The second explosion near the Boston Marathon finishing line. Two bombs struck near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Three were killed, including an 8 year old child while 180 people are being treated in hospitals. Image taken from CNN.com and click image to read the report.

 

Group photo with the winners, participants and associates of AITI for the Amateur Radio Direction Finding Competition 2013 which was held at Tasik Sarubing at Subok. Click image to enlarge.

This year marks the second time for AITI to hold the ARDF competition after its successful event last year. Seven (7) teams participated in the ARDF and every team consists of three (3) members. The ARDF competition started at 7:30am and lasted for two (2) hours. During the competition, each team displayed their capabilities in the design of their home-made directional antennas and used their skills to orienteer their way to find hidden transmitters (the “foxes”).

Amateur radio service is a radio-communications service in which a station is used for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs or hobbyist. Amateur Radio service is regulated by AITI and this includes the equipment used for Amateur Radio service. This is to ensure that Amateur Radio service and equipment are used within the allowed technical requirements and within the code of conduct of the Amateur Radio licence.

Did you know that recently AITI conducted an inspection for unauthorised usage of radio-communications equipment? Walkie-talkies are pretty common and I remember when I was a teenager, I used to buy from Singapore *lol* Back then, there was no governing body such as AITI to help monitor. Ever since its establishment (of AITI), they have created policies and regulations and one of them is the approval of radio equipments such as walkie talkies.

AITI has given stern warnings to security companies, training centres, event managers and some hotels that have used these equipments without the approval of AITI. So what’s the consequences should I be caught using a radio equipment illegally? Under the Section 35 of the Telecommunications Order 2001, anyone found operating unapproved radio equipment without a valid license issued by AITI shall be liable on conviction to a fine no exceeding $10,000 and imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or both. So don’t play, play, guys 😀

Photo shows some of the walkie-talkies found to be violating standards set by Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI) during inspections conducted recently. Image courtesy of AITI

There are 2 types of Amateur Radio licence issued by AITI; the Standard Class licence and the Advanced Class licence. The Standard Class licence allows licensee to transmit and receive in the ‘Very High Frequency’ (VHF) band in the range of 144 MHz to 148 MHz. The Advanced Class licence allow licensee to operate in both ‘High Frequency’ (HF) and ‘Very High Frequency’ (VHF) bands as stated in the licence. When a licence is issued, a call sign is also given. This call sign act as an identity for the licensee and must be transmitted at the beginning of the conversations. In Brunei Darussalam, the call sign begin with the prefix “V8” followed by a number and a combination of 2 or 3 alphabetic characters. The V8 call sign is allocated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to enable unique geographical identification of Amateur Radio users when they communicate globally.

  Other than that, Amateur Radio service is used to provide alternative communication during emergency or in times of natural disasters when fixed line, mobile phones and other conventional means of communications fail. Local Amateur radio operators from Brunei Darussalam Amateur Radio Association (BDARA) and Gemilang Amateur Radio Club (GARC) regularly assist the National Disaster Management Centre by providing emergency communication in remote areas. One notable example is during the 2009 flooding due to abnormally heavy rain during that period, where they provided communications in the remote areas of Tutong and Kuala Belait District. 

The participants came early as 6:30am to prepare for the competition at Tasek Sarubing last Sunday

The radio equipment they were using during the competition

The participants made their own transmitter

I kinda like this tasek and it is ideal for walking. Just make sure you bring insect repellant along.

The tasek also has a deep route which makes it tougher for the participants to locate the beacons

I just noticed why they won… Because they wore Adidas pants *Woohoo*

Participants with AITI committee waiting to flag off the next competitor

This app makes it easy to keep track of the times for the participants

He was getting rid of the dirt of his shoes

The ladies preparing for the prize presentation

The prizes for this year’s ARDF competition were presented by Haji Yahkup Bin Haji Menudin, Chief Executive of AITI. The competition is based on the fastest team to be able to find all the hidden beacons located at various points at the Taman Serubing. The first winner of the ARDF2013 goes to Team “Pelanduk Napu” which manage to find the hidden beacons in 34 minutes, followed by Team Pintu Kuning in 1 hour 8 minutes and the third team was Team Q…S…L… in 1 hour 12 minutes. The first place winning team brings back a cash prize of $1,000 with a trophy. The second and third winner gets $750 and $500 respectively and with a trophy.

Haji Yahkup Bin Haji Menudin mentioned that through this ARDF competition, member of the public has the opportunity to understand more on the Amateur Radio and encourage the use of Amateur Radio service among the public. He also hopes that this competition will create greater harmonies and network amongst radio enthusiasts.

Presenting the certificate of participation to the contestant

AITI gang posing before the prize presentation

Team Q…S…L… came third with a time of 1 hour 12 minutes and the mock cheque was presented by Hj Yahkup Hj Menudin the Chief Executive of AITI

Pintu Kuning came 2nd place with a time of 1 hour 8 minutes

The grand winner Pelanduk Napu with a cash prize of $1,000. They successfully found all the beacons in just 34 minutes. Amazing!!

The bird’s eye view of the map

For those who are interested to obtain Amateur Radio licence, the applicant has to pass the Amateur Radio Examination conducted by AITI. AITI conducts two (2) Amateur Radio examinations annually and upon passing, AITI will issue the Amateur Radio licence. This Amateur radio licence is valid for one (1) year and is renewable. The annual Amateur Radio licence fee is B$ 25.00 per equipment. Amateur Radio Equipment can be purchased from local radio communication dealer licensed by AITI. Licensees who purchases their radio equipment from oversea will be subject to equipment type approval fee and import permit fee.

For further information on amateur radio licence, please contact Mohd Fadzlan bin Dato Paduka Haji Abdullah, Assistant Manager, Type Approval, Amateur Radio & Equipment Testing, AITI, at 2366637 or email at info@aiti.gov.bn or you may visit AITI official website at www.aiti.gov.bn

The committee involved since early Sunday morning

The freestyle pose of the group photo. Click image to enlarge.

 

The Marketing Executive from B-Mobile, Mohd Iskandar Hj Zulkipli (2nd L), presenting a mock air-ticket to FLY2UK SMS quiz grand prize winner Hj Ariffin Hj Metussin (2nd R) with Modasys employee Haliza Salleh (L), and Cooltones Creative Designer Zalifah Aswana (R)

It was a big break for Hj Ariffin Hj Metussin as he was yesterday announced the grand prize winner of an all expenses paid trip to the UK to watch one of the famed football league matches.

“I was surprised and speechless. I just couldn’t believe it that I will be flying overseas. Most of all, I am happy that I will be watching my favourite football team playing live,” said Hj Ariffin, a loyal Arsenal fan, on his luck in winning the FLY2UK SMS Quiz.Held at B-Mobile headquarters in Beribi, Gadong, the final prize presentation for the three-month long quiz also awarded four other winners.

Following in Hj Arrifin’s footsteps was Abdul Azim Hussin who won an Autopro Tyre Company 20-inch sports rim.

Coming in third was Hjh Rabiah Hj Abdul Rashid, who had also won an Autopro Tyre Company 20-inch sports rim.

Meanwhile, Fahezzrul Tuah, the fourth place winner, won a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.

Last but not least, the fifth place winner, Hj Mohd Hairol Hj Sani, took home the Huawei P1.

All five winners also received $15 B-Mobile top up, wheel alignment voucher, Cooltones merchandise, MVision movie tickets, KFC meal vouchers and Fitness Zone gym passes.

Also present at the event were the Marketing Executive Officer of B-Mobile, Mohd Iskandar Hj Zulkipli; the Managing Director of Autopro Tyre Company, Jacky Yee; the Creative Designer from Cooltones, Zalifah Aswana as well as staff from both B-Mobile and Cooltones.

Already in its fourth year, the FLY2UK SMS Quiz was held and organised by Cooltones. Participants only need to answer simple questions through SMS about football, the participating sponsors and partner products.

This included Cooltones, B-Mobile, Hua Wei, Mvision, Fitness Zone, Autopro Tyre Company and KFC. Text courtesy of Ikhwan Salleh of The Brunei Times.

The prizes for the winners

Autopro Tyre Company 20-inch sports rim was one of the prizes

Group photo with the winners and sponsors

 

It’s happening this May. 4th May to be exact. Enchanted Forest is a musical brought to you by Relentless Entertainment. It will be held at Jerudong Park Amphitheatre.

The musical performance which will involve dance, drama and singing will showcase the talents of our local youth. This musical promises to be a fun family affair. Tickets are $20, $15 & $10.

Tickets will be available soon at Patisserie Cake Shop in Kg. Mata Mata (Same block as Traders Inn), Misato Japanese Restaurant (Same block as Mamih Kiulap) IA Salon (the Mall Gadong) & Fun Bee Park (Batu bersurat, Near happy star).

The event is approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs and supported by Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The platinum sponsors are Jerudong Park Country Club and HSBC. The Gold Sponsor is Patisserie Cake Shop while Bronze Sponsor is Misato Japanese Restaurant. The official make up effects is sponsored by Fun Bee Park and IA Salon. The printing and design is sponsored by Adison Marketing.

Do visit their Facebook page —> Relentless Entertainment for updates.

Click image to enter their Facebook page

Iron Man 3 to be released end of the month

Wanna win tickets? Click image to enter facebook.com/Audibrunei and post on their wall a slogan containing “Iron Man” and “Audi”. Contest runs until 19th April

 

Sabrina Mahmud was at the Healthy Lifestyle Campaign held yesterday at Dermaga Diraja in conjuction with World Health Day 2013

My first coverage of the Amateur Radio Direction Finding competition organised by AITI. More on that later.

It was a pleasure to have met Sharon O’Dea, Senior Manager of Online Communications of Standard Chartered Bank last Friday. She’s enjoying her trip to Borneo and I hope you get to see the Orang Utans in Kuching 🙂

The launch of the new area of Fitness Zone and also celebrating its 10 years anniversary

Nazeer Kazimi, CEO of Brudirect receiving a token of appreciation from Hj Mohammad bin Hj Jaya, Plant Manager of Brunei LNG during last weekend appreciation dinner for the media hosted by Brunei LNG

Check out my summary review of The Host on my Instagram. Full review soon.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair (L) receiving a token of appreciation from Pusat Ehsan Senior Trustee Dato Paduka Mohd Alimin Abd Wahab (R) during the launch of The Run at Orchid Garden Hotel last Saturday. More on that later.

The Mini Cooper Paceman launched last weekend

Oblivion was a much better outing than The Host. Check out summary review on my instagram

Thank you ladies for showing up on my mother’s birthday bash last Monday. More pictures to come this week 😀 And thanks to Hanisham Studio for the wonderful pictures. My mom loves them.

I’m super impressed with the creativity from the final year students from the Faculty of Arts and Social Science. Check out their artwork and installation at “Spectacle: Art & Design Graduation Show 2013” at the art gallery at UBD Chancellor Hall. The installation aboveis by Fizah Rahman and it’s called Victim of Commercialization. The showcase ends on 27th April. Highly recommended.

Guess who’s on instagram now?? Do follow @redbullbn for more exciting updates and this is a teaser advert from Red Bull (Brunei)

 

BAKAT ARTS Productions together with BEDB will be giving Brunei’s budding Creative Arts. Industry a booster shot in the arm in its effort to gain global recognition. By utilizing The ASEAN Summit as a launch pad, Brunei’s creative minds will form a welcome wagon of originality to greet the mob of delegates.

With Brunei chairing the ASEAN Summit, what better way to welcome the delegates than to…. ‘Give Them A Sofa’!

An original concept dreamed up by BAKAT ARTS Productions, the ‘Give Them A Sofa’ Art Expo at the Brunei International Airport, like a sofa, has two distinctive components namely the Backrest and the Seat.

Backrest
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure – An age old adage that serves an important purpose. Brunei’s creative minds will lead several teams of individuals, students, schools in transforming the newly refurbished Arrival Hall into a walk-through Art gallery of recycled materials.Comprising 10 galleries, the exhibit will feature never-before-seen original Bruneain art created by up-and-coming visionary artists.

Seat
The second component of the sofa, which is the most basic of needs, is the Seat because, what good is a backrest if you can’t sit down to lean into it, correct? The idea is that each ASEAN member country will give a sofa that best represents their nation and together form a huge ASEAN living room at the Brunei International Airport.

‘Give Them A Sofa’
Why a Sofa?
Obviously one needs to rest after coming off from a long flight, so why not? Stop for a minute at Brunei’s ASEAN living room where you can calmly and comfortably enjoy the Brunei hospitality among the company of friends.