Recap from 5 years ago : RAST activating HS10KING/MM

Figure 1. QSL card for HS1ØKING/mm

Thailand is one of the 43 sovereign states in the world with a monarch as head of state. It was only 5 years ago that Thailand held its first royal coronation in nearly seven decades in Bangkok on 4th-6th May 2019. Looking back to this moment, the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) together with the Royal Thai Navy, celebrated the royal ascension of His Majesty King Rama X on 3rd-5th May 2019, by activating the special callsign HS10KING/MM on all bands from the Royal Thai Navy helicopter carrier, HTMS Chakri Naruebet (CVH-911) in the gulf of Thailand. 3,000 navy officers arrange themselves to form “HS10KING” on the deck to mark this auspicious event.

Vivacharawongse Visited HSØAB Club Station

Figure 2. (Top Left) The NBTC and RAST welcome Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse at NBTC Office in Bangkok (Top Right) Mr Theerasak Choicheun (HS2PBB) Director of NBTC’s HSØAB Club Station (Bottom Left, L-R) Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse and Pimchanok Palakawongse na Ayudhaya (E23PKO) RAST Vice-President (Bottom Right) NBTC’s HSØAB Club Station

On 2nd May 2024 at 13:00 the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) together with the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) and Volunteer Radio Association (VRA) welcomed Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, King Maha Vajiralongkorn's second-eldest son, to the NBTC’s HSØAB Club Station.

Figure 3. (Left, L-R) Dr Jakkree Hantongkom (HS1FVL) RAST President and Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse (Right, L-R) Palakawongse na Ayudhaya (E23PKO), Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, and Dr Jakkree Hantongkom (HS1FVL)

Mr Vacharaesorn met with many HAM operators and talked to Ar-Yoo, a YL youth operator from E21AR Club Station located 1,100km away in Pattani Province using D-STAR Mode.

The visit to the NBTC’s HSØAB Club Station by Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse created a memorable impression to the HSØAB Club Station as well as for Thai amateur radio.

Figure 4. Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse enjoying a QSO from HSØAB with YL Youth Operator at E21AR through D-STAR mode

US FCC Amateur Radio License Examination

Figure 5. The atmosphere from the 1st US FCC Examination in Thailand on 27th April 2024

The first US FCC Amateur Radio Examination in Thailand in 2024 was held on 27th April 2024 at King Mongkut Institute of Technology in Lad Krabang district, Bangkok. The session began at 1300 local time with 28 participants in total; of which 3 were youths under 18 years old, 5 were YLs, and 2 were French nationals. The results of the examinations were as follow:

Figure 6. VE Team Liaison presenting CSCEs to (Top Right) 13yo Karl Rath KE2DJG (Bottom Left) Alongkorn Lang HS5QBI/KC1UTZ (Bottom Right) Prasertsook Hongthong E20OMJ/KQ4SBT

This US FCC Examination session received the attention of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) in Chiang Mai who sent through 5 students, all of whom obtained General Class licenses.

Figure 7. VE Team Liaison presenting CSCEs to (Top Left) Thitichaya Saejong KO6EMD (Top Right) Thitisak Aussawarangkil E24USM/KC3WWO (Bottom Left) Siwadol Thongrak HS5QKS/KM4YLB (Bottom Right) Arnut Klaiphan HS7ZYW/KC1FWL

Figure 8. VE Team Liaison presenting CSCEs to (Top Left) Jetsada Jinaka KO6EME (Top Right) Sathit Piluntasopon E22YJB/KO6ENY (Bottom Left) 15yo Yoskorn Arukaroon E25AQB/KK7OYX (Bottom Right) Chayapat Songpipat KC1UTS

Special congratulations to Karl Rath the youngest candidate at 13 years old who passed his first Technician exam, and 2 candidates who did a “One-Day Extra” by passing all three levels in one sitting namely Martin Rath F8UKP (ex: 9V1RM) and 15 years old Thanaphat E25RRV.

Figure 9. VE Team Liaison presenting CSCEs to (Top Left) Supakit Sukruamprayun E25QDX/KQ4LXB (Top Right) Jirapat Seangyong KO6ENQ (Bottom Left) Mukkaew Sittisombat KO6EOZ (Bottom Right) Martin Rath F8UKP/AD2HT

Figure 10. VE Team Liaison presenting CSCEs to (Top Left) 14yo Thanaphat Sorsomboon E25RRV/KZ4HJ (Top Right) Arissaranisorn L. E25UMJ/KO6BPY (Bottom Left) Suchin Khemkamnerd E29CXH/KJ5CZB (Bottom Right) Supatchai Panchai HS4QKN/KN4GVO

The author would like to thank all 13 Volunteer Examiners (VEs) who have dedicated their time and effort to assist the examination. The session was a success with a 75% pass rate.

Figure 11. VE Team Liaison presenting CSCEs to (Top Left) Khunpong Sorsomboon E20UAX/KQ4HBB (Top Right) Suvadee Morton E25VMO/N0NOI (Bottom Left) Champ E21EIC/KY1A providing a summary from the US FCC Examination session (Bottom Right) Students from the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) in Chiang Mai celebrated their achievement with RAST President Dr Jakkree Hantongkom HS1FVL/AF1VL and their teacher Apiwat Jirawattanaphol HS4SCI/KI1F

Figure 12. Summary of all the successful candidates from the 1st US FCC Examination in Thailand on 27th April 2024