Eastern Iowa DX Association

Welcome to the Eastern Iowa DX Association web site! Our club is open to any amateur radio operator who is interested in DXing and/or contesting. You are cordially invited to attend club meetings and get aquainted. We have many friendly, outgoing members with varied areas of expertise, who would be delighted to meet you and offer their help as needed. (Detailed club information is on the "About EIDXA" page.)

EIDXA News (Updated May 13, 2018)

EIDXA July 2018 Meeting
The next EIDXA meeting will be held on a Friday yet to be determined in July, 2018 at our normal meeting location, the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Complete details, including an aerial photo map, may be found on the "Meetings" page.

April 2018 Eastern Iowa DXer
The April 2018 edition of the Eastern Iowa DXer is now available on the "Newsletter" page. Bob, WØGXA, has as usual put together a great newsletter, loaded with good information. Bob says, "121 pages.... I might have gone overboard..." Included is a preliminary report from Bouvet! Be sure you don't miss it!

Buy-Sell-Trade New Listings
There are a bunch of new listings on the "Buy-Sell-Trade" page. Some really nice stuff for sale -- take a look!

EIDXA Email Reflector
The EIDXA email reflector is available for your use. To post to the reflector, email your message for the group to: eastern-iowa-dx-association@googlegroups.com
The reflector allows you to include photos or other files in your message.

You may visit the group homepage here:
https://groups.google.com/group/eastern-iowa-dx-association
The homepage has a complete archive of all messages exchanged via the group.

DX News (Updated June 17, 2018)

DX News items, unless otherwise noted, are courtesy of:
The Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin (OPDX)
Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, Editor (kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org)
For subscription info, please see http://hamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/opdx
This list is a compilation of current DX operations (or those that start within the current week) from recent DX bulletins, with the dates of operation highlighted in red. The items appear in order of callsign prefix. Hot links are provided for QSL information wherever possible. Credit for the source is given at the end of each item.

W9DXCC DX Convention and Banquet (Press Release June 4, 2018) – Registration is open for the 2018 W9DXCC DX Convention and Banquet in suburban Chicago on Sept. 14-15. Presentation topics at the 66th annual gathering will include the upcoming Baker Island DXPedition, how Kosovo became a new DXCC entity, emergency communications in Puerto Rico and the epic tale of the attempt to activate Bouvet Island for the first time since 2008.
The keynote speaker for the banquet will be Bob Schenck, N2OO, a veteran operator, DXpeditioner, QSL manager, CQ magazine DX editor and current president of the International DX Association (INDEXA).
Sponsored by the Northern Illinois DX Association, W9DXCC will again offer Contest University and DX University on Friday. The daylong session on Saturday will feature speakers, exhibits, QSL card checking and a CW pileup contest, as well as the evening reception and banquet. The venue remains the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg.
For more information and registration: http://w9dxcc.com/

3D2/C, CONWAY REEF. It would seem Dom, 3Z9DX, is planning to activate Conway Reef (OC-112) as 3D2CR sometime during May or June. QSL via ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW. No other details are available. Stay tuned.
-[OPDX # 1363 May 7, 2018]

5U, NIGER. Torbjon, SM7RME, is expected to be active as 5U7R from Niamey. The length of his stay is not known. Activity will be during his spare time on various HF bands. QSL via SM7EHU.
-[OPDX # 1361 April 23, 2018]

8P, BARBADOS. Charles, 8P6ET, will be active this year as 8P1W during the following contests: CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 26-27th), CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 27-28th) and CQWW DX CW Contest (November 24-25th). Look for him to be as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry in all the contests. QSL via KU9C.
-[OPDX # 1359 April 9, 2018]

8Q, MALDIVES. Daniel, SMØUDH, will be active as 8Q7DT from Horubadhoo, Baa Atoll, Maldives Islands (AS-013, WW Loc. MJ65MD), between June 24th and July 9th. Activity will be holiday style on various HF bands using SSB, JT9, JT65 and FT8, with an ICOM IC-7300 transceiver and a simple antenna. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau, ClubLog's OQRS, LoTW or eQSL.
-[OPDX # 1367 June 11, 2018]

9L, SIERRA LEONE (Update to OPDX.1367). Mark, KW4XJ, who is now active as 9L1YXJ from Freetown (WW Loc. IJ38jk), informs OPDX that his overseas assignment is for 3 years and he has been there for 9 months now. Mark operates mainly on CW and the Digital modes on the HF bands (40-10m). He adds that he [edited] uses an "ICOM IC-7300 running 100 watts, Chameleon EMCOMM II end-fed wire antenna in an inverted L configuration, with a telescopic mast up about 25’, then the rest of the wire out horizontally to a convenient supporting anchor. I had to switch to the wire antenna as we have progressed into the rainy season, and we do get some rather strong wind gusts and monsoon rains here in the tropics. Before that I was using a Chameleon mil-whip w/extension. That worked very well but is a portable antenna. No way it could hold up to the storms this time of year. The wire antenna seems to be holding up well so far. I am going to be ordering an Elecraft 500-watt amplifier and electronic antenna tuner here shortly. I hope to have that delivered and installed in about a month or so. Right now, I’m using a MFJ manual antenna tuner — it works fine but after a while it gets tiring and the lazy side of me wants to just hit a button to tune. :) With the sunspot cycle where it is I’ve only been able to make FT8 and CW contacts with just 100 watts. Sometimes PSK31 will work from here. I’ve made a handful of RTTY contacts. Usually CW and FT8 most of the time. SSB seems pointless after many attempted QSOs to Europe that were very marginal at best if we could get through at all. That is why I was thinking the amplifier would help. My CW skills are still pretty basic, I can reliably manage about 13 WPM on the air. I did do my first ever CW contest here recently for the CQMM DX. I made over 300 contacts which I thought was a decent showing given my relatively low power, rookie operator, and slow speed. I need to find another CW contest to try. I’m still relatively new at operating on HF. I’ve got a lot of unexpected, excellent advice from hams around the world — the US, but also lots of help from the UK, Germany, Brazil, and Japanese operators. This is an amazing hobby. I’ve had FT8/JT65 QSOs from here in Freetown to the Falkland Islands, Iceland, Japan (lots of Japan on the long path), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the West coast of Canada, all with my modest setup." QSL via his home callsign.
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]

9X, RWANDA. Alan, KE4TA, after a long ride back from Pretoria, he is now back in Kigali and will be active as 9XØTA during his spare time. He states, "Things are very busy here right now, and likely to get busier in the next few weeks. I'll try to get on the air when I get the chance." He should be here for just under 2-1/2 years. Activity will be primarily on 20/17 meters using 600W/100W of power. He does have antennas or antenna+tuner combinations for 80-10 meters and 6m. Modes will be SSB, the Digital modes and some CW. Power may be restricted by the Rwandan authorities in accordance with their laws. Radio is a Yaesu FT-991, and antenna will be a Hexbeam on a push up tower. Alan, states, "Noise levels here are extremely high. Please don't be offended if I'm not answering your call, I likely can't hear you." QSL via DIRECT to N4GNR. He will also use LoTW. For more details, pictures and updates (maybe even an operating schedule), visit his Web page at: http://www.rwandadx.com
-[OPDX # 1365.May 28, 2018]

CP, BOLIVIA. Antonio, EA5RM, will be active as CP1XRM from Bolivia between June 18th and July 10th, and working as Solidaridad Medica and Radioamateurs Without Frontiers NGO volunteer. He plans to be on the air during his spare time on 40-10 meters using SSB and the Digital modes. He may also be on 60 meters. QSL via EA5RM.
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]

DXCC'S MOST WANTED (ClubLog). The "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list has been updated on ClubLog as of May 28th. The list contain 340 entities and here are the top 10 entities:
1. P5    DPRK (North Korea)       6. CEØX San Felix Islands
2. 3Y/B Bouvet Island            7. BV9P Pratas Island
3. FT5/W Crozet Island            8. KH7K Kure Island
4. BS7H Scarborough Reef         9. KH3   Johnston Island
5. KH1   Baker Howland Islands   10. VKØM Macquarie Island
The complete "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list is available at:
https://secure.clublog.org/mostwanted.php
-[OPDX # 1366 June 4, 2018]

F, FRANCE (Special Event). Look for special event callsign, TM62GG, to be on the air from Meurchin (Pas-de-Calais 62) for the 100th anniversary of WWI (Grande Guerre). Dates of activity are June 17-18th; October 12-14th and 27-28th; November 1st, 3-4th, and 10-11th; and December 1-2nd. QSL via F4AHN, by the Bureau or direct.
-[OPDX # 1363 May 7, 2018]

H4, SOLOMON ISLANDS (Update). Haru, JA1XGI, will be active as H44XG from Honiara, Solomon Islands, between June 21-27th. Activity will be limited due to business/holiday style on 40/30/20/15/10 meters using mainly CW, sometimes FT8. QSL via his home callsign, direct, by the Bureau, ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW. For more details and updates, see: http://island.geocities.jp/h44xg
-[OPDX # 1361 April 23, 2018]

HS, THAILAND (Special Event). Members of the Radio Society of Thailand (RAST) are now active as HS5ØIARU until October 31st. Activity is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of IARU Region 3. QSL via the Bureau, by ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW. ADDED NOTE: The IARU Region 3 (Asia-Pacific Region) will grant the 50th Anniversary Award to radio amateurs who certify having contacted at least five contacts (QSOs) on different modes or bands with Special Event Stations for commemorating the 50th Anniversary of IARU Region 3 from eligible countries that are in Region III whose amateur societies are members of IARU Region 3. Special event callsigns will have the number "5Ø" as the prefix number and IARU as their special event callsign suffix. (i.e. BV5ØIARU, HL5ØIARU, HS5ØIARU, V85ØIARU, VI5ØIARU3, YB5ØIARU, etc.) The anniversary award rules can be found at: http://awards-iaru-r3.org
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]

J3, GRENADA (Update). Nobby, GØVJG, will be active as J3/GØVJG (he will pick up his license there) from Grenada (NA-024) between June 13-27th. Activity will be on various HF bands as well as 6 meters and 60 meters using SSB only. QSL via G4DFI.
-[OPDX # 1366 June 4, 2018]

KH1/KH7Z BAKER ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS. (June 16th Press Release) The first of our team arrived in Fiji this week to load the Nai’a. The Nai’a is now underway from Fiji to Pago Pago for its pre-departure inspection by US authorities. This is the last hurdle before departing with the team on 20 June for Baker. We have activated our daily blog and in-reach GPS so you can follow us. You can see both new features at <https://www.baker2018.net>. When we arrive on the 26th at Baker we will immediately begin setup and expect to be QRV by our afternoon on the 27th (00:00 UTC 28 June). We will have 8 radios on all open bands 24/7 for the next 10 days. Our band plan is here: <https://www.baker2018.net/pages/plan.html>. But any plan is only good until you meet the enemy in the field of battle. We plan on listening to our pilots. Please tell them if we are missing an opening or opportunity. We can and will adjust to the propagation. We still could still use your donation at this time. <http://www.baker2018.net/pages/donate.html>. Thank you in advance for your support. The Baker Island 2018 Team.
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]

RI1, FRANZ JOSEF LAND (Update). Per "DXNews.com", Eugene, UA4RX, has finally received his old RI1FJ callsign (was using UA4RX/1). He will be active from Heiss Island until September 2018. Activity has been on 40 and 30 meters CW, but he can be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via UA2FM direct or use ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW.
-[OPDX # 1358 April 2, 2018]

SU9, EGYPT. Nacho, EA1AK/EA7TN, continues to be active as SU9JG from Gezira Island, in the Nile River, near Cairo (Zone 34). Activity has been on FT8 and on 30/20/17/15/10 meters. QSL via LoTW or EA5GL. Check QRZ.com for more details, especially for QSOs on FT8.
-[OPDX # 1364 May 14, 2018]

SV5, DODECANESE. Marcel, OK2QQ, will be active as SV5/OK2QQ from Kalymnos and Telendos Islands between June 12-22nd. Activity will be on 40-2 meters using CW, SSB and FM. QSL via his home callsign direct, LoTW or eQSL.
-[OPDX # 1366 June 4, 2018]

T8, PALAU. Tatsuko, JJ1BDT, will be active as T88YL from the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009), between June 22-27th. Activity will be holiday style on 40/17/15 meters using SSB. QSL via JR1FKR, direct or by the Bureau. NO eQSL or LoTW.
-[OPDX # 1366 June 4, 2018]

V4, ST. KITTS. John, W5JON, will once again be active as V47JA from his vacation home at Calypso Bay, located 200 feet from the Caribbean Sea, between June 22nd and July 20th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters (incl. 60m) using SSB. Look for him to be in the IARU SSB Contest (July 14-15th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. Equipment is a Yaesu FT-1000MP MkV and Elecraft KPA500 Amplifier. Antennas: a 31 ft. 40-10m Vertical, 35 ft. 40/80m Top Loaded Vertical, 20m dipole, 160m base load vertical and a 6m 4 element Yagi. Also, an installation of new V47JA/B 6m beacon on 50053.0 MHz (WW Grid FK87) on St. Kitts mountain top at 1100 feet ASL. ALL QSLs go to W5JON direct or via LoTW. NO Bureau QSLs.
-[OPDX # 1365.May 28, 2018]

VKØ/M, MACQUARIE ISLAND. Reports state that Norbert, VK5MQ, is now active as VKØAI from Macquarie Island (AN-005). He is expected to be there with the next winter team for one year. QSNs show that he was on 30/20 meters running FT8 between 0440-0630z. He has an Icom IC-7300 transceiver and a vertical antenna. QSL via VK5MQ.
-[OPDX # 1362 April 30, 2018]

VP5, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (Reminder/6m Op). Dave, W9DR, a well-known 6m op, is now active as VP5/W9DR from VP5-land (Grid Sq. FL41AW) until June 25th. Activity will be on 6 meters (50.115 MHz) only using CW and SSB. Dave states that he will be using a SDR Transceiver, 1 KW, 5 element Yagi, Beacon during slow periods, all salt water launch over North Atlantic to NA and EU/Mid-East." QSL via W9DR direct.
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]

VP6D DUCIE ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS (Press Release #5, dated June 14th) [edited] -- The VP6D Ducie Island (OC-182) 2018 project is on schedule. (Ed. Note: for 20th October - 3rd November, 2018.) At Visalia and Dayton we had the pleasure of meeting many of our supporters and equipment sponsors, including: DX Engineering, Elecraft, SteppIR and Arlan Communications (RadioSport headsets). Several of team attended Europe’s Ham Radio event conducted at Friedrichshafen, Germany, where we met with corporate, EU club and foundation sponsors, many EU DXers and other DX-pedition operators.
Joining the Pilot Team is Mason, KM4SII, from Clemmons, South Carolina. Mason, an avid DXer, is 15 years old. In 2017 he operated from Iceland as TF/KM4SII, in July 2018 he will operate from Curacao as PJ2/KM4SII. Mason will work with NA and Chief Pilot Glenn KE4KY.
Joining our list of corporate sponsors is Rig Expert Ukraine Ltd <https://rigexpert.com/>. Rig Expert is a recognized leader in the development, production and global sales of antenna analyzers, transceiver interfaces, ARDF equipment and amateur radio software. Rig Expert donated 2 Model AA-55 Zoom antenna analyzers to the project. We appreciate the support of our corporate sponsors.
Our current fundraising campaign is underway; you may see the progress at our website. We appreciate the donations and equipment support we’ve already received. Our final payment for the Braveheart is due on September 1st. Please keep in mind, boat/tent/generator DX-peditions incur similar expenses whether or not you make a contact. Team members have booked their travel to meet the Braveheart at Mangareva, French Polynesia. This is not a VP6D project expense; each team member pays travel expenses from personal funds.
Financial transparency allows the major sponsors to better understand the costs associated with a DX-pedition and how we spend their money. Consistent with our previous DX-peditions, we will send club and foundation sponsors a VP6D financial summary.
We need your help to keep our DX-pedition team’s personal investment to a reasonable level. Please consider making a donation at: http://vp6d.com
Good luck to the KH1/KH7Z DX-pedition team, we’ll see you in the pile-ups.
73, Team Ducie – 2018. Website: http://vp6d.com, Twitter and Facebook. Please direct questions to: info@vp6d.com
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]

YI, IRAQ. Several sources are reporting that Darko, E7ØA (ex-6O3A, 9A7WW, J28AA, J28OO), will be in Baghdad soon and has been issued the callsign YI9DX. QSL via K2PF or E77E.
-[OPDX # 1368 June 18, 2018]

Z6, KOSOVO (FIFA Special Event). Members of the Kosovo Amateur Radio Society (SHARK) will activate the special callsign, Z6ØFIFA, for the 2018 FIFA World Cup event between June 1st and July 15th. QSL route TBA.
SPECIAL ADDED FIFA NOTES: Under Z6ØFIFA on QRZ.com, you will also find details/rules for various special "FOOTBALL 2018 Awards" (RADIO MARATHON, World, Participant, Russia and Cities). There will be many special call- signs for each award. Some callsigns with the prefixes R18, RC18 and RU18, and some suffixes ending FWC and FIFA. There are at least 40 special stations from country-member of FIFA, and at least 25 special Russian stations, each of which symbolizes the team participant of the final tournament of the World Cup 2018. Also, there are 11 special Russian stations, each symbolizing one of 11 cities where the matches of the World Cup will take place as well as 2 special stations of the Organizing Committee RU18WC and R18REF.
Again, all the special event stations are listed on QRZ.com under Z6ØFIFA.
-[OPDX # 1366 June 4, 2018]

ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS. Lawrence, K8HTC, will be active as ZF2LT from Grand Cayman Island (NA-016) between June 18-24th. Activity will be on various HF bands. Lawrence states, "For my birthday this year, my family asked what I 'really wanted.' My response was to be the DX station rather than chasing the DX stations.... I plan to be on the air for Field Day 2018 and will QSL 100%. I plan to use the QRZ.com logbook, but other options are acceptable – especially a hardcopy of your QSL card." QSL via his home callsign or QRZ.com's LogBook.
-[OPDX # 1366 June 4, 2018]

ZF, CAYMAN ISLANDS (Update to OPDX.1364). Frank, K3TRM, will be active as ZF2RM from the Cayman Brac (NA-016) sometime during late June (dates have not been announced yet but will be forthcoming). QSL via K3TRM, direct, by the Bureau, LoTW or ClubLog's OQRS.
-[OPDX Special Bulletin # 1364.May 18, 2018]

Older Items

5Z4, KENYA. Nick, LZ4NM, will now be active 5Z4/LZ4NM from Kenya until June 30th, 2018. Activity will be on 40-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. He was active this past weekend's IARU HF Contest as 5Z4NM. Currently, his equipment is an Icom IC-7000, Inverted Vee (40/20m) and a DunaX vertical (20-10m). QSL direct to: Amateur Radio Society of Kenya (ARSK), Box 45681, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya.
-[OPDX # 1321 July 10, 2017]

9X, RWANDA. Peter, HB9DVG, is now active as 9X9PJ (and possibly later as 9X9PJ/P) from Kigali during the next two years. Activity will be on 20-10 meters using SSB. His equipment is an Elecraft KX3 transceiver with a HLA 300 amp into a Buddipole Vertical. QSL via his home callsign direct or eQSL.
-[OPDX # 1333 October 2, 2017]

ISØ, SARDINIA. Simone, ISØAFM, is active with the special callsign IRØFOC from Cagliari until December 31st. Activity is to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the "First Class CW Operators' Club" (FOC). A special award will be issued in May, for valid contacts for that award for only those worked between May 1-31st, 2018. QSL via LoTW or direct to ISØAFM.
-[OPDX # 1350 February 5, 2018]

SU, EGYPT. After more than five years in Jordan and about three years of activity as JY9FC which resulted with more than 90k QSO, Jovica, E78A, has a new work assignment in Cairo, Egypt, until the end of 2018. Jovica will be active as SU9JT with 100 watts and wire antennas. QSL via E73Y, by the Bureau or direct. ClubLog's OQRS will be activated when QSL cards are received from printer at the end of February.
-[OPDX # 1353 February 26, 2018]

XZ, MYANMAR. Simon, HSØZIB, was signing XZ2A last week, and is "the first resident amateur radio station in Myanmar since 1962". Currently, Simon is in Bangkok for a couple of weeks collecting some ham gear before returning to Naypyitaw. He is a British ham who is living in Naypyitaw, the new capital city of Myanmar. Simon teaches English, science and STEM at an international school. He also runs a "one-man-band" educational charity called "TeacherSimon.org". His license states that he can use 15, 12 and 10 meters only, and can operate on SSB and various Digital modes. QSL via LoTW or ClubLog's OQRS. For more details and updates, watch for his posts on QRZ.com at: https://www.qrz.com/db/XZ2A
-[OPDX # 1358 April 2, 2018]

ZD8, ASCENSION ISLAND. Andy, MØHLT, is now active as ZD8AC from Georgetown for the next two years. Activity will be limited to his spare time. He hopes to be on the air Saturday afternoons on 20 or 15 meters on/near the RSGB IOTA frequencies. He will be using his TS-50 and a Spider beam (40-10m). QSL via eQSL.
-[OPDX # 1346 January 8, 2018]