The DX Mentor

Bill Salyers

The DX Mentor podcast is directed towards any amateur radio operator (Ham) or Short Wave Listener (SWL) who has an interest in listening to or communicating with stations that are not in your country, or DX.

  1. 23時間前

    Episode 100 - Under the hood of LoTW

    Hello and welcome to episode 100 of TheDX Mentor – a look under the hood of the ARRL’s Logbook of the World program. My guests are George, K1IG, and Joe, W8GEX. If you like what you find, please subscribe to always be notified about upcoming episodes!     If you have a comment or a question, please drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com Below are the links that we alluded to: K1IG QRZ page: https://www.qrz.com/db/K1IG K1IG QSO Today Interview https://www.qsotoday.com/podcasts/K1IG K1IG local ham club https://wb1gof.org/ Grid Tracker Software https://gridtracker.org/ TQSL Page: https://www.arrl.org/tqsl-download LoTW Status Page: https://www.arrl.org/logbook-queue-status DXCC Standings: https://www.arrl.org/dxcc-standings Real Time DX Info (DailyDX https://www.dailydx.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-7760 Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7760 IC-PW2 Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-PW2 IC-7300 MK2 Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7300MK2/ IC-9700 Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-9700/ IC-905 Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-905/ IC-R8600 Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-R8600/ IC-52A Plus Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/ID-52APLUS/

    Episode 100 - Under the hood of LoTW
  2. 1日前

    This Week in DX - 08/14/2026

    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 Earthquake in Colombia - On August 10, 2026, at 07:34 AM (12:34Z), a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia near San José del Palmar in Chocó, causing damage in Cali, Pereira, Quibdó, Manizales, and surrounding areas. CO2JC, Carlos Alberto Santamaría González, IARU Region 2 Emergency Coordinator, reported that the Colombian Amateur Radio League (LCR) and affiliated operators were working with the Colombian Red Cross to support damage assessment and emergency communications in affected areas including the Coffee Axis, the Pacific coast, Pereira, Dos Quebradas, Manizales, Medellín, and Cali. Amateur radio operators are asked to keep clear the emergency frequencies 3.985, 7.060, 7.240, 7.275, 14.300, 18.160, 21.360, and 146.520 MHz simplex for possible relief traffic. R1FJ – Franz Jozef Land - R7AL, Vasily, and his team should be QRV now until about August 30. TU – Ivory Coast - F5HPE, Fredy, is QRV from the Ivory Coast, where he has the TU5MM callsign. He will be joining TU5JZ, Mathruin. Fredy expects to be there until August 22nd , operating from the Motobé Radio Club on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10M SSB and FT8. OJ0 - Märket Reef - OH6BG says a DXpedition should be QRV about now until August 22, with OJ0JR, Henri; and OJ0YL, Anne. He points out that the reef is the most exposed location in the Baltic Sea, “more rock than island, more sea than shelter.” To be dealt with before the first QSO is made is the weather, landing conditions, antennas, power and constant wind and waves, he says. They plan 80-10 CW, SSB and FT8. 3B8 – Mauritius & 3B9 – Rodrigues - SQ9UM, Alex, reports that “Everything seems to be arranged so far,” with flights and lodging now confirmed. 3B8/SQ9UM is August 14-17 and 21-27. 3B9/SQ9UM is August 18-20. He plans 40-10 FT8/FT4 and CW and says “SSB if possible.” The rig is an IC-7100, 100 watts, to a multiband dipole or vertical depending on “local conditions.” V7 – Marshall Islands - May 22 we reported that KC8CPK, Mac, is a “flight nurse” on temporary duty on Kwajalein, callsign V7/KC8CPK. Now his Marshall license has come through and he is V73RM. Mac says he is there through the end of August and will try to get on the air in his spare time. Contest Updates   August starts the contest season for me with two contests kicking things off. First is the Ohio QSO Party. I work every minute of this and have had some good rates the past few years. However, I have also been kicked off the air by lightning 3 of the last 4 years so I am hoping for good weather. I finished 7th overall in Ohio last year and #1 in Warren County. I could use your help if you are around the weekend of August 22nd. The contest period runs from 1200 EDT noon in Ohio (1600Z) to Midnight on the 22nd (0400Z Sunday). Secondly is the CQWW RTTY contest. This is the weekend of September 26th and 27th. This contest typically draws over 15,000 participants with over 3,600 logs submitted. If you can operate FT8, you can operate RTTY. Why not give it a try? 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!

    This Week in DX - 08/14/2026
  3. 8月8日

    This Week in DX - 08/08/26

    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 Like many of you, I am an avid CQ DX Marathon participant. To help identify those stations that may not be rare, but also not common, I will bring it to your attention by announcing MARATHON ALERT. This will let you know that based on my experience, this activation is one that you will want to make part of your Marathon Chase! Let’s get started. {Marathon Alert} OH0 – Aland Islands - OH0ERF is QRV until August 12, by a group of German hams operating holiday style. They are operating all bands from 160 m through 10 m, using CW, SSB, and FT8, with 6 m added as conditions allow. The equipment includes an IC-7610, two IC-7300 transceivers, and an ACOM 700S amplifier. {Marathon Alert} R1FJ – Franz Jozef Land - R7AL, Vasily, and his team should be QRV around August 15 for 15 days. Five hundred kilograms of gear is already in Murmansk, their departure point, with the ops bringing another 300 kg. {Marathon Alert} E5/S – South Cook Islands - ZL2KE, Steve, is QRV as E51KEE from the South Cook Islands until August 14th, mainly on CW with some SSB, likely focusing on 30 and 40 meters unless propagation improves. Another Steve, ZL4CZ, is QRV as E51CZZ until August 6th on SSB. Neither operator is using FT8 or other digital modes. {Marathon Alert} TU – Ivory Coast - F5HPE, Fredy, is underway to the Ivory Coast, where he has the TU5MM callsign. He will be joining TU5JZ, Mathruin. Fredy expects to be there until August 22nd , operating from the Motobé Radio Club on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10M SSB and FT8. {Marathon Alert} OJ0 - Märket Reef - OH6BG says a DXpedition is coming up August 15-22, with OJ0JR, Henri; and OJ0YL, Anne. He points out that the reef is the most exposed location in the Baltic Sea, “more rock than island, more sea than shelter.” To be dealt with before the first QSO is made is the weather, landing conditions, antennas, power and constant wind and waves, he says. They plan 80-10 CW, SSB and FT8. {Marathon Alert} YS – El Salvador - WE9G, Rikk, is QRV as YS/WE9G from El Sunzal, El Salvador, until August 14th. He will primarily use FT8, with some CW and SSB, on 6–160 meters using an SO3R setup, two vertical antennas, and a G5RV dipole. QSOs will be uploaded in real time to Club Log, QRZ, and LoTW, with QSL available via WE9G or Club Log OQRS. Contest Updates  August starts the contest season for me with two contests kicking things off. First is the Ohio QSO Party. I work every minute of this and have had some good rates the past few years. However, I have also been kicked off the air by lightning 3 of the last 4 years so I am hoping for good weather. I finished 7th overall in Ohio last year and #1 in Warren County. I could use your help if you are around the weekend of August 22nd. The contest period runs from 1200 EDT noon in Ohio (1600Z) to Midnight on the 22nd (0400Z Sunday). Secondly is the CQWW RTTY contest. This is the weekend of September 26th and 27th. This contest typically draws over 15,000 participants with over 3,600 logs submitted. If you can operate FT8, you can operate RTTY. Why not give it a try?

    This Week in DX - 08/08/26
  4. 8月3日

    Episode 98 - DXpedition to VP0SG - South Georgia

    Hello and welcome to episode 98 of TheDX Mentor – a discussion with Steve, W0ZB, Violletta, KN2P, and Joe, W8GEX, about the upcoming VP0SG DXpedition to South Georgia.  December 2025 - Amateur Radio DXpeditions (ARD) (⁠https://www.ardxpeditions.com/⁠ ) is pleased to announce a major milestone in the preparation of the VP0SG South Georgia 2027 DXpedition. We have successfully signed the vessel contract and first deposit is being paid, officially securing our expedition vessel: the MV MEREDIAN, operated by 60° South Expeditions.   The MV MEREDIAN is a robust, ice-strengthened expedition vessel capable of safely supporting land-based operations in the challenging sub-Antarctic environment. The experience of the 60° South team, combined with their long track record in the region, makes them an ideal partner for this ambitious project.  Securing the vessel represents a crucial step that moves VP0SG from planning to reality.  We are pleased to report positive progress in our ongoing dialogue with the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI).  Our early planning has been well received, and the framework of our proposed operation is considered consistent with current guidance.  While the formal permit process will open in 2026, GSGSSI has expressed a willingness to continue working with us as we refine our plans throughout the coming months.  This represents a highly encouraging step toward obtaining the final landing permit required for onshore operations in 2027.  If you have a comment or a question, please drop me a note at thedxmentor@gmail.com Below are the links that we alluded to: https://www.ardxpeditions.com/ Website: www.aj8b.com Youtube & Podcast TheDXMentor Real Time DX Info (DailyDX https://www.dailydx.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-7760 Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7760 IC-PW2 Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-PW2 IC-7300 MK2 Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-7300MK2/ IC-9700 Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-9700/ IC-905 Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-905/ IC-R8600 Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/IC-R8600/ IC-52A Plus Product Page: https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/products/ID-52APLUS/

    Episode 98 - DXpedition to VP0SG - South Georgia
  5. 8月1日

    This Week in DX - 08/01/2026

    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 Like many of you, I am an avid CQ DX Marathon participant. To help identify those stations that may not be rare, but also not common, I will bring it to your attention by announcing MARATHON ALERT. This will let you know that based on my experience, this activation is one that you will want to make part of your Marathon Chase! Let’s get started. {Marathon Alert} OH0 – Aland Islands - OH0ERF will be activated from August 5 to August 12, by a group of German hams operating holiday style. The team plans to operate all bands from 160 m through 10 m, using CW, SSB, and FT8, with 6 m added if conditions allow. Equipment includes an IC-7610, two IC-7300 transceivers, and an ACOM 700S amplifier. Planned antennas include a 3-band delta loop, a 3-element 3-band Mosley beam, 40 m and 160 m verticals, and various wire antennas. {Marathon Alert} R1FJ – Franz Jozef Land - R7AL, Vasily, and his team should be QRV around August 15 for 15 days. Five hundred kilograms of gear is already in Murmansk, their departure point, with the ops bringing another 300 kg. {Marathon Alert} UZBEKISTAN – UK - Darek, SP9DLM and his son Greg SN9GM are QRV using UK/calls until August 15. {Marathon Alert} T2 – Tuvalu - JK1JXZ, Masaaki “Aki” Iwasawa, is QRV with the callsign T2JK from Funafuti until August 7, 80-6M. On weekdays he expects to be on the air after 5 PM local time, and on the weekend, he will be on all day long. {Marathon Alert} E5/S – South Cook Islands - ZL2KE, Steve, is QRV as E51KEE from the South Cook Islands until August 14th, mainly on CW with some SSB, likely focusing on 30 and 40 meters unless propagation improves. Another Steve, ZL4CZ, is QRV as E51CZZ until August 6th on SSB. Neither operator is using FT8 or other digital modes. {Marathon Alert} TU – Ivory Coast - F5HPE, Fredy, is underway to the Ivory Coast, where he has the TU5MM callsign. He will be joining TU5JZ, Mathruin. Fredy expects to be there until the 22th, operating from the Motobé Radio Club on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10M SSB and FT8, and will give FT4 a try. {Marathon Alert} OJ0 - Märket Reef - OH6BG says a DXpedition is coming up August 15-22, with OJ0JR, Henri; and OJ0YL, Anne. He points out that the reef is the most exposed location in the Baltic Sea, “more rock than island, more sea than shelter.” To be dealt with before the first QSO is made is the weather, landing conditions, antennas, power and constant wind and waves, he says. They plan 80-10 CW, SSB and FT8. This week, the DX Mentor Podcast will feature a discussion with two operators from the upcoming 2027 VP0SG DXpedition to the South Georgia Islands. Check it out and let me know what you think. 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!

    This Week in DX - 08/01/2026
  6. 7月25日

    This Week in DX - 07/25/2026

    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} OH0 – Aland Islands - OH0ERF willbe active from August 5 to August 12, operated holiday style by a group of German hams. The team plans to operate all bands from 160 m through 10 m, using CW, SSB, and FT8, with 6 m added if conditions allow. Equipment includes an IC-7610, two IC-7300 transceivers, and an ACOM 700S amplifier. Planned antennas include a 3-band delta loop, a 3-element 3-band Mosley beam, 40 m and 160 m verticals, and various wire antennas.   {Marathon Alert} UZBEKISTAN – UK -  Darek, SP9DLM and his son Greg SN9GM will be operating as UK/calls from July 27 until August 15.   {Marathon Alert} 3B9 - Rodrigues Island – Sebastian, 3B8HR, is QRV from 3B9HR, Rodrigues Island, until July 28th. holidaystyle. Since it is a holiday/vacation trip with simple gear, he will only be on the air “from time to time.” He is running 100 watts to an end fed long wire on HF, SSB only. His operating times are towards the end of the local day, 03-07Z.Confirmation of QSOs is through LoTW only.   9A – Croatia - The Croatian Amateur Radio Association willoperate the special event station 9A170NT to celebrate the 170th anniversary of Nikola Tesla’s birth, and the station will remain active until December 31, 2026. QSL via LoTW, Club Log or QRZ.com.   VP5 - Turks and Caicos Islands - G0VJG is QRV from North Caicos (NA-002), until July 30, operating VP5G from a beach location for 14 days. He will be using an HF9V and an inverted V, a 6-element 6M Yagi, and a Juma PA 1000 amplifier. During the IOTA Contest he will operate single op. Activity will include SSB, CW, and FT4/FT8. QSL via M0OXO.   {Marathon Alert} T2 – Tuvalu - The Rebel DX Group fired up T22TT Wednesday just before 1900Z. So far, they have been reported on 30, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters, all FT8. Listen for activity over the next 10 days in between work on the island. As always QSL only via Club Log, once they start uploading their QSOs.   {Marathon Alert} T2 – Tuvalu - JK1JXZ, Masaaki “Aki” Iwasawa, will have the callsign T2JK from Funafuti July 30 to August 7, 80-6M. On weekdays he expects to be on the air after 5 PM local time, and on the weekend, he will be on all day long. It is possible his stay will be extended to August 14.   {Marathon Alert} TY5FR, Benin -  DL1BUG, Red, is QRV as TY5FR, operating from Cotonou until August 4. He will be using an ICOM IC-7300, running 100W into a G5RV (2 x 15M) antenna. His planned activity will be on 160-10M CW and SSB. QSL via Club Log (bureau or direct via OQRS), as well as bureau or direct via his home call, and LoTW.   {Marathon Alert} E5/S – South Cook Islands - ZL2KE,Steve, is QRV as E51KEE from the South Cook Islands until August 14th, mainly on CW with some SSB, likely focusing on 30 and 40 meters unless propagation improves. Another Steve, ZL4CZ, is QRV as E51CZZ until August 6th on SSB. Neither operator is using FT8 or other digital modes.   {Marathon Alert} OJ0 - Märket Reef - OH6BG says a DXpedition is coming up August 15-22, OJ0JR, Henri; and OJ0YL, Anne, operating. He points out that the reef is the most exposed location in the Baltic Sea, “more rock than island, more sea than shelter.” To be dealt with before the first QSO is made is the weather, landing conditions, antennas, power and constant wind and waves, he says. They plan80-10 CW, SSB and FT8.    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!

    This Week in DX - 07/25/2026
  7. 7月18日

    Episode 97 - N4T - The Dry Tortugas Islands

    Hello and welcome to episode 97 of TheDX Mentor – a discussion of the recently completed POTA expedition to the Dry Totugas islands off the coast of Key West. My guests tonight are Casey, KJ0NES, Mollie, W3NY, Ron, KC0ZPS, Julius, AK9IT, Elizabeth, N7MEB, and Dave, N9VFR. Here is the introduction as it was listed on the DXWorld website:   Look out for N4T team to be active from Dry Tortugas Island, NA-079 during February 17-25, 2026. Mainaim is 6m activity from rare grid EL84 and to QRV from various POTA parks throughout Florida Keys. QSL via KC3YQL. If this is the first time you are joining us, Welcome! We have a back catalog covering many aspects of DX in both podcast and YouTube format. Please check us out.  If you like what you find, please subscribe, like, and share to always be notified about upcoming events!     Another way to keep in touch and to see what we are up to is via the DX Mentor Facebook page. I will be posting aboutupcoming podcasts as well as other DX events so please follow us.    Real Time DX Info (DailyDX https://www.dailydx.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/   Lets hear more.

    Episode 97 - N4T - The Dry Tortugas Islands
  8. 7月18日

    This Week in DX - 07/18/2026

    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} 3B9 - Rodrigues Island – Sebastian,3B8HR, will be QRV from 3B9HR, Rodrigues Island, July 22-28. holiday style. Since it is a holiday/vacation trip with simple gear, he will only be on the air “from time to time.” He will be running 100 watts to an end fed long wire on HF, SSB only. He thinks his operating times may typically be toward the endof the local day, 03-07Z. Confirmation of QSOs is through LoTW only.   9A – Croatia - The Croatian Amateur Radio Association willoperate the special event station 9A170NT to celebrate the 170th anniversary of Nikola Tesla’s birth, and the station will remain active until December 31, 2026. QSL via LoTW, Club Log or QRZ.com.   VP5 - Turks and Caicos Islands - G0VJG is QRV from North Caicos (NA-002), until July 30, operating VP5G from a beach location for 14 days. He will be using an inverted V and HF9V, a 6-element 6M Yagi, and a Juma PA 1000 amplifier. During the IOTA Contest he will operate single op. Activity will include SSB, CW, and FT4/FT8. QSL via M0OXO.   {Marathon Alert} S7 – Seychelles - During the upcoming, July 25-26, RSGB IOTA Contest, members of the Seychelles Amateur Radio Association plan to be QRV as either S77HQ or S77SARA. No other details at the moment.   {Marathon Alert} T2 – Tuvalu - The Rebel DX Group (3Z9DX, Dom) fired up T22TT Wednesday just before 1900Z. So far, they have been reported on 30, 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters, all FT8. Listen for activity over the next 10 days in between work on the island. As always QSL only via Club Log, once they start uploading their QSOs.   {Marathon Alert} T2 – Tuvalu - JK1JXZ, Masaaki “Aki” Iwasawa, will have callsign T2JK from Funafuti July 30 to August 7, 80-6M. On weekdays he expects to be on the air after 5 PM local time, and on the weekend, he will be on all day long. It is possible his stay will be extended to August 14. The flight arrival July 30 is at noon, so he may be able to get onthe air as soon as 3 PM local time there, he says.   {Marathon Alert} 8R – Guyana - 8R1TM, operated byPY1SAD, Aldir, is QRV from Guyana until July 26. He is active on 160 meters through 6 meters, including CW, SSB, digital modes, and satellite activity. On weekdays his expected activity from 23:00 UTC to 03:00 UTC on 6–160 metersusing CW, SSB, digital modes, and satellites. And during weekends he will have Full-time activity planned on 6–160 meters using CW, SSB, digital modes, and satellite operation.   {Marathon Alert} TY5FR, Benin -  DL1BUG, Red Frenzel, is QRV as TY5FR, operating from Cotonou (grid locator JJ16FJ) until August 4. He will be using an ICOM IC-7300 with a CG Antenna CG-3000 autotuner, running 100W into a G5RV (2x 15M) antenna. His planned activity will be on 160-10M CW and SSB. QSL via Club Log (bureau or direct via OQRS), as well as bureau or direct via his home call, and LoTW.   {Marathon Alert} E5/S – South Cook Islands - ZL2KE,Steve, will operate as E51KEE from the South Cook Islands from 22/23 July to 14 August 2026, mainly on CW with some SSB, likely focusing on 30 and 40 meters unless propagation improves. Another Steve, ZL4CZ, will operate as E51CZZ from26 July to 6 August on SSB. Neither operator uses FT8 or other digital modes. E51CZZ will bring a ZS6BKW multiband DX antenna, and the operators will help repair E51JD Jim’s damaged Hex Beam on Rarotonga.             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!

    This Week in DX - 07/18/2026

番組について

The DX Mentor podcast is directed towards any amateur radio operator (Ham) or Short Wave Listener (SWL) who has an interest in listening to or communicating with stations that are not in your country, or DX.

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