Missing flight search involves amateur radio emcomm

The vanishing of the Malaysian Airline (MAS) Boeing 777-200ER jetliner with 239 passengers on board is a mystery that nine nations are trying to solve. When flight MH370, ex-Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing, disappeared from the air traffic control radar, the MAS Emergency Management Centre (EMC) at Kuala Lumpur Airport provided accommodation for all next-of-kin at the Everly Hotel at Putrajaya.

The Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters' Society President, Mohd Aris Bernawi 9M2IR, said MARTS was asked to provide a link between the airport and the hotel. Mohd 9M2IR said at the hotel MARTS quickly set up a station, led by Zanirul Akhmal Zanirun 9M2PRO, and Azizi Samsuri 9W2ZZE was the MAS team leader. NESRAC, a club from Negeri Sembilan, provided the volunteers for the station at the airport's Emergency Management Centre.

MARTS provided a cross-band VHF/UHF link to avoid any unnecessary interference from the public services. An HF link was later added. During the call-out there were 11 volunteers at EMC and 23 volunteers at the hotel, on a shift roster for the link. Mohd 9M2IR, who oversaw the entire process, said MARTS an IARU member society, was pleased to be able provide the link on the very tragic occasion. The search for MH370 continues.

- Jim Linton VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee.

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