OPDX Bulletin 972.1 August 16, 2010

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 972.1
BID: $OPDX.972.1
Augst 16, 2010
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, W3BTX, KH6BZF, N0VD and "Bonaire Reporter" for the following DX information.

N3, UNITED STATES (911 Special Event/Correction/Update)
The 6 meter frequencies listed in yesterday's bulletin were mixed up with the 160 meter frequencies. Look for "N3U/United Flight 93" on 50130 kHz (SSB) and 50090 kHz (CW). Bob, W3BTX, informed OPDX today that "We decided to send a QSL out to 'everyone worked' either via direct or by the Bureau." Remember to look for this special event station to be activated between September 9-13th. See OPDX.972 or QRZ.com for more details.

NETHERLANDS ANTILLES (More on Bonaire, the 10/10/10 Break-up and a full Press Release on the Upcoming Operation)
Kelly, N0VD, provides more info to OPDX regarding the postponed referendum, and wanted to clarify a few points that may be confusing for those not following the political process on Bonaire. He states, "In short, the referendum has no affect on 10.10.10 transition date. It was simply an attempt by some of the minority political leaders to gauge the opinion of the Bonaire people as to whether they agree or disagree with how the whole political process has taken place and the eventual outcome."

He quotes the "Bonaire Reporter" dated August 16th: "On Friday, the 13th, Bonaire's planned referendum was postponed until further notice. The Island Council adopted an amendment stating a referendum would be held 'on a date to be determined later per Island Ordinance.'"

"The action effectively cancelled the Island' Government's attempt to test the mood of the people prior to the integration of the island with Holland on October10, 2010. The Referendum's outcome in any case would not have affected the integration."

"The amendment was offered by independent councilman Anthony Nicolaas. Opposition leader Ramonsito Booi asked for a vote but his four-person faction got up and left without voting, leaving the amendment to be accepted by the four Democratic party members and Nicolaas."

"The Referendum Committee had asked to postpone the poll from September 3 to October 1 to have more time to organize it properly. One of the matters that came up during the meeting was that the cost of conducting the referendum was estimated to be NAf 500.000. The budget approved earlier was only NAf 350.000."

Kelly, states, "So in essence, the referendum (or lack of) has little affect on our planned DXpedition." He also mentioned that they anticipate to have their group's Web site to go live this week.

The following is a full press release on the upcoming Bonaire operation:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press Release: 10-10-2010, New DXCC activation of PJ4, Bonaire Date: 11 August, 2010

The end of a country - The Netherlands Antilles With a 99% certainty, many things are about to change for the people and all radio amateurs in the Netherlands Antilles. On October 10, 2010 the Netherlands Antilles will cease to exist as a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the islands will emerge with several new statuses:
        * St. Maarten and Curaçao will become an independent country within the Kingdom and will be granted the same status that Aruba attained in 1986.
        * Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius (also called BES islands) will be given the status of a public body (a kind of special municipality) in the Netherlands and will therefore fall directly under Dutch rule.

What does this mean for radio amateurs?
---------------------------------------
The two current DXCC entities of PJ2/PJ4 (Leeward Islands) and PJ5/PJ6/PJ7 (Windward Islands) are expected to be deleted. However, several new entities are likely to emerge on 10-10-2010.
        * Both St. Maarten (PJ7) and Curacao (PJ2) will become a new DXCC entity.
        * Bonaire (PJ4) will become a new DXCC entity.
        * Saba (PJ6) along with St. Eustatius (PJ5) will become a single DXCC entity due to their proximity to each other.

In short, 2 entities will be disappearing, but 4 will come back!

Activities from Bonaire
-----------------------
Everyone knows what an activation of a new DXCC country means and that's why a group of hams from Bonaire, Germany, The Netherlands and the United States have joined forces to successfully activate Bonaire.

From six locations around the island, a group of between 15 and 20 amateurs will activate Bonaire between October 10-24, 2010. The primary focus will be all HF bands from 160 to 10 meters including the WARC bands. Due to the time of year, 6 meters will not likely produce much activity, but it will be a consideration. The team will focus on all modes including SSB, CW and various digital modes.

Callsigns
---------
Callsigns will be announced prior to the activation. However, we expect the prefix to continue to be PJ4 even after October 10th. Further inform- ation about the callsigns to be used will be published on our website -

http://www.bonaire2010.com

Radio Netherlands
-----------------
With 6 locations around the island, there should be plenty of opportunity for a QSO. However, our premiere location is that of the short-wave trans- mitter site, Radio Netherlands. Bonaire is home to a large relay station and its impressive aerial park which provides up to 21 dBd gain. We are extremely pleased to announce that with the co-operation of the World Service, our group of hams has been granted use of the antennas during their "dead hours" on the HF bands.

In addition to our other locations, we anticipate being active on HF daily between 12:30 and 18:30 UTC from the Radio Netherlands facility. We expect to utilize this opportunity on 30, 20, 15 and 17 meters. Radio Netherlands is also expected to air a special program dedicated to the new status of the radio amateurs on Sunday, October 10th.

More information will be available on the Radio Netherlands' website www.rnw.nl or on the DXpedition website - www.bonaire2010.com.

Contacts with schools
---------------------
Between October 11th-15th, the World Service's facility will also serve another purpose. A group of schoolchildren from Bonaire will be contacting another group of children in the Netherlands who will be the guest of Dutch ham PD1DX. This will provide an opportunity for the group of new Dutch country citizens to ask each other questions in order to get to know one other a little bit better.

QSL cards
---------
All QSOs will be QSL'd through the services of Global QSL who will be responsible for printing and distributing cards to all QSL bureaus world- wide. If you do not use a QSL bureau or would like to send for a direct confirmation, all QSL information will be published on our website ­

http://www.bonaire2010.com

Website with online log
-----------------------
Up to date information will be published on our website -

http://www.bonaire2010.com
Information on Bonaire, sponsors, activation plans and the participants will be listed. In addition, we expect to have an on-line log.

Given the expected pile-ups, we kindly ask everyone who works us after 10-10-2010 and who finds themselves in the log not to call again. We want to give a new country to as many people as possible.

Participating hams
------------------
At the time of release of this bulletin the following amateurs will join the activation:

        Bonaire : PJ4GT, PJ4LS, PJ4NX
        Germany : DL9USA, DJ8NK
        Netherlands : PA8A, PA8F, PA3GVI, PE2MC, PE2KY, PG4M
        United States : K6AM, N0VD, W4PA, W0LSD
        Puerto Rico : WP3UX

This list is subject to change. For the latest news about the participants, please visit our website.

See you in the pile-ups on 10-10-2010!

** 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

PLEASE NOTICE (as of February 12, 2007), NEW ADDRESS CHANGES FOR THE OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUEST:

Help: opdx-request@barf80.org Subject:help
Subscribe: opdx-request@barf80.org Subject:subscribe
Unsubscribe: opdx-request@barf80.org Subject:unsubscribe

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

No Bulletins This Week

Back to the OPDX Index
Back to the NODXA
Back to the EIDX Network