dxer ham radio dx news

.C.P.O. Bulletin (01-08 August 2014)

"Islands, Castles & Portable Operations"

Listing is by calendar date (day/month/year)

============================================

01/08/2014: Marilyn, WM2W and Terry, N0TW (10x #36547 VP 3138) will be active as C6ANW and C6ATW, respectively, from the Bahama Islands on 1-4 August 2014. They will be QRV on 10 metre SSB, especially during the 10-10 Summer QSO Party (www.ten-ten.org). QSL both callsigns via N0TW. [425 DX News]

01/08/2014: Nick, VK2DX via IOTA chasers indicates that Andy E51AND plans to be active from Pukapuka Island (OC-098), North Cook Islands, during August 2014. Andy did have plans to be active from Pukapuka earlier in 2013, but weather conditions prevented him from going. More info on new OC-089 plans to be updated early 2014. [DX World]

01/08/2014: Kuny, AH0BT and his son Yoshiki (14y/o), KH0UA are once again active from the Saipan BBQ Contest Club, island of Saipan (USi NI-002S, WLOTA 1333, Grid Loc. QK25), Northern Mariana Islands (OC-086) until 4th August 2014. QRV holiday style on the HF bands, all modes. QSL AH0BT via the JARL Bureau or direct with 2USD+SAE (ML9292, 2-14-8, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061, JAPAN). QSL KH0UA via the Bureau or direct 2USD+SAE (ML9292, 2-14-8, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0061, JAPAN). NOTE: Direct address had been changed in 2014. Please forward the new address to your friends. [AH0BT via NG3K]

01/08/2014: Luc, ON6DSL, informs ICPO that he will be QRV once again from the Greek island of Crete (EU-015, GIOTA KRS-005, MIA MGC-005, WLOTA 1400) during his August 2014 holiday stay as SV9/ON6DSL/p. "I will be regularly QRV (holiday style) from the beach at QTH Pigianos Kampos near Rethimnon with equipment FT-817-ND - 5W (QRP) and a home made multiband antenna inv.V dipole @ only 4 m high. SRI ONLY SSB. PSE QSL via ON UBA BURO home call. [ON6DSL]

01/08/2014: Michel, F5OZF and Solange, F5RXL will be active as TK50O from near Ajaccio, island of Corsica (EU-014, DIFM TK-001, MIA MCO-001, WLOTA 1390, WW Loc. JN41IW), Corse du Sud (DDFM 2A) on 1-15 August 2014. QSL via F5RXL, direct or Bureau, and LoTW. [425 DX News]

02/08/2014: Cristian, CE2WTF and Manuel, CE2NTT plan to pay a short visit to the Isla de Pascua [aka Easter Island, Rapa Nui] (SA-001, DICE ICE-001, WLOTA 0319, WWFF CEFF-027) on 2nd and 3rd August 2014. They have the following options for callsigns: CE2NTT: XR0YNTT / 3G0YNTT / CB0YNTT; CE2WTF: XR0YWTF / 3G0YWTF / CB0YWTF. QRV on 40, 20, 15, 10, and 6 metre SSB, maybe also on LEO satellites. QSL via operators' information. Website: www.ce2ntt.blogspot.de/ [DX-World]

02/08/2014: On Saturday 2nd August 2014, Jean-Pierre F8NUH/p will activate the Castle of Montceau (DFCF 38-052), commune of Ruy-Montceau (CP 38300 WW, Loc. JN25QO). Plans are to be QRV on 80 and 40 metre CW and SSB. QSL via home call, Bureau or direct. [F8NUH]

02/08/2014: Repeat Special Event - Activating the Mount Dora Lake Lighthouse (ARLHS USA-1407) during National Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend. Carol, KA4WJR, informs ICPO "We had so much fun with the FEB 2014 event- that we decided to do a REPEAT SPECIAL EVENT during NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE & LIGHTSHIP WEEKEND - Aug 2014!!!! We will again activate the Mount Dora Lake Light located on Lake Dora at the entrance of the Port of Mount Dora in Mount Dora, Florida. We will operate from 1300 UTC Aug 2nd, 2014 to 2300 UTC Aug 4th, 2014 (9:00 am to 7:00 PM - local time) on Saturday August 2nd, 2014 and POSSIBLY again on Sunday August 3rd, 2014 or Thursday August 7th, 2014 - National Lighthouse Day. We will operate CW, SSB phone and PSK31. QSL information is the same as noted on the QRZ.com page, under KA4WJR, for the FEB 2014 lighthouse event." [KA4WJR]

02/08/2014: Operators Mek, SP7VC and YL Katarzyna, SQ7OYL have announced their next DXpedition will be to the Balkan area between 2-17 August 2014. They state that they will visit some Balkan countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia. As usual you can expect our activity from each country on many bands. No other details were provided, but stay tuned! For details and updates, see: www.sp7vc.dxing.pl [OPDX Bulletin]

02/08/2014: Laci, HA0NAR reports that he will be active from the island of Thasos [aka Thassos] (EU-174, GIOTA NAS-037, MIA MG-124, WLOTA 4186) as SV8/HG0R between 2-8 August 2014. QRV holiday-style on 160-6 metre CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via HA0NAR, Bureau or direct. [DX-World]

02/08/2014: Imam, YB4IR, will be active as YB4IR/5 from Tambelan Island (OC-122, WW Loc. OJ30SX) off the west coast of West Kalimantan, (Borneo), Indonesia, from 2-9 August 2014. QRV on 40-10m, CW, SSB and Digital modes. QSL via home call, direct, Bureau or ClubLog OQRS. [YB4IR]

03/08/2014: Tony, VK3VTH, announces an activation of Snowy River National Park (WWFF VKFF-455) for 3rd August 2014. QRV as VK3VTH/p from 02:00z - 04:00z on 7085 kHz and from 04:00z - 06:00z on 14244 kHz. QSL via home call, direct or Bureau. [DX Newsletter]

04/08/2014: Larry, K4KGG, plans activity from Fogo Island (NA-198, CIsA NF-005), Newfoundland, between 2-5 August 2014. QRV on HF bands, SSB. Possibly RTTY. QSL via K4KGG, LotW preferred and direct (Lawrence R Libsch, 23383 Water Circle, Boca Raton, FL 33486-8542, USA) with SAE + 2GS, or Bureau. [DX-World]

04/08/2014: Rich, KB5FLA, plans to be active from the island of Dutch Sint Maarten (NA-105, WLOTA 0711) as PJ7/KB5FLA between 4-12th August 2014. QRV holiday-style on the HF bands. QSL via LoTW and eQSL. [DX-World]

05/08/2014: From 5-11th August look for Joao, CU3AA, to be active as CT7/CU3AA/P in several counties in the districts of Lisbon, Coimbra and Santarem. Also will activate parishes for DDFP and if the opportunity arises, some monuments to DMHP (WCA). He will have access to 40, 30, 20 and 17 metre SSB and CW (if necessary). Information about the activation will be sent to the international network of clusters. Joao hopes to contact you on this "on-the-run expedition". [CU3AA]

06/08/2014: Eric, K9GY, will once again visit the shack of Ed, VP9GE, located in Hamilton Parish, island of Bermuda (NA-005, WLOTA 0201, WW Loc. FM72PI) and be active as K9GY/VP9 from 6-11 August 2014. Eric will focus on the Worked All Europe (WAE) CW Contest (9-10 August). Outside of the contest look for Eric to be QRV on 160-6 metres (100W on 6M). QSL via LotW (preferred) or direct via CBA for K9GY. [NG3K]

07/08/2014: A team from the Royal Omani Amateur Radio Society will operate SSB, CW and digital modes as A43MI from Masirah Island (AS-014, WW Loc. LL90JL), off the East coast of Oman, Ash Sharqiyah Region, Masirah Province, between 7-11 August 2014. QSL via A47RS. [DX-World]

LOOKING AHEAD -

16/08/2014: Carlo, ON4BR, plans to be active from the island of Boa Vista (WLOTA 0972, WW Loc. HK85OX), Cape Verde Windward Islands (AF-086), as D44TLO between 16-23 August 2014. QRV on 40-10 metre CW. QSL via ON4BR, direct or Bureau. [DX-World]

21/08/2014: Steve, G3ZVW, will be active from Georgetown, Ascension Island (AF-003, WLOTA 1491), as ZD8N between 21-29 August 2014. QRV on the HF bands, mostly CW. QSL via home call and LotW. [DX-World]

25/08/2014: Arnold, WB6OJB (FISTS #11592, SKCC #1328) will be active from Mozambique as C81AK between 25-30th August 2014. QRV on 40-10m. QSL via home call, direct only (Arnold Kalan, 16690 Charmel Ln., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272-2210, USA). [DX-World]

25/08/2014: Frosty, K5LBU will be active from Bilene, Mozambique as C81CF between 25th August and 4th September 2014. QRV on HF bands using SSB, CW and RTTY. QSL via LoTW is preferred. [DX-World]

14/09/2014: KE2EH RAFARS 3522 USA SPECIAL EVENT STATION. To commemorate the 74th anniversary of the Battle of Britian (June - September 1940) look for Mike, KE2EH, to be active on the 14th of September 2014 from Pocono Lake in northeast Pennsylvania, USA. Operating period will be from 00:01z to 23:59z, using both SSB and CW. Mike will not be operating continuously for the 24hr period. Best times will be 09:30z to 23:59z. Frequencies: CW - 7026 and 14055 KHz. SSB - 7145 KHz and 14285 KHz, (+/- 20KHz). Equipment is ICOM 7200 @ 125W or Kenwood TS440S @ 100W with 90ft multiband antenna. All contacts will be recognissed with a QSL card via ARRL Bureau. [Pete's-DX-Newsdesk]

25/10/2014: Look for Yuri, VE3DZ, to once again be QRV from Sept-Iles, Quebec (CQ zone 2), as VE2IM for the CQWW DX SSB Contest (25-26 October). Plans are for a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. Outside the contest, Yuri will be active for 1 week on 160-10 metre SSB, CW and RTTY, for those who need zone 2. QSL VE2IM via VE3DZ OQRS or direct (QRZ.com).

29/11/2014: Jim Neiger, N6TJ will be active from Scarborough, Tobago Island (SA-009, WLOTA 0412), Trinidad & Tobago, as 9Y4W for the CQWW DX CW Contest (29-30 November). A Single-Band entry from CQ zone 9 is being planned. QSL via DL4MDO and LotW. [NG3K]

29/11/2014: Look for Juan, EA8RM, to be active as EF8U from the EA8URL Radio Club, Las Palmas, Isla de Gran Canaria (AF-004, DIE S-005, WLOTA 0969, WWFF EAFF-078) for the CQWW DX CW Contest (29-30 November). Plans are for a Single-Op/All-Band entry from CQ zone 33. QSL via LotW. [NG3K]

15/02/2015: Pete, K8PGJ, will be active from Bora Bora (OC-067, DIFO FO-003, WLOTA 0430), Society Archipelago, French Polynesia, as FO/K8PGJ between 15-24th February 2015. QRV holiday style, on the HF bands. QSL via home call, direct or Bureau and LotW. [DX-World]

SPECIAL EVENTS -

01/08/2014: I.S.W.L. CLUB CALLSIGNS -

The ISWL Club Callsigns in use throughout the month of August 2014 are:

GX4BJC /A - Operated from Walton on the Naze, in Essex, by Herbie - G6XOU (ISWL Council Member & QSL Bureau Manager) (/A WAB Square = TM22 - England, IOTA = EU-005, WLOTA = 1841). Herbie will also operate as GX4BJC /P throughout the month. If required, he will give his current WAB Square during the QSO.

MX1SWL /A - Operated from Hartford, in Cambridgeshire, by Tom - G3RPV. (/A WAB Square = TL27 - England, IOTA = EU-005, WLOTA = 1841).

ALL QSL's for BOTH Calls will be handled by Herbie G6XOU and NOT the individual Operator.

The I.S.W.L. is a member of the European PSK Club.

All QSL Info is on www.iswl.org.uk/ or www.qrz.com/ or via www.eQSL.cc/ NO LOTW.

I.S.W.L. Awards are available to all Hams and SWL's - see www.iswl.org.uk/ for full details. eQSL.cc cards ARE welcomed for our awards.

Very best wishes to all,

Pete Rayer, ISWL Life Vice President, Bournemouth, UK.

[Pete's-DX-Newsdesk]

01/08/2014: Special callsign 8J5JAZZ celebrates Imabari (JCC 3802) Jazz Town on all bands and modes during the entire month of August 2014. Imabari is located in Ehime prefecture on the island of Shikoku (AS-076), Japan. QSL via Bureau is preferred. [JJ1WTL/AC6IM]

01/08/2014: Look for 8N1AQ to be active on all bands and modes from 1st August until 31st October 2014 to celebrate the 2nd Chiba Aqualine Marathon (Aqualine: The Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway), Chiba prefecture island of Honshu (AS-007, WLOTA 2376), Japan. QSL via the Bureau. [JJ1WTL/AC6IM]

01/08/2014: The Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club operates special event callsign GB100CMM between 1-7 August 2014. QSL via G3UFO. Websites: www.merseyworld.com/wadarc/ and www.cheshiremilitarymuseum.co.uk/ [DX Newsletter]

01/08/2014: RadioKlub Ligi Obrony Kraju (SP9KDU) honours the 100th anniversary of the Polish Legions headed by marshal Jozef Pilsudski with the special callsign SN100PKK. QRV all bands and modes between 1-15 August 2014. QSL via SP9KDU. [DX Newsletter]

02/08/2014: Members of the Burton upon Trent Amateur Radio Club operate GB2ALE, a special event call with a telling suffix, from the Brewery Museum on 2nd and 3rd of August 2014. They also honour the memory of their founding member F.V.A. Smith, XSR, with it, who managed to copy a transmission of Marconi's transmitter in Poldhu (South Cornwall) 100 years ago. QSL via G3NFC. Website: www.burtonarc.org/ [DX Newsletter]

02/08/2014: Special event station WW1USA will be on the air again on 2-3 August 2014 to commemorate the centennial of the declaration of war that started WW1. The station will again be operating from the grounds of the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, MO. WW1USA has selected several significant dates in 2014 when the station will be on the air: 6-7 September and 27-28 December. See www.ww1usa.org for more details. QSL direct to WW1USA (National World War 1 Museum Amateur Radio Club, 100 W 26th St., Kansas City, MO 64108, USA). [425 DX News]

03/08/2014: The Wirral and District Amateur Radio Club will activate the special call GB100GW between 3-10 August 2014. QSL via G3UFO. Websites: www.merseyworld.com/wadarc/ [DX Newsletter]

03/08/2014: Look for the special event station OE2WURZL14 [Boy Scout Club station of Club TeleScout (CTS)] to be active between 3-13 August 2014, from the international Camp of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of Salzburg (PPO) operating from the Gasteiner Valley (JN67NE). QSL via the OE-Bureau. The station is also valid for the Austrian Radio Scouting Award! For more information, see www.qrz.com/db/oe2wurzl14 [OPDX Bulletin]

04/08/2014: Members of the UBA club station (ON5UB) celebrate 100 years of "Radio Laeken" with the special call OP14B from 4th August until 3rd September 2014. QSL via ON5UB. Website: sites.google.com/site/ubabxe/100-ans-de-radio-laeken [DX Newsletter]

04/08/2014: Special event station SN100LP, run by the school station SP3PGR, honours the 100th anniversary of the Polish Legions headed by marshal Jozef Pilsudski. QRV on all bands and modes from 4-14 August 2014. There is also an award available (see QRZ.com). QSL via SP3PGR. [DX Newsletter]

06/08/2014: Between 6th and 12th August 2014 look for the following stations to be active to celebrate ARRL's centennial year: W1AW/1 will be operated by Andy K2LE/1, located in Readsboro, Bennington County, State of Vermont. W1AW/2 will be operated by Carol N2MM, located in Shamong, Burlington County, State of New Jersey. QSLs preferred via LoTW. [ARRL]

08/08/2014: Special event station 8N4ARDF will be QRV on all bands and modes from 8th August until 16th November 2014 for the 2014 All Japan ARDF Athletic Meet. QSL via the Bureau. [JJ1WTL/AC6IM]

U.S.A. Special Event Stations can be found at: www.arrl.org/contests/spev.html

LIGHTHOUSE CALENDAR -

01/08-31/10 8N1AQ: Honshu WLOTA:2376 QSL JARL Buro

01/08-31/07 GB100CMM: England (main island) WLOTA:1841 QSL G3UFO (d/B)

01/08-10/08 SV9/ON6DSL/P: Nisos Kriti WLOTA:1400 QSL H/c (B)

01/08-15/08 TK50O: Corsica Island WLOTA:1390 QSL F5RXL (d/B)

02/08-03/08 GB2ALE: England (main island) WLOTA:1841 QSL G3NFC (d/B)

02/08-04/08 N4N: Mount Dora Lake Light WLOL:USA-1407 QSL KA4WJR QRZ.com

02/08-08/08 SV8/HG0R: Nisos Thassos WLOTA:4186 QSL HA0NAR (d/B)

02/08-03/08 XR0Yxxx: Isla de Pascua WLOTA:0319 QSL Op's Info

03/08-10/08 GB100GW: England (main island) WLOTA:1841 QSL G3UFO (d/B)

04/08-12/08 PJ7/KB5FLA: St Maarten WLOTA:0711 QSL LotW/eQSL

06/08-11/08 K9GY/VP9: Hamilton Island WLOTA:0201 QSL H/c (d/LotW)

08/08-16/11 8N4ARDF: Honshu WLOTA:2376 QSL JARL Buro

6 METRES & UP -

01/08-31/08 EuCW Snakes & Ladders 6m/2m classes 01 0000z-31 2359z

01/08 ES Open VUSHF Field Day SO/MO/2.3-10GHz 1700z-2059z

02/08 TARA Grid Dip Contest PSK/RTTY 6m class 0000z-2400z

02/08 ES Open VUSHF Field Day SO/MO/1296MHz 0300z-0659z

02/08-04/08 Brass Monkey Contest 6m & Up 02 0500z-04 0100z

02/08 RSGB 4th 144MHz Backpackers SO/All Mode 1300z-1700z

02/08 RSGB 144MHz Low Power Contest SO/SF/Open 1400z-2000z

02/08-03/08 URE National V-UHF 144MHz-1.3GHz 02 1400z-03 1400z

02/08 ES Open VUSHF Field Day SO/MO/144MHz 1500z-1859z

02/08 FISTS Two Metre Activity CW/SO/2m 1700z-1800z

02/08-03/08 ARRL August UHF Contest SO/MO/Rover 02 1800z-03 1800z

02/08-08/08 SV8/HG0R: Thasos EU-174 Grid:KN20 6m CW/SSB/TTY QSL HA0NAR (d/B)

02/08-03/08 XR0Y/: Easter Island SA-001 Grid:DG52 6m SSB QSL Op's Info

03/08 ES Open VUSHF Field Day SO/MO/4432MHz 0300z-0659z

03/08 Contest Alpe Adria VHF CW/SSB/Portable 0700z-1500z

03/08 ES Open VUSHF Field Day SO/MO/50MHz 0800z-0959z

03/08 RSGB 432MHz Low Power Contest SO/SF/Open 0800z-1200z

03/08 FISTS Two Metre Activity CW/SO/2m 0900z-1000z

03/08 Colorado 14er Event 6m-70cm/+SOTA 1500z-1800z

05/08 LY 144MHz Activity Contest CW/SSB/FM 1700z-2059z

05/08 NRAU 144MHz Activity Contest SO/MO/Open 1700z-2100z

05/08 SPAC 144MHz Contest CW/Phone/Open 1800z-2200z

05/08 RSGB 144MHz UKAC SO Fixed/Open 1900z-2130z

06/08 MOON Contest 144MHz CW/Digital/FM/SSB 1800z-2000z

06/08-11/08 K9GY/VP9: Bermuda NA-005 Grid:FM72PI 6m 100W QSL H/c (d/LotW)

Contest Calendar: www.qsl.net/va3rj/con_aug.html

Information about current VHF activities can be found on the VHF DX portal "Make More Miles on VHF" at: www.MMMonVHF.de/

SMIRK: www.smirk.org/

SOTA (Summits On The Air) Watch Alerts at: www.sotawatch.org/

QSL INFO -

QSL MANAGER SERVICES OFFERED -

Ken, G3OCA (VO2A, 9G5MD, C94KF) offers his service as QSL manager to interested DXpeditions and DX stations. Please contact him via g3oca1[@]ntlworld.com.

ZS8Z QSL ISSUES

Following info by David ZS8Z was posted on QRZ.com. It is slightly edited here for clarity. Furthermore, if "ham-spirit" is really alive and well, perhaps some souls could help David?

"Update on the QSL cards. I'm sorry to report that for now, the sending of QSL cards has come to a hold due to financial reasons.

I had to throw away hundreds of IRC's because they expired by the time I received them. This means the extra $ sent by some ops were then used to pay for the return of cards up to now.

The paypal account is not in my name and the owner is having problems with the bank, thus I have not received any money. Converting $ into Rands is also very expensive and costs a lot of commission. I used the money I earned on Marion island to pay my debts, and thus I do not have any money of my own to use for sending out future cards.

I am now selling my radios to get postage money to send out cards. I have not yet found employment - thus have no money coming in. As soon as I get the money from my radio sales, I will send out the remaining cards.

ZS1LS, Allan, has taken up the LOTW confirmations, so please contact him regarding any questions. ZS8(Z) have been a problem child from day one, and looking back I never should have come on the air. It has spoiled radio for me for a very long time." [DX-World]

QSLs via Bureau: 4X266POPE, T00/F8BBL, TM10AAW, TM0CEZ and TM1TARA.

QSLs via Direct: 5J0R (EA5RM), A65BP (UA6MF), A92HK (QRZ.com), BY5HB (QRZ.com), CY0P (VE1RGB), FT5ZM (OQRS/N2OO), FW5JJ (F5RXL), FY/F5UOW (H/c), HS0ZCW (QRZ.com), KP2/K3TEJ (H/c), MX0INT [EU-109] (F5CWU/OQRS), RI1ANR (RK1PWA), TM1INT (OQRS), TX6G (G3TXF), UK/R1ZY (KG4W), V21ZG (DL7AFS), XV2E (JH5RXS) and ZF35EJ (K6AM).

QSLs via LotW: 3E100PC, 4S7RM, 5B4AHL, 5Q5R, 5V7SI, 5W0ML, 7Z1TT, 9A1AA, AD4EB, C82DX, CF3NAVY, CN8KD, D2QV, DK8ZZ, DL1VDL, DL9MBI, DS4AOW, ES0U, F5IN, GA14CG, HB9ARF, HG7T, HO3AK, HP3AK, J6/W5EXJ, JA7CSS, JT1CD, K0RF, K9NW, M0PNN, MU0HTJ, M5Z, N5T, NP4DX, OD5ZZ, OG6N, OH2BN, OP4K, P3F, PJ2/AB8YK, PQ5M, PY2PT, S51DX, S58MU, SN1D, T6T, TJ3SN, TM70UTAH, V21ZG, V5/DJ9RR, VE1AGB, VE2FK, VE3MGY, VE3SMA, VK4QH, VK9CS, VO1HP, VO1KVT, VY2TT, W100AW, W1WMU, W2YC, W7ZRC, WJ9B, WX4G, XE1KK, XV4Y, YL2014X, YT2AAA and ZW5B.

BITS & PIECES -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Finland

July 28, 2014

ERTC 2014 FINAL RESULTS ARE NOW PUBLIC

Congratulations to Czech Republic Team of Sarka, OK2SVA (21); Jindrich, OK1NOR (24) and Jan "Honza", OK1JD (20)

ETRC 2014 (European Radiosport Team Championship), the youth version of WRTC 2014, was held in Virrat, Finland one week after the Boston WRTC event with 15 three-person youth teams seated in one room in front of their computers and connected to the global Amateur Radio simulator over the internet, all in Virtual Reality. Once again, the latest technology was utilized in Amateur Radio for the benefit of Amateur Radio's future and by Amateur Radio operators themselves.

In total, ERTC 2014 activated hundreds of young people and licensed radio amateurs in full harmony within the participating 44 countries. ERTC 2014 was a huge success bringing youth and seasoned hams together around the same fireworks in the spirit of international Amateur Radio.

But Mother Nature added to the excitement as a thunderstorm knocked off electricity in the area and power was restored only 5 minutes prior to the start of the contest. It was a Le Mans type of hectic start leaving many teams in the starting grid. The Head Judge, Hans, PB2T, President of IARU Region 1, ruled the first 22 minutes out to give a level playing field to those slow in booting their contest machines and putting their racing helmets on.

When the dust had settled, the following three teams stood on the podium with their medals:

GOLD MEDAL, CZECH REPUBLIC: Sarka Vavrova, OK2SVA (21); Jindrich Kostal, OK1NOR (24) and Jan "Honza" Dohnalek, OK1JD (20)

SILVER MEDAL, ITALY;: Nicola Tonci, IZ6TSA (20); Gabry Iuliani, IT9RGY (26) and Orazio Intagliata, IT9DBF (25)

BRONZE MEDAL, ESTONIA: Keijo Kapp, ES1XQ (17); Tauri Helimets, ES5HTA (29) and Keven Mekk, ES6AXS (18)

As Silver and Bronze teams were less than three multipliers apart, the fact that the S/W platform (HamSphere 3.0) used in the contest logged all QSOs into the system, gave the organizers full confidence in verifying each station and their exchange. Only seven (7) multiplier uniques were found in the database and they did not affect the final rankings.

WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT ERTC CONTINENTAL WINNERS

Europe: Gaudentas Mozura, LY3BHY

Asia: Faisal Al-Ajmi, 9K2RR

South America: Jairo Ramos Sansone, PU3JAI

Oceania: Eko, 91HS576 (Central Java, Indonesia)

Africa: Tarek Zeidan, SU1TZ

North America: ARRL Centennial, W100AW*

*W100AW was activated by Martti Laine, OH2BH as part of the ARRL Centennial celebrations in Hartford, Connecticut. Thanks (K1ZZ) and congratulations to the American Radio Relay League.

YOTA 2014 & ERTC 2014

ERTC 2014 was part of a European wide youth gathering known as Youngsters On The Air (YOTA) which is held every year in different European Union countries under EU and International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) sponsorship with the aim of bringing youth together in the spirit of cultural exchange and learning from one another in all segments of Amateur Radio, science and electronics. This year fifteen EU countries were represented. ERTC also brought young people together globally over the internet, using Amateur Radio simulation software on a shared platform - all in the natural hangout of today's youth.

HAMSPHERE (HS) PLATFORM

HS is an Amateur Radio (AR) simulation software package giving a hands-on opportunity to youngsters who wish to experience AR in its natural setting while still busy with their studies and not able to take a ham exam or to invest in actual AR equipment. HS coexists with real AR with true propagation science, QSL collection and a variety of contest formats and related equipment. It offers an experience which will encourage young people to study for a ham license and thus enter our wonderful world of Amateur Radio. The latest breakthrough in the simulation software features real-time propagation and system integrated logging, instant QSLing and awards. <www.hamsphere.com/23_31496_read.html>

ERTC 2014 PATRON

The ERTC 2014 event was honored to have Professor Rumen Gechev, LZ1MS of WRTC 1990 fame as patron of this first-ever Amateur Radio-like WRTC simulation over the internet. Rumen himself finished 4th in 1990 in the first WRTC held in Seattle, WA. He has subsequently proceeded with life with a highly impressive career as Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and currently as Professor in Economics and Sustained Development at the University of National and Word Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria, adding to his Visiting Professor duties at many leading universities. Rumen has not lost interest in Amateur Radio and he was active during ERTC 2014 giving an LZ multiplier to many participating youth teams - including his own Team Bulgaria.

SCORES OF TOP SIX ERTC STATIONS

TEAM CALL CONTACTS MULT ACCURACY SCORE

1: Czech Rep. OJ45OK 157 61 0.1% 430.172

2: Italy OJ78IT 166 60 0.5% 397.914

3: Estonia OJ56ES 159 57 0.1% 382.838

4: Slovakia OJ37OM 138 60 0.7% 350.584

5: Croatia OJ349A 154 41 1.0% 341.682

6: UK OJ54UK 142 48 0.6% 325.185

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PICTURES, CLARIFICATIONS, TEAM & TECHNICAL INTERVIEWS etc:

YOTA 2014: Lisa Leenders, PA2LS, IARU Youth Coordinator <lisaleenders@hotmail.com>

ERTC 2014: Martti Laine, OH2BH, ERTC Coordinator <martti.laine@kolumbus.fi> [OH2BH]

IOTA activity by JS3CTQ -

Icko, JA1BPA, reports that one of the most prominent Japanese contesters, Hiro, JS3CTQ, plans to activate new IOTA AS-200P. He states that "he will never leave the island until he completes QSOs with 1000 different calls and 6 continents." The planned dates for AS-200 and AS-041 are:

August 13-16 - Shikoku's Coastal Islands AS-200P - JA6TBE/5 (Shodo Island, Kagawa prefecture, JCG:36005).

September 12-15 - Oki Islands AS-041 - JA6TBE/4 (Dogo Island [WLOTA 2065], Shimane prefecture, JCG:32006).

More details at:

blog.goo.ne.jp/lemon_1963/e/f7feb7b334e73717372012dd99b68bb0 [DX-World]

SAILING AROUND THE WORLD -

Rainer, DB1RL, and his partner Gisela will embark on a round the world sailing trip, starting in August. They estimate about 2 years to complete the tour, and have their boat equipped with a rig providing HF operations in SSB and Pactor. For route details and up-to-date information see the website: http://weltumsegelung.cc/ [DX Newsletter]

G, ENGLAND -

Members of the Bredhurst Receiving and Transmitting Society will commemorate the victims of WWI with the call GB4FWW on the air from 31 July to 9 August. QSL via eQSL. http://www.brats-qth.org/ [DX Newsletter]

HR, HONDURAS -

On 31st July 2014 Dan, HR2DMR, updates to say he's now on Vivorillo Cays (NA-223) for the next two or three days. Activity as HQ8D will be sporadic due to Navy training on the island, but look for him mostly during his nights. After the weekend, Dan hopes to be QRV from Swan Island (NA-035, Grid Loc. EK87) as HQ8S. QSL both calls via KD4POJ.

VKOEK, HEARD ISLAND DXPEDITION -

Breaking DX News : 26 July 2014

We are pleased to announce that we have made an informal agreement with Wayne Mills, N7NG and Martti Laine, OH2BH to lead the Heard Island radio team. They will have complete authority and responsibility to build the team, interface with the DXing community, manage radio operations on Heard Island, and other matters relating to the radio part of the expedition. Matters that concern the entire expedition such as safety, schedule, vessel, logistics, communications, facilities, and finances remain the responsibility of the Expedition Leader, Robert Schmieder. A formal agreement will be completed in the near future that specifies these various roles and responsibilities. We will provide more information as we move forward, and in the meantime we invite you to leave your feedback in this blog: vk0ek.org/ [DX-World]

============================================

73 and Good DX!

Dave Raycroft, VA3RJ

Home of I.C.P.O. & VEFF Program: www.qsl.net/va3rj/

Join the VEFF (Flora & Fauna) Forum at: groups.yahoo.com/group/VEFF/

Subscribe to ICPO Mailing List: mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/icpo

*******************************************

North American Checkpoint For:

World Lighthouses On The Air - WLOTA

www.wlota.com/

*******************************************

Canadian Checkpoint For: