Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX
Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, the AB5K's AR Cluster
Networks, NJ1Q & W1AW, KD3CQ, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX, N6PSE,
WB6RSE, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, W9ILY, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News
Letter, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1JQJ/IK1ADH
& 425 DX News, OH2BH, Pete Rayer & ISWL, RN3RQ, Sixitalia Weekly, and
VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX information.

** EDITOR'S SPECIAL NOTICE: This week's bulletin was sent out earlier
 than normal to accommodate the late CQWW WPX SSB Contest announcements.
 Also, we wanted to provide the readers with a consolidated listing
 of the CQWW WPX SSB Contest participants.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the
week of Friday, 20th/March, through Friday, 27th/March there were 219
countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O,
4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5T, 5W, 5Z, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J,
9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9Q, 9V, 9X, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C3, C5,
C9, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, D4, DL, DU, E4, E5/s,
E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FK,
FM, FO, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH,
HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HZ, I, IS, J3, J5, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT,
JW, JX, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA,
OD, OE, OH, OH0, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PJ7, PY,
PY0F, PZ, S0, S2, S5, S7, S9, SM, SP, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T33, T5, T7, TA,
TF, TG, TI, TK, TN, TR, TT, TU, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5,
V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XX9, YA, YB, YI,
YJ, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, Z6, Z8, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZD8, ZF, ZL, ZL7,
ZP, ZS

* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations or
 more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work
 First Worry Later".

4L, GEORGIA. Mamuka Kordzakhia, 4L2M, President of the National Associ-
ation Radio Amateurs of Georgia (NARG), will be active during the CQWW
WPX SSB Contest (March 28-29th) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (??m) entry.
QSL via 4L2M.

8Q, MALDIVES. Kasimir, DL2SBY, who was expected to be active as 8Q7KB
from Meedhupparu Island (AS-013) between May 4-12th, has now canceled
his activities due to the coronavirus situation, but "may" go later this
year. He is currently making plans for a to trip to Seychelles (S7) next
year in February.

A4, OMAN. Khalid, A41CK, will be active as A42K in Muscat during the CQWW
WPX SSB Contest (March 28-29th) as a Single-Op entry (not a team due to
COVID-19). QSL via LoTW.

DXPEDITIONS (Updated/Cancellations). Over the last few weeks there has
been many DXpeditions (some that were expected to be in the WPX SSB
Contest) present and upcoming, have canceled their operations due to the
coronavirus or travel restrictions caused by it. Many of the DXpedition
have postponed, rescheduled for later in the year or planned to be active
next year in 2021. The current list of cancellations is as follows (as of
print time) [this week 54, up from 43 last week]:
3B8XF Mauritius (cut short) SP7D Poland
4V5H Haiti T30ET West Kiribati
8Q7KB Maldives T88HS Palau
9A1A Croatia T88SM Palau
9K2F Failaka Island (AS-118) T88UW Palau
A25VR Botswana TC4PLH Turkey
CE0Y/VE7ACN Easter Island TG9BBV Guatemala
CP6/R7AL Bolivia TO7BP Martinique
CP6/RW9JZ Bolivia TU2R Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
CP6/RK8A Bolivia V62P Polap Atoll (OC-155), Micronesia
CP6/RZ3K Bolivia V62S Satawal Atoll (OC-299), Micronesia
CQ3W Madeira Island VK5KI Kangaroo Island (OC-139)
CT9/DF7EE Madeira Island VP2V/KB9DPF British Virgin Islands
D4C Cape Verde VP2V/K0NR British Virgin Islands
DU2/SP5APW Calayan Island (OC-092) VP2V/W9DR British Virgin Islands
FK/C Chesterfield Island VP5/AF3K Turks and Caicos Islands
HS0ZME (cut short) VP5/W2TT Turks and Caicos Islands
J88PI St. Vincent VP5P Turks and Caicos Islands
JW/DF3TS Svalbard VU4R Neil Islands (AS-001)
JW/DC8TM Svalbard W8S Swains Island
KH2KY Guam XR8RRC/p Riesco Island (SA-091)
KH7M Hawaii XW4XR Laos
MM2U Scotland (EU-008) Z66Y Kosovo
NH7A Hawaii ZA/HG2DX Albania
PJ2/DK5ON Curacao ZC4MK U.K. Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus
PJ7AA Sint Maarten (cut short) ZD7VJ St. Helena Island
PZ5G Papegaaien Island (NA-092) ZF2PG Cayman Islands

ARRL HAMFEST/CONVENTION CANCELLATIONS. The ARRL has created a Web page
that lists all hamfests and conventions that have advised the League that
they are canceling scheduled events due to the concerns over the corona-
virus (currently there are 46 listed; up from 17 last week):
 http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/search/page:1/keywords:Canceled/model:Event
ADDED NOTE: On March 23rd, the following was posted on the ARRL Web page:
 "ARRL Headquarters is Closing -- ARRL Headquarters will comply with an
 executive order from Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont that all non-
 essential businesses and not-for-profit entities reduce in-person
 workforces by 100% no later than March 23, 2020, at 8 PM. ARRL will
 equip as many Headquarters staffers as possible to work remotely. W1AW
 bulletin and code practice transmissions will continue." Read the
 complete press release at:
 http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-headquarters-is-closing

ARRL'S W1AW (To limit transmit schedule). In ARLB009, it states: In re-
sponse to an executive order from Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont that
all non-essential businesses and not-for-profit entities reduce in-person
workforces because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns, W1AW has slightly altered
its transmission schedule.
 W1AW has suspended its morning code practice and qualifying run trans-
missions, beginning March 24, 2020. However, W1AW's evening transmissions,
including qualifying runs, will be sent as usual -- there are no changes
to the evening transmit schedule."

SAFE CONTESTING SUGGESTIONS FROM CQ. On March 23rd, CQ Amateur Radio
magazine has posted some safe operation suggestions, if you're "sheltering
in place" or otherwise stuck at home to help prevent the spread of corona-
virus, during the CQ World Wide WPX SSB Contest this coming weekend (March
28-29th), is the perfect way to have some fun and keep connected with
the outside world. See the list of suggestions at:
 http://cqnewsroom.blogspot.com

GB5, ENGLAND (Special Event). Look for special event station GB5ST to be
on the air to celebrate 54 years of the hit TV show Star Trek, spin off
shows, many Star Trek movies and for the continuing new shows upcoming in
the future. The GB5ST station will be on the air starting September 1st,
and through the next 6 years. QSL via the RSGB Bureau or direct to the
address on QRZ.com. Look for more details to be forthcoming.

HAMVENTION QSO PARTY (Something New To Do!). The Dayton Hamvention for
2020 has been cancelled. The WWROF, in cooperation with the Hamvention
organizers, wanted to create a fun way for people to celebrate the Ham-
vention experience over the air - the Hamvention QSO Party. This is a 12
hour fun event on Saturday of Hamvention May 16, 2020. There are special
bonus points for working W8BI, the club call of the Dayton Amateur Radio
Association (DARA is the host of Hamvention) which will be activated by
DARA members from their home stations. For complete details, see:
 https://wwrof.org/hamvention-qso-party
ADDED NOTE: The event is in memory of Ron, W8ILC, who became a Silent
Key just two days after the Hamvention 2020 cancellation announcement.
Ron had attended every Hamvention since the beginning.

HH, HAITI. Matt, K0BBC, will be active as HH2AA from Radio Club D'Haïti
in Obleon during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 28-29th) as a Single-Op/
Low-Power entry. QSL via LoTW only.

INTREPID-DX GROUP NEWS (Press Release, dated March 24th). The Annual
Intrepid Spirit Award goes to the VP8PJ Team [edited]: The Intrepid-DX
Group is pleased to announce the recipients of the annual "Intrepid Spirit
Award".
 This year's award goes to the Perseverance DX Group's VP8PJ South Orkney
Island team for their superb activation from Signy Island. This DXpedition
was extremely well planned and executed from this very remote, cold and
harsh Island.
 This award is to recognize the entire team's collective effort to act-
ivate these challenging and much needed entities on behalf of a grateful
Global DX Community. The team was comprised of Dave/K3EL, Les/W2LK, Gene/
K5GS, Arliss/W7XU, Heye/DJ9RR, Laci/HA0NAR, Vadym/UT6UD, Walt/N6XG, Rob/
N7QT, Steve/W1SRD, Mike/WA6O, Ken/NG2H, Hans-Peter/HB9BXE and Alan/VK6CQ.
 We acknowledge the team's pursuit of operating excellence in making these
difficult activations. It is for these reasons that we are honoring them
with our Intrepid Spirit Award. This award would normally be presented in
front of their peers at the International DX Convention in Visalia, CA.
 This "Intrepid-Spirit Award" is made in memory of our fallen friend
and member, James McLaughlin, T6AF, who was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan
in April, 2011.
 The award is intended to recognize and honor those individuals or teams
that boldly activate rare entities where their own personal safety is
secondary to their pursuit of providing contacts to the DX Community.
While we do not encourage DXers to go into harm's way, we recognize that
circumstances sometimes require that, and we recognize those Intrepid
DXers with the Intrepid Spirit Award.
 Thank you, The Intrepid-DX Group

IOTA NEWS..............
 AS-207. (Reminder/NEW) Members of the Russian Robinson Club (RRC) will
 be active as R207RRC from Kosa Dvukh Pilotov Island (RDA CK-05,
 WW Loc AP18gg, RRA RR-11-05) in the Chukchi Sea Coast Centre
 group for the first time ever between April 3-10th (estimated
 dates). Operators mentioned are Victor/UA3AKO, Yuri/UA0KBG and
 Alexander/RA3AV. Activity will be on 40/30/20/15 meters using
 CW, SSB and possibly FT8 (F/H). QSL via UA3AKO, direct, by the
 Bureau or ClubLog's OQRS. For more details and updates, watch
 QRZ.com or the Web page: http://r207rrc.ru
 They need your financial support because of the complex and
 expensive logistics. PayPal address is: r207rrc@gmail.com

 From RSGB HFCC (Posted March 24th, by the RSGB Communications Manager,
 Heather Parsons): IOTA Contest and additional contests -- We have reached
 a point with COVID-19 that it is inappropriate for us to run the IOTA
 Contest in July 2020 in its usual format. We cannot encourage our par-
 ticipants to operate in multi-operator groups nor to travel to island
 locations where visitors are not currently welcome. We would like your
 opinion on whether we should cancel outright or should retain a contest
 this year for single operator, home stations only.
 We are also conscious that a large number of our members are going
 to be spending more time at home than normal. Unable to enjoy many of
 our favorite outdoor contests we are proposing a series of home-based
 day-time contests to entertain and support one another.
 Both these issues are detailed in a survey which we invite you to
 complete. This is at (https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RSGB_HFCC_2020).
 The survey is open until Friday 3 April after which the outcomes will
 be made public.

 PLEASE NOTE: Since the Webmasters of the new  have
 decided NOT to post or dedicate a Web page to announce upcoming IOTA
 operations, PLEASE send your IOTA operations information to the OPDX,
 and we will post it here in an upcoming bulletin......

ISWL CALLSIGNS (For April 2020). The following ISWL club callsigns will
be used throughout the month of April 2020:

 G4BJC and GX4BJC - Operated from Heathfield, in East Sussex, by Arthur,
 G0KOC (WAB Square - TQ62 - England, IOTA EU-005, WLOTA 1841)

 MX1SWL/A - Operated /A, from Walton on the Naze, in Essex, by Herbie,
 G6XOU (WAB Square - TM22 - England, IOTA EU-005, WLOTA 1841)

 ALL QSLs will be handled by Dick, M5DIK - The QSL Manager and NOT the
individual operator. The I.S.W.L. is a member of the European PSK Club.
All QSL info is on  or  or 
or via . NO LoTW.

J8, ST. VINCENT (Canceled). Brian, GW4DVB, who was expected to be active
as J88PI from Palm Island (aka Prune Island, WW Loc. FK92HO, IOTA NA-025),
in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Island group, between April 6-15th,
has canceled his activity.

LY73, LITHUANIA. Rolandas, LY5AA, will be active as LY73A from Kaunas
during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 28-29th) as a Single-Op/Single-
Band (160m)/High-Power entry. QSL via LY5AA direct to: Rolandas Zakelis,
Naujakuriu g.82-19, LT47131 Kaunas, LITHUANIA.

MEETING DANNY WEIL, VP2VB, WAS A RICH EXPERIENCE (By Martti, OH2BH,
dated March 24th)[edited]. Digging into the past of the first multi-
hopping DXpeditioner Danny Weil, VP2VB, was another rich piece of history.
Spending time in his home; Road Town of Tortola, British Virgin Islands,
gave us a blend of history in its original setting.
 Together with Austrian DocuFunk archives, headed by Paulina, OE1YPP,
and Wolf, OE1WHC, and meeting with Kenneth, VP2VK, and George, VP2VQ,
and the local telecom authorities placed us straight back where it all
once began. We have now collected most of the material, including Danny's
only existing interview to: https://www.qrz.com/db/VP2VB
 We would like to thank our Webmaster Vlad, W7/UA6JD, for a super job
all along, for keeping the web records fresh.
 Some 50.000 fellow hams have already viewed the material. So, join the
party and get to know the history of our great passion for the DX hunt.
 We are currently reviewing the FT8 backup file for more QSOs and get-
ting QSL card design ready for printing. It will be a 4-page, full color
affair - for this special occasion. LoTW will soon follow.
 Regards and let's keep our planet together for more DX.
 Martti, OH2BH
 In 14-day quarantine, Finland
 -------------------------------------------
 Also see the following URLs:
 https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.qrz.com/b/vp2vb/v1.jpg
 https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.qrz.com/b/vp2vb/v2.jpg

NP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS. Yuriy, N2TTA, will once again be active from
here as NP2P during the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 28-29th) as a Single-
Op entry. QSL via LoTW.

OL30, CZECH REPUBLIC (Special Event). Members of the Czechoslovak DX Club
[CSDXC](OK2KDX) will be active as OL30DXC until the end of the year. Activity
is to celebrate CSDXC's 30th anniversary. Operations will be on various
HF and VHF bands using CW, SSB, FM and the Digital modes. QSL via OK2PXJ.
For more details about CSDXC, see QRZ.com or: https://www.dx.cz

OL700, CZECH REPUBLIC (Special Event). Look for special event stations
OL700CO, OL700LTV, and OL700DKO to be active throughout the year. Activity
is to celebrate 700th anniversary of the town of Dobruska. A special award
is available, and details can be found at: http://www.ok1kqi.com
QSL only via ClubLog's OQRS.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (March 30th-April 5th).......
 Mar/30th AN Apr/02nd AN Apr/04th AN
 Mar/31st HN Apr/03rd HN Apr/05th AN
 Apr/01st HN

 SOLAR REFERENCE KEYS/INDEXES AND GEOMAGNETIC REFERENCE
 ------------------------------------------------------
 NORMALITY GEOMAG K Values Alpha
 ----------------- ------ -------- ------
 AN - Above Normal Quiet K=0-1 0-7
 HN - High Normal Unsettled K=2 8-15
 LN - Low Normal Active K=3 16-29
 BN - Below Normal Minor Storm K=4 30-49
 DIS - Disturbed Major Storm K=5 50-99
 VRY DIS - Very Disturbed Severe Storm K=6-9 100-400

 Meanwhile, check out the following Web sites for propagation:
 * VOACAP predication Web page at: http://www.voacap.com/hf
 and http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html
 * DX.QSL.NET Propagation page: https://dx.qsl.net/propagation
 * A daily HF radio wave propagation forecast can be found at:
 https://www.facebook.com/thomasfranklingiellaw4hm
 * SolarHam Web page: http://www.solarham.net
 * Radio Propagation/Space Weather/Sunspot Cycle Information at:
 http://sunspotwatch.com
 * News and Information About The Sun-Earth Environment:
 https://www.spaceweather.com
 * Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve
 overseas locations are at: http://arrl.org/propagation
 * Information and tutorials on propagation are at: http://k9la.us
 * Graphic propagation tool by DR2W: http://www.dr2w.de/dx-propagation
 * Point to point propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk/p2p.html
 * Real-time propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk
 * Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@GiellaW4hm

QSL INFO AND NEWS...................
 QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF (www.qslinfo.eu) (March 27th)
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4L1R via W3HNK DF0BGL via DD2KS OH0/R1BEV via R1BEV
 5B60AIF via 5B4AIF (O/L) DM30RSV via DK5ON OP3A via ON8AJ & (L)
 CO8LY via EA7ADH (d/L) EO0U via UT7UT & (L) XP3A via PA3249 (d/L/e)
 DA0TOR via DL9WJM HF576KOC via SQ9PCO

 (e) eQSL only (d) direct only (B) Bureau only (*-B) DX's- Bureau
 (O) OQRS only (C) ClubLog only (L) LoTW only (N) No QSL needed
 (I) No IRC (P) PayPal (NB) No Bureau

 LOGS ONLINE (New/Updated) AVAILABLE ON CLUBLOG.ORG THIS WEEK......
 https://clublog.org/logsearch/5Z4/G3AB (Updated)
 https://clublog.org/logsearch/RI0B/AS-68

 QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 5Z4/G3AB, 9J2LA, FR4QT, HS0ZIV, HV5PUL, OY1R,
 TN/UA9FGR and XX9YTY

 QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 5I4ZZ (AF-032) ad YP0H (EU-183) 

 QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 5T2KW, J3/S50R, PJ7/K1XM, TX5EG, XX9D
 and ZL7X
 --- We would like to see more QSL Bureaus (such as AS/US/SA/AF.. etc)
 send in their info....

SILENT KEY. Well-known former Administrator of the DXCC Desk (for 15 yrs)
and DXCC QSL Checker, Don Search, W3AZD, became a Silent Key (SK) on March
26th, as a hospice patient at Wilton Manors Rehab Center. Don had long
struggled with health issues related to a fall where he hit his head on
a table at a restaurant on December 17, 2019. OPDX and its readers would
like to send out our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of W3AZD. 

T8 PALAU. Operators Hirotaka/JA6KYU, Munehiro/JR6DRH, Mike/JA6EGL and
Toshiya/JH6HZH, will be active as T88HS, T88RH, T88SM and T88HZ, respec-
tively, from the VIP Guest Hotel (Palau Radio Club) on Koror Island (OC-009)
between October 14-21st. Activity will be holiday style on 160-6 meters
using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL T88HS via JA6KYU. QSL T88RH via
JR6DRH. QSL T88SM via JA6EGL. QSL T88HZ via JH6HZH. For more details about
the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room), see: 
 https://palau-radio-club.jimdofree.com

TC1, TURKEY (Special Event). Members of the Tango Alpha Ham Radio Club
(YM1KE) will be active using the special event callsign TC1STAYHOME for
the awareness of COVID-19 pandemic between March 27th and May 5th. They
state, "For a couple of weeks; stay home, stay safe please. Let's hope
this threat leaves our World before the date ends." QSL via info on
QRZ.com.

VK9N, NORFOLK ISLAND (Reminder/Update). Janusz, SP9FIH, continues to be
active as VK9NK from Norfolk Island (OC-005) supposedly until April 12th.
However, Janusz reported the following on March 25th: "All my flights
are canceled and I have to stay on Norfolk for some time more. It gives
chance to work me for those who need VK9N. On 10th April I will change
QTH on the island for little cheaper - my resources are limited. I hope
signals from new place will be also good enough to give few people ATNO."
Remember that Janusz states (about this operation), "It is my tribute to
Jim Smith, VK9NS, who lived and operated from there for years. According
to last internet poll VK9N is 85th most wanted entity." Activity is on
160-10 meters using SSB, RTTY and FT8. Suggested frequencies are listed
in OPDX.1441/1446 or on his Web page at: http://vk9nk.dxpeditions.org
Also, look for VK9NK to be in the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 28-29th).
QSL via SP9FIH or ClubLog's OQRS.

VP2V, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. Dave, W9DR, who was expected to be active
as VP2V/W9DR from the north shore of the Island of Anegada (NA-023) in
the British Virgin Islands (FK78TR) between June 17-24th, has canceled
his 6 meter operation. He hopes to try again in June 2021.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 The following stations are expected to be active in the
 CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 28-29th, 2020)
 Contest Rules: http://www.cqwpx.com/rules.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Thanks to Bill, NG3K, for providing OPDX readers with the following
consolidated listing of the participants in the 2020 CQWW WPX SSB Contest.
For a more detailed listing (and up-to-date changes/corrections) in HTML
format, please visit Bill's Web page at:
 http://www.ng3k.com/Misc/wpxs2020.html (By callsign)
 http://www.ng3k.com/Misc/wpxsd2020.html (By entity)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Contest DXCC Class QSL
 Callsign Entity Route
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4L2M Georgia SOSB 4L2M
A42K Oman SO LoTW
BP0P Taiwan M/2 LoTW; QSL via ART QSL Service
FM5AN Martinique SO LoTW
FM5BH Martinique SOAB LoTW; QSL via W3HNK
HH2AA Haiti SO LP LoTW
GT0SP Isle of Man M/? LoTW
HC5 Ecuador SOAB HP QSL via B/d (direct w/2USDs + SAE)
LX20I Luxembourg M/? LX2A
NP2P U.S. Virgin Islands SO LoTW
PY0F Fernando de Noronha SOAB PY7RP
YB2DX Indonesia SOAB LoTW; QSL via h/c direct
YJ0CA Vanuatu SO VK2YUS (d)