New APRS maps for Viet-Nam

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.

First high altitude balloon flight in Viet-Nam

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.

FSpace balloon payloadThis 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…

Several DXpeditions in december 2012 – january 2013

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!

The 15th IARU Region 3 Conference in the vietnamese press

IARU Region 3 ConferenceThere 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.

15th IARU Region 3 Conference to debute the coming week

IARU R3 LogoThe 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).