Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX
Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters
Network, K1XN & GoList, NJ1Q, KF2TI, WB2KSK, NG3K & ADXO, W3AWU, K4UEE,
KP4BJD, N4AA & QRZ DX, W5KNE, KH6BZF, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX (60m News),
KC0VKN, AT International, DK8JB, DK1MAX, DL1SBF, DL7MAE & The DX News
Letter, DX-World.Net, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, G3VOF/GB6GEO, I1JQJ/IK1ADH
& 425 DX News, I2YSB, JA1TRC/VR2, LA5HE, ON4ATW, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News,
Pete's-DX-Newsdesk, RSGB IOTA Web Site, VA3RJ & ICPO, VHF-DX-Portal
(MMMonVHF), XW1B/3W3B and YB2TJV for the following DX information.

*** SPECIAL NOTE FROM EDITOR (Tedd, KB8NW): My family (wife/OPDX's chief
proof-reader Linda, son Teddy [TJ] and his wife Jessi, daughter Katie and
her husband Kevin) and I (KB8NW) would like to wish all DXers, Contesters
and OPDX readers a very "Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas and Season's
Greetings". Thanks to the many individuals who sent holiday wishes to my
family and me........73 and Have a Great Holiday de Tedd KB8NW

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the
week of Sunday, 12th-December, through Sunday, 19th-December there were
219 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J,
4L, 4O, 4S, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R,  5X, 5Z, 6Y, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A, 9G,
9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV,
BY, C3, C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, CY0, D2, D4, DL,
DU, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY,
EZ, F, FG, FH, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, HA,
HB, HC, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J2, J3, J6, J7, J8, JA,
JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY,
LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PJ5, PJ7,
PY, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T5, T7, TA, TF, TG,
TI, TJ, TK, TL, TR, TT, TY, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7,
V8, VE, VK, VK0M, VK9N, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP8/h, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU,
XW, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZD8,
ZF, ZL, ZP, ZS, ZS8

* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations or
  more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work
  First Worry Later" (WFWL).

3 STEVE'S TO BE ACTIVE AGAIN! Yes, it is that time again. The 3 Steve's
(Steve/KF2TI, Steve/N2IFA, Steve/KB2ENF and Kurt/W2MW [aka Steve]), along
with those two laughing young men, Andrew/N2IFB and Eric/K2EMZ will be
guest op'ing at the ARRL station, W1AW, Wednesday, December 29th, between
1700-2045z. This is their 20th annual WAS (Worked All Steve's) DXpedition
to Newington, and they will be operating on the following bands:
  30M CW (Kurt aka Steve)
  15, 20 and 40m SSB (Steve, Steve and Steve)
  10 and 17m (possibly 80m) (Andrew/N2IFB and Eric/K2EMZ will also be
                             operating as �Steves�)
Steve (KF2TI) states, "Hopefully condx will improve and we will try to
listen for outside the US. Packet spots will be posted. If you work any
3 operators, we will send you a beautiful, full color WAS (Worked All
Steve's) certificate (suitable for framing). No QSL is needed, as we
will have copies of the log and send out a certificate to all those who
qualify. QSL cards to us are not necessary for the WAS. If you want a
W1AW QSL Card, please send to them direct or via the Bureau. The logs
will be posted (hopefully) after January 1st on our website:
                          http://the3stevesarc.org
This is not an officially sanctioned ARRL event. It is run for fun by
the 3 Steves Amateur Radio Association (TSARC) � WK3SS (all rights
reserved) and we are responsible for the printing and sending of the
Worked All Steve's certificate (suitable for framing). We would like
to thank the ARRL for allowing us to play with their great toys and
putting up with us each year. Hope to work you then."

3W, VIETNAM. Bruce, XW1B, from Vientiane, Laos, is planning another
operation from Danang, Vietnam, for the ARRL DX CW Contest (February
19-20th) as a Single-Op/Low-Power entry using the callsign 3W3B. He
states that he will be living in Danang most of the year and anticipates
being very active on the bands. At the start of his activity, he will
use a simple station/antenna but plans to improve things later. QSL
only via E21EIC. NO eQSLs.

4S7, SRI LANKA (IOTA Op Planned). Peter, DC0KK, is once again active as
4S7KKG until March 13th (2011). Activity will be on all HF bands using
CW, SSB and the Digital modes (RTTY, PSK and WSJT). He also hopes to
activate Barberyn Island (AS-171) sometime during his stay (dates are
to be announced).  QSL via DC0KK, direct or by the Bureau.

5I/5H, TANZANIA (Update). Igor, UA3DJY, is now active again as 5H3ACR
until the end of December. He will try to be active on all bands using CW
and SSB.  QSL via RK3AOL. Look for him to also be active as 5I3A from the
DIT Communications club station in Dar Es Salaam.

5R8, MADAGASCAR (IOTA Op). Paolo, IK2QPR, will be active as 5R8PR from
Nosy Be (AF-057) between January 17-25th. Activity will be holiday style
on 40-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign.

5R8, MADAGASCAR (IOTA Op). Operators Andy/SM1IRS, Al/SM4HAK and Eric/SM1ALH
will be active as 5R8HL from Madagascar (AF-013) and Nosy Be (AF-057)
between January 17th and February 4th. Activity will be on the 80-10
meters using CW and SSB. QSL via SM1ALH.

60 METERS. Joe, W8GEX, reports that the following stations were heard
last week on 60 meters: G3SED, G4PCB, G0HGZ, G0HNW, J6/K4MK, LA2FKA,
LA9BM and TF1EIN.

6W7, SENEGAL. Francis, F6BLP, will once again be active as 6W7SK between
January 8-21st. Activity will be holiday style using the same station as
last time (IC-7000 into G5RV antenna) operating mainly CW. QSL via F6BLP,
direct or by the Bureau. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW and eQSL. For more
detail, logs and pictures of his last operation, visit:
     http://www.f6blp.org/index.php?langue�&contenu�me.php

8Q7, MALDIVES. Nao, JK1FNL, will be active as 8Q7FF between January 4-9th.
Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via his home
callsign.

GEOPARK WEEKEND FOR 2011 ANNOUNCED. The Geoparks Communication Weekend 2011
will take place on the weekend May 28-29th. The English Riviera Geopark
callsign will remain as GB6GEO (after confirmation from Ofcom). All those
wishing to take part in the event next year with the special Geoparks
callsign please contact Martin, G3VOF, via E-mail at:  mar...@riviera.fm  

IO7, ITALY (Special Event). Operators Fred/IK7JWX (SSB), Vincenzo/I7PXV
(SSB and CW) and  Mike/IK7FPX (SSB) will activate the special callsign
IO7DAI from the Abbeys of Lecce and Province between January 1st and
March 31st (2011). Activity is to provide contacts for the special
"Italian Abbeys Award Diploma Abbazie Italiane". For rules, see the Web
site at:             http://www.aribusto.it/dai_rules.htm
Send QSO data to the QSL Manager IK7JWX via:     ik7jwx2...@yahoo.it
All QSOs will be QSLed via Bureau; if you wish QSL via direct, send
1 USD. The logs will be available on the Web site at:
                     http://www.enzolog.org/login.php

IOTA NEWS....................
  AS-133.  Operators Peter/XU7ACY and Wim/XU7TZG will be active as XU7KOH
           from Koh Russei (aka Bamboo Island, AS-133) between December
           20-23rd. Watch the usual IOTA frequencies. QSL via ON7PP.

  AS-079.  Take, JI3DST, will once again be active as either JS6RRR or
           JI3DST/JS6 from the Miyako Islands between December 26th
           and January 4th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW,
           SSB, RTTY, PSK and FM. He will operate mainly from Miyako-
           Jima (JIIA AS-079-005), but he may also operate from Ikema-
           Jima (AS-079-001) and Kurima-Jima (AS-079-003). QSL by the
           Bureau only.

  NA-122.  Adriano, IK2GNW, will be active as HI9/IK2GNW from Levantado
           Island, Dominican Republic, for 2months starting January 27th.
           Activity will be on 80-6 meters using SSB and RTTY. QSL Manager
           is I2YSB. QSL only DIRECT (NO ITALIAN BUREAU) to: Borsa Silvano,
           Viale Capettini 1, 27036 Mortara, Italy (please include 2 USDs
           or 1 IRC). For more info and log search, please visit:
                           http://www.i2ysb.com

  OC-093.  (Cancelled) Due to the airplane problem, Gerard, F2JD, could
           not be transported to Batanes Island and be active as DU2/F2JD.
           He was very disappointed.

J38, GRENADA. Operators Bill/K4LTA and XYL Ruby/K4UPS will be active as
J37BO and J37RO, respectively, from Grenada Island between February 9th
and March 10th. Activity will be active on all HF bands. Look for Bill
to be active as J38A during the ARRL DX CW Contests (February 19-20th)
as a Single-Op entry. QSL J37BO and J38A via K4LTA and J37RO via K4UPS.

KH6BZF PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (For December 20-26th)....
 Dec  20    AN          SOLAR REFERENCE KEYS
 Dec  21    AN          --------------------
 Dec  22    AN          BN - Below Normal
 Dec  23    HN-AN       AN - Above Normal/Geomagnetic Level is QUIET
 Dec  24    AN-HN       LN - Low Normal
 Dec  25    AN-HN       HN - High Normal/Geomagnetic Level is UNSETTLED
 Dec  26    AN          DIS  - Disturbed
                        VDIS - Very Disturbed

   GEOMAGNETIC REFERENCE
   ---------------------
   QUIET - The "A" index is expected to be between
           0-7 and the "K" index will be 2 or less
   UNSETTLED - The "A" index is expected to be between
           7-16 and "K" index will be 3 or less

KH9, WAKE ISLAND (60m). Colin, WA2YUN/KH9, reportedly checks 60 meters
between 0900z and 1100z most nights on CH5.

LZ02, BULGARIA (WFF Op). Plamen, LZ3FM, will be active as LZ02WFF from
National Park Pirin (LZFF-002 - near Bansko, KN11RT) between December
21-25th. Activity will be holiday style on 80-10 meters using CW on
an IC-746 into an Inverted Vee antenna. QSL via LZ1BJ.

NEW OFFICERS FOR 2011. Members of the Honolulu (HNL) DX/A.R.C. have
elected the following 2011 Officers and Board of Directors:
   President      - John Peters, K1ER/KH6
   Vice President - Dan Gleeson, KH6P
   Treasurer      - John Peters, K1ER/KH6
   Secretary      - Joan Peters, k4DPW/KH6
   Directors      - Lee Wical, KH6BZF
                  - Tom Seale, KH6AAA
                  - Eran Agmon, WH6R
                  - Bill Kendall, KH6OO

P29, PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Operators Allan/VK2GR and Josette/VK2FXGR will be
active again as P29CW from Kiunga in the Western Province ( (IOTA OC-034)
beginning sometime in February 2011 and staying there for 10 months.
Activity will be during their spare time while doing volunteer aid work
with Australian Doctors International <http://www.adi.org.au> on CW/SSB/
RTTY. QSL via his manager VK2IR: Tommy Horozakis, PO Box 13, Sans Sousi,
NSW, 2219, Australia. Details about the previous operation, as well as
logs and pictures, are available at:  http://www.p29cw.blogspot.com
ADDED NOTE: VK2GR and VK2FXGR are part of the Spratly Island DX0DX
Dxpedition planned for January 2011:  http://www.dx0dx.net

PACIFIC TOUR. German operators Hermann/DL2NUD and Stefan/DL9GRE will be
active as FK/DL2NUD and FK/DL9GRE from New Caledonia between January
16-26th and February 3-15th. Activity on the HF bands will be done by
DL9GRE, while DL2NUD will be active on 2m, 70cm and 23cm EME. The duo
will also be active from Vanuatu (expected) between January 27th and
February 2nd. Tentative callsigns are YJ8HP and YJ8GR or any other assigned
callsigns. QSL via their home callsigns.

PJ7, SINT MAARTEN (Update). Joe, KC0VKN, will be active as PJ7/KC0VKN
from Sint Maarten (NA-105) between December 18�23rd. Activity will be
holiday style on 40-10 meters using CW, depending on operating times and
openings (but motivated to put a lot of people in the log). QSL via LoTW
or direct to his home callsign.

QSL INFO AND NEWS.....................
  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (dated December 19th)

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
  4B2S via WD9EWK                             NP4DX via W3HNK
  7Z1SJ via EA7TFR                            OA6/OE3NHW via OE3NHW
  AH0J via JA1NVF                             ON25NOK via ON7YX
  AP2ARS via EY8MM (11/2010 op, also LoTW)    PA100BEVER via PC2S
  BW2/KU1CW via KU1CW (LOTW only)             PA30TEN via PA2NJC
  D44TBV via JA1PBV                           PA30RCK via PI4RCK
  DP850ZZ via DL3VFN                          PC10SANTA via PA2LP
  EE1GEM via EB1GEM                           PJ2/K2PLF via K2PLF
  EI0Z via EI8JB                              SN777TO via SQ2BNM
  EZ7V via RW6HS (direct only)                TM22P via F4EUG
  GX4HRC/A via G3SVK                          W5T via AA5AR (direct)
  IQ9GD via IT9GUH                            YB9/OK2DW via OK2DW
  IS0/I5OYY via I5OYY                         ZL2FN via VK6RZ
  J8/NA3J via NA3J
  KH7X via K2PF (direct) or LoTW

  9Q50ON QSL STATUS. Theo, ON4ATW, reports, "Next week or so we have a
  team meeting to discuss our QSL policy. We start handling the direct
  QSLs as soon as possible then the Bureau cards and third we will upload
  the log to LoTW. The upload to LoTW will be much sooner as previous
  stated on our website. Our goal is to please all contacted stations
  with  a confirmation in a timely manner. Cards still have to be designed
  and printed but we hope to start sending QSLs shortly after the new year.
  Most probable LoTW will be available sometime in February."

  9V1SJ QSLS (Update from OPDX.989). Joe, VK5WU, is now stating that the
  special event 9V1SJ station (from the JOTA) will be eventually QSLed
  via the Bureau. He also plans to put the logs in the LoTW once he has
  all of the logs.

  JT0YAB QSL ROUTE CHANGE. Max, DK1MAX, reports: "The QSL route for JT0YAB
  has been changed due to mailing problems (lost/stolen envelopes) in/out
  UA9Y. QSL JT0YAB now via DK1MAX, direct. For more details see:
                        http://www.qrz.com/db/DK1MAX
  Russian QSL requests are via UA9YAB and Ukrainian QSL requests are via
  UT7QF.

  PJ6A QSL STATUS. Bob, K4UEE, reports: "The PJ6A QSL cards have been
  designed, printed and received from the printer. The process of verifying
  claimed QSOs vs. actual log data is well under way and the first of the
  QSLs have been mailed. Because this is an all time new DXCC entity the
  worldwide demand for the PJ6A QSL is tremendous. The QSL manager, Bill,
  N4NX, has prepared a routine that will utilize PJ6A team members to aid
  in expediting the QSLing process. The work will continue on a daily basis
  until all requested QSLs are in the mail. Please do not send email with
  questions about the current status of individual QSLs as this will only
  slow the already large workload. The logs will be uploaded to the ARRL
  Log Book of the World (LoTW) on 1 January 2011."

  PJ7E QSL STATUS. Joe, W8GEX, reports: ".. PJ7E QSL manager now has the
  cards and they should be out in a few weeks. He is going to mail all of
  them at once."

  QSL STATUS OF UA4WHX EXPEDITIONS. The DX-World.net Web site has a press
  release from Vlad, UA4WHX, that states (edited): "It has  been three
  years since we started sending cards for Africa. We are working very
  hard to answer all the requests we have received. We are currently
  probably well over 90% of the direct requests due. The good news is
  that we are getting less requests than we are sending out. We are
  expecting to answer all the direct requests by the end of this year,
  2010." For the complete press release and a list of countries and the
  status of their cards, go to:

 http://dx-world.net/2010/current-qsl-status-of-ua4whx-expeditions/#mo...
63

  QSLS VIA LoTW: 9A3IH, AH2R, C6AKQ, C6AQQ, CT1JOP, DL9UBF, EA1DR, EA1QK,
  EA2ABJ, F6HKA, F6NMK, HA3AUI, IK8BQE, J5/K8RAB, JH2IEE, JH8JYV, LY6A,
  OE1ZL, OH0Z, OJ0B, OJ0J, OK1AD, ON4BB, PU8TEP, RN6HDL, RV2FW/1, SM2GCQ,
  SP6CIK, UN1L, UU5WW, UX7MX, V47NT, VK2BN, VP2E/K1XM, VQ9LA, YB0NFL and
  Z21BB

  QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 4O50A, 6Y5WJ, CE8A, FP/KV1J, MJ0AWR, P40L,
  PJ2/K2NV, PJ2/K2TQC, PJ2/K8LEE, PJ4A, PJ4B, TO7ZG, V26B, VE7DP/7,
  VE8EV/p, VQ9LA, VY0X and ZD8ZZ

  QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: CN2BC, CT/LZ3ND, EW5A, GB0SH, IQ0AL,
  LZ1BJ, LZ3FN, LZ9W, ON5SV, PZ5YV, RW9WH, SV/I2YYO, TB37F, UE6UFI,
  UR5MM and YO3CZW

S2, BANGLADESH (UpdaTE). Operators Zorro/JH1AJT, Hiro/JP1TRJ, Jon/KL2A,
Lee/DS4EOI and Jim/A51HI are now active as S21YX (not S21FGC as first
announced) from Dhaka until December 21st. Activity started on the 16th
and continues to be on 160-10 meters using CW and SSB. However, they will
concentrate on 160/80/40 meters CW. They have two stations with amps on
the air using the following: 160m (full size L-GP at 30m), 80m (full size
L-GP at 30m), 40m (full size DP at 35m), and two R-7000 at 30m. QSL via
JH1AJT. A log search is available at:
            http://ds4eoi.karl.or.kr/logs/search.html

TJ, CAMEROON. Members of the F6KOP Team and Clipperton DX Club are planning
a DXpedition in February 2011. Look for more details to be forthcoming.

V2, ANTIGUA & BARBUDA. Alan, N3AD, will once again be active as V26M for
the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 5-6th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power
entry. He will be on the island between March 4-7th. His activity will be
on the HF bands only - 160/80/40m in evening and 20/15/10m during daytime.
QSL via his home callsign.

V4, ST. KITTS. Jon, W5JON, will be active again as V47JA from his new
Calypso Bay vacation home between February 16th and March 30th. Activity
will be on 80-6 meters SSB, including both the ARRL International DX SSB
Contest (March 5-6th) and the CQ WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th), both as
a Single-Op/All-Band entry. The station's equipment is a Kenwood TS-590S
with a KL-400 amplifier (400w) and multi-band dipoles. Look for his XYL
Cathy, W5HAM, to also be active occasionally as V4/W5HAM. All QSLs go to
his home callsign, W5JON.

V5, NAMIBIA. Ulmar, DK1CE, will once again be active as V5/DK1CE between
December 26th and January 6th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters CW only.
QSL via the home callsign by the Bureau or direct via DH3WO.

VP9, BERMUDA. Jamie, WW3S, will be active as VP9/WW3S from Ed/VP9GE's
QTH between January 6-10th. Activity will be on the HF bands. QSL via
LoTW or via his CBA.

XE, MEXICO. Before activating IOTAs in Belize (see OPDX.988), look for
Markus, DJ4EL, to be active  as XE1/DJ4EL from a few locations in Mexico
(Mexico City, Tlaxcala and Quer�taro) between December 25th and January
9th (2011). Activity will be on 80-10 meters SSB using 100 watts into a
windom-antenna and some different Quad-Loops. QSL via his home callsign,
by the Bureau or direct.

XW, LAOS. After finishing is 3W3B activity, Bruce, XW1B, is now back home
and plans to be active once again until December 27th, depending on his
antenna maintenance/repairs. He states that he will try to concentrate on
the lower bands. QSL only via E21EIC. NO eQSLs. Bruce informs OPDX that
he actually lives there (Laos & Vietnam) permanently, so he will be active
from one, or the other, for the "duration". He does mention that he lives
in 3W most of the year, and he just got his ticket there. Currently, he
states that his antenna situation in 3W is dismal and while at his home
in XW he hopes to take some better antennas back to 3W with him at the
end of the month.

YE2, INDONESIA (Lighthouse Op). Dani, YB2TJV, informs OPDX that the first
ever amateur radio lighthouse activation from Indonesia will take place
between December 28th and January 4th (2011). The special callsign YE2H
will be used to activate Klirong Lighthouse (ARLHS IDO-374, WLOTA 1660),
in the south beach of Kebumen City, Indonesia (WW Loc. OI42TF), Central
Java Province South Coast (IOTA OC-021), and during the 75th anniversary
celebration of Kebumen City. Team operators include Dani/YB2TJV, Eko/
YC2DSI, Seno/YB2LSR, Jon/YB2ECG, Heroe/YC2DBG, Yuli/YC2CYU, Anto/YC2LCT,
Kus/YC2CSY, Nur/YC2FAJ, Bowo/YC2MOJ and Budi/YB2CNF. Activity will be on
all HF bands and modes. QSL via YB2TJV, by the Bureau or direct to:
Box 123, Kebumen 54300, Indonesia (w/SASE and GS). For more information
see QRZ.com under the callsign YE2H.