The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1398
BID: $OPDX.1398
January 14, 2019
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)
Written/Sent from Strongsville, Ohio

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX
Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, the AB5K's AR Clusters
Network, NJ1Q & W1AW, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, K5GS, WB6RSE,
AC8W, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, K9PG, W9ILY, DL1SBF, DL7UXG &
The DX News Letter, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, ES1CW, F5NQL,
F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia
News, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, PY3DF, Sixitalia Weekly and VA3RJ & ICPO
for the following DX information.


*** IMPORTANT NOTE FROM EDITOR: On January 11th, the server that I have
 been using since the late 80's, HAMNET.org, was hacked and wiped. The
 OPDX Mailing List (as well as others), my E-mails and automatic feeds
 were lost. My E-mail address  is now no more.
 PLEASE, only send to  or . The OPDX
 Mailing List is now in LIMBO, and I was told that the server HAMNET.org
 is probably gone for good. So PLEASE pass the word around about the
 OPDX Mailing List. The only way to obtain the OPDX Bulletins is via the
 OPDX Web page (provided by John, K8YSE) ,
 QRZ.com (under Forums; News; Special Events, Contests.. etc.), several
 DX Mailing Lists, and three different UseNet Groups (rec.radio.info,
 rec.radio.amateur.misc,rec.radio.amateur.dx). The weekly bulletin
 (issue #) is also posted (from the OPDX Web page URL) on FaceBook
  and Twitter
 .
 I know this is going to be a big disappointment for the subscribers
 as well as it has been for me, but after almost 29 years I am considering
 to possibly retire from writing the bulletin. I will take some time to
 think about it in the next few weeks, and possibly try to find a new
 host for the mailing list...... 73 de Tedd KB8NW


DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the
week of Sunday, 6th/January, through Sunday, 13th/January there were 210
countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J,
4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5R, 5W, 5Z, 6Y, 7P, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H,
9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A2, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3,
C5, C6, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D4, DL, DU, E5/n,
E5/s, E6, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY,
EZ, F, FG, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA,
HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, JA,
JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, 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, S2, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI,
TK, TR, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V8, VE, VK,
VK0M, VP2E, VP2M, VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XZ, YB, YI, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YS,
YU, YV, Z3, Z6, 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".


3A, MONACO. Philippe, EA4NF, will be active as 3A/EA4NF from Monaco
between February 15-18th. Priority will be given to FM and SSB Satel-
lites to get confirmed as much as possible this rare DXCC country to
the amateur radio satellite community. HF activity will be on 20 meters
SSB, but on the QRP mode (5w). QSL via LoTW.


3G, CHILE. Jorge, CE3YP, will be using the special callsign 3G3G from
Santiago until December 31st. His activity will be on 80-6 meters using
the FT8 mode only. QSL only via LoTW.


3V, TUNISIA. Operator SWL Ashraf "Ash", 3V4-002 (KF5EYY), will be active
as 3V8SF from the Scout Radio Club of Sfax city club station during the
CQWW 160M CW Contest (January 25-27th) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry.
QSL via LX1NO or LoTW. Read about Ashraf on the following Web page at:
 http://www.kf5eyy.info


3W, VIETNAM. Jean-Pierre, F6CTF, will be active as 3W9JF from two different
locations in Vietnam between February 19th and April 6th. His schedule is
as follows:
 February 19th-March 6th -- From Phu Quoc Island (AS-128)
 March 16th-April 6th -- From Hoi An
Activity will be on 80/40/20/17 meters using CW and SSB. QSL via direct
or eQSL.


3Y0I BOUVET DXPEDITION NEWS. On January 11th, the 3Y0I team posted
another update with a chart explaining "Bouvet's Weather" and disputing
the claims that "the weather window has closed" on the Rebel DX Group
Web site at: https://www.rebeldxgroup.com/bouvet-weather
 No other details to report. Departure dates are still not known. It
is still a mystery... 
 Remember, it takes 12 days to get to Bouvet from South Africa, and they
plan to stay on the island for at least 2 weeks, if the weather cooperates.
The 3Y0I DXpedition's band plan ­ frequencies (160-6m) and modes (CW/SSB/
FT8) can be found at: https://www.rebeldxgroup.com
 https://bouvetoya.org/3yoi-bandplan
 QSL via ClubLog's OQRS (preferred), LoTW or via 3Z9DX. For more details
and updates, we suggest to watch the following Web pages:
 https://bouvetoya.org
 https://www.rebeldxgroup.com
 http://jouban.jp/3y0i_ja (For JA stations)
 https://www.facebook.com/bouvetoya.org
 https://www.facebook.com/rebeldxgroup
 https://twitter.com/Bouvetoyaorg


6Y, JAMAICA. DX-World.net reports that Neil, G0RNU, will be active as
6Y/G0RNU from the QTH of 6Y5NZ at St. Mary, Jamaica, sometime between
February 12-26th. He plans to be active on most days, but his activity
will depend on propagation and other activities. Look for more details
on his operations/activities on his QRZ.com page.


8P, BARBADOS (Reminder). Willy, KB8YRX, will be active as 8P9CA from
Barbados (NA-021) between January 16th and February 4th. Activity will
be on 20-10 meters using SSB. QSL via KB8YRX and LoTW.


9X, RWANDA (Reminder). Harald, DF2WO, will once again be active as 9X2AW
from Kigali between January 18th and February 14th. He is currently pre-
paring his 160m antenna and will build a Hexbeam with Bamboo Sticks for
working on 20/17/15/12/10 meters using mainly Digital modes (FT8, PSK31,
JT65 and RTTY), CW and SSB. QSL via M0OXO's OQRS.


DAY-XENIA NEWS (SWODXA DX DINNER ANNOUNCEMENT). A Press Release dated
January 8th, was sent out by Mindi Jones, KC8CKW [edited] -- The South-
West Ohio DX Association (SWODXA) is pleased to announce that we will
again sponsor the DX Dinner, held in conjunction with the 2019 Dayton
Hamvention. This, our 34th annual dinner, will be on Friday, May 17th,
2019, at the Dayton Marriott, 1414 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, OH 45409.
 We will have another fantastic array of great prizes at the Dinner
and the Forum!
 There will be a cash bar starting at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at
7:00. Following the event, there will be a separate room and cash bar
available for more fellowship. This is an excellent opportunity to meet
new hams and to renew old acquaintances as well as to learn about past
DXpeditions and those in the planning stages.
 The Marriott is very accommodating to a group our size. The dining
room is on the ground floor so there are no steps, the dining room is
very large, and there is ample free, on-site parking.
 This dinner is always well attended by some of the most avid DXers in
the world. The 2018 dinner had over 400 attendees! As in the past, there
will be some major door prizes, and there is always great anticipation
as to who will be named the "DXpedition of the Year". Additionally, the
Island Radio Expedition Foundation (IREF) will present the "IOTA DX-
Peditioner of the Year" award during the dinner.
 Tickets can be purchased on the SWODXA Events website at:
 https://swodxaevents.org/purchase-tickets
 Program details and a list of the prizes will be on the website as
they become available and updates will be sent out regularly via Twitter.
 Follow us on Twitter - @SWODXA


FG, GUADELOUPE. Herve, F5HRY, will once again be active as FG/F5HRY from
Guadeloupe (NA-102) starting January 18th. Activity is on various HF bands
using CW (SSB on request) with sporadic operations in the REF HF CW Contest.
QSL via his home callsign.


FG, GUADELOUPE. Operators Gildas/F6HMQ and Michel/F6GWV will once again
be active as FG/F6HMQ and FG/F6GWV from Guadeloupe between February 22nd
and March 10th. Activity will be holiday style on various HF bands using
"light equipment". They will also be in the ARRL Inter. DX SSB Contest
(March 2-3rd) using the callsign TO3Z. QSL via F6HMQ. QSL FG/F6GWV and
Gildas FG/F6HMQ via their home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.


FM, MARTINIQUE (NA-107). Laurent, FM5BH, will be active during the CQWW
160m CW Contest (January 25-27th) as a Single-Op/High-Power entry. QSL
via LoTW.


HC8, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (Reminder). Gerhard, OE3GEA, will be active as
HC8GET from three of the Galapagos Islands (SA-004) between January
13-25th. Activity will be from Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal
Islands. Operations will be on 30-10 meters. QSL via his home callsign,
direct or by the Bureau. ADDED NOTE: After his HC8 activity, look for
Gerhard to be active from Guadeloupe (FG), Dominica (J7) and Martinique
(FM) for approximately 6 days each.


IOTA NEWS..............
 AF-037. (Reminder) Members of the F6KOP Team are now active as 9LY1JM
 from Banana Islands, Sierra Leone, until January 21st. Operators
 mentioned are Frank/F4AJQ (Team Leader), Jean-Luc/F1ULQ/AK8DX
 (Co­leader), Patrick/F2DX, Andreas/DL3GA/AB8AY, Jimi/F4DLM/AF7JJ,
 Jean-Baptiste/F4ERY, Frank/F5TVG, Julien/F8AVK, Herman/ON4QX/
 KM6CPP and Eric/ON7RN. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using
 CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK and FT8. There will be 4 stations on the air:
 4X Kenwood TRX-590s into VDA antenna 10 to 20m & Spiderbeam
 mast for low band 30 to 160m. QSL via F5GSJ, direct or by the
 Bureau. Also, QSL via ClubLog or LoTW. For more details and
 updates (w/pictures), see: https://9l2019dx.wordpress.com


 AS-153. (Reminder) Members of the West Bengal Radio Club (VU2WB) are
 now active as AU2HAM from Ganga Sagar Mela Island until January
 17th. Activity will be on various HF bands. QSL via VU2NRO.


 EU-112. Members of the Invoker Team are planning to activate the Shiant
 Isles group, Scotland, sometime in the Spring. Stay tuned for
 details.


 NA-122. Operators Ez/HI3AA, Tino/HI3CC, Edwin/HI3K, Mike/HI3MPC, Jose/
 HI3SD, HI6JHV, Cafefe/HI8CAF, Elio/HI8EFS, Gerardo/HI8GP,
 HI8JQE, Alfredo/HI8K, Max/HI8MAX, Martin/LU9EFO and Ismael/
 XE1AY will be active as HI1LT from Beata Island between January
 20-28th. Activity will be on various HF bands using CW, SSB,
 RTTY and FT8. QSL via W2CCW.


 SA-005. RRC operators Vasily/R7AL, Vasil/RA1ZZ, Vladimir/RK8A, Aleksei/
 RL5F, Leonid/RW9JZ and Marco/CE1TBN will be active as XR0ZRC
 from Robinson Crusoe Island (WW Loc. FF06oi), in the Juan Fer-
 nandez Islands (CE0Z) group, between March 11-27th. The DX-
 pedition Pilot will be Victor, UA3AKO. Activity will be on
 160/80/40/30/20/17/15/12/10 meters using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL
 via R7AL, direct, ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW. For more details and
 update, see: https://dxpedition.wixsite.com/xr0zrc


 PLEASE NOTE: Since the Webmasters of the new  have
 decided NOT to post or dedicate a Web page to announce upcoming IOTA
 operations, PLEASE send your IOTA operations information to the OPDX,
 and we will post it here in an upcoming bulletin......


JD1, OGASAWARA. Makoto, JI5RPT, will once again be active as JD1BLY from
Chichijima Island (AS-031) between February 15-17th. Activity will be on
630-6 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes (NO 6m EME). He states
that he will be active on the "630m Band" using mainly the JT9 mode.
QSL via his home callsign JI5RPT. His log search will be available on
his Web site at: http://www.ji5rpt.com/jd1
He will also use Twitter to inform his real-time activities at:
 http://twitter.com/jd1bly


P4, ARUBA (OOOPPPSS!!). Last weeks announcement about operators Mike/K9NW,
Paul/K9PG, Chad/WE9V and John/W6LD was a major TYPO using "cut and paste".
Sorry, but their operation is not happening....


PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (January 14-20th).......
 Jan/14th AN Jan/17th AN Jan/19th AN
 Jan/15th AN Jan/18th AN Jan/20th AN
 Jan/16th HN


 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


 Meanwhile, check out the following Web sites:
 * VOACAP predication Web page at: http://www.voacap.com/hf
 and http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html
 * DX.QSL.NET Propagation page: https://dx.qsl.net/propagation
 * A daily HF radio wave propagation forecast can be found at:
 https://www.facebook.com/thomasfranklingiellaw4hm
 * SolarHam Web page: http://www.solarham.net
 * Radio Propagation/Space Weather/Sunspot Cycle Information at:
 http://sunspotwatch.com
 * Graphic propagation tool by DR2W: http://www.dr2w.de/dx-propagation
 * Point to point propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk/p2p.html
 * Realtime propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk
 * Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@GiellaW4hm


QSL INFO AND NEWS...................
 QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF  
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9LY1JM via F5GSJ (O) EA8/DL2DXA/P via DL2DXA OL1A via OK1CW
 9M2MRS via PA0RRS & (L/C) EA8/PA7ZEE/P via PA7ZEE ON/PD0RWL/P via PD0RWL
 DF13BUD via DL1RUN EG1PIN via EA1URV OT2L via ON7LU
 DF13MUC via DL8UUF EP2C via EA5GL (d/e) P49X via W0YK (d/L) 
 DF13PAR via DM7MA EX0DX via HB9DUR and LoTW S79AA via OE6MBG (O/L)
 DF13STO via DL1HZM GB139SQN via G4NRZ SK3W via SM5CCT
 DL0HMB via DL9HCO HF27FIN via SP2FAP SM6M via SM6MCW
 DL0LN via DC2CB II4CAL via IQ4FE SN5A via SP5PMF
 DL19RIC via DL5ABG (O) LZ10WCA via LZ5W VI17AC via M0OXO (OQRS)
 DL300AH via DG2FEJ & (e) OG60IPA via OH4MDY
 DR10WCA via DF6EX OK7W via OK1CID


 4J3DJ: Alexander Frolov, P.O. Box 38, Volgograd, 400066, Russia


 (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 (NB) No Bureau


 LOGS ONLINE AT CLUBLOG.ORG THIS WEEK......
 https://clublog.org/logsearch/9LY1JM
 https://clublog.org/logsearch/H33J
 https://clublog.org/logsearch/V84SAA


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 4Z5FI, F2YT, F6FHO, FG8OJ, G3UG, HB9MOZ, KH1/KH7Z,
 KV4VZ, LW5DR, OH8GDU, OZ1ZD, PU2TXZ, S58N and ZF1RC


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 4O6AH, 8P9AE, C31CT, E44WE, FJ/F6CUK, KL7RRC/P,
 VE7ACN/7 and ZL7X


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: NONE REPORTED THIS WEEK!!!!
 --- We would like to see more QSL Bureaus (such as AS/US/SA/AF.. etc)
 send in their info....


T31EU KANTON ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS. The following was posted on the T31EU
Web page: "Our preparations are on schedule. The team is very grateful for
the great sponsoring from the ham community. The antenna material is stored
in Tarawa at Chuck Corbett. The PIPA Kanton Coordinator, Tuake Teema, con-
firmed that our two generators were in excellent conditions and we have
two drums (400 liters) fuel available on the island. All our equipment is
successfully checked and the suitcases are packed. We have again a total
of 250 kg Radio equipment! In four weeks our team flies from Frankfurt
over Brisbane to Tarawa. After a short stay in Tarawa we will fly on Feb.
16th with a small charter plane (Beechchraft King Air 200) to Kanton.
There we are guests of the village community. The team members are in a
good spirit and looking optimistically forward to a successful DXpedition."
For more details and updates, see: http://www.kanton2019.de


TI, COSTA RICA. Nathan, N4YDU, will be active as TI5W from Alajuela during
the ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Single-Op/
All-Band/High-Power entry. Look for activity as TI5/N4YDU prior to the
contest. QSL TI5/N4YDU via LoTW. QSL TI5W via W4FS and LoTW.


V2, ANTIGUA & BARBUDA. Alan, N3AD, will once again be active as V26M
during the ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a
Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via W3HNK.


VO2, CANADA (Zone 2, Contest and Satellite Op). Operators Chris/VE3FU
(VO2AC), Dave/VE9CB (VO2AAA) and Frank/VO1HP will be active from the
Point Amour Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada, on
the south coast of the rare Labrador (LB) [Zone 2] between January 22-29th.
Their main activity will be in the CQWW 160m CW Contest (January 25-27th)
as a Multi-Op entry sign VO2AC. Pre-contest activity will be on 160m as
they get their wire vertical array and Beverages working; if time permits
they may also be active before the contest on 80m, 60m, 40m, AO-85, AO-91,
and AO-92 from Grid GO11. QSL VO2AC via VE3FU (direct or by the Bureau).
Logs will be uploaded to LoTW. More info is available at:
 https://www.qrz.com/db/vo2ac


VP6 PITCAIRN ISLAND DXPEDITION (Update). The October Pitcairn Island DX-
pedition team has posted key dates for their travels and operation at:
 https://pitcairndx.com/news-and-updates
It looks like the Pitcairn team will be on the air for 14 days possibly
starting October 18th. Visit the October Pitcairn Island DXpedition
Web page at: https://pitcairndx.com
Their Pitcairn Island FaceBook page is at:
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/580069859103416
Also, their Twitter page is at: https://twitter.com/2019Island


VP9, BERMUDA. Operators Brian/KG8CO, Frank/W8KA, Jim/KB8TXZ, Lee/N8LJ
and Stan/AC8W will operate from Bermuda between March 28th and April 2nd,
including an entry in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 30-31st). QSL via
LoTW, EQSL or for paper QSL's via operators' instructions.


VP6D DUCIE ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS (VP6D QSL Card Update). The following
press release was sent out on January 12th [edited]: The VP6D QSL card
designs were completed, proofs were submitted and approved for printing.
 Gennady, UX5UO, printed the cards during the week of January 7th, they
will be shipped to Tim, M0URX, in the UK during the week of January 14th.
A separate /MM card was also designed.
 Tim has already prepared the mailing labels, the envelopes are waiting
to receive your cards. All confirmation requests received up to the mailing
date will be included in the mailing. Confirmation requests after the
first mailing will be processed on a regular basis.
 We expect to place the cards in the mail system by early February. The
cards will be mailed from the United Kingdom, so please allow for mail
system delays before asking for the status of your card(s). Bureau cards
will be mailed to the world Bureaus quarterly, expect 6 - 12 months, or
more, to receive Bureau cards.
 If you already requested confirmation via OQRS or by direct mail, our
system will not allow duplicate requests. For example requesting a Bureau
card more than once, or requesting a Bureau card if a card was sent via
Direct Mail.
 We will send another update when the cards are placed into the mail
system.... 73, VP6D QSL Team 


XZ, MYANMAR. Akio, JE2QIZ, announced on January 11th, that he has finally
received his license from Ministry Of Transprotation and Communication of
Myanmar. His callsign is XZ2B and is only good for 150 days. Akio has been
living in Nay Pyi Taw for almost 2 years. His Myanmar license only permits
him to operate between 20-300MHz for amateur radio and the power is only
25W. He states that his antenna at the hotel is a fishing rod antenna.
The cost of his Myanmar radio license depends upon the spectrum width he
can use. Therefore, he can only use 20 kHz from the band edge and will
only operate on CW. Akio will try to use ClubLog and is looking for a QSL
Manager (if interested, contact him via his E-mail address on QRZ.com).
If you need a QSL, please send a QSL to JE2QIZ with 1 IRC or 2 USDs. He
does not have a QSL card yet, but he will be ordering them.


YB, INDONESIA. Yohanes, YB2DX, will be active in the CQWW 160m CW Contest
(January 25-27th) as a Single-Op/High-Power entry. QSL via LoTW.


YB, INDONESIA. Operators Suwarno/YB2BOB, Udi/YC2PQW and Indra/YD2XVT
were active as YB2ZDO from the Grobogan club station during this past
weekend's 2019 YB DX Contest. QSL via YB2ZDO direct.


ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS. Operators Dan/N6MJ, John/K6AM and Tim/N6WIN will be
active as ZF1A on Grand Cayman Islands (NA-016) during the ARRL Inter-
national DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Multi-Single entry. Look
for activity outside of the contest on 160-10 meters including 30/17/12
meters. QSL via K6AM, direct, by the Bureau or LoTW.


ZK3X TOKELAU ISLANDS DXPEDITION NEWS (Update to OPDX.1395 & OPDX.1397).
Operators Rob/N7QT and Sandro/VE7NY have joined the international ZK3X
team led by operators Hrane/YT1AD, Roman/UR0MC and Alex/UT5UY planned
between October 1-15th. The group now has a Web page at:
 https://tokelau2019.com