By Alfons Undan 9M6MU

At l0,000 ft amsl, the 2 meter Vhf Repeater, 9M6RGK located at the RTM Transmitting Complex at Layang Layang is easily the highest location for any Amateur Radio 2 meter Repeater in South East Asia.

Malaysia’s famous peak, Mount Kinabalu rises majestically to a height of 13,455ft in a strategic position over Sabah. It is for this reason that RTM has chosen to mount their Transmitting towers at Layang Layang, just about 3,500 ft below the peak of Mt. Kinabalu.

Amateur Radio enthusiasts in Sabah are among the luckiest hams because of the presence of a 2 meter Repeater at such a high and strategic location. It almost can be compared to a low orbiting Satellite that can be accessed using simple quarter wave whip antennas for most locations in Sabah, especially the West Coast and interior regions like Keningau. Today, Stephen 9M6ET, who is located in "Marlboro country Keningau, can talk to OM Hassan V85HG in Brunei, Johnny 9MSDB in Miri, Sarawak or even Pak Rustam YF7XR in Nunukan, Indonesia with 59++ signals. A mem- ber of the Sabah State legislative Assembly who is also a keen ham, YB Tham Nyip Shen 9M6NS, also makes use of the Repeater to chat with ham members in and around Kota Kinabalu from his home in Sandakan.

The overall coverage of the 15 watt Repeater is very impressive as it now provides the main communications channel for the Daily 2 meter Net that is conducted every evening at 20:00 hrs. This Net brings hams in the coverage area, together nightly for potential help in coordinating emergency assistance to anyone who needs it. The Repeater has on many occassions provided vital links for members travelling from Kota Kinabalu to the east coast towns.

• While we can now appreciate the facilities offered by Old Man RGK it was not always an easy journey for SARS to finally put up the Repeater at its present1ocation.

The idea of a 2 meter Repeater to serve the local communications needs of members dates back to the early days of SARS. An application was submitted for the proposed repeater as early as 1979. But it was rejected by the then Jabatan Talikom Malaysia for reasons best left unknown. Many subsequent applications were made in the ensuing years with no luck either. We were however informed that we could be considered for a single spot frequency at 145.000 Mhz to be used as simplex point to point communications.

It was not until sometime in 1988 that we made a delegation to visit the then newly reconfigured Jabatan Telekom Malaysia JTM that we managed to sense a more symphatetic JTM management. An application was immediately submitted for approval to operate on the 2 meter band. And immediately after that a fresh application to set up our first Vhf Repeater was also submitted.

Thanks to the far sightedness and supportive attitude of the new JTM Director Encik Michael Chin, we were able to secure the necessary permits within a short time. A Steering Sub-Committee on the setting up of the yet to be brewed Repeater was quickly set up with OM Hj. Hassan ( Makan Ayam) 9M6MA as the natural Chairman.

Hj. Hassan worked very hard to get the necessary components and other needed materials such as crystals and power supplies as well as Home Brewed antennas for the infant repeater project. Francis Lee (MikeLima) 9M6ML also provided dedicated support to ensure that all other requirements were met. Many preliminary tests were conducted at the Police Signals Training school. Kepayan. It was found that some oscillation and unstability occurred when output was increased to 5 watts. However, all the necessary adjustments were more or less corrected by the time we conducted the first real live testing at the Police Radio Communication Station Complex at Mile 16, Jalan Kimanis -Keningau. This location is strategic along the Keningau logging highway on a flattened hilltop overlooking the Kimanis and Brunei bays. So coverage to Brunei was exceptionally good. Two antennas were used with a horizontal seperation of some 200ft. Height for the receiving Antenna was about 80ft. The transmitting antenna stood at 60ft.

Coverage at the Mile 161ocation was quite good with Kota Kinabalu hams enjoying perfect 59++ qsos with Brunei and Keningau Region. However, the remote location also lacked AC power supplies so a Solar power Pak donated by Alfons Undan (Minyak Urut) 9M6MU was used to supply power.

Although coverage was satisfactory, the ham spirit of innovation and improving systems saw the Repeater Committee prepare to relocate the Repeater to Gunung Emas at the Restaurant operated by Mr. Simon Bosuang. This location is the half-way point between Penampang and Tambunan District. Again coverage was good. And the owner of the Restaurant gave his full permission including free power supply, to locate the Repeater at one of the spare rooms in his Motel/Restaurant. The current STM Tower located near the Restaurant indicates the strategic location of this area, even for STM requirements.

Ever since the Repeater CallSign was officially given as RGK, it was the intention of the Repeater Sub Committee to eventually locate the Repeater to a location somewhere along the trail up mount Kinabalu. However, it was through the help of Janin Ahmad 9M6JR who is with RTM, that the final permanent location of the Repeater was realised. Through JR’s goodwill the Committee was able to get the proper clearance and eventually to set up the Repeater at the attic just above the bedroom bunk of the RTM personnels at Layang Layang. The Repeater has some service and minor adjustments since the first expedition to install the system. However, it proves that persistence and belief in the hard work necessary to set up such a wonderful facility is the driving force behind anything that is worth working for.

The Repeater having been installed properly without any sign of interference to RTM facilities and providing excellent coverage gave SARS the motivation to strive harder to improve the systems. Finally on the afternoon of the 31st July l988, the first SARS 2 Meter Repeater was declared open by none other than the person who made it all possible, Mr. Michael Chin, the JTM Director.

The format of the Launch made it even very appropriate as While all SARS Members were gathered together at the Annual General Meeting at The Tanjung Aru Beach Resort Hotel, the Guest of honour, Mr. Michael Chin was at the Kinabalu Perkesa Hotel attending to some urgent departmental matters. As he could not physically be present at the AGM, he sent his official representative Encik Abdul Latip to attend on his behalf.

The President of SARS, Hj. Hassan 9M6MA, in his historic welcome speech at the AGM praised the JTM for their understanding and supportive attitude towards the Amateur Radio Service and especially to SARS. He then invited Mr. Michael Chin to Launch the operation of 9M6RGK and at the same time declare the AGM open. Mr. Chin used a Handi-Talkie at the Hotel Perkasa Kundasang talking through RGK and the signal being received at the two meter station located at the TABH hotel lobby manned by Stephen 9M6ET and linked to the hotels Conference AGM public Address System for all members to hear. It was certainly a proud moment for every SARS members. It was also interesting to note that our fellow hams in Brunei were also listening in to the launching as well as part proceedings of the AGM as Hj. Hassan was also conducting a two-way Qso with the JTM Director.

Old Man RGK with his clearly audible heart beat has been working since that historic launch on the 31st July, 1988. Perhaps members of SARS should take a moment to ponder and think of those hardworking Repeater Committee who gave their time efforts and often money so that we can all enjoy this wonderful on- going facility.

We should also take this time to record our sincere thanks to all those who in one way or another contributed to make RGK a continuing success. We especially appreciate the gestures by Mr. Choo and the Management of Radio Television Malaysia for their continued support in locating the 9M6RGK at the present location.