Bill, N4NX; while on a three-month long Southeastern Asia getaway in 2000 (See more about the trip by clicking HERE) happened to wind up in Bangkok, Thailand during the week of the CQ WW CW contest. Bill & his XYL Leah attended the South East Asia ham radio convention (Called SEANET 2000) in Pattaya ,Thailand the weekend prior to the contest. This convention was hosted by the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST). Paul N4PN, another SEDXC member, and his XYL Martha also attended. Both Bill and Paul operated the convention’s ham radio station which had the special call of E27SEA to commemorate the convention. A real highlight of the entire convention was meeting and spending time with Tim Chen, BV2A. Tim was issued the first ham license in Taiwan and for many years was the only authorized ham radio operator in that country. Bill said that he had his first QSO with Tim more than thirty years before having the pleasure to meet him. Tim is over eighty years young and sharp as a tack!!! Here is a picture of N4PN, BV2A & N4NX:
Picture of HS1YL (President of RAST) and N4NX:
Bill presented her with a SEDXC pin.
Here is the special QSL that confirmed QSOs made from this station:
While at the convention Bill and Leah met John, HS1CHB and John made Bill an offer he couldn't refuse: the use of his QTH for the CQ WW CW Contest which was to take place the the following weekend. The station is a condo located on the top (14th) floor of a high rise building on the outskirts of Bangkok. No one actually lives in this condo as it is used exclusively for John’s ham shack. Bill thought this was a good reason to stay in Thailand till the weekend and according to Bill, Leah agreed! This condo station is in addition to John's regular station at his home. Because of other commitments Bill was only able to work one night of the contest (November 25, 2000). Using a Yaesu FT-920 and a 40 meter inverted “V” on the roof of the building, Bill logged 69 different countries in 28 different Zones, resulting in a final score of 42,195. This was the highest single operator, single band score in Thailand. Not bad for a one night stand!
One of the final QSOs before going QRT was with a fellow SEDXC member, John K4BAI. John operated as 8P9Z in the single-Op category. His final score of 9,176,174 was the highest score from North America and was fourth highest in the world!
John HS1CHB has a real prestige address in Bangkok, simply BOX 1. His hospitality was above and beyond and ultimately John directed Bill's official paperwork in obtaining a renewable radio license with a permanent call of HS0ZDI. This call will be used on Bill's next return to Thailand. Don't let the year fool you. Thailand uses a different calendar and therefore the renewal date of the license is 2006 adjusted for our calendar. Here is a picture of the license:
All in all in all, Bill says this was an experience of a lifetime!
