Headline :You never know who's listening

NEW SUNDAY TIMES

Date :19/12/2004
Page :08
Byline :By R.S. Kamini
Type : News Feature

THE call came from out there, from space.
"Nine Whiskey two Quebec Charlie, this is November Alpha one Sierra Sierra, from the International Space Station, I am reading you 59 ...Where is your exact location in Malaysia?"
For Sion Chow Qi Chao, the reply from the international space station, was the pinnacle of his ham radio experience, a life-long dream.
Like many things about ham radio, you never know who's listening. "I was just placing a few general calls to other hams in different frequencies," said the 20-year-old Sion.
"I usually get through to a Thai station but having an astronaut on board the International Space Station reply my call was the most rewarding moment that a ham can enjoy.
"Having spoken to him was one thing but having my country's name pronounced in space was simply amazing."
For amateur radio operators (who call themselves ham operators), like Sion, talking to people all over the world and even out of it is what makes it exciting.
"There is no limit to what you can do with a ham radio. We could use them to track the weather and other satellite movement with the help of the Internet," said Sion.
That is why the number of ham operators in Malaysia has multiplied in the last 30 years.
In Malaysia, you need to pass a written exam conducted by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), a body that regulates all radio, television and multimedia licensing and operations.
The exam tests applicants for knowledge of the Morse code among other things.
According to MCMC Technical division general manager Zamani Zakariah, there is a growing interest in ham radio services among youths since MCMC took over the conduct of the exams in 2001.
"There were 92 candidates below 30 in 2001 but in 2002 there were 208," said Zamani.
The figure rose to 506 in 2003 and last November, there were 840 candidates.
"Although the number of candidates increases every year, the passing rate is not very encouraging," said Zamani.
"The good news is that, although many failed the first time around, there have been a large number of candidates who came back to re-sit and passed the exam."
Sazali Isnin, 32, is one such candidate. Despite failing the exam on his first try in 2003, he sat for it again recently.
"I have a ham radio installed in my four-wheel-drive which I make use of on my adventure trips," said Sazali.
According to Sazali, little is known about the existence of hams in the country, mainly because Malaysia is not a disaster-prone country.
"We usually get an opportunity to transmit emergency messages when trekkers lose their way in thick jungle," said Sazali.
Ham radio is also the perfect communication tool to meet new people, according to 24-year-old technician Muhammad Firdaus Abdullah.
"I love making contacts and there is always the thrill of getting to know someone without face-to-face interaction," said Firdaus.
"We have a few societies such as the Malaysian Amateur Radio Emergency-Service Society (Mares) or Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters Society (Marts), which offer technical classes to prepare you for the exam," said Firdaus.
To operate a ham radio, an operator must be familiar with basic electronics and communication principles but, just as important, they must know how to behave when on air.
"Once we pass the exam, we'll be given a certificate and a call sign which we use to identify ourselves.
"For example, Nine-Whiskey-Two is Peninsular Malaysia's identification code which will be followed by a name code assembled from the International Phonetic Alphabets (see appendix) guide.
"Anyone who pages in with the country identification code would automatically be identified as a Malaysian," said Firdaus.
According to Zamani, all hams are obliged to adhere to the guidelines prepared by MCMC.
"All radio transmission activities are monitored, including those used an amateur radio.
"You cannot use foul language, discuss politics, religion or other taboo matters on air," said Zamani.
(END)