SB DX @ WW < KB8NW $OPDX.1342 Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1342 The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster DX Bulletin No. 1342 BID: $OPDX.1342 December 4, 2017 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, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, NJ1Q & W1AW, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, K5GS, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, NA9Q, W0GJ, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, ES1CW, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, HK3CW, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, PA3EWP, 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, 26th/November, through Sunday, 3rd/December there were 232 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C5, C6, 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, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HC8, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, J5, J6, J7, J8, JA, JT, JY, K, 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, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T2, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TN, TR, TT, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9N, VK9X, VP2E, VP2M, VP5, VP6, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YU, YV, Z3, 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". 3B7A ST. BRANDON ISLAND DXPEDITION (Press Release #4, date November 28th). This week two major events occurred and we are very happy to share both of them with you. First of all, we received all papers from the Mauritius authorities and our callsign has been confirmed. You will listen for us as 3B7A next April in your radios! Then, we are very proud to announce that the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) has joined our project as a major sponsor. By reiterating the trust relationship with our team a great step has been made to reach the overall budget. This is not yet a closed matter and we hope to receive many supports until our departure. Talking about this, we would like to greet our friends JJ3PRT, JA4BUA, JA4DND and JK1KSB. They are a very efficient relay in Japan for our team and thanks to them a Japanese section of our website is now available. Our next communications will focus on logistics and radio operations. So stay tuned and follow us on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/SaintBrandonDX> and Twitter <@SaintBrandonDX>. 3B8, MAURITIUS. Nigel, G3TXF, will be active as 3B8XF from Mauritius (AF-049) during the 2018 Commonwealth Contest (BERU) [March 10-11th, 2018]. QSL via G3TXF or ClubLog's OQRS (for both Bureau or direct QSLs). 3D2/R, ROTUMA. Operators Ernoe/DK2AMM (Treasurer/QSL manager), Hans/DL6JGN (Team Leader), Heye/DJ9RR and Ronald/PA3EWP will be active as 3D2EU from Rotuma (OC-060) between February 23rd and March 16th, 2018. Operations will be from two different locations on the Island: Maftoa and Fapufa. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, including 30/17/12m, using CW, SSB and Digital modes. Their goal is to make over 30k QSOs (Of course, it depends also on the propagation on the higher bands). They will use Club- Log for online logging (if internet is available) and OQRS (QSL requests). A short time after the DXpedition, the logs will be uploaded by their QSL Manager (DK2AMM) to LoTW. All QSLs via the OQRS, by the Bureau and direct will be answered as usual. For more details and updates, see their Web page at: http://www.rotuma2018.de 3Y0X BOUVET DXPEDITION NEWS. The following was posted on the 3Y0X Web <http://www.bouvetdx.org> and FaceBook pages December 2nd, [edited]: Our DXpeditions Biggest Unknown: How much will our helicopter flights cost us? Helicopters are at once our wings and our Achilles' heel; a godsend for safety and access to the best operating site on Bouvet, but devilishly expensive to operate. They are essential to our success, safety, and making lots of QSO's from Bouvet. The more gear they can bring ashore, the more contacts we can make. Therefore, helicopters directly impact the number of all time new contacts we will deliver to you, the number of new band modes we can give you, and the overall number of contacts we make. Our team members will underwrite the cost of getting all the basic and essential equipment ashore to enable us to do a good job on this DX- pedition. Whatever this costs us, we will do it. However, to do a great job and get ashore two antennas for every band, adequate fuel and gen- erators for full power 24/7, an amp on every radio, and a second shelter for operating, we must dig a little deeper to pay for those extra flying hours. If you can help us buy a few more hours of flying time, you will put doing the best job possible firmly within our grasp. Please go to our website: <www.bouvetdx.org> click on the News and Updates tab and help us if you can. The 3Y0Z DXpedition Team 4X0, ISRAEL (More On Special Event). In OPDX.1341 we mentioned that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has declared Shivta to be a World Heritage Site. The Shivta National Park is on the list of confirmed WFF Israel National Parks Award (4XFF-032), and has a very long and interesting history (see the Web page at <http://www.biblewalks.com/sites/Shivta.html>. Members of the "The Holy land DX Group" (Shalom/4Z4BS, Mark/4Z4KX, Ruben/ 4Z5FI, Yulik/4X6HP, Ros/4Z5LA, Vlad/4Z5IW, Arthur/4X4DZ, Alex/4Z4AK and Jan/4X1VF) are going to operate from this location between 0800 UTC Friday, December 22nd, through December 24th, noon-time. It will be the first time operating from this QTH (Holy land Square D27BS). They will use the callsign 4X0XMAS, and will be running three stations using CW and SSB on the WFF frequencies. (For details, please visit QRZ.com under 4X9XMAS). QSL via LoTW and eQSL. This operation will also participate in the "Christianity On The Air" event (December 22-24th) for the HOCOTA award. Look for the following stations to be on the air from the following locations: 4X2XMAS from Mount Tabor, 4X3XMAS from Caesarea, 4X4XMAS from Nazareth, 4X6XMAS from Arbel, 4X7XMAS from Be'er Sheva and 4X9XMAS from Nitzana. 4Y1, AUSTRIA. Members of the International Amateur Radio Contest DX Club (ARCDXC) [4U1A] will activate 4Y1A from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Amateur Radio Club celebrating the International Civil Aviation Day (December 7th). Activity will take place between December 7-14th, with operations on various HF and VHF bands using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via UA3DX. This station counts as Austria for DXCC purposes. 5R, MADAGASCAR. Marco, ON8XB, is once again active as 5R8XB from Mad- agascar (AF-013). The length of his stay is unknown at this time. Most of his activities have been on 20 meters SSB. QSL via his home callsign. 5W, SAMOA. By the time you read this Katsu, JA1DXA, will be active as 5W0DXA from Apia, Samoa (OC-097), until December 6th. Activity will be on various HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via JA1DXA, direct, ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW. 6W, SENEGAL. Jacques, F6HMJ, will be active as 6W7/F6HMJ from Senegal between December 21st and January 15th. Activity will be mostly on CW with some SSB on 20-10 meters. There may be also some lower band oper- ations if he can put up antennas. QSL via his home callsign. 6Y, JAMAICA. Lester, W8YCM, is once again active as 6Y6Y from the Westmor- land Parish, on The Beach, Negril Jamaica (NA-0097), until January 2018. Activity will be holiday style on various HF bands. Check out the pictures on QRZ.com. QSL via W8YCM direct only. NO BUREAU or IRCs. CARIBBEAN/PACIFIC TOURS. Operators Helmut/DD0VR and YL Bigi/DE3BW will be traveling throughout the Caribbean at the end of December and the beginning of the new year. Their tentative schedule is as followings: December 17-31st -- From Barbados (NA-021); signing 8P0VR (pending) December 31st-January 10th -- From Martinique (NA-107); signing FM/DD0VR January 10th -- possible quick visit to St. Lucia January 10-14th -- From Dominica (NA-101); signing J70VR January 14-20th -- From Guadeloupe (NA-102); signing FG/DD0VR Look for them to be active on 40-10 meters (IOTA freqs.) using CW and SSB; mainly QRP. QSL via DD0VR, direct or by the Bureau. ADDED NOTE: Helmut has mentioned that they are making plans to go to South Pacific in 2018. Islands mentioned are Fiji (3D2), Samoa (5W), Tonga (A3) and Aitutaki Island (E5, OC-083), South Cook Islands. DXCANDY (Another Tool for DXers!). This little Web site is a HF CW DX- Cluster Spotting tool with some interesting features, but still in the experimental stage. Give it a look see at: http://dxcandy.com DXCC'S MOST WANTED (ClubLog). The "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list has been updated on ClubLog as of December 1st. The list contain 339 entities and the top 10 entities still remain the same and they are: 1. P5 DPRK (North Korea) 6. CE0X San Felix Islands 2. 3Y/B Bouvet Island 7. BV9P Pratas Island 3. FT5/W Crozet Island 8. KH3 Johnston Island 4. KH1 Baker Howland Islands 9. VK0M Macquarie Island 5. BS7H Scarborough Reef 10. KH7K Kure Island The complete "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list is available at: https://secure.clublog.org/mostwanted.php EL, LIBERIA. Eric, EL2EF, is a new ham radio operator from Liberia, and is the nephew of Dickson, EL2DT. DX-World reports: "Eric is now active and has been making a few QSOs using an old Kenwood TS-120 and vertical. At the moment he is paper-logging but hopes to have a laptop soon. There- after, he will use the services of a QSL manager who will look after his log and QSLs. Remember, Eric is a new op and is still learning." IOTA NEWS.............. AF-045. (Update/Reminder) Operators John/6W7JX, Ouzin/6W1PZ, Tafa/6W1KI and Jul/6W1QL will be active as 6V1A from Goree Island between December 15-17th. Activity will be on CW and SSB on all HF bands using two stations: a FT-1000 and Icom 7300 with 150 watts into dipoles G5RV/Kelemen. QSL info TBA (watch QRZ.com). AS-015. Rich, PA0RRS, is once again active as 9M2MRS from Penang Island until January 31st, 2018. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW, RTTY and PSK. QSL via his home callsign, ClubLog's OQRS, LoTW or eQSL. PLEASE NOTE: Since the Webmasters of the new <www.iota-world.org> 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...... NCDXF NEWS (Press Release: New Record Set -- WOW! $200,000+ in grants in 2017 !!!). Hats off to our NCDXF contributors!!! -- The primary purpose of Northern California DX Foundation is to help fund well-organized DX- peditions to rare, difficult and expensive entities. Even though the current solar cycle is winding down, the NCDXF has been seeing more activity than ever in its history. Recently, two large grants were given to the 2018 Bouvet <https://www.bouvetdx.org/foundations-and-clubs/> and Baker Island <http://baker2018.net/> DXpeditions, both currently ranked in the Top 5 <https://secure.clublog.org/mostwanted.php> Most Wanted DXCC entities. We have also contributed to WRTC 2018 <http://wrtc2018.de/index.php/en/sponsors/sponsoren-4>, the ARRL Ham Aid Fund, provided tuition for youth at DX and Contest Universities, and partnered with IARU to operate a worldwide Beacon system <http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/beacons.html>. In 2017, so far, well over $200,000 has been granted to DXpeditions and other projects. Before this, the highest calendar year grant total was $131,000 in 2005. The NCDXF Board of Directors wants to thank our generous donors who ultimately deserve credit for these grants over the past 45 years! You are the backbone of NCDXF. Our Cycle 25 Project is an endowment project for those wishing to leave behind a legacy contribution for our hobby. Please consider NCDXF in your estate planning. The earnings of the Cycle 25 Project <http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/estate.html> fund will be used to help support future DXpeditions. And as the end of the year approaches, please consider a renewed con- tribution to NCDXF. For those who file United States income tax returns, contributions are tax-deductible, as NCDXF is a Section 501(c)(3) entity with the IRS. With your continued financial support, we'll continue to make DX happen for DXers worldwide. Visit our website, <www.ncdxf.org>, for more information about our projects and how you can help. Thank you once again! With warmest Holiday wishes, The NCDXF Board of Directors PJ4, BONAIRE. Mike, NA9Q, is once again active as PJ4/NA9Q from Bonaire (SA-006) until December 10th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters using primarily SSB with some FT8 and CW, with 100 watts and portable/temporary antennas. Depending upon band conditions, an effort will be made in the ARRL 10 Meter Contest (December 9-10th). Logs will be uploaded to LoTW upon his return. QSL via his home callsign. PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (December 4-10th)....... Dec/04th BN Dec/07th LN Dec/09th AN Dec/05th DIS Dec/08th AN Dec/10th AN Dec/06th HN 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 REALTIME BAND CONDITIONS WEB SITE <http://www.bandconditions.com>: The purpose of this experimental Web site is to provide 24-7-365 actual (REALTIME) band condition information to CW QRPp, QRPe and CW/SSB for Contesters interested in increasing their scores. It can also be of benefit to other Radio Amateurs to determine band conditions for Nets and casual QSO's. This information is NOT based on any software pre- dictions or any kind of satellite based readings. It is based on a new Ionospheric sounding method called "HF Ionospheric Interferometry" which operates very similarly to the PolSAR system used by NASA. Also, check out the VOACAP predication Web page at: http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html A daily HF radio wave propagation forecast can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/thomasfranklingiellaw4hm Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@GiellaW4hm QSL INFO AND NEWS................... QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF (November 26th & December 3rd) <www.qslinfo.eu> -------------------------------------------------------------------- 5P1KZX via OZ1KZX & (L) E71YOTA via E71YOTA (C/N) OK2RJC via OK2RZ 5P3WW via DL1YAW EA5/DK5IM via DK5IM OM50SPSEKE via OM8AND 5T1R via A92AA EA8/LZ1ABC via LZ1ABC OP70BFS via ON2KFJ 6Y0AE via LZ4AE EA8/SM7BUA via SM7BUA PJ4/AD4ES via AD4ES & (L) 6Y0D via TA3D EA8JK via EB7DX (d/e) PX2A via PY2VM 7Q6M via K6ZO EF5T via EA5HT R164S via R6CF 9H1XT via 9H1BT (d) EF8R via EB7DX (d/L) R17YOTA via R17YOTA (CN) 9M6/NR1J via NR1J (**) EF8U via EA8URL (L) R1853S via R6CF AC2CX/KH2 via JE1JAC EH2EUS via EA2TP (O) SM0S via SM5BAX B4/DL1MGB via DL1MGB ES5/IU2FQW via IU2FQW SO4R via SP4PND CR2M via W6NV & (L) FY/DL7BC/P via DL7BC & (L) SP20ZIP via SP5ZIP CR3OO via W3HNK & (L) G6T via M0URX (O) SW9AA via LZ1PM CR3W via DL5AXX HF800PT via SP7PPT TM4K via F4EGZ CR5T via CS5ARC HG4FA via HA4BM TO1A via F5HRY (L) CT8/K0AV via K0AV & (L) KL7KY via S56ZZZ UN9GD via DL8KAC CT8/LZ2PE via LZ2PE LN8W via LA9VDA V5/DK1CE via DK1CE CT8/W6NV via W6NV M2G via M0OXO (O) VK9/PH7Y via PH7Y CT9/OM3GI via OM3GI NE9U/KP2 via NE9U YB9/DL3KZA via DL3KZA CT9/OM3RM via OM3RM OE/DJ1AA/M via DJ1AA YN2CC via AJ9C CW4MAX via EA5GL (d) OE0YOTA via OE0YOTA (C/N) YT17YOTA via YT17YOTA (C/N) DQ17YOTA via DQ17YOTA (C/N) OF2YOTA via OF2YOTA (C/N) ZW1CML via PY1CML DT23WOP via HL1IWD (N) OK/LX1UN via OK/LX1UN (***) ZW5B via K3IRV (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 (**) QSL only via the address to Singapore -- NR1J: Jun Muto, 89 Rangoon Road #02-04, Singapore, 218375, Singapore (***) OK/LX1UN: Alain Kieffer, Klimkovicka 2358/17, 70800 Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic LOGS ONLINE AT CLUBLOG.ORG THIS WEEK...... https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/5K0T https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/HC8LUT https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/TO2SP https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/V85/KC0W https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/VK9AR https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/VK9AR/6 https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/XU7XXX https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/ZA1WW 3C0L/3C1L QSL STATUS. On November 30th, it was reported: QSL cards are in printing. Soon QSLs for direct OQRS and sponsor QSOs will be mailed. On 10th of December priority LoTW upload will be done for sponsor and direct OQRS QSOs. PIRATE ALERT. The Daily DX reports: Leen, PD0LK, reports someone has been pirating his call as V73/PD0LK. QSL BUREAU REBUTTAL. A few weeks ago in OPDX.1238, we reported that Siso, HK3W, informed OPDX that he uses the URE's QSL Bureau system instead of the Colombia (HK) QSL Bureau. He stated, "because it won't arrive, your cards will disappear. So, don't waste your time and money, use Clublog.org OQRS systems, LoTW or EA4URE QSL Bureau to get your card or confirmation." Since then, Rob, HK3CW, President of the Colombian Ham Radio Associ- ation, LCRA - HK3LR- the Official IARU representative in Colombia, has contacted OPDX and wants to publish their rebuttal on the HK3W state- ments. PLEASE REMEMBER: The following statements are from HK3CW and not from the OPDX: 1) The incoming and outgoing HK bureau system works fine as has been since 1930 without fail, any issues are with the postal system not with the LCRA. 2) Mr. HK3W is NOT a member of the LCRA and has a systematic campaign against the LCRA as he was kicked out for unethical practices both in QSLing and pirate radio contacts. He has a conflicting personality and had many confrontations with HK hams for many years. 3) Mr. Hennessey has and will continue to receive his QSLs cards through the HK system as he has during his whole ham radio career. 4) The LCRA has a letter which we requested to the Liga Radio Bogotá (LRB) where we submit all zone 3 QSLs, stating that Mr. Hennessey has been receiving QSL cards without issues for many, many years. 5) Mr. Hennesey is a disgruntled ex-LCRA member who only seeks revenge for being dishonorably dismissed from the LCRA and the LRB. ** Direct all comments and questions to HK3CW (not the OPDX) at: Roberto Rey <cwdude@gmail.com> QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 9M6NA, 9X0TA, BG2AUE, BH4IGO, BV1EL, CT4NH, DL1NKS, J5T, OH0JV, PZ5V, S79K, T77C, VE3VEE, VQ917JC and ZL9BQD QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 4S7AYG, E6AG, FP/M0BLF, LU3ZI, TU2C, VP6EU, VU2GSM and Z21HS QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 4O/HA3NU, 7P8EUDXF, 9K2NO, C21HA, EM10UFF, EM20WOC, EM25HQ, EM80EM, EM300WCP, EN90W, EN200RT, EO23I, EO25F, EO90US, FM/UT5UGR, HA10SOTA, HB0/HA7JTR, HG0IDPD, HG5FIRAC, HG25PANEU, HG90IARU, TF/OK4MM and TO7A RI50, SOUTH SHETLANDS ISLANDS (Special Event).- Alex, UA1OJL/RI1ANO, will be active with the special callsign, RI50ANO, from Kinge George Island (AN-010) between January 1st and March 31st, 2018. The special callsign is to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Bellingshausen station. Activity will be limited to his spare time and on various HF bands using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via RN1ON, direct, by the Bureau, ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW. ADDED NOTE: A special diploma is planned... T8 PALAU........... * Ryosei, JH0IXE, will once again be active as T8CW from the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009) between December 27th and January 5th, 2018. Activity will be on 80-6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, JT65 ad PSK31. QSL via JA2KCT by the Bureau, JH0IXE direct, LoTW or eQSL. He now has a Web page at: http://t8cw.idou.net * Nobuaki, JA0JHQ, will once again be active as T88PB from the VIP- Guest Hotel in Koror City, Palau, between January 27-31st. Activity will be on various HF bands using SSB. QSL via JA0JHQ. For more details and updates, see his Web page at: http://pandasan.jimdo.com * Mitsuhiko, JL3WXS, will be active as T88XS from the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009), between February 1-5th. No other details available. QSL via JL3WXS. * Ichiro, JH7IPR, will once again be active as T88UW from the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009), between April 13-19th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, AM, FT8, JT65 and JT9. QSL T88UW via JH7IPR, direct, by the Bureau, eQSL, LoTW or ClubLog. * Operators Kazuhiro/JA7WFT (T88FT) and Shinichi/JI6IHG (T88IH) will once again be active from the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009) between April 17-25th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB, JT65 and JT9. QSL T88IH via JI6IHG. QSL T88FT via JA7WFT. ** For more details about the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room), see: http://www.palau-radio.com/index.php?page=rr2014 TZ, MALI. Fox, PD0FOX, has been active as TZ/PD0FOX since June from Gao, Mali. He is there working for the UN until January 2018. Look for him daily on +/- 14195 kHz between 1400-1700z, and +/- 7095 kHz between 1800-1900z. He is using only 20 watts into a vertical antenna. Look for QSLs to be sent out after May 2018. V4, ST. KITTS AND NEVIS. Bernie, W3UR, editor of the Daily DX and Weekly DX, and his wife Becky, N3OSH, will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary from John's, W5JON/V47JA, Calypso Bay QTH, on St. Kitts, between January 29th and February 12th. Activity will be limited during Bernie's spare time as V47UR on 160-6 meters using CW and SSB. V5, NAMIBIA. Ulmar, DK1CE, is once again active as V5/DK1CE near Omaruru until December 15th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters (he prefers 40/30m between 1800-2200z) using CW. QSL via DK1CE, direct or by the Bureau. V8, BRUNEI. Tom, KC0W, continues to be active as V85/KC0W from Brunei around December 10th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters using CW. Tom states, "I have given up on working FT8 after making 67 QSOs. Too many idiots who have no clue what they are doing drove me to the brink of insanity....... Local Electrical Noise on 40/30 meters is S7 - S9++. Unlicensed SSB QRM on 40/30 Meters is Even Worse. Operate QRO if you can." He is using a Yaesu FT-857d at 80 watts and 100% CW. QSL via his home callsign direct. No LoTW. No Bureau. VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS. John, N9EAJ, will be active as VP5/N9EAJ from Grand Turk Island (NA-003) between December 27th and February 4th, 2018. He states, "Please be patient with me as I am not a skilled contester nor DXpeditioner, just an average operator that does not have much ex- perience with pileups, but enjoys 'playing radio'. This is not a DXpedition - I will be balancing radio along with snorkeling, diving, fishing, and relaxing with friends and family." Activity will be on 40-10 meters, possibly 80m, using CW and SSB. He will (if all goes according to plan) have a Kenwood 590 with an Elecraft KPA500 amp into a CrankIR close to the waters edge. He hopes to post his logs to LoTW and ClubLog, "IF" internet access has been restored to the villa - it was knocked out with the passing of hurricane Irma. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau (slow). VP6/D, DUCIE ISLAND (Press Release #1, dated December 1st)[edited]. VP6D Ducie Island 2018 DXpedition (OC-182) -- The Perseverance DX Group <pdxg.net> is pleased to announce their planned activation of Ducie Island (a Marine Protected Area), currently ClubLog #29 most wanted. Planning has begun for an expedition in Oct/Nov, 2018. Landing permission, visas and radio license have been issued. A team of 14 operators will be on the island for up to 14 days. The team will depart from Mangareva, French Polynesia, aboard the expedition ship Braveheart. Seven (7) operating positions are planned for 160-10 meters, SSB/CW/Digital, including FT8. The team includes: Dave/K3EL, Pista/HA5AO, Les/W2LK, Heye/DJ9RR, Mike/ WA6O, Jacky/ZL3CW, Arnie/N6HC, Steve/W1SRD, Chris/N6WM, Laci/HA0NAR, Ricardo/PY2PT, Walt/N6XG and Gene/K5GS, currently one open position to be filled. Watch the usual DX sources we will announce additional details as they develop. Website <http://vp6d.com>, Twitter <https://twitter.com/VP6D_2018> and Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/VP6D-Ducie-2018-1470984209616170/> will also be available. Please direct questions to: info@vp6d.com 73, Team Ducie – 2018 XR0Y, EASTER ISLANDS (Update). A German team has announced their next DXpedition will be to Hanga Roa, Easter Island (CE0Y). This time the group consists of experienced team members Andy/DH8WR, Werner/DJ9KH, Guenter/DL2AWG, Norbert/DL2RNS, Georg/DL4SVA, Paul/DL5CW, Olaf/DL7JOM, Wolf/DM2AUJ, Kalle/DM3BJ and Rolf/DL7VEE (Team Leader). Their callsign, XR0YD, has been confirmed and the dates of activities are between March 2-15th, 2018. They will have three well equipped stations on the air 24/7 on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. Suggested frequencies are: CW - 1825, 3526, 7026, 10102, 14026, 18086, 21026, 24906 and 28026 kHz SSB - 1848, 3805, 7095/7182, 14210, 18120, 21275, 24955 and 28465 kHz RTTY - 3595, 7046, 10144, 14090, 18096, 21090, 24919 and 28090 kHz FT8 - 1840, 3573, 7074, 10136, 14075, 18100, 21074, 24915 and 28074 kHz QSL via Manager DL4SVA, ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW 6 months later. Their Web page is now online at: http://xr0yd.mydx.de -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- TO BE ADDED TO THE OPDX MAILING LIST -- Click or send requests to: Help: <mailtopdx-request@barf80.org?subject=help> Subscribe: <mailtopdx-request@barf80.org?subject=subscribe> Unsubscribe: <mailtopdx-request@barf80.org?subject=unsubscribe> OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME PAGE (provided by John, K8YSE): http://www.papays.com/opdx.html NOW ON 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@barf80.nshore.org> OR <kb8nw@arrl.net> OR <kb8nw@hotmail.com> Information can now be faxed to the following phone line at: 1-419-828-7791 (F A X only!) /EXIT -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-