Happy New Year, we wish you great well being and enduring flourishing.

5th January 2019 @ Seri Kembangan, Selangor

Council members (9M2IR, 9M2PRO, 9W2PD & 9M2CQC)  from Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Society (MARTS) met YB Tuan Gobind Singh Deo the Minister for Communication And Multimedia Malaysia to discuss on the Amateur Radio way forward and program collaboration with the ministry.

Despite of his busy schedule, we have a fruitful meeting and gave his full support to the radio amateurs.

MARTS believe that radio amateur enthusiasts have made a significant contribution to science, engineering, industry, social and public services.

CYBERJAYA – “Liga Radio Amatur Jepun (JARL) mengiktiraf Pertubuhan Pemancar Radio Amatur Malaysia (MARTS) sebagai wakil induk dan pertubuhan radio amatur paling lama di Malaysia.”

Demikian kata Presiden MARTS,  Ir Mohd Aris Bernawi dalam Mesyuarat Luar Biasa MARTS  atau juga dikenali Malaysia Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Society di Auditorium Akademi Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia, Cyberjaya, baru-baru ini.

Menurutnya, pertubuhan yang ditubuhkan pada tahun 1952 itu terpaksa mengambil langkah drastik dengan menggugurkan kategori keahlian seumur hidup atas faktor kekurangan dana bagi menampung kos operasi.

“MARTS tidak menerima sebarang bantuan tetap dari mana-mana pihak kecuali pendapatan melalui yuran keahlian.

“Setiap tahun MARTS telah membayar yuran kepada badan Kesatuan Radio Amatur Antarabangsa yang beribu pejabat di Jepun dan ini membuktikan bahawa sesiapa yang menjadi ahli MARTS adalah ahli yang berdaftar kepada badan dunia itu,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, semasa pelancaran Festival Radio Japan (Hamfest) yang lepas, beliau diberi penghormatan dan kepercayaan untuk memotong riben di pembukaan acara tersebut bersama-sama Presiden dan jawatankuasa JARL yang lain.

Pada tahun ini juga MARTS bercadang menghantar beberapa orang wakil ke Kejohanan Radio Amatur Mencari Arah (Amateur Radio Directional Finding Championship) Peringkat Dunia yang akan diadakan di Gangwan dan Geonggi, Seoul, Korea pada bulan September nanti.

Sumber : https://www.karangkraf.com/berita/liga-radio-amatur-jepun-iktiraf-pergerakan-marts-1.789867

MARTS would like to extend our appreciations and congratulations to Perak Ham Radio Fair 2017 organizing committee which was held at RTC Gopeng Perak on 1 and 2 April 2017.

Many thanks to the Perak State Government through Dato’ Nolee Radzi as a Chairman for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Communications and Multimedia Perak along with Tourism Perak, RTC Gopeng, FAMA PERAK , PWD, and all government agencies and non-governmental organizations for their supports and cooperation given.

It’s clearly illustrated the solidarity when the program received full cooperation from active association of amateur radio nationwide.

Not forgetting all the sponsors who have contributed in the form of money or goods.

The program also recognizes the contribution of Elmers (9M2RR, 9W2NB and 9M2CW) in the development of amateur radio Perak.

In addition, two meetings were held during the event to discuss on further collaboration between the MARTS, REAKSI, AMSAT-MY and USM in amateur radio satellite program and collaboration with Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur for exhibition in Japan Ham Fair 2017 this year.

Hopefully this program can be implemented each year and provide positive impact on society and the country in particular.

Thanks to all who attended and gave support.

MARTS AND KLDX has organized ‘WHAT’S NEXT AFTER RAE 2016’ program at International Youth Center, Cheras on 1st October 2016.

This program led by MARTS Education Council Mr Azlan Aziz (9M2AGC) and fully assisted by most progressive DX Team called as KLDX.

Participants were exposed to most basic operation in amateur radio, logging system, basic soldering and many more exciting activities.

Source from KLDX Facebook @kldxteam.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Congratulations to our new (and returning) Council members.

Results from the election for the 2015-2017 term are:

PRESIDENT           9M2IR

VICE PRESIDENT   9W2SBS

SECRETARY          9M2PRO

ASST. SECRETARY 9M2CQC

TREASURER          9W2PD

ASST. TREASURER 9W2PRH

COUNCIL 1           9W2WWW

COUNCIL 2           9W2ZF

COUNCIL 3           9M2AGC

Despite poor weather and bad propagation prevailing in Malaysia, there were lessons learned during the recent simulated exercise on September 27, centred on Sarawak in East Malaysia 9M8, which tested Amateur Radio’s preparations for a real disaster.

The exercise, with a scenario of massive power failure triggered by an abnormal solar flare that also knocked out all telephones, was asked for by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Poor propagation hampered the effective use of 7.110 MHz using near vertical incidence skywave propagation (NVIS), emphasising the PSK31 digital mode.

The exercise was to test the effectiveness of the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Society (MARTS) and Amateur Radio Club Sarawak (ARCS) in setting up local, and east to west Malaysia communications.

It was designed to show the value of 40 metres for QRP emergency communications, but the results this time were less than ideal.

Coordinator Johnny Tan 9M8DB said all Sarawak stations adhered strictly to the 5W output limit. The exercise further proved that, especially for PSK31, and in spite of QRN, that was more than sufficient.

Johnny 9M8DB said, the robustness of PSK31 under difficult conditions is undeniable. Through practice, many more will be thoroughly conversant in this digital text mode, especially when volunteering for emcomm duties.

He said some stations needed to re-think their antennas, make their portable stations safe during lightning and rain, but remain at the ready for the next exercise or disaster.

Propagation was very poor between East and West Malaysia. Johnny Tan 9M8DB said, “While the test failed to some West Malaysian stations, we did hear 9M4CMN quite well and also 9M4MIA but obviously, reception was not equally good in both directions.

“We also tried 40m, 20m, 15m but failed to a major extent or, signals were well into the noise to be able to have any reliable copy.”

In the past 40 metres has been found suitable for state wide coverage in Sarawak, but poor propagation at the time is suspected to be due to storms causing high atmospheric noise.

The worth of the possible future 5 MHz allocation on the 60 metre band was discussed, and it was agreed it should more useable for NVIS propagation.

MARTS claimed the exercise further reinforced its request that 40 metre access be given to the country’s Class B licences to greatly increase the human radio amateur resources for emergency communications.

It was expected to discuss the issue with the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission, which was to monitor the exercise.

On the whole, the exercise showed what worked well, and where some further improvement is needed.

Johnny 9M8DB will send a detailed report to those involved as they prepare
for the next simulated emergency test.

– Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) have asked for an amateur radio emergency communications exercise on September 27, 2014 centred on Sarawak in East Malaysia.

The IARU member society, the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Society (MARTS) and the Amateur Radio Club Sarawak (ARCS), will jointly run the exercise.

It will use the centre of activity emergency frequency 7.110 MHz, near vertical incidence skywave propagation and emphasise the PSK31 digital mode.

The scenario is the failure on the Sarawak electricity grid triggered by an abnormal solar flare which also knocks out all telephones. The exercise is to test the effectiveness of MARTS and ARCS in setting up local and east to west Malaysia communications.

To give authorities a better understanding of the message handling capabilities with accuracy and urgency being important, the IARU message format will be used, as it would should a real life event occur.

MCMC Chairman Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi from Kuala Lumpur has been invited to witness and take part in this exercise. MARTS asks that the frequency of 7.110 MHz be kept clear for the exercise on Saturday, September 27 2014.

Note:

CoA frequencies are as below :

Emergency CoA frequency 3.600 MHz ( All Modes ± 5 KHz )

Emergency CoA frequency 7.110 MHz ( All Modes ± 5 KHz )

Emergency CoA frequency 14.300 MHz ( All Modes ± 5 KHz )

Emergency CoA frequency 18.160 MHz ( All Modes ± 5 KHz )

Emergency CoA frequency 21.360 MHz ( All Modes ± 5 KHz )

THE SAGA OF DUTY EXEMPTION ON AMATEUR EQUIPMENT

By Sangat Singh, 9M2SS

This is the story of the duty exemption on amateur equipment, and how it was obtained in response to a thread started on the MARTS Blog on 16th September, 2006 onwards.

There were 3 attempts made to obtain the duty exemption. The first one was initiated soon after the MARTS AGM of 1984. The following were the principal officials:

President Colin Richards, 9M2CR
Vice President D. D. Devan, 9M2DD
Hon. Secy. Sangat Singh, 9M2SS

It was decided to explore the possibility of duty exemption on Amateur equipment. During that period we had a good example of Amateur Radio Society of India having just obtained duty exemption vide Gazette of India Notification dated 9th March, 1984. This was the background that gave us the incentive. I was charged with the duty to set the ball rolling.

The first letter dated 9th March, 1984 was written by the President, Colin Richards, 9M2CR and addressed to the Hon. Minister of Finance, Tan Sri Razaleigh Hamzah. This letter was neither acknowledged nor replied. We sent a reminder on 9th May, 1984 even that was ignored. From then on, I took upon myself to pursue this matter vigorously.

On 1st October, 1984 I sent another letter to the Finance Minister, enclosing all previous correspondence for ease of reference. This time we received an acknowledgement on 5th November, 1984 that the matter would receive attention.

On 30th November, 1984 we received a letter from Customs Headquarter granting an interview, and asked me to present them with the Customs Tariff Codes for items that we wished duty to be waived. I met Director Ramlah Binti Ibrahim and spent the whole morning explaining what we needed. I submitted a few pages of Schedule of Amateur Radio equipments to be admitted duty-free to holders of valid amateur radio licence holders. Unfortunately this surfeit of information was beyond her. She kept on asking for the Customs Tariff Code, even to the extent of asking the name of Manufacturer, Model, and serial number. I did not make much headway as it was not just one piece that we needed to import. On a subsequent visit I asked D. D. Devan, 9M2DD to accompany me in case he was able to drill some sense. We were required to file in a fresh memorandum and included whatever further information was needed.

On 22nd February, 1985 I enlisted the help of Enc. Zakari Che Noo, Director of JTM, to provide a recommendation. This was not acknowledged nor replied. On 12th March. 1985 I got Enc. Zakaria Che Noor to send a reminder to Puan Ramlah. Again there was no response.

On 12th June, 1985 I sent another letter once again enclosing copies of all old correspondence in case they could not trace the file.

On 9th July, 1985 we received a reply by one Enc. Mohd. Amen Bin Cutoff that gave a glimmer of hope, and again asked for the Tariff Codes. This I provided .

On 1st August, 1985 we received Tariff Code and duty thereon. I was shocked as that quoted just the normal duty ranging from 30 – 50 percent + 10 percent on most items.

Only on ICOM IC 751, 745, 730 she quoted inadvertently a duty of 5% + 10%. This was actually a slip.

On 8th August, 1985 I wrote a letter to D. D. Devan, 9M2DD who was then the President of MARTS, quote.

“I am enclosing the missive from Customs. You can see what a mess they have made. I tried to speak to Ramlah but she refused to talk. Clearly this work was beyond her capacity…..”

On 13th January, 1986 we received a letter from Customs that “…dukacita dimaklumkan bahawa permohonan tersebut tidak dapat diluluskan” Thus the first attempt failed.

We did not give up and started the second assault. This was the second attempt. This time I enlisted the help of Y. B Datuk Amar Stephen Yong, Minister of Sains Dan Alma Skitter as I knew him personally and he had visited us when I was the Manager of Ampar Tenang Estate, Dengkil. I got a recommendation letter from him. Added to this I had fresh recommendations from the Director of JTM. Once again we started on the merry go round. Light at the end of tunnel was still not visible.

At this point I enlisted the help of H. L. Cham, 9M2YB. This was on 20th June, 1989. By this time Lee Fook Seng, 9M2LF had become the President of MARTS. According to Cham our application could not be found at the Ministry of Finance. Following his contacts he felt that we stood a good chance. So I started once again to present our case. To quote Cham “The informal reactions I have got to date appear to be encouraging and I will be more than happy to follow through once you have prepared the proposed new letter”. This was our second attempt. I resubmitted our application to the Ministry of Finance.

But this time, something sinister was being hatched. The very people who now claim credit were the ones who were responsible for the failure of the second attempt. It will be opening a can of worms if I were to write about that painful episode. Suffice to say that in 1990 I had relinquished my post as a Secretary of MARTS. Zainal, 9M2ZA became the secretary. I gave him a few pages of handing over report and in it I had specifically mentioned among other things that our application for Duty exemption was in the final stage and required an urgent follow up. No action was taken at all. Thus failed the second attempt.

That was the most chaotic period in the history of MARTS. Zainal, 9M2ZA lasted less then 3 months as the Secretary. Then Yusoff, 9M2FF was roped in but due to his personal problems he too did not last. At last Thiam 9M2CJ was pressed in and again some years later he too was unconstitutionally asked to resign. In a shameful manner, while MARTS talked pontifically about the constitution as being sacred, had a council member who was not even a member of MARTS.

We now come to the 3rd round.

This was I think during the 1996 MARTS AGM at UKM Bangi that the question of duty exemption once again raised its head. It was I think, Ken, 9M2KN who proposed my name and the whole membership raised their hands and vociferously seconded my name. I was tired from previous two attempts and had regressed peacefully as an ordinary member. I was most reluctant to undertake once again the cudgels to combat the authorities. But they wouldn’t listen. I took up the challenge once again. At that time Rashid, 9M2RS became the President and Thaim, 9M2CJ was the Hon. Secretary. I was appointed the Chairman and asked to nominate my own committee. My reply was that the committee should consist of only 2 members of which one should be absent. But I don’t think the staid amanuensis minuted that witticism. At the end it was decided that I would be a one man committee to tackle this question.

Once again, I started that lone and arduous journey and enlisted help of people who mattered. I have their letters of support on my file and am grateful for their generous help. In the meantime, I had made a good contact with the Director of Customs who was sympathetic. I don’t want to list the umpteen letters and meetings I had with them. Then came the day we were waiting for. On 24th October, 1996 I saw the Director concerned and he gave me a privileged packet with a red slip posted on it that read:

EMBARGO
Tidak Boleh Disiarkan Sebelum JAM 1600 Hari Jumaat, 25th Ocotber, 1996.

Rest is the history. I never talked or told anybody, nor made any claims. There was not a single cent claimed for anything from MARTS. I just felt pleased that the job was done. My last duty was to write letters of thanks and to the press to thank YB Minister of Finance. These letters did appear in the press.

It was only after this announcement, I felt that the Director of Customs must be thanked. The two appropriate persons were the President Rashid, 9M2RS and Thiam 9M2CJ to thank him for his help. This was the only occasion they ever went to the Customs Headquarters. I am sure they cannot even remember the name of that friendly Director.

This was the sum total of their help. I am not sure who were the others who helped. They should be identified and suitably honoured with a place in the Hall of Fame.

In the following AGM there was just one liner minuted to say thank you Sangat.

Sangat Singh, 9M2SS

extract from:

http://martsnews.blogspot.com/2006_10_01_archive.html