Radio hams celebrate as Malaysia turns 50

Radio amateurs in Malaysia celebrate 50 years of nationhood by organizing a nationwide field day from August 30 till September 1, 2007, using 9M50Mx special event call signs.

The Merdeka Field Day (MFD) has a total of 16 stations operating simultaneously in different cities and the middle of jungle to celebrate this occasion.

The regulator, Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission (www.mcmc.gov.my) has granted these 9M50Mx special event call signs for the first time in history of amateur radio.

MARTS, which is the call signs custodian & national society, invites amateur radio operators from all over the world to celebrate with Malaysia on air.

The HAM (Radio Amateur) communities in Malaysia will be joining Malaysians all over the country celebrating the 50th year of nationhood by organising this Field Day to Sept 1.

All over the world, radio hams are already catching this very rare callsign, which is a must for DX-Chaser. In Kota Kinabalu, the Borneo Amateur Radio Club has been given a rare privilege to operate the 9M50MS station to represent Sabah.

The BARC Clubhouse at Bukit Sierra, Bukit Padang, is the centre of the radio operation, as the clubhouse is fully equipped to operate on all bands.

Epitomising the solidarity of the nation, all 9M50M stations would be in constant contact with the other stations to symbolise unity.

Members of the public, amateur radio enthusiasts and club members throughout the State of Malaysia are joining in the celebration.

QSL Bureau is:
PO Box 10777, 50724 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

For more information on MFD, please visit www.marts.org.my

* Note: Merdeka means independence in Malay language. Malaysia (then Malaya) obtained its independence from the Great Britain on August 31, 1957.

Lance M T Lai, 9W2LAI
Honorary Secretary 2007-2008
Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters' Society

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia