Bhutan DXpedition

[AB3CX]

Upcoming between 11/7 and 11/17 is a group operating from Bhutan. Seeing some sunspots gives me hope of reaching them; it would be a new one for me, having been licensed back in 4/2005. Operations in A5 are reasonably frequent, but I have yet to hear one since my beam went up 2 years ago.

[K0OD]

Bhutan, A51,  is one of two countries I need, N Korea being the other. I know its been active in recent years but I was QRT for a long time. It ranks 82nd in the DX Magazine most needed country poll. But it's alway a propagation challenge to work Central Asia.  

I wasn't aware of this operation; some recent bulletins haven't mentioned it. Appreciate the tip.

For more info:
http://www.tuduri.net/f5lmj/A5/a5100a/a5-08-en.htm
 

[AB3CX]

The call sign will be A5100A, and the operation coincides with the coronation of the new monarch in Bhutan. The date of the coronation was set by the astrologers in Bhutan as the optimal date for a succesful reign. You can find more information on the "Golist" Yahoo Group, which is dedicated to DXing and QSL information

[W7ETA]

Are you using software to predict strongest path opening times?

[K0OD]

Doesn't look good. I haven't seen a single U.S. spot for this operation. That is extraordinary.

They spend a lot of time on 80 phone and CW. Even EU spots have commented on their weak signal.

[NI0C]

I believe the normal license in Bhutan limits power to 100 watts, although I recall one operation by a US amateur who paid a hefty extra licensing fee in order to run a KW.

73,
Chuck  NI0C

[K0OD]

"will have 3 stations (2 with amplifier), with Spiderbeam, Log-Periodic wired and verticals antennas, and will be active from 80m to 10m in SSB, CW and Digital Modes"

They have another week to go (or perhaps more).