The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 558
BID: $OPDX.558
April 15, 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, K1VV, N1DG, NC1L, W1YRC, WW1V, AF2C, K2KW, K3ZO, W3HC, W3UR & The Daily DX, KW4DA, N4AA & QRZ DX, N5KO, AF8C, K8YSE, ARRL Letter, Uranito, 4N1DX/VE3, 9A6AA, DL1EK & DX News Letter, F5NQL & UFT, FJ5DX & La Gazette du DX, IK7JWX, JI3DST, ON4CAS, OZ2ZB, RW6HS, UR5WCW, UX0FF, VA3RJ & ICPO, VK3DYL and ZL4HU for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 7/April, through Sunday, 14/April there were 236 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B6, 3B8, 3B9, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1U, 4W, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5U, 5V, 5Z, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C6, CE, CE0Z, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, 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, FP, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, H40, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HM, HP, HR, HS, I, IS, J2, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JX, JY, K, KH0, KH2, KH3, 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, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T30, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TL, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP2V, VP5, VP6, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, XW, XX9, XZ, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD9, ZF, ZK1/s, ZL, ZP, ZS

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

3XY, GUINEA (IOTA Op)
Just a reminder to look for Francois, VE2XO, to once again be active from Kassa Island (Los Islands, AF-051) as 3XY8A from April 15-19th. He will be mainly active on SSB and PSK31 on 20 and 15 meters. Preferred SSB frequencies are 14195/14260 and 21295/21260 listening up 5 to 10 kHz. There will be some activity also on 17 and 12 meters, and some possible activity on RTTY on 20 and 15 meters. He will be using 1KW (Acom 1000) into Sigma-5 and SVDA verticals by Force 12. QSL via home call.

C21, NAURU
The YL mini-DXers, Elizabeth/VE7YL (CW), June/VK4SJ, Mio/JR3MVF and Gwen/VK3DYL plan to operate next from Nauru (OC-031) from October 1-14th where they hope to use the callsign C21YL. QSL to VK3DYL (Gwen Gilson, 3 Gould Court, Mt. Waverley, Victoria. 3149, Australia) either direct with SAE and sufficient return postage or via the VK3 Bureau. Any direct cards received without the above will be returned via the Bureau.

C5, THE GAMBIA
Jan, PA9JJ, will be on holiday in Banjul from April 15-29th, and hopes to receive the callsign C56JJ upon arrival. His activity will be mainly on 80/40 meters and WARC bands SSB, but he may also be on the other bands and some CW. There will not be RTTY or 160 meters. QSL via his home callsign. He will have logs available on his website after his return at:

CORRECTION
The web site under "PACIFIC NORTHWEST DX CONVENTION" in OPDX.557 was listed incomplete. The correct URL is:

EP, IRAN
Mac, W3HC, informs OPDX that there is a new ham in Iran; his name is Hessam, and his callsign is EP3DX. His uncle is EP2MRD who Mac is the QSL Manager for. Hessam was on this past weekend on 14214 kHz around 1330z. QSL all cards direct to: Hessam D. Jodakei, P.O.B. 16765-4114, Tehran, Iran. ADDED NOTE: Visit Mac's, W3HC, Web site at:

ET, ETHIOPIA
Paul, W4PFM, now signing ET3PMW continues to be very active. His activity should last until June. He has been on CW/SSB. Most of his activity has been on 15 meters usually after 1800z, however, there have been some reports on 80/12/10 meters. QSL via W7KEU. There was a report this past week that Dale, N3BNA, will be going to Paul's place on May 19th and will be there through the CQ WPX CW Contest, May 25-26th.

IOTA NEWS
AS-056. Operators Joe/JA4PXE and Kou/JH4WXV will activate Danjyo Island (O-jima) MAY 3-5th or 6th as JA4PXE/6 and JH4WXV/6. Activity will be on 160-6 meters CW/SSB. QSL via their home callsigns, bureau or direct (qrz.com).

AS-079. Takeshi, JI3DST, informs OPDX that he will be making a second trip (other than the one reported in OPDX.557) to the Miyako Island as JI3DST/6, June 1-3rd. Activity will be 17/15/12/10/6/2 meters (This time, main bands will be 6 and 2 meters). Takeshi will be looking for DX stations on 6m. (Looking for AF and SA.) QSL via the bureau (BURO is best) to JI3DST or direct.

EU-016. Look for Sylvain to sign 9A/F5TLN from the Island of Korcula (CI-041) on May 4-5th. Otherwise, he is active now from Bosnia- Herzegovina as T9/F5TLN.

EU-020. Martin, SM0DTK, informs OPDX that he will be active from Gotland Island as SM0DTK/1 between May 4-12th. The best time to look for him is between 0300-0600z. Sked can be arranged by E-mail at: sm0dtk@hem.passagen.se

EU-064. Look for Didier, F5BJW, to operate as TM2A from Noirmoutier Island (DIFM AT-020) through April 20th. QSL via his home callsign.

EU-091. During the 2002 IOTA Contest, the operators of the "Salento DX Team" from Lecce will activate Grande Island (I.I.A. LE-002) with the special callsign II7GR. The QSL Manager is IK7JWX (NOT I0YKN). QSL IK7JWX via the bureau, or direct (address is on www.qrz.com)

EU-171. Knud, OZ2ZB, will activate a few Danish islands in the Jylland North Group on April 18th at various times. His schedule is as follows: 1000-1045z on Egholm Island (NJ-004), 1100-1145z on Frueholm Island (NJ-010) and 1200-1245z on Troldholm Island (NJ-011). His activity will be around 14270 and 21270 kHz SSB. QSL via OZ2ZB; bureau or direct.

NA-092. Hal, W5GZI, will be vacationing on Mustang Island (USI: TX011S) between now and April 20th. He plans to operate W5GZI/m on the IOTA frequencies, particularly on 28460 and 28560 kHz. QSL via home call, CBA.

NA-137. Andy/KB1BEE and Bob/WW1V will activate Bailey Island, May 3-5th. This is a Father and Son IOTA DXpedition (their first). Activity will on be only SSB on the usual IOTA frequencies. QSL via their CBA.

KH0, MARIANA ISLAND
Look for JM1YGG to sign KH0/JM1YGG from Saipan, May 16-19th. Activity will be on the HF bands and 6 meters. QSL to JM1YGG through the JARL bureau.

LU, SOUTH ORKNEY ISLANDS
A new operator for station LU1ZA, named Jose Luis, has arrived on Laurie Island, South Orkneys (Orcadas base, WABA LU-014). However, he has not yet been active due to his work duties on the base. He is expected to be active beginning next month. Look for him after 2200z. QSL via LU4DXU.

OS, BELGIUM (Special Prefix)
Egbert, ON4CAS, informs OPDX that from May 18th and July 11th all Belgians may use the "OS" prefix instead of the "ON" prefix. All Belgians are not obligated to use the special prefix. The special prefix has been granted in commemoration of the "Battle of the Golden Spurs" which took place back in 1302.

P5, NORTH KOREA
Ed, P5/4L4FN continues to be active almost daily on 15 meters SSB (21225 kHz after 2230z, sometime after 0900z). No real new news to report on this one, accept that a picture of the QSL card that is going out can be found on the KK5DO's Web site at: http://www.amsatnet.com/p5.html Also, a reminder that if you send your QSL card to Bruce, KK5DO, after May 15th (stateside only), you must include 37 cents postage. Bruce states he will have all cards up-to-date and mailed out before the postage goes up.

PIRATE ALERT
Ken, ZL4HU (also ZL2HU), reports that he has recently been in contact with the New Zealand amateur radio licensing authorities, and they have advised that NO "ZL8RI" licence has been issued recently. The ZL8RI DXpedition Group to Raoul Island in the Kermadec Group in May 1996 was the last to be issued with this callsign. This recent activity from the SO CALLED ZL8RI callsign is a PIRATE operation. Please be guided accordingly.

POSTAL (U.S.) INCREASE IS OFFICIAL
The United States Postal Service has announced this past week that new postal rates will go into effect June 30th. The single-piece, one-ounce first-class mail rate will increase three cents (from 34 to 37 cents). The additional ounce rate for single-piece first-class mail will remain at 23 cents. The single-piece card rate (eg. QSL cards) will increase by two cents (from 21 to 23 cents). For more details, please visit the USPS Web site at:

QSL INFO AND NEWS
Emir, 9A6AA, informs OPDX that the log for 9A6AA/p from the Susac Island (EU-016, LH-1430, CI-109, CRO-064, CLH-047) and Korcula Island (EU-016, CI-041) operations, along with pictures and a story (in Croatian only) are now available at:

Trey, N5KO/HC8N, reports that he has a new QSL Manager for his HC8N activity. Send QSLs to W5UE: Randy Becnel, PO Box 170, Kiln, MS 39556-0170 USA. He states that his previous QSL Manager Derek Wills, AA5BT, is stepping down after 10 years and 50,000 QSL requests answered. Trey thanks Derek for the many years of work he has invested in answering cards for the past ten years, and he also thanks W5UE and the Magnolia DX Assocation for stepping forward to take over the job. Trey also provided the following list of QSL routes for all active stations from Isla San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands: HC8A via KU9C, HC8GR via N5KO, HC8L via N2AU, HC8N via W5UE and HC8Z/HD8Z via NE8Z.

QSL the following upcoming special Italian callsigns as follows:
* II0FM via IZ0BTV (NOT I0YKN). Activity during the 300 Friendship Meeting to Cori LT: May 25-26th, 2002
* IB0A via IZ0BTV (NOT I0YKN). Activity from Zannone Island (I.I.A. LT-012, IOTA EU-045): June 20-24th, 2002.
* II7GR via IK7JWX (NOT I0YKN). Activity from Grande Island (EU-091)
* IU7LE via I7PXV.
QSL IZ0BTV, IK7JWX and I7PXV via the bureau, or direct (address on www.qrz.com).

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE. QSL Manager Vasilij, RW6HS, states, "Every month I receive hundreds of QSLs via the QSL bureau. I will not answer cards sent to me via the bureau. I must pay for all cards coming to me via the QSL bureau. Send direct only. Please notify your DX clubs and your national society and tell your members to QSL to RW6HS direct only with send SASE or SAE with postage. IRC must be stamped in the lower LEFT hand box by your post office to be any good for return postage. Russia's post offices will not accept IRC's that already bare a stamp on them. They cannot be cashed in for postage in the Russia. I shall help you with reception answer-back QSL from Russia and CIS. You much more reduce the post expenses. That your envelope was received by me 100 %. As far as possible send your envelope - registered mail. Send direct ONLY to RW6HS no bureau cards please."

VP6DI DUCIE LOG. Jay, AF2C, reports that "according to Kan, JA1BK, the complete log of the Ducie operation should appear on-line within the next few days. The problem appears to be that one of the computers was not set to UTC on time and Kan is apparently having the correction made to compensate for the error. Again, be patient....."

Nikolay, UX0FF, informs OPDX that he has had new QSL cards printed for the EK5ZI and 4K5ZI DXpedition (operation in 1990-1992) to Zmeiniy (SNAKE) Island (EU-182 now). They made over 70000 QSOs and about 1000 QSOs on RTTY. He states, Roger, G3KMA, has confirmed that this DXpedition is now valid for the IOTA award. Nikolay still has all logs of these DXpeditions. If somebody still needs the card, QSL with a SASE to: Nikolay Lavreka, UX0FF, P.O.Box 3, IZMAIL, 68600 , UKRAINE.

SILENT KEY
OPDX has been inform that John "Chester" Lunsford, W4EVG/XV5AC, has become a "Silent Key" on Friday, April 5th, in his hometown of Sasser, GA, at the age of 66. He is survived by his XYL Giselle, N4PBO. Chester was a familiar presence on the air in Southeast Asia in the 1970's with his callsigns XV5AC and HS1AIV. He was the person principally responsible for getting Vietnam back on the air in 1971 after a long absence from the amateur bands, thanks to arranging high-level intervention on his behalf by U. S. Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker. Chester also participated in one of the first DXpeditions to the Spratly Islands, 1S1A, in February of 1973, along with Pete Pedersen, HS4AGN (now N5TP), the late, great Don Riebhoff, K7ZZ/K7CBZ, Scotty Gantt, WB4VBY and Frank Ostrich, WB4UZP. OPDX and its readers would like to send out our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

SPECIAL EVENT
Vlad, UR5WCW, Chairman of Lviv Branch of UARL "LVIV Shortwave Club", informs OPDX that the club station of "Lviv Shortwave Club", UR4WWE, will be using a special event callsign EO57WL between May 6-12th. Operation will be on all bands and all modes. QSL information is via UT1WL, Leo Kharchenko, P.O.Box 5951, LVIV, 79054, UKRAINE either direct or via the bureau

SPECIAL PREFIXES
Starting April 20th through the end of the year, amateurs in Argentina whose prefixes begin with LU/LW/AZ will be using new prefixes. This is to celebrate the program "The Radio Amateur a safe way for our childrens" supported by the Radio Club USHUAIA (LU8XW). Details are available at the Web site:

SUBMARINES ON THE AIR (SOTA). This special event will take place at 0000z April 27th through 2359z April 28th. Over 30 submarines worldwide will taking part in this event. For some interesting details and a list of museum submarines, check out the following Web sites.
VARA - Submarines Veterans Amateur Radio Assn.:

SV/A, MOUNT ATHOS
Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A, was once again active over the past week, especially on RTTY. His RTTY activity was on 14083-14086 kHz around 0430z listening up 5 kHz.

T2, TUVALU
Dave, KW4DA, who is part of the team going to the Baker Island DXpedition operating from Baker Island from April 29th through May 8th, will be going to Tuvalu April 22-25th, and again from May 11-16th. Prior to and following the Baker Island DXpedition, he will be active as T2DA on all bands and the following modes, CW, RTTY, PSK, SSB and SSTV. There will be no set schedule. Monitor the DX Summit and DX Clusters. QSL information for T2DA: Dave Anderson, KW4DA, 712 Baneberry Court, Asheville, NC 28803, USA. For USA, SASE envelope with postage. For DX, SASE envelope with postage. If you send "NO Envelope or Postage" you will receive a QSL via the Bureau. Send questions via E-mail to: T2DA@Hotmail.com

VISALIA REMINDER
Kenny, K2KW, would like to reminded everyone that the Northern California Contest Club presents the 4th Annual International DX Convention Contest Dinner on Friday, April 26, 2002. EVENING EVENTS: Dinner, short contesting program, guest speaker presentation: Dr Beldar's Contest Emporium - Products you might not see at HRO... , and door prizes. Doors and cash bar open at 7:00 p.m. Dinner is served at 8:00 p.m. For more details, contact: Tom Taormina, K5RC, Productivity Resources, PO Box 1126, Virginia City NV 89440 (PH. 775-847-7929 or FAX 775-847-7930 or E-mail K5RC@aol.com). Full details are available on the International DX Convention web site:

VK9, LORD HOWE ISLAND
Following their all-YL mini-DXpedition to Norfolk Island in 2000, YLs Elizabeth/VE7YL (CW), June/VK4SJ, Mio/JR3MVF, Raija/ SM0HNV and Gwen/VK3DYL will next operate from Lord Howe Island (OC-004) as VK9YL from September 15-29th. QSL to VK3DYL (Gwen Tilson, 3 Gould Court, Mt. Waverley, Victoria 3149, Australia) either direct with SAE and sufficient return postage or via the VK3 Bureau. Any direct cards received without the above will be returned via the Bureau.

VK9ML MELLISH REEF DXPEDITION
As this was being prepared Sunday morning April 14th, N.A. Pilot Station Don, N1DG, reported the VK8ML team has landed on the Reef and will begin camp setup at daybreak. Activity should begin by the time you read this. Up-to-date news can be found on:

VP5, TURK AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Look for Rodger/GM3JOB and Willie/GM4ZNC to be active from North Caicos (NA-002) now through April 19th as VP5/GM3JOB and VP5/GM4ZNC. Activity will be on 160-10 meters SSB and CW. QSL via their home calls either direct or through the RSGB bureau.

XV9, SPRATLY
Reports indicate that the April XV9TH DXpedition to the Spratly Islands has been postponed to a later date to be decided.

YUDX CONTEST
Zik, 4N1DX/VE3, wants to remind everyone that the YU DX Contest will take place April 20-21st (1200-1200z). You can find all the details and information about the contest at:

ZK1, SOUTH COOK ISLAND
Jim Widlar, W8ERI/ZF2ZL, will be on holiday in the Cook Islands between now and April 23rd. He will be using the callsign ZK1AAA. Jim will be taking his ICOM 706 and will be on 15 meters around 21295 kHz at 0300z. He plans to visit two of the islands, Rarotonga (OC-013) and Aitutaki (OC-083).

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Additional Bulletins for OPDX InterNet Subscribers

From: "Ari Korhonen" [ari.korhonen@kolumbus.fi]
To: "Editors" [editors@n4gn.com]
Subject: WRTC2002 Press Release #18 - Team U.A. E.
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 14:34:39 +0300
MIME-Version: 1.0

As part of its original plan for the WRTC 2002 event, the WRTC2002 organizing committee reserved the right to select one team with special characteristics, while maintaining the high quality operator criteria established as a hallmark for the WRTC 2002 games.

With this objective in mind, at its meeting on April 8, 2002, the committee decided to invite a team from the United Arab Emirates (A61AJ) to be the representative of the contesting community in the Middle East.

The teams operating from A61AJ have achieved superb results over the past few years and this action seeks to recognize this fact. The inclusion of this special team is thus viewed as a positive addition to the games.

Team UAE will be led by Ali Al-Futtaim, A61AJ, who has been the driving force behind the development of what is one of the premier contest superstations in the Middle East and Asia. In the spirit of the games, a team has been selected that is representative of the current A61AJ operating roster. While his team members are U.S. nationals, they also represent the A61AJ team as it now stands in the contesting landscape.

Accordingly, we are delighted to welcome Ali Al-Futtaim, A61AJ, and his operating team of Jeff Briggs, K1ZM, and Phil Goetz, N6ZZ, to the games as the WRTC 2002 special team selection.

WRTC2002 Organizing Committee

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