Art VK4GO/JA1OGS has published new APRS maps covering Viêt-Nam. The software package he used is called UI-View and works under Windows operating system for personal computers, APRSdroid under Android for smartphones is also avaiable. No GPS or radio is required to use the application. He also provides a page where he gives more explanations about what is APRS.
The FSpace team (leaded by XV9AA), having already achieved the successful launch of the F-1 cubesat, has now reached a new milestone. They have entirely succeeded in building, launching, tracking and recovering an high-altitude balloon using several Amateur Radio technologies like APRS.
This is a rare event in Vietnam for several reasons, including the fact that civilian aviation regulations are not as developed as in western countries. This open the way for more experiments and will help the country to gain skills and experiences in aircraft and space technologies.
As facts, the balloon reached an altitude of about 70.000ft (more than 21 km), flew for more than 2 hours over 200 km. The two way trips to recover it by motorbike took longer…
Many small and medium sized DXpeditions operators have chosen Viet-Nam for their winter trip. Among them you will be able to contact XV2LDH (5 german operators, QSL via DK8ZZ), XV4LU and XV4DDD by two japanese operators (from Phu Quoc IOTA AS-128), XV0VR (2 german operators from many places including AS-132 nd AS-128). Enjoy DX!
A team of 3 ukrainian operators is now active from Vung Tau. More details on their website.
There are nice and extensive articles about the last IARU Region 3 Conference which was held in Ho Chi Minh City earlier this month. Speaking personally, it was nice to meet many HAM from our neighbor countries but also from North America, South America and Europe. The atmosphere was friendly and the working sessions were productive. Emergency Communications were one of the most important topic and the various member society will collaborate on that matter.
By the way, this is also a more general article about HAM Radio and its development in Viet-Nam.
Here a picture of Malcolm VK6LC when he visited Eddy XV1X’s house where he operated as XV1LC. Conditions have not been that great however and not as much QSOs as expect have been logged. Malcolm we also be in Can Tho for a short time around November 16th and he may operate as XV4LC using XV4Y club station.
The 15th IARU R3 conference attendees already arrived in Ho Chi Minh City and are ready to start their work on monday November the 5th. Conferences and working sessions will go through thursday at the Kimdo hotel conference center. Emergency Communications will occupy a large part of the meeting.
Editor’s note : I have been invited to this conference as a guest observer. However, I am busy with work as usual in November and I am not able to reach Saigon with is located 4 hours from my hometown. I apologize and wish to all the participants to have a pleasant stay in HCMC and a fruitful work. Yan – XV4Y (VARC website webmaster).
Malcom VK6LC will operate from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in November. More details to come later.
The 5 cubesats onboard ISS have been released as expected on October 4th after the delayed related to ATV-3 undocking. On this picture you can see 3 of them including F-1 just after they left the Kibo module being pulled away from the airlock by the japanese robotic arm.
The japanese space agencies have confirmed the vietnamese cubesat F-1 and its companions will be deployed on September 27th 2012. This will be the first deployment of 5 cubesats from Kibo module and it will serve as a test to further simple and inexpensive launches from the ISS via the japanese HTV cargo. F-1 lifetime in space before re-entry is forecasted to be 250 days. Good luck!