Brunei Darussalam Amateur Radio Association Is Taking Part In 'SEANET' Convention 2019

Six members of Brunei Darussalam Amateur Radio Association or BDARA left the country yesterday morning to take part in the 47th South East Asia Network, SEANET. The convention in Johor Baharu, Malaysia will be held until this Sunday.

The national flag was handed over by Pengiran Haji Haris bin Pengiran Haji Duraman, Advisor of BDARA to head of delegation, Retired Major Haji Tamat bin Haji Lampoh, Advisor of the Association. Several amateur radio association members from United States of America, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Germany, Japan, China and Brunei Darussalam are taking part in the convention. The delegation will attend a number of briefing on the latest amateur radio communication for the 4 point zero revolution era as well as the new methods for radio usage.

Understanding Amature Radio in Brunei Darussalam

Amateur Radio

​Description

Amateur Radio Service is a radiocommunication service used as a hobby that brings people and communication together. Individual use radio to reach out across cities, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. When all means of communication fails, particularly during national disasters, Amateur Radio can be an alternative form of communication that can serve as emergency service dispatchers and message relayers.

AITI is the authorized statutory body to issue Amateur Radio Apparatus License in Brunei Darussalam. The license issued is only valid within the territory and territorial water of Brunei Darussalam.
There are two (2) types of Amateur Radio Apparatus License:-

1. Standard Class License

• Type of Licensee: Generally new amateur radio operators
  
• Operation of Amateur Radio: Licensees are only allowed to operate in the VHF frequencies (range of 144 MHz to 148 MHz)
  
• Validity: One (1) year and renewable
  

2. Advance Class License

• Type of Licensee: Amateur radio operators who applied and gained approval to upgrade from the Standard Class License
  
• Operation of Amateur Radio: Licensees are allowed to operate in all amateur radio bands as stated in the Apparatus License
  
• Validity: One (1) year and renewable
  

Rules and Regulation

All licensee shall observe and comply with the relevant provisions of the Telecom's and Radio-communications regulations and any amendments made thereof. The transmitting frequency bands allowed from an amateur radio station shall be at the discretion of AITI but within the limits prescribed by the radio regulations, annexed to International Telecommunication Convention of the International Telecommunication Union. 

Eligibility

Interested individuals must fulfill the following eligibility requirements to own an Amateur Radio Apparatus License: 

Locals

1. Aged above seventeen (17) years old;
2. Citizens or Permanent Residents of Brunei Darussalam; and
3. Must pass the Amateur Radio Examination.

Minors

1. Aged between fourteen (14) to seventeen (17) years old;
2. Citizens or Permanent Residents of Brunei Darussalam; and
3. Must pass the Amateur Radio Examination.

Foreign nationals

1. Has a valid Amateur Radio Apparatus Licence issued by his or her home country authority; and
2. Requires a guarantor who holds a valid Brunei Amateur Radio Apparatus License.