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 June 24, 2018)
EIDXA July 2018 Meeting
The next EIDXA meeting will be held on Friday, July 13 at the Collins Radio Museum. Complete details,
including
an aerial photo map, may be found on the "Meetings"
page.
April
2018
Eastern Iowa DXer
The April 2018 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. Bob says, "121 pages.... I might have gone
overboard..." Included is a preliminary report from Bouvet! Be sure you
don't miss it!
Buy-Sell-Trade
New Listings
There are a bunch of new listings on the "Buy-Sell-Trade"
page. Some really nice stuff for sale -- 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 June 24, 2018)
DX News items,
unless otherwise noted, are courtesy of:
The Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin (OPDX)
Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, Editor (kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org)
For subscription info, please see http://hamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/opdx
This list is a compilation of current
DX operations (or those that start within the current week) from recent
DX bulletins, 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.
W9DXCC DX Convention and Banquet (Press Release June 4, 2018) – Registration is open for the 2018 W9DXCC DX Convention and Banquet in suburban Chicago on Sept. 14-15.
Presentation topics at the 66th annual gathering will include the
upcoming Baker Island DXPedition, how Kosovo became a new DXCC entity,
emergency communications in Puerto Rico and the epic tale of the
attempt to activate Bouvet Island for the first time since 2008.
The keynote speaker for the banquet will be Bob Schenck, N2OO, a
veteran operator, DXpeditioner, QSL manager, CQ magazine DX editor and
current president of the International DX Association (INDEXA).
Sponsored by the Northern Illinois DX Association, W9DXCC will again
offer Contest University and DX University on Friday. The daylong
session on Saturday will feature speakers, exhibits, QSL card checking
and a CW pileup contest, as well as the evening reception and banquet.
The venue remains the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg.
For more information and registration: http://w9dxcc.com/
3YØZ DXPEDITION (The Complete Story).
Bob, K4UEE, narrated an interesting PowerPoint presentation at both the
recent DX Forum at the Dayton Hamvention and the W5DXCC/HamCom. This
presentation includes a summary of the 3YØZ DXpedition with stunning
pictures, their Vessel vetting process, what they learned, planned
refund of remaining funds, another attempt, and some personal
observations of K4UEE. Presentation is now available on YouTube
at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq7degLxJOw
-[OPDX # 1369 June 25, 2018]
5U, NIGER.
Torbjon, SM7RME, is expected to be active as 5U7R
from Niamey. The length of his stay is not known. Activity will be
during his spare time on various HF bands. QSL via SM7EHU.
-[OPDX # 1361 April 23, 2018]
6W, SENEGAL. Dominic, ON4AZP, will be active as 6W/ON4AZP from Senegal between June 25th and July 5th. Activity will be holiday style on 40/20/ 15/10 meters using SSB. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau or eQSL.
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]
8P, BARBADOS. Charles, 8P6ET, will be active this year as 8P1W
during the following contests: CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 26-27th),
CQWW DX SSB Contest (October
27-28th) and CQWW DX CW Contest (November 24-25th).
Look for him to be as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry in all the
contests. QSL via KU9C.
-[OPDX # 1359 April 9, 2018]
8Q, MALDIVES (Reminder). Daniel, SMØUDH, will be active as 8Q7DT from Horubadhoo, Baa Atoll, Maldives Islands (AS-013, WW Loc. MJ65MD), between June 24th and July 9th.
Activity will be holiday style on various HF bands using SSB, JT9, JT65
and FT8, with an ICOM IC-7300 transceiver and a simple antenna. QSL via
his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau, ClubLog's
OQRS, LoTW or eQSL.
-[OPDX # 1369 June 25, 2018]
9L, SIERRA LEONE (Update to OPDX.1367). Mark, KW4XJ, who is now active
as 9L1YXJ from Freetown (WW Loc. IJ38jk), informs OPDX that his
overseas assignment is for 3 years and he has been there for 9 months
now. Mark operates mainly on CW and the Digital modes on the HF bands
(40-10m). He adds that he [edited] uses an "ICOM IC-7300 running 100
watts, Chameleon EMCOMM II end-fed wire antenna in an inverted L
configuration, with a telescopic mast up about 25’, then the rest of
the wire out horizontally to a convenient supporting anchor. I had to
switch to the wire antenna as we have progressed into the rainy season,
and we do get some rather strong wind gusts and monsoon rains here in
the tropics. Before that I was using a Chameleon mil-whip w/extension.
That worked very well but is a portable antenna. No way it could hold
up to the storms this time of year. The wire antenna seems to be
holding up well so far. I am going to be ordering an Elecraft 500-watt
amplifier and electronic antenna tuner here shortly. I hope to have
that delivered and installed in about a month or so. Right now, I’m
using a MFJ manual antenna tuner — it works fine but after a while it
gets tiring and the lazy side of me wants to just hit a button to tune.
:) With the sunspot cycle where it is I’ve only been able to make FT8
and CW contacts with just 100 watts. Sometimes PSK31 will work from
here. I’ve made a handful of RTTY contacts. Usually CW and FT8 most of
the time. SSB seems pointless after many attempted QSOs to Europe that
were very marginal at best if we could get through at all. That is why
I was thinking the amplifier would help. My CW skills are still pretty
basic, I can reliably manage about 13 WPM on the air. I did do my first
ever CW contest here recently for the CQMM DX. I made over 300 contacts
which I thought was a decent showing given my relatively low power,
rookie operator, and slow speed. I need to find another CW contest to
try. I’m still relatively new at operating on HF. I’ve got a lot of
unexpected, excellent advice from hams around the world — the US, but
also lots of help from the UK, Germany, Brazil, and Japanese operators.
This is an amazing hobby. I’ve had FT8/JT65 QSOs from here in Freetown
to the Falkland Islands, Iceland, Japan (lots of Japan on the long
path), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the West coast of
Canada, all with my modest setup." QSL via his home callsign.
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]
9X, RWANDA.
Alan, KE4TA, after a long ride back from Pretoria, he is now back in
Kigali and will be active as 9XØTA during his spare time. He states,
"Things are very busy here right now, and likely to get busier in the
next few weeks. I'll try to get on the air when I get the chance." He
should be here for just under 2-1/2 years. Activity will be primarily
on 20/17 meters using 600W/100W of power. He does have antennas or
antenna+tuner combinations for 80-10 meters and 6m. Modes will be SSB,
the Digital modes and some CW. Power may be restricted by the Rwandan
authorities in accordance with their laws. Radio is a Yaesu FT-991, and
antenna will be a Hexbeam on a push up tower. Alan, states, "Noise
levels here are extremely high. Please don't be offended if I'm not
answering your call, I likely can't hear you." QSL via DIRECT to N4GNR.
He will also use LoTW. For more details, pictures and updates (maybe
even an operating schedule), visit his Web page at: http://www.rwandadx.com
-[OPDX # 1365.May 28, 2018]
BW, TAIWAN (Reminder). Bodo, DF8DX, will be active as BW/DF8DX from Taiwan (AS-020) between June 24-30th. Activity usually will be on 40-10 meters using mainly CW with 100 watts into a vertical antenna. QSL via his home callsign, by the Bureau, direct or LoTW.
-[OPDX # 1369 June 25, 2018]
CP, BOLIVIA. Antonio, EA5RM, will be active as CP1XRM from Bolivia between June 18th and July 10th,
and working as Solidaridad Medica and Radioamateurs Without Frontiers
NGO volunteer. He plans to be on the air during his spare time on 40-10
meters using SSB and the Digital modes. He may also be on 60 meters.
QSL via EA5RM.
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]
DXCC'S MOST
WANTED (ClubLog).
The "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list has been updated on ClubLog as of
May 28th. The list contain 340 entities and here are the top 10
entities:
1. P5 DPRK (North Korea) 6. CEØX San Felix Islands
2. 3Y/B Bouvet
Island
7. BV9P Pratas Island
3. FT5/W Crozet Island 8. KH7K Kure Island
4. BS7H Scarborough Reef 9. KH3 Johnston Island
5. KH1 Baker Howland Islands 10. VKØM Macquarie Island
The complete "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list is available at:
https://secure.clublog.org/mostwanted.php
-[OPDX # 1366 June 4, 2018]
F, FRANCE (Special Event).
Look for special event callsign, TM62GG, to be on the air from Meurchin
(Pas-de-Calais 62) for the 100th anniversary of WWI (Grande Guerre).
Dates of activity are June 17-18th; October 12-14th and 27-28th; November 1st, 3-4th, and 10-11th; and December 1-2nd. QSL via F4AHN, by the Bureau or direct.
-[OPDX # 1363 May 7, 2018]
H4, SOLOMON ISLANDS (Update/Reminder). Haru, JA1XGI, will be active as H44XG from Honiara, Solomon Islands, between June 21-27th.
Activity will be limited due to business/holiday style on
40/30/20/15/10 meters using mainly CW, sometimes FT8. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau, ClubLog's
OQRS or LoTW. For more details and updates, see: http://island.geocities.jp/h44xg
-[OPDX # 1369 June 25, 2018]
H4, SOLOMON ISLANDS. By the time you read this, Bernhard, DL2GAC, will once again active as H44MS from Malaita Island (OC-047) in the Solomon Islands until July 12th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters on SSB. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.
-[OPDX # 1369 June 25, 2018]
HS, THAILAND (Special Event). Members of the Radio Society of Thailand (RAST) are now active as HS5ØIARU until October 31st. Activity is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of IARU Region 3. QSL via the Bureau, by ClubLog's
OQRS
or LoTW. ADDED NOTE: The IARU Region 3 (Asia-Pacific Region) will grant
the 50th Anniversary Award to radio amateurs who certify having
contacted at least five contacts (QSOs) on different modes or bands
with Special Event Stations for commemorating the 50th Anniversary of
IARU Region 3 from eligible countries that are in Region III whose
amateur societies are members of IARU Region 3. Special event callsigns
will have the number "5Ø" as the prefix number and IARU as their
special event callsign suffix. (i.e. BV5ØIARU, HL5ØIARU, HS5ØIARU,
V85ØIARU, VI5ØIARU3, YB5ØIARU, etc.) The anniversary award rules can be
found at: http://awards-iaru-r3.org
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]
J3, GRENADA (Update). Nobby, GØVJG, will be active as J3/GØVJG (he will pick up his license there) from Grenada (NA-024) between June 13-27th. Activity will be on various HF bands as well as 6 meters and 60 meters using SSB only. QSL via G4DFI.
-[OPDX # 1366 June 4, 2018]
KH1/KH7Z BAKER ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS (June 23rd update):
We are entering Day 4 of our voyage to Baker. We have moved to grid
square AI25. With 600 nautical miles traveled, we have 345 NM to go.
Our DeLorme Inreach beacon can be found on the Baker Island website <http://baker2018.net> and blog page <http://kh7z.net>.
We have been on the air on both CW and FT8 DXpedition mode. A few
calling have still not downloaded the latest WSJT-X software, or have
not checked off the hound button. The team is resting up in advance of
the work we will have Monday setting up the camp... Don, N1DG, and
Kevin, K6TD aboard the NAI’A
-[OPDX # 1369 June 25, 2018]
KH1/KH7Z BAKER ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS. (June 16th Press Release)
The first of our team arrived in Fiji this week to load the Nai’a. The
Nai’a is now underway from Fiji to Pago Pago for its pre-departure
inspection by US authorities. This is the last hurdle before departing
with the team on 20 June for Baker. We have activated our daily blog
and in-reach GPS so you can follow us. You can see both new features at
<https://www.baker2018.net>.
When we arrive on the 26th at Baker we will immediately begin setup and
expect to be QRV by our afternoon on the 27th (00:00 UTC 28 June). We
will have 8 radios on all open bands 24/7 for the next 10 days. Our
band plan is here: <https://www.baker2018.net/pages/plan.html>.
But any plan is only good until you meet the enemy in the field of
battle. We plan on listening to our pilots. Please tell them if we are
missing an opening or opportunity. We can and will adjust to the
propagation. We still could still use your donation at this time. <http://www.baker2018.net/pages/donate.html>. Thank you in advance for your support. The Baker Island 2018 Team.
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]
OX, GREENLAND. Bo, OZ1DJJ, will once again be active as OX3LX from Ittoqqortoormiit City, East Greenland (NA-018, WW. Loc. HQ90) between July 1-14th.
Activity will be on various HF bands but limited to his spare time when
not working (He states, "Best chance is in the morning around lunch and
after dinner [local time utc+2], on the weekend also during
night/morning"). He may also be active some days from the Greenland's
Coastal Islands North East IOTA Group (NA-243). QSL via OZØJ direct (see QRZ.com). Logs get uploaded to LoTW, ClubLog and sometimes eQSL. For more details and updates, see: http://geronne.dk/index.php/ox3lx/ox3lx-dxped
-[OPDX # 1367 June 11, 2018]
RI1, FRANZ JOSEF
LAND (Update).
Per "DXNews.com", Eugene,
UA4RX, has finally received his old RI1FJ callsign (was using UA4RX/1).
He will be active
from Heiss Island
until September 2018. Activity has been on 40 and 30
meters CW, but he can be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital
modes. QSL via UA2FM direct
or use ClubLog's
OQRS or LoTW.
-[OPDX # 1358 April 2, 2018]
SU9, EGYPT.
Nacho, EA1AK/EA7TN, continues
to be active
as SU9JG from Gezira Island, in the Nile River, near Cairo (Zone 34).
Activity has been on FT8 and on 30/20/17/15/10 meters. QSL via LoTW or EA5GL. Check QRZ.com for
more details, especially for QSOs on FT8.
-[OPDX # 1364 May 14, 2018]
T8, PALAU. Operators Yutaka/JH1MLO, Chusuke/JR1FKR and Tatsuko/JJ1BDT are now active as T88HR, T88TJ and T88YL, respectively, from the Palau Rental Shack on Koror Island (OC-009) <http://palau.rental-shack.com> until June 28th. Activity will be holiday style on 80-15 meters using SSB and RTTY. QSL via their home callsigns.
-[OPDX # 1369 June 25, 2018]
V4, ST. KITTS.
John, W5JON, will once again be active as V47JA from his vacation home
at Calypso Bay, located 200 feet from the Caribbean Sea, between June 22nd and July 20th.
Activity will be on 160-6 meters (incl. 60m) using SSB. Look for
him to be in the IARU SSB Contest (July 14-15th) as a
Single-Op/All-Band entry. Equipment is a Yaesu FT-1000MP MkV and
Elecraft KPA500 Amplifier. Antennas: a 31 ft. 40-10m Vertical, 35 ft.
40/80m Top Loaded Vertical, 20m dipole, 160m base load vertical and a
6m 4 element Yagi. Also, an installation of new V47JA/B 6m beacon on
50053.0 MHz (WW Grid FK87) on St. Kitts mountain top at 1100 feet ASL.
ALL QSLs go to W5JON direct or via LoTW. NO Bureau QSLs.
-[OPDX # 1365.May 28, 2018]
VKØ/M, MACQUARIE
ISLAND. Reports state that Norbert, VK5MQ, is now active
as VKØAI from Macquarie Island (AN-005). He is expected to be there
with the next winter team for one year. QSNs show that he was on 30/20
meters running FT8 between 0440-0630z. He has an Icom IC-7300
transceiver and a vertical antenna. QSL via VK5MQ.
-[OPDX # 1362 April 30, 2018]
VP6D DUCIE ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS (Press Release #5, dated June 14th) [edited] -- The VP6D Ducie Island (OC-182) 2018 project is on schedule. (Ed. Note: for 20th October - 3rd November, 2018.)
At Visalia and Dayton we had the pleasure of meeting many of our
supporters and equipment sponsors, including: DX Engineering, Elecraft,
SteppIR and Arlan Communications (RadioSport headsets). Several of team
attended Europe’s Ham Radio event conducted at Friedrichshafen,
Germany, where we met with corporate, EU club and foundation sponsors,
many EU DXers and other DX-pedition operators.
Joining the
Pilot Team is Mason, KM4SII, from Clemmons, South Carolina. Mason, an
avid DXer, is 15 years old. In 2017 he operated from Iceland as
TF/KM4SII, in July 2018 he will operate from Curacao as PJ2/KM4SII.
Mason will work with NA and Chief Pilot Glenn KE4KY.
Joining our list of corporate sponsors is Rig Expert Ukraine Ltd <https://rigexpert.com/>.
Rig Expert is a recognized leader in the development, production and
global sales of antenna analyzers, transceiver interfaces, ARDF
equipment and amateur radio software. Rig Expert donated 2 Model AA-55
Zoom antenna analyzers to the project. We appreciate the support of our
corporate sponsors.
Our current fundraising campaign is
underway; you may see the progress at our website. We appreciate the
donations and equipment support we’ve already received. Our final
payment for the Braveheart is due on September 1st. Please keep in
mind, boat/tent/generator DX-peditions incur similar expenses whether
or not you make a contact. Team members have booked their travel to
meet the Braveheart at Mangareva, French Polynesia. This is not a VP6D
project expense; each team member pays travel expenses from personal
funds.
Financial transparency allows the major sponsors to
better understand the costs associated with a DX-pedition and how we
spend their money. Consistent with our previous DX-peditions, we will
send club and foundation sponsors a VP6D financial summary.
We need your help to keep our DX-pedition team’s personal investment to
a reasonable level. Please consider making a donation at: http://vp6d.com
Good luck to the KH1/KH7Z DX-pedition team, we’ll see you in the pile-ups.
73, Team Ducie – 2018. Website: http://vp6d.com, Twitter and Facebook. Please direct questions to: info@vp6d.com
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]
VP9, BERMUDA. Bill, KB3KYH, will be active as KB3KYH/VP9 from Warwick Parish, Bermuda (NA-005), between June 28th and July 3rd. Activity will be limited to his spare time and mainly on 20 meters SSB. QSL via KB3KYH or LoTW.
-[OPDX # 1366 June 4, 2018]
YI, IRAQ. Several sources are reporting that Darko, E7ØA (ex-6O3A, 9A7WW, J28AA, J28OO), will be in Baghdad soon and has been issued the callsign YI9DX. QSL via K2PF or E77E.
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]
Z6, KOSOVO (ARRL Writes About The "Unauthorized and Illegal" Prefix). See the ARRL's Letter (June 21st) or their Web page at: http://tinyurl.com/yb8typva
-[OPDX # 1369 June 25, 2018]
Z6, KOSOVO (FIFA Special Event).
Members of the Kosovo Amateur Radio Society (SHARK) will activate the
special callsign, Z6ØFIFA, for the 2018 FIFA World Cup event between June 1st and July 15th. QSL route TBA.
SPECIAL ADDED FIFA NOTES: Under Z6ØFIFA
on QRZ.com, you will also find details/rules for various special
"FOOTBALL 2018 Awards" (RADIO MARATHON, World, Participant, Russia and
Cities). There will be many special call- signs for each award. Some
callsigns with the prefixes R18, RC18 and RU18, and some suffixes
ending FWC and FIFA. There are at least 40 special stations from
country-member of FIFA, and at least 25 special Russian stations, each
of which symbolizes the team participant of the final tournament of the
World Cup 2018. Also, there are 11 special Russian stations, each
symbolizing one of 11 cities where the matches of the World Cup will
take place as well as 2 special stations of the Organizing Committee
RU18WC and R18REF.
Again, all the special event stations are listed on QRZ.com under Z6ØFIFA.
-[OPDX # 1366 June 4, 2018]
ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS (Update to OPDX.1364). Frank, K3TRM, will be active as ZF2RM from the Cayman Brac (NA-016) sometime during late June (dates have not been announced yet but will be forthcoming). QSL via K3TRM, direct, by the Bureau, LoTW or ClubLog's
OQRS.
-[OPDX Special Bulletin # 1364.May 18, 2018]
Older Items
5Z4, KENYA.
Nick, LZ4NM, will now be active 5Z4/LZ4NM from Kenya until June 30th, 2018.
Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes.
He was active this past weekend's IARU HF Contest as 5Z4NM. Currently,
his equipment is an Icom IC-7000, Inverted Vee (40/20m) and a DunaX
vertical (20-10m). QSL direct to: Amateur Radio Society of Kenya
(ARSK), Box 45681, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya.
-[OPDX # 1321 July 10, 2017]
9X, RWANDA.
Peter, HB9DVG, is now
active as
9X9PJ (and possibly later as 9X9PJ/P) from Kigali during the next two years.
Activity will be on 20-10 meters using SSB. His equipment is an
Elecraft KX3 transceiver with a HLA 300 amp into a Buddipole Vertical.
QSL via his home
callsign direct or eQSL.
-[OPDX # 1333 October 2, 2017]
ISØ, SARDINIA.
Simone, ISØAFM, is active
with the
special callsign IRØFOC from Cagliari until December 31st.
Activity is to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the "First Class CW
Operators' Club" (FOC). A special award will be issued in May, for
valid contacts for that award for only those worked between May 1-31st,
2018. QSL via LoTW or direct to ISØAFM.
-[OPDX # 1350 February 5, 2018]
SU, EGYPT.
After more than five years in Jordan and about
three years of activity as JY9FC which resulted with more than 90k QSO,
Jovica, E78A, has a new work assignment in Cairo, Egypt, until the end of 2018.
Jovica will be active as SU9JT with 100 watts and wire antennas. QSL
via E73Y, by the Bureau or direct. ClubLog's
OQRS will be activated when QSL cards are received from
printer at the end of February.
-[OPDX # 1353 February 26, 2018]
XZ,
MYANMAR. Simon, HSØZIB, was
signing XZ2A last week, and is "the first resident amateur radio
station in Myanmar since 1962". Currently, Simon is in Bangkok for a
couple of weeks collecting some ham gear before returning to Naypyitaw.
He is a British ham who is living in Naypyitaw, the new
capital city of Myanmar. Simon teaches English, science and STEM at an
international school. He also runs a "one-man-band" educational charity
called "TeacherSimon.org". His license states that he can use 15, 12
and 10 meters only, and can operate on SSB and various Digital modes.
QSL via LoTW or ClubLog's
OQRS. For more details and updates, watch for
his posts on QRZ.com at: https://www.qrz.com/db/XZ2A
-[OPDX # 1358 April 2, 2018]
ZD8, ASCENSION
ISLAND. Andy, MØHLT, is now active as
ZD8AC from Georgetown for
the next two years.
Activity will be limited to his spare time. He hopes to be on the air
Saturday afternoons on 20 or 15 meters on/near the RSGB IOTA
frequencies. He will be using his TS-50 and a Spider beam (40-10m). QSL
via eQSL.
-[OPDX # 1346 January 8, 2018]