All over was a successful operation.
Over 1000 QSO’s although band conditions were not ideal.
Thanks to all who contacted me and those that didn’t make it.
I will return next year and will operate for a few days before flying off to next years destination, currently Lakshadweep and thew Andaman islands are in the planning.
73′s
Although the inbuilt sound card on the net book works, its by no means ideal.
Many artifacts and not that sensitive, was nightmare trying to decode HK0NA recently.
As time is also short I shall limit my modes to CW, SSB and also JT65HF on 160 as an experiment to see if I can get anywhere,. QSO rate is painfully slow though.
The Spiderbeam and mast WILL be rotatable, by hand, but will obviously be a hassle so I’m starting on an operating plan to maximise the chances of QSO’s to various areas during the operating hours available to me and to rotate it as little as possible,
I’ve saved propagation predictions using HamCap to study with a view to working out a timetable for East coast USA, West Coast USA, UK and South America. Everyone else is well within coverage most times.
USA seems to have very small windows, for high sig strength, mostly 0:00 – 03:00 UTC, same for South America.
I’ll be on 20M to 10M from 00:00 til 16:00 then I’ll be QRV on 40 meters (and maybe 80 &160 depending on antennas) 16:00 til 00:00.
Sleeping looks optional !
As an experiment, I will also TRY be QRV on top band with JT65 for one or two evenings… REALLY depends on antenna space but I did take enough wire.
Seems like a good opportunity to get some much needed 160M QSO’s from Bhutan.
http://www.clublog.org/mostwanted2.php?dxcc=306
Probably just try to extend my 40M dipole, all depends on space available. May have to use loading coils.
The tickets have been bought, visa’s coming and radio licence being processed.
I will be using the call sign A52JF and I’ve finally decided I WILL be taking the K3 in a suitable flight case, seems silly not to!
My call sign comes from ‘Just Fans’, my company that sells extractor fans and pays the bills..!
Due to the wind and bad weather I’ve been unable to fully test the mast and antenna yet but there’s still plenty of time.
The final list of tools, wire, plugs, coax etc that I need to take is taking time, again weight is the issue.
Final operating dates: 11th-15th February, inclusive.
modes: CW,SSB,PSK,JT65 with hopefully daily log uploads via Winmor
Finally got the spiderbeam kit finished, just got the first assembly to adjust all the guys etc. and get a real understanding on how this antenna is put together. Will need some space for that. Pic below shows the 10 Meter aluminium telescopic mast, balun and spiderbeam centre plate all ready to go.
The instructions do contain all the relevant information, if a little spread out. Made sure to mark all the fibreglass poles and guys for easy assembly. Once I’ve checked all the guying I’ll wire in all the elements and get it up and on the air for testing. Will need to do it a few times before Bhutan so a few weekends out will be needed. One planned for January… Brrr.
UPDATE:
Am taking the adventurous decision to do the first build and tune where it will be used in true pioneer stylee ! At least I’ll know it will be tuned to the operating conditions. I’ll take a full kit of wire and cord and tools to cover any eventualities. I have local help so not too worried. Everything is measured out, labelled and in bags, which was most of the work.
This describes the general ethos and reasons behind the Dxpedition to Bhutan.
Having done a fair bit of travelling, the idea of setting off to far flung and/or exotic places and setting up a DX station seems one of the best reasons available to get around to travel, if any were needed.
I initially chose Bhutan because I know India a little and thought I could combine a visit to both, as it turned out time ran too short for that, though I get 3 days in Delhi, maybe catch up with an old friend.
I have no high expectations, in fact if I get the beam up and a few QSO’s. I’ll be more than happy, it is a holiday as well, not 100% Dxpedition this time. More of a test of transporting all the gear and operating.
This is the first of hopefully many more serious Dxpeditions so will be a good test of antenna (Just purchased a spider-beam) portable mast and K3, and fitting it all into 25-30Kg flight allowance. I may leave the K3 at home until the next trip, an Icom is available to borrow, depends on weight. The K3 is JUST small enough for carry-on luggage. The more I think about it the more I have to take it.
Looks like I’m wearing a weeks worth of clothes on the plane!!
Anyhow, its booked for 11th-21st February though only active for 4 or 5 days.
400W into a Spiderbeam and 40M Dipole is the plan, from Paro, active on SSB and CW.
Going to miss out on the data modes as I’m not taking a laptop, just an IPAD for logging etc. Saves on weight and leads. CW needs practice anyway. Will download logs and collect emails when in range of WiFi, which is probably once a day.
UPDATE: 28/12/2011
WILL now be active on digital modes also as have managed to get a net-book and QUIET psu for it. Sound card is not so good but it works.
Spiderbeam construction finally finished, first assembly and testing of mast next weekend hopefully.
Tickets now booked,including hotel stopover in Delhi while I transfer flights. Small opportunity for shopping in pahar ganj on way back as I will have extra baggage allowance then.