The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1354
BID: $OPDX.1354
March 5, 2018
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)
Mostly Written in Strongsville, Ohio
Sent/Written in Strongsville, Ohio

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, NJ1Q & W1AW, W2GD, K3LR, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, W5JON, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, 4X1VF, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, E73Y, EI9FBB, ES1CW, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, Sixitalia Weekly, VA3RJ & ICPO and XE3N for the following DX information.

EDITOR'S SPECIAL NOTIC
: This week's bulletin was sent out earlier than normal to accommodate the late ARRL International DX SSB Contest announcements. Also, we wanted to provide the readers with a consolidated listing of the ARRL DX SSB Contest participants.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Saturday, 24th/February, through Saturday, 3rd/March there were 217 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3C, 3D2, 3D2/r, 3DA, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5V, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, 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, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, H40, HA, HB, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, 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, PJ4, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PZ, S0, S5, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TR, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2E, VP2M, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VR, VU, VU4, XE, XU, XX9, YB, YI, YK, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, 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".

3C0/3C1, ANNOBON ISLAND & EQUATORIAL GUINEA. Operators Yuris/YL2GM and
Kaspars/YL1ZF (ex-YL3AIW) [along with Girts/YL2KL] are active again from
Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea (prefix 3C, Clublog's most wanted #57 as
of February 2018, IOTA AF-010) and Annobon Island (prefix 3C0, most wanted
#47, IOTA AF-039). After a recent successful "reconnaissance" DXpedition
with 3C0L/3C1L in October-November 2017, it was planned to go there with
a larger team. Unfortunately, the usual team members from Ukraine were
requested last minute to pass complicated additional formalities to obtain
entrance VISA and thus could not join. As a result, the team is the same
as last time plus Girts/YL2KL. They will use different callsigns -- 3C3W
(from Bioko) and 3C0W (from Annobon). They are currently active from Bioko
Island (3C3W) until Monday, March 5th. Then will try to catch flight to
Annobon on Tuesday, March 6th, and continue as 3C0W from there. Future
plans are not clear yet, but their Web page states that they will be in
the area until March 27th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW,
SSB and RTTY. Suggested frequencies are:
 CW - 1826.5/1821, 3526, 7019, 10119, 14029, 18086, 21029, 24904
 and 28029 kHz
 SSB - 3795, 7100, 14190, 18140, 21290, 24940 and 28490 kHz
 RTTY - 3583, 7043, 10136, 14083, 18103, 21083, 24923 and 28083 kHz


 QSX CW up 2 (160 down 2, JA 1810-1820)
 QSX SSB/RTTY up 5


 QSL via YL2GN direct or ClubLog's OQRS (direct or Bureau). See their
Web page for more details. Look for the logs to be uploaded to LoTW six
months after their operations. For more details and updates, watch their
Web page at: http://www.lral.lv/3c0w_3c3w/index.html


3W, VIETNAM. Wolfgang, DL5MAE, is once again active as 3W2MAE from Phan
Thiet until March 6th. Activity will be on 20-10 meters using CW and
SSB. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.


4B4, REVILLAGIGEDO (Update OPDX.1353). Mark, XE1B, will be active as 4B4B
from Socorro Island (NA-030, WW Loc. DK48mr), in the Revillagigedo Islands,
throughout the whole month of March now (not between March 1-15th as first
announced). QSL via XE1B direct or ClubLog's OQRS. PLEASE support this DX-
pedition, it has been 7 years since the last operation by Mark, XE1B. Check
out QRZ.com for more details and possible updates.


4S, SRI LANKA. By the time you read this, operators Nick/LZ1NK and Johny
"Ivan"/LZ1PJ will be active as 4S7NHG (not 4S7NKG as first announced) and
4S7IGG, respectively, from Weligama, Sri Lanka (AS-003), until March 5th.
Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. QSL via their
home callsigns.


4X0, ISRAEL (Special Event/Contest). Operators Arthur/4X4DZ, Alex/4Z4AK,
Hilik/4X6YA and Jan/4X1VF will be active with the special callsign 4X0BG
between 1000 UTC, April 20th and 2200 UTC, April 21st. Activity is during
Israel's 70th anniversary celebration from "Ben Gurion's Hut" (Holyland
Square E27BS, WFF 4XFF-058) in the desert. The group will also participate
in the Holy Land Contest. They state that they will send a printed QSL
for each QSO with 4X0BG via the Bureau. For more details about Ben Gurion's
Hut, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Ben-Gurion


6E, MEXICO. A group of Ham Radio operators from Southern Mexico will once
again be operating from some Mayan archaeological sites from the Mexican
States of Yucatan, Campeche, Tabasco, Chiapas and Quintana Roo, using the
special callsign 6E3MAYA between March 17-21st. Activity is to commemorate
the Spring Equinox which is so important for the Mayan culture. Activity
will be on 80-6 meters on CW, SSB, the satellites and the Digital modes.
QSL via XE3N.


6W, SENEGAL. Franz, DC4CQ, will be active as 6W/DC4CQ from Senegal between
April 14-28th. Activity will be on 40-15 meters using SSB. QSL via his
home callsign.


7Q7EI MALAWI DXPEDITION (Update OPDX.1349/Press Release). Dave, EI9FBB,
informs on February 28th: With just 3 weeks to go before our departure,
all preparations are now complete for our forthcoming DXpedition to Malawi.
Our 7Q7EI license is in hand, our 14 man team is complete, station design
is complete, flight tickets are paid for and our hotel are excitedly
awaiting for our arrival.
 Be sure to check out our VOACAP propagation prediction tool to your
exact QTH, but right now, propagation looks favourable to most areas.
 Up to 5 stations will be QRV on all HF bands from 160m through 10m, on
CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8! The 7Q7EI team will also participate in the upcoming
CQ WPX SSB contest in the Multi Multi category.
 Thanks to those who have already supported our DXpedition and remember,
whoever donates over $20 will receive a FREE QSL card...it's our way of
saying thanks! See: http://7q7ei.com/support
 Please keep an eye on our website as this will be updated on a regular
basis now as we begin our travels. 
 See you in the pile-ups....... vy 73 de 7Q7EI Team


 ADDED NOTES (By Editor): There are four ways to QSL. QSL via M0OXO,
direct or via his OQRS (direct or Bureau). Entire log will not be uploaded
to LoTW for possibly up to 3 months. The team now has a Web page at:
 http://www.7q7ei.com


9Y4, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. Operators Arkadiy/UA4CC Arunas/LY2IJ are now
active as 9Y4/UA4CC and 9Y4/LY2IJ, respectively, from Tobago Island
(SA-009) until March 12th. Activity will be holiday style on various HF
bands using CW, SSB and possibly Digital modes (RTTY/FT8). Arkadiy states,
"Focus on 160/80 for EU/AS". QSL via their home callsigns, ClubLog's OQRS
(preferred) or LoTW.


C6, BAHAMAS. Operators Tom/N1GN, William/NE1B, Ed/K1EP and Ken/AG2K will
be active as C6ANM from Nassau (NA-001, FL15) during the ARRL International
DX SSB Contest (March 3-4th) as a Multi-Multi entry. QSL via LoTW.


DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME (DST). Next weekend it will be time to change your
clocks again. Countries in the Northern Hemisphere (most of N. American
and some of the Caribbean) who observe Daylight Saving Time should change
their clocks on Sunday, March 11th at 2:00 AM, and should move their
"local clocks" forward 1 hour to 3:00:00 AM local time. Daylight Saving
Time will end on Sunday, November 4th at 2:00 AM. European countries will
switch to DST on March 25th. For the history and details about DST, as
well as an interesting map of the world (showing the countries who observe
DST), see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time
 http://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst/2018.html
ADDED NOTES: Hopefully, all amateur radio operators know not to change
their GMT/UTC/ZULU clocks. However, since most operators usually set their
computers to local time, some may have to change their settings on "some"
ham radio software (ex. logging, propagation, DXTelnet, etc..) programs.


DXCC'S MOST WANTED (ClubLog). The "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list has
been updated on ClubLog as of March 1st. The list contain 340 entities
and here are the top 10 entities:
 1. P5 DPRK (North Korea) 6. BS7H Scarborough Reef
 2. 3Y/B Bouvet Island 7. BV9P Pratas Island
 3. FT5/W Crozet Island 8. KH7K Kure Island
 4. CE0X San Felix Islands 9. KH3 Johnston Island
 5. KH1 Baker Howland Islands 10. VK0M Macquarie Island
 
 The complete "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list is available at:
 https://secure.clublog.org/mostwanted.php


E2, THAILAND. Champ, E21EIC, will be active as E2A (The SIAM DX Group/
Contest Callsign) from Bangkok during the ARRL International DX SSB
Contest (March 3-4th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL
via LoTW or by the Bureau using ClubLog.


FP, ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON. Eric, KV1J, will once again be operating from
the Island of Miquelon (NA-032, DIFO FP-002 WLOTA 1417, Grid GN17) as
FP/KV1J between July 3-17th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW,
SSB, RTTY (but primarily SSB and RTTY) and the satellites. He will gen-
erally be on the highest frequency band that is open (favoring 12/10m).
He will be active in the IARU HF Contest (July 14-15th), and the DL-DX
RTTY Contest (July 7-8th). ADDED NOTE: Eric will usually try to be on as
many Satellite passes as he can when the WX is good. Generally favoring
the FO-29, AO-7, and XW-2* birds. Weekends may be limited since he will
be concentrating on the low(er) bands and contests. QSL via KV1J, direct
or by the Bureau. Also eQSL and LoTW. For more details and updates, check
out his Web page at: http://www.kv1j.com/fp/July18.html


FY, FRENCH GUIANA. Didier, FY5FY, will be active as FY5FY from French
Guiana during the ARRL International DX SSB Contest (March 3-4th) as a
Single-Op/Single-Band (20m) entry. QSL via LoTW.


FY, FRENCH GUIANA. Marc, F1HAR, will be active as FY5KE from French
Guiana during the ARRL International DX SSB Contest (March 3-4th) as a
Single-Op/Single-Band (15m) entry. QSL via LoTW.


HAMVENTION (Dayton/Xenia) News. Tim, K3LR, has announced the Dayton CTU
Professor list which is now posted at: http://contestuniversity.com
The 2018 Dayton CTU Course Outline is now posted at:
 http://contestuniversity.com/2018-course-outline


HH, HAITI. John, W2GD, will be active as HH2AA (the Radio Club D'Haiti
station, Obleon, Haiti) from KU2C's QTH in Finland, PA, during the ARRL
International DX SSB Contest (March 3-4th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-
Power entry using a remote controlled solar powered Elecraft K3 trans-
ceiver at 6,300 feet above sea level with simple antennas courtesy of
Remote Ham Radio, Inc. QSL via LoTW and NR6M.


IOTA NEWS..............
 EU-020. Mike, G3VYI, will be active as SM/G3VYI from Faro Island
 during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 28-29th) as a Single-Op/
 Island-DXpedition/ Low-Power entry.. QSL via his home call-
 sign.


 EU-038. (Update) Operators Jef/DD2CW and PA3AXC will be active as
 PA6IOT (not PA/DD2CW) from Texel Island during the RSGB IOTA
 Contest (July 28-29th) as a Multi-Op/Mixed-Mode/24-Hrs entry.
 QSL via ON3UN.


 OC-168. Operators Cezar/VE3LYC and Bernhard/DL2GAC (H44MS) will be
 active as H44R from Mbanika Island, Russell Islands, between
 April 22-25th. They plan to have two stations on the air. QSL
 via VE3LYC, direct or ClubLog's OQRS.


KH1/KH7Z BAKER ISLAND DXPEDITION (Press Release, dated February 26th).
 WILDLIFE! As a protected US National Wildlife Refuge, Baker Island is
a place few humans ever get a chance to see. In fact, the protected status
of the wildlife is the main reason why landing permission is so rare. There
are strict conditions laid down by the US Fish & Wildlife Service to make
sure our DXpedition does not disturb the island’s delicate ecosystem. 
 Eleven species of seabirds nest on the island including boobies, frigate
birds, and almost a million pairs of sooty terns. There are also skinks,
geckos, sea-turtles and staggering numbers of hermit crabs. As DXpedi-
tioners to other remote Pacific islands have found out, crabs pose a
particularly difficult problem. They emerge at night, and eat their way
through just about anything that has a trace of organic matter. This
includes cardboard, rope, paper, clothes, bedding, leftover food and even
coax. Keeping the pesky crabs out of DXpedition tents has become sort an
art-form over the years, and many different techniques have been tried on
other islands such as Clipperton. The most popular to date has been the
"DXpedition Crab Fence", which is basically a 15” high roll of sheet metal
strung out around each tent. It’s not 100% crab-proof, but its highly
effective.
 Even with the abundance of crabs that exist on Baker, the risk of an
invasive plant or animal species from the mainland gaining a foothold is
very high, and could mean catastrophe for native seabirds. This means
everything we bring with us including clothing, footwear and equipment
must be pre-cleaned and specially treated prior to our departure. Even
the food we bring is controlled, with fresh fruit and seeded vegetables
both prohibited.
 The land is not the only place where we’re bound by permit conditions.
The marine environment at Baker is also under protected status. Surrounding
the island are extensive thickets of living staghorn coral which dominate
on the eastern side. Table, plate and many other coral formations are also
common on the rest of the reef slopes. Larger heads of lobe, disk, and
brain corals - some up to nine feet in diameter - are found along the
deeper slopes. A total of 104 species of coral has been reported since
Fish and Wildlife began documenting the area. Because of this, diving is
strictly prohibited at Baker, and waste from our ship must be disposed at
a distance of 50 nautical miles.
 While our movements and equipment may be regulated in order to protect
the environment, luckily the hours we can be on the air are not. Therefore,
we intend to be active as much as we can on all available bands.
 This project presents a great opportunity to prove to the US Fish and
Wildlife Service that DXpeditioning is a highly compatible activity on
an ecologically sensitive island. Our protection of Baker is just as
important as the number of QSOs we make, so when we’re done we intend to
leave the island exactly as we found it ­ to ensure future operations
are possible.
 As with any DXpedition to the rarest and most remote islands of the
world, this trip needs your help. March 2018 will mark a significant
milestone for the team as our next payment on the ship is due. Though
the operator team will contribute over 50% of the expected budget we
still need your support to make this trip happen. If you haven’t con-
tributed yet, please consider helping by visiting our website:
 http://www.baker2018.net/pages/donate.html
 Thank you in advance for your support.
 73 from the Baker Island 2018 Team


MJ, JERSEY. Kazu, JK3GAD, will once again be active as MJ0CFW from Jersey
(EA-013) between March 16-18th. Look for activity in the Russian DX Contest
(March 17-18th). In the contest he will sign MJ5Z. QSL via LoTW, M0CFW or
via the OQRS (ClubLog).


PJ2, CURACAO. Ben, DL1RNT, will once again be active as PJ2/DL1RNT from
Curacao (SA-099) between March 6-15th. Activity will be holiday style
on 40-10 meters using mostly CW with some RTTY and PSK. Radio is an
IC-7100 with 100 watts into a vertical.. QSL via DL1RNT.


PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (March 5-11th).......
 Mar/05th AN Mar/08th AN Mar/10th AN
 Mar/06th AN Mar/09th AN Mar/11th AN
 Mar/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


 REALTIME BAND CONDITIONS WEB SITE :
 The purpose of this experimental Web site is to provide 24-7-365 actual
 (REALTIME) band condition information to CW QRPp, QRPe and CW/SSB for
 Contesters interested in increasing their scores. It can also be of
 benefit to other Radio Amateurs to determine band conditions for Nets
 and casual QSO's. This information is NOT based on any software pre-
 dictions or any kind of satellite based readings. It is based on a
 new Ionospheric sounding method called "HF Ionospheric Interferometry"
 which operates very similarly to the PolSAR system used by NASA.


 Also, check out the VOACAP predication Web page at:
 http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html
 A daily HF radio wave propagation forecast can be found at:
 https://www.facebook.com/thomasfranklingiellaw4hm
 Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@GiellaW4hm


QSL INFO AND NEWS...................
 QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF (March 2nd) 
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 3D2EU via DK2AMM (O/L) EG7DCA via EA7URS PI40FL via PA3HEB
 4K100W via DL6KVA (O) EL2EF via NR6M SK50AJ via SM5CBN
 4L6QL via RW6HS (d) F8UFT via F6ICG ST60JOTA via ST2M
 4S7NHG via LZ1NK H44YM via EA5GL & (L) SX5SPY via SV5AZP
 5W20SAMOA via 5W1SA (O/L) HL23CEL via HL4CEL TM4E via F4GPB
 9H18VLT via 9H1SP (d) IQ8WN via 9A8MDC(B); IZ8DFO (d)
 CR6K via CT1ILT (O/d) OT7X via ON7XT VU4G via G4IRN
 DF18HET via DG3FFM & (e) PB18ANT via PA0RDY (d) ZS1/R1CC via DJ1ND


 (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 (*) I0MWI (Rest of the World) 


 LOGS ONLINE AT CLUBLOG.ORG THIS WEEK......
 https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/3D2EU
 https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/9Y4/LY2IJ
 https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/9Y4/UA4CC
 https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/3C0W
 https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/3C3W
 https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/Z66D


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 5W0LR, A25BE, C6ANM, CO8LY, DJ6JZ, DJ7JC, DK3WL,
 EA7AGX, F6DHD, F8NHF, G1LQT, G3SPB, HA5UK, J35X, MI0LLG, S52D, SP1DOZ,
 SV1NZJ, V85A and VP2ETE


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 6O6O, 9U4M, D68GA, P29LL, RI1F and SU9JG


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 4W/DJ2EH, 4X/R1CC, DM90IARU, DR5LUTHER,
 DU6/DK6PD, MD/DL7JOM, PJ4/DL5CW and SX2AUCPT


T8 PALAU. Kiyoshi, JA0EKI, is once again active as T88XH from the VIP
Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009) between March
8-14th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital
modes (RTTY/FT8). QSL via JA0EKI, LoTW, direct or by the Bureau. For
more details about the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room), see:
 http://www.palau-radio.com/index.php?page=rr2014


TJ, CAMEROON (Update). Members of the Italian Dxpedition Team (IDT) will
be active as TJ3TT from the Republic of Cameroon between March 15-29th.
Operators mentioned are Mac/JA3USA, Silvano/I2YSB, Vinicio/IK2CIO, Angelo/
IK2CKR, Marcello/IK2DIA and Stefano/IK2HKT. Fred, IK7JWY, will be the HF
pilot station. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY.
Suggested frequencies are:
 CW - 1826, 3530, 7025, 10115, 14030, 18068, 21030, 24890 and 28030 kHz
 SSB - 3775, 7090, 14260, 18128, 21260, 24950 and 28460 kHz
 RTTY - 14084 kHz


 QSL via I2YSB, direct or by the OQRS on their Web page. Logs will be
uploaded to LoTW about 1 year after the conclusion of the DXpedition.
All Sponsors and those who request a direct QSL will have their QSOs
uploaded to LoTW. Also, watch the IDT Web page for updates and a survey
of what bands/modes DXers need: http://www.i2ysb.com/idt


V4, ST. KITTS (Reminder). John, W5JON, is once again be active as V47JA
until March 16th. Look for him to be in the ARRL International DX SSB
Contest (March 3-4th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. Activity
outside of the contest will be on 160-6 meters (incl. 60m) using SSB.
Equipment is a Yaesu FT-1000MP and Elecraft KPA500 Amplifier. Antennas:
a 31', 40-10m Vertical, 35', 40/80m Top Loaded Vertical, 20m dipole,
160m base load vertical and a 6m 4 element Yagi. ALL QSLs go to W5JON
direct or via LoTW. NO Bureau QSLs.


VP2M, MONTSERRAT. Charles, K1XX, will be active VP2MMF from Gingerbread
Hill, Montserrat (NA-103), during the ARRL International DX SSB Contest
(March 3-4th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via LoTW.


VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS. Operators John/AF3K and Ross/W2TT will once again
be active as VP5/homecall from Providenciales Island between March
20-27th. Activity will be holiday style on 80-6 meters using CW, SSB,
RTTY, FT8 and 6M MSK. They will also be in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest
(March 24-25th) using the callsign VP5P as a Multi-2 entry. QSL VP5P and
VP5/W2TT via W2TT, direct or LoTW. QSL VP5/AF3K via LoTW.


XR0Y, EASTER ISLANDS (Reminder). By the time you read this, a German team
will be active as XR0YD from Hanga Roa, Easter Island (CE0Y), until March
15th. Operators mentioned are Andy/DH8WR, Werner/DJ9KH, Guenter/DL2AWG,
Norbert/DL2RNS, Georg/DL4SVA, Paul/DL5CW, Olaf/DL7JOM, Wolf/DM2AUJ,
Kalle/DM3BJ and Rolf/DL7VEE (Team Leader). They will have three well
equipped stations on the air 24/7 on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY
and FT8. See OPDX.1342 for suggested frequencies. QSL via Manager DL4SVA,
ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW 6 months later. Their Web page is available online
at: http://xr0yd.mydx.de


YJ, VANUATU. Geoff, ZL3GA, will once again be active as YJ0GA from the
Benjor Beach Club on Efate Island (OC-035) between July 18-25th. Activity
will be on the beach from an oceanfront villa. Operations will be holiday
style on 80-10 meters using a FT-450D and a AL811H amp (which should
improve the signals). Modes will be predominately CW and FT8 with some
SSB as well. He will also have a CrankIR and an End Fed Half Wave vertical.
QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau, ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW
(preferred). For more details, especially from his past operations (with
pictures), see his QRZ.com page.


Z6, KOSOVO NEWS (Press Release by Wayne, N7NG, dated February 26th).
MORE KOSOVO AND Z60A AT A GLANCE [edited] -- The Z60A organizers OG2M,
OH2BH and OH3JR will be activating this newest DXCC entity again from
this Wednesday, February 28th, onward on low-bands and in the ARRL DX
(SSB) Contest, as their previous operating sites are still fully furnished
with towers and beams.
 They were previously disappointed as they were not able to achieve clean
receiving on the low bands, thus locals Z61DX, Z61AS and Z62FB have been
working hard to find the noise sources.
 It now looks like both 80M and 40M are relatively clean, while 160M is
still a challenge. The operators will try beverages located as far as
possible from the noisy electricity lines, and they are also considering
going to the middle of nowhere with their Spiderbeam radiator.
 It will be another Arctic mission though, as the temperatures are
estimated to reach minus 17C / 1F, and permanent snow is covering the
scene as they are 700m ASL.
 Additionally they will carry two complete stations for SHARK, to be
put on the air by the locals. You can expect even more activity soon.
 DX Engineering (DXE) has made a sizeable antenna/cable donation to
boost the local activity. While David, W9CTJ, has donated Yaesu FT450D
for one of the local operators to be announced soon.
 LAST MINUTE UPDATE (By Wayne, N7NG, dated March 2nd)[edited]. 
 KOSOVO WEEKEND ALERT AT Z60A -- While DL5AXX and OH2BH concentrate on
the ARRL DX SSB Contest, Henri, OH3JR, will do 20M CW and other CW bands
from the regular Z60A base camp. He will pay special attention to the
U.S. propagation window: 13.00 thru 18.00 UTC.
 A follow up activity will be led by OG2M with OM3PC and OM5RW. They
will make yet another major low-band push before the closing of the
low-band season. The overall Z60A activation will finish March 12th. 


ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS. Joe, ZF2AH, will be active during the ARRL Inter-
national DX SSB Contest (March 3-4th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (15m)
entry. QSL via W6VNR direct only. No LoTW - No Bureau.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 The following stations are expected to be active in the
 ARRL International DX SSB Contest (March 3-4th, 2018)
 Complete details on the rules for the contest: http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Thanks to Bill, NG3K, for providing OPDX readers with the following
consolidated listing of the participants in the 2018 ARRL International DX
SSB Contest.
 For a more detailed listing (and up-to-date changes/corrections) in HTML
format, please visit Bill's Web page at:
 http://www.ng3k.com/Misc/adxs2018.html (By callsign)
 http://www.ng3k.com/Misc/adxsd2018.html (By entity)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Contest DXCC Class QSL
Callsign Entity Route
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8P5A Barbados SOAB HP LoTW; QSL via HA1AG
C6ANM Bahamas M/M LoTW
E2A Thailand SOAB HP LoTW; QSL via (B using C)
FY5FY French Guiana SOSB 20M LoTW
FY5KE French Guiana SOSB 15M LoTW
GD9W Isle of Man SOSB M0SDV
HC1DW Ecuador LoTW; QSL via W0OR
HH2AA Haiti SOAB LP LoTW; QSL via NR6M
KH6LC Hawaii M/? LoTW
P40L Aruba M/2 WA3FRP
PJ0DX Sint Maarten M/? LoTW; QSL via IZ1MHY
TO3Z Guadeloupe F6HMQ
TO5A Martinique SOAB HP LoTW; QSL via F5VHJ or WA6WPG
V26K Antigua & Barbuda SOAB HP LoTW
V31TF & V31RU Belize DG7RO; QSL via (DARC-B/d)
V47JA St. Kitts & Nevis SOAB HP LoTW; QSL via W5JON (d)
VP2MMF Montserrat SOAB LoTW
VP9/W6PH Bermuda SOAB LP W6PH
Z60A Kosovo M/? LoTW
ZF2AH Cayman Islands SOSB 15M W6VNR (d)
ZF2MJ Cayman Islands SOAB LoTW; QSL via N6MJ (d)


 (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