OPDX Bulletin 711 May 30, 2005

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 711
BID: $OPDX.711
May 30, 2005
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF-80 BBS 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, NC1L, W2VU, N3SL, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, W3YY, N4AA & QRZ DX, N5FG, K7ABV, K8YSE, 4X6UO, CT1END, CO8TW, DF4SA, DL1EK & The DX News Letter, F5CWU & La Gazette du DX, F5NQL & UFT, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, G3SWH, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, JA1ELY, JI6KVR & JA-IOTA Islands News, PT7WA, SP5XSD, SV1RK, VA3RJ & ICPO, VK4AAR and VK8NSB for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 22nd/May, through Sunday, 29th/May there were 209 countries active. Countries available: 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, D6, DL, DU, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, JA, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KH8, 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, S0, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP5, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, XZ, YA, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, 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
Andre, GM3VLB, is once again active as 3D2LB from Beachcomber Island (OC-121) until June 2nd. Activity is expected to be on 80-10 meters CW/SSB. Over the past week he has been heard mostly on 20 meters SSB. This is expected to be a holiday style operation. QSL direct only to his home callsign: Andre Saunders, 6 Douglas Crescent, Kelso, Roxburghshire TD5 8BB, Scotland, UK.

4X17/4Z17, ISRAEL (Special Activity/Event)
The Israel Amateur Radio Club (IARC) is proud to announce a special Amateur Radio operation honoring the largest Jewish sport event in the world - the 17th MACCABIAH GAMES - scheduled to be held in Tel-Aviv between July 10th-21st. Look for 14 Israeli special event stations to be on the air for 30 days beginning June 21st (20 days prior to the official opening of the games) until July 21st. Twelve stations will be active with the letters in their suffix from which the word "MACCABIAH" can be spelled. The other two stations will use a wild card ("joker") to assist the task. Here are the callsigns:

Group A: 4X17M, 4X17A, 4X17C, 4X17B, 4X17I and 4X17H
Group B: 4Z17M, 4Z17A, 4Z17C, 4Z17B, 4Z17I and 4Z17H Joker: 4X17MG and 4Z17MG

A special Award will be available for stations having at least 6 valid QSOs with the participating special event stations. The operation is valid for all radio amateurs and SWLs around the world. More details are available via the following Web pages:

http://www.iarc.org/~4z4tl/Maccabiah17_main.htm
http://www.iarc.org

9M8, EAST MALAYSIA (Mountain DXpedition Postponed!)
OPDX has been informed by Alan, VK4AAR, that the proposed June expedition to a Dayak village in the mountains near Kuching City has been postponed until August 31st. (See OPDX.709 for details) Nothing else has been changed. Operators are still being sought to join them, and any one interested should contact 9M8SC at: chansc44@yahoo.com Alan, VK4AAR, wants it understood that he is NOT the organizer of this venture. Mr. S C Chan, 9M8SC, is in the driving seat and all E-mails should be directed to him. However, Alan is their QSL Manager by appointment. The callsign will be announced later.

A3, TONGA
YL operators Elizabeth/VE7YL and Gwen/VK3DYL are now active as A35YL from Nuku'alofa (OC-049). Look for them to be active from Vava'u (OC-064) before they leave on June 8th. Their expected activity will be on 40-10 meter CW and SSB. They were spotted this past week on 20 meters CW/SSB and on 40/17 meters CW. QSL via VK3DYL, by the bureau or direct with 2 USDs or 1 new IRC.

A3, TONGA
Rick, AI5P, is expected to be in Tonga from May 28th until June 7th and be active as A35PX. Activity will be mostly on CW on 40-10 meters. As this was being typed no QSNs were reported. QSL via AI5P.

C6, BAHAMAS
Pete/W2GJ and Steve/AA4V are currently planning two trips to Crooked Island (NA-113). They are expected to be active in the IOTA Contest in July, and the CQ WW SSB Contest in late October. Both contests will be a Multi-Single entries. Their callsigns will be C6ARV (AA4V) and C6APR (W2GJ). Both operators will be active on the WARC bands before and after the contests. QSL via their home callsigns (QRZ.com).

C6, BAHAMAS
Eric, K9GY, will be active as C6AYM from December 23rd to January 1st. He will be on the Islands of Nassau and Paradise. Activity will be mainly QRP CW on 40-10 meters and also 6 and 2 meters. QSL via K9GY.

CQ MAGAZINE NEWS RELEASES
CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, sent out two press releases this past week. OPDX InterNet Subscribers will receive the complete press releases as extra bulletins. The following are excerpts or summary of the two press releases:

* CQ Introduces "iDX Award" to Help "Wake Up DXing" -- CQ Amateur Radio magazine announced the introduction of the "iDX Award," the third and final piece of its three-part "Waking Up DXing" program designed to encourage more DXing activity among ham radio operators. DXing, for the uninitiated, is the "sport" of contacting other hams in faraway places. The CQ iDX Award recognizes confirmed contacts with 25 to 100 different countries ("entities") made using remote bases or repeaters linked with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networks, such as IRLP or Echolink, and is aimed at developing a DXing "mindset" among newer hams. Contacts for the new award may be made beginning January 1, 2006. Complete details are in the June 2005 issue of CQ and on the CQ Web site at:
http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com

* CQ Announces 2005 Hall of Fame Inductees -- From Dayton, OH, on May 22nd, CQ Amateur Radio magazine announced the induction of 17 new members of its Amateur Radio, Contesting and DXing Halls of Fame.


           CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame inductees are:
                    Mario Ambrosi, I2MQP
                    John Chambers, W6NLZ
                        Ted Cohen, N4XX
                      Bob Ferrero, W6RJ
         William "Bud" Hargreaves, K4HMV
                      Chod Harris, VP2ML
            Ivan "Sonny" Harrison, W5HBE
                  Edmund Marriner, W6BLZ/W6XM
                 Boris Meshevtsev, RV3IZ/EX3TM
                        Les Moxon, G6XN
                      Loyd Sigmon, W6LQ
                    Phillip Smith, 1ANB
                  Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD
                    Thomas, Ralph, W2UK/KH6UK


              CQ Contest Hall of Fame inductees are:
                         Jeff Briggs, K1ZM
                Charles "Rusty" Epps, W6OAT


              CQ DX Hall of Fame inductees are:
                    Masayoshi Ebisawa, JA1DM

CS9, MADEIRA ISLAND (Special Event)
During the month of July, look for special event station CS9SRA to be active comemorating the 50th aniversary of the Cattle Exibition in Porto Moniz, Madeira Island (CT3). Details are available (in Spanish) on the following Web pages:

http://www.arrm.pt.vu
http://members.netmadeira.com/arrm/noticias.htm

CU4, AZORES (Contest/IOTA/Lighthouse Activity)
A group of 12 European operators will activate Graciosa Island (EU-175) between July 23rd and August 4th. Hermann, HB9CRV, will kick it off as CU4/CT3FN on 6 meters, including a beacon on 50.112 MHz. The entire group will begin operations as CU4T from Lighthouse do Carapacho (LH-113) on July 27. The operators mentioned are: CT1AGF, CT1EPV, CT1EGW, CT1GFK, CT1GPQ, DJ2VO, DF6QV, G3KHZ, HB9CNU, HB9CQL, HB9CRV/CT3FN and HB9EBV. For the IOTA Contest, July 30-31, look for the group to be a Multi/Single entry, and the callsign will be changed to CU4M, then revert to CU4T after the contest. Outside of the contest, operations will include RTTY and PSK. QSL CU4M and CU4T to CT1GFK, direct or by the bureau. QSL CU4/CT3FN via HB9CRV, direct or by the bureau.

DXCC NEWS
Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL DXCC Manager, reports that the following operation is approved for DXCC credit:
T68G - Afghanistan. Current operation effective April 2005.

IOTA NEWS
AS-084. A group of eleven Koean operators will activate Chu'ja Island from June 3-5th. Operators will sign homecall/4. The group of operators mentioned are: HL2EJT, HL1OJQ, HL1OYF, HL1SRJ, HL1VAU, DS1KOQ, DS1NMA, DS3MLG, DS4NMJ, DS4NYE and the President of the Korea Amateur Radio League, HL2AGG. QSL via HL1OYF.

EU-055. Ric, DL2VFR, will be active as LA/homecall from Hellesoy Island between now and June 3rd. Activity will be mainly CW. QSL via his home callsign (by the Bureau is "OK").

EU-056. Ric, DL2VFR, will be active as LA/homecall from Otroy Island, between June 4-11th. Activity will be mainly CW. QSL via his home callsign (by the Bureau is "OK").

EU-064. Members of the Provins ARC will be active using a special callsign (TM0**) on the Ile de Noirmoutier (DIFM AT-020) during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 30-31st). The group will be active from Bernard's, F9IE, QTH. Team members mentioned are: Franck/F4AJQ, Bernard/F9IE, John/F5VHQ and Pascal/F5JSD. QSL via F4AJQ, direct or by the bureau.

EU-065. Look for a multi-national team from France, Scotland and Belgium to be active as TM4Z from Ouessant Island (DIFM AT-001) in the IOTA Contest (July 30-31st). QSL via F4DXW, direct or by the bureau.

EU-108. Jim, MM0BQI, will be active as MM0BQI/p from Lunga Island, Treshnish Isles (IOSA NH-17 and SCOTIA DI-09), June 2-5th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters, including the WARC bands, using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via MM0BQI, by the Bureau or direct to: Jim Martin, MM0BQI, 3 Lismore Avenue, Edinburgh, EH8 7DW, SCOTLAND.

EU-158. Operators Mike/SV1RK, Stavros/SV3CUJ and Kostas/SV1AER will be active as J48SI from Sapientza Island and Sapientza Lighthouse (GRE 116) on June 3-5th. Their main activity will be on 40/20/17/15 meters. This will be the first ever amateur radio activation from Sapientza Island.

EU-184. Members of the Oulu University Radio Club will be active as OH8T/P from Hailuoto Island during the IARU Region 1 Field Day (CW), June 4-5th. QSL via the bureau.

J6, ST. LUCIA
Operators Scott/N9AG (J68AS), Kirk/W8QID (J68ID) and Mark/WB9CIF (J6/WB9CIF) will be here from June 21st to July 5th. Their activity will be mostly 6 meters, RTTY and 160 meters (for the VKs), but all bands are available. QSL to their home callsigns.

KH2, GUAM
Philip, KH2X, will be active from Guam (OC-064) during the RGSB IOTA Contest (July 30-31st) as a Single-Op/High-Power entry. QSL KH2X.

P4, ARUBA
John, W2GD, will be active again as P40W during the CQ WW DX CW Contest (November 26-27th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via N2MM. Look for activity on the WARC bands and 160m during the week before the contest.

QSL INFO AND NEWS
NEW QSL MANAGER. Phil, G3SWH, is pleased to announce that, effective immediatedly, he has been appointed the QSL Manager for James, 9J2CA. Phil states, "Direct preferred, Bureau OK or E-mail for Bureau card, but please remember that bureau cards take a very long time. Five years is typical. Please include adequate postage and a C6 sized SAE for the return of any direct QSLs. U.S. Dollars are *MUCH* preferred to IRCs but please remember that 1 USD is *NOT* sufficient postage for an airmail reply outside Europe. Please note that the current, new style of IRC has an expiration date of 31st December 2006. Mint stamps and other currencies are *NOT* welcome."

NOT THE MANAGER. Phil, G3SWH, reports that he has started to receive QSL requests for 9K2CQ, and he is NOT the QSL Manager. He has also been seeing spots on the Cluster naming him as the QSL manager. NOT THE MANAGER. Maurice, F5NQL, DX Page Editor for Megahertz Magazine, informs OPDX that he is "NOT or HAS EVER BEEN" the QSL Manager for 7V2SI (Sandja Island) and 5U5Z. The correct QSL routes are as follows: 7V2SI - QSL via OM3CGN (per Buck.com):
Ivan Gombos, Box 55, Rimavska Sobota, 97901, Slovak Republic.
E-mail: om3gch@nextra.sk
5U5Z - QSL via Roger, G3SXW. Address for direct cards is Buck.com):
Roger K. Western, 7 Field Close, Chessington, Surry KT9 2QD,
England, UK
E-mail: G3sxw@compuserve.com

QSL CO8TW via IZ8CCW. Activity was during the CQ WPX CW Contest. Look for the log to be posted at:

http://www.qsl.net/co8tw/

All CS5A QSOs will be confirmed via the bureau automatically. For direct cards, the QSL Manager is CS1GDX: Grupo Portugues DX, P.O.Box 1156, 2736-996 Agualva, Portugal.

QSL VQ5L to LA9HW, by the Bureau or direct (Please note that it is neccessary to send 2 USDs for return postage from Norway when QSLing direct). This special prefix was used from Turks and Caicos Islands (VP5) during the CQ WPX SSB Contest in March.

QSL LX7I via LX2AJ. Operator was Jorgen, DL4SDW, in the CQ WW WPX CW Contest.

Andy, SP5XSD, reports that the SP60VD special event station's logs are now online at:

http://sp5kvw.webpark.pl/sp60vd.htm

QSL TM4Q via F6FYA. Activity from Berthenay (Department 37). Their Web page is:

http://www.qrz.com/tm4q

NEW QSL MANAGER. Stuie, VK8NSB, informs OPDX that he has a new QSL Manager. The new manager is Neil, VK6NE. QSL is "OK" via the Bureau or direct.

QSL ZW8A via PS8HF and ZW8DX via PS8DX, both direct only. Activity is by the Teresina DX Group (PS8) from the Canaria Island (SA-072).

SILENT KEYS
Bill, VK4FW, informed OPDX that "I have just received news that Norman Jockane/C21NJ became silent key last year. This explains why we have not heard him on the bands."

Floyd, N5FG, informs OPDX that Bushy Roode, ZS6M, became a "Silent Key" on Monday, May 23rd.

OPDX and its readers would like to send out our deepest sympathy to Norman's and Bushy's families and friends.

SPECIAL EVENT
To celebrate the 73rd annual "24 Heures du Mans" being held June 18-19th in Le Mans, France, the radio amateurs of Sarthe will activate TM6ACO between June 5-19th, which includes the 24 hour race. Activity will be on all bands CW and SSB. A special QSL card will be issued. QSL via F6KFI. The radio amateurs of Sarthe have been airing a special callsign for 54 years, since 1952. These callsigns have been used in the past: F3YE, F3XC, F8GE, F6KFI, TV6ACO and TM6ACO. A special "24 Heures du Mans Award" is available for anyone who has contacted three of the special callsigns (GCR + 10 Euros) by sending to F6KFI: BP22088, F-72002 LE MANS CEDEX 1 (FRANCE). More information is available at:

http://asso.proxiland.fr/aras72/

SPECIAL EVENT (Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration)
Members of the "Great Falls Area Amateur Radio Club" in Great Falls, Montana, will activate the special event callsign, W7M, from 0000z, June 13th through 2359z, June 26th. Suggested frequncies are:

SSB - 3855, 7250, 14250, 21350 and 28350 kHz
CW - 35 kHz up from band edge
QSL with SASE/IRC to: W7ECA, P.O.BOX 1763, Great Falls, MT. 59403-1763

T88, PALAU
Yasu/JA6BJV and Toshio/JA3IFT will be going here for their vacation between June 3-6th. Yasu will operate CW as T88AG and Toshio will operate SSB as T88AH. They will be on all bands, but mainly on 40 meters and above. QSL via the bureau, to their home callsigns or direct to their address below.
JA6BJV: Noriyasu Noguchi, 3-7-4 Midorigaoka, Arao, Kumamoto, 864-0033 JAPAN
JA3IFT: Toshio Nishina, 224-1, Jyuri, Ritto, Shiga 520-3039 JAPAN
The T88AG log is expected to be uploaded to the LoTW.

VU, INDIA
Bob, W3YY, informs OPDX that he is sorry to report that Miku, VU2WAP, has lost his main tower and antenna which were destroyed in a recent storm. Miku is currently assessing the damage and deciding what to do next.

ZB2, GIBRALTAR
Adrian, G0KOM, will be active as ZB2/G0KOM for the UKSMG 6 meter Contest during the first weekend of June. He expects to be active between June 2-6th. Although his primary efforts will be 6 meters, he will also have HF capability and will also operate on all bands except for 160m. Adrian hopes to travel to Gibraltar at least 2 more times over the summer for the sporadic E season. QSL via his home callsign.

** IMPORTANT NOTICE/REMINDER **
The Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin now has a new FAX number.
Contributors can now send/fax their DX information to the following number:
1-419-828-7791 ( F A X only! )

SPECIAL NOTE BY EDITOR:
If you are having a problem receiving bounced mail by sending mail to me via " kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org ",
please send mail to me via " kb8nw@arrl.net "...... TNX de Tedd KB8NW

OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUEST:

Help: opdx-request@nshore.org Subject:help
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OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME (provided by John, K8YSE (k8yse@papays.com):
http://www.papays.com/opdx.html

ALSO VISIT THE NORTERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
http://www.papays.com/nodxa.html

Excerpts and distribution of The OPDX Bulletin are granted as long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receive credit.
To contribute DX info, please send via InterNet Mail to:
kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org
- OR -
kb8nw@arrl.net

Information can now be faxed to the following "NEW" phone line at:
1-419-828-7791 (F A X only!)

Additional Bulletins for OPDX InterNet Subscribers

CQ Communications, Inc. / 25 Newbridge Rd. / Hicksville, NY 11801 NEWS RELEASE For release: IMMEDIATE For more information, contact: Rich Moseson, W2VU, Editor 516-681-2922 w2vu@cq-amateur-radio.com CQ Announces 2005 Hall of Fame Inductees (Dayton, OH - May 22, 2005) - CQ Amateur Radio magazine today announced the induction of 17 new members of its Amateur Radio, Contesting and DXing Halls of Fame. CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame The CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame recognizes those amateurs who have made significant contributions either to amateur radio or to their professional fields; as well as individuals, whether amateurs or not, who have made significant contributions to amateur radio. This year's 14 inductees are: Mario Ambrosi, I2MQP - Prominent Italian amateur and author of many radio books; John Chambers, W6NLZ - With KH6UK, proved the existence of the California- Hawaii VHF/UHF propagation "duct" in 1957. Ted Cohen, N4XX - Propagation expert, CQ author for more than 30 years; Bob Ferrero, W6RJ - President of Ham Radio Outlet, major supporter of many DXing and contesting activities; William "Bud" Hargreaves, K4HMV - "Father of the Polycomm," VHF transceiver; Chod Harris, VP2ML - Noted DXer, writer and publisher; Ivan "Sonny" Harrison, W5HBE - Developed the "Carterphone," which led the way for widespread internet and e-mail access via "dialup" connections.; Edmund Marriner , W6BLZ/W6XM - Author of dozens of construction project articles in CQ; Boris Meshevtsev, RV3IZ/EX3TM - Prominent Russian contester, DXer and author; Les Moxon, G6XN - Antenna developer, author; Loyd Sigmon, W6LQ - Developed precursor of today's radio traffic reports; Phillip Smith, 1ANB - Inventor of the Smith Chart for determining transmission line impedances; Jonathan Taylor, K1RFD - Developer of Echolink network for linking repeaters and individual amateurs via the internet; Thomas, Ralph, W2UK/KH6UK - With W6NLZ, proved the existence of the California-Hawaii VHF/UHF propagation "duct" in 1957. CQ Contest Hall of Fame The CQ Contest Hall of Fame recognizes amateurs who have made outstanding contributions in the world of amateur radio contesting. Two new members are being inducted in 2005: Jeff Briggs, K1ZM - Holds more than a dozen contesting records, has won more than a dozen contests in his operating class, has operated on 16 contest DXpeditions and in two World Radiosport Team Championships. Also 160-meter expert and author. Charles "Rusty" Epps, W6OAT - Co-founder of the World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC), co-creator of the North American Sprint contest and was a founding member of the Northern California Contest Club (NCCC); started the Georgia QSO Party while still in high school. CQ DX Hall of Fame The CQ DX Hall of Fame recognizes significant contributions to the art of DXing, or contacting hams in faraway places. There is one inductee for 2005: Masayoshi Ebisawa, JA1DM - Arguably Japan's top DXer, with a total of 382 confirmed entities (#1 ranking in Japan). He is the lead card checker for DXCC in Japan and has written and/or translated several articles about DXing and the ARRL's new "Logbook of the World" system for Japanese ham magazines. CQ congratulates all of these deserving honorees. Plaques for Contest and DX Hall of Fame inductees were presented at the Dayton Hamvention®. Complete details will be in the July 2005 issue of CQ magazine. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- For release: Immediate For more information, contact: Rich Moseson, W2VU, Editor 516-681-2922 w2vu@cq-amateur-radio.com CQ Introduces "iDX Award" to Help "Wake Up DXing" (Hicksville, NY - May 17, 2005) - CQ Amateur Radio magazine today announced the introduction of the "iDX Award," the third and final piece of its three-part "Waking Up DXing" program designed to encourage more DXing activity among ham radio operators. DXing, for the uninitiated, is the "sport" of contacting other hams in faraway places. "The iDX Award brings back and updates an old concept," says CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, "of introductory-level awards to help bring newer hams into the sport and mindset of DXing." In the past, Moseson noted, there were Novice awards, but most have been discontinued as changes in licensing have meant that virtually all new hams today enter as Technicians, operating in the VHF and UHF ham bands. "The iDX Award brings the concept of the Novice award to where newer hams are operating today." The CQ iDX Award recognizes confirmed contacts with 25 to 100 different countries ("entities") made using remote bases or repeaters linked with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networks, such as IRLP or Echolink, and is aimed at developing a DXing "mindset" among newer hams. "The demarcation between wired and wireless communication is blurred by modern integrated systems employed by public safety agencies and commercial users," adds CQ DX Awards Manager Billy Williams, N4UF. "This 'blurring of the line' between wired and wireless has already reached amateur radio in several ways ­ using the internet to collect and distribute DX 'spots,' propagation data and location information, using the internet to link existing VHF and UHF repeaters over great distances, and using the internet to access an HF 'remote base' station. It is these last two on which the CQ iDX Award will focus … The CQ iDX Award recognizes the changing landscape and its inevitable effect on where Amateur Radio will be in 2020." Moseson and Williams both noted that at least one end of each contact must be made over the radio to count for the award. "Computer-to-computer contacts, while possible on such systems as Echolink, will not count for this award," they noted. "At least one person in each contact must be on the radio." Contacts for the new award may be made beginning January 1, 2006. Complete details are in the June 2005 issue of CQ and on the CQ website at . CQ previously introduced the CQ DX Field Award (April 2005 issue) and the new CQ DX Marathon (May 2005 issue) as the first two parts of its "Waking Up DXing" program.

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