Thai radio hams on 50 MHz for CQWW VHF contest

Radio Amateurs in Thailand have been authorised to use
50-54 MHz (6m) during the CQWW VHF contest. This will be the first use of the band by Thai hams for 18 years.

Thai radio amateurs have been granted temporary permission to use the 6-metre (50-54MHz) amateur band for the first time in almost two decades by the Thai regulator, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
This will allow Thai amateur radio operators to operate during the CQ Worldwide VHF contest for 48 hours on July 17-18, 2010. The last time such permission had been granted was in 1992 during the Southeast Asia Net convention staged in Chiang Maithat year.

The only other sanctioned six-metre operation in Thailand had been by the late co-founder of RAST, Gen Kamchai Chotikul, HS1WR (SK), in the late 1970s and early 1980s, according to Champ, E21EIC.

RAST had applied for permission to operate on six-metres during the CQWW VHF Contest this year following a suggestion by RAST Committee member John/Narissara, HS1CHB, during a committee meeting in May, 2010 and a formal written request had been subsequently conveyed to the NTC secretariat. Permission was granted in mid-June and has been conveyed to members by email and the RAST Forum will be updated.

Champ also advises that all Thai hams who would like to operate on 6 metres during the CQWW VHF contest must send him a signed copy of their licence and to address it to him at RAST, G.P.O. Box 2008, Bangkok 10501.

He adds that there will also be a workshop at ham antenna manufacturer Club Station's offices on Soi Wat Ma Kok to make 6-metre antennas on June 26 and on July 3, starting at 9 a.m. The plan is to modify old TV Channel 3 3-element or 5-element Yagi antennas to work on six metres; all hams are welcome to attend, he said.

Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST)
http://www.qsl.net/rast/