From Philip Cala-Lazar, K9PL, in the excellent K9YA Telegraph newsletter (.pdf; free subscription required), we get a wonderful report on the amateur radio aspects of this off-road romp across Asia in French half-tracks. 

No word yet on whether any chess was involved.

On the recommendation of Mike Lief, I visited the web site The Art of Manliness.  I was particularly interested to note the article 45 Manly Hobbies. 

#1: Chess.  #2: Ham radio.  #12 Camping. 

This was particularly interesting to me because about a year ago I started the Society for the Establishment of Competitive Off-Road Radio Chess Camping.  (Join the Facebook group!)  In doing so I apparently created the manliest hobby in the history of man.  You’re welcome.