Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX
Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters
Network, ARRL Web page, K1XN & GoList, NJ1Q, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily
DX, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4DXX, W5FKX, W5JON, KH6BZF, K8YSE, N8PS, AT International,
CO8LY, DL7MAE & The DX News Letter, DX World of Ham Radio Web Site, I1HYW,
I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, OK1DOT, Pete's-DX-Newsdesk, RSGB IOTA Web Site,
ST2M, TA1HZ, TA0U, VE3EXY, VA3RJ & ICPO, VE6LB/VA6XDX, VE8EV, VHF-DX-Portal
(MMMonVHF), VU2PTT, VU3USJ and VY0PW for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the
week of Sunday, 6th-December, through Sunday, 13th-December there were
212 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J,
4L, 4O, 4S, 4U1I, 4X, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 9A, 9G,
9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV,
BY, C2, C3, C5, C6, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4,
DL, DU, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX,
EY, EZ, F, FG, FK, FM, FO, FR, FY, G, GD, GI, GM, GU, GW, HA, HB, HC,
HC8, HH, HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J2, J6, J7, JA, JD/m,
JD/o, JT, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ,
OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ7, PY,
PY0F, PZ, R1FJ, S2, S5, SM, SP, ST, SU, SV, SV/a, SV5, SV9, T7, T8, TA,
TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TL, TR, TT, TU, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V5,
V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2V, VP5, VP8, VP9, VQ9, VR, VU, XE, XU, YA, YB, YI, YK,
YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, ZA, ZB, ZC4, ZD7, ZF, ZL, ZP, ZS

* 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).

3D2, FIJI. By the time you read this, Jim, WB2TJO, should be active from
here. Jim has been on the islands since December 8th, waiting for a
license. He will be there until January 6th, and plans to visit three of
the islands (Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni -- all in IOTA OC-016).
Using his Icom 706 MkIIG and wire antennas, look for him on 40 and 20
meters. Jim will be on holiday, so operations will be limited and casual.
Look for updates, possibly on QRZ.com.

5T, MAURITANIA. There have been reports that YL Yoshiko, JQ1LCW, is now
active as 5T5YL. QSNs on Sunday show activity on 17 meters SSB working
mainly Europe and East Coast NA stations. QSL via JQ1LCW.

A6, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. By the time you read this Don, N1DG, is expected
to arrive in U.A.E for a week because of his job starting December 14th.
However, his activity will be limited due to his work; he is expected to
operate from the A61AD station, possibly on 12 and 17 meters using CW,
SSB and RTTY. The A61AD station does have a 4 element SteppIR for 20-6
meters, so Don's activity will be limited to those bands. Logs will be
uploaded to LoTW upon conclusion of his trip.

A6, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Gerry, VE6LB, informs OPDX that he will be
active as A6/VE6LB from Dubai between January 8th and February 8th.
Activity will be holiday style with low power using wire antennas and
mainly on 40-15 meters CW. QSL direct via his home callsign or LoTW.

A9, BAHRAIN (News). Reports indicate that "The Daily DX" is reporting
that radio amateurs in Bahrain can now operate on 6 meters (50.0-50.5
MHz on a primary and exclusive basis, and 50.05-52.00 MHz on a secondary
basis) and also on additional frequencies on 136 kHz, 1.8 MHz, 7 MHz,
430 MHz and higher bands. However, they cannot operate on these newly
allocated frequencies until their licenses are amended.

C5, THE GAMBIA. Eric, SM1TDE, will be active as C56SMT until January 3rd,
2010. Activity will be holiday style. Eric states, "Look for me on CW,
2 kHz from the band edges, as well as some RTTY and SSB." He was spotted
on 40/30/20 meters CW this past weekend. QSL via his home callsign (the
Bureau is preferred).

C5, THE GAMBIA. Neils, OZ8KR, will be active as C56KR from Bakuto between
March 5–24th, 2010. This is his third trip to Bakuto. Activity will be
holiday style with operations on 80–10 meters SSB, using 100 watts into
wire antennas close to the Atlantic Ocean. QSL via OZ8KR.

CO8, CUBA (80 meters). Eduardo, CO8LY, has announced that he has installed
a 2 element wire for 80 meters, and it is directed at Europe and NA to try
to work the biggest quantity of countries. If stations need to work Cuba
on 80 meters, they can send an E-mail to Eduardo and make a Sked for 80
meters at: co8ly@frcscu.ciges.inf.cu
Eduardo is also building a 160 meter long wire but hasn't had the time to
finish it. He has been taking care of his wife who has ovarian cancer.

DXPEDITION OF THE YEAR SURVEY. The "DX World of Ham Radio" Web page is
conducting a online survey to see which expedition warrants the title
"DXpedition of the Year 2009". Special engraved trophies will be shipped
to the top three DXpeditions of 2009. To participate in the survey, go to:
http://dx-hamspirit.com

HEADING TO THE ANTARCTICA. Operators Andrej/UT6UE and Yurij/UT6UF are on
board the "S/Y Kupava" on an Antarctic voyage to the Ukranian Antarctic
Research Centre's base -- Vernadsky Base. Onboard equipment includes a
VX1700, RTX Yaesu HF, Tuner FC-40, and a folded dipole for 80, 40 and 20
meters. They hope to be active on 3645-3720, 7090-7130-7185, 14140-14260-
14345, between 2200-0100z. They have already been reported on the Packet-
Clusters signing UT6UE/MM. For more info and pictures, visit the following
Web page at: http://uarl.com.ua/news/antarctida
Also, visit the WAP Web site for more details at: http://www.waponline.it

IOTA NEWS....................
AS-086. (Rare IOTA) Vasily, RA9LI, is now active as RA9LI/0 from Troynoy
Island in the Kara Sea for one year. Reports indicate that he
has been there since mid-November. Activity will be on the HF
bands, mainly SSB. He was heard earlier in the week on 14260
kHz between 0730-1030z. QSL via UA9LP.

NA-058. Members of the Camden County Amateur Radio (KB4CC) plan to
activate Cumberland Island (USI GA002S, Camden County, Georgia)
between January 23-24th. They plan to have two stations running
on battery power on the following suggested frequencies and
modes: SSB - 14260 kHz
CW - 14040 kHz, 7055 kHz and 7030 kHz
QSL via KB4CC: CCARS - USI#GA-002S, PO Box 2203, Kingsland,
GA 31548. For more information, visit: http://www.ccars.org

NA-066. Members of the Palos Verdes Amateur Radio (K6PV) will be active
from Santa Catalina Island (USI CA016S, WLOTA LH-2912, Los
Angeles County, California) between February 25-28th. Activity
will be on the ususal IOTA frequencies, mostly 20 meters SSB,
using CW, RTTY and/or PSK31. Operators mentioned are: Ray/N6HE,
Dan/W6DC, Mel/K6SY, Doris/K6KSY, Jeff/K6JW, Homer/K6HKT, Ginger/
KG6TAU, Bob/AB6SY, Joe/K5KT and Marian/K5KKT. QSL direct to K6PV
(Palos Verdes Amateur Radio Club) or by the Bureau. They will
have a special K6PV IOTA card for this activation. Visit the
PVARC's Web page at: http://www.palosverdes.com/pvarc

OC-212. Members of the Hellenic Amateur Radio Association of Australia
(HARAOA Group) will be active as VI2BI from Broughton Island
for three days in February 2010. Activity will take place on
multiple bands (160-6 meters) simulataneously to give everyone
the chance to contact them. The VI2BI team will consist of
some of the operators who took part in the VK9NI DXpedition
back in July this year. Operators mentioned are: Tommy/VK2IR,
Peter/VK2NN, Allan/VK2GR, Raffy/VK2RF, Paul/VK2HV and John/
VK3JHA. Suggested frequencies are:
BAND CW SSB RTTY
---- ----- ----- -----
160m 1825 1840
80m 3525 3793 3630
40m 7020 7085 7035
30m 10105 10145
20m 14025 14195 14090
17m 18075 18160 18105
15m 21025 21295 21090
12m 24895 24950 24925
10m 28025 28490 28090
6m 50105 50130
Special Notes:
* 80m Listening for VK Foundation Class Licence on 3.695 MHz.
* 20m They may use 14.260 MHz.(US General Class Licence)
For update and an online log search, visit the blog at:
http://www.vi2bi.blogspot.com

OC-203. (Update/RARE IOTA). Look for Ray/ZL4TY (home callsign VK4DXA)
and Paul/ZL4M (home callsign ZL4PW) to be activating Stewart
Island between March 12-23rd, 2010. They plan to have 2 stations
using verticals for 160-30 meters and a Spiderbeam for 20-10
meters. They intend running barefoot unless they can obtain a
solid-state amplifier. The following suggested frequencies
(+/- 10 kHz, QRM, QRN & propagation permitting) have been
announced:
Band CW SSB RTTY
---- ----- ----- ------
160m 1820 1845
80m 3525 3785 3580
40m 7025 7165 7038
30m 10115 10145
20m 14025 14260 14085
17m 18080 18145 18105
15m 21025 21295 21085
12m 24895 24945 24920
10m 28025 28475 28085 kHz

QSL Info: They need a minimum of 2 USDs or 1 x IRC (please,
2010 issue) for a direct reply. Any donation sent
with your QSL request will be greatly appreciated.
Cards with insufficient funds or invalid IRCs will
be sent via the bureau. All logs will be uploaded
to LoTW following the DXpedition.

QSL ZL4TY via VK4DXA; by the VK Bureau or direct to: Ray
Crawford, 53 Moore Street, Kingaroy, QLD 4610, Australia

QSL ZL4M via ZL4PW; by the ZL Bureau or direct to: Paul
Ormandy, 13 Swift St., Oamaru 9400, New Zealand

For more details and updates, visit their Web page at:
http://www.zl4pw.orconhosting.net.nz/OC203/si_index.htm

J6, ST. LUCIA (NA-108). John, VE8EV, is expected to be active as J68/VE8EV
from Castries between December 18-20th. Activity will be SSB and CW on all
bands, mostly during the RAC Canada Winter Contest (December 19th, between
0000-2359z) which this year is being held the weekend before Christmas. All
contacts are welcome during the contest, stations outside of Canada just
send RS(T) and a serial number. Check out John's blog, for info and QSL
details, at: http://ve8ev.blogspot.com/2009/10/na-108-st-lucia.html

J6, ST. LUCIA. John, W5JON, will once again be operating from the hilltop
QTH overlooking the Caribbean Sea and Marigot Bay in St. Lucia, between
March 2-11th. His callsign will be J68JA. Reference numbers are: IOTA
NA-108 and Grid Square FK93. Activity will be on 160-6 meters (including
60m) on SSB. He will use an ICOM IC-7000, KL-400 Amp (350 watts) into
the following antennas: ZS6BKW design multiband dipole, and a 3 element
yagi on 6m. Activity will also include the ARRL International DX Phone
Contest (March 6-7th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via W5JON.
John adds, "As in the past, XYL Cathy/W5HAM will be very busy pool side."

KH6BZF PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (For December 14-20th)....
Dec 14 AN SOLAR REFERENCE
Dec 15 AN ---------------
Dec 16 AN AN - Above Normal/Geomagnetic Level is QUIET
Dec 17 AN HN - High Normal/Geomagnetic Level is UNSETTLED
Dec 18 AN LN - Low Normal
Dec 19 AN
Dec 20 AN 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

SPECIAL NOTE FROM LEE, KH6BZF: Forecast for the next several weeks is
for "Above Normal" (AN) conditions on the low bands and some short skip
on the high bands with solar flux levels in the 70's and the "A" low as
well as "K" indexes. Have a very special upcoming "Happy Holidays To
All.....Aloha and Mele Kalikemaka & Haole Makahiki Hou......"

PD09, THE NETHERLANDS (Special Event). Look for special event station
PD09XMAS to be active until January 3rd, 2010. Activity is to celebrate
"Christmas 2009". Activity has been on 20 meters SSB this past weekend
on 14194 kHz. QSL via PD5X, direct or by the Bureau.

PJ5, ST. MAARTEN/ST. EUSTATIUS. Jim, K1NA, will once again be active as
PJ5NA. Activity will include the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 20-21st)
as Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL via K1NA (100% QSL direct only with
SASE) No bureau cards will be answered. DX stations MUST have SASE or
SAE with 1 USD. No IRC! USA stations SASE only.

RTTY WELCOME DAY (January 1st - All Day Long!). Phil, N8PS, wants to
remind everyone: "Now is your chance to meet and greet other RTTY
operators from all over the world.
-- No hours, No rules, No score, No pressure, No quota, No log needed. --
- Any band*, Any contact, Any time, Any power, Any equipment, Any antenna.-
(*) = Authorized amateur radio sub-bands, of course.
Get that antique set-up running or fire-up that brand new rig. Use
any modem or computer or combination thereof. Meet and greet others
without time limits. Have a short exchange or a rag-chew - whatever
suits you. Participation is voluntary. No log necessary. No awards -
just satisfaction. Help others find joy in RTTY by operating for the
first time, or the thousandth time.
Get your set-up running smoothly and help others to reverse inversion.
Just get on the air to say 'howdy' -or- 'hello' -or-'WELCOME TO RTTY'
PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE NEWS. TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.
'I'LL SEE YOU ON THE AIR FOR:'
RTTY WELCOME DAY - 01 JANUARY 2009 - ALL DAY LONG
73 - de Phil - N8PS, RTTY Welcome Day Cheerleader"

QSL INFO AND NEWS.....................
P29CS QSL ROUTE (Important). Peter, VY0PW, informs OPDX that Andy,
P29CS, on Lihir Island (OC-069), is requesting stations "NOT" to QSL
to his present QRZ.com address. This is his location only and not
intended for mail purposes. Andy states that he is looking at present
for a QSL Manager, but this might take a while as he is very busy with
work.

QSL SURVEY. Don, W5FKX, is conducting an informal survey of QSLing
methods and would very much appreciate your input. Please respond
directly to him at: w5fkx@cox.net
1. Do you use the Logbook of the World (LOTW)?
If not, what has kept you from using it?

2. Do you use the eQSL service?
If not, what has kept you from using it?

3. Do you use the QSL Bureau system?
If not, what has kept you from using it?

4. Do you send out direct QSLs?
If not, what has kept you from doing so?

5. What is the approximate percentages of your QSLs received via:
LOTW
eQSL
Bureau
Direct

Don states, "Thanks very much for your participation. Any additional
comments are welcome."

TC2IYK via TA Bureau or to: TCSWAT, PK73 Karakoy, 34421 Istanbul, TURKEY.
Activity was by the Turkish group called TCSWAT (TC Special Wireless
Activity Team) during this past weekend from Istanbul Yelken Kulubu
(Istanbul Sailing Club -- ) for the
International Naval Contest. Please check for
more details about the QSL info.

HAVE PATIENCE! Nenad, VE3EXY, reports that he received a message from
Vlad, UA4WHX, stating that effective this week all outstanding direct
requests for VE stations have been answered!

XV4TUJ via OK1DOT; "DIRECT ONLY", per Petr, OK1DOT.

QSLS VIA LoTW: 3D20CR, 4U1UN, 5N9OCH, A25/DL7DF, DL7FER, HI3TEJ, K4M,
KD6WW/VY0, RX0AE, SU1KM, TI5/K2PLF, TX3A, TX9, VE3XB, VE7DLM and ZW5B

**SPECIAL NOTE: LoTW has reached new milestones. Since its inception
on September 15, 2003, more than 30,000 hams have signed on to
"Logbook of The World (LoTW). The ARRL's online logging program has
had an increase of more than 7000 hams since 2008. These 30,000 hams
have made upwards of 250 million QSOs with more than 58 million QSOs
in 2009 alone. In 2009, there was an increase of more than 24 percent
for both the number of registered users and the number of QSOs over
2008. For more details, go to the ARRL Web page at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/12/03/11229

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3D2KJ, 3D2MJ, 3X5A, 5F1ROM, 5H3EE, 5K0T, 8R1PY,
A52FJJ, ER8C, FM5LD, HL3ERJ, HV0A, J79ZG, K5D, KV4FZ, LX/PA6Z, OX3R,
PZ5M, S04R, ST2R, T27OU, TM0M, TX5SPA, TX5SPM, TY1MS, VK9DWX, VP2VVV,
VP9KF, VQ9LA, VQ9RD, VR2009EAG, W3FO/KH2, WN1Y/NH2, XE2WWW and YW5F

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: V51AS

ST26, SUDAN (Special Event). Members of the Khartoum Sea Scouts Radio
Club (ST2KSS) will be active as ST26ASC until January 28th, 2010. Activity
is to celebrate the 26th Arab Scouts Conference (under Peace and Unity).
Activity this past weekend was on 20 meters SSB. QSL via ST2M.

VP2V/W4DXX OPERATION WRAP-UP. Eric, W4DXX, informs OPDX readers of his
recent ham-cation at the end of November on Tortola as VP2V/W4DXX which
concluded w/1240 QSOs in 109 countries and 50 states with about 9 hours
of operating time. Equipment and assistance was supplied by WB4MRF, N3DXX,
KN5H, and VP2VQ. Bill Moore has accepted the operation for DXCC as of
12/9/09. All QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW shortly, and QSL cards are
currently in design. QSL to W4DXX w/SASE or via LoTW.

VU, INDIA (News). OPDX was informed by Prasad, VU2PTT, that Gopal Madhavan,
VU2GMN, who is the President of ARSI - the IARU recognized national
organization of India, is reporting that the "Wireless Planning & Coordin-
ation Wing (WPC), India's Ministry of Communications and Information
Technology Department of Telecommunications has written to him to inform
that 10100-10150 kHz has been allocated to Amateur Radio Services on a
secondary basis in India. This means that VU2 hams are free to use this
on a non-interference basis with existing users of these frequencies.
Earlier, temporary permission was issued from time to time for this WARC
band. It has also been communicated to Gopal that the 50-52 MHz (6m) band
cannot be allocated now since it has already been allocated to other
services. ADDED NOTE: Steve, VU3USJ, mentions, "Gopal, VU2GMN, who has
been in contact with the relevant authorities in Delhi, says he is
trying to clarify if SSB will be included with the permanent allocation.
I believe Australia is the only other country allowing SSB on 10 MHz
for hams."