I'm back! Thank you for being so patient waiting for my new story.
This time, I m going to share with you one of my hobbies which i believe most of you have never tried it LOL; that is operating an amateur radio apparatus. I attached 3 pictures here. Look familiar right? These are not ordinary walkie-taklie sets. These are some of the amateur radio transceiver (transmitter + receiver) available in the market. These apparatus is used to communicate with other person by using a certain radio frequency.
Mobile radio transciever
Handheld radio tranceiver
Handheld radio transceiver
Using the radio is not as simple as buying a mobile phone. You need a license. In Malaysia, the use of the apparatus is controlled by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia) under The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998. To get the license, you need to pass a written examination called RAE (Radio Amateur Examination). If you pass, you can apply from the MCMC the license called Assignment Apparatus License, and a callsign. Callsign is your amateur radio operator's name which you use to identify yourself to other radio amateur operators (hams). No real name is allowed. After receiving your license and your callsign, you can start talking to others, on air, wow!
My call sign is 9W6J**. I'll keep my callsign secret LOL. If you are interested to know, email me or if you know my real name, you can search for my name from the MCMC online database. Each callsign is unique, meaning that no two person in the WORLD have the same callsign.
Callsign structure as prescribed by the ITU (International Telecom Union) consists of three parts: (1) The country and the license class; (2) The state; (3) the unique alphabet identifying the license holder. Example: a callsign of 9W6ABC (pronounce as Nine Whiskey Six Alpha Bravo Charlie) means:
9W : 9=Malaysia, W=Class B license
6 : Sabah
ABC : the unique alphabet specific to the license holder
Talking on the amateur radio is not like talking on the phone. People are listening, so you have to use the right codes, certain abbreviations and not to break any of the ethical codes. My first experience talking on air was funny. I was so nervous and forgot to use the right code when ending the conversation. The codes are used worldwide, namely the Q-codes. Here are a few examples of the Q-codes and abbreviations commonly used by hams:
QTH - geographical position
QRX - I'll call later
73 - regards
88 - with love
QSO - a conversation
Abbreviations:
WX - weather
YL - young lady
XYL - ex-young lady (wife)
Example:
This is a conversation (QSO) between 9W6BBB (pronounce Nine Whisky Six Bravo Bravo Bravo)and 9W6AA (pronounce as Nine Whisky Six Alpha Alpha)
9W6BBB : 9W6AA, 9W6BBB calling
(meaning: 9W6BBB is calling 9W6AA)
9W6AA : 9W6BBB, 9W6AA responds. Go ahead.
9W6BBB : Your QTH? Over.
9W6AA : i m at the working-Q (working place). Over
9W6BBB : How is the WX over there? Over.
9W6AA : Wx is clear and bright. Over.
....... bla bla bla.
Ending a conversation:
9W6AA : Thanks for the nice QSO. QRX 73 (or QRX 88)
9W6BBB : 9W6AA, 9W6BBB QRX 73 (or QRX 88)
If you need more information regarding the amateur radio, for your convenience I list down a few URL here which I think could help you getting a clearer picture about the amateur radio.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio
http://www.skmm.gov.my/facts_figures/codes_gl/index.asp
Or simply click at the following links:
Guidelines for Amateur Radio Services in Malaysia English: PDF
Guideline for Apparatus Assignment English : PDF
Guideline on the Allocation of Call Sign to the Amateur Radio Service English : PDF
If you want to QSO with me, email me. I'll give you my QRG (frequency)
QRX 73.
