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The latest dx news/current propagation and more. Visit mike's Amateur Radio Page at www.qsl.net/swlham

Sunday, January 5, 2014


SB DX @ WW < KB8NW $OPDX.1144
Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1144

The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1144
BID: $OPDX.1144
January 6, 2014
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX
Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet
Clusters Network, K1XN & GoList, NC1L, NJ1Q & W1AW, N2IEN, NG3K & ADXO,
W3UR & The Daily DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, K5GS, K6VVA, N6PSE, K8CX, K8GI, K8YSE,
W8GEX & 60m News, K9EL, ND9M, W9ILY, K0IR, 2E1EUB, AT International, DK8JB
& The DX News Letter, DL1SBF, DxCoffee.com, DX-World.Net, ES1CW, F5NQL,
F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, HK3W, HP1AC, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP &
DX Italia News, IK7JWX, JE2EHP, OH2BN, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, Pete's DX-
Newsdesk, PY3DF, PY5EG, RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, VA3RJ & ICPO,
the VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) and YF1AR for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the
week of Sunday, 29th-December, through Sunday, 5th-January there were 216
countries active. Countries available: 1A, 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L,
4O, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5R, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9H, 9J, 9K,
9M2, 9M6, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A2, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C5, C6,
C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, DL, DU, E5/n, E5/s, E6, E7,
EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FH, FK, FM,
FO, FR, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, H40, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH,
HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J8, JA, JD/o, JT, JW,
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, PZ,
R1FJ, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ,
TK, TR, TT, TU, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE,
VK, VP2E, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI,
YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZD9, ZF, ZL, ZP, ZS, ZS8

* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations or
more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work
First Worry Later".

2013 DX SOUND BITES! Tom, K8CX, has done it again. He has provided DXers
with 156 memorable rare DX sound clips from 2013. Visit Tom's famous "HAM
While there also check out some of the other features on his Web page,
such as: 16 years of "Rare DX Sound Clips" of the past (as well as some
clips from the 1960's and 1970's), QSL Card Museum, Dayton Photo Galleries
and Tribute to Silent Key Ham Operators. Tom states, "If anyone has any
old HF recordings, I would be interested in hearing from them." His
E-mail address is: k8cx@hamgallery.com

2013 INTREPID-SPIRIT AWARD (Press Release - Seeking nominations). Paul
Ewing, N6PSE, President of the Intrepid-DX Group, reports: "The Intrepid-
DX Group is seeking nominations for the individual or group that most
displayed their 'Intrepid Spirit' this past year. The Intrepid Spirit
for purposes of this award is defined as:
An Intrepid Spirit is bold, courageous, dedicated, innovative, fearless,
generous, resolute and visionary in their approach to Amateur Radio.

We are seeking to make this award to the group or individual that most
displayed their intrepid spirit in 2013, by expressing an unshakable
commitment to the Amateur Radio DX Community.

This award is made in memory of our friend, James McLaughlin WA2EWE/T6AF.
SK, Kabul Afghanistan, April 27th, 2011.

Nominations may be submitted via email to: intrepiddxgroup@gmail.com

All nominations must be received by January 31st, 2014. The Board of
Directors of the Intrepid-DX Group will evaluate the nominations and the
award will be presented at the International DX Convention in Visalia,
California, on April 5th, 2014.
The Intrepid-DX Group was formed in 2010 following our successful
Dxpedition to Iraq. Since then, Intrepid-DX Group members have organized
or participated in DXpeditions to South Sudan, Rotuma, Ethiopia, Somalia,
Conway Reef, Yemen, Wake Island and Myanmar.
The 2012 Intrepid-Spirit Award was awarded to Silvano Borsa-I2YSB, Leader
of the Italian Dxpedition Team.
You can view our website at <http://www.intrepid-dx.com>.

2014 UPCOMING DXPEDITION. Bob, N7XR, announced this past week that he
plans to activate the following islands in 2014 (specific dates are
still in the works):
VQ9XR - Diego Garcia, Chagos Islands. Bob states, "Twice during 2014,
we'll operate from Diego Garcia as VQ9XR on all bands - 160
through 6m. Operation will include Phone, CW and RTTY. During
the second trip, Mike Mraz/N6MZ will be coming along to help
on all bands. We're might get lucky and have one of the resident
shipboard operators there as well. The dates are currently
unknown because of scheduling; however, each trip will average
approximately 3 weeks in duration.

NH9/N7XR - Wake Island (Also, WH9/W1AW - ARRL Centennial). Bob states,
"Sometime during 2014, I'll operate from Wake Island on all bands
- 160 through 6m. Operation will include Phone, CW and RTTY.
The dates are currently unknown because of scheduling; however,
the trip will average approximately 3 weeks in duration. During
the trip, the call WH9/W1AW will be used to commemorate the
100th year of the ARRL. WH9/W1AW will be used for only 1 week
on the trip. Information will be posted here <see URL below)
as well as the ARRL website."

A Web page has been set up by Bob for more details and updates at:
Dave Patton/NN1N will be the QSL Manager. Logs will be posted to LoTW
within 6-12 months of the trip. NO BUREAU QSLS. Donations are always
welcomed via PayPal (see Web page). All antennas and small items will
be left on the island with the MWR folks to assist future Amateur Oper-
ations. All donations will be used for both VQ9 and WH9.

2M, SCOTLAND (Satellite/Low Band Op). Paul, 2E1EUB, will once again be
active as 2M1EUB for 7 days beginning January 4th. He will be driving
around NE Scotland this time looking for new grids or anyone who needs
grids they have not worked yet. Activity will be holiday style on 160m,
80m, and the satellites (mostly AO7, AO73, VO52, FO29 and SO50), as well
as 2m SSB. He does accept E-mails and will arrange skeds to work him at
<2e1eub@amsat.org>. Check out QRZ.com under 2M1EUB for more info and
updates.

5V, TOGO. Operators Phil/F5MVB and Joel/F5AOW are planning to be active
as 5V7MP and 5V7BJ, respectively, from Avepozo sometime in 2014. Details
on bands/modes and dates have not been announced yet, but are forthcoming.
QSL via their home callsigns, direct or by the Bureau.

A5, BHUTAN (Press Release by Oms/PY5EG)[edited]: "Members of the Araucaria
DX Group Japan and Brazil are pleased to announce a quite peculiar DX-
pedition.
* First - It is a family DXpedition
* Young generation is coordinating, operating and assembling the setup.
* It is a dream that came true for PP5JR family.
* It is combined with a FGC Foundation for Global Children -
Spectacular program managed by Zorro JH1AJT

Sergio and his family, for a long time, were feeding a plan to visit
Bhutan. This dream is coming to be a true. From January 31st to February
4th, Sergio/PP5JR and Zorro/JH1AJT are going to be for the first time
only assistants of an expedition operated mainly by Fernanda/PU5FDA
(PP5JR XTAL), Eduardo/PU5FJR (15 years) and Bia/PU5BIA (17 years). The
only participant of the expedition that is not yet a ham is Juliana who
is only 4 years old. She is very smart kid and for sure will learn with
brother and sister and certainly will operate the next one. The callsign
will be A52JR, and they are going to operate only SSB on all bands. Every-
thing started during a dinner at PY5EG QTH in Florianopolis. JH1AJT was
visiting Oms/PY5EG for the second time, and knowing that Sergio was dreaming
about Bhutan, offered himself to try to get a permit for a visit combined
with a DXpedition. This meeting happened about two years ago. So Eduardo
and Bia were at the time just kids. That day after that dinner, Oms and
the kids took Zorro to visit the PP5JR contest station 70 Kms away from
Florianopolis. During all the day long the trip was practically organized
without Sergio's opinion hi? So, after Sergio's approval Zorro started the
process to organize everything. Unfortunately, due business commitments,
Oms/PY5EG is not going with the team. We understand that the old generation
is already very well represented by Zorro and Sergio, and they will be
given the honor by the expedition to operate for a while. QSL manager
will be Barbosa, PP5VB, and clublog and LoTW will be uploaded constantly."
"Be patient with the kids" "Where will they go next?" -- Oms PY5EG

C6, BAHAMAS. Tim, AF1G, is now living and working on Andros Island. He
has had the callsign/license AF1G/C6A since November 21st (2013) and will
be there until November 20th, 2014. Activity is expected to be on 80-6
meters SSB. No QSNs have been reported yet. QSL via LoTW or direct to:
Tim Hardy, PSC 1012 Box 593, FPO AA 34058-9998, USA.

CQ DX MARATHON (Update). John, K9EL, DX Marathon Manager, reports: "The
2013 CQ DX Marathon ended on December 31, 2013, and the 2014 CQ DX Marathon
is now underway! Logs for the 2013 Marathon must be submitted by 2359Z
January 10, 2014. Full submission details and 2014 Rules are available
at <www.dxmarathon.com>. This year, several new tools are available to
make the submission process easier than ever. Jim, AD1C, has created a
tool that directly prepares the submission form by converting a standard
ADIF file from your logging program. Details are available at:
For users of the DX Lab suite of software, DXKeeper will create the
submission form. Details are available at:
Submission forms should be submitted as an email attachment to
<scores@dxmarathon.com>. For questions about the Marathon, contact
<k9el@dxmarathon.com>."

DXCC NEWS. Bill Moore, NC1L, ARRL Awards Branch Manager, reports that
the following operation is approved for DXCC credit:
ZD9KX - Tristan Da Cunha & Gough Island; 2012 and 2103 Operation

DX SURVEY RESULTS (DX Magazine's 2013 Most Wanted Countries Survey).
DX Magazine's has published their Most Wanted Countries from a survey
that was conducted in September/October 2013 time frame. Here are the
"Top 20" in the overall World-Wide Results as per DX Magazine (Jan./Feb.
2014 issue):

2013 2012 2013 2012
Rank Prefix Country Rank Rank Prefix Country Rank
---- ------ ------------ ---- ---- ------ ----------------- ----
1 P5 North Korea 1 11 KH5 Palmyra 14
2 KP1 Navassa Island 2 12 KH5K Kingman Reef 12
3 3Y/B Bouvet 3 13 FR/JE Juan de Nova/Europa 18
4 FT5W Crozet 6 14 BV9P Pratas Island 17
5 FT5Z Amsterdam 4 15 E3 Eritrea 16
6 VK0/H Heard Island 5 16 KH9 Wake Island 21
7 BS7H Scarborough 7 17 VP8/G South Georgia 19
8 ZS8M Marion Island 9 18 KH3 Johnston Island 20
9 VP8/S South Sandwich 8 19 CE0X San Felix 22
10 FT5T Tromelin Island 10 20 KH7K Kure Island 23

Carl, N4AA, Editor of QRZ DX/DX Magazine, states, "It is interesting
to note that the same ten places are there for both 2012 and 2013...
there are a few slight changes in ranking, but it is the same ten. That
should change somewhat for 2014 with Tromelin and Amsterdam both scheduled
for major DXpeditions." The full list of the top 100 Most Wanted, World-
Wide, are posted to the DX Publishing Web site at:
The continental rankings are in the January/February issue of the DX
Magazine which is in the mail now. The band/mode breakdowns will be
published in the March/April 2014 issue.

FK, NEW CALEDONIA. Yoshi, JE2EHP, will be active as FK/K1HP from New
Caledonia between February 18-26th. Activity will be on all the HF bands
and 6m, using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign. Both OQRS
(via ClubLog) and LoTW will be available for this operation. Visit his

FT5Z, AMSTERDAM ISLAND (Press Release dated January 4th, 2014): "Amsterdam
Island DXpedition -- We are now 6 days from departure from the U.S.
The Braveheart is making its way across the Great Australian Bight and
the North Corridor Radio Group of Western Australia has a stockpile of
supplies queued up and waiting for us. Momentum has taken over now and
there is no turning back.
Upon arrival in Fremantle, the Braveheart will re-provision and refuel
to 90,000 to 100,000 liters of fuel. We will load the materials we've
obtained from the NCRG, do a little shopping for personal supplies, set
up our maritime mobile station, take our sea sickness pills and patches,
and be prepared to sail on January 15th.
We'll be passing through some rare grids on the way to Amsterdam Island
and we are anxious to hand out QSO’s from them. Be sure to look for us
on the bands and track us on our website in near real time. Landing on
Amsterdam can be 'exciting.' Wish us good luck with this. We'll have
some heavy work to do upon landing and expect our set up time to take at
least a full day. We'll let you know when we get there.
This will be our last press release. It has been a long time of pre-
paration and a great deal of work, but that is behind us now. The next
time you hear from us, it will be a signal from the Braveheart or from
Amsterdam Island.
As you can see from our financial status on our home page, we still
need help. If you haven't helped us yet, please consider doing so. If
you've supported us, thank you ­ you've kept us afloat to date.
73 ­ The Amsterdam Island DXpedition Team"
--------------------------------------------------------------
Posted on January 4th, by Stan, SQ8X, on the FT5ZM Web page: "FT5ZM under
budget! -- The budget for this entire project is about $450,000. Vessel
charter, Operator travel costs, Equipment. Logistics and Housing/Per diem
imposed by TAAF make up the costs. The largest cost by far, it the cost of
chartering the M/V Braveheart for 40 days and re-positioning the vessel
to/from New Zealand.
The trip requires a large financial commitment from each team member.
The minimum team member contribution is $10,000. Travel to and from Fre-
mantle, Australia will cost each team member another $3,000- $3,500. In
addition there are six weeks away from home and family, a very long boat
ride, and the physical and financial risks inherent to a DXpedition of
this magnitude. I believe you will agree that the DXpedition team members
are doing their part to make this successful. We have heartened by an
extremely generous grant from INDEXA. Within hours of receiving the group's
request for funds, INDEXA offered their support. Then, NCDXF followed-up
with one of the largest grants they’ve awarded. Dozens of clubs and hundreds
of individual DXers worldwide have made contributions up-front when they
are most needed. We are deeply indebted to them and appreciate their con-
fidence. However, we are still short , if you have already made a contri-
bution....THANKS, if not please consider doing so."
DXpedition leader Ralph Fedor, K0IR, states: "We simply cannot do this
without help from the DX community. We need to raise about a quarter of
a million dollars overall. And, it has to be international financial
support ­ we need our DX friends from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania
to help us on this one. This is truly an International effort."

GB1, ENGLAND (Special Event). Look for special event station GB1RNLI to
be active between January 25-26th and possibly some limited operations
on the evenings of Tuesday, Jan. 28th and Thursday, Jan. 30th. This
special event callsign will be used by Worksop Amateur Radio Society to
promote "SOS Radio Week" (Jan. 25th-Feb. 2nd) which is held each year to
support the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution). This year the
club will be operating on HF (40-10m) and VHF 6m, 2m and 70cm using CW,
SSB and Data modes. The WAB Square is SK57. QSL via eQSL or by the Bureau.
Full details about the RNLI are available at: http://www.rnli.org

HP1, PANAMA (Special Event). Members of the Radio Club de Panama (HP1RCP)
have activated special event station HP1A since October 1st, 2013, to
commemorate 55 plus years of ham radio operations of Cam, HP1AC. Activity
will last until September 30th, 2014. Recent operations have been on
20/15/10 meters CW. QSL via HP1RCP.

IOTA NEWS..............
AF-032. (Update) A group of Italian operators will be active as 5I0DX
and 5H3AN from an Italian village at the Kiwengwa Beach Resort
on Zanzibar Island (WWF 5HFF-003) between February 2-13th.
Activity will be on all HF bands 160-10 meters, including the
30/17/12 meter bands, using CW, SSB, PSK (31/63/125) and RTTY.
Current operators mentioned are Fred/IK7JWX, Leo/I8LWL, Ampelio/
IS0AGY, Vincenzo/IZ8LFI, Elvira/IV3FSG (YL) and Fulvio/HB9DHG
(CW op). Look for 5I0DX to participate in the CQ WPX RTTY
Contest (February 8-9th). More details and a Web page will be
announced. It was announced earlier that this DXpedition will
also be a humanitarian operation with donations of medicines
to the "Italy Day Hospital". QSL via IK7JWX, direct, by the
Bureau or LoTW and NetLog. They are looking for sponsors for
donations to Radio Club of Dar Es Salaam and Italy Day Hospital
of Zanzibar:
1/2 Poste Pay Card (Visa Electron) nr. 4023600649350826
to Alfredo De Nisi - Vico della Cavallerizza, 4/D-73100 LECCE.
Currently, updates are available on QRZ.com.

OC-177. Budi, YF1AR, will be active as YF1AR/0 from Payung Besar
Island and lighthouse (ARLHS IDO-236) between January 11-14th.
Activity will be mainly 40m (night time) and 20m (daytime).
He plans to operate with a 43 ft. vertical antenna on top
of the lighthouse (40m ASL). QSL via N2OO. For more details
and updates, see:

OG0, ALAND ISLAND (Activity on 160/80 Meters & WARC Bands). The following
press release was sent out by Jarmo, OH2BN [edited]: " Callsign: OG0A --
Dates: January 3 through January 13, 2014 -- Following the success of
recent low-band operations by Z81X and OF9X, closely on the heels of
Santa Claus and capitalizing on the current season of almost total dark-
ness in Northern Europe, a sub-group of those two teams will be heading
to Aland Islands to activate OG0A on low bands and WARC bands.
The OH0X contest site will be used as the base camp with 160M slopers
for the U.S. and Japan and a 2-L 80M beam atop a 42-meter (140ft) rotating
tower. Main activity will be on CW, but SSB/RTTY will also be used occasion-
ally.
Operators: Mari/OH2FPK (YL), Rami/OH2BCI, Martti/OH2BH, Pertti/OH2PM
and Pekka/OH2TA. OG0A QSL via OH2BH.
This operation is dedicated to the Youth On The Air (YOTA) summer camp
due to be organized in Finland from July 15 through July 22, 2014, with
two young YLs - Mari/OH2FPK and Kati/OH2FKX - in charge. They will be
hosting fifteen (15) young European teams from the same number of
countries acquainting themselves with the many faces of Amateur Radio:
presentations, competitions, visits to radio stations, workshops, ARDF
etc... at the height of the Finnish summer season. The activity is
sanctioned by IARU Region 1 and supported by the European Union.


All OQRS QSL requests for OF9X and OG0A with donations will be directed
to cover the costs of this healthy youth activity in Finland. You can
OQRS OF9X and OG0A respectively via their QRZ.com page."

P4, ARUBA. Ed, W0YK, who is now active as P49X from Pos Chiquito, announced
that he plans to work the 30/17/12 meter bands on RTTY this Monday and
Tuesday for those who are interested. QSL via his home callsign.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (January 6-12th)....
Jan/06th AN Jan/09th AN Jan/11th BN
Jan/07th AN Jan/10th HN Jan/12th AN
Jan/08th 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


QSL INFO AND NEWS.....................
QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (January 5th)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3V8/ON7HLU via ON7HLU (d) HF20SOT via SP1KYB RG22LG via RZ3LC
5K6RM via HK6RM HI8/UA4LL via UA4LL RI44ANT via UA4WHX
5P14EHC via OZ0J (d/L) HK4CZE via EA7FTR RK22AW via R6AW
9A13P via 9A1CBK (B) HR1LW via JA1LW RM22MR via RK3AW
A61E via IZ8CLM LY300KD via LY3BY RN22DY via RY3D
A61K via IZ8CLM LY5YOTA via ON9CFG RT22UA via R9UAG
BA7CK via BA4TB (*) LZ1375PRB via LZ1KCP RT34ST via UA4ATL
CU/DK3YH via DK3YH OA1/AL4Q via DJ8QP SC2014ECC via SK2AT
DJ60DXMB via DL7UXG OG0A via OH2BH SG7A via SM7XEN
DK40ECH via DL4MDO OH0I via OH3BHL SP20SOT via SP1YKO
DL60JMZ via DK1EI OP4K via ON4JZ TF3PPN via TF3MHN
EA8/DH2MS via DH2MS OR5T via ON4ALY UK8OAH via IK2QPR
EA8/DL8JJ/M via DL8JJ OX5T via OZ0J V5/DH3WO via DH3WO
ED1RLE via EA1RLE P49X via W0YK V5/DK1CE via DH3WO
EG4IBO via EA4CRP PJ4/PE2KY via PE2KY VP2MM via W1CDC
EI14LCC via EI4GXB R2014HS via RW6HS (d) W100AW via W1AW
EM50JA via UY7IQ R22ALS via R7LV WP2/WQ6X via WQ6X
EM75V via UR2VA R22FIS via RW4NW YL95AIW via YL2GN
HB10BE via HB9BE R22ICH via RN3D YP1989TM via YO2KQT
HB40VC via HB9VC R22NOC via RA3YC YP95GU via YO3IZT
HC3/AL4Q via DJ8QP R22SNB via RJ6J YT0PUPIN via YT7WA
HF2014GPP via SP3YAC RA22FF via R7FF YV4KW/1 via YV4KW
HF2014JP via SP4ICP RA22MX via RA9MX ZL3FRI via JA3FRI
(e) eQSL only (d) direct only (B) Bureau only (L) LoTW only
(*) Jan. 2014 only

SOLVING THE IOTA QSL PROBLEMS. Rick, K6VVA, (The Locust), has put
together another interesting video (a little over 18 minutes long).
Give it a view at: http://youtu.be/nM5X3ooDyPw

QSL ZF2EN via N2IEN. Pat was active this past week from Grand Cayman
Island and went QTH on Friday. QSL to his home callsign, SASE preferred.

QSL RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 4A1TD, C31BO, CU2DX, DF2NU, DL1AMQ, DL1DUG,
DL1LQA, DL4KG, DL5AN, DL5ZB, F2DX, F4FFN, F5CQ, F6CXJ, F6HRP, FG8OJ,
FJ/DK7LX, GI4OWA, HB9DRS, J34J, JA0EQL, JJ2LPV, JM1XCW, JR1NHD, JW9VDA,
LZ867MWB, M0KCM, M0TMC, OG3I, OK2AF, OK2ZV, ON4AXU, ON4CAS, P49X,
PB7Z, PV8ABC, PZ5RA, RA2FIA, SP3CFM, SP7VTQ, SP8TJU, SV1LK, T6T, UR1MI,
V5/DL3DXX, VO1DGP, VU7AG, WH7DX, YE5R, ZD8UW, ZL1BYZ, ZM4M and ZM90DX

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3B9EME, 5J0R, 9L1JT, FS/N0TG, FW5JJ, HP0INT/2,
HP0INT/3, HP0INT/9, J34J, J8/DH5FS, J87GU, JA0MVW, K5T, LA2MOA, OX3LX,
PJ2/W5BOS, PJ2T, PY3OR, TN2MS, TX5D, XW0YJY, YE5R and YJ0TE
QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3B8/HB9ARY, 3B9SP, 3D2GC, 4J85W, 9Q6AL,
9Y4/DL9DRA, CR2V, CS2W, CT8/HB9COL, CU8AS, HB0/DJ2IA, HB0/DL2JRM,
HB0CC, HB0WR, HS0ZFA, TK/DG6FDV and TX5EG

TO3/FM, MARTINIQUE (Update). Operators Tatsuo/JA3ARJ and Kunio/JA1CJA
will be active as TO3JA from Martinique (NA-107) between January 12-19th.
QSL via JA3AVO, direct, by the Bureau or LoTW. There will be an OQRS on
ClubLog. Look for more details to be forthcoming.

TO4, MARTINIQUE. Operators Yves/F5GN and YL Francoise/F4BMR, will be
active as TO4YL from Martinique between February 8-22nd. Activity will
be on 160-10 meters. QSL via F5GN.

TY, BENIN (Update). Wim, ON6DX (ex-ON4CIT), has announced the dates for
his TY1TT operation fro Grand Popo. Activity will be from January 26th
and February 5th. He plans to operate on the highest possible bands.

VK9M, MELLISH REEF (Special Press Release). The following was posted/sent
on Saturday, January 4th, on the VK9MT Web page: "To better distribute
the workload and keep as many stations on the air as possible the Mellish
Reef 2014 DX-pedition team will add one additional operator to the team,
bringing the total to 12.
We are seeking an experienced SSB and RTTY operator. The pile-ups will
be energetic and, at times, challenging. Candidates must have the 'Deter-
mination ­ Time ­ Finances' to join this exciting DX-pedition.
As with all projects of this type the team will share in the cost to
launch the project. Each operator is putting up about $12,000(USD) to
pay the costs associated with this DX-pedition. Surplus funds will be
evenly divided across the team after the books close. Each operator will
pay their own way to and from Australia, as well as their living expenses
before and after the DX-pedition.
Previous DX-pedition experience is preferred but not required. We welcome
a seasoned DXer who is capable of operating over an 11 day period on a
rotating shift schedule. The team will sail to Mellish Reef on a 25 meter
(crewed) passenger vessel with previous DX-pedition experience. You would
need to be at Mackay, Australia no later than March 23, 2014 and plan to
leave Mackay on April 16, 2014.
If this opportunity interests you please send a short biography of your
ham radio experience to: info@vk9mt.com
As the time is short, we would appreciate hearing only from candidates
who can commit to the project before January 15, 2014.
We hope to hear you in the pile-ups....... Team Mellish Reef 2014"

VP2V, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. A team of Polish operators will be active
as VP2V/homecall from Anegada Island (NA-023, also a NEW WFF area -
Anegada Bird Sanctuary, Flamingo Pond) sometime late March (no specific
dates announced yet). Operators mentioned are Bogdan/SP2FUD, Kazik/SP6AXW,
Leszek/SP6CIK, Janusz/SP9FIH and Robert/SP9WZS. Activity will be on
160-6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. No QSL info/route has been decided
yet. A Web page is still under construction with a needs (bands/modes)
survey available at: http://www.vp2v.dxpeditions.org
The VP2V team has an interesting statement on their Web page which states,
-- We believe that it is more important to give a new country to "small
pistol" than to give an 8th band QSO to a "big gun" station. By doing
this, we hope to fulfill the demand for a "new one", especially from
stations located in Japan and the rest of the Far East.

ZF, CAYMAN ISLAND. Operators Jim/N4BFR and Newton/N4EWT will once again
be active as ZF2JS and ZS2KO, respectively, from the Grand Cayman Islands
(NA-016) between January 18-23rd. Activity will be holiday style on the
HF bands using CW, SSB, PSK31 and JT. QSL via their home callsigns or
LoTW.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
** IMPORTANT NOTICE/REMINDER ** The Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin now has a new
FAX number. Contributors can now send/fax their DX information to the
following number: 1-419-828-7791 ( F A X only! )
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
SPECIAL NOTE BY EDITOR (Updated 09/15/2013): If you are having a problem
receiving bounced mail by sending mail to me via <kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org>,
please send mail to me via <kb8nw@hotmail.com> ...... TNX de Tedd KB8NW
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
PLEASE NOTICE (as of February 12th), NEW ADDRESS CHANGES FOR THE
OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUESTS:
OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME PAGE (provided by John, K8YSE):
ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB PAGES AT:
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Excerpts and distribution of The OPDX Bulletin are granted as long as
KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receive credit. To contribute DX info, please send
via InterNet Mail to: kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org - OR - kb8nw@arrl.net
Information can now be faxed to the following "NEW" phone line at:
1-419-828-7791 (F A X only!)
/EXIT
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW - E-mail addresses:
<kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org> <kb8nw@hotmail.com> <kb8nw@arrl.net>
Editor of the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin (OPDX - DXer's Tool of Excellence)
President of the "Northern Ohio DX Association" (NODXA)
DX Chairman for the "Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society
ARRL Assistant Director of the Great Lakes Division
Sysop of the "Basic Amateur Radio Frequency BBS" (BARF80.ORG)

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AU2MQT for Ganga Sagar Mela 2014 | Southgate Amateur Radio News

AU2MQT for Ganga Sagar Mela 2014 | Southgate Amateur Radio News

Saturday, January 4, 2014

DX News
Ham Radio DX News, DX peditions announcements, Contest and more DX related news
03.01.2014-31.01.2014 6W7SK
Period: 03.01.2014-31.01.2014DXCC: 6WCallsign: 6W7SKFrancis, F6BLP.http://www.f6blp.org
30.12.2013-07.01.2014 HI8/RU4LG,HI8/RA4LB,HI8/UA4LGS,HI8/UA4LL
Period: 30.12.2013-07.01.2014DXCC: HICallsign: HI8/RU4LGHI8/RA4LBHI8/UA4LGSHI8/UA4LLHAndrey/RU4LG, Dmitry/RA4LB, Serge/UA4LGS and Pavel/UA4LL.
02.01.2014-30.01.2014 CE2/YV5IAL
Period: 02.01.2014-30.01.2014DXCC: CECallsign: CE2/YV5IALBob, YV5IAL.
28.12.2013-06.01.2014 C91J,C91B
Period: 28.12.2013-06.01.2014DXCC: C9Callsign: C91JC91BJohn/ZS5J and Beth/2W0VOW.
01.01.2014-31.01.2014 9H5G/C6A
Period: 01.01.2014-31.01.2014DXCC: C6Callsign: 9H5G/C6AJohn, 9H5G.
28.12.2013-11.01.2014 8Q7SM
Period: 28.12.2013-11.01.2014DXCC: 8QCallsign: 8Q7SMMike, OE1SSS.
04.01.2014-12.01.2014 5H1VC
Period: 04.01.2014-12.01.2014DXCC: 5HCallsign: 5H1VCZanzibar Island (AF-032, WLOTA 1080, WWFF 5HFF-003) by Vittorio, I2GPT. QSL via RW6HS.
Activation of Stocking (NA-001)
From 01-Jan-2014 00:00 UTC until 31-Jan-2014 00:00 UTC, the callsign 9H5G/C6A will be activated by 9H5G. QSL Information - QSL Direct to #NI5DX. Please see http://www.qrz.com/db/9H5G for details of activations. For more information, see the website: http://www.qrz.com/db/9H5G
Activation of Romo (EU-125)
From 01-Jan-2014 00:00 UTC until 03-Jan-2014 18:00 UTC, the callsign OZ/DL2VFR will be activated by DL2VFR. QSL Information - QSL direct or bureau via #DL2VFR. CW. For more information, see the website: http://www.iota-expedition.com
Bhutan: Jan 31-Feb 4, 2014 -- A52JR -- QSL via: LotW
Jan 31-Feb 4, 2014 -- Bhutan -- A52JR -- QSL: LotW -- Source: MM0NDX (Dec 31, 2013) -- By PP5JR PU5FJR PU5BIA JH1AJT; 80-10m; SSB; QSL also OK via PP5VB and ClubLog
Aland Is: Jan 3-13, 2014 -- OG0A -- QSL via: OH2BH
Jan 3-13, 2014 -- Aland Is -- OG0A -- QSL: OH2BH -- Source: OH2BN (Dec 31, 2013) -- By OH2FPK OH2BCI OH2BH OH2PM OH2TA fm OH0X contest site; 160 80m + WARC bands; mainly CW, some SSB RTTY
Cayman Is: Dec 31, 2013-Jan 2, 2014 -- ZF2EN -- QSL via: N2IEN
Dec 31, 2013-Jan 2, 2014 -- Cayman Is -- ZF2EN -- QSL: N2IEN -- Source: N2IEN (Dec 31, 2013) -- By N2IEN; mainly 40-10m; CW; holiday style operation
Activation of Pinang (AS-015)
From 31-Dec-2013 00:00 UTC until 23-Feb-2014 23:59 UTC, the callsign 9M2MRS will be activated by PA0RRS. QSL Information - #PA0RRS DIRECT/BUREAU/LOTW. 40-10 meters CW/RTTY/PSK (Information from 425 DX News).
31.12.2013-18.01.2014 V5/DJ2HD
Period: 31.12.2013-18.01.2014DXCC: V5Callsign: V5/DJ2HDMathias, DJ2HD.
01.01.2014-05.01.2014 V5/DK1CE,V5/DH3WO
Period: 01.01.2014-05.01.2014DXCC: V5Callsig

Weekly DX Report 06.01.2014 - 12.01.2014


STARTENDDXCCCALLSIGNINFO
02.01.201407.01.20141A Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) by an international team of operators. QSL via IK0FTA.
04.01.201412.01.20145H Zanzibar Island (AF-032, WLOTA 1080, WWFF 5HFF-003) by Vittorio, I2GPT. QSL via RW6HS.
22.12.201306.01.20145Z Marc, ON4EZ.
03.01.201431.01.20146W Francis, F6BLP.
28.12.201311.01.20148Q Mike, OE1SSS.
31.12.201303.02.20149M2 Penang Island (AS-015) by Richard, PA0RRS.
01.01.201431.01.2014C6 John, 9H5G.
28.12.201306.01.2014C9 John/ZS5J and Beth/2W0VOW.
02.01.201430.01.2014CE Bob, YV5IAL.
20.12.201316.01.2014DL Fehmarn Island (EU-128) by Stefan, DF8HS.
11.01.201412.01.2014FM Mek/SP7VC, Ted/SP3IPB and Kate/SQ7OYL.
21.12.201310.01.2014H40 Lomlom Island (OC-065) by Sigi, DK9FN. QSL via DK9FN.
30.12.201307.01.2014HI HAndrey/RU4LG, Dmitry/RA4LB, Serge/UA4LGS and Pavel/UA4LL.
31.12.201318.01.2014V5 Mathias, DJ2HD.
24.12.201308.01.2014V5 Dietmar, DL3DXX.
09.01.201414.01.2014XU Alex, M6CFW.
11.01.201419.01.2014ZF Grand Cayman Islands (NA-016) by Pete, K8PGJ.
Print overview

Amsterdam Island DXpedition | Southgate Amateur Radio News

Amsterdam Island DXpedition | Southgate Amateur Radio News

Friday, January 3, 2014


SB PROP @ ARL $ARLP001
ARLP001 Propagation de K7RA

ZCZC AP01
QST de W1AW
Propagation Forecast Bulletin 1 ARLP001
From Tad Cook, K7RA
Seattle, WA January 3, 2014
To all radio amateurs

SB PROP ARL ARLP001
ARLP001 Propagation de K7RA

Average daily sunspot numbers for the past week declined from 114.6
to 107.4, and average solar flux went from 138.8 to 139.2. This is
comparing the period from December 26 through January 1 with the
previous seven days.

The average daily sunspot number for the entire year of 2013 was
97.1, the highest since 2003. For 2008-2013 the yearly average was
4.7, 5.1, 25.5, 80.1, 82.3 and 97.1.

We've also been tracking a 3-month moving average of daily sunspot
numbers, and the value for October 1 through December 31 was 123.7,
the highest since December 2002 through February 2003, when it was
128.9.

The average daily sunspot number for October through December at
123.7 was even higher than the values for the first peak of the
current solar cycle in late 2011. Back then the three month
averages ending in November and December were 118.8 and 118.6.

The average daily sunspot numbers for the three month periods ending
in February through December 2013 were 80.7, 85.2, 106.4, 106.4,
97.5, 85.6, 77.4, 91.2, 102.9 and 123.7. This is a moving average,
rather than a quarterly average. So each average includes another
new month as it drops off an old one.

Predicted solar flux for the short term is 165 on January 3, 170 on
January 4-5, then 175 and 170 on January 6-7, 165 on January 8-9,
then 135, 140 and 135 on January 10-12, 145 on January 13-14, 150 on
January 15-18, 145 on January 19, 140 on January 20-21 and 135 on
January 22-24.

Predicted planetary A index is 10 and 8 on January 3-4, then 5 on
January 5-22, then 10 and 8 on January 23-24.

OK1HH predicts active to disturbed geomagnetic conditions on January
3-4, quiet to unsettled January 5, quiet on January 6-9, quiet to
unsettled January 10, quiet to active January 11, quiet to unsettled
January 12, and mostly quiet on January 13-17.

Clark Stewart, W8TN of Hurricane, West Virginia pointed out that the
call ZM9ODX mentioned in the final propagation bulletin for 2013,
ARLP053, actually belongs to a New Zealand special event station. It
is not located on the subantarctic Auckland and Campbell islands, as
K6TTD thought. Ed Callaway, N4II of Boca Raton, Florida also pointed
this out.

W8TN has a nice blog devoted to amateur radio. Check it out at

Randy Crews, W7TJ of Spokane, Washington sent in an observation on
the current solar cycle:

"The year 2013 will have the highest average Solar Flux of Cycle 24,
123 vs. 120 approximately for 2012. Fourth Quarter of 2011 was still
the highest quarter of Solar activity in Cycle 24 with an average SF
of 147.7 vs. 142.7 for the fourth quarter of 2013. It looks as if we
will see a carry over effect into the New Year.

"The big difference has been the SIZE of sunspots, not the number.
Comparatively, we have had the same number of sunspots each month of
this year. (Usually about 10-15 spots per day.) In October, November
and December there was a dramatic increase in the size of the
sunspots, raising the solar flux to values in the 160 to 175 range
and igniting 10 and 12 meters. Currently there is a very large
sunspot rotating into view on the left side of the Sun.

"Sunspots are important, however as this cycle has demonstrated -
size does matter. Twenty small sunspots can be present, however if
they are small, increases in solar flux will be anemic, and the
higher bands will suffer. The key is solar flux, and CERTAINLY NOT
the lagging indicator of smoothed sunspot numbers which will show a
peak long after it occurs. Kind of like showing up for the Rose Bowl
in Pasadena two months after it's played or put another way, you can
be running Europeans on 10 Meters with a SF of 175, and the Solar
Cycle peak might be 'officially' noted as happening three months
later when the Solar Flux is 95, and your sweating talking to
Europeans on 15 meters - hardly an accurate depiction and certainly
having no bearing on amateur's operating plans for either contests
or DXing."

NASA released an updated solar cycle prediction, which you can see
from last month is they have upped their estimate for smoothed
sunspot number at the maximum from 65 to 67. Also, last month they
said "The smoothed sunspot number has been flat over the last four
months. We are currently over four years into Cycle 24."

This month that same paragraph was changed to "The smoothed sunspot
number has been rising again towards a second peak over the last
three months. We are currently over five years into Cycle 24."

If you would like to make a comment or have a tip for our readers,
email the author at, k7ra@arrl.net.

For more information concerning radio propagation, see the ARRL
Technical Information Service web page at
http://arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals. For an explanation of the
numbers used in this bulletin, see
propagation bulletins is at
information and tutorials on propagation are at http://k9la.us/.

Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve
overseas locations are at http://arrl.org/propagation.

Instructions for starting or ending email distribution of ARRL
bulletins are at http://arrl.org/bulletins.

Sunspot numbers for December 26 through January 1 were 96, 107, 95,
119, 93, 136, and 106, with a mean of 107.4. 10.7 cm flux was 124.7,
130.6, 134.5, 137, 142.9, 145.3, and 159.6, with a mean of 139.2.
Estimated planetary A indices were 3, 3, 3, 5, 3, 6, and 12, with a
mean of 5. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 2, 3, 4, 4, 2, 6,
and 11, with a mean of 4.6.
NNNN
/EX


I.C.P.O. (Islands, Castles & Portable Operations)
UPDATE -
===========================================

Amsterdam Island DXpedition

Press Release: January 4, 2014

We are now 6 days from departure from the U.S. The Braveheart is making its way
across the Great Australian Bight and the North Corridor Radio Group of Western
Australia has a stockpile of supplies queued up and waiting for us. Momentum has
taken over now and there is no turning back.

Upon arrival in Fremantle, the Braveheart will re-provision and refuel to 90,000
to 100,000 liters of fuel. We will load the materials we've obtained from the
NCRG, do a little shopping for personal supplies, set up our maritime mobile
station, take our sea sickness pills and patches, and be prepared to sail on
January 15th.

We’ll be passing through some rare grids on the way to Amsterdam Island and we
are anxious to hand out QSO's from them. Be sure to look for us on the bands and
track us on our website in near real time. Landing on Amsterdam can be
"exciting." Wish us good luck with this. We'll have some heavy work to do upon
landing and expect our set up time to take at least a full day. We'll let you
know when we get there.

This will be our last press release. It has been a long time of preparation and
a great deal of work, but that is behind us now. The next time you hear from us,
it will be a signal from the Braveheart or from Amsterdam Island.

As you can see from our financial status on our home page, we still need help.
If you haven't helped us yet, please consider doing so. If you've supported us,
thank you - you've kept us afloat to date.

73 - The Amsterdam Island DXpedition Team

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

73 and Good DX!
Dave Raycroft, VA3RJ
Home of I.C.P.O. & VEFF Program: http://www.qsl.net/va3rj/
Join the VEFF (Flora & Fauna) Forum at: groups.yahoo.com/group/VEFF/
Subscribe to ICPO Mailing List: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/icpo
*******************************************

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