picoLog Free Android Amateur / Ham Radio Logger

Charlie M0PZT has released a FREE logging application for Android devices. It's designed for use with a tablet and QWERTY keyboard to allow for simple /P logging or in situations where a laptop (or pen+paper) are not convenient.

picoLog is a Free Android Amateur / Ham Radio Logger Software designed to work on Android tablets

"As I cycle to all my /P locations, I don't like to take anything too large - That ruled-out my 15" Windows laptop and as my smartphone is too small the logical answer was a tablet. The one I have offers a 9" screen and cost £42. It works brilliantly... and I don't have to decipher my badly scribbled QSO notes when I get home!" Charlie M0PZT

picoLog creates an ADIF file as each QSO is made and this can then be imported into your existing Shack logging software.

picoLog - http://www.m0pzt.com/?picolog

New Ham Radio Regulations for Thailand

The 247,000 radio amateurs in Thailand have new amateur radio regulations giving them important new privileges 

Prior to the change the entry level Basic (Novice) license only had 10 watts output on the 144 MHz band, they will now be getting 60 watts on 144 and 100 watts on the 28 MHz band.

Other changes

• Six metre (50-54 HHz) operational allowed
• 2m band expanded by 500 kHz (upto146.5 MHz)
• Advanced Licences will gain additional power, increased to 1000 watts
• Removal of restrictions on radio approval, making it easier for Amateur / Ham Radio operators to source new kit.
• Additional spectrum in the 160m and 8-m HF bands
• VHF and UHF bands above 2m to be opened
• Basic Amateur Radio Operators will be able to operate on 10-metres (28 MHz) as well as two metres (144 MHz)
• Operators on two metres (144 MHz) will be allowed to use up to 60 watts and club stations 100 watts. 
• More club stations and contest callsigns will be issued.
• Those who do not hold an amateur radio licence may operate under supervision at a club station.
• Callsigns that have expired, if not renewed within two years, will be reassigned.
• The Morse code test will remain as a component of the intermediate and advanced class amateur radio examination in Thailand.

The Amateur / Ham radio license classes in Thailand are: 

• Basic Amateur / Ham Radio Operator License (100W on 28 MHz, 60W on 144 MHz)
• Intermediate Amateur / Ham Radio Operator License (200 Watts)
• Advanced Amateur / Ham Radio Operator License (1kW)

Advanced is a new class, although Advanced had been provided for in the regulations since 1987 it had until now never been activated.

There is also an Extra class licence which has only one license holder The King of Thailand, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej HS1A.

In their submission to the 15th IARU R3 conference the RAST reported that in May 2012 Thailand had 246,959 radio amateurs holding the Basic entry level license and 717 Intermediate and Reciprocal HF license holders.

Youngsters On The Air and ERTC 2014

YOTA (Youngsters On The Air) is a youth movement inviting fifteen European national youth teams to a selected rotating EU location every year to get together, learn from each other and experience various aspects of Amateur Radio through meaningful and entertaining concepts emphasizing social, radio communication and technology skills.

OF3ERTC is a special event Amateur Radio station active in conjunction with ERTC 2014 from July 18-20th, while OH2YOTA will be active from the actual event site in Virrat, Finland starting July 16th.

ERTC (European Radio Team Championship) is a voice communication (VoIP) contest where two-member national youth teams try to make a maximum number of contacts with a maximum number of countries within a defined time period.

ERTC uses a Virtual Amateur Radio platform (HamSphere) where amateur radio-like operating is conducted on the Internet with amateur radio-like bands and operating features such as current radio propagation together with beam antennas and amplifiers plus an online logbook, awards and QSLing backed up with learning material and an exam free entry gate.

All this makes HamSphere a highly suitable application to learn about real Amateur Radio and help youth to discover Amateur Radio in their regular hangout, the Internet.

PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES -- Belgium (ON), Bulgaria (LZ), Croatia (9A),
Czech Republic (OK), Estonia (ES), Finland (OH), Italy (I), Lithuania (LY),
Netherlands (PA), Poland (SP), Romania (YO), Slovakia (OM), Sweden (SM), United Kingdom (G) and Spain (EA). 

These country-teams are currently active in Virtual World Amateur Radio practicing and preparing for their trip to Finland. Also, some invited Exhibition Teams will participate in the event over the Internet.

HamSphere - http://www.hamsphere.com/23_31496_read.html