The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 838
BID: $OPDX.838
December 24, 2007
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (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, NJ1Q, WA2VQW, W2VU, K3LR, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, K5MO, K8AV, K8YC, K8YSE, K9EL, DX-IS News Site, Pete's-DX-Newsdesk, DK7LX, DK8JB, DL7MAE & The DX News Letter, DL7UCX, EI5DI, F5NQL & UFT, G3XTT, G0VJC, I1HYW, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, PA4JJ, RSGB IOTA Web Site, SP3BGD, SQ8AQD, VA3RJ & ICPO, YB0ECT and ZS6DXB for the following DX information.

SPECIAL NOTE FROM EDITOR (Tedd, KB8NW)
My family (wife/OPDX's chief proof-reader Linda, son Teddy [TJ] and his wife Jessi, daughter Katie) and I (KB8NW) would like to wish all DXers, Contesters and OPDX readers a very "Happy Holiday and Season's Greetings". Thanks to the individuals who sent holiday wishes to my family and me. I tried to answer all of them this time around....... 73 and Have a Great Holiday de Tedd KB8NW

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 16th-December, through Sunday, 23rd-December there were 219 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 3Y/b, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5U, 5V, 5W, 5X, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C6, C9, CE, CE0Y, CE0Z, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, DL, DU, E4, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PZ, R1FJ, S0, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TN, TR, TT, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2M, VP2V, VP8, VP8/o, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XF4, XU, XW, YA, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZF, ZK2, ZL, ZL7, 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).

3B7C DVD VIDEO AVAILABLE
Don, G3XTT, FSDXA Publicity Officer, informs OPDX that the 3B7C DVD is available now! Don states, .... "View a colorful and comprehensive account of life on Ile du Sud, Saint Brandon, during the 3B7C DXpedition." Neville Cheadle, G3NUG, states, "137,500 QSOs with no sunspots from the remote island of Ile du Sud - this is the story of 3B7C." The price is £12.50, USDs 25, Euro 20 or Yen 3,000 including p&p. Also included is the 3B9C Rodrigues video - two for the price of one! Each video runs for approximately 45 minutes. To order your copy, go to

3D2/R, ROTUMA
Tony, 3D2AG, is now very active as 3D2AG/p until the end of January. Most of his activity has been on 20 meters CW, but he has been on 20 meters SSB and 40/17 meters CW. Logs will be sent to Sam, FK8DD, and will be posted on:

4S7DXG (Illegal Operation)
Victor Goonetilleke, 4S7VK, Secretary RSSL, reports: "I am sorry to inform you as the Secretary of the Radio Society of Sri Lanka that Ivan, a Ukranian Ham, is operating without a valid licence. He had a Sri Lankan callsign from a previous occasion, and he applied for a renewal which has not been granted yet from the Ministry of Defense. In the meantime he is stealthily operating and also claiming to operate from IOTA AS-171 Barbaryn Island which needs special clearance from the Harbour Master which he hasn't received, while operating from elsewhere in Sri Lanka, again without a valid license. No one is permitted to land without this clearance on Barbarine. We have brought this to the notice of the authorities. Last time when he was in Sri Lanka he operated with his Maldivian callsign while in Sri Lanka. We are sad to say that any contacts by him should not be counted as valid."

3Y, BOUVET ISLAND (Update)
Rhynhardt, ZS6DXB, reports (edited): "On December 19th, Petrus, ZS6GCM, was granted temporary permission to operate an Amateur Radio Station for the duration of the 2007/2008 scientific expedition from Bouvet Island. The callsign will be 3Y0E. We would like to use this opportunity to thank Tom V. Segalstad, LA4LN, and Trond Olsen, LA8XM, for the wonderful help and time they dedicated in obtaining permission to operate from Bouvet Island. Secondly, we would like to welcome Colin McGowan, MM0NDX, to the team. Colin has donated a dedicated Web site for the expedition and will act as the webmaster. We are hoping to receive regular logbook updates from Petrus via satellite phone and will have a logbook search page where you can look if you are in the log. The official 3Y0E operation Web page address is:

5Z, KENYA
Ben, DL7UCX, will be active as 5Z4/DL7UCX from December 31st through January 12th. Activity will be on 160-17 meters, mainly on CW and a focus on the lower bands. This will be a holiday style operation using 400 watts into a 18m vertical. QSL via DL7UCX, by the bureau or direct.

8Q, MALDIVES (AS-013)
Andrew, G7COD, will once again be active from Embudu Island, South Male Atoll (WLOTA L-3911), using the callsign 8Q7AK between January 21st and February 2nd. This will be the fourth time being active from here. Activity will be mainly SSB with some CW. He plans to be operational everyday (approx.) between 0900-1100z, 1400-1600z and 1800-1830z. Suggested frequencies are: 7093, 10123, 14147, 18133, 21253 and 24953 kHz (+/- 10 kHz). For complete details of operating times, suggested frequencies, QSL information etc...., please check 8Q7AK on QRZ.com. QSL via G7COD, direct or by the bureau.

9H, MALTA (EU-023)
Horst, DJ6OZ, will be on holiday and active as 9H3HW between December 23rd and January 5th (2008). QSL via DJ6OZ, by the DARC Bureau or direct.

9L, SIERRA LEONE
Norbert, 9L1FZ, is currently is active and has been heard 20 meters SSB. His transmitter varies with output using 60-100 watts (depends on battery voltage). His antenna system is a homemade loop 20'x60' with SGC automatic tuner, estimated 10 ft. above ground (medium dry soil and rock), with tropical vegetation around and above. We were told the QSL info is via " qsl.9l1fz@mac.com ".

BS7H VIDEO REVIEW (by Editor Tedd, KB8NW)
"Let me first say I am a big fan of James Brooks's, 9V1YC, videos. They are all PBS quality videos. If you worked the last BS7H operation in May of 2007 (or even if you didn't), you will want this DVD for your collection. There are 58 minutes of pure pleasure in knowing you worked a rare one (or at least tried to). The video gives you the complete lowdown on how Scarborough Reef became DXCC's most controversial entity, the history of the island, past operations, the difficulties of operating from there and the actual operating conditions. This only touches the surface of the video.

James's keen eye for great cinemaphotography is unbelieveable in this DVD (probably better to view it on a big screen). The underwater shots and the sunsets and rises are a real joy. There are also plently of commentaries by key individuals including operators, pilot stations and past operators. You will also see how difficult and dangerous it was for the operators to operate from the four different rocks stations. You will see how operators endured skin cuts on their feet and knees while dragging their boat over the sharp coral reef between their main boat and operating positions on the four rocks. This is only a glimpse of what you will see. This DVD is definitely a five star video." The BS7H video is available at:

CQIR WINNERS (CQ - Ireland Calling)
A press release by Paul Martin, EI2CA, the P.R.O. for the IRTS, announced the following winners of the "CQIR - Ireland Calling" on December 19th:

"In September 2007 the IRTS (Irish Radio Transmitters Society) organised 'CQIR - Ireland Calling', a contest to celebrate the society's 75th anniversary - giving a chance of winning a trip to Ireland, for 2 people, for each and every 75 valid QSOs logged. There were 53 entries in the draw, representing 20 countries - all the way from GW to ZL - and the winner is Ian "Wilf" Prater, M0WLF, of Bristol, England. He had over 300 QSOs and qualified for 4 entries. Wilf is a member of the Bristol Contest Club and has previously visited EI for the IOTA Contest. He can now look forward to a week in Kinnitty Castle, County Offaly. Living in Bristol, Wilf may be closer to Ireland than any other entrant, but he says he will probably travel long path this time. EI/GI entrants had a separate draw for a trip to New York City for two people, to include a visit to the ARRL HQ in Newington, Connecticut. The winner is Declan Horan, EI9FVB, of Ballincollig, County Cork. Declan had 175 QSOs and 2 entries in the draw. IRTS thanks all who took part in CQIR. We're only sorry we can't offer the same prizes every year."

Until now, the island (along with surrounding smaller islands) has been considered part of French St. Martin (FS) for awards purposes. Last February 21st, the French government gave St. Barthelemy a new status as an 'overseas collective', leading the U.S. State Department last Friday (December 14th) to add the island to its list of 'Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty.' Presence on this list is one of the criteria used to designate a location as a separate entity for award purposes. The ARRL was expected to add St. Barthelemy to its DXCC list in the near future as well."

ADDED NOTE: Rich, W2VU, states: "Hi all - Just one note regarding FJ - For purposes of CQ awards, it is a separate entity as of Feb 21, 2007, the date that France changed Barthelemy's status. So for the CQ DX Marathon (and any other CQ awards), any contacts with FJ on or after Feb 21, 2007, count as a separate entity. I bring this up only since the DXCC date is Dec. 14, when it was added to the US State Dept.'s special list."

For more information on the CQ DX Awards, visit the following link on the CQ website at: http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/awards.html Or the CQ DX Awards homepage at:

CU2, AZORES
Michael, G7VJR, will be active as CU2/G7VJR from Ilha de Sao Miguel (AZ-002 for the Portuguese Islands Award, WLOTA L-2016), December 26th through January 3rd. Activity will be CW only on various HF bands including 160 meters. QSL via G7VJR. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW shortly after the operation.

CY0, SABLE ISLAND (Update)
The callsigns for the 6 meter DXpediton planned in 2008 between June 25th - July 5th, have been announced. Look for Sable Island (NA-063, CISA NS-004) to be activated by Pete/VE3IKV, Dick/K5AND, Chris/W3CMP, and Bill/W4TAA. Activity will be on CW and SSB. The fixed 6m station (in FN93) will use the callsign CY0X and CY0RA (for the portable station in GN03). The fixed station will use 800 watts into a 7 element beam up 40 ft. The portable 6m station in GN03 will have 100 watts into a 5 element beam up 30 ft. Other references are: Sable Island - East Lighthouse (ARLHS SAB-001, TWLHD WLH CY0-001, WLOTA:0758, WW Loc. GN03CX) and Sable Island - West Lighthouse (ARLHS SAB-002, TWLHD WLH CY0-002, WW Loc. FN93XW).

DAYTON CTU 2008 (Update - Registration)
Tim Duffy, K3LR, CTU Chairman, reports: "I am pleased to announce that 'early bird' registration for Dayton ConTest University (CTU) 2008 is now OPEN. The CTU staff is working hard to prepare an interesting and informative curriculum for 2008. CTU will be held in Dayton, Ohio, on Thursday, May 15th, 2008. CTU 2008 will feature some of the best Radio Contest operators and station builders ("CTU Professors). They will present state of the art contesting topics that will increase your knowledge and fun. Thanks to Icom for their support of CTU 2008 and our contesting radio sport. For CTU 2008 details and registration, 2007 CTU wrap up and more information, go to:

DXCC NEWS
NEW DXCC ENTITY. The following was sent out via W1AW (edited): On December 19th (in ARLD052), the ARRL DXCC Desk announced the addition of St. Barthelemy (FJ) to the DXCC List, making the island entity number 338 with an effective date of 14th December, 2007. Cards with contacts dated December 14th, 2007, or after will be accepted for DXCC credit. New card submissions for St. Barthelemy will not be accepted until January 1st, 2008, in order to allow time for administrative adjustments.

The "event date" that caused St. Barthelemy to be added to the DXCC list was December 14, 2007, the date the U.S. State Department Fact sheet was updated by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. This update added St Barthelemy to the List of Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty with its Administrative Center in Gustavia, qualifying it under DXCC rules in Section II -- 1 Political Entities (c).

French St. Martin (FS), while also added to the List of Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty, will remain on the DXCC List, but it is now considered a Point 1 Political Entity under the same classification as that of St Barthelemy.

Please direct any questions you may have about St. Barthelemy, St. Martin or the DXCC program to the ARRL DXCC Desk at: dxcc@arrl.org

2007 HONOR ROLL PROCESSING: Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC MANAGER reports: "Because of the addition of Saint Barthelemy to the DXCC List, DXCC will prepare its 2007 Honor Roll listings for a future issue of QST based upon applications postmarked no later than December 31, 2007.

END OF DXCC YEAR REMINDER! Bill Moore, NC1L, states: "This is a reminder that in order to receive the free edition of the 2007 DXCC Yearbook you must have a submission dated within the 2007 calendar year. If you do not make a submission, but you are current on the DXCC Honor Roll (current entity count of 328 or higher), you automatically qualify.

If you have made a submission in the past weeks, and you do not see it listed yet, as long as your application is postmarked on or by December 31, 2007, your application will be credited for your 2007 submission. If you plan a 2008 submission, it is a good idea to wait until January to mail it.

We here at DXCC would like to take this time to wish you and your families a Happy, Healthy, Safe and Enjoyable holiday season and all the best for 2008! And, oh yes, good DX too!... 73 es DX!"

A NEW LOOK FOR TWO ARRL CENTURY CLUB AWARDS: The ARRL has completed the finishing touches on certificates issued through the 5-Band DXCC (DX Century Club) and VUCC (VHF/UHF Century Club) programs. The awards program staff worked with the ARRL in-house graphic designers to create a fresh new look for these traditional awards. To see the new look, visit Web pages at:

C56JJ GOOD FOR DXCC: Jan, PA4JJ, informs OPDX that his recent C56JJ DXpedition to The Gambia between December 1-10th has been approved by DXCC.

DX MARATHON (Update)
John, K9EL, CQ DX Marathon Administrator, reports: "CQ Magazine's 2007 DX Marathon will soon come to a close. Since St. Barthelemy, FJ, was just added to the DXCC list, a new version of the DX Marathon scoresheet (V6) is now available on the DX Marathon website. However, since many participants will have already completed their sheets, we will accept the older version with FJ contact information submitted separately in an E-mail. The official DX Marathon website is:

FH, MAYOTTE (AF-027)
Georg, DK7LX, will be active as FH/DK7LX from June 11-23rd (2008). Activity will be mostly CW on all bands with an emphasis on 80/40/30 meters. Operation will be holiday style, using vertical arrays as well as dipoles. More details will become available in 2008 and look for updates on his Web page at:

FJ, ST. BARTHELEMY (NA-146)
Operators Martti/OH2BH and Olli/OH0XX continue to be active as FJ/OH2AM from this new DXCC entity (see DXCC News above) until December 27th. They have two stations active (one on SSB and one on CW) using an FT-1000MP and FT2000MP along with Fin Fet amplifier. Most of the activity over the past week as been on 20 meters SSB and 40/17 meters CW. Their goal for this operation is to give as many DXers as possible a new country. Additional bands may be added heading towards the end of the DXpedition. QSLs for this operation go via OH2BN.

Also, active this past weekend was FJ5KH. This is the club station of the "Radio Club of the Association des Radio-Amateurs de St. Barthelemy". Club members DK6ST, FJ5AB, FJ5BC and FJ1CM came on the air early Saturday morning and were expected to end on Sunday evening. DO NOT WORRY IF YOU MISSED IT! Gregg, W6IZT, is expected to join their club as a full privilege member. He will be on St. Barth between January 14-16th (2008) and will be active from their club station FJ5KH, if he finds an accomodation. QSL FJ5KH via FJ5DX (QRZ.com).

Members of the RZS Amateur Radio Club (W2RZS) are currently finalizing plans to operate from the new DXCC entity of St. Barthelemy for the upcoming CQ WW WPX SSB Contes (March 29-30th). The W2RZS team will tentatively consist of Bob/WB2NVR, Mike/WA2VQW, Bob/N2DVQ and Adam/ N2DHH. They will be concentrating on 160m and the 30/17/12 meters bands before and after the contest, and of course operate 80/40/20/15/10 meters during the contest. Mike/WA2VQW informs OPDX, "Our antennas will be the same as we have been using for our three previous J75 DXpeditions. We hope to get as many of you in our log as possible during our 7 day stay. Please don't hesitate to give us a call, we will look for the 'weak ones' and the MOBILES!"

GJ/MJ, JERSEY (EU-013)
Operators Flo/F5CWU, Sylvain/F4EGD and Terry/F5MOO will be active as MJ/homecall, while Tom, GM4FDM, will sign GJ4FDM from the Isle of Jersey (WLOTA L0818) before, during and after the New Year week. Activity will actually take place between December 28th and January 6th, with operations mostly on the lower bands and 30/17/12 17 meters as well as RTTY. They plan to have three stations on the air for HF and one for VHF (2 meters). They will have a Web site online with their logs at:

HF0, SOUTH SHETLANDS (AN-010)
Marek, SP3GVX, has been on King George Island since November 2007. He is at the Polish "Henryk Arctowski Antarctic Station" managed by Polish Academy of Science (Institute of Antarctic Biology). At the moment he has many duties to perform, but he should soon be active as HF0POL. This is his 4th time there, and he is going to be there the whole year during 2008. His QSL manager is the same as last time: Tom, SP3WVL. For more info about the Arctowski Station, visit the Web page at:

IOTA NEWS
NA-057. Ray, WQ7R, will be active as HQ9R from Roatan Island (WLOTA L-1671), for the CQ 160-Meter CW Contest (January 26-27th) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry. Outside of the contest look for him to be active as HR9/WQ7R. QSL both callsigns via K5WW.

OC-160. Steve, G0UIH, who recently activated Great Keppel Island (OC-142) this past week, will now activate South Molle Island (OC-160), January 7-11th. His callsign will be VK2IAY/4, the same as the previous operation, and he plans to operate mainly around 14260 kHz, with the possibility of some 17/15m operations also. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau. Check out the following Web site for further details at:

KP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Harry, W6DXO, will be active as KP2/W6DXO from St. John, March 24-28th. Activity will be holiday style with a focus on 20-10 meters SSB with some CW planned. Operations on 40 meters may take place if an antenna can be rigged up. QSL Manager is KF6JOQ.

NEW OFFICERS FOR 2008
At its Annual Meeting and Christmas Party held on December 13th, 2007, the Carolina DX Association elected its officers for 2008. They are:

   President:                 Ted Goldthorpe         W4VHF
   Vice-President:            Paul Ponak             AD4IE
   Secretary-Treasurer:       Cliff Wagoner          W3ZL
   Newsletter Editor:         John Scott             K8YC
   Contest Manager:           Dick Williams          W3OA
   Cluster Manager:           Joe Simpkins           K4MD
   Cluster Manager, North:    Paul Sturpe            W3GQ
   Webmaster:                 Wayne Setzer           WB4BXW

QSL INFO AND NEWS
Online logs for an older Amsterdam Island DXpedition by Michel, F6DWQ, signing FB8ZP during the year 1983, are now available on the Clipperton DX Web pages at:

NEW ADDRESSES FOR YB0ZZ AND YE0X. Pri, YB0ECT, informs OPDX that YB0ZZ and YE0X have changed their mailing addresses. The new address are:

YB0ZZ
ORARI DKI JAKARTA CLUB STATION
Jl. Suryo Pranoto No.8 Gedung Prasada Sasana Karya Lantai 10.
Jakarta Pusat ( 10130 ) Indonesia

YE0X
CONTEST ORARI DAERAH DKI JAKARTA
Jl. Suryo Pranoto No.8 Gedung Prasada Sasana Karya Lantai 10.
Jakarta Pusat ( 10130 ) Indonesia

QSLS VIA LOTW: 3X5A, 4U1ET, 4U1ITU, CQ9K, CT9M, EA6IB, RX3AEX, RZ0AF T30R (1999) and VU7LD

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 5L2MS, 9M6XRO, C91KDJ, E51NOU, EP3HF, J79CO, K6VVA/KL7, KH0O, N8S, OJ0B, P29VCX, P29VLR and V31KO

TA, TURKEY
Ozer, TA2RC, will be active from Izmit-Kocaeli during the CQ 160-Meter CW Contest (January 26-27th) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry. QSL via his homecall, direct or by the bureau.

V2, ANTIGUA (NA-100)
Nobby, G0VJG, will once again be active as V25V from the V26B super station at Gunthroppes, March 28-30th. Activity will include the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (March 29-30th) as a Single-Op/High-Power entry. QSL via his home callsign.

PLEASE NOTICE (as of February 12th), NEW ADDRESS CHANGES FOR THE OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUEST:

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