Saturday, July 26, 2008

ARRL DX News No. 31

DX Bulletin 31 ARLD031
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT July 24, 2008
To all radio amateurs

SB DX ARL ARLD031
ARLD031 DX news

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by
QRZ DX, the OPDX Bulletin, 425 DX News, The Daily DX, DXNL, Contest
Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites.
Thanks to all.

TAIWAN, BX. Jimmy, BX5AA, will be active during the IOTA Contest as
a Single Op/All Band/High Power entry. QSL via BX5AA.

BALEARIC ISLANDS, EA6. Andre, LX1FX, is expected to be active from
Menorca Island (EU-004) between July 22 and August 15, and possibly
one week longer. Activity will be on the HF bands and 6 meters as
well as 70, 144 and 432 MHz. Modes will be CW, SSB, as well JT6 via
MS.

ST. BARTHELEMY, FJ. Sam, FG5ED (ex-FG7AS, FK0AT, YJ0KMS), will be
QRV from club station FJ5KH until July 31. Activity will be mainly
CW. QSL direct to: Sam Sahai, Ch. GODEAU, 13 Avenue Buckeburg,
F-72300 Sable, FRANCE.

JERSEY, GJ. Members of the Bristol Contest Group (G6YB) will be
active as GJ6YB during the IOTA Contest. QSL via G3SWH.

SVALBARD, JW. Peter, JW7QIA, will be QRV in the IOTA Contest
(EU-026). QSL direct or via the bureau. In addition, Niels, OZ8KR,
will be active as JW/OZ8KR from August 12 to 17. Activity will be
on 20 meters using SSB. He likes the frequncies 14220 and 14260
kHz. QSL via his home call sign.

GUAM, KH2. Operators Hiroshi, JJ1CCE, Shima, JH3AAZ, Koji, JK7TKE
and Hiroshi, K6IAA will be active August 2 and 3. Look for
operators to sign as KH2/home call with the exception of K6IAA/KH2.
Activity will be holiday style operation. QSL via each operator's
home call sign, by the bureau or direct.

DODECANESE SV5. Operators SV5AZP, SV5AZK, SV5DDP, SV5DKL, SV5DZR,
SV5FRD, SV5KJC, SV5FRP, SV5CJK and SV5CJQ will be active as SX5P
from Rhodes Island (EU-001) during the IOTA Contest as a Multi-Multi
entry. QSL via SV5FRD.

CRETE, SV9. Dimitris, SV1JB will be QRV as SV9/SV1JB from Kokini
Hani (MIA MGC-005, WLOTA LH-1400), between July 21 and August 7.
Activity will be on 80 through 10 meters using CW, SSB and PSK31.
QSL via his home call sign, direct or by the bureau.

ASCENSION ISLAND, ZD8. Bob, VP8LP, will be active as ZD8LP on
August 15 and 16 and September 14. Bob will be using a vertical
antenna and intends to be very active on 40 through 10 meters as
propagation permits. QSL direct to his home call sign only.

MADEIRA, CT3. Operators CT1DSV, CT1EFS, CT1ENV, CT1FEK, CT1HFS and
CT1BOL will activate the Selvagens Islands, AF 047, until July 27,
as CQ9U and CT95S, including an entry in the IOTA contest. Activity
will be on 80 through 6 meters, using mainly SSB.

KENYA, 5Z4. Antonio, IK8VRH, will be active as 5Z4/IK8VRH from
Malindi during the month of August. Operations will be from the
Coast Province North Group (AF-040) from August 15 to 17 and the
Coast Province South Group (AF-067) from August 20 to 22. Enrico,
5Z4ES, will be with him. Activity will be on 40, 20 and 17 meters
using CW, SSB and RTTY.

TONGA, A3. Paul, A35RK, is now QRV on the digital modes. Look for
him on 20 and 17 meters, as time permits.

APPROVED FOR DXCC: 5X4X 2008 operation.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The IOTA Contest and Flight of the
Bumblebees are on tap this weekend for your contesting pleasure.
Please see July QST, page 78 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest web
sites for details.

425 DX News No. 899

> > > 425 DX NEWS < < <

425 DX News is available in the following languages:
English * Italian * Japanese * Portuguese * Russian * Spanish
_____________________________________________________________________________

26 July 2008 A.R.I. DX Bulletin
No 899
===========================
*** 4 2 5 D X N E W S ***
**** DX INFORMATION ****
===========================
Edited by I1JQJ & IK1ADH
Direttore Responsabile I2VGW

5Z - Antonio, IK8VRH will be active as 5Z4/IK8VRH from Malindi, Kenya
between 12 and 26 August. He will also go and operate with Enrico,
5Z4ES from IOTA groups AF-040 (15-17 August) and AF-067 (20-22
August), with expected activity on 40, 20 and 17 metres SSB, CW
and RTTY. [TNX IK8VRH]

CT3 - CT95S is the second callsign for the operation from Selvagem
Grande (AF-047). With this special callsign the team participates
in the celebrations for the 500th anniversary of the founding of
Funchal, the capital city of the Madeira Islands [425DXN 892].
During the IOTA Contest they will be using CQ9U, as announced
[425DXN 895]. Further information can be found at
http://www.cq9u.com/

EI - The EJ0GI Contest Team will be participating in the IOTA Contest
from Inis Oirr, Aran Islands (EU-006). QSL via EI2SDR. Several
team members will also be active on 80-6 metres SSB and CW before
and after the contest using their homecalls. [TNX GI8SKN/EI3GKB]

ES - A large group of operators from Estonia and Finland will
participate in the IOTA Contest as ES2Q from Keri Island (EU-149).
QSL via ES5JR. The webiste for the activity is at
http://www.es2q.com/. [TNX NG3K]

F - Special event call TM0FIL will be aired on all bands and modes
from 28 July to 10 August for the 38th Festival Inter-celtique de
Lorient (http://www.festival-interceltique.com/). QSL via F6KPQ.
[TNX F8REF]

FK - Jean-Louis, F5NHJ will be active as FK/F5NHJ from New Caledonia
(OC-032) on 12-29 August. He plans to concentrate on 30 metres CW
and digital modes; side trips to other FK islands are possible.
Logs will be posted at http://www.f5nhj.fr/logsearch and uploaded
to LoTW. [TNX F5NQL]

GJ - Oliver/OE5OHO, Henry/OE5HDN and Gerhard/OE3GEA will be active
holiday style as MJ/homecall from Jersey (EU-013) on 21-26 August.
They will operate CW and SSB on all HF bands. QSL via bureau to
home calls. [TNX OE5OHO]

GM - Andre, GM3VLB says he will be active from Eilean Hoan (EU-123)
starting on 25 July until probably the 27th. Then he will go and
operate from Rabbit Island (EU-123). QSL to home call, direct only.

GM - Jurij, MM0DFV and other operators from the West of Scotland ARS
(http://www.eu.srars.org) will participate in the IOTA Contest as
GM2Z (CW) and GM4A (SSB) from the Isle of Colonsay (EU-008). A
separate station will be working PSK outside the contest, using the
callsign MS0EPC. QSL for both contest stations and MS0EPC via
MM0DFV. [TNX MM0DFV]

HL - AC4RK, DS2AGH, HL1IWD, HL1XP and WX8C will participate in the IOTA
Contest as 6M0HZ/2 from Kangwha Island (AS-105). QSL via HL1IWD.
[TNX NG3K]

HL - Members of the Gwangju DX Club (6L0NJ) will be active as 6L0NJ/4
from the Huksan Islands (AS-093) on 15-18 August. Activity will be
on all HF bands using SSB, CW and various digital modes. QSL via
HL4XM. [TNX DS4GGM]

I - I7PXV, I8LWL, IK7FPX, IK7JWX, IK7LMX, IK7QMJ, IK8GQY, IZ8GNW and
IZ8LFK will participate in the IOTA Contest as I8LWL/7 from Isola
Grande di Porto Cesareo (EU-091, IIA LE-002). Expect some activity
on digital modes and 6 metres outside thew IOTA event. QSL via
home call. [TNX IK7JWX]

I - IK8WEJ, IW8EQS, IZ0BTV, IZ7AUH, IZ7CDB, IZ7LDC, IZ8EQF and IZ8GGF
will participate in the IOTA Contest as IQ8OM/7 from Sant'Andrea
Island (EU-091, IIA LE-001). QSL via IZ8EDJ. [TNX IZ7AUH]

I - Matt, IK2SGC will be active as IA5/IK2SGC from Elba Island
(EU-028, IIA LI-001) from 30 July to 29 August.

I - In 1928 the two villages of Albese and Cassano merged to form the
new town of Albese con Cassano (Como). To celebrate that
anniversary, special event callsign II2AV will be used on all
bands and modes from 1 August to 14 September. QSL via IZ2HPZ,
direct or bureau.

I - Special event station II5EME will be active on 1-15 August for the
13th International EME Conference that will take place in Florence
on 8-10 August. QSL via IW5EIJ, direct or bureau. Detailed
information on the conference can be found at
http://www.ari-crt.it/eme2008/ [TNX IW5EIJ]

IS0 - Twelve operators from ARI Cagliari are active as IM0S from Cala
Reale, Asinara Island (EU-165, IIA SS-061) until 27 July, IOTA
Contest included. QSL via IS0UWX, direct or bureau. On-line logs
and further information can be found at
http://www.arica.it/asinara2008/asinara_home.htm

JW - Niels, OZ8KR is going to visit Spitsbergen (EU-026) for the third
time, and will operate SSB as JW/OZ8KR from the club station at
Longyearbyen on 12-13 and 16-17 August. QSL via home call. [TNX
OZ8KR]

KH2 - Look for KH2/JJ1CCE, KH2/JH3AAZ, KH2/JK7TKE and K6IAA/KH2 to be
active holiday style from Guam (OC-026) on 2-3 August. QSL
K6IAA/KH2 via JK1IAS, others via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX
NG3K]

KL - Sergey, VK2IMM will be active as KL7/VK2IMM from Sitka, Baranof
Island (NA-041) until 28 July, IOTA Contest included. CW is his
preferred mode. QSL via bureau to home call (information on direct
QSLling can be found at http://www.qrz.com/vk2imm).

OD - The Lebanon Cedar has always been the national emblem of Lebanon,
and it is seen on the national flag. The Radio Amateurs of Lebanon
(RAL, http://ral.org.lb/) will be holding a special event Field
Day operation on 2-3 August at the Cedar Mountains (2000m a.s.l.).
Look for OD5ARZ to operate on all bands and modes. QSL via K3IRV.
[TNX OD5TE]

OZ - OZ0CP, OZ0J and OZ2JBC will be active as 5Q2T from Bornholm Island
(EU-030, BO-001 for Danish Island Awards) on 25-29 July. They will
participate in the IOTA Contest with two stations (SSB and CW);
non-contest bands and digital modes will be worked before and
after the IOTA event. QSL via OZ0J, direct or bureau. Further
information and log search at http://www.oz0j.dk/ [TNX OZ0J]

OZ - Jens, DL8WOW will be active as OZ/DL8WOW from Bornholm Island
(EU-030) on 3-15 August. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX
www.rsgbiota.org]

PA - Martin, PA2RUS and other operators will be active as PA66AW from
about 10 UTC on 20 September until about 10 UTC on the 21st. This
special callsign's suffix stands for Atlantic Wall, the system of
coastal fortifications built by the German Third Reich in 1942-44
along the western coast of Europe to defend against an anticipated
invasion of the continent from Great Britain. Expect activity on
80, 40, 20 and 2 metres SSB. All of the QSOs will be confirmed
automatically via the bureau. Detailed information can be found at
http://www.pa66aw.nl [TNX PA2RUS]

PY - Xavier, PY7ZY will be on Sao Luis Island (SA-016) on 25-30 July
and will try to guest operate as PY7ZY/PR8 for a few hours. CW is
his preferred mode. QSL via home call. [TNX PT7WA]

PY - Ricardo, PY6RA will be active from Itaparica Island (SA-023) on
25-28 July. He plans to operate SSB, CW and digital modes on 80,
40, 20, 15 and 10 metres. [TNX www.rsgbiota.org]

PY - Marcelo, PY6KW will participate in the IOTA Contest as PT6T from
the lighthouse at Morro de Sao Paulo on Tinhare Island (SA-080).
It will be a 12-hour entry and will operate SSB with 100 watts
into a G5RV. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX PY6KW]

SM - Freddy, SM7WDG and Richard, SM7OHB will be active as SK7OA from
Tjurko Island (EU-138) during the IOTA Contest. QSL via bureau.
[TNX www.rsgbiota.org]

SV - Gerard, F2VX is active as SV8/F2VX from Kefallonia (EU-052) until
3 August. QSL via home call. [TNX F6AJA and Les Nouvelles DX]

TF - Martin/G3ZAY, Dominic/M0BLF and Chris/M0SCH will be in Iceland on
2-9 August and plan to be QRV as TF/homecalls from Grimsey
(EU-168) from the 4th to the 6th. There may be some other activity
from the main island (EU-021). QSL via home calls. [TNX G3ZAY]

UR - UR0GK, UR3GO, UR4LTX, US0GH, US3QQ, US4LGW, UV5QQ, UY5HF and UZ2LL
are active as homecall/p from the Kalanchakskiye Islands (EU-179)
until 28 July. They will participate in the IOTA Contest as UW0G.
All of the contest QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the
bureau. [TNX UY5LW]

UA - Vasily, RU3SD and Serge, RA3RGQ will be active as RU3SD/1 and
RA3RGQ/1 from Yakostrov (EU-147) on 25-28 July, IOTA Contest
included. [TNX The Daily DX]

UA - Mike/UA1QV, Vasiliy/RW4NW, Igor/UA9KDF and Albert/UA1PBU are
planning a 2-month travel starting in late July or early August.
Their target IOTA groups are AS-068, AS-086, AS-087, AS-104 and
maybe others. Callsigns should be RZ1QXA/1, /9, /0, /mm (QSL via
UA1QV) and UE1RFF/1, /0, /mm (QSL via UA1RJ). [TNX UA1QV]

UR - Alex, UR5FAV will be active on all bands and modes as UR5FAV/p
from Ochakovskiy Island (EU-182) on 25-27 July. QSL via home call,
direct or bureau. [TNX UR5FAV]

UR - A large group of operators from Ukraine and Moldova (namely
UR5FEL, US0ZZ, UT0FT, UT0NT, UT4FJ, UT4ZG, ER1DA, ER3AI, ER3DW,
ER3DX, ER3GS, ER3OO and ER3ZZ) will be active as homecall/p and
UT/homecall/p from Berezan Island (EU-179) until 29 July. QSL via
home calls. Plans are to operate CW and SSB on 80-10 metres, plus
possibly 6m,, and to participate in the IOTA Contest as UW2F/p
(QSL via UT0FT direct or bureau). [TNX UT0FT]

UR - Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the UR-QRP Club, special event
callsign EM10QRP will be active until 4 August. QSL via UT2AB,
direct or bureau. [TNX UT2AB]

VE - Mike, K9AJ and Bruce, KD6WW will be active as K9AJ/VY0 and
KD6WW/VY0 from Diana Island (NA-229, IOTA new one) on 25-28 July.
They will have two stations and expect to operate CW with some
SSB. QSL via home calls. [TNX K9AJ]

VP8 - A group of YL operators will be active from the Falkland Islands
(SA-002) on 17-31 January 2009. They will be using VP8YLx
callsigns, with the third character of the suffix assigned to each
lady at the event start. Further information will be available at
http://www.radioclubs.net/aa_vp8yl_/ in due course. [TNX G0GFL]

VP9 - Gino, IK2RZP will be active as VP9/IK2RZP from Bermuda (NA-005) on
5-22 August. He will operate on 40-10 metres, with an emphasis on
RTTy and 30 metres. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX
IK2RZP]

W - Dan, KF8Z will be active from Hunting Island (NA-110) on 26-30
July. He will operate holiday style on 40 metres and up, SSB and
slow CW. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [TNX
www.rgsbiota.org]

W - Nate/N4YDU, Keith/W4KAZ and Barry/K4CZ will be active as N4A from
Core Banks (NA-067) on 25-28 July, IOTA Contest included. They
will operate low power on 10, 15, 20, 40 and 80 metres CW and SSB.
QSL direct to N4YDU. More details at http://www.w4kaz.com/n4a/
[TNX K4CZ]

W - Twelve members of the Tennessee Valley DX Association
(http://www.tvdxa.com) will operate as W4PL from Hatteras Island
(NA-067) from 27 September to 4 October. They plan to be active on
10-80 metres SSB and CW (with some PSK and RTTY), and on 6 metres
SSB and CW. QSL via K4KWK, direct or bureau. [TNX WA4AA]

YU - The Slovenia Contest Club will be active as YU8/S56M from Kosovo
between 5 and 13 August. They will participate in the WAE DX
Contest CW (9-10 August); outside the contest they will operate on
all modes and bands, 6 metres included. QSL via S57U. Further
information at http://lea.hamradio.si/~scc [TNX S50XX]

ZL - Filippo, IZ1LBG is active as ZL2/IZ1LBG from Wellington (OC-036),
New Zealand until mid-September. QSL via IW1ARB (direct) or home
call (bureau). [TNX IZ1LBG]

RSGB IOTA CONTEST ---> The following stations have announced their
participation in this year's event (from 12 UTC on 26 July through 12 UTC on
the 27th). For lastest additions please give a look at www.rsgbiota.org, at
the IOTW Calendar maintained by John, WD8MGQ
(www.islandchaser.com/iotw/calendar2/) and at the announced operation lists
maintained by Ric, DL2VFR (http://www.iota-post.com/) and Bill, NG3K
(http://www.ng3k.com/Misc/iota2008.html). Other groups will be activated
during the weekend, but advance information did not mention if the
operators participate in the contest.

Full details on the IOTA Contest can be found at http://www.iotacontest.com/
SWLs please note that the IOTA SWL Contest, discontinued in 2005, has been
picked up by the Mediterraneo DX Club (SWL Section), in cooperation with the
RSGB HF Contests Committee, and it will be held in parallel with the IOTA
Contest. Please visit http://www.mdxc.org/swl/iota-2008.php (dedicated piece
of software included).
Good luck to you all!

Ref.No. Call/Ops QSL VIA Island
----------------------------------------------------
AF-004 AN8L EC8AMI Lobos
AF-014 CT3/DF1LON DF1LON Madeira
AF-047 CQ9U CT1BOL Selvagem Grande
AS-004 C4W 5B4WN Cyprus
AS-004 P3J 5B4AHJ Cyprus
AS-020 BX5AA BX5AA Taiwan
AS-024 JA1YUC/6 JA1YUC Kuroshima
AS-066 RK0LWW/p RK0LWW Reyneke
AS-081 DT5A DT5A Ha
AS-105 6M0HZ/2 HL1IWD Kangwha
AS-105 HL2UOK HL2UOK Yongjong
AS-117 8J9HGR JH9UYZ Hegura
AS-131 B7P/7 BD7IXG Hailing
AS-154 TA0GI TA2MW Giresun
AS-159 YM0T TA2RC Kefken
EU-001 SX5P SV5FRD Rhodes
EU-003 CU1T CT1GFK Sao Miguel
EU-003 CU2A OH2BH Sao Miguel
EU-006 EJ0GI EI2SDR Aran
EU-008 GM2T GM4UYZ Tiree
EU-008 GM2Z MM0DFV Colonsay
EU-008 GM4A MM0DFV Colonsay
EU-008 GM7A GM7AAJ Kerrera
EU-008 MM3KBU/p M3KBU Skye
EU-008 MM3T - Islay
EU-010 GM7V M0CMK Benbecula
EU-013 GJ2A K2WR or GJ3DVC Jersey
EU-013 GJ6YB G3SWH Jersey
EU-015 J49A SV9GPV Crete
EU-015 SV9/OK6Y OK2PTZ Crete
EU-020 SA1A SM1TDE Gotland
EU-025 IR9Y IT9ABY Sicily
EU-026 JW7QIA LA7QIA Spitsbergen
EU-028 IA5/IV3LZQ IV3LZQ Capraia
EU-028 IA5/IV3PUT IV3PUT Capraia
EU-028 IA5K IZ5BTC Elba
EU-029 OZ/DK2BR DK2BR Mon
EU-030 5Q2T OZ0J Bornholm
EU-030 OZ/DL6MHW DL6MHW Bornholm
EU-031 IC8R IC8OZM Procida
EU-034 ES0U Saaremaa
EU-038 PA/ON6QR ON6QR Vlieland
EU-038 PA0HFT PA0HFT Terschelling
EU-041 IM0/IZ3DBA IZ3DBA Maddalena
EU-043 SM6EQO/p SM6EQO Styrso
EU-055 LA/DL7AT DL7AT Bomlo
EU-055 LA6Q LA9VDA Vagsoy
EU-057 DL/PA1TT/p PA1TT Ruegen
EU-058 F/DL3OCH/p DL3OCH Sainte Marguerite
EU-064 TM7C F6KOP Noirmoutier
EU-072 J48JJ HA7JJS Skopelos
EU-072 J48NL HA6NL Skopelos
EU-072 J48P HA7PL Skopelos
EU-072 J48PS HA6PS Skopelos
EU-077 AM1S EA1OS Sisarga Grande
EU-084 SK0HS/0 SM0MPV Blido
EU-084 SM/G3LAS G3LAS Fogdo
EU-088 OZ8MW/p OZ8MW Anholt
EU-091 I8LWL/7 I8LWL Grande di Porto Cesareo
EU-091 IQ8OM/7 IZ8EDJ Sant'Andrea
EU-099 MJ0X M3ZYZ Les Minquiers
EU-109 M0OVL/p M0OVL Longstone
EU-115 EI0W EI2JD Ireland
EU-116 MD4K G3NKC Man
EU-122 GI0MPG GI0MPG Rathlin
EU-122 GI3YS MM0DHQ Rathlin
EU-123 GM5C GM0SEI Great Cumbrae
EU-123 MM3M G3VCQ Arran
EU-125 OZ0FR DL2VFR Romo
EU-127 DA0T/P bureau Neuwerk
EU-127 DL5XL/p DL5XL Helgoland
EU-128 DL5XAT/p DL5XAT Fehmarn
EU-129 DR6IOTA DM5DX Usedom
EU-131 IW3HVB/3 IW3HVB Fisolo
EU-132 SP7VC/1 SP7VC Wolin
EU-132 SP8RX/1 DJ0IF Wolin
EU-133 RI1AA UA1AIR Bol'shoy Berezovyy
EU-133 RN1AW/p RN1AW Krepysh
EU-133 RV1AQ/p RV1AQ Krepysh
EU-135 SM5EFX/2 SM5EFX Ledskar
EU-136 9A/DR2T DL1MUC Rab
EU-138 SK7OA bureau Tjurko
EU-142 EE1MI EA1DR Mouro
EU-146 PA/OQ1C/p ON4ON Schouwen Duivenland
EU-146 PA/OQ4T/p ON4TO Schouwen Duivenland
EU-146 PA6Z PA9M Goeree
EU-146 PB2M/p Goeree
EU-146 PD5CW PD5CW Schouwen Duiveland
EU-147 RA3RGQ/1 Yakostrov
EU-147 RK3AZY/1 Pezhostrov
EU-147 RU3SD/1 Yakostrov
EU-149 ES2Q ES5JR Keri
EU-165 IM0/I0PNM I0PNM San Pietro
EU-165 IM0S IS0UWX Asinara
EU-168 TF/DD4B DL bureau Grimsey
EU-174 SX8R HA0NAR Thassos
EU-175 CU3/F5LMJ F5LMJ Terceira
EU-179 UW0G bureau Kalanchakskiye
EU-179 UW2F/p UT0FT Berezan
EU-182 UT9IO/p UT9IO Zmeiniy
EU-182 UX3IW/p UX3IW Zmeiniy
NA-026 N2GC N2GC Long
NA-026 NP3D/W2 W3HNK Long
NA-029 VY2TT K6LA Prince Edward
NA-041 KL7/VK2IMM VK bureau Baranof
NA-046 K1VSJ K1VSJ Martha's Vineyard
NA-057 HQ9R K5WW Roatan
NA-067 N4A N4YDU Core Banks
NA-083 K4VAC K4VAC Tangier
NA-086 T47CF or CO7PH/p W3HNK Camaguey
NA-096 HI3K KB2MS Hispaniola
NA-110 AA4V AA4V Palms
NA-113 C6APR K3IXD Crooked
NA-126 VC1T VE1RGB Outer
NA-128 CG2I VE2CQ Grosse
NA-137 N1LI N1LI Long
NA-139 N2US/p N2US Assateague
NA-140 NY3A/p NY3A Middle Hooper
NA-143 AD5WB AD5WB Galveston
NA-144 N6VR/p N6AWD Santa Cruz
NA-144 NT6AA/p NT6AA Santa Cruz
NA-168 N5I N5UR Grand
NA-229 K9AJ/VY0 K9AJ Diana
NA-229 KD6WW/VY0 KD6WW Diana
NA-234 KL7DX AC7DX Chuginadak
OC-133 9M6DXX/p M3SDE Labuan
OC-143 YB3MM/5 IZ8CCW Sumatra
SA-006 PJ2/PB2T PB2T Curacao
SA-080 PT6T PY6KW Tinhare
SA-080 ZW6GK PY7GK Tinhare
SA-090 YW6A YV5AJ Piritu Adentro

TNX 5B4AHJ, 9M6DXX, CO7PH, CT1BOL, CT1END, DL2VFR, DL5XL, G3NKC,
GI8SKN/EI3GKB, IK7JWX, IV3LZQ, IW3HVB, K3IXD, K4CZ, K9AJ, LA9VDA, M0RNR,
MM0DFV, N2US, N3QQ, N5UR, N6VR, NG3K, ON4ATW, OPDX Bulletin, OZ0J, PY6KW,
RN1AW, SM1TDE, The Daily DX, UA1AIR, UR5FAV, UT0FT, UT9IO, UY5LW, VE1FA,
VE2EBK,W1AW, www.rsgbiota.org, and others.

===========================
*** 4 2 5 D X N E W S ***
**** GOOD TO KNOW ... ****
===========================
Edited by I1JQJ & IK1ADH
Direttore Responsabile I2VGW

QSL MANAGER SURVEY ---> The "Golist, QSL Manager List"
(http://golist.net/) conducts a survey to determine the Top 5 QSL Managers
(or QSL card handlers). DXers around the world are invited to send their
vote, based solely upon their opinion of how the QSL manager responded to
their QSL requests. The survey will run until 20 August; to participate in
it, e-mail golist@gmail.com [TNX K1XN]

QSL PJ2X ---> Please note that W8UVZ is not the QSL manager for the recent
PJ2X activity (IARU HF World Championship 2008). The correct QSL route is
via HP1WW (OH0XX): Olli Rissanen, Apartado 0860-00432, Villa Lucre, Panama,
Republic of Panama.

QSLs received direct or through managers: 1A4A, 3DA0VB, 4O3A, 5H3VMB,
5X1VB, 6O0W, 6V7J, 7Q7VB, 8P9TS, 8R1PW, 9A2AJ, 9AOCI (EU-016), 9G5XA,
9H1BT, 9J2VB, 9U0A, 9X0VB, 9X0W, A35RK, A45WD, A45WD, A45WD, A71EM, AH2L,
C21DL, C52C, C91VB, C91VB/4 (AF-103), CO2WF, D2NX, D60VB, DF3ZE/p (EU-042),
DS1JFY, ET3JA, EY8CQ, FG/K9NW, FM1HN, FO/JA8BMK, FO/KH0PR, H44MS, H7/K9NW,
HP8/JA6REX, HR9/WQ7R, J20VB, JA1KJW/JD1, JD1BMM, JX/SQ4MP, KB5IQJ/p
(NA-092), KH6/N0CO, LA9VDA (EU-055), MM/DH5JBR/p (EU-123), NP3CW, OA4BHY/3,
OD5NH, OY9JD, PA0O, PE7T/VK9X, PJ2/W8AV, PJ7/K2GSR, R1ANR, R1FJM,
SV9/DL9MWG, SV9/SP2JMB, SV9CVY, T80X, T88CQ, T88MR, T94B, TC2T, TF4RRC,
TX5C, UA0SJ, UE6MAC/1, UK9AA, VP5/K9NW, VP6DX, VP6PR, VP9ID, WP4U, XU7ACZ,
YB4IR (OC-143), YC7IPZ, YC8RSW/P (OC-236), Z2/UA4WHX, Z29KM, Z30U, ZF2BI,
ZK2CC.

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Ordine Nazionale dei Giornalisti
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<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

*** The PacketCluster network 425 DX News search tool commands ***

SH/425 CAL shows the 425DXN Calendar "current" activities;
SH/425 BULL [num] where [num] is the bulletin issue number;
SH/425 [text] where [text] should be replaced with a callsign, an IOTA
reference number, an island name, an Antarctic base, a
lighthouse, etc.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

IOTA Contest Up This Weekend


One of the neater amateur radio contest conducted each year is the Islands On The Air (IOTA) contest that will be conducted this weekend.


The IOTA Contest takes place from 12:00 UTC on 26th July for 24 hours. Please note that the contest is organised by the RSGB's Contest Committee, not by the IOTA Committee. The contest rules can be found at iotacontest.com.


For a list of Island activiations check out http://www.rsgbiota.org/


We hope to have a final list sometime before the start of the contest this weekend.

Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 867

Blog Editor Note: Bolded text indicates a digital/RTTY operation.

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 867
BID: $OPDX.867
July 21, 2008
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, ARRL Letter, AA1M, K1XN & GoList, NC1l, NJ1Q, W2FB, N3QQ, NG3K, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4CZ, N4AA & QRZ DX, WA4AA, W5KDJ, KH6BZF, K8YSE, W8WH, 50 MHz DX News, DX-IS News Site, Pete's-DX-Newsdesk, A35RK, DK7LX, DK8JB, DL5XL, DL7MAE & The DX News Letter, EA3BHK, EA5BY, EA8AUW, F5NQL & UFT, G0VGS, HA0HW, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, LA9VDA, LU9ESD, MM0DFV, OH2BN, RSGB IOTA Web Site, V73NS and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX information. DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 13th/July, through Sunday, 20th/July there were 219 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4W, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5U, 5V, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C5, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH2, KH4, KH6, KH9, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SV, SV5, SV9, T7, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TL, TR, TU, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VK9X, VP2E, VP2M, VP5, VP8, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8, 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" (WFWL).

4W, TIMOR-LESTE. Jose, CT1ERC, was heard this past weekend signing 4W6UTL on 20 meters SSB (14195 kHz around 0329z and 0800z). He is expected to be there until early August. QSL via CT1ERC.

5Z, KENYA (IOTA Op). Antonio, IK8VRH, will be active as 5Z4/IK8VRH from Malindi, time permitted, in August. Operations will be from the Coast Province North Group (AF-040) between August 15-17th and the Coast Province South Group (AF-067) between August 20-22nd. Enrico, 5Z4ES, will be with him. Activity will be on 40/20/17 meters using CW/SSB/RTTY. Equipment will be a FT450AT with a Sommerkamp 300watt PA, Bubbledipole, Zx Mini Beam,-USB II MicroHAM and MiXW.

A3, TONGA. Paul, A35RK, informs OPDX that he just received a SignaLink USB interface and software package for digital modes (RTTY, PSK, etc), courtesy of Mike, K6BR. He hopes to be active on some of the digital modes sometime this week. Paul states, "I haven't been on the digital modes for years, so please be patient with me while I attempt to teach an old dog some new tricks.... HI"

BREAKING NEWS: A35RK is now QRV on the digital modes as of 2200z, July 19th. He worked many stations on PSK31 and a couple on RTTY (he stayed away from RTTY, because there was a contest on). Look for him to be active on 20m and 17m digital, as time permits.

AM8/AN8/EH8, CANARY ISLANDS (Update/IOTA Op). Operators from the RSGB IOTA Contest 2005 (3V8SM Djerba Island) and 2006 (ED7SPI Sancti Petri Island) operations will use the following callsigns and activate Lobos Island (AF-004) and lighthouses in the Canary Islands between July 22-29th:

AN8L - From Lobos Island (AF-004) during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th).Reference numbers are: IOTA AF-004, DIE S-008, ARLHS CAI-005, WLOTA 0155, FEA D2786 and DME 35014.

AM8IL - From Lobos Island and Punta Martino Lighthouse (possibly the first time activated). Reference numbers are: IOTA AF-004, DIE S-008, ARLHS CAI-005, WLOTA 0155, FEA D2786 and DME 35014.

EH8RDB - On July 25th; Islote de Barrieto (Barreto Rock). Reference numbers are: DIE: S-117, IOTA: AF-004 and DME: 35014.

EH8VCL - On July 24th and 27th; Vertice Geodesico (Caldera de Lobos). Reference numbers are: Spanish Bench Mark Award DVGE: VGGC-035, DME: 35014, IOTA: AF-004 and DIE: S-008.

The Lobos Island is located in the Atlantic Ocean, north of Fuerteventura Island and is uninhabited. Operators mentioned are: EA8AUW, EA8BGO, EC8ADW, EC8AMI, DH1TW, DL5RMH, EA4DRV, EA4TD, EA5AER, EA5FX, EA5KM and EC4DX. They state it took several months of hard work to get the right permits, but they thank the Canary Islands authorities. Activity will be on 160-6 meters including 30/17/12 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. They plan to have at least 3 or 4 stations active at the same time in two different camps, as well as a portable station for EH8RDB and EH8VCL. QSL via EC8AMI, by the Bureau or direct. Their Web site is at: http://www.islotedelobos.com/


BX5, TAIWAN (AS-020 - RARE CONTEST IOTA). Jimmy, BX5AA, will be active during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via BX5AA.

C5, THE GAMBIA. Niels, OZ8KR, will once again be active from here in 2009. He mentions that his license is good one year and he will be active as C56KR between January 9-14th and again (after his trip to Senegal) between January 23rd and February 4th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters SSB using a FT-857 and wire antennas. His QTH will be Bakuto on the Atlantic Ocean. Niels states that his travel plans are booked with a Hotel/apt. The transceiver is already in The Gambia. QSL via his home callsign OZ8KR.

C9, MOZAMBIQUE (Update). Frosty's, K5LBU, team was very active this past week from Mozambique. They should be on the air until July 30th. Frosty reported that Hal, ZS6WB, had an accident with his car and has no transportation to C9, so regretfully there will be no EME or 6 meters this trip. The C9 team now consists of the following operators:

Charles F. Frost (Frosty) K5LBU - C91CF, QSL via home callsign.
Tom Kramer NQ7R - C91TK, QSL via home callsign.
Jay Sewell W5SL - C91SL, QSL via home callsign.
John Plenderleith 9M6XRO - C91XO*, QSL via M3SDE.
Bill Dzurilla NZ5N - C91BD, QSL via WA4WTG.
Bob Novak K0OK - C91OK*, QSL via home callsign.
Ben Pyfer DJ0YI - C91YI*, QSL via home callsign.
* Callsign pending

Activity will be on all bands from 160-6 this trip. They have a log search on the Web at: http://www.tdxs.net/C9.html

C9, MOZAMBIQUE. Operators ON4AEO, ON7BK, ON4CJK, ZS6GC, ZS5AYC, ZR6APT, ZS6IMO, VK4AHT, VK4EMH and possible others will be active as C91FC next year in April 2009 (possibly between 8-17th). QSL via ON4CJK. More details will be forthcoming and a Web page will be online in January 2009 at: http://www.c91fc.be/

CN, MOROCCO (IPA Op). Gab, HA3JB (SU8BHI), reports that he now has a new license from Morocco. Look for him to be active as CN2IPA between September 21st and October 5th. Activity will be good for the Inter national Police Association Award (IPA). He plans to be on CW, RTTY, PSK, SSTV and some SSB, as well as an entry in the 2008 CQ DX RTTY Contest. QSL via HA3JB: Gabor Kutasi, H-8601 Siofok, P.O.Box 243, HUNGARY, EUROPE.

CU2, AZORES. Operators Toni/OH2UA and Martti/OH2BH will be here doing some antenna work and will occasionally appear on the bands between July 21-28th. In the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th), they will activate CU2A. QSL via OH2BH.

DXCC NEWS (2007 DXCC Honor Roll List). Bill Moore, NC1L, Awards Branch Manager, reports: "Upon receiving the August issue of QST it was discovered that some Honor Roll members were incorrectly listed, mostly from numbers from their previous submission, while a couple were not listed at all. We apologize for this and as soon as we have a handle on those who were not properly listed, a correction will be published in QST later in the year. (Issue to be determined once we have all the information). If you notice an incorrect listing, please send an E-mail to dxcc@arrl.org to be placed on the list for the corrected listing. Remember that the
period for this listing is from January 1 through December 31, 2007 only, the prior period of April 1 through March 31 has been changed."

EA6, BALEARIC ISLANDS. Andre, LX1FX, is expected to be active from Minorka Island (EU-004) between July 22nd and August 15th (possibly one week longer). Activity will be on the HF bands and 6 meters as well as 70, 144 and 432 MHz. Modes will be CW, SSB, as well JT6 via MS. Andre's equipment is an ICOM 7000, OZ xvrtr/4m - dipole antenna for VHF and a "Fieberglaasstab" on the HF bands. He will be on stand-by with an Marine-TRX ICM-710M on 14.333 MHz and 10.133 MHz (0900z).

FJ, ST. BARTHELEMY. Sam, FG5ED (ex-FG7AS, FK0AT, YJ0KMS), will be active from the St. Barthelemy Radio Club station FJ5KH between July 21-31st. Activity will be mainly CW. QSL only direct to: Sam Sahai, Ch. GODEAU, 13 Avenue Buckeburg, F-72300 Sable, FRANCE.

GJ, JERSEY (EU-013). Members of the Bristol Contest Group (G6YB) will be active as GJ6YB during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th). QSL via G3SWH.

HD2, ECUADOR. The HD2A Contest team will be joined by some JA operators in this year's CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th) as a Multi-Single or Multi-? entry. QSL route TBD.

INVALID OPERATION LIST. Tony, EA5BY, informs OPDX that some members of Lynx DX Group have created a list of "invalid operations" for the different amateur radio awards; especially DXCC. They are looking for some help to keep the list complete and updated. Any information is highly welcomed and can be sent to: info-dxcc@lynxdxg.com They would also like to scan every QSL of every callsign that is listed and help with this is also welcome. The Web site is fully operational at: http://www.lynxdxg.com/novalidas/novalidas.htm

IOTA NEWS........................

AF-019. Operators Sal/IT9HUV and Joe/IT9RBW (and family) will be vacationing on Lampedusa Island (IIA AG-001) between August 1-7th. They will be active as IG9/homecall on 40/20/15/10 meters using RTTY and CW. They will use an Icom IC756ProIII into a Multi-band dipole and MP1 antennas. QSL via IT9DQM.

EU-008. A group of operators from the West of Scotland ARS will be active from the Isle of Colonsay during RSGB IOTA Contest, July 26-27th. Two contest callsigns will be used - GM2Z (CW) and GM4A (SSB). A separate station will be working PSK outside of the contest; the callsign is MS0EPC (http://www.eu.srars.org/). At the moment their team consists of MM0DFV, GM0WRR, MM0GDL, GM4TOQ, GM7WED and MM3LKV. A couple of other operators may join them. QSL cards for both contest stations and MS0EPC should be sent to MM0DFV.

EU-008. Members of the Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club (CPSARC) will once again operate from the Isle of Tiree (IOSA NH04, WAB NM04), the most westernly part of Scotland's Inner Hebridean Islands, during the RSGB IOTA (Islands on the Air) Contest which runs from 1200z, July 26th to 1200z, July 27th, using the club's special contest callsign GM2T. Pre-contest activity members will be signing as MM0CPS/P. CPSARC heavily supports newcomers to their wonderful hobby and has a large number of newly licensed members who are actively encouraged to participate in their contest effort, whether experienced or not. This way not only does their hobby benefit from new operators, but contesting benefits as they invariably become bitten by the contest bug. This year's team consists of: Cambell/MM0DXC, Bob/GM4UYZ, John/ MM0JXI, Brian/M0RNR, Gary/MM0FZV, Moe/MM0MRM, Geoff/MM5AHO, Ellis/GM4GZW, Bob/GM4IKT, Jim/G3VOU, Jonno/M5FUN and Duncan/ MM0GZZ. QSL GM2T via the Bureau, or their QSL Manager GM4UYZ, by the Bureau or direct. Details are available at: http://www.qrz.com/gm2t

For details about CPSARC, visit their revamped Web site at: http://www.cpsarc.com/

ADDED NOTE: This is the club's 10th anniversary on the island, and the team would like to express their gratitude to all the islanders who have looked after them over the years, but in particular to Elaine Hutchinson of Elephants End Restaurant (http://www.elephantsend.com/) for her unrivalled support and hospitality over the last 10 years.

EU-008. Members of Sands Contest Group and Workington Amateur Radio Society are combining to activate the Isle of Jura, from September 22-29th. They are hoping to be active on all modes and bands as conditions allow. The Sands Contest Group has previously activated Mull in 2006 and Workington Amateur Radio Society has had several activations, the last of which was Barra Island in 2007. More information as it happens can be found on the Sands Contest Group blog at: http://m0scg.blogspot.com/

This blog will have daily updates during the activation. They hope to work as many stations as possible. There should also be some SOTA activation during the week.


EU-028. Look for IA5K to be active from Elba Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th). QSL via IZ5BTC.

EU-030. Operatprs Roald/OZ1BLO and Karl/LA8DW will be active from Bornholm Island (DIA BO-001, WLOTA LH-2203), July 21-26th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL via bureau.

EU-041. Look for Jack, IZ3DBA, to be active as IM0/IZ3DBA from Maddalena Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th). QSL via his home callsign.

EU-055. Operators Trond/LA9VDA and Bjorn/LA5UKA will be active as LA6Q from Vagsoy (WLOTA LH-2181) between July 26-30th. Look for them to be in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th). They will also use the special callsign LA2008TSR (to celebrate the 2008 Tall Ships Race). QSL info for both callsigns can be found on QRZ.com.

EU-072. Laci/HA6NL and some friends will travel to Skopelos Island, Greece, and be active as SV8/homecall between July 21-31st. During the the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th), they will be using J48 callsigns as follows: J48NL (Laci/HA6NL), J48JJ (Al/HA7JJS), J48P (Laci/HA7PL) and J48PS (Zsolt/HA6PS). Activity is planned for all HF bands and 6 meters. QSL via the HA QSL Bureau or direct to their home callsign.

EU-091. The Strange Radio Team - Headquarters will be active from Sant'Andrea Island as IQ8OM/7 during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th). QSL via IZ8EDJ.

EU-099. Members from GB8LMI and MJ0X will be active from Les Minquiers Islands during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th). QSL via M3ZYZ.

EU-124. Look for GB2CI or GW3SVJ/P to be active from Caldey Island (WLOTA 4056), September 2-8th. QSL via G8ATD.

EU-127. Felix, DL5XL, will once again be active as DL5XL/p from Helgoland Island, during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th) as a Single-Op/CW-Only/24-Hrs entry. This is Germany's only off-shore island in the North Sea. The reference numbers are as follows: IOTA EU-127 (Schleswig-Holstein State South West Group), DID N-14, DOK E20 (Insel Helgoland), Grid JO34WE, LDK PI, POAR DL-107, Helgoland Lighthouse (about 750m from his QTH): ARLHS FED-101 and WLOTA 0518. QSL cards will be sent via the Bureau. For a quicker reply, direct requests with return postage (1 IRC) can be mailed to: Felix Riess, Suederortsweg 3, 27628 Sandstedt, Germany.

EU-132. Operators Przemek/SP7VC and Adam/SP8RX will be active as SP7VC/1 and SP8RX/1, repsectively, from Wolin Island, Poland, during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th). QSL SP7VC/1 via SP7VC and SP8RX/1 via DJ0IF.

EU-142. Operators EA3NT, EC2ADN, EA1RC, EA1DR, DD1MAT and EA2DCF will be active as EE1MI from Mouro Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th). QSL via EA1DR.

EU-146. Operators Jeroen/PD5CW, Will/PE1OPM and Manfred/PE1OXV will be active from Schouweduivenland Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th).

EU-175. Joao, CU6AY, will be active as CU6AY/p from Pico Island (DIP AS-006, WLOTA LH-1321) between August 12th and September 4th. He will also activate for the first time the Natural Reserve of Montanha do Pico for the World Flora Fauna - WFF Award
(CTFF-045 CU). QSL direct to his home callsign (see QRZ.com).

EU-178. Peter, YL2PN, will be active as ES0/YL2PN from Ruhnu Island (WLOTA LH-4244), July 23-27th. Activity will include the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th). QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.

NA-031. Mark, KO1U, will be active as KO1U/m from Conanicut Island (USI RI-007S, WLOTA LH-1422, Newport County, Rhode Island), during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th). Activity will be sporatic on 7040, 14040 and 14260 kHz and 6 meters (50093.3). QSL via his home callsign (QRZ.com).

NA-067. Operators Nate/N4YDU, Keith/W4KAZ and Barry/K4CZ will be active again as N4A from Cape Lookout National Seashore (Core Banks) between July 25-28th. Activity will include the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th), with operations on 80-10 meters (except WARC), low power, SSB and CW. References: Grid Square FM14tt and Carteret County, North Carolina. QSL via N4YDU direct. SASE preferred for USA. In the 2007 RSGB IOTA Contest, N4A was the #1 North American Low-Power Expedition and #24 Worldwide. More details at: http://www.w4kaz.com/n4a/

NA-067. Members of the Tennessee Valley DX Association (TVDXA) will activate Hatteras Island using the callsign W4PL. This island is part of the North Carolina State East Group. W4PL plans on being active about 1900z on Saturday, September 27th, and will go QRT Saturday, October 4th. The group will use 100 watt transceivers and plan to be active on 80-10 meters HF (SSB, CW with some PSK and RTTY), and 6 meters SSB and CW. Operators include: Barbarra/WA4RMC, Kathy/W4KRY, Lynn/K0MAI, Tom/K4VCM, Greg/WA4NFO, Tommie/K4KWK, Kenny/AB4GG, Charlie/AD4F, Paul/ WA4AA, Peter/KB3PGU, Larry/WA4IVO and Virginia/KI4MPK. Non-licensed team members include Nancy, XYL of WA4AA and Halyna, XYL of KB3PGU. Please QSL via K4KWK direct (SASE) or by the bureau. Additional information will be added to their Web site during and following the activation at: http://www.tvdxa.com/

ADDED NOTE: TVDXA states, "We are calling this a 'Mini DXpedition' since we are not going to some far away exotic place. However, we are very serious about this trip and hope to make many contacts (and have loads of fun along the way). This is the fifth consecutive island we have activated in as many years. Antennas will include a multi-band vertical, tri-band beam, end fed wire and 6 meter beam along with other backup antennas. Please visit our Web site and watch for further updates."


NA-110. Dan, KF8Z, will be active as KF8Z/p from Hunting Island (USI SC-003S, WLOTA LH-2265, Beaufort County, South Carolina), July 26-30th. Activity will be limited because he is there with his XYL on vacation. Look for casual operations, slow CW and SSB on 40-10 meters. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.

NA-234. (Update/IOTA NEW ONE!) Breaking News: The KL7DX IOTA-expedition to Chuginadak Island (Aleutians Islands, Alaska) is under feasibility review by team members - Yuri Sushkin/N3QQ, Sergey Morozov/RA3NAN and Yuri Zaruba/UA9OBA. The Okmok Volcano, located 75 miles away from their destination, continues to erupt.
The volcano is currently at aviation color code RED and alert level WARNING. All areas immediately around the volcano are considered hazardous. Airborne ash and gas continue to drift with the wind and pose a hazard to aviation in the area. Satellite data continues to show a long (~250km) plume moving east, the height of the plume is approximately 9,100m (30,000 ft) above sea level. Cleveland Volcano on Chuginadak Island has current aviation color code YELLOW and volcano alert level ADVISORY. Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Okmok.php for more information. The team from Russian Robinson Club is planning to land on the island by boat and start operation between July 19th and July 21st with participation in IOTA Contest July 26-27th weather and seismic conditions permitting. QSL via AC7DX. Please look for them on the usual IOTA frequencies and on-line tracking of KL7DX's position via GPS/SPOT Messenger is available on: http://www.na-234.com/

MORE BREAKING NEWS: RZ3EM passes the latest news from KL7DX as of 0300z, July 19th -- "Smoke and ash continue in the area of the volcano, but the team has decided to continue on to Chuginadak Island. They have made arrangements to proceed on a larger boat, the Lady Gudny. They leave Dutch Harbor on 19 July."

JW, SVALBARD. Niels, OZ8KR, will once again be active from Spitsbergen (EU-026) for the 3rd time in August. He has rented the club station in Longyearbyen for 4 days and plans to be active as much as possible as JW/OZ8KR between August 12-17th. Activity will be on 20 meters SSB. He likes the frequncies 14220 and 14260 kHz. QSL via his home callsign.

JW, SVALBARD. Haugseth, LA7WCA, will once again be active from Spitsbergen for the second time as LA7WCA between September 19-26th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, mainly SSB with some CW. QSL via LA7WCA (QRZ.com). Also, he will be joined by two friends for their time on Svalbard: Finsveen/LA8BCA (JW8BCA) and Tom/LB9UE (JW/LB9UE).

KH2, GUAM. Operators Hiroshi/JJ1CCE, Shima/JH3AAZ, Koji/JK7TKE and Hiroshi/K6IAA will be active from here between August 2-3rd. Look for operators to sign as KH2/homecall with the exception of K6IAA/KH2. Activity will be holiday style operations. QSL via each operator's home callsign, by the Bureau or direct (See QRZ.com).

KL7, ALASKA (W1AW/KL7 to Operate from Arctic Circle). The ARRL Letter reports: "Just 300 miles south of the Alaskan Arctic Ocean -- where the Arctic Circle crosses the Dalton Highway (66 degrees, 33 minutes north) -- W1AW/KL7 will be on the air (grid square BP56) July 26-August 10 on all bands from 160-6 meters. This ARRL 2008 Alaska State Convention Special Event Station plans to run two HF stations operating CW, SSB and digital, one satellite station and one station devoted to 146.52 MHz. The Alaskan summer skies are ablaze with gray line-enhanced propagation effects, providing six to eight hour spurts of activity to most of the ham radio world. W1AW/KL7 plans to be active from 0600 UTC-1400 UTC to maximize gray line propagation. From Alaska, signals will take off in both directions at the same time: Europe to the east on one side, with Asia to the west on the other side. For an illustration of how Arctic gray line propagation works, see page 21 in the August 2008 issue of QST. The 2008 Alaska ARRL Convention will run from August 1-4, 2008 in Anchorage. For more information, please see the W1AW/KL7 Web site at: http://www.akhamfest.com/arcticcirclespecial.php

LIGHTHOUSE/LIGHTSHIP ACTIVITIES (ILLW - August 16-17th).........

INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE/LIGHTSHIP WEEKEND. Kevin, VK2CE, ILLW Webmaster and Coordinator, reports (edited): "This highly popular annual amateur radio event (not a contest) will be held over the weekend of August 16-17th, 2008. There were 380 lights on the air from 48 countries last year. All you need to know about the event is contained on the official Web site at: http://illw.net/

Originating in 1999, the event is organized and managed by the Ayr Amateur Radio Group in Scotland since the passing of the founder of the weekend, Mike Dalrymple, GM4SUC, in December 2005. To register for the event go to the web site at http://illw.net/ and complete the online entry form so you can be listed on the entrants page." Any questions about the event can be sent to Kevin, VK2CE, via the Web site E-mail facility. Publishing this notice in your club bulletin or sharing it with your club members would be most appreciated.

BBDXG LIGHTHOUSE ACTIVITES. Members of the Bahia Blanca DX Group (BBDXG) will transmit again, this time, from seven different lighthouses at the same time during the International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend (ILLW) which will be held on the third weekend of August (August 16-17th). Look for them from the following lighthouses:

MORRO NUEVO Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG–048, ILLW AR-0031) -- Will be activated for the "FIRST TIME". Lat. 42' 52" S/Long. 64' 08" W. Grid Locator = FE77wd. Located at the south end corner of Valdez Peninsula. It indicates the entrance to the "Nuevo" Gulf. 750 Km. South from Bahia Blanca. Operators and callsigns used: LU9ESD/W, LU4ETN/W and LW9EAG/W.

SAN GREGORIO Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG-062, ILLW AR-0028) -- Will be activated for the "FIRST TIME". Lat. 45' 01" S/Long. 65' 38" W. Grid Locator = FE74ex. Located in the southeast of Chubut Province. Operators and callsigns used: LU1EUU/W LU5DEM/W and possibly others.

CABO ARISTIZABAL Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG-023 HISTORIC, ILLW AR-0027) -- Will be activated for the "FIRST TIME". Lat. 45' 13" S/Long. 66' 32" W. Grid Locator = FE64rs. Located at the north end of "San Jorge" Gulf, in Chubut Province. Operators and callsigns used: LU7DSY/W, LU5DIT/W, LU6DBL/W and possibly others.

PUERTO ROSALES Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG-095, ILLW AR-0029) -- Will be activated for the "FIRST TIME". Lat. 58' 55" S/Long. 62' 04" W. Grid Locator = FD81xc. Located in the access to the main wharf of the commercial port of Punta Alta city in the south of Buenos Aires Province. Callsign used: LU3DXG/D (Official callsign of BBDXG).
Operators: LU5EAO/D, LU8EHQ/D, LU7EUZ/D, LU5DKT/D, LW5DAD/D and LW2ENB/D.

BALIZA CHICA Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG-083, ILLW AR-0026) -- Lat. 38' 53" S/ Long. 61' 58" W. Grid Locator = FF91ac. Located in the Base of Marines called "Baterias". 20 km southeast from Naval Base Puerto Belgrano and 40 km. from Bahia Blanca. Operators and callsigns used: LU8DWR/D, LU8DIP/D , LU3DZO/D, LU4ELE/D, LU4UZW/D and LU4DBP/D.

BALIZA PUNTA ATALAYA Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG-099, ILLW AR-0024). Lat. 35' 01" S/Long. 57' 32" W. Grid Locator = GF14fx. Located in the perimeter of the Argentine Naval Prefecture, detachment Atalaya, 102 Km east from Buenos Aires city. Operators and callsigns used: LU6DRN/D and LU6EU/D.

CLAROMECO Lighthouse (ARLHS ARG-014, ILLW AR-0008). Lat. 38' 51" S/ Long. 60' 03" W. Grid Locator = FF91xd. Located in the Claromeco Spa, near Tres Arroyos town. 200 Km east from Bahia Blanca. Operators and callsigns used: LU7HW/D, LU3HKA/D, LU7EHL/D, LU7DR/D and LU4DBT/D.

All Bands and modes will be worked, including digimodes (RTTY, PSK31, SSTV...) and CW. PLEASE NOTE: SAN GREGORIO, CABO ARISTIZABAL and MORRO NUEVO Lighthouses will use each operator's callsigns plus "W" because they are located in the province of Chubut.

PUERTO ROSALES LH will use the official BBDXG callsign LU3DXG for this first time activity.

Contacts with PUERTO ROSALES, BALIZA CHICA, BALIZA PUNTA ATALAYA and CLAROMECO Lighthouses will be valid for the "PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES LIGHTHOUSES" Award organized by Bahia Blanca DX Group. Also, the above lighthouses are valid for the "Argentine Atlantic Coast Lighthouses 2008" award. For more info on these awards, please contact Manu, LU9ESD, at: lu9esd@yahoo.com

The QSL and Award Manager is LU7DSY: Carlos Almiron, P.O. Box 709, 8000 Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Please send one envelope with all your QSLs. Up to 2 QSLs = 1 IRCs. Up to 4 QSLs = 2 IRCs. Up to 6 QSLs = 3 IRCs. Up to 8 QSLs = 4 IRCs. For 9 QSL without award, please send 5 IRCs. If you want the award, send QSLs for each lighthouse and 8 IRCs.


PACIFIC TOUR (Update). Willi, DJ7RJ, is expected to join Ulli, DL2AH, in traveling around in the Pacific areas between September and early November. A report from Willi, DJ7RJ, indicates that he has already booked his flights for August 26th and October 27th, via LAX to Samoa (5W) and his return. He mentions that Ulli, DL2AH, and he are planning to visit the Tokelau Islands (ZK3) together (specific dates are in the planning stages). After that, they will return back to Samoa, before going on to the next island (possibly, Marquesas Island (FO/m), Wallis & Futuna Island (FW) or American Samoa (KH8). Willi states, "With our journey to 5W everything is running well. We are in touch with the shipping company in Apia. Two ships are leaving Apia a couple of days after we arriving on Samoa. We have a good chance to get a reservation for one of these ships. Maybe we will arrive on Tokelau on September 2nd or September 5th. We have to stay at least three weeks on Nukunonu (OC-048) before we travel back to Apia. So it means we will be back in Apia at the end of September! Afterwards, I will decide what will be the next island to visit. I am not sure yet. My flight back to LAX will be October 21st. QSL via CBA."

QSL INFO AND NEWS.....................

QSL ROUTES by Johannes/DK8JB and Tedd/KB8NW:
4K3FPL direct
9A8M via 9A3JB
AO4EC via EA4RCH
AT6T via VU2PTT
CT3FQ LoTW (preferred), Bureau, or direct to CT3KN

9X0R QSL STATUS. We received a report that Antonio, EA5RM, is stating direct QSLs requests should be coming out very soon.

QSL AP2DKH via W2FB (for stateside). Steve, W2FB, informs OPDX that Dr. Khalid, AP2DKH, visited the NJ/NY area in June. Steve had the privilege to meet him. In addition to their eyeball QSO, they also exchanged QSL cards. Steve told Dr. Khalid that getting QSLs out of Pakistan is very difficult especially for U.S. stations. Dr. Khalid left Steve some cards to issue QSLs for stateside stations. He now has his log and can issue direct cards for the deserving DXers still waiting for their first AP confirmation. Please use a large envelope as the AP2DKH card is larger than the usual stateside QSL. Use a EU style envelope or No. 10 envelope for reply, with a SASE, GS, or IRC.

Wayne, W5KDJ, reports that the logs for 3DA0KDJ, A25KDJ, C91KDJ and YN2KDJ are now available at: http://dx.qsl.net/logs/

TOP 5 QSL MANAGER SURVEY. John, K1XN, Editor of the GoList, reports"
"With the bands in such sorry shape, I am sure everyone has been busy catching up on your QSL chores. You know, that job you put off for reasons unknown by normal folks. This might be a very good time to take a Top 5 QSL Manager or QSL card hander survey. It has been several years now since I last conducted the last survey and it will be interesting to see results during this 'down' period. There will be no plaques nor money, but there will be a lot of bragging rights to the most vote getters for Top 5. The rules are simple. Send me the callsign of that QSL Manager or card handler that impressed you most this year in sending you a confirmation card.
Don't base it on past years or popularity, but on the actual performance by that person. Send your vote to me via E-mail at: golist@gmail.com

In the subject line please put TOP 5 QSL MANAGERS, this will help me sort the mail. The survey will run until the 20th of August, and I will report the results on this reflector (GoList Mailing List). This survey is open to all amateurs around the world. I hope to hear from many of you soon..... John K1XN @ The Golist (golist@gmail.com)"

TX7LX QSL BUREAU REQUEST. Georg, DK7LX/TX7LX, informs OPDX that he now offers the option to request Bureau-QSLs via E-mail for his recent Mayotte Island (TX7LX) operation. His E-mail address is published on both, QRZ.com as well as his TX7LX Web page. Georg states, "People are welcome to send me a list of their QSOs, and I'll take care of it as soon as I receive QSLs from the printer." Further details can be found under the sources mentioned above. LAST MINUTE UPDATE: Georg informed OPDX on July 20th: TX7LX has been APPROVED for DXCC per Bill, Moore/NC1L.

V73 QSL BUREAU CLOSED. Neil, V73NS, informs OPDX: "It is with the deepest regret we announce that the V73 Bureau is CLOSED. We are unable to accept cards due to circumstances beyond our control. Cards should be sent only to address of the home call of the V73 operator." See QSL info site: http://www.qsl.net/v73ax/qsl.html

QSLS VIA LOTW: 6H1YYD, G4WFQ/6W, HG9X, IZ8MBW, JX/SQ4MP and ZC4LI

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 9J2VB, 9X0W, C52C, ET3JA, EY8CQ and Z29KM

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3DA0WW, 4X0C, 4X0V, 5L2MS, 7S100ALA, 8S6KOS, AO1Y, AO6AZ, CS6PRA, CU2A, EA8MQ, J28JA, J5UTM, JW/F8DVD, LA2O, LY1CM/P, OA4WW, OE3KRA, OH3OJ, OJ0J, OK5R, PR2A, PZ5XX, SG60RK, SI3A, SL60FRO, SM5ZBJ, SN2JS, T70A, TM1I, TM2R, TM4IPY, V31BH, VP9I, VY2WU and YL2BJ

SV5, DODECANESE. Leo, S50R, will be active as SV5/S50R between now and July 24th. Activity will be on 40/30/17/12 meters using CW/SSB/RTTY. He will just use wire antennas. QSL via S50R, direct or LoTW.

SV5, DODECANESE. Operators SV5AZP, SV5AZK, SV5DDP, SV5DKL, SV5DZR, SV5FRD, SV5KJC, SV5FRP, SV5CJK and SV5CJQ will be active as SX5P from Rhodes Island (EU-001) during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 26-27th) as a Multi-Multi entry. QSL via SV5FRD.

SV9, CRETE (EU-015). Dimistris, SV1JB will be active as SV9/SV1JB from Kokini Hani (MIA MGC-005, WLOTA LH-1400), between July 21st and August 7th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB and PSK31. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.

V3, BELIZE. Operators John/WC0W, George/K5PI and Alan/NS0B will be active as V31TP during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd, 2009) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via WC0W. This team took the "World Class" entry in 2008 as a Multi/Single with a field day setup. They hope to do it again.

VK9X, CHRISTMAS ISLAND (OC-002). By the time you read this, the "DXciting Group" should be getting ready to go QRT. As this was being typed, operators Marq/CT1BWW (VK9XWW), John/EA3GHZ (VK9XHZ), Henry/EA5EOR (VK9XOR) and Dina/EC5BME (VK9XME), have made 6,438 QSOs (2917/CW and 3521/SSB) as of 0255z, July 20th. QSL via EA4URE, direct or by the bureau. The official VK9X Web site is at: http://www.dxciting.com/vk9x

ZD8, ASCENSION ISLAND. Bob, VP8LP, will be active as ZD8LP between August 15-16th and September 14th. Bob will only be using a vertical antenna, so don't expect to hear big signals, but he intends to be very active on 40-10 meters as propagation permits. QSL direct to his home callsign VP8LP only.

ZS8, MARION ISLANDS. There is still no activity reported. For updates and the first offical announcement of ZS8T being on the air, please visit the official ZS8T Web site at: http://zs8t.net/

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
** 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: 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@arrl.net "...... TNX de Tedd KB8NW
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
PLEASE NOTICE (as of February 12th), NEW ADDRESS CHANGES FOR THE OPDX INTERNET HELP/SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE REQUESTS:
Help: mailto:opdx-request@barf80.org%20Subject:help
Subscribe: mailto:opdx-request@barf80.org%20Subject:subscribe
Unsubscribe: mailto:opdx-request@barf80.org%20Subject:unsubscribe

OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME PAGE (provided by John, K8YSE):
http://www.papays.com/opdx.html

ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
http://www.papays.com/nodxa.html
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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!)
--
Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW - kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org --or-- 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)
______________________________________________________________

Saturday, July 19, 2008

BTown Blog Logs - 7/19/2008

Logged DGPS Station #190 from Dandridge, TN on 305 kHz this morning at 1115 UTC with a nice signal. Was able to decode that signal using Multipsk 4.9 (see my writeup on this fine piece of software in the August 2008 Whats New column in Monitoring Times magazine). Screen capture of the event below.



4027.0 USB US Army MARS AAA4RD/K Net with usual traffic then AAR4FY sent his net report via MT63 mode at 1145 UTC. AAR4EM was NCS. Frequency identifier was KCG.

4369.0 USB WLO Marine Coastal with computerized (YL) marine weather broadcast then traffic holding list, end at 1208 UTC.

4548.0 USB This is the center of a fairly wideband sweeper signal that runs from about 4535-4563 kHz. Confirmed it is a CODAR station transmitting from Rutgers, NJ. Noted at 1215 UTC.

5077.0 GW-OFDM WNU Globe Wirless, typical idling signal from this Globle Wireless network station in Slidell, LA at 12:33.

5121.5 GW-OFDM WNU Globe Wirless, typical idling signal from this Globle Wireless network station in Slidell, LA at 12:40.

6317.0 SITOR idler/CW call only marker WLO Mobile, AL, at 1327.

Ham Station to Operate from Arctic Circle

W1AW/KL7 to Operate from Arctic Circle: Just 300 miles south of the Alaskan Arctic Ocean -- where the Arctic Circle crosses the Dalton Highway (66 degrees, 33 minutes north) -- W1AW/KL7 will be on the air (grid square BP56) July 26-August 10 on all bands from 160-6 meters. This ARRL 2008 Alaska State Convention Special Event Station plans to run two HF stations operating CW, SSB and digital, one satellite station and one station devoted to 146.52 MHz. The Alaskan summer skies are ablaze with gray line-enhanced propagation effects, providing six to eight hour spurts of activity to most of the ham radio world. W1AW/KL7 plans to be active from 0600 UTC-1400 UTC to maximize gray line propagation. From Alaska, signals will take off in both directions at the same time: Europe to the East on one side, with Asia to the West on the other side. For an illustration of how Arctic gray line propagation
works, see page 21 in the August 2008 issue of QST. The 2008 Alaska ARRL Convention will run from August 1-4, 2008 in Anchorage. For more information, please see the W1AW/KL7 Web site http://www.akhamfest.com/arcticcirclespecial.php.

Courtesy of The ARRL Newsletter Vol. 27 No. 28 (Friday July 18, 2008)

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

GB Special Event on the 18th - GB40BYE

Courtesy of GB2RS, F8LDX and the SRT-DX Newsgroup

To mark the final closure of the London Air Traffic Control Centre at its site at the former RAF West Drayton in West London, the Air Traffic Control Engineers are holding a Closing Down Sale - All Engineers must go! event at the Park on 18 July. An amateur radio station will be operating for the day with special event callsign GB40BYE, reflecting goodBYE after 40 years. The intention is to operate all bands from top band to 70cm including 6 metres.

Friday, July 11, 2008

What's Wrong with the Sun? (Nothing)

Stop the presses! The sun is behaving normally.
By Dr. Tony Phillips: Science@NASA

So says NASA solar physicist David Hathaway. "There have been some reports lately that Solar Minimum is lasting longer than it should. That's not true. The ongoing lull in sunspot number is well within historic norms for the solar cycle."

This report, that there's nothing to report, is newsworthy because of a growing buzz in lay and academic circles that something is wrong with the sun. Sun Goes Longer Than Normal Without Producing Sunspots declared one recent press release. A careful look at the data, however, suggests otherwise.

But first, a status report: "The sun is now near the low point of its 11-year activity cycle," says Hathaway. "We call this 'Solar Minimum.' It is the period of quiet that separates one Solar Max from another."



The solar cycle, 1995-2015. The "noisy" curve traces measured sunspot numbers; the smoothed curves are predictions. Credit: D. Hathaway/NASA/MSFC

During Solar Max, huge sunspots and intense solar flares are a daily occurance. Auroras appear in Florida. Radiation storms knock out satellites. Radio blackouts frustrate hams. The last such episode took place in the years around 2000-2001.

During Solar Minimum, the opposite occurs. Solar flares are almost non-existant while whole weeks go by without a single, tiny sunspot to break the monotony of the blank sun. This is what we are experiencing now.

Although minima are a normal aspect of the solar cycle, some observers are questioning the length of the ongoing minimum, now slogging through its 3rd year.

"It does seem like it's taking a long time," allows Hathaway, "but I think we're just forgetting how long a solar minimum can last." In the early 20th century there were periods of quiet lasting almost twice as long as the current spell. (See the end notes for an example.) Most researchers weren't even born then.

Hathaway has studied international sunspot counts stretching all the way back to 1749 and he offers these statistics: "The average period of a solar cycle is 131 months with a standard deviation of 14 months. Decaying solar cycle 23 (the one we are experiencing now) has so far lasted 142 months--well within the first standard deviation and thus not at all abnormal. The last available 13-month smoothed sunspot number was 5.70. This is bigger than 12 of the last 23 solar minimum values."

In summary, "the current minimum is not abnormally low or long."

The longest minimum on record, the Maunder Minimum of 1645-1715, lasted an incredible 70 years. Sunspots were rarely observed and the solar cycle seemed to have broken down completely. The period of quiet coincided with the Little Ice Age, a series of extraordinarily bitter winters in Earth's northern hemisphere. Many researchers are convinced that low solar activity, acting in concert with increased volcanism and possible changes in ocean current patterns, played a role in that 17th century cooling.



For reasons no one understands, the sunspot cycle revived itself in the early 18th century and has carried on since with the familiar 11-year period. Because solar physicists do not understand what triggered the Maunder Minimum or exactly how it influenced Earth's climate, they are always on the look-out for signs that it might be happening again.

The quiet of 2008 is not the second coming of the Maunder Minimum, believes Hathaway. "We have already observed a few sunspots from the next solar cycle," he says. (See Solar Cycle 24 Begins.) "This suggests the solar cycle is progressing normally."

What's next? Hathaway anticipates more spotless days, maybe even hundreds, followed by a return to Solar Max conditions in the years around 2012.

Additional information and graphics on spotless days and this story is available at
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/11jul_solarcycleupdate.htm?list1066509


Wednesday, July 09, 2008

New Scanner Audio Feeds Now Available on Reciva

I'm the new Internet audio columnist for Monitoring Times magazine. Our GlobalNet column is the only column in any radio hobby magazine devoted to monitoring various services on the Internet. It made it's first appearance in the April 2008 issue of MT. Part of my Internet audio tool box is my favorite receiver in my shack - the Tangent Quattro WiFi Internet Radio that I purchased from our good friends at C.CRANE (http://www.ccrane.com/radios/wifi-radios/tangent-quattro-wifi-internet-radio.aspx). You can see my full review on the Quattro that appeared in the April 2008 issue of MT online at http://www.monitoringtimes.com/mtfirstlook-quattro.pdf.

So what can you hear on Internet radio? It is much more than just radio and TV video and audio streams. For instance, below is a late breaking Internet audio story that was just posted to the Live Scanner Audio newsgroup by Edmonton Fire Radio. Yes, you can monitor scanner services, aircraft services, ham radio, shortwave radio, television video and even signals from space.

"For those of you that have a Reciva based WiFi internet radio, here are links to the database for our Icecast feeds:"

Alamance Live Scanner -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20326

Cache Valley -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20327

Chester County -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20328

Chicago Fire -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20329

Edmonton Fire Department -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=19317

Flagstaff Police -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20331

Guilford -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20330

Las Vegas Police and Fire -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=18324

Los Angeles -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20333

Williamsport & Lycoming County -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20332

Northampton County PA Fire -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20334

Northampton County Police -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20335

Ottawa Valley -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20337

Quincy IL -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20336

Rochester Metro Fire -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20020

Snohimish County WA -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20339

Stone & Taney County, Missouri -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=19402

W3AHS Repeater -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20340

Clay County IL -
https://www.reciva.com/index.php?option=com_cloud&action=station&stationid=20338

So, if you would like to learn more about what you can hear on Internet audio, check out the latest issue of Monitoring Times magazine and the new GlobalNet column from the world's leader in radio hobby information.

FBI ALE Net

Here is the latest FBI ALE Net information from Mark Cleary. Updated: 2-10-2008

Frequencies
Freqs: 2808.5, 4991.0, 5058.5, 5388.5, 7778.5, 7903.5, 9183.5, 10913.5, 11073.5, 11491.0, 14458.5, 14493.5, 14532.5, 15953.5, 18171.0, 18666.0, 19344.5 kHz.

Voice: 10913.5 (2/05), 14493.5 (2/05) kHz

The following are also listed in many freq lists, but after monitoring them for four months in 2004 I did not log any traffic on them: 5912.0, 9331.5, 10498.5, 11452.0, 11524.5, 12215.5, 16090.0, 18218.0, 20535.0, 20348.5, 20402.5, 23402.5 kHz

Idents
AL1 FBI, Albany, NY w/IP1
AN1 FBI, Anchorage, AK w/SE1
AQ1 FBI, Albuquerque, NM
AT1 FBI, Atlanta, GA w/QT10
AU1 FBI, Austin, TX
BA1 FBI, Baltimore, MD
BF1 FBI, Buffalo, NY
BI1 FBI, Birmingham, AL
BS1 FBI, Boston, MA
BT1 FBI, Butte, MT
CE1 FBI, Charlotte, NC
CG1 FBI, Chicago, IL
CI1 FBI, Cincinnati, OH
CL1 FBI, Cleveland, OH w/CO1, OM2
CO1 FBI, Columbia, SC w/CL1
CV1, FBI Cleveland, OH
DE1, FBI Detroit, MI
DL1 FBI, Dallas, TX
DN1 FBI, Denver, CO
EP1 FBI, El Paso, TX
GM1 FBI
HN1 FBI, Houston, TX
HO1 FBI, Honolulu, HI
HQ1 FBI, Washington, DC
IP1 FBI, Indianapolis, IN w/AL1, KX1
JC1 FBI
JK1 FBI, Jacksonville, FL
JN1 FBI, Jackson, MS
KC1 FBI, Kansas City, MO
KX1 FBI, Knoxville, TN w/IP1, MM1
KW1 FBI, Key West, FL
LA1 FBI, Los Angeles, CA, voice call KMI66
LR1 FBI, Little Rock, AR
LR2 FBI, Little Rock, AR
LRC33
LS1 FBI, Louisville, KY
LV1 FBI, Las Vegas, NV
ME1 FBI, Memphis, TN
MIACMU, FBI Crisis Management Unit, Miami, FL
MM1 FBI, Miami, FL w/KX1
MM2 FBI, Miami, FL
MO1 FBI, Mobile, AL
MP1 FBI, Minneapolis, MN
MW1 FBI, Milwaukee, WI
NF1 FBI, Norfolk, VA w/RH1, NY1
NH1 FBI, New Haven, CT
NK1, FBI Newark, NJ w/QT1
NO1 FBI, New Orleans, LA
NY1 FBI, New York, NY w/NF1
OC1 FBI, Oklahoma City, OK
OM1 FBI, Omaha, NE
OM2 FBI, Omaha, NE w/CL1
PD1 FBI, Portland, OR
PG1 FBI, Pittsburgh, PA
PH1 FBI, Philadelphia, PA
PO1 FBI, Portland, OR
PX1 FBI, Phoenix, AZ
QT1 FBI, Quantico, VA w/SF1, NK1
QT2 FBI, Quantico, VA, voice call KGE22A
QT5 FBI, Quantico, VA
QT8 FBI, Quantico, VA
QT10 FBI, Quantico, VA w/AT1
QW10
RH1 FBI, Richmond, VA w/NF1
SA1 FBI, San Antonio, TX
SC1 FBI, Sacramento, CA
SD1 FBI, San Diego, CA w/SF1
SE1 FBI, Seattle, WA w/AN1
SF1 FBI, San Francisco, CA w/SD1, QT1
SI1 FBI, Springfield, IL
SJ1 FBI, San Juan, PR
SL1 FBI, St. Louis, MO
SU1 FBI, Salt Lake City, UT
SV1 FBI, Savannah, GA
TP1 FBI, Tampa, FL
WF1 FBI, Washington, DC

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Amateur Radio Digital Modes Operations Bulletin

04/07/2008: Juan, F5IRC will be active as homecall/p from Chausey Grande Island (EU-039, DIFM MA-004, WLOTA LH-0424, WW Loc. IN98CU) between July 4th and 6th. QRV 80-10 meters, using SSB and digital modes. On Friday, July 4th he will reactivate the Castle Renault (DFCF 50-007), commune of Granville (CP 50400), canton of Granville (DDCF 50-15), Department Manche/50, Province Basse-Normandie (DPF 04), on 40, 20 and
15 meters between 1500-1900 UTC. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [F5IRC]
[Courtesy of ICPO Bulletin July 3-11, 2008]

05/07/2008: A large group of SV4 operators will be active as SY4LH from Trikeri Lighthouse (ARLHS GRE-128, Admiralty E4442, WW Loc. KM19MC), located at Akra Kavoulia, Greece, on July 5th and 6th. QRV 160-2 meter CW, SSB, PSK, RTTY and SSTV. All of the QSOs will be confirmed automatically via the bureau; direct cards should be sent to SV4FFK. The webiste for the operation is at: www.sz4srm.gr/SY4LH [425 DX News]

05/07/2008: The Cofresi Radio Club (WP4NRT) will take part in the annual World Lighthouse On The Air Contest (WLOTA) as WP4NRT/L, July 5th (0600 UTC) to July 6th (1200 UTC), from Los Morrillos lighthouse (ARLHS PUR-002, TWLHD WLH KP4-004, WW Loc. FK67JW) located in Cabo Rojo at the southwest section of Puerto Rico Island (NA-099, also count for WLOTA LH-2802). QRV 10-80m, using SSB, PSK-31, AND RTTY. QSL via WP4NRX, with S.A.S.E. (Luis Montalvo WP4NRX, Parc Puerto Real House 606 1st St., Cabo
Rojo, PR 00632 USA). Please NO E-QSLS! [QRZ.com]

06/07/2008: Dick, AD7AF will be active as V63WWA from Kosrae Island (OC-059), Micronesia, from about July 6th until about the 24th. He will operate on 80-10 meters mostly CW, with some SSB, PSK31 and RTTY. QSL via AD7AF. [425 DX News]

06/07/2008: Jon, WB8YJF, will make his yearly trip to Ocracoke Island (NA-067, USi NC-001S, WLOTA LH-0466, Hyde County) North Carolina, this year earlier than most times due to a scheduling conflict. He reports that he will not be in the IOTA Contest from there this year, but will be active as WB8YJF/4 from July 6-13th. Activity will be on 40-10 meters, using CW, SSB and RTTY. Please QSL direct for a FASTer QSL; Bureau is OK but takes a lot longer. His address is on QRZ.com. [OPDX
Bulletin]

06/07/2008: From July, 6th at 0000 UTC to August 5th, 2008 at 2400 UTC the regional club stations of Borj-Cedria (3V8CB) start a special call sign TS1MSC before 30 days of the events (August 6-15th). The radio station will be activated on 15, 17, 20, 40 and 80 meters, using SSB, PSK31, RTTY, SSTV and CW. Do not hesitate to be on the scouts frequencies and reply on this call. QSL via DL1BDF. [3V8ST]

06/07/2008: Walt, G3NYY will be active as GB50OT (GB-Fifty-OT) from July 6-13th to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of RAOTA, the Radio Amateur Old Timers' Association. Activity will be on 80-6 meter CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL via bureau, or direct to G3VBE. [425 DX News]

06/07/2008: The Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society (CARS) will air special call sign GX0MWT from the 'Military Show' at the Museum of Power, Langford near Maldon in Essex, on July 6th from 10am and 5pm. The show will feature Military re-enactments, Classic military vehicles and tanks. QRV on all HF bands and modes. QSL via the information on QRZ.com. [Southgate ARC]

07/07/2008: Look for Colin/KU5B (V31UB) and Eddy/K5WQG (V31MR) to be QRV from Placencia, Belize, July 7-21st. Operation will be mostly CW, with some SSB and RTTY, including a Multi-Single entry in the IARU HF Championship (July 12-13th). QSL V31MR via N5ET, direct or bureau. QSL V31UB via KU5B, direct only. Both logs will be uploaded to LoTW. [NG3K]

08/07/2008: The 'DXciting Group' will activate Christmas Island (OC-002, WW Loc. OH29tn) from July 8-20th. Operators mentioned are Marq/VK9XWW (CT1BWW), John/VK9XHZ (EA3GHZ), Henry/VK9XOR (EA5EOR) and Dina/VK9XME (EC5BME). They will operate with 3 stations (1 high-power and 2 barefoot at 100W) on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, PSK31 and SSTV. Pilot sations: Africa - ZS1AU, Asia -JA8BMK, Europe - EA4TD, Oceania - ZL2AL and VK2CZ, and North America - K4SV. QSL card goes via EA4URE direct or by the bureau. The official web site is at: www.dxciting.com/vk9x/ . The team is looking for help, contributions and SPONSORS to cover the big costs of this DX-pedition. [ZL2AL]

09/07/2008: Operators Eric/KV1J and his son Matthew/W1MAT, will be active from Miquelon Island (NA-032, DIFO FP-002, WLOTA LH-1417, WW Loc. GN17TC) as FP/KV1J and FP/W1MAT from July 9-14th. Activity will be on all bands 80-6 meters, SSB, CW and RTTY, using only 100 watts into verticals and a TW2010. During the IARU HF Contest (July 12-13th), look for FP/KV1J (running low power) and FP/W1MAT (running QRP) from Zone 9. QSL via their home call sign, direct or by the bureau or LoTW. For more
details and up-to-date info, visit their Web page at: www.kv1j.com/fp/ [OPDX Bulletin]

11/07/2008: A Greek ancient system of communication with fire from torches above mountaintops is called fryktories from fryktos that means "the torch" in Greek. On July 13th and after 3200 years we will be climbing up the same mountaintops with Turkish Hams and will transmit through the hamradio frequencies a message from Troy - located in N.W Turkey up to Mykines that is in Southern Greece using a special call on every mountaintop that the original message passed through. The same mountaintops are mentioned from Aeshylus in his drama "Agamemnon" and they are the ones that brought back to the Mikines city the message that Troy has fallen into the hands of the ancient siege army. The transmitted message will be passing along the nodes on the 2m band from one station to another. The special calls that will be used through this campaign will be: Turkey - Mountain Ida (Troy) to be announced; Greece -
SX8FRA Lemnos Island; SX2FRB/A Athos mountain; SX8FRC Kandili Evia, SX1FRD Mesapio, Biotia; SX1FRE Kitheronas; SX1FRF Gerania; SX3FRG Arachneon, Peloponisos; and SX3FRH Mikines. Every Station will have at least 2m SSB/FM capability with yagi antennas. Before and after the event every station will be trying to make as many QSO's as possible with the special calls. Also that day we expect that many other hilltops
will be activated in 2m band from other Greek and Foreign hams that will be joining this event. Nik, SV1EEX will be QRV from Kitheronas mountain with the call SX1FRE. Along with him will be SV1EOS, SV1JGX and SW1JGW. GRID Loc: KM18OE. They will be active July 11-14th on 80-2m + 70 cm. Modes will be SSB/FM/SSTV/RTTY/PSK and will try MS + JT6M. Also will try FM LEO SATS. QSL will be via the bureau. Further information can be found at: sx1fre.blogspot.com/ [SV1EEX]

19/07/2008: Alain, F5LMJ will be on vacation with his family and plans to be QRV from São Miguel Island (EU-003, DIP AZ-002 for the Portuguese Islands Award, WLOTA LH-2016) from July 19-26th. He will have a FT-857 and half-size G5RV and will be active maily on CW and digital modes. QSL via home call, direct or bureau. [NG3K]

Japanese IOTA News


JA1YUC/6 plan to be active from Kuro Island (AS-024) AS-024 JA6 Yaeyama Is group from July 22-27 include RSGB IOTA Contest on July 26/27. They will be on 6M and HF, SSB, CW QSL via their home call. You can go direct or via the bureau

JA1YUC: TOKYO DENTAL COLLEGE A.R.C, 1-2-2 Masago,Mihamaku,Chiba-city 261-8502 JAPAN

Remarks
JIIA AS-024-009 Kuro Is
JIIA Award http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~iota/newpage61.htm

Distributed by Yuki JI6KVR IOTA-JA
Special Adviser for Japan"RSGB IOTA Programme"