Radio politics in Thailand has ham radio caught in the middle; two more world-circling pico balloons are launched from Australia; the ARRL announces some DXCC and VHF contest rules changes; South Africa HAMNET assists in mountain rescue; ham radio featured on New York City “Save A Life” television program, and amateur radio helps an old radio telescope see its first RF light. And this just in: scientists launch sounding rockets during surprise auroras over the Arctic.