Champ is seen here with Zorro, JH1AJT. Both were inducted into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame for 2020 and they have both made many DXpeditions together.
Champ, E21EIC inducted into Amateur Radio Hall of Fame
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.
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.
Special callsign issued to RAST
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 will be operating using this callsign on all bands and in all modes.
The monthly RAST meeting for May has been cancelled
The RAST monthly meeting in May has been cancelled to comply with restrictions on public meetings and for the safety of all members during the COVID-19 outbreak.
In the meantime, may we advise everyone to stay at home and to comply with social distancing recommendations. Please stay safe.
We also also like to remind you that there are daily RAST nets on 40 metres and on two metres at 8 p.m. local time (13.00z), being on 7.128 MHz (SSB) and on two metres on 144.9375 MHz (FM) and 144.200 MHz (SSB).
In addition, due to COVID-19 concerns, may we also inform you that the first Youngsters On The Air (YOTA 2020) event which had been scheduled for the beginning of October in Rayong Province has also been postponed. Further announcements will be made. Information can be found here and we are extremely sorry for any inconvenience.
In the meantime, may we advise everyone to stay at home and to comply with social distancing recommendations. Please stay safe.
We also also like to remind you that there are daily RAST nets on 40 metres and on two metres at 8 p.m. local time (13.00z), being on 7.128 MHz (SSB) and on two metres on 144.9375 MHz (FM) and 144.200 MHz (SSB).
In addition, due to COVID-19 concerns, may we also inform you that the first Youngsters On The Air (YOTA 2020) event which had been scheduled for the beginning of October in Rayong Province has also been postponed. Further announcements will be made. Information can be found here and we are extremely sorry for any inconvenience.
Friedrichshafen Ham Fair has been cancelled this year
The annual Ham Radio exhibition in Friedrichshafen, Germany this year that had been scheduled for June 26-28, 2020 has been cancelled for this year and is now scheduled to take place from June 25-27, 2021.
“Due to current developments relating to the coronavirus, we have the unfortunate duty of announcing that we cannot hold the 45th edition of Ham Radio as planned,” explains Klaus Wellmann, Managing Director of Messe Friedrichshafen.
Further information can be found here.
“Due to current developments relating to the coronavirus, we have the unfortunate duty of announcing that we cannot hold the 45th edition of Ham Radio as planned,” explains Klaus Wellmann, Managing Director of Messe Friedrichshafen.
Further information can be found here.
April meeting of RAST cancelled because of Coronavirus concerns
Please be advised that the April monthly meeting of the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) that had been scheduled for Sunday April 5 has been cancelled because of concerns over the COVID-19 Coronavirus and to comply with requests to avoid public meetings for the time being.
Members will also be advised individually in an email message and we will also inform them when the next public meeting will take place.
Normally RAST holds a monthly get-together on the first Sunday of each month at Sena Place Hotel and we apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause but we believe in putting everyone's safety first.
And we would also like to remind everyone that amateur radio is a great hobby because we can operate our radios without having to leave the safety of our homes.
Members will also be advised individually in an email message and we will also inform them when the next public meeting will take place.
Normally RAST holds a monthly get-together on the first Sunday of each month at Sena Place Hotel and we apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause but we believe in putting everyone's safety first.
And we would also like to remind everyone that amateur radio is a great hobby because we can operate our radios without having to leave the safety of our homes.
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.
Jack, HS1FVL re-elected
President at AGM meeting
The March Annual General Meeting of the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) was well attended and saw the society's President, Jakkree Hantongkom (Jack), HS1FVL re-elected as president along with most of the former committee members who were also re-elected at Sena Place Hotel on Phaholyothin Soi 11.
The formal meeting began after a buffet lunch and after waiting for a period of over one hour, after which the number of members present, who comprised 79 members of RAST, constituted a quorum for the AGM meeting.
The AGM began with the approval of the minutes of the 2018 AGM and this was followed by a summary of the activities of the society over the previous year by the President which was followed by a version in English by RAST Vice President Tony Waltham, HS0ZDX.
(The full version of the activities in English can be found here)
After that, an auditor was appointed to oversee the accounts of RAST and RAST Treasurer Pornpimol Suksansomphop, HS0VDX summarised the income and expenses of RAST over the past year.
A summary of the current membership (life members, annual members and committee members) was made by the Registrar, Acting 2nd Lt Neeranuch Muangamphan (Goi), E20NKB and then some amendments to the RAST regulations were voted on.
During the "Any other business" section and in response to an enquiry from Dr K.N. Singh, 9M2KN relayed by Tony, HS0ZDX, there was an explanation from the RAST President as to why RAST would be unable to host the annual SEANET Convention this year. SEANET 2020 is scheduled to take place in northern Thailand after Ponwat, HS1XIM and Dave, HS1LCI agreed to host the event this year during the 2019 SEANET Convention in Johor Baru, Malaysia.
Jack explained that RAST was already committed in October this year to being the host of the IARU Region 3 youngsters on the air (YOTA) event and an IARU directors meeting in Rayong Province and thus would be unable to take on the SEANET Convention as well this year.
The votes for the RAST committee members are being counted: Sakon, HS1JNB turns to Pomchanok (seated at right) who is counting the votes.
After that, Sakol Nakin, HS1JNB was appointed to oversee the voting for the President of RAST for the next two years as well as for 9 members of the executive committee for RAST. Then, names of 15 contenders were proposed by members present and then the voters filled in lists of nine of the 15 names recorded on a whiteboard on slips of paper.
Jakkree, HS1FVL was the sole contender for President of RAST and was unanimously re-elected and following that 15 contenders for executive committee members were proposed and their names were recorded on a whiteboard.
Then the voting took place after which the tallies were recorded on the whiteboard next to the names and then those with the top nine vote counts were automatically nominated to the RAST committee for the next two years.
The nine RAST committee members who had the top vote counts, from left, E21EIC, E23PKO, HS0VDX, HS6MYW, Jakkree, HS1FVL, E23NEZ, HS5NMF, HS0ZDX, E20NKB nd HS0KRM.
After that there was a group photo of the nine committee members elected by the votes.
Then the newly-re-elected President, Jakkree, appointed another five committee members who were present at the meeting, being HS1EFA, HS1JZT, HS2UPR, HS7BHK and E21FYK, with another group photo being taken (shown above). Then Jakkree named another four committee members who were not present, being HS1AAZ, HS1AXC, E20HHK and E25GGT.
The meeting lasted for almost four hours and, as usual, there were QSL cards available from RAST Secretary Champ, E21EIC.
The vote tallies for the 15 names nominated for committee members of RAST after the votes had been counted.
The formal meeting began after a buffet lunch and after waiting for a period of over one hour, after which the number of members present, who comprised 79 members of RAST, constituted a quorum for the AGM meeting.
The AGM began with the approval of the minutes of the 2018 AGM and this was followed by a summary of the activities of the society over the previous year by the President which was followed by a version in English by RAST Vice President Tony Waltham, HS0ZDX.
(The full version of the activities in English can be found here)
After that, an auditor was appointed to oversee the accounts of RAST and RAST Treasurer Pornpimol Suksansomphop, HS0VDX summarised the income and expenses of RAST over the past year.
A summary of the current membership (life members, annual members and committee members) was made by the Registrar, Acting 2nd Lt Neeranuch Muangamphan (Goi), E20NKB and then some amendments to the RAST regulations were voted on.
During the "Any other business" section and in response to an enquiry from Dr K.N. Singh, 9M2KN relayed by Tony, HS0ZDX, there was an explanation from the RAST President as to why RAST would be unable to host the annual SEANET Convention this year. SEANET 2020 is scheduled to take place in northern Thailand after Ponwat, HS1XIM and Dave, HS1LCI agreed to host the event this year during the 2019 SEANET Convention in Johor Baru, Malaysia.
Jack explained that RAST was already committed in October this year to being the host of the IARU Region 3 youngsters on the air (YOTA) event and an IARU directors meeting in Rayong Province and thus would be unable to take on the SEANET Convention as well this year.
The votes for the RAST committee members are being counted: Sakon, HS1JNB turns to Pomchanok (seated at right) who is counting the votes.
After that, Sakol Nakin, HS1JNB was appointed to oversee the voting for the President of RAST for the next two years as well as for 9 members of the executive committee for RAST. Then, names of 15 contenders were proposed by members present and then the voters filled in lists of nine of the 15 names recorded on a whiteboard on slips of paper.
Jakkree, HS1FVL was the sole contender for President of RAST and was unanimously re-elected and following that 15 contenders for executive committee members were proposed and their names were recorded on a whiteboard.
Then the voting took place after which the tallies were recorded on the whiteboard next to the names and then those with the top nine vote counts were automatically nominated to the RAST committee for the next two years.
The nine RAST committee members who had the top vote counts, from left, E21EIC, E23PKO, HS0VDX, HS6MYW, Jakkree, HS1FVL, E23NEZ, HS5NMF, HS0ZDX, E20NKB nd HS0KRM.
After that there was a group photo of the nine committee members elected by the votes.
Then the newly-re-elected President, Jakkree, appointed another five committee members who were present at the meeting, being HS1EFA, HS1JZT, HS2UPR, HS7BHK and E21FYK, with another group photo being taken (shown above). Then Jakkree named another four committee members who were not present, being HS1AAZ, HS1AXC, E20HHK and E25GGT.
The meeting lasted for almost four hours and, as usual, there were QSL cards available from RAST Secretary Champ, E21EIC.
The vote tallies for the 15 names nominated for committee members of RAST after the votes had been counted.
RAST to host YOTA in October
The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) will be hosting the IARU Region 3 Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) Camp in Rayong Province on the southeastern coast of Thailand from October 1-3 this year.
This was agreed in September 2019 by the IARU Region 3 Chairman Wisnu Widjaja, YB0AZ, and IARU Region 3 directors which include RAST President Jakkree Hantongkom, HS1FVL.
YOTA is a rapidly growing group of young radio amateurs which has the goal of getting more young people interested in amateur radio and in growing the amateur radio community. Every year many youngsters meet up in a different IARU Region 3 country for the exchange of ideas and experiences.
This year the event will be held at the Rock Garden Beach Resort in Rayong.
More information is available at the YOTA website. The RAST YOTA team comprises Jakkree, HS1FVL, Apiwat, HS4SCI, Wanlop, HS6MYW, Kitsada, E21FYK and Pimchanok, E32PKO.
This was agreed in September 2019 by the IARU Region 3 Chairman Wisnu Widjaja, YB0AZ, and IARU Region 3 directors which include RAST President Jakkree Hantongkom, HS1FVL.
YOTA is a rapidly growing group of young radio amateurs which has the goal of getting more young people interested in amateur radio and in growing the amateur radio community. Every year many youngsters meet up in a different IARU Region 3 country for the exchange of ideas and experiences.
This year the event will be held at the Rock Garden Beach Resort in Rayong.
More information is available at the YOTA website. The RAST YOTA team comprises Jakkree, HS1FVL, Apiwat, HS4SCI, Wanlop, HS6MYW, Kitsada, E21FYK and Pimchanok, E32PKO.
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
The February RAST meeting at Sena Place Hotel was well-attended and those present included several visitors who are members of RAST and who were visiting Thailand. After the buffet lunch, RAST President Jakkree (Jack), HS1FVL asked visitors and those who had not attended a meeting for a long period of time to introduce themselves.
There were no formal announcements during the meeting, except for Jack to encourage all members to attend the next monthly RAST meeting that will be on March 1, 2020 which will be the society's annual general meeting when an election will be held for the RAST President and for members of the RAST committee for 2020-2021.
The March meeting will be at Sena Place Hotel from 11 a.m. onwards on Sunday, March 1 and for there to be a quorum, at least 50 members need to be present.
Dov, 4Z4DX with Champ, GJC Goi and Dov's XYL at the February meeting.There were no formal announcements during the meeting, except for Jack to encourage all members to attend the next monthly RAST meeting that will be on March 1, 2020 which will be the society's annual general meeting when an election will be held for the RAST President and for members of the RAST committee for 2020-2021.
The March meeting will be at Sena Place Hotel from 11 a.m. onwards on Sunday, March 1 and for there to be a quorum, at least 50 members need to be present.
RAST President Jakkree (stamdomg in the centre of the picture) with some of the RAST committee members during the February meeting.
RAST celebrates 2020 with a New Year Party
The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand welcomed in 2020 with a New Year Party at Rot Meu Mae restaurant in Laksi on Sunday, January 12 which was attended by scores of RAST members.
The party began at around 3 p.m. and continued for around six hours with activities both indoors and outdoors, along with a lucky draw and an exchange of gifts that had been brought to the party by many of the guests.
Pictured at right is RAST President Jakkree, HS1FVL making an announcement during the party.
Kits were assembled outside, along with loop antennas and there was plenty to see and do during the party.
From around 5 p.m. onwards a good buffet dinner with a wide variety of spicy Thai dishes was available while soft drinks and beer were on hand all afternoon and evening with an ample supply of chilled beer cans thanks to donations from several members.
The next monthly meeting of RAST should be on Sunday, February 2, 2019 at Sena Place Hotel as usual.
Hopefully, these photographs capture the atmosphere at the RAST New Year Party.
The party began at around 3 p.m. and continued for around six hours with activities both indoors and outdoors, along with a lucky draw and an exchange of gifts that had been brought to the party by many of the guests.
Pictured at right is RAST President Jakkree, HS1FVL making an announcement during the party.
Kits were assembled outside, along with loop antennas and there was plenty to see and do during the party.
From around 5 p.m. onwards a good buffet dinner with a wide variety of spicy Thai dishes was available while soft drinks and beer were on hand all afternoon and evening with an ample supply of chilled beer cans thanks to donations from several members.
The next monthly meeting of RAST should be on Sunday, February 2, 2019 at Sena Place Hotel as usual.
Hopefully, these photographs capture the atmosphere at the RAST New Year Party.
Amateur Radio Day 2019
Senior NBTC officials, Representatives of RAST and other amateur radio societies as well as speakers during the conference take the stage following the opening of Amateur Radio Day on December 14, 2019 at the Office of the NBTC.
Thailand's regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) hosted its fifth Amateur Radio Day in its grounds on Phaholyothin Soi Sailom (Soi 8) on Saturday, December 14, 2019 which was well attended and saw booths and exhibits by amateur radio societies from all over Thailand.
RAST was participating in a big way with several booths, including one conducting CW tests at 10, 20 and 30 words per minute and another which had HF and VHF stations operating with the callsign HS19NBTC.
The society also provided speakers about Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) communications, featuring Alex, HB9DRI and Joe, HS2JFW.
RAST was participating in a big way with several booths, including one conducting CW tests at 10, 20 and 30 words per minute and another which had HF and VHF stations operating with the callsign HS19NBTC.
The society also provided speakers about Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) communications, featuring Alex, HB9DRI and Joe, HS2JFW.
Joe, HS2JFW and Alex, HB9DRI are on stage making a presentation about Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) amateur radio communications.
The theme of the event was innovation in amateur radio and there were competitions when innovations were judged and awards were issued during a dinner in the evening.
Nimit, HS1IFU, shows his robot in action at the RAST booth during Amateur Radio Day.
Many participants praised the NBTC for hosting such a comprehensive event and several from overseas said that they wished that the regulators in their home countries would organize something along these lines.
Hopefully the photographs here convey the atmosphere of the event.
Hopefully the photographs here convey the atmosphere of the event.
A participant does his best in the CW contest.
'
At left, the HF antenna used by RAST for operating from the special event station and at right, RAST President Jakkree, HS1FVL and Vice President Tony, HS0ZDX at the event.
December RAST meeting
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
After a successful International Alliance Volunteers Conference co-hosted by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and RAST last month, the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King will be participating in the upcoming Amateur Radio Day event on Saturday, December 14 at the NBTC Secretariat when it will be providing a speaker for the conference that begins at 9 a.m. in the morning.
RAST will also have tents on the office grounds with VHF and HF stations operating while there will also be exhibition tents representing other amateur radio societies in Thailand at the NBTC's annual event.
During the December RAST meeting at Sena Place Hotel on Sunday, December 1, RAST President Jakkree (Jack), HS1FVL, invited all members to attend the Amateur Radio Day event and he introduced Alex, HB9DRI who will be delivering an address on amateur radio EME (earth-moon-earth) communications at the NBTC auditorium.
Food will be available and there will also be a dinner served in the evening and all members and any radio hams visiting Thailand on Saturday, December 14 are welcome to attend.
Jack also announced that negotiations were underway with the NBTC for citizens of countries without a bilateral reciprocal agreement to obtain a temporary operating permit to get on the air from Thailand with a callsign in the format HS0/homecall and there were several questions about this, but Jack said that the details had not been finalized by the NBTC.
During the meeting there was also one minute of silence in memory of Finn, OZ1HET-SK and HS0ZLM-SK who passed away last month in Denmark. He will be missed by many members who knew him well and Finn had formerly served as station manager for the HS0AC club station for many years. May he rest in peace.
Members were also informed that the next meeting of RAST will be its annual New Year party which will be held on Sunday, January 12 at the same venue as in the past few years, Rot Meu Mae restaurant near the North Park Golf Course in Laksi, in Bangkok's northern suburbs.
RAST will also have tents on the office grounds with VHF and HF stations operating while there will also be exhibition tents representing other amateur radio societies in Thailand at the NBTC's annual event.
During the December RAST meeting at Sena Place Hotel on Sunday, December 1, RAST President Jakkree (Jack), HS1FVL, invited all members to attend the Amateur Radio Day event and he introduced Alex, HB9DRI who will be delivering an address on amateur radio EME (earth-moon-earth) communications at the NBTC auditorium.
Food will be available and there will also be a dinner served in the evening and all members and any radio hams visiting Thailand on Saturday, December 14 are welcome to attend.
Jack also announced that negotiations were underway with the NBTC for citizens of countries without a bilateral reciprocal agreement to obtain a temporary operating permit to get on the air from Thailand with a callsign in the format HS0/homecall and there were several questions about this, but Jack said that the details had not been finalized by the NBTC.
During the meeting there was also one minute of silence in memory of Finn, OZ1HET-SK and HS0ZLM-SK who passed away last month in Denmark. He will be missed by many members who knew him well and Finn had formerly served as station manager for the HS0AC club station for many years. May he rest in peace.
Members were also informed that the next meeting of RAST will be its annual New Year party which will be held on Sunday, January 12 at the same venue as in the past few years, Rot Meu Mae restaurant near the North Park Golf Course in Laksi, in Bangkok's northern suburbs.
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
Thailand's first major conference about emergency communications for amateur radio took place on November 16, 2019 at the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) Secretariat in Bangkok with representatives of 16 countries and Thailand participating.
Called the International Conference Volunteers 2019 Conference, the objective was to promote the development of volunteering for amateur radio communications during crises and disaster events and to enhance the partnership between amateur radio operators for long term cooperation and international goodwill.
Participants also paid obeisance to His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn, King Rama X, to commemorate his recent coronation. King Rama X is the patron of the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand and has the callsign HS10A.
RAST jointly hosted the conference with the NBTC that was attended by over 100 delegates. Representing the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was the Region 3 Chairman, Wisnu Widjaja, YB0AZ, along with a Region 3 Director, Don Wallace, ZL2TLL, who both made presentations about the role of amateur radio volunteers in disaster and crises in foreign countries.
There were also many other presentations by representatives of national amateur radio societies. Also making a presentation during the conference was the IARU Region 3 Secretary, Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP, who also represented the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL). Other presentations were made by representatives of several national amateur radio societies including the German Amateur Radio Association (DARC), the Indonesia Amateur Radio Association (ORARI), the Philippines Amateur Radio Association (PARA) and the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society (RL).
The countries that were invited to participate in this conference were those with a bilateral reciprocal agreement with Thailand, along with Finland where an agreement is almost finalized. There were also representatives from countries in Asia including Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines that had been invited to participate.
The RAST presentation was about lessons learned from the Tham Luang cave incident in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, when a junior football team of 12 boys aged between 11 and 16 were trapped, along with their coach, for over two weeks in a vast cave complex following flooding in late June and early July of 2018. Speakers who recounted the incident on behalf of RAST at the conference were Larry Riser, HS0ZKZ, Dr Pakorn Watanachaturaporn, HS1EFA and Pornchai Semjang, HS2JFW who is also a former president of the society.
There was also an emergency medical project explained by a senior adviser to the KDDI Foundation, Mr Yosuke Uchiyama, JH1NBN and Dr Pairoj Boonsirikamchai, a deputy secretary general of NIEM, the National Institute for Emergency Medicine.
The event enhanced the partnership between the countries involved whose representatives had participated in the event and the conference helped to promote awareness of the significance in the role that amateur radio operators can play when an emergency such as when extreme weather, an earthquake or a tsunami occurs.
A group ohoto taken during a dinner hosted by the organizers on the eve of the event.
Here is a news report about the event in Thai:
Called the International Conference Volunteers 2019 Conference, the objective was to promote the development of volunteering for amateur radio communications during crises and disaster events and to enhance the partnership between amateur radio operators for long term cooperation and international goodwill.
Participants also paid obeisance to His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn, King Rama X, to commemorate his recent coronation. King Rama X is the patron of the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand and has the callsign HS10A.
RAST jointly hosted the conference with the NBTC that was attended by over 100 delegates. Representing the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was the Region 3 Chairman, Wisnu Widjaja, YB0AZ, along with a Region 3 Director, Don Wallace, ZL2TLL, who both made presentations about the role of amateur radio volunteers in disaster and crises in foreign countries.
There were also many other presentations by representatives of national amateur radio societies. Also making a presentation during the conference was the IARU Region 3 Secretary, Ken Yamamoto, JA1CJP, who also represented the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL). Other presentations were made by representatives of several national amateur radio societies including the German Amateur Radio Association (DARC), the Indonesia Amateur Radio Association (ORARI), the Philippines Amateur Radio Association (PARA) and the Luxembourg Amateur Radio Society (RL).
The countries that were invited to participate in this conference were those with a bilateral reciprocal agreement with Thailand, along with Finland where an agreement is almost finalized. There were also representatives from countries in Asia including Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines that had been invited to participate.
The RAST presentation was about lessons learned from the Tham Luang cave incident in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, when a junior football team of 12 boys aged between 11 and 16 were trapped, along with their coach, for over two weeks in a vast cave complex following flooding in late June and early July of 2018. Speakers who recounted the incident on behalf of RAST at the conference were Larry Riser, HS0ZKZ, Dr Pakorn Watanachaturaporn, HS1EFA and Pornchai Semjang, HS2JFW who is also a former president of the society.
There was also an emergency medical project explained by a senior adviser to the KDDI Foundation, Mr Yosuke Uchiyama, JH1NBN and Dr Pairoj Boonsirikamchai, a deputy secretary general of NIEM, the National Institute for Emergency Medicine.
The event enhanced the partnership between the countries involved whose representatives had participated in the event and the conference helped to promote awareness of the significance in the role that amateur radio operators can play when an emergency such as when extreme weather, an earthquake or a tsunami occurs.
A group ohoto taken during a dinner hosted by the organizers on the eve of the event.
Here is a news report about the event in Thai:
Tanan and Anant explain aspects of the QO-100 geostationary amateur radio satellite at the November RAST meeting.
Satellite update at November meeting
The highlight of the November RAST meeting at Sena Place Hotel on Sunday, November 3 was a presentation by Tanan Tangseeprom, accompanied by Anant, HS1GAB, about contacting the first geostationary satellite for amateur radio, Es'hail or QO-100 (short for Qatar Oscar 100) from the JAISAT Ground station, HS0AJ and the RAST club station at Rajapruek University, HS0AC.
Currently, these are the only two stations authorized by the NBTC to make such contacts, although, with the right equipment, other hams in central or western Thailand would be able to listen to signals from the satellite which is over Africa and as at about a 6 degree angle above the horizon from Bangkok. Thailand is right on the fringe of the signal map and it would be impossible to listen or make contacts from the Northeast of Thailand.
The first contact made from the HS0AJ Ground Station was with PY2RN in Brazil on March 10, 2019 and the illustration below shows the footprint of the satellite, with Thailand and Brazil at opposite sides.
Also at the meeting was an EME enthusiast, Alex, HB9DRI and previously his callsign had been ZS6EME when he was based in South Africa and who will be based here for four years and has already applied to join RAST.
Currently, these are the only two stations authorized by the NBTC to make such contacts, although, with the right equipment, other hams in central or western Thailand would be able to listen to signals from the satellite which is over Africa and as at about a 6 degree angle above the horizon from Bangkok. Thailand is right on the fringe of the signal map and it would be impossible to listen or make contacts from the Northeast of Thailand.
The first contact made from the HS0AJ Ground Station was with PY2RN in Brazil on March 10, 2019 and the illustration below shows the footprint of the satellite, with Thailand and Brazil at opposite sides.
Also at the meeting was an EME enthusiast, Alex, HB9DRI and previously his callsign had been ZS6EME when he was based in South Africa and who will be based here for four years and has already applied to join RAST.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
RAST has a booth at the Friedrichshafen Ham Fair
On Thursday, June 20, Benji, DJ5BK, Ralf, DF6RK and some other Germàn 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
The June meeting of RAST is cancelled, the next meeting will be on July 7, 2019
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.
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 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
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.
Special event station HS10KING/mm in the Gulf of Thailand commemorates His Majesty King Rama X's Coronation
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
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.
