Eastern Iowa DX Association
Welcome to the
Eastern Iowa DX Association web site! Our club is open to any amateur
radio operator who is interested in DXing and/or contesting. You are
cordially invited to attend club meetings and get aquainted.
We
have many friendly, outgoing members with varied areas of expertise,
who would be delighted to meet you and offer their help as needed.
(Detailed club information is on
the
"About EIDXA" page.)
EIDXA News (Updated October 21, 2019)
EIDXA October 2019 Meeting
The October meeting will be held on Friday in October 18th at our normal meeting
location, the Hall Perrine Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center in
Cedar
Rapids. The doors will
open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. Complete
details,
including
an aerial photo map, may be found on the "Meetings"
page.
Note: The presentation by Al, KØVM from the October 2019 meeting is available for download on the "Meetings" page.
October 2019
Eastern Iowa DXer
The October 2019 edition of the Eastern
Iowa DXer
is now available on the "Newsletter"
page. Bob, WØGXA, has as usual put together a great
newsletter, loaded
with
good information. Be sure you
don't miss it!
Buy-Sell-Trade Listings
There are several interesting listings of equipment for sale on the "Buy-Sell-Trade"
page -- take a look!
EIDXA
Email Reflector
The EIDXA email reflector is available for your use. To post to
the reflector, email
your message for the group to: eastern-iowa-dx-association@googlegroups.com
The reflector allows you to include photos or other files in your
message.
You may visit the group homepage
here:
https://groups.google.com/group/eastern-iowa-dx-association
The homepage has a complete archive of all messages exchanged
via the
group.
DX News (Updated December 1, 2019)
DX News
items are courtesy of:
The Ohio/Penn DX
Bulletin
(OPDX)
Tedd
Mirgliotta, KB8NW, Editor (kb8nw@hotmail.com
or kb8nw@arrl.net)
The bulletin is available at http://www.papays.com/opdx.html
This list is a compilation of current
DX operations (or those that start within the current week) from recent
issues of the OPDX bulletin, with the dates of operation highlighted in
red.
The items appear in order of callsign prefix. Hot links are provided
for QSL information wherever possible. Credit for the source is given
at the end of each item.
3D2/R ROTUMA DXPEDITION NEWS.
Antoine, 3D2AG, reports on November 29th the following on QRZ.com:
"Sailing to Rotuma is now confirmed for the 14th of December, with
start of operations around the 17th of December.
Because of the need to take drums of diesel fuel, a heavy-duty
generator, and other equipment flying is not an option. Focus will be
on low bands including 160m, 80m and 60m, with QRO when required. There
will be NO internet access during the expedition; FT8 logs will be
uploaded to Club- Log AFTER the expedition and CW/SSB/RTTY contacts
will be recorded on paper logs as customary for this OP. Efforts are
being made now to source a backup generator, fuel and pack antennas /
gear ready for the end of the month. Please note that as this is a
one-op expedition, the station may not be QRV all the time. Efforts
will be made to be active at local SR/SS and known opening times to EU,
NA, SA, OC and AS. The Southern Es 6m season has officially begun, and
there will be much 6m activation as well from Rotuma. Beware of pirates
impersonating the Rotuma expedition, especially in EU! QSL Information:
Via 3D2AG, using PayPal to email address (nyeurt@gmail.com) (preferred, safer)/ direct for CW/SSB/RTTY and ClubLog's
OQRS
(FT8/Digimodes only). No LoTW unless OQRS made first and ADIF file sent
(expedition uses paper logs for CW). Donations welcome to assist with
generator and fuel procurement for low bands QRO operation."
EDITOR'S NOTES: For more details, updates, and operating schedule and
frequencies, watch the QRZ.com at: https://www.qrz.com/lookup/3D2AG/P
-[OPDX # 1442 December 2, 2019]
3YØI BOUVET ISLAND DXPEDITION. It was reported on November 27th, on the 3YØI Bouvet Island Web page (https://bouvetoya.org/3yoi-receives-25k-grant) and the Rebel DX Group's FacBook page (https://www.facebook.com/rebeldxgroup)
that the team received "a donation of 25,000 USDs from one of the well-
known DX club. They didn't ask any monkey business questions and
decided to support our project based on our preparations and the first
attempt to activate Bouvet Island." They also mentioned, "Since we have
already collected more than 10,000 USDs at our GoFundMe page, it put us
at 35,000+ USDs out of 85 thousand of our missing budged and gives us
further moti- vation to continue and develop the 3YØI DXpedition
project."
On November 30th, they reported on FaceBook:
"Following the generous grant of 25,000 USDs today we received an
donation from amateur radio enthusiast who donate PayPal of 10,000 USDs
shrinking our missing budget to 40 thousands USD. We're are very
grateful for supporting and believing in our project. We strongly
encourage to donate via our GoFundMe page
( https://www.gofundme.com/f/3y0i-bouvet-island-expedition
) where it's possible to place donor's callsign and list your name
among other donors who have been backing the 3YØI DXpedition."
For more details and updates on the Bouvet Island DXpedition, watch the following Web page and Media sites at:
This is the main site where you can find more details on the project
and news: https://bouvetoya.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bouvetoya.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bouvetoyaorg
Rebel DX Group: https://www.facebook.com/rebeldxgroup
-[OPDX # 1442 December 2, 2019]
4S, SRI LANKA. Bernd, DK7TF, will once again be active as 4S7DLG from Ambalangoda. His length of stay unknown at this time. Activity should be on all HF bands mainly on SSB and FT8, using a TS-480 into a Hexbeam and GP. QSL via MØOXO or his OQRS.
-[OPDX # 1442 December 2, 2019]
5Z, KENYA. Andy, G3AB, is now based/resides in Nairobi (been there since September 30th), and is expected to be active as 5Z4/G3AB. Activity will be on 20-10 meters using an IC-7300 and dipoles. His QRZ.com page states that he is awaiting the arrival of further equipment and antennas. QSL via LoTW.
-[OPDX # 1438 November 4, 2019]
7Q, MALAWI. By the time you read this (as November 18th), Karl, DK2WV, will be active as 7Q7W from Lilongwe for about 3 weeks. Activity will be on 40-6 meters using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via DK2WV.
-[OPDX # 1441 November 25, 2019]
8Q, MALDIVES (Reminder). Roly, ZL1BQD, will be active as 8Q7XR from Maldives (AS-013) beginning November 10th until December 30th. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via his home callsign. ADDED NOTE: Beware that this is a re-issued callsign. Mark, MØDXR, used this callsign in 2008.
-[OPDX # 1439 November 11, 2019]
A3, TONGA. Masa, JAØRQV, will once again be active as A35JP from Tongatapu Island (OC-049) beginning November 24th, 2019 until November 2020.
He states, "This time, I will be stationed there as a resident
supervisor of the international corporation project." Activity will be
on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and FT8. Equipment is an IC-7300 w/100W
into a Vertical antenna. QSL via LoTW and ClubLog's
OQRS, or direct w/2 USDs or by the Bureau via his home callsign JAØRQV.
He states, "If you need paper QSL, please be patient to receive it
because I will be able to issue paper QSL after I return to Japan in
November 2020. Please do not send SASE to my home address." He also
mentions, "During the period, if possible, I will try to activate some
outer islands again such as Niuatoputapu (OC-191), Niuafo'ou (OC-123),
Vava'u (OC-064) and Ha'apai (OC-169). Details will be announced once
decided."
-[OPDX # 1437 October 28, 2019]
C5, THE GAMBIA (Reminder). Paul, SA6PIS, will be active as C56PIS from the Ocean Bay Hotel, Bakau, The Gambia, until December 13th. Activity will be holiday style on various HF bands. QSL via his home callsign.
-[OPDX # 1442 December 2, 2019]
C5, THE GAMBIA. Andre, ON7YK, is once again active as C5YK from Bijilo until early March 2020.
Activity will be on 60/40/30/20/17/15/12/10/6 meters using mostly FT8
as well as CW, SSB, JT65, JT9 and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign,
direct, LoTW or eQSL. Please NO QSL direct to his home address before
March 2020!!!! Visit his Web page at: http://www.on7yk.eu/index.html
-[OPDX # 1442 December 2, 2019]
C5, THE GAMBIA. Carlo, ON4BR, will be active as C56BR from The Gambia until December 14th. Activity will be holiday style on various HF bands using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL via his home callsign direct.
-[OPDX # 1442 December 2, 2019]
C6, BAHAMAS. Operators George/AA7JV, Tomi/HA7RY, Feco/HA8KW and Mike/KN4EEI will be active as C6AGU from Wood Cay Island (NA-001) from November 15th until December 9th.
Activity will be focused on 160/80 meters using CW and FT8, including
entries in the CQWW DX CW (November 23-24th) and ARRL 160m (December
6-8th) Contests. QSL via HA7RY.
-[OPDX # 1438 November 4, 2019]
DXCC'S MOST
WANTED (ClubLog).
The "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list has been updated on ClubLog as
of November 27th. 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. 3Y/P Peter 1 Island
5. CEØX San Felix Islands 10. FT5/X
Kerguelen Island
The only change this month is 3Y/P Peter 1 Island and FT5/X Kerguelen Island switch places. The complete "DXCC Most
Wanted" entities list is available at:
https://secure.clublog.org/mostwanted.php
-[OPDX # 1442 December 2, 2019]
EA8, CANARY ISLANDS. Andrea, IK1PMR, is currently active as EA8/IK1PMR from Tenerife Island (AF-004) for the next few weeks. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using all modes with a K3 and 500w amp. QSL via HB9FKK (his Swiss callsign), by the Bureau or ClubLog's
OQRS.
-[OPDX # 1441 November 25, 2019]
FK, NEW CALEDONIA. Jan, F6EYB, will once again be active as FK8CJ from Noumea, New Caledonia (OC-032), from August 29th until the end of the year. Activity will be on various HF bands (mainly 30/20/17 meters). QSL via F6EYB, LoTW or eQSL.
-[OPDX # 1428 August 26, 2019]
FS, ST. MARTIN (Update to OPDX.1423). Operators John/K9EL, Paul/K9NU,
Gary/N9AOL, John/W9ILY and Marco/FS4WBS will be active as TO9W from
Orient Bay, Saint Martin Island (NA-105) between December 4-13th. John,
K9EL, provides the following update, dated November 4th: "In less than
30 days, we will be in Saint Martin! We arrive late on December 3rd and
we will spend all day December 4th and probably into the 5th setting up
antennas. We will put one station on the air as soon as possible, most
likely 20 meters. Ultimately, we will be able to have 3 stations
operating simultaneously. All antennas will come down on December 13th.
We have a new large fiberglass mast for an improved 160-meter TX
antenna. We will alternate between CW and FT8 on 160 meters.
Please make sure to update your logging programs to recognize TO9W as
Saint Martin. Our intention is to activate ClubLog real-time log
updates, assuming a steady Internet connection. We plan to upload to
LoTW daily. All questions, comments and requests for schedules should
be sent to our pilots, K9NB or W9MK. Our QSL Manager is W9ILY.
73 from the TO9W team – W9ILY, K9NU, N9AOL, K9EL, W9MK, K9NB"
Their activity will be on 160-6 meters but with a focus on 160/80/40
meters. They plan is to operate FT8 in the Fox/Hound mode on DXpedition
frequencies. SSB and RTTY are also planned. There will be NO operation
on 60 meters or PSK modes. When the normal FT8 frequencies are busy,
they will operate Fox/Hound mode on 3567, 7056, 10131, 14090, 18095,
21091, 24911 and 28091 kHz. If those frequencies are busy, they will
announce their operating frequency. Also, look for them to be in the
ARRL 160 Meter Contest between December 6-8th. QSL via W9ILY, LoTW or ClubLog's
OQRS. For more details and updates, see: http://k9el.com/SaintMartin2019/SXM2019.htm
-[OPDX # 1439 November 11, 2019]
FT8 OPERATING
GUIDE.
Gary, ZL2IFB has created an "FT8 Operating Guide" (Version 2.27 as of November 18, 2019), a
collection of "tips and pragmatic suggestions aimed at making FT8
easier
and more effective to use on the HF bands": http://www.g4ifb.com/
-[KØCF November 18, 2019]
HC, ECUADOR. Antonio "Toni", EA5RM, plans to be in Ecuador from December 2nd until January 5th.
He will be on the air during his spare time mainly as HC3/EA5RM from
Loja, and perhaps also as HC2/EA5RM from Guayaquil. His activity will
be on 40-10 meters using SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via his home callsign.
-[OPDX # 1434 October 7, 2019]
HS, THAILAND. Lars, SM6NT, will once again be active as HSØZME from Hua Hin beginning November 12th until April 6th, 2020. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.
-[OPDX # 1434 October 7, 2019]
S7, SEYCHELLES. Ravi, VU2IIX, will be active as S79VU from Mahe Island starting September 30th, and will stay until the end of June 2021. Activity will be on 80-10 meters using SSB and the Digital modes. Listen for his QSL instructions.
-[OPDX # 1432 September 23, 2019]
SV/A, MT. ATHOS.
Monk Iakovos, SV2RSG, has been active as SV2RSG/A from the Holy
Monastery of Koutloumousiou of Mount Athos. Activity has been on mostly
20 meters at various times between 1100-1830z (some 40m). It is
interesting that he is now signing with a "/A" ("/A" as meaning of
alternative). Back in July, OPDX was informed that per the DXCC Desk
staff, they do not yet have any documentation from Monk Iakovos,
SV2RSG, that states he is in fact active from Mount Athos. However,
several sources are reporting that Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, ARRL Radiosport
and Field Services Manager, has recently stated "operations by SV2RSG/A
(if from Mount Athos must identify '/A') are accepted by ARRL DXCC." It
was verified on Friday, November 8th, (thanks to Goose, W8AV, a Great
Lakes DXCC Checker) from the DXCC Desk that SV2RSG/A is good for DXCC.
QSL via SV2RSG/A direct.
-[OPDX # 1439 November 11, 2019]
T6, AFGHANISTAN (Reminder/Update). Robert, S53R (ex-YA5T), is once again active
from Kabul as of September 4th, signing T6AA and may continue until the
summer 2021. He will be there for two years working with the UN World
Food Program. Robert has been issued two callsign: T6AA and T6A (to be
used during contest). Activities outside of the contests will be
limited to his free time, but he plans to be on 160-6 meters using CW,
SSB and the Digital modes. He was heard early in the week on
60/30/20/17 meters CW and FT8 as early as 0700z and as late as 2300z.
QSL via S53R, LoTW or ClubLog's
OQRS.
-[OPDX # 1430 September 9, 2019]
T8, PALAU. Nobuaki, JAØJHQ, will once again be active as T88PB from the VIP-Guest Hotel in Koror City, Palau, between December 6-8th.
Activity usually is on 160-6 meters using CW and 6m FT8, but his Web
page states "Mainly 160m CW / FT8". His equipment is an IC-7300 w/TL933
amp (about 500w) into a 3 element Yagi and DP antennas. QSL via LoTW
(preferred) or direct to his home callsign. For more details and updates, see his Web page at: http://pandasan.jimdo.com
-[OPDX # 1438 November 4, 2019]
TR, GABON. Roland, F8EN, (ex-CN8EM/FO8BV/3C3CR/TR5ØR) will once again be active as TR8CR from Libreville. He will be there sometime at the end of September until December 15th. Activity will start probably early October. Operations will be mainly CW. QSL via F6AJA, direct or by the REF Bureau. The log will be posted on the LNDX Web site at: http://lesnouvellesdx.fr/voirlogs.php F6AJA will update when he receives a copy of the log.
-[OPDX # 1432 September 23, 2019]
TT, CHAD.
Nicolas, F8FQX (ex-TJ3SN, TN5SN, 5T5SN, TY2CA), who has been in
N'Djamena since August 24th, finally received his TT8SN license on
October 4th. However, by the time you read this, Nicolas will be
returning to France, but will return December 1st. He plans to be there for the next 3-4 years and will be on various HF bands and 6 meters. QSL via DL9USA and LoTW.
-[OPDX # 1435 October 14, 2019]
V6, MICRONESIA (Reminder). Haru, JA1XGI, will once again be active as V6K from Kosrae Island (OC-059) between December 2-9th.
Activity will be on 160/80/40/30/20 meters using mainly CW with some
RTTY and FT8. Focus will be on EU/NA/SA/Middle East of Asia. He will
also be in the ARRL 160m CW Contest (December 6-8th). Suggested
frequencies are:
CW - 1815/1822.5, 3525, 7025, 10115 and 14040 kHz
RTTY - 7035, 10140 and 14080 kHz
FT8(N) - 1840*, 3573, 7074, 10136 and 14074 kHz
FT8(F/H) - 7051, 10131 and 14085 kHz
* QSX 1908 (JA)
** Frequency on the above will change by band condition.
His equipment will be an Icom IC7300 with a DXV600L(Tiny PA) into two vertical antennas. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau, ClubLog's
OQRS or LoTW (available after 3 month). For more details and updates, watch: http://v6k.client.jp
-[OPDX # 1442 December 2, 2019]
VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS. Jerry, WA2TTI, will be active as VP5/WA2TTI from Turks and Caicos Islands (NA-002) between December 2-7th. Activity will be holiday style on various HF bands probably running QRP. QSL via his home callsign only.
-[OPDX # 1439 November 11, 2019]
VP8/VP8DXU SOUTH ORKNEY DXPEDITION NEWS (Press Release, dated November 2nd).
Equipment Consolidation (Update) [edited] -- During the week of October
21-27th, 2019, team members and helpers met in Placerville and Los
Altos Hills, California, to consolidate, test and repack the equipment
to be used during the South Orkney Island DXpedition.
On
Friday, October 25th, we visited the Elecraft factory to receive 8 K3s
stations, including amplifiers, pan adapters and other supporting
equipment. During the week antennas were assembled, tuned, tested and
marked for easy transport and reassembly.
All software was
loaded on Lenovo laptops, QSOs were entered into N1MM and test logs
were uploaded to our log search server over the Inmarsat BGAN satellite
network.
Photos of the week are posted at:
https://sorkney.com/equipment-consolidation-week
Thanks to all who participated and to the equipment suppliers that are supporting the project, a complete list at:
https://sorkney.com/corporate-sponsors
73, VP8/VP8DXU Team
-[OPDX # 1438 November 4, 2019]
VU,
INDIA (Special Event). Look for special event station AU2JCB to be
active beginning November 23rd until December 16th. Activity will be on
80-6 meters using SSB. Suggested frequencies are (depending on the
propagation): 3710, 7040, 7150, 14210, 14250, 14310, 21235, 21310,
21350, 28490, 28510 and 28545 kHz. On FM Mode: 6m - 50800 and 51500;
10m 29700 kHz. If higher bands are open, operations will be on those
bands. The operator will be Surabhi, VU2DSI. QSL direct (with 2 IRCs)
to VU2DSI. Operations are to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the
birth (November 30th) of Sir Jagadeesh Chandra Bose, India's great
scientist and inventor who they consider the "Father of Wireless
Communication". For more details, see the following Web page
at: http://www.qsl.net/vu2msy/JCBOSE.htm ADDED
NOTE: There will be other VU operators celebrating this anniversary.
-[OPDX # 1440 November 18, 2019]
XT2, BURKINA FASO. Harald, DF2WO, will once again be active as XT2AW from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, between December 2-20th.
Activity is usually holiday style on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and
the Digital modes. He states that he works mostly on the Digital modes
(FT8, PSK31, JT65 and RTTY) and slow CW. QSL via MØOXO, direct or by MØOXO's OQRS <http://www.m0oxo.com/oqrs/>.
-[OPDX # 1414 May 13, 2019]
XW, LAOS. Bruce, 3W3B (HSØZCY/XU7ADF/XW1B/AA4XR), who lives in Da Nang, will once again be active as XW4XR from Vientiane between December 4-14th. Activity will be on 40-6 meters (60m included) using CW, RTTY, JT65 and FT8. QSL via E21EIC and LoTW (preferred method).
-[OPDX # 1436 October 21, 2019]
XW, LAOS (Update).
Per DX-World.net, Simon, G6JFY/HSØZIB/XZ2A, has announced that he has
received his new callsign XWØLP (Suffix "LP" stands for Luang Prabang,
the town in north Laos where he now lives). License is good for one
year as of October 1st and is initially valid only for 20-meter band
operations. Simon states, "On 20 meters, I will be active every day,
mostly using FT8. My rig sits right next to my work desk, so I can keep
an eye on the band and answer calls as they are received. I WON'T use
Fox + Hounds mode on FT8, just simple, single mode. I operate my FT8
software manually so that I can select which call to reply to." QSL via
ClubLog's
OQRS. NO BUREAU cards.
-[OPDX # 1431 September 16, 2019]
Z6, KOSOVO.
Mome, Z32ZM, informs OPDX that due to his bad health, need of money and
RIGs, he was unable to be active from Kosovo during last summer.
However, he states that he is now planning to be active from Vitina,
Kosovo, as Z68MA by the end of November and December this year. It will
be mostly TOP bands activity (160 & 80m) and some 40/30m. He is
looking for some support (via his PayPal at z32zm@t.mk) and any
donations are appreciated. QSL via his home callsign or ClubLog's
OQRS (recommended).
-[OPDX # 1439 November 11, 2019]
Z8, SOUTH SUDAN. James, VK4GKA (ex-P29HG), is now active as Z81C from Juba until December 31st,
but one source states that he will reside there for at least 18 months.
His activity will be on SSB and limited as time permits.
QSL info TBD.
-[OPDX # 1434 October 7, 2019]
ZD8,
ASCENSION ISLAND. Darrin, N4WTN, who has been on the islands since
October 1st, has finally received his permanent ZD8 callsign from the
local government. Begin looking for him to sign ZD8DRP. QSL via: Darrin
R Proehl, PO Box 4235, Patrick AFB, FL 32925, Ascension Island.
-[OPDX # 1440 November 18, 2019]
Older Items
9G,
GHANA (Update).
Last week we mentioned that Matt,
IZ4YGS, is active
as 9G5GS from Sanzule, West Takoradi (Western Region), Ghana.
Matt informed OPDX of the following [edited]: "I'm travelling to Ghana
almost every month for work reasons and it will be so throughout 2019.
I'd like
to be on-air from 80-6m, but it will take some time to be operational
on all
bands. I'll start with an FT-891 and wire antennas, SSB and FT8, mainly
in the evening
after work. Ham radio won't be my main activity in Ghana, but I'll do
my best
to let everybody have fun." QSL via IZ4YGS,
direct or eQSL.
-[OPDX # 1395 December 24, 2018]