[CVCC] DX de DR

[J Robert Eshleman]

     Twenty six years ago N4CFL and I celebrated our 25th anniversary with a 
DXpedition to Provo Island as VP5JEX.  This being off season and before the 
island was discovered by the Jet-set we had the place almost to ourselves. 
This year a much less ambitious trip to the northern neck for #51 with no 
radio activity included, but hopefully some good dinning.  With a string of 
zero sun spots for 7 straight days beginning on May 29 DXing won't be 
particularily missed.   There are some interesting things happening or about 
to happen however.  The ARRL has finally announced what I knew since mid 
December that there is a new Desoto Cup winner, I4EAT.  He beat me out 3129 
to 3124 with DX Hall of Famer, OZ1LO a close 3rd place at 3119.  The 
frequently postponed Glorioso operation is tentatively scheduled to take 
place between September 20 and October 15 by an all French cast.  This 
should really light up the bands as it is very high on the most needed 
lists.  Other operations which are in the immediate future and whose dates 
are more certain include:  FH/DK7LX June 11-13 mainly cw on 80/40/30;  S79WP 
by DL6NBR on SSB 40-10; 4W6R June 10-24 by a Spanish crew on all bands. 
Unforunately this much needed entity will not provide much joy for us long 
suffering east coasters at this date or portion of the sun spot cycle, but 
lets hope it paves the way for future operations;  6 meter dxpeditions to 
CY0, FJ and 5J0 (HK0) are all taking place between June 25 and July 6 so the 
50100-50115 segment may sound like 20 meters if some E clouds pop up during 
that period.
     INDIVIDUAL REPORTS:
W4PM:  Puck worked 5 new B/E's (band entities, formerly known as band 
countries) in May.  They were neatly distributed on 80 through 10 with the 
rarest one being YI9SV on 40.  He was in 5 contests netting 933 of his 1071 
qsos.  WD4LBR elmered him onto the digital modes resulting in 29 qsos.  Puck 
is looking forward to some 6 meter dx this summer to fatten his 95 B/E score 
in 2008.
W4MYA:  I havn't seen Bob for so long that I have forgotten the status of 
his beard...longer, shorter or gone??
NW4V:  Ed didn't get any new ones this past month but his wire yielded a JH4 
and RK0 on 20 over the polar path.
WK4Y:  Roy awaits the delivery of his K3 at the end of the month and then 
will have to put it together.
WD4LBR and K4WNW:  our "dynamic duo" had a great time in Dayton, but Sheila 
as been under the wx since then.  The RTTY Roundup scores were finally 
published and they were 5th nationally in the multi-single low power 
category and 1st place in the Roanoke Division.  Bruce hopes that we can 
cobble together a club entry in a future RTTY contest.
N4DWK:  Dave picked up a few "garden variety" B/E's on 30 and 17, and has 
been enjoying his new SteppIR beam.
W4DR:  Your columnist had a slow month, but was happy with a A45XR 30 meter 
qsl as well as TI9KK confirmed on RTTY.  I look forward to making a combo 
DXCC submission to W4ZYT during Field Day using real cards and about a dozen 
LOTW credits.  I am still waiting for my rebuilt prop pitch rotor to come 
back from Nevada so I can get back on 40 meters again.  Who knows...a BS7 or 
P5 could show up unannounced on 40 at any time and I would be out of luck! 
Just kidding.
Good hunting to all,
Bob W4DR