HOW TO BECOME A RADIO AMATEUR OPERATOR IN MALAYSIA
(Extracted from Amateur Radio Communications, GUIDELINES FOR AMATEUR RADIO IN MALAYSIA, published by MCMC, First Edition, 2004-10-01. For more resources, kindly scroll down for more links.)

Introduction
Amateur Radio Service exists in nearly every country and utilized the same frequencies. In Malaysia the amateur radio is regulated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). To operate an amateur radio station in Malaysia, an amateur radio operator must hold a proper Apparatus Assignment (AA) or a foreign amateur radio licensed from countries that have a reciprocal arrangement with Malaysia. Please refer to Appendix 1 to obtain the list of countries that having a reciprocal arrangement with Malaysia.
 
 
About Amateur Radio
Amateur radio service is defined in the Communications and Multimedia (Spectrum) Regulations 2000 as a radiocommunications service (covering both terrestrial and satellite) in which a station is used for the purpose of self training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by authorized persons who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without any pecuniary interest.

Millions of radio amateurs communicate daily with each other directly or through relay systems and amateur satellites. Amateur service may provide alternative for emergency communication in time of natural disasters. Radio amateur communication able to provide support communication during the disaster where commercial communications system is unavailable, due to the uncomplicated deployment of an amateur radio station.

Radio amateur has been recognized as an important part of the radio community. ITU has allocated a common frequency bands for amateur radio service internationally in a sharing basis to all amateur radio stations around the globe.
 
 
Things You Can Do With Amateur Radio
Amateur radio operators are often called "ham radio operators" or "hams". Activities that amateur radio operator's can do with their radios are diverse. The following list stated examples of their activities.

• Communicate around the world. With HF radio, hams can talk to each other at any part of the globe.
• Converse around town. With small portable VHF and UHF transceivers, hams can enjoy wireless communications within their local community.
• Help in emergencies and natural disasters situations by providing immediate communications whenever normal communications service is failed or unavailable.
• Build theirs own radios, transmitter, receiver and antennas,
• Communicate through orbiting satellites. Ham can used amateur satellites operated by the amateur community without any cost.
• Communicate with astronaut while orbiting the earth.
• Experimental with Amateur TV (ATV), Slow-Scan TV (SSTV), or send still-frame pictures by facsimile.
• Participate in transmitter hunt games or maybe build your own directional finding equipment.
• Participate in the activity of communication required for search and rescue activities.

Things Are Not Allowed To Do With Amateur Radio
Specifically, there are few things that amateur radio operators are not allowed to do:

• Amateur radio operators are not allowed to do anything with their radios that generate financial income.
• Amateur radio operators are prohibited from broadcasting to the public. The amateur radio transmission is meant to be received by other amateur radio operators / stations only.

Amateur Radio Operator's Certificate
Regulation 27(1) of the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000 states that no person shall undertake or conduct any activity in designated skill area unless that person is certified. Amateur radio operator has been gazetted as a designated skill area category under the regulation, hence to operate an amateur radio station a person needs to have an appropriate proficiency and skill i.e. certified in this area.

The certification (AROC) is necessary to prove that the radio amateur operators have good knowledge of the subject and able to operate an amateur radio station in the correct and responsible manner required by the law.

There are two class of AROC available.

• Amateur Radio Operator's Certificate - Class A (AROC Class A)
• Amateur Radio Operator's Certificate - Class B (AROC Class B)

Amateur Radio Operator's Certificate Class A
The AROC class A allows the holder to apply for ASAA class A. To be eligible for the AROC class A, the persons must pass the written theory test commonly known as RAE and practical test commonly known as Morse Code Test or CW Test.

From 1st April 2007, pass in the Morse code practical examination will no longer be a requirement. However, practical examination will continue to be organised at a regular interval for those who require such recognition or skill.
 
 
Amateur Radio Operator's Certificate Class B
The AROC Class B only permits the holder to apply for ASAA class B. To be eligible for this certificate the persons are required to pass the RAE.
 
 
How to Participate In Amateur Radio
To operate an amateur radio station, the operator must hold the ASAA issued by the MCMC. Application can be applied from any MCMC regional offices. A callsign will be issued to the successful applicant according to their AROC class. The ASAA authorized the holder to participate and operate an amateur radio station.

For details about callsign issuance, please refer to document titled "Guideline on the Allocation of Callsign to the Amateur Radio Service" published by the MCMC.
 
 
Amateur Station Apparatus Assignment
All amateur radio stations in Malaysia must be licensed by getting the proper ASAA from the MCMC as the authority for the communications industry in Malaysia. You need to obtain an ASAA to operate an amateur radio stations.
 
 
There are 3 types of ASAA under Amateur Radio category.

• Amateur Station Apparatus Assignment (Class A);
• Amateur Station Apparatus Assignment (Class B); and
• Amateur Repeater Station

To apply for an ASAA the applicant has to fill in the following forms.

• Application for Apparatus Assignment(s) (Amateur Service) form for ASAA (Class A & B); or
• Application for Apparatus Assignment(s) (Mobile Service) form for Amateur Repeater Station.

The validity period for ASAA is between three months to five years. Sample of the form is shown in Appendix 11. Please refer to "Guideline for Apparatus Assignment" published by the MCMC for details.
 
 
Eligibility for ASAA Application
To be eligible for ASAA application, applicant must meet the following conditions.

• Over 14 years of age for ASAA Class B and 18 years and above for ASAA Class A. Applicants under 21 years will be required to present consent from their parent, guardian or any other approved person who shall be responsible for the observance of the conditions of the applicants to countersigned their application.
• A Malaysian citizens or citizens of countries who have a reciprocal arrangement with our country. Please refer to Appendix 8 for the list of the countries.
• Hold an AROC Class A or B or in lieu, a copy of Examination results issued by the MCMC.

Details requirement to apply for the ASAA is describe in "Guideline for Apparatus Assignment" published by the MCMC.
 
 
Compliance Requirement
The ASAA holder shall comply with the relevant provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA98) and its subsidiary legislations or any amendments made thereof.
 
 
International Compliance Requirement
The ASAA holder shall comply with the relevant provisions of the Radio Regulations of the ITU and International Telecommunication Convention.

The usage of frequencies for repeater stations operating VHF and UHF bands within 50 kilo meters of the Malaysian border will require border coordination with the neighbouring countries for a mutual arrangement between Malaysia and the neighbouring country.
 
 
Fee for Apparatus Assignment Amateur Station
The fees for the ASAA are tabled as below.

 
Reciprocal operating arrangement
Foreign amateur radio operator may apply for ASAA under the reciprocal arrangement between their country and Malaysia. MCMC may issue an ASAA to the foreign amateur radio operator if they meet all the requirements. The class of the ASAA issued will be equivalent to the license class or assignment issued by their home country authority in their original home country. Please refer to Appendix 8 for the list of the countries which have a reciprocal arrangement with Malaysia.

The ASAA will not be issued for a period of more than the validity of the home country license or one year which ever is earlier.

Foreign amateur radio operator which came from country which have no reciprocal arrangement will be dealt on case by case basis. However an introduction from a member of MARTS will be preferred.
 
 
The Examination
There are two types of examination pertaining to amateur radio:

• Radio Amateur Examination (RAE); and
• Morse Codes Test (CW Test).

Both examinations are conducted by the MCMC. Radio Amateur Examination (RAE)
The RAE is a written examination on the following topics:

• The fundamental theory of electricity, electronics and radiocommunications;
• The theory and operation of any amateur radio equipment including the antenna systems, transmission lines, transistors, amplitude and frequency modulation and single sideband techniques;
• The regulations made under the Act which is applicable to the establishment and operation of a station performing an amateur experimental service; and
• The ITU Radio Regulations applicable to the operation of a station performing an amateur experimental service and those provisions relating to the operation of stations generally.

The RAE comprises 100 objective questions. Candidates are given three hours to answer all questions. No marks are deducted for a wrong answer. Please refer to Part C for the details syllabus.
 
 
Morse Codes Test
The Morse Code (CW) test is a practical test that measure skill of the following proficiencies;

• An ability to send message correctly on a radiotelegraph key, semi¬automatic key or an electronic hand key for three consecutive minutes at a speed of not less than 12 words per minute in plain language, including figures, punctuation marks, "Q" signals and emergency signals in the international Morse Codes; and
• An ability to receive message correctly by ear and write legibly or type for not less than three consecutive minutes at a speed of not less than 12 words a minute in plain language including figures, punctuation marks, "Q" signals and emergency signals in the international Morse Codes.

In CW sending tests, applicant must be able to send 36 words (averaging five letters per word) in plain language within three minutes or equivalent to a speed of 12 words per minute without uncorrected error. A maximum of four errors as well as four corrections are allowed. In sending figures, 10 five-figure groups are to be sent in 1.5 minutes without uncorrected error. A maximum of two corrections are allowed.

In CW receiving tests, applicant is required to receive 36 words (averaging five letters per word) in plain language in three minutes, and 10 five-figure groups in 1.5 minutes. Each letter or figure incorrectly received counts as one error. A word in which more than one letter is incorrectly received counts as two errors. A maximum of four errors in plain language and a maximum of two errors in the figure test are allowed.

The tests will not include any punctuation or other symbols except for full stops, commas, oblique strokes, question marks and error symbols. The foregoing particulars are summarized in the following:

 
How to Apply for the Examination
The examination will be held from time to time. The actual date and venue for the examination will be specified by the MCMC. The notice or announcement will be made through a public notice in the local press and electronics media available. The notice will detail the terms and conditions, application procedures, payment mode and other related matters pertaining to the examination. Sample of the application form is shown in Appendix 9 and will be available at all MCMC offices including its regional offices. Contact details of the MCMC and its regional offices are available in Appendix 13.
 
 
Examination fee
The fee for the examinations are as followed.

The examination fee is not refundable to any candidates who withdraw from or fail to attend the examination. The fee cannot be transferred from one examination to another at a later date or from one candidate to another.
 
 
Minimum Age Requirement for the Examination
The minimum age limit for candidate to sit is 14 years for the RAE and 18 years for CW. This is due to take into consideration of the responsibility required to operate a higher power transmission and privileges accorded to a Class A amateur station operator.
 
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES:

(All links will be directed to MCMC website. Information updated as of date of publish, kindly check for the latest information from MCMC)

• MCMC Amateur Radio Guideline
• Guideline for Apparatus Assignment
• Guideline on the Allocation of Call Sign to the Amateur Radio Service
• Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP) - Requirements for amateur service
• RAE Application Form
• CW Application Form
• AA Application Form
• Sample Amateur Service Application Form