The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 914
BID: $OPDX.914
June 29, 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, KF2TI, N3SL, NG3K, N4AA & QRZ DX, K5WW, K8YSE, N8OFS, DK8JB, DL7MAE & The DX News Letter, DX World of Ham Radio Web Site, EA4ATI/9M2TI, F5NQL & UFT, G1VDP, G3SWH, G3VOF, HB9PL, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, JI5RPT, JR3TVH, LX2A, LZ1ZF, National Institute of Amateur Radio, PG5M, Pete's-DX-Newsdesk, RSGB IOTA Web Site, SP5UAF, VA3RJ & ICPO, VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF), VK3FGRC, VK4FW and ZL1CT for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 21st-June, through Sunday, 28th-June there were 203 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4X, 5B, 5N, 5R, 5V, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FH, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FR, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, JA, JD/o, JT, 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, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PZ, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T32, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TL, TN, TT, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2V, VP8, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, 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)
Remember to look for Akira, JA1NLX, to 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.

3D2/C, CONWAY REEF
Hans, DK9KX (ex-3D2CR), reports that it has been 20 years since the first activation of Conway Reef (3D2CR), but he is happy to announce another DXpedition to that remote and lonely island will take place between October 3-11th. There will be 7 operators, and they will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Sorry, "NO" EME or digital modes on 6m. No callsign was announced, but more info is forthcoming on a Web site.

6W, SENEGAL
Dervin, PD9DX, will be active as 6W/PD9DX between now and July 5th. Activity will be on the HF bands using only SSB. QSL via PD9DX direct only (Europe SAE with 1 USD; Outside Europe SAE with 2 USDs).

8Q, MALDIVES
Pierre, HB9QQ, is now active as 8Q7QQ from Velighoo (North Atoll) between June 30th and July 11th. Carrying a small 50 MHz Linear along, he will be active on 50.183 MHz in JT65A mode (first period) around moonrise and moonset in search of Sporadic E and EME contacts. Other activities include the WARC bands. QSL via his home callsign.

C2, NAURU
It would seem that the C21TI DXpedition by Dani, EA4ATI/9M2TI, and other operators which was to take place between June 16-26th, was postponed. A report indicates that Dani, EA4ATI, had to postpone his C21TI DXpedition due to job reasons. "He is in Pakistan supporting in the humanitarian response to the internally displaced persons." Dani informed your OPDX editor that he hia already booked/rescheduled his flight for Nauru. The dates for the DXpedition are for August 16-24th, and they should be on the air from August 17-23rd. Look for possible updates on the Web page at:

EI, IRELAND
Olivier, ON4EI, will once again be active as EI/ON4EI from Ireland (EU-EU-115, WLOTA 2484) near Clonmel (IO62EK) between July 8-30th. His activity will include the IARU HF World Championship as Single- Operator/SSB/Low-Power/All Band (July 11-12th) entry and also the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th). Watch around 7130 kHz +/- QRM. He also plans to be active on 6 meters; watch around 50.200 MHz. His equipment for this activity will include a vertical 18m monopole inverted V and beverages for 160/80/40m, and a Spiderbeam for 20/15/10m. Transceiver is a Elecraft K3 w/100W. QSL via his home callsign.

FS, ST. MARTIN
Sam, WA2EPI, will be active as WA2EPI/FS between Sunday, June 28th and July 5th. No bands or modes of activity were provided, but he will be using a dipole and 100 watts and is expected to be on mostly during the evenings. QSL via K2LAB, by the Bureau or direct. Friends of Sam can request skeds by E-mailing him directly.

IOTA NEWS
AF-018. Andrea, IZ2LSC, will be active as IH9/IZ2LSC from Pantelleria Island between July 20-31st. His activity will be holiday style using a Yaesu FT-857 (w/100W) and wire antennas. He will be on the HF bands (except 160 and 80) using SSB and the Digital modes. Andrea will also take part in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) as a Single-Op entry. QSL only via the LoTW or his home callsign by the Bureau. For more info, log search and updates, visit:

AS-037. Ken, JS3OMH, will be active as JS3OMH/6 from Kagoshima on Kamikoshiki Island (Koshikijima-Islands) between June 27-28th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via the Bureau or see (QRZ.com).

EU-094. Eight French operators will be activating Saint Nicolas Island in the Glenan Islands group, France, between September 11-18th. No callsign was provided but possibly homecall/p. Activity will be on the HF bands, and 2 meters and up (10 GHz) using CW, SSB, Digiatal modes and ATV. Look for 6 meter activity on SSB and possibly CW over 50.200 MHz. Operators mentioned are: Benoit/F8PDR, Jean-Jacques/F5NKX, Rene/F6CMC, Alain/F6ENO, Denis/F5RJM, Alain/F5HVI and Rolf/F9ZG. Other reference numbers are: French Metropolitan Islands Award DIFM: AT-010, Department Finistere/29, Province Britanny and Grid Square IN77XR. QSL via F5RJM, direct by CBA (w/SAE and 1 IRC or 1 USD for Europe; 1 IRC or 2 USDs elsewhere) or by the French Ref-Union Bureau.

EU-124. Members of the Strumblehead DX and Contest Group have now sealed the final permission to activate Ramsey Island, off the West Wales coast, from the "Royal Society for the Protection of Birds" who own the island. They will be active from 1800z, July 24th through 1400z, July 27th. Activity will include an entry in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th). They will be active using the club callsign MC0SHL for the whole duration of the operation and using MW9W in the contest. Their activity will be on all bands from 80-10 meters using SSB. There is also be some 30m RTTY planned by G1VDP if the other guys allow him, with participation in the last 80M Club Championships DATA section.

The group will be operational using generators as power and radios which will consist of 2 K3's and a Yaesu FT1000MPMkV and amplifiers. Antennas will consist of a Hexbeam, a windom and dipoles. Most of the activation is for the WAB award scheme as the square is semi rare and has not been activated for some time. Also, look for the team to be on from a farm for a few days before and after their EU-124 operation using the callsign GB0WFF for the World Flora and Fauna Award

J79, DOMINICA (Update)
Operators Babs/DL7AFS and Lot/DJ7ZG are expected to be active as J79ZG between September 27th and October 15th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters on the usual DX frequencies, mainly on CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK, as well as 6 meters. They will look especially for JA stations. QSL via DL7AFS. Their Web page for this operation is:

JD/O, OGASAWARA
Operators Makoto/JI5RPT (JD1BLY) and Yoshihi/JO1LVZ (JD1BNF) will be active from Chichijima Island (IOTA AS-031) between August 9-14th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using the satellites, CW, SSB, Digi modes and 2m WSJT EME. QSL via their home callsigns. Log searches will be available on the following Web sites:

LX0, LUXEMBOURG
Look for LX0HQ to be active again from the Headquaters of the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society (RL) during the IARU Contest (July 14-15th). They will have nine stations (w/20 operators) active from 2 different locations in Luxembourg: Eschdorf (QTH of LX7I) and Esebuer(QTH of LX0RL). Photos of the LX0HQ stations will be available after the contest on their Web sites:

LX, LUXEMBOURG
Operators Jan/PA0JED, Herman/PA0TEN, Harry/PA1H, Arend/ PA2AWU, Peter/PA2PKZ, Dick/PA4VHF, Frans/PA5CA, PA5R/Jelmar, Hans/PE2HG and Dervin/PD9DX will be active as LX/PA6Z from Wiltz between October 4-10th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters including 30/17/12 meters, possibly 6m, using CW, SSB and PSK31. QSL via PA9M, by the bureau or direct. For more info, visit the Web site at:

LZ01, BULGARIA (WFF Op)
Operators Zlatan/LZ4ZD and Gosho/LZ1ZF are expected to organize a WFF expedition to the Natural Park "Shumensko Plateau"

NIAR PRESS RELEASE (YL Enters the Limca Book Of Records-2009)
The NIAR reports (edited): "Ms. Sadineni Yamini, VU2YAM, aged 22 years member of National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), Hyderabad, became the 'first Indian' to participate in an International Dxpedition conducted in an uninhabited Cocos Island of Costa Rica, Central America, during February 9-13th, 2008.

'Limca Book of Records' is the Indian equivalent to the Guinness Book of World Records with emphasis on unique achievements of Indians within the country and abroad. It's a salute to all those Indians who want to do something different and be remembered for their distinctive deeds.

Yamini, excelled in her achievements for using voice as well as digital modes of amateur radio communication technology that enables sending e-mail without internet from a remote location. Sponsored by NIAR and Austrian Amateur Radio Society, she was also among the youngest and the only woman of the 12 member team consisting of hams from USA, Europe and Asia.

Several national and international organizations have recognized and acknowledged specific achievements made by Sadineni Yamini earlier. This exceptional achievement now finds place in National Record 2009 of the prestigious Limca Book of Records as per the communication received from the Editor, Limca Book of Records.

Yamini took special interest in the field of amateur radio joining as student member at NIAR and continued to pursue this activity with outmost dedication. She continues to motivate youth to become partners in technology development by exhibiting her skills and undertaking challenging expeditions under extremely difficult circumstances in the field of amateur radio, which will remain as an inspiration to younger generation.

Many national and international print and electronic media already covered her achievement.

Recently, in the first week of June, she participated and excelled her performance in the 'Aila' cyclone relief operations from a remote place in West Bengal state in India."

OY, FAROE ISLANDS (Update)
Polish operators Mek/SP7VC and Janusz/SP6IXF will be active as OY/homecall between August 10-16th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters SSB and 2m meteor scatter (Random 144355.0 MHz) FSK441 during the Perseid meteor shower. Operations will be from the IP61 grid square. They plan to have amps for every band and will be using the following antenna system: HF - Spiderbeam, R-7 and INV-L for 160-80m + beverages

PACIFIC DXPEDITION/TOUR (Update/Change In Plans)
Gerben, PG5M, informs OPDX that he will be activating three DXCC entities in the Pacific between September 6-27th. His schedule is as follows:

September 6-7th: Fiji (OC-016); prefix 3D2 (callsign not known yet)
September 8-14th: Tarawa Island (OC-017), W. Kiribati; Callsign is T30G
September 15-16th: Fiji; prefix 3D2 (callsign not known yet)
September 17-23rd: Tuvalu (OC-015); Callsign will be T2G
September 24-27th: Fiji; prefix 3D2 (callsign not known yet)

The callsign is not known for Fiji, but he has requested 3D2G. This will be an ultra light solo DXpedition and CW only. He will use an Elecraft K3, and a 2x20m doublet plus vertical antennas. QSL via PG5M, by the Bureau or direct. For direct requests, please enclose a minimum of 2 USDs for return postage. More details and updates will be available on:

PACIFIC TOUR
Don/G3BJ and Hilary/G4JKS will be on vacation in the South Pacific during September 2009. Their activity schedule is as follows:
September 4-16th - Austral Islands (from Rurutu [OC-050] and Tubuai [OC-152]); callsign will be FO/G3BJ
September 18-25th - Niue (OC-040); callsign ZK2BJ
Operations will be mostly CW on 80-10 meters (no 17/12m). They will use a K3 transceiver and a Butternut HF6.

QSL INFO AND NEWS
G3SWH QSL MANAGEMENT WEB SITE. Phil Whitchurch, G3SWH, reports: "Over the past few days, I have had some problems with the 'QSL request' and 'contact me' functions of my web site as a result of my ISP changing servers. However, I'm pleased to announce that these problems have all been resolved and the web site is now fully functional." Web page is:

QSL HQ9R via K5WW. Erik, K5WW, reports: "It seems that quite a few people are still sending QSL for HQ9R to N6FF. Unfortunately, Dick, N6FF, became a Silent Key in August of 2007. I have been taking care of HQ9R's QSL since then. Please send your QSL requests to me, K5WW."

HAVE PATIENCE! More QSL cards were received this past week for the many UA4WHX operations. Vlad is still sending them out.

VK9LA QSL UPDATE. Bill Horner, VK4FW, QSL Manager for VK9LA, informs: "After much haggling with the Australian Customs Department and negotiating with a customs clearance broker, we have finally received the QSL cards from Czech Republic. Originally I envisaged having all direct QSLing done by the end of June, however this is not possible now. On July 2nd I will be away from home for 2 months on a family caravaning holiday. Prior to going I am doing as many as is possible and doing daily postings. As such, many of you will receive your cards within a few days, but there will be also many that will not. Please be patient and do not flood me with email questions. Every time I have to answer an email means less QSLing done before departure. If you are one of the lucky ones that receive your QSL card in the next few days and find missing QSOs, be advised it is because they were not in the log."

VY1JA QRT! Steve, N3SL, reports that he received an E-mail from "J", VY1JA (N8JA), on June 25th, and it states that J's work stint in VY0-land has concluded, and he is back home in the Yukon. The bad news, however, is that he is retiring from ham radio. His note says his station has been dismantled, and he is giving/selling everything to "younger Yukon hams." J's last QSO in the log was 10/19/08. It's sad to see him retire. He gave many a ham many a "clean sweep." Steve states, "I will continue to keep his logs and answer QSLs. Akio, JA3JM, handles QSLing for JA."

QSLS VIA LOTW: 6W/DL7CM, C31CT, E51SC, EA1AKS, H44MY, HA9PP, K5D, LX7I, OA4SS, OH2LU, UA4RZ, V26F, VP2V/SP7VC, YO8FZ and ZK2V

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 4K8M, AP2NK, E44M, ER4DX, ER4ER, ER0WW, S04R, TO2T, TO3R, TO4T, TO6T, VP8YLI, WP4U and ZL7T

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 4O6T, 4O/K1ZZ, 5U1A, 5U9C, 5Z4DZ, 6W/RW3TN, 7Q7RS, 9X0R, EK3GMM, EM75W, ES1QD, HR2/LUQDY, IS0GQX, J20VB, J5UCW, MJ0LON, OD/UA4WHX, OE50A, SQ9UM/9, ST2VBH, SV3EXU, SX3A, UA3LAR, UT7UV, VU2TS and YT2ED

R3, EUROPEAN RUSSIAN
In preparation for the WRTC-2010, look for the following stations (4 teams) to be active during IARU HF World Championship (July 11-12th) using the special callsign R31WRTC, R32WRTC, R38WRTC and R39WRTC. Activity will be from the WRTC-2010 locations. QSL via the Bureau.

SILENT KEYS
K8QOE - Ohio amateurs lost a great friend and dedicated ARRL Ohio Section Manager on Saturday, June 20th. Joe Phillips, K8QOE, suddenly became "SK" at the age of 68. He was a man of many hats (Please read ARRL Special Bulletin ARLX008 and ARRL Letter Vol. No. 25). He was also a DXer and a big "Cleveland Indians" fan (two topics that your editor will miss talking with him about). Ohio amateurs will surely miss Joe.

N0JT - John Trampler, N0JT, became a SK at age 85 on Monday, June 22nd. John was well known in the DX community and was a co- founder of the "247 DX Group" along with Alan/WA4JTK (SK). He also was a DXCC Honor Roll member and a ham for over 60 years.

SPECIAL AWARD AVAILABLE (GB6GEO)
Following the very successful event of the Geoparks weekend, the Global network would like to offer a diploma endorsed by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (the Queen of England's husband) to anybody working either GB6GEO the HQ station as an instant qualifier for the award, or two other Geoparks stations. Radio amateurs who are first to claim the award in their particular country will also get one point towards the two points required for the basic Geoparks diploma. The cost of the award in the UK is 2.20 GBP, in Europe 3 Euros, and 5 USDs anywhere else in the world. Certificate manager for this award is Martin G3VOF; QSL info QRZ.com. For any questions, PLEASE contact Martin at: mgfsystems@yahoo.com

SPECIAL EVENT (6m Op)
Andy, N8OFS, will once again be active as N8O "portable caboose" from Jefferson, Ohio, between July 18-19th, during 1800-2100z. Activity is to celebrate the 25th anniversary for the Ashtabula Carson & Jefferson Railway (AC&J). If you missed him the first time here, this will be your last time to work him. Look for him to be on 50.300 and 52.525 MHz FM, 50.400 MHz AM and 50.200 MHz USB. QSL via N8OFS: Andy Sargent, PO Box 517, Jefferson, OH 44047. For more details about the railroad, visit the Web page at:

SV, GREECE (Greek IOTA Tour)
Gab, IK3GES, will be starting a Greek island tour beginning on June 28th. He plans to visit the following islands, but details of the dates were not provided. The IOTA Islands are:
EU-060 - Skyros Island (GIOTA NAS-098, MIA MG-115, also count for WLOTA LH-2002)
EU-075 - Salamina Island (GIOTA SAS-040, MIA MG-098, also count for WLOTA LH-4159)
EU-113 - Elafonisos Island (GIOTA INS-007, MIA MG-033, also count for WLOTA LH-0011)
EU-174 - Amoliani Island (GIOTA NAS-046, MIA MG-009)

After activating the above, Gab will then travel to Turkey but is not sure if he will activate any islands there. After Turkey, Gab will team up with Boyan, LZ1BJ, and activate Sveta Anastasiya Island (EU-181, will also count for WLOTA LH-0035). He is expected to start a second island tour from Croatia in September. Details will be forthcoming. QSL via IK3GES, direct or by the Bureau or E-mail Bureau requests.

T32, EASTERN KIRIBATI
Tovia, T32TV, reportedly is a new ham on Christmas Island (OC-024). PLEASE be patient with him. Activity has been on 20 meters SSB after 0600z. QSL route has not been reported.

V6, MICRONESIA (IOTA Op)
Yuki, JH1NBN, will be active from three different state island groups of Micronesia. Look for him to activate the following between now and July 21st:
Pohnpei Island (OC-010) - Currently active as V6P through July 4th and will return between July 21-25th.
Chuuk Island (OC-011) - Callsign V6C; between July 4-12th.
Kosrae Island (OC-059) - Callsign V6T; between July 13-21st.
QSL via his home callsign.
ADDED NOTE: There has been a report that Yuki may also operate from Guam (OC-026) as KH2/K3ZB on his return back home.

VK9N, NORFOLK ISLANDS (Update/Change)
Members of the Hellenic Amateur Radio Association of Australia (HARAOA Group) will be active as VK9NI (not VK9AAA as first announced) between July 22-29th. The HARAOA Group plans to have 4-5 stations on the air and plans to be active on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. They plan to take part in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th) during their stay. Equipment to be used are ICOM radios w/Amps using Spiderbeams, verticals, beams and dipoles. Current operators mentioned are: Tommy/VK2IR (Team Leader), Chris/VK3FY (Co- Leader), Peter/VK3FGRC (Team Member/Webmaster), Keith/VK3FT (Team Member), Peter/VK2FPGR (Team Member), Tony/VK3TZ (Team Member), Raffy/VK2RF (Team Member), Andrey/VK5MAV (Team Member) and Alan/VK2GR (Team Member). QSL via W3HNK. More details and updates are available at:

VP2, MONTSERRAT (NA-103)
Bill, W5SJ, will be active as VP2MSJ from VP2MDD's QTH between July 14-21st. His activity will include the CQWW VHF Contest (hoping/praying for some E-skip), but he will be active on other bands that are open, particularly 30 and 60 meters. QSL via W5JAY.

ZK2V OPERATION WRAP-UP
Chris, ZL1CT, reports that his recent ZK2V DXpedition made 15817 QSOs (including 1279 QSOs on RTTY) despite 'flat' band conditions. Many stations enjoyed chasing Chris around the bands and modes to improve their position on the 'ZK2V leaderboard' - Jeff, N8CC, was the overall leader with 16 band-slots out of a possible 20. Chris has organized a different QTH for his next visit to Niue - if you missed ZK2V, there are 2 DXpeditions to Niue in September and October 2009. Please QSL via N3SL (via the Bureau to N3SL is also OK) - all ZK2V QSOs have been uploaded to LoTW resulting in more than 2000 QSO matches.

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