NEWS UPDATE – Unrest in Myanmar:
Although I’m working in Yangon right now – teacher at an international school – I left my rig in Bangkok for the moment. This is because the civil unrest (well, civil war actually) is ‘hotting up’, with many deaths every day. I don’t want to be found in a compromising position with my transceiver, (meaning that the military junta could claim anything, even if the rig is still in its box!). So I’ll bide my time until the country is more peaceful and the rule of law is clear.
AUGUST 16 – XZ2A has been permitted to use all bands (except 60m) for his upcoming Myanmar activity:
In a very interesting development, the Myanmar radio licensing office contacted me today and advised that they would issue a permit for me to operate on ALL HF amateur bands except 60m, and also allow 6m operation. Usually, unless you know very senior people in Myanmar, you are limited to 20 MHz and up – comment.
AUGUST 11 by Simon XZ2A:
Although some might suggest that voluntarily relocating to a civil war zone is perhaps not the wisest of moves, I am happy to announce that I will shortly be returning to Myanmar to take up full-time teaching employment again, and to engage in the educational charity work for orphanages that I did previously.
I have already been in touch with the relevant authorities, who have confirmed that I will be able to reapply for my XZ2A call-sign, and to import my new Icom 7300 rig. As before, I will only be allowed to operate from 20 MHz and up, and I hope to operate on 6m, since my 7300 rig covers this band.
In a very interesting development, the Myanmar radio licencing office contacted me today and advised that they would issue a permit for me to operate on ALL HF amateur bands except 60m, and also allow 6m operation. Usually, unless you know very senior people in Myanmar, you are limited to 20 MHz and up.
It will still take a few months I guess before I am on the air….. paperwork moves slowly 🙂
Great news, Simon! I still need you for ATNO, just like a lot of people. With conditions getting better, maybe there is some hope this time. Good luck and hope to see you in my log soon.
I suppose that also in psk31 you could be the first.. ? If you want a try.. 😉
Just an update about my report of the first SSTV QSO from Myanmar. I was contacted by Hugo ON7GB who informed me that during the XZ7A DXpedition to Myanmar in 2003, 41 SSTV QSOs were made. So I am happy to amend my original report to state that the first SSTV QSO for XZ2A was made, not the first SSTV QSO from a Myanmar amateur radio station 🙂
By the way, I am interested in other modes, such as Hellschreiber. If there are any ‘Hell’ enthusiasts, please contact me to arrange a QSO on 15 metres.
Hi Simon, if you want to make a test on ssb, I’m here, conditions are improving for east asia on 15m on this part of years, I think it could be possible. 😉
73’s.
Hi Pascal, hopefully you can visit Myanmar again and we can meet! Now I am on the air daily using FT8 on 21074 KHz, and have successful QSOs with all continents.
Hello Simon
Last year march 2017 my partner and I visit Myanmar.
We did not have the chance to meet you, because you were moving to a new location that time.
It was a very nice and interesting journey..
We will certainly repeat this again.
Thanks again for the interesting tips you gave us.
73’s ON5RA Pascal & ON5AR Ann.
Thanks for trying to get on the air, hope to work you soon!!!
73 K2HAT 🙂
Update 4/4/18: I’ve uploaded logs to LOTW for QSOs up to 30th March (when I came to Bangkok for a short break). As the photo shows, I attended the RAST meeting in Bangkok and had a good chat with Champ.
I return to Naypyitaw on 12th April.
Latest update – I decided to go on-air from my temporary Naypyitaw QTH, prior to my trip back to Bangkok and move to a better location on my return. So I’m only using a very compromise antenna right now. However, as the band closed up for the night (Friday 23rd), I managed QSOs with several stations in Ukraine and with A45XR in Oman.
Please look for my FT-8 signals over the weekend 24th/25th on 15 metres. I know it is CW/SSB contest weekend and I will NOT being using SSB, to avoid creating a pile-up. I’ll stick to digital for this weekend 🙂
To avoid you wasting time searching for my signals right now, please note that I have to make a short trip back to Bangkok to pick up some items before I’ll be on the air.