Category - Blog

If you are a radio amateur but don’t have a QSL card, maybe you are not satisfied with your current cards or just that you have run out of QSLs then here is an easy solution from myself & from Gennady Treus UX5UO.

UX5UO Qsl print offer a fast, cheap and efficient service to produce the card you desire. There is also the option to pay via Paypal, Cheque, Postal Order or Bank Transfer using their agent in the UK, me !! No more having to go into your Bank and do time wasting foreign bank transfers, this is easy.

Check out these links and see if we can help you at all, it cost nothing to ask!

http://www.m0oxo.com/ux5uo-qsl-cards.html

http://www.ux5uoqsl.com/

Blog and Qrz.com (DX8DX) updated with Qsl information.

Dindo will visit Bongao Island (OC-174), Tawi-Tawi Island (OC-174) and Taganak Island (OC-225) starting around 3rd week in April 2013.

See here for new and updated information as it is available http://www.m0oxo.com/dx8dx.html

Qsl via M0OXO OQRS

Your Qsl cards are NOT required so please use M0OXO OQRS only !!

Please DO NOT send cards via the Bureau. 

Thanks!!

What’s ‘up’ in April?

Jupiter’s moon Io crosses Jupiter’s face on 3rd April followed by its tiny black shadow. Comet PanSTARRS will pass 2° west (lower right) of the Andromeda Galaxy, M31 on 4th April. They may appear about equally dim low in the northwest just as twilight is ending, for observers at fairly high northern latitudes. 

Saturn’s north pole is now tilted towards Earth, giving us the best view of the rings since 2006. By 20th April, Saturn will be directly opposite the sun in the sky. It will sit on the boundary between the constellations Virgo and Libra, just to the east of the bright star Spica. It’ going to be visible all night, rising in the east as the sun sets in the west, and setting in the west as the sun rises in the east.

Partial lunar eclipse will occur on 25th April. The moon will pass through the outer parts of the moon’s shadow for observers over much of the Eastern Hemisphere.

Click image to see the You Tube video.

Another batch of cards sent to RSGB Buro (2.4Kg) & direct to individual World Bureau’s (4.4Kg) this week;

Cards issues this week;

RA3CQ 51, V55A 143, MW0RLJ 7, MW0JZE 3, VK4NM/p OC-142 27, VK4NM 63, JY9ET 33, PX2C 52, PY2MTV 22, M0BZH 21, G4RCG 21, GQ4RCG 11, GR4RCG 26, PW2D 165, CM5FZ 57, DV1UD 73, 2Q0IJK 2, GB0ANT 27, VP8DMN 4, ZD8UW 52, VK5PAS 113, GQ7VJR 3, G7VJR 6, VK3FY/DU8 11, GB0HI 33, GB1HI 42, GB2HI 22, GB0WFF 12, MW0OXO/P 31, MQ0OXO 17, M0OXO 126, GR2HQ 39, GO2HQ 43, II0XMAS 11, VK3HF 32, VK9NI 13.

There were also cards for many other stations but in the main these were typically less than 10 in number. If you require a card please use M0OXO OQRS and remember, please DO NOT request the card more than once, save the planet 😉

Re-printed, delivery awaited;

Re-print of cards have taken place for GB1HI (2000), GB0HI (1000) and GB2HI (1000). Cards have also been printed and I am awaiting delivery of them for VK2012TDF, VK3FY, VK3FGRC, VK3FNIK, VK3FY/DU1 (OC-042), VK3FY/DU8 (OC-130), VK3FY/DU8 (OC-235), VK9NI (OC-005), VK9MR, IRØAAW, 5B4/G3SZU, LU5ER & LW6DFR.

‘G*1ØØC’ event;

Re, G1ØØC. GD1ØØC, GJ1ØØC, GM1ØØC & GW1ØØC, cards are being prepared for this year-long RSGB Centenery event. The guys are currently in VK9 and it is antcipated they will be completed upon their return. Please be patient on this one, unfotunately Ihave no control of design or delivery times of these cards.

‘VKØHI’

For anyone that worked ”VK0HI” on Saturday 29th March 2013, this was a Pirate call (or a Callsign heard and in error posted on DX Cluster) then please do not requests a card. VK0HI was not authorised to be used and the ‘owner’ was certainly NOT on Heard Island!

Any questions about any callsign I am manager for please just drop me an email, keep an eye on this blog for updates.

Over the years, the spacefaring nations of Earth have sent dozens of probes and rovers to explore Mars.  Today there are three active satellites circling the red planet while two rovers, Opportunity and Curiosity, wheel across the red sands below.  Mars is dry, barren, and apparently lifeless.

Soon, those assets could find themselves exploring a very different kind of world as there is a small but non-negligible chance that Comet 2013 A1 will strike Mars next year in October of 2014.

The nucleus of the comet is probably 1 to 3 km in diameter, and it is coming in fast, around 56 km/s (125,000 mph). If it does hit Mars, it would deliver as much energy as 35 million megatons of TNT. For comparison, the asteroid strike that ended the dinosaurs on Earth 65 million years ago was about three times as powerful, 100 million megatons. Another point of comparison is the meteor that exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, in February of 2013, damaging buildings and knocking people down. The Mars comet is packing 80 million times more energy than that relatively puny asteroid.

The odds favor a flyby, not a collision but either way, this is going to be good..

Great news about some rare IOTA activations !!

Yesterday and after several months of trying, Dindo DV1UD finally received the information that he was being given permission to land on and activate three of the ‘most wanted’ Islands in the DU area.

Dindo will visit Bongao Island (OC-174), Tawi-Tawi Island (OC-174) and Taganak Island (OC-225) starting first week in April 2013.

See here for new and updated information as it is available http://www.m0oxo.com/dx8dx.html

Qsl via M0OXO OQRS

Your Qsl cards are NOT required so please use M0OXO OQRS only !!

 DX8DX

Taganak Island (OC-225)

12th – 14th April 2013

Request DX8DX Qsl card here

Taganak Island is part of the Turtle islands
The islands are located within the Sulu Sea at the southwestern tip of the country, at the edge of the international treaty limits separating the Philippines and Malaysia.

Together with three islands of neighbor country Malaysia and the surrounding coral waters, Turtle Islands are the only living areas for the Green Sea Turtles in Asia and in the whole world. In 1996, the islands were declared as Turtle Islands Heritage Protected area by the governments of the Philippines and Malaysia as the only way to guarantee the continued existence of the green sea turtles and their nesting sites.

For the five islands, the Philippine government decided to create special protection zones, and within this zones, only scientific and conservation activities are allowed. In other zones, certain rules are adapted in order to prevent too much impact by people on the environment and the turtles. Visiting these zones is only possible with strict guidance and under supervision of the staff of the officials of the government.

For a successful conservation and protection program, the support of the locals was very important. Fishing, for most of them, is the most important activity and source of income. Hunting sea turtles and collecting the turtle eggs for food, had always been a possible source for additional income. From the end of August to December, turtles come by the hundreds from the surrounding coastal waters, to lay and dig their eggs into the sand. The staff of the conservation project were able to succeed in convincing the locals the need to minimize their collecting activities. Local men, women and children, are now involved, helping with the protection activities.

images courtesy of Google Earth info from Wikipedia

DX8DX

Bongao Island (OC-174)

 09th to 11th April 2013

Request DX8DX Qsl card here 

Bongao is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Tawi-Tawi, Philippines.

According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 58,174 people in 10,146 households.

Before the armed rebellion of the MNLF in the early 1970s, Bongao was merely a backwater village ruled by the prominent noble Halun family, who used to own about three-quarters of the island. The capital of the province was Bato-Bato in the mainland situated in a cove with deep waters suited for anchors of the Philippine Navy.

At the height of the armed rebellion and fearing that the provincial capitol might be overrun, the government transferred it to Bongao. The white-washed, Taj Mahal-inspired provincial capitol building is located on a hill overlooking the bay and the whole town to the North of the Island against the backdrop of Mount Kabugan and the famous Bud Bongao (Bongao Peak).

Tawi-Tawi was previously part of the province of Sulu. On September 11, 1973, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 302, the new province of Tawi-Tawi was officially created, separate from Sulu. The seat of the provincial government was established in Bongao.

The name of Tawi-Tawi is a projection of the Malay word “jauh” meaning “far.” Prehistoric travelers from the Asian mainland would repeat the word as “jaui-jaui” to mean “far away” because of the distance of the islands from the continent of Asia. The word “Tawi-Tawi” was picked up to later become the official name of the province.

images courtesy of Google Earth  info Wikipedia

 DX8DX …blog and updates..

Tongkil Island (OC-119)(Cancelled) & Pangutaran Island (OC-188) ( 25th September 2014)

(I will update this Blog as and when I hear information from DX8DX)

30th September 2014 0445 UTC

DX8DX OC-188 log now received by Qsl Manager and Qsl Cards are printing. 

27th September 2014 0150 UTC

DX8DX now QRT. A re-visit to this and other rare ones in DU is definite and when work commitments are not a factor. Thanks to all for your support.

26th September 2014 1355 UTC

There is NO Logsearch available for DX8DX. He is currently qrv 14020.00 QSX UP

26th September 2014 0330 UTC

Message from Dindo this morning with the disappointing news that he will be forced to qrt early. He will be qrv until early Saturday morning (27th, his local time) and then will have to leave the Island. This was always a possibility due to his employer but sad none the less. He will plan for another visit to this and/or other rare ones in the near future when ‘work’ is not a factor in his schedule.

25th September 2014 0310 UTC

Dindo has arrived on Pangutaran Island ahead of schedule, expect him to be qrv in the coming hours, good luck to all !

24th September 2014 1145 UTC

DV1UD (DX8DX) has arrived in Zamboanga city. He is now aboard a boat going to Jolo Sulu. May be
 in Pangutaran (OC-188) earlier than scheduled.

 22nd September 2014 1600 UTC

Dindo’s plans have changed which means he will be only able to activate one of the proposed Islands this time around. His hopes to make the crossing (between 12 and 18 hours depending on the Sea state) and hopefully be in Pangutaran by 26 September. He will remain there until the 3rd October.  Of course I must again remind you that Dindo will be working intermittently throughout this period so operating will be sporadic periods but nevertheless as he is now there for a full week and that this is the rarest of the groups, we hope this will be a popular outcome for the IOTA chasers.

**Tongkil Island OC-119 cancelled**, ONLY Pangutaran Island OC-188 will be activated on this trip, see above.

19th September 2014 0530 UTC

 Dindo updates that he still OK for the schedule. Work commitments will take priority so don’t expect him to be qrv constantly, he will take breaks to continue his work on the Island. Pangutaran Island (OC-188) will be given the priority and he will be listening hard. Dindo also asks for patience on the bands. If he takes time to work ”NA only” then please allow him to do so. He may be on the Island for more than a day so please observe the DX Code of Conduct!

16th September 2014 0900 UTC;

Dindo (DV1UD) will be qrv as DX8DX next week from Pangutaran Island IOTA OC-188 (Pangutaran Group) and Tongkil (Tongquil) Island IOTA OC-119 (Jolo Group)

PREVIOUS ACTIVATIONS BELOW

Taganak Island (OC-225) & Bongao Island (OC-174) (MARCH 2013)

(Qsl information … scroll down)

(21st March 2013)

On 20th March 2013 and after several months of trying, Dindo DV1UD finally received the information

that he was being given permission to land on and activate three of the ‘most wanted’ Island in the DU area.

Dindo will visit Bongao Island (OC-174), Tawi-Tawi Island (OC-174) and Taganak Island (OC-225)

This is to complete some survey and research as part of his work requirements. His tentative schedule is for the first

week of April 2013. Hopefully this will allow him stay on each island for 2-3 days. He will grab this opportunity to activate

these rare IOTA’s between his work commitments.

(22nd March 2013) – 

Equipment is Icom IC-7000, AH-4 Tuner and 100w into a Vertical Antenna.

Tentative departure from Manila is 02 April, and he expects to be in Bongao, Tawi Tawi by 04 or 05 April via Zamboanga City.

 (26th March 2013) – 

From Dindo DX8DX ”I am just waiting for confirmation re transportation as of now. Anyhow, looks like

it will be around 2nd or 3rd week as commercial transport is very limited in between the two IOTAs OC-174 and 225. CW will

be my preferred mode, averaging 24 to 30 wpm. I could adjust a little faster or slower, depending on the propagation

condition. I will publish my operating frequencies anytime soon. I will also operate split, and right now studying the

propagation from 80 to 6 meters locally. I will not be able to operate 160M…… 73 de Dindo DX8DX ”

(29th March 2013) –

From Dindo DX8DX ”Initially, I will be using these frequencies plus split, any changes of course I will

announce.

SSB:  3.755, 7.055, 14.280, 18.128, 21.260, 24.950, 28.460, and 28.560 MHz

CW:  3.530, 7.030, 10.115, 14.040, 18.098, 21.040, 24.920 and 28.040 MHz

My Icom IC-7000, AH-4, S9 vertical 33 ft etc are all setup already……….73 de Dindo DX8DX’‘

(2nd April 2013) 

– From Dindo DX8DX – Hello all,

I got the call DX8DX approved already. Its validity is from 02 April to 31 May 2013. That means I have ample time to facilitate

transportation, which prove to be the most challenging part in this IOTA activation. As of now, the latest availability of

watercraft that would take me to Bongao, Tawi Tawi is on the 3rd week of April. After about a week of staying there will

proceed to Taganak Islands.

This are just part of the plan, as some part of this activity is beyond my control, I couldn’t give exact dates, but will inform

everyone thru this email of the latest updates.

Hope to hear you from the islands,

Dindo
DX8DX

(1820utc – 7th April 2013)  – Dates confirmed as below

(1415utc – 9th April 2013) – now QRV !!!

Dindo DX8DX now Qrv has now began txing from Bongao Island (Tawi-Tawi Group) IOTA OC-174.

He is currently working on 10115.00.

http://www.m0oxo.com/dx8dx.html

Good luck to all !!

73 de Charles MØOXO

(10th April 2013)

Photo’s from Island just received. http://www.m0oxo.com/681-dx8dx-qrv-oc-174.html

Dindo will be qrv again later today.

73 de Charles

( 1115UTC 10th April 2013)

DX8DX QRV on 30m now (10115)…..

(0415am 11th April 2013) – QRT from OC-174

from Dindo;  ”Over 700 contacts for intermittent operation. I can not go for full time qrv as I have everyday report

(0415UTC  11th April 2013) 

OC-174 Log received with thanks.

 73 de Charles MØOXO

(0400UTC  12th April 2013)

Well as followers to the Blog will know, we expect activity fropm OC-225 tomorrow (13th). There was always an

outside chance he may be qrv later today (12th). Unfortunately its all guess work now as Dindo is out of contact

and we cannot exchange any messages at all. Lets hope he gets qrv before the Solar storm arrives tomorrow.

Pls check DX Clusters for when he appears. GL to all !

73 de Charles

(1006 UTC  12th April 2013)

DX8DX was spotted at 1004utc on 30m band, but it can not be confirmed yet if this was Dindo or a Pirate.

Please check back for any updated info.

(1300 UTC  12th April 2013)

…Now confirmed DX8DX OC-225 and running on 14042 split.

(0512 UTC  13th April 2013)

DX8DX Qrv for a second day from OC-225 and running on 12m CW

No details on the time he expects to qrt as yet?

(0410 UTC  14th April 2013) – QRT from OC-225

DX8DX QRT from OC-225

I will update this blog when the OC-225 Log is received and log checks welcome by email, see below.

Apologies for any inconvenience to Digimode users on 12m yesterday.

73 de Charles

(0400 UTC  16th April 2013)

OC-225 Log received, 1100 Qso’s logged. Log checks welcome by email (see below).

Dindo was qrv sporadically between 1003utc 12th April and last qso logged 0320 14th April. Any qso’s

outside these times were obviously not him.

Qsl card preparation has begun, and images from OC-225 will be here http://www.m0oxo.com/dx8dx/oc-225.html 

later this morning.

Please also be aware that Paypal Qsl proceedure only works for Qsl requests. Any other amounts

you may wish to send as donations then please use the ”Donate” button top left of this screen. Thanks in advance.

73 de Charles

(17th April 2013)

OC-174/OC-225 both validated for IOTA claims, thanks G3KMA.

  

 Please DO NOT send cards via the Bureau.

Logs will be uploaded to LOTW as soon as practicable after the operation.

Please remember that this is not a Dxpedition and on air time falls between breaks in his work schedule.

This page will be continually updated as news of other trips develop so please call

backand keep up to date with news of

DX8DX !!

images courtesy of Google Earth