OPDX Bulletin 1459 April 6, 2020

The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1459
BID: $OPDX.1459
April 6, 2020
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)
Written/Sent from Strongsville, Ohio



Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX
Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, the AB5K's AR Cluster
Networks, NJ1Q & W1AW, W2VU, NG3K & ADXO, WA3MD,, W3UR & The Daily DX,
AD5A, K5GS, W5JON, WB6RSE, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, W9ILY, DL1SBF,
DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, EU7A, F6AJA &
Les Nouvelles DX, GU0SUP, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, LY4Q, OH2BH, RN3RQ,
Sixitalia Weekly, and VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the
week of Sunday, 29th/March, through Sunday, 5th/April there were 219
countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L,
4O, 4S, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 8R, 9A,
9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY,
C2, C3, C6, C9, CE, 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, ET, 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, HV, HZ, I, IS, J3, 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, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PY,
PY0F, PZ, S0, S2, S5, S7, SM, SP, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T33, T5, T7, T8, TA,
TF, TG, TI, TK, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V5, V6, V7,
V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M, VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XW, YA, YB, YI, YL,
YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, Z6, Z8, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZD8, ZD9, 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".

9G, GHANA. Matteo, IZ4YGS, is now and once again in Ghana via a special
flight, but currently under quarantine. He will be active as 9G5GS from
Sanzule, West Takoradi (Western Region), Ghana, sometime between April
13th and May 15th. Activity will be limited to his spare time (usually
on "almost every evening", between 2100-0000z) on 160-10 meters using
mostly FT8 (F/H) and SSB, with a Yaesu FT-891 and 100 watts into a ver-
tical antenna. On FT8 (Fox-Hound Mode) the suggested frequencies are:
3567, 7056, 10131 and 14090 kHz. On FT8 (Standard Mode) on the standard
frequencies; PLEASE SEND REPORT FIRST, not the Loc. He will also be active
through the QO-100 geostationary satellite, USB mode. He will update
daily to ClubLog. QSL via LoTW, IZ4YGS direct or eQSL.

AO5, SPAIN AND CANARY ISLANDS (Special Event/Update/Reminder). Special
event stations AO5DXX (Spain) and AO5DXX/8 (Canary Islands) are now active
until April 15th. Activity is to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the
DXXE Group (Mexican Contest and DX group). Operations will be on 160-10
meters using CW, SSB, FT4, FT8, PSK* and RTTY* (*depending on CONDX).
QSL only via LoTW. ADDED NOTE: Also, look for Thierry/F4GVO who will
operate as TM15DXXE until April 15th, and will be on 80-6 meters using
SSB, FT4 and. QSL only via LoTW.

CQ NEWS (Press Release, dated March 27th). Rich, W2VU, announced the
following [edited]: Randy Thompson, K5ZD, Named Interim WPX Contest
Director -- Former CQ WPX Contest Director Randy Thompson, K5ZD, has
been appointed interim director of the on-air competition following the
resignation of Terry Zivney, N4TZ. Zivney had been contest director for
the past seven years. The WPX Contest is amateur radio's second-most
popular competition, with only the CQ World Wide DX Contest drawing more
entrants each year.
  "We thank Terry for his excellent work in administering and promoting
the WPX Contest," said CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, "and we will miss
him as part of our contesting staff. I am looking forward to working
closely again with Randy, who has been part of our contest leadership
team for many years."
  Thompson, who has also previously served as director of the CQ World
Wide DX Contest, is a long-time CQ Contest Committee member and admini-
strator of the various CQ contesting websites. Experienced contesters
who are interested in "giving back" to the contesting community by admin-
istering a major contest are invited to apply for the position of WPX
Contest Director. Inquiries and applications should be directed to CQ
Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, via e-mail to .

DXPEDITIONS (Updated/Cancellations). Over the last few weeks there have
been many DXpeditions, present and upcoming, that 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 cancel-
lations is as follows (as of print time) [this week 59, up from 54 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                  V31FX       Belize
CP6/RZ3K    Bolivia                  V6TOPG      Micronesia
CP6/RK8A    Bolivia                  V62P     Polap Atoll (OC-155), Micronesia
CQ3W        Madeira Island           V62S   Satawal Atoll (OC-299), Micronesia
CT9/DF7EE   Madeira Island           VK5KI       Kangaroo Island (OC-139)
D4C         Cape Verde               VP2V/KB9DPF British Virgin Islands
DU2/SP5APW  Calayan Island (OC-092)  VP2V/K0NR   British Virgin Islands
FK/C        Chesterfield Island      VP2V/W9DR   British Virgin Islands
HS0ZME      (cut short)              VP5/AF3K    Turks and Caicos Islands
IP1A        Palmaria Island (EU-083) 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
PA2020IG    The Netherlands          ZC4MK U.K. Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus
PJ2/DK5ON   Curacao                  ZD7VJ       St. Helena Island
PJ7AA       Sint Maarten (cut short) ZF2PG       Cayman Islands
PZ5G      Papegaaien Island (NA-092) 

A3, TONGA. Operators Stan/LZ1GC and Ivan/LZ1PM will be active as A35GC
from Tonga between October 19th and November 2nd. Activity will be on
160-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. Their goal is to make 15,000
QSOs. QSL via LZ1GC, ClubLog's OQRS, direct or by the Bureau. Look for
the logs to be uploaded to ClubLog during their operation. Uploads to
LoTW will be one month later for sponsors, and six months for everyone
else after their activity. A Web page is currently under constructions
at:       http://www.c21gc.com/index.php/a35gc-dxpedition-2020

ARRL HAMFEST/CONVENTION CANCELLATIONS (Update). 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 coronavirus (currently there are 39 listed):
 http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/search/page:1/keywords:Canceled/model:Event

DXCC'S MOST WANTED (ClubLog). The "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list has
been updated on ClubLog as of March 30th. The list contains 340 entities.
The following are the top 26 entities:
   1. P5 DPRK (North Korea)     14. KH4 Midway Island
   2. 3Y/B Bouvet Island        15. ZS8 Prince Edward & Marion Islands
   3. FT5/W Crozet Island       16. VP8O South Orkney Islands
   4. BS7H Scarborough Reef     17. PY0S Saint Peter and Paul Rocks
   5. CE0X San Felix Islands    18. PY0T Trindade & Martim Vaz Islands
   6. BV9P Pratas Island        19. KP5 Desecheo Island
   7. KH7K Kure Island          20. SV/A Mount Athos
   8. KH3 Johnston Island       21. VP8S South Sandwich Islands
   9. 3Y/P Peter 1 Island       22. EZ Turkmenistan
  10. FT5/X Kerguelen Island    23. KH5 Palmyra & Jarvis Islands
  11. FT/G Glorioso Island      24. JD/M Minami Torishima
  12. VK0M Macquarie Island     25. YK Syria
  13. YV0 Aves Island           26. ZL9 New Zealand Subantarctic Islands

  The complete "DXCC Most Wanted" entities list (340) is available at:
              https://secure.clublog.org/mostwanted.php

E6, NIUE. Operators Stan/LZ1GC and Ivan/LZ1PM will be active as E6AM
from Niue between September 28th and October 17th. Activity will be on
160-6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. Their goal is to make 25,000
QSOs. QSL via LZ1GC, ClubLog's OQRS, direct or by the Bureau. Look for
the logs to be uploaded to ClubLog during their operation. Uploads to
LoTW will be one month later for sponsors, and six months for everyone
else after their activity. A Web page is currently under constructions
at:       http://www.c21gc.com/index.php/e6am-dxpedition-2020

GU75, GUERNSEY (Special Event). The Guernsey Amateur Radio Society (GARS)
will be running a special event station between May 6-12th (main days of
operation are 8/9/10th), to mark the 75th anniversary of the Liberation
of Guernsey from Occupying Forces. The callsign will be GU75LIB. Activity
will be on the HF bands, all modes, QO100, and maybe some 2m/70cm activity
as well, depending on conditions. The station will operate from St. Peter
Port, Guernsey. QSL via the Bureau, or direct to Dave, GU8ITE (QTHR).

HR, HONDURAS. Gerard, F2JD, who has been active as HR5/F2JD from Honduras
since December 12th, and was expected to end his operation on April 4th.
He may be staying long due to the current situation (Covid-19). Unless a
flight opportunity presents itself, he may be there until early June. In
the meantime, Gerard will be active on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and the
Digital modes. Paper QSL from F6AJA direct  or via the REF Bureau. The
logs will be posted on the LNDX Web site at: 
                 http://LesNouvellesDX.fr/voirlogs.php

INTERNATIONAL MARCONI DAY (Canceled). The International Marconi Day event
which is organized every year by the Cornish Radio Amateur Club, and was
scheduled for April 25th, has been canceled due to the coronavirus. See:
                          http://gx4crc.com/gb4imd

IOTA NEWS..............
  AS-207.  (Reminder/NEW) By the time you read this, members of the Russian
           Robinson Club (RRC) should 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 until
           April 10th. 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
           UPDATE: Team arrived on Kosa Dvukh Pilotov Island at 1740 UTC,
           Saturday April 4th.

  NA-210   A video on the KL7RRC/p, 2019 August-September, Sledge Island
           expedition is now available. The video contains Yuri/UA9OBA
           (President of Russian Robinson Club), Alexey/NW7M (who edited
           the video), Yuri/N3QQ (the leader/brainchild of the expedition)
           and Mike/AD5A (President of the Island Radio Expedition Foun-
           dation [IREF]. The 10 minute+ video can be viewed on YouTube.com
           at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78TcPRgG4ws&feature=youtu.be

  OC-047.  Bernhard, DL2GAC, continues to be active as H44MS from Malaita
           Island, Solomon Islands, and was expected to leave on April
           23rd. However, all of his flights have been cancelled, and he is
           expected to operate from there for sometime. Activity is planned
           to be on 80-6 meters using SSB and FT8, but watch 40/17 meters.
           QSL via DL2GAC, direct or via ClubLog. Possibly LoTW in the
           future.

  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......

JA NEWS (160/80m Changes). Yoshi, JG7AMD, reports that there are changes
coming on 160/80m for JA operators. He states [edited], "On March 11th,
the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications replied for public
comments about expanding bandwidth 160m and 80m. The current JA's band
plan for 160m is: 1810-1825 kHz CW and 1907.5-1912.5 kHz CW and DATA
The addition will be: 1800-1810 kHz All Mode and 1825-1875 kHz All Mode
Yes, All mode means not only data but phone as well. No need big split
QSO with FT8 anymore. The starting date hasn't been announced yet, but
I guess before CQWW this year."

LY300 & 4Z0, LITHUANIA AND ISRAEL (Special Event). By the time you read
this, two special events LY300GAON (from Lithuania) and 4Z0GAON (from
Israel) should be active until April 30th. Activity is to celebrate the
year 2020 in Lithuania as a year of the Great Lithuanian Rabbi Elijas
ben Saliamon Zalman, known also as Vilnius Gaon, who was born in April
300 years ago. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilna_Gaon) A special
"VILNIUS GAON 300" e-award is available by making 6 contacts on 3 dif-
ferent bands and on 2 different modes with the special event stations:
LY300GAON (3 QSOs) and 4Z0GAON (3 QSOs). Also, you need to make 5 contacts
with any LY stations and 5 contacts  with any 4X/4Z stations (Total - 16
contacts on any bands or modes). Please send your award applications to
Award Manager, Rolandas, LY4Q, at (ly4q@qrz.lt) by May 31st, 2020. The
LY300GAON operators mentioned are: Algirdas/LY2BMX, Gintautas/LY2GV,
Pranas/LY2J, Andrejus/LY2HQ, Ricardas/LY2FN, Albinas/LY2MM, Valerijus/
LY2QT, Vilius/LY2PX, Mindaugas/LY2VO, Andrius/LY3AB, Rolandas/LY4Q,
Tomas/LY4TB, Bronius/LY5O and Remigijus/LY8O. The 4Z0GAON operators are:
Jan/4X1VF, Arthur/4X4DZ, Victor/4X6GP, Chanan/4Z1DZ, Gil/4Z1KD, Mark/
4Z4KX and Ros/4Z5LA.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (April 6-12th).......
 Apr/06th AN      Apr/09th  AN     Apr/11th  AN
 Apr/07th AN      Apr/10th  AN     Apr/12th  AN
 Apr/08th AN

   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) (April 5th)
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3Z0X via SP5MXZ       HB2K via HB9OCR        S50EARTH via S59FOP (e)
  4A60O via XE2KJ       HZ1STAYHOME via HZ1SAR SN3R via SP6GNJ
  AN100L via EB5R       IO7T via IZ7ECL & (L)  SN5N via SP5KP (d/L) 
  DL0WCA via DF6QE      LX20I via LX2A         SN8K via SQ8ERS & (L)
  DQ1P via DK1IP & (L)  LZ603IL via LZ1KCP     SP50ENV via DL1EKO
  EC6FK via RW6HS (d/L) OE6Z via OE6CLD & (L)  TM29X via F5MUX
  EF8I via EA8TK        OZ2SPACE via OZ1ACB    UG5F via RW3DSR
  EF8W via EA8TH (L)    PV2P via PY2DY (d/L)   ZW75FEB via PT2ADM
  EO50LW via UT7LW      R207RRC via UA3AKO (O)

  (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/J68HZ
  https://clublog.org/logsearch/XR8RRC/MM

  3D2CR QSL STATUS. "Following similar news regarding international postal
  services' issues, we also must report that currently, the Polish Post
  Office, does not process any in and outbound international mail. Due
  to the fact we cannot send any 3D2CR cards internationally - until
  the coronavirus issues end and the postal service would resume providing
  reliable services, again. We will keep an eye on the situation and will
  post updates immediately once we hear any positive news.
    Big 73, take care and be healthy!
    The RDXG Team"

  VK9NE, VK9NC & VK9NG QSL STATUS. QSL Manager Przemyskaw, SP7VC, for the
  VK9NE, VK9NC and VK9NG operations informs that international mail from
  Poland is not working currently. All envelopes and packages are being
  sent back with the annotation 'Return to sender. Suspension of transport
  by airlines'. In addition, severe government restrictions on COVID-19
  limit access to many services and introduce restrictions on the movement
  of citizens. Card shipping will resume as soon as the situation is normal.

  VP8PJ QSL/LoTW STATUS. QSL Manager Tim, M0URX, reports the following
  on March 29th:
    - We are approaching 6,000 requests for QSL cards, Direct and Bureau.
    - 731 "Not in Log" requests have been investigated and answered, the
      few that remain will be completed this week. For a DX-pedition with
      83,500+ QSOs and 20,500 unique callsigns in the log this is a very
      small number, it indicates the DX-pedition team's attention to
      logging accuracy.
    - LoTW processing is up-to-date. All donor LoTW records were uploaded.
      Current OQRS LoTW uploads are processed daily.
    - The VP8PJ QSL cards are being designed by the team.

    Due to the Covid-19 situation I have been asked to report to work
  7 days per week, for a 10 hour shift. I will continue to process QSL
  confirmations and research issues as time allows, please be patient.
    For those who have not yet reported a "Not in Log" problem, please
  use the form on OQRS QSO entry page. Responding to individual e-mails
  is time consuming and non productive.
    Please do not send screen-shots unless requested, and never send your
  log files, spreadsheets or screen-shots of your log, they are of no use
  to researching a problem.... Tim M0URX

  QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 3B8XF, 3W9FU/P, 4L8A, 5B60ALJ, 5H3DX, 5H3UA,
  9A9A, 9N7AM, D41CV, DS3EXX, EA9ACD, EX0QR, FR4QT, HB0/HB9LCW, HC5DX,
  HI8DL, HV5PUL, JA7BXS, JY4CI, JY5HX, KG4NE, RI0B, RT0F, T6AA, T77LA,
  TA0TA, TA9J, VK3FLCS, VK4SN, VP8PJ, WH6EY, XX9TYT, Y21UC (1989), YB0MWM
  and ZS1ANF

  QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 5I4ZZ, 5I5TT, EP2TC and OD5NJ/P

  QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 4J9M, 4J9RI, 4T100MP, 5H3EME, 5H3UA, 6O0X,
  9H3TX, A52BH, A61QQ, CP4BT, CT9/LZ4AE, GS3PYE/P (EU-008), GT3PYE/P
  (EU-116), HK6KKK, J68GU, OA4ASD, OA4CN, OA4DOS, OA4DPO, OA4O, OC4HP,
  OH9A (EU-126), OJ9A (EU-192), P29VCX (OC-025), SV8/DL7DF (EU-052),
  TO80SP, VP2MUW, XR0YD, Z21DXI, ZC4UW, ZK3A, ZL3IO, ZM4T and ZS/SP5ES
    --- We would like to see more QSL Bureaus (such as AS/US/SA/AF.. etc)
        send in their info....

RSGB VIDEO FROM THE 2019 CONVENTION LECTURE (The "Arctic Legends" Ex-
pedition). A video (40+ min) and lecture on the RI0B operation to the
Russian Polar Arctic is now available on YouTube.com at: 
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTF6R3ShWGs

S59, SLOVENIA (Special Event). Members of the Radio Club Slovenska Bistrica
(S59FOP) will activate the special callsign S50EARTH during the month of
April. Activity is to celebrate World Earth Day (April 22nd). The cele-
bration was first organized in 1970. It is coordinated by the global Earth
Day network. This event is celebrated every year in almost 200 countries
around the world. Operations will be on various HF bands. QSL via eQSL.

SN100, POLAND (Special Event). Members of the Radio-Club Krobia have
activated special event station SN100KW until May 31st. Activity is to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Pope John Paul II (born
as Karol Wojtyla [1920-2005]). QSL via SP3PGS by the Bureau.

SPECIAL STAY AT HOME STATIONS/ACTIVITIES. Be looking for many special
event stations to hit the airwaves to promote "STAY-AT-HOME" and raise
awareness for the restrictions necessary to fight the spread the corona-
virus. Stations announced are: 8A1STAYHOME (Indonesia), 9K9STAYHOME
(Kuwait), A60SH/1 [SH=StayHome] (United Arab Emirates), A60SH/2, A60SH/3,
A60SH/4, A60SH/5, AX2020STAYHOME (Australia), GB5NHS (NHS=National Health
Service), HZ1STAYHOME (Saudi Arabia), TC1STAYHOME (Turkey), VC2STAYHOM
(Canada) and XM2STAYHOM (Canada). QSL via operator's instructions.

V4, ST. KITTS. John, W5JON, will once again be active as V47JA from his
Calypso Bay, St. Kitts, West Indies vacation home, located 200 feet from
the Caribbean Sea, between June 11th and July 2nd. Activity will be on
160-6 meters (incl. 60m) using SSB and FT8, with emphasis on 6m and 160m
- FT8. Equipment is a Yaesu FT1000MP, FT857D and an Elecraft KPA500 Amp-
lifier. John states his antennas are a Mosley Mini32A 10/15/20m, 33'
Vertical 10-40m, 35' Top Loaded 80m Vertical, 160m Vertical and 6m 5
element Yagi. ALL QSLs go to W5JON direct or via LoTW. NO Bureau QSLs.

VC2, CANADA (Special Event). Mike, VE2MXU, will use the special event
callsign VC2STAYHOM (no "E") to raise awareness for social distancing
during the COVID-19 pandemic and global public health emergency. Special
event use of callsign runs from April 6th, 2020 - May 6th, 2020. QSL via
VE2MXU direct or LoTW.

VP8PJ PHOTOS. Gene, K5GS, informs that additional photos have been added
to the VP8PJ Photo Gallery's main menu (pull down menu; several albums;
with more photos to come) at:            https://sorkney.com

W3, UNITED STATES (Special Event). Frank, WA3MD, informs that special
event station W3A will be active between April 17-30th to bring attention
to April being World Autism Awareness Month. Activity will be on various
HF bands using FT8, CW and some SSB. A special QSL card will be available
after the special event is over. PLEASE QSL direct to WA3MD and include
SASE. DX Station PLEASE include return postage if direct. QSL is OK via
the Bureau or send a Bureau Request by E-mail to:   wa3md@comcast.net 

W8S SWAINS ISLAND DXPEDITION NEWS. The following were posted on the W8S
Web page (https://swains2020.lldxt.eu/home/) [edited]: 
  * March 28th: 180 days to go.... There is not much to tell at the
    moment. We are sure that most of you have other concerns and not
    thinking about Swains. Normally we would be back in Pago Pago today
    after 13 days activation of Swains, but things are completely dif-
    ferent now. We hope that all of you are still in good shape and don't
    have too many problems staying indoors. Looking forward to September.
    .... 73, The Swains 2020 Team
    PS. We are still receiving donations. Thanks to all for their faith
    in the project.

  * April 4th: A change in the team -- Due to the new dates set for the
    Swains2020 adventure it became clear that Dieter, DJ9ON, could not
    make it due to other obligations. So unfortunately the team had to
    say goodbye to Dieter and look for a new team member. It is our
    pleasure to announce that Marcel, PA9M, will fill the vacant place
    in the team. Marcel is an experienced operator with a lot of low
    band and contest experience. We welcome Marcel to the team!
    https://swains2020.lldxt.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/pa9m.jpg
    172 Days to go.....  

XM2, CANADA (Special Event). Pierre, VE2EH, will be active as XM2STAYHOM
(no "E") to raise awareness for social distancing during the COVID-19
pandemic and global public health emergency. Length of operation was not
mentioned. QSL via VE2EH by the Bureau.

ZM, NEW ZEALAND (Special Event). The following was posted on March 31st,
on the NZART (New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters) Web site
[https://www.nzart.org.nz/], by Don, ZL2TLL, NZART ALO: Use of ZM callsigns
during COVID-19 Lock-down -- At the suggestion of Paul, ZL4TT, we applied
to Radio Spectrum Management for, and have been granted, approval to
treat the COVID-19 lock down period as a "special event". This means
that, for the duration of the lock down, New Zealand Amateurs may use
the ZM prefix instead of the ZL prefix on their callsign. Please feel
free to use these callsigns from today. We hope that the use of the ZM
prefix will:
  * help to relieve the boredom for amateurs stuck at home over the
    lock-down period; and
  * increase the profile of New Zealand amateurs (and New Zealand in
    general) overseas.
  Stay safe in your bubble.

ZW60, BRAZIL (Special Event). BY the time you read this, the special
event station ZW60DF will be active until April 30th. Activity is to
celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of Brasilia, Brazil's
capital in 1960. QSL via LoTW or PT2GTI.

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