The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 907
BID: $OPDX.907
May 4, 2009
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, W2AY, K3ZO, NG3K, K4MZU, N4AA & QRZ DX, N5FG, W5JON, K8YSE, N8OFS, K9CS, A35RK, DL7MAE & The DX News Letter, DX World of Ham Radio Web Site, EA4ATI, F5NQL & UFT, F6FQK, I1HYW, I1JQJ/ IK1ADH & 425 DX News, IW0HEX, LZ1BJ, OH2BN, Pete's-DX-Newsdesk, RSGB IOTA Web Site, VA3RJ & ICPO and VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 26th-April, through Sunday, 3rd-May there were 216 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1U, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5V, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, DL, DU, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FR, FS, 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, J2, J3, J6, J8, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PZ, S2, S5, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T30, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TL, TN, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2E, VP2V, VP6, VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YK, YL, YN, YO, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZF, 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).

3D2, FIJI (IOTA Op)
Akira, JA1NLX, will once again be active as 3D2YA from Mana Island (OC-121) in Mamanuca Group, between June 29th and July 3rd. Activity will be on 80/40/30/20/17/15/12/10 meters using CW and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign, by the Bureau or direct (w/SASE). Log will be uploaded to LoTW.

A3, TONGA (Update)
Paul, A35RK, informs OPDX that Dave, A35KL, has been active on 80-15 meters with a couple of openings to Europe occurring on both 30 and 20 meters between 0600-0830z. Dave has 750+ QSOs in the log so far. On May 1st, Dave and Paul put up a G5RV antenna and worked W1MK on 80m CW at 0943z. Paul states that 40 meters appears to be open to North America at that time, but there have been very few takers on that band. He adds, "20 and 30 meters have been the 'money bands'." Dave will be departing Vava'u (OC-064) on May 5th, at which time Paul, A35RK, will become active using the G5RV. Paul will be there until June 1st, and possibly a bit longer signing A35RK/p. QSL A35RK/p via W7TSQ or via LoTW. Remember to QSL A35KL via W6ZL (w/SASE or IRC, or via LoTW).

A6, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (Update)
Philippe, F5LTB/9Q1TB, did not receive the callsign A65BK as first announced but did receive the callsign A65BI instead. He will be in France most of the month (May 6-20th), but expects/hopes to be active by the end of the month. Activity will be mainly on SSB. His QSL Manager will continue to be SM5DJZ, direct ONLY (eQSL are welcome for eDX100, eWAS and eZ40).

AH2, GUAM
Operators Lee/AH2Y and Harry/WX8C will be active as AH2Y during the CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 30-31st) as a Multi-Op/Single/All- Band entry. QSL via LoTW or direct to HL1IWD.

C2, NAURU (Update/Change)
Dani, EA4ATI/9M2TI, in Malaysia, informs OPDX some details have been changed for their DXpedition to activate Nauru in the Pacific (refer to OPDX.894). The callsign C21TI will remain the same as well as operating frequencies. However, Dani states, "Our webmaster (EA4YK) has changed the Web site as we had a lot of hackers..... The DXpedition is postponed to June and exact dates will be announced soon." Looking at the new Web page, dates have now been posted. Operation is expected to take place between June 16-26th. Visit their new Web page at:

DXCC NEW
* Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL Awards Branch Manager, reports that the following operations are approved for DXCC Credit:
S04R - Western Sahara; 2009 Operation
E51QQQ - North Cook Islands; 2009 Operations
If you have had any QSLs rejected in a recent DXCC submission, please send an E-mail to dxcc@arrl.org to be placed on the list for an update.

* QSL CHECKING AT DAYTON HAMVENTION (Update). Bill Moore, NC1L, has revised/updated details on the QSL card checking to be done at the ARRL National Convention in Dayton. Checking will be done during all operating hours of the convention Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 15-17th, 2009. There are some important guidelines that will help make the card checking process run smoothly at the following Web page:

E21, THAILAND
Champ, E21EIC, will be active during the CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 30-31st) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry. JA stations QSL via JR5XPG and all others via E21EIC. Visit Champ's Web page at:

E51SIX 6M DXPEDITION WRAP-UP
Lance, W7GJ, has put together a nice PDF file of his recent (March) 6m EME operation from Rarotonga in the South Cook Islands. All the photos in the PDF file are in high resolution, so you can zoom in on any detail in the photos if you wish. Read his story at:

FG, GUADELOUPE (Ilet Op)
The radio club FG5KC Guadeloupe will try to activate three ilets (Kaouane, Caret and Fajou) on a day during the the first week of June. They are looking for some sponsors to help with the QSL cost. Visit their Web site for more news on their DXpedition:

GB1, ENGLAND (Mill Op)
Members of the Bittern DX Group are participating in the National Mills on the Air weekend by activating GB1WM from Weybourne Mill in Weybourne, North Norfolk, May 8-10th. Activity will be on all HF and VHF bands, including some Digital modes. Visit the Bittern DX Group's Web page at:

IOTA NEWS
EU-090. Slovenian operators Jane/S57L, Goran/S52P, Vinko/S53F, Brane/ S56UGB and Silvo/S50X will be active as 9A8ZRS from Vela Palagruza Island (ACIA IC-901, CIA-33, IOCA CI-084, MIA MC-284, ARLHS CRO-012, CLH-100, WHL 9A-046, WLOTA 0057), July 20-31st. Activity will be on 80/40/20/15/10/6/2 meters using CW, SSB, PSK-31 and possibly other digital modes. They will also be an entry in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th). QSL via the operator's instructions.

EU-094. French operators from the Eure et Loir area will be active as TM5EL from the Penfret Island (DIFM AT-059, WLOTA 0321, DPLF PB-038, WW Loc. IN87AR) between May 8-10th. Activity will be on open HF bands plus 6m, VHF, UHF and SHF using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Operators mentioned are: Alain/F1LLS, Thomas/ F4BCG, Patrick/F4FCS, Antoine/F5RAB, Christian/F6AXN, Francis/ F6DPD and Dominique/F6HEQ. QSL via F6KHI, by the French REF Bureau or direct (with SASE).

EU-097. Ian, G4FSU, will be active as OH/G4FSU from Emasalo Emsalo Island (EU-097) between July 21st and August 16th. Activity will include an entry in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th). Operations will be on or near the IOTA & QRP CW frequencies. QSL via his home callsign. More details can be found at:

EU-124. Operators Alan/G0RCI, Pete/M0USY, Harry/G7DEH, Alan/G4VUA and Brian/M0JNC will be active from Holy Island, Wales, between June 24-29th. Activity will be on the HF bands using CW and SSB. QSL direct only to G0RCI.

EU-189. The big disappointment of the week was that the Rockall Island operation did not take place. The rough seas and huge waves were the major factors that did not let the team land on Rockall. With both wind and sea conditions so bad on the way back, most of the team and crew on board the sail yacht Elinca were seasick and did not come out of their bunks, not even to eat. Some of the radio equipment got smashed onto the floor when the Elinca got pounded with a big wave. As this was being typed, no other news has been reported about the MM0RAI team since Friday. Please visit their Web site for latest news and updates at:

NA-079. Operators Bill/WD2E and Sofia/AI4KQ will be active as WD2E/4 from the Dry Tortugas Islands, May 8-14th. QSL via WD2E, direct or by the Bureau.

NA-201. Ed, CO7PH, and possibly other Cuban operators will be active as T47D from Jardines de la Reina, probably from Cayo Anclitas, between July 24-31st. Activity will be on all HF bands and modes, as well as an entry in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th). QSL via CO7PH (QRZ.com).(QRZ.com)

SA-071. Members of the Sao Paulo Association of Radioamadores (APRE) will be active as PT2T from Ilha da Moela (DIB SP-06, DFB SP-07, ARLHS BRA 043, TWLHD WLH PY-031, WLOTA 1335, WW Loc. GG65UW) between June 11-14th. Activity will include operations from blockhouses, islands and lighthouses of the State of Sao Paulo. Operators include Irineu/PY2IA, Marcelo/PY2OMT, Thiago/PY2TLB, Claudio/PY3NZ, Felipe/PU2OVA, Filipe/PU2TEA and Thiago/PU2TJQ. Operations will be on 80-2 meters, SSB only. QSL via PY2OP, direct or by the Bureau. For more info, go to:

J8, ST. LUCIA
John, W5JON, will once again be operating from the hilltop QTH overlooking the Caribbean Sea and Marigot Bay in St. Lucia, between October 20-30th. His callsign will be J68JA. Reference numbers are: IOTA NA-108 and Grid Square FK93. Activity will be on 160-6 meters (including 60m) on SSB. He will use an ICOM IC-7000, KL-400 Amp (350 watts) into the following antennas: Alpha Delta DX-LB and DX-EE Dipoles, and a 3 element yagi on 6m. Activity will also include the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 24-25th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via W5JON. John adds, "As in the past, XYL Cathy/W5HAM will be very busy pool side."

JD1, OGASAWARA (A Very Early Notice!)
Operators Kirk/JF3MYU, Ted/K8AQM, Brian/KG8CO, Paul/NF8J and possibly others will be operating from the Island of Chichijima (AS-031) in the Ogasawara Island group, March 25th through April 5th, 2010. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. More details are forthcoming as well as the QSL info and callsigns as they are issued.

JW, SVALBARD
Robert/LA9QNA and his XYL Gro will be active as JW9QNA from the JW5E club station in Longyearbyen between July 17-22nd. Activity will include entries in the NA RTTY QSO Party (20m) and the CQ World Wide VHF Contest. QSL via LA9QNA.

JW, SVALBARD
Ingrid/LA8FOA and Unni/LA6RHA, members of the Scandinavian YL Radio Amateurs (SYLRA), report that they planning an "expedition" to a part of Norway - remote but still very accessible, after the SYLRA meeting in Kolbotn (near Oslo), September 3-6th. Their plans are to get a group of YL operators (and possibly their OM) to activate the Longyearbyen radio station from Svalbard between September 6-13th. They have already received the callsign JW1SYL for the operation. For more details and updates, please visit the following Web pages at:

K5, UNITED STATES (6m/Grid/LH/USI Op)
Members of the "EL58 Grid Activation Group" will be active as K5N between May 29-31st (1700-1700z). Activity will be from the sandy beach facing the Gulf of Mexico in Grid Square EL58hx, ARLHS USA 1101 under the "Visual Site Rule" and a New USI Island (USI LA105S - Burwood Island, LA) (South West Pass). The operation will be 6 meters ONLY, consist of 2 stations with both SSB/CW, and M/S capability, two 6M5 antennas, and 6 operators. Power out will be approximately 200W. Operating frequencies are: 50.100/CW, 50.150/SSB and 50.315 Meteor Scatter. QSL via: Joey Fierro II, 1054 Cajun Ln, Magnolia, MS 39652. Operators mentioned are: Al/WA4EWV, Bill/K5YG, Bob/WN2E, Bruce/N5SIX, Daniel/KE5KDM and Danny/N5OMG. Visit their Web pages at:

KP2/NP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Operators Larry/K3VX, William/W3WH, Ron/W3WN, John/W9UK and Carl/K9CS will active from here between May 28th and June 2nd. Operators will be signing homecall/KP2, but during the CQ WPX CW Contest, they will be signing NP2SH (possibly as a Multi-2 entry). QSL W3WN/KP2 via W3WN. QSL all others via K9CS.

LZ2009, BULGARIA (Special Event)
Look for special event station LZ2009KM to be active from the HQ of the Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs between May 1-31st. Activity is to celebrate national "St. Kiril and Methodius Day" (creators of Cyrillic alphabet). Operations will be on all bands and modes. QSL via bureau to LZ1PJ. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW. More information is available at:

NEW ANTARCTIC WEB SITE
Bob, K4MZU, Antarctic Chaser and QSL Manager for several U.S. Antarctic Stations has set up an interesting Antarctic Web site at:

OH0, ALAND ISLAND
Operators Juha/OH1JT, Jouko/OH1RX, Kari/OH2XX, Ari/ OH5DX, Tomi/OH6EI and Timo/OH6GLE will be active as OH0Z during the CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 30-31st) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via W0MM.

ON100, BELGIUM (Special Event)
Members of the Trudo Radioamateurs Club (TRC), in Haspengouw, will be active as ON100PES during the entire year of 2009. Activity is to celebrate Belgium's two scientific event. First is to celebrate the 100th anniversary since Adrien de Gerlache led the first Belgian expedition to the Antarctic on board the Belgica between 1897-1899. The second event took place on February 15th, of this year with the inaugural opening of the Princess Elizabeth research station.

This research station is the first of its kind that follows the concept of "Zero Emission". The callsign represents three elements. In ON100PES the ON is the prefix for Belgium, 100 is the centenary for the pole expeditions and PES is the abbreviation for Princess Elizabeth Station.

The special event QSL card (double format) will only be sent to all stations who send their QSL card to ON4TRC. There will be an award given those stations who work ON100PES on five bands. Activity will be on HF, VHF/UHF and 2m/70cm. PLEASE NOTE: WAP has given ON100PES and ON100PES/p the new reference number (WAP-175) valid for WAP Awards (WACA,WADA & ASEA). More details are available at the WAP Web site:

QSL INFO AND NEWS
THERE HAS BEEN "ONE" REPORT. Someone reported receiving their K5D Desecheo Island QSL card this past weekend. OPDX has NOT received an official announcement yet (and it was too close to print time to verify), but if true, it will keep the DXCC Card Checkers at the Dayton HamVention busy. If you want to see a preview of the K5D QSL (as well as the VK9DWX, ZS8T, and other) go to: http://sq8x.net

DON'T QSL VIA THE 3RD U.S. BUREAU! Fred Laun, K3ZO, Manager NCDXA/ARRL Third U.S. Call Area QSL Bureau, reports that the following "should not" be QSLed to the 3rd Bureau:
4L0ABC - K3PD was the QSL Manager, but became a "SK" on June 19th, 2008. NO QSL route known at this time.
4L0HQ - K3PD was the QSL Manager, but became a "SK" on June 19th, 2008. As to 4L0HQ, they understand that the new manager for this station is UA9LP, so the 3rd U.S. Bureau now forwards 4L0HQ cards to him via the Russian Bureau.
5B/K3UY - The QSL info for this station is to the operator's home callsign, RA3AUU.
7X5VRK - W3HC is NO LONGER the QSL Manager. As of April 8, 2008, W3HC had retired from being a QSL manager. 7X5VRK has not agreed to have anyone be his QSL Manager. The best advice, QSL 7X5VRK direct, including sufficient means for return postage.
HI8A - K3WGR is NOT the QSL Manager. For the last several years, Chikin, the former HI8RV, has held the callsign HI8A. He does NOT have a QSL manager and handles his QSLing duties himself. Our understanding is that he does answer bureau cards.
KO3A - Please note that the licensee of KO3A is YT6A. QSLs for KO3A and 4O3A (ex-YT6A) go via AI4U (for USA/Canada stations) or the Serbian Bureau.
KP2/W3AVO - Please be advised that the QSL Manager for this operation is JA3AVO, the home callsign of the operator. They forward such cards to the JARL Bureau.
LZ9W - AA3AX is NOT the QSL Manager. According to QRZ.com, the real QSL Manager for LZ9W is LZ1ZD.
NP3U - QSL Manager is WP4U. PLEASE NOTE: Callsigns with the prefixes KP3, NP3 and WP3 should go to Puerto Rico which has its own QSL bureau at: Puerto Rico QSL Bureau, Box 9021061, San Juan, PR 00902-1061. Puerto Rican stations are not served by the 3rd U.S. Bureau, and they have to forward cards received for them to the Puerto Rican Bureau. Exceptions are WP3C, WP3R, and NP4A which CAN be handled by this 3rd Bureau because W3HNK is their QSL Manager.
SV/W3FN - (or W3FN/SV) Please note that the QSL route for this station is the home callsign of the licensee, SV2BFN.
VQ9X - W3MR is NOT the QSL Manager. Please note that W3MR handles VQ9 cards ONLY for his own VQ9 callsign, VQ9MR. QSL direct ONLY.
WP4U - AA3BG is NOT the QSL Manager. Please note that WP4U handles his own cards.
ZS4RY - K3IRV is NOT the QSL Manager for ZS4RY. QSL direct.

Fred states that for the QSLs which were received, the only recourse (for most cards) are to forward such cards to their following perspective QSL Bureau.

QSL T70A via: A.R.R.S.M. Radio Club, P.O. Box 77, 47890 San Marino, REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO. Activity during the ARI International Contest. Operators were: I4UFH, IZ4DPV, I4YSS, IK4UPB, IK2NCJ, IW2MJQ and IZ4EFN.

NEW QSL ROUTE. Ted, K8AQM, reports that the QSL route for the V63TR 2008 operation is no longer K5ZM, but QSL V63TR only to K8AQM. Look for V63TR QSOs to soon be up on LoTW.

HAVE PATIENCE! More QSL cards are still being received for the many UA4WHX operations. Vlad is still sending them out. Bill, W2AY, reports he received QSLs for UA4WHX's African Tour for 81 QSOs (Request was sent July 2007).

PIRATE ALERT! Pasquale, IW0HEX, informs OPDX that he has been receiving QSL cards via the bureau for 5Z4/IW0HEX for activity dated in August 2008, on 30 meters CW. He states that he has never been in Kenya and this is someone abusing his callsign. DO NOT send for this QSO! All info about Pasquale's radio activity can be found on: http://www.iw0hex.it

ZF2BI QSLS. Jim, K4BI/ZF2BI, reports: "I am the QSL Manager for all QSOs by ZF2MU (My first ZFcall, period 1988-2001) and ZF2BI (2002 to the present date). My QSL policy has been and remains direct only w/SAE and postage (green stamps). I do not respond to QSLs received without them and the same for the many cards received via the Bureau."

QSLS VIA LOTW: D4C, KH7X, VQ9HB and TL0A

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 5H1DF, 5N0EVR, 7Z1SJ, CO8LY, E51KAJ, E51QQQ, FK/JA1KAJ, HK0/EA7HEJ, JA1XGI/VK9X, JD1BMH, K5D, OA4O, T32BE, T88WW, V63WW, V73M, VK9DWX, VP8KF, VU2PHD, YI1RZ, ZF2NN and ZM1A

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: None reported this week!

SOLAR CYCLE 24 (Ed. Or is 23 still?) WEB SITE
Some say we are still in Solar Cycle 23 (which mean the cycle is 13 years old), but anyway, you decide. A Web page is available for those who believe we are in Solar Cycle 24. It is put together by Kevin Gibeau, VE3EN, tracking the new solar cycle. This interesting site has plenty of information and updates every two minutes using a wide range of sources. Give it a look at:

SUITSAT-2 NEWS
Gould, WA4SXM, reports that they will be demonstrating the SuitSat-2 system at the Dayton HamVention. They will have a complete SuitSat system for demonstration at the AMSAT events. YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT SUITSAT IS? Go to the following Web pages for the info:

SV5, DODECANESE (EU-001)
Ralph, DL9MWG, and his XYL are on their annual holiday, this time to the Island of Rhodes (EU-001). Look for Ralph to be active until May 17th. He will be using an IC-7400 w/100 watts and a G5RV antenna operating mainly on CW on all HF bands. QSL via DL9MWG, direct or by the Bureau.

TP60, FRANCE (Special Event)
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Council of Europe, look for TP60CE to be active between May 8-10th. Activity will be on CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL via F5LGF. An online log search will be available at:

VC2, CANADA (Zone 2/Special Event)
Operators Lajos/VE3NE, Paul/VE3TA and Bob/VE3CWU will activate VC2A from Zone 2 in at Sept-Iles, QC, during the CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 30-31st) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via VE3TA. VC2A is a special callsign being used to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Flight in Canada.

YOUNG BRIT CAME OUT AS WINNER OF RADIO ARCALA ESSAY CONTEST
In a press release by Jarmo, OH2BN: "It was in February 2009 when the team at Radio Arcala, OH8X launched an essay contest to get some fresh ideas from today's youth and their elders to boost recruitment to the ranks of Amateur Radio. Great participation was ensured and determining the winners took some effort from a multinational jury representing six nations.

A 19-year old Briton, Mark Dumpleton, 2E0NCG came out as winner by a fair margin while two U.S. hams, John Scott Anderson, KC9OQO and Brian Wood, W0DZ , finished in second and third place respectively.

Argentinian Diego Salom, LU8DX, was recognized for his submission of the best Spanish language piece. You can read Mark's piece and his interview at

PLEASE NOTICE (as of February 12, 2007), NEW ADDRESS CHANGES FOR THE OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUEST:

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ALSO VISIT THE NORTERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
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