OPDX Bulletin 938 December 14, 2009

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 938
BID: $OPDX.938
December 14, 2009
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, ARRL Web page, K1XN & GoList, NJ1Q, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4DXX, W5FKX, W5JON, KH6BZF, K8YSE, N8PS, AT International, CO8LY, DL7MAE & The DX News Letter, DX World of Ham Radio Web Site, I1HYW, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, OK1DOT, Pete's-DX-Newsdesk, RSGB IOTA Web Site, ST2M, TA1HZ, TA0U, VE3EXY, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE6LB/VA6XDX, VE8EV, VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF), VU2PTT, VU3USJ and VY0PW for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 6th-December, through Sunday, 13th-December there were 212 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C5, C6, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J6, J7, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TL, TR, TT, TU, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, YA, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZF, ZL, ZP, ZS

* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations or more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work First Worry Later" (WFWL).

3D2, FIJI
By the time you read this, Jim, WB2TJO, should be active from here. Jim has been on the islands since December 8th, waiting for a license. He will be there until January 6th, and plans to visit three of the islands (Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni -- all in IOTA OC-016). Using his Icom 706 MkIIG and wire antennas, look for him on 40 and 20 meters. Jim will be on holiday, so operations will be limited and casual. Look for updates, possibly on (QRZ.com).

5T, MAURITANIA
There have been reports that YL Yoshiko, Q1LCW, is now active as 5T5YL. QSNs on Sunday show activity on 17 meters SSB working mainly Europe and East Coast NA stations. QSL via JQ1LCW.

A6, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
By the time you read this Don, N1DG, is expected to arrive in U.A.E for a week because of his job starting December 14th. However, his activity will be limited due to his work; he is expected to operate from the A61AD station, possibly on 12 and 17 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. The A61AD station does have a 4 element SteppIR for 20-6 meters, so Don's activity will be limited to those bands. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW upon conclusion of his trip.

A6, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Gerry, VE6LB, informs OPDX that he will be active as A6/VE6LB from Dubai between January 8th and February 8th. Activity will be holiday style with low power using wire antennas and mainly on 40-15 meters CW. QSL direct via his home callsign or LoTW.

A9, BAHRAIN (News)
Reports indicate that "The Daily DX" is reporting that radio amateurs in Bahrain can now operate on 6 meters (50.0-50.5 MHz on a primary and exclusive basis, and 50.05-52.00 MHz on a secondary basis) and also on additional frequencies on 136 kHz, 1.8 MHz, 7 MHz, 430 MHz and higher bands. However, they cannot operate on these newly allocated frequencies until their licenses are amended.

C5, THE GAMBIA
Eric, SM1TDE, will be active as C56SMT until January 3rd, 2010. Activity will be holiday style. Eric states, "Look for me on CW, 2 kHz from the band edges, as well as some RTTY and SSB." He was spotted on 40/30/20 meters CW this past weekend. QSL via his home callsign (the Bureau is preferred).

C5, THE GAMBIA
Neils, OZ8KR, will be active as C56KR from Bakuto between March 5­24th, 2010. This is his third trip to Bakuto. Activity will be holiday style with operations on 80­10 meters SSB, using 100 watts into wire antennas close to the Atlantic Ocean. QSL via OZ8KR.

CO8, CUBA (80 meters)
Eduardo, CO8LY, has announced that he has installed a 2 element wire for 80 meters, and it is directed at Europe and NA to try to work the biggest quantity of countries. If stations need to work Cuba on 80 meters, they can send an E-mail to Eduardo and make a Sked for 80 meters at: co8ly@frcscu.ciges.inf.cu Eduardo is also building a 160 meter long wire but hasn't had the time to finish it. He has been taking care of his wife who has ovarian cancer.

DXPEDITION OF THE YEAR SURVEY
The "DX World of Ham Radio" Web page is conducting a online survey to see which expedition warrants the title "DXpedition of the Year 2009". Special engraved trophies will be shipped to the top three DXpeditions of 2009. To participate in the survey, go to:

http://dx-hamspirit.com

HEADING TO THE ANTARCTICA
Operators Andrej/UT6UE and Yurij/UT6UF are on board the "S/Y Kupava" on an Antarctic voyage to the Ukranian Antarctic Research Centre's base -- Vernadsky Base. Onboard equipment includes a VX1700, RTX Yaesu HF, Tuner FC-40, and a folded dipole for 80, 40 and 20 meters. They hope to be active on 3645-3720, 7090-7130-7185, 14140-14260- 14345, between 2200-0100z. They have already been reported on the Packet- Clusters signing UT6UE/MM. For more info and pictures, visit the following Web page at:

http://uarl.com.ua/news/antarctida
Also, visit the WAP Web site for more details at:
http://www.waponline.it

IOTA NEWS
AS-086. (Rare IOTA) Vasily, RA9LI, is now active as RA9LI/0 from Troynoy Island in the Kara Sea for one year. Reports indicate that he has been there since mid-November. Activity will be on the HF bands, mainly SSB. He was heard earlier in the week on 14260 kHz between 0730-1030z. QSL via UA9LP.

NA-058. Members of the Camden County Amateur Radio (KB4CC) plan to activate Cumberland Island (USI GA002S, Camden County, Georgia) between January 23-24th. They plan to have two stations running on battery power on the following suggested frequencies and modes:
SSB - 14260 kHz
CW - 14040 kHz, 7055 kHz and 7030 kHz
QSL via KB4CC: CCARS - USI#GA-002S, PO Box 2203, Kingsland, GA 31548. For more information, visit:

http://www.ccars.org

NA-066. Members of the Palos Verdes Amateur Radio (K6PV) will be active from Santa Catalina Island (USI CA016S, WLOTA LH-2912, Los Angeles County, California) between February 25-28th. Activity will be on the ususal IOTA frequencies, mostly 20 meters SSB, using CW, RTTY and/or PSK31. Operators mentioned are: Ray/N6HE, Dan/W6DC, Mel/K6SY, Doris/K6KSY, Jeff/K6JW, Homer/K6HKT, Ginger/ KG6TAU, Bob/AB6SY, Joe/K5KT and Marian/K5KKT. QSL direct to K6PV (Palos Verdes Amateur Radio Club) or by the Bureau. They will have a special K6PV IOTA card for this activation. Visit the PVARC's Web page at:

http://www.palosverdes.com/pvarc

OC-212. Members of the Hellenic Amateur Radio Association of Australia (HARAOA Group) will be active as VI2BI from Broughton Island for three days in February 2010. Activity will take place on multiple bands (160-6 meters) simulataneously to give everyone the chance to contact them. The VI2BI team will consist of some of the operators who took part in the VK9NI DXpedition back in July this year. Operators mentioned are: Tommy/VK2IR, Peter/VK2NN, Allan/VK2GR, Raffy/VK2RF, Paul/VK2HV and John/ VK3JHA. Suggested frequencies are:


             BAND   CW     SSB    RTTY
             ----   -----  -----  -----
             160m    1825   1840
              80m    3525   3793   3630
              40m    7020   7085   7035
              30m   10105         10145
              20m   14025  14195  14090
              17m   18075  18160  18105
              15m   21025  21295  21090
              12m   24895  24950  24925
              10m   28025  28490  28090
               6m   50105  50130
            Special Notes:
              * 80m Listening for VK Foundation Class Licence on 3.695 MHz.
              * 20m They may use 14.260 MHz.(US General Class Licence)
For update and an online log search, visit the blog at:
http://www.vi2bi.blogspot.com

OC-203. (Update/RARE IOTA). Look for Ray/ZL4TY (home callsign VK4DXA) and Paul/ZL4M (home callsign ZL4PW) to be activating Stewart Island between March 12-23rd, 2010. They plan to have 2 stations using verticals for 160-30 meters and a Spiderbeam for 20-10 meters. They intend running barefoot unless they can obtain a solid-state amplifier. The following suggested frequencies (+/- 10 kHz, QRM, QRN & propagation permitting) have been announced:


             Band    CW     SSB     RTTY
             ----   -----  -----   ------
             160m    1820   1845
              80m    3525   3785     3580
              40m    7025   7165     7038
              30m   10115           10145
              20m   14025  14260    14085
              17m   18080  18145    18105
              15m   21025  21295    21085
              12m   24895  24945    24920
              10m   28025  28475    28085 kHz
QSL Info: They need a minimum of 2 USDs or 1 x IRC (please, 2010 issue) for a direct reply. Any donation sent with your QSL request will be greatly appreciated. Cards with insufficient funds or invalid IRCs will be sent via the bureau. All logs will be uploaded to LoTW following the DXpedition.

QSL ZL4TY via VK4DXA; by the VK Bureau or direct to: Ray Crawford, 53 Moore Street, Kingaroy, QLD 4610, Australia

QSL ZL4M via ZL4PW; by the ZL Bureau or direct to: Paul Ormandy, 13 Swift St., Oamaru 9400, New Zealand

For more details and updates, visit their Web page at:

http://www.zl4pw.orconhosting.net.nz/OC203/si_index.htm

J6, ST. LUCIA (NA-108)
John, VE8EV, is expected to be active as J68/VE8EV from Castries between December 18-20th. Activity will be SSB and CW on all bands, mostly during the RAC Canada Winter Contest (December 19th, between 0000-2359z) which this year is being held the weekend before Christmas. All contacts are welcome during the contest, stations outside of Canada just send RS(T) and a serial number. Check out John's blog, for info and QSL details, at:

http://ve8ev.blogspot.com/2009/10/na-108-st-lucia.html

J6, ST. LUCIA
John, W5JON, will once again be operating from the hilltop QTH overlooking the Caribbean Sea and Marigot Bay in St. Lucia, between March 2-11th. His callsign will be J68JA. Reference numbers are: IOTA NA-108 and Grid Square FK93. Activity will be on 160-6 meters (including 60m) on SSB. He will use an ICOM IC-7000, KL-400 Amp (350 watts) into the following antennas: ZS6BKW design multiband dipole, and a 3 element yagi on 6m. Activity will also include the ARRL International DX Phone Contest (March 6-7th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via W5JON. John adds, "As in the past, XYL Cathy/W5HAM will be very busy pool side."

KH6BZF PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (For December 14-20th)


 Dec  14    AN         SOLAR REFERENCE
 Dec  15    AN         ---------------
 Dec  16    AN          AN - Above Normal/Geomagnetic Level is QUIET
 Dec  17    AN          HN - High Normal/Geomagnetic Level is UNSETTLED
 Dec  18    AN          LN - Low Normal
 Dec  19    AN
 Dec  20    AN         GEOMAGNETIC REFERENCE
                       ---------------------
                        QUIET - The "A" index is expected to be between
                                0-7 and the "K" index will be 2 or less
                    UNSETTLED - The "A" index is expected to be between
                                7-16 and "K" index will be 3 or less
SPECIAL NOTE FROM LEE, KH6BZF:
Forecast for the next several weeks is for "Above Normal" (AN) conditions on the low bands and some short skip on the high bands with solar flux levels in the 70's and the "A" low as well as "K" indexes. Have a very special upcoming "Happy Holidays To All.....Aloha and Mele Kalikemaka & Haole Makahiki Hou......"

PD09, THE NETHERLANDS (Special Event)
Look for special event station PD09XMAS to be active until January 3rd, 2010. Activity is to celebrate "Christmas 2009". Activity has been on 20 meters SSB this past weekend on 14194 kHz. QSL via PD5X, direct or by the Bureau.

PJ5, ST. MAARTEN/ST. EUSTATIUS
Jim, K1NA, will once again be active as PJ5NA. Activity will include the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 20-21st) as Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via K1NA (100% QSL direct only with SASE) No bureau cards will be answered. DX stations MUST have SASE or SAE with 1 USD. No IRC! USA stations SASE only.

RTTY WELCOME DAY (January 1st - All Day Long!)
Phil, N8PS, wants to remind everyone: "Now is your chance to meet and greet other RTTY operators from all over the world.
-- No hours, No rules, No score, No pressure, No quota, No log needed. --
- Any band*, Any contact, Any time, Any power, Any equipment, Any antenna.-
(*) = Authorized amateur radio sub-bands, of course.
Get that antique set-up running or fire-up that brand new rig. Use any modem or computer or combination thereof. Meet and greet others without time limits. Have a short exchange or a rag-chew - whatever suits you. Participation is voluntary. No log necessary. No awards - just satisfaction. Help others find joy in RTTY by operating for the first time, or the thousandth time.

Get your set-up running smoothly and help others to reverse inversion. Just get on the air to say 'howdy' -or- 'hello' -or-'WELCOME TO RTTY'

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE NEWS. TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.
'I'LL SEE YOU ON THE AIR FOR:'
RTTY WELCOME DAY - 01 JANUARY 2009 - ALL DAY LONG
73 - de Phil - N8PS, RTTY Welcome Day Cheerleader"

QSL INFO AND NEWS
P29CS QSL ROUTE (Important). Peter, VY0PW, informs OPDX that Andy, P29CS, on Lihir Island (OC-069), is requesting stations "NOT" to QSL to his present QRZ.com address. This is his location only and not intended for mail purposes. Andy states that he is looking at present for a QSL Manager, but this might take a while as he is very busy with work.

QSL SURVEY. Don, W5FKX, is conducting an informal survey of QSLing methods and would very much appreciate your input. Please respond directly to him at: w5fkx@cox.net

1. Do you use the Logbook of the World (LOTW)?
If not, what has kept you from using it?

2. Do you use the eQSL service?
If not, what has kept you from using it?

3. Do you use the QSL Bureau system?
If not, what has kept you from using it?

4. Do you send out direct QSLs?
If not, what has kept you from doing so?

5. What is the approximate percentages of your QSLs received via:
LOTW
eQSL
Bureau
Direct

Don states, "Thanks very much for your participation. Any additional comments are welcome."

TC2IYK via TA Bureau or to: TCSWAT, PK73 Karakoy, 34421 Istanbul, TURKEY. Activity was by the Turkish group called TCSWAT (TC Special Wireless Activity Team) during this past weekend from Istanbul Yelken Kulubu (Istanbul Sailing Club -- http://www.istanbulyelken.org.tr) for the International Naval Contest. Please check http://www.tcswat.org for more details about the QSL info.

HAVE PATIENCE! Nenad, VE3EXY, reports that he received a message from Vlad, UA4WHX, stating that effective this week all outstanding direct requests for VE stations have been answered!

XV4TUJ via OK1DOT; "DIRECT ONLY", per Petr, OK1DOT.

QSLS VIA LoTW: 3D20CR, 4U1UN, 5N9OCH, A25/DL7DF, DL7FER, HI3TEJ, K4M, KD6WW/VY0, RX0AE, SU1KM, TI5/K2PLF, TX3A, TX9, VE3XB, VE7DLM and ZW5B

**SPECIAL NOTE: LoTW has reached new milestones. Since its inception on September 15, 2003, more than 30,000 hams have signed on to "Logbook of The World (LoTW). The ARRL's online logging program has had an increase of more than 7000 hams since 2008. These 30,000 hams have made upwards of 250 million QSOs with more than 58 million QSOs in 2009 alone. In 2009, there was an increase of more than 24 percent for both the number of registered users and the number of QSOs over 2008. For more details, go to the ARRL Web page at:

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/03/11229

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3D2KJ, 3D2MJ, 3X5A, 5F1ROM, 5H3EE, 5K0T, 8R1PY, A52FJJ, ER8C, FM5LD, HL3ERJ, HV0A, J79ZG, K5D, KV4FZ, LX/PA6Z, OX3R, PZ5M, S04R, ST2R, T27OU, TM0M, TX5SPA, TX5SPM, TY1MS, VK9DWX, VP2VVV, VP9KF, VQ9LA, VQ9RD, VR2009EAG, W3FO/KH2, WN1Y/NH2, XE2WWW and YW5F

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: V51AS

ST26, SUDAN (Special Event)
Members of the Khartoum Sea Scouts Radio Club (ST2KSS) will be active as ST26ASC until January 28th, 2010. Activity is to celebrate the 26th Arab Scouts Conference (under Peace and Unity). Activity this past weekend was on 20 meters SSB. QSL via ST2M.

VP2V/W4DXX OPERATION WRAP-UP
Eric, W4DXX, informs OPDX readers of his recent ham-cation at the end of November on Tortola as VP2V/W4DXX which concluded w/1240 QSOs in 109 countries and 50 states with about 9 hours of operating time. Equipment and assistance was supplied by WB4MRF, N3DXX, KN5H, and VP2VQ. Bill Moore has accepted the operation for DXCC as of 12/9/09. All QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW shortly, and QSL cards are currently in design. QSL to W4DXX w/SASE or via LoTW.

VU, INDIA (News)
OPDX was informed by Prasad, VU2PTT, that Gopal Madhavan, VU2GMN, who is the President of ARSI - the IARU recognized national organization of India, is reporting that the "Wireless Planning & Coordin- ation Wing (WPC), India's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Department of Telecommunications has written to him to inform that 10100-10150 kHz has been allocated to Amateur Radio Services on a secondary basis in India. This means that VU2 hams are free to use this on a non-interference basis with existing users of these frequencies. Earlier, temporary permission was issued from time to time for this WARC band. It has also been communicated to Gopal that the 50-52 MHz (6m) band cannot be allocated now since it has already been allocated to other services.

ADDED NOTE: Steve, VU3USJ, mentions, "Gopal, VU2GMN, who has been in contact with the relevant authorities in Delhi, says he is trying to clarify if SSB will be included with the permanent allocation. I believe Australia is the only other country allowing SSB on 10 MHz for hams."

** 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:
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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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