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Local radio ham operators can help in emergencies
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- Category: News
- Published on Wednesday, 30 July 2014 15:59
- Written by Administrator
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MALACCA: Malaysia has 11,626 amateur radio ham operators who can offer help during emergencies or natural disasters.
Head of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) southern region Roszeta Kassim, said of the total, peninsula Malaysia had 9,919 operators.
Sabah had 1,487 and Sarawak had 220, she said. Amateur radio is a scientific hobby that involves construction, study and communication through means of radio waves that brings together fellow enthusiasts who use a set of pre-determined and allowed radio frequencies.
Roszeta said amateur radio operators played an important role in helping the authorities during emergencies and disasters.
“For example, when Johor was hit by the big floods in 2007, a group of amateur radio operators offered assistance as the cellular network was disrupted,” she said.
She said Malaysians aged 14 and above were eligible to become amateur radio operators after passing a MCMC-conducted test.
“Each operator will then be assigned a ‘call sign’ as a unique identity in the amateur radio frequency bands.
“They are allowed to communicate on any subject except politics, religion, commercial dealings and pornography. The operators must self-regulate.
“If other operators were to bring up the issues concerned, they must reprimand them. If the issues are serious, it must be reported to MCMC for further action,” she said. — Bernama
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/07/30/Local-radio-ham-operators-can-help-in-emergencies/
ALERT! Atlantic Hurricane
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- Category: News
- Published on Friday, 04 July 2014 23:49
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 1958
Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins
The first Atlantic Hurricane Season alert is on as Hurricane Arthur moves
up the east coast of the USA dumping rain and bringing destructive winds.
As holiday makers gathered for the US Independence Day, July 4, Arthur made
landfall in North Carolina recording 160km/h winds and drenching rainfall
before continuing to head north.
Although rated at category 2, the US National Hurricane Centre said Arthur
had the potential for powerful tidal surges and damage.
Silent Key - 9W2JO
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- Category: News
- Published on Wednesday, 25 June 2014 23:19
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 2159
9W2JO James Tay @ James Tan Teng Kee, went silent key today 25/06/2014, while in deep sleep. During the days when MARTS' Repeater in Gunung Pulai 9M2RGP was the only active repeater down south. We hear him on air without fail every Thursday at 9pm for the Johor 2m net where the stations from Johor, Singapore and Kepulauan Riau can be heard checking in on the weekly event for many years. Now his friendly voice that brought us together will remain unheard ..... but fond memories of him will forever remain in us. James 9W2JO-SK you're the godfather for many hams, you thought us how to respect others and believe in unity among us. May his soul rest in peace....... DE 9W2BUG
Condolences to the family of 9W2JO who went silent key.
Takziah buat keluarga beliau....from MARTS members of Cameron Highlands.
MCMC Decision on Proposals from Amateur Radio Community
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- Category: News
- Published on Tuesday, 03 June 2014 00:42
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 2462
MCMC Decision on Proposals from Amateur Radio Community in Malaysia
| No. | Proposals from Amateur Radio | MCMC Decision |
| 1 | To update the amateur radio AA appendix (License Appendix) of class A by adding a) 7.0MHz - 7.2MHz; b) 135.7kHz - 137.8kHz; and c) 472.0kHz - 479.0kHz |
Approved |
| 2 | To update the Classes of Emission in the license appendix to include digital carrier emissions | Approved |
| 3 | Allow the Class B amateu station AA holder to use 7MHz band. | In consideration. |
| Further study is needed to harmonize with Public Protection Disaster | ||
| Recovery and all agencies involved | ||
| 4 | To add a new category called "Senior Class B" before migrating to Class A. | Not approved |
| 5 | To provide a suitable call sign for the above"Senior Class B" category, if appoved. | Not approved |
| 6 | To abolish the Morse Code (CW) Test as a requirement to operate all HF Bands. | In consideration. May provide the following options: i) Reduced speed with minimum 5WPM; or ii) Introduce a new written exam on advanced RAE |
| 7 | a) To increase TX power up to 1,000Watts in the HF bands for Class A operators b) To transmit up to 100Watts (PEP) on HF Band, 50Watt (PEP) on VHF, UHF and higher bands for Class B operators. |
In consideration. Further study is needed - to benchmark against other countries with substantial number of active amateur operators. |
| 8 | To allow Class B operators to use all modes of emission and all HF bands allocated for amateur radio services. | In consideration. Further study is needed. |
| 9 | To relax written RAE for Class B and to develop a new syllabus with more content on electrical theory, EMI and RFI prevention and mitigation techniques and emergency communications practices and procedures. | Approved. RAE questions will be reviewed to strengthen the focus on governance aspect. |
| 10 | To allow the use of IARU Region 3 Band Plan where no SRSPs published by MCMC that deals with such band. | Approved. It must be consistent with the Spectrum Plan |
| 11 | To abolish the RM60 processing fee for new or renewal of AA (individual and repeater station). | Not approved. It is a requirement under the Communication and Multimedia (Spectrum) Regulations 2000 |
| 12 | To abolish the AA fee for Amateur Radio Repeater station. | Not approved. It is a requirement under the Communication and Multimedia (Spectrum) Regulations 2000. |
| 13 | Abolish the 9M referral requirement for amateur station AA application and to allow 9W as the referral. | Not approved. It may create confusion. |
| 14 | Introduce a single alphabet call sign for example, 9M2M, for contest purpose. Replace 9M4 prefix to 9M2, 9M6 and 9M8 accordingly for DXing. | Not Approved. It may create confusion. |
| 15 | Provide Contest call sign. | Approved but it is subjected to Licensing Committee Meeting (LCM). |
| 16 | Introduce new Class C for Amateur Station AA. | Not Approved. There is no feasible/significant need to introduce a new class, for now |
| 17 | Share ARS frequency with PDRM, BOMBA, JKM, Hospital or other related agencies during special event organized by radio amateur association/club or during an emergency situations. | In consideration. MCMC to coordinate all agencies during an emergency situation, if required. |
| 18 | Allocate A1A emission code to 9W. | In consideration. Further study is needed. |
| 19 | Update Authorization Notices to facilitate importation of Amateur Radio equipment. | Amateur radio practitioners to propose updates - provide details on technical specification / test reports for consideration. |
| 20 | Automatic conversion of Class B licence holders to Class A after 2 years without the need to sit for Morse Code Test. | Not approved. All candidates must proof his/her competency for each Class. |
| 21 | MCMC to provide training on ARS | MCMC to provide assistance, if required. |
| 22 | MCMC to establish 24/7 Command Center for disaster/emergency communications on national or regional basis. | In consideration. MCMC to coordinate all agencies involved in an emergency situation, if required. |
| 23 | Introduce an SOP for amateur radio repeater use. | MCMC to provide assistance, if required. |
| 24 | No GST or Customs tax on Amateur Radio Equipment | MCMC to provide assistance, if required. |
| 25 | Allow amateur radio station call sign to be used as an option for vehicle plate number registration with proper MOU with JPJ. | MCMC to provide assistance, if required. |
source from: http://www.skmm.gov.my/Media/Announcements/MCMC-Decision-on-Proposals-from-Amateur-Radio-Comm.aspx
Malacca Green challenge 2014 - supported by MARTS' technical team
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- Category: News
- Published on Saturday, 24 May 2014 09:49
- Written by Admin
- Hits: 1867
Emcomm GoBox
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- Category: News
- Published on Friday, 16 May 2014 02:57
- Written by Administrator
- Hits: 2481
Getting ready for natural and man-made disasters
The Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters' Society (MARTS) on Saturday May 10, held an 'Emcomm GoBox' contest to show how to pack the minimum essential equipment needed to enable a light-weight, rugged, yet portable emergency communications station.
MARTS wanted local radio amateurs in West Malaysia to produce a complete, compact station, to provide the communications support, if requested by the authorities.
There was a talk by Johnny Tan 9M8DB on the use of the IARU message form by radio amateurs, as a means to better emergency message handling, especially during large scale disaster events with volunteers from other regions and countries.
The judges using a school ground at Kuala Lumpur were Deen Attan 9M2DA and Johnny Tan 9M8DB, both being very impressed with the level of interest and cooperation. In all 12 teams entered with categories covering HF and UHF, and VHF only.
All were required to demonstrate the ease of setting up a station. This setup was timed with points given in addition to those for the design and communication facilities provided.
Each Emcomm GoBox was judged on its merits. Johnny 9M8DB said all entrants are congratulated on their ability to come up with solutions.
While some had a different approach, it was a good learning experience by the entrants and the observing public who saw the volunteer skills and time available from radio amateurs in times of emergency.
Jim Linton VK3PC
Chairman
IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee.