SB DX @ WW < KB8NW $OPDX.1425 Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1425 The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster DX Bulletin No. 1425 BID: $OPDX.1425 August 5, 2019 Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio) Written/Sent from Strongsville, Ohio Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, the AB5K's AR Cluster Networks, NJ1Q & W1AW, W2VU, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, WB6RSE, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, W9ILY, DL1EKC, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, PD3H, RN3RQ, RW6HS , 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, 28th-July, through Sunday, 4th-August there were 209 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5W, 5Z, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A4, A6, A7, A9, BV, BY, C3, C5, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, CY9, D4, DL, DU, E4, E5/n, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FH, FK, FM, FO, FO/a, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OJ0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PY, PY0F, PZ, R1FJ, S0, S2, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T33, T5, T7, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TU, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9L, VK9X, VP2M, VP2V, VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XX9, YA, YB, YJ, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z3, Z6, Z8, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZF, ZL, ZP, ZS * PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations or more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work First Worry Later". 3W9, VIETNAM. Jacek, SP5APW, and his wife are planning to visit Dao Co To (AS-132) between the end of September and the start of October. He is plans to be active as 3W9KJ (callsign pending). Activity will be mainly FT8/FT4 possibly on 40/30 meters with some SSB (if conditions allow) using 100 watts into a wire QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau, LoTW or ClubLog's OQRS. 3Y0I BOUVET ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS (Video). 3Y0I Team member Mietek, SP3CMX, has put together a 27:19 video on the team's first attempt to go to the island called “The Road To Bouvet”. They say “Buckle up” to viewn it at: 8Q, MALDIVES (Reminder/Update). Gil, IZ2DLV, will once again be active from as 8Q7GB Nika Island in the Maldives between August 4-18th. Activity will be holiday style on 40/30/20/17/15 meters using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via LoTW or ClubLog. 9G, GHANA. Chip, KB1QU, will be active as 9G5QU between September 8-21st. Activity will be on 40/30/20 meters using CW, FT8 and FT4. QSL via N4GNR direct. A8, LIBERIA (Update/Confirmed Dates). The Italian DXpedition Team will be active from Liberia between September 28th and October 11th. They plan to use two callsigns: A82X for CW, SSB and RTTY; A82Z for FT8 only. The 11 operators mentioned are Silvano/I2YSB, Vinicio/IK2CIO, Angelo/IK2CKR, Marcello/IK2DIA, Stefano/IK2HKT, Alfeo/I1HJT, Franco/I1FQH, Tony/I2PJA, Gino/IK2RZP, Alberto/IZ2XAF and Mac/JA3USA. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. Suggested frequencies are: CW - 1826, 3530, 7025, 10115, 14030, 18068, 21030, 24890 and 28030 kHz SSB - 3775, 7090, 14240, 18130, 21310, 24950 and 28470 kHz RTTY - 14084 kHz FT8 - 1843, 3585, 7056, 10131, 14080, 18095, 21091, 24911 and 28091 kHz For JA STATIONS ONLY -- FT8 on 160m use normal mode; TX frq 1845 kHz and RX frq is 1908 kHz They are planning to use 5 stations with maximum flexibility. QSL via OQRS (http://win.i2ysb.com/logonline/). QSL via I2YSB direct only or LoTW after the operation. They will also be using a "Real-Time Online Logging" (internet permitting), including their FT8 activity as A82Z. For more details, updates, and a survey on bands/needs, see: http://www.i2ysb.com/idt C21, NAURU. Operators Yuris/YL2GM, Jack/YL2KA, Kaspars/YL1ZF and Kristers/ YL3JA will be active as C21W from Nauru (OC-031) after their Western Kiribati operation (see T30 below) between September 16-25th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters, possibly 60m, using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. The suggested frequencies will be published later. Split operation will always be used: QSX CW up 2 (160m down 2, JA 1810-1820); and QSX SSB/RTTY up 5. QSL via YL2GN direct or ClubLog (for direct or by the Bureau) for paper QSLs. Full LoTW upload will be done 6 months after the end of the DXPedition. For more details and updates, see: http://www.lral.lv/c21w_t30l/index.html Please do not send log correction requests. Corrections will not be provided. All individual supporters 20 USDs+ will receive direct QSL. Please do not send your QSL to them via Bureau - they are not required. CQ NEWS (Press Release, date July 30th). "Dhruv Rebba, KC9ZJX, Named 2019 Newsline Young Ham of the Year" -- Dhruv Rebba, KC9ZJX, of Normal, Illinois, has been selected as the "2019 Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year". Dhruv, 15, is the son of Hari Rebba, VU2SPZ, and Shailaja Panyam. He is entering his sophomore year at the Normal Community High School this fall. He is a member of the Central Illinois Radio Club. Dhruv earned his Technician Class license in 2013 when he was only 9 years old. He followed it up by passing the test for a General Class license a year later. Dhruv says his interest in amateur radio was sparked by a 2013 visit to the Dayton Hamvention(R) with his father, a long-time amateur radio operator from India who settled in the U.S..... Read the complete press release at: http://cqnewsroom.blogspot.com Also read the ARRL press release at: http://www.arrl.org/news/view/dhruv-rebba-kc9zjx-is-2019-newsline-young-ham-of-the-year CR3/CT9, MADEIRA ISLANDS. Operators Gerd/DF9TS, Detlef/DK3QZ, Michael/DK6QW, Marcus/DL1EKC, Kai/DL3HAH and Andreas/DL3YM will be active as CR3W from Santana, Madeira Island (AF-014), during the Worked All Europe DX CW Contest (WAEDC) (August 10-11th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL CR3W via DL5AXX, OQRS (see QRZ.com) or LoTW. Look for operators to be active out- side of the contest as CT9/homecall usually on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via their home callsigns. CY9, ST. PAUL ISLAND. After a small delay, the CY9C team is now active until August 8th. Activity is on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB, FT8 in DXpedition mode, EME, and on various Satellites. QSLs will be available: ClubLog, LoTW, direct via WA4DAN. PLEASE NOTE: No Bureau or No IRCs. For more details and updates, watch: http://cy9c.com DXCC'S MOST WANTED (ClubLog). The "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list has been updated on ClubLog as of July 29th. The list contains 340 entities. The following are the top 10 entities: 1. P5 DPRK (North Korea) 6. BV9P Pratas Island 2. 3Y/B Bouvet Island 7. KH7K Kure Island 3. FT5/W Crozet Island 8. KH3 Johnston Island 4. BS7H Scarborough Reef 9. FT5/X Kerguelen Island 5. CE0X San Felix Islands 10. 3Y/P Peter 1 Island No changes this month. The complete "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list is available at: https://secure.clublog.org/mostwanted.php DXCC NEWS. The following operations have been approved for DXCC credit: CY9C -- St. Paul Island; 2019 operation T6AA and T6A -- Afghanistan; 2019 operations H4, SOLOMON ISLANDS. Operators Michael/DL2GMI and Bernhard/DL2GAC will be active as H44MI and H44MS, respectively from Malaita Island (OC-047) between August 23rd and September 2nd. Activity will be on 80/40/20/15/ 10/6 meters using SSB, RTTY and FT8 (normal mode or F/H-Mode according to the activity). QSL via their home callsign, by the Bureau, direct or LoTW. Maybe a OQRS later. IOTA NEWS.............. AS-025. Operators Valdimir/RV1CC and Yuri/RM0F will be active as RV1CC/0 and RM0F/P, respectively, from Iturup Island beginning August 15th. Activity will be on various HF bands. QSL via details on QRZ.com. AS-063/ (Update) The RQ73QQ operation (AS-152) has been cancelled due AS-152. to security reasons (many polar bears on the island now and bad weather for a small boat). The R63RRC operation (AS-063) has made about 10K QSO; 1100 in the RSGB IOTA Contest. AS-206. Take, JA8COE, will be active as JA8COE/0 from Sado Island between September 22-24th. Activity will be on various HF bands using CW, SSB and FT8. The focus will be on EU and low power NA stations. QSL via his home callsign or ClubLog's OQRS. For updates, watch his Blog at: https://blog.goo.ne.jp/takaja8coe AS-206. Kenji, JA4GXS, will be active as JA4GXS/0 from Sado Island, in the Honshu's Coastal Islands East IOTA Group, between October 26-28th. Activity will be on 20/17 meters using CW and FT8. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau. AS-206. Ichy, JH7IPR, will be active as JH7IPR/7 from Oshima Island "before noon" (JST time), August 9th, and "around noon" (JST time) on August 10th. Activity will be focused on 40/20 meters using FT8 with some CW. He states, "However, if 6m opens, will work on 6m. Will be active on CW accordingly. Depends on the situation, I might extend one more day." QSL via the Bureau; ClubLog will be available once the system accepts the log upload (It seems to have 30 day rules for the newly validated IOTA#). EU-112. Operators Thor/DK7RD, Paul/G4PVM and Col/MM0NDX are planning to activate Europe's 5th most wanted IOTA, Shiant Isles, as MS0INT between August 23-25th. Activity will be on various HF bands using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via M0SDV. EU-191. Operators Da/YO3GA, Mircea/YO4GKP, Alina/YO9RYJ, Petrica/YO9RIJ and possibly others will be active as YP0F from Fericirii Island between August 27th-September 1st. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via YO9RIJ. NA-008. (Zone 2) VY0ERC is once again active from the Eureka Weather station and the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably the most northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from Eureka, Nunavut, on the air until August 20th. A list of the operating team was not provided. The suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters (possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60, EQ79) using SSB, the Digital modes and very slow CW. Activity will be limited to his spare time. QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or direct. NA-176. Pierre, VE2GT, is planning a one day operation from Île du Havre, and will be active as VE2GT/150 between 1330-1530z on September 1st. Activity will be on various HF bands; pro- bably on IOTA frequencies. Track Pierre's progress on APRS at: https://aprs.fi/#!call=a/VE2GT-5&timerange=3600&tail=3600 NA-210. (Update) Members of the Russian Robinson Club are planning to activate Sledge Island as KL7RRC/P between August 27th and September 2nd. Operators mentioned are are planning to activate Sledge Island as KL7RRC/P. Operators mentioned are Mike/AD5A, Yuri/UA9OBA and Yuri/N3QQ. Activity will be on 40-6 meters using CW, SSB and FT8, with possibly 2-3 stations. FT8 will be on 24/7 as a beacon on two bands F/H mode. QSL via N7RO or ClubLog (will be uploaded after the expedition). A Web page is now available at: https://www.na-234.com NA-211. Operators Yuri/N3QQ, Cezar/VE3LYC, Sandro/VE7NY and Adrian/ KO8SCA will be active as K7TRI from the rare IOTA Tillamook Rock between September 6-9th. This IOTA is in demand by almost 94% of IOTA members, and has been on the air only once in 21 years. Activity will be on 40-17 meters using CW and SSB. This is a very expensive and challenging project, and they are actively looking for possible support from IOTA chasers and DXers at large. All donors will be promptly acknowledged on their Web site at: http://k7tri.weebly.com QSL via VE3LYC, direct or by the Bureau. The preferred method is ClubLog (for direct or by the Bureau). SA-100. (Update) The current list of operators of Diego/CA1DBD, Fer- nando/CA1FCS, Juan/CE1DN, Sergio/CE3WW, Zoli/HA1AG, Nando/ IT9YRE, Carlo/XQ1CR, Claudio/XQ1FM and Danilo/XQ4CW, will be active as 3G1DX from Pajaros Rocks for 3 days sometime around October 18-23rd (plan is October 18-20th). This will depend on the swells around the island. They plan to work hard during the day hours, but they are not sure during the evening hours due to the high tides. Activity will be mainly SSB and CW, using two stations. Pilot station is Alfio/IT9EJW. QSL via IT9YRE - OQRS preferred . For more details and updates, see: http://www.it9yre.it/3g1dx PLEASE NOTE: It is very hard and dangerous to land on the Rock so please absolutely do not dupe the QSO ! ! ! Restructuring of AS-117/AS-206. On the IOTA Web page (iota-world.org), Roger, G3KMA, on July 30th, posted the following: Islands previously listed as qualifying for AS-117 that now fall within the co-ordinates box of the new group AS-206, Honshu’s Coastal Islands East, have now been transferred and are listed appropriately both in the application database scroll-down list and in the IOTA Directory online. Following several activations from AS-206 in the last few weeks with most already accepted for credit, the group number is now confirmed. Record-holders with credits for AS-117 that commence with prefixes JA0, 1, 2 and 7, will have their credits reviewed for transfer to AS-206. All chasers who logged into the IOTA system at least once during the last two years will be automatically informed by a credit re-allocation. This will alert them to the need to find a replacement card or QSO match for AS-117 with a prefix JA3, 4 or 9 to regain credit. Other record-holders for whom Management no longer retains an email address will have any necessary transfer made automatically. The intention is to transfer all credits to the correct IOTA group within a few weeks. As this is quite a big job, patience is requested. 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...... KH4, MIDWAY ISLAND. Ron, KH6DV, from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, announced on July 31st, that a KH6VV/KH4 DXpedition will take place during the second half of February 2020. He states on QRZ.com, "Midway Atoll is #14 on the ClubLog most wanted list and has not been active for some time. The air- craft used for the logistics flights has been downsized and visitors are no longer allowed to fly to the island. Operators interested in joining the expedition should be prepared to undertake a 6.75 day ocean voyage. The vessel DXpedition veteran the 'A/S Machias' can be seen on my KH6DV QRZ.com page. The vessel will provide all power (2 x 27KW generators) and air conditioned sleeping, operating and galley areas. For operators who would like to join the expedition, please send me an email. Anyone with FT-8 F&H experience from the expedition side please state so. What we need: About 11 operators. Someone with experience in contacting DX clubs to solicit donations. Donations are being accepted at the expedition PayPal account (KH6VV@outlook.com). Make sure you note your callsign so we can add you to the express LoTW list." QSL KH6VV/KH4 ONLY via ClubLog's OQRS. ADDED UPDATES (FROM DX-WORLD.NET) by Ron, KH6DV: * August 2nd -- "Upon further review by the DXCC desk we will be moving the equipment and operators to land. As I said whatever it takes to count. We won't be going to these efforts to not count. All will be documented." * August 3rd -- "We have a list of 10 well experienced expedition operators on the high interest list which is 1-2 fewer then we need. These were received in the first day and a half after the announcement. My hope is that now that we are into the weekend people will have time to consider making the trip. I believe one of the problems is that so many have been there on the last expedition 10 years ago and are looking for new places to go rather then a return to somewhere they have been. We will let this run till about August 15th at which time we need to make the decision to proceed or delay till later in the year." OPDX MAILING LIST (Just A Reminder). The "new" OPDX Mailing List is back up and running! Details on how to subscribe/unsubscribe are at the bottom of this bulletin. PLEASE pass the word around.... Thanks and 73 de Tedd KB8NW PA75, THE NETHERLANDS. Look for special event station PA75OMG to be active between September 12-22st. Activity is to commemorate and celebrate the anniversary of freedom. As part of Operation Market Garden(OMG) in World War II, paratroopers of the allied forces, such as American, British, Canadian, Polish and Dutch troops, landed in the Nijmegen region on Sep- tember the 17th, 1944, and the region would soon be liberated after four years of German occupation. During the 10 days of activity, they will try to work as many amateur radio operators across the world as possible. QSL via the infon on QRZ.com. For more details and pictures, see: https://pa75omg.nl PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (August 5-11th)....... Aug/05th HN Aug/08th AN Aug/10th AN Aug/06th HN Aug/09th AN Aug/11th AN Aug/07th AN SOLAR REFERENCE KEYS/INDEXES AND GEOMAGNETIC REFERENCE ====================================================== NORMALITY GEOMAG K Values Alpha ----------------- ------ -------- ------ AN - Above Normal Quiet K=0-1 0-7 HN - High Normal Unsettled K=2 8-15 LN - Low Normal Active K=3 16-29 BN - Below Normal Minor Storm K=4 30-49 DIS - Disturbed Major Storm K=5 50-99 VRY DIS - Very Disturbed Severe Storm K=6-9 100-400 Meanwhile, check out the following Web sites for propagation: * VOACAP predication Web page at: http://www.voacap.com/hf and http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html * DX.QSL.NET Propagation page: https://dx.qsl.net/propagation * A daily HF radio wave propagation forecast can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/thomasfranklingiellaw4hm * SolarHam Web page: http://www.solarham.net * Radio Propagation/Space Weather/Sunspot Cycle Information at: http://sunspotwatch.com * Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve overseas locations are at: http://arrl.org/propagation * Information and tutorials on propagation are at: http://k9la.us * Graphic propagation tool by DR2W: http://www.dr2w.de/dx-propagation * Point to point propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk/p2p.html * Realtime propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk * Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@GiellaW4hm QSL INFO AND NEWS................... QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF (www.qslinfo.eu) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** Next QSL Infos on Sunday, August 18, 2019 (e) eQSL only (d) direct only (B) Bureau only (*-B) DX's- Bureau (O) OQRS only (C) ClubLog only (L) LoTW only (N) No QSL needed (I) No IRC (P) PayPal (NB) No Bureau LOGS ONLINE AT CLUBLOG.ORG THIS WEEK...... https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/CY9C https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/OJ0DX https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/OJ9A https://secure.clublog.org/logsearch/TO5M OZ/DL3DW via DL3DW. Activity during the RSGB IOTA Contest from Falster Island (EU-029). QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 1A0C, 7X2TT, C5DL, C6ADX, CE3TL, EA5WO, EW7BA, F8DBF, HA7TM, HB0WR, HZ1SK, J69DS, KN0E/KH3, OJ0DX, OZ1TMK, RA4HL, S21SM, T2AR, UA2K, UN7LZ, VE4VT, VE4WQ, YB8OUN, YJ0GA and YO3JR QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: AO50MOON, 5W0H, DU1UD/8 (OC-105), E77E, GU3HFN, K7Y (NA-250), LZ1NP, S9A, VK6MAV/6 (OC-211), VK6MAV/6 (OC-183) and ZB2FK QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 4E1CVB/4 (OC-202), 4S7KKG, 5W0DXA, 5X2B, 6Y1M, 8Q7PW, 9M4DXX, 9Q0HQ, A35EU, A52ZB, CP8MW, E51JHQ, HC5F, HC5M, HZ1FI, JD1BPH, JG8NQJ/JD1, KC4/N2TA, KH2F, PJ4P, RI0BC (AS-042), RI1OB (EU-133), T31EU, T6/IZ1CCK, TK/DB4BJ, UK/R1ZY, V31FO, VC7J (NA-036), VC7X (NA-036), XV9YM, YE4/DL3KZA (OC-144), Z66X, ZA/DF8AN and ZA/DK8FA --- We would like to see more QSL Bureaus (such as AS/US/SA/AF.. etc) to send in their info.... SV/A, MT. ATHOS (Monk Iakovos, SV2RSG, Mount Athos News). The following is a letter written by Monk Iakovos, SV2RSG, and was provided by Theodore Giamtsidis, SV1GRM: Dear Radio Amateur friends, I am Monk Iakovos from the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou of Mount Athos, bearing the distinct amateur radio call sign SV2RSG. I hereby take the liberty to contact you and write in the circumstances of what has been circulated as sporadic rumors regarding Mount Athos, Monk Apollo and me in conjunction to the issue of ham radio activities (radio amateur). My sole purpose and intention is to provide clarification, based on actual facts and figures, in restoration of the truth. Regarding my eligi- bility as a radio amateur and solid proof of it, there are the relevant official records in the competent state service offices in Thessaloniki but also in the pertinent Ministry in Athens, for anyone interested in accessing, verifying, learning more, as well as relevant accompanying photographic material that has come under exposure to public eye at various given time periods. Concerning the subject of a radio amateur license held by the passed Monk Apollo (SV2ASP), whether licensed by the Holy Community (Greek Hiera Koenotes) of Mount Athos for Amateur Radio Broadcasting, I would like to clarify the following: The Holy Community has never shown any sign of interest in this issue, until as recently as only 4 years ago. The only permission granted to the late blessed Monk Apollo was for radio warning communications (regarding natural as well as other serious environmental hazards and disasters), in order to provide wider relative information on local and near periphery level and thus triggering response and support on combating, restricting and mitigating these disasters. On the other hand, it was exactly the outbreak of a ravaging wildfire on Mount Athos with terrible catastrophic effects that provided the motive for a more positive disposition towards mentioned ham radio activity. However, there has never actually been a permit for ham radio amateur contests or daily ham radio activities, nor has it been any concern in the interests of the Holy Community to deal with this issue, since the Holy Community had at the time and still has much more serious and important issues of actual substance to resolve and deal with than those pertinent to a solitary Monk in his individual activity. I say “individual activity” because the Monastery to which Monk Apollo belonged had not requested for such actions, and had not put forth an official Monastic request as such. This was also further demonstrated by the total ignorance of the Holy Community about the actions of Monk Apollo but also with their absence of knowledge regarding the definition, prin- ciples, purpose, and key-functions of Amateur Radio. This fact alone is a response to those who invoke issues of licenses and concessions. This is also the reason why Monk Apollo did broadcast with Thessaloniki as signal mark location and “/A” mark location on Mount Athos, precisely because the base and station of transmission had to be lawfully seated in Thessaloniki and not on Mount Athos. Having thus no serious and formal information provided on the subject from those who were directly involved and concerned, the Holy Community considered the use and action of Ham Radio as a notion opposing tradition and unrelated to Monasticism and its own tradition. This at the exact very same time when Mount Athos is overwhelmed and flooded with constant use of Internet, YouTube, email, social media, mobile phone applications and every other wireless and recent technological invention services. Although people nowadays do say “mobile” and they mean “cellular phone” the intended proper term to actually use is “radio” (frequency telecommuni- cations). I tried with all my kind disposition and due respect to explain, clarify and inform the Holy Epistasia – the Holy Supervisory Committee of the Community (Greek Hiera Epistasia) – on the issue of “Ham/Amateur Radio”, at the time when the Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou sent me as a member of their delegation regarding the Monastic request of a ham radio station installation. The Koutloumousiou delegation consisted of Monk Iakovos (SV2RSG), as the representative of the Holy Monastery, the Monk driver and one more Monk, all present during our presentation and attending the whole hearing process of the Monastic request. Representatives of the Holy Epistasia of the Holy Community of Mount Athos were the Holy Protepistate and other two Monastery Epistates (Supervisors). Immediately, it became obviously clear that the Holy Protepistate and the Monastery Epistates had, plausibly, no previous or current knowledge of what Ham Radio is in general, its advantages and how it works. In spite of my personal attempt to explain in detail, fill in any gaps or answer eventual queries, unfortunately no one was finally convinced of the use and usefulness of traditional amateur radio, not because they were not convinced based on reasoning and argumentation, but because there was lack of disposition towards dealing with the subject. On the contrary, in reply to our presentation, I was met with many negative comments and criticism about Monk Apollo and his ham radio activities that I would not ever disclose for the sake of respect and esteem for the late brother Monk Apollo. On many occasions I have even received rebukes, insults and slander from friends of Monk Apollo and other Ham Radio amateurs, mostly anonymous.. Mentioned above was certainly not with any intention to put blame or accusation on anyone at all, I just need to attribute the truth to the events and actual facts that happened between people we are struggling together with in our weaknesses, passions and selfishness, during our common spiritual struggle and objectives. However, nowadays that we are going through a time period of total radio silence and relevant activity in Mount Athos, this due to plausible ignorance and partial lack of interest in such ham radio activities on the part of the Holy Community (because of so many other more important and pressing issues demanding our attention) we do have the opportunity to make an appeal. With the status of a Holy Mount Athos Monk and as a Radio Amateur at the same time, I invite and urge you and all those who love Mount Athos and the tradition of Amateur Radio to join our hearts and voices in sending letters or emails of support in spirit of respect to the Holy Community, and pray and request for: Its reconsideration on the issue and – granting their kind permission to install radio communications station(s), not to any individual Monks, but to any of the Holy Monasteries that do wish to install and operate such an installation (after decision of the Monasteries’ ‘Committee’ and the ‘Council of Elders’) by designating / appointing a Monk Radio Operator responsible for its proper function, under the stand- ards and guidelines of well-established international and domestic tele- communication rules and regulations. Glory be to God and our Lord Saviour Jesus Christ for all things! In spirit of Jesus Christ’s love for all. Monk Iakovos Koutloumousianos, SV2RSG T30, WESTERN KIRIBATI. Operators Yuris/YL2GM, Jack/YL2KA, Kaspars/YL1ZF and Kristers/YL3JA will be active as T30L from Western Kiribati (OC-017) before their Nauru operation (see C2 above) between September 6-15th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters, possibly 60m, using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. Suggested frequencies will be published later. Split operation will always be used: QSX CW up 2 (160m down 2, JA 1810-1820); and QSX SSB/RTTY up 5. QSL via YL2GN direct or ClubLog (for direct or by the Bureau) for paper QSLs. Full LoTW upload will be done 6 months after the end of the DXPedition. For more details and updates, see: http://www.lral.lv/c21w_t30l/index.html Please do not send log correction requests. Corrections will not be provided. All individual supporters 20 USDs+ will receive direct QSL. Please do not send your QSL to them via Bureau - they are not required. T45, CUBA (LH Op) Members of the DX Punta Maya Group will be active as T45FM from the Punta Maya Lighthouse (NA-105, ILLW CU-032, ARLHS CU-005) between August 15-19th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. An emphasis will be on the International Light- house/Lightship Weekend (ILLW). Operators of this special station will be CO2DSE, CO5MK, CO5AY, CO5NS, CO5JK CO2ROD, CO5LB, CO5DOR, CO5SD, CO5FR, CL5HMB and CO5HCM/W4HCM. QSL via RW6HS V2, ANTIGUA. Bud, AA3B, will once again be active as V26K from Antigua (NA-100) between September 8-20th. Activity will be sporadic because he is doing maintenance on the station but will be primarily CW on various HF bands. QSL via LoTW or via AA3B, direct or by the Bureau. An OQRS will be available via ClubLog. V6, MICRONESIA. Al, K7AR, will be active as V63AR from the South Park Hotel on Pohnpei Island (OC-010) between November 18-26th. Activity will be on various HF bands with a focus on 160/80m and including the CQWW DX CW Contest (November 23-24th). QSL via his callsign. PLEASE NOTE: This callsign was used once before in 2015 (QSL via JH2BNL). VK9L, LORD HOWE ISLAND (Reminder). By the time you read this, Rick, AI5P, should be active as VK9APX from Lord Howe Island (OC-004) until August 10th. Activity will be on 40-17 meters using CW and FT8. QSL via AI5P, direct or by the Bureau. No LoTW, eQSL or ClubLog. VK9L, LORD HOWE ISLAND. Michael, DF8AN, will be active as VK9LQ from Lord Howe Island (OC-004) between November 21-27th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, RTTY, FT8 and other Digital modes. Michael states that he "will work in FT8 DXPedition mode only if too many callers", but he will mainly not work in DXPedition mode. Also, check the regular FT8 frequencies, and if too many callers, he will QSY to 14090, 7045 or 10142 in the DXPedition mode. QSL via DF8AN, direct, by the Bureau or eQSL. NO ClubLog, OQRS or LoTW. *********************************************************************** TO BE ADDED TO THE OPDX MAILING LIST -- Click or send requests to: Subscribe: (mailto:kb8nw@hotmail.com?subject=subscribe) Unsubscribe: (mailto:kb8nw@hotmail.com?subject=unsubscribe) Just a reminder, you can still obtain the OPDX Bulletins via the OPDX Web page (provided by John, K8YSE) [http://www.papays.com/opdx.html], QRZ.com (under Forums; News; Special Events, Contests.. etc.), several DX Mailing Lists, and two different UseNet Groups (rec.radio.info and rec.radio.amateur.dx). The weekly bulletin (issue # from the OPDX Web page URL) is also posted on the following Media pages: NODXA FaceBook -- https://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation Twitter -- https://twitter.com/kb8nw_opdx ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB PAGES AT: http://www.nodxa.org/ http://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation *********************************************************************** * All excerpts and distribution of "The OPDX Bulletin" are granted as long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receives credit. ** To contribute DX info, please send via InterNet Mail to: (kb8nw@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!) ....... 73 de Tedd KB8NW /EXIT ***********************************************************************
