The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1399
BID: $OPDX.1399
January 21, 2019
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)
Written/Sent from Strongsville, Ohio

*** IMPORTANT NOTE FROM EDITOR (Update): As mentioned last week, 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
 kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org is now no more. PLEASE, only send info to
 kb8nw@hotmail.com or kb8nw@arrl.net. I want thank Bill, NG3K (Web
 Master of NG3K Amateur Radio Contest/DX Page https://www.ng3k.com/),
 and Mauro, I1JQJ (Editor of 425 DX News), for their help in getting
 the word out about the E-mail changes and the status of the OPDX
 Mailing List.
 Currently, the OPDX Mailing List is still in LIMBO, but I was told
 this past week they "may" try to start-up the server HAMNET.org again.
 I am also looking around for another possibly host/server. So PLEASE
 pass the word around about the status of the OPDX Mailing List.
 Right now 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 the NODXA
 FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation/ and
 Twitter https://twitter.com/kb8nw_opdx.
 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 still
 considering to possibly retire from writing the bulletin. I will take
 some time to think about it in the next few weeks and continue to
 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, 13th/January, through Sunday, 20th/January there were 208
countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J,
4L, 4O, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5R, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L,
9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5, CE,
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, FK, FM, FO,
FP, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HH, HI,
HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K,
KG4, 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, PY, PY0F, PZ, S0, S5, S7, S9,
SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TY, TZ,
UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK0M, VP2E, VP2M,
VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XZ, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, Z6, ZA,
ZB, ZD7, ZF, ZL, ZL7, 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".


3Y0I BOUVET DXPEDITION NEWS. Nothing new this week and 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


4L, GEORGIA. Mamuka Kordzakhia, 4L2M, President of the National Associ-
ation Radio Amateurs of Georgia (NARG), will be active during the CQWW
160m CW Contest (January 25-27th) as a Single-Op/High-Power entry. He
plans to use a 1 KW, a 37 meters high Vertical with radials and a 300
ft. 2 beverage antenna. QSL via EA7FTR.


6O, SOMALIA (Update). Ali, EP3CQ, who works for United Nations in African
Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), in Mogadishu, will once again be active
as 6O1OO between January 21st and February 6th. Activity will be limited
to his spare time on 40/30/20/17/15/10 meters using SSB and FT8. He
suggested last time everyday between 1800-2000 East Africa Time (EAT)
and on the weekend (Friday and Saturday) between 1400-1800. Equipment
is a Yaesu 857D into ATAS 120A, Tarheel Little II (currently active), and
Sandpiper MV-10. QSL direct to: Ali Solhjoo, Via Siacci 12, Rome, 00197,
Italy. QSL cards will be replied on quarterly basis. IRC not accepted.
Flash news will be posted via Twitter: @ep3cq


6Y, JAMAICA. Kan, JJ2RCJ, will be active as 6Y3Y from 6Y5WJ's QTH at
St. Elizabeth, Jamaica (NA-097) between June 26-28th. Activity will be on
80-10 meters using FT8. Special focus will be on JA/Asia. QSL via JJ2RCJ,
direct (no IRCs), LoTW, ClubLog's OQRS or eQSL.


8P, BARBADOS. Charles, 8P6ET, will be active as 8P1W during the CQWW
160m CW Contest (January 25-27th) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry. QSL
via KU9C. PLEASE NOTE: Charles will be operating on January 21st as
8P6ET/P o 80/40/20 meters using CW and SSB. Antennas will be a Buddi-
Pole vertical for 40 and 20 meters, and a 80 meters dipole.


8Q, MALDIVES. Andy, UT4UEP, is now active as 8Q7UA from Ukulhas Island
(AS-013) until January 23rd. Activity will be on 40/30/20 meters using
CW and FT8. Equipment is a Yaesu FT857D transceiver with KL-500 amp into
A GP antenna. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.


EA8, CANARY ISLANDS. Erich, HB9FIH, is now active as EA/HB9FIH from El
Hierro (AF-004, SOTA A8/HI-001) until about March 31st. Activity will be
on various HF bands using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via HB9FIH,
direct, by the Bureau, LoTW and eQSL.


EM1, ANTARCTICA. Roman, UT7UA, will soon be active as EM1UA and/or EM1A
from the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky Base base station (EM1U)
on Galindez Island (AN-006, WASA UR01). His license is good until February
1st, 2020. Activity will be on various HF bands and modes. QSL via UT7UA.


HC, ECUADOR. Rick, NE8Z/HC1MD/SP9E, will once again be active between
January 18th and February 7th from Ecuador. He may also operate /portable
from other HC prefix areas during this trip. Rick states that he is
working on his Digital DXCC totals while on this trip. Activity will be
on 40-6 meters (no 60m) using CW, SSB and FT8. His radio equipment:
FT-857d 100w-->Carolina Windom 40-10m CW+SSB+RTTY)/Outbacker -- 6m CW +
SSB (monitor 50.110) + 2 element 6m MOXON antenna. QSL via direct to
K8LJG & LoTW after the trip. VIEW the HC/Ecuador and HC8/Galapagos DX-
Diplomas at: http://webpages.charter.net/ne8z


IOTA NEWS..............
 AF-019. (Update) Operators Silvo/S50X, Krajcar/S52P, Peter/S54W,
 Pavla/S56DX, Slavko/S57DX and Drago/S59A, will be active as
 IG9/homecall from Lampedusa Island between January 21-31st.
 Activity will be on 160-10 meters, and this will include the
 CQWW DX 160m CW Contest (January 25-27th) as a Multi-Op entry
 signing possibly as IG9/S59A. QSL via their home callsigns.


 AS-043. Kenji, JA4GXS, will be active as JA4GXS/1 from Hachijo-Jima
 Island, South Izu Islands, Japan, between May 11-13th. Activity
 will be on 40-20 meters using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via his
 home callsign.


 NA-249. Members of the Radio Operadores del Este (RODE) will be active
 as KP3RE from Culebra Island between February 22-24th. Activity
 will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB, FT8 and Satellites.
 Suggested frequencies are:
 CW - 3675, 7025, 10105, 14025, 18085, 21025, 24890 and 28025 kHz
 SSB - 3795, 7190, 14195, 18145, 21295, 24945 and 28490 kHz
 FT8 - 3567, 7056, 10131, 14090, 18095, 21091, 24911 and 28091 kHz
 Satellites - AO-91, AO-92, SO-50 and IO-86 FM
 QSL via EA5GL.


 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......


NP4, PUERTO RICO. Felipe, NP4Z, will be active from Puerto Rico during
the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Single-Op/High-Power
entry. QSL via N4AO.


OA, PERU. Tony, OA4DX, will be active during the CQWW 160m CW Contest
(January 25-27th) as a Single-OP/Low-Power entry. QSL via LoTW.


PJ6, SABA ISLAND. Operators Bob/K4UEE, Tim/K5AC, Jeff/NM1Y and Ned/WC4X
will be active as PJ6A from Jolieville, Saba Island (NA-145), during the
ARRL CW DX Contest (February 16-17th) as a Multi-Single/Low-Power entry.
QSL PJ6A via N4NX or LoTW. DO NOT QSL VIA BUREAU. Before and after the
contest the operators will be signing PJ6/homecall and will be on 160-10
meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and possibly FT8. They'll be using their Ele-
craft K3's, transmitting into a Battle Creek Special on 160 meters, wire
beams on 80 and 40 meters and a Yagi on 20-10 meters. The team will be
there between February 11-18th. QSL via their home callsigns.


PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (January 21-27th).......
 Jan/21st AN Jan/24th LN Jan/26th AN
 Jan/22nd AN Jan/25th HN Jan/27th AN
 Jan/23rd 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


 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  
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4K6AG via DC9RI HA6A via HA8KW OE/HB9RB via RC3C
 CS25FOQ via CT1FOQ & (L) HB9/YU1CA/P via YU1CA OU2T via OV1CDX
 DF13BLN via DM2TO HB90AFI via HB9AFI OZ2SPACE via OZ1ACB
 DL/HA7UL/P via HA7UL (d/L) HC5EAJ via N9EAJ & (L) OZ30EU via OZ8IE
 DL20IKT via DL8DXW HF40STOK via SP4LVK R900BL via UF1M 
 DR50DIG via DH1PAL HG100CFB via HA6OI SN19WOSP via SP5PPK
 EA8/DF5JR via DF5JR HG6N via HA6KNB (d/L) SP85NISKO via SQ7FPD & (L)
 EA8/ON5WS/P via ON5WS HH2AA via HH2AA (L) TM66BLM via F6KBR
 EA9LZ via EA5KB (d/L) IQ2XZ via 9A8MDC ZL7/JA0JHQ via JA0JHQ (d/L)
 FM5BH via W3HNK (d) IQ6KX via IW6ATQ (d/e) ZY6C via PY6TV (d)
 GB2RN via G0TOC (d/G-B) IT9/DJ8QP via DJ8QP


 (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


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: CR5T, CT3MD, CX4ACH, LU1HVK, LY2FN, LY2J,
 OH8GDU, PA1AW, RW4NN, R9XM, SM4EMO, SQ7LRT and SV2AEL


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: EL2EL/4 (AF-111), EP6RRC , KP4/EI9FBB (NA-249)
 and TK/S57C


 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....


S7, SEYCHELLES. Vlad, UA4WHX, is expected to be active soon as S70VB from
La Digue Island (AF-024). Specific dates were not provided. Activity will
be on various HF bands using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via UA4WHX
direct or by PayPal (see QRZ.com).


USI NEWS. The United States Islands Awards (USI) program will be celebrating
its 25th anniversary this year. For this special occasion, the USI will be
providing/offering a special award for both chasers and activators running
between January 1st and December 31st. For details, see: 
 http://usislands.org/25th-award
Also see details on the ARRL Web page at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/view/us-islands-awards-program-announces-25th-anniversary-award-recent-rule-changes


VK, AUSTRALIA. Taka, JA8COE, will be active as VK4/JA8COE from Wangai
Beach Hotel on Horn Island (OC-138) between March 14-17th. Activity will
be on various HF Bands. QSL via JA8COE. For more details and updates,
watch: https://blog.goo.ne.jp/takaja8coe


XV, VIETNAM. Andy, DL3YM, will be active as XV9YM on a job related trip
to Ho Chi Minh City between February 16th and March 18th. Activity will
be limited to his spare time on 40-10 meters using mainly CW. All QSOs
will be confirmed with a card and uploaded to LoTW.


XV, VIETNAM. Jacek, SP5APW, will once again be active from Vietnam during
March. Look for him to be active as XV9JK/p (pending) from Mui Ne City
between March 6-8th, and as XV9JK (pending) from Cu Lao Thu Island (AS-157)
between March 10-16th. Activity will mainly be on 20/17 meters using SSB,
and possibly FT8 on 40/30 meters. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by
the Bureau or LoTW.


XV, VIETNAM. Mats, RM2D (SM6LRR), will once again be active as XV9D from
Phan Tiet between November 17-30th. Activity will be holiday style, but
he will make a serious effort for the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 23-24th).
Entry category will be defined later [either a 160/80/40 meters Single-
Band effort]. Activity before and after the contest will be mainly on CW,
SSB, and possibly some Digital modes, mainly on 160-40 meters. This year
the aim is to focus on the 5 lowest bands (160-20 meters) and main goal
is to give DXers ATNO or new bandpoints on 160/80/40 meters. QSL via LoTW
or direct to EA5GL. NO Bureau QSLs.


ZF2, CAYMAN ISLANDS. Kan, JJ2RCJ, will once again be active as ZF2CJ from
the ZF1A Amateur Radio Club Station on Grand Cayman Island (NA-016) between
June 23-25th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters, but with a focus on FT8.
QSL via his home callsign, direct (only GS no IRCs), OQRS or LoTW.