A long-time advisor to the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) Alfred (Fred) Laun, K3Z0 and HS0ZAR, passed away on the evening of January 3 at 19.03, aged 85.
May he Rest in Peace (RIP).
Fred had become ill on December 15, 2022 and was transported from his home to Inova Fairfax Hospital in Northern Virginia, USA on December 18. His condition had worsened as time progressed as he had been battling an infection and COVID.
Fred Laun had been actively involved in supporting RAST since the early days of the society in the late 1960s when he was based in Chiang Mai, working for the United States Information Service (USIS) there.
Since its founding in 1964, RAST had been on the ITU's "banned list" because of an erroneous notification to the agency in response to a questionnaire.
As Fred recalled in a document he had written for the RAST website: "We engaged in an extensive conversation with Dick Baldwin, W1RU, then assistant secretary of the ARRL (and later to become president of IARU) and Ted Robinson, F8RU of the ITU, in order to find out why Thailand was on the ITU banned list."
Fred had been informed that in response to the question "Does your administration prohibit amateur radio stations in your country from communicating with those of other countries" whoever had answered the questionnaire on behalf of the Thai Post and Telegraph Department (PTD) had replied "yes".
In an article on the history of RAST (on the RAST website), Fred wrote that the ITU "had advised us that in order for Thailand to be removed from the banned list, the PTD would have to send a telex to the ITU saying that 'Thailand has no objection to its radio amateurs communicating with those of other countries.' "
Fred added that the then deputy director-general of the PTD, Sribhumi Sukhanetr, had been kind enough to send this telex to the ITU, and in September, 1969, the ITU announced that Thailand had been removed from the banned list.
"Almost immediately, stations from the USA were allowed to work us," he wrote.
Fred had also been actively involved in getting RAST registered as an IARU member society and had invited Michael Owen, VK3KI (now a silent key), then an official of the IARU Region III, to visit Thailand, "where we gave him an extensive briefing on ham radio here, including a written explanation for the special problems of amateur radio here," he wrote.
Shortly after VK3KI had returned to Australia with the society's application for membership in IARU Region III, it was approved. "This would have been in about 1969," Fred recalled.
Over many years, Fred had been actively involved in supporting RAST activities, including presenting US$2,000 in conjunction with the YASME Foundation in 2017 to support RAST's investment in a headquarters office and for setting up the HS0AC club station at a new location following subsidence problems at the campus of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
Fred had also been a long-term advisor to the society and, in addition, in 2015 Fred had generously sponsored the then RAST Secretary, Champ, E21EIC, and his wife Goi, E20NKB, to travel to Bali to attend the IARU Region 3 Convention on behalf of RAST with a donation of US$2,000 to cover their air tickets and hotel expenses.
Fred had also supported contest activities from Thailand, helping to fund equipment and antennas at the E2A station in Nakhon Ratchasima Province where he, along with a team of colleagues, had also operated in the CQWW CW DX Contest with the callsign HS0ZAR several times over the years.
With two long stints in Thailand working for USIS, initially in Chiang Mai and then with a second term in Bangkok the late 1970s and early 1980s, Fred has long had close ties with Thailand and he had a Thai wife, Somporn, for many years until she passed away in March 2011, aged 51.
Internationally, he is best known for his intensive participation in HF DX contests from his home station in Maryland, just outside Washington DC, with the callsign K3ZO and has won many trophies for his achievements.
With his passing, his absence from the HF bands will be missed by many amateur radio operators.
RAST and its members are deeply indebted to Fred Laun for his long-standing support for the society and will miss him on the bands and, with this summary, the society would like to sincerely thank him for all his efforts and commitments to amateur radio in Thailand and to the society.

Obituary by Tony Waltham, HS0ZDX

There will not be a RAST monthly meeting during November, 2022. However, RAST will host a 28 MHz Caravan from Bangkok to Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai on November 4-6, 2022, which will have approximately 20 cars operating on 10-metres mobile while en route.
On November 5 there will be an official visit to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT). The Thai National Observatory (TNO) is NARIT's main facility, atop Thailand's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon in Doi Inthanon National Park, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai Province and a 10-metre portable station will also be set up on Doi Inthanon at an altitude of 2,000 metres.
Meanwhile, on November 6 there will be a visit to the Thai national radio telescope, a 40 m single-dish short-millimetre telescope located in Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Centre at Doi Saket District in Chiang Mai Province.

The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) conducted an amateur radio Advanced Class examination on behalf of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission NBTC) on Saturday, October 15, at Rajapruk University. The exam, which had about 80 candidates, began at 13.00 and following the conclusion of the exam, the society hosted a monthly meeting nearby at the Baan Im Sabuy restaurant from 16.00 onwards with a buffet dinner being available.
Among the announcements during the meeting, RAST President Jakkree (Jack), HS1FVL, informed members that the society was developing equipment for communications on the 10 GHz band and this was expected to be completed by December along with permission to operate in the band by the NBTC.



A RAST monthly meeting at Baan Im Sabuy followed the Advancec Class exam on Saturday, October 15 from 4 p.m. omwards.

RAST conducted a monthly meeting at the Baan Im Sabuy restaurant in Nonthaburi on Sunday, August 7 which was attended by around 40 members and guests when application forms for the next Advanced Class amateur radio examination which will take place on October 15 were available.
The forms will also be available online at the RAST Thai-language website
There was also a demonstration of how to install and operate using a three-band Quad antenna during the meeting.

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A group photo of Mayuree's family and RAST committee members at Wat Makut Kasatriyaram Ratchaworavihan following Buddhist prayers in a ceremony that was co-hosted by RAST on July 21.

We would like to express our deepest sadness following the passing of Mrs Mayuree Chotikul, HS1YL (SK), a former President of RAST from 1992 to 2008. She was a very noble person, full of grace and charm, and was one of the driving forces behind the founding of RAST in 1963 alongside her husband Col. Kamchai Chotikul, HS1WR (SK).
She passed away on July 18, 2022, aged 81, and funeral ceremonies will take place at Wat Makut Kasatriyaram Ratchaworavihan in Sala 2 from July 20 to July 26.
Ceremonies will begin on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 16.00 when water will be poured on her body. Then at 17.00 royal water will be poured and at 18.00 there will be Buddhist prayers for the departed. Then from July 21 to July 23 at 18.30 there will be Buddhist prayers. RAST will be the co-host of ceremonies on July 21 while on Sunday, July 24 there will be Buddhist prayers at 10.30 followed by a donation of food for monks. Then at 18.30 there will be Buddhist prayers. On July 25 and July 26 there will also be Buddhist prayers from 18.30 onwards and following that the body of the departed will be stored for 100 days. Details are summarised in Thai below.

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RAST Annual General Meeting
March 20, 2022

HS1FVL, Jack re-elected RAST President

(Here is a link to the new committee and advisors)

Report by Champ Muangamphun, E21EIC

The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) hosted its 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elected a new executive committee on Sunday 20th March 2022 at the Rot Meu Mae Restaurant, Lak Si district in Bangkok. Strict Covid-19 prevention measures were followed to prevent the any transmission and all attendees were required to show a negative ATK or RT-PCR result tested within the last 48 hours prior to arrival, masks had to be worn at all time, and alcohol gels were available on-site.

The atmosphere of RAST 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 20th March 2022 at Rot Meu Mae Restaurant, Bangkok

RAST members began to arrive at the venue from 11:30 onwards to register and enjoy the lunch buffet which was free for children and youths under the age of 25. A total of 65 members attended the event.

(L-R) E22UYH, HS3NBR, E24OYI, E24MMV, E25ETT, E29TGW



Champ, E21EIC, reporting QSL Bureau activity

RAST President Dr Jakkree Hantongkom (Jack), HS1FVL, formally opened the meeting at 13:00 and proceeded through the agenda as follows:-
1. RAST President, HS1FVL, thanked RAST members for their participation in the AGM and extended his gratitude to the executive committee for their hard work for the past two years, whose term had now drawn to an end.
2. The minutes from 2019 AGM were approved by the attendees
3. RAST President, HS1FVL, provided a summary of the many activities of RAST that took place in 2021 despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, including:-
- Actively participating in several contests under the callsign E2E from HS0AC-2 station in Pathum Thani province
- RAST collaborated with the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) in satellite and space exhibition
- Hosted �RAST CW Challenge� to inspire new HAMs in the art of Morse code with the hope of putting more CW operators from South East Asia on the air
- Hosted �RAST Talks� via Zoom Meeting where experts in their chosen field gave a series of seminars to RAST members on topics concerning amateur radio and beyond
- E2HQ RAST-HQ Station participated in the IARU HF World Championship 2021
- RAST was the host for the 18th IARU Region 3 Conference where HS1FVL was re-elected as one of the Directors of the IARU Region 3.
- RAST activated two special event stations (i) HS18IARU to commemorate the hosting of the 18th IARU Region 3 Conference, and (ii) HS400OZ to celebrate 400 years of good trade relationship between Thailand and Denmark
- RAST supported YOTA Thailand and Radio Scouting Thailand in hosting JOTA SSTV during the 64th JOTA-JOTI Jamboree
- RAST QSL Bureau summarized the number of incoming and outgoing QSL cards at 24,179 and 16,113, respectively.
- Respects were paid to silent key members including : HS1LCC, HS1OVH, HS1QVD, and E21CJN
There is a full summary of the activites of the society in English here.

HS1FVL (left) presenting an ICOM IC-G88T to E21CED (right) after winning the auction, sponsored by G. Simon Radio Co., Ltd.



(L-R) E21SNN, HS3NBR, HS2UPR, HS1JNB, HS2JFW

4. Mr Thongpoon Saengthammarat was appointed as the auditor to oversee the accounts of RAST for 2022 and this was approved by the members
5. Mr Palakorn Noppaketjaras (DAN), HS0KRM, summarised the income and expenses of RAST over the past year on behalf of RAST Treasurer Pornpimol Suksansomphop, HS0VDX, who was unable to attend the AGM
6. RAST Registrar, Acting 2nd Lt Neeranuch Muangamphan (JC), E20NKB, summarised the current membership
7. As for the �any other business� that was raised during the AGM (i) Mr Pimchanok Palakawongse na Ayudhaya (Ray), E23PKO, proposed that RAST organise Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) project to commemorate RAST's 60th anniversary so that interested students can contact the ISS. This was approved by the members (ii) RAST presented a banner flag as a token of appreciation to all the Executive Committee members whose term had just ended and to the 18th IARU Region 3 Conference Working Committee (iii) RAST also awarded Certificates to those who had passed the Thai Intermediate Class License Examination held in January 2022

HS1FVL (left) presents a certificates to hams who had passed their Thai General License Examination in January 2022

8. Lastly, Mr Sakol Nakin, HS1JNB, was appointed as President of the Election to oversee the voting for a new President of RAST and the 9 members of his Executive Committee for the next 2 years. Dr Jakkree Hantongkom (Jack), HS1FVL, was the sole contender for RAST President and was again unanimously re-elected for 2022-2024.

HS1FVL (left) presenting banner flags to RAST Executive Committee and the Working Committee of the 18th IARU Region 3 Conference

The voters then filled in lists of up to 9 members on the ballot papers to elect their Executive Committee, and the counts were displayed digitally on the monitor screen. E21EIC, E20NKB and E25KAE asked to withdraw themselves from the nomination, and the following members who held the top 9 counts were automatically nominated as the Executive Committee for the next 2 years being: HS5NMF, E21FYK, E25GGT, HS1EFA, HS0KRM, E23PKO, HS1JZT, HS1AAZ and E23NEZ.
From here, HS1FVL as RAST President has the authority to appoint another 5 individuals of his choosing, and the Executive Committee can collectively appoint another 4 individuals to bring the total number of Executive Committee to 18 members, however the final list has yet to be announced.
The AGM 2021 drew to a close at 16.00 in high spirits and with many congratulations to Dr Jakkree Hantongkom (Jack), HS1FVL, and his Executive Committee on their newly appointed roles for 2022-2024.

On Saturday, February 5, 2022, Thailand's regulator the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) hosted an Intermediate Class examination at Bangkok University in Rangsit that was overseen by RAST.
A total of 78 novice class licensees took the exam of which 52 candidates passed the Morse code test.

There will not be a monthly RAST meeting on Sunday February 6, 2022 since the society will be overseeing an Intermediate Class amateur radio examination which is being conducted the day before, on Saturday, February 5 at Bangkok University.
The society hopes that all members stay safe from Covid-19 and we will inform you in advance of any future meetings or events.
May all participants in the examination achieve success.

The society hosted its New Year party at Baan Imm Sabuy, an outdoor restaurant in the northern suburbs of Bangkok on Sunday, January 9, 2022 which was attended by around 50 members and guests.
The party began at 3 p.m. in the afternoon and carried on into the evening at around 8 p.m. with a buffet dinner being served.



Activities included demonstrations of an automatic satellite tracking system, FT8 on a Raspberry Pi 4 computer and a magnetic loop antenna while gifts were exchanged between guests and there was a lucky draw for two Begali CW keys and two Icom G88-T handheld transceivers for two metres.







Credit goes to Jack, HS1FVL for most of these photos which hopefully help to summarise the events.

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The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) hosted its first public meeting since April, 2021 on Sunday, December 12 at Baan Imm Sabuy, an outdoor restaurant in Bang Bua Thong District of Nonthaburi in the northwestern suburbs of Bangkok.
Some 50 members and guests attended the meeting, which was held at an outdoor restaurant because of Covid-19 concerns and there was also a CW examination being conducted during the event, when six candidates passed and now qualify for Intermediate class amateur radio operator certification, being E25HGQ, E25LTK, E25FUK, E25CRF, HS5BQT and HS0KRM.
During the meeting RAST President Jakkree Hantongkom, HS1FVL, took the opportunity to bring members present up to date with the activities of the society.
(Photos courtesy of Benjamas Klinger, HS6SSE and DJ5BK, and Wanlop Tadsri, HS6MYW)

RAST hosted the 18th International Amateur Radio Union Region 3 Conference virtually from September 20-22, 2021 using Zoom, with over 90 participants from all over the world.
On Sunday September 19, the conference was preceded by a meeting of IARU R3 Secretary and directors, also attended by member society representatives, when nominations or volunteers were requested for the chairpersons and secretaries of working groups, and for the finance committee, while the virtual voting process was reviewed.
This was the first time that this conference, which is conducted every three years, has been held virtually because of concerns and travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.



The conference itself began at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 20 with an opening address by Dr Panit, HS1AAZ, while the Chairperson of the conference was Bun, E25KAE, who began the conference with a minute of silence for silent keys Larry Price, W4RA, Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AM, Ramaiah Ramachandra, VU2RCR, Sangat Singh, 9M2SS, Halim Dani Hidayat, YB2TJV, Arasu Manomar, VU2UR, Roberto C. Vicencio, DU1VHY, Faisal Al-Ajmi, 9K2RR.



IARU R3 Chairman of Directors Wisnu, YB0AZ makes his opening address.

The Chairman of the Region 3 Directors, Wisnu, YB0AZ then made his opening address during which he stressed the need to keep the amateur radio spectrum safe and that we should promote amateur radio to young people.



Following this, the IARU president since 2009, Tim Ellam, VE6SH welcomed everyone but noted that between 144 MHz and 275 GHz 9 percent of the spectrum was allocated to amateur radio and this could be in jeopardy.
Other opening addresses were made by Mario Maniewicz, the ITU Radio Communication Bureau Director in Geneva, the APT Secretary General Masanoni Kondo and NBTC Commissioner Gen Sukit Khamasundara. After that, there was a RAST video presentation.



Then, the delegate for RAST, Champ. E21EIC, proposed that Bun, E25KAE be the Conference Chairperson, which was endorsed by ORARI and approved. The Region 3 Secretary then summarized the directors' meeting.



Bun, E25KAE impressed conference participants with her skilled management of the conference as the Chairperson.

Representatives of 18 member societies were attending the event and each society made a presentation of their report to the IARU Region 3 Conference to all participants.



Chinese Amateur Radio Club delegate Fan Bin, BA1RB presents the CRAC report.

Details of these reports and other conference documents can be found at the IARU R3 website
There were also proposals for changes in the IARU R3 constitution, a discussion on threats to amateur radio and recommendations for changes to the IARU R3 band plan that were among topics discussed and reviewed, with amendments to documents and proposals later being approved.
There was a also finance committee meeting and various working groups discussed proposals and recommendations in Zoom breakout rooms. Finally there was an election of six IARU Region 3 directors for the next three years, along with a Secretary for the period.



Dr Panit, HS1AAZ President of the Conference, declared the conference open on Monday September 20, just after 10 a.m. (Thailand time) and his closing speech was made on Wednesday, late in the afternoon.

The directors elected were Wahyudi "Yudi" Hasbi, YD1PRY, Dr.Jack J. Hantongkom, HS1FVL, Katsumi "Ken" Yamamoto, JA1CJP. Oscar Reyes, VK3TX, Mohd Aris Bernawi, 9M2IR and Don Wallace, ZL2TLL while the newly-elected Secretary for Region 3 for the next three years was Yuki Yosuke Uchiyama, JH1NBN.



Yuki Yosuke Uchiyama, JH1NBN was elected as IARU Region 3 Secretary for the next three years.

As for the Chairman of the directors, it was decided that this position would be held by two of the directors, each for 18 months, with Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP being Chairman for the first 18 months and Yudi, YD1PRY holding the post for the second 18-month period.
A RAST proposal to host the 19th IARU Region 3 Conference in three years' time in September 2024 was also voted on and adopted during the virtual conference and it is sincerely hoped by RAST that by then it will be able to host the conference in person.

On Sunday, April 4, RAST hosted its AGM meeting for 2020 at the Rot Meu Mae restaurant in Laksi which was well-attended and, after the formal meeting was over, the gathering enjoyed a belated New Year Party with an exchange of gifts while there was also a lucky draw for some Icom transceivers and other equipment.
There were around 100 members and guests present at the restaurant while the meeting began with the approval of the minutes for the 2019 AGM meeting last year. Then, RAST President Jakkree Hongtongkom, HS1FVL, summarized the activities of the society during the meeting (a link to the English version of the activites can be found here) while there was also also a summary of the income and expenses of RAST over the past year.
Many RAST activities during 2020 had been cancelled due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic and there had only been a few monthly meetings during the past year for this reason.
Hopefully, some of the accompanying photos here capture the festive mood of the meeting.



RAST President Jakkree (Jack), HS1FVL, displays an Icom bandplan framed in plastic which was available during the meeting. There is a link to the bandplan here



The winner of an Icom-9700 transceiver in the lucky draw poses with the Icom team from G. Simon Radio.



RAST Vice President Tony Waltham, HS0ZDX, presents his gift to Goy, E20NKB who won it in the lucky draw for New Year gifts.

RAST conducted a monthly meeting for November on the first of the month at Baan Im Sabuy, a restaurant in Bang Bua Thong District of Nonthaburi in the northwestern suburbs of Bangkok. The meeting was conducted in an outdoor environment to enable members to practice social distancing in order to avoid any risk of contracting COVID-19.
The turn-out was relatively low, however, with around 25 members attending the event when the RAST President Jakkree Hantongkom (above right) announced that it was important that RAST co-ordinated with the King Mongkut Institute of Technology North Bangkok's space program. He said that Apiwat (Pao) HS4SCI, a former space engineering student, would be helping in this on behalf of RAST.
Thanks to RAST Secretary Champ, E21EIC, for the details and accompanying photographs.

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The third RAST on The Beach event (ROB #3) was organized for the third consecutive year by the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) on the weekend of October 3-4, 2020 at the Rock Garden Beach Resort in Rayong Province.
The event was a workshop activity when experienced RAST representatives demonstrated communications in the HF bands in SSB, CW and Digital modes to enhance the knowledge, expertise and experience of those at the event in terms of antenna equipment and HF band communications as well as in the installation of amateur radio stations in the field.
The event was attended by about 120 people who came to from all regions of the country, with registration beginning at around 1 p.m. on October 3. At the same time, different antennas were installed in the beachside grounds of Rock Garden Beach Resort, including on trailers. Emergency equipment was also demonstrated by E23NEZ while there were 40M and Tribander directional antennas, Hexbeam antennas (20M-6M), 40M ground plane antennas, as well as various dipole antennas along with satellite dishes to make contacts using the QO-100 satellite.
From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., the US FCC Amateur Radio VEC Examination was also held, being conducted for the third time this year in Thailand with a total of 27 candidates participating while 16 passed the examinations divided into Technician Class examinations with three persons passing, General Class with 7 persons passing and Extra Class with a total of 6 persons passing.
At the event, the ICOM IC-705, a new portable QRP transceiver, was on display by G. Simon Radio Co., Ltd., the ICOM dealer in Thailand, which will be launched in Thailand soon.
In the evenings there was fun and an informal feast along with the exchange of knowledge as well as the use of the special callsign HS0AC/2 and participation in the Oceania DX Contest in SSB mode.

Thailand's regularor, the NBTC Secretariat, represented by General Sukit Khamasundara, and the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST), led by its President, Jakkree Hantongkom and accompanied by committee members of the society, participated in a ceremony for His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn to present an advanced class amateur radio licence and the callsign HS10A to His Majesty at Dusit Palace on September 24, 2020.
RAST, with the support of G Simon Radio Company Ltd, also donated amateur radio equipment, being an Icom IC-7300 HF transceiver and an IC-9700 VHF/UHF transceiver, along with antennas and other equipment, to His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn, the patron of RAST, in the Amphon Sathan Hall at Dusit Palace.

There will not be a RAST meeting in September, 2020 due to Covid-19 concerns and also because the first weekend of September is a "long weekend" with Friday, September 4 and Monday September 7 being substitute Songkran holidays.
Instead, the next meeting of RAST will be conducted in Rayong on the first weekend of October when the third "RAST on the Beach" (ROB) event will be hosted on October 3 and October 4 at the Rock Garden Beach Resort in Rayong.
This had been the intended location of the Youngsters on the Air (YOTA 2020) event which had been postponed due to Covid-19 and all members are welcome to attend the ROB get-together.
If a RAST member plans to attend, they should contact the Rock Garden Resort and book accommodation in advance. The phone number of the resort is 081-359-0325 and the Rock Garden Beach Resort in Klaeng District of Rayong also has a website.
The RAST meeting will take place on Saturday, October 3.

The first RAST meeting in five months was held at an outdoors restaurant in the northern suburbs of Bangkok, the location having been selected in order to enable social distancing and to minimize the possibility of Covid-19 infections, on Sunday, August 2.
The gathering at the Baan Imm Sabuy restaurant on Route 345 in Bang Bua Thong district of Nonthaburi was attended by around 35 members which included a team of visitors from the Bang Plee Amateur Radio Club from Samut Prakan and several visitors from the Amateur Radio Association of Nonthaburi.
The environment at the restaurant, which is located beside a large lake, was refreshing with a cool breeze and, with cloudy skies, it was cool and without any rain.
An HF station was set up with a 7/14MHz three-element beam erected in the adjacent car park, while two of the members present were also demonstrating how they could remotely operate a station at their home QTH by using a notebook computer with software installed for two-way amateur radio remote control over the Internet.
Equipment and accessories such as filters, headphones and lightning arrestors were also offered for sale during the meeting while nano Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) equipment was also on sale and it was explained how this equipment can be used for measuring the SWR of an antenna system.
A buffet lunch was available and the owner of the restaurant, also an amateur radio operator, Siramath, HS5XWY was introduced to members by RAST President Jakkree (Jack), HS1FVL.
After newcomers to the meeting had introduced themselves, Jakkree announced that the next VEC exam for a US FCC amateur radio licence would take place on August 15 from noon onwards at the King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) while the annual RAST on the Beach event would be taking place in October this year in Rayong Province.
The RAST President also announced that the RAST HS0AC Club Station at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) had been disbanded, with the equipment, including a tower, having been removed from the AIT campus and transferred to a new site nearby, being at the MMC Factory about one kilometre further north on Phaholyothin Road. The satellite ground station had also been moved from AIT to this location.



RAST President Jakkree, HS1FVL holds up headphones which were on sale during the meeting



There was a good buffet lunch available during the August RAST meeting at the Baan Imm Sabuy restaurant.

The Secretary of RAST, Champ Muangamphun, E21EIC has been inducted into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame which honours those individuals who have made significant contributions to amateur radio and those amateurs who have made significant contributions either to amateur radio, to their professional careers or to some other aspect of life.
The DX World website and the Southgate website announced this on May 16, 2020 with the following explanation:
"Champ Muangamphun, E21EIC is a DXer and DXpeditioner who has been a sparkplug for growing interest in ham radio in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia; Champ also accompanies JH1AJT on many of his humanitarian missions and operates DXpedition-style ham stations while Zorro works with government officials and non-governmental organizations on behalf of the Foundation for Global Children."
Zorro, JH1AJT, was also among the 2020 Amateur Radio Hall of Fame inductees, which totalled seven amateur radio operators, including four silent keys. This brings to 333 the total number of members inducted since the hall's establishment in 2001.
RAST would like to sincerely congratulate Champ for attaining this honour and for his long-term support for the society as RAST Secretary and QSL Bureau Manager. This is an outstanding achievement.

Thailand's regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has issued a special callsign to RAST which is E2STAYHOME.



RAST will be operating using this callsign on all bands and in all modes.



RAST President Jakkree (Jack), HS1FVL, addresses the RAST AGM meeting on March 1 after his re-election.



RAST members raise their hands to vote for a proposal during the RAST AGM meeting.

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RAST to host YOTA in October

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A group photo taken towards the end of the February meeting at Sena Place Hotel.



Lars, HS0ZME and SM6NT, introduces himself during the February RAST meeting.

February RAST meeting

Dov, 4Z4DX with Champ, GJC Goi and Dov's XYL at the February meeting.



RAST President Jakkree (standing in the centre of the picture) with some of the RAST committee members during the February meeting.

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RAST celebrates 2020 with a New Year Party

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RAST President Jakkree (Jack) explains plans by the NBTC, Thailand's regulator, to grant permission to amateur radio operators from countries without a bilateral reciprocal agreement with Thailand to obtain a temporary operating licence in the format HS0/homecall.

RAST members invited to attend Amateur Radio Day on December 14

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Delegates prepare to pay obeisance to His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn in front of the royal portrait at the NBTC Secretariat.



NBTC Secretary-General Takorn Tantasith participates in the opening ceremony of the International Alliance Volunteers Conference on Saturday, November 16 at tne Office of the NBTC.



Just a few of the participants can be seen here posing for a group photograph during the conference.

NBTC and RAST host International Alliance Volunteers Conference

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Tanan and Anant explain aspects of the QO-100 geostationary amateur radio satellite at the November RAST meeting.

Satellite update at November meeting

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54 candidates sit for US FCC exam on October 12

A total of 54 candidates sat the latest US FCC exam conducted by RAST at the King Mongkut's Institute of Technology in Lad Krabang (KMITL) on Saturday, October 12, 2019. -- Photo courtesy of Champ, E21EIC

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RAST meeting on October 6
was well-attended

The RAST meeting on October 6 was attended by about 50 members with the highlight being the presentation of Intermediate Class licence certificates by RAST President Jack, HS1FVL to those who had passed the examination conducted on August 24, 2019.
It was also announced at the meeting that on Saturday, October 12 RAST will conduct a US FCC amateur radio examination at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Lard Krabang (KMITL) with a total of 53 candidates taking the exam which will begin at 12 noon while in the morning of the same day there will be a ceremony there to award novice amateur radio licences to those who passed the recent exam.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, October 20 RAST will provide a training course for Intermediate Class amateur radio licence holders in a project known as HF 101 with speakers including E20HHK, E21EIC, HS5NMF, HS2JFW, HS7WMU who will provide all the information that amateur radio operators operating on the HF bands should know.
This will be free of charge for up to 50 applicants at KMITL.
There will also be a JOTA JOTI (Jamboree on the Air, on the Internet) event from October 18-20 with RAST providing a station using the callsign HS0AC located at KMITL when scouts from around the world will communicate using amateur radio frequencies and via Echolink over the Internet.
All members are invited to attend and participate in this activity which will use VHF and HF frequencies as well as using amateur radio satellites and D-Star.

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RAST President and almost 30 RAST members attend the Tokyo Ham Fair

Almost 30 RAST members attended the 43rd JARL Ham Fair at Tokyo Big Sight on August 31 and September 1, 2019. The group was led by RAST President Jakkree Hantongkom, HS1FVL along with many RAST committee members. This photograph was taken in front of the RAST booth at the Ham Fair.

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96 Candidates take the latest Thai Intermediate Class amateur radio exam

The candidates for the Intermediate Class exam and RAST staff line up at Rangsit University on August 24, 2019.

Candidates with 100% CW copy receive an award

On Saturday, August 24 RAST conducted an Intermediate Class amateur radio exam at Bangkok University's Rangsit campus and thosw who pass will be able to operate on the HF bands.
A total of 96 candidates sat the exam and 44 passed the CW examination at 8 WPM, with 13 of those copying the Morse code that was sent without any errors, including two boys, one 11 years old and the other 14 years old.
Those who passed the CW test -- E21HYR, E22NGP, E24TFP, E24VRK, E25AFQ, E25AQB, E25DHO, E25DOY, E29TGW, HS3QET, HS3QGB, HS5QQT and HS8NKB -- with 100% copy were awarded a world map by RAST and the recipients are seen with RAST President Jakkree (Jack), HS1FVL in the picture below.

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August 2019 meeting

The CQWW plaque, being the E21EIC Award, for the Multi-Operator, Two Transmitter category of the 2017 CQWW SSB Contest is presented during the RAST meeting in August, 2019. At far left is Champ, E21EIC, while next to him is RAST President Jakkree, HS1FVL (Jack) along with several of the operators in the 2017 CQWW DX SSB Contest.

HS0AC awarded CQWW plaque for 2017 SSB contest at August RAST meeting

RAST President Jakkree (Jack), HS1FVL presented a plaque to several participants in the HS0AC team which was the winner of the Multi-2 category of the CQ Worldwide DX SSB contest for 2017 during the August meeting of RAST at Sena Place Hotel on Sunday, August 4.
There were a total of 26 participants in the contest led by Jack, HS1FVL and they comprised HS1IFU, E20ZFD, HS5NMF, E29BUQ, E23NHL, E24XUR, E24PNG, JJ1DQR, E20EHQ, E23NEZ, HS0KRM, E21FYK, HS7BHK, E21SP, E25AHH, HS7JPW, E24VRK, JA1WCV, E24MMV, HS1GAB,
HS5VLE, E24PQG, E24VRP, E21GJC and E24XUS.
HS0AC, the RAST club station, was the winner in the Multi-operator, Two Transmitter category of the contest for the ASEAN region, comprising Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Vanuatu, Indonesia and the Philippines). This award was sponsored by Champ C. Muangamphun, being the "E21EIC Award" and their winning score was 782,952 points.
RAST Vice President Tony Waltham, HS0ZDX was also the winner of an award in this contest, coming first in the ASEAN region in the Single Operator, All Band category with 77,616 points, receiving an award sponsored by the YB Land DX Club.
During the August meeting, RAST President Jack also announced that the next Intermediate Class examination will be taking place at Bangkok University's Rangsit campus on Saturday, August 24 while there will also be a novice class exam sponsored by RAST on September 6, 2019 at King Mongkut Institute of Technology Lard Krabang (KMITL) and also at Bangkok Chtistian International School.
The next meeting of RAST will be on October 6 because at the beginning of September the President of RAST and many committee members will be attending the Tokyo Ham Fair in Japan, where RAST will have a booth, while after the Tokyo Ham Fair RAST President Dr Jakkree Hantongkom, who is also a director of IARU Region 3, will be attending an IARU Region 3 meeting.

Prior to the RAST meeting on Sunday, August 4, RAST President Jakkree, HS1FVL, led a team of committee members to pay homage to His Majesty King Rama V at the Secretariat of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to mark Thailand's National Communications Day.

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Tanan, HS1JAN (left) takes the microphone, flanked by three other members of the JAISAT-1 Team, from left, Chakaj, E21QJU, Anant, HS1GAB and Masanobu Tsuji, JA1DAO.

The JAISAT-1 satellite is launched

Project team members explain the development of the satellite during the July meeting of RAST

The July RAST meeting was well attended with almost 50 members and guests present including newcomers Louis, G4OJW and VK5EEE, along with Eric, F5TVK. The highlight of the meeting was a summary of Thailand's first amateur radio satellite, JAISAT-1, which was launched by a Soyuz rocket two days prior to the meeting on July 5, 2019.
The launch reflected several years of efforts by the JAISAT-1 team led by Tanan Rangseeprom, HS1JAN who had been inspired to create an amateur radio satellite after experimenting with amateur radio ballooning activities with efforts having begun in 2013. The abbreviation "JAISAT" is short for the "Joint Academy for Intelligent Satellites for Amateur Radio of Thailand."
Later, in July 2015, the NBTC's Fund for the Research and Development of Broadcasting, Television and Telecommunications for Public Benefit approved a 9.3 million baht budget for the JAISAT-1 amateur radio satellite project and since then efforts by the JAISAT team, with assistance from various agencies and organizations, notably Japan's JAMSAT have been ongoing.
A summary of the activities, including an explanation of the assembly and testing of the cubesat satellite with videos and slides, was provided during the meeting by representatives of the JAISAT-1 team led by Tanan, HS1JAN, along with Anant, HS1GAB, Chakaj, E21QJU and Masanobu Tsuji, JA1DAO.
A picture of the Soyuz rocket prior to the launch on a display behind the presenters clearly shows the RAST and the NBTC logo on the side of the rocket.
Congratulations to everyone who was involved in this significant project.

The picture on the display at left shows the RAST and the NBTC logos on the side of the Soyuz launch rocket.

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RAST has a booth at the Friedrichshafen Ham Fair

On Thursday, June 20, Benji, DJ5BK, Ralf, DF6RK and some other Germ�n members of RAST erected the RAST booth at the Friedrichshafen Ham Radio exhibition under the supervision of Champ, E21EIC and Goi, E20NKB. The event opened on Friday, June 21 and continued until Sunday, June 23 at Friedrichshafen in Germany, being Europe's largest amateur radio convention.
RAST has participated in this event annually for several years now and many of the visitors who want to visit Thailand ask representatives at the booth how they could operate amateur radio in Thailand, according to Koess, HS0ZLA.



Photos taken at the RAST booth are courtesy of Benjamas Klingler, DJ5BK

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The June meeting of RAST is cancelled, the next meeting will be on July 7, 2019

In response to a royal command from His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (King Rama X), Monday, June 3 has been declared a national holiday to commemorate the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Suthida and the first weekend of June, 2019 will be a "long weekend." Since many people will be travelling outside Bangkok over the weekend the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) has postponed the next monthly meeting to July and it will be held at Sena Place Hotel, as usual, on Sunday July 7 from 11.30 a.m. onwards.

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The callsign HS10KING is displayed by navy personnel standing on the deck of the Royal Thai Navy's aircraft carrier the HTMS Chakri Narubet while at sea during the activation of the callsign during the coronation of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn from May 2 to May 5, 2019.

Some of the RAST operators of HS0KING/mm aboard the HTMS Chakri Narubet aircraft carrier, while some of the antennas can be seen on deck behind them.

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May RAST meeting

Application forms for the upcoming Intermediate Class exam are popular

In the foreground, Kamol, E20EHQ (left) hands out an application form for the Intermediate Class examination on August 24 to Surachit, HS4HLW. The desk dispensing forms for the upcoming exam was busy throughout the meeting.

The highlight of the May RAST meeting was the provision of application forms to take the upcoming Intermediate Class examination on August 24 at Bangkok University's Rangsit campus and there were a lot of visitors who had attended the meeting for the opportunity to apply to take the exam.
The society usually meets on the first Sunday of the month, but the previous weekend coincided with the coronation ceremonies of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, King Rama X, when RAST committee members were busy activating a special event amateur radio station using the callsign HS10KING/mm.
The special station was operating aboard the Royal Thai Navy aircraft carrier the Chakri Narubet which had put to sea from Sattahip to mark the coronation. A total of 23 RAST operators had been active on the HF and VHF bands as well as using satellite frequencies and who made a total of 4,143 QSOs from May 2 to May 5, 2016 with QSOs with a total of 131 countries and the chart that follows shows the QSO statistics in detail.

Some of the operators of HS10KING are pictured aboard the HTMS Chakri Narubet behind the desk with the transceivers and other equipment

The callsign HS10KING is still valid, and will be so until the end of July, and any members who wish to seek permission to operate using this call should contact Wanlop, HS6MYW.
At the May meeting, RAST President Jakkree (Jack), HS1FVL also announced that the society had issued the callsign HS10A for His Majesty the King, King Rama X.
He also observed that the RAST's 55th Anniversary celebrations in March had been a big success with the attendance of over 430 members and guests being far more than had been anticipated and with radio amateurs travelling from many far-flung provinces, such as Narathiwat, to attend.
RAST has also received permission to operate on UHF in the 70 cm amateur radio band from 438-439 MHz for a six-month period while its application for "temporary licences" for Malaysian amateur radio operators is almost complete, when the callsigns in the format HS0/9M2xx will be authorized for six months or a year.
If all goes well with this temporary licence agreement, RAST also hopes to extend it to include other countries in the region such as Indonesia and the Philippines, Jakkree said.
The next informal RAST meeting will be on Sunday, June 2 at Sena Place Hotel from 11.30 a.m. onwards.

A newcomer introduces himself to others present at beginning of the formal part of the May RAST meeting.

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Special event station HS10KING/mm in the Gulf of Thailand commemorates His Majesty King Rama X's Coronation

To commemorate the Coronation of King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (King Rama X) from May 4 to May 6, 2019 the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) is operating a special event station from the Royal Thai Navy aircraft carrier, the Chakri Narubet, in the Gulf of Thailand from May 3 to May 6 using the callsign HS10KING/mm.
This station will make amateur radio communications in the 40, 20, 15 and 10 metre HF bands, on 2 metres VHF and also using amateur radio satellites, including the Es'hail 2 / QO-100 satellite.

Next RAST meeting postponed to May 12

The May meeting of RAST will also be postponed to the second Sunday of the month, and will take place on Sunday May 12 at Sena Place Hotel when applications to take the upcoming Intermediate Class examination will be available.
As usual all RAST members are welcome to attend this meeting.
Please click on this link to view the archives of the RAST website for the previous year.