OPDX Bulletin 648 February 16, 2004

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 648
BID: $OPDX.648
February 16, 2004
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, W1HEO, K2DM, WA2VQW, NG3K, W3HC, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, N4KG, NX4D, W4DTA, W4WX, N5DD, W6SJ, AA7UC, K8YSE, WA9HMN, N0HJZ, W0YG, CT1FKN, CX8FB, DL/VE3ZIK & www.contesting.info, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, DL5MBY, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NOD, F5NQL & UFT, G3XTT, G0IAS, HB9PL, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, JQ2GYU/JF1LZQ, LU6EF, UY5XE and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 8th/February, through Sunday, 15th/February there were 237 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1I, 4W, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5U, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A2, A4, A6, A7, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE0Y, CE0Z, 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, FH, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J5, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JW, JX, JY, K, KG4, KH0, 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, PZ, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T2, T30, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TN, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VP2E, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP8/o, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZD9, ZF, ZK1/s, ZK3, ZL, ZP, ZS

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

3B9, RODRIGUES ISLAND (Update)
Don Field, G3XTT (NK1G), 3B9C Publicity Officer, sent out on February 12th, a third bulletin concerning "Project Star Reach", a project focused around a major expedition to Rodrigues Island, with the callsign 3B9C. Excerpts from the very long press release states, "All preparations for 3B9C are on track, and everything is looking good. Our container should arrive in Rodrigues on 26 February. This bulletin brings news of the Nevada Rodrigues Trophies for working 3B9C, some information about QSLing, and other items of interest." The release mentions that Rodrigues Island has moved up the "Most Wanted List" according to "DX Magazine's" latest rankings. It shows that Rodrigues has moved from 81st on the "Most Wanted Worldwide" in 2002 to 75 in 2003. For the U.S. the change is even more marked, up from 79 to 53 in the Eastern time zone and from 49 to 33 on the West Coast. Also mentioned were details of their "Nevada Rodrigues Awards Programme". The objective of the "Nevada Rodrigues Trophy Programme" is to encourage individual stations of all types worldwide as well as local club stations to make contact with the 3B9C DXpedition during March/ April 2004. They are very keen to encourage all amateurs to participate, particularly those with low power, relatively poor antennas or who are new to HF. They also want to encourage members of local clubs to participate. Trophies will be awarded to stations who work 3B9C on the highest number of band-slots. There are also trophies for SWLs. For specific details on the award, please go to their Web page.They state that the callsign of the 3B9C QSL Manager and P.O. Box will be announced in the next press release. Requests for bureau cards, however, can also be made via the 3B9C Web page. Direct cards will be available shortly after the DXpedition members return home. For more information and updates, please visit the 3B9C Web site at:

4L, GEORGIA
Shota, 4L6AM, will be active in the CQ WPX SSB Contest (March 27-28th) as a Single-Op/Single Band (20m)/High Power entry. QSL via address on QRZ.com.

5V, TOGO (Update)
Members of the F6KOP Le Radio Club de Provins 77 (near Paris) will be active as 5V7C from March 6-13th. Propagation forecasts, the band plan scheduled and the world azimutal map for beaming to Togo are now available on the 5V7C Web site at:

6Y, JAMAICA
The RZS Amateur Radio Club (W2RZS), consisting of Bob/WB2NVR, Mike/WA2VQW, Adam/N2DHH and Bob/N2DVQ, announce that they will be operating from here during the time period March 24-30th. This will include their participation in the CQ WPX SSB Contest as 6Y2RZ. Before and after the contest the club's callsign W2RZS/6Y5 will be used, however; it is also possible that the club's members may elect to use their homecalls/6Y5. Mike intends to be particularly active on the WARC bands during non contest times, 30m is his favorite. All QSLs will be sent to, and answered via the bureaus. You may, of course, QSL direct with SASE if desired. WB2NVR collects stamps, so he will pay special attention to those!

7Q, MALAWI
Allen, G0IAS, informs OPDX that Harry, G0JMU, is once again active as 7Q7HB. Harry has a busy work schedule, but as he is there for a minimum of 10 weeks, he should be able to get a bit of operating time in. He was active this past week on 30 meters, so look for him between 2100-2300z. Also, watch 15 meters (CW/SSB) between 1130-1530z. QSL is via G0IAS DIRECT ONLY (There is NO 7Q Bureau, and Harry has no cards). Allen, G0IAS, also reports to OPDX that Ron, 7Q7RM, informed him that the 7Q 50 MHz Beacon which was hit by lightning is now repaired. However, as the supply of aluminium in 7Q-land is non existant, the antenna will be remade when he gets back from Rep. South Africa. The UK 6 meter group has offered to supply a new antenna and are waiting for a response from Malawi.

8Q, MALDIVES
Pierre, HB9QQ, will again air 8Q7QQ from Velighoo (North Atoll) between April 13-27th. Operations will take place on 30/17/12 meters with full size loops. QSL via his home callsign.

BOOK REVIEW (by Tedd, KB8NW)
A new book is available for DXers to add to their collection. This interesting book is for both old and new DXers who are trying to reach the "Top of the DXCC Honor Roll". The 32 page book titled "Tips To The Top From DX Pros" is written by Devere "Dee" Logan, W1HEO. The book contains details of a survey conducted among 100 leading leading DX operators listed in the DXCC Honor Roll, Worked All Zones and CQ DX Awards rankings, plus key DXpeditioners. With over 40 percent of the 100 surveyed, this book provides "A Summary of Tips, Tactics and Secrets for reaching the Top of the DX heap - From those who've made it". The book's contents deals with subjects such as, mark of a good DXer, Station equipment (and features), Favorite DX Antennas, Stalking the Rare DX and Success in the Pileups. It also contains subjects on logging memorable DX QSOs, QSLing, and a listing of some helpful DX tools to use. If you want something that is very "Helpful" as well as "Quick and Easy to Read", this book is for you. Book cost 9.00 USD (plus 1.50 USD shipping and handling per copy). Available via:

C6, BAHAMAS
Randy, W6SJ, informs OPDX that he will be active as C6AWS in the ARRL CW DX Contest (February 21-22nd) as a Single-Op/All Band/Low Power entry. Between February 17-21st, he will operate as C6A/W6SJ. He will be active primarily on CW with an emphasis on the WARC Bands. QSL via his home call.

CLIPPERTON OPERATION CANCELLED
The Clipperton Island DXpedition, which was to begin in early March (around March 8th), has been postponed due to transportation problems. The team still plans to go to Clipperton, and as soon as they can find and arrange new transportation, the DXpedition will be a go. However, this may take some time (few months). Be looking for updates.

CS6, PORTUGAL
Operators Ulrich/DL3OI, Diemo/DL4LQM, Wolfgang/DL4WG, Ulf/DL5AXX, Thomas/DL5LYM and Frank/DL8WAA will once again be active from Portugal using the callsign CS6V during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd). QSL via DL5AXX, no eQSL.

EA8, CANARY ISLANDS
Jim, ON5UM, will be active as EA8/ON5UM during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd) as a Single-Op/All Band/Not Assisted/ LOW Power entry. Activity will mainly be on 40-10 meters with some 80 meters if QRM permits and if he gets an antenna up. QSL via eQSL or via his home callsign direct.

FS & HH OPS CANCELLED
Craig, AH8DX, reports, "A war has broken out in Haiti and all U.S. personal have been asked to leave the country. I therefore have canceled both of my trips to FS and HH in the upcoming contests. I will stay home and be safe."

HR, HONDURAS
Rich, N0HJZ, will be operating from Roatan Island (NA-057) from March 3-9th. He will be very active in the ARRL DX Phone Contest as a Single-Op/Low Power entry. The callsign will be HR9/N0HJZ. QSL via bureau or via his home address with SASE please.

INDEXA NEWS RELEASE (INDEXA appoints Vice President!)
Judy Roush, AA7UC, President of INDEXA, informs OPDX readers: "The International DX Association (INDEXA) announces the appointment of Ron Wright, ZL1AMO, to the position of Vice President, INDEXA. Ron succeeds Bill "Pick" Pickard, WA5PAE, who became a Silent Key in late November, 2003. For many years, Ron, renowned for his passion for DX and his numerous DXpeditions, has supported INDEXA by serving as an INDEXA director. INDEXA now welcomes ZL1AMO in the additional capacity of Vice President, INDEXA. The professionalism, creativity, and commitment Ron brings to the job will benefit the future of DX, worldwide."

IOTA 2004
Don Field, G3XTT, IOTA 2004 Awards Manager, wants to remind everyone that participation in the IOTA 40th Anniversary Program, IOTA 2004, continues to increase. During March, islands in the BV, BY, 9M2, HS, VK6, 9V and 9M6 areas will count for premium points towards your annual total. Some of the more common groups to qualify for premium points in March include:

Full rules and details of how to apply (including an automated tracking sheet in Excel) can be downloaded from the Chiltern DX Club (CDXC, the UK DX Foundation) Web page (follow the IOTA 2004 links) at:

IOTA NEWS
NA-069. John, WA9HMN, will be operating from Estero Island, Florida, Lee County, North American Island FL35S, from February 18-23rd as time permits. This is a vacation with some Ham radio thrown in, not a full time operation. John will be operating 20, 17, 15, 12 or 10 meters SSB around the usual IOTA frequencies depending on band conditions. QSL to WA9HMN with SASE. Bureau cards are OK.

SA-008. Alberto, LU1DZ, will be in Ushuaia on Tierra Del Fuego Island from February 17-21st. In his spare time, he will be signing LU1DZ/X, while transmitting from Jorge's, LU7XP(SK), legendary station (Thanks to Mary). This activity is not only good for IOTA SA-008, but also for several other awards.

SA-057. (Postponed!) Rainer, CX8FB, informs OPDX that due to some health and tranportation problems, the CX group going to San Gabriel Island (refer to OPDX.647) had to postpone their trip.

JW, SVALBARD
Francois, F8DVD, will once again be active from here between April 4-10th. He will operate from the town called Longyearbyen (reference numbers - IOTA EU-026, WAZ40 and Grid Loc JQ78TF). For this second expedition, Francois will use the callsign JW/F8DVD. Activity will be on all bands between 80-10 meters. QSL via the French Bureau or direct to: Francois Bergez, 6, rue de la Liberte, F-71000 MACON, France (with a SAE + IRC or USD - 1 USD for EU, 2 USD for others countries).

NEW OFFICERS FOR 2004-2005
The following are the new elected South Flordia DX Associations (SFDXA) officials for 2004-2005:

P4, ARUBA
John, KK9A, will be active from the Iguana Villa between March 1-30th. He will be operating on 160-10 meters, CW and SSB using the callsign P40A. John will be very active in the ARRL DX SSB and CQ WPX SSB Contests. QSL via WD9DZV.

P4, ARUBA
John, W2GD, will be active as P40W in the CQ 160-Meter SSB Contest (February 28-29th). His operating class has not been decided, and it will not be decided until contest time (possibly Single-Op or Multi-Op). Activity outside of the contest will be on all bands SSB and CW, with an emphasis on 160 meters at night and 10 meters during the day. QSL via N2MM.

PJ4, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
Operators Girts/YL2KL, Sintsovs/YL3CW, Juris/ YL2GM, Andris/YL2GQT, Agris/YL2VW and Herbert/K7GEX will be active as PJ4U during the CQ WPX CW Contest (May 29-30th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via YL2KL.

QSL INFO AND NEWS
OUTGOING QSL BUREAU CHANGE! Martin, N1FOC, announced from the ARRL in Newington, CT, that the League has added 7 countries to the list of countries that they "do not serve". He states, "It got very costly to keep sending boxes of cards to these countries and have them keep bouncing back. They tried E-mailing the respective organizations and got ZERO response from that, and snail mail didn't work either." Effective immediately the ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau had added the following countries to the "do not serve" list:

A61AJ QSLS. John, K1XN, from "The GoList", received a note from George, K2UO, the A61AJ QSL Manager for North/South America and all U.S. possessions (Remember, Mario, DJ2MX, is the QSL route for the rest of the world), stating he has answered well over 7,000 QSL requests since taking over for Joe, N4QB. A good deal of the QSLs were backlog bureau cards George received from Joe. He has also answered the DIRECT backlog. Currently, George has ZERO backlog and answers cards the day he receives them. HOWEVER, there are considerable missing log segments, notably in 2002, especially March-April-May 2002; the WARC band QSOs. He does have a considerable backlog of MISSING LOG cards, and he is hopeful that Ghis/ON5NT and Robert/S53R will be able to find those logs. He has sent them a list of the missing dates/bands based upon QSL requests. So, guidelines for QSLing (per George) are as follows:

If you send for multiple QSOs (with a single SASE) and one or more are in the "missing log" category, your card will be held until the boys in A6-land either get George the missing logs or declare that the logs are unrecoverable.

JD1YAB AND JD1YAB/JD1 QSL STATUS. Mr. Saburoh Asano, JA1MRM, the QSL Manager for JD1YAB and JD1YAB/JD1 (Also QSL Manager for 8N1OGA as well), has announced that all direct QSL cards (more than 15,000) for QSOs in the log and received by February 5th, were sent to the JARL Bureau on February 7th. Please DO NOT send YOUR QSL card to the BUREAU. The JARL BUREAU will not forward YOUR QSL cards to JD1YAB and JD1YAB/JD1. If you do not receive a QSL card(s) from JD1YAB, JD1YAB/JD1, or 8N1OGA after appropriate period, you can make a request to Mr. Asano about the QSL status via E-mail. His E-mail address is: ja1mrm@jarl.com

Ulli, DL5MBY, announced that the log for JY9QJ has been updated (on the following Web page) including QSOs up to February 10th. You can also check the status of your JY8YB, JY9QJ and JY8B QSOs on the online log at:

Mac, W3HC, informs OPDX that he is now the QSL Manager for the following stations: XQ3WTR, CE3WTR, PY2OMS and PT5T.

NOT THE QSL MANAGER! (Update/Correction) Last in OPDX.647 we mentioned that KZ5RO was the QSL Manager for TA3DD and not KB2MS. However, last week we were informed that KZ5RO who was the QSL Manager, became a "Silent Key" in October 2003. A couple of sources report that Pete, K3PD, is now handling the QSL duties for Ron, KZ5RO (SK).

Geo, UY5XE, informs OPDX that the UA0ZAL/p (AS-039, October 2001) QSL cards are printed and are ready.

SILENT KEY
It has been reported that Jim White, K4OJ, became a "Silent Key (SK)" on February 12th during the morning following liver failure after a somewhat risky heart valve replacement. Jim enjoyed contesting and was the first president of the Florida Contest Group. Jim will be surely missed. OPDX and its readers would like to send out our deepest sympathy to his family and friends. For more information on K4OJ, please read this week's "ARRL Letter" (Vol. 23, No. 07, dated February 13, 2004).

T70, SAN MARINO
Two members of the Florida DXPedition Group, William/N2WB and Bill/W4WX will be in San Marino from March 16-22nd. They will operate as guest operators from the T70A Club Station using the club's callsign. Look for them on the HF bands on CW, SSB and RTTY. All QSLs go to: A.R.R.S.M. RADIO CLUB, P.O.BOX 77, 47890 SAN MARINO, REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO - ITALY.

T98, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Jose, CT1FKN (4W6FK), informed OPDX that he has received the T98FKN callsign (dated February 6th to August 6th) and is currently in Bosnia-Herzegovina as a SFOR Member in the city of Doboj. He plans to operate on the HF and 6 meter bands during his free time. QSL via CT1FKN, direct or to the Portuguese Bureau.

TOP 5 QSL MANAGERS FOR 2003
John, K1XN, from "The GoList", announced this week the results of his "TOP 5 QSL MANAGERS OF 2003" survey. Over 2600 DXers from around the world nominated QSL Managers and here are the results: AC7DX, G3SWH, KU9C, N3SL and W3HNK.

V26, ANTIGUA
Operators George/K2DM and Peter/K3ZM will be active as V26DX in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via KU9C. Activity will be on the 6 primary HF bands only. George told OPDX that he and his brother Pete will be there between February 18-24th. They will erect the antennas on Thursday, then secure them on Tuesday after the contest. Most of their operations will be during the contest, but they will operate some outside of the contest starting Thursday evening and ending Monday night. Their operations will primarily be on CW with some SSB.

V3, BELIZE
Don/N5DD, Amy/KC5DJI, James/AG5TX, and Renee/KD5YCG will be operating from the Palcencia peninsula in southern Belize. Operations will be from March 13-20th. Activity will be SSB, RTTY, and PSK. Special attention will be paid to 12, 17, 80, and 40 meters, and possibly 160 and 6 meters. Callsign will be V31AD. QSL via N5DD. For more information and updates, please visit the Web site at:

VK9C, COCOS-KEELING ISLAND
An early announcement by Bernd, VK2IA, states he will be active as VK9AA in the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 27-28th) as a Single-Op/All Band entry. QSL via DL8YR.

VK9L, LORD HOWE ISLAND
Remember to look for Babs/DL7AFS and Lot/DJ7ZG to be active from here between now and February 27th. Their callsign will be VK9LB. Activity will be on 80-6 meters on SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via DL7AFS, via the DARC Bureau or direct to: Baerbel Linge, Eichwaldstrasse 86, D-34123 Kassel, Germany.

VK9X, CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Charlie, W0YG, will once again be active as VK9XG between November 22nd and December 9th. He states, "Hopefully, those who didn't make it in the log this last time will this next time." Charlie also mentions that all VK9XG cards for his operation in October and November 2003 should be out this week. He adds, "I can tell that propagation conditions were not good by the number of 'not in log' returns I have had to send. Sorry conditions were so bad but it is not often that one schedules a Dxpedition when three mass coronal ejections appear."