The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1425
BID: $OPDX.1425
August 5, 2019
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)
Written/Sent from Strongsville, Ohio
Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX
Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, the AB5K's AR Cluster
Networks, NJ1Q & W1AW, W2VU, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, WB6RSE,
K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, W9ILY, DL1EKC, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News
Letter, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les
Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, PD3H,
RN3RQ, RW6HS , Sixitalia Weekly and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX
information.
DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the
week of Sunday, 28th-July, through Sunday, 4th-August there were 209
countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L,
4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5W, 5Z, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J,
9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A4, A6, A7, A9, BV, BY, C3, C5, CE, CE0Y,
CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, CY9, D4, DL, DU, E4, E5/n, E5/s, E7, EA,
EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FH, FK, FM, FO,
FO/a, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL,
HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL,
KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX,
OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PY, PY0F, PZ, R1FJ, S0, S2, S5, S7, SM, SP,
ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T33, T5, T7, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TU, TZ, UA,
UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9X, VP2M, VP2V,
VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XX9, YA, YB, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z3, Z6,
Z8, ZA, ZB, 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".
3W9, VIETNAM. Jacek, SP5APW, and his wife are planning to visit Dao Co
To (AS-132) between the end of September and the start of October. He is
plans to be active as 3W9KJ (callsign pending). Activity will be mainly
FT8/FT4 possibly on 40/30 meters with some SSB (if conditions allow) using
100 watts into a wire QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau,
LoTW or ClubLog's OQRS.
3Y0I BOUVET ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS (Video). 3Y0I Team member Mietek,
SP3CMX, has put together a 27:19 video on the team's first attempt to
go to the island called “The Road To Bouvet”. They say “Buckle up” to
viewn it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q39AMAhciuk
8Q, MALDIVES (Reminder/Update). Gil, IZ2DLV, will once again be active
from as 8Q7GB Nika Island in the Maldives between August 4-18th. Activity
will be holiday style on 40/30/20/17/15 meters using CW, SSB and FT8.
QSL via LoTW or ClubLog.
9G, GHANA. Chip, KB1QU, will be active as 9G5QU between September 8-21st.
Activity will be on 40/30/20 meters using CW, FT8 and FT4. QSL via N4GNR
direct.
A8, LIBERIA (Update/Confirmed Dates). The Italian DXpedition Team will
be active from Liberia between September 28th and October 11th. They plan
to use two callsigns: A82X for CW, SSB and RTTY; A82Z for FT8 only. The
11 operators mentioned are Silvano/I2YSB, Vinicio/IK2CIO, Angelo/IK2CKR,
Marcello/IK2DIA, Stefano/IK2HKT, Alfeo/I1HJT, Franco/I1FQH, Tony/I2PJA,
Gino/IK2RZP, Alberto/IZ2XAF and Mac/JA3USA. Activity will be on 160-10
meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. Suggested frequencies are:
CW - 1826, 3530, 7025, 10115, 14030, 18068, 21030, 24890 and 28030 kHz
SSB - 3775, 7090, 14240, 18130, 21310, 24950 and 28470 kHz
RTTY - 14084 kHz
FT8 - 1843, 3585, 7056, 10131, 14080, 18095, 21091, 24911 and 28091 kHz
For JA STATIONS ONLY -- FT8 on 160m use normal mode; TX frq 1845 kHz and
RX frq is 1908 kHz
They are planning to use 5 stations with maximum flexibility. QSL via
OQRS (http://win.i2ysb.com/logonline/). QSL via I2YSB direct only or LoTW
after the operation. They will also be using a "Real-Time Online Logging"
(internet permitting), including their FT8 activity as A82Z. For more details,
updates, and a survey on bands/needs, see: http://www.i2ysb.com/idt
C21, NAURU. Operators Yuris/YL2GM, Jack/YL2KA, Kaspars/YL1ZF and Kristers/
YL3JA will be active as C21W from Nauru (OC-031) after their Western
Kiribati operation (see T30 below) between September 16-25th. Activity
will be on 160-6 meters, possibly 60m, using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. The
suggested frequencies will be published later. Split operation will
always be used: QSX CW up 2 (160m down 2, JA 1810-1820); and QSX SSB/RTTY
up 5. QSL via YL2GN direct or ClubLog (for direct or by the Bureau) for
paper QSLs. Full LoTW upload will be done 6 months after the end of the
DXPedition. For more details and updates, see:
http://www.lral.lv/c21w_t30l/index.html
Please do not send log correction requests. Corrections will not be
provided. All individual supporters 20 USDs+ will receive direct QSL.
Please do not send your QSL to them via Bureau - they are not required.
CQ NEWS (Press Release, date July 30th). "Dhruv Rebba, KC9ZJX, Named 2019
Newsline Young Ham of the Year" -- Dhruv Rebba, KC9ZJX, of Normal, Illinois,
has been selected as the "2019 Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur
Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year". Dhruv, 15, is the son of Hari Rebba,
VU2SPZ, and Shailaja Panyam. He is entering his sophomore year at the Normal
Community High School this fall. He is a member of the Central Illinois
Radio Club. Dhruv earned his Technician Class license in 2013 when he was
only 9 years old. He followed it up by passing the test for a General Class
license a year later. Dhruv says his interest in amateur radio was sparked
by a 2013 visit to the Dayton Hamvention(R) with his father, a long-time
amateur radio operator from India who settled in the U.S.....
Read the complete press release at: http://cqnewsroom.blogspot.com
Also read the ARRL press release at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/view/dhruv-rebba-kc9zjx-is-2019-newsline-young-ham-of-the-year
CR3/CT9, MADEIRA ISLANDS. Operators Gerd/DF9TS, Detlef/DK3QZ, Michael/DK6QW,
Marcus/DL1EKC, Kai/DL3HAH and Andreas/DL3YM will be active as CR3W from
Santana, Madeira Island (AF-014), during the Worked All Europe DX CW
Contest (WAEDC) (August 10-11th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL CR3W via
DL5AXX, OQRS (see QRZ.com) or LoTW. Look for operators to be active out-
side of the contest as CT9/homecall usually on 160-10 meters using CW,
SSB and RTTY. QSL via their home callsigns.
CY9, ST. PAUL ISLAND. After a small delay, the CY9C team is now active
until August 8th. Activity is on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB, FT8 in
DXpedition mode, EME, and on various Satellites. QSLs will be available:
ClubLog, LoTW, direct via WA4DAN. PLEASE NOTE: No Bureau or No IRCs. For
more details and updates, watch: http://cy9c.com
DXCC'S MOST WANTED (ClubLog). The "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list has
been updated on ClubLog as of July 29th. The list contains 340 entities.
The following are the top 10 entities:
1. P5 DPRK (North Korea) 6. BV9P Pratas Island
2. 3Y/B Bouvet Island 7. KH7K Kure Island
3. FT5/W Crozet Island 8. KH3 Johnston Island
4. BS7H Scarborough Reef 9. FT5/X Kerguelen Island
5. CE0X San Felix Islands 10. 3Y/P Peter 1 Island
No changes this month. The complete "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list
is available at: https://secure.clublog.org/mostwanted.php
DXCC NEWS. The following operations have been approved for DXCC credit:
CY9C -- St. Paul Island; 2019 operation
T6AA and T6A -- Afghanistan; 2019 operations
H4, SOLOMON ISLANDS. Operators Michael/DL2GMI and Bernhard/DL2GAC will
be active as H44MI and H44MS, respectively from Malaita Island (OC-047)
between August 23rd and September 2nd. Activity will be on 80/40/20/15/
10/6 meters using SSB, RTTY and FT8 (normal mode or F/H-Mode according
to the activity). QSL via their home callsign, by the Bureau, direct or
LoTW. Maybe a OQRS later.
IOTA NEWS..............
AS-025. Operators Valdimir/RV1CC and Yuri/RM0F will be active as
RV1CC/0 and RM0F/P, respectively, from Iturup Island beginning
August 15th. Activity will be on various HF bands. QSL via
details on QRZ.com.
AS-063/ (Update) The RQ73QQ operation (AS-152) has been cancelled due
AS-152. to security reasons (many polar bears on the island now and
bad weather for a small boat). The R63RRC operation (AS-063)
has made about 10K QSO; 1100 in the RSGB IOTA Contest.
AS-206. Take, JA8COE, will be active as JA8COE/0 from Sado Island
between September 22-24th. Activity will be on various HF
bands using CW, SSB and FT8. The focus will be on EU and
low power NA stations. QSL via his home callsign or ClubLog's
OQRS. For updates, watch his Blog at:
https://blog.goo.ne.jp/takaja8coe
AS-206. Kenji, JA4GXS, will be active as JA4GXS/0 from Sado Island,
in the Honshu's Coastal Islands East IOTA Group, between
October 26-28th. Activity will be on 20/17 meters using CW
and FT8. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.
AS-206. Ichy, JH7IPR, will be active as JH7IPR/7 from Oshima Island
"before noon" (JST time), August 9th, and "around noon" (JST
time) on August 10th. Activity will be focused on 40/20 meters
using FT8 with some CW. He states, "However, if 6m opens,
will work on 6m. Will be active on CW accordingly. Depends
on the situation, I might extend one more day." QSL via the
Bureau; ClubLog will be available once the system accepts the
log upload (It seems to have 30 day rules for the newly
validated IOTA#).
EU-112. Operators Thor/DK7RD, Paul/G4PVM and Col/MM0NDX are planning
to activate Europe's 5th most wanted IOTA, Shiant Isles, as
MS0INT between August 23-25th. Activity will be on various HF
bands using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via M0SDV.
EU-191. Operators Da/YO3GA, Mircea/YO4GKP, Alina/YO9RYJ, Petrica/YO9RIJ
and possibly others will be active as YP0F from Fericirii Island
between August 27th-September 1st. Activity will be on 160-10
meters using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via YO9RIJ.
NA-008. (Zone 2) VY0ERC is once again active from the Eureka Weather
station and the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably the most
northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from Eureka,
Nunavut, on the air until August 20th. A list of the operating
team was not provided. The suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters
(possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60, EQ79)
using SSB, the Digital modes and very slow CW. Activity will
be limited to his spare time. QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or direct.
NA-176. Pierre, VE2GT, is planning a one day operation from Île du
Havre, and will be active as VE2GT/150 between 1330-1530z
on September 1st. Activity will be on various HF bands; pro-
bably on IOTA frequencies. Track Pierre's progress on APRS at:
https://aprs.fi/#!call=a%2FVE2GT-5&timerange=3600&tail=3600
NA-210. (Update) Members of the Russian Robinson Club are planning to
activate Sledge Island as KL7RRC/P between August 27th and
September 2nd. Operators mentioned are are planning to
activate Sledge Island as KL7RRC/P. Operators mentioned are
Mike/AD5A, Yuri/UA9OBA and Yuri/N3QQ. Activity will be on 40-6
meters using CW, SSB and FT8, with possibly 2-3 stations. FT8
will be on 24/7 as a beacon on two bands F/H mode. QSL via
N7RO or ClubLog (will be uploaded after the expedition). A
Web page is now available at: https://www.na-234.com
NA-211. Operators Yuri/N3QQ, Cezar/VE3LYC, Sandro/VE7NY and Adrian/
KO8SCA will be active as K7TRI from the rare IOTA Tillamook
Rock between September 6-9th. This IOTA is in demand by almost
94% of IOTA members, and has been on the air only once in 21
years. Activity will be on 40-17 meters using CW and SSB.
This is a very expensive and challenging project, and they
are actively looking for possible support from IOTA chasers
and DXers at large. All donors will be promptly acknowledged
on their Web site at: http://k7tri.weebly.com
QSL via VE3LYC, direct or by the Bureau. The preferred method
is ClubLog (for direct or by the Bureau).
SA-100. (Update) The current list of operators of Diego/CA1DBD, Fer-
nando/CA1FCS, Juan/CE1DN, Sergio/CE3WW, Zoli/HA1AG, Nando/
IT9YRE, Carlo/XQ1CR, Claudio/XQ1FM and Danilo/XQ4CW, will be
active as 3G1DX from Pajaros Rocks for 3 days sometime around
October 18-23rd (plan is October 18-20th). This will depend
on the swells around the island. They plan to work hard during
the day hours, but they are not sure during the evening hours
due to the high tides. Activity will be mainly SSB and CW,
using two stations. Pilot station is Alfio/IT9EJW. QSL via
IT9YRE - OQRS preferred . For more details and updates, see:
http://www.it9yre.it/3g1dx
PLEASE NOTE: It is very hard and dangerous to land on the Rock
so please absolutely do not dupe the QSO ! ! !
Restructuring of AS-117/AS-206. On the IOTA Web page (iota-world.org),
Roger, G3KMA, on July 30th, posted the following: Islands previously
listed as qualifying for AS-117 that now fall within the co-ordinates
box of the new group AS-206, Honshu’s Coastal Islands East, have now
been transferred and are listed appropriately both in the application
database scroll-down list and in the IOTA Directory online. Following
several activations from AS-206 in the last few weeks with most already
accepted for credit, the group number is now confirmed. Record-holders
with credits for AS-117 that commence with prefixes JA0, 1, 2 and 7,
will have their credits reviewed for transfer to AS-206. All chasers
who logged into the IOTA system at least once during the last two years
will be automatically informed by a credit re-allocation. This will
alert them to the need to find a replacement card or QSO match for
AS-117 with a prefix JA3, 4 or 9 to regain credit. Other record-holders
for whom Management no longer retains an email address will have any
necessary transfer made automatically. The intention is to transfer
all credits to the correct IOTA group within a few weeks. As this is
quite a big job, patience is requested.
PLEASE NOTE: Since the Webmasters of the new (www.iota-world.org) have
decided NOT to post or dedicate a Web page to announce upcoming IOTA
operations, PLEASE send your IOTA operations information to the OPDX,
and we will post it here in an upcoming bulletin......
KH4, MIDWAY ISLAND. Ron, KH6DV, from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, announced on
July 31st, that a KH6VV/KH4 DXpedition will take place during the second
half of February 2020. He states on QRZ.com, "Midway Atoll is #14 on the
ClubLog most wanted list and has not been active for some time. The air-
craft used for the logistics flights has been downsized and visitors are
no longer allowed to fly to the island. Operators interested in joining
the expedition should be prepared to undertake a 6.75 day ocean voyage.
The vessel DXpedition veteran the 'A/S Machias' can be seen on my KH6DV
QRZ.com page. The vessel will provide all power (2 x 27KW generators) and
air conditioned sleeping, operating and galley areas.
For operators who would like to join the expedition, please send me an
email. Anyone with FT-8 F&H experience from the expedition side please
state so. What we need: About 11 operators. Someone with experience in
contacting DX clubs to solicit donations. Donations are being accepted
at the expedition PayPal account (KH6VV@outlook.com). Make sure you note
your callsign so we can add you to the express LoTW list." QSL KH6VV/KH4
ONLY via ClubLog's OQRS.
ADDED UPDATES (FROM DX-WORLD.NET) by Ron, KH6DV:
* August 2nd -- "Upon further review by the DXCC desk we will be moving
the equipment and operators to land. As I said whatever it takes to
count. We won't be going to these efforts to not count. All will be
documented."
* August 3rd -- "We have a list of 10 well experienced expedition
operators on the high interest list which is 1-2 fewer then we need.
These were received in the first day and a half after the announcement.
My hope is that now that we are into the weekend people will have time
to consider making the trip. I believe one of the problems is that so
many have been there on the last expedition 10 years ago and are looking
for new places to go rather then a return to somewhere they have been.
We will let this run till about August 15th at which time we need to
make the decision to proceed or delay till later in the year."
OPDX MAILING LIST (Just A Reminder). The "new" OPDX Mailing List is back up
and running! Details on how to subscribe/unsubscribe are at the bottom of
this bulletin. PLEASE pass the word around.... Thanks and 73 de Tedd KB8NW
PA75, THE NETHERLANDS. Look for special event station PA75OMG to be active
between September 12-22st. Activity is to commemorate and celebrate the
anniversary of freedom. As part of Operation Market Garden(OMG) in World
War II, paratroopers of the allied forces, such as American, British,
Canadian, Polish and Dutch troops, landed in the Nijmegen region on Sep-
tember the 17th, 1944, and the region would soon be liberated after four
years of German occupation. During the 10 days of activity, they will try
to work as many amateur radio operators across the world as possible. QSL
via the infon on QRZ.com. For more details and pictures, see:
https://pa75omg.nl
PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (August 5-11th).......
Aug/05th HN Aug/08th AN Aug/10th AN
Aug/06th HN Aug/09th AN Aug/11th AN
Aug/07th AN
SOLAR REFERENCE KEYS/INDEXES AND GEOMAGNETIC REFERENCE
======================================================
NORMALITY GEOMAG K Values Alpha
----------------- ------ -------- ------
AN - Above Normal Quiet K=0-1 0-7
HN - High Normal Unsettled K=2 8-15
LN - Low Normal Active K=3 16-29
BN - Below Normal Minor Storm K=4 30-49
DIS - Disturbed Major Storm K=5 50-99
VRY DIS - Very Disturbed Severe Storm K=6-9 100-400
Meanwhile, check out the following Web sites for propagation:
* VOACAP predication Web page at: http://www.voacap.com/hf
and http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html
* DX.QSL.NET Propagation page: https://dx.qsl.net/propagation
* A daily HF radio wave propagation forecast can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/thomasfranklingiellaw4hm
* SolarHam Web page: http://www.solarham.net
* Radio Propagation/Space Weather/Sunspot Cycle Information at:
http://sunspotwatch.com
* Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve
overseas locations are at: http://arrl.org/propagation
* Information and tutorials on propagation are at: http://k9la.us
* Graphic propagation tool by DR2W: http://www.dr2w.de/dx-propagation
* Point to point propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk/p2p.html
* Realtime propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk
* Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@GiellaW4hm
QSL INFO AND NEWS...................
QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF (www.qslinfo.eu)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Next QSL Infos on Sunday, August 18, 2019
(e) eQSL only (d) direct only (B) Bureau only (*-B) DX's- Bureau
(O) OQRS only (C) ClubLog only (L) LoTW only (N) No QSL needed
(I) No IRC (P) PayPal (NB) No Bureau
LOGS ONLINE AT CLUBLOG.ORG THIS WEEK......
https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/CY9C
https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/OJ0DX
https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/OJ9A
https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/TO5M
OZ/DL3DW via DL3DW. Activity during the RSGB IOTA Contest from Falster
Island (EU-029).
QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 1A0C, 7X2TT, C5DL, C6ADX, CE3TL, EA5WO, EW7BA,
F8DBF, HA7TM, HB0WR, HZ1SK, J69DS, KN0E/KH3, OJ0DX, OZ1TMK, RA4HL,
S21SM, T2AR, UA2K, UN7LZ, VE4VT, VE4WQ, YB8OUN, YJ0GA and YO3JR
QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: AO50MOON, 5W0H, DU1UD/8 (OC-105), E77E, GU3HFN,
K7Y (NA-250), LZ1NP, S9A, VK6MAV/6 (OC-211), VK6MAV/6 (OC-183) and ZB2FK
QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 4E1CVB/4 (OC-202), 4S7KKG, 5W0DXA, 5X2B,
6Y1M, 8Q7PW, 9M4DXX, 9Q0HQ, A35EU, A52ZB, CP8MW, E51JHQ, HC5F, HC5M,
HZ1FI, JD1BPH, JG8NQJ/JD1, KC4/N2TA, KH2F, PJ4P, RI0BC (AS-042), RI1OB
(EU-133), T31EU, T6/IZ1CCK, TK/DB4BJ, UK/R1ZY, V31FO, VC7J (NA-036),
VC7X (NA-036), XV9YM, YE4/DL3KZA (OC-144), Z66X, ZA/DF8AN and ZA/DK8FA
--- We would like to see more QSL Bureaus (such as AS/US/SA/AF.. etc)
to send in their info....
SV/A, MT. ATHOS (Monk Iakovos, SV2RSG, Mount Athos News). The following is
a letter written by Monk Iakovos, SV2RSG, and was provided by
Theodore Giamtsidis, SV1GRM:
Dear Radio Amateur friends,
I am Monk Iakovos from the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou of Mount
Athos, bearing the distinct amateur radio call sign SV2RSG. I hereby take
the liberty to contact you and write in the circumstances of what has been
circulated as sporadic rumors regarding Mount Athos, Monk Apollo and me
in conjunction to the issue of ham radio activities (radio amateur).
My sole purpose and intention is to provide clarification, based on
actual facts and figures, in restoration of the truth. Regarding my eligi-
bility as a radio amateur and solid proof of it, there are the relevant
official records in the competent state service offices in Thessaloniki
but also in the pertinent Ministry in Athens, for anyone interested in
accessing, verifying, learning more, as well as relevant accompanying
photographic material that has come under exposure to public eye at various
given time periods.
Concerning the subject of a radio amateur license held by the passed
Monk Apollo (SV2ASP), whether licensed by the Holy Community (Greek Hiera
Koenotes) of Mount Athos for Amateur Radio Broadcasting, I would like to
clarify the following: The Holy Community has never shown any sign of
interest in this issue, until as recently as only 4 years ago.
The only permission granted to the late blessed Monk Apollo was for
radio warning communications (regarding natural as well as other serious
environmental hazards and disasters), in order to provide wider relative
information on local and near periphery level and thus triggering response
and support on combating, restricting and mitigating these disasters. On
the other hand, it was exactly the outbreak of a ravaging wildfire on Mount
Athos with terrible catastrophic effects that provided the motive for a
more positive disposition towards mentioned ham radio activity.
However, there has never actually been a permit for ham radio amateur
contests or daily ham radio activities, nor has it been any concern in the
interests of the Holy Community to deal with this issue, since the Holy
Community had at the time and still has much more serious and important
issues of actual substance to resolve and deal with than those pertinent
to a solitary Monk in his individual activity.
I say “individual activity” because the Monastery to which Monk Apollo
belonged had not requested for such actions, and had not put forth an
official Monastic request as such. This was also further demonstrated by
the total ignorance of the Holy Community about the actions of Monk Apollo
but also with their absence of knowledge regarding the definition, prin-
ciples, purpose, and key-functions of Amateur Radio.
This fact alone is a response to those who invoke issues of licenses
and concessions. This is also the reason why Monk Apollo did broadcast
with Thessaloniki as signal mark location and “/A” mark location on Mount
Athos, precisely because the base and station of transmission had to be
lawfully seated in Thessaloniki and not on Mount Athos.
Having thus no serious and formal information provided on the subject
from those who were directly involved and concerned, the Holy Community
considered the use and action of Ham Radio as a notion opposing tradition
and unrelated to Monasticism and its own tradition.
This at the exact very same time when Mount Athos is overwhelmed and
flooded with constant use of Internet, YouTube, email, social media,
mobile phone applications and every other wireless and recent technological
invention services.
Although people nowadays do say “mobile” and they mean “cellular phone”
the intended proper term to actually use is “radio” (frequency telecommuni-
cations). I tried with all my kind disposition and due respect to explain,
clarify and inform the Holy Epistasia – the Holy Supervisory Committee of
the Community (Greek Hiera Epistasia) – on the issue of “Ham/Amateur Radio”,
at the time when the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou sent me as a member
of their delegation regarding the Monastic request of a ham radio station
installation.
The Koutloumousiou delegation consisted of Monk Iakovos (SV2RSG), as the
representative of the Holy Monastery, the Monk driver and one more Monk,
all present during our presentation and attending the whole hearing process
of the Monastic request. Representatives of the Holy Epistasia of the Holy
Community of Mount Athos were the Holy Protepistate and other two Monastery
Epistates (Supervisors). Immediately, it became obviously clear that the
Holy Protepistate and the Monastery Epistates had, plausibly, no previous
or current knowledge of what Ham Radio is in general, its advantages and
how it works. In spite of my personal attempt to explain in detail, fill
in any gaps or answer eventual queries, unfortunately no one was finally
convinced of the use and usefulness of traditional amateur radio, not
because they were not convinced based on reasoning and argumentation, but
because there was lack of disposition towards dealing with the subject.
On the contrary, in reply to our presentation, I was met with many
negative comments and criticism about Monk Apollo and his ham radio
activities that I would not ever disclose for the sake of respect and
esteem for the late brother Monk Apollo. On many occasions I have even
received rebukes, insults and slander from friends of Monk Apollo and
other Ham Radio amateurs, mostly anonymous..
Mentioned above was certainly not with any intention to put blame or
accusation on anyone at all, I just need to attribute the truth to the
events and actual facts that happened between people we are struggling
together with in our weaknesses, passions and selfishness, during our
common spiritual struggle and objectives. However, nowadays that we are
going through a time period of total radio silence and relevant activity
in Mount Athos, this due to plausible ignorance and partial lack of
interest in such ham radio activities on the part of the Holy Community
(because of so many other more important and pressing issues demanding
our attention) we do have the opportunity to make an appeal.
With the status of a Holy Mount Athos Monk and as a Radio Amateur at
the same time, I invite and urge you and all those who love Mount Athos
and the tradition of Amateur Radio to join our hearts and voices in sending
letters or emails of support in spirit of respect to the Holy Community,
and pray and request for: Its reconsideration on the issue and – granting
their kind permission to install radio communications station(s), not to
any individual Monks, but to any of the Holy Monasteries that do wish to
install and operate such an installation (after decision of the Monasteries’
‘Committee’ and the ‘Council of Elders’) by designating / appointing a
Monk Radio Operator responsible for its proper function, under the stand-
ards and guidelines of well-established international and domestic tele-
communication rules and regulations. Glory be to God and our Lord Saviour
Jesus Christ for all things! In spirit of Jesus Christ’s love for all.
Monk Iakovos Koutloumousianos, SV2RSG
T30, WESTERN KIRIBATI. Operators Yuris/YL2GM, Jack/YL2KA, Kaspars/YL1ZF
and Kristers/YL3JA will be active as T30L from Western Kiribati (OC-017)
before their Nauru operation (see C2 above) between September 6-15th.
Activity will be on 160-6 meters, possibly 60m, using CW, SSB, RTTY and
FT8. Suggested frequencies will be published later. Split operation will
always be used: QSX CW up 2 (160m down 2, JA 1810-1820); and QSX SSB/RTTY
up 5. QSL via YL2GN direct or ClubLog (for direct or by the Bureau) for
paper QSLs. Full LoTW upload will be done 6 months after the end of the
DXPedition. For more details and updates, see:
http://www.lral.lv/c21w_t30l/index.html
Please do not send log correction requests. Corrections will not be
provided. All individual supporters 20 USDs+ will receive direct QSL.
Please do not send your QSL to them via Bureau - they are not required.
T45, CUBA (LH Op) Members of the DX Punta Maya Group will be active as
T45FM from the Punta Maya Lighthouse (NA-105, ILLW CU-032, ARLHS CU-005)
between August 15-19th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB
and the Digital modes. An emphasis will be on the International Light-
house/Lightship Weekend (ILLW). Operators of this special station will
be CO2DSE, CO5MK, CO5AY, CO5NS, CO5JK CO2ROD, CO5LB, CO5DOR, CO5SD,
CO5FR, CL5HMB and CO5HCM/W4HCM. QSL via RW6HS
V2, ANTIGUA. Bud, AA3B, will once again be active as V26K from Antigua
(NA-100) between September 8-20th. Activity will be sporadic because he
is doing maintenance on the station but will be primarily CW on various
HF bands. QSL via LoTW or via AA3B, direct or by the Bureau. An OQRS
will be available via ClubLog.
V6, MICRONESIA. Al, K7AR, will be active as V63AR from the South Park
Hotel on Pohnpei Island (OC-010) between November 18-26th. Activity will
be on various HF bands with a focus on 160/80m and including the CQWW
DX CW Contest (November 23-24th). QSL via his callsign. PLEASE NOTE:
This callsign was used once before in 2015 (QSL via JH2BNL).
VK9L, LORD HOWE ISLAND (Reminder). By the time you read this, Rick, AI5P,
should be active as VK9APX from Lord Howe Island (OC-004) until August
10th. Activity will be on 40-17 meters using CW and FT8. QSL via AI5P,
direct or by the Bureau. No LoTW, eQSL or ClubLog.
VK9L, LORD HOWE ISLAND. Michael, DF8AN, will be active as VK9LQ from Lord
Howe Island (OC-004) between November 21-27th. Activity will be on 160-6
meters using CW, RTTY, FT8 and other Digital modes. Michael states that
he "will work in FT8 DXPedition mode only if too many callers", but he
will mainly not work in DXPedition mode. Also, check the regular FT8
frequencies, and if too many callers, he will QSY to 14090, 7045 or 10142
in the DXPedition mode. QSL via DF8AN, direct, by the Bureau or eQSL.
NO ClubLog, OQRS or LoTW.
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