SB DX @ WW KB8NW $OPDX.690
Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 690

The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 690
BID: $OPDX.690
December 20, 2004
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, KA2AEV, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX,
K4UUE, K4VUD, N4AA & QRZ DX, N4JF, K6JAT, K8YC, K8YSE, W0YG, CT1GFK,
DL1EK & The DX News Letter, DL2VFR, DL5EBE, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX,
F5NQL & UFT, G3SWH, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I1HYW, IZ8BRI, IZ8CCW,
IZ8CGS & Mediterraneo DX Club, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, PA2R,
VA3RJ & ICPO, VK4FW and XE1KK for the following DX information.

SPECIAL EDITOR'S NOTE: Once again, where did this year go? Anyway,
my family (wife/OPDX's chief proof-reader Linda, Teddy [TJ], Katie) and
I (KB8NW) would like to wish all DXers, Contesters and OPDX readers a
very "Happy Holiday and Season's Greetings". Because the holiday falls
on a weekend day, I am going to do my best to release a bulletin next
weekend...... 73 and Have a Great Holiday de Tedd KB8NW

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the
week of Sunday, 12th/December, through Sunday, 19th/December there were
215 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V,
3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5Z, 6W, 6Y,
7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4,
A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU,
CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, EU, EX,
EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA,
HB, HB0, HC, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J3, JA, JD/o, JT, JW,
JY, K, KG4, 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, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PZ, S2,
S5, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T31, T32, T5, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG,
TI, TK, TN, TR, TT, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5,
V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP8, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, VU4, XE, XU,
XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4,
ZD7, ZD9, ZF, 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).

3D2, FIJI. Jim/K6JAT and his XYL, Lilah/KE6EHD will be off on vacation
to Matangi Island (OC-016) from January 1-7th. They have procured the
callsigns 3D2TJ and 3D2EG, respectively. Jim plans on some casual DXing
on 40-10 meters SSB with a FT-857D barefoot into a vertical or wires.
QSL via their home callsigns.

3Y0X PETER I ISLAND DXPEDITION (Update). Bob, K4UEE, informs OPDX that
the 3Y0X DXpedition team can now take contributions toward the Peter I
DXpedition via PayPal and Credit Cards. Just go to the Web site and follow
the directions at: http://www.peterone.com
Please be sure to include your callsign!
TOPBAND NEWS. Bob, K4UEE, also informed the 160m enthusiasts on the
Topband Mail Reflector that this will be only the third DXpedition to
Peter I Island and only the second to offer 160m QSOs. The 3Y0PI DXpedition
in 1994 made a little over 300 QSOs on topband. Obviously, this means
that most 160m ops today still need Peter I Island for a new one. They
are planning a very large operation with eight full-KW stations and a low
power 30m station. Modes include CW, SSB and various digital options. There
are fifteen antennas in their inventory and many spares. On 160m, they
will be running full power to a heavy-duty version of the Battle Creek
Special (BCS) antenna (the very same antenna that produced 1250 QSOs from
VK0IR in 1997). The BCS will be dedicated to 160m. Additionally, they are
planning at least one 3 element wire beam on the ice and maybe more. There
will be five experienced topband operators fighting each other to have the
opportunity to put you in the log on 160m. Operators are Bob/K4UEE, Pertti/
OH2PM, Eric/K3NA, Andy/UA3AB and Alan/K5AB.

4X0, ISRAEL (Castle Activity). Just a reminder that Jan/4X1VF, Ilya/4Z1UF,
Shalom/4Z4BS, Mark/4Z4KX, Ruben/4Z5FI, Ruslan/4Z5LA and Yuli/4X6HP will
operate for the first time after 16 years from the famous historical site -
"MASADA Castle" near the Dead Sea this week. They will use the special
callsign 4X0MS, starting at 1000z Friday, December 24th, through 1000z
Sunday, December 26th. They plan to operate with two complete stations
on CW/SSB on 80-10 meters. QSOs are good for the "Holyland Award" program.
The square will be L22BS. QSL Manager is Shalom, 4Z4BS. To get more
information about this site, please visit the Web page at:
http://www.bibleplaces.com/masada.htm

5T, MAURITANIA. Operators Phil/G3SWH, Jim/G3RTE, Jean/ON8RA and Adriano/
ON5GA will be active as 5T0CW from Nuachachott between February 24th and
March 4th. Activity will be CW only on all bands 160-10 meters. Propagation
permitting, they plan to have at least one station on the air on a 24
hour a day basis. QSL via G3SWH, either direct with SAE and return postage
or via E-mail for a bureau reply or via the bureau. Phil's E-mail is:


8Q, MALDIVES. Paolo, IK2QPR, will be active as 8Q7PR from Dunikolhu Island,
Baa Atoll, Maldive (AS-013), January 9-17th. Using only 100 watts and a
vertical antenna, activity will be CW/SSB on 40/30/20/17/15/12/10 meters.
QSL via his home callsign IK2QPR: Paolo Fava, via Bertani 8, 46100 Mantova,
Italy.

CDXA OFFICERS FOR 2005. John Scott, K8YC, CDXA Editor, informs OPDX that
on Thursday, December 9th, the Carolina DX Association (CDXA) held its
"Annual Meeting" along with its annual "Holiday Party". The following were
nominated and elected to serve as officers for the 2005 calendar year:
President: Ted Goldthorpe, W4VHF
Vice President: Tom Wright, N4HN
Sec./Treasurer Jim Miller, K4SQR
Newsletter Editor: John Scott , K8YC
Cluster Manager: Joe Simpkins, K4MD
Assoc. Cluster Mgr: Paul Sturpe , W3GQ
Webmaster: Wayne Setzer, WB4BXW
Visit the CDXA's Web page at: http://www.cdxa.org/

CT2ITZ (Pirated Activity). It seems someone is pirating Paulo's, CT2ITZ,
callsign on a PacketCluster and putting out false and missing information
on the net. Naturally, this aggravates everyone, especially the owner of
the callsign (Paulo). Please ignore this lonely individual who is looking
for attention (this is what he wants) and do not take it out on Paulo.

DXPEDITION PICTURES ON THE WEB. Pictures of the recent A61AV/p operation
from Sirat Al Khawr Island (AS-124) can be viewed at:
http://www.mdxc.org/a61av-p

EY8, TAJIKISTAN. Nodir. EY8MM, will be active in the upcoming CQ WW 160m
CW Contest (January 29-30th) as a Single-Op entry. He states that he will
have a full size delta vertical and beverages.

GJ2, JERSEY. Richard, K2WR, will be active as GJ2A or MJ0AWR during the
CQ WW 160m CW Contest (January 29-30th) as Single-Op entry. QSL via K2WR.
There will be some pre-contest activity, and he will concentrate on
80/40/30/17/12 meters CW.

HI, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Curt, W3HQ, will do a two week operation on 160m
from here. Look for him to be active as HI/W3HQ and to be active in the
CQ WW 160m CW Contest (January 29-30th) as a Single-Op entry. QSL via
W3HQ. For E-mail skeds use:

IOTA NEWS.....................
AS-079. Take, JI3DST, will be active as JI3DST/JS6 from Miyako Island,
December 29th to January 5th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters
CW, SSB, SSTV and RTTY. QSL via JI3DST (QRZ.com).

NA-200. Yuri/XE1UN, Alberto/XE1NK and Ramon/XE1KK will operate from
Tamalcab Island on the rare Quintana Roo State South Group
as XF3T from 1800z, December 21st to 0000z, December 24th,
during local daylight hours. They will be active with two
stations on 40-10 meters, including the WARC bands, on SSB,
CW and PSK31. QSL via N1NK.

J2, DJIBOUTI. Yves, F5PRU, is currently active from here for the next
four months. His stay is job/work related. His callsign is J20FH (This
prefix is given to hams who stay less than 6 months in Djibouti). His
activity will be limited to his spare time. Look for him on CW/SSB and
maybe some digital, on 80-10 meters. Also, look for Yves during the two
parts of the French REF Contest which takes place on each of the last
full weekends of January (CW) and February (SSB). QSL to F5PRU via the
French REF Bureau; preferred (when he returns).

KC4, ANTARCTICA. Brent, KD4VMM/KC4, is active now from Palmer Station
(K-10 for the Antarctica Award and USA-23 for the WAP) on Anvers Island
(AN-012). Watch 14243 kHz between 2330-0100z. QSL via KD4VMM:
Brent A. Evers, 5211 Al Jones Drive, Shady Side, MD 20764, U.S.A.

LU2, ANTARCTICA. Look for LU2ZD, the Primavera Base, to be activated in
January by an operator named Paolo (home callsign not provided). His
flight to the Antarctic Peninsula will be on the 7th or 9th of January.
Primavera Base is only open during the summer season, and any activity
on the ham bands will be together with QSL Manager Henry, LU4DXU. At
the moment they are still trying to organize a suitable transceiver for
this operation. More details will be forthcoming soon.

OO, BELGIUM (Update on Special Activity). Egbert, ON4CAS/N1TOI, UBA Award
Manager, informs OPDX that to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Belgium's
independance, Belgian stations may use the special prefix "OO" instead of
"ON" during 2005. The UBA will take part in the celebrations by issuing
an offical commemorative award. The "175 Years Belgium Award" can be earned
by contacting stations using the OO prefix between January 1st and December
31st, 2005. A sum of at least 175 points are required for the award. For
more details on how to earn points and a picture of the award, please
visit the following Web page at: http://www.uba.be/hf/awards/175yr_en.html

QSL INFO AND NEWS...................
I0QHN/KC4 QSL MANAGER CHANGE. Egidio, IZ8BRI, informs us the original
QSL Manager chosen by the operators was Gianni Varetto, I1HYW, but
do to his busy schedule, the WAP Staff and Dr. Mario Pillon, I0QHM,
agreed to use Luigi Cervasio, IK8OZZ, a well known WAP Antarctic QSL
Manager. QSLs already sent to, and/or received from Gianni, I1HYW,
will be forwarded to IK8OZZ. It was mentioned that the QSLs will not
be sent out before the operators return home (with pictures for the
QSL and logs). This will happen at the end of March 2005.

Gianni, IZ8CGS, Antarctica Award Manager, informs OPDX that there are
many online logs seachers for Antarctica stations on the following
MDXC Web page at: http://www.mdxc.org/antarctica/log.htm

QSL KH0PR via JJ8DEN. Operator was Yoshi who was active from the
Island of Rota (OC-086) in the Marianas Islands.

LLDXT & PRIVATE LOGS NOW ON LOTW! Rob, PA2R, informs OPDX that last
month he had uploaded all of the following logs files to the "Logbook
of The World" (LoTW). Over 350,000 records have been added to the
Database! The logs are still open for normal QSL if you wish. Here
are the callsigns for those logs:
HB0/PA3ERC, VP5C (1995), VP5/PA3BBP, VP5/PA3ERC, VP5/PA3EWP,
VP45/PA3EWP, FG/PA3BBP, FG/PA3ERC, FG/PA3EWP, FG/PA3FQA, TO5C (1996),
J79BP, J79RC, J79WP, J79QA, J77C (1996), FM/PA3BBP, FM/PA3ERC,
FM/PA3EWP, FM/PA3FQA, J6/PA3BBP, J6/PA3ERC, J6/PA3EWP, 9Y4/PA3BBP,
9Y4/PA3ERC, 9Y4/PA3EWP, 6Y5/PA3ERC, 6Y5/PA3EWP, ZF9/ZF2RC, ZF9/ZF2WP,
PJ7/PA5ET, PJ7/PA4WM, PJ7/PA3EWP, PJ7/PA3GCV, PJ7/PA4WM, PJ7/PA4EA,
FS/PA5ET, FS/PA4WM, FS/PA3EWP, FS/PA3GCV, FS/PA4WM, FS/PA4EA, V47ET,
V47WM, V47WP, V47CV, V47WM, V47EA, VP2EET, VP2EWM, VP2EWP, VP2ECV,
VP2EWM, VP2EEA, 8Q9RC, 8Q9WP, V26EA, V26ET, V26FM, V26WP, VP2MPA,
8P9JR, 8P9JS, 8P9JT , 8P9JU , J3/PA3EWP, J3/PA5ET, J3/PA7FM, J38PA
(2001), J8/PA3EWP, J8/PA5ET, J8/PA7FM, J8PA (2001), J75ET, J75EA,
J75ZH, J75WP, J75PA (2002), VP2MET, VP2MEA, VP2MWP, VP2MPA, VP2MCV
and VP2MWM (2002), OY7ET, OY7QA, OY7TW, OY7WB, OY7WP, OY8PA (2003),
3D2PA (2004), T30PA (2004) and T33PA (2004), PA3ERC, PA63ERC, PA5ET
and finally PA2R.

If you participate in the "Logbook of The World" program you will
probably get a lot of new band slots and/or new countries! Uploading
logs is free see how to register at: http://www.arrl.org/lotw/

V26B ON THE LOTW. Mike, KA2AEV, reports the V26B logs are now available
on LoTW back to 1995 (he thinks). He states, "We're having problems
finding a copy of the 1993 and 1994 logs, but we expect this problem
to be solved shortly."

VK9LA & VK9LW QSL CARD STATUS. Bill, VK4FW, reports that he is half-
way through answering cards received. All cards are being done on a
"as received basis by date". Bill states, "Some of you will be lucky
to get them before xmas. I hope to have all cards in the mail by late
next week." Statistics on the operation are available on the Web at:
http://www.odxg.org
VK4FW's mail address is: Bill Horner, P.O. Box 513, Nambour, 4560,
Australia.

VK9XG QSL CARD STATUS. Charlie, W0YG, reported this past week that
he should be caught up on mailing all the QSL cards for his recent
VK9XG operation. He states, "For those who have a tendency to use the
bureau, please use LoTW instead. I will upload the logs to LoTW
sometime in the future when I debug the busted calls which is normal
for any DX operation."

SOUTH SHETLAND ACTIVITIES....................
HF0 - A new operator is now in place at the Polish Antarctic Base
Station Henryk Arctowski (SP-01 for the Antarctica Award) on
King George Island, South Shetlands (AN-010). The operator is
Marek, SP3GVX, who is expected to operate as HF0POL through
November 2005. QSL via SP3WVL: Tomasz Lipinski, skr. poczt. 78,
69-100 Slubice, Poland.

OL0 - Jarda, OL0ANT, is currently active from the small Czech "ECO
Nelson" Base Station on Nelson Island (AN-010), South Shetlands.
Activity is until January 10th. His equipment consists of a
battery powered Kenwood TS570D and a vertical antenna for the
ususal bands (no WARC). Ham radio activity is mainly of a
demonstrative nature. Length of operation and the uses of power
depends on the status of his battery. Most of his activity has
been on 40 meters CW between 0300-0700z. There was one QSNs on
30 meters around 0345z. QSL via OK1FOW: Jaroslav Jirus,
Angolska 609, CZ - 160 00 Praha 6, CZECH REPUBLIC. A new WAP
reference number was just issued for the Czech "ECO Nelson Base"
station on Nelson Island: CZE-01. Also, the new reference number
for the Antarctica Award is: OK-01. The Lat/Long: 62°14'30"S
58°58'48"W. For more information about the "ECO Nelson" base
can be found at: http://www.antarctica.cz

VP8 - Jordan "Danny" Yankov, LZ2UU (VP8/LZ2UU), is once again stationed
at the Bulgarian base St. Kliment Ohridski (LZ-02 for the
Antarctica Award) on Livingston Island, South Shetlands (AN-010).
Danny has served as radio engineer for the past eleven Antarctic
seasons, and this year he is also the base commander. QSL via
his home callsign: Jordan Radkov Yankov, P.O. Box 196,
7200 Razgrad, Bulgaria

SPECIAL EVENT. Look for special event station TM7VM to be active until
December 30th . Activity started for the first time on December 16th,
to celebrate the opening of the Millau Viaduct (South France, which is
said to be the highest one in the world). This viaduct is 343 meters
above the ground at its highest part. The activity is organized by the
Millau ARC (F6KSM) under the leadership of Patrick, F5UJZ, who is also
the QSL Manager. During the year 2005, the special event station will
be activated 9 more times. The dates will be announced at a later time.
A technical Web page about this viaduct (in English, Spanish and French),
is available at : http://www.viaducdemillaueiffage.com/

VU4, ANDAMAN ISLANDS (Update). Charles Harpole, K4VUD, continued to provide
updates on the VU4 operations throughout the week to the DX community. He
is now in Port Blair and should be there until just about the end of the
operation. He reports that he is taking pictures and video of the VU4
operation. Charles states that there are three stations up and operating
now. Bharathi's station is in the Hotel Sinclairs. Saraha's operating
location is in a dorm room of a local college. Ram's location was in a
rented room in a small apartment building, but now he has moved to the
Port Blair Science Center where the public can watch the ham radio action.
The antenna farm is growing on VU4-land. Charle states that there is a 7
element tribander at 60 ft. above the hotel roof, inverted Vees everywhere,
80m dipole, SteppIR at 15 feet above Science Center roof, and the newly
arrived WARC Cushcraft yagi installed at the college dorm. With most of
the activity being on SSB and some CW, there has been some activity on PSK
and Slow-Scan TV. Look for 40 and 80 meters to get a lot more attention
for the next two weeks. The suggested frequency is around 3.503-5 MHz,
the approved frequency. Charles mentioned over weekend that Mr. Suri,
VU2MY, head of NIAR, has arrived there and is arranging publicity for all
the operators all over India. He is cheering the operators on and giving
them lots of encouragement to stay awake and keep the bands hot with their
calls!!! Charles is also encouraging all amateur radio operators to be on
their best behavior over the next several days as the DXpedition will be
hosting several Indian government officials. He also predicts that many
youngsters will get VU licenses because of the interest this DXpedition
has generated.

The "DX Newsletter" provides the following VU4RBI and VU4NRO operating
schedule as follows:
0000 UTC 21240, 21285 kHz; 0100Z: 21240, 21285; 0200Z: 14240, 21240;
0300Z: 21285, 24931; 0400Z: 21285, 24931; 0500Z: 18121, 21285, 24931;
0600Z: 18121, 21285; 0700Z: 18121, 21285; 0800Z: 18121, 21285, 24931;
0900Z: 24931; 1000Z: 24931; 1100Z: 21285, 24931; 1200Z: 14191, 21285,
24931; 1300Z: 14191; 1400Z: 14191; 1500Z: 14191; 1800Z: 14265;
2100Z: 14265; 2200Z: 14265 kHz.

QSL via the National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), Rajbhavan Road,
Hyderabad-500 082, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA. HOWEVER, do not include cash
in your mail, states Mr. Suri, VU2MY. He also hopes to post on the NIAR
Web site a list of all callsigns of received QSLs. If you want to make a
donation, please do that by other means rather than the ordinary mail.
The team is working on the chance of a stateside QSL address also, but
nothing definite at this time. Remember, the NIAR is the ultimate source
for news of this operation. Their Web page is: http://www.niar.org

WLH CHANGES. Ric, DL2VFR, informs OPDX that there has been some major
changes to the "World LightHouse Program". The entire list of LH had to
be reviewed and corrected. The "World LightHouse Program" (WLH) has
changed its name to "World Lighthouse On The Air" (WLOTA). A lot more
LHs will count now - some LHs were deleted. In order to cope with the
large number of LHs in the world, the list of LH counting had to be
restricted based on a fixed standard. A multi-national crew has been
working on the new award program. The new LH-list is almost completed.
For more details and the rules, please visit their new Web site at:
http://www.wlota.com

ZD7 & ZD8, ST. HELENA AND ASCENSION ISLAND. Martin, G3ZAY, is expected to
be visiting Ascension Island (AF-003) and St. Helena (AF-022) over the
Christmas period. Look for him to be on Ascension Island between December
21-22nd and again January 3-7th. Martin will be on St. Helena Island
between December 24th and January 1st as ZD7ZA. While on Ascension Island,
Martin will activate the Ascension Island Lighthouse (WLOTA LH-0299). QSL
via his home callsign.

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/EXIT
--
Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW - --or--
Editor of the "Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin" (OPDX - "DXer's Tool of Excellence")
President of the "Northern Ohio DX Association" (NODXA)
DX Chairman for the "Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society
ARRL Assistant Director of the Great Lakes Division
Sysop of the "Basic Amateur Radio Frequency BBS" (BARF-80 BBS)