The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 593
BID: $OPDX.593
January 6, 2003
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, W2GR, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, ND5S, AA7UC, NN7A, K8NA, K8YSE, CX8FB, Diamond DX Club, DL1EK/DL7VOA & DX Newsletter, F5NQL & UFT, FJ5DX & La Gazette du DX, GW3CDP, G0IAS, I1JQJ & IK1ADH - 425 DX NEWS, Japan DX News, JI3DST, JI6KVR, ON4UN, OZ6OM/OZ7M & OZ 50 MHz DX Bulletin, RA6YR, VA3RJ & ICPO, XQ5SM and ZS6AN for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 29/December, through Sunday, 5/January there were 228 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4W, 4X, 5B, 5R, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9U, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C6, CE, CE0A, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J6, J7, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KH8, 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, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TL, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK0M, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP2V, VP5, VP6, VP8, VP8/h, VP8/o, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, XW, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD9, ZK3, ZL, ZP, ZS

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

3B9, RODRIGUES ISLAND
Robert, 3B9FR, was active this past week on 20 and 12 meters. Watch 14195 kHz around 1700z and 24950 kHz around 1445z. QSL via the address on QRZ.com.

7Q, MALAWI
Allan, G0IAS, informs OPDX that Harry, 7Q7HB, will be back in Malawi as of January 5th for "about" three months. Closely following him will be the return of Les, 7Q7LA (The first 7Q to be re-issued with a licence back in 1990). His length of stay is unknown at this time but expect about three months. Allan states, "These guys will do anything to get away from the Northern Hemispheres cold winter weather...after I have seen the Doctor about my Asbestosis... I may join them ... who knows..?" Allen also mentions that making a schedule with them may be possible. Howvever, PLEASE, NO REQUESTS FOR 160M (it is too noisy) but almost anything else might be accommodated...especially CW on the WARC Bands this time around. A possible E-mail link may be set up for them (details forthcoming), but for now all requests can be sent to Allan at:

A5, BHUTAN
Dr. Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, will once again head back here during the month of February. Look for him to sign as A51B between February 3-26th. Activity will only be during his spare time. This trip will have an emphasis on 80 meters CW around 3505 kHz (+/- QRM) during his mornings and evenings. If conditions are not good look for him on 40 and 30 meters. He does plan to be active on the higher bands after his sunrise. Glenn also plans to be active in the CQ/RJ WW RTTY Contest (February 8-9th) and the ARRL CW DX Contest (February 15-16th). QSL via direct to W0GJ.

C6, BAHAMAS
By the time you read this Bill, KM1E, is expected to be active as C6AGN until March 4th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters. QSL via W1DIG.

CE9, SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS
Ric, CE9R, is expected back on King George Island (AN-010) sometime this month. Activity will be from Escudero Base (WABA CE-11). QSL via CE3HDI.

DXAC NEWS
The new ARRL Great Lakes Director, Jim Weaver, K8JE, has appointed Billy G. "Pick" Pickard, WA5PAE, as the new Great Lakes Division DXAC Representative, effective at noon January 1, 2003. Pick is an Honor Roll DXer, First Vice-President of the International DX Association, an active member of the South West Ohio DX Association, and a frequent DXpeditioner. Pick replaces Ted Pauck, K8NA, who has served for many years on the DXAC, and has contributed a substantial amount of time and effort, counsel and advice to make the DXCC a better program over past many years.

EA8, CANARY ISLANDS
Look for Juha, OH9MM, to be active as EA8/OH9MM in the ARRL SSB Contest (March 1-2nd) as a Single-Op/Single Band (20m) entry. QSL via home callsign. Also, look for Juha, OH6XX, to be active as EA8/OH6XX in the ARRL SSB Contest as a Single-Op/Single Band (15m) entry. QSL via home callsign.

IOTA NEWS
AS-047. Toru/JI5USJ and Makoto/JI5RPT will be active as homecall/6 from Daito Island (a very rare islands in Japan) for about a 1 week stay the first of March. Look for activity on 160-10 meters on SSB, CW, RTTY and PSK31. More details on their schedule is forthcoming. QSL direct to home callsigns or via the JARL QSL bureau.
JI5RPT: Makoto Koyanagi, 5-42-203 Kadan, Aoba Sendai Miyagi 980-0815 JAPAN.
JI5USJ: Toru Koyangi, 400-6-1119, Nagasoneminami Hikone Shiga 522-0052 JAPAN.

NA-062. Bob, W2SF, will be signing W2SF/p from Lower Matecombe Key (USI FL-062S, Monroe County), in the Florida Keys through June. His activity will be on CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign, direct or bureau.

SA-057. A group of operators from Uruguay will activate CV1F from San Gabriel Island, January 10-13th. They may also activate Farallon Lighthouse (URU-003). San Gabriel Island is 1 mile from the Lighthouse, but access to Farallon Island is restricted. There is no Lighthouse on San Gabriel Island. Activity will be on 40-6 meters CW/SSB, and possibly 160/80 meters and some digital. QSL via EA5KB.

SA-061. Look for opeators Gladys/CA6TBB, Caelos/CE6AMN, Marco/CE6TBN, Jamie/CE6AKH, Fernando/XQ5SM and Mario/CE6NE to be active as CE6M from Mocha Island, January 15-18th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters CW/SSB. QSL to P.O. Box 591, Temuco, Chile.

JD1, MINAMI TORISHIMA
JD1YBJ was quite active this past weekend on CW/SSB. Watch around 7009, 10100, 18073 and 18133 kHz. Activity starts around 1100z and again around 2130z.

JD1, OGASAWARA ISLANDS (IOTA Op)
Fukushige, JM6DZB, is on Iwo Jima Island (AS-030) in the Kazan Island Group (aka Volcano Islands). He will be active as JM6DZB/JD1, however, he is here to work and will only be active during his free time. His planned stay is through the end of December. Activity will be on 80/40/15 meters SSB. QSL via the Bureau to his home callsign.

Meanwhile, special event JARL station, 8N1OGA, continues to be active. Over the past weekend, 8N1OGA was heard on 160/80/40/20/15/12 meters. Activity will last through the end of the month. QSL via the JARL Bureau or direct to JA1MRM.

KP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Just a few more days to work Joe/W8GEX and John/WZ8D as N8Z from St. Croix (NA-106). Activity will end January 8th. Activity continues to be on 160-6 meters. QSL direct to WZ8D.

PJ7, ST. MAARTEN
Ron, ND5S, informs OPDX to look for him to be active as PJ7/ND5S and Sue as PJ7/KF5LG from St.Maarten (IOTA NA105) between February 9th and February 22nd. Ron will again participate in the ARRL CW DX Contest. Outside of the contest, activity will be 160-10 meters CW, RTTY and SSB in that order. Details of past trips can be found at:

QSL INFO AND NEWS
Mike, W2GR, informed the DX community that he is now handling DIRECT cards for Rob, HK3CW, due to the very poor postal system there. He hardly gets his mail and never knows if his even leaves the country! Mike will handle past and future DIRECT ONLY cards for Rob via his CBA: Mike Benjamin, 1064 99th Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14304. ALL BUREAU CARDS CAN AND SHOULD GO TO Rob. The HK Bureau has been working very well there lately, and the kicker is that Rob is helping to run it along with HK3DDD and HK3BZO. Rob states that they have sent out 40 kilos since taking it over from the previous management last May.

John, ON4UN, was active this past weekend in the ARRL RTTY Contest using a brand new Belgian prefix. He was using the callsign OR3T which is a special contest callsign. QSL via ON4UN.

Ferdi, XQ5SM, Chairman for the Southern Cross DX Group, informs OPDX that the following Chilean stations were active during the last ARRL 10M Contest (December 14-15th, 2002). QSL as follows:
CE3N (by CE3NR & CE4PBB) in the Multi-Single entry. QSL via CE3NR.
CB4Y (by CE4FXY & CE4USW) in the Multi-Single entry. QSL via CE4FXY.
3G5A (by XQ5SM) in the SOLP SSB entry. QSL via XQ5SM.
They are all members of Southern Cross DX Group. Address details can be found at QRZ.COM. Also, CB4Y has a Web page with an on-line log search at:

OCTAVIA ANNOUNCES NEW RELEASE OF VISUAL CALLSIGN DATABASE
Octavia is pleased to announce the new release of "Visual Callsign Database 3.0 ESD" (VCD), a most comprehensive source of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) callsign information. First released in 1990 as R&R Callsign Database, VCD is designed to assist hams in successfully QSLing the CIS countries of the old Soviet Union. The updated version offers more photographs and the most accurate and updated listings. It covers all over the CIS (Armenia, Azerbajan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrghyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan) and provides instant access to over 81,568 database entries. OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive the complete press release as an additional bulletin. A 30-day trial version is free to download from the Octavia Web site at:

DON'T BE SURPRISED if you received your H44XX QSL from another ham other than VK1AA. OPDX was informed that Nick states, "QSL cards received with insufficient postage or multiple requests for different callsigns would be in the future forwarded in same manner." Cards are returned to local area hams to be forwarded on, however, Nick does not provided postage or SAE. Nick also states he is NOT ashamed of his QSL practices and says "Should you believe you've been ripped-off, please return my H44XX QSL card and I will gladly refund your money (incl. postage)."

SPECIAL EVENT
Look for special event station KM1CC to be active from January 11-19th, from Cape Cod, MA. USA, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Guglielmo Marconi's first wireless telegraph transmission between the United States and Europe. A few added events will take place:
* Marconi's daughter Princess Elettra Marconi is scheduled to attend the event.
* KM1CC will transmit a PRESIDENTIAL Commemorative message from President George W. Bush on January 18, 2003.
* NASA International Space Station Link ­ Selected Students from three Cape Cod High Schools will communicate with astronauts aboard the orbiting International Space Station.
For more details on activities, please visit the following Web pages at:

V3, BELIZE
Art Phillips, NN7A, informs OPDX that he will operate as V31JZ/p from South Water Caye, Belize (IOTA NA-180), January 17-20th. This will be a part-time one-person operation with 100 watts, and vertical and wire antennas. Operation will be mostly CW on 40-10 meters including the WARC bands; some 80 and 160 meters. Some SSB on 20 and 15 meters IOTA frequencies are possible, conditions permitting. IOTA NA-180 was opened as a new IOTA by Art and Mike Sharp, NG7S / V31RL, in February, 1993. QSL direct via NN7A (Art Phillips, P.O. Box 201, Flagstaff, AZ 86002 USA), or to NN7A via the ARRL bureau. No skeds, please. There will be no on-line logs, and E-mail contact will not be possible while on the island. Visit the DXpedition Web site at:

WABA DIRECTORY
The WABA (Worked Antarctic Bases Award) Directory 2003 is now available for free downloading as .PDF file on the club's web site at:

XY, MYANMAR
Hiroo, JA2EZD, is expected to head back to Myanmar later this month. Look for him to sign XY1M between January 14-29th. He plans to concentrate on 6 meters and the Low Bands. QSL via XW2A.

YA, AFGHANISTAN
By the time you read this, operators Toshi/JA8RUZ and Kiba/JK1KHT should be QTH as YA1JA. QSL YA1JA via JA1CQT: Hiro Nakanishi, 1-9-5 Kuriki, Isogo-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Pref 235-0041, Japan. However, another operator, Sada/JA1PBV, will be in Kabul and will be active as YA1BV until mid-January (15th was mentioned by some sources). Activity by YA1BV has been mainly on 40 and 30 meters CW. QSL YA1BV via JA1PBV: Sadao Itoh, 3-8-12 Baraki, Ishioka, Ibaraki 315, Japan.

ZK1, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS
Victor, ZK1CG, from Rarotonga Island, informed OPDX that he will continue to use the special callsign ZK1USA until January 17th. He can usually be found on (or near) 14275, 21303 and 28495 kHz as early as 1800z and as late as 0330z. Victor also mentioned he has received his QSLs from Italy this past week and will begin sending out the cards for his ZK1CG and ZK1USA contacts.

ZK3, TOKELAU ISLANDS (BOGUS INFO RECEIVED)
SORRY, This sometimes happens. Mario, IZ8DBJ, informed OPDX that the information about him heading here was false. OPDX originally received this information from another source which contained a "fishy" E-mail address. The editor should have questioned the information. Thanks to Mario for letting OPDX readers know about the bogus report.

ZL1AMO UPDATE
Judy, AA7UC, reports this week: "As we enter the year 2003, Terri Wright informs us that her dad, Ron, ZL1AMO, has been moved to Waitakere Hospital. This hospital is closer to home which makes it easier for Jeanette and the family to visit Ron. I reiterated to Terri that Ron's friends are anxious to hear from him and I asked her if he would be up to writing a few words for the medical update. She said that at this point in his rehabilitation he still lacks the strength. It remains an effort for him to get to the toilet and shower -- he shuffles very slowly. He also remains on oxygen; however, his condition has improved so we continue to hope and pray."

ZONE 2
Operators Gerald/VE2ACP, Steve/VE2TKH and Gervais/VE2UE will activate Zone 2 in Lac Julienne (near Wabush), Labrador, January 14-17th. Look for VO2UE to be used by Gerald and Gervais. Steve will operate as VE2TKH/VO2 or possibly a VO2 callsign if he can get it in time. This will be a generator and battery operation with activity on most of the HF bands, mainly on SSB with some CW. Please visit their Web site (still under construction) at:

ZS, SOUTH AFRICA
John, ZS6AN, in Pretoria, South Africa, informs OPDX that well known Southern Califonian DXer, Steve McCully, W7TZ, will be in South Africa from January 1st through Februray 1st. He will be operating from both John's base station as well as his mobile station using the callsign ZS*/W7TZ from all of the South African continental call areas.

OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUEST:

Help: opdx-request@nshore.org Subject:help
Subscribe: opdx-request@nshore.org Subject:subscribe
Unsubscribe: opdx-request@nshore.org Subject:unsubscribe

OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME (provided by John, K8YSE (k8yse@papays.com):
http://www.papays.com/opdx.html

ALSO VISIT THE NORTERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
http://www.papays.com/nodxa.html

Excerpts and distribution of The OPDX Bulletin are granted as long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receive credit. To contribute DX info, call BARF-80 BBS online at 440-237-8208 28.8k/14400/9600/2400/1200 and leave a message with the Sysop or send via InterNet Mail to:

Additional Bulletins for OPDX InterNet Subscribers

December 30, 2002

For Further Information Contact:
Valery Kharchenko, RA6YR
info@octavia.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAYKOP, RUSSIA - OCTAVIA ANNOUNCES NEW RELEASE OF VISUAL CALLSIGN DATABASE

Octavia is pleased to announce the new release of Visual Callsign Database 3.0 ESD, a most comprehensive source of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) callsign information.

First released in 1990 as R&R Callsign Database, VCD is designed to assist hams in successfully QSLing the CIS countries of the old Soviet Union. The updated version offers more photographs and most accurate and updated listing.

It covers all over the CIS (Armenia, Azerbajan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrghyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan) and provides instant access to over 81,568 database entries.

VCD provides a wide range of features:

* Instant access to 81,568 entries, including current, contest, special-event callsigns, radio clubs, and silent keys.

* Data converted in their English language equivalents and presented in a form which will be recognizable by both International and Russian (Ukrainian etc.) postal workers.

* 23,495 cross-references from old to new calls.

* 1,592 personal photographs and QSL card images. Slide show facility. All images are scanned and color-corrected by Octavia. (Limited feature in unregistered version.)

* DXpeditions with photos.

* 986 e-mail and amateur radio packet radio addresses, WWW URLs and ICQ #.

* Over 5,500 home telephone numbers with area codes.

* Club membership information.

* Full date of birth and year first licensed.

* WW grid locator.

* Advisor utility. Marks incorrect/suspicious addresses.

* Powerful advanced searching capabilities: lookup by callsign, name, address, postal code, ex- and special event call, region, WW grid loc., clubs membership, old calls etc.

* QSL bureau listing.

* Data export into the clipboard/label printing.

Some of the VCD screen shots can be viewed at

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

A 30-day trial version is free to download from Octavia website at

Unlimited license can be purchased securely on-line or via postal mail for US$20.00 (ˆ 20.00). All major credit cards accepted.
Register users will get the entire image library (100MB) to make their program fully functional and one year of free updates.

Product options:
Fully functional CD-ROM version priced at US$30.00 (ˆ 30.00).

CD-ROM Subscription is also available.
One year subscription includes 6 fully functional CD's delivered bi-monthly by mail. Regular price is $50.00 (ˆ 50.00).

ABOUT OCTAVIA

Octavia Company, Ltd. has been developing Visual Callsign Database since 1989 and specialize in delivering design, print, and Web solutions for hams, small businesses and companies.

Octavia is a family-owned company based in Maykop, Russia. Octavia's website at

Please contact Octavia for any comments and/or questions relating to this program product at info@octavia.com

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