BHUTAN DX Pedition
mail list

Sunday, May 21, 2000

The Kingdom of Bhutan has completed the long awaited Telecommunications Act
of 2000 which authorizes amateur radio.    An
international team has been assembled for activating this most wanted countr
y,  May 1-12, 2000.

The goal will be to give as many DXers as possible, the opportunity for this
#2 most wanted country.  Initial emphasis will be on
the primary bands.   The team will be operating from  hotels, with stable po
wer lines, in a politically stable and safe country,
without the danger of a Tsunami or a hurricane to put them off of the air. 
So-called insurance contacts will not be necessary
because of the daily upload to the log server, where one can check the logs.

With many DXpeditions, the “little pistol” has been somewhat ignored, but
everyone will have a chance at this most rare country.
It is the peak of Cycle 23,  and the team will take advantage of it to give
everyone a chance.   All bands and modes will be active,
but after the initial demand has been met, more emphasis will be placed on t
he low bands.  RTTY and WARC bands will be emphasized
from the beginning.   Later in the operation, there will be simplex operatio
n on the higher bands for those without dual VFO
capabilities.  Three CW, three SSB and one RTTY station will be active aroun
d the clock.

Operators include:
9V1YC ? James Brooks
JA3IG ? Yuu Yoshitani
JA3USA ? Mac Shimamoto
JF1IST ? Jin Fujiwara
K3VN ? Al Hernandez
K4UEE ? Bob Allphin
NOMJ ? Mark Johnson
N1DG ? Don Greenbaum
OH2BU ? Jari Jussila
ON4WW ? Mark Demeuleneere
RA3AUU ? Harry Booklan
UA3AB ? Andy Chesnokov
WOGJ ? Glenn Johnson
W3WL ? Wes Lamboley

Six of the operators are veterans of the Heard Island VKOIR operation, three
operators just returned from Clipperton Island
(FOOAAA), and all have extensive DXpeditioning and/or contesting experience.

Generous financial and logistical support has come from Northern California
DX Foundation, INDEXA, Cushcraft,
Timewave Technology, Texas Towers and W4MPY QSL’s.


QSL CARDS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT DAYTON!!!



Bhutan DXpedition Announcement #2

Dates:  May 1-12, 2000

Operators:  9V1YC, JA3IG, JA3USA, JF1IST, OH2BU, ON4WW, RA3AUU, UA3AB, K3VN,
K4UEE, N0MJ, N1DG, W0GJ & W3WL

Operating Frequencies:
CW: 1826.5, 3504, 7004, 10104, 14024, 18074, 21024, 24894, 28024
SSB: 3799, 7095, 14195, 18145, 21295, 24945, 28475
RTTY: 14080, 21080, 28080

Note:  Up to 4-5 stations may be operational on the same band at the same t
ime.

Daily log updates will be available for log searches.  Daily pictures and st
atistics will be posted, along with the next day’s
operating schedule.

QSL information:    Glenn Johnson WOGJ
                     14164 Irvine
                     Bemidji, MN 56601 USA.

QSL CARDS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DAYTON HAMFEST!!!    Look for us at the N
CDXF tables.

An interactive web site will be operational:  http://www.goldtel.net/A5  with
- Daily log uploads
- Daily schedule
- Current statistics and photographs
- Latest WWV, grayline, & MUF information links
- Latest PacketCluster A5 spots from around the world
-      Links to sponsors/supporters

As with most DXpeditions, the cost of putting a rare country on the air is s
ubstantial.  A limited number of visitor visas are
issued each year.  Each team member is expected to pay all transportation an
d personal expenses, which includes a daily $250 visa
fee.  Each person is strictly limited to 20 kg of baggage, so equipment ship
ping costs will be substantial.  Donations in advance or
with your QSL request will be most greatly appreciated.  Checks or wired mon
ey may also be sent to:

Bhutan DXpedition
Account # 0464096676
Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A.
Bank Number 091000019

Norwest Bank, 201 3rd Street NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 USA
Or via WOGJ’s address above.


Sponsors:  This operation would not be possible without the generous financi
al and logistical support of NCDXF, INDEXA, Cushcraft,
Texas Towers, Timewave Technology, Heil Sound, W4MPY QSL’s and many others.



Bhutan DXpedition Announcement #3


Dates:  May 1-12, 2000

Operators:  9V1YC, JA3IG, JA3USA, JF1IST, OH2BU, ON4WW, RA3AUU, UA3AB, K3VN,
K4UEE, N0MJ, N1DG, W0GJ & W3WL

Schedule:  Most of the team will be arriving in Bhutan April 29-30 and will
QRV on May 1.

Operating Frequencies:
CW: 1826.5, 3504, 7004, 10104, 14024, 18074, 21024, 24894, 28024
SSB: 3799, 7095, 14195, 18145, 21295, 24945, 28475
RTTY: 14080, 21080, 28080

Challenge for the DXer:  The Bhutan power limit is 100 watts!   From deep wi
thin the Himalayas, the prudent DXer will need to
optimize receiving capabilities and to be looking for skew paths from out of
the mountains.   DXers are encouraged to utilize
propagation helps to find the optimal times and frequencies for their QTH. 
The website will have links to propagation aids.
At the peak of Cycle 23, it will be most interesting to see what can be done
with a “QRP DXpedition,” with the higher bands open
nearly 24 hours a day.

Pilot stations:
-    　　　DL1XX for Europe
- NI6Tfor West Coast NA
- N1IUN for East Coast NA (and assistant webmeister)
- JA1ELY for Japan/Asia

An interactive web site is operational:  http://www.goldtel.net/A5  with
- Daily log uploads
- Daily schedule
- Current statistics
- Latest WWV, grayline, & MUF information links
- Latest PacketCluster A5 spots from around the world
-　　      Links to sponsors/supporters/pilots

QSL information:    Glenn Johnson WOGJ
                     14164 Irvine
                     Bemidji, MN 56601 USA.


The Future:  The Team hopes to help the Ministry of Communications assemble
a club station for future use.

Sponsors:  This operation would not be possible without the generous financi
al and logistical support of NCDXF, INDEXA, Cushcraft,
Texas Towers, Timewave Technology, Heil Sound, W4MPY QSL’s and many others.