AmateuRadioMalaysia

9m2rkk repeater

2009-09-15T21:32:00.002+08:00

As you will probably know, our main VHF repeater has been off the airwaves for quite a few
weeks. This is because its now taken down and our specialists say that the front end power transistors kena lightning.

Due to the main MARTS committee in Penang not able to assist us at this particular time,
we have to organise repairs the way we see fit.

Will update Berita ni when available.

RAE Class

2008-06-17T10:00:00.002+08:00

For all knowledge seekers & aspire HAM stations,

A couple of volunteers will be conducting RAE classes - organised by State Liaison Manager and fellow Ham-ers

The class will be held at No 3 D, Jalan PJS 1/48 (Previously Jalan Petaling Utama 7) Batu 7 Jalan Kelang Lama, Petaling Utama, Petaling Jaya. (next to England Optical Group).

Time will be from 10.00 a.m. till 4.00 p.m.

Limited seats are available as the class can accommodate 20 pax only.

Date: 22 June 2008.

Fee: RM20.00 to cover the cost of materials and some charges incurred for the classroom.

If you want to attend drop an e mail to me at aiznin@gmail.com or go to http://martsmanager.blogspot.com/ for more information.

Need your support - Election

2008-06-17T09:56:00.003+08:00

Dear friends,

Do take the time to meet us at Anis Putri 2 for this coming election -

Remember 20th of June 2008 2100H at Anis Putri 2. That is the date for the election of the State Liaison Manager for Selangor (including Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur). Nominations form will be made available from Tuesday next week at this site.

73s

de moderator

9M2RKK

2008-05-21T19:56:00.003+08:00

Thanks to a group of volunteers that sacrificed their Sunday led by our Repeater Manager
9M2CJ, the VHF service on Bukit Lanjan is now back to being operational.

This is due to MARTS loaning us a Motorola mobile repeater, while they take the trouble to repair the old Kenwood set in Penang.

So guys..make full use of the available Marts repeaters here in the Klang valley, or we might
lose some frequencies to others...

Cheers nn 73
9w2ssj

Yaesu Mobile Unit

2008-02-23T12:39:00.005+08:00

Browsing into YAESU Amateur Radio website, I found this new

model. Its waterproof front end looks suitable for our 4 X 4 guys

going into the jungle!

WORLD’S FIRST DUAL-BAND MOBILE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ALL-WEATHER OUTDOOR MOTORSPORT ACTIVITIES COMPLETE NEW STYLING EASY-TO-OPERATE PACKAGE

The exciting newly designed FTM-10R/E* Mobile 2m/70cm Transceiver is packed with innovative features that operators have been dreaming of for years. Great new appearance with keys and indicators that are illuminated with very bright LEDs. The bright ocean blue negative type LCD display is easy on your eyes.
Super compact detachable front panel is ready to go with your motor vehicle! The unique Waterproof/Dustproof Front Operation Panel is designed to support All-Weather Outdoor Activity in a manner never before possible. Detach the front panel with one-touch release when transmitting! The detachable front panel may be separated from the main chassis, and attached to a flat metal surface with the magnetic mounting bracket. The microphone and PTT button are built into the front panel.
This front panel meets the IP57 standard - waterproof at 3 ft (1 m) for 30 minutes and protection against dust – making the FTM-10R/E* the perfect outdoor communications and entertainment package.
NB: Use of a communication device with a display while driving may be prohibited in some states and some countries.

Morse Code Test

2008-02-19T23:53:00.002+08:00

RAE for end 2007

2007-09-10T09:16:00.000+08:00

QSP from MCMC

Last RAE for this year will be on 28Nov2007 at 1400LT.

Notice for this event will be published in MCMC website by end of
today or tommorow, depending on their webmaster being available.

So will all the budding aspirants, get the books out, RM50 and the form sent
to MCMC. This is your last chance to sit for the exam this year.

RKK is sick

2007-08-30T19:19:00.000+08:00

QSP from our repeater Manager 9M2CJ, the RKK repeater has been
brought down from its perch at Bukit Lanjan today for checking.

Will readvise when it has been reinstalled and back to normal.

For MARTS members in the Klang valley, RUK and RKL are still
available for use, not including the national link.

RAE FOR 2007

2007-03-30T18:56:00.000+08:00

Latest info from MCMC's website:

The RAE for this year will be held on the 6th Jun 07. Application
form to sit for the above exam can be downloaded from
MCMC's website.

Applications will open on 28 Mar 07, and close on the 17 April 07.

So all you SWLs above 14 years and over out there,
get the forms, organise the RM50 fee,
and send in your applications ASAP.

Looks like there will only be one RAE this year!

New Dual Bander in town

2007-03-19T23:34:00.000+08:00

Icom has introduced a new VHF/UHF set onto the market.

Model number is IC2820H and the link above will take you to see the specs for this set.

Small bird has indicated that it is coming to a country next to us soon.
Price not yet fixed as yet, will advise when available

Next CW Test

2007-03-05T21:42:00.000+08:00

Some latest info from MCMC/Berita terkini!

MCMC shall be inviting applicants to take CW Test on 10 April 2007.

The closing date for applications will be on the 27 March 07. (ammended)
The official notice will appear in the the major newspapers soon.

Above message QSP from 9M2-RT.

So get the CW keyers out from storage and get practising!

Morse Code Keyer

2007-02-07T09:47:00.000+08:00

From the interest generated by the local Ham fraternity,
the following fotos will give some ideas to make your own
keys. Mind you, the keys that are available commercially
can go as high as RM500.

Post comments as to your experiences encountered during
the construction. The fotos were extracted from Ham web sites, which
are a good source of ideas for making one.

Do your part for the Flood Victims

2007-01-08T11:31:00.000+08:00

http://martsnews.blogspot.com/2007/01/do-your-part-for-flood-victims.html

Click the above link to view the latest intiative by 'Ali Bi Junkies' and their part to help
the flood victims down South!

de Martsnews.Blogspot.com

Merry Christmas

2006-12-24T19:14:00.000+08:00

We would like to say Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

to all celebrating Ham members

IC-7000 HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver

2006-12-13T20:17:00.000+08:00

Got more money than you are going to need?

May be you would like to invest in a new Ham Rig?

This is something new from ICOM America. Eat your heart out!

Overall view of the new IC7000

Some Specs mentioned by ICOM

General
Frequency Coverage*1
Receive Transmit
:
0.030–199.999MHz*2400.000–470.000MHz*21.800– 1.999MHz3.500– 3.999MHz5.3305, 5.3465, 5.3665, 5.3715, 5.4035MHz*37.000– 7.300MHz10.100–10.150MHz14.000–14.350MHz18.068–18.168MHz21.000–21.450MHz24.890–24.990MHz28.000–29.700MHz50.000–54.000MHz144.000–148.000MHz430.000–450.000MHz*1
Showing USA Version. Varies according to version.*2 Some frequency bands are not guaranteed.*3 USB only.

Mode
:
USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, AM, FM, WFM (Rx only)
No. of memory channels
:
503 (495 regular, 6 scan edges and 2 call)
Antenna connector
:
SO-239×2 (for HF/50 MHz and 144/43/440MHz bands; 50Ω)
Temperature Range

Power supply requirement
:
13.8V DC ±15%
Power consumption(approx.)
:
Tx Rx
Max. Power Standby Max. Audio
22.0A1.3A1.6A
Dimensions (W×H×D)(projections not included)
:
167(W)×58(H)×180(D) mm;69/1(6(W)×29/32(H)×73/32(D) in.
Weight (approx.)
:
2.3kg; 5.1lb
Transmitter
Modulation system SSB AM FM
:
Digital P.S.N. modulationDigital low power modulationDigital phase modulation
Output power
:

HF/50Mhz
144MHz
440MHz
SSB/CW/RTTY/FM
2–100W
2–50W
2–35W
AM
1–40W
2–20W
2–14W

Microphone Connector
:
8-pin modular jack (600Ω)

AF output power(at 13.8V DC)
:
More than 2.0W at 10% distortion with an 8Ω load

EXT SP connector
:
2-conductor 3.5 (d) mm (1/8") / 8Ω

I heard tru the grapevine thats its coming to a shop down south very soon.
Harganya belum pasti lagi.

GPS to complement your Amateur Radio offroad

2006-11-05T22:10:00.000+08:00

Stumbled on this latest GPS combo set at Low Yat today.

It has GPS/PDA/Camera 1.3Mpixels/Triband telephone.
For full specs go to link below. Price quoted was in the region of RM2K.

Check it out at :

www.seegadget.com

The above is in addition to the Dopod model P100
now on offer at RM999 at Low Yat!

Spec
Basic OS: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0,
no phone function
Processor: Samsung SC32442X33
Memory: 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM (persistent storage)
GPS: SiRF 3rd-gen chipset
Size: 109.7 x 59.4 x 17.6 mm
Weight: 126 grams w/battery
Standby time: up to 200 hours
GPS use: up to 5 hours
Colour: dual-tone black/grey
Style: Bar type
Interface/messaging
Email support: Outlook, POP3, Hotmail
Languages: English / Chinese (with free CE-Star Suite for Dopod users)
Recording: Unlimited (up to memory capacity)
Voice control: Yes
IR: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes, v1.2
WiFi: Yes, 802.11b
USB: Yes (Sync and charge)
Screen
Colors : 64K colours TFT LCD (effective)
Size: 2.8 inch
Resolution: QVGA 320×240 pixels
Multimedia
Multimedia player: Windows Media Player 10
JAVA: Yes

Learn about Crossband Repeating

2006-10-23T18:48:00.000+08:00

Adated from an article written by Christian KC0ARF

Crossband Repeating is a process where a Ham transmits one signal on one band (typically UHF), and it is received by another radio with a better antenna/power installation, and re-transmitted (typically on VHF) to another radio system, or a repeater.

When is it a good time to crossband repeat? Anytime that you are using an HT, and cannot be heard into the repeater system, or when you are working an extended event, and do not want to exhaust your HT's batteries.

Types of Crossbanding

There are two types of crossbanding- half duplex and full duplex. Full duplex means that the crossband repeater manages both "sides" of the conversation through to the repeater, whereas half duplex means that only your "side" of the conversation is re-transmitted.

Half Duplex

The easiest setup for crossband repeating is half duplex.

Using half duplex, the HT is set to transmit on a private UHF simplex frequency to the mobile radio. The mobile receives the signal, and re-transmits it into the repeater. When the HT is done transmitting, the mobile radio falls quiet, and the HT hears other people directly from the repeater.

How to setup this scenario:

* Setup your HT to transmit on UHF (let's say 446.00) Do not use that frequency... find your own!
* Setup your HT to receive on 145.13.

* Setup your mobile radio to transmit on 144.53, Do not, in this case, program in 145.13 with a (-) offset. You want the 144.53 simplex in the radio.
* Setup your mobile radio to receive on UHF simplex (our example, 446.00) .

* Place the mobile in crossband repeat. Check the power levels to ensure they are at minimal levels.

Full Duplex

Full duplex crossband repeating is more difficult to setup, but it does work. If your particular situation allows for half duplex, I strongly suggest that you proceed with that setup. Full duplex places many more demands on your crossband repeater, because it will be working almost 100 percent of the time. Remember, it re-transmits all of the data on the repeater, too! Only use this scenario if your HT is in a location that cannot hear the repeater directly, such as in your basement during severe weather.

Thanks to the contributer Christian KC0ARF

Lightning Strikes

2006-10-03T13:41:00.000+08:00

One of our Ham member had the misfortune of getting his
rig setup hit by a big bolt of Lightning.

From the fotos below, one can see the damage that
lightning can do to your equipment if steps are not taken to
reduce the chances of it being hit by Lightning.

One good way, is to disconnect the aerial feed cable
connector from the rig. This will prevent the Lightning bolt hitting it.
But mind you, you must now take care to prevent the bolt
of Lightning coming down the aerial feed cable and
hitting you in your room!

Its clear that the cable connector has been
detached from the the cable itself.

The cable end is approximately 12 inches
away from its connector!

This Cushcraft Ringo Ranger bow blown into an oval
shape from its original half dipole shape.

The Dexion angle iron mounting to the
wall made a hole in the concrete that
required wall repairs!

Anothe view of the hole in the wall.

Even the telephone incoming line box just "exploded".

Another view of the telephone junction box.

So it pays to take precautions during periods of Lightning activity in your vicinity.

Bukit Lanjan Repeaters

2006-10-02T21:58:00.000+08:00

Ever wondered how the VHF and UHF repeaters
look like on Bukit Lanjan?

I had the rare occasion snapping some fotos to
illustrate for the benefit of some new Ham
members how Repeaters look like.

The grey cabinet on the left contains MARTS equipment

Top to bottom:
UHF repeater made by Standard (now YAESU)
Middle left:
AC to DC power supply loaned by 9M2RT which supplies
power to both UHF and VHF repeaters now!
Middle right:
The 2 Motorola Mobile sets working to be a Repeater in
conjuction with a Motorola Interface. One mobile is the
transmitter, the other mobile is the receiver.
The 2 units are sandwiched between 2 wooden planks to keep
them erect!
Bottom:
The 4 antenna Cavities (looks like storage bottles) that has
been tuned for optimizing our transmit frequency.

Close up view of the 4 Cavities

At the moment, both the our repeaters seem to be working
OK, but the Motorola units will return to Penang once our original
VHF repeater is replaced.

Software controlled Radio

2006-08-11T06:59:00.000+08:00

This is a canggih Radio that costs several thousand Ringgit to buy.

WR-G313i

Overview
The WiNRADiO WR-G313i is a software-defined high-performance HF receiver (9 kHz to 30 MHz, optionally extendable to 180 MHz) on a PCI card.
This receiver is intended for government, military, security, surveillance, broadcast monitoring, industrial and demanding consumer applications.

The receiver is extremely sensitive, making it possible to comfortably read CW signals under 0.05 µV input levels, yet featuring a respectable 95 dB dynamic range making the receiver resistant to strong signal overload. The high sensitivity is also matched by that of the S-meter: The fully calibrated S-meter shows the received signal levels in dBm, µV or S-units, down to the ‑140 dBm noise floor.
The hardware and software package consists of the receiver card, Windows-based software, a start-up antenna and a user's manual.

Hardware

The PCI card plugs into an available slot of an IBM-compatible PC. Several receivers (as many as there are free PCI slots available) can be controlled by a single PC - an ideal solution for high-performance multi-channel automatic monitoring systems.
There is a single SMA antenna connector and an output line audio jack which can be used to connect the receiver output directly to a sound card line-input or an amplified speaker.
The receiver has its own on-board DSP, and does not rely on the PC sound card for its performance. As the DSP performs the final stage IF filtering and all demodulation, this receiver is entirely software-defined, which means that additional demodulation or decoding modes can be easily added by a mere software change. (For example, an optional DRM decoder/demodulator is also available.)
No cables or power supplies needed - no clutter on your desk. Every modern desktop computer can be converted into a powerful HF monitoring station with minimum fuss.

Software
The WR-G313i software contains numerous advanced features, many tuning and scanning options, virtually unlimited memories and a rich on-line help facility:

Another useful feature, previously unavailable with receivers of this price class, is a test and measurement facility, performing measurements on the received signal including frequency accuracy, amplitude modulation depth, frequency deviation, THD (total harmonic distortion) and SINAD. An audio spectrum analyzer is also included, making it possible to observe the demodulated spectrum in real-time with a resolution of 5 Hz.

What's included?
The standard WR-G313i package includes:
WR-G313i receiver card Application software Comprehensive user's manual Start-up antenna Audio lead BNC-to-SMA adapter

System requirements:
PC with 500 MHz Pentium CPU or faster One free PCI slot Windows 98/ME/2000/XP

Using TVRO Dish for a Ham Antenna

2006-08-06T11:00:00.001+08:00

Dishes for Amateurs

The price was right for this dish - FREE. Wives call them BUDs (Big Ugly Dishes). It was originally used for 4 GHz TV Receive Only (TVRO). Replacing the C band feed at the focal point turned it into a great ham antenna. On a 10' dish, the tri band feed has measured 35 db of gain on 2401 MHz, 29 db of gain on 1269 MH, and 18 db on 435 MHz. 35 db of gain makes a 1 watt signal sound like 2 KW! This feed system works AO-40 with as little as 1/10 of a watt on 1269 MHz achieving maximum allowed signal level into AO-40. Take the C band feed off that old TVRO dish and attach a ham band feed system and convert the mount to elevation and azimuth automatic control for a great ham satellite antenna system.

A TVRO dish can be can be converted with minimal effort to function very well in a number of uses. Other uses are EME (Earth-Moon-Earth) experiments, Radio Astronomy, and SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence).
TVRO dishes should work great on DSP EME.

Amateur Dish Types
Dishes come in many sizes and shapes. Each has advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to understand several items. Don't start off on a giant sized dish; start small and build up to the giant sized dish. Doubling the size of your dish will gain you 3 db, but may take 20 db of effort!
General - Diameter, Focal Length, Construction, Gain, Beamwidth, & Windloading
Small - 18" Hubcaps, 3' Barbecue Grills, PrimeStar Offset fed
Medium - 4' Aluminum solid, 5' Aluminum mesh, 6' Aluminum solid, 7 1/2' Aluminum mesh
Large - 10' Steel Mesh, 10' - 14' Fiberglass, 15' - 16' , Giants

Dish Feed Systems
You have to put out a signal to the dish or receive a signal reflected by the dish. But all dish feed systems are not equal, and a dish feed system that works great on one dish may be a real loser on another dish. At 2401 MHz, a Campbell's soup can lid makes a nice antenna and a peach can makes a scalar ring reflector.
Dipoles & Reflectors
Single band Helix (2401 MHz)
Dual band helices (435 MHz & 2401 MHz)
Single band Patches (2401 MHz), (1691 MHz) and (1420 MHz)
Dual band feed systems (435 Mhz & 2401 MHz) and (1269 MHz & 2401 MHz)
Triband patch feed system (435 MHz, 1269 Mhz, & 2401 MHz)
Dual circularity patch feed systems for AO-40 & EME with your TVRO dish.

Rigs and Coax for Amateur Satellite Communication
There are many potential rigs, but only 4 top runners. Some satellites are FM, but most are SSB and CW satellites. Get a good all mode rig and antennas to match. I connected an ICOM PCR-1000 PC based receiver to my satellite station so I can see all the satellite activities at one glance. Amazing what you can see. The signal coming down from AO-40 is not very strong. And the stations are 10 db (almost 2 S units) below the beacon's strength resulting in a very poor signal to noise ratio. It's like listening to a wisper coming from behind a waterfall. But by eliminating the waterfall with a good DSP unit and proper use of the RF gain control, you can easily hear the weak ones. Several have asked what AO-40 stations sound like on my 14' dish. About like a close by 2 meter repeater. I consistently work any station in 1/2 the world at a time running 1/2 watt into the 1269 patch section of my triband patch in front of the 14' dish. Now that's QRP!

Dish Rotators
Small dishes with low gain and a large beamwidth can easily be moved manually so they see the satellite. But the bigger the dish, the more you will want a means to remotely move the dish.
TV antenna rotators
Ham-M seies rotators
Yaesu G-5400, G-5600, & G-5500
Linear Arms
Gearmotors, Sprockets, Chain Drives, and Pulleys
AC and DC Motors

Most of the time, 435 MHz is the downlink (your receive) frequency, but a few satellites use 145 MHz as the downlink frequency, so a pair of preamplifiers is appropriate for an "any satellite station". Good coax is a must on these frequencies. Use coax with less than 3 db of loss at the frequency desired and the length needed. I use about 80' of 1/2" hardline between the station and the preamplifiers. Figure on about 1000 watts ERP max to work the various LEOs. Occasionally you will run across EME power levels being used that cause AGC clamping that screws up the other QSOs on the satellite. Never exceed the signal level of the beacon is a good rule of thumb.

For more info on the types of dishes used in amateur work,
click on the article title link.

Checking your antenna

2006-08-06T09:25:00.000+08:00

MFG 269

To check out your antenna without transmitting
using your rig, yu can use this Antenna analyser.

It covers the frequency bands of 1.8 to 170 MHz
and 415 to 470 MHz, It uses an easy-to-read two
in line LCD display and side-by-side
meters which clearly display your information.
It also has a signal source for testing/alignment.
Built-in CoaxCalculator -- calculates coax line length in feet
given coax length in electrical degrees and vice versa
for any frequency and any velocity factor (great for
building matching sections and phasing lines).
New 12-bit A/D converter gives much better accuracy
and resolution than common 8-bit A/D converters.
Just set the bandswitch and tune the dial -- just like
your transceiver.
1.8 to 170MHz range feature MFJ-269 gives you a
complete picture of you antenna. Read antenna SWR
and Complex Impedanc. Built in frequency counter.
Read Complex Impedance as series equivalent
resistance and reactance (Rs+jXs) or as magnitude
(Z) and phase (degrees). Also read parallel equivalent
resistance and reactance (Rp+jXp). You can determine
velocity factor, coax loss in dB, length of coax and distance
to short or open in feet. You can read SWR, return loss
and reflection coefficient at at any frequency simultaneously
at a single glance. Also read matching efficiency.
Read inductance in UH and capacitance in pF at RF frequencies.
You can measure SWR and loss of coax with any characteristic
impedance from 10 to over 600 Ohms, including
50, 51, 52, 53, 73, 75, 93, 95, 300, 450 Ohms.
Just plug in your UHF antenna coax, set the frequency
and read SWR, return loss and reflection coefficient simultaneously.
You can read coax cable loss in dB and match efficiency.
You can test and tune stubs and coax lines.
You can manually determine velocity factor and
impedances of transmission lines. You can adjust and
test RF matching networks and RF amplifiers
without applying power. Has easy-to-read LCD logarithmic
SWR bargraph and SWR meter for quick tuning.

Checked your SWR yet?

2006-08-02T09:22:00.000+08:00

How to Measure SWR

SWR is the Standing Wave Ratio measurement of your radio's
antenna system. Radio systems with too high of an SWR will
not function properly, perhaps even ruining some of the
components if the condition is not corrected.
SWR may be expressed in two ways: in terms of power
("I have a reflected power of 5 watts"), or in terms of the actual
ratio ("I have an SWR of 3:1"). Many hams will strive to keep their
SWR below 3:1. I personally strive to keep it at 1.5:1 It is not good
to become too obsessive over a flat SWR though... as if you move your
vehicle, or re-hang your antenna, that measure will move.
It is important to note that an SWR measurement is accurate
at a specific frequency. For example, I may have an SWR
measurement of 1.5:1 at 146.00 MHz, but if I were to tune my
radio to 147.00 MHz, the SWR would be slightly different,
perhaps 1.6:1 When tuning your antenna, it is important to
choose a low SWR across the band you wish to operate on.
Also, if your antenna has multiple bands on it, you will need
to measure the SWR for each of those bands.

Types of SWR Meters

I have seen two types of meters on the market: a single-needle
meter that requires a calibration, and a dual-needle model
that shows the forward and reflected power at the same time,
and the SWR is read in the middle of the scale. Which one you
use is a personal preference; I like the single needle models as
I can calibrate them manually. Others, looking for a quick reading,
would prefer the dual-needle model. SWR meters are restricted
to certain frequencies... it is very likely that a meter useful on
HF will not work for VHF antennas. Most hams will require
2 or 3 SWR meters to fully cover all frequencies that they transmit on.

Single-needle Meters

Eamples of a Single-needle meter is shown below:

This meter covers 140 - 525 MHz, and will handle up to 200W of power. The meter is read by first calibrating it for the proper power level, and then reading the SWR. This meter can also read the raw FWD (forward, or desired) power, and the REF (reflected, undesired) power levels. The SWR is a ratio describing these two power levels.

How to use this type of meter:
1) Connect the cables on the back of the meter to the antenna and the transmitter. Make sure the transmitter is off. Also make sure that the ANT connection goes to your antenna, and that the TX connection goes to your Transmitter. Do not reverse these connections.
2) Select the range of your transmitter. If you are going to transmit using 50W, make sure you do not use the 20W setting, or you will burn out the meter. I suggest transmitting a 10W signal for testing, unless you built the antenna you are testing out... then use the lowest possible setting.
3) Turn the Calibration knob (the big black circular knob) to the middle position.
4) Set the Function switch to CAL (calibration).
5) Turn on your radio, and find an unused frequency. It is rude to test your equipment while other people are talking. It is also not a good idea to test through repeaters... if you want to test your antenna on a repeater input, move off a couple kHz, and change the tone.
6) Check your power levels again. Make sure that your Range is correct.
7) Select a FM or AM signal and key up your transmitter. SSB will not work -- the carrier of an SSB is a function of the amplitude of the sound coming into it, and the signal is not steady. If the needle pegs to the left, let go! Some setting is not calibrated correctly. If your range is correct, turn the calibration knob counter-clockwise and try again. If the needle doesn't move much, turn the calibration knob clockwise. Ideally, you would like the needle to align with the word CAL at the right end of the scale. If you are transmitting into an antenna (instead of a dummy load), be sure to ID.
8) Once the needle is aligned with CAL, move the FUNCTION lever to SWR. The needle should swing back left, and hopefully settle between 1.1 and 2.0 This is your actual SWR reading. Let's say that you read 1.7 SWR. In discussions with others, you would say that you have an SWR of 1.7 to 1, and would write it 1.7:1
9) If you would like to see the actual power levels, switch the FUNCTION lever to POWER, and work the POWER level to FWD and REF. The FWD power should be significantly larger than the REF value.
10) If your SWR is greater than 2.5, your antenna system has some concerns. Depending on who you talk to, anything less than 3 or so is "acceptable". Personally, I strive to keep my antenna systems below 1.5:1.

Dual Needle Meters

An illustration of a Dual Needle meters is shown below:

A dual-needle meter will likely have a switch for the power level, and perhaps one for which band is being tested.
Dual-needle meters do not need to be calibrated, aside from making sure that the needles are resting on zero when the meter is at rest. The left needle (the one in red on my diagram) typically
shows the FWD (forward) power, and the right needle (in blue on my diagram) typically shows the REF (reflected) power. The SWR is read where the two needles intersect, as suggested by the light green line in the middle.
There is no hard standard on what role each needle on the meter has.... the only standard is that the SWR reading is recorded from the intersection of the two needles. Whenever using this style of needle, make sure that the cables are connected properly, and that you read the calibration scales before attempting to use.

Some Other Thoughts

* A perfect SWR does not indicate a well-performing antenna installation. Remember, dummy loads should be well balanced, but they do not make good antennas.
* You can use a meter like this to test feed line. Hook up a dummy load to the antenna connection on the meter. Hook up a short piece of coax to the TX side of the meter, and place into the radio. Set your RANGE properly, and put the FUNCTION into POWER mode , and the POWER selector into FWD. Key your radio, and record the reading. Now, remove the short piece of coax, and attach the long feedline to the meter and to the transmitter. Key the radio, and record the new reading. The first reading should be larger than the second one. First reading minus (-) the second reading will be your lost energy due to coax transfer.
* More than one person has asked if it is safe to keep the SWR meter in an antenna circuit. For HF, where your radio may be constantly changing bands, the SWR meter will be quite handy to have inline while changing antennas and bands. For VHF/UHF repeater use, your SWR will probably not change as much (then again, because of the scales of the frequency, HF has a lot more physical antenna to work with!). Your SWR meter will introduce a small loss into your antenna system, so you might not hear the faintest systems, but on the whole, the SWR meter permanently in line will not harm it, or cause it to burn out. Just be sure, that if you are changing power levels, that you keep the RANGE selection in the proper location.

Written by: KC0ARF, June 2004

UK Lifetime Licences

2006-07-06T08:50:00.000+08:00

The United Kingdom is proposing that Amateur Radio Licencees
be issued with Lifetime Licences.
Read all about the draft, that is being planned to be implemented
come 1October 2006, by clicking on the subject header above.

Extract taken from the above draft.

Lifetime amateur radio licence
Section 1

1 Introduction

Lifetime amateur radio licensing

1.1 Subsequent to a consultation on amateur radio licensing launched on 26 May 2005, Ofcom published a policy statement on the future of amateur radio licensing on 14 February 20061.

1.2 It is necessary to make some changes to the amateur radio licence in order to implement these reforms.

1.3 This document contains the revised amateur radio licence for information purposes only so as to ensure that stakeholders are aware of the revised licence terms, conditions and limitations.
1.4 Ofcom plans to introduce the new lifetime amateur radio licence on 1 October 2006 2(the "Implementation Date").

1.5 For each radio amateur licensee who holds an existing amateur radio licence, the new lifetime licence will only come into force when the term of their current amateur radio licence expires.

1.6 For each radio amateur licensee who holds an existing amateur radio licence, in order to ensure that the new lifetime licence arrives in good time, Ofcom will post lifetime amateur radio licences 6 weeks before the date when the licensee’s current licence is due to expire. Ofcom will only send these licences to licensees whose licence expires on or after 1 October 20062. Any licences which expire before this date must be renewed with the RLC and will not be replaced with the new licence at that time.

Kita di Malaysia macam?

Possible new PreFix

2006-07-05T11:30:00.000+08:00

2006-06-29

Montenegro new prefix Z7 (Zulu Seven)

New country Montenegro new prefix.

YT6A, Ranko, reports thatMontenegrin authorities will be submitting an application for a prefixfor the fledgling nation. Several Montenegrin Amateur Radio operatorsare hoping (stress hoping) for the Z7 (Zulu Seven) prefix. Youreditor is watching the ITU news and is in daily contact with severalMontenegrin Amateur Radio operators. DXers have been asking how totell which stations are currently operating from Montenegro. Stationsusing the following prefixes are located in the new country: 4O3, 4O6,YT3, YT6, YU3, YU6, YZ3 and YZ6. All of these will count for DXCCstarting June 28, 2006. Between now and July 20th do not expect a lotof activity. However mark you calendars between July 20th and August12th for the Montenegro 2006 International DX Festival.

MontenegroBeginning date for DXCC - June 28, 2006
Capital - Podgorica CQ Zone - 15 ITU Zone - 28
Continent - Europe UTC Offset - 1 hour ahead
Lat/Long - 19.28 East 42.47 North (Podgorica)

Crystal Radio Resources for SWL's

2006-06-15T21:43:00.000+08:00

For those new commers wanting to learn more about amateur radio the vintage way?

You could start off by listening to short wave radio or learn to make your on radio receiver.

Here is a said Crystal Radio set I made with the help of my school teacher during my form two in secondary school.

http://www.thebest.net/wuggy/default.htm

73

Rodney

Do You Know Your Antenna types?

2006-06-11T16:05:00.000+08:00

Some of our SWL members might like this information
regarding the various Antenna types.
I am not promoting SMC but since their phamplet
has got a lot of information, I felt it will be helpful for
those that are keen to know.

Go to:

http://www.smc-comms.com/documents/ant/antenna.pdf

File is 7.07 mb, therefore it will take some time for it
to appear on your screen.

Some examples below:

New Handytalkie

2006-06-04T20:23:00.000+08:00

Icom just released a new portable this month.
Check out the specs!

Icom IC-E91
Type: Amateur VHF/UHF transceiver

Frequency range:
TX: 144-146 / 430-440 MHz
RX: 0.495-999.990 MHz
5/6.25/8.33/9/10/12.5/15/20/25/30/50/100/200 KHz steps

Mode:
TX: FM (DV option (Digital voice) UT-121)
RX: AM/FM/WFM (DV option (Digital voice) UT-121)

RF Power output: Hi: 5/5 Lo: 0.5/0.5 W

Voltage:
DC battery or 10-16 VDC external
Current drain:
RX: 17-370 mATX: Max 2.2 A
Impedance: 50 ohms, SMA

Weight:
300 gr (with battery and antenna)

Manufactured: Japan, 2006-200x

Other:
1304 memories. DTMF and CTCSS. Spectrum
scopePC-programmable. Alpha tags. Twin RX. D-Star option
Related documents:
User manual (1.7 MB)

Home brew Antenna

2006-05-30T15:30:00.000+08:00

Just an example of a "new' Ham member doing his
part in experimenting with Antenna construction.

9W2ADC Mohd Khairul has managed to build a "Slim Jim"
antenna using some diagrams available from the internet.

Some fotos on his latest project, taken at Ali Baba on Fri 26May06

Sorry lah. Blame my Phone camera and hand that was shaking!

This shot was better. Antenna connector can be seen
just below Khairul's palm.
Antenna swr at 147.980 mhz read as 1.1:1 &
the needle hardly moved!

We will be trying to make a 6 element Yagi antenna next.

9M2RTB Repeater

2006-05-26T17:12:00.000+08:00

For those Amateur radio stations that are on the road
south of KL, can opt to try the 9M2RTB repeater located
in Seremban for their QSO.

This repeater was recently brought back to "life" by
some volunteers from Seremban, who took the trouble to
go up Gunung Telapa Buruk to see what was wrong.

I have been able to trigger that repeater from my home
base using only 5 watts of power.

The frequency to use :

9M2RTB 145.625mhz Offset -0.600 Tone 203.5khz

ISS on Malaysia! (Amazing nice QSO!!!).Bill McArthur (NA1SS) made a QSO with 9W2QC

2006-05-07T01:14:00.000+08:00

http://pd0rkc.ontwikkel.nl/main.html

http://pd0rkc.ontwikkel.nl/main1901.html
ISS on Malaysia! (Amazing nice QSO!!!).Bill McArthur (NA1SS) made a QSO with 9W2QC
http://pd0rkc.ontwikkel.nl/ISSAUDIO/08012006_9W2QC_NA1SS.mp3

Here we have our ham who made us Malaysian proud to have contacted ISS crew. I wonder if I could follow his foot steps?

But what are the equiptment setup I need? Err? I got no idea... I wonder a single bander 2 meter VHF rig will do the trick? And what is the antenna to use?

Any idea anyone?

73 for now... need to dig out for more infor to try DXing also with ISS some day....

Regards,

Rodney
9W2YJ

RAE 2006-1 exam venues for Central and Northern Region

2006-05-03T18:52:00.000+08:00

Hi,

Please find the location maps to the RAE Exam center at Subang Villa Hotel for Central Centre and Kampus Kejuruteraan USM, Nibong Tebal, Seberang Jaya for the Northern centre.

Those who have been successful in their application to sit for the exam will be receiving their Admittance Slip and your Index number in the mail soon.

Wishing all RAE 2006-1 candidates "Selamat Maju Jaya" on the 25 May 2006.

All the best,

Homebrew Amateur Yagi Antenna for RM26.60

2006-04-18T11:17:00.000+08:00

To view the individual clearer picture, click on these links :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v398/satish228/9304054_Page_1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v398/satish228/9304054_Page_2.jpg

Above antenna design was obtained from the net.

We would like to place on record a very big thank you to
Nathan Loucks WB0CMT, for his design of a very cheap
3 element Yagi.

Appreciate if our readers can come back with their comments
with regards to the making and final product rating regarding
this Yagi. Please send the email to : suchartmal@gmail.com

Amateur Operating Procedure - Apr 15, 2006

2006-04-11T16:21:00.000+08:00

Some info from MARTS

They are having a dialogue session this Saturday April 15
with reference to "Operating Procedures".

Can this be also be made into an Q & Answer session for
us to find out why we are not getting our receipts/membership cards/
repeater plans...and so forth?

This will mean that we have to get to Penang!

Anybody?

Repeater Plan

2006-04-04T19:24:00.000+08:00

Hi,
Its been 2 weeks since this plan was posted and little interest shown here, as such the posting has been removed. We thank you for your silent observation and do hope there will be more participation of comments here.

73

Comments now moderated

2006-04-04T15:52:00.000+08:00

Effective 01 April 2006, all comments on the AmateuradioMalaysia
blogspot will require it to be moderated.

This, we feel is necessary, as from experience, there were too many
comments that were not related to Amateur Radio at all, but
at times close to it being slurring another.

Therefore, please bear in mind that all comments posted will
take some time for it to appear in the comments field.

We hope that with this measure, focus will be on Amateur
Radio matters and relevant for it to be in this Blogspot.

Cheers

Echolink Node

2006-04-02T15:50:00.000+08:00

For the Amateur Community around the vicinity of Kerinchi,
thanks to the assistance of 9W2DTR, he has set up an Echolink
Node.
To gain access to the Node, one will have go to Channel V23
or 145.2875 simplex, enter the DTMF code,
#33 (some stations might not have to enter this code)
while pressing the PTT.
It is also required to please give a 3 second pause in between
transmissions to allow the radio to rest and not get overheated.

Wanna start AMateur TV?

2006-03-24T15:19:00.000+08:00

Show the family, the shack, projects, etc. Since the lower the
frequency, the farther the distance, given the same power
and antenna gain, the 70 cm band is where 98% of ATVers
operate - it is also the lowest cost and easiest to get on.
The 902-928 MHz band goes half the distance and so on.
ATV frequencies work best with an unobstructed line of
sight path between the transmitting and
receiving antennas. So the antenna and height is the most
important part of the ATV station. Antennas need to be made
for the 70 cm band, preferably as high of gain as possible and
the same polarity as is standard in your area. Low loss coax
is also a must as it takes 150 to 200 microvolts into your receiver
for a snow free picture and you don't want to throw RF away
unnecessarily.

To see your first picture it may be as easy as turning your cable
ready TV to cable channel 57 thru 60 and connecting it to a good
outside 70 cm antenna of the same polarity as is used in your
area by ATVers. It doesn't get any cheaper or easier
than that to enjoy another of the many modes in Amateur Radio.
Make sure your TV tuner is switched to cable channels when you
try it. Unlike slow scan TV - SSTV - ATV standards are the
same as broadcast TV and your camcorder so your TV set is
your receiver without the need of any computer or other black
box interface. However, the 70 cm, 420-450 MHz band is the
first ham band that has wide enough bandwidth for ATV and
therefore can best be seen between antennas with line of sight.

Amateur Television, ATV, is fun and easier than you might think
to get on with all kinds of applications.
Besides sending and receiving live action color video between
home ham stations much in the way you are probably
used to with voice on two meter FM, there is; televising live or
from tape your ham radio club meetings to those
who could not make it in person; showing critical locations to
local emergency service groups during actual
disasters, parades or races; seeing Space Shuttle video and
audio if some one is repeating it from their satellite
TVRO; seeing the edge of space from amateur balloons or
rockets as high as 100,000 ft.; getting a pilots view from
a camera in a R/C model aircraft or real airplane, and much more.

Any camcorder or camera can simply plug its composite video
and line audio into the ATV transmitter. It can be color or
black and white - what ever you plug in is what you get out.
Composite NTSC video is the standard A/V output in
the USA for camcorders. As an alternative there are many
small low cost color or black and white cameras available now
that are made for computers or security
under $200 that can be used at the home station, mobile,
portable, R/C, balloon or rocket ATV.

Codes

2006-03-24T12:44:00.001+08:00

Ham Radio CW International Q-Signals

Q-Signal code followed by
CW Meaning

QRA
What is your callsign? (callsign)
QSA
What is my signal strength? (1-5)
QRG
What is my exact frequency? (this freq)
QSB
Are my signals fading? (signals are fading)
QRH
Does my frequency vary?
QSD
Is my keying defective?
QRI
What is my signal tone quality? (1-3)
QSG
Shall I send __ messages at a time?
QRK
What is my signal intelligibility? (1-5)
QSK
Can you work break-in? (break-in operation)
QRL
Are you (or this freq) busy? (This freq. is busy)
QSL
Can you acknowledge receipt? (I confirm receipt of message)
QRM
Is my transmission being interfered with? (signal interference)
QSM
Shall I repeat the last message I sent?
QRN
Are you troubled by static? (static, atmospheric noise)
QSO
Can you communicate with this station? (radio contact between stations)
QRO
Shall I increase transmitter power? (increase power, high powered)
QSP
Will you relay to __?
QRP
Shall I decrease transmitter power? (decrease power, low powered)
QST
A general call preceding messages to all radio operators (info, news).
QRQ
Shall I send faster?
QSV
Shall I send a series of V's?
QRS
Shall I send slower? (send slower)
QSW
Will you transmit on __?
QRT
Shall I stop sending? (stop transmitting)
QSX
Will you listen on __ (freq)?
QRU
Do you have any messages for me? (I have no messages for you)
QSY
Shall I change frequency? (change frequency)
QRV
Are you ready? (I am ready to transmit)
QSZ
Shall I send each word/group more than once?
QRW
Shall I tell __ (callsign) you're calling him?
QTH
What is your location? (station location)
QRX
When will you call me again? (wait, standby)
QTR
What is your correct time?
QRZ
Who is calling me? (anyone answering my transmission)
QTX
Will you keep your station open for further communication with me?
Notes
Q-signals are three letter combinations used to represent common phrases or sentences for CW operation. They may be used as a question with a question mark (?) or statement without the question mark. For example, "QRZ?" is used to ask for the calling station(s) to identify again. "Please (pse) QRS" is used as a request to send the code at a slower speed. "The QTH is" is used to indicate this station's location.

Although originally used for CW, many Q-signals have become acceptable for phone operation.
Non Q-Signal CW Radiotelegraph Abbreviations:
73 -- Best Regards.
88 -- Love and Kisses.
YL -- Young Lady meaning Unmarried Lady; also any female ham radio operator.
XYL -- Ex-Young Lady, meaning a Married Lady; usually refers to a ham's wife.
OM -- Old Man, any male ham radio operator.

Copyright © 1997-2005 W5AM, Radioing.com. All rights reserved.

MARTS web page Motto

2006-03-15T22:26:00.000+08:00

Welcome to MARTS, the national organization representing the interests of amateur radio (ham) operators in Malaysia since 1952.

MARTS is devoted to providing valuable programs to serve the ham community, whether those served are Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters' Society members or not, prospective hams, or old timers.

=====================================

The above lines were taken from MARTS website today.
Its funny, normally a Society/Association or Club, is to take
care of its members interest primarily, and then if time and
funding permits, to assist others who are in the same hobby
but who are not members. If you don't believe me..click
on the title link above!

But here we have a Society that is looking after people who
are not members in benefit..not paying any dues!

If this is the case..then we all need not be MARTS members!
But we still can use all MARTS facilities..
Lets see..RM50 per year..can buy a lot of Char Kuih Tiow!

my 2 sens

Where did the word HAM come from?

2006-03-14T22:37:00.000+08:00

From Florida Skip Magazine - 1959

Have you ever wondered why radio amateurs are called "HAMS"?

Well, it goes like this: The word "HAM" as applied to 1908
was the station CALL of the first amateur wireless stations
operated by some amateurs of the Harvard Radio Club.
They were ALBERT S. HYMAN, BOB ALMY and POOGIE MURRAY.
At first they called their station "HYMAN-ALMY-MURRAY".
Tapping out such a long name in code soon became tiresome
and called for a revision. They changed it to "HY-AL-MU",
using the first two letters of each of their names.
Early in 1901 some confusion resulted between signals
from amateur wireless station "HYALMU" and a
Mexican ship named "HYALMO".
They then decided to use only the first letter of each name,
and the station CALL became "HAM".

HAM Radio in Space . .Australia's next

2006-03-14T17:45:00.000+08:00

It seems that most people are now taking Amateur Radio to Space. A good model to replicate, that of ARRL, project ARISS, The University of New South Wales, is replicating it OZ Style.
(Follow the link above on their launch and payload, with objectives i.e double click title!)

Malaysia boleh! With that in mind, let's work towards that target too . . .shall we?
Project SKYTALK 9M , stand up now!
send your email to ayewk@yahoo.com to get included in the mailing list for the project.

de 9W2MCT -Tony

Emergency Beacon Watch

2006-03-10T08:51:00.000+08:00

as highlighted by Izwan 9W2IZW,

This is good for Hamsters that get lost in the jungle,
or over water.
The watch in question transmits an emergency signal on
either VHF or UHF distress frequencies of
121.5 Mz or 243 Mz.

121.5 MHz transmitter power reserve at 30 mW : 48 hrs

243 MHz transmitter power reserve at 25 mW : 24 hrs

Thermal operating range : –10° to 85°C.

Transmitter water resistance : to 30 m (3 atm)

Transmitter power source : 2 x 3V independent lithium batteries.

water-resistant to 30 m (3 atm). Sapphire crystal, glareproofed front and back.

Incorporating an emergency microtransmitter, the Breitling Emergency was developed to assist pilots in distress.

The Emergency version for civil-aviation use broadcasts on the 121.5 MHz distress frequency and serves as a back-up for ELT-type airborne beacons. For military users, Breitling has equipped the Emergency with a miniaturized transmitter with On/Off switch, operating on the 243 MHz military frequency.

Under normal conditions — flat terrain or calm seas — the Emergency's signal will be picked up at a range of up to 90 nautical miles by search aircraft flying at 20, 000 feet.
The Emergency is designed to foil any handling mistakes and to protect the transmitter from even violent jarring.

taken from :

http://www.breitling.com/orbiter/breit97/eng/emerg.html

HAM Radio In Space

2006-03-08T16:49:00.002+08:00

Some of you may have already been exposed to this, and may consider this stale news.
For those of you who have not, a recent experiment involving an orbiting transmitter, aptly named SUITSAT, which was manually launched from the International Space Station, may have stirred some more interest in you.
If you do have the time, spend a few minutes reading this article, http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast21aug_1.htm and perhaps, you can participate in the up and coming, hopefully, workable project. It all depends on our friends in Angkasa, and their opinion of Amateur Radio Experiments in general!

9M2RT-Razif, came out with a good suggestion, replicating this idea, of getting Malaysia's first Astronaut to communicate directly with Earth stations in 9M/W2 land. The idea was tossed around a bit, and MARTS Council was informed about it.
Seeing that this is a great opportunity to alleviate our Society, we have decided to publish this idea, in hope that we can get some, decent volunteers, to help steer this project.
So far, Angkasa, through it's Science Officer for the 'Angkasawan' project has reacted positively, and is keen to explore this. We are now in the process of getting our heads together, so that we can start the groundwork.

So, we are calling for all interested HAMS, to stand up and be counted. An invitation to other clubs will be extended through the 'official' channel, once we get the complete go ahead.
Send your positive replies to ayewk@yahoo.com, and get updated.

So here is hoping that you can come explore this new front with us.

de 9W2MCT - Tony
p.s this is a MARTS Members initiative, and IS NOT restricted !

Cushcraft VHF Antenna for sale

2006-03-06T19:31:00.000+08:00

9W2VA has a Cushcraft VHF antenna Model ARX2B
for sale at RM345.

Antenna looks like this when fully erected:

The Cushcraft ARX2B Ringo Ranger II has more gain, less windload and more mechanical integrity than other 2 meter antennas. Based on the original W1BX Ringo, the Ringo Ranger II is the latest design featuring three 5/8 wave radiating elements and an adjustable 1/8 wave phasing stub. The result is very low angle of radiation over your coverage area.

Technical specifications :
• Frequency: 135-160 MHz • Gain: 7.0 dBi • VSWR 2:1 Bandwidth: >3 MHz • Power: 1000 watts FM • Height: 14 Feet (4.3 m) • Ring Diameter: 5 inches (12.7 cm) • Mast Size: 1-1.25 inches (2.54-3.1 cm) • Wind Surface: 0.5 sq. feet • Connector: UHF • Weight: 6 Lbs (2.7 kg)

Please contact him at 012-2037060 for more details

9M2RUK - Reinstallation

2006-03-06T18:54:00.000+08:00

CQ CQ CQ . . .calling any stations who are interested to scale Ulu Kali, to assist or perhaps lead in the Repeater re-installation. As we have to submit a list of intended visitors, complete with IC, and Full name, please advise Tony - 9W2MCT via ayewk@yahoo.com, as soon as possible.
The dateline to do so, is on Wednesday, 8th March 2006.

The request from MARTS council for these information was received Friday, March 2nd 2006.
We are trying to kep the group small, so if you volunteer, be prepared to do your part.

de Martsnews.Blogspot.com

Amateur TV

2006-03-05T23:45:00.000+08:00

For those 9M licence holders, anyone of you have any experience
in the transmission of Video signals as shown below?

Or Video streams being sent through a repeater like in the scenario below?

New Rig

2006-03-05T23:29:00.000+08:00

Found this YAESU Model FT1802 being sold in America.

Rig is for VHF use only.

Type:
Amateur VHF transceiver
Frequency range:
TX: 144-146 MHz
Mode:
FM/NFM
RF Power output:
Hi: 50 WMid: 25 WLo2: 10 WLo: 5 W
Sensitivity:
<0.2>70 dB
Voltage:
13.8 VDC
Current drain:
RX: 300-700 mATX: 4-10 A
Impedance:
50 ohms
Dimensions (W*H*D):
140*40*146 mm
Weight:
1.2 Kg
Manufactured:
2006-200x
Other:
221 memories with Alpha-tags. ARTS, DTMF, CTCSS, DCSWIRES II. CW trainer. Password protection.New price 2006 in Sweden: 1995:- SEK

Has anybody had any experience with this set?

Ham Glossary 2

2006-02-27T21:55:00.000+08:00

Backscatter

Form of ionosphere propagation via the E and F layers allowing
stations to hear other stations within the skip
zones.

Balun

A simple transformer used to change an unbalanced input
to a balanced output.

Band

A range of frequencies.

Bandwidth

Frequency needed for particular type of emission.

Bank

Memory bank

BCI

(BroadCast Interference)

BFO

(Beat Frequency Oscillator)

BNC

(Bayonet Neill-Concelman)
A type of antenna connector

BPF

(BandPass Filter)

Busy lockout

Inhibits transmit on a frequency in use

Call sign

Sequence of letter and numbers used to identify amateur
radio operators and issued by the FCC.

CAP (Civil Air Patrol)

Volunteer affiliate of the United States Air Force.

Carrier

An unmodulated transmitted signal.

Carrier frequency offset (=Carrier Shift)

Distance between mark and space of the carrier for RTTY or
similar communications.

CBR (Cross Band Repeater)

A repeater which receive incoming signal and re-transmit it in
different bands— e.g. receives 144 MHz bands and re-transmits
430(440) MHz bands.

CCW

(Counter ClockWise)

CH

(CHannel)
Sequence of memory positions where frequency and related
information is stored.

CI-V

Icom computer Control Interface allows multiple radio control
simultaneously.

Conversion

Number of IF circuits in the receiver.

CPU

(Central Processing Unit)

CQ

Radio communications term used to call others.

CTCSS

(Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System)
Adds a continuous sub-audible low frequency tone to the
transmitted carrier. Receivers set for the same low frequency
tone can decode signal.

CW

1) Carrier Wave
2) ClockWise

CW filter

Used to narrow IF passband to improve reception in crowded
band conditions.

New Product

2006-02-24T12:22:00.000+08:00

One of the latest Amateur Rigs..dual bander VHF/UHF

Price not known as yet.

You can use it to watch TV on its LCD screen!

Ham Glossary 1

2006-02-24T11:13:00.000+08:00

ACC
(ACCessory)

Adjacent-channel interference
When a receiver is tuned to a specific frequency and interference
is received on a nearby frequency.

AF (Audio Frequency)

AFC (Automatic Frequency Control)
Automatically compensate frequency drift.

AFSK (Audio Frequency Shift Keying)

AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
Automatically optimize receiver amplifier gain.

ALC (Automatic Limiting Control)
Limits RF drive level to power amplifier during transmit to prevent
distortion.

AM (Amplitude Modulation)

AMSAT (AMateur SATellite)

AMTOR (AMateur Teleprinting Over Radio)
A form of RTTY, radio teletype.

ANF (Automatic Notch Filter)

ANL (Automatic Noise Limiter)
Eliminates impulse and static noise peaks.
ANT (ANTenna)

Antenna ground system
Term used for a RF reference potential for some types of antennas.
Most unbalanced or asymmetrical antennas need a
good RF ground.

Antenna impedance
The impedance of an antenna at its resonance. Although an
antenna’s impedance fluctuates with the frequency of operation,
an antenna should be 50 Ω for most transceivers.

Antenna matching
When the antenna’s impedance at resonance is at optimum
performance for your transmitter output circuit.

Antenna tuner
Device used to match an antenna to the output impedance
of a transmitter.

APC (Automatic Power Control)
Current limiting of power amplifier to prevent damage to finals
in high SWR conditions.

APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System)
In conjunction with a GPS and TNC provide position reporting.

ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service)
ARES is a public-service organization of the ARRL.

ARRL (The American Radio Relay League)
The National Association for Amateur Radio in the US.

ASCII (American National Standard Code for Information Interchange)
A seven-unit digital code for the transmission of teleprinter
data.

ATT (ATTenuator)
A network designed to reduce the amplitude of a signal.

ATV (Amateur Television)
FSTV (fast scan TV), SSTV (slow scan TV)

Auto patch
Used in repeater operation for telephone interconnect.

Average power
Power measured on standard power meter.

http://www.icomamerica.com/support/manuals/ham_radio_terms.pdf

9M2RUK . . .the verdict

2006-02-17T20:33:00.000+08:00

Coinciding with the Ulu Kali Site visit by MARTS Secretary and MOTOROLA officials, 9M2CM-Thommy Lim, 9M2CF- Chow CW, and 9W2MCT - Tony Yew made an attempt to rectify the fast failing 9M2RUK. With the support from 9W2NAL-Zainal, who supplied 30m of RG8 cable, and Chow, equipped, with a Bird and an SWR meter, the team proceeded with the serious work of righting the 'other' old lady!
Not realising the difference between the tower design of Bukit Lanjan and Ulu Kali, I figured it would be ok to 'climb' the UK tower. Alas, when we arrived the sight of it, immediately killed that very thought. With the right documents carried by 9M2CL-Bob, accompanied by TM Engineers, we proceeded to the repeater room. Identifying the future rack for the linking repeater (AA not known to me yet) was done by the visiting team, whilst Thommy and Chow quickly got down to the task.
Although news that the Antenna set up needed to be serviced, as well as the location of the antenna, was made known ahead of this visit, by 9M2AM-Annuar, as well as 9W2XL-Bear,
the diagnosis was conducted in precise manner.
The verdict? There is a loss of power output from the Repeater, hence it will need to be decommissioned, as well as a high SWR reading of the Antenna, hopefully a new one will be put in place.

All said, another visit will be conducted and hopefully with the help of the Professional Riggers (Halim and Gang) 9M2RUK will hopefully be resurrected to live.
A fruiful visit, it must be said, but hopefully next time, others will partake.

de 9W2MCT -Tony

9M4RUK, and 9M4RKL

2006-02-16T00:16:00.000+08:00

CQ CQ CQ. Anyone interested to assist or lead in the restoration of 9M4RUK are encouraged to call 9W2MCT-Tony for a visit to Ulu Kali, Genting Highlands, February 17th 2006. This last minute info is regretted, but hopefully some of you can step out from the shadows.

9M4RUK is being transported to KL by 9M2CL-Bob, and should change hands tomorrow, in Genting Highlands.
Currently, unconfirmed Stations attending to RUK are
9M2CM - Tommy, 9M2CF - Chow, 9W2MCT - Tony with equipment loaned from 9W2XL-Bear
Those who want to overnight in Genting will have complimentary rooms (contact Tony-016 6740 333)

de 9W2MCT - Tony

Class A & Class B Working Frequencies

2006-02-14T11:44:00.000+08:00

Class A License Operating Privilege
(for 9M call sign operators)

Frequency PEP Class of Emission
1.8-2.0 05 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
3.5-3.9 400 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
7.0-7.1 400 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
10.1-10.15 400 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
14.0-14.35 400 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
18.068-18.168 400 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
21.0-21.45 400 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
24.89-24.99 400 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
28.0-29.7 400 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
50.0-54.0 400 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
144.0-146.0 400 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
146.0-148.0 400 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
430.0-440.0 100 A1A, A2A, A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
1,240-1,300 100 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
2,300-2,450 050 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
3,300-3,500 050 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
5,650-5,850 050 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
10,000-10,500 050 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
24,000-24,250 050 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
47,000-47,200 050 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
75.500-81,000 050 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
119,800-120,020 025 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
142,000-144,000 025 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
144,000-149,000 025 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
244,000-248,000 025 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
248,000-250,000 025 A1A, A2A, A3E, A3C, C3F, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E

Class B License Operating Privilege
(for 9W call sign operators)
Frequency PEP Class of Emission
28.0-29.7 050 A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
50.0-54.0 050 A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
144.0-146.0 050 A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
146.0-148.0 050 A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E
430.0-440.0 050 A3E, F1A, F2A, F3E, J3E, R3E

From the above listing, you will realise that Class B Licence holders have limited
frequencies to experiment with. No wonder that most Class B stations are "talking" only..

Data obtained from:
http://www.marts.org.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6&Itemid=25

International Space Station Contact

2006-02-02T23:37:00.000+08:00

Message from our Ham, 9W2QC, Sion Chow Q.C,
regarding his latest radio contact with the Astronauts
on board the ISS.

Qte

Hello All,
William (Bill) McArthur, KC5ACR, has been very active operating ham radio from the International Space Station (ISS) the previous weekend. On the 21st and 22nd January 2006 (Saturday and Sunday), I managed to make another two QSOs with Bill on board the ISS. With this, I had made a total of three QSOs with Bill and five QSOs with the ISS crews.What is more interesting is that, my mother, Kathleen (9W2MAH) also managed to make a contact on the 22nd January 2006. Congratulations to my mother, who has became the first YL from Malaysia to have worked Bill!!! Although she was a bit nervous, I am still very proud that she managed to make the contact.For more information and recordings, please visit http://www.9w2qc.net/issqso2/Now, I am happy to say that the first station to work Bill, the first OM station to work Bill and the first YL station to work Bill are 9 WHISKEY stations respectively.
This shows that, morse code testing is not relevant as a testing standard to test a person's capability to operate amateur radio and a person who can send morse code at 15 WPM do not necessarily have to be a good radio operator.
Thank You.
73,Sion Chow Q. C.,9W2QC.
Strong supporter of the abolishment of the Morse Code requirement to obtain a full license!!!Support NCI for the healthy future of ham radio !!! Join NCI @ http://www.nocode.org/ "

Unqte

UHF Antenna for 9M2RKL

2006-01-26T14:40:00.000+08:00

Our Central Region representative, 9W2XL - Bear
has highlighted that the UHF antenna on Bukit
Lanjan condition is not very good.

As such, we are appealing to any good samaritans
who would like to donate a new commercial
antenna for the UHF band, 430 to 440 Mhz, to be
used on Bukit Lanjan. This will further our very
good hobby of using Amateur radioin the Klang Valley.

The repaired UHF repeater is scheduled to be
reinstalled just after Chinese New Year.

Please leave your contact telephone numbers
in the comment field for us to arrange for
the collection of the "donation."

Rgds

Homebrew GPS re-radiating antenna for portable units

2006-01-17T22:30:00.000+08:00

Dear All,

Mini Power Supply homebrew for GPS receiver and Interface connector wiring for Garmin Etrax Legend.

Amateur Radio and Automatic Positioning Radio System (APRS) Setup
http://home.nc.rr.com/chilcote/aprs/aprs.html

Portable Re-Radiating Antenna set (MCX) - package - Consists of GARTX + GAST3X Code:GART3X - $47.90 sold in Hong Kong.

http://www.pc-mobile.net/gpsant.htm

Homebrew GPS re-radiating antenna for portable units!

I bought a Garmin Etrax Legend GPS hand held receiver last week from Singapore and was not too happy with the performance since it was not able to received the traking satellites properly since I placed the unit on my car dash board.

http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexLegend/

My next step is to homebrew an Active Re-Radiating Antenna for my hand held GPS receiver! By combining a homebrew PCB board GPS antenna at 1.5GHz with a simple Pre-Amp circuit and a induction loop coil placed just above the GPS receiving antenna will enable better reception of the GPS satellite.

http://www.gartrip.de/antenna.htm
http://home.iae.nl/users/plundahl/antenne/patchant.htm
http://home.iae.nl/users/plundahl/antenne/helical.htm

Have anyone try this experiment before? Or anyone have used a commercial version and does it claimed to work? Any feedback is much appreciated!

http://www.users.qwest.net/~m_lapaglia/ant.htm
http://bytethebullet.com/geocaching/reradiating_antenna.htm

I also learned how to upload free Malaysia Maps into my GPS receiver learn FREE from "GPS Maps of Malaysia & Singapore" http://www.malsingmaps.com/ and FREE World Maps for GPS http://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com/ and FREE tips on Uploading Maps into Garmin GPS unit http://www.malaysiagis.com/related_technologies/gps/resources4.cfm

73

Regards,

Rodney Yeo
9W2YJ

P.S. -> Thanks to Tony Yap 9W2YAP, Mat 9W2TTT and others for the ideas and insperation!

ISS Contact from Malaysia

2006-01-13T11:23:00.000+08:00

Following email received from 9W2QC

Sion Chow Q. C. (9W2QC)

Jan 11 (2 days ago)
First of all a very Happy New Year to all of you.
On the 9th of January 2006, at 0136 Hours Malaysian Standard Time or 1736 Hours UTC, I managed a QSO with William McArthur (KC5ACR) on board the International Space Station (ISS).
Please visit http://www.9w2qc.net/issqso/ for more details.
I am also happy that this QSO has served three points:

1. That the 1st station he worked from Malaysia is a 9 WHISKEY station.
This shows that 9W are also capable of out of earth communications.

2. That the astronauts do not turn off the radio over Asia as claimed by some parties.

3. That the QRM over Asia is not as bad as claimed by some parties. Bill himself said that it is not as bad as over North Africa and Europe.

Thank You.
73,Sion Chow Q. C.,9W2QC.
Strong supporter of the abolishment of the Morse Code requirement to obtain a full license!!!Support NCI for the healthy future of ham radio !!! Join NCI @ www.nocode.org "

Rgds

Fancy making you own VHF Antenna?

2006-01-04T22:42:00.000+08:00

VHF Direct Connect Beams

Here are some lengths and spacings for various direct connect beams. The layouts are straight forward and are illustrated below. Your SWR should be less than 1.3:1 with these designs.

The driven element is cut into two halves and insulated from the boom with nonmetalic material. Then the two wires of the coax are connected, one to each section of the driven element. You may drill small holes and use sheet metal screws to accomplish this.

The reflector, director 1, and director 2 can be attached directly to the boom by a variety of methods. There are some helpful hints for antenna construction on our antenna construction tips page.

EXAMPLE

2 Meter 4 element beam center frequency 146.52 MHz
using 1/2" diameter tubing

Reflector Element Length [38-1/8 "]

Driven Element [36 "]

Driven Element spacing from reflector [24-1/4 "]

Director 1 length [34-1/2 "]

Director 1 Element spacing from Reflector [49 "]

Director 2 length [34-3/8"]

Director 2 Element spacing from Reflector [71-1/2"]

Typical Gain 8.43 dbd F/B 13.32 db

For full details please goto: http://www.qsl.net/w4sat/antlegn.htm

Do you know Series - 11

2005-12-25T15:48:00.000+08:00

It is a common perception that it requires sophisticated equipment and large circularly polarised antenna arrays to work amateur satellites. There are several low Earth orbiting satellites which can be worked with relatively simple transceivers and antennas.

More recently, some satellites have been carrying crossband FM repeaters instead of linear transponders. These repeaters are similar to their familiar terrestrial cousins in that they receive an FM signal on a specific channel, demodulate the signal and retransmit the signal on a new frequency. These satellites can only carry one QSO at a time.

To successfully work an amateur satellite, you need to have transceivers suitable for the satellites you wish to work. For the FM repeaters, either a dual band FM transceiver with crossband transmit/receive capabilities or separate 2m and 70cm FM transceivers are suitable. All of the FM satellites (operational or proposed) use 2m and 70cm, with one of these bands being used for the uplink, the other for the downlink.

There are a wider variety of frequencies in use by linear transponder satellites. The suggested bands to try for a first attempt are 2 metres uplink and 10 metres downlink. Example:

AMSAT-OSCAR 51 (Echo or AO-51)
Analog Uplink:
145.920 MHz FM (PL - 67Hz)145.880 MHz FM QRP (no PL)1268.700 MHz FM (PL - 67Hz)
Analog Downlink:
435.300 MHz FM2401.200 MHz FM
PSK-31 Uplink
28.140 MHz USB
Digital Uplink:
145.860 MHz 9600 bps, AX.251268.700 MHz 9600 bps AX.25
Digital Downlink:
435.150 MHz 9600 bps, AX.252401.200 MHz 38,400 bps, AX.25
Broadcast Callsign:
PECHO-11
BBS Callsign:
PECHO-12
Launched
June 29, 2004
Status: Operational

For antennas, an existing HF dipole and VHF/UHF omnidirectional antennas will work in a pinch. The typical VHF/UHF collinears typically have a low angle of radiation, and better results may be obtained with a simple ¼ wave groundplane, or for the more serious, a turnstile antenna. If you have crossed Yagis and AZ/EL rotators, all the better (but then this article isn’t aimed at you in this case! :-) ). Finally, though not essential, it is very strongly recommended to have a computer, satellite tracking software and an Internet connection available. The Internet connection is for downloading the latest Keplerian elements for the tracking software (and the software itself if you don’t have any), as well as checking satellite home pages for transponder schedules and other information. Besides, the Internet is fun when the birds aren’t overhead!

Working your first satellite! This isn’t anywhere near as daunting as it sounds. The first thing is to have a look around your shack and see what equipment you have. If, like many amateurs, you have FM only radios on VHF/UHF, then you are limited to the FM satellites. The rest of this article will concentrate on FM operation as nearly everyone has FM gear for 2m and 70cm, and the operating techniques are easier to master.

First, time for an inventory, as the gear you have available will partially determine the satellite to use. Regardless of the rig you use, it has to be capable of tuning in 5 kHz or smaller steps, to enable you to follow the Doppler shift as the satellite passes overhead.

Home operators will most likely use their existing omnidirectional or beam antennas. Modern omnis tend to have a very low angle of radiation and therefore may not give good results when used to work satellites. However, as most modern rigs put out 35-50 watts on 70cm, the extra power should largely compensate for the antenna’s radiation pattern. If you can use a ¼ wave or turnstile though, then you’ll enjoy better satellite performance. If you have a beam, you will need to track the satellite as it passes, especially at low angles, where the beam’s gain will be useful. And finally, don’t forget an earpiece or headphones. You will be operating full duplex (i.e. being able to transmit and receive simultaneously) and without headphones, feedback can be a problem. With them, you’ll be able to hear what you sound like while you transmit, which will be helpful for correcting for Doppler shift.

Only one person can use the transponder at a time and the satellite is usually only accessible for about 10 minutes. Others will appreciate your efficiency and courtesy. Most FM satellite contacts are usually an exchange of callsigns, signal reports and occasionally a comment about the weather.

The typical station is:
Uplink - Icom IC-T81A handheld running 3.5 watts into a 70cm 1/2 wave ground independent handheld whip.
Downlink - Alinco DJ-500T handheld or Standard C58 all mode portable with a "ScanDucky" scanning antenna (roughly equivalent to a 1/4 wave on 2m).

However, a word of warning: For some people, the thrill of satellite operation can be addictive! You may find yourself trying unusual situations, or decide to invest in multimode gear and work some of the linear 'birds' that are up there. You have been warned! (and I have the audio clips and 2m all mode box to prove this theory!) :-)

Courtesy & edited from AMSAT Web page :
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/information/faqs/langdon.php

Customised GPS Garmin Maps for Malaysia and Singapore

2005-12-20T12:38:00.000+08:00

Dear All,

Get Ready GPS data Malaysia and Singapore
In order to make things easy for everyone. I have included
A ready made map of Singapore and Malaysia ready to upload to your Garmin Mapping GPS.
The source file for the maps based on malaysiagis.com data

http://www.malaysiagis.com/related_technologies/gps/resources4.cfm

Welcome to the portal of GPS Maps of Malaysia & Singapore1. This site provides FREE GPS maps of Malaysia and Singapore for use with Garmin GPS receivers.2. With the correct setup and software, these maps can also be made to work with GPS enabled PDA's running on PPC environment.3. Please use these maps with caution and at your own risk!

http://malsingmaps.com/

Malaysia Spectrum Plan

2005-12-13T17:11:00.000+08:00

As some one was asking..

Here is the Band Plan link at MCMC

http://www.mcmc.gov.my/what_we_do/spectrum/pdf/planv2_3.pdf

Some of the pertinent bands that affect Amateurs:

Do you know Series - 10

2005-12-10T17:20:00.000+08:00

Do you know your Malaysian Satellites?

TIUNGSAT-1 (MO-46)

Uplinks
145.850,145.925 MHz 9600 baud FSK
Downlink
437.325 MHz 38.4K Baud FSK

Broadcast Callsign
MYSAT3-11
BBS
MYSAT3-12
NUP
MYSAT3-10

Launched
26 September 2000Status: Operational
TiungSat-1 is Malaysia's first micro-satellite and in addition to commercial land and weather imaging payloads offers FM and FSK amateur radio communication.

Info from http://www.amsat.org web page

Objectives

The TiungSAT-1 microsatellite mission carries the following payloads:
Multi-Spectral Earth Imaging System (MSEIS)
The MSEIS provides high quality approximately 80-metre ground sampling resolution multi-spectral images in 3 bands (Near Infra-Red, Green and Red) using 1024x1024 pixel 2-dimensional CCD array detector digitised to 8 bits radiometric resolution (256 levels). The image swath width is 80 km and each imager can collect 4 images contiguously along the flight path.
Meteorological Earth Imaging System (MEIS)
The MEIS provides high quality meteorological wide-field images (Near Infra-Red) with 1.2 km ground sampling using 1024x1024 pixel 2-dimensional CCD array detectors digitised to 8 bits radimetric resolution (256 levels). The images swath width is 1200 km and the imager can collect images contiguously along the flight path.
Digital Store-&-Forward Communications (S&F)
S&F communications provides global, frequency-agile, communications for any form of digitised data: e-mail, voice-mail, scientific data exchange, fax, images, or even Internet mail for remote regions. The low cost and direct access offered by theTiungSAT-1 microsatellite in orbit also makes it ideal for use by scientists, engineers and students based in institutes, universities and even schools throughout the world.
Digital Signal Processing Experiment (DSPE)
The DSPE consists of TM320C31 low power Digital Signal Processor suitable for special or general purpose signal processing tasks on LEO satellites.

Payload Information

Spacecraft
...........................
Spacecraft Mass 50 kg (platform: 35 kg; payload: 15 kg)
Spacecraft Envelope 690 x 360 x 360 mm
Communication Systems Supporting data rates from 9.6 kbps to 76.8 kbps at VHF/UHF
On-board Computers Primary 186EX OBC (16 Mbytes of SRAM EDAC). Secondary 386EX OBC with 387 co-processor (128 Mbytes of SRAM). They both use an in-orbit reloadable on-board real-time, multi-tasking operating system with high level, user friendly (C-language) application software.
On-board Data Handling Via Controller Area Network (CAN) between platform and payloads
Attitude Determination Using 3-axis vector magnetometer (+/- 60,000 nT, 30 nT resolution) and 2-dimensional sun angle sensors provides attitude restitution to within 0.5 degree.
Attitude Control Earth pointing to within 3 degrees using 6-metre boom gravity-gradient stabilisation and advanced on-board Kalman filter to control the magnetorquer.
Orbit Determination Using a 12-channel GPS receiver provides on-board positioning within 100m and autonomous Keplerian orbit determination.
Power Generated from high-efficiency 35W GaAs solar arrays provides 50W peak and 20W continuous orbit-average spacecraft power, which is stored using 7Ah NiCd batteries.
Science Payload
Cosmic-Ray Energy Deposition Experiment (CEDEX) The purpose of CEDEX is to characterise the TiungSAT-1 (Sun-Synchronous) orbit radiation environment in terms of the observed particle Linear Energy Transfer (LET) spectrum at the spacecraft. The data returned by the instrument are directly comparable to that obtained by similar instruments such as U.K.'s Cosmic-ray Effects and Dosimetry (CREDO) and Cosmic-Ray Effect and Activation Monitor (CREAM) experiments which have flown on-board Corcorde, the U.S. Space-Shuttle and UoSAT-3, and the Cosmic-Ray Experiment (CRE) flown on KITSAT-1 and PoSAT-1. These data are also be of great use in evaluating the radiation performance of the electronics used in the TiungSAT-1 satellite.
The primary sensor consists of a 30mm x 30mm PIN diode detector (900 mm2 active area), 300 microns in depth, housed in a separate screened aluminium unit mounted on the CEDEX module box. This is connected to a charge amplifier and a pulse-shaping circuit which, in turn, are connected to an event-driven, hardware-logic controlled pulse-height multi-channel analyser. The experiment is controlled autonomously by a CAN-microcontroller with its own data-storage RAM and built-in data-compression software. This sends data to an internal CAN-controller which formats and sends them on to the primary OBC via the spacecraft's CAN bus.
Ionespheric Space Science An advanced 12-channel GPS receiver on-board the TiungSAT-1 microsatellite will be used primarily for determining the orbit and position of the microsatellite to within 100 metres and also to provide precise and accurate timing for spacecraft timing for spacecraft functions and payloads.
By positioning two GPS antennas on-board TiungSAT-1, the position of the microsatellite can be determined from GPS satellites in good view and compared with signals received from other GPS satellites as they dip down through the Earth's ionosphere. The timing delays and phase changes due to the diffraction that result can yield information on the electron density profile of the ionosphere and its fluctuations.

Communications

The RF communications subsystem enables the ground stations to communicate both telemetry, telecommand and payload data to and from the space craft in orbit. It consists of UHF (435 to 438 MHz) downlink transmitters with modulator and VHF (144 to 146 MHz) uplink receivers with demodulator. The exact operating frequency of the uplink and/or the downlink can be selected under ground or on-board control, within a limited range. Communications for telemetry, telecommand and payload data are provided using error-protected digital packet communications at VHF and UHF at rates from 9.6 and 38.4 kbps, and experimentally at 76.8 kbps.
The downlink system consists of two transmitters, primary and one cold standby (secondary). One transmitter has a variable power output of up to 10 W, the second transmitter has a fixed power level of 1.5W measured at the transmitter output when the battery is at maximum charge and operated at the expected operating temperature.
The uplink system is triple redundant. Two primary uplink receivers are provided. Each has a separate LNA and two-frequency switch. A third receiver is the command receiver and does not have a LNA, this makes it both more reliable and less susceptible to interference. Once past the antenna, the uplink system includes no single point failure nodes. All three uplink receivers operate at 9.6 kbps rate.
The uplink VHF antenna consists of 4 monopoles. The antenna is linearly polarised and has a gain of approximately 0 dBi. The downlink UHF antenna system consists of 4 monopoles. Either the primary or the redundant transmitter chain can be connected to the downlink antenna through a latching relay controlled by on-board or ground-initiated telecommand.
Power Subsystem
The power subsystem conditions and distributes solar-generated electrical energy for the entire spacecraft. It provides regulated voltage supplies at +5V and ±10V along with an unregulated supply which fluctuates between 12V and 14V (depending upon the battery state of charge).
Four 330 x 530 mm solar array panels are mounted directly to the satellite body. These panels comprise Gallium-Arsenate (GaAs) solar cells for high conversion efficiency. The overall panel efficiency typically delivered from these panels is 19.5%, and the beginning of life (BOL) orbit-average power available is 20W.
The spacecraft battery is built from 10 NiCd cells. The battery has a capacity, at standard operating temperature, of 7Ah and a nominal operating voltage of 12 - 14V. The battery permits operation of payload and platform subsystems throughout eclipse periods and also provides limited-duration peak powers in excess of the capability of the solar panels.
Groundstation
A comprehensive satellite mission operations and control groundstation is being installed at Department of Physics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Latitude: 2.917 degree North and, Longitude: 101.78 degree East). A standard Mission & Control Groundstation (MOCGS) to provide a cost-effective primamry station for mircosatellite mission has been designed. All components of the ground station, from uplink and downlink antennas to data archiving computers, have been chosen to provide an optimal compromise between cost, reliability and performance.

http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/SSC/CSER/UOSAT/missions/tiungsat/index.htm

Desktop Power Supply from a PC modified for Rig

2005-10-19T19:29:00.000+08:00

Here is a homebrew P.C. power supply modified for Rig usage but current is only limited to about 7 Amps. So if you want to power your VHF Amateur Radio at high power it will not take it!

http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.batts/ps/powersupply.htm

Example on a ICOM IC-2100H at High Power will be 55Watts and it will consume 12Amps! This is too high current drain therefore the modified power supply will definately burn out in about 60 Minutes usage. But if you use Medium Power which is 10Watts. Then the modified power supply will be suitable for the usage. Just add a Amp meter in series with the Rig and powersupply to monitor the current drain will not get your powersupply burned out!

73

Happy Homebrewing

Do you know Series - 9

2005-10-10T10:09:00.000+08:00

1. What is a coaxial cable?

A. Two wires side-by-side in a plastic ribbon
B. Two wires side-by-side held apart by insulating rods
C. Two wires twisted around each other in a spiral
D. A center wire inside an insulating material covered by a
metal sleeve or shield

2. A mobile radio may be operated at home with the
addition of which piece of equipment?

A. An alternator
B. A power supply
C. A linear amplifier
D. A rhombic antenna

3. What may cause a buzzing or hum in the signal of an
HF transmitter?

A. Using an antenna that is the wrong length
B. Energy from another transmitter
C. Bad design of the transmitter's RF power output circuit
D. A bad filter capacitor in the transmitter's power supply

4. What is the amateur station activity known as fox hunting?

A. Attempting to locate a hidden transmitter by using receivers
and direction-finding techniques
B. Attempting to locate a hidden receiver by using receivers
and direction-finding techniques
C. Assisting government agents with tracking transmitter
collars worn by foxes
D. Assembling stations using generators and portable antennas
to test emergency communications skills

5. If you answer someone on the air and then complete your
communication without giving your call sign, what type of
communication have you just conducted?

A. Test transmission
B. Tactical signal
C. Packet communication
D. Unidentified communication

6. How many watts of electrical power are used by a 12-VDC
light bulb that draws 0.2 amperes?

A. 60 watts
B. 24 watts
C. 6 watts
D. 2.4 watts

7. What are the receiving and retransmitting frequency
bands used for Mode V/U in amateur satellite operations?

A. Satellite receiving on 435 to 438 MHz and
retransmitting on 144 to 148 MHz
B. Satellite receiving on 144 to 148 MHz and
retransmitting on Amateur bands in the range of 21 to 30 MHz
C. Satellite receiving on 144 to 148 MHz and retransmitting
on 435 to 438 MHz
D. Satellite receiving on 435 to 438 MHz and transmitting
on 21 to 30 MHz

8. How fast does a radio wave travel through space (in a vacuum)?

A. At the speed of light
B. At the speed of sound
C. Its speed is inversely proportional to its wavelength
D. Its speed increases as the frequency increases

9. What must you transmit to identify your amateur station?

A. Your "handle"
B. Your call sign
C. Your first name and your location
D. Your full name

10. Which of the following one-way communications may
NOT be transmitted in the amateur service?

A. Telecommand to model craft
B. Broadcasts intended for reception by the general public
C. Brief transmissions to make adjustments to the station
D. Morse code practice

11. What do RTTY, Morse code, AMTOR and packet
communications have in common?

A. They are multipath communications
B. They are digital communications
C. They are analog communications
D. They are only for emergency communications

12. Depending on the wavelength of the signal,
the energy density of the RF field, and other factors,
in what way can RF energy affect body tissue?

A. It heats body tissue
B. It causes radiation poisoning
C. It causes the blood count to reach a dangerously low level
D. It cools body tissue

13. What is the correct way to call CQ when using voice?

A. Say "CQ" once, followed by "this is," followed by your call
sign spoken three times
B. Say "CQ" at least five times, followed by "this is,"
followed by your call sign spoken once
C. Say "CQ" three times, followed by "this is," followed by
your call sign spoken three times
D. Say "CQ" at least ten times, followed by "this is,"
followed by your call sign spoken once

14. Where should you connect the chassis of each piece
of your station equipment to best protect against
electrical shock?

A. To insulated shock mounts
B. To the antenna
C. To a good ground connection
D. To a circuit breaker

15. What instrument is used to measure standing wave ratio?

A. An ohmmeter
B. An ammeter
C. An SWR meter
D. A current bridge

16. If signals from your transmitter are causing front-end
overload in your neighbor's television receiver, who is
responsible for taking care of the interference?

A. You alone are responsible, since your transmitter is
causing the problem
B. Both you and the owner of the television receiver
share the responsibility
C. The FCC must decide if you or the owner of the
television receiver are responsible
D. The owner of the television receiver is responsible

17. What formula shows how voltage, current and
resistance relate to each other in an electric circuit?

A. Ohm's Law
B. Kirchhoff's Law
C. Ampere's Law
D. Tesla's Law

18. In what direction does a vertical antenna send out
radio energy?

A. Most of it goes in two opposite directions
B. Most of it goes high into the air
C. Most of it goes equally in all horizontal directions
D. Most of it goes in one direction

19. What item of test equipment contains
horizontal- and vertical-channel amplifiers?

A. An ohmmeter
B. A signal generator
C. An ammeter
D. An oscilloscope

20. What determines the free-space polarization of an antenna?

A. The orientation of its magnetic field (H Field)
B. The orientation of its free-space characteristic impedance
C. The orientation of its electric field (E Field)
D. Its elevation pattern

Adopted from e-ham question bank

2nd Radio Amateur Examination for 2005

2005-10-08T09:35:00.000+08:00

This serves to remind all potential candidates for the above
event, that the next RAE will be held on the:

29 November 2005 at 2pm

MCMC news item link below:

http://www.mcmc.gov.my/admin/WhatIsNew/RAE%202005-2%20Notice-Eng.pdf

Application Form for the exam is at:

http://www.mcmc.gov.my/admin/WhatIsNew/RAE%202005%20Form.pdf

MARES fees for the RAE Course will be RM60.00,
so get the books out, heads cracking, and get the application forms sent in ASAP..

Closing date is 22 October 2005 for all applicants to send in their Forms to MCMC.

For Sale

2005-10-06T13:10:00.000+08:00

The Radio For Sale has been withdrawn.

MARES RAE CLASSES

2005-10-05T15:26:00.000+08:00

Since the response for us to conduct the RAE classes
has been poor, those that need to get some revision
done can do so by attending classes organised by MARES.
Email below email was received from Lokmal 9M2CIA of MARES.

Quote:

Mares will conduct another RAE Class on the 15-16 October 2005.

Venue: Dewan Kuliah G,Fakulti Kejuruteraan Mekanikal
Twin Tower UITM SHAH ALAM SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR

For those interested, please submit your entry form which is
downloadable from http://www.mares.org.my/ and return to
Lokmal at nlokmal@yahoo.co.uk or call 0196781631.
Those attending these revision classes will be charged RM40.00.
First timers will be charged RM60.00. Participation will be based
on first come first serve basis, so please submit earliest possible.

Lokmal

Unquote

Diplexer for HF/6M/2M & 70cm

2005-09-27T19:40:00.000+08:00

Found this interesting web page :

http://home.datacomm.ch/hb9abx/diplhf6m-vuhf.html

The following DIPLEXER separates the following bands:
- HF and 6m on one side (= 0 - 52 Mc).
- 2m and 70cm on the other side.
It allows the simultaneous operation of 2 different equipments
(HF and VHF/UHF) over one coax cable, or the use of 2
antennas of the corresponding bands with one coax cable.

That means, you can operate on HF and listen or transmit at
the same time on VHF or UHF, all through the same coax cable.
It is also suitable to connect a 3 band antenna (uhf/vhf/6m) with
the antenna connectors of a transceiver as IC-706,
FT-100, or TS-2000 transceiver.

The following data was measured at 50 Ohm input and output:
- Attenuation of the other band is very high (over 60 db)
- Insertion loss is negligible (less than 0.2 db)

The circuit may be built easily into a metallic box measuring
abt. 11 cm x 5,5 cm x 3 cm.

Here's the circuit diagram:

Component list: all coils 1mm dia enameled copper wire
L1 = 1 turn 5 mm (id)
L2 = same as L1, orientation 90 degr in respect to L1
L3 = 1 1/2 turn 6 mm (id)
L4 = same as L3 , orientation 90 degr in respect to L3
L5 = 7 turn 6 mm (id), 15 mm long
L6 = 11 turn 6 mm (id), 19 mm long
L7 = same as L5
C1 = foil trimmer cap. 9 pf (0.5-9 pf) see note in text
C2 = same as C1
C3 = same as C1
C4 = foil trimmer cap. 32 pf (3-32 pf)
C5 = same as C4 C6 = same as C4
C7 = foil trimmer cap. 135 pf (5-135 pf)
C8 = same as C7
3 HF chassis plugs 50 Ohm (BNC)
1 metallic box (solderable)

Coils may be made of silvered copper wire, but enameled
copper wire serves equally well.
The layout should be equal, otherwise undesired coupling
may occur which hinders proper operation.
Proper adjustment of the unit is very important.
This requires some time and patiance. Prior to adjustment,
make sure that the SWR meter is calibrated exactly for
all measuring frequencies and reads exactly 1.0 when
terminated by dummy load and make sure that
dummyload is 50 Ohm on each band.

Adjustment procedure:
1. Connect 50 Ohm dummyload to plug 0 - 440 MHZ .

2. Connect SWR meter between 0 - 52 MHZ plug and
TX (51 Mc carrier low power).
(If no 6m TX available adddjust on 10m band)
Adjust C7 and C8 to obtain SWR < 1.1 .

3. Connect SWR meter between 2 m plug and TX on 2 m
(145 Mc carrier low power). Adjust C4, C5, and C6 to obtain
SWR < 1.1 . C4 and C6 should reach the same value.

4. SWR meter same as step 3, but TX on 70 cm
(435 Mc carrier low power). Adjust C1, C2, and C3
to obtain SWR < 1.1 . C1 and C3 should reach the same
value.
- Repeat steps 2 - 4 , as adjustment of one band influences
the other. You will need some patience to reach proper
adjustment on all bands!

Now your diplexer is ready for use. If an antenna analyzer
(e.g. MFJ-269) is available, use this instead of the SWR meter
and TX to make adjustment more easy. Connect analyzer
to plug 0 - 440 MHZ and dummy load to plug being adjusted.

Note: Power is limited by the capacitors. Many foil capacitors
burn at low power. Some types are stronger.
With my trimmers I tested up to 100 w on HF and 6m,
and 50w on 2m and 70 cm.
Use capacitors with higher current/voltage ratings at
higher power, e.g. good air trimmer capacitors.

Thanks HB9ABX for the above contribution!

Another Echolink Interface card

2005-09-19T16:34:00.000+08:00

I received another circuit for Echolink Interface Card highlighted
from a Ham station, Lik Wei, now in Perth, Australia.

Happy trying out this circuit!
Also thanks go out to www.Buxcommco.com for the design.

Curious about Ham stuff?

2005-09-11T18:01:00.000+08:00

Here is a homebrew 2 meter band Copper Colinear, I made from 1/4 inch copper tube for the aircon copper tube trunking. It took me about two hours to make this but getting the SWR optimum to 146Mhz is a little bit tricky!

Above are two photo of the M285 Diamond Antenna 5/8 wave for 2 meter band VHF for mobile. This antenna was giving problem with very high VSWR reading about 1:4 this means there was a loose joint or bad contact some where. If you notice I have to solder the centre base of the loading coil crimped to the centre pin of the antenna base insulation ring. The up portion of the tip of the antenna was also resoldered to make better contact joint. This result is perfect VSWR at the centre frequency at 144.500Mhz at VSWR 1:1.1 and the result was a prefectly repaired antenna suitable for usage back to the car.

Have you ever wondered what is the 2 meter band 5/8 wave MC101 inside look like? It seems to be made out of a stiff copper coil about 6 turns with a 1pf ceramic capacitor tapped at the base ground plane of the antenna and tapped at the top end of the loading matching coil.

Here is how a CP22E 2 meter band double stack 5/8 wave antenna looks like at 36 feet tall on my home QTH. The feedline is Diamond RG-8U 50 ohms with a circular loop just below the antenna act's as a balun to prevent reflected RF from the antenna from going back to the rig.

73

Rodney
9W2YJ

TCP Optimizer

2005-09-02T14:48:00.000+08:00

The TCP Optimizer is a free, easy Windows program that provides an intuitive interface for tuning and optimizing your Internet connection for Echolink and Eqso applications. Just download and run, there is no installaion required.

http://www.speedguide.net/files/TCPOptimizer.exe

It would speed up our surfing and downloading speeds, especially when you are using 56Kbps Dial Up Modems. For Broadband users like Streamyx, you will see the magical experience in doubling of data transfer speeds increase, without any hardware or line speeds upgrades.

Please follow the screen shots guides to help optimize your internet speed. It will be useful for Ham Operators who want to setup a EchoLink Gateway link using Streamyx or DialUp connections.

http://www.speedguide.net/files/sg_techtv.asf

Good Luck surfing...

73

Rodney
9W2YJ

Prototype Eqso/Echolink Interface Card

2005-08-31T19:11:00.000+08:00

After the assembly and test of the first interface card,
I went on to make this 2nd prototype interface card with
a few more donated parts. 1 of them is an old Modem box.

This is how it looks !

Overall view of the "new" completed unit with the

interface card inside.

Inside view of the 2nd prototype. Notice the 2 LEDs

and the addition of a speaker with an ON/OFF switch.

(for monitoring output from the rig during Gateway use)

QSO with International Space Station

2005-08-29T14:05:00.000+08:00

This posting is from our own 9W2QC Sion Chow who managed to talk to the Astronaut Sergi on the 27Aug05.

Syabas to Sion who again has made us Malaysians all proud.

9W2SSJ

==========================================

On the 27 August 2005, ISS passed over West Malaysia at 1945 Hours Malaysian Time or 1145 Hours UTC with a maximum elevation of 40 degrees. During this pass, the packet digipeater and mailbox were not heard and therefore I tried calling the crew as there were reports of the crew being active on voice half an hour ago.To my surprise, ISS ASTRONAUT SERGEI KRIKALEV, U5MIR ANSWERED MY CALL!!! (BTW, today is Sergei's birthday). This was the first time I made a contact with Sergei, and this was my 2nd contact with ISS's crew. Signals were very clear and nice, 59 all the way.No one else was active on this pass and I am happy to be the only station around this region to wish Sergei a very happy birthday. This is the first time in my life that I have wished a human out of the world, in space, happy birthday, and I am very happy that I did it. I guess amateur radio operators are very privileged as amateur radio is the only way an ordinary person can speak to an astronaut when he or she is in space. Also, not many people get the chance to wish another human in space happy birthday.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SERGEI (U5MIR) for the brief but memorable contact.

Equipment used were:
Rig: FT-847, running 50 Watts.
From left to right, Symek TNC3S, ICOM IC-PCR1000, ICOM IC-910H, Yaesu FT-847, Diamond SX-600 SWR and Power Meter, MFJ-969 ATU, ICOM IC-756PROIII
Antenna: Diamond 10-element 2M yagi, vertically polarized.

The picture shows the Diamond 2M Yagi, vertically polarized on the left, the 2.4 GHz S-Band 10 turn Helix, right hand circular polarized (RHCP) in the middle and the 11 element 70CM Quad, vertically polarized on the right (as seen from behind the Yaesu G-5500 rotator)

To download the recording, please click here. (1.18 MB MP3 Format)
Good DX.
73,Sion Chow Q. C.,9W2QC.

Mederka 2 Meter Net Annoucements

2005-08-29T11:58:00.000+08:00

FYI, we will be conducting a live RF repeater linkage test to respective EchoLink gateway within the whole Malaysia on MOnday 29-08-2005 at 22:00 hours.

Care to Join in at EchoLink **Malaysia** Conference Room as the bandwidth can accomodate huge number of stations.

The Malaysia Merdeka Day 2 meter net via EchoLink will be on 30-08-2005 at 10.30pm as all station is linking live as advice by 9W2MCT Tony since we are counting down to 24.00 hours midnight to Mederka!!!

73

Rodney
9W2YJ

Homebrew Echolink Interface in two days...

2005-08-28T19:46:00.000+08:00

It took me one day to assemble the EchoLink interface circuit into the VeroBoard and another day to fully make the interface for my ICOM IC-2100 rig to the RJ45 plugs which controls the MIC and PTT plus another male phone jack to the rig's External Speaker socket.

Many thanks to all hams friends who help in giving ideas and suggestion as to the best settings to use especially 9W2SSJ, 9W2LW, 9W2YCC, 9W2PAT and many more ham's!

This intreface can be used for PSK31 to link PC to rig and chat over the air! This is what a senior ham member use to tell me... "This is the Age of Radio and Computers"!

Those who want to try to homebrew your own can do so by going to http://www.qsl.net/9w2lw/echo.htm for building details and there is a Complete Setup guide for EchoLink SysOps configuration you can use to optimize your EchoLink Gateway. But you need to register your self with http://www.echolink.org/ and send in your Ham Radio License copy to get your activation code for the EchoLink software to work.

Good Luck!

73

Yours,

Rodney
9W2YJ

Prototype Eqso/Echolink Interface Card

2005-08-18T17:01:00.000+08:00

For the benefit of some people who are interested to make
the interface card, this is how mine was made..

Still has lots of room on the board to shrink it. I used
2 modem isolation transformers instead of the specified
600 ohm types from Radio Spares, but it finally turned out
to be working perfectly!

The 2 blue stereo jack plugs are for connecting to the
PC Sound card, while the grey RS232 plug goes to the
PC Com Port 1.

The other side 3 RCA female connectors are for connecting to
the Transceiver PTT (yellow), the audio connector to the rig
microphone (white), and the the red connector is to connect
the audio from the rig.

I have added one more red LED on the left hand side of the board,
(not in the circuit diagram) which will indicate when power
from the PC Comm port is available to this card.
It will alternate ON & OFF with the other RED LED when in
the transmit mode!

The copper track side ! (Resoldered by 9W2VA as my work was
very shoddy)

Close up of the Veroboard. The 2 transformers are brand
new ones, taken out from 2 perfectly working Aztech 56k
Modems that I had to buy!

Another view of the completed card ready to be installed in a box.

Hope your card will be easier to build & test, compared to mine.

Just a reminder..this interface card will only be required if you
will be using your Amateur rig as a "gateway" to access either
Eqso or Echolink software.

If you just want to communicate with other Hams around the
world using the Eqso or Echolink software, you will not need this
card.

9W2SSJ

CW or not ?

2005-08-17T09:59:00.000+08:00

ITALY JOINS NO-CODE RANKS AS FCC REVIVES MORSE DEBATE IN THE US

Italy is reported to be the latest country added to the list of
those that no longer require Amateur Radio applicants to have
passed a Morse codeexamination to gain HF access.

The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com/>reported this week
that current IW-prefix "no-code" VHF/UHF licensees in Italy
now will be allowed operate on HF.

Canada eliminated Morse as the"sole additional requirement"
for HF access in late July. To date, more than two dozen countries
around the world, including such major players as the
United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and New Zealand,
no longer requireAmateur Radio applicants to pass a Morse
code examination to operate below 30 MHz.

If the FCC's past observations on the subject are any clue, the
US may join the no-code-required club in the future."We believe
that an individual's ability to demonstrate increased Morse
code proficiency is not necessarily indicative of that individual's
ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art," the
FCC maintained in itsDecember 1999 Amateur Radio restructuring
Report and Order (R&O)
<http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/wt98-143ro.pdf>.
"As a result, we find that such a license qualification rule is not
in furtherance of the purpose of the amateur service, and we do
not believe that it continues to serve a regulatory purpose
to require amateur applicants to demonstrate Morse ability.
In its Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order (NPRM&O)<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-143A1.pdf>
in WTDocket 05-235, released July 19, 2005,
the FCC proposed to eliminate the 5WPM telegraphy examination
altogether. At the same time, it dismissed petitions calling for,
among other things, a new entry-level license with HF privileges.
In wording that closely mirrored remarks in its 1999 restructuring
R&O, the Commission said its review of the 18 petitions and
comments in the proceeding showed that "the majority agree"
with its 1999 stance on theMorse requirement. The FCC said it
believes it should treat Morse code like any other Amateur Radio
mode.
The FCC further said it was not persuaded bythe ARRL's petition
request to retain the 5 WPM Morse requirement solely forAmateur
Extra applicants.But perhaps recalling what it also said in 1999,
that few issues coming before the Commission "present such a
clear dichotomy of viewpoints" asMorse code, the FCC
stopped short of making the Morse requirement disappear.
Instead, it invited another round of comments.
The US Amateur Radio community has taken up the
Commission's offer with great enthusiasm. As of week's
end, more than 1400 comments had been posted via the
FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).
The majority focused solely on the Morse issue.
While most tend to file brief "yea" or "nay"comments,
many postings reflect the deeply emotional nature
of the Morse debate.Those favoring the Morse
requirement frequently suggest that dropping it altogether
will lead to a overall decline in the skill and dedication of
new operators.
Others cite Morse as a longstanding tradition that ought
not be cast aside lightly, and a few cite its potential i
in emergency communication.The FCC already dismissed
such arguments in 1999.Those endorsing its elimination
often assert that Morse is largely irrelevant today and
that retaining the requirement is keeping a lot ofpeople
from pursuing Amateur Radio. Several commenters also
have contended that Morse code should rise or fall on its
own now, not be mandated for licensure.
These are arguments the FCC essentially agreed with
in 1999 and again in 2005.Generally speaking, the
Commission has been disinclined to revisit what
it considers once-trod ground.

Following WRC-03, Switzerland became the first
country to announce it was eliminating Morse code
as a requirement for HF access. It was followed
in short order by the United Kingdom.

In addition to Italy, Canada, Switzerland, the UK,
Germany, Australia andNew Zealand,
the list of countries that have dropped Morse code
as arequirement includes the Czech Republic, Spain,
South Africa, Iceland,Sweden, Austria, Belgium,
Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland,Kenya,
Luxembourg (provisional CEPT Class 2 HF access),
The Netherlands,Norway, Poland (limited),
South Africa, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and Singapore.

http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/05/0812/ refers.

Bloggers thoughts:

In my opinion, we should remove the requirement to pass the Morse code, to allow 9Ws get onto the 9M2 allowed bands, ahead of the year 2007.
This way, the interest in the hobby of Amateur Radio can be rekindled faster than the present state of new Ham Operators coming for the exams.

But for those that want to get CW qualified, there should still be an avenue for them to take the Morse Test, scheduled say, at least once a year, to get them suitably rated for inclusion in their Licence.

9W2SSJ

EchoLink Language

2005-08-12T14:15:00.000+08:00

From the pages of ECHOLINK :

The *ENGLAND* Echolink Conference Server

The ENGLAND Echolink conference server (Node number 7889) is located in a Docklands secure computing facility close to the UK internet backbone. The system is permanently connected to the GB3DX repeater and monitored constantly. The bandwidth and service is kindly donated by http://www.intermip.net/. The system itself is capable of supporting 1500+ concurrent conference users. The server is fitted with redundant power supplies including full UPS support to deliver a high availability 24x7x365 redundant Echolink conference server.
The conference server has a strict language and usage policy in place. All transmission must be made using the "English" language and sufficient breaks between overs must be maintained. Failure to adhere to this policy will in the initial stages result in the offending system being disconnected from the conference. Persistent offenders will be "banned" from the conference server for a short period whilst the issue is resolved.
The language policy is in place as the "team" prefer to be able to monitor "all" traffic across the system to prevent licence breaches.

From the above example,
It is imperative that only English is used during Echolink link QSO with the above server,
therefore, we should be start using the English language during our QSOs now, for practice.

9W2SSJ

Morse Code Test

2005-08-10T14:05:00.000+08:00

From MCMC web site Quote:

8AUG05

The Second Morse Code Test 2005 8 August 2005
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will be holding the second Morse Code test for the year 2005 on:

Date: 27 and 28 September 2005 Venue: Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission
63000 Cyberjaya Selangor Darul Ehsan

For further information on the Notification, please click on the following links: Notification (English BM) Application Form The Notification will be advertised in the major newspapers (New Straits Times, The Star and Berita Harian) on Friday, 12 August 2005.

Approved Amateur Radio Rigs

2005-08-05T11:12:00.000+08:00

For those who passed the RAE held recently in June this year, the following link will take you to the MCMC webpage where one can find the list of Approved Amateur Radio rigs.

The rigs on that page was tested by SIRIM and found to pass the stringent checks for transmitting devices.

http://www.mcmc.gov.my/mcmc/tenders/Amateur%20Radio%20Equipment%20List%20Notice.pdf

Talking to Satellites

2005-08-04T23:32:00.000+08:00

International Space Station Reference

Ham Radio

When astronauts, cosmonauts and mission specialists from many nations fly on the International Space Station, they will have amateur, or ham, radio as a constant companion.

As human space flight moves into a new uncharted era, an organization called ARISS, which stands for Amateur Radio on International Space Station, has been formed to design, build and operate equipment. In 1996, delegates from major national radio organizations and from AMSAT, which stands for the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, in eight nations involved with the International Space Station signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form ARISS.

Frequencies

Worldwide downlink for voice and packet
145.80
Worldwide packet uplink
145.99
Region 1 voice uplink
145.20
Region 2 and 3 voice uplink
144.49
Worldwide uplink for cross band voice repeater
437.80

Callsigns for the ISS:

Sergei Krikalev: U5MIR

John Phillips: KE5DRY

Russian callsigns: RS0ISS, RZ3DZR

U.S.A. callsign: NA1SS

For more information on the procedures used to contact the International Space Station, please visit the ARISS Web site, and http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/radio/index.html

This is a photo of the initial radio station amateur equipment while it was being tested. After testing, the equipment was stowed aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis for delivery to the International Space Station during STS-106.

Do not forget to check if the ISS is over our skies first before attempting to communicate with the International Space Station!

9W2SSJ

The 2 Meter Collinear J Pole Antenna Project

2005-08-03T13:39:00.000+08:00

The 2 Meter Collinear J Pole Antenna Projectby Sean M3FVB

Get ready for field day, mountain topping, emergency communications, roaming or just plane ham radio fun with this portable inexpensive 2 meter J designed to fit into a small foldup space that yields about 8db gain.

http://www.hamuniverse.com/2metercollinear.html

Indonesian Amateur Radio Licensing

2005-08-03T13:06:00.000+08:00

As of the 9th August 2002, The Indonesian Telecommunication Authority has issued the Ministry Degree No.KM-49, 2002, to be applied for the Indonesian Amateur Radio Service purpose.

The following are the main-points for your attention:

1. The Prefixes for the Indonesian Amateur Radio are YB, YC, YD, YE, YF, YG and YH. Others than this as of the 9th August 2002 NOT VALID . The Prefixes JZA-JZZ, PKA-POZ, YBA-YHZ, 7AA-7IZ and 8AA-8IZ are located to Indonesia but only YBA-YHZ are valid for the Indonesian Amateur Radio prefixes.

2. The Suffixes A-Z, ZA-ZZ, ZAA-ZZZ are only for Organizational and Club-Station use or Special Event activities. Personal callsign using above suffixes ( one letter suffix or using Z as first letter suffix) NOT VALID as of the 9th August 2002.

3. For licenced Foreign Amateur Radio from Asean countries (no need for Reciprocal Agreement), and countries with Reciprocal Agreement to operate in Indonesia for short time (less than 3 month} as guest operator while visiting Indonesia, or long term (max 1 year) duration, please contact ORARI at least 2 month before your actual time activities.

For DX-pedition operation, no need for the Reciprocal Agreement Document, please contact ORARI at least 3 month before your actual time activities.

Frequency allocation and privileges :

YH (no code licence) no DX:

VHF = 144 – 148 Mhz

UHF = 430 – 440 Mhz

YD and YG ( novice class):

HF = 3,500 – 3,900 Mhz. DX on CW only, Phone no DX
7,000 – 7,035 Mhz. on CW mode only plus DX
21,000 – 21,100 Mhz on CW mode only plus DX
28,000 – 28,400 Mhz on CW mode only plus DX

VHF = 144 – 148 Mhz

UHF = 430 – 440 Mhz

YC and YF (general class) all mode and DX:

MF = 1,800 – 2,000 Mhz

HF = 3,500 – 3,900 Mhz
7,000 – 7,100 Mhz
21,000 – 21,450 Mhz
28,000 – 29,700 Mhz

VHF = 50 – 54 Mhz
144 – 148 Mhz

UHF = 430 – 440 Mhz

1.240 – 1.298 Mhz
2.300 – 2.450 Mhz

SHF = 3.300 – 3.500 Mhz
5.650 – 5.850 Mhz
10.000 – 10.500 Mhz
24.000 – 24.050 Mhz
24.050 – 24.250 Mhz

EHF = 47.000 – 47.200 Mhz
75.500 – 76.000 Mhz
76.000 – 81.000 Mhz
142.000 – 144.000 Mhz
144.000 – 149.000 Mhz
241.000 – 248.000 Mhz
248.000 – 250.000 Mhz

YB and YE (advance class) same as above plus :

HF = 10,100 – 10,150 Mhz CW only
14,000 – 14,350 Mhz
18,068 – 18,168 Mhz
24,890 – 24,990 Mhz

For more information please go to:

http://www.oraripusat.net/

PSK or EchoLink homebrew

2005-08-02T00:19:00.000+08:00

Many thanks to our dear fellow ham friend LikWei (VK6YLW / 9W2LW) from Penang for his homebrew contribution.

http://www.qsl.net/9w2lw

We appreciate your interest on sharing the hobby with all of us on the Fox Hunt, PSK or EchoLink homebrew electronics stuff.

http://www.qsl.net/9w2lw/projects.htm

Keep up the good work with the ham spirit in heart!

Amateur Radio Orienteering - Hunter's Tool Box

2005-07-28T22:42:00.000+08:00

Many thanks to "Lim KC" 9M2LC "Lim KC" lc9m2@hotmail.com from Penang for his contribution on ARDF Amateur Radio Directional Finding or Fox Hunting home brew equiptment. His design is very simple to build to be used together with the "3 Element Measuring Tape Antenna ".

http://www15.brinkster.com/kclim/Hunters_Toolbox.htm

Therefore it was born the "Amateur Radio Direction Finding Penang Group Home Page "

http://www15.brinkster.com/kclim/ardfhome.htm

We hope to have have this type of sports some day in Kuala Lumpur.

Happy Fox Hunting... Hams !

Selecting your Callsign

2005-07-28T16:53:00.000+08:00

Do you know how Amateur Radio Callsigns are
given out?

http://www.mcmc.gov.my/facts_figures/codes_gl/guidelines/callsign/Callsign-Feb04.pdf

Go to the above link to MCMC for more info.

Table below is taken from their guidelines.

You can build your own radio receiver!

2005-07-25T14:56:00.000+08:00

Here is a homebrew project for '80 metre band' from 3.5 to 3.9 MHz short wave radio band taken from a NewZeland Ham Radio website http://www.nzart.org.nz/

Listen to AMATEUR RADIO Signals!

You can build your own radio receiver!

http://www.nzart.org.nz/nzart/ar_info/alivo/alivo-a.html

Using Eqso & Echolink

2005-07-19T17:03:00.000+08:00

Malaysian Amateur operators who want to join the internet
Ham Community using either E-Qso or Echolink software,
please be advised that there is a requirement for your
Class Assignment Licence to be verified by Eqso & Echolink
administrators.

When the software has been downloaded and installed
to your PCs, and before it can be used, your Class Assignment
Licence copy has to be emailed/faxed to them for their
verification.
Subsequently, then only can the software be activated
by inserting the registration code and
password. (In the case of Echolink).

Full details are available from the web pages where
the applicable software can be downloaded.

www.echolink.org

www.eqso.org

E QSO Computer to Ham Rig Interface Card

2005-07-13T11:48:00.000+08:00

We are presently making a Interface Card for trial based on a circuit below designed by Peter G4KQU.
For those who would like to make their own cards suitable for their rigs, more information is available at the link below:

www.GB3DX.co.uk/gb3dx.nsf/HTML/voip-interface.html

Components for Circuit
3 x 1k ¼ watt resistors
1 x 1.2k ¼ watt resistors
1 x 1k Potentiometer lin
1 x 2.2uF 50v capacitor
3 x 0.01uF capacitors
2 x (T1 & T2) 600 ohm transformers type 9000 RS Number 208-822
1 x IC1 optocoupler 4N25 RS Number 597-289
1 x Red LED (High sensitivity type)
1 x Diode 1N4148
2 x 3.5mm Stereo plugs
1 x 9 Pin D plug ( Com port 1 or 2) & cover
Screened cable - Project Box

CHeers!

Do you know Series - 8

2005-07-13T10:11:00.000+08:00

Another 20 Questions for all to try out !

1. Having established contact on a calling frequency it is good practice to:

(a) stay on the same frequency
(b) move to another frequency
(c) invite others to join in on the same frequency
(d) be objectionable to all others calling

2. The purpose of a terrestrial repeater is to:

(a) increase satellite coverage
(b) increase the range of mobile stations
(c) increase the range of fixed stations
(d) minimise contacts by pedestrian stations

3. The Q-code for 'standby' is:

(a) QRN
(b) QRM
(c) QRS
(d) QRX

4. COIL using the phonetic alphabet would be:

(a) Charlie, Oscar, India, Lima
(b) Charlie, Ocean, Italy, Lima
(c) Coil, Oscar, Inductance, London
(d) Charlie, Oscar, Italy, London

5. The Band Plans should be observed because:

(a) they are mandatory
(b) they are governed by international regulations
(c) they are intended to aid operating
(d) they are only for novices

6. It is good safety practice to:

(a) use plastic piping for earthing
(b) unearth all metal cases
(c) have no master switch
(d) supply all mains power via a master switch

7. When calling a station it is good practice to:

(a) put your callsign first
(b) use your callsign only
(c) put the callsign of the station being called first
(d) use the callsign of the other station only

8. In the RST code T is for:

(a) temperature of PA stage
(b) tone
(c) time of transmission
(d) transmitter type

9. To prevent annoying other users on a band, a transmitter should always be tuned initially:

(a) on a harmonic outside the band
(b) into an antenna
(c) into a dummy load
(d) into a dipole

10. Two 10kW resistors are connected in parallel across a 5V DC supply. The total current taken is:

(a) 50mA
(b) 0.5mA
(c) 1mA
(d) 1 A

11. The diagram represents a trace on an oscilloscope. What is the frequency of the displayed waveform?

(a) 1kHz
(b) 5kHz
(c) 10kHz
(d) 100kHz

12. In the diagram in question 11, what is the peak to peak value of the waveform?

(a) 1V
(b) 2V
(c) 10V
(d) 20V

13. As the frequency rises, the reactance of an inductor:

(a) stays constant
(b) decreases
(c) increases
(d) does none of these

14. The resonant frequency of the circuit is:

(a) 1.59155kHz
(b) 15.9155kHz
(c) 159.155kHz
(d) 1591.55kHz

15. A power gain of 4 is equivalent to:

(a) 3dB
(b) 6dB
(c) 10dB
(d) 16dB

16. What type of Transistor is shown in the following diagram?

(a) PNP
(b) BNP
(c) NPN
(d) PNB

17. If the base potential of an NPN transistor is held at the emitter potential, the collector current will be:

(a) zero
(b) always 1A
(c) between 10mA and
(d) very high

18. The output impedance of an emitter-follower buffer amplifier is:

(a) infinite
(b) very high
(c) zero
(d) fairly low

19. The circuit shown below depicts:

(a) an audio amplifier
(b) an RF amplifier
(c) a mixer
(d) a BFO

20. The circuit in question 19 operates in what type of Power output mode ?

(a) Class A
(b) Class AB
(c) Class B
(d) Class C

Adapted from UK Amateur Radio project website

Fox Hunt Antenna, anyone?

2005-06-25T10:59:00.000+08:00

Contributed by 9M2NCL from Penang tru 9W2XI.

http://home.att.net/~jleggio/projects/rdf/snif_bm.htm

This design was given by 9M2NCL and it looks like a easy and good design.
Very impressive antenna.

Maybe we can organise a workshop for constructing Homebrew antennas at Alibaba?

9M2NCL mentioned that this design was picked from the web and its widely adpoted to be an effective antenna for fox hunts

Credit goes to 9M2NCL for his contribution

Home Brew Antenna

2005-06-25T10:21:00.000+08:00

Copper Colinear diagram from 9M2DS Dollah and 9W2DEHadi.
Thank you.

Yours faithfully,
Rodney Yeo(9W2YJ)(MARTS Ham Radio Member)
mailto:9w2yj@amsat.org

Colinear VHF Antenna

2005-06-25T10:16:00.000+08:00

Here is a 6dB COLINEAR VHF ANTENNA by Harry Lythall -SM0VPO, it seems to look the same like the coppercoliear design introduce by 9M2DS and improved by9W2DE.

http://web.telia.com/~u85920178/antennas/6dbvhf0.htmThank you.

Yours faithfully,
Rodney Yeo
9W2YJ from Klang

RAE Class Fotos

2005-06-25T09:12:00.000+08:00

These are some fotos taken by 9W2XYZ during our last RAE class conducted at Proton Edar Training Room, Jalan Ampang on the 25 May 2005.

Group Foto of all Students & Instructors

All the Students concentrating

May be the RAE is difficult?

Some lighter portion of the session

Another view of the class

The instructors that helped from the back row

Another shot of Students & Instructors

Cigku besar 9W2RYS

Tony the Facilitator 9W2MCT

Andy 9W2VA who saved the day by using his big bike to get fotostats from the printer

Assistant Cigku 9W2SSJ

A very big Thank You to 9W2SAI anf 9W2MCT who booked the Venue and other arrangements.

Are you ready for 7 June ?

2005-06-05T18:01:00.000+08:00

This is the sample Test that we used during the 1 day RAE Revision Class on the 28May05.
Total 50 questions and passing marks is 50 %.

1. The Amateur Service may be briefly defined as:

a. a private radio service for personal gain and public benefit
b. a public radio service used for public service communications
c. a radiocommunication service for the purpose of self training, intercommunication and technical investigation
d. a private radio service intended only for emergency communications

2. For regulatory purposes the world is divided into regions each with different radio spectrum allocations.Malaysia is in :

a. Region 1
b. Region 2
c. Region 3
d. Region 4

3. An amateur radio licence can be inspected by an authorised officer from the MCMC

a. at any time
b. on any business day
c. before 9 p.m.
d. only on public holidays

4. You must have an amateur radio licence to:

a. transmit on public-service frequencies
b. retransmit shortwave broadcasts
c. repair radio equipment
d. transmit in bands allocated to the Amateur Service

5. A Malaysia amateur radio licence allows you to operate:

a. anywhere in the world
b. anywhere in Malaysia and in any other country that has a reciprocal recognition of the licence
c. within 50 km of your home station location
d. only at your home address

6. With an amateur radio licence, you may operate transmitters in your station:

a. one at a time
b. one at a time, except for emergency communications
c. any number at one time
d. any number, so long as they are transmitting on different bands

7. You must keep the following document at your amateur station:

a. your amateur radio licence with its attached schedule
b. a copy of the Rules and Regulations for the Amateur Service
c. a copy of the Radio Amateur's Handbook for instant reference
d. a chart showing the amateur radio bands

8. An Amateur Station is one which is:

a. licensed by the MCMC to operate on the amateur radio bands
b. owned and operated by a person who is not engaged professionally in radio communications
c. used exclusively to provide two-way communication in connection with activities of amateur sporting organizations
d. used primarily for emergency communications during floods, earthquakes and similar disasters.

9. If the licensed operator of an amateur radio station is absent overseas, the home station may be used by:

a. any member of the immediate family to maintain contact with only the licensed operator
b. any person with an appropriate amateur radio licence
c. the immediate family to communicate with any amateur radio operator
d. the immediate family if a separate licence for mobile use has been obtained by the absent operator

10. Before operating an amateur station in a motor vehicle, you must:

a. give the JPJ vehicle's licence plate number
b. inform the MCMC
c. hold a current amateur radio licence
d. obtain an additional licence and callsign

11. If you transmit from another amateur's station, the person responsible for its proper operation is:

a. both of you
b. the other amateur (the station licensee)
c. you, the operator
d. the station licensee, unless the station records show that you were the operator at the time

12. A log-book for recording amateur stations being operated:

a. is compulsory for every amateur radio operator
b. is recommended for all amateur radio operators
c. must list all messages sent
d. must record time in UTC

13. The minimum age for a person to appy for an RAE Licence is:

a. 12 years
b. 16 years
c.14 years
d. there is no age limit

14. If you contact another station and your signal is strong and perfectly readable, you should:

a. turn on your speech processor
b. reduce your SWR
c. not make any changes, otherwise you may lose contact
d. reduce your transmitter power output to the minimum needed to maintain contact

15. Peak envelope power (PEP) output for VHF Class B licence is :

a. 40W
b. 50W
c. 30W
d. 25W

16.You identify your amateur station by transmitting your:

a. "handle"
b. callsign
c. first name and your location
d. full name

17. These letters are used for Malaysian Callsigns

a. 9W
b. 9R
c. 9K
d. 9U

18. To remain current, an amateur radio licence fee must be paid:

a. every 6 months up to 1 year
b. every year for a max of 5 years
c. once every 5 years
d. one fee lasts for life

19. Messages from an amateur station in one of the following are expressly forbidden:

a. ASCII
b. International No. 2 code
c. Baudot code
d. secret cipher

20. The term "harmful interference" means:

a. interference which obstructs or repeatedly interrupts radiocommunication services
b. an antenna system which accidentally falls on to a neighbour's property
c. a receiver with the audio volume unacceptably loud
d. interference caused by a station of a secondary service

21. When interference to the reception of radiocommunications is caused by the operation of an amateur station, the station operator:

a. must immediately comply with any action required by the MCMC to prevent the interference b. may continue to operate with steps taken to reduce the interference when the station operator can afford it
c. may continue to operate without restrictions
d. is not obligated to take any action

22. An amateur radio operator may knowingly interfere with another radio communication or signal:

a. when the operator of another station is acting in an illegal manner
b. when another station begins transmitting on a frequency you already occupy
c. never
d. when the interference is unavoidable because of crowded band conditions

23. The element Silicon is:

a. a conductor
b. an insulator
c. a superconductor
d. a semiconductor

24. These magnetic poles repel:

a. unlike
b. like
c. positive
d. negative

25. This material is better for making a permanent magnet:

a. steel
b. copper
c. aluminium
d. soft iron

26. The term describing opposition to electron flow in a metallic circuit is:

a. current
b. voltage
c. resistance
d. power

27. Three good electrical conductors are:

a. copper, gold, mica
b. gold, silver, wood
c. gold, silver, aluminium
d. copper, aluminium, paper

28. The name for the flow of electrons in an electric circuit is:

a. voltage
b. resistance
c. capacitance
d. current

29. One kilohm is:

a. 10 ohm
b. 0.01 ohm
c. 0.001 ohm
d. 1000 ohm

30. The watt is the unit of:

a. power
b. magnetic flux
c. electromagnetic field strength
d. breakdown voltage

31. The unit for potential difference between two points in a circuit is the:

a. ampere
b. volt
c. ohm
d. coulomb

32. The unit of resistance is the:

a. farad
b. watt
c. ohm
d. resistor

33. The voltage across a resistor carrying current can be calculated using the formula:

a. E = I + R [voltage equals current plus resistance]
b. E = I - R [voltage equals current minus resistance]
c. E = I x R [voltage equals current times resistance]
d. E = I / R [voltage equals current divided by resistance]

34. I = E/R is a mathematical equation describing:

a. Ohm's Law
b. Thevenin's Theorem
c. Kirchoff's First Law
d. Kirchoff's Second Law

35. A current of 2 ampere flows through a 16 ohm resistance. The applied voltage is:

a. 8 volt
b. 14 volt
c. 18 volt
d. 32 volt

36. When an 8 ohm resistor is connected across a 12 volt supply the current flow is:

a. 12 / 8 amps
b. 8 / 12 amps
c. 12 - 8 amps
d. 12 + 8 amps

37. The total resistance of several resistors connected in series is:

a. less than the resistance of any one resistor
b. greater than the resistance of any one resistor
c. equal to the highest resistance present
d. equal to the lowest resistance present

38. Five 10 ohm resistors connected in series give a total resistance of:

a. 1 ohm
b. 5 ohms
c. 10 ohms
d. 50 ohms

39. The correct name for the equivalent of 'one cycle per second' is one:

a. henry
b. volt
c. hertz
d. coulomb

40. One megahertz is equal to:

a. 0.0001 Hz
b. 100 kHz
c. 1000 kHz
d. 10 Hz

41. The total capacitance of two or more capacitors in series is:

a. always less than that of the smallest capacitor
b. always greater than that of the largest capacitor
c. found by adding each of the capacitances together
d. found by adding the capacitances together and dividing by their total number

42. Filter capacitors in power supplies are sometimes connected in series to:

a. withstand a greater voltage than a single capacitor can withstand
b. increase the total capacity
c. reduce the ripple voltage further
d. resonate the filter circuit

43. A radio component is identified as a capacitor if its value is measured in:

a. microvolts
b. millihenrys
c. megohms
d. microfarads

44. Three 15 picofarad capacitors are wired in parallel. The value of the combination is:

a. 45 picofarad
b. 18 picofarad
c. 12 picofarad
d. 5 picofarad

45. Increasing the number of turns on an inductor will make its inductance:

a. decrease
b. increase
c. remain unchanged
d. become resistive

46. The unit of inductance is the:

a. farad
b. henry
c. ohm
d. reactance

47. Two 20 uH inductances are connected in series. The
total inductance is:

a. 10 uH
b. 20 uH
c. 40 uH
d. 80 uH

48. You can safely remove an unconscious person from contact with a high voltage source by:

a. pulling an arm or a leg
b. wrapping the person in a blanket and pulling to a safe area
c. calling an electrician
d. turning off the high voltage and then removing the person

49. For your safety, before checking a fault in a mains operated power supply unit, first:

a. short the leads of the filter capacitor
b. turn off the power and remove the power plug
c. check the action of the capacitor bleeder resistance
d. remove and check the fuse in the power supply

50. In the transmitter, the "VFO" is a :

a. voice frequency oscillator
b. varactor fixed oscillator
c. virtual faze oscillator
d. variable frequency oscillator

Do you know Series - 7

2005-06-05T17:15:00.000+08:00

Table 1 - International Q-Code (Extract from UK RAE)

QRG
What is my exact frequency?
Your exact frequency is......kHz
QRH
Does my frequency vary?
Your frequency varies
QRI
What is the tone of my transmission?
The tone of your transmission is .. (amateur T1- T9)
QRK
What is the readability of my signals?
The readability of your transmission is... (amateur R1 - R5)
QRL
Are you busy?
I am busy. Please do not interfere.
QRM
Are you being interfered with?
I am being interfered with.
QRN
Are you troubled by static?
I am troubled by static.
QRO
Shall I increase power?
Increase power.
QRP
Shall I decrease power?
Decrease power.
QRT
Shall I stop sending?
Stop sending
QRU
Have you anything for me?
I have nothing for you.
QRV
Are you ready?
I am ready.
QRX
When will you call me again?
I will call you again (at .... hours.)
QRZ
Who is calling me?
You are being called by ......... (on ....kHz)
QSA
What is the strength of my signals?
The strength of your signals is ..... (amateur S1 - S9)
QSB
Are my signals fading?
Your signals are fading.
QSD
Is my keying defective?
Your keying is defective.
QSL
Can you give me acknowledgement of receipt?
I give you my acknowledgment of receipt.
QSO
Can you communicate with..... direct (or by relay) ?
I can communicate with .... direct (or by relay through...)
QSP
Will you relay to....? ..
I will relay to.....
QSY
Shall I change to another frequency?
Change to another frequency (or to .....kHz)
QTH
What is your location? ...
My location is....
QTR
What is the correct time?
The correct time is ..... hours

Table 2 Use of Q-Codes as nouns

QRG
Frequency
QRK
Signal strength / Readability
QSL
Verification card
QSO
Radio contact
QSY
Change of frequency
QTH
Location
QRT
Close down
QRX
Stand by
QSB
Fading
QRM
Interference from other stations
QRN
Interference from atmospherics
QSP
Relay message electrical apparatus
QRO
High power
QRP
Low power

Do you know Series - 6

2005-05-26T15:43:00.000+08:00

Do you know that:

Upon switching on your amateur radio, you are required to listen on the frequency to ensure that it is free, before you can operate your radio?

To join the conversation if its not free, you are to give them your callsign during the pause period, and not use the word "break" or "contact"?

When operating through a repeater, the order of priority should be as tabulated below:

First - Stations relaying/transmitting emergency or distress message

Second - Stations using low power or handsets

Third - Stations that are Mobile

Fourth - Stations that are at Base or high powered handsets

Prohibited Transmissions

Communications relating to anti government/religion/politics/business and racial issues/other issues that are sensitive to the people of Malaysia.

No transmission of music; communications intended to facilitate a criminal act; messages in codes or ciphers intended to obscure the meaning thereof; messages containing profane, offensive, obscene or indecent words of any language.

No engagement in any form of broadcasting for sending news, advertisements for percuniary reward for and on behalf of a third party.

You should not use the amateur radio apparatus such as to disrupt the usage of the amateur radio frequency or any other acts which can cause interference with other services.

You should not retransmit programs or signals from any types of radio station other than an amateur station, except weather forecast information intended for use by the general public and originated from a Malaysian Government station.

Adapted from MCMC Amateur Radio Guidelines

Lightning Strikes to Jalopies

2005-05-25T11:39:00.000+08:00

What happens when lightning strikes a vehicle? The answer, gleaned from anecdotal observations, is all the way from "nothing" to "Wow! What a mess. . . my car is a disaster."

Electrically speaking, at lightning's higher frequencies, currents are carried mostly on the outside of conducting objects. A thick copper wire or a hollow-wall metal pipe will carry most of the lightning on outer surfaces. This phenomenon is called Skin Effect. The same holds true for lightning when it strikes metal vehicles: the outer surface carries most of the electricity. The persons inside this steel box can be likened to protected by a partial Faraday Cage.

But, consistent with lightning's capricious nature, situations alter results. Is the car dry or wet? If the car is made of fiberglass (a poor conductor) or a convertible, Skin Effect principles may not work. [Corvette and Saturn owners please note.]

The complete article is available at :

http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/vehicle_strike.html

The website has some good photos of Jalopies after being struck by lightning!

Buy & Sell

2005-05-25T11:24:00.000+08:00

We are starting a post that is meant for Ham Operators to
buy and sell their equipment. The idea is to get the buyers
to contact the sellers or VV and negotiate the pricing
accordingly. We already have 3 sellers wanting to sell good
used Ham equipment.

1. 5W Yaesu Portable set (used).......Asking price RM600 o.n.o.

Seller : 9W2-MCT 012-2138257

2. 5W Yaesu Portable set (used).......Asking price RM700 o.n.o.

Seller : 9W2-XYZ 012-3342055

3. Item already SOLD

4. C.B. handy walki-talki 27Mhz 40Ch.I have two units of brand new C.B. handy
walki-talki for sale.
Brand: Alan38 by CTE InternationalChannel Selection: 40 Channel synthesized circuitFrequeny Range: 26.960 - 27.400 MHz
Modulation Mode: AM
Maximum Voltage: 13,8 V DC Power Adaper
Battery: AA x 10 pcs rechargable.
RF Power Output: 4W High / 1W Low
Rubber Duck Antenna: 50 ohm
http://www.radio.org.pl/radiotelefony/alan38.php
Pricing at RM550.00 each...But selling two units for RM1000.00 (discounted!)
Not used, still in packing!

Seller : 9W2YJ Rodney H/P: 013-3301736 mailto:9w2yj@amsat.org

The other seller, 9W2TTT has requested to withdraw his offer of sale.

Please email us for putting your items on this blogspot.