How To Become A Radio Amateur Operator In Malaysia (Part 3)

(The following article is an extract from 'SKMM guidelines for amateur radio in Malaysia (1st edition)'. All materials are copyright of SKMM (http://www.skmm.gov.my/).

The Examination

There are two types of examination pertaining to amateur radio:

1. Radio Amateur Examination (RAE); and
2. Morse Codes Test (CW Test).

Both examinations are conducted by the SKMM.

Radio Amateur Examination (RAE)

The RAE is a written examination on the following topics:

• The fundamental theory of electricity, electronics and radio communications;
• The theory and operation of any amateur radio equipment including the antenna systems, transmission lines, transistors, amplitude and frequency modulation and single sideband techniques;
• The regulations made under the Act which is applicable to the establishment and operation of a station performing an amateur experimental service; and
• The ITU Radio Regulations applicable to the operation of a station performing an amateur experimental service and those provisions relating to the operation of stations generally.

The RAE comprises 100 objective questions with four optional answers. Candidates are given three hours to answer all questions. The question is in bi-language i.e. English and “Bahasa Melayu”.

Passing mark for the RAE is 50%. No marks are deducted for a wrong
answer.
The structure of the question is as shown in the following table.
Please refer to Part C for the details syllabus.

Morse code Test

The Morse Code (CW) test is a practical test that measure skill of the following proficiencies;

• An ability to send message correctly on a radiotelegraph key, semi-automatic key or an electronic hand key for three consecutive minutes at a speed of not less than 12 words per minute in plain language, including figures, punctuation marks, “Q” signals and emergency signals in the international Morse Codes; and
• An ability to receive message correctly by ear and write legibly or type for not less than three consecutive minutes at a speed of not less than 12 words a minute in plain language including figures, punctuation marks, “Q” signals and emergency signals in the international Morse Codes.

In CW sending tests, applicant must be able to send 36 words (averaging five letters per word) in plain language within three minutes or equivalent to a speed of 12 words per minute without uncorrected error. A maximum of four errors as well as four corrections are allowed. In sending figures, 10 five-figure groups are to be sent in 1.5 minutes without uncorrected error. A maximum of two corrections are allowed. In CW receiving tests, applicant is required to receive 36 words (averaging five letters per word) in plain language in three minutes, and 10 five-figure groups in 1.5 minutes. Each letter or figure incorrectly received counts as one error. A word in which more than one letter is incorrectly received counts as two errors. A maximum of four errors in plain language and a maximum of two errors in the figure test are allowed.

The tests will not include any punctuation or other symbols except for full stops, commas, oblique strokes, question marks and error symbols. The foregoing particulars are summarized in the following:

How to Apply for the Examination
The examination will be held from time to time. The actual date and venue for the examination will be specified by the SKMM. The notice or announcement will be made through a public notice, published in the local press and SKMM official website at www.skmm.gov.my. The notice will have detailed terms and conditions, application procedures, payment mode and other related matters pertaining to the examination.

In the RAE conducted on 15 December 2011, SKMM has introduce a new web based application to manage the examination conducted by SKMM namely SKMM Examination Management System or in short SEMS. Details of the system are described below.

In case you need more information or having questions with regards to SEMS, you may email us at sems@cmc.gov.my

For manual application, sample of the application form is shown in Appendix 9 and available at SKMM head office and its regional offices. Contact details of all the SKMM offices are listed in Appendix 14.

Examination fee

The fee for the examinations are as followed.

The examination fee is not refundable to any candidates who withdraw from or fail to attend the examination. The fee cannot be transferred from one examination to another at a later date or from one candidate to another.

For online application, you have to purchase an examination voucher to begin your application. You can only purchase one (1) voucher at a time. Your voucher is valid for up to one year. Please refer to the voucher validity table on SEMS Guide section of this document to determine your voucher validity period.

Minimum Age Requirement for the Examination

The minimum age limit for candidate to sit for the examination is 14 years for the RAE and 18 years for the CW Test. This is due to take into consideration of the responsibility required to operate a higher power transmission and privileges accorded to a Class A amateur station operator.

How To Become A Radio Amateur Operator In Malaysia (Part 2)

(The following article is an extract from 'SKMM guidelines for amateur radio in Malaysia (1st edition)'. All materials are copyright of SKMM (http://www.skmm.gov.my/).

Amateur Radio Operator’s Certificate (AROC)

Regulation 27(1) of the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000 states that no person shall undertake or conduct any activity in designated skill area unless that person is certified. Amateur radio operator has been gazetted as a designated skill area category under this regulation; hence to operate an amateur radio station, a person needs to have an appropriate proficiency and skill i.e. certified in this area.

The certification (AROC) is necessary to prove that the radio amateur operators have good knowledge of the subject and able to operate an amateur radio station in the correct and responsible manner required by the law.

There are two class of AROC available.

1. Amateur Radio Operator’s Certificate - Class A (AROC Class A)
2. Amateur Radio Operator’s Certificate - Class B (AROC Class B)

Amateur Radio Operator’s Certificate (AROC) Class A

The AROC class A allows the holder to apply for ASAA class A. To be eligible for the AROC class A, the persons must pass the written theory test commonly known as RAE and practical test commonly known as Morse Code Test or CW Test.

Amateur Radio Operator’s Certificate (AROC) Class B

The AROC Class B only permits the holder to apply for ASAA class B. To be eligible for this certificate the persons are only required to pass the RAE.

How to Participate In Amateur Radio

To operate an amateur radio station, the operator must hold the ASAA issued by the SKMM. Application can be applied from any SKMM regional offices. A “call sign” will be issued to the successful applicant according to their AROC class.

For details about call sign issuance, please refer to document titled
“Guideline on the Allocation of Call sign to the Amateur Radio Service” published by the SKMM.

Amateur Station Apparatus Assignment

All amateur radio operators in Malaysia must be licensed by getting the ASAA from SKMM. You need to obtain an ASAA to operate an amateur radio station. The ASAA authorized the holder to participate and operate the amateur radio station.

There are 3 types of ASAA under Amateur Radio category:

1. Amateur Station Apparatus Assignment (Class A);
2. Amateur Station Apparatus Assignment (Class B); and
3. Amateur Repeater Station

To apply for an ASAA the applicant has to fill in the following forms.

• Application for Apparatus Assignment(s) (Amateur Service) form for ASAA (Class A & B); or
• Application for Apparatus Assignment(s) (Mobile Service) form for Amateur Repeater Station.

The validity period for ASAA is between three months to five years. Sample of the form is shown in Appendix 11. Please refer to “Guideline for Apparatus Assignment” published by the SKMM for details.

Eligibility for ASAA Application

To be eligible for ASAA application, applicant must meet the following conditions.

• Over 14 years of age for ASAA Class B and 18 years and above for ASAA Class A. Applicants under 21 years will be required to present consent from their parent, guardian or any other approved person who shall be responsible for the observance of the conditions of the applicants to countersigned their application.
• A Malaysian citizens or citizens of countries who have a reciprocal arrangement with our country. Please refer to Appendix 8 for the list of the countries.
• Hold an AROC Class A or B or in lieu, a copy of Examination results issued by the SKMM.

Detailed requirements to apply for the ASAA are described in “Guideline for Apparatus Assignment” published by the SKMM.

Compliance Requirement

The ASAA holder shall comply with the relevant provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA98) and its subsidiary legislations or any amendments made thereof.

International Compliance Requirement

The ASAA holder shall comply with the relevant provisions of the Radio Regulations of the ITU and International Telecommunication Convention.

The usage of frequencies for repeater stations operating VHF and UHF bands within 50 kilometres of the Malaysian border will require border coordination with the neighbouring countries for a mutual arrangement between Malaysia and the neighbouring country.

Fee for Apparatus Assignment Amateur Station

The fees for the ASAA are tabled as below.

International Licensing and Operation

When travelling abroad, the visitor must hold a reciprocal license with the country in which she or he wishes to operate. Reciprocal licensing requirements vary from country to country. Some countries have bilateral or multilateral reciprocal operating agreements allowing hams to operate within their borders with a single set of requirements.

Reciprocal Operating Arrangement

Foreign amateur radio operator may apply for ASAA under the reciprocal arrangement between their country and Malaysia. SKMM may issue an ASAA to the foreign amateur radio operator if they meet all the requirements. The class of the ASAA issued will be equivalent to the license class or assignment issued by their home country authority in their original home country. Please refer to Appendix 8 for the list of the countries which have a reciprocal arrangement with Malaysia.

The ASAA will not be issued for a period of more than the validity of the home country license or one year whichever is earlier.

Foreign amateur radio operator from country which has no reciprocal arrangement will be dealt on a case by case basis. However an introduction from a member of MARTS will be preferred.

How To Become A Radio Amateur Operator In Malaysia (Part 1)

(The following article is an extract from 'SKMM guidelines for amateur radio in Malaysia (1st edition)'. All materials are copyright of SKMM (http://www.skmm.gov.my/).

Introduction

Amateur Radio Service exists in nearly every country and utilizes the same frequencies as in Malaysia. In Malaysia, the amateur radio is regulated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM). To operate an amateur radio station in Malaysia, the operator must have an Amateur Radio Operator’s Certificate and an Amateur Station Apparatus Assignment (ASAA) or a foreign amateur radio licensed from countries that have a reciprocal arrangement with Malaysia. Please refer to Appendix 8 to obtain the list of countries that have a reciprocal arrangement with Malaysia.

About Amateur Radio

Amateur radio service is defined in the Communications and Multimedia (Spectrum) Regulations 2000 as “a radio communications service (covering both terrestrial and satellite) in which a station is used for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by authorized persons who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without any pecuniary interest”.

Millions of amateurs’ radios communicate daily with each other directly or through relay systems and amateur satellites. Amateur service may provide alternative for emergency communication in time of natural disasters. Radio amateur communication able to provide support communication during a disaster where commercial communications system is unavailable, due to the uncomplicated deployment of an amateur radio station.

Radio amateur has been recognized as an important part of the radio community. ITU has allocated common frequency bands for amateur radio service internationally on a sharing basis to all amateur radio stations around the globe.

Things That You Can Do With Amateur Radio

Amateur radio operators are often called “ham radio operators” or "hams". Activities that amateur radio operators can do with their radios are diverse. The following are examples of the activities carried out by hams:-

• Communicate around the world. With HF radio, hams can talk to each other at any part of the globe.
• Converse around town. With small portable VHF or UHF transceivers, hams can enjoy wireless communications within their local community.
• Help in emergencies and natural disasters situations by providing immediate communications whenever normal communications service is failed or unavailable.
• Build own radio, transmitter, receiver and antenna.
• Communicate through amateur satellites. Ham can use amateur satellites operated by the amateur community without any cost.
• Communicate with astronaut while they orbiting the earth.
• Experimental with Amateur TV (ATV), Slow-Scan TV (SSTV), or send still-frame pictures.
• Participate in “transmitter hunt games” or “Fox Hunt” or maybe build their own directional finding equipment.
• Participate in the search and rescue activities by providing communication required.

Things That Are Not Allowed To Do With Amateur Radio

Specifically, there are few things that amateur radio operators are not allowed
to do:

• Amateur radio operators are not allowed to do anything with their radios that can generate financial income.
• Amateur radio operators are prohibited from broadcasting to the public. The amateur radio transmission is meant to be received by other amateur radio operators/stations only.
• Amateur radio services shall not be used for the expansion of business, religion and politics.

Getting Started

You can start you hobby in amateur radio by joining a local amateur radio club. Clubs can provide information about licensing in their respective area, local operating practices and technical advice.

In Malaysia, amateurs are required to pass an examination to demonstrate technical knowledge, operating competence and awareness of legal and regulatory requirements in order to avoid interference with other amateurs and other radio services. There are two types of exams available. Passing in the examination entitled you to apply for the Amateur Station Apparatus Assignment (ASAA) or in general you can call it as Amateur Radio License (license).

If your ASAA application is approved, SKMM will issue a call sign with “9W” or “9M” prefix depending on your eligible operating class. This call sign is unique to amateur radio operator. You must use it on the air to legally identify your amateur station during any and all radio communication. The entry level to obtain the ASAA (or in general it’s call as the Amateur License) is ASAA Class B (“9W” prefix). You must operate on Class B for at least one year before eligible to upgrade your license to Class A (“9M” prefix).

Privileges of the Amateur

In contrast to most commercial and personal radio services, radio amateur operators are not restricted to use type approved equipment, and therefore some radio amateur equipment are home constructed or modified equipment in any way, so long as they meet all the technical requirement such as its operating frequency, power level, classes of emission and the national and international standards on spurious emissions.

SKMM has published an Authorization Notice pursuant to Regulation 16(2) of the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000 to authorise a person who holds an Amateur Station Apparatus Assignment (ASAA) for either Class A or Class B, to import and use any amateur radio equipment listed in the notice without need to obtain Type Approved or Compliance Certificates from SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd (SQASI).Importation of amateur radio equipment listed in the notice only requires an Import Permit from SQASI. You can obtain the notice from our official website at www.skmm.gov.my.

For amateur radio equipment which is not included in the notice, importation of such equipment is subjected to Certification or Type Approval (compliance approval). The equipment must have a proper certificate or compliance approval issued by SQASI before it is eligible to be considered for the issuance of its import permit. To be certified, the equipment must comply with all of the requirements stated in the Technical Specifications for Amateur Radio Equipment (Document SKMM WTS ARE, Rev. 1.01:2007) which is also available on our official website.

Amateurs who wish to include other amateur radio equipment in addition to those listed in the current notice may submit printed copies of the amateur radio equipment brochures/catalogues with detail technical specifications such as but not limited to its frequency ranges, output power, emission mode, modulation type, frequency stability, spurious emission and receiver sensitivity to SKMM. Please send your submission to the Director of the Industry Development and Standards Division. Only equipment that complies with the technical specification will be approved.

Spectrum Plan and Frequency Allocations

In Malaysia, SKMM has the overall responsibility for managing radio frequency spectrum under the Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA98). Among other responsibilities of the SKMM include the task of developing a spectrum plan in respect of all or any part of the spectrum. TheCMA98, as the main legislation which regulates the communications and multimedia industries, also sets out the national policy objectives for the development of the communications industries.

The Spectrum Plan will provide a guide on how the spectrum is currently used and how the SKMM plans to develop it further in the near future. The technological convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting and information technology means that management of the spectrum has become an even more complex issue. The main challenge is how SKMM are to manage this finite resource in the best manner possible and to ensure that it is utilised efficiently to fulfil the society’s needs and the demands of the technology.

More details on the Spectrum Plan are available at SKMM official website for free access and download.

Band Plan

In general, a band plan is a plan for using a particular band of radio frequencies that are a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Each band plan defines the frequency range to be included, how channels are to be defined, and what will be carried on in those channels.

A band plan with regards to Amateur Radio service in Malaysia is voluntary plans established by SKMM to manage the use of a particular radio frequency band assigned (sharing basis) for amateur radio services, to be use in harmonize among all of the amateurs. It defines the frequency range to be included, how channels are arranged and what will be carried on those channels. The band plan is designed to maximize the utilization, minimize interference and optimize the usage of the band. In short, band plan is a better way to organize the use of allocated bands efficiently.

Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP)

SKMM has also developed a series of documents that is part of the spectrum plan to provide guidance on efficient spectrum usage namely Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP). It is designed to provide information on the minimum requirements in the use of the frequency band as described in the Spectrum Plan. It provides information on technical characteristics of radio systems, channelling of frequencies and coordination initiatives.

For example the SRSP “MCMC SRSP 536 AS” states the requirements for the utilization of the frequency band 144 MHz to 148 MHz for Amateur Service in Malaysia.This SRSP covers the minimum key characteristics considered necessary in order to make the best use of the available frequencies. You can access and download the document from our official website. Sample Band Plan for the above band is shown on Appendix 13.

Renewed Objectives

Since its inception, the creation of android team TBR was none other than to foster friendship, to share knowledge and information, and to help fellow members or others in need. The group also promotes the motto 'sharing is caring' as knowledge/advice are more easier to disseminate, and help in the form of monetary fund were limited due to financial constrain of its members.
Recently there were requests by some new members to be trained in amateur radio style conversation aka QSO. With this request new callsigns were created and approved users will receive custom made signboard for display.
Some aspect of amateur radio operating procedure are of some help in zello conversation notably 'the rotation' and 'the short break between users'. This will allow all user in turn to reach the mic and emergency news to be broadcast when necessary. The use of international phonetic to spell the callsign is mandatory, but rampant use of Q-code, 92-code and other slang are less desirable and users have been advised to restrict the use where possible.
Android Team TBR is not a path to amateur radio. If you want to sit for the amateur radio examination (RAE) go elsewhere. However we do provide some guidelines for those who wish to embark in this hobby.

Zello - the 2 way radio alternative

Some of the earlier members are also RELA or RT/SRS members. The use of 2 way radios took over zello in 2nd half of 2013. Mobile repeaters were erected to extend coverage. Some members even joined commercial radio clubs and other pursue amateur radio hobby. But the interest in 2 way radio were short lived. Members flocking back to zello with greater interest only to find out more channels out there have been created. For the above said organisation,  the two-way UHF radio still remain the top notch communication method but zello is now regarded as the best alternative communication method for general use out there. As a result android phone has become a must have device for everyone. Today both 2 way radios and zello works hand in hand.

History

On September 2011, maxis terminated its popular PTT mobile phone service. The following year saw android tablets and phones (gingerbread) flooded the market. By the end of 2012 the price of android devices had dropped significantly and within reach of the mass.
The initial 4 members were ustz zul, bro razif, bro zul and bro lan shared their enthusiasm in android device. Members invested in android tablets and android phone as the price got cheaper. The four members met regularly and discussed topics like rom upgrade, rooting device and testing of new apps as they appeared.
Back then android apps were still lacking compared to its IOS counterpart. Hence more time can be spent on testing of new app introduced to the market. Of all the apps tested, zello was the most appreciated as it rejuvenates the experience of ptt phone. All members then were ex-user of the discontinued maxis ptt mobile phone service. zello then became the must have app on android device for all members of the android team. The channel 'Android Team TBR' was officially launched in March 2013.

As the years gone by, more and more apps appeared and later on whatsapp and telegram were adopted as supplementary or supports to zello. When the mobile internet connections were too bad they serve as secondary communication means.
The word TBR stands for Taman Bunga Raya since all members reside there. As android team grows bigger and members now come from all over Malaysia, from Langkawi to Johor Bahru and even Sarawak. The word TBR is now rewording as 'The Best Room' for chatting and making friends.