{"id":10468,"date":"2014-09-19T09:19:30","date_gmt":"2014-09-19T13:19:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=10468"},"modified":"2014-09-19T09:19:30","modified_gmt":"2014-09-19T13:19:30","slug":"virtual-radio-challenge-ii-two-years-off-grid-in-the-himalayas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/virtual-radio-challenge-ii-two-years-off-grid-in-the-himalayas\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual radio challenge II: two years, off grid in the Himalayas"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Bhutan\"<\/a>Shortwave listeners are interesting, creative\u00a0people\u00a0who do\u00a0interesting,\u00a0creative\u00a0work: they’re scientists, veterans,\u00a0corporate employees, students, retirees, volunteers, politicians, musicians, inventors,\u00a0entrepreneurs, engineers, humanitarians,\u00a0reporters, artists, researchers, sailors, pilots, pirates…and\u00a0most<\/em>\u00a0seem to be\u00a0travelers. But to say the least, they’re very\u00a0diverse. The joy of the SWLing Post<\/em>, for me, is the fascinating\u00a0readers here and the great<\/em> variety of questions and comments I receive from you.<\/p>\n

\"Pack<\/a>

Pack your bags! We’re going on an assignment!<\/p><\/div>\n

On this blog, I\u00a0often write\u00a0about selecting the “right” radio for home<\/a>, boating<\/a>, preparedness<\/a>,\u00a0off-grid living<\/a>, and of course travel<\/a>\u2013but sometimes I like to go through the mental exercise of imagining a scenario\u00a0a little more extreme.<\/p>\n

Indeed, I occasionally\u00a0receive such “extreme” questions from our readers, questions that push the limits of the hobby, demanding\u00a0highly specific needs in a radio. And, I readily admit, I thoroughly\u00a0enjoy\u00a0these questions! \u00a0They give me a chance\u2013and good excuse, really\u2013to be\u00a0imaginative and innovative, to\u00a0push beyond mere practical or\u00a0monetary constraints\u00a0to consider unique\u00a0environments, weather conditions, durability needs, power requirements,\u00a0and\/or resource availability…great\u00a0fun.<\/p>\n

If you\u00a0enjoy this kind of brain game, too, check out our\u00a0virtual\u00a0challenge that follows:<\/p>\n

Should you agree to take it on, you’ll need to complete it within two weeks. Why the time constraint? Let’s imagine that your flight leaves May 15th, and you’ll need to make sure you’ve received, tested, and packed all of your supplies by that date.<\/p>\n

[By the way, this scenario is based on an actual\u00a0reader question.]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here’s your challenge…<\/h2>\n

\"Bhutan-001\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Laya-Bhutan-Location-Wikipedia\"<\/a>Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Laya<\/a>,\u00a0Bhutan<\/a><\/p>\n

Accommodation:<\/strong>\u00a0A one room house<\/p>\n

Electricity:<\/strong>\u00a0Your village is completely off the electrical grid<\/p>\n

Internet:<\/strong>\u00a0You have no access to the Internet in the small town\u00a0where you will be living. As a teacher you can use the Internet at any school in Bhutan, though you’ve been told there is no internet access in remote Laya.<\/p>\n

Your budget:<\/strong>\u00a0$1,200 US\u2013which must cover\u00a0all<\/em>\u00a0of your radio requirements (radio, antenna, batteries, and all accessories)<\/p>\n

\"Flag_of_Bhutan.svg\"<\/a>Scenario:\u00a0<\/strong>You’re serving a two year assignment as an English and Science school teacher in the extremely\u00a0remote community of Laya, Bhutan. Your logistics, travel and living expenses will all be covered for you by the agency which arranges the teacher assignment.\u00a0\u00a0That being said, your total amount of luggage cannot exceed the maximum amount of luggage allowed by your airline:\u00a0one carry-on and two check-in bags, both of no more than 60 kg (132 lbs), total. There will be some winter weather clothing made for you locally in Laya. You’ve been told that Laya is “several days” walk from the nearest maintained road.<\/p>\n

Once you arrive, you will primarily travel regionally\u00a0within Bhutan on an infrequent basis.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"View<\/a>

View of Laya, Bhutan (Source: Roro Travel)<\/p><\/div>\n

Bhutan is a beautiful land-locked, mountainous country, nestled in the Himalayas. You will work and live in the town of Laya, Bhutan (population 3,000) as an English and Science teacher. Laya’s altitude is 3,820 meters or 12,533 feet.<\/p>\n

Once you’ve settled in, ordering a new radio or accessories\u00a0will\u00a0not<\/em>\u00a0be an option. Repairing your radio will also be very difficult as you expect no access to electronic repair facilities. An emphasis on quality equipment is a must. You might be wise to consider a small, back-up radio as well.<\/p>\n

You’ve allowed yourself a rather generous budget since this is such a long-term assignment. You’ve allocated $1,200 US –the price of a good laptop computer. You do not plan to bring a laptop,\u00a0but\u00a0you do plan to bring a lightweight tablet PC or\u00a0smart phone for use when you travel regionally, in hopes that you will find internet access in other towns. Your main limitations will be:<\/p>\n