The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1401
BID: $OPDX.1401
February 4, 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, AA4NC, N6YEU,
WB6RSE, K8GI, K8YSE, KU8X, W8GEX & 60m DX News, W9ILY, Co8ZZ, DL1SBF,
DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net,
E21EIC, ES1CW, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX
News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, IK4RQJ, IK7JWY, LA4LN, OZ6OM & 50 MHz
DX News, PP2BT, Sixitalia Weekly, and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following
DX information.


*** IMPORTANT NOTE FROM EDITOR (Update): The "new" OPDX Mailing List
 is back up and running! Details on how to subscribe/unsubscribe
 are at the bottom of this bulletin. PLEASE pass the word around....
 Thanks and 73 de Tedd KB8NW


DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the
week of Sunday, 27th/January, through Sunday, 3rd/February there were 216
countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J,
4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5R, 5T, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 9A, 9G,
9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY,
C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU,
E5/n, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY,
EZ, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0,
HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, 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, PJ7, PY,
PZ, S0, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI,
TJ, TK, TR, TT, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, 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, Z8, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZD8, ZD9, 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".


3B9, RODRIGUEZ ISLAND. As this was being written, Vlad, UA4WHX, was active
as 3B8VB from Rodriguez Island (AF-017). As always, the length of his stay
is unknown. Look for activity to be on 40/30/20/17 meters using mostly CW
with some SSB. QSL via UA4WHX.


3Y0I BOUVET DXPEDITION NEWS. Nothing was posted on any of the 3Y0I media
Web pages this past week. The DX community continues to be anxious for
this DXpedition to take place. Nothing else to report this week and no
other details. Departure dates are still not known. It is still a mystery...
If things change, we will send out a special bulletin.
 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


5X, UGANDA (Callsign Update from OPDX.1400). The Italian Dxpedition Team
(IDT) will be using the following callsigns for their DXpedition to Uganda
between March 13-25th: 5X3C (not 5X0T) for CW,SSB and RTTY
 5X3E (not 5X0X) for FT8
QSL via I2YSB, direct, OQRS or LoTW. For more details on the IDT team and
an online survey for "needs/wants", see their Web page at:
 http://www.i2ysb.com/idt


7P, LESOTHO (Update). The 7P8LB Team is now well established as they
near their departure date in a few weeks time. Operators Svein/LA3BO,
Piotr/LA7RRA, Rune/LA7THA (Team Leader), Arne/LA7WCA, Svein Jarle/LA9KKA,
Thor/LA9VPA, Harald/LB2HG, Chris/OE5CWO and Phillipp/OE7PGI will be active
as 7P8LB from Molengoane Lodge (WW Loc. KG30VO), Lesotho, between March
8-16th. They plan to have 2-3 stations running 24/7 on all HF bands using
CW, SSB, with the focus on low bands and FT8. QSL Manager is Charles,
M0OXO. QSL is via M0OXO's OQRS: https://www.m0oxo.com/oqrs/logsearch.php
Logsearch can be found on Clublog: https://clublog.org/logsearch/7P8LB
Not in log: Use the busted callsign facility on the OQRS page. For more
details and updates, see: http://www.la9vpa.com/7p8lb/index.html


8P, BARBADOS. Tom, W2SC, will once again be active as 8P5A during the
ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as Single-Op/All-Band/
High-Power entry. QSL via LoTW or direct to HA1AG.


A5, BHUTAN. Look for A5A to be activate again between February 27th and
 March 9th. Zorro/JH1AJT (A5A), will travel to Bhutan with Franz/DJ9ZB
(A52ZB) and Champ/E21EIC (A52IC). The main purpose for Zorro is to meet
with the Foreign Ministry to continue discussions on outcomes and progress
on their collaborative project for the youth development program SEISA
working for BOC. He will also meet the official of the Ministry of Health,
sports federations, BOC Olympic and Paralympic committees (also col-
laboration of sports, education and medical issues). Activity will be
on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and FT8. The team will focus on 160 meters
FT8. Suggested FT8 Frequencies/Modes are:
 160M : 1840 QSX 1908 for JA (FT8 normal mode)
 80M : 3567 DXpedition mode 17M : 18095 DXpedition mode
 40M : 7056 DXpedition mode 15M : 21091 DXpedition mode
 30M : 10131 DXpedition mode 12M : 24911 DXpedition mode
 20M : 14090 DXpedition mode 10M : 28091 DXpedition mode
QSL via JH1AJT: P.O. Box 8, Oiso, Naka-gun, KANAGAWA 255-0003, Japan
OQRS will be available at ClubLog after Zorro's return to Japan.
Support FGC ­ Foundation for Global Children: http://www.fgc.or.jp/english


C6, BAHAMAS. Operators Michael/KN4EEI, Michael/N6MZ and George/AA7JV are
now active as C6AGU from Water Cay (NA-001) until Feb. 18. Activity will
be mainly on 160/80/40 meters using mostly CW and FT8. QSL via HA7RY.


CT3, MADEIRA. Henning, OZ1BII/OZ2I, will be active as CT9ABR from Porto
Moniz during the ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as
a Single-Op/Low-Power entry. He will be on the island between February
14-17th. Activity outside of the contest, he will sign CT3/OU2I and will
only be CW only on the WARC-79 bands. QSL via OZ2I, direct or by the
Bureau. Watch the following Web page for updates: 
 https://sites.google.com/view/oz2i-oz1bii/news


DAY-XENIA NEWS (Dayton CTU Update - WX6SWW and 2019 Course List posted).
Tim, K3LR, announced [edited]: I am pleased to announce that Dr. Tamitha
Skov, WX6SWW, has joined the faculty for our 2019 Contest University in
Dayton this coming May. Dr. Skov will speak about Cycle 25 forecasting
in the morning and she will lead a small group discussion about Space
Weather in the afternoon.
 Tamitha is a regular part of the popular Ham Nation show on Wednesday's.
 Here is her latest Space Weather update from Ham Nation:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDPdyxfNWdA
 You can learn more about WX6SWW here: http://spaceweatherwoman.com
 The 2019 Course Outline is now posted on the Contest University Website:
 https://www.contestuniversity.com/course-outline


DXCC'S MOST WANTED (ClubLog). The "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list has
been updated on ClubLog as of January 29th. The list contain 340 entities
and here are the top 10 entities:
 1. P5 DPRK (North Korea) 6. BV9P Pratas Island
 2. 3Y/B Bouvet Island 7. KH7K Kure Island
 3. FT5/W Crozet Island 8. KH3 Johnston Island
 4. CE0X San Felix Islands 9. FT5/X Kerguelen Island
 5. BS7H Scarborough Reef 10. 3Y/P PETER 1 ISLAND 
 
 Four changes this month. San Felix Islands (CE0X) and Scarborough Reef
(BS7H) switched places in the 4th to 5th position. Kerguelen Island (FT5/X)
moved from the 10th to the 9th, and Macquarie Island (VK0M) dropped to 11th
and Peter 1 Island (3Y/P) moved to 10th. The complete "DXCC Most Wanted"
entities list is available at: https://secure.clublog.org/mostwanted.php


E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS. Doug, W6HB, will once again be active as E51DLD
from either Jim/E51JD or Bob/E51BQ's shack on Rarotonga Island (OC-013)
between April 21-28th. Activity will be holiday style on 160-10 meters.
QSL via his home callsign.


FK, NEW CALEDONIA. Arnaud, JG1XMV, will once again be active as FK/JG1XMV
from New Caledonia between February 23rd and March 10th. He will have his
friend Yves, FK4RD, again with him. His activity will be from Grand Terre
Island (OC-032), but may also visit Lifou (OC-033) and Mare (OC-033) islands
during his stay. Operations will be on 40/20/17/15 meters SSB. QSL via home
call direct, LoTW and eQSL.


FY/TO2, FRENCH GUIANA. Hartwig, DL7BC, will once again be active as
TO2BC from French Guiana between March 21st and April 2nd. He will
be active during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 30-31st). Activity
will be holiday style before and after the contest, and will probably
be on 40-10 meters (possibly 80m) using a Kenwood TS590SG into a Spider-
beam for 20-10m with WRTC-40m-extension and a Triple-Leg for 40m. QSL
via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau, Club's OQRS or LoTW. Watch
his Web page for updates at: http://www.qslnet.de/dl7bc


HH, HAITI. William, KO7SS, will be active as HH2AA from Radio Club D'Haïti
in Obleon during the ARRL International DX 17 Contest (February 16-17th) as
a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power/Assisted entry. He states, "Solar power
remote operation." QSL via LoTW only.


IOTA NEWS..............
 AF-019. Members of the ARI Modena will be active as IG9MO from Lampedusa
 Island (IIA G001, WLOTA N. 2312, WAIP AG) between March 28th
 and April 2nd. Activity will be on various HF bands using CW,
 SSB, RTTY and other Digital modes. They plan to be in the CQWW
 WPX SSB Contest (March 30-31st). QSL via info on QRZ.com.


 AF-118. (New IOTA) Toufelaz, CN8QY, is planning to lead a team to
 activate Los Farallones Island, Morocco, between July 25-30th.
 Callsign will be 5C9A. Operators mentioned are Zidane/CN8CE,
 Toufelaz/CN8QY, Hamid/CN8HDZ, CN8PA/CN8PA, Ferti/CN8RAH,
 Leopoldo/I8LWL, Bruno/IK2PZG, Simon/IZ7ATN, Col/MM0NDX and
 possibly 1-2 more. They are looking for support. Details are
 on QRZ.com.


 OC-016. Jim, WB2TJO, will once again be active as 3D2JS from Taveuni
 Island, Fiji, between early February and March 10th. Activity
 will be on 40-15 meters using mainly CW, but also SSB and
 the Digital modes. The rig will be an ICOM 706 MK IIG with
 an MFJ 971 manual tuner. QSL via his home callsign.


 OC-150. Members of ORARI Lokal Lombok Timur Club Station, YB9ZGD,
 will be active from Lombok Island, Indonesia, during the CQWW
 WPX SSB Contest (March 30-31st) as a Multi-Single entry.
 Team leader as Ahbab/YB9JA and supported by Adi/YB9GV. QSL
 via YB9ZGD, direct, eQSL or ClubLog.


 OC-183/ Operators Andy/VK6MAV and Vlad/ER1PP will be active as VK5MAV/6
 OC-211. from both Houtman Abrolhos Island (OC-211) and Favorite Island
 (OC-183) between April 15-25th but it's not final; it depends
 on Vlad's visa conditions and international flight's avail-
 ability. Also third party's interests and plans are involved.
 For more details and updates, watch: 
 http://vk5mav.wixsite.com/dxpedition/next-expedition


 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......


J3, GRENADA. Peter, G4HSO, will be active as J3/G4HSO from Grenada (NA-024)
between February 4-16th. Activity will be holiday style on various HF
bands using mainly CW. QSL via G4HSO by the Bureau, direct to EA5GL,
ClubLog or LoTW.


KH2, GUAM. Yoshi, JE2EHP, is about to go QRT as K1HP/KH2 from Guam. He
will be there until February 4th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters using
CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via JE2EHP, by the Bureau, LoTW or ClubLog's OQRS.


OX, GREENLAND. Nils, SM3UQK, will be active as OX/SE3A from Ilulissat on
the west cost between February 9-21st. Ilulissat is one of the "bigger"
communities on Greenland, with around 4500 inhabitants. Activity will be
on 40/20 meters running portable with a Yaesu FT-857D and a Buddistick™
Portable Multi-Band Vertical Antenna. He "may" also be active using an
Icom IC-7300 and endfeed multiband antenna. QSL via SM3UQK, direct or
by the Bureau.


P29, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (Cancelled). Operators Derek/G3KHZ, Hans/SM6CVX
and Eddy/K5WQG, who were going to activate two IOTA islands as P29VCX
and P29NI in the coming weeks, have announced their activity from OC-025
and OC-153 are cancelled "due to security issues".


PJ4, BONAIRE (Reminder). Operators Fred/WW4LL and Mike/NN9DD will be active
as PJ4/WW4LL and PJ4/NN9DD, respectively, between February 4-10th. Activity
will be on FT8, RTTY and SSB, on all bands, and including the CQWW WPX
RTTY Contest (February 9-10th) as PJ4Z. For paper QSLs, please QSL via
K4BAI, but LoTW is the preferred method for all QSLs (PJ4Z, PJ4/WW4LL and
PJ4/NN9DD). Log will be uploaded post contest.


PJ5, ST. EUSTATIUS (Update). Fred, N6YEU, will be active as PJ5/N6YEU
from St. Eustatius Island (NA-145, WW Loc. FK87ml) between February
12-18th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-15 meters (possibly 80m)
using CW and SSB. No Digital modes. He plans to be in the ARRL Inter-
national DX CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Single-Op entry. He will
be running low-power into Inverted Vee dipoles. QSL via his home call-
sign or LoTW. ADDED NOTE: Fred told OPDX that he is celebrating his "70th
birthday on Feb.15th" and also celebrating his "30th year as a ham". Fred
states, "It is a 'bucket list' item. This is my first DXpedition. I will
be on the air as much as propagation will let me but also plan on playing
'tourist'."


PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (February 4-10th).......
 Feb/04th AN Feb/07th AN Feb/09th AN
 Feb/05th AN Feb/08th AN Feb/10th AN
 Feb/06th 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


PY0F, FERNANDO DE NORONHA. Operators Jose/PU0FDN, Renner/PY7RP and Ville/
PY2ZEA/OH2MM will be active as PY0F during the ARRL International DX CW
Contest (February 16-17th) as a Multi-2 entry. The team will be on the
island between February 13-18th. Activity outside of the contest will be
mostly on the low bands (testing new RX system by RemoteQTH), maybe some
60m activity on CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via PY7RP direct or ClubLog's OQRS.
All QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW. For more details and updates, see:
 https://py0f.wordpress.com


QSL INFO AND NEWS...................
 QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF  
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3B9VB via UA4WHX EA9/DL2JRM via DL2JRM SN150EL via SP1KRF
 3W1T via XV1X (d) HB0/DL5SE via DL5SE SN5B via SP5SSB
 6O1OO via (**) HB90BRU via HB9BRU & (e) TM39PVJ via F8GGZ
 9M2MRS via PA0RRS & (L/C) J42L via SV2DCD UE76MS via UE76MS (O)
 C6A/DD0VR via DD0VR K1HP/KH2 via JE2EHP & (L) V31UX via IK0FUX & (L)
 DA0DIG via DH1PAL K5C via W5NAC & (L) VE3/IU7FBC via IU7FBC & (L)
 DF13DEJU via DM2TO KH6/G4KHG via KH6/G4KHG (L) WA4DT/HR9 via WA4DT (d)
 DL70AFUG via DM4EAX & (L) LZ391MW via LZ1KCP ZS2/DL5DSM via DL5DSM
 DR1D via DL3KODL3KO OS8A via ON8VK
 EA5/LA2PC via LA2PC RA76SK via UC4A


 (**) 6O1OO: Ali Solhjoo, c/o Dr. de Vivanco, Schnackenburgstrasse 3,
 12159 Berlin, Germany


 (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/FO/OK2ZI
 https://clublog.org/logsearch/PJ4P


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 5R8UM (AF-057), 9LY1JM, 9M2MRS, DH3KM, DL1HUF,
 E51DWC, E73DN, EP6RRC (AS-189), ER2OZ, G4ZOB, J68GU, J73HGL, JJ2LPV,
 OH0Z, OM5CD, ON8ZA, UR6IM, Z68M and ZP5DBC


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 5W0GC, C31CT, C37AC, FK8IK, J8NY, SV2ASP/A,
 TZ4AM, VU2GSM and YJ0GC


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 5R8IC, C8X, R71RRC, and XV9DLH
 --- We would like to see more QSL Bureaus (such as AS/US/SA/AF.. etc)
 send in their info....


T40, CUBA (Special Event). Members of the Federación de Radioaficionados
de Cuba (FRC) in Las Tunas Province and the Grupo DX de Cuba (GDXC) will
be active with the callsign T40SC between February 4-10th. Activity is to
celebrate the Baseball Caribbean Series in Panama, where Las Tunas Base-
ball team will be competing representing Cuba. Activity will be on all
HF bands, depending on propagation and operators' free time, using CW,
SSB and FT8. A special certificate will be awarded to those who work
T40SC at leaston 4 bands, no matter the mode. More information is on CO8ZZ's
personal blog (https://xavian2016.cubava.cu/) and the FRC's Web site
(https://www.frcuba.cu/).


V3, BELIZE. George, W2AIV, will be active as V31GF from Belize between
February 23rd and March 2nd. Activity will be on 40/20/15/10 meters using
SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via LoTW.


VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS. Mario, 3A2NY/W4HBW/I2HBW, is once again
active as VP5VMA from Providenciales Island (NA-002) until February 28th.
Activity will be on 40-10 meters using mostly SSB. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS.


XV9, VIETNAM (Reminder). Operators Bogdan/SP2FUD and Zenon/SP2GCJ will be
active as XV9FUD and XV9ZT, respectively, from Vietnam, between February
5-18th. Activity will be on various HF bands and modes. QSL via their
home callsigns.


YS, EL SALVADOR. Will, AA4NC, will be active as YS1/AA4NC from San Salvador
between February 13-20th. Activity will be all HF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY
and even FT8 (if he has to!). He plans to be in the ARRL International DX
CW Contest (February 16-17th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via AA4NC.