Author - Tim Beaumont

LoTW Uploads

Just recently I have seen an influx of emails complaining about the fact that I have not uploaded logs to LoTW
Can I make this perfectly clear! When a log update arrives here, it is uploaded to LoTW immediately. For DXpedition logs, please check the DXpedition website for the LoTW upload policy.
Please always use OQRS where you will see the “Last QSO date and time”. Wait until log has been updated! Then OQRS uploads to LoTW.
The emails are nearly all from people using third party software to download their LoTW matches usually QRZ log, Club Log or other logging software.  The first place you should check if you find a missing match is to log directly into your LoTW account and check if the QSO is matched, here you can also check if YOU have forgotten to upload the QSO yourself. Nearly all of these issues can be fixed at your end without the need to email me to tell me that I have not done this or that.
The most common cause of a QSO not being matched is by presenting an incorrect UTC time that falls outside the permitted tolerance of LoTW. An example of this
mismatch which happens in SSB CW and FT modes under low signal paths where the DX logs you at 16:50z but you incorrectly logged when you started calling at 16:15z instead of the time you actually worked the DX. 
If I have made an error then please drop me a line and I will sort these matters out quickly. Thank you for your understanding.

Welcome to 5Z4PA Martin

Welcome to United Radio QSL Bureau to 5Z4PA Martin, operating from Mombasa, Kenya.
QSL Cards will be designed & printed soon.

Please QSL via M0URX OQRS

Logs will be uploaded to LoTW.
No Direct QSLs from Kenya.

For Bureau route ONLY use OQRS. Please do not send any Bureau cards.

PJ4TEN QSL Preview


PJ4TEN
 is a special event station active during October 2020 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of “10/10/10” – October 10th, 2010. On that date the former country of the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved and Bonaire became a ‘special municipality’ of the Netherlands. As a result, Bonaire became a new DXCC entity on that date. 

PJ4TEN OQRS & Log Search

To mark the 10th anniversary, Bonaire’s radio amateurs are organising a month-long operating event. A PDF award will be available to those who achieve 10 points by making contacts with PJ4 stations during October. 

Rules:
1. A total of 10 points are required.
2. A contact with PJ4TEN is worth 2 points.
3. A contact with any other PJ4 station is worth 1 point.
4. Exception: on the exact anniversary, between 0000UTC and 2359UTC on Saturday October 10thall PJ4 stations count 2 points.
5. All stations may be worked more than once on different bands and / or modes for additional points. Example: QSOs with PJ4TEN on 14MHz SSB and 7MHz FT8, and with PJ4NX on 14MHz CW and 7MHz FT8, would count a total of 6 points (2+2+1+1). However, if all those QSOs took place on 10/10/20 a total of 8 points would be scored (2+2+2+2).
6. Only contacts made between 0000UTC on October 1st and 2359UTC on October 31st count towards the Bonaire 10/10/10 Award.
7. There is no fee and no QSLs are required.
8. To apply: send a list of contacts made, stating the date, time (UTC), band and mode to: [email protected]
9. The award is also available to SWLs on a ‘heard’ basis. For each contact logged, please list at least two stations with which the PJ4 station was in contact.

5Z4VJ Log update

Log update for Andy 5Z4VJ in Nairobi Kenya has been uploaded to OQRS Last Date / Time of QSO: 30 Sep 2020 22:05 UTC

5Z4VJ OQRS 

Fast work Bureaus. Thank you

A big thank you to the IARU Bureaus handing our outgoing Bureau cards. Already just 3 weeks after the mailing we have had the following reported by email being delivered. Please email me if you can add your bureau to the list of fast hard working working bureaus?

S5 Slovenia Parcel received by Milos S54G – S5 incoming QSL MNGR. 09/09/2020
LZ Bulgaria Parcel received 10/09/2020
YU Serbia received 12/09/2020
UA Russia received 15/09/2020
ARRL Area 9  – Cards reported being delivered 18/09/2020
E7 Bosnia Cards arrived 19/09/2020
HS Thailand cards arrived 20/09/2020
9A Croatia cards received 23/09/2020
UR Ukraine parcel arrived 30/09/2020
YV Venezuela – Package returned “Service Suspended”
Twitter – Axel Schernikau @DL6KVA

“wow .. requested the QSL for Andy 5Z4/G3AB on 23.08., received it today via DARC-bureau (a month later) … great job as always!”

VP8PJ Final Press Release

Final Press Release
September 13, 2020
South Orkney Islands DX-pedition
VP8PJ (AN-008)
We have closed the books on the VP8PJ DX-pedition to the South Orkney Islands.
Due to the global pandemic our equipment was returned to California about two months later than planned. Nothing was missing or damaged during the extended journey. 
Thanks to the worldwide clubs/foundations, the DX community and our corporate sponsors, the project met all operational and financial goals. We appreciate the continued support from the DX community.
Consistent with our commitment to upload the complete VP8PJ log to LoTW six months following the DX-pedition, Tim M0URX will upload the complete log on 15 September. 
Planning for our next project is underway. Exact timing will depend on lifting of the global travel restrictions, issuance of the landing permit and ship scheduling, early 2022 is the plan.
Watch for press releases as this new project unfolds.
73,
VP8PJ Leadership Team
Website: https://sorkney.com/
Please direct your questions to: [email protected]

Not got your VP8PJ QSL yet? Request it direct here!

GB1WSP World Suicide Prevention Day


The special event station is part of an alliance to raise awareness of World Suicide Prevention Day. Every year on 10th September, organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.

In 2018, in the UK and Republic of Ireland, more than 6,800 people died of suicide. And we know that suicide is preventable, it’s not inevitable.

GB1WSP (World Suicide Prevention) will be on air between 0700 and 2400 UTC on Thursday, 10 September 2020 mainly operating on the HF bands, 80m,40m and 20m.

The station will be managed by John (G0MTQ) on behalf of Samaritans of West Cumbria and stations contacted can get further details of the special event by visiting QRZ.com. John (G0MTQ)
QSL Via M0URX OQRS Log uploaded

OQRS Bureau Control

On the latest OQRS update v5.3 we have now prevented repeated Bureau QSL requests where a QSL has been previously sent for the QSO.
The reason for this is that many people consistently repeat Bureau QSL requests. We cannot guarantee Bureau cards and we suggest that if you would like a replacement QSL then we ask you to request using OQRS Direct route.

Now, if you try to do a repeat bureau request you will get the following message. “Only one free Buro request is allowed. You cannot use Buro QSL cards because some of your selected QSO’s are already requested via the buro.”
___________________________________________________________
This was highlighted in the last bureau mailing when several (not just one) but several stations requested around 100 cards each. I am of the belief that these cards are not ‘needed’, but just ‘wanted’ because of the misinterpretation that they are ‘free’. This practice has to stop, it is simply not sustainable and is abusing my service. I have disabled Bureau route on OQRS for some older inactive call signs with consultation of those operators. These will be direct only.