The idea of a 2M Amateur Radio Repeater for Kota Kinabalu coverage have been a much talked topic in the past. I recalled an incident just before the Radio Amateur Examination for mid-93 conducted by Jabatan Telekom Malaysia at Inanam. Some candidates were confused and not sure which QTH to go. i.e. JTM or SEB Buildings. Fortunately with the help of somc 9M6s presented on that day, this matters was sorted out with ease. However, communications on the 2M was not satisfactory either on simplex or duplex. due to the distance and certain blind sports of 9M6RGK,

While waiting for the examination to be over. Few fellow HAM members had an eyeball QSO at the Club House. Inanam. Similar topic relating to the requirement of a new repeater for Kota Kinabalu was brought up for discussion. It was then suggested this matter to bc aired in the daily 2M NET and to check the response from other members. Feedback gathered from 2M NET Controllers. Martin Chiu (9M6BC) and Hydriss Ibrahim (9M6HI) was very encouraging.

During the SARS Council meeting held on 25th Sept 1993, this matter was again brought up by Long Sung Loo (9M6RL). Thanks to the council members 92/93, this proposal was finally adopted and endorsed. Without any delay, a Sub-committee for Repeater was formed with Long Sung Loo (9M6RL) as Chairman. Others members were Thomas Thien (9M6TT), Lawrence khong (9M6LK). Kenfatt Atob (9M6AF), Ling Mai Sheng (9M6LL), Janin Ahmad (9M6JR), Martin Chiu (9M6BC), Hydriss Ibrahirn (9M6HI). Donald Soh (9M6SU) and Tommy Chang (9M6TC).

The working sub-committee held it first meeting on 1st October 1993 with the following objectives:-

1. To develop and up-grade amateur radio facilities.

2. To make available the conveniences of using 2M handheld transceiver at low transmission power.

3. To increase the 2M communications coverage for Kota Kinabalu.

4. To extend our services and provide communications back-up in the event of :-

1. natural disasters, i.e. flood. fire. landslides etc.
2. community services; i.e. Borneo International Triathlon. Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon etc.
3. emergency operations; i.e. medical assistance. Sea/Air search and rescue etc.
4. or as and when required by the relevant telecommunication authorities.

Several sites such as Kg Kokol, Lawa Mandau. Bukit Bendera. RTM Tower. Water Reservoir and Signal Hill Condominium were proposed for consideration by the sub-commiittee. Taking the advantage of the strategic position and highest point in Kota Kinabalu. places around Bukit Bendera (or Signal Hill) was finally targeted for initial signal testing.

With the assistance from Donald Soh (9M6SU), the management of Signal Hill Condominium granted us the permission to use the rooftop and the pump room for free, except electricity. We appreciated the kindness of Mr. Patrick Fung for scarificing a space in this first-class condominium.

Meanwhile, comprehensive discussions were among members of the sub-committee relating to the repeater configuration, antenna, source of funds, quotation from suppliers, interference etc. Application for the Amateur Repeater Station License was officially issued by the Jabatan Telekom Malaysia on 10th December 1993 with the Callsign "9M6RBB" on frequency 145.650KHz TX and 145.050 MHz RX. "TERIMA KASIH" to the Director and staff of JTM for their prompt actions and co-operations.

January 1994 was a busy month for us as the repeater had finally reached its destination - Kota Kinabalu. Special thanks to Eiddrus Ibrahim (9M6EI) for his efforts to arrange the delivery of the duplexer which was left behind earlier in Singapore. We also had the pleasure to record our thanks to M/S YEASU MUSEN CO LTD of Japan and distributor for YEASU, M/S RICO (PTE) LTD of’ Singapore for their excellence services and of course, not forgetting their generous contributions of half of the cost of the repeater. It was a great relief for the sub-committee treasurer, Lawrence Khong (9M6LK) who was busy going round looking for contributions and worrying how to fund this project.

Without much hesitation, a steel cabinet actually designed for electrical switchboard was bought from a junkyard and re-fabricated by fellow HAMS to accommodate the repeater and the duplexer. With the magic spray of Kwan Tong Kin (9M6KW) to do the finishing touch, it looked as good as new. After some hard works and working until late nights, we managed to get the system ready for testing. That’s HAM spirit and excellent teamwork.

On the next day, ie 21st January 1994, the sub-committee leaded by the technical support, Ling Mai Shing (9M6LL) and Kenfatt Atob (9M6AF) began the installation of the new 2M repeater at the Signal Hill Condominium. Within 4 hours, every jobs as planned was done with smiling faces, even though under the hot afternoon sun.

Subsequently, there were CQ calls for coverage tests and signal reports. The response received from 9M6s coming on the air were active as expected. However, the excitement did not last long. We encountered a slight technical problem before we could pack our tools. Our receiver was jammed for about 3-4 seconds for every transmission by a nearby paging system. Hence, we experienced either a soft hissing noise heard on the background or our reception being black-out for few seconds whenever the pager transmit, personally it was quite irritating.

Progress on rectification of this uninvited QRM was slow. Our fellow HAMS had no choice but to tolerate with the QRM causing our reception to break intermittently. We failed to solve this problem even after some experiments and efforts to filter the interference. Later, we learned that the pager systems was transmitting at 100w and the antenna separation with ours was only 15 feet away. Due to limited space on the rooftop there was not much we could do within our capacity. Suggestion received were to shift out.

On one fine evening, while enjoying the panorama view of Kota Kinabalu from the rooftop of the Signal Hill Condominium with Ling Mai Sheng (9M6LL) and Long Sung Loo (9M6RL) spotted another position about 1 Km to the south which could be most ideal for installing the repeater. It was an abandoned area about 90M above mean sea level completed with a reasonably size building and a 15M tower.

After being granted officially the permission to occupy the building, the sub-committee proceeded with the site preparation. There were so much to be done, ie first clearing the lalang which was higher than us, opening a new path to the gate, repairing the fence, cleaning the building, constructing a new main door with reinforced security, etc. etc.

It was then decided to shift the repeater on 31st January 1994. With Woris James (9M6WX) and Lawrence Khong (9M6LK) working on the tower to install the F22 antenna donated by Tommy Chang (9M6TC), while the rest of the members comprising of Martin Chiu (9M6BC), Kenfatt Atob (9M6AF), Hydriss Ibrahim (9M6HI), Albert Wong (9M6LW) and Long Sung Loo (9M6RL) were responsible to carry the repeater, duplexer and cabinet from the condominium to the new QTH, which was on top of Bukit Bendera. We managed to commission the system again by 1800HRS. Thank to Gurmildan Singh Mann (9M6MX) for bringing the battery, without it the systems would not had operated.

Since moving to the new QTH, repeater 9M6RBB is operating without any QRM and communications coverage in Kota Kinabalu area using low power with "rubber-duckie" is satisfactory. However, there are still room for further improvement and still some uncompleted jobs, ie adding a lightning arrester, re-wiring the cable, maintenance of compound etc.

With Repeater 9M6RBB in operations, together with Repeater 9M6RGK at Layang-Layang, Mt. Kinabalu for long distance coverage, fellow HAMS will now enjoy a better communication facilities. Thanks to the hard work and team spirit of all members of the sub-committee for repeater who have in four months able to completed this project.