Friday, November 03, 2006

HAM RADIO USERS GETS WIDER COVERAGE

PENANG Nov 1, 2006 - Ham radio users now have wider coverage along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia with the setting up of a free amateur radio network link.
The link spanning Johor Baru to Kangar is jointly established by the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters' Society (MARTS) and Motorola Technology Sdn Bhd.
MARTS vice-president Abdul Rashid Mohd Sultan said the Motorola-MARTS Amateur Radio Network system was designed to provide nationwide infrastructure for inter-state radio communications.
"The system will benefit about 2,000 licensed amateur radio users in the peninsula."
"It is also the first nationwide amateur radio system in South East Asia," he said at the launch of the link by State Local Government Committee chairman Dato' Dr Teng Hock Nan at Cititel Penang here yesterday.
Abdul Rashid said Motorola spent RM350,000 to provide the system's radio communications equipment and accessories including the system design.
Previously, he said members could only talk with others from within their local area.
"We installed five repeaters on Telekom Malaysia's hill-station buildings on Penang Hill, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Gunung Ledang, and Gunung Pulai for the new link," he said.
(A repeater is a device that amplifies a signal before transmitting it again).
Motorola Malaysia country president Asri Hassan said the radio system would also provide communication up to southern Thailand, Singapore, and Sumatra's east coast area.
It would also be accessible to amateur radio members on ships in the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, he said.
"This nationwide radio system is very critical during emergencies and disasters," he added.
During the tsunami tragedy, Kuala Lumpur was used as the central ham radio station to bridge communication between Acheh and Medan, he said.
"During the tsunami, the ham radio users in Acheh and Medan could only communicate with Kuala Lumpur and not each other."
"So, our members in Kuala Lumpur acted as the middle party to relay messages between the two," he said.
Abdul Rashid said during the Highland Towers tragedy in 1993, MARTS led a team to provide communication support to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
Source: The Star, November 1, 2006

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Motorolla spent RM350,000 for the whole installation. Thank you Motorolla but is it justified to spend so much.The number of users is just ahandful.Judging by the number of users,it is grossly a wastage. Motorolla is prepared to be involved in the second phase... to the east Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.I advise Motorolla to keep their money and give to some other deserving cases.If this money goes to ASTRA they will function marvelouly.You will be able to trigger the repeaters from your toilet, bedrooms kitchen just by using your handy.9M2RR will mass produce the duplexers and anttennas to cut cost by 70%.a SME industry will thrive.

Users of all repeaters

Anonymous said...

Surely MNC jacks up the $ to look good, saying they add in professional fees, engineering man-hours, accommodation, outsourcing to contractors, traveling, etc. The 350k is not just equipment cost.

So that the MNC can get tax break for doing charity to the ham community.

If they say only spent 35k, then community will say they are stingy, gave rejected equipments, cheap stake, no sincerity, better keep it for your kids to play, etc.

No matter what people do, sure there are negative comments. We will never be greatful to others' generosity.

Dr Purva Pius said...

Hello Everybody,
My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of $250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of $250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.