Here is the fortnightly bulletin of DX information for Australian DXers. Solar and ionospheric news, DX observations, announcements of DX activations, operating tips, and anything else that may be of interest to DXers in our part of the world may be found here. Reader’s observations and suggestions for content are welcome.

Propagation notes

There were mostly zero sunspots visible in the past two weeks apart from a small group early and late in this reporting period. The Solar Flux and Sunspot numbers have trended slightly higher than the very low levels over recent months.

Around the bands

Only a few die-hards were heard on 160 m this past fortnight, including DU7ET, N0FW, N4IS and ZL4AS. A faint trace of LU5OM was heard last week. Local stations from VK2, VK3 and VK5 were good copy on SSB in VK3. On 80 m, KH6DX was worked, along with a couple of locals. In the afternoons, Europe may be heard mid-afternoon, and North America in the evening. Thirty and 20 m remain mostly ok to many parts of the world.

DX Heard or Worked

Winter time sees few DXpeditions, but numerous IOTA activations.

Craig VK5CE/6 continued his West Australian island activations with OC-140 and OC-193.

TE6DX was an IOTA expedition to Uvita Island (NA-155), Costa Rica.

Eddy XV1X has been active from Vietnam on a number of bands.

Others on air have been special event stations such as ORARI 50th Anniversary commemoration with many Indonesian stations using the special YB50 prefix.

The Israel Amateur Radio Club has been celebrating 70 years with a special 4X70 prefix.

The 50th anniversary of IARU Region 3 has been marked by activity from VI50IARU3, HL50IARU and HS50IARU.

Many special event stations have been on air this month marking the FIFA World Cup. These include FIFA and FWC suffixes, host city suffixes and participating country suffixes. For more details on the special event callsigns and awards available see: https://www.qrz.com/db/RC18SA

David WJ2O was active for one day from American Samoa as KH8/WJ2O and a few days from Samoa as 5W0DF. He has now joined the team heading for Baker Island.

Upcoming Activations of Interest

Craig VK5CE/6 plans activation of his next IOTA OC-170 from UTC 0400/20th to 1900/21st June.

The only major DXpedition activation coming up is the KH1/KH7Z Baker Island DXpedition. The latest news has the team on their way to American Samoa and then on to Baker island. They expect to be on air from UTC 0000/28 June, for ten days with eight stations available for open bands. Website: http://baker2018.net/

 

73

Luke VK3HJ