Gerben, PG2M will be active as A52G from Bhutan, 3 - 9 October 2025.
He will operate on 40 - 6m, CW, FT8.
Recent DX Spots A52G
A52G Log search QSL via home call, LOTW, ClubLog OQRS.
Bhutan
The Kingdom of Bhutan is one of the most mysterious and least studied countries in the world. The state is located in the middle of the Himalayas between India and China in a cozy corner of Southeast Asia. Local authorities strictly limit the entry of tourists in an attempt to protect the unique culture from the invasion of globalization. Ancient traditions have been preserved here in their authentic form — everything around seems to “breathe” the past, from clothing to religious customs. Isolation from the outside world has been achieved thanks to its geographical location — Bhutan is safely hidden away from modern civilization. The country's landscapes are strikingly diverse – it is surrounded by rocky mountains and dense forests, and crossed by the tributaries of the Brahmaputra, Asia's largest river.
Bhutan. Author - Helene Hoffman.
The Kingdom of Happiness
Bhutan is rightly called the Kingdom of Happiness. The official religion, practiced by 75% of the local population, is Tibetan Buddhism. This explains the special mentality and incredibly easy-going attitude towards life. There are many temples located throughout the country, which covers less than 40,000 km². People live modestly but in absolute harmony with nature. According to sociological surveys, they are completely satisfied with their lives, which cannot be said about the inhabitants of neighboring India or China. The second feature is the low population density. There are only 18 people per 1 km² in Bhutan — sometimes you can walk for several hours and not see a single building. The kingdom has a Ministry of Happiness, which monitors the “gross national happiness” index. There is no other ministry like this anywhere else in the world — it is a completely unique and patented phenomenon. It is headed by the prime minister himself.
The official language of the country is Dzongkha. Researchers consider it to be a variety of the Tibetan language, which has been modified due to geographical isolation. Literally, “Dzongkha” translates as “the language spoken by monks.” Dzongs were hermit monks who led an ascetic lifestyle in monasteries that served as defensive fortresses. Although not all of the population of Bhutan speaks the official language, today it is compulsory to study it in all schools in the kingdom. The local culture is closely intertwined with Tibetan traditions. Among the characteristic arts are bronze making, sewing, wall painting, and sculpture. Bhutanese people pay great attention to detail, especially in clothing. Traditional costumes always include embroidery, multi-layered decorations, and bright colors.
There is a law in the kingdom that all citizens must comply with the national dress code. The rules only apply when in public – at home, people can wear normal clothes. The specifics of the dress code largely depend on the gender and social rank of the people, as well as the district in which they live. Men are required to wear long robes with long sleeves and a belt, reminiscent of a kimono. Women's attire consists of a light blouse and a heavy rectangle of fabric that is tied around the waist to form a skirt. Traditional clothing is made of silk, cotton, or wool (depending on the season and weather conditions). Additional rules apply when visiting temples and government institutions.
A52G/ Bhutan. Logo.
Ancient history and modernity
Not much is known about the ancient history of the kingdom. In 1827, the largest library in Punakha, then the capital of Bhutan, burned down. Along with the books, valuable information about the country's political and legal system during the Middle Ages was lost. Bhutan was settled two millennia before our era. It is much younger than its neighbors, Ancient India and China, as its territory is predominantly rocky. The first immigrants from Asia settled in Bhutan for religious reasons. From around the 2nd century BC, Tibetan monks often sought solitude with nature, so they traveled as far away from human settlements as possible. Over time, a religious culture developed here, giving rise to many temples and monasteries. Later, they were joined by scholars seeking refuge from the persecution of Ti Dharma, a cruel ruler and the last king of Tibet. The local people were engaged in agriculture, growing cotton, vegetables, fruits, rice, and spices.
Until the middle of the 20th century, there was no official currency in Bhutan. There was no modern economic system to speak of—the kingdom exported very few products. Among them were spices and citrus fruits. After the Chinese army invaded Tibet, the government of Bhutan decided to ask the Indian authorities for help. The fourth king of the Jigme dynasty had to implement many reforms, and only then, in the 1970s, did Bhutan become part of the OOH. The strict restrictions on the entry of foreigners were slightly relaxed. Journalists and tourists began to be allowed into the country. By the end of the 20th century, Bhutan had been provided with modern infrastructure familiar to most countries of the world—telephone communications, highways, radio communications, and electricity. In the early 2000s, national television was launched in the country. Modernization also touched the sphere of education. But despite all the benefits of civilization, Bhutan remains one of the most closed countries in the world.
Bhutan. Author - Andrea Schieber.
Untouched nature
The ecosystem of Bhutan has remained unchanged for thousands of years. Nature here is diverse and depends on geographical location. The climate in the mountains is harsh, with snow covering the peaks for most of the year. In central Bhutan, the air temperature reaches 26 degrees Celsius in summer and can drop to -16 in winter. Wild buffalo, wild boar, ibex, pandas, and Himalayan bears are found here. Rhinos, panthers, and Bengal tigers can be found in the tropical forests. The local fauna also includes unique species, one of which is the golden langur, a small primate with bright orange fur. Hundreds of animal species, including many species of birds, have been able to survive here thanks to a special attitude towards nature. The locals take care of it in a way that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
