*MEET* 9W2JMW/ 113DA101 Hilmi

Licensed ham radio operator and wholehearted 11m DXer 9W2JMW/ 113DA101 Hilmi is the first Dx Adventure Radio Club (DA-RC) member from Peninsular Malaysia in Asia, joining our club in early June 2016.

Hilmi joins our club via the DX Hunter category with in excess of 150 DXCC worked and confirmed to his name on bands 10m through 80m.

On 27 MHz where he monitors the International call frequency 27.555 MHz USB and also the Malayan call frequency 27.325 MHz USB, Hilmi was previously known as 113MB447.  The 11m International Cluster, of which he is a regular user, boasts an impressive number of contacts under this callsign.

In addition to chasing DX from his home station, which consists of Yaesu FT-897D and Icom IC-718A transceivers, a Diamond GZV4000 power supply, a Dipole and 1 element Delta Loop antenna in a space restricted environment, Mie has also carved out an impressive list of dx adventures in the field.

He has taken part in Jamborees on The Air (JOTA) and Muar Beaches On The Air (BOTA) concepts with fellow members of the Malaysian Amateur Radio Transmitters’ Society, in which he has been a member since 2015, and has thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

As the hobby would have it, Hilmi’s DXCC (also known as West Malaysia) is regarded as one of the most elusive Asian DX entities on any of the world’s bands.

Google Earth sees it as the part of Malaysia which lies on the Malay Peninsula and surrounding islands, sharing a land border with Thailand (153 Division) in the north while to the south is the island of Singapore (AS-019).  Across the Strait of Malacca to the west lies the Indonesian island of Sumatra (OC-143) while East Malaysia (on the island of Borneo) (OC-088) is to the east across the South China Sea.

9W2JMW/113DA101 Hilmi’s home QTH within 113 Division is Johor (the name originating from the Persian word Jauhar meaning ‘gem’ or ‘jewel’), a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of the country.  It is reportedly one of the most developed states in Malaysia.

The state capital city of Johor (See flag pictured above) is Johor Bahru, although Hilmi resides in the town of Tangkak, nicknamed “Fabric Town” or “Syurga Kain” in honour of its many textile shops.

According to Hilmi, Tangkak is well-known also as being a major entry point to Gunung Ledang (Mount Ophir) (Pictured left).  At 1276 m and part of the Titiwangsa Mountains, this is the highest mountain in Johor and clearly visible from any part of Tangkak.

Another feature Hilmi’s home town is known for is its food!  Common local dishes recommended for any visitors are:

• Asam pedas
• ‘Chi Kut’ Noodles, a Chinese dry noodle served with char siew (roasted pork) which is a signature hawker dish in Tangkak
• Chik Kut Teh, chicken version of Bak Kut Teh (a Chinese pork dish)
• Mee Bandung
• Nasi lemak
• Red source noodles
• Roti canai
• Sate nazar
• Soto Pak Ali

That’s certainly enough to get your stomach rumbling in anticipation!

Exciting news for IOTA Hunters is that Johor has 8 large islands with numerous smaller ones, namely Pulau Aur (Pictured right), Pulau Besar, Pulau Dayang, Pulau Lima, Pulau Pemanggil, Pulau Rawa, Pulau Sibu, Pulau Tengah and Pulau Tinggi.   These are stunning tropical islands with white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, offering some of the world’s best scuba diving and fishing experiences!

All possible island DXstinations belong to the RSGB identified Pahang / Johor State East group and carry the reference AS-046.  Hopefully, Hilmi will be able to activate one or more of these islands in the future if time permits!

9W2JMW/ 113DA101 Hilmi balances his time occupied with radio comms with a professional career as a teacher.  He has a passion for stamps and finds that QSL envelope arrivals provide an exciting miscellany of collectibles that could not be obtained otherwise.  Hilmi also enjoys webdesign and is an active blogger with an interesting personal blog covering life in his local community.

That Hilmi collects stamps will no doubt mean he’ll be keen to exchange cards, with a special DA-RC design by Radek at Cool QSL on offer for any keen DX Hunter hoping to confirm one of the most rare Asian DXCC there is.  We’re sure a few extra stamps added to to the contents of the envelope would also be very much appreciated by our valued West Malaysia member 😉

QSL Infos

MOHAMAD HILMI BIN MOHD DAN

TRH 1, KG TELOK RIMBA,

SUNGAI MATI,

TANGKAK,

84400, JOHOR

WEST MALAYSIA