ARRL DX NEWS 13 Dec 2019

DX News from the ARRL

December 13, 2019

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by W3UR, W9JJ, 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.

ROTUMA ISLAND, 3D2. 3D2AG/p will be QRV beginning December 17.
Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters. QSL via 3D2AG.

GEORGIA, 4L. Tev, TA1HZ will be QRV as 4L/TA1HZ from December 13 to 20. Activity will be mostly on the low bands using FT8 and FT4.
QSL direct to home call.

SENEGAL, 6W. A group of operators are QRV as 6V1A from Goree Island, IOTA AF-045, until December 15. Activity is on the HF bands using CW and SSB. QSL via 6W1QL.

BHUTAN, A5. Zorro, JH1AJT, Franz, DJ9ZB, Adrian, KO8SCA, Max, ON5UR and Champ, E21EIC are QRV as A50BOC, A50BPC, and A5B until December 20 as part of a trip here in order to support Bhutan's Olympic and Paralympic Committees with regard to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and FT8 and FT4. QSL via JH1AJT.

CUBA, CO. Amed, CO2AME plans to be active in the ARRL 10 Meter contest from Havana. QSL to home call.

ANTARCTICA. Roman, HB9HCF will be QRV as DP0GVN from the Neumayer III station from December 15 to February 29, 2020. Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters. QSL via DL5EBE.

CANARY ISLANDS, EA8. Erich, HB9FIH is QRV as EA8/HB9FIH from El Hierro, IOTA AF-004, until the end of March 2020. Activity is on the HF bands using CW, SSB and various digital modes. This includes various SOTA and IOTA activations. QSL to home call.

ETHIOPIA, ET. Members of the Ethiopian Amateur Radio Society are QRV as ET3YOTA during December. QSL direct to N2OO.

NEW CALEDONIA, FK. Rudi, DB1RUL is QRV as FK/DB1RUL until December 27 from various IOTAs. Activity is on the HF bands using mainly FT8. QSL to home call.

HONDURAS, HR. Tom, N9EAW is QRV as N9EAW/HR9 from Roatan Island, IOTA NA-057, until December 22. Activity is on the HF bands. QSL to home call.

THAILAND, HS. Brad, VK2BY will be QRV as HS0ZNR from Nam Yuen from December 14 to January 8, 2020. Activity will be on 80 to 10 meters using SSB and FT8. QSL via LoTW.

DENMARK, OZ. Volker, DJ8VW is QRV as 5P8VW from Romo, IOTA EU-125, until December 21. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and FT8. QSL to home call.

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, VP5. Mark, WQ7X is QRV as VP5/WQ7X from Providenciales Island, IOTA NA-002, until December 21. Activity is on 40 to 10 meters using CW and SSB. QSL to home call.

ANTARCTICA. Seba, SQ1SGB is QRV as VP8HAL from the Halley VI Research Station until February 8, 2020. Activity is in his spare time on 40 and 20 meters using JT65 and FT8. QSL via EB7DX.

CAYMAN ISLANDS, ZF. Vicky, AE9YL and Carl, K9LA are QRV as ZF2YL and ZF2LA, respectively, from Grand Cayman, IOTA NA-016, until December 16. Activity is on the HF bands. This includes being active in the ARRL 10 Meter contest. QSL to home calls.

OPERATION APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT. The following operation is approved for DXCC credit: Lakshadweep Island, VU7RI, 2019 operation.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO
The ARRL 10-Meter Contest, NCCC RTTY Sprint, QRP 80-Meter CW Fox Hunt, NCCC CW Sprint, PODXS 070 Club Triple Play Low Band Sprint, TRC Digi Contest and the CQC Great Colorado 20-Meter CW Snowshoe Run are all on tap for this upcoming weekend.
The Run for the Bacon QRP CW Contest is scheduled for December 16.
The CWops Mini-CWT Test, Phone Fray, NAQCC CW Sprint and QRP 40-Meter CW Fox Hunt are scheduled for December 18.
The Canadian National Parks on the Air, CNPOTA, operating event runs for the entire year of 2019, with special stations active from Canada's parks and historic sites.
During December look for a number of stations active with the YOTA suffix for Youngsters On The Air. QSL via LoTW or direct to M0SDV.
Please see December QST, page 63, and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest web sites for details

425 DX Group News 14 Dec 2019

14 December 2019                                          A.R.I. DX Bulletin
                                   No 1493

                          ===========================
                          *** 4 2 5  D X  N E W S ***
                          *******   CALENDAR  *******
                          ===========================
                           Edited by  I1JQJ & IK1ADH
                         Direttore  Responsabile I2VGW

PERIOD           CALL                                                   REF
till  14/12      C56BR: The Gambia                                     1492
till  14/12      L50JT: special callsign                               1491
till  15/12      6V1A: Goree Island (AF-045)                           1491
till  15/12      FK/DB1RUL: Grande Terre (OC-032), New Caledonia       1492
till  15/12      OR75NUTS: special callsign                            1491
till  15/12      PW1F, PW7M, ZV3FF, ZV7A: Brazilian Parks Weekend      1492
till  15/12      TR8CR: Gabon                                          1481
till  15/12      ZW132GBA: special callsign                            1491
till  15/12      ZW1F, ZW1TP, ZW2CNN, ZW7AER: Brazilian Parks Weekend  1492
till  15/12      ZW7O, ZY1A, ZY1F, ZY2GO: Brazilian Parks Weekend      1492
till  15/12      ZY3F, ZY4F, ZY7FF: Brazilian Parks Weekend            1492
till  15/12      ZY8F, ZY9F, ZZ1F: Brazilian Parks Weekend             1492
till  16/12      AU2JCB: special callsign                              1490
till  16/12      XW4XR: Laos                                           1489
till  16/12      ZF2YL and ZF2LA: Cayman Islands (NA-016)              1493
till  19/12      V47JA: St. Kitts (NA-104)                             1490
till  20/12      4L/TA1HZ: Georgia                                     1489
till  20/12      A50BOC, A50BPC, A5B: Bhutan                           1492
till  20/12      XT2AW: Burkina Faso                                   1489
till  21/12      5P8VW: Romo Island (EU-125)                           1493
till  23/12      8Q7XY: Maldives (AS-013)                              1490
till  25/12      OR0YAL and OR18xxx: special callsigns                 1485
till  25/12      R95WURC: special callsign                             1493
till  28/12      9G5GS: Ghana                                          1484
till  31/12      3Z50GR: special callsign                              1483
till  31/12      8J3ICOM and 8N3ICOM: special callsigns                1476
till  31/12      9A62AA: special callsign                              1452
till  31/12      Canadian National Parks On The Air (CNPOTA)           1443
till  31/12      DL70AFUG: special callsign                            1447
till  31/12      DL70BRD: special callsign                             1444
till  31/12      DM70GER: special callsign                             1444
till  31/12      DQ1200ASP: special callsign                           1443
till  31/12      DR50DIG: special callsign                             1446
till  31/12      EI100YXQ: special callsign                            1447
till  31/12      EI19RE: special callsign                              1447
till  31/12      EN185UNIV: special callsign                           1458
till  31/12      FK8CJ: New Caledonia (OC-032)                         1477
till  31/12      HB90 and HB30: special prefixes (Switzerland)         1443
till  31/12      SF50CG: special callsign                              1444
till  31/12      SP60DXC: special callsign                             1477
till  31/12      TC10GITRAD: special callsign (Turkey)                 1451
till  31/12      YOTA Month                                            1491
till  05/01/2020 HC3AGT: Ecuador                                       1493
till  05/01/2020 S589PMC: special callsign                             1491
till  07/01/2020 OP75USA: special callsign                             1492
till  01/02/2020 YR2019REV: special callsign                           1491
till  08/02/2020 VP8HAL: Halley VI Reserch Station, Antarctica         1492
till  27/02/2020 9M2MRS: Penang Island (AS-015), West Malaysia         1481
till  03/03/2020 PA75LIMBURG: special callsign                         1479
till  March 2020 C5YK: The Gambia                                      1490
till  04/04/2020 HR5/F2JD: Honduras                                    1491
till  06/04/2020 HS0ZME: Thailand                                      1488
till  30/04/2020 3Z50DVP: special callsign                             1483
till  May   2020 9J2MYT: Zambia                                        1490
till  30/06/2020 GB60ATG: special callsign                             1473
till  31/08/2020 4U25B: special callsign (Italy)                       1486
14/12-08/01/2020 HS0ZNR: Thailand                                      1491
15/12-21/12      HC5JLT: Ecuador                                       1492
16/12-17/12/2020 DL250BTHVN: special callsign                          1492
18/12-21/12      FK/DB1RUL: Ouvea Island (OC-033), New Caledonia       1492
20/12-01/01/2020 PY6/PP2RON: Itaparica Island (SA-023)                 1492
21/12-22/12      CN19JIM: special callsign                             1492
21/12-28/12      HB0/DL2SBY: Liechtenstein                             1492
22/12-03/01/2020 JD1BMH: Chichijima (AS-031), Ogasawara                1492
23/12-27/12      FK/DB1RUL: Ile des Pins (OC-032), New Caledonia       1492
26/12-29/12      4X20HNY: special callsign                             1491
26/12-29/12      4X2XMAS and 4X3XMAS: special callsigns                1491
26/12-29/12      4X7XMAS and 4X9XMAS: special callsigns                1491
26/12-31/12      CE0Y/UR5BCP: Easter Island (SA-001)                   1493
27/12-28/12      4X9R: special station                                 1489
31/12-02/01/2020 TF/OJ0Y and TF/MM0OKG: Iceland (EU-021)               1493
December         3D2AG/p: Rotuma (OC-060)                              1491
December         4S7DLG: Sri Lanka (AS-003)                            1490
December         II4TIB: special callsign                              1444
December         LZ4408SPA: special callsign                           1444
December         PH100ADL: special callsign                            1481
December         Z68MA: Kosovo                                         1489
TBA         2019 3Y0I: Bouvet Island                                   1487
01/01-31/12/2020 DL100BKW: special callsign                            1493
02/01-05/01/2020 TM30CDR: special callsign (France)                    1486
02/01-07/01/2020 ZC4UW: UK Sovereign Base Area on Cyprus (AS-004)      1484
06/01-12/01/2020 E44RU: Palestine                                      1493
10/01-17/01/2020 8T2G: Sagar Island (AS-153)                           1493
12/01-26/01/2020 TM70TAAF: special callsign (France)                   1493
30/01-13/02/2020 HU1DL: El Salvador                                    1489
31/01-05/02/2020 KP4/AA7CH: Vieques Island (NA-249)                    1493
January     2020 3D2AG/p: Rotuma (OC-060)                              1491
01/02-06/02/2020 TI9C: Coco's Island (NA-012)                          1481
04/02-18/02/2020 5I5TT and 5I4ZZ: Zanzibar Island (AF-032)             1477
05/02-17/02/2020 E44CC: Palestine                                      1491
06/02-18/02/2020 5H4WZ: Pemba Island (AF-063)                          1493
09/02-16/02/2020 FS/RW0CN (NA-105) and FS/VE7ACN (NA-199)              1493
21/02-05/03/2020 VP8/VP8DXU: South Orkney Islands (AN-008)             1492
05/03-15/03/2020 9J2LA: Zambia                                         1489
10/03-25/03/2020 W8S: Swains Island (OC-200)                           1484
18/03-02/04/2020 T30ET: Tarawa (OC-017), West Kiribati                 1489
23/03-03/04/2020 TU2R: Cote d'Ivoire                                   1489
22/08-23/08/2020 International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend            1482
October     2020 KH6VV/KH4: Midway Island (OC-030)                     1476
Oct-Nov     2020 CY0C: Sable Island (NA-063)                           1487
TBA         2020 TT8RR and TT8XX: Chad                                 1493

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14 December 2019                                          A.R.I. DX Bulletin
                                   No 1493

                         ===========================
                         *** 4 2 5  D X  N E W S ***
                         ****  DX  INFORMATION  ****
                         ===========================
                          Edited by  I1JQJ & IK1ADH
                        Direttore Responsabile  I2VGW

5H     - OK2WM, OM4AZF, OM5MF, OM5ZW and SP9LJD will be active as 5H4WZ from
         Pemba Island (AF-063), Tanzania on 6-18 February. They will operate
         CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8 on 160-10 metres, and will participate in the
         CQ WPX RTTY  (8-9 February)  and  the  ARRL DX CW  (15-16 February)
         contests. QSL via Club Log's OQRS, or via OM3PA. [TNX DX World]
CE0Y   - Oleh, KD7WPJ will be active as CE0Y/UR5BCP from Easter Island  (SA-
         001) on 26-31 December.  He will operate SSB, CW, FT8 & FT4 on 60-6
         metres. QSL via KD7WPJ (direct or bureau); his digital QSOs will be
         uploaded to LoTW. [TNX NG3K]
DL     - Special callsign DL100BKW  will be active  throughout 2020  to mark
         the 100th anniversary of the first broadcast transmission from  the
         Radio Station  Koenigs Wusterhausen  (22 December 1920),  which  is
         regarded as  the  birth of  statutorily regulated  broadcasting  in
         Germany (https://100jahrerundfunk.de/english/).  QSL via Club log's
         OQRS;  paper QSLs are not needed.  A certificate will be available,
         see qrz.com for information.
E4     - Russian Robinson Club's members R5EC, R7AL, RA1ZZ and RW9JZ will be
         active as E44RU from near Jericho, Palestine on 6-12 January.  They
         will operate CW, SSB, FT8 (Fox & Hound) on  160-10 metres.  QSL via
         Club Log's OQRS and LoTW.  See https://dxpedition.wixsite.com/e44ru
         for more information.
F      - Francois, F8DVD  will be active as TM70TAAF on  12-26 January.  QSL
         via  home call (direct or bureau),  and LoTW.  The special callsign
         commemorates the 70th anniversary of first QSOs made on the amateur
         radio  bands  by  stations operating from  the  Terres Australes et
         Antarctiques Francaises  (the French Southern and Antarctic Lands).
         The  stations involved  in early 1950  were  FB8AX from Adelie Land
         (Antarctica),  FB8XX  from  the Kerguelen Islands  and  FB8ZZ  from
         Amsterdam Island.
HC     - HC3AGT is the callsign used by Antonio, EA5RM  while in Loja, Ecua-
         dor.  In his spare time he operates SSB and digital modes on  40-10
         metres. Antonio will remain in the country until  5 January [425DXN
         1489], with possible  activity also  from Guayaquil (HC2).  QSL via
         home call.
OZ     - Volker, DJ8VW is active as 5P8VW from Romo Island (EU-125) until 21
         December. He operates SSB, CW and FT8 on 160-6 metres. QSL via Club
         Log's OQRS (preferred), LoTW, eQSL, or via DJ8VW.
TF     - Col, MM0NDX  as  TF/OJ0Y  (QSL via EB7DX and  LoTW)  and  Jonathan,
         MM0OKG as TF/MM0OKG (QSL via LoTW) will be active from Iceland (EU-
         021) from 31 December  to  2 January. They will operate CW, SSB and
         FT8 on 80-20 metres, and possibly on 160m. [TNX DX World]
UA9    - Special callsign R95WURC is active on  12-25 December  to celebrate
         the 95th anniversary of UFA Radio Club and the beginning of amateur
         radio  in the  Republic of Bashkortostan (R9W).  Also active in the
         same period are  R95WBZ, R95WFT, R95WGK, R95WJV, RW95WJ and RX95WN.
         A certificate will be available on https://r9w.hamlog.ru/.
VU     - Once  again  the  West Bengal Radio Club  will  provide  assistance
         during the Ganga Sagar Mela on  Sagar Island (AS-153).  This is the
         annual gathering  of  Hindu  pilgrims  to take  a  holy dip in  the
         Ganges, where the river merges with the Bay of Bengal.  Expect some
         activity on  he HF bands as 8T2G on 10-17 January. QSL via VU2NRO.
ZF     - Vicky, AE9YL as ZF2YL  and Carl, K9LA as ZF2LA  will be active from
         the Cayman Islands (NA-016) on 13-16 December,  including operation
         during  the  ARRL 10 Meter Contest.  QSL via  home calls.  [TNX The
         Daily DX]

CARIBBEAN TOUR ---> Mike, VE7ACN will be active as  KP4/AA7CH  from  Vieques
Island (NA-249) from 31 January to 5 February, and as FS/RW0CN from the main
island of Saint Martin (NA-105)  between 9 and 16 February.  He will operate
mainly CW on 80-10 metres, plus 160m  if local conditions allow.  Operations
from Saint Martin might include a couple of one-day side trips to Tintamarre
Island  (NA-199), where he will sign  FS/VE7ACN battery powered from dawn to
dusk only.  QSL via Club Log's OQRS (preferred), LoTW, or via VE7ACN (direct
or bureau).

                         ===========================
                         *** 4 2 5  D X  N E W S ***
                         ****  GOOD TO KNOW ... ****
                         ===========================
                          Edited by  I1JQJ & IK1ADH
                        Direttore Responsabile  I2VGW

Access to the main functions of www.425dxn.org is provided by the 425DXN App
for Android. It is available on Google Play - free of charge, no ads. Enjoy!

425 DX NEWS MAGAZINE ---> The November  2019  issue  is  now  available  for
download at http://www.425dxn.org/index.php. [TNX IZ3EBA]

CHAD 2020 ---> Having received  "the required security clearance",  Silvano,
I2YSB and  the  Italian  DXpedition  Team  (http://www.i2ysb.com/idt/)  have
announced their plans to be active from Ndjamena, Chad as TT8RR (CW, SSB and
RTTY) and TT8XX (FT8) "around mid-2020". Details are expected in due course.
Originally planned to take place in February-March 2019, the DXpedition  had
to be put on hold for security reasons. [TNX I2YSB]

IDXC 2020 ---> Registration for the 71st Annual International DX Convention,
to be held on 24-26 April at the Wyndham Hotel in Visalia (CA)  will open on
16 December: http://www.dxconvention.org/

RAEM CONTEST ---> The  48th RAEM Contest (http://raem.srr.ru/en/main/)  will
be held on 22 December,  from 00.00 UTC  until 11.59 UTC, on  80, 40, 20, 15
and 10 metres CW.  Organized by the Russian Amateur Radio Union (SRR),  this
annual event memorializes Ernst T. Krenkel (1903-1971), the legendary Arctic
explorer and radioman (callsign RAEM)  on various polar stations  and on the
first drifting ice station North Pole-1.

WRC-19: REGION 1 50 MHZ AMATEUR ALLOCATIONS ---> IARU  has  released  a more
detailed report (see https://www.iaru-r1.org/) on the outcome of Agenda Item
1.1 (50 MHz) at the recent World Radiocommunication Conference in Egypt.
The IARU position  was to seek a  4 MHz primary allocation  in  Region 1  in
common with  that in other ITU regions.  Proposals from administrations  and
Regional Telecommunications Organisations  around the world  ranged  from no
allocation at all to the provision of a 4 MHz primary allocation.
The table at http://www.iaru-r1.org/wiki/VHF#50-54_MHz_.286_m.29  ("Overview
of 50 MHz status in ITU Region 1") is IARU's understanding  of the  position
on 50 MHz allocations in Region 1  before and after  WRC-19.  The definitive
position is the responsibility of individual national administrations.
Provisions of the ITU Regulations,  as revised by WRC-19,  shall enter  into
force on  1 January 2021,  however administrations  may  make provisions  to
provide 50 MHz spectrum at an earlier or later date. Unless already licensed
to do so, individual amateurs  should not  use  the newly allocated spectrum
until their national licensing authority has given the go ahead for its use.

****************************************************************************

QSLs received direct  or  through  managers: 5K0K (NA-033), 8R1/AH0G, 9G5AR,
9H6A, 9U3TMM, A35JT, AP2AM,  BW2/JP1RIW, C21WW,  C5DL,  D4C,  D73G (AS-148),
EA9ACD,  ES3AX,  EV19CYC,  FK8GX, FK8HA,  HD8M,  HP1AVS,  JI3CEY/0 (AS-206),
JT1CO,  K5P (NA-089), KH0/KC0W,  KH6ZM,  KL7/NC6K, KL7RA, LU1DX, LY30A,  N5C
(NA-082), OJ0MR, P29LL, PJ2/KY7M, PJ4/K4BAI, PJ4A, PJ4K, SN1944W,  T30L (OC-
017), T42T, T88SM, TZ4AM, V26K, V47T,  V6K (OC-059), VP2V/DL7VTX, VP2V/N5AQ,
VP2VEM, XT2BR, YB8UTI (OC-209), YJ0CA, ZS6CCY,

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                425 DX NEWS HOME PAGE:  http://www.425dxn.org
                425 DX NEWS MAGAZINE:   http://www.425dxn.org/monthly

****************************************************************************

               425 DX News is a free of charge weekly bulletin
      edited by Mauro Pregliasco, I1JQJ and Valeria Pregliasco, IK1ADH

            Its contents may be used, reproduced and distributed
                        in part or full provided that
               "425 DX News" or "425DXN" receive proper credit

          Contributors are invited to send their DX information to
              Mauro Pregliasco, I1JQJ  (i1jqj.mauro@gmail.com)   
                      The deadline is 12 UTC on Fridays

****************************************************************************

                           Direttore Responsabile
                            Gabriele Villa, I2VGW
               Giornalista Professionista - Tessera n. 071675
                      Ordine Nazionale dei Giornalisti
                                Roma, Italia

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Around the DX World

Look for German special event station, DL250BTHVN, to be active between December 16th, 2019 and December 17th, 2020.
The Beethoven anniversary year will take place under the auspices of the Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The aims of this anniversary are to convey Beethoven's work, to strengthen and promote innovative projects, and to increase Bonn's reputation as a Beethoven city. Ludwig van Beethoven was born in December 1770 in Bonn and lived there for the first 22 years.
QSL via direct or by the Bureau.
For more information and updates, see:
https://dl250bthvn.de
OPDX

VP6R Pitcairn Island photo book

Nodir, EY8MM, has put together a spectacular photo book of the recent VP6R Dxpedition.
The photo book is 239 pages and is available to browse through or purchase at:
https://www.blurb.com/b/9820054-vp6r-expedition-to-pitcairn-island

 

South Orkney Islands DXpedition news

The following update was sent out by Gene, K5GS, on the VP8/VP8DXU South Orkney Islands (AN-008) DXpedition [edited]:
* Team Staffing -- We're sorry to report that Dave, WD5COV, had to leave
the project, replacing Dave is:
Alan Cheshire, VK6CQ -- Originally from Scotland, Alan has lived in Perth, Western Australia for many years and was first licensed as G4EEL in 1975 whilst studying for his commercial Merchant Marine Radio Officer ticket.
He holds degrees in Physics & Telecoms Engineering and is a consultant telecom engineer in the offshore oil and gas industry.
He has over 5 years Antarctic and sub-Antarctic experience with the British Antarctic Survey, Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions and Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions and has over-wintered four times with the callsigns VP8PJ and VK0LD. Other DX callsigns over the years: A4XYF, VS5AC, V85AC, P29AC, VK8AC, 9V1DX, 9V0A and CE9/VK0LD.
An A1 CW Op, he gave many an all time new one as VK0MM from Macquarie
Island over the year 2000 and was also a member of the 2016 VK0EK Heard
Island team. When not pounding away on a Morse key, Alan plays a mean
bluegrass banjo.
* Equipment Shipping -- After a short delay the equipment was accepted by our freight agent, placed on pallets, shrink wrapped and loaded into a sea container. The container was trucked to Oakland, California and after US Customs formalities it began its journey to Coronel, Chile. Expected arrival is December 21st. Subsequently, the shipment will be taken to Punta Arenas, Chile.
* Fundraising -- The estimated cost of this project is 310,000-325,000 (USDs), with the most expensive line items being the ship, freight and cold weather shelters. We expect fuel prices to remain within the contracted range, with minimal foreign exchange fluctuation. Our bills are paid in: US and New Zealand Dollars and Euros, we closely follow currency trends.
We appreciate the support from the worldwide DX and amateur radio organizations. Forty-nine clubs / foundations have signed on, and equally important are the over 400 individuals who have already supported the project, especially our 47 Premier Sponsors who each donated 200(USDs), or more. While we still have a long way to go, we continue to make progress towards our goal of the radio team paying 50% of the project cost with sponsorships paying the remainder.
The corporate sponsors: Elecraft, DX Engineering, WIMO, RadioSport, Low Band Systems, Spiderbeam, Rig Expert, Mastrant and Clamcleat are instrumental to the success of this project. We know that Max at ON5UR Print, working with our QSL Manager Tim, M0URX, will deliver a high quality QSL card.
Our next major milestones include finalizing the radio operating schedule and assigning team member responsibilities for camp setup, radio and antenna installation.
Thanks for your continued interest and support of our project.
Good luck in the pileups.
73, Team VP8/VP8DXU

Website: https://sorkney.com/
Please direct your questions to: info@sorkney.com
OPDX

New QSL Manager

QSL Manager Vasiliy, RW6HS, has informed OPDX that he is now the QSL Manager for the following station: CN19JIM (International Mountain Day, December 21-22nd, 2019), CN8YM and EC6FK
SIDE NOTE: From Tom, KC3HFW:
"I just wanted to pass on my great experience with a responsive/ethical QSL Manager. I have used the services of RW6HS on numerous occasions with DX that he is the QSL Manager of.
"Upon my request he emails me the time when he will mail the QSL card and follows up on my receipt. He mentioned that if I did not receive the card within a certain time frame to contact him and he would re-mail the card free of cost. Does it get any better than that? I think not.
Please post in your publication. He is one of the finest QSL Managers I have worked with."
via OPDX

This Weeks Contests by WA7BNM 9 Sec 2019

THIS WEEK'S CONTESTS
                        Compiled by Bruce Horn, WA7BNM

                           December 9 - 16, 2019 Edition

NOTICE: The WA7BNM Contest Calendar has permanently moved to: http://www.contestcalendar.com/ Please update any links to the calendar.

The web versions of this contest calendar can be found at: http://www.contestcalendar.com/  You can also access a text version of the weekly calendar at: http://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycal.txt

Please send corrections and additions directly to me. The web calendars are updated as new contest information is received. If you wish to unsubscribe, please notify me and you'll be immediately removed from the mailing list.

73 de Bruce, WA7BNM   (bhorn@hornucopia.com)

This e-mail is divided into three sections:
- Details of this week's contests
- List of following week's contests
- Contest log submittal addresses and deadlines for recent contests

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS WEEK'S CONTESTS:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint: 0100Z-0300Z, Dec 9
 Geographic Focus: North America
 Participation: Worldwide
 Mode: CW, SSB
 Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m
 Classes: Single Op
 Exchange: Member: RS(T) + (State/Province/Country) + Member No.
           Non-member: RS(T) + (State/Province/Country) + Power
 Work stations: Once per band
 QSO Points: 1 point per QSO with non-member
             2 points per QSO with member
 Multipliers: (none)
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points
 Submit logs by: December 11, 2019
 E-mail logs to: (none)
 Post log summary at: http://qrpcontest.com/4sqrp
 Mail logs to: (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.4sqrp.com/SSS/sss_rules.pdf

NAQCC CW Sprint: 0130Z-0330Z, Dec 11
 Geographic Focus: Worldwide
 Participation: Worldwide
 Mode: CW
 Bands: 80, 40, 20m
 Classes: (none)
 Max power: 5 watts
 Exchange: RST + (state/province/country) + (NAQCC No./power)
 Work stations: Once per band
 QSO Points: 1 point per QSO with non-member
             2 points per QSO with member
 Multipliers: Each state, province, or country once
              Key Type Mult: 2x if straight key, 1.5x if bug, 1x if other
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points x total mults x key type mult
 Submit logs by: 2359Z December 14, 2019
 E-mail logs to: naqcc33[at]windstream[dot]net
                 jcoreyc[at]gmail[dot]com
 Upload log at: http://naqcc.info/sprint_submit_log.html
 Mail logs to: (none)
 Find rules at: http://naqcc.info/sprint/sprint201912.html

QRP Fox Hunt: 0200Z-0330Z, Dec 11
 Geographic Focus: United States
 Participation: Worldwide
 Mode: CW
 Bands: 40m Only
 Classes: Single Op (Fox/Hound)
 Max power: 5 watts
 Exchange: RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output
 QSO Points: 1 point per QSO
 Multipliers: (none)
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points
 Submit logs by: 0330Z December 12, 2019
 E-mail logs to: (see rules)
 Mail logs to: (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm

Phone Fray: 0230Z-0300Z, Dec 11
 Geographic Focus: North America
 Participation: Worldwide
 Mode: SSB
 Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15m
 Classes: Single Op
 Max power: 100 watts
 Exchange: NA: Name + (state/province/country)
           non-NA: Name
 Work stations: Once per band
 QSO Points: NA station: 1 point per QSO
             non-NA station: 1 point per QSO with an NA station
 Multipliers: Each US state (including KH6/KL7) once per band
              Each VE province/territory once per band
              Each North American country (except W/VE) once per band
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points x total mults
 Submit logs by: 0300Z December 13, 2019
 E-mail logs to: (none)
 Post log summary at: http://www.3830scores.com
 Mail logs to: (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.perluma.com/Phone_Fray_Contest_Rules.pdf

CWops Mini-CWT Test: 1300Z-1400Z, Dec 11 and 1900Z-2000Z, Dec 11 and 0300Z-0400Z, Dec 12
 Geographic Focus: Worldwide
 Participation: Worldwide
 Awards: Worldwide
 Mode: CW
 Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m
 Classes: Single Op (QRP/Low/High)
 Max power: HP: >100 watts
            LP: 100 watts
            QRP: 5 watts
 Exchange: Member: Name + Member No.
           non-Member: Name + (state/province/country)
 Work stations: Once per band
 QSO Points: 1 point per QSO
 Multipliers: Each call once
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points x total mults
 Submit logs by: 0400Z December 14, 2019
 Post log summary at: http://www.3830scores.com
 Mail logs to: (none)
 Find rules at: https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/

NCCC RTTY Sprint: 0145Z-0215Z, Dec 13
 Geographic Focus: North America
 Participation: Worldwide
 Mode: RTTY
 Bands: (see rules)
 Classes: (none)
 Exchange: Serial No. + Name + QTH
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points x total mults
 Submit logs by: December 15, 2019
 E-mail logs to: (none)
 Post log summary at: http://www.3830scores.com/
 Mail logs to: (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.ncccsprint.com/rttyns.html

QRP Fox Hunt: 0200Z-0330Z, Dec 13
 Geographic Focus: United States
 Participation: Worldwide
 Mode: CW
 Bands: 80m Only
 Classes: Single Op (Fox/Hound)
 Max power: 5 watts
 Exchange: RST + (state/province/country) + name + power output
 QSO Points: 1 point per QSO
 Multipliers: (none)
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points
 Submit logs by: 0330Z December 14, 2019
 E-mail logs to: (see rules)
 Mail logs to: (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.qrpfoxhunt.org/winter_rules.htm

NCCC Sprint: 0230Z-0300Z, Dec 13
 Geographic Focus: North America
 Participation: Worldwide
 Mode: CW
 Bands: (see rules)
 Classes: (none)
 Exchange: Serial No. + Name + QTH
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points x total mults
 Submit logs by: December 15, 2019
 E-mail logs to: (none)
 Post log summary at: http://www.3830scores.com/
 Mail logs to: (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html

ARRL 10-Meter Contest: 0000Z, Dec 14 to 2400Z, Dec 15
 Geographic Focus: Worldwide
 Participation: Worldwide
 Mode: CW, Phone
 Bands: 10m Only
 Classes: Single Op (QRP/Low/High)(CW/Phone/Mixed)
          Single Op Unlimited (QRP/Low/High)(CW/Phone/Mixed)
          Multi-Single (Low/High)
 Max operating hours: 36 hours
 Max power: HP: 1500 watts
            LP: 150 watts
            QRP: 5 watts
 Exchange: W/VE: RST + State/Province
           XE: RST + State
           DX: RST + Serial No.
           MM: RST + ITU Region
 QSO Points: 2 points per Phone QSO
             4 points per CW QSO
 Multipliers: Each US State + DC once per mode
              Each VE Province/Territory once per mode
              Each XE State once per mode
              Each DXCC Country once per mode
              Each ITU Region (MM only) once per mode
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points x total mults
 Submit logs by: December 22, 2019
 E-mail logs to: (none)
 Upload log at: http://contest-log-submission.arrl.org
 Mail logs to: 10 Meter Contest
               ARRL
               225 Main St.
               Newington, CT 06111
               USA
 Find rules at: http://www.arrl.org/10-meter

PODXS 070 Club Triple Play Low Band Sprint: 0000Z, Dec 14 to 2359Z, Dec 16
 Geographic Focus: Worldwide
 Participation: Worldwide
 Mode: PSK31
 Bands: 160, 80, 40m
 Classes: HP/MP/LP/QRP
 Max operating hours: 6 hrs per UTC day
 Max power: HP: 100 watts
            MP: 50 watts
            LP: 25 watts
            QRP: 5 watts
 Exchange: RST + (state/province/country)
 Work stations: Once per band
 QSO Points: 1 point per QSO on 40m
             2 points per QSO on 80m
             3 points per QSO on 160m
 Multipliers: Each state, province and DXCC country once only
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points x total mults
 Submit logs by: December 23, 2019
 E-mail logs to: (none)
 Upload log at: http://hamclubs.info/scorer/
 Mail logs to: (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.podxs070.com/o7o-club-sponsored-contests/triple-play-low-band-sprint

TRC Digi Contest: 0600Z, Dec 14 to 1800Z, Dec 15
 Geographic Focus: Worldwide
 Participation: Worldwide
 Mode: RTTY
 Bands: 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m
 Classes: Single Op All Band (QRP/Low/High)
          Single Op 3 Band (Low/High)
          Single Op Single Band
          Multi-Single
 Max power: HP: >100W
            LP: 100W
            QRP: 5W
 Exchange: TRC Members: RST + Serial No. + "TRC"
           non-TRC Members: RST + Serial No.
 Work stations: Once per band
 QSO Points: 10 points per QSO with TRC member
             1 point per QSO with same continent
             2 points per QSO with different continent
             1 point per QSO between TRC members
 Multipliers: Each TRC member country once per band
              Each country once per band
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points x total mults
 Submit logs by: 2359Z December 22, 2019
 E-mail logs to: trcdxc[at]trcdx[dot]org
 Upload log at: http://ua9qcq.com/en/submit_log.php?lang=en
 Mail logs to: Atanas Kolev
               PO Box 49
               6100 Kazanlak
               Bulgaria
 Find rules at: http://www.trcdx.org/trcdxc/html/trcdigi.html

CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run: 2100Z-2259Z, Dec 15
 Geographic Focus: Worldwide
 Participation: Worldwide
 Mode: CW
 Bands: 20m Only
 Classes: Single Op
 Max power: 5 watts
 Exchange: RST + (state/province/country)
 QSO Points: 1 point per QSO
             5 points per QSO with W0CQC or N0CQC
 Multipliers: (none)
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points
 Submit logs by: January 14, 2020
 E-mail logs to: vkumagai[at]q[dot]com
 Mail logs to: (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.coloradoqrpclub.org/contests/snow.htm

Run for the Bacon QRP Contest: 0200Z-0400Z, Dec 16
 Geographic Focus: Worldwide
 Participation: Worldwide
 Mode: CW
 Bands: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m
 Classes: Single Band
          All Band
 Max power: 5 watts
 Exchange: RST + (state/province/country) + (Member No./power)
 Work stations: Once per band
 QSO Points: 1 point per QSO with non-member
             3 points per QSO with member on same continent
             5 points per QSO with member on different continent
 Multipliers: Each state, province, or country once
              Multiply mults by 2 if >50 members worked
 Score Calculation: Total score = total QSO points x total mults
 Submit logs by: December 22, 2019
 E-mail logs to: (none)
 Upload log at: http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/autolog.php
 Mail logs to: (none)
 Find rules at: http://qrpcontest.com/pigrun/


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEXT WEEK'S CONTESTS:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAQCC CW Sprint                                      0130Z-0330Z, Dec 18
QRP Fox Hunt                                         0200Z-0330Z, Dec 18
Phone Fray                                           0230Z-0300Z, Dec 18
CWops Mini-CWT Test                                  1300Z-1400Z, Dec 18
                                                      1900Z-2000Z, Dec 18
                                                      0300Z-0400Z, Dec 19
NCCC RTTY Sprint                                     0145Z-0215Z, Dec 20
QRP Fox Hunt                                         0200Z-0330Z, Dec 20
NCCC Sprint                                          0230Z-0300Z, Dec 20
AGB-Party Contest                                    1600Z-1700Z, Dec 20
Russian 160-Meter Contest                            2000Z-2400Z, Dec 20
Feld Hell Sprint                                     0000Z-2359Z, Dec 21
OK DX RTTY Contest                                   0000Z-2400Z, Dec 21
Padang DX Contest                                    1200Z, Dec 21 to 1159Z, Dec 22
Gedebage CW Contest                                  1200Z, Dec 21 to 1159Z, Dec 22
Croatian CW Contest                                  1400Z, Dec 21 to 1400Z, Dec 22
ARRL Rookie Roundup, CW                              1800Z-2359Z, Dec 22


----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTEST LOG SUBMITTAL DEADLINES FOR RECENT CONTESTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please consult the individual contest rules to determine what log
documentation must be submitted (i.e. summary sheet, dupe sheets, etc.).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

JIDX Phone Contest:   December 10, 2019
 E-mail:  ph[at]jidx[dot]org
 Mail:  JIDX Phone Contest
        P.O.Box 22,
        Mitaka,
        Tokyo 181-8799
        Japan
 Find rules at: http://www.jidx.org/jidxrule-e.html

Telephone Pioneers QSO Party:   December 10, 2019
 E-mail:  n6tpjim[at]gmail[dot]com
 Mail:  Jim Muiter
        4233 Wooster Ave.
        San Mateo, CA, 94403
        USA
 Find rules at: http://www.tpqso.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/TPQSO-Announcement-2019.pdf

4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint:   December 11, 2019
 E-mail:  (none)
 Post web summary:  http://qrpcontest.com/4sqrp
 Mail:  (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.4sqrp.com/SSS/sss_rules.pdf

SKCC Sprint Europe:   December 12, 2019
 E-mail summary:  (none)
 Post web summary:  http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/skse/submit-display.php?submit_id=165
 Mail:  (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/skse/

PRO CW Contest:   December 12, 2019
 E-mail:  cw[at]procontestclub[dot]ro
 Mail:  (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.procontestclub.ro/PCC%20Rules.html

Wake-Up! QRP Sprint:   December 14, 2019
 E-mail:  ru-qrp-club[at]mail[dot]ru
 Mail:  (none)
 Find rules at: http://qrp.ru/contest/wakeup/333-wakeup-eng

SKCC Weekend Sprintathon:   December 15, 2019
 Post web summary: http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/submit-display.php
 Mail:  (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/

ARRL 160-Meter Contest:   December 15, 2019
 E-mail:  (none)
 Upload log at:  http://contest-log-submission.arrl.org
 Mail:  160 Meter Contest
        ARRL
        225 Main St.
        Newington, CT 06111
        USA
 Find rules at: http://www.arrl.org/160-meter

FT Roundup:   December 15, 2019
 E-mail:  ft8-ru[at]cqww[dot]com
 Mail:  (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.rttycontesting.com/ft8-roundup/rules/

ARRL EME Contest:   December 17, 2019
 E-mail:  (none)
 Upload log at:  http://contests.arrl.org/arrlemescoresubmission.php
 Mail:  EME Contest
        ARRL
        225 Main St.
        Newington, CT 06111
        USA
 Find rules at: http://www.arrl.org/eme-contest

ARRL EME Contest:   December 17, 2019
 E-mail:  (none)
 Upload log at:  http://contests.arrl.org/arrlemescoresubmission.php
 Mail:  EME Contest
        ARRL
        225 Main St.
        Newington, CT 06111
        USA
 Find rules at: http://www.arrl.org/eme-contest

ARRL EME Contest:   December 17, 2019
 E-mail:  (none)
 Upload log at:  http://contests.arrl.org/arrlemescoresubmission.php
 Mail:  EME Contest
        ARRL
        225 Main St.
        Newington, CT 06111
        USA
 Find rules at: http://www.arrl.org/eme-contest

NRAU 10m Activity Contest:   December 19, 2019
 Upload log at:  http://ua9qcq.com/en/submit_log.php?lang=en
 Mail:  (none)
 Find rules at: http://www.nrau.net/activity-contests/below-30mhz.html

QRP ARCI Topband Sprint:   December 19, 2019
 E-mail:  (none)
 Upload log at:  http://www.qrpcontest.com
 Mail:  (none)
 Find rules at: http://qrparci.org/contests/2019%20Top%20Band%20Sprint.txt

Homebrew and Oldtime Equipment Party:   December 20, 2019
 E-mail:  hot[at]qrpcc[dot]de
 Mail:  Lutz Gutheil, DL1RNN
        Bergstr. 17
        D-38446 Wolfsburg
        Germany
 Find rules at: http://www.qrpcc.de/contestrules/hotr.html

EPC Ukraine DX Contest:   December 22, 2019
 E-mail:  (none)
 Upload log at:  http://ua9qcq.com/en/submit_log.php?lang=en/
 Mail:  (none)
 Find rules at: https://epc-ukraina.ucoz.com/

QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint:   December 22, 2019
 E-mail:  (none)
 Upload log at:  http://www.qrpcontest.com
 Mail:  (none)
 Find rules at: http://qrparci.org/contests/2019%20Holiday%20Spirits.txt

IPARC Contest, CW:   December 31, 2019
 E-mail:  ipa-contest[at]online[dot]de
 Mail:  Christiane Ruething, DL4CR
        Gauszstr. 55
        63071 Offenbach
        Germany
 Find rules at: http://www.iparc.de

IPARC Contest, SSB:   December 31, 2019
 E-mail:  ipa-contest[at]online[dot]de
 Mail:  Christiane Ruething, DL4CR
        Gauszstr. 55
        63071 Offenbach
        Germany
 Find rules at: http://www.iparc.de
                http://www.iparc.de

International Naval Contest:   December 31, 2019
 E-mail:  df8ld[at]darc[dot]de
 Mail:  Albert Homrighausen, DF8LD
        Am Fliederbogen 2
        D-24980 Schafflund
        Germany
 Find rules at: http://www.rnars.org.uk/documents/Regulations%20INC2019_E.pdf

AWA Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party:   January 1, 2020
 E-mail:  dgparker2[at]wisc[dot]edu
 Mail:  Dave Parker
        PO Box 6
        Prairie du Sac, WI  53578
        USA
 Find rules at: http://www.antiquewireless.org/bruce-kelley-memorial-cw-qso-party.html

UFT Meeting:   January 15, 2020
 E-mail:  f6cel[at]orange[dot]fr
 Mail:  Ghislain BARBASON
        5, rue de l'écluse
        F-02190 PIGNICOURT
        France
 Find rules at: http://www.uft.net/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=116&mnuid=105&tconfig=0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/NNNN

New Radio Free ASIA QSL

                                               

RADIO FREE ASIA RELEASES YEAR OF THE RAT QSL

JANUARY 2020

Radio Free Asia (RFA) announces its Chinese Lunar Year QSL. The Year of the Rat begins January 25, 2020 and ends February 11, 2021. The rat is one of twelve animals used in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in a rat year are considered ambitious, meticulous, industrious and sociable. They are also are very focused, naturals at following their instincts, and they are highly attentive which supposedly makes them excellent in business. This is RFA’s 72^nd QSL and is used to confirm all valid RFA reception reports January – April 2020. 

RFA’s Year of the Rat QSL  

Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, RFA broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin Chinese, Vietnamese, Tibetan (including Uke, Amdo, and Kham dialects), and Uyghur. RFA strives for accuracy, balance, and fairness in our editorial content. As a ‘surrogate’ broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of our target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack. RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of our broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest.  More information about RFA, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is always available at www.rfa.org. 

RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports.  Reception reports are valuable to RFA as they help us evaluate the signal strength and quality of our transmissions.  RFA confirms all accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card to the listener.  RFA welcomes all reception report submissions at http://techweb.rfa.org (follow the QSL REPORTS link) not only from DXers, but also from our general listening audience.

Reception reports are also accepted by email at qsl@rfa.org and by mail to:

         Reception Reports

         Radio Free Asia

         2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300

         Washington DC 20036

         United States of America

# # #

-->

IOTA News 9 Dec 2019

IOTA News from OPDX 9 December, 2019 Island activities:   AF-063. Members of Low Bands Contest Club (OM7M) will take part in a DXpedition to Pemba Island, Tanzania, between February 6-18th, 2020. Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. They will also take part in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16th) and the CQ WPX RTTY Contest (February 8-9th). Operators will use 2x K3 TCVR, 1xTS590 with 2xPA Expert 1K3 PA and Vertical antennas for HF bands. The license is issued and the callsign will be 5H4WZ. Operators mentioned are Karel/OK2WM, Lubo/OM5ZW, YL Margita/OM5MF, Jozef/OM4AZF and Leszek/SP9LJD. Logs will be uploaded to ClubLog (https://clublog.org/charts/?c=5H4WZ). QSL via OM3PA. More details will be forthcoming.   EU-008. (Early Announcement) Ray, M0DHP, will be active as MM2U from Skye Island, Scotland, during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 25-26th, 2020). QSL via LoTW.   NA-057. Thomas, N9EAW, is active as N9EAW/HR9 from Roatan Island, Honduras, until December 22nd. Activity will be holiday style and mainly on 20 meters SSB using a Yaesu FT-450D into a ZS6BKW multi-band wire dipole at 35 feet. QSL via his home address on QRZ.com.   SA-023. Ron, PP2RON, will be active as PY6/PP2RON from Itaparica Island in Bahia State between December 20th and January 1st, 2020. Activity will be holiday style on 80-6 meters using CW, SSB and possibly FT8. QSL via his home callsign. direct, by the Bureau or LoTW.   PLEASE NOTE: Since the Webmasters of the new 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...... Check-out the latest IOTA News from the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club

K7RA Propagation Report 7 December 2019

Propagation de K7RA

7 December, 2019
No sunspots again this week. This run of zero sunspots has persisted for over three weeks.
In last week's bulletin, we erroneously said that average daily sunspot number for the week was 70.4, but as KB8W pointed out this was the value of average daily solar flux. Average daily solar flux for this week, November 28 through December 4, was 70.2.
Geomagnetic indicators were very quiet, with average planetary A index declining from 8.3 to 3.4, while average mid-latitude A index slipped from 5.7 to 2.
Predicted solar flux for the next 45 days is 70, in fact that is the value forecast for every one of those days, all the way through January 19.
Predicted planetary A index is 5 on December 6 and 7, then 8 on December 8 and 9, 5 on December 10 to 17, then 12, 10, 8 and 8 on December 18 to 21, 5 on December 22 to 29, 8 on December 30 and 31,
5 on January 1 to 3, 8 on January 4, 5 on January 5 to 8, 6 on January 9, 5 on January 10 to 13, then 12, 10, 8 and 8 again on January 14 to 17, and 5 on January 18 and 19.
Spaceweather.com pointed out the Geminid meteor shower is coming up soon, peaking December 13 and 14, just in time for the ARRL Ten Meter Contest next week on December 14 and 15. Ionized meteor trails may enhance 10 meter propagation.
This article from 2012 describes the source of the Geminids:
https://go.nasa.gov/2LqsH7G
This year the full moon appears on December 12, which may interfere with viewing the meteor shower.
F. K. Janda, OK1HH sent his geomagnetic activity forecast for the period December 6 to 31, 2019
"Geomagnetic field will be:
quiet on: December 12, 15 to 17, 23, 28 to 31 quiet to unsettled on: December 9 to 11, 13, 24 to 27 quiet to active on: December 6 to 8, 14, 18, 22 unsettled to active on: December 21 active to disturbed on: December (19 and 20)
Solar wind will intensify on: December (13 and 14, 16,) 18 to 21.
Parenthesis means lower probability of activity enhancement.
Everything suggests that we are very close to the minimum of the 11-year cycle now."
Updates on the Parker Solar Probe (thanks to Max White):
https://nyti.ms/2DNWMdf
https://go.nasa.gov/2LtTsrX
Thanks to David Moore for this on solar magnetic waves:
https://bit.ly/34YZMPS
Jon Jones, N0JK reported on 6 meter sporadic-e on December 4:
"The winter sporadic-E season began with a strong, long lasting Es opening across North America and the Caribbean December 4. Es first appeared early around 1400z from W5 to W8, and lasted all day to 0040z December 5.
I was on from home (Lawrence, KS EM28) around 1830z and made a dozen 6 Meter FT8 contacts in Florida and Georgia.
Later while driving from Lawrence to Salina, stopped on highway 177 south of Manhattan, Kansas (EM18) and set up fixed mobile. 10 watts and 1/4 wave magnet mount. Made 7 FT8 contacts in Florida, Georgia, and Virginia. Was called by WA1EAZ FN42 and decoded WU1ITU FN65 several times. N0LL (EM09) decoded HH2AA, but no QSO. Other DX spotted included TI5/N5BEK, XE1MEX, XE2AT, XE2JS, HI8DL, HI8PLE, KP4EIT, HI8RD, NP3XF, NP4BM, and LU5FF Es - TEP by KW4BY."
The Royal Observatory of Belgium (http://www.sidc.be/silso/home) has an interesting page showing sunspot number predictions for the next 12 months:
http://www.sidc.be/silso/ssngraphics
Thanks to Max White for this, on observing the ionosphere from Antarctica:
https://bit.ly/2Lsh14w
Found this on Galileo's sunspot drawings, presented as animation:
https://bit.ly/365Xi2r
The ARRL 160 meter contest begins today at 2200 UTC. The predicted quiet geomagnetic conditions are a good sign. See http://www.arrl.org/160-meter for details.
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For an explanation of numbers used in this bulletin, see
http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere.
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Sunspot numbers for November 28 through December 4, 2019 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 0, with a mean of 0. 10.7 cm flux was 70.2, 69.8, 70.4, 71.2, 70.4, 69.9, and 69.6, with a mean of 70.2. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 5, 4, 4, 2, 2, and 3, with a mean of 3.4. Middle latitude A index was 2, 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, and 2, with a mean of 2.
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