From kb8nw at hotmail.com Sun Dec 13 10:06:08 2020 From: kb8nw at hotmail.com (Tedd Mirgliotta (KB8NW)) Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2020 10:06:08 -0500 Subject: [DX] Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1494 Message-ID: SB DX @ WW < KB8NW $OPDX.1494 Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1494 The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster DX Bulletin No. 1494 BID: $OPDX.1494 December 14, 2020 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 Cluster Networks, NJ1Q & W1AW, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, W5JON, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, Sixitalia Weekly and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX information. DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 6th/December, through Sunday, 13th/December there were 212 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1U, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5V, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9V, 9Y, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C6, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E4, E5/n, E5/s, E6, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/o, 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, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PY, PZ, S0, S2, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2E, VP2M, VP6, VP8, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, Z6, Z8, 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". 4S/70, SRI LANKA (Special Event). Radio Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL), IARU's Representative for Sri Lanka, has requested the TRCSL (Tele- communications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka) the suffix /70 to be used in the month of December 2020 to celebrate 70th anniversary of the RSSL. Therefore all Sri Lankan radio amateur operators are authorized to use 4S5xxx/70, 4S6xxx/70 4S7xxx/70 and any two letter callsign users can also use the /70. The original Radio Society of Ceylon was founded in 1950 and later became the Radio Society of Sri Lanka with the change of name of the country. For more details and updates, see the RSSL Web page at: http://www.rssl.lk 4X/4Z, ISRAEL (Reminder/Special Event). During the week of Chanukah cele- brations, special Israeli radio amateur stations will be active on the air with a special callsigns ending in letters from the word "Chanukah", (4X1C, 4X2H, 4Z3A, 4X4N, 4X5U, 4X6K, 4Z7A, 4X8H and 4X0NER). "Ner" means candle in Hebrew. The number in the callsign indicates the number of the candles lit that day. Activity began on the evening of December 10th where the first candle was lit on (1400 UTC). The special event stations will operate for 9 days in row and new special event stations will join the activity every day on Chanukah Holiday until the close of the event on December 19th (2159 UTC). Special event stations will be activated as follows; on the evening of (*already happened): *December 10th -- From the historical city of Hashmonaim when the 1st candle of the Chanukah Holiday will be lit on; the event activity will start with the 4X1C crew. *December 11th -- From the city of Haifa when the 2nd candle will be lit on; the activity will start with the 4X2H crew. *December 12th -- From the city of Tel Aviv when the 3rd candle will be lit on; the activity will start with the 4Z3A crew. *December 13th -- From the city of Netanya when the 4th candle will be lit on; the activity will start with the 4X4N crew. December 14th -- From the city of Beer Sheva when the 5th candle will be lit on; the activity will start with the 4X5U crew. December 15th -- From the city of Kiryat Shmona when the 6th candle will be lit on; the activity will start with the 4X6K crew. December 16th -- From the city of Ashkelon when the 7th candle will be lit on; the activity will start with the 4Z7A crew. December 17th -- From the city of Jerusalem when the 8th and the last candle will be lit on; the activity will start with the 4X8H crew. The crew of the station 4X0NER will be active every day during the 9 days of activity and will be used as Joker for the missing letters. Important: All the new and previous day's event stations (letters) will continue to be active on the air to the end of operation on the 19th of December (2159 UTC). Activity will be on all radio amateur bands, WARC and the QO-100 Satellite using all modes. A special award will be available. The eligibility for a special certificate "Chanukah-2020" is as specified: * For Israeli amateurs: 1 QSO with all the 8 special event stations (letters). Any band or mode. Contact with the special 4X0NER call- sign is a replacement for a missing letter (only once). * For European amateurs: 1 QSO with all 8 special event stations (letters). Any band or mode. Contact with the special 4X0NER call- sign is a replacement for a missing letter (can be used twice). * For amateurs outside Europe: to contact only 4 of 8 special event stations (letters). Any band or mode. Contact with the special 4X0NER callsign is a replacement for a missing letter (can be used twice). The special certificates will be available for download independently from the Israeli Amateur Radio Club (IARC) Web site at: https://www.iarc.org/iarc/ The certificates will be digital in PDF format and not numbered. QSL Manager: Paper cards-Slava, 4Z5MU. All contacts will be uploaded on LoTW after the end of activity. Amateurs in Israel and around the World are kindly asked to send them pictures with Menorah's in their own city of residence! Special prize for the winning picture! E-mail pictures to: 4z4kxx at gmail.com 5T, MAURITANIA (Update). Tom, DL7BO, is now active as 5T7OO from Mauritania for 10 days (December 10-20th). He arrived in Nouakchott on December 9th, however his luggage and an antenna mast did not arrive which delayed his operation by one day. Activity is expected to be on 40-10 meters, possibly 160-80 later, using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. As this was being written, Tom was active on 40/17/15 meters FT8. QSL via DJ6TF, direct or by the Bureau. The log will be uploaded to LoTW and possibly ClubLog later. 5Z4, KENYA. Cato, LA9PF, will once again be active as 5Z4/LA9PF from Malindi for 2-3 months, sometime between January and May, and possibly between October and December. Activity is mainly on SSB and the Digital modes, with some CW. His equipment in 5Z4-land is an IC-7200 with a 300 watt PA, with either a 3 element beam at 9 meters or vertical loop, or horizontal 70m no-resonant loop. He states, "Give me a shout on Skype for a sked at: LA9PF-cato. QSL only direct to: Cato B. De Savigny, POB 5642 Malindi, 80200 Malindi, Kenya. 7S60, SWEDEN (Special Event). Members of the Kristianstad Radioamateur Club (SK7BQ) will activate special event station 7S60BW throughout 2021. Activity is to celebrate 60th anniversary of their radio club. QSL via SM7BHM. 8Q, MALDIVES (Update). Nobby, G0VJG, will once again be active as 8Q7CQ (now confirmed) between January 14-29th. Operations this time will be from Reethi Faru, Filaidhoo Island (AS-013). Activity will be on 80-10 meters (possibly 60m) using SSB and the Digital modes. His equipment will be a FT-450D with a 400 watt amp into a small 6m beam, Butternut vertical for the HF bands and possibly a 3 element tri-bander. QSL via M0OXO OQRS, direct or ClubLog's OQRS. AO50, SPAIN (Special Event). Members of the Escola d'Enginyeria de Tele- comunicaci? i Aeroespacial de Castelldefels (EETAC), along with the col- laboration of the Territorial Council URE Catalunya, will activate the special callsign AO50UPC from Castelldefels, Spain, between December 15-30th. Activity is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (Polytechnic University of Catalonia). Operations will be on all authorized bands using CW, SSB, EME and the satellites. Trophies and three different awards are available for download at: http://50aniversario-upc.dxfun.com For complete details, see their QRZ.com page. DR165, GERMANY (Special Event). Members of the DARC OV Mainz K07 club will activate the special event station DR165TESLA throughout 2021 to celebrate the 165th birthday of Nikola Tesla. QSL via DK8ZZ. GB100, ENGLAND (Special Event). Members of Hull and District Amateur Radio Society (HADARS) will be active as GB1OOH (GOLF BRAVO ONE OSCAR OSCAR HOTEL) from Hull starting January 1st throughout the new year in 2021. The special callsign will be activated from multiple QTHs, and be on all HF bands plus VHF and UHF. Activity is to celebrate 100th anni- versary of the HADARS. QSL via M0GPN. HF2021, POLAND (Special Event). Members of the Klub Kr?tkofalowc?w "Enigma" (SP2PBM) will activate special event station HF2021HY from Bydgoszcz between December 19th, 2020, and January 10th, 2021, to celebrate the New Year. QSL via SP2PBM by the Bureau, Clublog's OQRS (Bureau/direct) or LoTW. HZ18, SAUDI ARABIA (Special Event). The Saudi Amateur Radio Society (SARS) in coordination with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) will celebrate the 18th anniversary of the launch of the Saudi satellite 1C SO-50 in December 2002. The Saudi satellite 1C SO-50 is still working to this moment, breaking all expectations due to the quality of the tech- nology made with it and how it works. A special callsign, HZ18SAT, will be active between December 17-27th. QSOs will be on the Saudi satellite SO-50 only (145.800 MHz uplink, 436.795 MHz downlink). For more details, see QRZ.com. IOTA NEWS. The following are IOTA operations that were active this past week between December 7-12th (as per the DXCluster): IOTA Callsign Island/GROUP Bands/Modes ------ ---------- ------------- ------------ AF-004 EA8AM CANARY 20m; SSB AF-004 EA8TL CANARY 15/12m; CW/FT8 AF-018 IH9YMC PANTELLERIA 160/40m; CW AF-022 ZD7FT ST HELENA 20m; SSB AS-004 5B4AOW CYPRUS 160m; AS-007 JH1HDT HONSHU 40m; CW AS-007 JH3NGD HONSHU 40m; SSB AS-007 JH7MQD HONSHU 40m; SSB AS-007 JJ2PIK HONSHU 30m; FT8 AS-017 JR6FC OKINAWA 15m; FT8 AS-045 HL5FUA Ullung 40m; SSB/FT8 AS-117 JA3AOP HONSHU'S COASTAL ISLANDS WEST 20m; SSB AS-206 JR7AMZ HONSHU'S COASTAL ISLANDS EAST 80m; FT8 EU-003 CS8ABF EASTERN 12m; FT8 EU-004 EA6AGA BALEARIC 15m; CW EU-005 G4WQI GREAT BRITAIN 40m; CW EU-005 M0DXT/P GREAT BRITAIN 40m; SSB EU-012 MM5AJN/M SHETLAND 20m; SSB EU-014 TK5IH CORSICA 15m; FT8 EU-015 SV9RGI CRETE 20m; SSB EU-021 TF2MSN ICELAND 17m; SSB EU-025 IT9HRL SICILY 40/20m; SSB EU-025 IT9JAV SICILY 40m; SSB EU-025 IU0FBK SICILY 20m; SSB EU-026 JW7QIA Spitsbergen 160/80/40m; SSB/FT8 EU-031 IC8HRG CAMPANIA REGION 15m; SSB EU-115 EI2KC IRELAND 17m; FT8 EU-115 EI5EM IRELAND 20m; CW EU-115 GI0LDI IRELAND 20m; CW EU-115 MI0GTA IRELAND 30m; FT8 EU-115 MI0SAI IRELAND 15m; SSB EU-131 IK3PQH/P VENETO REGION 20m; SSB EU-143 EA7HPM CADIZ/HUELVA PROVINCE 15m; SSB NA-016 ZF2CH CAYMAN 40m; SSB NA-022 VP2ETE ANGUILLA 15m; FT8 NA-026 KA2ABA NEW YORK STATE 17m; SSB NA-027 VO1AA NEWFOUNDLAND 20m; SSB NA-096 HI8MDQ HISPANIOLA 15m; FT8 NA-102 FG5GP GUADELOUPE 40m; FT8 NA-106 KP2AD VIRGIN 80m; SSB NA-112 N8EU NORTH CAROLINA STATE WEST 40m; OC-001 VK2GJC Australia 20m; SSB OC-001 VK2OWD Australia 15m; SSB OC-001 VK3VM Australia 17m; FT8 OC-026 KH2L GUAM 30m; FT8 OC-032 FK4RD NEW CALEDONIA 17m; SSB OC-034 YB9YBB NEW GUINEA 30m; FT8 OC-042 4I1EBD LUZON 20m; SSB OC-042 DV3CEP LUZON 20m; FT8 OC-073 JF7MTO/JD1 MINAMI TORISHIMA 40/20/15/10m; SSB/FT8 OC-086 KH0W NORTHERN MARIANA 15m; CW OC-150 7C9T TENGGARA BARAT 40/20m; FT8 OC-150 7C9B Sumbawa 12m; FT8 SA-002 VP8LP FALKLAND 10m; FT8 SA-011 9Z4FE TRINIDAD 17m; SSB SA-011 9Z4Y TRINIDAD 15m; CW SA-036 P41E ARUBA 20m; FT8 SA-055 LU7EHR/E Martin Garcia 40/15m; SSB/FT8 ** Thanks to the individuals who put the island/group and mode on their QSNs on their PacketCluster reports. The format we suggest is "IOTA#/Mode/Island or Group" (ex. OC-146/FT8/Celebes). AF-045. A group of Senegalese operators, who were expected to be active as 6V1A from Goree Island between December 18-20th, have postponed their operation due to the Convid-19 pandemic. AS-117. Kenji, JA4GXS, will be active as JA4GXS/4 from Otsu Island between December 25-26th. Activity will be on 40/30/20 meters using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via his home callsign. AS-152. (Update) Members of the Arctic Legends Team (RT9K), who plan to be active as RI0Q from Bolshoj Begichev Island sometime in early 2021, are looking for funds (15,000 USDs was mentioned) to conduct this operation. To achieve their goal to operate from Bolshoj Begichev Island, the team will have to travel 3624 km (by snowmobiles 1812 km*2). The latest info indicates that the team will start their snowmobile trip on March 10th, 2021, from Norway, and will start their RI0Q operation possibly on March 17th (depending on the weather). For more details, see OPDX.1480/1482 or: https://www.qrz.com/DB/RI0Q OC-236. Members of the ORARI of Polewali Mandar Tipalayo DX Club will be active as 7C8M from Gusung Toraja Island, in the Celebes Coastal Islands, between December 26-30th. Activity will be on various HF bands. QSL via YB8BRI direct. OC-298. There is another great article (with pictures) online of Cezar's, VE3LYC, DXpedition to Tatakoto Atoll as TX0T on the Clipperton DX Club Web site at: https://cdxc.org/infos/dx/recit-dexpedition-tx0t-atoll-de-tatakoto-oc-298 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...... OJ0, MARKET REEF. Joseph, AD7D/OG7D, is planning on operating from Market Reef as OJ0D during the summer of 2021, primarily on QO-100 satellite. He will post more details of his schedule as it gets confirmed in the next few months. QSL via LoTW. ADDED NOTE: Joseph is also planning to operate as OG0D using the QO-100 satellite from the Aland Islands soon (possibly sometime in January 2021). Stay tuned for details. OPDX MAILING LIST (Just A Reminder). Details on how to subscribe and unsubscribe from the "OPDX Mailing List" are at the bottom of this bulletin. PLEASE pass the word around.... Thanks and 73 de Tedd KB8NW P.S. OUTLOOK users read below. PH20/PH21, THE NETHERLANDS (Special Event). Members of the Radio Scouting Fellowship of the PA3EFR/J-Plusscouts will activate two special callsigns: PH20XMAS - Between December 6th, 2020, until January 3rd, 2021 (owner PA3EFR) PH21HNY - Between December 10th, 2020, until January 31st, 2021 (owner PE2PVD) These callsigns will operate on all frequencies from different QTH's around The Netherlands. They hope to be able to work everyday on SSB and the Digital modes. PJ5, ST. EUSTATIUS. In the middle of his 2021 October trip to St. Kitts (V4) [see below], John, W5JON/V47JA, will be going to St. Eustatius between October 25th and November 1st, 2021, and be active as PJ5/W5JON. His radio equipment is a Yaesu FT-450D, Amplifier and dipoles. Activity will be on 40-6 meters using SSB and FT8, including an entry in the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 30-31st). ALL QSLs go to W5JON direct or via LoTW. NO Bureau QSLs. PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (December 14-20th)....... Dec/14th AN Dec/17th AN Dec/19th LN Dec/15th AN Dec/18th HN Dec/20th AN Dec/16th 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 for propagation: * 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 * Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) & National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminisration (NOAA): https://www.swpc.noaa.gov https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/solar-cycle-progression * News and Information About The Sun-Earth Environment: https://www.spaceweather.com * Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve overseas locations are at: http://arrl.org/propagation * Information and tutorials on propagation are at: http://k9la.us * Graphic propagation tool by DR2W: http://www.dr2w.de/dx-propagation * Point to point propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk/p2p.html * Real-time propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk * Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@GiellaW4hm QSL INFO AND NEWS................... QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF (www.qslinfo.eu) (December 13th) and by OPDX from other sources ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4E1FNS via EB7DX E7DX via E77E LZ105AJ via LZ1ZF 4L1AN via N4GNR EP3ASA via EA5GL LZ180SK via LZ2VP 4L8A via M0OXO FK8CE via N4GNR LZ50GU via LZ1GU 4U75UN via HB9BOU FK8GX via W3HNK OA9DVK via IZ6BRJ 7C9T via HA3JB FM4TI via EA5GL OD5YA via IZ8CLM 7X5NZ via EA7FTR FM5DN via KU9C OG60IPA via OH4MDY 8P6ET via KU9C HB15SOTA via HB9DPR & (L) OX/OZ4OZ/MM via OZ4OZ 9A0DIG via 9A3SM II1DCC via IK1RAE R30EMER via RW9QA 9H1XT via 9H1BT IO5CNPP via IZ5RHU R30MCHS via R4CR A41KJ via N4GNR J73CC via EA5GL S520SAFE via S56IPS A41NN via A61BK JW7QIA via LA7QIA S521PMC via S521PMC* C31CT via EA3QS KP2B via EA7FTR SP95IARU via SP7AH (O/L) CX4ACH via IK2DUW L50FV via LU3FV ST2NH via EA7FTR CX7CO via EA5GL L70M via LU9MAB VQ9T via DU7ET DP70DARC via DK5ON LY7Z via LY9Y YI1DYS via IK2DUW (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 (n) no printed QSLs (*) They send via the Bureau - No QSL needed LOGS ONLINE (New/Updated) AVAILABLE ON CLUBLOG.ORG THIS WEEK...... https://clublog.org/logsearch/7Q7RU (Updated 12/12th) QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 2U0WZY, 9G5AR, 9N1CA, BG9NJY, C31MF, EA1I, EA9ACD, IS0KNG, JY5IB, LX1EA, OY5ET, PJ4/DL6KR, RU2K, S01WS, S79W, TF3SG, TX0T, VP2ETE, VP9NM and ZF1EJ QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 7H9H (OC-275), AD5A/P (NA-092), JH8SGR (AS-078), and VK4DX/P (OC-137) QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: NONE REPORTED THIS WEEK!!!! --- We would like to see more QSL Bureaus (such as AS/US/SA/AF.. etc) send in their info.... T6, AFGHANISTAN (Update). Robert, S53R, has been active from Kabul since early September 2019 and has been active as T6AA and T6A during major contests. However, Robert will be returning to his home in Slovenia for the holidays on December 15th. He is expected to return to Kabul in the first week of January to work for the World Food Program (WFP), and will continue to be there until the summer of 2021. Robert is still trying to fix the interference on the lower bands, for which he only made 3 QSOs on 160m. During the holidays, Robert will process all QSL requests he has received directly and via the OQRS. QSL via his home callsign or LoTW. V4, ST. KITTS. John, W5JON, will once again be active as V47JA from his Calypso Bay, St. Kitts, West Indies vacation home, located 200 feet from the Caribbean Sea, between October 16th and November 12th, 2021. Activity will be on 160-6 meters (incl. 60m) using SSB and FT8, with emphasis on 6m and 160m - FT8. Equipment is a Yaesu FT1000MP, FT450D and an Elecraft KPA500 Amplifier. John states his antennas are a Mosley Mini32A 10/15/20m, 33' Vertical 10-40m, 35' Top Loaded 80m Vertical, 160m Vertical and 6m 5 element Yagi. ALL QSLs go to W5JON direct or via LoTW. NO Bureau QSLs. ADDED NOTE: John will make a side trip to Saint Eustatius Island (PJ5). See PJ5 above. Z8, SOUTH SUDAN (Update). Diya, YI1DZ, is expected to return to Juba after his holiday on December 16th, and continues to be active as Z81D after the inspection at his workplaces (under the UN-WFP) and antennas. He should reappear on the bands before the end of this year. Activity will be on 80-10 meters (including 60m) using SSB and FT8. No CW. If the space con- ditions allow it, Diya will make a 160m antenna. QSL via OM3JW. All QSOs will be uploaded to QRZ.com, ClubLog, eQSL and LoTW. *********************************************************************** TO BE ADDED TO THE OPDX MAILING LIST -- Click or send requests to: Subscribe: (mailto:kb8nw at hotmail.com?subject=subscribe) Unsubscribe: (mailto:kb8nw at hotmail.com?subject=unsubscribe) ** PLEASE NOTE FOR OUTLOOK USERS: PLEASE put your E-mail address also in the body of the message. Just a reminder, you can still obtain the OPDX Bulletins via the OPDX Web page (provided by John, K8YSE) [http://www.papays.com/opdx.html], QRZ.com (under Forums; News; Special Events, Contests.. etc.), several DX Mailing Lists, and two different UseNet Groups (rec.radio.info and rec.radio.amateur.dx). The weekly bulletin (issue # from the OPDX Web page URL) is also posted on the following Media pages: NODXA FaceBook -- https://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation Twitter -- https://twitter.com/kb8nw_opdx ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB PAGES AT: http://www.nodxa.org/ http://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation *********************************************************************** * All excerpts and distribution of "The OPDX Bulletin" are granted as long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receives credit. ** To contribute DX info, please send via InterNet Mail to: (kb8nw at arrl.net) or (kb8nw at hotmail.com) Information can now be faxed to the following phone line at: 1-419-828-7791 (F A X only!) ....... 73 de Tedd KB8NW /EXIT ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW - E-mail addresses: or 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) From kb8nw at hotmail.com Sun Dec 20 11:20:00 2020 From: kb8nw at hotmail.com (Tedd Mirgliotta (KB8NW)) Date: Sun, 20 Dec 2020 11:20:00 -0500 Subject: [DX] Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1495 Message-ID: SB DX @ WW < KB8NW $OPDX.1495 Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1495 The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster DX Bulletin No. 1495 BID: $OPDX.1495 December 21, 2020 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 Cluster Networks, NJ1Q & W1AW, K3LR, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, K6ICS, WW6RG, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, W9ILY, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, IK6QON, IW4CLV, MM0TWX & TBDXC, RW6HS, Sixitalia Weekly, TA1HZ and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX information. *** SPECIAL NOTE FROM EDITOR (Tedd, KB8NW): My family (wife/OPDX's chief proof-reader Linda, son Teddy [TJ] and his wife Jessi, daughter Katie and her husband Kevin and son Lliam and daughter Lilly Grace), and I (KB8NW) would like to wish all DXers, Contesters and OPDX readers a very "Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings and Happy New Year". Thanks to the many individuals who have provided DX information over the past year. Without you there would not be an OPDX Bulletin. Also, thanks to the many individuals who sent holiday wishes to my family and me...... 73 and Have a Great Holiday de Tedd KB8NW P.S. Generally, this is the time of the year (Christmas/New Year holiday season) where the DX information reaches a low. So over the next two weeks there "may" not be a bulletin (especially on December 28th) or possibly a small content bulletin. During this time, I plan to spend my time with my daughter's family. However, I will send out any special announcements/bulletins. PLEASE keep sending your DX information to me. You never know what I may do.... Thanks and 73 de Tedd KB8NW DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 13th/December, through Sunday, 20th/December there were 203 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1U, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5Z, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9V, 9Y, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C6, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E5/n, E5/s, E6, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FK, FM, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, 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, PY, PY0F, PZ, S0, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2E, VP5, VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XU, YB, YI, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, Z6, Z8, 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". 1ST EUDX CONTEST 2021. Francesco, IK6QON, announced that that the European DX Contest Club has the honor to present the first European Union DX Contest ("EUDX CONTEST"). The objective is to establish as many contacts as possible between radio amateurs around the world and radio amateurs in European Union countries and regions. The EUDX Contest is from 1200 UTC on February 6th, until 1200 UTC on February 7th, 2021. For more details, visit the EUDX Contest Web page for the rules at: https://eudxcc.altervista.org/eu-dx-contest 2021 DX ULTRA-MARATHON (10 days to go!). Pete, MM0TWX, TBDXC Founder and CEO, sent out the following on December 20th [edited]: Dear fellow DXers -- Like in the previous update, we are delighted to say that the Ultra-Marathon continues to attract an almost incredible interest. The rate of new pre-registrations has slowed in the last two weeks, but they certainly didn't stop: we have now just over 400 participants expected to join. On our side, thanks to the excellent work of Thomas, DK3DUA, the Ultra- Marathon website is essentially ready to go. We will open "official" registration on New Year's eve (December 31st), so that starting at 00:00 GMT on 1st January 2021 everybody can start entering their results. On boxing day we will send you another update with the website address. Please make sure that you check your inbox and don't miss this important communication. In the meantime, we wish all of you as good a Christmas as one can have in the difficult situation we are all going through. 3D2/R, ROTUMA (Reminder). Tony, 3D2AG, is once again active as 3D2AG/p from Rotuma Island (OC-060). Most of his activity has been on 30 meters FT8. He posts on QRZ.com: The "Rehanisi Memorial DXpedition" appears on track, with boat tickets in hand. Departure is scheduled for the 12th of December 2020, and return sometime mid-January 2021. Following a family function to remember our dear late son Rehanisi and put a tombstone on the grave, as time allows radio operations will take place 160m to 6m. Currently in process of securing some equipment, including a generator to take on the boat. QSL via 3D2AG using PayPal, ClubLog's OQRS or direct. He uses paper logs for CW, and ClubLog for FT8. NO LoTW. 9H, CROATIA. Ray, W2RE, will activate his new callsign and station 9A5USA remotely (RHR - REMOTE HAM RADIO). QSL direct to EB7DX. AT8, INDIA (Special Event). Members of Society of Radio Amateurs (SORA, https://www.sora.co.in/) will be active with the special callsign AT8GFD from Gaya city, south-central Bihar state, northeastern India, December 24-25th. Activity will be on various HF bands. CARIBBEAN, SOUTH ATLANIC AND INDIAN OCEAN TOUR. Randy, WW6RG, informs OPDX that on Sunday evening, January 3rd, around 2100z, he will be arriving in Antigua (V25), and hopes to be set up by 0000z to operate holiday style as V25RA until 1400z Monday, January 4th. Then on Tuesday, January 5th, at 2100z, he will operate from Ascension Island (ZD8) as ZD8RA. His planned activity will be between 0800-1000z, and then again between 1700-1900z. His equipment will be a new Icom IC-705 (10w)and into a AlexLoop antenna. His planned operations will be on 20 and 17 meters SSB only. Randy states, "I am open to setup special times and frequencies for both locations within or close to the times noted above. All times and dates in UTC." QSL via WW6RG, No EQSL or LoTW. Randy also mentions, "I am 9 months from retirement, and my access to these remote locations will cease, so if anyone needs ZD8 or any other of the locations I will be traveling to, Now Is The Time!" Randy also informs [edited], "I hope to operate from Diego Garcia (VQ9) later in the month around January 18th. More information is to follow." C4, CYPRUS (Special Event). Alex, 5B4ALX, will once again be active as C4XMAS between now and December 31st. Activity is to celebrate the Christmas season. Operations will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via IZ4AMS, direct, by the Bureau or ClubLog. Checkout this year's QSL card: http://www.5b4alx.cloud/c4xmas CN, MOROCCO. QSL Manager Vasiliy, RW6HS, informs OPDX that he is organ- izing an expedition in the southern zone of Morocco with a special event ARRAM callsign CN1M between December 24-31st. QSL via RW6HS direct only. CT9, MADERIRA. Operators Georg/DD8ZX and Klaus/DJ9KM will once again be active as CT9/DD8ZX and CT9/DJ9KM from Madeira Island (AF-014) between February 27th and March 6th (depending on the Covid-19 situation). Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters using mostly the Digital modes (FT8 and RTTY). QSL via their home callsigns, by the Bureau, direct or LoTW. CTU NEWS (Propagation Summit 2021). Tim, K3LR, posted the following this past week [edited]: Contest University will host a "Propagation Summit" on January 23, 2021. All times are USA EST. 11 AM - "Update on the Personal Space Weather Station Project & HamSCI activities for 2021" - Dr. Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF Noon - "Solar Cycle 25 Predictions & Progress" - Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA 1 PM - "Maximizing Performance of HF Antennas with Irregular Terrain" - Dr. James Breakall, WA3FET 2 PM - "HF Ionospheric Propagation" - Frank Donovan, W3LPL Drawing for an Icom IC-705 donated by Icom America and DX Engineering - both CTU sponsors. Winner must be present on Zoom to win. To register for this free CTU Propagation Summit Webinar please go to: (https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dfLvFDxaTyakOWd_C7_puw) Webinar Registration - Zoom Stay tuned to Contest University: https://www.contestuniversity.com 73, Tim K3LR (Contest University Chairman) DB100, GERMANY (Special Event). Uwe, DO2PZ, will activate special event station DB100AVUS to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the AVUS (Auto- mobile Traffic and Exercise Road) located in the south-west of Berlin and is the northern section of the A 115 motorway. It opened on September 24th, 1921. The AVUS was the world's first exclusive car road. The 8.3 kilometer long and chargeable route served as a racing and test track and was not for public transport until 1940. Activity will be throughout 2021. QSL via DO2PZ, direct or by the Bureau. QSL cards are expected to be dispatched between January/February 2022. ELETTRA: THE MIRACLE SHIP AWARD (From January 1st to December 31st, 2021). The "ELETTRA: THE MIRACLE SHIP" is an international amateur radio award organized by A.R.I. Fidenza (www.arifidenza.it), a Italian Radio Club affiliated to A.R.I., Associazione Radioamatori Italiani (Italian Amateur Radio League) with the sponsorship and the historical consultancy and supervision of "Guglielmo Marconi Foundation" (www.fgm.it) and "Marconi Museum" (www.museomarconi.it). As is well known, on board the yacht "ELETTRA" Guglielmo Marconi conducted numerous and revolutionary scientific experiments related to wireless communications, in a continuous succession of exciting successes that the public opinion of the time often interpreted as real prodigies. Just think of when the great scientist, from the radio room of the Elettra, anchored in the port of Genoa, turned on the lights of the Sydney Town Hall, on the other side of the planet, using a radio signal. Or again, blind navigation in the Gulf of Tigullio, carried out by means of a radio beacon; without forgetting the radar experiments and microwave trans- missions. It is no coincidence, therefore, that the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio defined Elettra "White ship that sails in the miracle and animates the silences of the world." "Elettra: the miracle ship" award therefore intends to commemorate the prodigious events that saw the yacht as the protagonist, in the centenary of the ship's official registration in the Italian Naval Register with the new name of "ELETTRA", which took place in 1921. The name (the original one was "Rovenska") was expressly chosen by Marconi, who some years later also gave it to one of his daughters, Princess Elettra. The award period lasts the whole year 2021: every month of the year is dedicated to one specific event concerning "Elettra"ship, and is associated to a different special callsign. Further details visiting our official website: http://www.arifidenza.it We believe that is mainly interest all Ham Radio operators, so please notify it to your associated OM and /or your webmaster/website. Best regards and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and QRA. -- Cristiano Cornini, IW4CLV A.R.I. Fidenza Radio Club President EN50, UKRAINE (Special Event). Members of the "7-DX-Club" [UT7WZA (ex- UK5WBG 1971-1984) and ex-UB4WZA 1984-1994)] will activate the special event special EN50WZA between January 1-31st, 2021. Activity is to cele- brate the 50th anniversary of the founding (January 19, 1971) of their club. QSL via UT7WZA. HK, COLOMBIA. Lothar, DK8LRF, continues to be active as HK3JCL and will stay in the country due to Covid-19 restrictions. He plans to return to Germany at the end of April 2021. Activity has been on 40/20/17 meters SSB. QSL via DK8LRF by the Bureau. HS, THAILAND. Chris, GM8NMM, is now active as HS0ZJB from Bang Saray, Bang Sare, Thailand. His length of stay is unknown. Activity will be on various HF bands, but was heard on 20 meters SSB December 20th. QSL via LoTW or eQSL. IOTA NEWS. The following are IOTA operations that were active this past week between December 14-19th (as per the DXCluster): IOTA Callsign Island/GROUP Bands/Modes ------ ---------- ------------- ------------ AF-022 ZD7BG ST HELENA 15m; CW AF-022 ZD7JC ST HELENA 12m; FT8 AF-024 S79KW INNER 30/15m; FT8 AF-049 3B8CW MAURITIUS 15m; FT8 AN-015 8J1RL QUEEN MAUD LAND 20m; SSB AS-003 4S7AB Sri Lanka 40/17m; FT8 AS-007 JA3BWC HONSHU 20m; SSB AS-007 JA7BXS HONSHU 80m; CW AS-007 JH3NGD HONSHU 40m; SSB AS-007 JH7MQD HONSHU 40m; SSB AS-015 9M2TO Penang 15m; FT8 AS-026 HL4SF CHEJU-DO PROVINCE 20m; SSB AS-031 JD1BHA CHICHI/HAHA/MUKO 20m; CW AS-031 JD1BMH Chichijima 30/20m; CW AS-076 JA5BZL SHIKOKU 160m; AS-141 BA5CJ/5 ZHEJIANG PROVINCE SOUTH 30m; FT8 EU-002 OH0Z ALAND 160m; EU-004 EA6OI BALEARIC 40m; EU-005 G2NV/M GREAT BRITAIN 40m; SSB EU-005 G3YYD GREAT BRITAIN 20m; SSB EU-005 G5HY GREAT BRITAIN 20m; FT4 EU-005 GW0ADC GREAT BRITAIN 17m; CW EU-005 M0KVK GREAT BRITAIN 40m; SSB EU-005 MX0SNB GREAT BRITAIN 40m; CW EU-009 MM5DWW Orkney 30m; FT8 EU-014 TK4LS CORSICA 15m; FT8 EU-015 SX9A CRETE 20m; SSB EU-016 9A0YOTA DALMATIA SOUTH 20m; FT8 EU-021 TF3DT ICELAND 160m; EU-021 TF3JB ICELAND 30m; FT8 EU-022 JX2US JAN MAYEN 80/30m; CW/FT8 EU-025 IT9PKO SICILY 160m; EU-025 IT9RGY SICILY 40m; SSB EU-026 JW5E SPITSBERGEN 40m; SSB EU-115 GI4SNA IRELAND 160m; EU-115 MI0ITS/M IRELAND 20m; SSB EU-131 IK3PQH/P VENETO REGION 20m; SSB EU-175 CU6NS CENTRAL 15m; FT8 NA-015 CO8LY CUBA 17m; CW NA-018 XP3A GREENLAND 30m; FT8 NA-024 J35X GRENADA 30m; FT8 NA-026 W2D NEW YORK STATE 20m; SSB NA-056 CO4XT LA JUVENTUD 40m; FT8 NA-083 N3MK VIRGINIA STATE 160m; NA-144 K6EV CALIFORNIA STATE SOUTH 20m; FT8 OC-001 VK2HFP Australia 40m; FT8 OC-001 VK2CPC Australia 20m; SSB OC-001 VK2EBN Australia 40m; CW OC-001 VK3BDX Australia 12m; FT8 OC-001 VK5GR Australia 17m; FT8 OC-032 FK8CE NEW CALEDONIA 17m; FT8 OC-032 FK8GX NEW CALEDONIA 40m; FT8 OC-036 ZL2IFB NORTH 17m; FT8 OC-129 DU6/N7MOT VISAYAN 12m; FT8 OC-150 7C9N Lombok 20m; SSB OC-150 7C9T TENGGARA BARAT 30/17m; FT8 SA-002 VP8LP FALKLAND 20m; FT4 SA-011 9Z4AH TRINIDAD 17m; SSB SA-018 CE7VPQ LOS LAGOS REGION SOUTH 20m; SSB ** Thanks to the individuals who put the island/group and mode on their QSNs on their PacketCluster reports. The format we suggest is "IOTA#/Mode/Island or Group" (ex. OC-146/FT8/Celebes). NA-041. Phil, KC3CIB, will be active as KC3CIB/KL7 from Shelter Island between May 29-31st, 2021. He will be there on a fishing trip, but will be activating Shelter Island for IOTA purposes. Activity will be limited, and QRP with an Icom IC-705 most likely using a Digital mode. QSL via eQSL or direct. Look for more details to be forthcoming. OC-150. Members of the West Nusa Tenggara Regional ORARI are now active as 7C9N from Mataram City on Lombok Island (ARLHS IDO-099) until December 31st. Activity will be on various HF bands. QSL 7C9N via HA3JB. 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...... OH9, FINLAND (Special Event). Once again Santa Claus Land (OH9SCL) is active until December 31st. OH9SCL has been active every December since 1986, operating in Finnish Lapland at the Arctic Circle. Activity will be mostly on the HF bands using all modes. QSL direct to OH9FKJ, LoTW or eQSL. OPDX MAILING LIST (Just A Reminder). Details on how to subscribe and unsubscribe from the "OPDX Mailing List" are at the bottom of this bulletin. PLEASE pass the word around.... Thanks and 73 de Tedd KB8NW PLEASE NOTE: OUTLOOK users PLEASE read below. PC19, THE NETHERLANDS (Special Event). Hans, PA7HPH, will activate the special event station PC19HOPE from Vaassen between January 15th and March 10th, 2021. Activity is to commemorate (not forget) the economic, social problems, and the many people who have died (lost of their loved ones or were left in solitude) as of the result of the pandemic. QSL via PA7HPH, by the Bureau or eQSL. PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (December 21-27th)....... Dec/21st AN Dec/24th AN Dec/26th AN Dec/22nd AN Dec/25th AN Dec/27th AN Dec/23rd 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 for propagation: * 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 * Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) & National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminisration (NOAA): https://www.swpc.noaa.gov https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/solar-cycle-progression * News and Information About The Sun-Earth Environment: https://www.spaceweather.com * Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve overseas locations are at: http://arrl.org/propagation * Information and tutorials on propagation are at: http://k9la.us * Graphic propagation tool by DR2W: http://www.dr2w.de/dx-propagation * Point to point propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk/p2p.html * Real-time propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk * Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@GiellaW4hm QSL INFO AND NEWS................... QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF (www.qslinfo.eu) (December 27th) and by OPDX from other sources ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3Z40RY via SP1DOZ CO4XT via EA7FTR PI30COM via PA1AW & (L) 3Z65M72M via SP3GVX CT9/DJ2TG/P via DJ2TG PI75VERON via PA1AW & (L) 4O4T via YU1FW & (L) DU3ZM via AJ4BB PJ4EVA via M0URX 4U75A via UA3DX EG4RAM via EB4AVN (d/L/e) SX9A via SV2GWY (d/L) 4X4N via 4Z5MU EG5DSI via EA5RKS (L/e) TG9ADM via EA5GL 5R8AL via G3SWH EN100LT via UT5LU TM20ISS via F1UJT 5T5PA via PA5X HF2021HNY via SP2PBM & (L) TM20XMAS via F4GPB 5Z4FV via N3ZS HZ1SK via IZ8CLM V7/KX4QD via KX4QD 7C9N via HA3JB KP2AD via OK1TN YG9WKB via EB7DX 8A07JS via YC0SPU KP4AF via EB7DX YP2XMAS via YO2MSB 9K2OD via EC6DX NP4G via NP3O YP4XMAS via YO2MSB 9M2TO via JA0DMV OE25XFG via OW6WIG YT50SCWC via YU1MM A60BHR/2 via EA7FTR OH8SSAB via OH8DR ZA/IK2RLM via IZ2LSP AP2TN via DJ9ZB OH9SCL via OH9AB (d/L) ZR2A via DM5EE C4XMAS via IZ4AMS OQ5BECLEVER via ON6GBN CN0S via CN8YZ (d/L) PD20XMAS via PD5CZB (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 (n) no printed QSLs (*) They send via the Bureau - No QSL needed LOTW NEWS. The ARRL reports: Logbook of The World (LoTW), ARRL's online QSO confirmation system, will undergo scheduled maintenance beginning Monday, December 21st, at 2300 UTC (6 PM EST) for approximately 6 hours. LoTW will be offline and unavailable while the system?s server is upgraded to new hardware. TX0T QSL STATUS. Cezar, VE3LYC, reports on December 17th: All direct QSLs for stations from United States and overseas were mailed late afternoon today from Spring Brook, NY. Direct cards for Canadian stations were mailed yesterday from Kingston, ON. Any direct requests received after Dec 14 were and will be mailed from Canada. QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 4U75UN, 8Q7ZO, 9J2BS, 9Y4DG, ER3R, ES2MC, EU1UN, J35X, J79BH, JW7QIA, OK1DKZ, OQ4U, S79AC, T77C, UT3IZ, VP2ETE YV1DIG, YV5AJ and Z66DX QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 4A2L, AB5EB/P (NA-092) and VK4DX/p (OC-137) QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: H40TT, JH4UYB, JR3NZC, PX2A, TX5T, VP6D and Z60A --- We would like to see more QSL Bureaus (such as AS/US/SA/AF.. etc) send in their info.... R2021/RA21/RC21/RD21/RG21/RJ21/RK21/RL21/RM21, RUSSIA (Special Event). Members of the Miller DX Club will activate the several special event stations to celebrate the "International Radio Marathon Russian New Year - 2021" between December 25th, 2020, and January 14th, 2021. Look for the following to be active: R2021NY -- Operators are RC7M, UI6L, UA6L, R7NZ, RZ6LY, R6MR, R6NZ, R7LB, RV6LCY, UA6LQZ, R6LJO, UA6LCT, R6LHL and RO7N RA21NY -- Operators are RQ7L, RU7N, R6LD, R7MG, UA6NT, R7NO, RC7LX, UA6LET and R6MI RC21NY -- Operators are R2DX, R2DY, R2DD, RX3DFU, R2DRE, RW3FB, R5AV, UA5D, RL3F, R3AP and RX3F RD21NY -- Operators are RD7D, R6CW, R6AF, R6DX, RN6DZ, RC6AC and RW6A RG21NY -- Operators are RV3FF, RY3D, R2DNW, RT5C, R3LA, R3LD, R2DA, R2HM and R5FQ RJ21NY -- Operators are RK6K, R7KO, RU6K, RT7KM, RL6K and RA7KW RK21NY -- Operators are UA6HML, UA6HLN, RV6HV, R7GM, RV6HFA, UD7G, UA6GO, R7TW, RK6FA, RV6F and UA7G RL21NY -- Operators are R9CX, UI8CM, RM9C, R9DV, R9CB, R9CA, RK9DC, UA9CTT, UA9CVQ, RV9CMK, RA9CTW, RA9CUU, R8CAD, R8CT, UA9CUA, RD9D, RA9DZ, RX9CAZ, R9CBP, RA9CJK, RX9CET and RA9CIN RM21NY -- Operators are RM9RZ, RW9QA, UB8QAR, RA9QBR, UA9R, RA9RR, R8QAK, UB8QBA, RA9QAT, RW9QC and UA9QFF QSL Manager is RQ7L, by the Bureau or direct (payment only via PayPal). For more details, see QRZ.com. The request for a plaque and pennant can be sent to: RW6LZ at yandex.ru SX1-9, CRETE [SV9], DODECANESE [SV5] AND GREECE [SV] (Update Reminder/Now Active/Special Event). Look for nine special stations to be active from these three DXCC entities as of December 16th, 2020, until March 25th, 2021. Activity is to celebrate the 200th anniversary of "Greece's War of Independence" against Ottoman Turks. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_War_of_Independence Look for the following callsigns to be on the air with a serial number (* count down days until the actual celebration day of March 25th, 2021) to be appended to each special callsign: SX9A/* -- Crete Island (Counts as SV9 DXCC) as SX9A/99 to SX9A/90; between December 16-25th, 2020 as SX9A/9 on March 16th, 2021 as SX9A on March 25th, 2021 (***joker***) Operators mentioned are Dimitrios/SV9COL (pilot), Nikos/SV9ANK, John/SV9CJO, Michael/SV9CVY, Georgios/SV9DJO, Giannis/SV9FBG, Yannis/SV9FBK, George/SV9GPV, Manolis/SV9IOI, John/SV9IOQ, Manos/SV9JI, Konstantinos/SV9OFS and Giannis/SV9RGI. SX8A/* -- Aegean & Ionian Islands (counts as SV for DXCC) as SX8A/89 to SX8A/80; December 26th, 2020 to January 4th, 2021 as SX8A/8 on March 17th, 2021 as SX8A on March 25th, 2021 (***joker***) Operators mentioned are Dimitris/SV8LMQ (pilot), Alexander/ SV8CYR, Pantelis/SV8DCY, Periklis/SV8DTD and Panos/SV8JNL. SX7A/* -- Thrace & East Macedonia Region (counts as SV DXCC) as SX7A/79 to SX7A/70; January 5-14th, 2021 as SX7A/7 on March 18th, 2021 as SX7A on March 25th, 2021 (***joker***) Operators mentioned are Babis/SV7BAY (pilot), Stayros/SV7BVM, Akis/SV7CLI, Teo/SV7JAR and Dimitris/SV7RAV. SX6A/* -- Epirus Region (Counts as SV for DXCC) as SX6A/69 to SX6A/60; January 15-24th, 2021 as SX6A/6 on March 19th, 2021 as SX6A on March 25th, 2021 (***joker***) Operators mentioned are Crhistos/SV6JHA (pilot), Thomas/SV6EBQ and George/SV6KRW. SX5A/* -- Dodecanese Region (Counts as SV5 for DXCC) as SX5A/59 to SX5A/50; January 25th and February 3rd, 2021 as SX5A/5 on March 20th, 2021 as SX5A on March 25th, 2021 (***joker***) Operators mentioned are Panos/SV5AZK (pilot), Pantelis/SV5AZP, Stathis/SV5DKL and Athanasios/SV5SKI. SX4A/* -- Thessaly Region (Counts as SV for DXCC) as SX4A/49 to SX4A/40; February 4-13th, 2021 as SX4A/4 on March 21st, 2021 as SX4A on March 25th, 2021 (***joker***) Operators mentioned are John/SV4RRK (pilot), Thanasis/SV4DCQ, Spyros/SV4DDM, Costas/SV4FFL, Chris/SV4MLF, Panos/SV4QNP, Konstantinos/SV4RTG and Panos/SV4RXA. SX3A/* -- Peloponnese Region (Counts as SV for DXCC) as SX3A/39 to SX3A/30; February 14-23rd, 2021 as SX3A/3 on March 22nd, 2021 as SX3A on March 25th, 2021 (***joker***) Operators mentioned are Panos/SV3DCX (pilot), Sotiris/SV1BDO, Joseph/SV3AQN, Takis/SV3AUW, Babis/SV3CKF, Zac/SV3GLL, George/ SV3QUP, Nikos/SV3SCW, Dimitris/SV3SKM, George/SV3SFK and Nick/SV0LU. SX2A/* -- Central & Eastern Macedonia Region (counts as SV for DXCC) as SX2A/29 to SX2A/20; February 24th and March 5th, 2021 as SX2A/2 on March 23rd, 2021 as SX2A on March 25th, 2021 (***joker***) Operators mentioned are Michael/SV2HJQ (pilot), Nikos/SV2WT, Fotis/SV2BXZ, George/SV2CNE, Antonis/SV2CSV, Demetreos/SV2GWY, Sakis/SV2FPI and Dimitris/SV2RCN. SX1A/* -- Sterea Hellas Region (counts as SV for DXCC) as SX1A/19 to SX1A/10; March 6-15th, 2021 as SX1A/1 on March 24th, 2021 as SX1A on March 25th, 2021 (***joker***) Operators mentioned are Chris/SV1IYA (pilot), Nikos/SV1AJO, Vassilis/SV1CNS, Manos/SV1DZB, Kostas/SV1DPI, Christos/SV1EEM, Kostas/SV1SAX and Takis/SV2FWV. Activity will be on 160-2 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Suggested frequencies are as follows (+/- QRM): CW - 1830, 3530, 5353, 7013, 10103, 14030, 18073, 21030, 24913, 28023, 50093 and 144053 kHz SSB - 1848, 3783, 5363, 7130, 14273, 18130, 21273, 24973, 28300, 50130 and 144283 kHz Digi - 1840, 3573, 5357, 7074, 10136, 14074, 18100, 21074, 24915, 28074, 50313 and 144174 kHz Four special awards will be available to amateurs and SWLs (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platium). QSL all callsigns via LoTW, eQSL, ClubLog's OQRS or direct via SV2GWY. For more details, see QRZ.com. ZD8, ASCENSION ISLAND. Tevfik, TA1HZ, informs OPDX that he will be active as ZD8HZ on Ascension Island (AF-003) for the duration of 2021 working on a project. Estimated setup time for his Yaesu FT-991 and windom antenna will be mid-January, but his activity will be on his spare time on 80-10 meters using SSB and FT8. Please do not send any direct QSL requests before 2022, as he will not be able to check his POB 73/TCSWAT address in 2021. Tevfik hopes to upload his log to LoTW, eqsl and ClubLog by the end of each month. QSL direct via TA1HZ. *********************************************************************** TO BE ADDED TO THE OPDX MAILING LIST -- Click or send requests to: Subscribe: (mailto:kb8nw at hotmail.com?subject=subscribe) Unsubscribe: (mailto:kb8nw at hotmail.com?subject=unsubscribe) ** PLEASE NOTE FOR OUTLOOK USERS: PLEASE put your E-mail address also in the body of the message. Just a reminder, you can still obtain the OPDX Bulletins via the OPDX Web page (provided by John, K8YSE) [http://www.papays.com/opdx.html], QRZ.com (under Forums; News; Special Events, Contests.. etc.), several DX Mailing Lists, and two different UseNet Groups (rec.radio.info and rec.radio.amateur.dx). The weekly bulletin (issue # from the OPDX Web page URL) is also posted on the following Media pages: NODXA FaceBook -- https://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation Twitter -- https://twitter.com/kb8nw_opdx ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB PAGES AT: http://www.nodxa.org/ http://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation *********************************************************************** * All excerpts and distribution of "The OPDX Bulletin" are granted as long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receives credit. ** To contribute DX info, please send via InterNet Mail to: (kb8nw at arrl.net) or (kb8nw at hotmail.com) Information can now be faxed to the following phone line at: 1-419-828-7791 (F A X only!) ....... 73 de Tedd KB8NW /EXIT ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW - E-mail addresses: or 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) From kb8nw at hotmail.com Sun Dec 27 10:50:00 2020 From: kb8nw at hotmail.com (Tedd Mirgliotta (KB8NW)) Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2020 10:50:00 -0500 Subject: [DX] Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1496 Message-ID: SB DX @ WW < KB8NW $OPDX.1496 Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1496 The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster DX Bulletin No. 1496 BID: $OPDX.1496 December 28, 2020 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 Cluster Networks, NJ1Q & W1AW, W2VU, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, W5JON, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, OH2BH, Pete Rayer & ISWL, Sixitalia Weekly, and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX information. *** SPECIAL NOTE FROM EDITOR (Tedd, KB8NW): My family (wife/OPDX's chief proof-reader Linda, son Teddy [TJ] and his wife Jessi, daughter Katie and her husband Kevin and son Lliam and daughter Lilly Grace), and I (KB8NW) would like to wish all DXers, Contesters and OPDX readers a "Happy New Year". Thanks to the many individuals who have provided DX information over the past year. Without you there would not be an OPDX Bulletin. Also, thanks to the many individuals who sent holiday wishes to my family and me...... 73 and Have a Great Holiday de Tedd KB8NW DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 20th/December, through Sunday, 27th/December there were 215 countries active. Countries available: 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1U, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E4, E5/n, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, EU, EX, F, FG, FH, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J3, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, 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, S2, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T5, T7, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TN, TR, TT, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP8, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XX9, YB, YI, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z3, Z6, Z8, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZF, ZL, ZL7, 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". 3D2/R, ROTUMA (Reminder). Tony, 3D2AG, is once again active as 3D2AG/p from Rotuma Island (OC-060). Most of his activity has been on 30/20/17/15 meters FT8, with some CW. Look for him to go QRT on January 8th, with him leaving the island on the 10th. QSL via 3D2AG using PayPal, ClubLog's OQRS or direct. He uses paper logs for CW, and ClubLog for FT8. NO LoTW. 5H, TANZANIA. Sergey, UT8UU, will be active as 5H3UU from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, during the first half of August 2021. He does have permission to be active on most HF/VHF/UHF bands and modes, but has not announced which ones he will be using. More details will be forthcoming. QSL via UT8UU, direct, by the Bureau, LoTW or eQSL. 5U, NIGER. The Daily DX and some other sources report that Adrien, F4IHM, is expected to be back in Niamey, Niger, and be active as 5UAIHM (not 5U4IHM as first reported) in early 2021, possibly between January 7th and February 11th. Activity will be on 40 and 20 meters CW (beginner) using a FT-817 with a wire antenna and straight. QSL via his home call- sign, direct or by the REF Bureau. 8N1, JAPAN (Special Event). Special event station 8N1IZA is now active until March 31st, 2021. Activity is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Niiza city. No QSL is needed! All QSLs will be sent automatically via the Bureau. 8Q, MALDIVES (Update/Change). Nobby, G0VJG, will once again be active as 8Q7CQ between March 6-22nd (not January 14-29th). He had to reschedule due to the Covid-19. Operations this time will be from Reethi Faru, Filaidhoo Island (AS-013). Activity will be on 80-10 meters (this now includes 60m) using SSB and the Digital modes. His equipment will be a FT-450D with a 400 watt amp into a small 6m beam, Butternut vertical for the HF bands and possibly a 3 element tri-bander. QSL via M0OXO OQRS, direct or ClubLog's OQRS. ARRL RTTY ROUNDUP. Just a reminder that the "ARRL RTTY Roundup" takes place between 1800z, January 2nd and 2400z, January 3rd. For complete details, see: http://www.arrl.org/rtty-roundup CQ NEWS [Stever Molo, KI4KWR, Named CQ Awards Editor] (Press Release, by Richard, W2VU, dated December 21st). Steve Molo, KI4KWR, of Madison, Alabama, has been named CQ magazine Awards Editor, CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU announced today. Steve has been active in radio communications for close to 30 years, starting in a REACT group in Pennsylvania. Following graduation from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy as a Radioman, reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer before returning to civilian life. Steve discovered amateur radio in 2005 while in the Navy and living in Portsmouth, Virginia. In 2013, he moved to New Jersey, where became very active with the South Jersey DX Association and participated in 160-meter contests with both the N2CW and W2GD teams, placing in the top five several years straight and occasionally in first place. Since January 2019, Steve has worked for GigaParts in Huntsville, Alabama, as Brand Ambassador for all brands offered by the company. After work, he can generally be found on HF, chasing contacts and rare DX. Steve is currently vice president of the North Alabama DX Club and a member of the Alabama Contest Group, Huntsville Amateur Radio Club and several others. He is currently focusing his award-chasing on the various FT8 awards that have recently become available. "I look forward to the opportunity to keep CQ readers aware of the available awards in amateur radio," said Molo, "by highlighting long- standing awards that may not be well-known as well as focusing on newer offerings such as FT8 awards." Molo's first column will appear in the February, 2021 issue of CQ. D2, ANGOLA. Paulo, CT1FJZ, is now active D2FJZ from Menongue. The length of his stay is unknown at this time. Activity has been mainly on 20 meters SSB using a TS-480AT into a EZ-wire antenna. QSL via CT1FJZ direct. GB0, ENGLAND (Special Event). Paul, M0XZT, will activate the "New Year" special event station GB0NY through January 7th. He will operate a few hours a day on 160-10m, 2m/70cm and 4m, using SSB, FT8/FT4, SSTV, FM, Dstar, DMR and C4FM modes. QSL is only via eQSL. Logs will be uploaded after January 7th. HB40, SWITZERLAND (Special Event). To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the International Police Association Radio Club (IPARC) of Switzerland, look for special event station HB40POLICE to be active between January 1st and December 31st, 2021. Activity will be on 160-6 meters, and frequently on VHF, UHF and SHF. For a sked please contact Roland, HB9GSO. QSL via the Bureau or eQSL. A QSO with HB40POLICE counts as a club callsign for the IPARC Switzerland and is valid for the Matterhorn Award. II/IO/IR, ITALY (Special Event). To celebrate the 160th anniversary of the establishment of the Italian Navy, members of the Amateur Radio Associ- ation of Italian Sailors will provide a special radio diploma called "160th Anniversary of the Italian Navy" for working the following special event stations between 0000z, January 1st and 2400z, December 31st, 2021. Look for special stations with the suffix "MMI" (Marina Militare Italiana). Rules to obtain the 3 diplomas (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and plaque are available at: http://www.assoradiomarinai.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=113&Itemid=184 The list of special stations accredited for the Diploma (updated as of DECEMBER 24th, 2020) are: CALLSIGN #MI QSL MANAGER CALLSIGN #MI QSL MANAGER -------- ---- ----------- -------- ---- ----------- IR0MMI 561 IZ0XZD II7MMI 1174 IZ7AUH IO0MMI 562 IM0SDX IR7MMI 1245 IZ7LOW II0MMI 1161 IZ0EGC IR8MMI 1250 IU8OJZ II1MMI 1162 IK1YRA II9MMI 1378 IT9GHW II2MMI 1656 I2QIL IO9MMI 1600 IT9MRM IR5MMI 1171 IK5AEQ IR9MMI 1655 IT9YBL Activity will be on various HF bands using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Award Manager of this event is Alberto Mattei, IT9MRM (his E-mail is: it9mrm at hotmail.com). ADDED NOTE: "The Italian Navy was born with the name of 'Regia Marina' on March 17th, 1861, following the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy by the parliament of Turin. Since 1946, following the proclamation of the Republic, it has assumed the new name of 'Marina Militare'." IOTA NEWS. The following are IOTA operations that were active this past week between December 21-26th (as per the DXCluster): IOTA Callsign Island/GROUP Bands/Modes ------ ---------- ------------- ------------ AF-004 EA8AT CANARY 30m; FT8 AF-004 EA8UP CANARY 40m; SSB AF-004 EA8WK CANARY 40m; SSB AF-018 IH9YMC PANTELLERIA 20m; FT4 AF-022 ZD7JC ST HELENA 15/12m; FT8 AF-049 3B8CW MAURITIUS 10m; FT8 AS-003 4S7VG SRI LANKA 10m; FT8 AS-007 JH3NGD HONSHU 40m; SSB AS-007 JH7MQD HONSHU 40m; SSB AS-013 8Q7AM MALDIVE 15m; FT8 AS-018 RM0F Sakhalin 80/30m; FT8 AS-020 BX6ABV TAIWAN 10m; FT8 AS-031 JD1BMH Chichijima 80/40/30/20m; CW AS-031 JD1BHA CHICHI/HAHA/MUKO 20m; CW FT8 AS-079 JO2ASQ/6 Miyako 20m; AS-117 JA4GXS/4 HONSHU'S COASTAL ISLANDS WEST 40m; FT8 EU-002 OH0Z ALAND 160/15m; CW EU-004 EA6AIU BALEARIC 40m; SSB EU-004 EA6B BALEARIC 20m; SSB EU-004 EA6NB BALEARIC 160m; EU-004 EA6SB BALEARIC 40m; SSB EU-004 EA6VQ BALEARIC 30m; FT8 EU-005 GM4ATA GREAT BRITAIN 80m; CW EU-005 GW3TMP GREAT BRITAIN 15m; CW EU-005 M0PLX/M GREAT BRITAIN 20m; SSB EU-005 M1EYP/P GREAT BRITAIN 40m; EU-012 GM4LER SHETLAND 40m; FT8 EU-015 SX9A CRETE 17m; SSB EU-018 OY5CT FAROE 15m; CW EU-018 OY5ET FAROE 20m; FT8 EU-020 SM1HEV GOTLAND COUNTY 80m; CW EU-020 SM1IRS GOTLAND COUNTY 80m; CW EU-021 TF5B ICELAND 30/17m; FT8 EU-022 JX2US JAN MAYEN 20m; EU-023 9H5SN MALTA 40m; SSB EU-024 IS0BHY SARDINIA 80m; FT8 EU-024 IS0GGA SARDINIA 17m; SSB EU-025 IT9JAV Sicily 40m; SSB EU-025 IT9RZR Sicily 15m; FT8 EU-031 IC8HRG CAMPANIA REGION 40m; FT8 EU-040 CT2KNA ESTREMADURA PROVINCE 20m; SSB EU-084 8S0DX UPPSALA/STOCKHOLM COUNTY 160m; EU-115 EI2KP IRELAND 20m; SSB EU-115 EI9JF IRELAND 40m; CW EU-115 MI0JLC IRELAND 30m; FT8 EU-159 F4FHX AQUITAINE REGION 17m; SSB NA-015 CO2RQ Cuba 160m; NA-015 CO8RCP Cuba 30m; FT8 NA-016 ZF1EJ CAYMAN 160m; NA-026 N2YG NEW YORK STATE 15m; FT8 NA-026 W2C NEW YORK STATE 40m; SSB NA-026 W2F NEW YORK STATE 20m; SSB NA-026 W2G NEW YORK STATE 20m; SSB NA-027 VO1CH NEWFOUNDLAND 20m; SSB NA-083 N3MK VIRGINIA STATE 15m; FT8 NA-091 VE7BGD BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCE SOUTH 20m; FT8 NA-096 HI8RD HISPANIOLA 40m; SSB NA-099 KP4JRS PUERTO RICO 40m; CW NA-106 KP2B VIRGIN 20m; FT8 OC-001 VK2NA Australia 15m; CW OC-001 VK5GR Australia 17m; FT8 OC-001 VK5MAV Australia 20m; CW OC-001 VK6HH Australia 160m; FT8 OC-001 VK6LW Australia 160m; OC-001 VK6RZ Australia 40m; CW OC-001 VK6SJ Australia 15m; SSB OC-021 YB0AZ JAVA 20m; SSB OC-032 FK8GX NEW CALEDONIA 40m; FT8 OC-032 FK8HM NEW CALEDONIA 10m; FT8 OC-042 DU1IST LUZON 40m; SSB OC-060 3D2AG/P Rotuma 20/17/15m; CW OC-088 9M8DEN BORNEO 30m; FT8 OC-134 ZL1CVD SOUTH 30m; FT8 OC-134 ZL3RIK SOUTH 20m; FT8 OC-134 ZL3XDJ SOUTH 40m; CW OC-150 7C9N Lombok 20/17m; SSB/FT8 OC-150 7C9T TENGGARA BARAT 30m; FT8 OC-166 YD7RV/P Laut 40m; FT8 OC-236 7C8M Gusung Toraja 40/20/17/15m; CW/FT8 SA-006 PJ4EL BONAIRE 40m; FT8 SA-011 9Z4AH Trinidad 40m; SSB SA-011 9Z4FE Trinidad 17m; SSB SA-011 9Z4Y Trinidad 17m; CW SA-012 YV7BMZ NUEVA ESPARTA STATE 20m; FT8 SA-046 PY7PX PERNAMBUCO STATE 30m; FT8 SA-058 YV4NY CARABOBO/ARAGUA/DF/MIRANDA STATE 30m; FT8 SA-099 PJ2LS CURACAO 30m; FT8 ** Thanks to the individuals who put the island/group and mode on their QSNs on their PacketCluster reports. The format we suggest is "IOTA#/Mode/Island or Group" (ex. OC-146/FT8/Celebes). OC-139. Grant, VK5GR, posted the following on his Web page on December 17th [edited]: "As announced in October, I am heading back to Kangaroo Island over the summer holidays with the family. This time it will be more holiday and less radio, however I am taking the station down with me and will be down there for nearly 2 weeks as opposed to 5 nights. I hope to be active on 40/30m with a vertical, 20-6m with my Hex Beam and possibly 80m with a dipole. There is a chance 160m might get activated as well (depending on what gear I can fit into the car). This is a single op trip holiday style. I will be down there from the 11th to the 22nd of January. Most likely operating hours will be evenings and mornings. Daytime will be spent with the family and touring the island. I will run the live logging into Clublog for the activity to help you find me. OQRS will be available via Charlies, M0OXO, and logs will be loaded to Charles at least daily. QSL cards are already available so there will be no waiting for this one. Activity will be a combination of CW, SSB and FT8, possibly with some RTTY and PSK thrown in for fun. I also hope to put VK5KI on air during the WIA Summer VHF/UHF field day on 6m/2m/ 70cm (and maybe 23cm). With the 90m elevation we will have I hope to be heard at least up in Adelaide. Worst case I will take some gear mobile up to Stokes Hill for the day (200m elevation). See you on the air from VK5KI Kangaroo Island - OC-139!" Visit VK5GR Web page at: https://vk5gr-iota.net OC-166. Ravie, YD7RV, is now active as YD7RV/p from Laut Island. Length of stay was not mentioned. Activity was on 40 meters FT8. QSL via his home callsign direct or EA5GL. OC-236. Members of the Tipalayo DX Club are now active as 7C8M from Gusung Toraja Island, in the Celebes Coastal Islands, until December 30th. Activity has been on 40/20/17/15 meters using CW and FT8. QSL via YB8BRI direct. 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...... ISWL CALLSIGNS (For January 2021). The following ISWL club callsigns will be used throughout the month of January 2021: GX4BJC/A - Operated /A from Eastbourne, in East Sussex, by Peter, G0NQZ (WAB Square - TQ60 - England, IOTA EU-005, WLOTA 1841). MX1SWL/A - Operated /A, from Skegby, in Nottinghamshire, by Merv, G0UJD (WAB Square - SK56 - England, IOTA EU-005, WLOTA 1841). ALL QSLs will be handled by Dick, M5DIK - The QSL Manager 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.qrzcq.com) or (www.qrz.com) or via (www.eQSL.cc). NO LoTW. KH4, MIDWAY ISLAND (KH6VV/KH4 DXPEDITION Update). Ron, KH6DV, posted the following on QRZ.com, December 20th: "Recently the USF&W Service became uncomfortable with our proposed expedition date due to the forecast of a second virus wave. We are now in that second wave, and the latest news is that Europe is seeing a new strain of the virus that is 70% more con- tagious. We agreed to change the date to September 2021 and submit a new Supplemental Use Permit application. Just after that discussion the email link went dark. Business partner Bill Austin, who once served as Maintenance Manager and Harbor Master on Midway, is still well connected to the gossip email reflector. From this source we learned that there had been an incident on Midway, and the on-island management team for USF&W had been recalled along with two of the supervisors from the contractor. A new management team is expected on-island once the holidays are over. Once that team is in place we will submit our revised application." OPDX MAILING LIST (Just A Reminder). Details on how to subscribe and unsubscribe from the "OPDX Mailing List" are at the bottom of this bulletin. PLEASE pass the word around.... Thanks and 73 de Tedd KB8NW PLEASE NOTE: OUTLOOK users PLEASE read below. P44, ARUBA (Rare Prefix/Update). Mathias, DL4MM, will be active as P44AA from Aruba (SA-036) during the CQ 160m CW Contest (January 29-31st, 2021) as a Single-Op/Assisted/High-Power entry. QSL P44AA via DL4MM. Look for him to sign P4/DL4MM before and after the contest between January 23rd and February 3rd with a focus on the low bands. QSL via DL4MM, direct (via ClubLog), LoTW or by the Bureau. PJ5, ST. EUSTATIUS. In the middle of his 2021 June trip to St. Kitts (V4) [see below], John, W5JON/V47JA, will be going to St. Eustatius between June 22-28th, 2021, and be active as PJ5/W5JON. His radio equipment is a Yaesu FT-450D, Amplifier and dipoles. Activity will be on 40-6 meters using SSB and FT8. ALL QSLs go to W5JON direct or via LoTW. NO Bureau QSLs. PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (December 28th-January 3rd)....... Dec/28th AN Dec/31st AN Jan/02nd AN Dec/29th AN Jan/01st AN Jan/03rd AN Dec/30th 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 for propagation: * 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 * Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) & National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminisration (NOAA): https://www.swpc.noaa.gov https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/solar-cycle-progression * News and Information About The Sun-Earth Environment: https://www.spaceweather.com * Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve overseas locations are at: http://arrl.org/propagation * Information and tutorials on propagation are at: http://k9la.us * Graphic propagation tool by DR2W: http://www.dr2w.de/dx-propagation * Point to point propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk/p2p.html * Real-time propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk * Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@GiellaW4hm QSL INFO AND NEWS................... QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF (www.qslinfo.eu) (December 27th) and by OPDX from other sources ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4L1WL via 4L1BR HP/W1VE via W1VE RG21NY via RQ7L 5Q2J via OZ2JBC IQ6KX via IW6ATQ (d/e) RK21NY via RQ7L 5Z4PA via M0URX J79WTA via HB9MFM RL21NY via RQ7L CN1M via RW6HS (d) LG9L via (LA-B/L) RN21NY via RQ7L CN8GDO via EA7FTR or RW6HS(d) LZ105AJ via LZ1ZF RY21NY via RQ7L CO8LY via EA7ADH LZ50GU via LZ1GU SE5L via SM5ALJ CP4BT via IK2DUW LZ5R via LZ1YQ & (L) TC3SAV via TA3X CP5HK via EC6DX (d) NL8F via N7RO TR8CA via F6CBC D44PM via IZ4DPV OP5T via ON4DS TZ4AM via W0SA EG4CSH via EA4DCU (L/e) OQ5M via ON5ZO UA0JFG via RW6HS (d) FM/F6BCW via F6BCW PJ4EL via M0URX UN9L via LZ1YE (d/L) HC1HC via NE8Z R2021NY via RQ7L W4A via N9EN HC1M via EA5GL R21HNY via RQ7L Z34K via Z32ZM HC3RJ via EA5GL RA21NY via RQ7L HF1J via SP1NEN RD21NY via RQ7L (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 (n) no printed QSLs (*) They send via the Bureau - No QSL needed LOGS ONLINE (New/Updated) AVAILABLE ON CLUBLOG.ORG THIS WEEK...... https://clublog.org/logsearch/JD1BLY (Updated) QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 4U75UN, 8J1RL, BD7JMR, CP6UA, CT1EAV, DS5TOS, OE4AAC, RN1CW, SV5DKL, US0KW, XP3A, YC7DDG, YC0VM, YD1AYO, YD1FRU and YD2DBW QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 4U1UN, 9X2AW, A61DL (AS-021), ID9OSC (EU-017), PJ4/K5KG, SP2GR, TX0T (OC-298), VA3IKE and VE3ELL QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: NONE REPORTED FOR THIS WEEK!!!! --- We would like to see more QSL Bureaus (such as AS/US/SA/AF.. etc) send in their info.... S521, SLOVENIA (Special Event). Members of the Radio Club "Slovenj Gradec" are now active as S521PMC to promote the WW PMC (Peace Messenger Cities) Contest and IAPMC (The International Association of Peace Messenger Cities of the United Nations) organization until January 3rd, 2021. Activity has been on 80-15 meters using CW, SSB and FT8/FT4. QSL is not needed. All QSLs will be sent out via the Bureau in 2021. For details on the WW PMC Contest, see: http://www.s59dcd.si/index.php/sl/ww-pmc/ww-pmc-contest-rules SF400, SWEDEN (Special Event). Members of the Bor?s Radioamat?rer (SK6LK) will activate the special event callsign SF400B from Tranemo, Sweden, between January 1st and December 31st, 2021. Activity is to commemorate 400th anniversary of Boras City. Operations will be on various HF bands. QSL via SK6LK by the Bureau or LoTW. Please visit their Web page at (www.sf400b.se) where they have a logbook and a map showing which coun- tries they have been in contact with. TI, COSTA RICA (SOTA Op). Operators David/KM3A and Scott/N0OI will head up a AB3G DXpedition to Costa Rica to be active from several different summits in Costa Rica between January 3-9th. While climbing the summits, they plan to be active as TI2/AB3G, TI3/AB3G and TI5/AB3G. Activity will be mainly 40/30/20/17/15 meters CW. QSL via LoTW or ClubLog's OQRS (preferred). V4, ST. KITTS. John, W5JON, has announced another operation besides his February-March/October-November 2021 operations (see OPDX.1480 & OPDX.1494). He will once again be active as V47JA from his Calypso Bay, St. Kitts, West Indies vacation home, located 200 feet from the Caribbean Sea, between June 12th and July 10th, 2021,. Activity will be on 160-6 meters (incl. 60m) using SSB and FT8, with emphasis on 6m and 160m - FT8. Equipment is a Yaesu FT1000MP, FT450D and an Elecraft KPA500 Amplifier. John states his antennas are a Mosley Mini32A 10/15/20m, 33' Vertical 10-40m, 35' Top Loaded 80m Vertical, 160m Vertical and 6m 5 element Yagi. ALL QSLs go to W5JON direct or via LoTW. NO Bureau QSLs. ADDED NOTE: John will also make a side trip to Saint Eustatius Island (PJ5). See PJ5 above. YASME FOUNDATION INC. NEWS (Press Release; "OH8X Node Active", sent by Martti, OH2BH, dated December 23rd). [ANOTHER CHRISTMAS GIFT TO THE SCIENTIFIC AND AMATEUR COMMUNITY LAUNCHED DECEMBER.22,2020 -- THE MOST NORTHERN RBN NODE IN EUROPE]. As part of the Yasme Foundation (yasme.org) project to provide additional Reverse Beacon Network (reversebeacon.net) nodes in underserved areas, equipment has been provided to a team in northern Finland. The latest node to become active is currently hosted by Radio Arcala, OH8X, very close to the Lapland (OH9) Region.. FURTHER STUDY OF THE POLAR PATH -- A mysterious propagation mode called Polar Path exists in Northern Europe during the winter season. At and above the Arctic Circle in the middle of the night this propagation offers a footprint covering the entire North American continent for many hours. This occurs in spite of the stations being within the Aurora Oval. Only 100 miles to the south, there is no such propagation at all. A few far- northern stations have taken advantage of this opportunity, such as SJ2W holding the 20 meter CQ WW record and OH8X winning CQ WW Europe on 20 meters ten times straight. Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, has tentatively studied the Polar Path and expects that two independent propagation scenarios need to co-exist to create this interesting path. The OH8X RBN node would further help the study of the Polar Path in which Radio Arcala will be cooperating with the northern scientific community. The RBN node receiver is currently located at the Radio Arcala station, OH8X; 65 11 03N & 26 14 53E, but may later move even farther north to be at the heart of this unique Auroral Region of the Arctic Circle. *********************************************************************** TO BE ADDED TO THE OPDX MAILING LIST -- Click or send requests to: Subscribe: (mailto:kb8nw at hotmail.com?subject=subscribe) Unsubscribe: (mailto:kb8nw at hotmail.com?subject=unsubscribe) ** PLEASE NOTE FOR OUTLOOK USERS: PLEASE put your E-mail address also in the body of the message. Just a reminder, you can still obtain the OPDX Bulletins via the OPDX Web page (provided by John, K8YSE) [http://www.papays.com/opdx.html], QRZ.com (under Forums; News; Special Events, Contests.. etc.), several DX Mailing Lists, and two different UseNet Groups (rec.radio.info and rec.radio.amateur.dx). The weekly bulletin (issue # from the OPDX Web page URL) is also posted on the following Media pages: NODXA FaceBook -- https://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation Twitter -- https://twitter.com/kb8nw_opdx ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB PAGES AT: http://www.nodxa.org/ http://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation *********************************************************************** * All excerpts and distribution of "The OPDX Bulletin" are granted as long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receives credit. ** To contribute DX info, please send via InterNet Mail to: (kb8nw at arrl.net) or (kb8nw at hotmail.com) Information can now be faxed to the following phone line at: 1-419-828-7791 (F A X only!) ....... 73 de Tedd KB8NW /EXIT ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW - E-mail addresses: or 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)