Bernie, ZS4TX inform DXNews.com that he will be active as A21TX from Botswana, 23 - 26 April 2025.
Information from Bernie:
A21TX KH22, Kasane, Botswana
23 April 2025 Late afternoon/Evening 2M and 70CM TEP tests towards EU.
24 April 2025 EME - Moonrise to Moonset 2M/70CM. TEP 2M/70CM.
25 April 2025 No EME. TEP 2M/70CM.
26 April 2025 EME - Moonrise to Moonset 2M/70CM. TEP 2M/70CM.
A2, Botswana was activated on 6M, 2M, 70CM and the microwave bands during the A21EME EME DXpedition
in October 2019 so the demand for 2M and 70CM EME contacts may be low although the A21EME log shows
no NA stations worked on 70CM. The idea is to alternate between 2M and 70CM to work everyone that
still needs A2. Band changes will be advertised on the relevant HB9Q chat.
Direct QSL's for any of the calls can be requested from Lins, PA3CMC. Contributions will be gladly
accepted and can be directed via Paypal to Lins, PA3CMC at info@pa3cmc.nl Please include your
callsign to be listed as a contributor.
All direct paper QSL requests and contributors will receive LotW confirmation as well.
Any changes to the schedule will be communicated via the relevant HB9Q chats, and/or QRZ.COM pages.
All the accommodation has been pre-booked and paid so the dates are not subject to change unless
something unplanned comes up.
Particular attention will be given to marginal and short common Moon windows. Please feel free to send
an email to indicate such windows that will require specific attention.
A portable QO-100 SAT Station provided by PA3CMC will be used to relay messages in case there are no
internet coverage available.
RS-44 satellite contacts may also be considered if the EME activity is low enough.
No 23/13/6CM activity is planned.
Previous activity:
Bernie, ZS4TX will be active as A21TX from Botswana, 20 - 29 October 2019.
He is member of A21EME Team.
He will operate also on HF Bands.
QSL via LOTW.
An unexpected advantage
The Republic of Botswana is located in South Africa. Its closest neighbors are Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Republic of South Africa. Being landlocked may seem like a disadvantage, but not in the case of Botswana. It is because of its continental location that the country has managed to avoid the increased interest of European colonizers. As a result, more than seventy percent of the country's indigenous population adheres to traditional African beliefs.
It was not until the nineteenth century that the local population received British tutelage and in 1885 the country was granted the status of a protectorate of Bechuanaland under the British Crown. In 1966 the country became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, declared its independence and received a new “name”, which it bears to this day.
Botswana is “place No. 1” for those who are bored with the hustle and bustle, who want to plunge into the wilderness and forget about civilization. Wild savannahs, endless deserts, lands where no man has ever set foot - all these components of the national color attract thousands of eco-tourists from all over the world.
Up until the seventies of the last century, Botswana's economy was based entirely on livestock farming. In these times, the country was not much different from its neighbors. And when in 1967 a diamond deposit was found near one of the villages, this event was a turning point for the whole country.
Subsequently, generous deposits of nickel, manganese, copper, lead and even gold were discovered in the depths of Botswana, but it was diamonds that helped to raise the country's economy to the first place among all South African countries.
Leopard, Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana. Author - ClaDae.
A place where every guest feels at home
Botswana is a country where tourists are treated with special reverence. Where else but here, guests have the opportunity to stay comfortably right on the territory of a national park or protected area! There are real tourist camps, campsites and safari lodges, where each guest feels one with nature.
Each of the places of accommodation has its own conditions, so that any traveler can choose accommodation according to his tastes. For example, lovers of complete unity with nature can stay in camping tents. Each of them has a standard set of furniture, but the electricity supply stops at dusk. Safari lodges are territories for rest of more fastidious guests, by the level of service and quality of service they are not inferior to five-star hotels.
For those who want to enjoy the beauty of pristine nature, observe animals in their natural environment, without giving up the benefits of civilization, there are lodges. Each lodge has a bedroom, a recreation area, a bathroom not only with cold but also with hot water, as well as a spacious veranda, where you can meet exotic African sunrises and relax from the received emotions in the warm evenings. Much attention is paid to handmade items.
Chobe National Park is the best place in the world to see elephants
You can't visit Botswana without visiting this place! It is home to the largest population of elephants, 5 times more than in other regions of the continent. Elephants are the main, but by no means the only inhabitants of Chobe Park. Here you can observe real African crocodiles, bufalo, and lions.
For maximum excitement, guests are offered to take part in a real safari through the park or along the Chobe River, which is the border between Botswana and Namibia.
The Okavango River is an unexplained natural wonder
Starting only 300 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean, the Okavango River heads straight into the desert heat. The water stream seems to sacrifice itself to the fire-breathing sands of the Kalahari, but before that it manages to do a lot of important and useful things.
The Kalahari Desert has the largest inland delta in the world and this natural wonder was created by the Okavango River. It is difficult for man to reach these places, as the shaky swamps have become fertile ground for dense thickets of papyrus. The only way of crossing is by pirogues hollowed out of tree trunks. But for birds, fish and animals this place has long been a shelter, because they found their paradise in the middle of the impassable desert.
The Okavango Delta is adorned with small islets as well as quite conspicuous islands, most of which have never been set foot on by man. These pieces of land were created by industrious termites, which in dry times diligently loosen the soil, lifting it up. Later on, on these pieces of land, plants take root and new places for new life appear.
Entering the delta, the river passes through real natural filters made of reeds and papyrus, which filter the water, ridding it of impurities and salts. Therefore, the water in the delta is so pure that it can be drunk without further treatment.
In order to bring its waters to the delta of the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango has to overcome a distance of one and a half thousand kilometers. And since the speed of flow is very small, from the moment of “sending” and until the moment of “arrival” of new water to the place takes at least 5 months. Getting to the lower reaches, as if having fulfilled its purpose, the river gradually dissolves in the sand. And only a small brook called Botletle flows further through the desert.
Ancient tribes, caves and other exotics
In Botswana you will find neither loud discos, nor night parties, nor relaxing beach vacations. Nevertheless, you can have a new experience here every day. Rent a car right on arrival and, without wasting time, go to explore the mysteries, secrets and secrets of this ancient corner of the planet.
The village of Serowe is a historical place of residence of one of the most ancient tribes. There is a museum where you can see the clothes of the chief himself and many interesting attributes telling about the past.
On the rocks of Tsodilo you can see with your own eyes the result of creativity of ancient peoples. The rock piles are decorated with over 3000 drawings, among which there are even penguins, unknown how they got into the “collection”.
Seekers of ancient treasures can go to the caves of Gchwihaba. There are many mythical tales that tell of the untold treasures to be found in these places. At the same time you can enjoy contemplating the cave walls, as minerals have talentedly painted their vaults with all the colors of the rainbow.
Botswana is a country, every corner of which is shrouded in its secrets and legends. Today, you can walk through the places where ancient tribes lived many centuries ago on an organized excursion or alone.