OPDX Bulletin 790 December 25, 2006

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 790
BID: $OPDX.790
December 25, 2006
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, NJ1Q, W1BYH, KF2TI, W2IRT, K3PD, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4VUD, N4AA & QRZ DX, K8YSE, Pete's-DX-Newsdesk, CT1EAT, DJ5AV & The DX News Letter, DK8JB, DL4KQ, DL7JAN, F5NQL & UFT, F5PFP, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, LZ1BJ, PA3GIO, PY7RP, RSGB IOTA, SP9MRO, UA9LP, UX0FF and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX information.

SPECIAL NOTE FROM EDITOR (Tedd, KB8NW)
My family (wife/OPDX's chief proof-reader Linda, son Teddy [TJ] and his wife Jessi, daughter Katie) and I (KB8NW) would like to wish all DXers, Contesters and OPDX readers a very "Happy Holiday and Season's Greetings". Thanks to the individuals who sent holiday wishes to my family and me. I tried to answer all of them this time around.......
73 and Have a Great Holiday de Tedd KB8NW

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 17th-December, through Sunday, 24th-December there were 214 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5V, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E5/s, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J6, J7, JA, JT, JX, JY, K, 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, PY, PZ, R1FJ, S0, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/A, SV5, SV9, T32, T7, T9, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TU, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V7, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VP2E, VP2V, VP6, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, VU7, XE, XU, XW, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YU6, YV, Z2, Z3, Z7, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, 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).

3B6, AGALEGA (DXpedition Update)
Witek, SP9MRO, informs OPDX that members of Polski Zwiazek Krotkofalowcow (PZK)(the Polish Amateur Radio Union) and SP-DX-Club will NOT be active on 6 meters during their planned March 2007 Agalega Dxpedition. They have recently learned that 6 meters is not allowed because of the regulations (since October 2002) by the local telecommunic- ation authority.

3 STEVES & W1AW
Here is your chance to work the "3 Steve's" again. The trio will be guest op'ing at the ARRL station, W1AW, Wednesday, December 27th, from 1700-2045z. Operators are Steve/KF2TI, Steve/N2IFA, Steve/KB2ENF and Kurt/W2MW (aka Steve). This is the group's 14th annual WAS (Worked All Steve's) DXpedition to Newington and they will be operating the following bands:

30m CW (Kurt/W2MW aka Steve)
15/20/40m SSB (Steve, Steve and Steve)
6m SSB The 4th operator Andrew-N2IFB will try his hand on this band.
Depending on conditions, they will try 10 meters SSB as well and listening for contacts outside the U.S. Packet spots will be posted. ADDED NOTE: If you work any 3 operators, they will send you a beautiful, full color WAS (Worked All Steve's) certificate (suitable for framing). No QSL is needed, as they will have copies of the log and send out a certificate to all those who qualify. The logs will be posted after January 1st on their Web site:
http://3stevesandkurt.dynu.com/
This is not an officially sanctioned ARRL event. It is run for fun by the 3 Steve's and a Kurt Amateur Radio Association - WK3SS (all rights reserved), and they are responsible for the printing and sending of the 3 Steve's and a Kurt Worked All Steve's certificate (suitable for framing). ANOTHER NOTE: They hope to have the 3 Steves/KP2 certificates and cards out very soon. They apologize for the delay.

3V, TUNISIA
Alex, GM0DHZ, will be active as 3V8SS for five weeks starting January 7th. This will be a holiday-style operation with activity on 80-10 meters and possibly 160m, CW and SSB.

4S, SRI LANKA
Ben, DL7UCX, will be active (possibly as) 4S7UCG from December 26th and January 5th. This will be a holiday style operation with activity being focused on 160-30 meters CW. QSL via DL7UCX, by the bureau or direct.

5H, TANZANIA (Update/IOTA Op)
Serge "Sam", F6AML (TX6A), a member of the "F6KOP Provins ARS Team", will be active as 5H1Z from Zanzibar Island (AF-032) between January 18-29th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters CW/SSB with 400 watts and verticals. Sam will pay special attention for west coast NA and JA (Asia) stations. QSL is OK via the French REF Bureau (only this bureau) or direct with SAE + 1 IRC or with 1 USD for Europe or 2 USDs for the rest of the world.

5U, NIGER
Christian (ex-TZ9A and other African calls) has had a 5U licence since December 5th. Look for him to sign 5U5U during a one month activity starting January 3rd, and he intends to repeat this several times during the coming year. Operations will be on all bands and SSB. QSL direct to: Christian Saint-Arroman, Chemin de Mousteguy, F-64990 Urcuit, France.

6W, SENEGAL
Bert, PA3GIO, will be active as PA3GIO/6W between January 3-10th, from the 6W7RV DX Shack in Somone, Senegal: http://www.le-calao.com/ Activity will be on 160-10 meters SSB only, using 100w, V80 Titanex for low bands, 3 element monobanders for 10/15/20m and a Doublet for 12/17m. Bureau QSLs can be confirmed by using the QSL request form on his Web site, and for direct QSL, please use the info on his Web site, PA3GIO DXpeditions:

http://www.pa3gio.nl/

9Q, DEM. REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Georges, VE2EK, who works for the United Nations as a Senior Broadcast Technology Officer, continues to be active as 9Q1EK. He has been very active on 40 and 30 meters CW usually beginning around 2130z. Georges states that 80% of his activity is mainly CW. It was announced this past week that he now has a QSL Manager - Osten, SM5DQC. See details at:

http://www.qrz.com/callsign/9q1ek
Also, visit Georges's interesting blog Web page at:
http://ve2ek.blogspot.com/

A3, TONGA (OC-049)
Just a reminder that Mark, VK2GND, will be active as A35GN from December 25th to January 3rd. Suggested frequencies are: 7050, 14195 and 14273 kHz. QSL via VK2GND.

A3, TONGA
Nag, JA7GAX, is currently active as A35TN from Tongatapu Island (OC-049), the main island of Tonga. Activity has been mainly CW on 40/30/20/17 meters. He is expected to leave the main island on December 26th, and operate as A35TN/N from the rare Island of Niuatoputapu (OC-191). It has been reported that he will be there until January 2nd before moving on to the Island of Vava'u (OC-064) for a few days and operate as A35TN/V. Nag will leave for Fiji on January 4th and once again be active as 3D2CX. QSL via JA7GAX, direct only (QRZ.com).

ANTARTIC NEWS
Henry, LU4DXU, announced this past week that the base "Almirante Brown" on Graham Land will be open between January 12th and March 10th. This very rare base is located 64.5°South, 62.5°West. No details were provided about a ham operator on base but more details are forthcoming.

C6, BAHAMAS
Operators Peter/W2IRT and Tom/N2YTF will be active as W2IRT/C6A and N2YTF/C6A, respectively, from Nassau (NA-001) between February 24th and March 2nd. Look for activity on SSB/CW/RTTY, mostly on 17/20/40 meters, but they will try the higher bands if propagation allows. N2YTF may be doing some satellite and HF-QRP work as well. This is a part-time vacation- style operation. QSL via W2IRT (see (QRZ.com)). Their logs will also be uploaded to LoTW upon their return.

HI3, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Norm. W1BYH, will be active from here between January 6-12th. His activities, which will include the ARRL RTTY Roundup Contest, will be on all bands including the WARC bands, but emphasizing RTTY and PSK31. Operations will be limited since this is a vacation/mini- DXpedition. QSL by LoTW, e-QSL, DIRECT or by the Bureau to W1BYH.

IOTA NEWS
AS-079. Operator Take, JS6RRR, will be active as JS6RRR/JS6 from Miyako Island (WLOTA LH-0249), December 28th through January 9th. Activity will be on CW, SSB and RTTY, on the HF bands. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.

EU-048. Operator Fred, F5OZK, will be active as TM0ZK from Belle Ile en Mer (DIFM AT-015) between December 26-30th. Look for activity on all bands with an emphasis on the digitals modes. He will use a FT1000 and G5RV antenna. QSL via F5OZK (CBA).

NA-061. Operator John, VE7JZ, will be active as VE7JZ/p from Kaien Island (BC-005 for the Canadian Islands Award), January 7-20th. Activity will be on 40/20 meters only, on the usual IOTA frequencies (+/-10 kHz). QSL via his home callsign, direct is preferred, but the bureau is "OK".

NA-110. Operator Rich, K4FCP, will be active as K4FCP/p from Hunting Island (USI SC-003S, Beaufort County, South Carolina), December 27-30th. Activity will be on 20 and 15 meters throughout the day. QSL via K4BMS (QRZ.com).

OC-244. Francisco, CT1EAT, will be active as DU1/CT1EAT from Romblon Island, January 1-17th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters, SSB and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign, direct or LoTW only. More info available at:

http://www.qsl.net/ct1eat

SA-023. (Update/Reminder) Just a reminder that a group of operators will activate Itaparica Island between December 27-30th, as as ZY6T. Operators are: PY7GK, PY7RP, PY7VI and PY7XC. For more details see:

http://zy6t.atspace.com
QSL via PY7GK.

IS0, SARDINIA (50/144 & EME Op)
Look for Giancarlo, I0JU, to be active as IS0/I0JU between December 27th and January 2nd. From Grid Square JN40DN, he will have two stations with sufficient power (600 and 1k watts on 6 and 2 meters) on the air. Main activity will be focused on EME and MS.

LZ2007, BULGARIA
On January 1st, 2007, Bulgaria will become a full member of the European Union, and to commemorate this event, look for the HQ of the Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs to air the special event callsign LZ2007EU between January 1st and April 30th, 2007. QSL (preferably) via the LZ QSL Bureau to LZ1BJ.

QSL INFO AND NEWS

EO15YW via US0YW
TA1HZ direct Dr T A Kazancioglu,
Cilekli Caddesi No.24 Levent
34330, Istanbul, Turkey
TM3WRC via F4ELU
YV1RDX via IT9DAA
ZA1UT via OH2BH
QSL STATUS OF 7P8JF, 7P8DJ and 7P8WO. Jan, DL7JAN (aka 7P8JF), informs that all direct cards that were received as of December 16th, have been mailed out as of December 18th. You should get your cards within the next few days.

QSL ROUTE CHANGES for Georgian stations effective immediately:
QSLs for 4L0G, 4L0HQ and 4L2M now go via UA9LP (for European and Asia radio amateurs.
QSLs for 4L4BBC and 4L0ABC are now direct only, and they will not accept bureau cards.
PLEASE NOTE: K3PD is no longer manager for any Georgian stations.

NEW PERMANENT ADDRESS. Charly, K4VUD/HS0ZCW, states that the following QSL address is now permanent for HS0ZCW, VU4AN/VU3CHE, 9N7UD and A52UD: Charly Harpole, P. O. Box 1, Nakhon Chaisi, Nakhon Pathom, THAILAND 73120. He adds, "All previous addresses you may have are still operational... good... for at least the next year, so if you mailed to me prior to today, I will still get your letter. Only my K4VUD Florida address is NO good now."

QSL special event station EO15FF via UX0FF, direct or by the bureau. QSLs (new version) are already printed. Activity is to celebrate the 15th anniversary of UARL (Ukrainian Amateur Radio Leagaue). Activity will end December 25th. QSOs are good towards the special commemorative “UARL-15 Award" (See OPDX.787 for details).

SOLAR CYCLE 24 (Good News for DXers!)
Scientists are predicting that the next solar cycle (24) will be BIG. Solar Physicist David Hathaway of the Marshall Space Flight Center states solar cycle 24 is due to peak in 2010 or 2011, and "looks like its going to be one of the most intense cycles since record-keeping began almost 400 years ago." He also states that the geomagnetic storms may be so extreme, it could "cause power outages and make compass needles swing in the wrong direction." Their analysis shows the next Solar Maximum should peak around 2010 with a sunspot number of 160 plus or minus 25 making this the strongest solar cycle in the past fifty years — possibly one of the strongest in recorded history. For the complete story, please visit the founding Web page at:

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/21dec_cycle24.htm?list50675

SV/A, MOUNT ATHOS
Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A, was active early Sunday morning on 20 meters (14250 kHz) SSB around/after 0900z. He is expected to be active over the next two weeks. QSL direct.

V2, ANTIGUA
Operators Mark/W9OP and Bob/W4OWY will again be on from here possibly as V25WY (W4OWY) and V25OP (W9OP), March 19-25th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, CW, SSB and RTTY.

VU7, LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS (VU2LD News)
The following press release is from the VU7LD Web site dated December 22nd (edited):

VU7LD PRESS RELEASE - 11
"Just a few days left for VU7LD to complete their work on Kavaratti Island in Lakshadweep. After VU2LX, VU3ELR, VU3SPQ and VU2GMN returned to the mainland yesterday, there are VU2NKS, VU3IZO, VU3RGP, VU3RSB, VU2PJP and VU2RCR left to work the remaining days, wind up and transport the equipment back to the mainland.

In spite of propagation not being at its best, several solar flares and multiple power outages, the team has managed almost 50K QSO’s and we hope to up the number during the last few sessions, especially in digital modes. There was also a huge lightning strike on the island a few days ago that destroyed several television sets, refrigerators etc and the team is very fortunate that we were not affected and no damage to equipment took place.

The transfer of logs to the mainland for updating the webpage has been a problem but VU2ZAP and VU2SJD have been working very hard to sort out the many errors and partials that have been brought to our notice and updating the online logs. VU2ZAP has also been diligently answering all mail regarding errors and we expect that most of the issues will be sorted out completely. There will be more releases later.
Stay tuned...."

73, de Gopal VU2GMN

VU7LD PRESS RELEASE 12 (dated December 23rd)

"We have found that several times when one of our operators, especially CW operators go QRT, some other station starts operating with the same call sign and gives reports. These are obviously pirates and so the QRG station thinks it has worked VU7LD when in fact it was a pirate. Obviously then the contact will not reflect on the on line logs. Please bear this in mind."
Stay tuned, de Gopal VU2GMN

Currently, the online logs are available for the period between December 1st through part of December 14th, at the following URL address:

http://www.arsi.info/vu7/onlinelog.shtml
Next log update is expected on December 26th. Remember to QSL via W3HNK. For more details and updates, the ARSI Web page is available at:
http://www.arsi.info/vu7/

VU7, LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS (VU2RG News)
The following press release is from the VU7RG Web site and Frank/DL4KQ dated December 22nd (edited):

"VU7RG permitted to operate on 30m Band!!! Today special permit was granted by WPC (Indian Govt.) thanks to relentless efforts of the National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR), namely well known Mrs. Bharathi VU2RBI. Due to the current poor conditions 30m will have high priority for the VU7RG operations since it will be one of the few bands to serve the most difficult regions, especially North America.

First freights, including efficient 30m antennas, has already been shipped a few days ago. The first advance teams will enter the islands on January 9th to start with the setups so that the public can expect the start of operations on time.

More details can be found on www.vu7.in which should be visited from now on on regular base since there might be more breaking news possible within the next days! VU7RG will be a full-fledged operation of ex- perienced Hams with good equipment taking care of your needs! We need your support!"

ADDED NOTE:"You now have a comparison from the area we are going to, and this gives us the opportunity to benefit from your monitored band- openings; hence providing us with your observations and valuable sug- gestions so that we can analyze and consider them for a well-planned operation of 15 stations! Get part of the team and use the VU7RG Blog Log to tell us your observations."

SPECIAL NOTE: Dov, 4Z4DX/M0DOV, will be active from VU7RG on 160m, 80m and RTTY on 17m from January 18-25th. SKEDS ARE WELCOME BEFORE JANUARY 15th via: 4z4dx@iarc.org


   As this bulletin was being written, the VU7RG Web site released the
   following suggested operating frequencies and modes for the three
   islands to be activated:
   Band         Agatti             Bangaram              Kadmat
   -----        -------            --------              ------
   160m         1820-1832 CW           -                 1832-1845 CW
                1820-1832 SSB          -                 1845-1860 SSB
                    -                  -                 1905-1915 QSX


    80m         3500-3520 CW           -                 3520-3540 CW
                3640-3670 SSB          -                 3670-3700 SSB
                    -                  -                 3775-3825 QSX


    40m         7020-7030 CW       7010-7020 CW          7000-7010 CW
                    -                  -                 7040-7050 DIGI
                7050-7060 SSB      7070-7080 SSB         7080-7090 SSB
                7225-7250 QSX      7250-7275 QSX         7175-7225 QSX


    30m        10100-10110 CW     10120-10130 CW        10130-10140 CW
               10100-10110 DIGI        -                10140-10150 DIGI


    20m        14000-14015 CW     14030-14045 CW        14015-14030 CW
               14070-14085 DIGI        -                14085-14100 DIGI
               14200-14230 SSB    14235-14265 SSB       14150-14180 SSB
               14230 SSTV              -                14233 SSTV
               14313-14331 SSB    14331-14350 SSB       14295-14313 SSB


    17m        18088-18098 CW     18068-18078 CW        18078-18088 CW
               18158-18168 DIGI        -                18108-18118 DIGI
               18148-18158 SSB    18128-18138 SSB       18118-18128 SSB


    15m        21000-21015 CW     21030-21045 CW        21015-21030 CW
               21070-21085 DIGI        -                21085-21100 DIGI
               21230-21260 SSB    21320-21350 SSB       21290-21320 SSB


    12m        24910-24920 CW     24890-24900 CW        24900-24910 CW
               24976-24990 DIGI        -                24930-24940 DIGI
               24976-24990 SSB    24940-24952 SSB       24964-24976 SSB


    10m        28045-28060 CW     28015-28030 CW        28000-28015 CW
               28070-28085 DIGI        -                28085-28100 DIGI
               28475-28500 SSB    28500-28550 SSB       28450-28500 SSB

** 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

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