OPDX Bulletin 1357 March 26, 2018

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1357
BID: $OPDX.1357
March 26, 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, N1DG, NJ1Q & W1AW, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, K8GG, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, BG4HRM, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, Sixitalia Weekly and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX information.

Sorry for the small content this week. The ISP server (hamnet.org) that is used for the OPDX mail and mailing list has been down since March 19th. If you sent mail to OPDX at 
EDITOR'S SPECIAL NOTICEit probably bounced and/or is sitting on the main server that feeds (hamnet.org). The users of (hamnet.org) are still waiting to hear what happened and what the status is of the server. Any mail being sent to or is being received, and I am recommending to use those addresses for the time being. Until the "OPDX Mailing List" is running again, I am recommending to use the OPDX Web page (listed below) or QRZ.com to read the bulletin. Thanks for understanding the situation and hopefully it will be fixed this weekend.... 73 de Tedd KB8NW

This week's bulletin was sent out earlier than normal to accommodate the late CQWW WPX SSB Contest announcements. Also, we wanted to provide the readers with a consolidated listing of the CQWW WPX SSB Contest participants.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Friday, 16th/March, through Friday, 23rd/March there were 224 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3C0, 3D2, 3D2/r, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5V, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C6, C9, 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, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, H40, HA, HB, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, JA, JT, JW, JX, 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, PJ5, PJ7, PY, PY0F, PZ, S0, S5, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T2, T32, T7, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TL, TN, TR, TT, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2E, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VR, VU, XE, XF4, XT, XU, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YL, 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"

3C0W, ANNOBON ISLAND. By the time you read this, operators Yuris/YL2GM,
Kaspars/YL1ZF (ex-YL3AIW) and Girts/YL2KL will be preparing to leave
Annobon Island. On their Web page it was reported on March 20th [edited]:
"Yesterday set new QSO record - 5748 QSOs a day. Over 39700 QSOs in the
3C0W log in total so far. On Friday they will take down low band vertical,
Spiderbeam and Folding antenna. Last night from Friday to Saturday they
will be QRV on 40m and 30m bands. On Saturday morning they will end the
operation, pack the remaining gear and fly back to Malabo. The flight home
is on Tuesday. No more 3C3W activity is planned during the days in between."
On March 21st, it was reported: "Seeing the real situation of local kids
in Annobon, the team decided to donate extra funds and extend time of
fund-raising to support local pupils until Tuesday, March 27, 2018. Here
you will find how to donate  to
this 'Hams With Hearts' activity.
 On Friday they are visiting the local school and will forward school
goods already bought for amount of 500 €. And additionally they will have
time when back in Malabo to buy more school goods for pupils and will send
it to Annobon. School goods are not cheap here.
 3C0W log will be uploaded Saturday evening after the return to Malabo
(3C)."
 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


3V, TUNISIA. Ash, 3V/KF5EYY, will be active as 3V8SS from the "Radio Club
Station of Tunisian Scouts" in Sousse, during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest
(March 24-25th) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry. QSL via LoTW or to LX1NO.
Read about Ashraf on the following Web page at: http://www.kf5eyy.info


7Q, MALAWI (Reminder). By the time you read this, members of the EIDX
Group will be active as 7Q7EI from the shores of Lake Malawi until April
2nd. There will be a team of 13 operators. Activity will be on 160-10
meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. They also plan to be in the CQWW WPX SSB
Contest (March 24-25th). There are four ways to QSL. QSL via M0OXO, direct
or via his OQRS (direct or Bureau). The entire log will not be uploaded
to LoTW for possibly up to 3 months. Visit the team's a Web page at:
 http://www.7q7ei.com


9Y4, TRINDADE AND TOBAGO. Chris, 9Y4D (ex-9Y4NZ), will be active during
the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band
(15m)/High-Power entry. QSL via 9Y4D (see QRZ.com), LoTW or eQSL.


C4, CYPRUS. Operators Stavros/5B4AFM, Tamer/5B4AHE, Nestor/5B4AHZ, George/
5B4KH, Spyros/5B4MF, Marios/5B4WN and Philip/5B4ZN will be active as C4A
[special contest callsign of the Nicosia Contest Group (NCG)] during the
CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via LoTW,
direct via 5B4KH, LoTW or ClubLog's OQRS. 


CN, MOROCCO. Operators Matteo/IK2SGC, Stefano/IK2QEI, Jiri/OK1RI, Vladimir/
OK1NY, Petr/OK1FFU and Norbert/OM6NM will be active as CN7EJ during the
CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a Multi-2 entry. QSL via IK2OHG.
Activity is in memory of W7EJ/CN2R.


E2, THAILAND. Champ, E21EIC, will be active as E2A (The SIAM DX Group/
Contest Callsign) from Bangkok during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March
24-25th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via LoTW or by
the Bureau using ClubLog.


E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS. Jim, KM7R, will be active as E51KMR from Jim's,
E51JD, station on Rarotonga Island (OC-013) sometime in May. Activity
will be on various HF bands. QSL via his home callsign.


FM, MARTINIQUE. Gerard, F2VX, is once again active as FM/F2VX from Mar-
tinique Island (NA-107) until April 18th. Activity will be on various
HF bands using mainly SSB. QSL via F2VX, direct or by the Bureau.


H4, SOLOMON ISLANDS. Haru, JA1XGI, will be active as H44XG from Honiara
sometime between June and July (dates are not fixed yet). Activity will
be on 40/30/20/15/10 meters using mainly CW and sometimes FT8 (in the
DXpedition Mode, if applicable). QSL via his home callsign, direct, by
the Bureau or LoTW.


HS, THAILAND. Members of the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST)
from Asia Institute of Technology and Club Station in Bangkok will be
active as HS0AC during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a
Multi-2 entry. QSL via HS5NMF. Operators mentioned are Panit/HS1AAZ,
Jack/HS1FVL, Nikorn/HS5NMF, HS5VLE, Nuk/HS7BHK, Dan/HS0KRM, HS0VGE,
Kamol/E20EHQ, Karn/E20ZFD, Beer/E21FYK, Siriporn/E21GJC, E23NEZ and
Tony/E24OYI.


IOTA NEWS..............
 AS-200. Kenji, JA4GXS, will once again be active as JA4GXS/5 from Naka
 Island (JA5 Ehime Prefecture) in the Shikoku's Coastal Islands
 Group betwee April 22-23rd. Activity will be on 40-17 meters
 using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via JA4GXS, by the Bureau or direct.


 EU-073. Vin, IK7IMO, will be active as IJ7V from San Pietro Island
 during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 28-29th) as a Single-Op/
 SSB-Mode/DXpedition entry. QSL via IK7IMO.


KH1/KH7Z BAKER ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS. Don, N1NG, posted 5 photos on the
KH1/KH7Z Baker Island DXpedition 2018 FaceBook page. The Georgia contingent
of the KH1/KH7Z team has been busy. Team members Tom/N4XP, Rick/N4HU and
Paul/W6XA built their Weatherport tents (that will used on KH1) last week-
end!!! Check it out at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1994732637472703


KH9, WAKE ISLAND (Update). Philip, N7NVK, will be active as KH9/N7NVK
from Wake Island (OC-053) starting sometime in April. He reported the
following update on QRZ.com on March 21st: "Still awaiting clearance
documents. Tenative travel date 04-09-2018."


KP4, PUERTO RICO. Rafael, KP4RV, will be active from Luquillo during the
CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m)/
Low-Power entry. QSL via LoTW.


LM90, NORWAY. Operators Jan/LA1MNA, Bob/LB4FH, Morten/LA7XIA, Kjell/LA6ZP
and Knut/LA9RY will be active as LM90NRRL during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest
(March 24-25th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via the Bureau. This is a
special even?t? callsign celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Norwegian
National Amateur Radio organization (NRRL). Also look for LM90C and LM90HQ
throughout 2018.


PJ2, CURACAO. Mason, KM4SII, will be active as PJ2/KM4SII and part of a
three-youth operator team as part of the Youth DX Adventure (YDXA) later
this year. They will be active from the PJ2T contest station between
July 19-24th. Activity will be on all bands and modes. Mason is hoping
to do some digital as that is where Curacao is most needed according to
ClubLog as well as a focus on the Asia/VK/ZL areas. Look for more details
to be forthcoming. Also watch: http://km4sii.younghams.org


PJ7, SINT MAARTEN (Update). Tom, AA9A, will once again be active as PJ7AA
from Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten (NA-105), between November 17th and December
8th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and the Digital
modes. He hopes to be in the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 24-25th). Oper-
ations will be with 100 watts with a K3 and Buddi-pole. QSL via AA9A or
LoTW. NO Bureau QSLs.


PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (March 26th-April 1st).......
 Mar/26th HN Mar/29th AN Mar/31st AN
 Mar/27th AN Mar/30th AN Apr/01st AN
 Mar/28th 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 23rd) 
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 3A/I1YRL via I1YRL (d) HS0ZJF via ON4AFU PJ2/KI4DSO via KI4DSO
 5V7SM via F5IVC (d) KH2/JP3QMP via JP3QMP PJ2/WT4BT via WT4BT
 6E3MAYA/XF3 via XE3N & (L) M7T via G3YYD RI50ANO via RN1ON & (L)
 8P6DR via G3RWL & (L) OE100JML via OE5JML UI8J via RW9JZ
 CN2JJ via CN2JJ (d/e) OH0JV via DL7RV XV9BG via RW0BG
 CT9/DF7ZS via DF7ZS OO9A via ON8YB YB0JS via YB0JS (L)
 DQ2C via DL2CC PF2018YLS via PA0MBD & (L)
 DR5N via DL9YAJ PJ2/AG4F via AG4F


 >> >> No QSL Infos next Week <<
 Next Infos on Sunday, April 15, 2018


 (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


 LOGS ONLINE AT CLUBLOG.ORG THIS WEEK......
 https://clublog.org/logsearch/9M0W (Log has been uploaded)
 https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/A5A
 https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/FK/5B4ALX


 LOTW NEWS. The ARRL Letter reports that the "LoTW may be unavailable
 for brief periods on Monday, March 26th. Scheduled maintenance for
 Logbook of The World (LoTW) will take place on March 26th, 1300 to
 1500 UTC, to perform system upgrades. During that window, users are
 advised that the LoTW system may be unavailable for short periods. 


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 3B8XF, A5A, JY5IQ, RZ3AA, S9CQ, T32AZ, TX5X
 and TZ4AM


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 6O6O, E31A, H72DX, and ZC4A


 QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: YN2SX


T31, CENTRAL KIRIBATI ISLANDS. Members of the "Rebel DX Group" (see the
Web page ) will once again be active as T31T
from Kanton Island (OC-043) starting sometime in May. Dom, 3Z9DX, posted
the following on their Web page and "eHam.net": "Following our DXpedition
to Kanton Island (Central Kiribati) in 2016, we decided to come back to
this extraordinary place this year ­ with a new plan and resources.
 Next to a typically ham radio focused activity, we wish to connect our
radio project with humanitarian aid mission addressed to the little,
isolated community of Kanton Atoll. It's inhabited by as little as 24
persons and their needs are often forgotten by local authorities and
rest of the world.
 Apart from ham radio activity, our other goal is to focus on delivering
a new gears and equipment needed for monitoring and prevention of natural
disasters (such as early warning system of cyclones, earthquakes, tsunami).
There are also necessary repairs to be done to the old, existing equipment.
Without proper technical backup, the Kanton’s friendly and most welcoming
community will be much more exposed to natural disasters and climate change
side effects.There is also no fresh water on Kanton.
 Water maker machine will be very helpful for locals (they are using
rain water to drink).
 If you want to support Kanton community, you can send paypal using button
on our web page. Entire donations will be used for local community only.
 http://www.rebeldxgroup.com
 Our journey will begin around May 10th from Samoa. We plan to launch 2
stations operating FT8 24h non-stop + 3 more SSB/CW stations. We still
have 5 seats to take by an organized group or individual amateurs. More
information available upon email requests sent to .
 Join our team and experience this extraordinary adventure with us.
 http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Kanton_Island#/overview
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7tjEYOXFeo
 https://www.flickr.com/gp/146138260@N04/Xs7w1X
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzAv365tBD0


 The Rebel DX Team"


TO5, GUADELOUPE. Pascal, F6ASS, will be active as TO5GI (GI stands for
Guadeloupe Island) between now and April 6th. Activity will include
the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry.
QSL via F5XX.


V7, MARSHALL ISLANDS. Nobu, JA0JHQ, is now active as V73NC from Majuro
Atoll (OC-029) until March 26th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using
SSB and the Digital modes (FT8, RTTY, PSK31) on 20m. He also plans to be
in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th). Equipment will be a a TS-480HX
(200w on HF, 100w on 6m) into a Micro-vertical, Single Delta loop and End
Feed antennas. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau. Visit
his Blog page at: http://pandasan.jimdo.com


XU7, CAMBODIA (Update). Operators Siqing Li/BG4HRM/XU7AKL, Larry/XU7AEY/
VR2VAT, Feng/BG5EFD, Chenxing/BG9XD, Wang/BG9QM and Zhang/BD4DYH will be
active as XU7AEY from Phnom Penh during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March
24-25th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL XU7AEY via VR2VAT. ADDED NOTE:
Siqing Li/BG4HRM/XU7AKL informed OPDX on March 22nd, that the XU7AEY
station was on air during his afternoon local time, and they were testing
the station. They worked more than 30 QSOs from Europe and America using
both SSB and CW on 20m. The station is an Icom756 Pro2 with 100 watts into
a Hexbeam. Pictures can be seen on the NODXA FaceBook page:
 https://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation


XW, LAOS. Champ, E21EIC, will once again be active as XW1IC from Vientiane
between March 27-31st. Activity will be on 40-6 meters using various modes.
QSLs must be requested via the OQRS on ClubLog or via E21EIC and LoTW.
NO PAPER QSL IS NEEDED.


YB0, INDONESIA. Karsono, YB0NDT, will be active during the CQWW WPX SSB
Contest (March 24-25thth) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m)/High-Power
entry. QSL via LoTW only. No Bureau. No QSL cards.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 The following stations are expected to be active in the
 CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 24-25th, 2018)
 Contest Rules: http://www.cqwpx.com/rules.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Thanks to Bill, NG3K, for providing OPDX readers with the following
consolidated listing of the participants in the 2018 CQWW WPX 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/wpxs2018.html (By callsign)
 http://www.ng3k.com/Misc/wpxsd2017.html (By entity)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Contest DXCC Class QSL
 Callsign Entity Route
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3V8SS Tunisia SO LoTW; QSL via LX1NO
4H1K Philippines QSL via DV1KIR
4L2M Georgia SOSB 40M EA7FTR
7Q7EI Malawi M/? M0OXO; QSL via (C)
8P5A Barbados SOAB HP LoTW; QSL via HA1AG
9Y4/KE1B Trinadad & Tobago M/S LoTW
9Y4/W6NN Trinadad & Tobago M/S LoTW
9Y4D Trinadad & Tobago SOSB 15M 9Y4D
B1Z China M/? EA7FTR
BP0P Taiwan M/? See QRZ.com
C4A Cyprus M/2 LoTW; QSL via 5B4KH and (C)
CN2AA Morocco M/S LoTW; QSL via UA2FM
CN4P Morocco SOSB LoTW; QSL via EA5XX
CN7EJ Morocco M/2 IK2OHG
CQ3W Madeira LoTW
E2A Thailand SOAB HP LoTW; QSL via (HS-B)
ED9E Ceuta & Melilla M/? EA9ACD (d)
EF9R Ceuta & Melilla SOAB HP LoTW; QSL via EA5KB
FK/5B4ALX New Caledonia SOSB 15M IZ4AMS
HS0AC Thailand M/2 HS5NMF
IO5O Italy M/S IK5RLP (B)
IO9R Italy M/2 LoTW; QSL via ON3AR (B/d) or (e)
K5NA USA M/M
LM90NRRL Norway M/S (LA-B)
MD1E Isle of Man M0OXO
MD1U Isle of Man M0OXO
MD0GOR Isle of Man LoTW
NH7A Hawaii SOAB HP LoTW; QSL via F5VHJ or WA6WPG
NP2N US Virgin Islands M/? NP2N; QSL via KP2 (B/d)
OH5Z Finland M/2 LoTW
P49Y Aruba SOAB LoTW; QSL via AE6Y
PJ2T Curacao M/M LoTW; QSL via W3HNK
PJ4R Bonaire SOAB WD9DZV
PJ4V Bonaire M/2 M0URX
PJ5T Saba & St Eustatius M/? ClubLog
PX2A Brazil M/M PY2VM 
TO2BC French Guiana DL7BC; QSL via (DARC-B) or (d)
TO5GI Guadeloupe SOAB F5XX
UF1F Russia (Europe) M/S eQSL
V73NC Micronesia SO LoTW; QSL via JA0JHQ
VB2Z Canada M/S LoTW; no paper QSLs
VK3HF Australia M/? LoTW; QSL via M0OXO
VP5P Turks & Caicos M/? ClubLog
XU7AEY Cambodia M/? LoTW
YB2DX Indonesia SOAB HP LoTW
YB0NDT Indonesia SOAB 20M LoTW
ZV5O Brazil M/2 LoTW; QSL via PY5QW


 (e) eQSL only (d) direct only (B) Bureau only (*-B) DX's- Bureau
 (O) OQRS only (C) ClubLog only (L) LoTW only (*) No QSL Needed