Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse Elected as RAST Honorary Advisory Chairman

Figure 1. RAST and VRA Board of Committees taking a picture with Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, King RAMA X’s son

Figure 2. Appointment Letter for Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse as RAST’s Honorary Advisory Chairman

On 27th May 2024, the board committee of Radio Amateur Society of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King (RAST) together with Volunteer Radio Association (VRA) received the courtesy of Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, King Maha Vajiralongkorn's second-eldest son, to meet on the occasion of his birthday and the acceptance of Mr Vacharaesorn as Honorary Advisory Chairman of both societies. RAST and VRA presented Mr Vacharaesorn with examination guide for amateur radio licenses, and invited him to sit the Thai Foundation License examination that is to be held later this year. Thank you Ray (E23PKO) for the pictures.

RAST Organized E2QRP for 2024 IARU QRP Day

Figure 3. QSL card for E2QRP

The International Amateur Radio Union is split into 3 regions. Our IARU Region 3 member societies include ARANC (New Caledonia), ARCOT (Tonga), Macau (ARM), ARRL (USA), ARSI (India), BARL (Bangladesh), BDARA (Brunei), CORA (French Polynesia), CRAC (China), CTARL (Taiwan), FARA (Fiji), HARTS (Hong Kong), JARL (Japan), KARL (Korea), MARTS (Malaysia), NZART (New Zealand), ORARI (Indonesia), PARA (Philippines), PARS (Pakistan), PIARA (Pitcairn Island), RAST (Thailand), RSGB (UK), RSSL (Sri Lanka), SARC (Samoa), SARTS (Singapore), SIRS (Solomon Islands), VARC (Vietnam), and WIA (Australia).

Figure 4. E2QRP operation set-up using ICOM IC-705 at Beach Camp in Chonburi, Thailand

This month, the IARU Region 3 has invited all its member societies to participate in the QRP Day which falls on 17th June. The objectives of supporting, fostering, and promoting QRP operations were agreed upon by all member societies dating back to the 10th IARU Region 3 Conference that was held in September 1997 in Beijing as raised by NZART. The sharing of knowledge about QRP operations can be achieved through various means including:
- QRP Field Day
- QRP Contest
- Distribution of QRP transmitter kits and learning resources
- Workshops
- Activation from host stations who are participating in the QRP events

RAST President Dr Jack Hantongkom (HS1FVL) who is also the IARU Region 3 Director organized a special event callsign E2QRP on 14th-16th June 2024, in a Field Day operation at Beach Camp, T. Bang Phra, A. Sriracha, Chonburi Province.

Figure 5. The atmosphere at the IARU QRP Day 2024 at Beach Camp in Chonburi, Thailand

The atmosphere at the Beach Camp was full of fun and laughter. RAST Committees and its members joined the event to set up the antennas and took turns to activate E2QRP in a <5 Watts set up. The aim was to use the frequency to its highest value, while transmitting at a reduced power. This is the perfect setup to hone one’s operation skills, by making the most of one’s station. So of course, RAST Field Day was all down to making the most number of contacts, to the furthest distance possible. In total, over 1,000 QSOs were in the log from all modes during the 3-day event. For those who have successful made contacts, please contact E2QRP QSL Manager HS1JZT for your QSL card. Thank you Dr. Jack (HS1FVL) for the pictures.

E20AX – SIAM DX Group Club station

E20AX Siam DX Group Club Station in Bangkok was honored to welcome 2 worldclass DXers and Contesters in May and June 2024.

Figure 6. Robert Kasca S53R/9N7AA visiting E20AX Club Station in Bangkok on 12 May 2024

The first person was Robert Kasca S53R who is the Director and Representative of the UN World Food Program. Every HAM operator who has been active knows that Robert is currently operating under the callsign 9N7AA from Nepal where he is stationed. He was previously in Afghanistan with the callsign T6AA/T6A, and has operated from many countries around the world. For more information about Robert, please see https://www.qrz.com/db/S53R

Figure 7. Vladimir Bykov UA4WHX visiting E20AX Club Station in Bangkok on 14 June 2024

The second person was Vladimir Bykov UA4WHX, a DXer who enjoys travelling the world and operating the radio wherever he goes. Vlad came to Bangkok with his wife Irina Bykovais WA4WHX, and their two sons, 7yo Victor and 5yo Boris. He shares the same love for QSL cards as Champ E21EIC, and inspiringly, made sure that all the QSL cards he printed tells a story. To check out Vlad’s QSL cards and be in awe of his innumerable activations, please see https://www.dokufunk.org/amateur_radio/personalities/index.php?CID=6065&lang=EN

E20AX is truly honored to welcome both Robert and Vlad to the humble shack.