The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 640
BID: $OPDX.640
December 22, 2003
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF-80 BBS Cleveland, Ohio

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, K1XN & GoList, NC1L, K2MGA & CQ Communications Inc., NG3K, W3HC, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4WX, N5FG, K8YSE, K9LSB, N0AX, E21EIC, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, G3XTT, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, LU1BCE, OH2BH, OM3JW and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX information.

SPECIAL EDITOR'S NOTE
Can you believe it! Another year is almost over. Anyway, my family (wife/OPDX's chief proof-reader Linda, Teddy [TJ] and wife Jessica, Katie) and I (KB8NW) would like to wish all DXers, Contesters and OPDX readers a very "Happy Holiday and Season's Greetings". Also, we would like thank the many who have contributed information over the year (there are too many to list). REMEMBER, without them there would not be an OPDX Bulletin. I would also thank the many who sent holiday greetings. I tried to answer some and wished I could answer each one of them individually, but it would take a huge amount of time. You would not believe the amount of E-mail I receive......
73 and Have a Great Holiday de Tedd KB8NW

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 14th/December, through Sunday, 21st/December there were 224 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4W, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, AP, BV, BY, C3, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FR/j, 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, J5, J8, JA, JD/m, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, 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, PY0S, PZ, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T30, T5, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, YA, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD9, ZF, 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).

IMPORTANT NOTICE/REMINDER
The Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin now has a new FAX number. Contributors can now send/fax their DX information to the following number:

3B9, RODRIGUES ISLAND (Update)
OPDX received an update/bulletin from Don Field, G3XTT, (3B9C Publicity Officer) on the upcoming Project Star Reach, a project focused around a major expedition to Rodrigues Island, with the callsign 3B9C, just before going to print. Since their last announcement, additional team members and several additional sponsors have come on board. The shipping container has now been packed (see photos on the 3B9C Website) and has begun its journey to Rodrigues. This container holds considerably more equipment and antennas than they took to the Comoros (D68C), including capability for 70cm (satellite and moonbounce). They really do intend to cover as many bands and modes as possible, not only to satisfy the demands of the many specialist groups within the ranks of amateur radio, but also to encourage those of you who do tend to specialize (whether in HF, LF, RTTY or whatever) to try something new.

Excerpts from "Bulletin No. 2" state that the new team members are Robert/F5VHN and Eric/K3NA. Also, Project Star Reach intends to use this opportunity for educating non-DXers into the "how, where and when" of working DX. They are delighted that several major amateur radio publications recognize the importance of this in revitalizing our hobby from within, and have agreed to run articles ahead of the 3B9C operation, giving suitable hints and tips (which will, of course, be equally applicable to other expeditions as time goes by). Within the constraints of time and geography, they are also happy to entertain requests for club presentations along similar lines. Don Field, G3XTT, says, "Drop me an E-mail, and let's see what we can do." Don's E-Mail address is: g3xtt@lineone.net

One way they hope to encourage participation in Project Star Reach is by way of the Nevada Rodrigues Trophies. The Nevada Comoros Trophies offered as part of the D68C DXpedition for working band-slots were extremely popular with DXers, with the winners working D68C on 23 band-slots. Trophies were also available to clubs to encourage their members to be active and work D68C either from home or perhaps from the club station. During the 3B9C DXpedition they will be running the Nevada Rodrigues Trophies. The rules will be broader than those used for the Comoros, and there will be continental awards as well as awards for clubs outside the UK. There will also be special awards for newcomers to HF. Details will be available soon.

The Project Star Reach is still looking for much needed funds to help pay for this DXpedition. The costs of procuring and shipping so much hardware are high - in the case of 3B9C, they estimate shipping costs alone to be in the order of $20k. They are looking for help from commerical, club and individual sponsors to help make this happen, rather than having the burden fall totally on the team members (who, of course, will make some contribution to the logistics costs, in addition to finding all their own travel and accommodation expenses). Between now and March further bulletins will be issued, but you can already find out much more by visiting the Web site which is up and running at:

9V0, ANTARCTICA
Allan, 9V1DX, is now active as 9V0A from Ellsworth Mountain. He was spotted in 40 and 30 meters CW. Watch 7001 or 10108 kHz between 0130 and 0300z.

AP, PAKISTAN
Bob, AP2JZB, was active on 17 and 12 meters SSB this past weekend. Watch around 18119 and 24946 kHz between 1330 and 1500z.

CQ MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES NEW WAZ AWARDS MANAGER
On December 15th, CQ Publisher Richard Ross, K2MGA, announced the appointment of Floyd Gerald, N5FG, as CQ Worked All Zones (WAZ) Awards Manager, effective January 1, 2004. Floyd succeeds Paul Blumhardt, K5RT, who is stepping down after four years in the position due to increased work and family commitments. "We will miss Paul's dedication to WAZ and the CQ awards program in general," said Ross, "and we thank him for his many contributions. He sets an excellent example for his successor, and we welcome Floyd to the CQ 'family.' " The press release states, "Floyd Gerald, N5FG has been an amateur since 1972, and is an accomplished DXer. He holds many amateur radio operating awards, including 5BWAZ (200 Zones), #1 DXCC Mixed and SSB, CQ DX Honor Roll SSB and CW, 9 Band DXCC, and 6BWAS. He is also a founding member of the Magnolia DX Association. Floyd served as the manager of the W5 QSL bureau from 1998-2002.

During his tenure, the W5 QSL Bureau was the first QSL Bureau to employ a website so users could check on their QSL 'accounts' on line. He's also served as CQ Awards and ARRL DXCC Checkpoint, and has been a QSL manager for several DX stations. Floyd is retired from the housing industry and lives near Wiggins, Mississippi, with his wife Sherry on their 5 acre antenna farm. CQ would like to ask WAZ applicants to delay sending applications (and cards) to Floyd until 1 February 2004, in order to allow for an orderly transition and transfer of records. We apologize for this delay, but feel that it will reduce confusion and possible loss of anyone's application during the transition.

Applications and cards sent to K5RT will be forwarded to N5FG each month. After February 1, WAZ applications and cards should be sent to: Floyd Gerald, N5FG, 17 Green Hollow Rd., Wiggins, MS 39577-8318. The Worked All Zones awards are part of a comprehensive operating award program sponsored by CQ magazine, the world's leading independent amateur radio publication."

DXCC NEWS
Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC Manager, sent out the following press release: "The following is approved for DXCC credit:

Johnston Island KH3/KT6E - Only authorized persons are allowed to land on Johnston Island. Proof of presence at certain DXCC entities is required. Representatives of most operations are most helpful and cooperative in providing the necessary proof of presence and/or operating authorization as required. A very small number are not.

Although no one has provided any information regarding that status of KH3/KT6E, some research on our part indicates that DXCC requirements have been met. Therefore, KH3/KT6E is accepted for DXCC credit."

FO/A, AUSTRAL ISLANDS
"The Daily DX" and "La Gazette du DX" are reporting that a Finish group will be active from here between January 5-19th. Their callsigns are not known yet. The team includes: Veko/OH1AWW, Jouko/OH1RX, Henri/OH3JR, Veijo/OH6KN and Kimmo/OH9MDV. Activity will be on all bands on CW/SSB/RTTY/PSK31. There will be a special emphasis on the low bands. More details are forthcoming, and the team plans to have a Web page.

IOTA 40TH ANNIVERSARY AWARD
Don Field, G3XTT, informs OPDX readers: Just a reminder to IOTA enthusiasts (and would-be IOTA enthusiasts!) that IOTA 2004, the IOTA 40th Anniversary Awards Programme, starts on 1st January. A set of files for downloading is now avalable on the CDXC (Chiltern DX Club, the UK DX Foundation) Web pages, at:

KG4, GUANTANAMO BAY
Bill, W4WX, will be active as KG4DX from GTMO January 13-19th. He will operate the HF bands and 6 meters. QSL to his home call, direct with SASE or via LoTW.

KP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Kan, AB2RF, will be active as KP2/AB2RF from St. Thomas between December 26-31st. Activity will be on 80-6 meters CW/SSB/RTTY. QSL via AB2RF using the address on QRZ.com.

LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITY
Remember, the "Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party" is between 0001z, December 20th and 2359z, January 4th.

Warren, WM2Z, plans to activate the following lighthouses as WM2Z/m during the ARLHS "Lighthouse Christmas Lights" event: Horton Point (ARLHS reference USA-387), Long Beach Bar (USA-440), Orient Point (USA-606) and Plum Island (USA-633). Activity will be on 20 and 40 meters SSB. QSL via home call (QRZ.com).

Dave, K7HMP, plans to activate the Lightship Overfalls (ARLHS USA-573) as K7HMP/4, December 27th, sometime mid to late morning. Depending on propagation and contacts, later in the day, he will move to Cape Henlopen State Park and activate Harbor of Refuge (USA-366) and Delaware Breakwater (USA-222). Dave is also looking into the "Historic" lights at Cape Henlopen (USA-120) and the Cape Henlopen Beacon (USA-1186). If he can activate them from a similar location, he will; otherwise, he may move to a separate location for some short period of time. If all goes well Dave may stay overnight and also operate on December 28th. Being a glutton for punishment, he will also have the data and log sheets ready for Fenwick Island Light (USA-283) if time and band conditions allow. Activity will primarily be SSB on 20 and 40 meters. QSL via his home call (QRZ.com).

In the framework of the official launching of the greatest steamship of the world "QUEEN MARY 2" built in French yards of the Atlantic in St. Nazaire (Department 44), a station will be active December 22nd from the lighthouse of the "Vieux Mtle" (DPLF reference PB-181 for the French Sea Coast Lighthouses award). Activity will run from 1200z until 1700z, using the calls F6IFC/P and F5OGG/P. Look for them on 14250 and 7044 kHz SSB, 14044 and 7024 kHz CW. A special QSL will be available for this expedition with the picture of the lighthouse and the QUEEN MARY 2. QSL for F6IFC/P via F6IFC. QSL for F5OGG/P via LX1NO.

NEW OFFICIERS FOR 2004
The Western Washington DX Club (WWDXC) have elected the following new officers for 2004.

       President      - Joseph Shinners, W7GTO
       Vice President - Dennis Bowman, W7SNH
       Secretary      - Brian Moran, N9ADG
       Treasurer      - Marina Zuetell, N7LSL
       Trustees       - James Hadlock, K7WA
                        Robert Nielsen, N7XY
                        Richard Swanson, K7BTW
                        Mary Lewis, W7QGP
                        Joe Gregory, W7QN
                        Kirk Bellar, N7UK

The WWDXC would also like to invite everyone to the Pacific NW DX Convention to be held in Everett, WA, between July 16-18th. Details should be available soon on the club Web site at:

QSL INFO AND NEWS
Steve, OM3JW, reports that the first batch of 7W4HI (AF-094) QSLs (that were receive direct) was expected to be mailed on December 19th, and another batch was expected to go out after Christmas. If you don't get a 7W4HI QSL at the end of January, send E-mail to Ivan, OM3CGN at: om3cgn@nextra.sk

Champ, E21EIC, is the QSL Manager for 9M0SEA (not Spratly Island), the special callsign used during the SEANET 2003 in Johor Bahru, West Malaysia. He is also the QSL Manager for 9M4JB the special callsign used during the CQWW CW Contest in West Malaysia.

Mac, W3HC, informs OPDX that he is the QSL Manager for new stations: XQ3WTR and CE3WTR.

Hiro, JA6WFM, now active as JA6WFM/HI8 says his QSL Manager is JA6VU (QSL direct only with SASE). Bureau cards will be handled after Hiro returns to Japan.

S2, BANGLADESH
Koichirco, S21YY, is active almost daily on 3507-3508 kHz sometimes starting at 1230z and as late as 1730z. QSL via JM1HXU.

SPECIAL EVENT
Look for Jack, K9LSB, to be operating as K9L from March 1-14th in celebration of 50 years as a licensed operator. K9LSB and members of the Hoosierland Amateur Mobile Systems will operate all bands and all modes from the home of K9LSB in Fort Wayne, Indiana. All QSLs go to K9LSB. (a SASE will get you a nice card in return). Equipment for the activity will be a FT-1000MP Mark V and a FTV-1000 6 meter transverter into an A3A at 65ft. He will use dipoles on everything else.

SPECIAL EVENT (Attention Prefix Hunters!)
Carlos Beviglia, LU1BCE, Secretary of the Radio Club Argentino (RCA), informs OPDX that between January 4-15th, the RCA will participate in the 6th Andes Mountains Land Cross. It is made every year honoring the cross that General San Martin did leading his army to Chile during the American Independence War in 1817. The cross will be made as San Martin did by land on mules, through the mountains the same ways the army did, at an average height of 4500m. The RCA will provide the comunication for the event for the 300 participants who will divide into 6 columns, and spread off 750 kms. RCA will set up two HF stations at every camp point throughout the whole journey. The DX operation will be mainly on SSB/CW on all HF bands, and the callsign to be used is LS4M. Attention WPX hunters, the LS4 prefix has not been activated for many years (nearly 20). A special QSL card and award (5 QSOs any mode, any band) will be issued. QSL info is via LU4AA, bureau or direct.

T33, BANABA ISLAND (Update)
Preparation for the 2004 Banaba DXpedition is on its way according to their Web page. Last week a team finalized the loading of the 20 foot container with approx. 4500 Kg of materials which is now on its way to Kiribati. They hope it will arrive there at end of February. They still mention that they still have 2 operator spots available (provided travel arrangements to Kiribati can still be arranged, flights are getting full). The first photos have been published on the "Pictures" section on their Web site, so you can get an impression of what is going to be transported to the island. The 2004 Banaba DXpedition Web page is at:

TO4, EUROPA
Interesting week. On Wednesday, December 17th, an annoucement was sent out stating the TO4E team was "definitively QRT" because of tropical cyclone CELA, and the team made about 32000 QSOs. The report stated that CELA's winds blew violently and the buildings on the island suffered. Roofs were torn off but nobody, neither the military detachment or the Europa 2003 team was injured. However, the report stated that radio equipment was damaged "a lot". The team was expected to be back on Reunion on Friday, December 19th. However, another delay took place and the team did not depart from the island. The team's departure has now been pushed back a few days, and they have obtained permission to continue using TO4E during this time. The TO4E team came back on the air Friday, December 19th. QSNs show that they were active on 20/15/12/10 meters. As this was being typed Sunday morning (1300z), no QSNs were reported. Please refer to the TO4E Web page for more details and updates at:

TT8, CHAD
As mentioned in OPDX.638, Allan, N5XZ, is now active as TT8XZ using some type of Motorola radio which is very limited in accessing frequencies (he has to program each frequency in the radio). He was spotted this past week on 14130, 14195, 7050 and 7055 kHz basically between 1900-2000z. QSL via N5XZ.

YA, AFGHANISTAN
Johnny, LA5IIA, is now active as YA8G in Kabul for about the next 5 months. He was spotted this past weekend on 20/17/12 meters. Most of his activity will be on CW and some RTTY, with very little SSB. He is there as a UNICEF worker and plans to be active in his spare time. QSL via LA4YW. For more details and some interesting pictures, please visit his Web page at:

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

Additional Bulletins for OPDX InterNet Subscribers

To: N4AA@dxpub.com
From: Carl Smith {N4AA@dxpub.com}
Subject: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - ZA Ham Course
Martti, OH2BH asked that the following be distributed this weekend.

Project Goodwill Albania 2003 closed on December 15, 2003 as one of the richest experiences shared by more than forty (40) volunteer amateur radio operators who participated in the event at various times during a five-week program. The best of Albania's youth with their professors and associates were introduced to the joy of international amateur radio. Thirty-nine (39) new licensees are ready to join this great hobby of ours. Unfortunately radio equipment is currently out of reach for these new Albanian hams, and therefore it is reasonable that a collective effort should be launched.

We now seek your personal help to ensure that these licensees will soon meet us on the bands. Here is the recipe to make them active on the bands.

B: If you have no spare equipment, your monetary support for buying a piece of ham gear is welcome. We target a small new transceiver priced at less than USD 1,000. A minimum donation of USD 100 will be processed through the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) and it can be tax deductible to you. Just search the web ( http://www.za1a.com/help/help.htm ) and you may wish to select your own future sponsored amateur radio licensee in Albania based on his/her picture and personal profile of individual interests. One day you may be talking to your selected friend in ZA-land and/or even visiting her/him in Albania. Upon receiving your pledge, we will be delighted to provide you with direct contact information - email, phone and postal address - so you or any of your friends can communicate with your selected Albanian ham. The actual equipment shipment may be consolidated within your country.

The First Albanian DX Convention will be organized in June 2004, and you will be personally invited to be there and meet your new ZA friend and others who responded to this call for help. I am looking forward to seeing many of you there and sharing the adventure and operating from ZA together with you.

Practical Arrangements

Please contact one of these Project Goodwill Albania 2003 representatives:
Angel,   EA1QF  (ea1qf@ure.es)
Roger,   G3LQP  (g3lqp@aol.com)
Yoichi,  JP1NWZ (jp1nwz@cqpub.co.jp)
Uli,     DJ2YA  (dj2ya@t-online.de)
Carsten, DL6LAU (carsten.esch@appello.de)
Ole,     LA2RR  (la2rr@online.no)
Wayne,   N7NG   (n7ng@arrl.org)
Chip,    K7JA   (c.margelli@vxstdusa.com)
Carl,    K9LA   (k9la@arrl.net)
Warren,  K7WX   (k7wx@earthlink.net)
Mario,   I2MQP  (ari@micronet.it)
Max,     I8NHJ  (i8nhj@pagus.it )
Pertti,  OH2PM  (pertti.simovaara@pp.inet.fi)
Jim,     VE1JF  (74237.2073@compuserve.com)
Martti,  OH2BH  (oh2bh@sral.fi)

and you will receive instructions on how to proceed with your equipment donation.

In case of a monetary donation, please write your check to NCDXF, Project Goodwill Albania and mail it to Bruce Butler, W6OSP, 4220 Chardonnay Ct, Napa, CA 94558, USA or contact Bruce ( w6osp@aol.com ), for his instructions and advice.

We plan to get the equipment to Albania as soon as possible so that all the new licensees will be operational before the June Convention. Your callsign will be listed on the Honor Board which will be displayed at the new University club station (ZA1UT - University of Tirana ). The University club station will be officially opened during the spring in time for the First Albanian DX Convention.

Best Season's Greetings - DX Is!

Martti Laine, OH2BH
Project Goodwill Albania 2003

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