At the turn of July 2026, a report appeared on the QRZ.com forums about an upcoming DXpedition to Bhutan under the callsign A50QO, primarily focused on satellite operations from August 15-20, 2026. Bhutan (DXCC entity A5) has long been one of the rarer destinations, regularly appearing high on Clublog's most sought-after countries lists. Therefore, any activity under this prefix is a closely watched event for the DX community and satellite enthusiasts.
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Operators: BA7LVG (FENG) and JK2XXK (TAKA)
Chinese radio amateur Feng BA7LVG was previously part of the team VK9QO, who activated Christmas Island (OC-002) together with operators BH6BEZ, JA1COU and JA3GEP. This experience with DXpedition logistics is also reflected in the preparation of the Bhutan activity.
The second named operator is Japanese Taka JK2XXK. The combination of a Chinese and a Japanese operator is not unusual in the Bhutanese DXpedition environment - the country has long been operationally linked mainly to Japanese radio amateurs (for example, the long-standing activities of Zorro, JH1AJT, under the call sign A5A), who maintain close contacts with the local radio amateur community and authorities.
Nature of the expedition A50QO
The focus of activity lies on satellite operations, not on the classic HF band. Such a focus fits into the trend of recent years, when several individual operators heading to Bhutan (for example A52EA in May 2026) combines short ground operations with attempts at connections via geostationary transponder QO-100, possibly via low-orbiting satellites of the type RS-44 towards Japan.
The logistics of satellite operations from Bhutan are specific – the country is mountainous, with deep valleys that make it difficult for both satellite and conventional HF antennas to have direct visibility to the horizon. This is why several previous expeditions (for example A52P and A52CI in 2024, or A52G in the fall of 2025) chose elevated locations outside Thimphu itself, with open views towards Europe, North America and Southeast Asia.
Thimphu, where the A50QO expedition is heading, lies at an altitude of 2,320 meters, making it the highest capital city in Asia. The city is located in the Wang Chhu River valley, surrounded by the forested slopes of the Himalayas. The agglomeration has a population of approximately 104,000 and is the only capital city in the world without a single traffic light - the main intersections are still controlled by police officers.
From an amateur radio perspective, Thimphu's location is both interesting and problematic. On the one hand, it is the center of the country with the best availability of electricity, internet connection and logistics, on the other hand, the valley nature of the terrain causes an increased level of local interference (QRM) and limits direct visibility to the horizon. Several previous teams therefore preferred locations outside the city, such as the Dochula area at an altitude of around 3100 meters, with a more open view.
The international airport serving Bhutan is located in Paro, approximately 54 kilometers from Thimphu - it is one of the few airports in the world where only specially certified pilots for difficult mountainous terrain are allowed to land.
Bhutan as a DX destination
Bhután dlhodobo patrí medzi entity with a limited number of active domestic radio amateurs and a low frequency of foreign expeditions. Strict visa conditions, mandatory accompaniment by a licensed local guide and logistically challenging terrain mean that each new activation – classic HF, VHF or satellite – has real value for the community, not just a formal addition to the logo.
| Parameters | Data |
|---|---|
| Call sign | A50QO |
| DXCC entity | Bhutan (A5) |
| Operators | BA7LVG (FENG), JK2XXK (TAKA) |
| Focus | satellite operation |
| QTH | Thimphu / surrounding areas of the capital |
| QRZ.com website administrator | BA7LVG |
Conclusion and call for connection
The A50QO expedition fits into a long tradition of Bhutanese activities, kept alive mainly by Japanese and more recently by Chinese radio amateurs in cooperation with the local community. The satellite targeting makes this particular activity an interesting target, especially for operators engaged in operations via QO-100 and low-orbiting satellites, where Bhutan appears in the logo much less frequently than on classic HF bands.
If you are among those who have not yet confirmed Bhutan via satellite, follow the current spots - the satellite window is short and the station's location in mountainous terrain means that the opportunity to connect may not recur for a long time. After the expedition is over, we also recommend following the official QSL management.