position to help with some modest contribution/donation, please contact him direct via E-mail at: watchman@tig.com.au

HS, THAILAND
There have been reports that Dave, W3VK, has been assigned to the U.S. embassy in Thailand and is now using the callsign HS0ZDP.

INTERNATIONAL DX CONVENTION (April 26-28th, Visalia, CA)
The International DX Convention, sponsored by the Southern California DX Club, will be held at the Holiday Inn Plaza, 9000 W Airport Dr. Features include DX forums/programs, vendors, Saturday banquet and Sunday breakfast with major DXpedition speakers. Admission is 60 USD in advance, 65 USD at the door. For more information, see the Web page at: http://www.qsl.net/visalia2002 Or contact Don Bostrom, N6IC, 4447 Atoll Ave., Sherman Oaks, CA 91432; 818/784-2590; E-mail n6ic@arrl.net

IOTA NEWS
AS-153. Members of the Calcutta VHF Amateur Radio Society will travel to the Ganga Sagar Melaannual Festival on Sagar Island and will be active from January 10-16th. Operators Deepak/VU2DPM, Sked/VU2SKD, Kitchu/VU2KFR, Horey/VU2HFR and Joy/VU2JSH are there for the main purpose to handle the emergency radio network, however; amateur radio contacts will be made during their spare time. Suggested frequencies are:
CW - 14040, 21040 and 28040
SSB - 14260, 21260 and 28460 kHz
Possible activity may be tried on PSK31 on 14070 kHz. QSL via IZ8CCW.

NA-113. Remember to look for Wade/AA8LL/C6A and Liz/K8LIZ/C6A to be active from Crooked Island this week (January 12-14th). Their activity will be on the SSB IOTA frequencies, 40-10 meters. QSL via bureau.

SA-020. Remember to look for the "Radio Club of Kourou" (FY5KE) to activate Salut Islands, January 12-13th. Activity will be on HF, 6 meters and AO-40 satellite. QSL direct.

SA-050. The Southern Cross DX Group of Chile is expected to activate the Islands of Lennox, Nueva and Picton during January. Their activation dates will be announced online at:

KG4 GUANTANAMO BAY QSL BUREAU
OPDX was informed that the ARRL QSL Bureau has shut down the KG4 bureau in Guantanamo Bay. All QSL cards for KG4(??) stations should now be sent direct per the operator's instructions.

KG4, GUANTANAMO BAY
Two members of the Florida DXPedition Group, Bill/W4WX (KG4DX) and Larry/W1LR (KG4LR) will be active from GTMO January 11-19th. Look for them on all bands, including 6 meters, on CW, SSB, RTTY, and PSK-31. QSL to home callsigns via the bureau or direct. Remember there is no QSL bureau at GTMO.

KH0, MARIANA ISLANDS
Members of the Oita DX Club JA6BTO (KH0/JA6BTO), JA6HJP (KF4LX/AH0), JA6LZN (KH0/JA6LZN), JA6PBO (KK7UB/KH0), JA6VQA(WH0B) and JH6ALF (AB2GA/KHO) will be active (especially on 160 meters, 80/40 meters, the WARC band, 6 meters, CW,SSB,SSTV,RTTY) from Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (OC-086), February 7-10th. QSLs via their home callsigns either direct or through the JARL bureau.

KH0, MARIANA ISLANDS
Toshi/JP1IOF and Yoshi/JE2EHP will be active as KH0WW and K1HP/KH0, respectively, from Saipan Island in the Northern Mariana Island, January 25-28th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters with operations on CW/SSB/FM/RTTY. QSL KH0WW (Toshi) via JP1IOF and K1HP/KH0 (Yoshi) via JE2EHP.

KH4, MIDWAY ISLAND
Jim/G3RTE and Phil/G3SWH will activate Midway Island on both SSB and CW between March 30th and April 6th. Jim Kellaway, G3RTE, has been licensed since 1962, is on the DXCC honor roll (CW and Mixed), a keen DXer on both CW and SSB, a member of FOC and has operated as GI3RTE/P, GJ3RTE/P, F/G3RTE/P, 5Z4LI and 5Z4WI. Phil Whitchurch, G3SWH, has been licensed since 1963, is a member of FOC and a keen DXer on CW only, has operated as UI8A/G3SWH, GU6YB/P, SV8/G3SWH, F/G3SWH/P, BY1QH/G3SWH, 5H3/G3SWH, 5H1/G3SWH, GJ3SWH/P, FR/G3SWH, 5Z4LI, 9M6PWT, 5Z4WI, 4S7WHG/A, 8Q7WH and 5R8HA, QSL manager for 9M0C (1998), D68C (2001) and ZF2NT, amongst others. They have already secured the special callsign of W4M which will be used exclusively during their stay on the island. QSLs will be handled by G3SWH. Midway was ranked number 27 in Europe and number 55 world-wide on the "425 DX News Most Wanted DXCC Countries Survey in 2001" and number 89 on the ARRL list in 2000. In addition, Midway counts as OC-030 for the "Islands on the Air" (IOTA) award. Propagation permitting, their main objective is to work as many European stations on as many bands as possible. They have an expedition target of 10,000 QSOs with an approximate 50/50% split between CW and SSB. They expect to have two stations on the air on all bands between 40 and 10 meters. They are happy to meet the costs of transport to and from the island, but are looking for sponsorship and donations towards their living expenses, printing QSLs and the like. If you would like to help, send an E-mail to Phil, G3SWH, at: Phil@g3swh.demon.co.uk

PACIFIC OPERATION (T8 and V6)
Tony, K2NV, will be going on a vacation in the Pacific during January 12-22nd. He is expected to sign T88ZZ from Palau from Janaury 12-15th and as V63RF from Micronesia from January 18-22nd. His activity will be mostly on CW, but with some SSB and RTTY. QSL via K2NV.

QSL INFO AND NEWS
NEED A QSL MANAGER? Steve, N3SL, informs OPDX that his daughter, Kimberly, who did most of the QSLing chores for AH1A and all of them for North America for 3B6RF, is looking for more work. Now that the Agalega QSLs are essentially done, she is fired up and ready to do things for other stations or expeditions. Kimberly, who is handicapped, really gets a kick out of the postage stamps and notes on the QSL cards. Anyone who may want to consider her services can contact her through Steve at: n3sl@arrl.net

AP2JZB QSL CHANGE. Leon, K2EWB, informs OPDX readers that effective immediately requests for QSL cards of AP2JZB should only be sent direct with at least one IRC or 1 USD and a SAE to his call book address (or on QRZ.com also has the correct information). Bob, AP2JZB, wants to return to writing his own cards, and it has become too time consuming to transfer log information over the air. Leon will continue to confirm any cards he receives for contacts prior to January 1, 2002, because he was given out as the manager prior to that date.

Phil, G3SWH, informs OPDX that he has now received the logs from Albert, 5R8O, for his activities between May 2000 and May 2001. He is now able to confirm QSOs for this station.

QSL 9U5JB via ON5NT. The operator was N4HX.

Robert, G4PYR, who was active as M2001Y/MRC15, states that QSLs should be sent via GX0PUV either direct or via the RSGB Bureau.

PJ4M UPDATE. Last week we mentioned that we felt the callsign PJ4M "may" have been a possible busted callsign in the CQWW Contest. However, thanks to Hadi, DJ2PJ/OH0JWH, DX Editor of CQ DL Magazine, who informed OPDX that PJ4M is not a"busted callsign" and his QSL address is: Daniel Marlow, 12 Sub Rincon, Bonaire, Neth. Antilles. He also mentioned that Daniel is rather active on RTTY and has been spotted on some of the DXClusters.

Roger, G3SXW, reports that XT2DX logged nearly 16,000 QSOs in the CQ World-Wide DX CW Contest in November. All requests for QSL cards (over 2,000 QSOs) have now been answered. QSL Manager is G3SXW. Please QSL direct (Roger Western, 7 Field Close, Chessington, KT9 2QD, England) or via the bureau. A bureau reply can be requested by E-mail to:

R1, ANTARCTICA
Nikolai Makarov, UA3YH (AB0KG), will be active as R1ANM from the "Amundsen-Scott" South Pole station (WABA K-08) within a couple of weeks, January 9-20th. He plans to operate both CW and SSB mainly on 20 meters, perhaps some 15 and 10 meters occasionally. His basic frequencies are:

14020/14160 kHz within 1600-1900z for Europe
(non-rotored 3 element tri-band yagi)
14020/14243 kHz within 0000-0200z for NA/SA/AS
(fixed 6 element yagi).

QSL via the bureau to UA3YH or direct to AB0KG (P.O.Box 18118,Boulder, CO 80308-1118 USA). The QSL cards for R1ANM have been printed a few weeks ago. All requests for the R1ANM 2001 year operation, either direct or via the bureau, have already been answered.

S7, SEYCHELLES
Luca, I5IHE, is now active as S79LC from Praslin Island (AF-024) until January 11th. His activity will be mainly on SSB and RTTY, with some CW and SSTV. He was spotted this past week on 14257 kHz around 1900z. QSL via I5JZP.

SU, EGYPT
Ahmed, SU3AM, in Port Said, has been very active on 12 and 17 meters. Look for him around 18147 kHz and 24950 kHz between 1000 and 1200z. QSL via DL5ZBV.

SY (Prefix Confusion)
OPDX has been informed by Denny, GW3CDP, that he has recently received a letter from Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A (also SY2A), stating that there has been some confusion by DXers around the world thinking they are working Mount Athos with the use of the special "SY" prefix by Greek amateurs. The Greek Communications Authority has been issuing the "SY" prefix for special event stations in Greece (SV), However, Monk Apollo reports that he has been receiving QSL requests for these contacts. He has been returning the QSLs explaining that their contacts were not from Mount Athos; however, he states many don't believe him. Monk Apollo has tried tp explain to the Greek authorities that the "SY" prefix has always been the alternatate PREFIX fo Mount Athos. Some or many may remember that Monk Apollo used the SY2A callsign for a few months in 1999 as a special event. Monk Apollo is quite suprised that the powers in Greece do not understand that the "SY" prefix signifies that he is on Mount Athos and that radio amateurs world-wide will assume the same when they hear it. Monk Apollo is still in contact with the Greek Authority and will continue to try/convince them to stop further "SY" issued callsigns.

T30, WESTERN KIRIBATI
After spending the holidays back in the United States with his family, Eric, T30ES (N1JSY), will return to Western Kiribati on January 8th. While stateside, he met with members of his support team, sharing his adventures on the island of Butaritari with the Peace Corps. Eric is planning to install a second antenna, an inverted V. In addition, arrangements have been made for obtaining a new higher capacity battery. This should extend his operating time. T30ES operates on battery power, charged daily by solar panels. Eric frequently operates on Saturdays at 1400z and Thursdays from 1830z around 14288 kHz. He is on at other times, as his work schedule allows. In December, Eric used his equipment coordinating the emergency medical evacuation of a native having complications during childbirth. The mother and child were reported doing well in a Tarawa hospital. This action proving that amateur radio is not just DX but a valuable resource in an emergency. For more information, photographs and updates on this operation, check the Web site at:

V3, BELIZE
By the time you read this, Gerd/DJ4KW and Gisela/DK9GG should be in Belize and active for the next four weeks. Gerd is expected to sign V31YN on CW/RTTY/PSK31 and Gisela will be active as V31GW.

VP8/SG & VP8/SS, SOUTH GEORGIA AND SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS
Current reports indicate that James/9V1YC and Trey/N5KO are in the ship "Braveheart", and they can sometimes be heard active as maritime mobile (homecall/MM). James was heard this past Sunday on 20 meters saying he was west of the Falkland Islands. The rest of the team operators will be picked up over the next few weeks. Landing and activity from VP8/SS will all depend on the weather and sea conditions. If activity does happen from VP8/SS, it will be around the 3rd week in January and only for 3 to 4 days. Operations will be LIMITED. The team hopes to be active longer on VP8/SG, possibly 10 days toward the last weeks of January through early February.

YA, AFGHANISTAN
All activity by YA5T over the last few weeks were the work of a PIRATE/SLIM operator. Peter, ON6TT, left Kabul on December 4th and has not been active as YA5T since then. According to the YA5T Web page, Peter will be leaving his home in Belgium on January 20th to head back to Afghanistan. He has a few stops on the way, so he will not arrive in Kabul until a few days later.

ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS
Lou, KE1F, will be operating from Grand Cayman Island as ZF2LM starting January 14th and will finish his operation on January 30th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, CW, SSB and perhaps RTTY. He will be looking for JA stations. QSL Manager is AF2C, SASE PLEASE.

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