Podcasts about lotw

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DXcolumn in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com {Marathon Alert} CE0Y – Easter Island will be active from June 20–27. Manu, CE3YMR, will be active from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) under the callsign 3G0YM. The focus will be on the 6-, 30-, and 40-meter bands, with possible activity on 10, 20, and 60 meters depending on propagation. Operations will use FT8 and SSB modes. Although this takes place during a family vacation, the goal is to maximize contacts for the worldwide DX community during this second activation from the island. 5H – Tanzania - A reminder, the NK8O (Charles) work trip to Chihoni, Tanzania, is planned to start today and continue to July 2. Working around his job assignments, he will be on the air as 5H3DX. He will be using 100 watts to a dipole, vertical, and long wire antenna, CW, FT8 and FT4, 40-6M. He will upload the log to LoTW and Club Log. {Marathon Alert} C2 – Nauru - Phil, C21TS,  confirms he will depart Nauru on July 22. Meantime, he will be working “a lot of new ones.” PJ2 – Curacao -PJ2/PH2M, operatorFrank, will be on the air until June 29, mainly FT8 and “some FT4 and SSB,”various bands. QSL using Club Log OQRS, or LoTW, or direct to his home QTH. {Marathon Alert} FS – St. Martin – K9EL, John,operating as FS/K9EL, is now active on the air using an IC-7300MK2 and anExpert 1.3 amplifier. Antennas covering 6 through 80 meters are installed, and6 meters has been performing particularly well so far. Because his local noiselevel is very low, many stations may not realize he can hear them. Anyoneneeding a QSO is encouraged to contacthim through his QRZ email address. ClubLog Livestream was notfunctioning, so he uploads logs to LoTWand Club Log at the end of eachday. His grid square is FK88, but the FTsoftware cannot transmit thefull grid when using a compound callsignsuch as FS/K9EL. If conditions are favorable on 6 meters, operators mayalso hear K9EL on the air at thesame time, as he has remote access to hishome station. On Wednesdaynight, he enjoyed a good 6-meter openingto VE6 and VE7, thoughunfortunately, he was unable to get areply from any VE7 station despitethe promising three-hop path. {Marathon Alert} A6 – United ArabEmirates - A60PCis a special event callsign that is QRV until June 30th, in supportof the UAE's Pledge and Commitment. This national initiativeinvites people to affirm their loyalty toPresident His Highness SheikhMohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and theirsense of belonging to the UAE,while promoting peace, coexistence, socialunity, national responsibility, and the preservation of these values for futuregenerations. VP2V – British Virgin Islands - Jonathan, W5GI, willoperate from his second QTH in the British Virgin Islands until June 30th.He'll be active as VP2V/W5GI operating on 10–40 meters via SSB and FT8. You mayalso email him to arrange aSchedule. Thisweek, the DX Mentor Podcast will feature a discussion with Robin, WA7CPA, aboutthe DXpedition to E51MWA, the North Cook Islands/Manihiki. Check it out and let me know what you think.             If you have questions or needinformation, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com  Contest Updates  There are a few contests thatI have found to be especially useful for DXers who are trying to fill bandslots or work an All Time New One.  Until next week, this isBill, AJ8B saying 73 and thanks to my XYL Karen for her love and support. IHope to hear you in the pileups! Have a great DX week! 

Canadian opener for those fishing in the NW area of Ontario will want to tap into this one! Nate and Matt are a huge wealth of knowledge when it comes to LOTW, Lac Seul, and many parts of NW Ontario. We get into some crazy stories you won't want to miss out on! Nate and Matt are currently located at Wiley Point Wilderness Lodge from the Totem Resorts. https://sugsfishing.com/https://www.thornebros.com/Cold opener comes from an 80s sketch on SCTV called "Great White North". Why is Canadian beer stronger than American beer? And also don't worry we checked in with Nate and Matt if it was alright to use a Bob and Doug McKenzie quote

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B. For the rest of this year, I am going to pass along a bit of extra information when I let you know what will be on the air in the next seven days. So many hams have joined in the annual CQ Marathon contest that I thought I would help them out, as well as anyone else who is involved in the Marathon. The great thing about the Marathon is that it truly is a marathon and not a sprint. You can join at any time and get credit for all the QSOs you have accumulated in the calendar year. So, when I come across an activation that I would recommend that you get in the log to help your score, I will announce it by starting off with Marathon Alert! I know that this seems corny, but you will know that the information that follows indicates an entity that is more rare than usual DX. If you are not as experienced with DX or the Marathon, you may not know what is common and what is not. I hope this helps you get key entities into the log to help your CQ Marathon score. The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com TF1OL, Ólafur, and his wife will be on Boa Vista Island, Cape Verde, from June 12 to June 23 for a 10-day stay. During this time, he will be active on FT8 and FT4 on 80 through 6 meters under the callsign D4OL. {Marathon Alert} CE0Y – Easter Island will be active from June 20–27. Manu, CE3YMR, will be active from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) under the callsign 3G0YM. 5H – Tanzania - A reminder, the NK8O (Charles) work trip to Chihoni, Tanzania, is planned to start today and continue to July 2. Working around his job assignments, he will be on the air as 5H3DX. He will be using 100 watts to a dipole, vertical, and long wire antenna, CW, FT8 and FT4, 40-6M. He will upload the log to LoTW and Club Log. {Marathon Alert} C2 – Nauru - Phil, C21TS, confirms he will depart Nauru on July 22. Meantime, he will be working “a lot of new ones.” He has been doing some Club Log livestream and Club Log log search. He says 99.9% of the time Club Log has real time updates. Heavy rain occasionally blocks his internet connection. Phil has now made 132,000 QSOs, 40,400 of those being uniques, 272 entities worked, 269 confirmed, saying “and I honestly thought 260 was going to be max for here.” He even worked 3Y0K, with 50 watts and homemade vertical. On 80 meters, a tuner problem is “making life difficult,” with SWR rising after five minutes of operating, so he will likely not be on 80 much more. He was hoping for five-band Worked All States but is still missing NH, NE and VT. Presumably he means on 80. PJ2 – Curacao -PJ2/PH2M, operator Frank, will be on the air until June 29, mainly FT8 and “some FT4 and SSB,” various bands. QSL using Club Log OQRS, or LoTW, or direct to his home QTH. FS – St. Martin – John, K9EL, will be active as FS/K9EL until June 24, focusing mainly on 6 meters while also operating on 80–10 meters. He'll upload logs to club Log in real time and to LoTW daily. He plans to answer all bureau cards, though bureau replies may take several months. His station includes an IC-7300MK2, Expert 1.3, an EFHW antenna for 80–10 meters, and a Yagi for 6 meters, located on a hill overlooking the Atlantic. {Marathon Alert} T8 – Palau - T88RR will be active until June 18 from Palau. The op plans to operate on 160, 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 12, 10, and 6 meters using FT8, FT4, SSB, and FM on 10 meters. The operator is JA6UBY, Yas. Logs will be uploaded to LoTW and eQSL. For a paper QSL, requests should be sent directly with SASE. He also says he will respond to bureau requests. If you have questions or need information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B. The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com  I have some details on the CP7DX DXpedition to Bolivia. They are QRV from Tarija until June 6, including the CQ WW WPX CW weekend. The rest of the time they will do SSB, CW and FT8, 160-6M and EME on 144 and 432 MHz. QSL direct to LU1FM and Club Log OQRS too.  WA7RAR, Chris, is QRV from Bonaire as PJ4CB until June 8, SSB and CW, 20-10M and from POTA sites on the island.   Alain, F8FUA, will be in Kigali, Rwanda, operating holiday style as 9X5KM from June 4 to 13. There will be activity on CW, SSB and Digital on all HF bands, and depending on local conditions, possibly 160 meters. QSO will be uploaded to LoTW and LoTW, but no OQRS. QSL direct or via the bureau to F8FUA.  OH1LEG and OH1MN, Juha and Markus, will again activate OJ0Z and OJ0MN respectively from Market Reef, until June 6. It will be the same gear as previously, a pair of IC-7300 radios and dipoles and other wire antennas. Modes will be SSB and FT8.  Juha says they do four meters down to 160 meters and “I like more low bands.”  They will not do Logbook of the World or eQSL.  3G0Z became QRV from Juan Fernandez using 17m SSB and FT8 with a single-element Delta Loop antenna. Felipe was still installing additional antennas and planned to bring a linear amplifier online to expand capabilities. Weather on the island was cool but manageable—around 15°C (59°F) with clouds, light rain, and mild wind. The antenna site, about 40 meters above sea level, offers strong propagation toward Europe, Africa, and the central U.S. The operation is expected to last about 20 days.  Mac, KC8CPK, is a flight nurse on temporary duty at Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands,  doing Medevac work and is operating as V7/KC8CPK while awaiting his Marshallese license. Because the ham shack and antennas are shared with DARPA and NASA, he can only operate when the equipment is not otherwise in use, though he is trying to get on the air as often as possible. He expects to remain for about three more weeks. Current equipment is an IC-7300 with an M² 7/10/30LP antenna, and 40 meters seems to be the best band for that setup. There are also experimental fan dipoles for lower bands, possibly including 60 meters, but 80 meters is not available.  VR2XAN, Alberto, will be on as XX9TXN from Macao June 2-9, SSB, CW and FT8, all bands 160-6, “with a special focus on North America.” He says he will attempt SSB on 80M “and maybe 160.” QSL to IV3SKB.  ZL3IO, Holger is back in Waitangi, Chatham Islands, using the callsign ZL7IO, today to June 4, including the CQ WPX CW weekend, a single operator all band. QSL to DK7AO.  VP0/H – South Shetland Islands SQ4O, Rafal Mazur, says “If everything goes well, I plan to start broadcasting at the end of May” as HF0PAS from the Polish Antarctic Station Arctowski on King George Island. He has installed a Yagi for 20, 15 and 10 meters as well one for 6 meters. Rafal still has plans to install a dipole for 80 and 40 meters. He is expected to be there until October.  TF1OL, Ólafur, and his wife will be on Boa Vista Island, Cape Verde, from June 12 to June 23 for a 10-day stay. During this time, he will be active on FT8 and FT4 on 80 through 6 meters under the callsign D4OL.   If you have questions or need information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com  Until next week, this is Bill, AJ8B saying 73 and thanks to my XYL Karen for her love and support. I Hope to hear you in the pileups! Have a great DX week! 

Foundations of Amateur Radio The other day I witnessed a fellow amateur attempting to guilt another into using LoTW with comments about how their QSO partner would appreciate confirmation via the service, even if they didn't care for it. Before I continue, if you're unfamiliar, when two amateurs make a contact, or a QSO, with each other, then there's generally a log entry at both ends to record the event. Some amateurs, myself included, save up these contacts and count how many continents, countries, states and other entities are recorded in the log. Several amateur radio organisations allow you to claim an award for such a record. However, before they accept your word for it, they require confirmation of the contact, something that the amateur community refers to as a QSL. To recap, a QSO is the contact, a QSL is the confirmation of that contact. Traditionally this was achieved with postcards, known as QSL cards, transported across the globe through various postal services, and coordinated by so-called QSL bureaus, often run by the amateur radio peak body in each country. With the advent of the Internet, much of this process has turned electronic. LoTW is an example of an electronic QSL service, run by the ARRL, the American Radio Relay League. It's not the only such service, but today I'm looking specifically at the Logbook of The World, or LoTW. As I said, LoTW is not the only service and anyone telling you that you must use it is selling you something. Now, that's not why I don't use it, and again, you're free to, but you're not required to. For me there are several issues with LoTW. Having used it for a period, I feel comfortable in expressing some of its shortcomings, but I note that the last time I used it was almost a decade ago. I'll acknowledge that things might have improved or changed, but I have no evidence to suggest that it did. Let's start with how it works. You create a log in a specified format, using an application called TQSL you sign that log, ostensibly linking your identity to that log, then you upload that signed log to LoTW and wait for confirmations of contacts with other LoTW users. Signing is a process where you add information to a file that proves to the recipient that the log was created by you and wasn't modified in transit, which requires that you have a file called a certificate, which is created and sent to you via email by the ARRL, after they've authenticated you. So, first of all, in my opinion, the level of security is absurd and exceeds that of my bank, or my tax department. In addition, proving your identity comes with hurdles if you're not in America where an amateur who registers receives a postcard with an authentication code, made possible by the central database held by the FCC. For everyone else, the ARRL requires that you: "must send a copy of his/her Amateur Radio operating authorization in addition to a copy of one other government-issued document indicating his/her identity", via the post, snail mail, stamp, envelope, the whole thing. I'd also like to observe that at no time has the ARRL linked your identity to your email address, since they haven't asked for it at any point in the verification process. If that's not enough of a security nightmare, in Australia and other parts of the world, amateurs no longer hold a personal license, instead they are members of a so-called class license. There's no public record stating my ownership of my callsign, just that it's allocated. With increased privacy concerns, this is happening elsewhere too. In other words, proving that you are who you say you are is getting increasingly difficult and even if you did, you're sending that information to the ARRL, who you might recall paid a ransom to hackers who infiltrated their network. I've asked and never received a response about what actually happened to the information they continue to hold in relation to me, well that and an email from 2013 which states that "Data is never removed from LoTW." Even so, let's say that you are comfortable sending your information to the ARRL, the process of signing a certificate requires renewal on a regular basis and if you manage to forget, you have the privilege of starting all over again. Let's move on. It's important to remember that this process is to confirm a radio contact between two radio amateurs in order to get a piece of paper to hang on your wall saying that you did so. How do you know that the person you made contact with on-air is the same person who confirmed your contact? Radio isn't authenticated in any way, why should the confirmation be? Remember, before the Internet, this was done with postcards. Security and authentication aside, there's plenty more issues. I hold the callsign VK6FLAB. Several times a year, that callsign is permitted to be AX6FLAB. I like to operate portable in many different locations. Sometimes I sign "/QRP" for low power, generally if the other station is very high power and they're struggling, adding QRP can sometimes act as an incentive to complete the contact. Sometimes I sign Portable, or Mobile, depending on the situation and when I'm moving, I'm not in a specific location. Why am I raising this you ask? Well, turns out that you need to make a new location for every single one you're operating from. You also need to register each callsign and each variation, since apparently VK6FLAB and VK6FLAB/QRP are two different stations and if I sign with AX6FLAB, I need to request another certificate. So, this is increased convenience .. apparently. Then there's the argument that you're missing out. Let's get this straight. As far as I can tell, the bulk of LoTW users are American. For me, a contact with America is a single log entry to add to my continent and country list. Tell me again why I should care about this when I'm not in America? There's a list of 340 DXCC entities, which you can buy from the ARRL for $5.95 plus shipping, because of course in this digital age there's a shipping charge. In other words, this is the ARRL attempting to own the notion of confirming contacts between radio amateurs and in my opinion, being obnoxious about it. Here's another issue. If this was really so marvellous, why hasn't any other peak body adopted the Logbook of The World for their system? Why is there not a WIA version, an RSGB one and for each of the various countries who have closed their local QSL bureau due to lack of funding, since the postal burden on them has exploded to become nonviable? I think that LoTW is a solution looking for a problem, peddled by people who have something to sell and while there was a time that it might have been bleeding edge, that ship has sailed. You're free to use it, but I wouldn't recommend it. If you have never stepped into this, alternatives to explore include ClubLog, eQSL, QRZ, OQRS and plenty of print on demand QSL card services. And if you're searching, apparently QSL is also Queensland Sugar Limited, so pay attention. I should also mention that there's SOTA, Summits, POTA, Parks and other On The Air services that will happily take your log and confirm contacts. Here's a thought, how about we use the fediverse to federate and decentralise the process, or perhaps we might use something as mundane as email. If you want to use LoTW, by all means, go right ahead, but I won't and if I knew how, I'd get the ARRL to remove all my records from it, mind you, I'd have to trust them at their word, because I can't log in to check. I'm Onno VK6FLAB

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for yourweekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DXcolumn in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.comXT - Burkina Faso – Harald, DF2SWO,goes again to Burkina Faso using the callsign XT2AW, until May 19.  Harald plans to be on HF and the QO-100 satellite and he welcomes skeds.   CN – Morocco - CN2NQV is the call for F8NQV who is QRV until July 11.  The QTH is the town of Sidi Rahal Chatai, on the Atlantic Ocean, 70 kilometers south of Casablanca.   Pascal's gear runs 100 watts to a Diamond vertical on the rooftop, about 15 meters above ground level. 5Z - Kenya  - 5Z4/MM0ZBH is QRV Holiday Style until June 15, with 100 watts and wire antennas.  QSL via the MM0ZBH home QTH, but his first choice is Logbook of the World foryour request.  Direct is SAE, no USD or IRC needed.  Paul says"I am happy to pay return postage." A6 - United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Many A60PE/##calls will be on the air as part of a national campaign of pride,"Proud of the Emirates."  Flag Day and Union Day (National Day) are popular national pride days.  The current event goes through May 31.  A3 – Tonga - JH3QFL, Takio, will operate as A31AA from Tongatapu Island, Tonga between May 14–22, 2026, onthe 80m–6m bands. QSL cards are available via SASE, and QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW. T8 – Palau - T88IL, T88JH and T88KY will be an operation May 21-24, ops JF3PLF, JR3QFB and JA1MFR, from Koror.  Masa, Yoshi, and Masa will be on 160-6M SSB, CW and digital. QSL details are on QRZ.com.  ZC4 - UK Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus - G4WXJ, Dave, will operate as ZC4RH from Dhekelia (KM64ux) between May 24 and 30, using 100 watts with Yaesu 857D and Xiegu X6100 radios. He will be active on CW, SSB, FT8, and FT4 modes across 40 to 6 meters, using dipoles and EFHW antennas. 3B9 - Rodrigues I - UR9IDX, Ivan, is QRV until June 1st, as 3B9IDX from Rodrigues Island. His operations will focus on HF bands, primarily using CW and some SSB, but not FT8. QSLdirect only to his address in Madeira Island, Portugal. JW – Svalbard - G1VAQ, Tom, will be briefly operating as JW/G1VAQ from Svalbard in May, using portable QRP (5W)CW on 20 meters. He asks for patience with his CW and notes that QSOs will be confirmed via LoTW and QRZ.com after his return to the UK. OX – Gree nland - OZ1DJJ, Bo, will be active as OX3LX from Aasiaat Island until May 22nd. This activity is part of a work trip, not a DXpedition, so limited radio contacts are expected. 6Y – Jamaica - KQ4PGV, Bill, is traveling to Jamaica from May 31 to June 8 for an anniversary trip and will operate as KQ4PGV/6Y on the radio when possible. Although experienced with POTA and SOTA, he is new to DXing and will be using an IC-705, tuner, and an amp (either 100W or 50W). He plans to activate parks for POTA using FT8 and Ham2kPortable Logger. CP – Bolivia - Team CP7DX has released some details of the upcoming DXpedition. They plan to be QRV from Tarija May 26 to June 6, including the CQ WW WPX CW weekend. The rest of the time they will do SSB, CW and FT8, 160-6M and EME on 144 and 432 MHz. QSL direct to LU1FM and Club Log OQRS too. PJ4 – Bonaire - WA7RAR, Chris, as PJ4CB will be there again May 27 to June 8, SSB and CW, 20-10M and from POTAsites on the island.  4K – Azerbaijan - The first ever POTA activation from Absheron National Park, AZ-0004 is May 28. The 4K0T“DXpedition and Contest Team” is going, joined by the ARAS, the Azerbaijan Radio Amateurs Society. They say the park is remarkable, on the Caspian Sea. It is grid LN50eg. They plan HF SSB and will have live updates, photos, logs and QSL info as things unfold.

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for yourweekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DXcolumn in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.comXT - Burkina Faso – Harald, DF2SWO, goes again to Burkina Faso using the callsign XT2AW, until May 19. Harald plans to be on HF and the QO-100 satellite and he welcomesskeds.  CE0 - Juan Fernandez - 3G0Z is the call for XQ7IR, Felipe, when he goes later this month.  His call will be XR0Z when he's on Alejandro Selkirk Island, SA-101, a possible side trip for 24-36 hours.  His gear has been sent ahead successfully, from Valparaiso to Juan Fernandez Island. CN – Morocco - CN2NQV is the call for F8NQV who is QRV until July 11.  The QTH is the town of Sidi Rahal Chatai, on the Atlantic Ocean, 70 kilometers south of Casablanca.Pascal's gear runs 100 watts to a Diamond vertical on the rooftop, about 15 meters above ground level. 5Z - Kenya  - 5Z4/MM0ZBH is QRV Holiday Style until June 15, with 100 watts and wire antennas.  QSL via the MM0ZBH home QTH, but his first choice is Logbook of the World foryour request.  Direct is SAE, no USD or IRC needed.  Paul says"I am happy to pay return postage." A6 - United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Many A60PE/##calls will be on the air as part of a national campaign of pride,"Proud of the Emirates."  Flag Day and Union Day (National Day) are popular national pride days.  The current event goes through May 31.  TF – Iceland - TF/WE9G, Rikk,will again be traveling, this time to Borg, Iceland, May 10-19, IOTA EU-021 and grid HP94ob.  He will have three radios on, a pair of IC-7300 radios and an IC-705, to a homebrew vertical, a tunable vertical, and a G5RV-E.  He will do 160-6, mostly FT8/4/2 "with some SSB and CW."  A Park on the Air, POTA, is a possibility, depending on his local transportation there.  QSL direct or bureau to WE9G and TF/WE9G on Club Log OQRS, QRZ and LoTW.  He plans real time log uploads and also Club Log livestream.    T8 – Palau - T88IL, T88JH and T88KY will be an operation May 21-24, ops JF3PLF, JR3QFB and JA1MFR, from Koror.  Masa, Yoshi, and Masa will be on 160-6M SSB, CW and digital. QSL details are on QRZ.com.  ET – Ethiopia - DL9WVM, Ulli, says he has two more weeks in Addis, and is QRV on CW from ET3AA as time permits.  He is there visiting family.  W9XY, Bob, say he may do some remote operating from that station, when DL9WVM is not operating.  K4ZW, Ken, will also be there, next weekend.  QSLs for K4ZW operations will go to N2OO as usual. ZC4 - UK Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus - G4WXJ, Dave, will operate as ZC4RH from Dhekelia (KM64ux) between May 24 and 30, using 100 watts with Yaesu 857D and Xiegu X6100 radios. He will be active on CW, SSB, FT8, and FT4 modes across 40 to 6 meters, using dipoles and EFHW antennas. TK – Corsica - F4FTV, Fabrice, will operate as TK/F4FTV from Porto-Vecchio, Corsica, from May 9 to 16, using SSB and digital modes. QSL is available via F4FTV and LoTW after three months.OX – Greenland - TF1OL, Olafur, plans to be QRV from Nuuk, Greenland from May 10 to 17. 3B8 - Mauritius & 3B9 - Rodrigues I - UR9IDX, Ivan, recently operated from Reunion Island (FR/UR9IDX, Mayotte (FH/UR9IDX)  and Comoros (D60DX), is QRV as 3B8IDX until May 16 from Mauritius and as 3B9IDX (May 18-June 1) from Rodrigues Island. His operations will focus on HF bands, primarily using CW and some SSB, but not FT8. QSL direct only to his address in Madeira Island, Portugal.

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.comVK9/C - Cocos (Keeling) – Mark, VK9BSA, and Deena, VK9DEE, have received their radio equipment at Cocos (Keeling) and are now active on the air until May 17th, with operations mainly on weekends and after work, as they balance family life on the island. This Sunday will be a dedicated radio day, and Deena (VK9DEE) is interested in connecting with other women on air. Frequency and timing details will be shared via email, with SSB as the chosen mode and plans for regular after-work activity on the 20-meter band.CT3 - Madeira Island - CT9/DL1BU is QRV and continues until May 2. Marc says for his holiday he took his IC-7300, 10-meter-tall fiberglass mast, and an off center fed dipole, the "Aerial51." His first day was devoted to setting it all up and testing. CN – Morocco - CN2NQV is the call for F8NQV who is QRV until July 11. The QTH will be the town of Sidi Rahal Chatai, on the Atlantic, 70 kilometers south of Casablanca. He plans 40, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10M, with target frequencies 7155, 14345, 18140, 21165 and 28575. Pascal's gear runs 100 watts to a Diamond vertical on the rooftop, about 15 meters above ground level.5Z - Kenya - 5Z4/MM0ZBH is QRV Holiday Style until June 15, with 100 watts and wire antennas. QSL via the MM0ZBH home QTH, but his first choice is Logbook of the World for your request. Direct is SAE, no USD or IRC needed. Paul says "I am happy to pay return postage."PJ4 – Bonaire - PJ4TB is QRV again by TJ, PE1OJR, TJ (short for Theerd), until May 4, holiday style, 40-6M SSB and FT8/FT4. TJ has an IC-7300, a "PAC-12" vertical that he's modified to cover 40-6, and an end fed wire antenna. He says he only uses LoTW (and Club Log, but he also mentions QRZ.com) for e-confirmations, no eQSL or traditional cards by mail. His LoTW and QRZ uploads are once a week.FO/M – Marquesas - TX9W, "Team Marquesas," arrived on Hiva Oa and made their way to their site to begin their setup. The team leader, K5WE, Jeff, had "a medical emergency" the night before the departure early Saturday, he spent the night in the hospital, and the decision is being made when and whether he can join the team. Setup is underway and they are QRV.Z6 – Kosovo - Z66SP with his Polish teammates will be QRV from near Pristina, April 23-28, CW, SSB and FT8, 160-10. They will be in the "SP DX RTTY Contest" weekend, and will also do some 6M and QO-100. QSL using Club Log OQRS and LoTW. https://z66sp.spdxc.org/7P, LESOTHO - 7P8WR will be QRV until May 1 by IZ0EVI, IZ0EWJ and IZ6DSQ. For antennas, they will have a spiderbeam covering 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10, a three-element "Skipper" for 10, loop for 20-10, another loop for 40-15, and a 40M vertical. For radios, it's three IC-7300s and an IC-706MKIIG, plus amplifiers. QSL via IZ0EWJ, bureau or direct, LoTW, QRZ.com, but no eQSLAll QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW, Club Log, and QRZ.com. https://www.mdxc.support/7p8wr/JT, MONGOLIA - Vladimir R9LR and Denis R8LCM will be QRV as JT0LR from rare grids NN49, NN48, NN58 and perhaps NN59. Activity between April 25 and April 30 on various bands using CW, SSB and digi. Satellite QO-100 also. QSL via R9LR. 4W - Timor-Leste - DX World reports 4W/EA2TA, Christian, has the licenses in hand now. He, 4W/EA3NT and 4W/IZ7ATN are now on the air from Timor Island. Their operation continues to April 28, 80-6M CW, SSB and FT8. 60M is not allowed in Timor-Leste, so no 60M for them. QSL all of them via IZ7ATN or use Logbook of the World.Until next week, this is Bill, AJ8B saying 73 and thanks to my XYL Karen for her love and support. I Hope to hear you in the pileups! Have a great DX week!

The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of theDailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, justdrop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com 3X – Guinea – Elvira, IV3FSG, is QRV from3X3A on Roume Island (AF-051), Republic of Guinea, until April 25. Thisself-funded, single-operator DXpedition will focus on making contacts across HFand 6m bands using SSB, CW, and FT8/4/2 modes, utilizing two Icom IC-7300radios and multiple antennas. Roume Island is historically known as the"Treasure Island" of West Africa. https://www.qrz.com/db/3X3A   Z8 - South Sudan - The International DX Pressand OM3JW report that Diya, Z81D, aka YI1DZ, has had his World Food Programcontract extended by eight months and returns to Juba this week.  He will be on the air in his spare time, FT8and SSB, mostly on weekends.  QSL toOM3JW through OQRS.   C5 – Gambia - The 425 DX News reportsthat F4AGG and F5RAV will be on the air as C5D on digital modes RTTY, PSK andFT8 and as C5C on SSB and CW, between April 24 and May 8.  They plan a side trip to the Bijol Islands,AF-060, as well.  From the island thecallsign will be C5B, and on the RS-44 satellite.  C5D's QSL is through LoTW only.  C5C and C5B are both via LoTW or direct viaF5RAV.  4W6DA, Timor-Leste - VK4MAP, DarrenJohnston, has been active holiday-style since April 2 as 4W6DA. Heis mostly on 10M SSB, but is also on 80, 40, 20, 15, and 12M, using an ICOMIC-7300 at 100W into two wire antennas. QSL via VK4MAP and include four U.S.dollars or four Euros.   3B9N, Rodrigues Island - VU3OPT (akaOM0GA), Suvarna, has just completed the first week of a seven-week DXpeditionto Port Mathurin, Rodrigues Island (grid square MH1Øqh), where he is operatingas 3B9N. He will be there until May 20. He plans a trip to Lakshadweep (VU7) inthe second half of this year and is also considering a trip to Sri Lanka (4S)or Bangladesh (S2).D6 -Comoros -After completing his FH/UR9IDX operation from Mayotte Ivan will continues his journeyin the Indian Ocean with a month-long stop in the Comoros as D60DX. Listenfor him on CW and SSB S0 - WesternSahara – Naama, S01A, and Azman,S01AH, will be QRV as S09S until May 31st, operating from the Sahrawi Republic.Theyare running 100 watts to dipole antennas and multiband beams. They will beoperating QO-100, from several grids. Look for S09S to also be QRV duringthe CQ WPX CW Contest, May 30-31. QSL via Club Log and LoTW. 8R –Guyana - 8R1TMis QRV until May 10, weekdays between 2300-0300Z on 160-6M CW,SSB, digital and satellite.  PY1SAD, Aldir, says on the weekends it's"full time" on 160-6, the same modes. OX – Greenland- Bo, OZ1DJJ, isQRV as OX3LX from Aasiaat Island (NA-134), Greenland until April 25th. He isthere on a work assignment and will be QRV in his spare time.VK9/C - Cocos (Keeling) – Mark, VK9BSA, and Deena, VK9DEE, are QRV fromCocos-Keeling. Band conditions have not been favorable, and Mark willmainly be operating on weekends and some evenings. There is no fixedoperating schedule yet. FO/M - Marquesas Islands- The TX9W teamheading to the Marquesas Islands report they will depart in eleven days.They plan to be active from Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands on April 19.

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for yourweekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, justdrop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com3B9 - Rodrigues Island - VU3OPT, aka OM0GA, Suvarna, is QRV as 3B9N from Port Mathurin, Rodrigues until May 20. FO - French Polynesia - On Monday, FO/F6BCW, Didier, reported that the island's internet network had been down for approximately 1.5 hours and may remain unavailable until Tuesday. Severe weather, including heavy squalls and violent thunderstorms with lightning, caused significant damage to temporary antenna setups. The 30m and 40mbands are currently unusable, and the Vertical Dipole Arrays (VDA) nearly collapsed. The main station itself remains operational. Monitoring of beacons showed zero EU signals, and no European opening was expected Monday.  -4W - Timor-Leste – On April 1st, VK4MAP, Darren, arrived in Temor-Leste and on April 5 got on the air with the 4W6DA callsign, "holiday style." He should now be QRV from AtauroIsland in the East Timor Coastal Islands Group.  He willhave callsign 4W6DA/P then.  Darren says he will mostly be on 10M but also 80, 40, 20, 15 and 12, and it is "voice only."  He hasan ICOM IC-7300, two wire  antennas to choose from, and 100 watts.  QSL via VK4MAP with 4 USD or 4 EURO to cover the postage. D6 - Comoros - After completing his FH/UR9IDX operation from Mayotte Ivan will continues his journey in the Indian Ocean with a month-long stop in the Comoros as D60DX. Listen for him on CW and SSB S0 - Western Sahara – Naama, S01A, and Azman, S01AH, Azman, will be QRV as S09S until May 31st, operating from the Sahrawi Republic, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sahrawi Republic. They are running 100 watts to dipole antennas and multiband beams. They will be operating QO-100, from several grids. Look for S09S to also be QRV during the CQ WPX CW Contest, May 30-31. QSL via Club Log and LoTW. A little bit in the future, we will see 3XFSG, the Republic of Guinea, activated by Elvira, IV3FSG, from April 11 to the 25. She will operate HF and 6M, “all modes,” with two “lowerpower” stations and vertical antennas. Elvira expects a couple of daily power outages that will force her off the air.TN - Congo - "Father Darek", HF3GD,  is now in Brazzaville on a new "pastoral and humanitarian mission."  In West Africa he also has the callsigns TJ1GD, TL8GD, and TT1GD.  In The Congo he will be TN8GD, HF and 6, "FT modes," CW and SSB.  He is waiting for his Logbook of the World certificate.  Darek is also hoping  to set up remote operation capability when the infrastructure there can support that.  QSL using Club Log OQRS or direct to SP3EOL.8R – Guyana - 8R1TM is QRV until May 10, weekdays between 2300-0300Z on 160-6M CW, SSB, digital and satellite.  PY1SAD, Aldir, says on the weekends it's "full time" on 160-6, the same modes. OX – Greenland- OZ1DJJ, Bo, is QRV as OX3LX again from Aasiaat Island (NA-134), Greenland until April 25th. Heis there on a work assignment and will  be QRV in his spare time.VK9/C - Cocos (Keeling) - VK9BSA, Mark, and VK9DEE, Deena, QRV from Cocos-Keeling. Band conditions are currently not favorable, and Mark will mainly be operating on weekends and some evenings. There is no fixed operating schedule yet. FO/M - Marquesas Islands- The TX9W team heading to the Marquesas Islands report they will depart in eleven days.They plan to be active from Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands on April 19. This week, the DX Mentor YouTube episode will feature CE3/N5NU & K0MD discussing POTA and DXing from Chile. Give it a watch and let me know what you think. 

This week on the MOT pod we get Jimmy Gallant on from JG Outdoors guide service and YouTube channel to talk all things musky. We cover quite a bit on LOTW and Eagle plus plenty on northern Wisconsin and some spring tactics. Big fish stories are told as well! You know we all love those! Tap in!Also on the calendar up and coming we have the annual WI DNR conservation congress spring hearings April 13th 6-9pm. f you'd like to vote to rescind the new musky regulation change you must attend IN PERSON to vote. Locations for each county here: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/wcc/springhearingThorne Bros Annual Spring Sale April 10-12th in-store plus seminars and new video watch parties going on! Online sale April 13-14th as wellhttps://www.thornebros.com/Upcoming seminars for Gus:- April 11th Capital Cities Muskies Inc Fundraiser starting at 9am, seminar starts at 11am located at The Mekong restaurant in McFarland- April 18th American Marine in Chippewa Falls seminar at 10am- May 6th Winnebagoland Musky Club seminar at 7pm https://sugsfishing.com/intro comes from an animated classic: "Barnyard". This is a cow farm... you're gonna have cows outside!!!!

TX5EU - update March 14 - We finally made it to our new TX5EU QTH on Austral Island Raivavae and started setting up antennas and equipment. So far, 5 of 9 antennas are already set up: VDAs 20m, 15m, 12m, the DX Commander, and the 40m vertical. The rest will follow tomorrow morning after sunrise (and a quick coffee...). Operation will start around 6 a.m. GMT (at our far end of the world, it is still the evening of March 13...). Watch out for our first signals! 73 from TX5EU   T31 - Central Kiribati - The Rebel DX Group say their upcoming T31TTT activity (Starting around March 25) on Kanton Island will likely be their last operation for "some considerable time," similar to their 3D2/C Conway Reef ops.  They say they are joining government officials and a ministry of fishery and environmental delegation, and note the rules there are changing soon, including likely a lockdown of access for visitors for environmental protection reasons.  We have a second update - The Rebel DX Group's upcoming T31TTT operation, scheduled to start around March 25, the update:  Preparations are complete with their ship loaded with supplies, fuel, and generators.  They are now leaving Fiji for Samoa, to be joined by seven Kiribati government officials who will part of the trip to Kanton Atoll.   HR – Honduras - KN2P, N7VZ and W7UM have gotten their callsign for their Honduras DXpedition,  from the new government and new commissioner for telecoms there.  The callsign is HQ9UM and the dates are March 24-31.  They will be on 160-10 SSB, CW and FT8 and use LoTW for QSLing.  And they have the HQ9X callsign for the CQ WPX SSB weekend.  Otherwise, they will be holiday style.  3B8 - Mauritius - G3TXF, Nigel, will participate in the RSGB Commonwealth Contest as 3B8XF on March 14-15 and continue CW activity on HF until March 25. G3WVG, Ian, now 3B8VV, will also be active on HF for a week until March 19. Both are operating from a small islet previously used by the successful 3B8M contest team.  9J – Zambia - DM7XX, Robert, will be operating as 9J2RO from the Fountain Gate Crafts & Trades School from March 16 to 30, participating in the CQ WPX SSB Contest  (March 28-29)    YJ – Vanuatu - VK2YUS, Chris Ayres, plans an operation, YJ0CA.  He will be at Port Vila March 18 to April 2, SSB only, the same gear as previously, an IC-7300 to small amplifier, and simple wire antennas, 40-10.  He says his main operating times will likely be between 2100-1000Z.  Chris logs on to paper and then has "a high quality physical card for confirmation."  Cards will be sent out air mail in  April from Australia.  Check QRZ.com for the details on QSL address, etc.  YJ - Vanuatu  JK1JXZ, Aki, will operate as YJ1JXZ from Port Vila, Vanuatu, between March 15  and April 3, active on 80-6 meter bands after 5 PM (local time) on weekdays  and all day on weekends.    FJ - St. Barthelemy –Andreas, DK6AS, is now active from St. Barts as FJ/DK6AS for the month of March. He is QRV on CW, FT4 and FT8 on 3.5 through 50 MHz, including participation in the ARRL International DX CW Contest. QSL via DK6AS either direct or via the bureau.  VP2E – Anguilla – Jack, M0PLX, SP9FIH and SQ2RAD, will be QRV from Anguilla until March 22nd. They will use the callsigns VP2ELX, VP2EWE, and VP2EAD, respectively. Their activities will cover the 160-6 meter bands, with each operator focusing on specific frequencies; Jack will concentrate on 15m, 40m, and 80m SSB. Operations will take place on SSB and CW, utilizing multiple transceivers, amplifiers, and both vertical and directional antennas. During the three-week stay, Jack also plans short sightseeing and possible radio activities from St. Maarten (FS), Saba (PJ6), and St. Barthelemy (FJ).  V5 - Namibia – Gunter, DK2WH, is currently operating as V51WH from a farm near Omaruru, Namibia, and will remain active until March 24, covering frequencies from 160 to 6 meters, including 60 meters. 

LOUNGE LIZARDS PRESENTED BY FABRICA5 - Brilliant Honduran Cigars - Visit Fabrica005.com and use code LIZARDPOD at checkout for 10% off THE ENTIRE STORE! Free worldwide shipping from Miami on all orders over $125. See website for more information and terms.SMALL BATCH CIGAR - SAVE 15% - Exclusive Cigar Retail Partner of the Lizards - Visit SmallBatchCigar.com and use code LIZARD15 for 15% off your order. Free shipping and 5% rewards back always. Standard exclusions apply. Simple. Fast. Small Batch Cigar.Recorded at Ten86 Cigars in Hawthorne, New Jersey, the Lizards pair the Cohiba Ambar with twelve year aged Abuelo rum. The guys answer a listener email on their favorite destination smoking spots, they discuss the Tabaclera S.L.U. bankruptcy and they somehow find their way into Bam's use of handkerchiefs and sinus maintenance.PLUS: Lizard Favorite Destination Smoking Spots, Cuba's Blending Process Debate, New Ratings Guide Announcement, LOTW Winners Update, Tabacalera S.L.U. Insolvency, Hoyo's 160th & MoreJoin the Lounge Lizards for a weekly discussion on all things cigars (both Cuban and non-Cuban), whiskey, food, travel, life and work. This is your formal invitation to join us in a relaxing discussion amongst friends and become a card-carrying Lounge Lizard yourself. This is not your typical cigar podcast. We're a group of friends who love sharing cigars, whiskey and a good laugh.website/merch/rating archive: loungelizardspod.comemail: hello@loungelizardspod.com to join the conversation and be featured on an upcoming episode!instagram: @loungelizardspodGizmo HQ: LizardGizmo.com

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.5N – Nigeria – Bodo, DF8DX, will be in Abuja, Nigeria, working at the Voice of Nigeria broadcasting station from March 1-10,. Operating under his new callsign 5N7QBR he plans to be active on the air as time allows and will participate in the ARRL DX SSB Contest. J5 - Guinea-Bissau – 124,600 QSOs and 23,800 different callsigns after 7.24 days of operation. Still 13 days to go.YJ – Vanuatu - JK1JXZ (also known as A35JK, T2JK), Aki, is QRV from Port Vila, Vanuatu as YJ1JXZ until April 3, 2026. He  will operate on the 80-6m bands, with activity after 5 p.m. Vanuatu time on weekdays and all day during weekends. The web page https://www.qrz.com/db/YJ1JXZ will beupdated  once the specific dates are confirmed. FJ - St. Barthelemy –Andreas, DK6AS, is now active from St. Barts as FJ/DK6AS for the month of March. He is QRVon CW, FT4 and FT8 on 3.5 through 50 MHz, including participation in the ARRL International DX CW Contest. QSL via DK6AS either direct or via the bureau.3B8 - Mauritius & 3B9 - Rodrigues - So far reported as 3B8G on 20, 15 and 10 CW, and the operator is VU3OPT, akaOM0GA, Suvarna.  This is a 48-day trip will end on March 30. The Rodrigues portion, callsign 3B9N, will run from April 3 to May 20.  It appears he also plans visits to Sri Lanka (4S) and Bangladesh (S2) in the second half of 2026. JD1/M - Minami Torishima – Take, JG8NQJ, will be working again on Minami Torishima as JG8NQJ/JD1 now to mid-May, operating with 50 watts and a  HB9CV style 17/15M 2-element antenna. QSL via JA8CJY.  VP2E – Anguilla – Jack, M0PLX, SP9FIH and SQ2RAD, will be QRV from Anguilla until March 22nd. They will use the callsigns VP2ELX, VP2EWE, and VP2EAD, respectively. Theiractivities will cover the 160-6 meter bands, with each operator focusing on specific frequencies; Jack will concentrate on 15m, 40m, and 80m SSB.Operations will take place on SSB and CW, utilizing multiple transceivers, amplifiers, and both vertical and directional antennas. During the three-week stay, Jack also plans short sightseeing and possible radio activities from St. Maarten (FS), Saba (PJ6), and St. Barthelemy (FJ).ZC4 - UK Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus - The ZC4C and ZC4Z team are scheduled to depart Edinburgh, Scotland Wednesday morning heading for Cyprus and will probably begin operations early Thursday.  VE – Canada - It's VO2LAB/VY0 from Iqaluit, Baffin Island, Nunavut  Territory, where Jim, WB2REM, is operating remotely from the VY0IRC station.  QSL via Club Log, QRZ, LOTW but no paper confirmations. V5 - Namibia – Gunter, DK2WH, is currently operating as V51WH from a farm near Omaruru, Namibia, and will remain active until March 24, covering frequencies from 160 to 6 meters, including 60 meters. FO/A - Austral Islands - "The excitement is mounting, just over a week to go until departure!" – from the TX5EU group.  A lot of the prep work is done, extensive radios, antennas, spare parts, etc., "everything has been planned in detail, tested, and packed."  The German and Dutch ops have been meeting regularly, mostly on video conferences.  On March 11, the six ops from Germany and The Netherlands will meet at the airport in Paris and fly to San Francisco and onward to the Austral Islands.  They expect to be on the air March 13, with operations  continuing to March 25.  

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, justdrop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.comTo say that the world has been waiting on this would be an understatement. We have an update on the Bouvet DXpedition, 3Y0K - They have left Cape Town!The 3YØK team has departed Cape Town aboard the Danish registered vessel Argus from Icetugs, beginning the 1,500‑nautical‑mile transit to Bouvetøya. Argus completed scheduled maintenance and survey work prior to her arrival in Cape Town, ensuring full readiness for the voyage. Earlier this week, the expedition helicopter was loaded, inspected, and secured on deck. Both the vessel and the aircraft have successfully passed all required inspections. We appreciate the strong commitment demonstrated by the pilots, mechanics, expedition guides, and vessel crew as we move forward together as one team to make this a successful expedition. The captain and crew are performing excellently, and the team is enjoying good meals prepared by the ship's chef. Despite encountering rough seas during the first day at sea, preparations continue onboard as we expect to arrive atBouvetøya on February 26th at 08:00 local time. We extend our sincere thanks to all contributors for your continued support! 73, 3YØK Team  5N – Nigeria – Bodo, DF8DX, will be in Abuja, Nigeria, working at the Voice of Nigeria broadcasting station from March 1-10,. Operating under his new callsign 5N7QBR he plans to be active on the air as time allows and will participate in the ARRL DX SSB Contest. Using 100 watts and possibly Voice of Nigeria's large curtain antenna (about 19dB gain), he will operate CW, SSB, and FT8 on 10-80m bands. QSLs are accepted via LoTW, direct, bureau, or OQRS after the activity. For more information, see his QRZ.com profiles for 5N0OCH and 5N7Q.9G – Ghana – Arno, DL1CW, is QRV until March 3rd. He ismostly on CW with some RTTY possible through March 3. He is running 100 atts to a dipole and plans to be active on 3.5 through 50 MHz. QSL via LoTW and via the bureau to DL1CW. J5 - Guinea-Bissau – We have over 25.000 QSOs in the log after the first 24 hours of operation. We already logged more than 5.000 QSOs in CW. Only some 100+ SSB QSOs yet. Manymore CW and SSB to come in the coming days, don't worry... We have an Update on KP5/NP3VI, Desecheo Island- Asreported last week, KP5/NP3VI, the Desecheo Island DXpedition, has been extended to March 3. As of February 25th, they had exceeded 97,000 QSO milestone, “all generated using our fully solar-powered, unattended RemoteDeployment Unit.”  FJ - St. Barthelemy – On February 12, Andreas, DK6AS, began his February/March 2026 FJ/DK6AS operation from St. Barts. He'll be QRV on CW, FT4 and CT8 on 3.5 through 50 MHz,including participation in the ARRL International DX CW Contest. QSL via DK6AS either direct or via the bureau. This week, the DX Mentor YouTube episode will feature Hal, W8HC. Hal will be discussing the 9U1RU DXpedition that logged almost 180,000 QSOs. Give it a watch and let me know what you think.Until next week, this is Bill, AJ8B saying 73 and thanks to my XYL Karen for her love and support. I Hope to hear you in the pileups! Have a great DX week!

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for yourweekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com5X - Uganda – Richard, HB9FHV,is currently in Uganda for a brief visit with basic radio equipment until February 28, 2026. He plans limited activity as 5X4TA almost daily on the 10, 15, and 20 meter bands between 1500Z and 1600Z.  TZ - Mali - Ulmar, DK1CE, should be QRV as TZ1CE until March 1.  He will be doing mostly FT8 and SSB and says when he's on FT8 he gives stations outside Europe precedent at alltimes.  He plans special attention to 160M FT8, 80M FT8 and 6M and will update daily on Club Log, the LoTW log will be after the operation. FJ - St. Barthelemy – On February 12, Andreas, DK6AS, began his February/March 2026 FJ/DK6AS operation from St. Barts. He'll be QRV on CW, FT4 and CT8 on 3.5 through 50 MHz, including participation in the ARRL International DX CW Contest. QSL via DK6AS either direct or via the bureau.VP5 - Turks and Caicos Islands - The Russell family (WD5JR, N5VOF and KJ5CMP) are in the Turks and Caicos Islands until February 23. They have an IC-7300 and KX2 running 5 to 100 watts into a 17 foot whip with coil and EFHW. They are active as VP5/HC on 7 through 50 MHz on SSB and CW. They areuploading videos to their YouTube channel Radio Roamers and Facebook page Radio Roamers.  QSL via their home calls with SASE.  J5 - Guinea-Bissau - The J51A DXpedition team, heading for Bijagos Archipelago (AF-020) in the February-March time frame giving the following update.  "J51A on QO-100: We were asked to be active on QO-100 satellite, too. We learnt that J5 has NEVER been active on QO-100 before.So, we decided to give it a try for a lot of ATNO contacts on SSB, CW and FT8. However, none of us has operated over  satellite before. Please bear with us if we do something stupid or unexpected. Just let us know by E-Mail ( j51a@gmx.de ) and we'llfix any misbehavior  A.S.A.P. Technically; we will use 50 MHz as the IF band. It means that we  cannot do 50 MHz when on QO-100, and vice versa. QO-100 operation will start a  couple of days after the other bands. Please watch the "News" sectionon  www.qrz.com/db/J51A for more info." OX – Greenland - From February 17th to March 9th, 2026, Bo, OZ1DJJ, will be active as OX3LX from Aasiaat City/Island (GP38NQ, NA-134) during this period. Please note, this is nota DXpedition but rather a business trip, so activity may be limited. 8Q - Maldives – Alex, OE5AUH, is planning a holiday operation as 8Q7AH from Rasdhoo Atoll March 1-10.  RI1F - Franz Jozef Land - The Russian DX Team is preparing a major DXpedition to Franz Josef Land (RI1FJL), The Arctic Ocean archipelago, ranked 44th globally and 26th in North America. The operation will feature at least five high-power radio stations running continuously on all HF bands for 15 days in September 2026, aiming to contact as many stations as possible, including those in distant areas.The total budget for this trip is close to $80,000, making it their most expensive expedition yet, and financial support from DX clubs and individuals is crucial for its success. Donations are encouraged and can be made through the team's website - https://www.rudxt.org/ri1fjl or directlyvia PayPal un7jid@mail.ru. In addition to the previously mentioned KP5/NP3VI interview, the DX Mentor podcast will be with Hal, W8HC. Hal will bediscussing the 9U1RU DXpedition that logged almost 180,000 QSOs. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

In this episode, Kert and Dave discuss recent events in the dog agility world, including the Lord of the Winter competition, the implications of breeding endorsements, and the recent changes to agility course time matrixes. They explore the fairness of video assistant referees in competitions, the importance of maintaining control over breeding lines, and the impact of new course time regulations on competitors at various levels.You can find the podcast in all the usual places:Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0JANCSlL3kh1CmPKbDzrCLOr Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/.../the-wrong.../id1667764486...This weeks episode is sponsored by "Better Dog"You can visit their website here:https://wearebetterdog.com/And their Instagram is here:https://www.instagram.com/betterdogproductsGo and show them some love.

We have two operations from J5 - Guinea-BissauFirst - DA1DX, Ben, the organizer of the J51A DXpedition to Guinea-Bissau in February/March 2026, shares several updates. The ARRL has approved the J51A license for DXCC, and the LoTW certificate has been received. After clarifying frequency and mode permissions with the national authority and confirming alignment with IARU Region 1 Band Plans, all standard bands and modes-including 160m, 60m, WARC bands, and 50 MHz-are confirmed valid for DXCC, IOTA, and other awards. The DXpedition is entirely privately funded, with RF-POWER lending five amplifiers and all other equipment privately owned. Ben invites donations via Club Log OQRS and provides a link for more information. https://www.qrz.com/db/J51A Secondly, J52EC is on until February 28th by operator IZ3BUR, Livio. He has an IC-7410, 100 watts, to a 3-element Yagi on 20, 15 and 10.TL - Central African Republic & TT – Chad - TJ1GD, Darek, has established permanent amateur radio stations in the Central African Republic and in Chad, which are maintained locally. These stations (TL8GD and TT1GD), licensed to Darek, operate periodically-often remotely using FT8, CW, and SSB. QSL confirmations are available via LoTW and Club Log.KP5/NP3VI, Desecheo Island - KP5/NP3VI is now 2 weeks into its planned 30-day operation. Their latest published statistics are as follows: Over 55,000 QSOs are in the log, with 91.1 percent of the QSOs with North American and Europe. CN - Morocco - F6FYD, Yannick, expects to return to Morocco next week. In early March he also has plans to go to Mogador Island (AF-065), Agadir, and El Jadida and has the callsign CN2YD.FG – Guadeloupe - TF1OL, Olafur, will be live from Guadeloupe starting Wednesday next week for approximately seven days. No word on what callsign he will be using. Following the stay in Guadeloupe, plans to visit other islands are pending permission to operate.TZ - Mali - The next TZ1CE by DK1CE, Ulmar, is February 10 to March 1. He will be doing mostly FT8 and SSB and says when he's on FT8 he gives stations outside Europe precedent at all times. He plans special attention to 160M FT8, 80M FT8 and 6M and will update daily on Club Log, the LoTW log will be after the operation, and in Mali 60M operation is not allowed.FG - Guadeloupe - FG/F6HMQ, Tildas, and FG/F6GWV, Mike, are there for another week or so, with a pair of IC-7300 radios, to vertical wires. "Holiday style," they are 60-10M SSB, FT4 and FT8. LoTW confirmations will be available within a few days. YU – Serbia - This year is the 170th anniversary of Nikola Tesla's birth. Stations in the Amateur Radio Union of Serbia are authorized to use callsign YT170TESLA through the end of this year.XU - Cambodia - DL7BO, Tom, will once again be QRV as XU7O from February 7-21, reports DX News.S9 - Sao Tome & Principe – S53BV is QRV as S9BV until February 20, holiday style "from a quiet location," Borut, will be on with an IC-7000 to verticals and dipoles. He plans to be on 60, 40, 30 and 15 CW and SSB. On 30, 40 and 60M CW, target frequencies are 10110, 7005 and 5351.5. Direct QSLs will be answered when he's back home. Club Log OQRS will be available, with limited internet access while there and "postal challenges." He will apparently give special instructions later.Until next week, this is Bill, AJ8B saying 73 and thanks to my XYL Karen for her love and support. I Hope to hear you in the pileups! Have a great DX week!

The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, justdrop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.comV4 - St. Kitts - The 425 DX News reports that V47JA by W5JON is QRV from the island until February 3, SSB andFT8 on HF.  QSL direct to W5JON, or  use Logbook of the World. TL - Central African Republic & TT –Chad - TJ1GD, Darek, has established permanent amateur radio stations in the Central African Republic and in Chad, which are maintained locally. These stations (TL8GD and TT1GD), licensed to Darek, operate periodically-often remotely using FT8, CW, and SSB. QSL confirmations are available via LoTW and Club Log.J5 - Guinea-Bissau – Livio, IZ3BUR, is once again QRV as J52EC starting January 24. He has been reported on SSB on 10 and 15 meters. Numerous sources report he is there until March. QSL direct only via IZ3BUR. C2 - Nauru – Phil, FK1TS, is back on Nauru Island and expects to be active as C21TS on FT8 by the weekend, after setting up his vertical antenna. He will operate until July 2026, and Club Log Livestream will indicate when he is on the air. KP5/NP3VI, Desecheo Island - KP5/NP3VI is now 2 weeks into its planned 30-day operation. Their latest published statistics are as follows: 29,418 QSOs with 8,291 unique callsigns; ATNO for 1,66 stations. Six continents are represented in the log, with 91.1 percent of the QSOs with North American and Europe. However, North America contacts continue to decrease in percentage as they increase activity with other regions.  C5 - The Gambia - C5SP, Przemyslaw and C5MB, Magdalena are QRV from Sanyang, Gambia (Grid Square IK13pf) until March 2026. QSL cards are available via SP3PS Direct, but not through LoTW.H4 - Solomon Islands - DL2GAC, Bernhard now in the Solomon Islands as H44MS until mid-May.  He departed India last Wednesday, arriving in the Solomons' capital on Friday.  He is renewing his H44MS license, which was scheduled to expire in early February.  He will move to his "usual QTH" there tomorrow or Wednesday.  He has taken with him a Hexbeam that covers 20-6, to replace his old tri-bander that covered 20-10.  He says the weather is poor, lots of rain, no sunshine.  He plans to mostly be on 40M this time, with a dipole 20M high in a palm tree near the ocean.

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for yourweekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.I mentioned previously that I would be addressing two issues, as I do at the beginning of each year. The first is my goals for 2026. We accomplished that last week. The second issue was to share those contests that I have participated in over the years. I have found them to be excellent opportunities to improve your skills, garner you some new band slots and potentially some ATNOS. The dates that I am referring to include the State QSO Parties, international DX contests, and regional DX contests. I have worked many normally difficult entities during contests and found it very easy (sometimes) to get them in the log. I have about 90 dates that I would suggest that you keep in mind. However, you don't need to write them down. I have created two items to make it easy for you. There is a list of dates andcontests in both .pdf and Excel format. Both files can be found at www.aj8b.com/files. Let me know if you have any questions. If you are somewhat skilled with Excel, you can create a CSV file from the Excel workbook and import it in to your personal calendar.The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, justdrop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.comKP5/NP3VI, Desecheo Island, makes history  - At its four-day mark, KP5/NP3VI has made over 10,000 QSOs on all continents. Their goal is to make over 100,000 QSOsduring their 30 days on the air. J5 - Guinea-Bissau - Bavarian Contest Club members will be operating J51A from Guinea-Bissau in February/March 2026. The location is on the island's northern shore with an unobstructed view over water, using generator power 24/7 due to lack of public electricity. Their  main goal is to provide contacts from Guinea-Bissau, which is ranked as number  85 worldwide, and number 53 in Asia. QSL cards and LoTW confirmations will be managed through Club Log OQRS, and donations are welcome via Club Log.H4 - Solomon Islands - DL2GAC, Bernhard now in the Solomon Islands as H44MS until mid-May.  He departed India last Wednesday, arriving in the Solomons' capital on Friday.  He is renewing his H44MS license, which was scheduled to expire in early February.  He will move to his "usual QTH" there tomorrow or Wednesday.  He has taken with him a Hexbeam that covers 20-6, to replace his old tri-bander that covered 20-10.  He says the weather is poor, lots of rain, no sunshine.  He plans to mostly be on 40M this time, with a dipole 20M high in a palm tree near the ocean. V6 - Federated States of Micronesia - Yesterday afterarriving on Chuuk (OC-011), JA1XGI (Haru) reports his amplifier was likely damaged during airport transport. Nevertheless, he has been active as V6CU25, operating FT8 and CW on 160, 40, 30, 20, and 15 meters. S21WD – Bangladesh 2026: Project Update - The NextGeneration DX Club is pleased to announce a major milestone for its upcoming Bangladesh DXpedition: the callsign S21WD has been officially issued for the project. The DXpedition will be active for 12 days and operate on 160 through 10 meters, including 5 MHz (60 m), using CW, SSB, RTTY, and FT8. In addition, activity via the QO-100 satellite is planned using CW, SSB, and FT4. I mentioned that the KP5 DXpedition to Desecheo was racking up record numbers and they were working all continents. If you would like to learn more about this DXpedition, check out the DX Mentor podcast and YouTube channel. AJ8B and W8GEX had a great discussion with team leader, Otis, NP4G, about all aspects of the DesecheoDXpedition. Give it a listen and let me know what you think!  Until next week, this is Bill, AJ8B saying 73 and thanks to my XYL Karen for her love and support. IHope to hear you in the pileups! Have a great DX week! 

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.comKP5 - Desecheo Island – On Monday, KP5/NP3VI began operations from Desecheo Island, the first time KP5 has been on the air since 2009. NP4G, Otis, and several other team members were on the island setting up the antennas, stations and solar panels. We have an update from the KP5 team - Desecheo DXpedition 2026 Update“Please be patient—this is only Day Two of a planned 30-day activation. This DXpedition represents a completely new operating concept designed specifically for environmentally sensitive, highly regulated, and restricted locations. As with any first-of-its-kind effort, refinements are ongoing. Our team leaders, along with electrical and software engineers, are actively fine-tuning operating schedules, band and mode selection, RF power levels, and overall system performance to optimize results as conditions evolve. Due to Desecheo's geographic location, North American stations are currently dominating propagation. That said, our operators have been explicitly instructed to listen for DX stations and to give them priority whenever possible in order to broaden log coverage. We ask for your patience as we work through the pileups and strive to put as many stations as possible into the log.A primary goal of this DXpedition is to deliver as many ATNOs as we can worldwide. Thank you for your understanding, your support, and your cooperation.Good luck in the pileups—and we'll see you in the log!73,Steve N2AJMedia Officer & PilotDesecheo DXpedition 20265H - Tanzania - Dr. Charles, NK8O, is QRV from Tanzania as 5H3DX until February 9 with limited radio activity due to other commitments. He plans to operate mainly 20 to 10 meters, possibly 6 meters if conditions allow, using simple antennas. A more extensive operation is expected in April, and he is exploring remote operation, though limited Internet access is currently a challenge.VP0/H - South Shetland Islands - LZ0A (LZ1AAW), Ivo, continues his activity from the Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island. He is QRV in his spare time and has been reported on FT8 on 20 and 15 meters. QSL via LZ1KDP.3X, Guinea - Herman, YB3GIH, is QRV from Boff as 3X/YB3GIH and plans to remain there until about June while working on a contract. His station setup includes an ICOM IC-718 at 100W and a homebrew vertical antenna. He is operating on 20 and 15M SSB. QSL options are eQSL, Club Log, and LoTW.TY - Benin - Gerard's, F5NVF, flight to Benin was delayed by snow in Paris, but he plans to be active on CW as TY5GG later this week where he is scheduled until April 6.PJ2 - Curacao – Jeff, K8ND, operating as PJ2ND, is QRV in Curaáao and will stay until January 30. He will participate in the CQWW 160 Meter CW Contest as PJ2T later in the month and will be active on the bands as PJ2ND until then. QSL for PJ2ND goes via K8ND or Logbook of the World, and for PJ2T via KU9C or Logbook of the World.6W – Senegal – Rudi, 6W/DB1RUL, is QRV and will continue to January 20. He plans to upload the log to LoTW. Other routes are the bureau to his home callsign, or direct with 2 USD. 4S - Sri Lanka – Peter, 4S7KKG, says everything is the same as in previous years. "I'll be here in 4S until the end of March!" His other call is DC0KK. QSL direct or bureau through Club Log OQRS or, he calls it "direct-direct," with SASE and 2 USD to his German home QTH. Until next week, this is Bill, AJ8B saying 73 and thanks to my XYL Karen for her love and support. I Hope to hear you in the pileups! Have a great DX week!

The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, justdrop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.comVP2V - British Virgin Islands - W5GI, Jonathan,has returned to Anegada Island in the British Virgin Islands and is QRV as VP2V/W5GI until January 20th. He is hopeful to work 1000 stations from POTA VG-0021. Listen for him on SSB and FT8 from both the park and his living QTH. He will be mainly on 20 meters but can also operate on 40, 17, 15, 12and 10 meters.ZD7 - St. Helena Island - AC1GQ, Casey,will be on St. Helena Island from January 10-24. He plans to operate with a QRP rig (QMX from QRP Labs) and an end-fed antenna (QRP Guys) on the 40m and 20m bands, if possible. Casey  will bring a copy of his home amateur radio license and is seeking advice on applying for a ZD7 license.  This one is right around the corner. “In collaboration with the Vieques Island Amateur Radio Club (NP3VI) and theManyana DXFoundation, we are proud to announce KP5/NP3VI, a landmark DXpedition to Desecheo Island (KP5), currently ranked by Club Log as the 14th most wantedDXCC entity worldwide. Located approximately 13 miles off the west coast of Puerto Rico, Desecheo Island has not been activated since 2009. This operation represents the first Puerto Rican-led DXpedition to Desecheo in 48 years,following the historic KP4AM/D activation in 1978. The primary mission of this DXpedition is to provide an All-Time New One (ATNO) to as many amateur radio operators worldwide as possible. Operators from Puerto Rico and international locations will participate to maximize coverage, band availability, and global accessibility. To ensure continuous, global on-air presence, two self-sustainedRemote Deployable Units (RDUs) provided by the Manyana DXFoundation will be deployed on the island. These stations will operate 24 hours per day for 30 consecutive days,utilizing state-of-the-art remote operating infrastructure from Remote Ham Radio (RHR). Operations will be livestreamed, and there will be real-time activityupdates via Club Log. NP4G, Dr. Otis Vicens, is DXpedition leader, and N2AJ, Stephen Hass, is media officer and pilot. DK6SP, Philipp, and DJ4MX, Sven, have announced the next adventure of the Next Generation DX Club. “This time, ouryoung and ambitious team will travel to the People's Republic of Bangladesh, better known as S2 to the amateur radio community…After bringing you 8R7X, Guyana in 2024 and V73WW, Marshall Islands last year, we are ready to make waves from one  Asia's most exciting and under-activated locations.” More information about callsign, dates, andoperators will follow. XU - Cambodia - DL7BO, Tom, who is QRV until January 18, is using the callsign XU7O. He will be active on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8, with a focus on the lower bands. QSLinformation remains direct to DJ4WK, or via LoTW, Club Log, or eQSL. FY - French Guiana - F4GPK, Peter, is QRV as TO2FY until January 15 from Kourou. C5YK, The Gambia – Andre, ON7YK, is QRV from The Gambia as C5YK until January 25. He is operating on SSB, RTTY, PSK,FT8, FT4, and some CW on 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10M. QSL only via LoTW, eQSL, or direct to ON7YK. He posts his logbook on his website.   Z6 – Kosovo - HB9TSW, Gab, isQRV as Z68BG from Slatina Air Base, Kosovo, until January 28 using CW only. For direct QSL, send an SAE  with 3 green stamps via HB9TSW.

The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.comLZØA, South Shetland Islands - LZ1AAW, Ivo, is onhis way to the South Shetland Islands where he will be working during the 34thBulgarian Antarctic expedition. He plans to be QRV in his spare time as LZØA. The dates are from December 28 to February 16, plus or minus two days. Ivo expects to be on 20M, and possibly other bands, on SSB and FT8/FT4. Theactivation is registered under IOTA reference AN-010 and WAP reference WAP BUL-01, and falls within CQ Zone 13, ITU Zone 73, and the DXCC entity VP8, LU -South Shetland Islands (#67 on the Club Log DXCC Most Wanted list). CE0X - San Felix and San Ambrosio - Felipe, XQ7IR, ispreparing for his upcoming 3G0XQ DXpedition to San Ambrosio, scheduled from January 12 to February 15.  He recently drove 14 hours to the Port of Valparaiso to oversee his equipment being shipped to Juan Fernandez.  Once all necessary paperwork is completed, Felipe and his gear will continue on to San Ambrosio by charter vessel in the coming weeks. This update is courtesy of DX World. XU - Cambodia - DL7BO, Tom, who is QRV until January 18, is using the callsign XU7O. He will be active on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB, and FT8, with a focus on the lower bands. QSL information remains direct to DJ4WK, or via LoTW, Club Log, or eQSL. FO - French Polynesia - FO/JI1JKW is QRVuntil January 6 from Tikehau and Tuamotu islands.  The band plan is to operate 7, 14, 18, 21, 24, 28 and 50, and SSB, CW and FT8.  QSL to his home QTH or use LoTW. FY - French Guiana - F4GPK, Peter, is QRV as TO2FY until January 15 from Kourou. C5YK, The Gambia – Andre, ON7YK, is QRVfrom The Gambia as C5YK until January 25. He is operating on SSB, RTTY, PSK, FT8, FT4, and some CW on 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10M. QSL only via LoTW, eQSL, or direct to ON7YK. He posts his logbook on his website.   VP8 - South Shetland Islands - LZ1AAW, Ivo, is heading to the Bulgarian Antarctic Base "St. Kliment Ohridski" on Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands (IOTA AN-010). He plans tooperate as LZ0A during his free time from late December 2025 to mid-February 2026. The base, located at 62¯38'S, 60¯21'W in the eastern part of Livingston Island, has been permanently staffed since December 11, 1993. 5Z – Kenya- Not an expedition but on the air casually, "holiday style," will be OZ6ABL/5Z4, Michael Johansen, January 15-28.  He says he will try to get on the air as much as possible.  It is his 14th trip to Kenya but the first time taking a radio along. Michael will be on 80-6 but did not get permission for60.  QSL to his home call, OZ6ABL, and LoTW and Club Log will also work. Z3 - Republic of North Macedonia - The specialevent callsign Z380CEF is being used to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Ham Radio Club "STEVO PATAKOT" in Bitola, Republic of North Macedonia. The club, formerly known as YU5CEF and currently Z37CEF, has been active since 1946. Operations will continue until December 31, 2026. XT - Burkina Faso – Max, DK1MAX, will be in Burkina Faso from January 4th to January 11th, 2026, operating as XT2MAX. He plans to use an IC-7300 rig with up to 100W of power, working mostly on 20m to 6m bands, and possibly lower bands if conditions allow. Modes will include CW, SSB, and FTx (MSHV, no F/H). QSLs will be handled via EA5GL and Club Log, with daily free LoTW uploads. 

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for yourweekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B. The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, justdrop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com LZØA, South Shetland Islands - LZ1AAW, Ivo, is onhis way to the South Shetland Islands where he will be working during the 34th Bulgarian Antarctic expedition. He plans to be QRV in his spare time as LZØA. The dates are from December 28 to February 16, plus or minus two days. Ivoexpects to be on 20M, and possibly other bands, on SSB and FT8/FT4. This initiative continues the long-standing tradition of Bulgarian presence and activity in Antarctica.  XU - Cambodia – DL7BO, Tom, will be on the air as XU7GNY, December 22 to January 18.  Tom will be on 160-6 CW, SSB and FT8, concentrating on the lower bands.  QSL direct to DJ4WK or use LoTW, Club Log or eQSL. 4K – Azerbaijan – 4K/DL4XT, Jan, will on 40 and 20-10M SSB, CW and FT8 December 26 to January 3.  He will be on the air casually, aka "holiday style."  For a QSL it's LoTW, Club Log OQRS and QRZ. TL - Central African Republic -  CR7BNW, João Salvador Correia, is set for his six-month TL8BNW operation in Bangui. His first activity has already begun using SSB and FT8 on 40, 20, 15, and 10M. QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW, QRZ Logbook, and via the Portuguese QSL bureau.FY - French Guiana - F4GPK, Peter, will be on as TO2FY December 22 to January 15 from  Kourou. C5YK, The Gambia – Andre, ON7YK, is QRV from The Gambia until January 25. He is operating as C5YK on SSB, RTTY, PSK,FT8, FT4, and some CW on 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10M. QSL only via LoTW, eQSL, or direct to ON7YK. He posts his logbook on his website.   VP8 - South Shetland Islands - LZ1AAW, Ivo, isheading to the Bulgarian Antarctic Base "St. Kliment Ohridski"on Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands (IOTA AN-010). He plans to operate as LZ0A during his free time from late December 2025 to mid-February 2026. The base, located at 62¯38'S, 60¯21'W in the eastern part of Livingston Island, has been permanently staffed since December 11, 1993. Darren, K4DMN will be active in ‘holiday-style' from December 23 until January 1 from St. George Island, NA-085. Activity from 80 to 10 metres using mainly FT8. Side trip to Dog Island and St Vincent is possible. QSL via LoTW, Club Log.TG, GUATEMALA -   Todd, AF4CZ, will once again be operating as TG9/call from December 7 until January 5, 2026. Operation during his spare time from 40 to 10 metres using mainly FT8 and FT4. QSL via LoTW.3A, MONACO -  Col MM0NDX and Steve MM0SAJ will once again be QRV as 3A/MM0NDX and 3A/MM0SAJ during December 30 and January 3. QRV on various bands and modes. Main focus on low bands in their evenings. QSL both calls to EB7DX (LoTW also).D4 - Cape Verde Islands – Beni, HB9HNT, will operate under the call sign D4NT until January 1, 2026. OX - Greenland - Michael,call sign OX3MC, operates out of Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland. His upcoming assignment runs from December 29, 2025, to February 25, 2026. Michael is most active on weekends starting around 0400Z and sometimes works radio in the evenings after 2100Z. Michael works HF SSB (160-10 meters). QSL is via the Danish OZ Bureau, and he does not use electronic  logging.  4K - Azerbaijan - The 4K0T DX-Pedition and Contest Team, with the Azerbaijan Radio Amateurs Society (ARAS), will conduct the first Parks on the Air (POTA) activation from Shahdagh National Park (AZ-0006) in Azerbaijan. The event takes place from December 29 to 31, 2025, on the 17-meter band (SSB) from grid square LN41CH.

The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, justdrop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com First, the bad news S2 – Bangladesh - S21AM and S21RCsay their planned IOTA AS-127 operation has been postponed until sometime next year.  Cited are logistical challenges  and operational constraints in the region and "adequateresource availability concerns." Now, the Good News U.S. amateurs to receive expanded 60-meter privileges - TheU.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized expanded use of the 60-meter band for U.S. amateur radio operators, following rules adopted at the World Radiotelecommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15). The new regulations, including a 15-watt effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) power limit (not effective radiated power, or ERP), will take effect 30 days after they are published in the Federal Register. Use of this band remains on a secondary basis. The full FCC Report and Order is available online, and ARRL provides more details on its website.  XU - Cambodia – DL7BO, Tom, will be on the air as XU7GNY, December 22 to January 18.  Tom will be on 160-6 CW, SSB and FT8, concentrating on the lower bands.  QSL direct to DJ4WK or use LoTW, Club Log or eQSL. 4K – Azerbaijan – 4K/DL4XT,Jan, will on 40 and 20-10M SSB, CW and FT8 December 26 to January 3.  He will be on the air casually, aka "holiday style."  For a QSL it's LoTW, Club Log OQRS and QRZ. A6 - United Arab Emirates – A60QATAR will be December 18-22 to join in Qatar's celebration.  Some Individual ops in UAE may use that call and add /1, /2, and similar. TL - Central African Republic -  CT1END, Carlos, reminds us CR7BNW, Joao, will be operating as  TL8BNW from Bangui, Central African Republic, for six months starting in December 2025. His first activity will take place from December 20-25, 2025, using SSB and FT8 on 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters. QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW, QRZLogbook, and via the Portuguese QSL bureau.FY - French Guiana - F4GPK, Peter, will be on as TO2FY December 22 to January 15 from Kourou. TG – Guatemala - TG9/AF4CZ willbe on the air "holiday style," December 7 to January 5, mostly digital modes on 40-10.  He will upload his log to LoTW, eQSL and Club Log. Z8 - South Sudan - YI1DZ (akaZ81D), Diya's, contract with UN-WFP in South Sudan runs until March 10, 2026, with a possible 11-month extension pending approval. Due to frequent travel and a rotating work schedulethat includes leave every six weeks, radio activity is limited tofree time, mostly on weekends. The author is currently in Istanbul and will return to Juba on December 15 and could be very active as Z81D the following weekend.C5YK, The Gambia – Andre, ON7YK, is QRV from The Gambia until January 25. He is operating as C5YK on SSB, RTTY, PSK, FT8, FT4, and some CW on 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10M. QSL only via LoTW, eQSL, or direct to ON7YK. He posts his logbook on his website.  “may be a little unreliable.” Manual log upload will be every several days. Borut says to not send cards through the bureau “as they will not find my home.” He will send direct cards once he is home in Slovenia, “via OQRS only.”  OQRS.   YU – Serbia - In celebration of IARU Region 1 Young Radio Operators Month, Serbian amateurs may use the special callsigns YT25YOTA and YU25YOTA throughout December 2025.

Here is what will be QRV this week:TG – Guatemala - TG9/AF4CZ will be on the air "holiday style," December 7 to January 5, mostly digital modes on 40-10.  He will upload his log to LoTW, eQSL and Club Log. Z8 - South Sudan - YI1DZ (aka Z81D), Diya's, contract with UN-WFP in South Sudan runs until March 10, 2026, with a possible 11-month extension pending approval. Due to frequent travel and a rotating work schedule that includes leave every six weeks, radio activity is limited to free time, mostly on weekends. The author is currently in Istanbul and will return to Juba on December 15 and could be very active as Z81D the following weekend. We have a new prefix from Trinidad and Tobago. WA3DX,Earl Markey, will be on as 9Y9DX from Arouca December 17-29, 40-10M FT8 and FT4. This is the first known issuance of the 9Y prefix. Earl says to QSL direct only to WA3DX or use LoTW. U.S. stations who want direct QSLs should include a self-addressed stamped envelope. He will also upload his log to Club Log.  C5YK, The Gambia – Andre, ON7YK, is QRV from The Gambia until January 25. He is operating as C5YK on SSB, RTTY, PSK,FT8, FT4, and some CW on 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10M. QSL only via LoTW, eQSL, or direct to ON7YK. He posts his logbook on his website.   4X – Israel - 425 DX News reports that as part of celebrating Hanukkah, the Israel Association of Radio Communications will have special callsigns 4X8NER and 4Z8NER on the air December 14-22.  QSL using LoTW or direct to 4Z5MU, and there will be an online certificate as well.  VK - Australia - From now until December 24, VK2SANTA will be on the air,  allowing children and others to talk to the North Pole on various radio frequencies. Updated times and frequencies are available online at https://www.qrz.com/db/VK2SANTA T8 - Palau - Koh, JA1ADT plans to be active from Palau as T88AC until December 17, 2025. Participation in the ARRL 10m contest. Focus on low bands before / after the contest. QSL via LoTW. Paper QSL will be available if needed – send with enough return postage.  The DX Mentor features a new YouTube episode this coming weekend – a discussion with Joe, W8GEX, offering Tips and Hints for DXers to get more into the logbook.  Between Joe, and AJ8B, the host, they have almost 100 years of chasing DX. Check it out and let me know what you think!  If you want to follow all the latest DX Podcasts and YouTube releases, you should check out the DX Mentor Facebook page and subscribe to be kept up to date on all of the DX activities. 

Foundations of Amateur Radio The first step in solving any problem is recognising that there is one. In my case the name of that problem is "logging". Specifically the storage and collection of my amateur radio contact logs. Just to be clear, the actual process of logging is fraught .. what do you log, as in, which pieces of information are germane to the purpose of logging, do you log your own callsign, or do you only collect that once per session, do you log in UTC, or in local time, if you're logging in local time, do you record where you're logging, do you record what power level, which antenna, what radio, the battery voltage, you get the idea. Then there's .. when do you log? Do you log each and every session on-air, weekly nets, chat sessions on the local repeater, do you log the time when you establish the contact, once you've deciphered their callsign, or once the contact ends, and if you never wear a watch, how do you know what time it is? What do you log with? Is it using pen and paper, pencil and paper, on a sheet of A4, or A5, in a binder, in a scrapbook, in an exercise book, in a journal, a diary, on ruled, grid or on plain paper, or do you log with a computer and if you do that, using which of the seven gazillion logging packages that are available to you? I'm not talking about any of those things, though I suppose you could argue that I'm addressing one of the gazillion options, but stick with me. I have, sitting on my desk, fourteen different logbooks. That's not unreasonable, almost one for each year that I've been licensed. Except that these books are not in any way consistent, they're essentially bound pieces of scrap paper with log entries scribbled in the available space, sometimes I've reversed a spiral notebook, just so I can avoid the spiral with my writing hand, sometimes it's oriented in landscape, other times in portrait. Some are smaller than A5, others are foolscap and intended for accounting purposes. Next to that pile are too many empty logbooks, intended for future use. Why so many, you ask? Well it goes like this. You go to the office supply store to look for a suitable logbook. You buy it and try it. You use it for a bit and decide that you either love or hate it. If you hate it, you go back to the store to try and find another one. If you love it, your problem becomes finding an identical logbook. In a fit of inspiration, I loved the grid layout of my tiny spiral notebooks, and decided that this was the one for me, but they're no longer available, so instead I bought twenty A4 7mm grid exercise books with a soft cover, which I hate, and that was after trying to get a third Account Book Journal with a hard cover. There's also several A5 spiral bound books, but they're too chunky for portable operation and their spiral is annoying for logging. There's also various empty ring binders and paper ready for logging in the garage. Who knew that there are apparently multiple disconnected universes where so-called universal loose-leaf hole punched paper doesn't fit ring binders with more than two rings, I suppose that's like different implementations of the same version of ADIF, but I'll admit that I'm bitter and have digressed well off topic. I will say this, stationery and I clearly have an unhealed relationship. That's not the half of it. My computer has at least 208 ADIF and Cabrillo files on it. I say "at least", since that's the ones I found when looking for ADI, ADIF and CAB files. Removing identical files, nets me 171 text files which I'm pretty sure are all log files, 50-thousand lines, but that's with some having a one line per contact and others having a dozen, depending on which software wrote the file. It's going to take a moment, since those 208 files are scattered among 74 different directories. Then there's the files that "wsjt-x" and "fldigi" create, but right now I'm not sure what the extensions for those are, I think one is called "all.txt", and looking inside, it helpfully does not have a year in the logged data, so that's fun. My computer also has logs in "cqrlog", "xlog" and "VKCL", probably others. Then there's the logs I have online. The log for F-troop is a single spreadsheet, it has nearly 10,000 entries. I know that there's other files online and likely in other places like the various clubs I've operated at .. fortunately or not, most of those were done with the club callsign, so I'm calling those out of scope, at least for now. Then there's the entries in LoTW, Clublog, eQSL, probably QRZ and likely more. It all started out so innocently. I made my first contact in 2011 and forgot to log it. Since then I've been extolling the virtues of making sure that everyone around me logs their first contact. Meanwhile I've been pulling my hair out trying to make sense of the fragmented disaster that is represented by logging in amateur radio. I'll take responsibility for my own mess, but I have to point the finger at my predecessors who still cannot agree on what to log, how to log and how to store or convert it, despite a century of logging. It's not for the want of trying. It's that the nature of logging in this hobby is less than consistent, to say the least. Each contest wants their log in some special format, logging tools pick their own format that's incompatible with that of another tool, if you're lucky that incompatibility is obvious, but more likely than not it's subtle. Among all those sources of log entries that I've mentioned are undoubtedly going to be duplicate contacts. There's going to be incorrect transcriptions, inaccurate record keeping, wrong times, missing years and all the other things that come to mind when you describe a data entry problem. Fortunately I have some experience with data entry. It was the transcribing of a recent POTA, or Parks On The Air, log that triggered an insight for me. Faced with the reality of entering contacts into something electronic, based on a bound notebook with log entries scribbled all over it, basically a pretty piece of scrap paper, I needed to solve a specific problem. Namely, the fact that I was entering this data for another amateur, who would be uploading it into the relevant POTA system. I had no idea what the field requirements were, didn't know where they'd be uploaded to, nor what format they needed, so I improvised, figuring that getting both the logged and inferred data into some table would be a good start, so I used a spreadsheet. After completing the task, I had my epiphany. What if I logged ALL my contacts in a spreadsheet? I can sort it by whichever column I want, I can have as many columns as I need, a squillion rows if I make that many contacts, I can convert it to whatever format the next contest manager desires and I can back it up like any other spreadsheet. Better still, it's software agnostic. If I suddenly discover the next best logging tool since toasted sliced bread with creamed honey, I can convert my sheet into something that's required. Better yet, I can extract the data from that tool and put it back into the spreadsheet after discovering the author has a propensity of making random changes that are incompatible with my worldview. So, spreadsheet. Oh, yeah, I won't be using Excel, it has a, let's call it, nasty habit of converting anything that remotely resembles a date into one, even when you don't want it to. Clippy lives on .. apparently. I'll likely photograph each page and to keep track of which logs I've entered, I'll put a coloured dot on a page when I've entered it into my spreadsheet. Once a logbook is entered, I'll mark it in some way too. Then I'll have to massage the existing electronic data. I can't wait. How have you solved your contact logging problem? I'm Onno VK6FLAB

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.Ihope you have been tuning around the bands this past week. It won't be long until the sunspots start to decline and you will long for the days of opening like we have now! Stay tuned next week for an announcement about a way you can learn some tips and tricks for finding and logging great DX. Each week I try to focus on those entities that will be available in the next 7 days. There is so much data to sift through that I thought a focus on the next week might be helpful Here is what you should find QRV when you tune the bands. The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, justdrop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com5X, Uganda:G3XTT, Don Field, will return to Uganda for the CQ Worldwide DX Contest, DX, having had to cut his trip short last year for a domestic emergency. He will be entering the contest as 5X1DF, single operator, single band (40M), high power. QSL via G3XTT or Club Log.  G3XAQ, Alan Ibbetson, will again be on as 5X1XA from Bwerenga, near Kampala, November 17-December 3, “mostlyCW with perhaps some FT8.” He will be in the CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW, probably single band, (15M). QSL direct only to G3SWH or go through LoTW.    Hereare details on a DXPedition to Cambodia that should be QRV by now. The XU7RRCIOTA DXPedition is QRV until December 3, and is proceeding as planned, withupdates to be provided to the DX community via their website.  Wikipedia describes Koh Ta Kiev as “thebiggest of a small group of Cambodian islands situated four kilometers offOtres beach, Sihanoukville City, and one kilometer off the coast of Ream National Park.”  TY- BeninRed, DL1BUG, plans to be in Cotonou(JJ16fj) where he will operate as TY5FR. He will utilize an IC-7300 transceiverand CG3000 auto tuner, running 100 watts into either a 40-meter wire or G5RVantenna. He is QRV using CW and SSB across the 80-to-10-meter bands untilDecember 11. This period includes participation in the CQ Worldwide DX CWContest as a Single Operator All Band Low Power (SOAB LP) entry. All QSOs willbe uploaded to Club Log. QSLs may be sent direct or via the bureau to DL1BUG. ZD7- St. HelenaG3AB (aka 5Z4VJ), Andy, will be departingJohannesburg, South Africa on Friday November 21st heading to St. HelenaIsland. He'll be there and active as ZD7VJ from November 22 to December 7, includingthe CQ Worldwide DX CW Contest. ZL7- Chatham IslandsZL3I, Holger, is returning to the ChathamIslands and will be operating as ZL7IO. He plans to participate in the CQ WW DXCW Contest as a Single Operator All Band (SOAB), utilizing a newly installedsolar system with increased capacity. His stay is scheduled from November 24until December 4.  The DX Mentor features a new YouTubeepisode this coming weekend – a discussion with young op, Pia, DL7PIA. Pia isone of the youngest hams to win the CQ Marathon contest in Europe in 2024. Sheis also an accomplished contester, POTA operator, Violinist, pianist, …..  Check it out and let me know what you think!If you want to follow all the latest DXPodcasts and YouTube releases, you should check out the DX Mentor Facebook pageand subscribe to be kept up to date on all of the DX activities. Until next week, this is Bill, AJ8B saying 73 and thanks to my XYL Karen for her love and support. I Hope to hear you in the pileups! Have a great DX week! 

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.I can't believe that Christmas is only 40 days away. That means the CQWW CW contest is only 2 weeks away. For me, that is the pinnacle of contests for the year! Last year, I added 11 entities to my Marathon listing for 2024. I need that many and more this year to keep pace!Speaking of CQWW CW – remember that the week before and the week after a contest can really yield some great DX, much easier than it might be during the contest.Wow- was I surprised! I have had 11 listeners request the special 160M newsletter that our club put out. Last chance - you can get a copy as well by emailing me at thedxmentor@gmail.com. Each week I try to focus on those entities that will be available in the next 7 days. There is so much data to sift through that I thought a focus on the next week might be helpful Here is what you should find QRV when you tune the bands. The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.comHK0/A - San Andres and Providencia The Spanish operators EA7BF, EA7FPG, EA7JW, and EA7ATX have been granted licenses and official authorization by the Colombian Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications (MinTIC) to operate from San Andres Island under the call sign 5J0EA. The scheduled dates are November 20th to 30th, 2025. All equipment has been prepared and is ready for shipment. The team, though small, possesses considerable infrastructure. Operations are planned to commence on November 20th, with final updates expected to be communicated several days prior to the start date.8R - Guyana PY1SAD, Aldir, is back in Guyana and QRV once again from Georgetown as 8R1TM until December 7. During the week listen for him on CW, SSB and digital modes on 1.8 through 50 MHz between 2300 and 0200Z. Over the weekends watch for him to be on more often. QSL direct to PY1SAD, via LoTW, QRZ or eQSL.S2 - BangladeshS21ACP tells us he is excited for the upcoming "Sundarbans DXPedition, Bangladesh 2025." It should currently be QRV until November 17, from what he says is "the world's largest mangrove forest," and a UNESCO World Heritage site, "The Sundarbans," in the Khulna Range, Sundarbans West Forest Division." It is grid NL42sl and POTA ID: BD-0051. The Amateur Radio Club Khulna is organizing with young operators S21SRK, S21ACP, S21CMD and S21AKL. They plan SSB and FT8 with three rigs, one high power, two QRP, to a Yagi, multiband "cobweb" and a fan dipole. 5V7RU, Togo Togo, 5V7RU, is QRV through November 19, with RA1ZZ, Vasily, and R9LR, Vlad operating. This will be a holiday style operation, on HF CW, SSB,FT8, and the QO-100 satellite, with a focus on 160 and 80M. Direct OQRS requests and all donors will receive a fast LoTW confirmation. Paper QSLs will be via Club Log OQRS with donations of US$10 or more. The DX Mentor features a new Podcast episode this coming weekend – a discussion with young op, Pia, DL7PIA. Pia is one of the youngest hams to win the CQ Marathon contest in Europe in 2024. She is also an accomplished contester, POTA operator, Violinist, pianist, ….. Check it out and let me know what you think!If you want to follow all the latest DX Podcasts and YouTube releases, you should check out the DX Mentor Facebook page and subscribe to be kept up to date on all of the DX activities.

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for yourweekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.I had mentioned previously that our DX club, the Southwest Ohio DX association, had just published a special edition of the October newsletter dedicated to 160M. Scott, N4JN, Dave, K3BQ, and Ken, NS7V, each dropped me a note and are now reading the newsletter. You can get a copy as well by emailing me at thedxmentor@gmail.com. The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com9U - Burundi We have now been QRV for 4.5 days running up to 10 HP stations 6m - 160m.  Per our 9U1RU Club Log Expedition chart: https://clublog.org/charts/?c=9U1RU#r,  we are currently at43,500 QSOs from this mountainside QTH 2,340m ASL.  All operators are doing well and in great spirits with the focus on achieving team objectives. Please keep in mind that the plan for the 9U1RU DXPedition calls for us to be QRV until November 20. Please consult our website for additional information: https://www.rudxt.org/9u1ru 8R- GuyanaPY1SAD, Aldir, is back in Guyana and QRV once again from Georgetown as 8R1TM until December 7. During the week listen for him on CW, SSB and digital modes on 1.8 through 50 MHz between 2300 and 0200Z. Over the weekends watch for him to be on more often. QSL direct to PY1SAD, via LoTW, QRZ or eQSL. CP- Bolivia Members of the YaguaretÇ DX Group have announced their plans to go back to Tarija (grid locator FG87pl), Bolivia as CP7DX from October 31 to November 10. They plan to be active on 160, 80, 60, 40, 20, 15, 12 and 10 meters. QSL via LU1FM. TL - Central African RepublicTJ1GD, Darek, began operating TL8GD on Saturday November 1.  Over the weekend he was reported on 20, 15, 10 meters FT8.  Darek plans to be QRV in his spare time on HF on FT8, FT4, SSB and CW until the end of the month.  QSL via LoTW and Club Log. 4K- AzerbaijanCalls 4K8N and 4J8N will be in use for"Victory Day," QRV to November 15. The actual day is November 8.  This is for the "2020 Patriotic War," a 44-day campaign where Azerbaijan's Army retook their historical boundaries from 30 years earlier.  As seen in the news, Azerbaijan and Armenia made peace recently.  QSLs for this operation, they say it is paper QSLs direct only. 5V- Togo 5V7RU is QRV until November 19, with RA1ZZ and R9LR operating.  They say it is unrelated to the 2022 operation under that callsign.  This will be holiday style, using HF CW, SSB, FT8 and the QO-100 satellite, with a focus on 160 and 80. Direct OQRS requests and all donors will get a fast LoTW confirmation.  Paper QSLs will be Club Log OQRS with donations of 10 USD or more.  Log corrections and questions are via ra1zz@mail.ru 7Q- Malawi Upon reviewing his 6-meter 7Q6M log, Don (K6ZO) notes that, based on historical propagation data, conditions on the Magic Band are likely to be favorable for openings between Malawi and North America in the coming days. On Monday, 7Q5BM was heard on 6 meters FT8 in the central and eastern US between 1340 and 1800Z. North American operators should monitor for this opening. Gerry Hull (W1VE) will operate remotely as 7Q2T on 6M CW at 50.090 MHz, self-spotting on the DX network, typically between 1500 and 1900Z, although activity will depend on the reliability of AC power in Embangweni. S2,BANGLADESHThe Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has officially granted special authorization for the upcoming DXPedition program to be held at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sundarbans, from 11–17 November 2025. All radio operations during this period will be conducted under the special event callsign S21SDX. QSL via I8KHC.

LOUNGE LIZARDS PRESENTED BY FABRICA5 - Brilliant Honduran Cigars - Visit Fabrica005.com and use code LIZARDPOD at checkout for 10% off THE ENTIRE STORE! Free worldwide shipping from Miami on all orders over $125. See website for more information and terms.SMALL BATCH CIGAR - SAVE 15% - Exclusive Cigar Retail Partner of the Lizards - Visit SmallBatchCigar.com and use code LIZARD15 for 15% off your order. Free shipping and 5% rewards back always. Standard exclusions apply. Simple. Fast. Small Batch Cigar.Recorded at Ten86 Cigars in Hawthorne, New Jersey, the Lizards pair Oz Family Cigars Karatoba Robusto Extra with Yamato Special Edition Cask Strength Japanese Whisky. The guys discuss the US Government's Claims against a major stakeholder in Habanos S.A., they share a voice memo praising the improvement of non-Cuban cigars over the last decade, and they make a huge Lizard of the Week announcement.PLUS: The Return of Bam's Bolognese, Ozgener History, Chen Zhi's $15B Pig Butchering Scam, Oral Hygiene/Smelling Like Smoke at Home, Non-Alcoholic Pairing Recommendations,  Join the Lounge Lizards for a weekly discussion on all things cigars (both Cuban and non-Cuban), whiskey, food, travel, life and work. This is your formal invitation to join us in a relaxing discussion amongst friends and become a card-carrying Lounge Lizard yourself. This is not your typical cigar podcast. We're a group of friends who love sharing cigars, whiskey and a good laugh.website/merch/rating archive: loungelizardspod.comemail: hello@loungelizardspod.com to join the conversation and be featured on an upcoming episode!instagram: @loungelizardspodGizmo HQ: LizardGizmo.com

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX. I'm Bill, AJ8B.Each week I try to focus on those entities that will be available in the next 7 days. There is so much data to sift through that I thought a focus on the next week might be helpful. Here is what you should find QRV when you tune the bands. The following DX information comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of theDailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, justdrop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com As a reminder VE7BV, Dwight, is QRV from Guatemala where he is operating holiday style as TG9BBV until October 25. Activity is on CW, SSB, and FT8 on 7 through 50 MHz. QSL direct or via the bureau to VE7BV and LoTW. The Rebel DX Group is QRV from Niue as E6AD. For the first weeks, the emphasis will be FT4 and MSHV SuperFox.  The entire operation will emphasize digital and CW, with a "little SSB as well." A multi-national team will be on the air from Gingerbread Hill in St Peter's on Montserrat for the CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest. They still have 1-3 operating positions open. Most of the team will be there from October 22-28, with Irina and Ralf staying a few more days afterwards. During the contest they will be operating VP2MPN on 80 through 10 meters as a multi-op effort. QSL VP2MPN via KB4YPN and eventually LoTW. Station 7Q1A will be QRV from Malawi between October 18-24, CW and digital and the CQ WW DX SSB Contest with two or more stations.  Ops say they will have veterans and fresh energy of a new generation, "the future of our hobby."  QSL direct to 7Q7CT or use LoTW or QRZ Logbook. https://www.qrz.com/db/7Q1A The DXObsessed team is preparing for their 2025 FW5K DXPedition to Wallis Island.The group is excited about the trip, with all members packing and finalizing logistics. Team members will depart from Arizona and Oregon, meeting in Dallas, Texas, before flying to Nadi, Fiji, then onward to Wallis Island. Arrival is scheduled for 2:25 PM on Saturday, October 18, 2025, local time. Gregg, W6IZT, reports that the PJ6Y team (https://pj6y2025.com/) is enroute and will rendezvous in St. Martin early this afternoon before boarding the short flight to Saba. The entire team is very excited to arrive on the island. Thanks to everyone for your continued support — we look forward to seeing you in the pileups! The D2A DXPedition to Angola, QRV until October 28, consists of Portuguese and Spanish operators commemorating Angola's 50th anniversary of independence. QSL via EA7FTR.  The 5KØUA DXPedition team will arrive on San Andrés Island between October 15-20 and expects to be on the air October 20-30. They will leave the island November 3. They plan to operate 160-10M CW, SSB, and FT8, and will be in the CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB. Before and after the contest, they will conduct “regular DX activity.” QSL using LoTW or Club Log OQRS.  Phill remains active as C21TS from Nauru until the end of November, then he will be QRT for 2 months and back starting from February 2026. ‘I'll probably be back for a few months from February 2026 with minimal gear, probably just FT-891. Hard finish will be June 2026 and no later.' QSL via M0OXO OQRS or LoTW. Maurizio, IK2GZU is QRV again as 5H3MB from Tanzania until November 20. He returns as a volunteer in the Ikelu hospital in the South Highlands. He will be operating is his spare time on HF using CW, SSB and digi. QSL via home call, LoTW, Club Log. Luc, F5RAV, is QRV from The Gambia as C5R until October 31. Following on from previous visit where money was raised to build a new classroom for infants, the plan this time is build two more classrooms and to start a radio club to introduce YOTA.   Until next week, this is Bill, AJ8B saying 73 and thanks to my XYL Karen for her love and support. I Hope to hear you in the pileups! Have a great DX week!

Generally everything turns on this game for the Sooners. This year might be different, but it will still be very pivotal. We break it down including LOTW and score predictions. Texas Sucks!Locks of the Week:Steve: Minnesota -7.5, Indiana +7.5, Kansas +14.5 Conner: Alabama -3, Oregon -7.5, Oklahoma +1.5 Lucas: Tennessee -11.5, Texas A&M -7.5, Georgia -3.5 Jay: Georgia -3.5, Oklahoma +1.5, Houston -14.5 Listener: BYU -1.5, Iowa State -2.5, Oklahoma +1.5Prop Bet of the Week:Rushing yards for OU over/under 137.5 Steve: OverConner: OverLucas: OverJay: UnderOU Score Predictions:If Mateer starts:Steve: 31-14Conner: 27-17Lucas: 27-7Jay: 27-17If Hawkins starts:Steve: 24-17Conner: 10-20Lucas: 17-10Jay: 24-20This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Two Homers and a Realist at twohomersandarealist.substack.com/subscribe

This week the gents get on a frequented guest, co-host basically, of the pod - Clayton Spiess! We get to catch up and see what Clayton's been up to. We discuss his most recent LOTW trip along with some great (and spicy) On The Line submissions. Tap in!https://sugsfishing.com/"I got 26 days left, I plan on playing ball hockey every day" - Ricky

Can the Sooners deliver against a historical blue blood? What will it take to win. That plus LOTW and more.Locks of the WeekSteve: Oklahoma -4.5, South Florida +17.5, Oklahoma State +29.5 Conner: Illinois -2.5, SMU -2.5, Mississippi -9.5 Lucas: Mississippi -9.5, Oregon -27.5, BYU -18.5 Jay: Texas -36.5, Vanderbilt +1.5, Oklahoma -4.5 Listener: Michigan State -4.5, Tulsa -4.5, Oklahoma -4.5Prop Bet of the WeekWill Jaden Ott be the first OU running back to carry the ball:Steve: YesConner: Yes Lucas: Yes Jay: YesOU Score PredictionSteve: 31-17Conner: 27-10 Lucas: 20-17Jay: 27-17This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Two Homers and a Realist at twohomersandarealist.substack.com/subscribe

Hello and welcome to episode 73 of The DX Mentor - details about the upcoming VP2V DXPedition to the British Virgin Islands by our guests. I'm Bill, AJ8BHere is our guests story as presented by Bernie, W3UR: August 8-11: VP2V, British Virgin Islands - Brothers KK4LWR, Andy Milluzzi, and KD8RTT, Tony Milluzzi, are going on their first DXpedition August 9-11 in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, as VP2V/KK4lWR and VP2V/KD8RTT. Andy says that they are both big travelers and wanted to try a weekend on the air somewhere exotic, but also not get in over their heads. They decided to consider someplace they had been before, easy to get to and with “infrastructure.” Their gear will be a pair of transceivers, a DX Commander and another vertical on HF, a three-element Yagi for 6M, and wire antennas for other bands, 80-6M all told. They plan to focus on 30, 17, 12, and 6M SSB and try CW, with some digital [modes] “when we need a break.” They will capitalize on summer openings by being on 6M as much as possible. On August 11, they will take part in the HamSCI Meteor Scatter QSO Party on 10 and 6M. They will have a joint QSL card, and also upload to LoTW post-trip. QSL direct to KD8RTT. Here are links to those items mentioned in the podcasthttps://kk4lwr.com/https://kd8rtt.com/https://hamsci.org/msqphttps://www.arrl.org/collegiate-amateur-radioSouthwest Ohio DX Assoc. https://www.swodxa.orgDaily DX https://www.dailydx.com/DX Engineering https://www.dxengineering.com/Icom https://www.icomamerica.com/ IC-905 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-905/ IC-9700 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-9700/ IC-7610 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7610/ IC-7300 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7300/

Foundations of Amateur Radio Just over a year ago, the ARRL, the American Radio Relay League, the peak body for amateur radio in the United States and one of the oldest of such organisations, experienced an incident. During the weeks following, the ARRL was tight-lipped about the extent of the incident and most amateurs only really noticed that services were off-line or slow to respond. After months of delay and disinformation, the ARRL finally revealed that it was the subject of a ransomware attack and that it had paid a million dollar ransom. It went on to blame the authorities for its silence. Mind you, it didn't tell me personally, it made public statements on its website. Similarly when I specifically contacted the ARRL to discover what information of mine it held, and what the status of that information was, the ARRL responded that I should refer to its public statements. It continued to state that my information was not compromised, since it only lived in LoTW, the Logbook of The World, the system it uses to coordinate the verification of amateur radio contacts, which are used to distribute awards like the DXCC and Worked All whatever. Imagine my surprise when I received an email this week, sent from "memberlist@arrl.org" to my non-amateur radio email address. I confirmed with several amateurs that they too received this email. Informative, to a point, but likely well beyond anything intended by its author, it stated that LoTW was being updated with associated down time, incidentally, inexplicably, coinciding with the 2025 ARRL Field day, and it "will be fully migrated to the cloud". It went on to solicit donations. It made no reference whatsoever to the ransomware attack. There's a lot hidden in that email. Although the attack last year was linked to the outage associated with LoTW, the ARRL has continued to claim that the LoTW data was not impacted by the ransomware attack, but the email reveals that the system is being migrated to the cloud, in other words, right now, it's not in the cloud. Which begs the question, where is the server infrastructure for LoTW today, and more importantly, where was it a year ago when its systems were compromised? From a public post by Dave AA6YQ, dated the 2nd of February 2021, in response to a message about a January LoTW committee meeting, we know that the LoTW server "now employs the current version of an SAP database engine". A month before that, Dave wrote another informative email that indicated that 105 thousand callsigns submitted logs to LoTW in the last 1,826 days or the five years between 2016 and 2021. There were logs from 21 thousand callsigns in the week prior to that January post. In all, according to Dave, there were 153,246 callsigns who submitted contacts to LoTW. The LoTW committee meeting minutes are no longer available from the ARRL website, but I have a copy. The document states that there were 1.2 billion contacts entered into LoTW, big number right? The next line tells us that this resulted in 262 million QSO records. I wonder what happened to the other billion records? This activity was generated by 139 thousand users using 200 thousand certificates. For context, every VK callsign automatically comes with an AX callsign, but LoTW requires that you separately register each with its own certificate. As someone who has been playing with databases since the 1980's I can tell you that LoTW is a tiny database. For comparison, the WSPR database is an order of magnitude larger, not to mention, more active. I have no insight into the business rules within the LoTW database, but the fact that updates are being processed in batches and that it regularly has delays indicates a level of complexity that I cannot account for. As an aside, the LoTW committee document lists 10 members. Dave is not one of those listed. It makes me wonder who else has access to this database. Note that I have no reason to believe that Dave's information is questionable, nor that he has access that he shouldn't, he was after all a member of the LoTW committee from 2013 until 2017 when the ARRL removed all development resources from the LoTW. I'm asking who else has access and why? While we're here, who has been doing maintenance and updates on this system over the past seven years? Moving on. The database for LoTW contains information from amateurs all over the planet, including those in Europe where the GDPR, the General Data Protection Regulation, enacted in 2016, is extremely strict on the security and disclosure of personal data with very heavy penalties for breaches. The GDPR requires notifications be sent within 72 hours of a breach, and that an organisation must designate a data protection officer. I wonder who has that role at the ARRL and I wonder if they told anyone? Did any European amateurs receive personal notification from the ARRL about their data, I know I didn't. My first activation of LoTW was in 2013, now twelve years ago. I received certificate expiry messages in 2016 and 2019. Since then there have been no such messages. That's unsurprising, since I stopped using LoTW once I discovered just how broken it was. Don't get me started on portable and QRP variants of my callsign. My care factor is low as to when I last actually used it, since attempting to dig up that information would take considerable effort, but I can guarantee that it was before 28 October 2019, when the last certificate expired. You might come to this point and ask yourself why am I digging into this at all? Let me ask you some questions in addition to those I've already mentioned. SAP, the database system which apparently runs LoTW, had 254 CVEs, or Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures listed, in 2020 alone. It continues to have exploits. When was SAP updated and is it up to date today? Is it credible that LoTW wasn't compromised during the ransomware attack? Does the ARRL know this for sure, or did it just not detect the compromise? We know that LoTW was down during the incident and according to the UptimeRobot service showed outages on the 14th of May 2024 but we still don't know exactly when this attack started. As you might know, the ARRL is also the headquarters for the IARU International Secretariat, the administration body for the global representation of our hobby. It presumably shares infrastructure with the ARRL, but at no point in the past year have we been advised of the impact of this breach to the IARU. What information is stored in LoTW and why has the ARRL continued to ignore requests for disclosing the specific information it holds on the users of that system? I know for sure that it knows my callsigns and my email address. I also know for sure that it required identity documents to prove my identity and right to use those callsigns. I have been told in writing that LoTW never deletes anything, so what does it store and can I delete all my records and if-so, how? Why did I receive an update about the upgrade for LoTW when I'm clearly not an active user of the system? The memberlist@arrl.org is used for all manner of services, including the propagation updates, and the three other ARRL bulletins. In other words, this address is used for a myriad of messaging. Is this information stored in a database and if so, where is this database? Was it compromised? What information is stored in that database? Are my details in that database, are yours? While discussing this LoTW update email with other amateurs, I was informed by one amateur that even after they stopped being a member of the ARRL, as a direct result of the ransomware attack and the discontinuation of the delivery of QST magazine they paid for, the ARRL continued to send regular email updates as-if they were still a current member. Where is that data stored and how are the ARRL not considered a source of SPAM? While we're exploring the blurred lines between being a member of the ARRL and not, why did it send the update about the incident via email to its members on 21 August 2024 and update the website a day later, and why did it not send that same email to me and every other amateur directly? Why does the ARRL continue to ignore its obligations in relation to the personal information it clearly and demonstrably holds? The GDPR has been a fact of life since 2016. It's not optional if you store data for European citizens, but the ARRL doesn't even mention it on their privacy policy page. Did European users receive specific notification about the breach, now a year ago, which clearly the ARRL had both the capacity and obligation to? Has the GDPR been invoked by European amateurs? Should it? You could attempt to explain all this as incompetence or mismanagement. That's a response, but it doesn't pass the sniff test. For example, implementing SAP is a non-trivial process. I have over 40 years professional experience in the ICT field and I'm not sure I would stick up my hand to have a go at doing this. Mind you, if I did, there's no way I'd choose SAP, I'd find an open source solution, but that's just me, not to mention that SAP license costs are significant, this in an organisation asking users for donations. The thing is, we're talking about a system that's now at least 22 years old, running in an organisation that's been around for over a century, an organisation that deals in regulation and legalese at the very foundation of its existence. In other words, there's a massive amount of legal and technical skill and history available within the organisation, but we're still seeing this level of at best questionable, at worst illegal behaviour. I'm not a member of the ARRL and nothing I've seen to date makes me want to give them any of my money. If you are, perhaps you should be asking some questions. If you're a citizen of Europe, perhaps you should start asking some questions about your data. If you pay money to your own peak body, then you should ask it to find out what happend at the IARU International Secretariat during the attack. I'm Onno VK6FLAB

Justin Gaudry spends his days running Mylie's Place Resort on the famed Lake of the Woods.  The guys sat with Justin to talk about the challenges of running a lodge in 2025.  Justin provides very unique insight into the day to day grind and the challenges of being a lodge owner.  Justin is also one heck of an angler and provides insights as to how to pick spots on LOTW and boat giants. Points include: How potential tariffs are impacting Lodge owners How Justin became a Lodge ownerWater changes to LOTW recently Picking the right time to go to LOTW

Hello and Welcome to the DX Corner for your weekly Dose of DX as part of Ham Radios oldest Ham Radio Magazine on the air, “This week in amateur radio.” I'm Bill, AJ8B. I am not sure how many of you are interested in 60M, but overall interest is growing. One of my best friends, Joe, W8GEX, produces a 60-meter newsletter. Joe is considered by many as the godfather of 60m. With almost 250 entities confirmed on 60, I can understand why. New Zealand stations ZL4OL and ZL2CC have been heard around 0700z. Watch your 60m packet cluster for these advid 60M operators. 4U1UN has been on 60m recently. Keep an eye out for that one also. Some of the rare DX on 60 meters recently has included A51AE, 7Q6M, and T77C.Don't forget to have a look at our website 60metersonline.com. There are details about our DXCC and WAS Awards for 60 meters. . Thanks, Joe, for letting me use this information. You can learn more about 60 meters by checking out the DX Mentor podcast, episode 24. (https://youtu.be/Mq7YN6euHHM ) Just go to YouTube or your podcast app and search for The DX Mentor. Episode 24 will give you all the details about getting on 60 meters. This section of DX News comes from Bernie, W3UR, editor of the DailyDX, the WeeklyDX, and the How's DX column in QST. If you would like a free 2-week trial of the DailyDX, your only source of real-time DX information, just drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com Inveterate DXpeditioner IV3FSG, Elvira, will operate D68Z from March 3 until at least March 18. Elvira is currently QRV. She will be operating on 160-6M CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8, and FT4. Elvira will use three ICOM IC-7300 radios, with one dedicated to 6M (grid locator LH18og) operational around the clock. The antenna setup will include a 6M delta loop, a DX Commander vertical for 30-10M, and an IWØRGN multiband vertical for 160-10M. To minimize duplicate QSOs, please verify Club Log online and Club Log LiveStream. For digital QSOs, monitor D68Z on PSK Reporter. IKØXBX, Francesco, will be the pilot station for this DXpedition. QSL cards are available via OQRS and LoTW. The VK9XU team ended their Christmas Island operation on Tuesday at 0257Z with around 58,000 QSOs, surpassing expectations. They thanked everyone for their discipline in the pileups. The team is now heading to Cocos (Keeling) Island. Arriving after sunset, they will start limited activity the first night and set up antennas the next day. They look forward to working everyone as VK9CU on Cocos. The DX-Adventure team is embarking on a DXpedition to the Andaman Islands (AS-001) as VU4AX from March 10th to March 20th, 2025. The team, consisting of 12 experienced operators, will be active around the clock on multiple bands from 10m to 160m, including WARC + 60m, using CW, SSB, and DIGI modes. They will operate six stations, transporting 1,150kg of meticulously prepared equipment to ensure the best possible experience. The DXpedition aims to provide a rare opportunity for QSOs, especially for USA operators, as VU4 ranks #28 for the USA and #53 worldwide. The team is supported by three experienced Pilot Stations: W2IRT Peter J. Dougherty, E21EIC Champ, and ON9CFG Bjorn. They will closely monitor propagation conditions to maximize the chances of contacts with stations across the United States. Updates and contact details for the Pilot Stations can be found on the DX-Adventure website - https://www.dx-adventure.com The DX-Adventure team looks forward to making a QSO with you from VU4 South Andaman. The DX Mentor podcast recently interview the DX-Adventure team. When that is available, I will let you know, or you can subscribe to the DX Mentor podcast and YouTube Channel to be updated.Until next week, this is Bill, AJ8B saying 73 and thanks to my XYL Karen for her love and support. I Hope to hear you in the pileups!

SCRIPT:Amateur Radio Newsline Report 2471 for Friday, March 7th, 2025 Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2471 with a release date of Friday, March 7th, 2025 to follow in 5-4-3-2-1.The following is a QST. A survey reveals some important trends in Brazilian amateur radio. Huntsville's new museum of communications and technology is open -- and the founder of the Hurricane Watch Net becomes a Silent Key. All this and more as Amateur Radio Newsline Report Number 2471 comes your way right now.** BILLBOARD CART**SURVEY GIVES DETAILED SNAPSHOT OF HAM RADIO IN BRAZILPAUL/ANCHOR: Our top story takes us to Brazil where a recent survey is providing a detailed look at trends among hams in South America's largest nation. Jeremy Boot G4NJH shares some of its findings.JEREMY: An important snapshot of the state of amateur radio in Brazil has provided the national ham radio society and the telecommunications regulator with insights into relevant trends. The sampling of 940 hams in 27 states and 350 cities was conducted in May of 2024 by Guillermo Crimerius, PY2BIL, a member of the board of the Sao Paulo chapter of LABRE, the Liga de Amadores Brasileiros de Rádio Emissão. Guillermo told Newsline that the findings are also being shared with the regulator ANATEL.He said that the findings held no surprises but many details were nonetheless significant. Brazil's ham radio community remains predominantly male, with women comprising only 2 percent of the hobby. Survey results also showed that hams are an aging population in Brazil: 72% are between 40 and 70 years old, with most of them between 40 and 60. While new licensees continue to join Brazil's ham community every year, there is low membership in clubs and associations, giving little opportunity for the networking and skills training usually provided by them. Guillermo writes: [quote] "This scenario has had an impact on new generations of hams,who face difficulties in learning the essential technical matters and especially the operational and cultural activities." [endquote]For a full copy of the report, which is downloadable, visit the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.orgThis is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.(GUILLERMO CRIMERIUS, PY2BIL)**NOMINATE THE NEXT "YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR"PAUL/ANCHOR: We remind our listeners that young hams who live in the continental United States have an opportunity to make news, if they aren't already doing so, by being a recipient of this year's Amateur Radio Newsline Bill Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award. Consider nominating an amateur radio operator 18 years of age or younger -- someone who has talent, promise and a commitment to the spirit of ham radio. Find application forms on our website arnewsline.org under the "YHOTY" tab. Nominations are now open. We are accepting nominations through May 31st.**BRANDMEISTER DMR PHASING OUT SOME RADIO IDSPAUL/ANCHOR: Certain Radio IDs that have been in use on the Brandmeister DMR network are going away later this year. Sel Embee KB3TZD explains.SEL: The Brandmeister DMR network has announced that it is phasing out its support of certain Radio IDs that do not comply with the Mobile Country Code, or MCC, numbering system. This means that by June, radio operators with certain DMR IDs will need to request new numbers to be assigned to their radios. The first phase of these changes will begin on the 1st of June, when Brandmeister will stop supporting five-digit CAP+ IDs. Starting on the 1st of January, 2026, radios with seven-digit personal radio IDs that begin with the numeral 1 will also stop working on the network. In making this announcement, Brandmeister assured repeater operators that it will continue indefinite support of repeaters that have six-digit radio IDs.Brandmeister said in its announcement in late February that this an effort to address improperly numbered Radio IDs – something Brandmeister has been trying to contain for seven years. It said on its website: [quote] The Brandmeister DMR platform is a constantly evolving system, requiring regular optimizations and maintenance to ensure its efficiency, reliability, and alignment with global open standards.” [Endquote]New IDs can be obtained through Radio ID (Radio Eye Dee) dot net (Radioid.net).For further instructions visit the Brandmeister link that appears in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.orgThis is Sel Embee KB3TZD.[DO NOT READ: news.brandmeister.network](NEWS.BRANDMEISTER.NETWORK, AMATEUR NEWS DAILY)**3 IRISH "KILMOLIN CLUSTER" BEACONS GO QRT TO RELOCATEPAUL/ANCHOR: A trio of beacons in Ireland have been taken out of service in preparation for being moved, as we hear from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.JEREMY: In Ireland, three beacons that have been operating from a site south of Dublin have gone QRT to allow for their relocation. The EI4RF, EI1KNH and EIØSIX beacons have been part of what is known as the Kilmolin cluster. They had been hosted by Paddy Geoghegan, EI5HS, who became a Silent Key last year.The beacons, which have a new owner, went off the air in mid-February and are expected to slowly come back. According to reports on groups.io and the SWLing Post blog, the EI4RF 4-metre beacon is expected to be the first to return, perhaps by May just as sporadic-E season begins. The EIØSIX beacon is expected to follow sometime afterward on 6-metres. It was unclear how and when service will be restored on the EI1KHN beacon, which operated on 40 and 60 MHz. It is also unclear whether this beacon will need to be assigned a new callsign.This is Jeremy Boot GF4NJH.(EI7GI BLOG, QRZ.COM, SWLING POST)**UNIVERSITY IS W. BENGAL'S 1ST TO HAVE HAM CLUB STATIONPAUL/ANCHOR: Students and faculty in India are celebrating the establishment of the first state-of-the-art shack on a West Bengal state university campus. Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us more.GRAHAM: Aliah University, a state university that created for the education of many of India's minority populations, is about to become the first university in West Bengal with its own state-of-the-art ham radio club station.The announcement was made in late February in connection with a seminar held on the Kolkata campus introducing students and faculty to various aspects of amateur radio. The one-day session, held on the 24th of February, covered emergency communications and radio technology and included hands-on experience for the estimated 250 attendees. It was led by members of the West Bengal Radio Club, the Indian Academy of Communication and Disaster Management and organized by the school's Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering. A number of other schools have hosted similar amateur radio workshops throughout the region, which is a coastal area subject to violent storms and other natural disasters that rely on alternate forms of communication. This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.(MILLENNIUM POST)**BROADCAST TRADE SHOW DROPS RECEPTION FOR HAMSPAUL/ANCHOR: Hams will no doubt be among those visiting the National Association of Broadcasters annual trade show again this year but something will be missing, as we learn from Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.RALPH: The annual trade show of the National Association of Broadcasters is welcoming industry professionals once again this year to Las Vegas in April. One traditional event will be missing from this year's show, however: There will be no separate reception for amateur radio operators.Hams, of course, are still welcome. Indeed, many broadcast professionals - especially those on the engineering side - enjoy an active and robust time on the air on the amateur bands. A posting on the Radio World website said that this year's ham reception was not on the schedule. The reception had been hosted for a long time by Bob Heil K9EID, who became a Silent Key last year.The article said that organizers are hoping to [quote] "reinvent the event for next year by exploring fresh partnerships and innovative ideas." [endquote]In the meantime, licensed hams who work in the industry can still look forward to the usual opportunities for networking and learning about new technology. The NAB Show takes place between April 5th and 9th at the Las Vegas Convention Center.This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.(RADIO WORLD)**BREAK HERE: Time for you to identify your station. We are the Amateur Radio Newsline, heard on bulletin stations around the world including the WB3GXW repeater in Silver Spring, Maryland and simultaneously on EchoLink Conference Server Node 6154 on Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 7 PM Eastern time.**DX INDIA FOUNDATION PREPARES FOR DXPEDITIONNEIL/ANCHOR: In India, there's a new DX foundation that has lots of energy and ambition - and plans for a rarely activated island. We learn more from Jason Daniels VK2LAW.JASON: It's still early in the game for the newly organized not-for-profit DX India Foundation but the team has already announced ambitious plans to increase India's presence on the DX map. As part of its mission to activate rare IOTA islands, conduct DXpeditions and provide DX and POTA chasers with a chance to work different entities in India, the team has its sights set on Arnala Island, IOTA number AS-169, which is near Mumbai. According to an announcement from the team, the island has had no amateur radio activity since 2006. Hams from the DX India Foundation have applied to use the callsign AU2M and hope to be on the air from the 29th of May through to the 1st of June. Later plans include a 10-day adventure to the Lakshadweep archipelago off the coast of Kerala [CARE-ruh-luh] in southern India.The DX India Foundation has also established an online forum in groups.io to encourage a sense of international community for chasers and activators. In between trips, the foundation's activity will be focused on training and mentoring other radio operators.This is Jason Daniels VK2LAW.(DX INDIA FOUNDATION)**HUNTSVILLE'S ‘SIGNALS' MUSEUM OPENS IN ALABAMAPAUL/ANCHOR: Huntsville, Alabama, home of the Huntsville Hamfest, has a new way to celebrate technology and, of course, amateur radio. To welcome the museum and honor the spirit and advancements made in technology, Newsline is departing from the norm this week. This report is being read via artificial intelligence and a correspondent known as AI-Drew.AI-DREW: On March 1st, the SIGNALS Museum of Information Explosion opened its doors to what founders hope will be an immersive and hands-on environment for visitors. The museum, housed a short drive from where the Huntsville Hamfest is held each year, has an array of exhibits devoted to communications technology in all its forms throughout history. Amateur radio operators who are visiting will be particularly interested in the ham shack, a welcoming space for regional radio clubs and other radio operators to meet or work on building equipment. The museum also has an on-site radio tower.Whether you live in the area or plan to visit Huntsville this year, the museum will welcome you. Visit their website at signals hyphen museum dot org. (signals-museum.org)This is AI-Drew.(SIGNALS MUSEUM)**SILENT KEY: GERRY MURPHY, K8YUW, FOUNDER OF THE HURRICANE WATCH NETPAUL/ANCHOR: Atlantic hurricane season is still a few months away but hams and forecasters will be going forward into this year's season without the man who created the Hurricane Watch Net 60 years ago. He has become a Silent Key, as we hear from Randy Sly W4XJ.RANDY: It can be said that the seeds of the Hurricane Watch Net were planted in 1965 as Hurricane Betsy raged its way through the Bahamas, making landfall in the US that September. Gerald Murphy, K8YUW, who was stationed by the US Navy in Rhode Island at the time, was also handling messages and phone patches for the Intercontinental Amateur Radio Net. When hurricane-specific traffic started to overwhelm the regular net's messages on their 20m frequency, Gerry suggested that those messages be handled 5 kHz higher. Marcy Rice, KZ5MM, who was in the Panama Canal Zone QSY'd with him up to 14.325 MHz and that was the genesis of the Hurricane Watch Net.The net has become the backbone of a robust communications system during storm season. Trained hams share advisories, data and post-storm damage information in affected areas with national hurricane centers in the US and, when needed, Canada.Gerry, who became a Silent Key on the 25th of February at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky, leaves behind this vibrant legacy. He served as net manager from September of 1965 until February of 1988, staying on afterward as assistant net manager. Health issues compelled him to retire from the net in March 1991.The Hurricane Watch Net has been planning an on-air special event in September to mark its 60th anniversary. Net manager Bobby Graves,KB5HAV, told Newsline [quote] "I was hoping and praying Jerry would make it to see his creation's 60th Anniversary this coming Labor Day....We will endeavor to make it even more special." [endquote]Gerry was 88.This is Randy Sly W4XJ.(BOBBY GRAVES, KB5HAV; EDDIE MISIEWICZ, KB3YRU)**WORLD OF DXIn the World of DX, Chris, WA7RAR, is on the air until the 16th of March from Barbados, IOTA Number NA-ØØ21. He is using the callsign 8P9CB, operating SSB and CW on 20-10 metres. Some of his locations are POTA sites. See QRZ.com for QSL details.Rockwell, WW1X, is using the callsign VP5/WW1X from Providenciales, IOTA Number NA-ØØ2 in the Turks and Caicos Islands from the 8th through to the 15th of March. This is a QRP operation using only SSB, although Rockwell has not ruled out occasional use of FT8. QSL via LoTW.Listen for Aldir, PY1SAD, who is using the callsign 8R1TM from Georgetown, Guyana, between the 11th of March and the 26th of April. Aldir is using CW, SSB and the digital modes on the HF bands. He is also operating via satellite. See QRZ.com for QSL details.Members of the Korean Amateur Radio League are on the air in March and April to celebrate the centenary of the International Amateur Radio Union. They are using the callsign HL1ØØIARU. See QRZ.com for QSL details.(425 DX BULLETIN)**KICKER: ECHOES OF A DIFFERENT WAY TO LEARN CWPAUL/ANCHOR: We end this week's report with an alternate way in which some hams in New Zealand got to learn and practice CW while having real QSOs. We'll let Jim Meachen ZL2BHF explain how it happened.JIM: If you've ever wondered whether Echolink is a viable mode for teaching or learning CW, just ask Ted ZL1BQA, who is proud to have logged a respectable number of CW contacts during the recent Jock White Memorial Field Day in New Zealand. Studying CW for almost a year with the Franklin Amateur Radio Club, Ted was able to restart his long-ago code skills in sessions led by the club president Peter Henderson ZL1PX. It was done over Echolink.Ted had enrolled last May along with three younger members who were first-time learners - Francois, ZL4FJ, Steve, ZL1TZP and Steve ZL1SPR. With only Ted able to copy Peter's signal over HF, the club followed a suggestion made by Gary ZL1GAC: try Echolink, a computer-based ham radio mode that incorporates VoIP technology. Loading CW software onto his computer, Peter was able to send the code intended for each session, confident that everyone had an equal chance of copying clearly.Weekly sessions soon expanded to twice a week as the students concentrated on letters, then numbers - and eventually basic punctuation.After a break in the action, the club is back on Echolink with CW sessions three nights a week. As for Ted, he's on a roll. Peter told Newsline in an email that he has resumed making CW contacts on a daily basis on HF using the Vibroplex that once collected dust instead of QSOs.This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.(QUA, Peter Henderson, ZL1PX)**Have you sent in your amateur radio haiku to Newsline's haiku challenge yet? It's as easy as writing a QSL card. Set your thoughts down using traditional haiku format - a three-line verse with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five in the third. Submit your work on our website at arnewsline.org - each week's winner gets a shout-out on our website, where everyone can find the winning haiku.NEWSCAST CLOSE: With thanks to Amateur News Daily; Bobby Graves, KB5HAV; Brandmeister; David Behar K7DB; DX India Foundation; Eddie Misiewicz, KB3YRU; EI7GI Blog; Guillermo Crimerius, PY2BIL; Millennium Post; Peter Henderson, ZL1PX; QRZ.com; QUA Newsletter; Radio World; shortwaveradio.de; SWLing Post; Wireless Institute of Australia; and you our listeners, that's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. We remind our listeners that Amateur Radio Newsline is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that incurs expenses for its continued operation. If you wish to support us, please visit our website at arnewsline.org and know that we appreciate you all. We also remind our listeners that if you like our newscast, please leave us a 5-star rating wherever you subscribe to us. For now, with Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT at the news desk in New York, and our news team worldwide, I'm Paul Braun WD9GCO in Valparaiso Indiana saying 73. As always we thank you for listening. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.

This is The DX Mentor podcast. I hope to help those hams trying to move up the DXCC ladder as well as those that at on the DXCC Honor Roll. As fast as technology is moving, no one can keep up on it all. I am here to help. #DX #Hamradio Intro: A Russian Robinson Team consisting Alex RW3RN, Hal W8HC, Mike K5MSK, Slava OK8AU, Raisa R1BIG, Tim NL8F, Vlad R9LR and Yuri N3QQ will be active from Central American DXCC entities (covering IOTA and POTA) during February 11 to March 7, 2025. As follows: YN6RRC – (Feb 11-16) Complejo volcánico San Cristóbal, POTA NI-0055 (Nicaragua) H7RRC – (Feb 11-16) Isla Del Cardon, NA-212 (Nicaragua) TI1RRC – (Feb 19-25) Isla Cano, NA-117 & POTA CR-0018 (Costa Rica) 3F3RRC – (Feb 26 to Mar 3) Chirique, POTA PA-0033 (Panama) All calls are currently pending. QSL via LoTW or via M0OXO and RW3RN (RU/EW only). How did each of you get in to Ham Radio? How did you get interested in DX? How did you decide to BE the exotic DX? What other trips have you been on? For starters: What is the Russian Robinson Team? Tell us about your team: N3QQ, W89HC, OK8AU, RW3RN, K5MSK, NL8F, R1BIG, and R8LR How did you choose these locations? As far as Costa Rica is concerned, how will you split up the operation between el Cano Island (10-40M) and the Park position (10-160) Tell us about your antennas. The website lists the following: 10/12/15/17/20/30/40m/60/80m Fan dipoles and OCFD 80-10m in vertical configuration. 22m Vertical for 160m and pair of RX beverages (EU/JA directions), high-power filters What are your expectations? (What criteria will you use to consider this a success?) How can folks provide financial support? Expectations on conditions, # of QSOs What about YN6RRC, H7RRC (Nicaragua), and 3F3RRC (Panama) operations - any updates? R1BIG Social Media handles https://www.youtube.com/ylraisa https://www.facebook.com/YLRaisa/ https://www.instagram.com/ylraisa/ W1DED : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo08QEywohY&t=126s QRZ: https://www.qrz.com/db/TI1RRC Kitka DXPedition Site: https://www.qrz.com/db/K7K Russian Robinson Club: https://na-234.com/ Southwest Ohio DX Assoc. https://www.swodxa.org Daily DX https://www.dailydx.com/ DX Engineering https://www.dxengineering.com/ Icom https://www.icomamerica.com/ IC-905 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-905/ IC-9700 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-9700/ IC-7610 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7610/ IC-7300 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7300/ IC-7760 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7760 IC-PW2 https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-PW2

Matt and Drew sit down and talk about a few of the top ice fishing destinations across North America! They talk about classic bodies of water like LOTW, Upper Red Lake, and Devil's Lake, to more adventurous places like Lake Cascade and Lake Winnipeg. Listen to the guys dive into what it takes to get to these places and what makes them so special.

Foundations of Amateur Radio One of the oldest global aspects of our hobby, other than actually using the radio, is the QSL bureau. It uses a postcard-like system to confirm that two stations made contact, sent via the postal service as a so-called QSL card. Of course, that only works if you have each other's address which after World War II was somewhat difficult. As a result the QSL bureau was born. Intended as a single point of contact for a country, a local QSL bureau consists of one or more volunteers, paid staff or contractors, who act as the distribution point for incoming and outgoing QSL cards. If you and I agreed to confirm our contact via the bureau, my QSL card to you would be sent to the VK outgoing QSL bureau, which would hold my card until there were sufficient outgoing cards from all over Australia to your country to package them all up and send them to the incoming QSL bureau in your country. Your QSL bureau would then wait until there were enough QSL cards for your region to send it on, where it would eventually get into your hands in a variety of ways, via the postal service, through your local club, or at a local hamfest where the QSL bureau might have a stall. Your QSL card to me would make a similar, reverse, journey. This process could take weeks or sometimes years. Although not fast, this worked for many decades, but once electronic communications and computers started appearing, combined with increased costs associated with privatised international postal services, the wheels started coming off. Getting access to historic documents has proven challenging. I can tell you that over the years the IARU, the International Amateur Radio Union, has coordinated and controlled how the QSL bureaus should work. For example, a resolution adopted in 1985 and updated in 2009 "strongly encouraged" its member societies to accept incoming QSL cards for all amateurs in their country, regardless of affiliation. It also instructed QSL bureaus to only send cards to the official QSL bureau if there was more than one. Several years ago, the IARU administrative council recognised several trends, among them the environmental impact of unwanted cards generated in bulk by computer logging software, lower levels of adoption and ultimately the closing of some smaller QSL bureaus after being overwhelmed by undeliverable cards from increasingly popular holiday DXpeditions. In September 2018, the IARU adopted resolution 18-1 that stated that it "resolves that member societies are encouraged to continue to offer QSL bureau service in their countries, exchanging cards with the bureaus of other member-societies, for as long as doing so is economically justifiable, and further resolves that amateurs are encouraged to adopt confirmation practices, including but not limited to using electronic confirmation systems, that reduce the volume of unwanted and undeliverable QSL cards being introduced into the bureau system." This resolution took effect on New Year's Day, 2019. I'll also note that the IARU has its own year 2000 issue, having been in existence for nearly a century, its resolutions are named after the last two digits of the year followed by a sequential number, so resolution 25-1 could refer to 1925 or 2025, but I digress. The internet has introduced several confirmation processes. The most vocal of these is "Logbook of The World", or LoTW. I'm not a fan and haven't been for some time. I'll get into why in a moment. Other contenders are eQSL.cc, qsl.net, qrz.com, clublog.org and others that have yet to steal the limelight. If I've forgotten the one you run, let me know. Saying that I'm not a fan of LoTW is understating it. Recent ARRL ransomware payments aside, why do I need to legally prove beyond a reasonable doubt that I made contact with some random amateur? Why does this need to be authenticated, signed with a time-limited certificate and verified with 100 points of identity and why do we continue to roll out new and interesting procedures for what is essentially a postcard saying that on this day, time and frequency we made contact using this mode for the purposes of .. wait for it .. our hobby? The eQSL website has an interesting statement: "One of the problems with an e-mail based system is that there is no security inherent in that mechanism. Anyone can purport to be P5ABC, and you'll have a difficult time verifying it." So what .. and what made you think that the postcard ending up in your letterbox was guaranteed to be from P5ABC? If you're going to the effort of pretending to be P5ABC, what harm does that do in the scheme of things? For that matter, how do you know that the station you talked to on-air was actually P5ABC? I ask because I've spoken to an amateur who recently did some HF direction finding during several popular DXpedition pile-ups. They discovered that there were several stations purporting to be the DXpedition that were not. So. Right now we're in a situation where many if not all amateurs are connected to the internet. Most will have an email address. You already know mine, cq@vk6flab.com. If we made contact on-air, send me an email. If what you wrote matches my logs, I'll send you a reply to confirm it. How do you get the address? One possible approach is to create an online email database where you could submit the email address associated with your callsign and you could look-up a station to contact them. Another is for member societies to offer email addresses, the ARRL and the WIA already offer this service to current members. I'll also point out that one of the reasons that the QSL bureau was instigated in the first place was because some addresses for amateurs were not available. If you make contact today and you want to send them an email confirmation the question to ask is simple: "Hey, what's your email address?" Will that cover everyone? Nope. Neither does the current system. What it achieves is that my personal private identifying information isn't stored at the ARRL if I'm not a member. Besides, in my opinion a list of email addresses combined with callsigns is hardly something worth getting excited about, unless of course it's used by manufacturers to send out product announcements and discount codes. We should be so lucky. If you have a better idea, you know how to get in touch. What I can say is that this is the ultimate decentralised QSL system, not unlike the contact you made on HF. I'm Onno VK6FLAB

The boys are back! While Christian rejoins the show, we lose Garrett in the mountains. Is FSUs 0-3 start the only thing keeping Gator fans enthused? Can Jean or Christian finally pick a LOTW correctly? FOUR ranked matchups headline a great slate. Don't miss out!

We discuss if the offense can be serviceable and what it will take to get there. Defense faces a test at the same time. All that plus LOTW, PBOTW, and score predictions.Realist Deal Locks of the WeekSteve: Air Force +15.5, North Texas +9.5, Toledo +13 Conner: Kansas State -6.5, Georgia -23.5, Oklahoma -13.5 Lucas: Alabama -15.5, Texas -34.5, Pittsburgh +2 Jay: Memphis +6.5, UNLV +7.5, Boston College +16 Listener: Coastal Carolina -17.5, South Carolina +6.5, TCU -1.5Prop Bet of the WeekWill OU have O/U 5.5 3rd-down conversions? Steve: UnderConner: OverLucas: OverJay: OverScore PredictionsSteve 42-24Conner 41-20Lucas 30-17Jay 27-20Special thanks to our sponsor: Dr. Michael Kiehn, MD - Dr. Kiehn is a board-certified surgeon specializing in orthopedic sports medicine. For over 20 years, Dr. Kiehn has been serving the greater Oklahoma City area, along with western Oklahoma. Not only does this include surgical skills in primarily the knees and shoulders, he is a constant figure on football sidelines throughout Oklahoma high schools and colleges. Dr. Kiehn's deep commitment to sports and devotion to his patients proves that he is the man to see—even though he is an Oklahoma State fan. Thank you, Dr. Kiehn.Two Homers and a Realist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Two Homers and a Realist at twohomersandarealist.substack.com/subscribe

The Boys are back to breakdown week 3 of the college football season. We discuss an exciting week 2 and the incredible slate of early games. Potato joins us to pick 5 games, LOTW, and a special shout out to Christian.

OU's season begins with Temple. We preview the game plus make LOTS of predictions for OU and college football overall. Team totals, LOTW, and much more!Realist Deal Locks of the WeekSteve: Oklahoma -42.5, Ohio +17.5, Arizona -30.5 Conner: Oklahoma -42.5, Virginia Tech -13.5, Texas A&M -2.5 Lucas: Oklahoma -42.5, Nebraska -27.5, Houston -2.5 Jay: ND State +10, West Virginia +8, Miami (Fla) -2.5 Listener: Penn State -7.5, Alabama -31.5, Houston -2.5Prop Bet of the Week: Will OU's defense give up more than 9.5 first downs against Temple?Steve: UnderConner: UnderLucas: UnderJay: OverOU Score PredictionsSteve: 56-0Conner: 55-0Lucas: 59-7Jay: 56-9OU Season Record PredictionsSteve: 10-2Conner: 10-2Lucas: 8-4Jay: 9-3Special thanks to our sponsor:Dr. Michael Kiehn, MD - Dr. Kiehn is a board-certified surgeon specializing in orthopedic sports medicine. For over 20 years, Dr. Kiehn has been serving the greater Oklahoma City area, along with western Oklahoma. Not only does this include surgical skills in primarily the knees and shoulders, he is a constant figure on football sidelines throughout Oklahoma high schools and colleges. Dr. Kiehn's deep commitment to sports and devotion to his patients proves that he is the man to see—even though he is an Oklahoma State fan. Thank you, Dr. Kiehn.Two Homers and a Realist is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Two Homers and a Realist at twohomersandarealist.substack.com/subscribe

Frank spends the third hour discussing Texans quarterback CJ Stroud and religion in the NFL. He also announces Listener of the Week and opens your mail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices