Ham Radio - handler 9M2HH

I am a member of MARTS (Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitter's Society). My callsign is 9M2HH.

I was introduced by my late father about this group of people who has licence to operate CB (Citizen Band) Radio. For whatever reason, they called this CB Radio "Ham Radio". It is a hobby whereby they can operate a base radio station that can receive (as well as transmit) radio signals to the whole world.

Before the Government can allow these things, who must obtain a valid licence & you must pass 2 tests.
1. RAE (Radio Amateur Examination) which consists of 2 parts
(a) Basic Radio theory - that covers the technical knowledge of the applicant
(b) International Communication Law - that covers the International Law pertaining to transmitting radio waves to the world
2. Morse Code test (2 parts)
(a) Able to transmit Morse Code signal 12 words/minute
(b) Able to receive Morse Code signal 12 words/minute

My late father was very much into this stuff in 1988. That was the year I started working. He convinced me to join him into taking the RAE test in 1992. I obliged. I passed and he failed. After that, he asked me to proceed taking the Morse Code test (you have to pass RAE before you can take Morse Code test). He is very good in Morse Code, as he was in Military when he was young. He could send/receive Morse Code close to 30 words/ minute, that is nearly 3 times the passing speed!

He told me only concentrate in receiving Morse Code, do not take too much effort in transmitting Morse Code. He was RIGHT. I passed the Morse Code & the Government gave me a Full Amateur Radio Licence by the callsign 9M2HH in 1993.

It took my late father 3 more RAE tests before he passed his RAE. I did gave him lecture in basic electronics theory, but at the age of 60, I realised that he could not absorb a lot that I taught him. His 4th RAE test, I got him past papers of RAE & asked him to just memorize the answers as the RAE test is choosing multiple answer questions (objective). It finally worked in 1996. He (father) passed his Morse Code test with flying colors. His callsign is 9M2MX.

Back to me, 9M denotes Malaysia while 2 denotes West Malaysia. HH is unique to me. Hotel-Hotel, Honolulu-Hawaii, Harry-Houdini, Huru-Hara was what I called myself when I talk on the air with fellow hams. But my radio & antenna could only go as far as Thailand/Singapore/Indon. I made the antenna together with dad for free. This 9M for Malaysia is also the callsign for every aeroplane. If you notice at the tail of say Malaysia Airlines plane, there is 9M-xxx label attached to it. xxx can be any character/numeric. If the plane is from UK, then Ax-xxx, US Ax-xxx,  Norway JW-xxx.
 
My late father, he bought a set & antenna that has gone to the entire world (using sky-wave). America, Japan, Soviet Russia, Europe were among the countries that he has made contact with. Once you have established contact with your counterpart, they compliment each other by sending QSL cards. My father has a lot of these cards, while I have mainly local ones to show.

When he passed away in 2006, there were MANY amateur radio friends that came to the house/mosque to give their last respect to PakMus 9M2MX. He was top 3, as far as Morse Code speed competition is concerned. After his death, his radio sets (HF, VHF & UHF) has been silent. Mine too, because every time I try to operate the radio sets, they really remind me of him. I have not been on air since 2006!

Al-Fatihah to "abah" @ PakMus @ 9M2MX.