Recent Posts

31

DX Reports / DX Bulletin7/6/18

« Last post by k4lrx on July 06, 2018, 09:41:34 AM »

SB DX @ ARL $ARLD028
ARLD028 DX news

ZCZC AE28
QST de W1AW 
DX Bulletin 28  ARLD028
From ARRL Headquarters 
Newington CT  July 5, 2018
To all radio amateurs   

SB DX ARL ARLD028
ARLD028 DX news

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

MAURITIUS, 3B8.  Karel, OK2ZI will be active as 3B8/OK2ZI from July
26 to August 4.  Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters, and possibly
160 meters, using CW, SSB and the digital modes.  QSL via home call,
direct, by the Bureau, ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW.

ALGERIA, 7V.  Operators Noury, 7X2JV, Amine, 7X2VB, Toufik, 7X2DE
and Charef, 7X4CZ will be using special call sign 7V5ID during the
month of July.  Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using CW, SSB
and FT8.  QSL via 7X4CZ.

ST. PIERRE  MIQUELON, FP.  Eric, KV1J will be active as FP/KV1J
until July 17.  He will be on 80 to 10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY
and the Satellites.  He will also be active in the IARU HF Contest
and the DL-DX RTTY Contest.  QSL via KV1J, direct or by the Bureau,
eQSL and LoTW.

SVALBARD, JW.  Members of the Amateur Radio Club SP3PET will be
active as JW100PUT from July 18 to 31, to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of Academic Ham Radio Club of the Poznan University of
Technology.  Activity will be on 80, 40 and 20 meters as well as 2
meters and 70cm using SSB and FM.  QSL via SP3PET.

GREENLAND, OX.  Bo, OZ1DJJ will be active as OX3LX until July 14.
Activity will be on various HF bands and limited to his spare time
when not working.  QSL via OZ0J direct.  Logs get uploaded to LoTW,
ClubLog and eQSL.

LAOS, XW.  Bruce, 3W3B will be active as XW4XR from Vientiane from
July 11 to 22.  Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters and possibly 6
meters, using CW, RTTY, JT65 and FT8. QSL via E21EIC and LoTW.

CAYMAN ISLANDS, ZF.  Frank, K3TRM is now active as ZF2RM from the
Cayman Brac (NA-016) until July 7. Activity is usually on 40 to 10
meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8 and the Satellites.  QSL via K3TRM,
direct, by the Bureau, LoTW or ClubLog.

MARKET REEF, OJ0.  OJ0C will be QRV July 21 to 28 and August 18 to
25, as part of YOTA, Youth on the Air. The youth team includes
OH1UBO, OH2EP, OH3OT, OH3UAF, ON3DI, OE3FTA and YO3IMD, all between
16 and 25 years old.

WAKE ISLAND, KH9.  Philip, N7NVK plans to be QRV again as of July 6.
He operates primarily on 40 and 20 meters, digital (FT8) and SSB.
QSL via QRZ.com info.

GERMANY, DL.  Special call sign DL60SOP is QRV until July 31 for the
60th Sea of Peace Award.  QSL via bureau or send direct via DL4SVA.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, W.  In celebration of Independence Day, 13
stations will be QRV until July 8. The stations are: K2A in New
York, K2B in Virginia, K2C in Rhode Island, K2D in Connecticut, K2E
in Delaware, K2F in Maryland, K2G in Georgia, K2H in Massachusetts,
K2I in New Jersey, K2J in North Carolina, K2K in New Hampshire, K2L
in South Carolina and K2M in Pennsylvania.  WM3PEN is a bonus
station operating from Philadelphia, PA.

UNITED KINGDOM, G.  Special call GB13COL is joining in the American
Independence special event and is QRV until July 8.  QSL direct to
G0VLF or eQSL.

BRAZIL, PY.  Scout station PW2J will be active from July 15 to 22 as
part the 7th Brazilian National Jamboree and the first Portuguese
Speaking Countries Jamboree.  The station will be active on the HF
bands using SSB, CW and digital modes. QSL to PY2OP.

PORTUGAL, CT.  CS2018FWC will be QRV for the FIFA World Cup.  Ops
include CT1IUA, CT1EJB, CT1EHX and CT1FOQ.  Look for activity from
July 9 to 15.  QSL via CT1REP.

MADEIRA ISLANDS, CT3.  CQ918FWC is also celebrating the FIFA World
Cup.  Ops CT3KN, CT3HF and CT3MD will be QRV from July 7 to 13.  QSL
via CT1REP.

LITHUANIA and POLAND, LY and SP.  The LY85DG and SN85LOT call signs
will be active from these two countries to commemorate the 85th
anniversary of Lithuanian pilots Steponas Darius and Stasys Girenas,
who made a flight across the Atlantic Ocean in July, 1933.  The
stations will be active throughout July.  QSL LY85DG via LY5O,
bureau or direct, and SN85LOT via SP1PMY, bureau or direct.

BURKINA FASO, XT.  Look for XT2SZZ operated by the Slovenian team of
S54W, S57L, S58Y, S59ZZ and S50A from October 22 to 30.  They will
be a multi-single low power entry in the CQWW DX Phone event.  The
rest of the time they will roam the HF bands and 6 meters.  QSL via
S59ZZ.

IRELAND, EI.  Olivier, ON4EI will be QRV as EI8GQB from July 8 to 18
and as EI7T on July 14 and 15 during the IARU HF World Championship.
QSL via PA3249.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The FISTS Summer Slow Speed Sprint,
Venezuelan Independence Day Contest, DL-DX RTTY Contest, SKCC
Weekend Sprintathon, Marconi Memorial HF Contest, Original QRP
Contest and the PODXS 070 Club 40 Meter Firecracker Sprint are all
on tap for this weekend.  Please see July QST page 83 and the ARRL
and WA7BNM contest websites for details.
NNNN
/EX

32

DX Reports / DX Report 7/6/18

« Last post by k4lrx on July 06, 2018, 09:24:27 AM »

Hope everyone had a safe and fun filled 4th, I wish I could report the bands were hopping, but that is not the case.. Last notable DX  for me was a station in China, if you are lucky enough to catch the short opening in the morning hours. In this case BG4GOV was worked on 14.012 at 7:30 local time, or 12:30 Z.

That has been about it, the KH1 expedition has folded up their tents, I must say despite the poorest of conditions these guys did a bang up job, I found little to no action on ten, same with 80 meters. We had hoped for a contact on those bands, but it did not happen, so maybe next time.

Oh a little tip on Chinese stations, they are on in the morning hours around 1200Z or about 7 AM local time, some have pretty good signals, others, down in the noise. It seems the Chinese ops are not familiar with our practice of tail ending, that is signing your call right after they finish a contact. If your normal approach fails, then try transmitting their call and yours as the caller. Some who have very good signals are BX2AC and BG4GOV, their contest station is B1Z and is active in the DX world wide contests, In fact they were copied on 40 meters in the last contest with a booming signal, mostly CW so dust off the keyed and jump in the pile up. Ok, till we have something else to report, we may post something every other day since most days have been pretty bad on the bands.

33

DX Reports / DX Report 7/2/18

« Last post by k4lrx on July 02, 2018, 08:36:11 AM »

If you have not gained a contact with the KH1 operation you have a couple more days to work them, incredible cw operation. I only worked them so far on 20, I had hoped for a contact on 80 meters, but the propagation Gods just were not in our favor.

I did catch this morning 1238Z or 7:38 local time BX2AC good signal, few callers, band was open for a short time then signals were gone.

As to another venture, each year the 13 original colonies are on the air celebrating our Independence, there is a very nice certificate available and  I got mine last year by working all 13 colonies and the two extra bonus stations.  I hope there will be others in TARS who will try for it, lots of activity on 40 and 75 all you have to do is have patience and search for those you need.

I would suggest use of the cluster networks, enjoy, have fun.

With the poor conditions, we are surprised by the strong signal of KH1/KH7Z, check around 14,210 up and 14.023 up. Remember this is a split operation, be sure you have all the buttons pushed.

34

DX Reports / DX Report6/30/18

« Last post by k4lrx on June 30, 2018, 12:22:12 PM »

I thought I might have shot at KH1 early this morning on 80 meters, well might, but there were two apparent intruders on 3.785 Khz that covered up all hope of making a contact. What little signal we did hear, not much above and S2. We were not sure of why this operation was using that frequency, seems like the DX window would have produced more contacts, but so be for this morning. Perhaps in the coming days we might have some luck, be nice, but really do not expect, QRN level on the band was a steady ten DB over, so not the best of conditions. 

35

DX Reports / DX Report 6/29/18

« Last post by k4lrx on June 29, 2018, 07:14:39 AM »

The KH1 Operation is in full swing and I am happy to report at least a phone contact resulted on twenty meter phone around 11:10 Pm local time. KH1/KH7Z is on the following frequencies  14.023 khz up and 14.210 up ten to 15, signal strength is not outstanding, for the most part about an S5. On CW the signal peaks at 579 and is subject to deep fade and may be inaudible at that time.

As usual, we have those callers who cannot understand the word "Up" and continue to call only to produce unwanted interference. We did have one instance of someone bootlegging the call KR6DD and sending it over and over on 14.023 kHz. Really childish, this was retallation by someone who had received an OO notice since KR6DD is the OOC for his section.  I had e mailed KR6DD and questioned the wisdom of the actions and thought it was the real KR6DD I heard on the air. The operator claimed he had monitored this since several stations in his area reported hearing his call being used improperly.

We did note this morning KH1 is on 80 meters, mostly West Coast contacts, but we shall see in the coming days if we can gain a contact, be nice catch.

Although, I did not need KH1 as a new entity I do like to work a current operation, based on the terrible band conditions personally I think the KH1 Crew picked the right band. Other bands are dead and would result in wasting time on them, the idea is to make maximum number of contacts around the world and twenty is the best choice at this time of year.

Therefore, two stations are on 20 from KH1 one is CW and the other is phone, CW ops are smoking and very good in copying stations racking up as many as five or more contacts in a minute. QSL information is on their web site, so if you need this one confirmed follow the instructions. Remember to have your rig in split and follow the directions of the op as where they are listening. 

36

DX Reports / KH7Z/KH1 info

« Last post by k4lrx on June 27, 2018, 05:50:29 PM »

This operation is on the air, but there was no detectable signal back this way, not even a peep. They were on the 20 meter band around 1800Z 14.210 up ten, nothing heard at all. Later at 20:30Z they switched to CW at 14.023 listening up at least two. Only ones getting through were West Coast stations, midwest reported signal barely heard.

It is now 22:45Z and I am starting to hear a very faint signal on 14.023 KHZ. seems like you have those who do not understand the word up and call on the same frequency. If you do call listen to the instructions and call up where ever the operation states they are listening.

With these terrible conditions, I do not look for a good copy on most bands, we are going to check 20 later on tonight and see what the signal strength is as of that time.

37

DX Reports / DX Report 6/27/18

« Last post by k4lrx on June 27, 2018, 04:34:14 AM »

Poor bands continue and it appears no end in sight until fall if then? The latest effort is KH7Z/KH1 seems like they could have gotten a previous call used and that was KH1B a few years ago. There is apparently some jokers operating and bootlegging the call, there are doubts about the operation showing up on 40 meters and twenty meters.

I would suggest waiting and see what happens in the next day, or so and if indeed it is the real operation and not some bootlegger. I could use this one on ten, chances of that slim, ten is pretty dead these days. Other band, 80 meters high static levels, severe storms, may make it near impossible, that is even if they attempt any 80 meters. If you get a chance to work KH1 grab it, might be another decade, or two before another operation is possible.

38

DX Reports / DX Report 6/25/18

« Last post by k4lrx on June 25, 2018, 06:47:47 AM »

Field Day 2018 has now come and gone, hope you had the time, or up to the event and did some operating, bands are not showing much improvement, just about the same with poor conditions during the day. According to the latest news there should be and we hope this one gets off the ground is an operation from KH1, this is Baker and Howland Island. We could use this one on ten meters, marginal at best, I do not look for any operation on that band, but then again we never know. Also 80 meters, this time of year with the higher static levels it may be a real challenge, I am not holding my breath.

I have qsl cards from dating back to the late 50's and early sixties of operations from this rare island this was back when the KB6 prefix was used and the first letter of the suffix indicated the location. We worked a few stations on 15 meters with ease then, far cry from what that band used to be and what it is now. I have not been on 15 at all for months, just nothing making it, same thing with ten meters. Watch the DX clusters on this one and if you get a chance go for it, since it may be several years before another attempt by anyone.

39

DX Reports / DX Report 6/22/18

« Last post by k4lrx on June 22, 2018, 10:16:33 PM »

A few Russian stations using the R18 prefix for a special event operation, signals were not very strong this afternoon, at best 579. I saw two spots of stations on the West Coast working an AP2 station, only two contacts were listed. This was in the phone band at 14.180Khz around 2000Z. Normally, there is no skip to that part of the world at this location at the time I mentioned. I checked 180 and heard nothing, not even a peep, so guess for the few contacts this station made it was all West Coast.

Only other action is a Maritime Mobile is stirring up some action with the grid chase going on, otherwise Maritime Mobiles do not count for any country. That is it, really poor band conditions, nothing much else going on these days.

40

DX Reports / DX Report 6/20/18

« Last post by k4lrx on June 20, 2018, 04:48:13 AM »

Very little to report, no major expeditions going on, but we do have some meager openings on 20 meters.  In the early morning hours a few VK stations are making it with fair to good signals.  Around 10 PM local time a few stations from New Zealand are also making it with good to fair signals. There has also been some limited activity from E51, a few contacts and then gone. During the day a few signals on twenty, some stations from Europe, but mostly a dead band. Hopefully, things will improve as we move towards fall, summer does not look good for ham radio. Be a good time for some antenna projects, checking your system and sweep of the dust and cobwebs.