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Thursday, August 27, 2009
MOBILE RADIO ANTENNAS
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
How The ITU Screwed Over Fiji and Swaziland
In the past I've written a bit about how amateur radio call signs (and call signs generally) are formed. Basically speaking, the ITU has allocated various prefixes to various nations, with some nations getting a lot (e.g. the US, which has all of W, N, and K, and AA through AL), and others just a few (such as Tonga, which just gets A3).
But there's two countries who really get the short end of the stick on this issue: Fiji and Swaziland, who have to share the 3D prefix between them. Technically, Swaziland has 3DA through 3DM and Fiji has 3DN through 3DZ. However, amateur radio call sign prefixes, according to the ITU's own standards, are at most two characters; a call sign that begins "3DA" is not compliant with § 30 of the ITU's standards. This puts Fiji and Swaziland into the difficult position of being unable to issue conformant callsigns to amateurs within their jurisdiction.
In practice, Fiji issues call signs with the prefix 3D2, while Swaziland has issued call signs prefixed 3D6 and (nonconformantly) 3DA0. Neither country has very many hams, but both are occasionally the target of DXpeditions, especially Fiji (due to being an island).
Still, it amuses me that Fiji and Swaziland have to share a prefix, while both the ICAO and the World Meterological Organization get whole prefixes to themselves (4Y and C7, respectively) despite not even being countries. I suppose they must have been late to acceed to the ITU treaty or something, to be singled out for such inauspicious treatment.
But there's two countries who really get the short end of the stick on this issue: Fiji and Swaziland, who have to share the 3D prefix between them. Technically, Swaziland has 3DA through 3DM and Fiji has 3DN through 3DZ. However, amateur radio call sign prefixes, according to the ITU's own standards, are at most two characters; a call sign that begins "3DA" is not compliant with § 30 of the ITU's standards. This puts Fiji and Swaziland into the difficult position of being unable to issue conformant callsigns to amateurs within their jurisdiction.
In practice, Fiji issues call signs with the prefix 3D2, while Swaziland has issued call signs prefixed 3D6 and (nonconformantly) 3DA0. Neither country has very many hams, but both are occasionally the target of DXpeditions, especially Fiji (due to being an island).
Still, it amuses me that Fiji and Swaziland have to share a prefix, while both the ICAO and the World Meterological Organization get whole prefixes to themselves (4Y and C7, respectively) despite not even being countries. I suppose they must have been late to acceed to the ITU treaty or something, to be singled out for such inauspicious treatment.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Hobby brings people together from around the world and can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life
Some of us had pen pals. Others made friends during their travels. Then there are those who talk every day to someone across the ocean.
GREG AGNEW/TIMES & TRANSCRIPT
Bob Okes is a long-time member of the local amateur radio club in Moncton.
In 1901, Marconi transmitted the Morse code letter "S" from Poldhu in Cornwall, England, to St. John's, Newfoundland. Soon, early radio experimenters were trying out the first "spark gap" transmitters. To control interference to marine shore stations, Parliament passed the Radiotelegraph Act in 1913. In 1914 the Radiotelegraph Regulations were issued, prescribing the first operating and technical proficiency examinations for Amateur Radio operators in Canada. Administered by various government departments, amateur radio grew in Canada to over 56,000 certificates at present.
Amateur radio is more than just a form of communication; it is also a hobby and a community service. Whether it is a person from New Brunswick making friends over the radio with another radio amateur in Botswana; or a lonely truck driver whiling away the hours while on the road, or even a radio user saving a life as part of the emergency communications network, which is the most important aspect of Amateur Radio.
Bob Oke got his radio license in 1948 when he was 18 years old. "I started on my first radio when I was 16; I listened to the radio day and night and I guess I just got interested," says Bob.
We are talking about a hobby that is a unique mix of fun, convenience and public service. People get involved in amateur radio for many reasons, but they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology, regulations and operating principles. All have passed an examination leading to an authorization to operate on the "amateur bands."
These frequency bands are reserved for use by radio amateurs at intervals from just above the AM broadcast band all the way up through the microwave frequencies. Even though amateur radio conversations may be heard around the world by anyone with a suitable radio receiver, given the right frequency and propagation conditions, amateur radio is basically two-way communication between radio amateurs.
Here in Moncton the original club was the Moncton Area Amateur Radio Club; founded in 1966 as a successor to the Moncton Amateur Radio Club formed in 1936. MAARC, Inc. was incorporated in 1976 under New Brunswick law as a not-for-profit organization.
Its objectives include promotion of amateur radio as a licensed and regulated activity under Federal jurisdiction; sponsorship of technical and social activities and provision of public communications service in times of emergency.
MAARC, Inc. is affiliated with Radio Amateurs of Canada, Inc. and a member of the American Radio Relay League, Inc.
A second club, the Tri-County Amateur Radio club was later established to broaden the membership outside of the city.
"There is also a sense of fellowship, here in Moncton we have about 70 people in the two organizations," says Bob. "We know each other and share the passion we have for the radio."
And there is a lot of appeal to being able to communicate across the country, around the globe, and even with astronauts on space missions. Some radio amateurs build and experiment with radio. Computer hobbyists find digital modes to be a low-cost way to expand their ability to communicate.
Those with a competitive streak enjoy "DX contests" where the object is to see how many distant radio amateurs they can contact. Some like the convenience of a technology giving them portable communication. Others use it to open the door to new friendships over the air, or through participation in an amateur radio club. Many combine amateur radio with the internet in various ways.
Although a major purpose of amateur radio is recreation, it is called the "amateur radio service" because it also has a serious face. The government created this service partly to fill the need for a pool of experts who could provide communications in times of emergency or war. Countless lives have been saved when these skilled hobbyists acted as emergency communicators to render aid during or following a hurricane, tornado, ice storm, earthquake or other disaster. In addition, the government acknowledged the ability of amateur radio to advance communication and technical skills, and to enhance international goodwill.
"We have quite an emergency organization here in Moncton," says Bob. "We patrol during the Santa Clause parade and especially at Halloween."
"A lot of us were involved during 9/11 when all the plans came in. We were helping with coordinating communication in order to make everything rub smoothly," Bob remembers.
Amateur radio operators are most likely to be active after disasters that damage regular lines of communication due to power outages and destruction of telephone lines. They may set up and operate local and long distance communication networks, as backup for failed or overloaded communication networks. They may also provide non-commercial communication for both private citizens affected by the disaster, and their worried families and friends outside the disaster area.
"I got a second hand radio not so long ago for 500 dollars. I think you could do the whole set up for under a thousand. It is really not that expensive as hobbies go," says Bob.
And very few hobbies allow you to be part of something that spans the globe and helps bring people safely together.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Ham University
Ham University - Morse Training and Testing QST Review by Dan Miller November 2001 Actual Morse code lessons are accessed by clicking on Lessons. You must first put a Lesson Plan together. This is easily accomplished following the directions guided by Morris the Catan animated cat who assists by describing each function the mouse pointer indicates. My favorite method is the Exercise approach done by copying with the keyboard. What you type is shown in the lower panel. At the end of the exercise, you can compare what you typed with the sent message displayed in the upper panel. Variables that you can manually adjust include speed in words per minute, character speed, message length and word length. In addition to all this, Ham University offers a Morse game called PENTODE. The object is to build a large number of points in a short period of time. These points are received by connecting two or more tiles (the more the better), each containing the same character, as a diode (side by side), triode, tetrode or pentode. Personally, I found the game far less exciting than the speed exercise to copy Morse on the keyboard in the shortest possible time. Conclusion Ham University is an excellent tool for anyone wishing to use a computer to study for an Amateur Radio license, regardless of which level they wish to pursue. Of course, my recommendation is to use such a program in conjunction with a class. In the absence of such a class, Ham University provides everything you need to go from ground zero all the way to Amateur Extra in the comfort of your own living room. Id be remiss in this review if I neglected to mention something else. Displayed at the top of each page of the instruction booklet is a flag of a foreign country. Next to the flag is the appropriate country name, accompanied by its latitude and longitude, CQ Zone number and call sign prefix. This is a very nice touch, adding to the educational
Category: Home/Hobby - Ham University (Version 3.09 ) is Shareware and is 4 bytes in size. The #1 Windows Program for helping you pass all your FCC Amateur Radio Exams
Category: Home/Hobby - Ham University (Version 3.09 ) is Shareware and is 4 bytes in size. The #1 Windows Program for helping you pass all your FCC Amateur Radio Exams
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Monday, August 17, 2009
Tips on follow-up reporting
My reply this month from Media Broadcast, reminded me once again, how important follow up reception reports are. Despite a multitude of ploys I have used through the years, there are a few stations that remain on my QSL Hit-List.
If no reply has been forthcoming within four to six months, and you're left wondering if it was "lost in the mail, " perhaps it's time to compose a follow-up reception report. A follow-up report, whether by postal mail or email, should politely mention that no reply was received to your original correspondence, including the date it was mailed, followed by the complete reception report details.
Consider addressing your follow up report to another office or station official, or to the attention of the QSL Manager if one is present, or to the Chief Engineer. The language service that represents the programming monitored works, while medium wave DXers regularly send their report to the Program Director or Manager. Most amateur radio operators also use QSL Managers.
While many shortwave hobbyists address their correspond to the attention of a Veri-Signer (an individual reported as having verified in the past), be mindful that station personnel change, and I recommend sending correspondence only to those signers that are reported regularly.
If using the postal service, enclosures always attract the attention of the receiving station. The list is endless but a few I have used include; souvenir postcards, travel brochures, mint and used postage stamps, photographs, business cards, decals and stickers. A newspaper clipping of the country has worked, as well as a question about their country or programming.
Follow up reporting gives you a chance to refocus on the station. Try to relog the station to include with the original report, and you could find yourself on the receiving end of a station packet of goodies, and one less station on the QSL Hit-List.
Amateur Radio
Northern Ireland-G10KVQ, 20 meters USB. Full data color card. Received in two years and three months via ARRL bureau. (Larry Van Horn NC)
Norway-LA2Z, 15 meters USB. Full data color card. Received in nine months via ARRL bureau. (Van Horn).
Senegal-6W/PA3GIO, 20 meters USB. Full data photo card in 16 days for two $2.00US direct from Bert van den Berg, Parklaan 38, Netherlands (Van Horn).
Germany
Clandestine: Voice of Democratic Eritrea International via Jülich, Germany, 15670 kHz. Full data Media Broadcast eQSL page with two color transmitter site photos, from Michael Puetz. Received in three months after follow up report to Walter Brodowsky, Media Broadcast. Confirmed for total of five years and eight months from my original report to Rüsselsheim, Germany. Station is brokered by Media Broadcast (former T-Systems International) currently active on 9820, 13830 kHz via Wertachtal, Germany. Programming is produced by the Eritrean Liberation Front-Revolutionary Council. Email reception reports preferred to: qsl-shortwave@media-broadcast.com Michael Puetz michael.puetz@media-broadcast.com . Postal address: Media Broadcast GmbH, OMB Köln, Bastionstrasse 11-19, D-52428 Jülich, Germany. MB website: www.media-broadcast.com (Gayle Van Horn, NC)
If no reply has been forthcoming within four to six months, and you're left wondering if it was "lost in the mail, " perhaps it's time to compose a follow-up reception report. A follow-up report, whether by postal mail or email, should politely mention that no reply was received to your original correspondence, including the date it was mailed, followed by the complete reception report details.
Consider addressing your follow up report to another office or station official, or to the attention of the QSL Manager if one is present, or to the Chief Engineer. The language service that represents the programming monitored works, while medium wave DXers regularly send their report to the Program Director or Manager. Most amateur radio operators also use QSL Managers.
While many shortwave hobbyists address their correspond to the attention of a Veri-Signer (an individual reported as having verified in the past), be mindful that station personnel change, and I recommend sending correspondence only to those signers that are reported regularly.
If using the postal service, enclosures always attract the attention of the receiving station. The list is endless but a few I have used include; souvenir postcards, travel brochures, mint and used postage stamps, photographs, business cards, decals and stickers. A newspaper clipping of the country has worked, as well as a question about their country or programming.
Follow up reporting gives you a chance to refocus on the station. Try to relog the station to include with the original report, and you could find yourself on the receiving end of a station packet of goodies, and one less station on the QSL Hit-List.
Amateur Radio
Northern Ireland-G10KVQ, 20 meters USB. Full data color card. Received in two years and three months via ARRL bureau. (Larry Van Horn NC)
Norway-LA2Z, 15 meters USB. Full data color card. Received in nine months via ARRL bureau. (Van Horn).
Senegal-6W/PA3GIO, 20 meters USB. Full data photo card in 16 days for two $2.00US direct from Bert van den Berg, Parklaan 38, Netherlands (Van Horn).
Germany
Clandestine: Voice of Democratic Eritrea International via Jülich, Germany, 15670 kHz. Full data Media Broadcast eQSL page with two color transmitter site photos, from Michael Puetz. Received in three months after follow up report to Walter Brodowsky, Media Broadcast. Confirmed for total of five years and eight months from my original report to Rüsselsheim, Germany. Station is brokered by Media Broadcast (former T-Systems International) currently active on 9820, 13830 kHz via Wertachtal, Germany. Programming is produced by the Eritrean Liberation Front-Revolutionary Council. Email reception reports preferred to: qsl-shortwave@media-broadcast.com Michael Puetz michael.puetz@media-broadcast.com . Postal address: Media Broadcast GmbH, OMB Köln, Bastionstrasse 11-19, D-52428 Jülich, Germany. MB website: www.media-broadcast.com (Gayle Van Horn, NC)
Greece
Radiophonikos Stathmos Makedonias, 7430 kHz. Full data folder card signed by Tatiana Tsioli, plus sticker and postcard. Received in five years, two months, ten days for an English report. QSL addressed to my former home address, and the envelope appears to have made two trips between the US and Greece, until it was finally delivered to my current work address! Obviously, the post office did some real searching on this one. Station address: ERT S.A., Subdirection of Technical Support, PB 11312, 541 10 Thessalonika, Greece (or) Angelaki 2, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece. Streaming audio http://www.ert3.gr/. (Joe Wood, TN)
Medium Wave
CHAB 800 AM kHz. Greatest Hits of All Time. Electronic verification card with Moose Jaw trivia and local attractions attached from Ken Fisher-Engineering & IT Director. Received in three days for email to: kfisher@goldenwestradio.com. (Tob Wood, NE). Postal address: 1704 Main Street N., Moose Jaw, SK Canada S6J 1L4. Website:www.chabradio.com/
Slovakia
Miraya FM via Rimavska-Sobota, 15650 kHz. Full data (except site) Miraya FM card from Omerovic Wihada for Mr. Jean -Luc Mootoosamy, Miraya Program Officer. Received in 17 days. QSL address: Hirondelle, Avenue du Temple 19C, Ch-1012 Lausanne, Switzerland. (Wendel Craighead, KS).
South Africa
IRIN-UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs via Meyerton, South Africa, 7160 kHz. Email reply from Louise Tunbridge notes this was their Somali service and "thank you for your email" reply. Reception report to: feedback@IRINnews.org within 24 hours from email follow up, total of six months from original report. On-demand audio and podcast www.irinnews.org/radio.aspx . (Edward Kusalik, Canada).
USA
Open Radio for North Korea via KWHR Hawaii 9930 kHz. Full data (except site) personal letter from Han Gwang Hee, plus program schedule. Letter states they have no QSL cards due to "a temporary printing difficulty, usual cards will resume very soon." QSL address: P.O.Box 158, Mapo, Seoul, 121-600, Rep. of Korea (Craighead).
Radiophonikos Stathmos Makedonias, 7430 kHz. Full data folder card signed by Tatiana Tsioli, plus sticker and postcard. Received in five years, two months, ten days for an English report. QSL addressed to my former home address, and the envelope appears to have made two trips between the US and Greece, until it was finally delivered to my current work address! Obviously, the post office did some real searching on this one. Station address: ERT S.A., Subdirection of Technical Support, PB 11312, 541 10 Thessalonika, Greece (or) Angelaki 2, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece. Streaming audio http://www.ert3.gr/. (Joe Wood, TN)
Medium Wave
CHAB 800 AM kHz. Greatest Hits of All Time. Electronic verification card with Moose Jaw trivia and local attractions attached from Ken Fisher-Engineering & IT Director. Received in three days for email to: kfisher@goldenwestradio.com. (Tob Wood, NE). Postal address: 1704 Main Street N., Moose Jaw, SK Canada S6J 1L4. Website:www.chabradio.com/
Slovakia
Miraya FM via Rimavska-Sobota, 15650 kHz. Full data (except site) Miraya FM card from Omerovic Wihada for Mr. Jean -Luc Mootoosamy, Miraya Program Officer. Received in 17 days. QSL address: Hirondelle, Avenue du Temple 19C, Ch-1012 Lausanne, Switzerland. (Wendel Craighead, KS).
South Africa
IRIN-UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs via Meyerton, South Africa, 7160 kHz. Email reply from Louise Tunbridge notes this was their Somali service and "thank you for your email" reply. Reception report to: feedback@IRINnews.org within 24 hours from email follow up, total of six months from original report. On-demand audio and podcast www.irinnews.org/radio.aspx . (Edward Kusalik, Canada).
USA
Open Radio for North Korea via KWHR Hawaii 9930 kHz. Full data (except site) personal letter from Han Gwang Hee, plus program schedule. Letter states they have no QSL cards due to "a temporary printing difficulty, usual cards will resume very soon." QSL address: P.O.Box 158, Mapo, Seoul, 121-600, Rep. of Korea (Craighead).
WRNO, 7505 kHz. Partial data station/antenna photo card. Received in 16 days for a report and $1.00US, QSL address: P.O. Box 895, Ft. Worth, TX 76101 USA. (Wood).
United Arab Emirates
Radio Japan relay via Dhabaya, 13740 kHz. Full data card entitled Fisherman, unsigned. Received in 120 days for an English report. Station address: NHK World/Radio Japan, KHK Tokyo 150-8001 Japan. (Wood). Streaming audio and podcast www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/
Utility
NDTH, 6821 kHz USB. USCG Auxiliary Station. Full data plain QSL card, signed by John P. Fullingim. Received in 123 days for an Armed Forces Day Cross Band Test. Station address: 5802 Club Oaks, Dallas, TX 75248 USA. (Bill Wilkins, MO).
Travel Information Station-WQHR783, 1700 kHz AM. Nice package from Carolyn Sigtowicz-Exec. Assistant for the Office of the Mayor. Received info on the city, including a souvenir copper lapel pin of Issaquah. No mention on station's power, but was surprised the signal reached my location. QSL address: City of Issaquah, P.O. Box 1307, Issaquah, WA 98027-1307 USA. (Patrick Martin, OR)
(Gayle Van Horn/QSL Report-Monitoring Times)
Radio Japan relay via Dhabaya, 13740 kHz. Full data card entitled Fisherman, unsigned. Received in 120 days for an English report. Station address: NHK World/Radio Japan, KHK Tokyo 150-8001 Japan. (Wood). Streaming audio and podcast www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/
Utility
NDTH, 6821 kHz USB. USCG Auxiliary Station. Full data plain QSL card, signed by John P. Fullingim. Received in 123 days for an Armed Forces Day Cross Band Test. Station address: 5802 Club Oaks, Dallas, TX 75248 USA. (Bill Wilkins, MO).
Travel Information Station-WQHR783, 1700 kHz AM. Nice package from Carolyn Sigtowicz-Exec. Assistant for the Office of the Mayor. Received info on the city, including a souvenir copper lapel pin of Issaquah. No mention on station's power, but was surprised the signal reached my location. QSL address: City of Issaquah, P.O. Box 1307, Issaquah, WA 98027-1307 USA. (Patrick Martin, OR)
(Gayle Van Horn/QSL Report-Monitoring Times)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
MARTS
MALAYSIAN AMATEUR RADIO TRANSMITTERS' SOCIETY
Early Radio Amateur Activities in Malaya
Amateur radio, the scientific hobby that brings together enthusiasts in many parts of the world, irrespective of race, creed, or social standing, was first introduced into Malaya in the late 1920s.
Amongst the early pioneers was R.E. Earle, VS1AB, who was active during 1928 to 1930. At that time, overseas transmissions were scarce and irregular. Also the late G.M. Salt, VS2AF, who commenced in 1930 from Glenmarie Estate, Batu Tiga, Selangor, and the late T.G. Laver, VS2AC, from Masai, Johor. The late A.N. Randall, VS3AB, operated from Johor Bahru. Reg. Hollis-Bee of the Public Works Department operated as VS2AG from Kuala Kangsar, Perak. During 1932, VS2AF and VS2AB operated successfully on 56 MHz over a distance of 10 miles.
E.C. Yates, VS1AD, was operating on the 20 and 40 meter bands in between 1920 and 1930 on Phone and CW (continuous wave). During 1930, he obtained permission from the Posts and Telegraphs to opera a broadcast service on 42 meters. Programs were broadcasted on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6 pm to 8 pm, and on Sunday mornings from 11 am to 1:30 pm. In 1932, he relayed the dance music from the Adelphi Roof Garden on the occasion of the Annual Ball of the Singapore Amateur Radio Society. These transmissions were well received throughout Malaya. In November 1933, the Posts and Telegraphs granted a license under the call of 2HI in the 49 meter band, and the broadcasts were concluded on the 42 meter band.
Jim Macintosh, VS2AA, came on the air during January 1934. Using only 5 watts, he established two-way working with five out of the six continents on 40 meters CW during his first month. The missing continent was South America, which is still a difficult continent to contact. Before the year was out, never using more than 20 watts, he had his WAC (Worked All Continents), and WBE (Worked all British Empire). The first WAC for Malaya was made by A.N. Randall, VS3AB.
In the early days, communication was restricted to CW. But today, Malaysian amateurs, perhaps better known as hams, can be heard in most evenings on 15 and 20 meter bands conversing on phone with other hams in Australia, north America, Europe, Africa, and occasionally with the extreme ends of the earth, eg. Virgin Islands.
For local contacts between amateurs in Malaysia, the 40 meter band is the most popular. And there has been a regular Sunday morning phone net for several years. It usually ets going at around 9:30 am, and sometimes lasts into the early afternoon.
Since the World War II, groups keen amateurs have formed societies to promote their interests, and lend a helping hand to the beginners. The Perak Radio Society and Selangor Radio Society were formed in 1947, whilst the Malayan Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Society was registered in 1952. The latter’s chief function being to act as a central bureau for both inward and outward QSL cards (confirmation of contact) between the Malayan stations and amateurs situated overseas.
The Selangor Radio Society was the result of the untiring efforts of the first president, Jim Macintosh, VS2AA, Law Joo Ghin, VS2AO, N.L. Narayan, VS2CN, N.A.K. Nair, Au Yong Siew Thong, and Rodgers Rowe.
The Singapore Amateur Radio Transmitting Society was founded in 1949. Amongst these who attended the inaugural meeting were Ted Yates, VS1AD, Reg Hollis-Bee, VS1AG, Mike de Cruz, VS1DU, Charles Salton, VS1DV, Ken de Souza, VS1CZ, and John Osborne, VS1BO.
The tendency had been for the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Society (MARTS) founded in 1952, to expand at the expense of the local societies with the result that the smaller societies have been wounded up. The service provided to members will then be always up to the standard envisaged by its founders.
MARTS – How it started
After the winding up of the numerous amateur radio societies in Malaya at that time, the hams started to consolidate and looked toward a central body to serve and looked after their interests. The founding of MARTS was the work of the following hams, who remained in office for many years after is formation: Eu Khuan Kew, VS2BS, J.E. Hemphil, VS2CR, S.A. Faulkner, VS2DB, and C.E. Salton, VS2DV. Call sign prefixes used then were VS1 for Singapore, VS2 for Malaya Federated States, VS3 for Malaya Non-Federated States, VS4 for Sarawak, VS5 for Brunei, and ZC5 for British North Borneo.
Full membership was opened to radio amateurs in the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, British North Borneo, Brunei, Sarawak, and Christmas Island. Total membership was less than 100 members, and the society’s registered address was PO Box 600 in Penang.
Radio communication was confined only to the HF bands using the AM and CW modes only. After the Emergency period, the VHF band was opened to the hams. And from then on the introduction of repeaters came about, after VHF FM amateur radio communication gaining popularity among the members. In 1975, The first VHF repeater, 9M2RUK, was installed by MARTS on Gunung Ulu Kali in Genting Highlands for covering the Klang Valley, and its surroundings. Subsequently it was followed by the setting up of the 9M2RBB repeater on Penang Hill in 1984, Gunung Ledang repeater 9M2RGL, Kuala Lumpur’s 9M2RKK and 9M2RKL also followed suit. In 1989, the Gunung Pulai repeater 9M2RGP was put up, and one year later te Kangar repeater 9M2RMK was installed.
The Repeater Linking Project
Repeaters do a good job of increasing radio communication coverage. And since then, they have been providing useful services to its members, and during times of emergencies. Since their first installation in 1975, these repeaters only served the local coverage area. If any hams wanted to talk to other hams in other states using this mode, they would have met with disappointment. The thought of being able to use the walkie-talkie for a ham lives in Penang to talk to another ham lives in Johor or Malacca with just the press of the PTT (push to talk) has always been a dream. The reality that confronts MARTS to put up such a system was beyond the financial means and resources at hand.
In 2005, a task group was finally put together by MARTS to look into the possibility to link up the many repeaters situated in the various states. The need to have a complete radio communication coverage in peninsular Malaysia was further spurred after the tsunami in 2005. MARTS felt obligated to serve the community in imes of emergency and disaster. By having radio communication coverage during these times, much help can be rendered toward to the support, health, and rescue agencies.
MARTS is a society that welcomes all hams to be members. It does so without any discrimination toward race, creed or religion. Being an open society, it is very fortunate to have in its membership many employees of Motorola, who have come forward to give support and help toward this project to link up the repeaters. Having professionals in various fields of engineering as its members, MARTS was able to obtain technical formation from these people to form a working paper for the implementation of this project. Support in the form of technical expertise and equipment made the project a reality. Extra repeaters were installed on Bukit Bendera in Penang, Gunung Berincang in Cameron Highlands, Gunung Ulu Kali in Genting Highlands, Gunung Ledang in northern Johor, and Gunung Pulai in southern Johor. For safety and security reasons the repeaters were all installed at Telekom Malaysia hill station towers and buildings.
Today, we have the completed task: ability to QSO (contact) from the north of peninsula Malaysia in Perlis till Johor Bahru in the south.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
ARRL handbook 2009
Must-Have:
For the radio amateur…
For the technician and engineer…
For the newcomer…
This 86th edition of The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications stays ahead of the pack taking its place as the most comprehensive source of applied electronics and communications know-how. First published in 1926, The Handbook has served generations of radio amateurs, professionals and students. This authoritative book features the most current material on the state-of-the-art:
CD-ROM Included! The CD-ROM at the back of the book includes all of the fully searchable text and illustrations in the printed book, as well as companion software, PC board templates and other support files. Brand-new material:
# RockMite QRP CW transceiver. Now expanded to cover 80, 40, 30 or 20 meters.
# Audio Interface for Field Day or Contesting. Audio and mic connections for two operators sharing a radio.
# Remote Power Controller. Turn high current devices off and on.
# Audible Antenna Bridge. Tune for the lowest SWR by ear.
…and MORE!
You wan a copy aaaa? please contact http://9m2ibr.blogspot.com/
For the radio amateur…
For the technician and engineer…
For the newcomer…
This 86th edition of The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications stays ahead of the pack taking its place as the most comprehensive source of applied electronics and communications know-how. First published in 1926, The Handbook has served generations of radio amateurs, professionals and students. This authoritative book features the most current material on the state-of-the-art:
- Principles of electronics—including basic theory, components, analog and digital circuit construction.
- Radio communication fundamentals and design— including modes and systems, filters, EMI, digital signal processing and software radio design, and RF power amplifiers.
- Real-world applications and operating— including practical projects, station setup, antennas, transmission lines, and methods for testing and troubleshooting.
- References—filled with hundreds of detailed tables, illustrations and photos. You will turn to The Handbook again and again!
CD-ROM Included! The CD-ROM at the back of the book includes all of the fully searchable text and illustrations in the printed book, as well as companion software, PC board templates and other support files. Brand-new material:
- Updated amateur satellite content, including details for today’s fleet of operational satellites.
- Updated versions of accessory software on the CD-ROM.
# RockMite QRP CW transceiver. Now expanded to cover 80, 40, 30 or 20 meters.
# Audio Interface for Field Day or Contesting. Audio and mic connections for two operators sharing a radio.
# Remote Power Controller. Turn high current devices off and on.
# Audible Antenna Bridge. Tune for the lowest SWR by ear.
…and MORE!
You wan a copy aaaa? please contact http://9m2ibr.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 10, 2009
ITU Region
ITU Region 1
ITU Region 1 corresponds to Europe, Russia, Africa and the Middle East. For ITU region 1, Radio Society of Great Britain's band plan will be more definitive (click on the buttons at the bottom of the page).
- Low Frequency (LF) (30 to 300 kHz)
- 136 kHz (135.7 kHz to 137.8 kHz)
...
- Very High Frequency (VHF) (30 to 300 MHz)
- 4 metres (70 to 70.5 MHz), UK only
However there are also 4m amateur allocations in other ITU Region 1 countries e.g. Ireland 70.125 to 70.450 MHz
[edit]Table of Amateur MF and HF Bandplans
The following charts show the voluntary bandplans used by amateurs in Region 1. Unlike the USA slots for the various transmission modes are not set by the amateur's licence but most users do follow these guidelines.
[edit]160 Metres
| 160 Metres | 1810 1838 | 1838 1840 | 1840 1843 | 1843 2000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IARU Region 1 | |||||
| IARU Region 2 | 1800 - 1840 | ||||
| IARU Region 3 | 1800 - 1840 | ||||
| Note: Region 2 QRP/DX window is 1830-1850 | |||||
[edit]80 Metres
| 80 Metres | 3500 3580 | 3580 3600 | 3600 3620 | 3620 3800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IARU Region 1 |
[edit]60 Metres
| 60 Metres | 5258.5 | 5278.5 | 5288.5 | 5366.5 | 5371.5 | 5398.5 | 5403.5 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 United Kingdom | FA | FB | FC | FK | FL | FE | FM | ||||||
| Note: 60 Meter emissions are limited to UK NoV-endorsed Full licence holders only in 3kHz channels with the specified lower frequency limits, 200 watts | |||||||||||||
[edit]40 Metres
| 40 Metres | 7000 7035 | 7035 7040 | 7040 7043 | 7043 7100 | 7100 7200 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IARU Region 1 | |||||||||||||
| Note: 7100-7200 allocated on a secondary non-interference basis | |||||||||||||
[edit]30 Metres
| 30 Metres | 10100 10140 | 10140 10150 |
|---|---|---|
| IARU Region 1 |
[edit]20 Metres
| 20 Metres | 14000 14070 | 14070 14099 | B | 14101 14350 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IARU Region 1 |
[edit]17 Metres
| 17 Metres | 18068 18095 | 18095 18109 | B | 18111 18168 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IARU Region 1 |
[edit]15 Metres
| 15 Metres | 21000 21070 | 21070 21110 | 21110 21120 | 21120 21149 | B | 21151 21450 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IARU Region 1 |
[edit]12 Metres
| 12 Metres | 24890 24915 | 24915 24929 | B | 24931 24990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IARU Region 1 |
[edit]10 Metres
| 10 Metres | 28000 28070 | 28070 28190 | B | 28225 29200 | 29200 29300 | 29300 29510 | 29510 29700 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IARU Region 1 | Satellite D/L |
[edit]Key
| = CW and data (<200> | |
| = CW, RTTY and data (<> | |
| = CW, RTTY, data, NO SSB (<2.7> | |
| = CW, phone and image (<3> | |
| = CW, phone and image (<3> | |
| = CW, data, packet, FM, phone and image (<20> | |
| = CW, RTTY, data, test, phone and image | |
| = Reserved for satellite downlink | |
| = Reserved for beacons |
[edit]ITU Region 2
ITU region 2 consists of the Americas, including Greenland. The frequency allocations for United States hams in ITU Region 2 are:
[edit]Medium Frequency (MF) (300 kHz to 3 MHz)
- 160 meters (1.8 - 2.0 MHz)
[edit]High Frequency (HF) (3.0 - 30.0 MHz)
- 80 meters (3.5 - 4.0 MHz)
- 60 meters (five USB voice channels: 5.332, 5.348, 5.368, 5.373, 5.405 MHz)
- 40 meters (7.0 - 7.3 MHz)
- 30 meters (10.100 - 10.150 MHz)
- 20 meters (14.000 - 14.350 MHz)
- 17 meters (18.068 - 18.168 MHz)
- 15 meters (21.000 - 21.450 MHz)
- 12 meters (24.890 - 24.990 MHz)
- 10 meters (28.0 - 29.7 MHz)
[edit]Very High Frequency (VHF) (30 to 300 MHz)
- 6 meters (50 - 54 MHz)
- 2 meters (144 - 148 MHz)
- 1.25 meters (219 - 220, 222 - 225 MHz)
[edit]Ultra High Frequency (UHF) (300 MHz to 3 GHz)
- 70 centimeters (420 - 450 MHz)
- 33 centimeters (902 - 928 MHz)
- 23 centimeters (1.24 - 1.3 GHz)
- 13 centimeters (2.30 - 2.31 GHz and 2.39 - 2.45 GHz)
[edit]Super High Frequency (SHF) (3 to 30 GHz)
- 9 centimeters (3.3 - 3.5 GHz)
- 5 centimeters (5.65 - 5.925 GHz)
- 3 centimeters (10.0 - 10.5 GHz)
- 1.2 centimeters (24.00 - 24.25 GHz)
[edit]Extremely High Frequency (EHF) (30 to 300 GHz)
- 6 millimeters (47.0 - 47.2 GHz)
- 4 millimeters (75.5 - 81.0 GHz)
- 2.5 millimeters (119.98 - 120.02 GHz)
- 2 millimeters (142 - 149 GHz)
- 1 millimeter (241 - 250 GHz)
The ARRL has a detailed band plan for US hams showing allocations within each band.
RAC has a chart showing the frequencies available to amateurs in Canada.
[edit]United States Table of Amateur MF and HF Allocations
Effective 12:01 a.m. EST, February 23, 2007
| 160 m | 1800 - 2000 |
|---|---|
 Canada | |
 United States | 1800 2000 |
| General, Advanced, Extra |
| 80 / 75 m | 3500 - 4000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | |||||
| United States | 3500 3525 | 3525 3600 | 3600 3700 | 3700 3800 | 3800 4000 |
| Novice / Technician | |||||
| General | |||||
| Advanced | |||||
| Extra | |||||
| 60 m | 5330 - 5406 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 5330.5 | 5346.5 | 5366.5 | 5371.5 | 5403.5 | |||||||||
| General, Advanced, Extra | ||||||||||||||
| Note: US licensees operating 60 m are limited to emissions of upper sideband suppressed carrier, 2.8 kHz bandwidth (2K80J3E), 50 watts PEP ERP relative to a 1/2 wave dipole, on the carrier frequencies indicated on this chart | ||||||||||||||
| 40 m | 7000 - 7300 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | ||||
| United States | 7000 7025 | 7025 7125 | 7125 7175 | 7175 7300 |
| Novice / Technician | ||||
| General | ||||
| Advanced | ||||
| Extra | ||||
| 30 m | 10100 10150 |
|---|---|
| Canada | |
| United States | |
| Note: US limited to General, Advanced and Extra licensees; 200 watts PEP | |
| 20 m | 14000 - 14350 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | |||||
| United States | 14000 14025 | 14025 14150 | 14150 14175 | 14175 14225 | 14225 14350 |
| General | |||||
| Advanced | |||||
| Extra | |||||
| 17 m | 18068 - 18168 | |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | ||
| United States | 18068 18110 | 18110 18168 |
| General, Advanced, Extra | ||
| 15 m | 21000 - 21450 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | |||||
| United States | 21000 21025 | 21025 21200 | 21200 21225 | 21225 21275 | 21275 21450 |
| Novice / Technician | |||||
| General | |||||
| Advanced | |||||
| Extra | |||||
| 12 m | 24890 - 24990 | |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | ||
| United States | 24890 24930 | 24930 24990 |
| General, Advanced, Extra | ||
| 10 m | 28000 - 29700 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | |||
| United States | 28000 28300 | 28300 28500 | 28500 29700 |
| Novice / Technician | |||
| General, Advanced, Extra | |||
| Note: The 10 meter table is one-third scale, relative to the other tables | |||
[edit]Key
| = CW, RTTY and data (US: <> | |
| = CW, RTTY, data, MCW, test, phone and image | |
| = CW, phone and image | |
| = CW and SSB phone (US: Novice/Technician 200 watts PEP only) | |
| = CW, RTTY, data, phone and image | |
| = CW (US: Novice/Technician 200 watts PEP only) | |
| = Upper sideband suppressed carrier phone, 2.8 kHz bandwidth (2K80J3E), 50 watts ERP referenced to dipole |
[edit]ITU Region 3
ITU region 3 consists of Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and Asia south of Siberia. The IARU Region 3 Bandplan [4]
The Wireless Institute of Australia has charts for Amateur frequencies for Australia.
The New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART) has charts for Amateur frequencies and repeater lists for New Zealand.
The Japanese have charts for Amateur frequencies in Japan
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