The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 772
BID: $OPDX.772
August 21, 2006
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, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, KA7KUZ, N7MQ, N7NG, K8YSE, Pete's-DX-Newsdesk, DH5JG, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, DL6KAC, DL7JAN, F5NQL & UFT, HA0HW, I1HYW, I1JQJ/ IK1ADH & 425 DX News, LZ1BJ, PA7FM, RSGB IOTA, TA3YJ, UX0FF, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE3EXY, VK4AAR, VK6CQ and YT1HA for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 13th/August, through Sunday, 20th/August there were 201 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5U, 5V, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C9, CE, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, DL, DU, E4, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, ER, ES, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FH, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KH0, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PY, PZ, S5, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, T8, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YU, YU6, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, ZK1/s, 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).

3V8, TUNISIA (IOTA Op!)
Look for Francois, F8DVD, to be active as 3V8SM from the facilities of the Scout Houm Souk ARC on Djerba Island (AF-083), August 28-31st. He intends to be active on both CW and SSB, on all bands, from 80-10 meters, propagation permitting. Francois will use a FT-767 w/100w into beam and dipoles. QSL this activity ONLY to F8DVD, either direct (SAE + IRC or 1 USD for Europe, and 2 USDs for Africa and elsewhere) or via the French REF-Union Bureau. Please nothing via 3V Bureau. F8DVD's address is: FRANCOIS BERGEZ, 6 RUE DE LA LIBERTE, F-71000 MACON (FRANCE).

4TH AAW
Dates have been announced for the next and 4th Antarctic Activity Week (AAW). Gianni, I1HYW, informs OPDX that Worldwide Antarctic Program's (WAP) Antarctic Activity Week 2007 will be held February 19-25th. If you go to the WAP's Web site, you will find a new banner with the name "Antarctic Activity Week". By clicking on it, you will be moved to the AAW callsigns history list from the first AAW (2004) through the 4th event of 2007. Several stations have already announced/booked for next year’s event, and you can see their callsigns listed in the 2007 session.

AAW is an unique world-wide event where Hams are "celebrating and working to improve Worldwide interest around the Antarctic Continent and its related matters, to understand and share what the Nations and Organizations are doing to study and protect this still non contaminated corner of the world and share from there, a message of peace." Apply for your ANT special callsign, and let them know about it in order to issue your WAP reference and be ready on time to join them. For Award collectors, the WAP-ASEA (Antarctic Special Event Award), managed by ARI Cassino, is sponsoring this particular event:

4W, TIMOR-LESTE
QSL Manager, Dennis, PA7FM, informs OPDX that 4W6AAB went QRT on the 12th of August after almost 4 weeks in Timor-Leste. Almost 3000 QSOs were made on 40-10 meters on SSB/CW/RTTY and PSK31. Dennis mentions that for those who missed him again.... it was probably due to the very limited operation hours. He will most likely go back, maybe at the end of this year. QSL cards will be printed soon, while the log is online at:

4X, ISRAEL
Look for Hal/W8HC, Randall/K8OQL and four 4X operators to be active as 4X0WV during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 28-29th) as a Multi-? entry. QSL via W8HC.

5Z, KENYA
Nick, G3RWF, is planning to return to activate 5Z4LS again in November for the CQWW DX CW Contest. He is expected to probably stay a few more days than last year. Nick is planning to use the Radio Society of Kenya clubhouse in Nairobi again.

7P, LESOTHO
Operators Wolf/DH3WO, Mathias/DJ2HD and Jan/DL7JAN will be active as 7P8WO, 7P8DJ and 7P8JF, respectively, from Roma between September 3-12th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters on CW/SSB/RTTY and PSK31. They will have two stations on the air. QSL all callsigns via DL7JAN only, either direct (QRZ.com) or via the bureau. Visit the following Web page at:

AFRICAN TOUR
Miki, YT1CS, is planning another trip to Africa during the month of October. He plans to activate a couple of IOTAs and countries during his travels. So far his list of destinations include the following Tanzania (5H), Kenya (5Z), Burundi (9U), Ethiopia (ET), Comoros (D6) and Mayotte (FH). During his 5H and 5Z trips, Miki will activate the following IOTAs: Lamu Island (AF-040; 5Z4), Wasini Island (AF-067; 5Z4), Zanzibar (AF-032; 5H3) and Pemba (AF-063; 5H3). The duration of his stay is dependent on sponsor's support. Miki is looking for sponsors and can be reached at: yt1cs@ptt.yu

ANTARCTIC RADIO OPERATOR NEEDED
Alan, VK6CQ/VK0LD/VP8PJ/9V1DX, reports:

"I am looking for someone for a temporary position as a radio/communications operator at Patriot Hills, Antarctica, this coming season. The job involves maintaining voice communications with Twin Otter aircraft and mountaineering parties on HF, VHF and Iridium satellite. This would suit an experienced HF amateur radio operator and is a paid position with airfares to/from Punta Arenas provided. Patriot Hills is located at 80 degrees South, at the southern end of the Ellsworth Mountains and is serviced by a weekly 5 hour flight on an Ilyushin 76 cargo jet from Punta Arenas, Chile. Accommodation, food etc. at Patriot Hills is provided free of charge. Dates are approximately mid October 2006 to end of January 2007, but a shorter period may be negotiated for suitable candidates. The position requires very good English language skills and a reasonable level of fitness."

CN, MORROCCO
M'hamed, CN8NK, is expected to be active on RTTY 30 meters very soon.

DXCC NEWS
Followup -- DXCC Accreditation Criteria Change (August 14th, 2006). Wayne Mills, N7NG, ARRL Membership Services Manager, reports:

"It has become commonplace for DXpeditions to publish the band and mode for selected callsigns. While this reduces the overall integrity of the QSLing process slightly, it's a reasonable compromise. In almost every case, the new accreditation rule will change nothing. Publishing band and mode information for each callsign (as is now done) is perfectly acceptable. It is only the rare case where complete QSO information is published or can be derived for the published data that we are concerned about. Understand that were a DXpedition log (or any log for that matter) to be inviolable, that is never to be changed, these matters would be moot. In fact, it would be better to publish the logs. But logs are changed, and most times for good reason. Can you imaging the grousing if a DXpedition were to refuse to make any changes to the log? Let's face it, then. Logs are changed.

The existance of a complete log (including time, date, band, mode and callsign, or enough information to derive those parameters), available to all interested parties can create difficulties for QSL managers, and in the end call into question the integrity of the QSLing processes. What's a manager to do when two or more DXers with very similar calls claim a single QSO? This situation can and does happen much more frequently when a complete log is published. The ARRL DXCC Branch has spent many thousands of man-hours over the years checking cards and making every effort to maintain the integrity of the DXCC program. Most DXers would have it no other way. When we were considering rule changes back in the late nineties, many DXers went out of their way to comment to the effect that we should never compromise on integrity. Publishing complete logs on the Internet can and will impair the integrity of the program. We intend to resist."

IOTA NEWS
AS-093. Kang, DS4DRE, will be active as DS4DRE/4 from Hong Island now through the end of the year. Activity will be on 80-10 meters CW/SSB. QSL to his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.

EU-048. Chris, F8EUK, will be active as F8EUK/p from Houat Island, September 10-17th. Activity will be mainly CW on 30/20/17/15 meters. He will use a FT-857D w/100w into a multi-doublet and HM vertical. Operation will be limited because he is on holiday. QSL via the bureau.

EU-064. Operators Gilles/F5JPG, Michel/F5UTL, Dominique/F1CNB, Luis/ F5THW and Juan/F5IRC will be active as TM2P from Pilier Island (AT-30 and Lighthouse DPLF: PB032, WLOTA: LH 622 and ARLHS: FRA 396), between September 8-10th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters (no 160m), CW, SSB and PSK31. QSL via F5IRC.

EU-095. Several members of the F5KDK ARS will be active as TM5F from Frioul Island, August 25-27th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters CW/SSB. Operators mentioned are: Odette/F1IKA, Yannick/ F1NSR, Alexandre/F4CJV, Florent/F4CWN, Michel/F5IVP and Jean Michel/F5SDD. QSL via F1IKA. More information is available at:

SA-044. Members of the 4M5DX Group and the Mediterranean DX Club will be activating La Tortuga Island in Venezuela as YX5IOTA between September 26th and October 1st. Activity will be on all bands and modes. QSL Manager is IT9DAA. Please check their Web page for list of operators and suggested frequencies at:

IRCS
Alan, VK4AAR, has received important information direct from the Universal Postal Union (in Switzerland) in response to his inquiry regarding the expiry dates for IRCs. Here is what he received from the IRC and Philately Programme Assistant: "Since 2002, the validity date for exchange is printed on each international reply coupon.

The new international reply coupon (Beijing model 2), on sale from 1 July 2006, is valid for exchange until 31 December 2009.

The international reply coupons (Beijing model 1), on sale from 1 January 2002, must be exchanged before 31 December 2006. They will have no value after this date.

I would like to inform you that International Reply Coupons (IRCs) issued from 1906 to 1974 (in blue colour) do not have any value for exchange, but maybe they have a historical value. You may wish to consult a collector of IRCs to know if the coupon has any financial value.

You should understand that currently the IRCs issued from 1975 to 2001 (in yellow colour) are exchangeable indefinitely according to the current UPU rules. However, this kind of IRC cannot be anymore exchangeable, in term of finances, between the postal administrations since 30 June 2006. Therefore, it means that some of them do not accept anymore this coupon for exchange.

The exchange of IRC (after the customer's exchange) between the postal administrations is managed by a bilateral agreement, and if there's no bilateral agreement, the postal administrations loses money."

Readers are suggested to visit a Web page that Jim, AD1C, has put up about the above IRC information (from the Universal Postal Union). On the Web site, readers will see the different IRCs as mentioned above. Go to:

KH8SI SUMMARY REPORT
A QSOs summary sheet on the KH8SI DXpedition became available this past week. The KH8SI team made some 16,390 QSOs from Swains Island. The first QSO was on July 28th (2006) at 2219z with AH8LG on 20m SSB. Last QSO was on August 2nd (2006) at 1600z with VK1XP on 20m SSB.

The following are more numbers on the operation.
   Band   Mode    QSO                  Continental     QSOs
   ----   ----   -----                 -----------     ----
   160m    CW      227                      NA         8,810
    75m    PH      266                      SA           137
    40m    PH    1,595                      EU         1,655
    30m    CW    2,426                      AS         5,132
    20m    PH    5,987                      OC           603
    20m    CW    1,084                      AF            53
    20m   RTTY      25                                 -----
    17m    PH    3,644                                16,390
    17m    CW       13
    15m    PH      800                      JA         4,723
    12m    PH      323                      USA        8,268
                ------
                16,390

LZ1900, BULGARIA (Special Event)
Several members of the Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs (BFRA) will activate the special event callsign LZ1900K (LIMA ZULU ONE NINE ZERO ZERO KILO) through the end of 2006. Activity is to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of the proclamation the of ancient city of Pautalia (modern Kyustendil) by Roman Emperor Mark Ulpiy Trayan for Municipia (Province center), including the right of the city to issue coins. QSL preferably via the LZ QSL Bureau to LZ1BJ.

NP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Members of the Flordia Contest Group will be active as NP2B during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 28-29th) as a Multi-? entry. Operators mentioned are George/K5KG, John/NP2B, Esteban/ W4DTA, Julio/WD4R and Fred/K9VV. QSL via NP2B.

PIRATE ALERT
Reports indicate that the activity of a 9A/TA3J back in July was a PIRATE. Berkin, TA3J, states that he didn't operate from Croatia. Save your green stamps!

QSL INFO AND NEWS
4O8O via YT1HA. Zik, YT1HA/4O8O, informs OPDX that he is still waiting for QSL cards from the printer and the QSLs will be sent out when he receives them. QSL is "OK" direct via YT1HA or e-QAL via eqsl.cc. This QSL counts for Serbia.

QSL DA2006LH via the Bureau or direct to DG0UFA ((QRZ.com) address). Activity was from Staberhuk Lighthouse (ARLHS FED-226, WW Loc. JO54PJ) located on Fehmarn Island (EU-128, O-01 for the German Islands Award) during the International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend.

QSLs for DF0HC will go out automatically via the DARC Bureau or (if you really need a direct card) via DJ5KP (address is good on QRZ.com or actual callbooks). Activity was during the International Lighthouse Weekend from Helios Tower (FED-107) in Cologne. More info at:

Direct QSLs for T96Q go via T93Y: Boris Knezovic, P.O. Box 59, Sarajevo BA-71000, Bosnia and Herzegovina (w/SAE and 1 IRC or 2 USDs). Bureau cards will be forwarded to Boris. QSL requests sent to T96Q's address will be forwarded to Boris every month or two, so if you want a quick answer, please do not send your cards there. All questions regarding QSL traffic for T96Q can be sent to: boris@t93y.com

Nilay, TA3YJ, QSL Manager for the following callsigns states you can find out the status of your QSL for sending (incoming/outgoing) direct and via the Bureau QSL cards at the TA3YJ QSL Service. She is the QSL Manager for: TA3J, TA3J/0 (AS-099), TA3J/0 (AS-115), TA3J/1, TA3J/3, TA3J/3 (TUR 006), TA3J/4, TA3J/4 (TUR 065), TA3J/60, TC2K4J, YM125ATA, TA3PI, HA/TA3J, LZ1/TA3J, LZ2/TA3J, OE/TA3J, OK/TA3J, SV1/TA3J, SV4/TA3J, TA3YJ, TA3YJ (AS-099), TA3YJ/3, TA3YJ/3 (TUR 006), TA3YJ/4, TA3YJ/4 (TUR 065), TA3YPI, LZ2/TA3YJ, SV1/TA3YJ, YM3BU, YM3ATA, YM3SV, YM75TA, YM21TA, YM3LZ (WPX2000SSB) and YM3LZ (WAE2000SSB). To see the status of your QSL, visit the Web page at:

SPECIAL EVENT (911)
Robert, W2IK, will again be operating special event station W2IK/WTC911 on September 11th, from 1300-0300z (9 AM-11 PM EST). He states that activity is "IN HONOR OF THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES DURING THE WORLD TRADE CENTER DISASTER. I WILL BE USING MY PERSONAL CALL BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST CALL THAT WAS SENT FROM 'GROUND ZERO'." Look for activity on the upper portions of 40/20/15 meters SSB. QSL by sending a 9x12 SASE to the QRZ.com address of W2IK: PO BOX 6731, San Antonio, TX 78209. A special QSL certificate has been printed. Visit the following Web to see last year's event:

SPECIAL EVENTS (Ukraine)
Look for the following special event stations to be active from the Ukraine between August 24-28th. Activity is to celebrate Ukraine's 15th anniversary of independence. Operations will be on all HF bands. Special event stations are:

EO15FF - QSL via UX0FF, direct or by the bureau.
EO15FW - QSL via UT3FW, direct or by the bureau.
EM15FA - QSL via UT2FA, direct or by the bureau.

VE, CANADA
Laci, HA0HW, will once again be in Canada between August 20th and September 17th. He informs that he will try to operate as VE3/HA0HW from VE3NE's QTH as he did last winter. Laci states that this isn't a "DXpedition" it is a work-trip (on the job training). QSL via HA QSL Bureau or direct to (QRZ.com) address.

VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Operators Frank/WA2VYA, Tony/W2WAS and John/N2VW will be active as VP5T during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 28-29th) as a Multi/Multi or Multi-2 entry. QSL via N2VW or LoTW. Their activity will be from VP5JM on Providenciales (NA-003). Look for CW and operations on the WARC bands before and after the contest. Operators will sign using VP5/homecall. QSL to their home callsigns. No eQSLS.

W7, UNITED STATES (RTTY from MT!)
Three members of Cinco Nueve Contest Group from Oregon/Southwest Washington, will participate in CQ WW RTTY Contest (September 23-24th) from Montana. The trio will be active from W7LR's QTH and use his callsign for the contest. QSL via W7LR. Outside of the contest, operators will be active a bit using homecalls/7 -- for those QSOs, the QSLs go to either Al/K7AR, Mark/N7MQ or Ron/WJ7R. If there are special RTTY WAS needs, Email to N7MQ [n7mq@arrl.net], and they will see what they can do. No promises on skeds.

ZL, NEW ZEALAND (Ops Needed!)
Brian/KA7KUZ and Brian/ZL1AZE are assembling an international team entry in the 2006 CQ WW SSB Contest from the Quartz Hill (ZL6QH) superstation. Transportation will be provided to and from Wellington Airport with accommodation provided at the station. With the assortment of Vee beams, yagi beams, rhombic and low band sloper antennas available at this site, there will be no shortage of operating opportunities before, during and after the contest. This may be the last CQ WW SSB Contest from ZL6QH for some time; it is likely that the antennas will be removed in 2007 for the construction of a wind farm. If interested, please contact KA7KUZ at: ka7kuz@arrl.net Visit the Quartz Hill's Web page at:

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