1979 and 1980 Junior College Years

 

With friends from Raffles Institution Jan - March 1979 ; The first 3 months of attachment to St Andrew's Junior College

During some  outdoor activity in 1979. The 2 friends I recall their names are 

a) R Subra (first row extreme left)

b) Chen Fun Yap (first row second from right) 

I would like to say that the Pre University days of my youth were rather misspent. I had no clear picture of what I wanted to do in life after Secondary 4. My grades were at best mediocre and I followed my then best friend to SAJC and enrolled in the 3 sciences 1 Math course which was the pre-emptive course in preparation for Medicine at the local University.

It was a disaster of sorts, I rather liked maths, and was good at it. I loved Physics, and could spend hours upon hours just tackling the problems in the textbook Nelkon and Parker.

I tolerated Chemistry and I abhorred Biology. 

So my 'A' level grades reflected the interest of the student, me. 

I had skipped many classes (playing truant) (called 'pontang' because I had not completed the homework or just had no interest in the subject.).

There were instances when the teacher caught us napping at another empty classroom when we were supposed to be attending her class !

I was still finding my identity at the tender age of 16 - 18 years.

It was a rather bleak period for me. Neither here nor there. 

On looking back, if I had then the clear focus and dedication about my direction in life, I would have gone straight into the 2 Math, 1 Physics and Economics course - I think that would have given me less grief in Pre University and possibly a better head start into my University pathway several years later.

We cant undo the past, but hindsight is 20 / 20. 

I managed to gain entry to Engineering undergraduate course, and graduated in Bach Mechanical from the NUS is 1983.

63 - the year health and age issues start taking centre stage.

 

Enjoying a fabulous Banh Mi at Banh Mi 25 in the Old Quarter 

(Hanoi trip 10 - 12th June 2026) 

It is past the age of 60 that I really start to feel that certain aspects of my body is starting to deteriorate at a noticeble rate. In the teenage till 20s, I felt invincible, meaning, I could literally run a decent 10K, pull in an all nighter (studying or hanging out with friends) and attend lectures the next day, with nary 3 hours of sleep.

Energy in those decades was inexhaustible. I could summon incredible energy to push myself to great lengths. My legs, many people considered 'bionic' (like in the hit series "6 million dollar man" Steve Austin, who in the hit TV series, had his body replaced by super human orthopaedic replacements of his limbs (arm and leg), as well as hearing and sight). 

Sipping Iced Coffee a la French style by the small road in Hanoi. 

Legs and Hips 

When I served National Service, at 18 years of age, I graduated into the Armoured Artillery Corp, of the battery supporting the 46th Singapore Armoured Regiment. As a vehicle commander, I recall that I had and could easily jump from a height of 6 feet (1.8 metres) to the ground with hardly any impact on my sprightly joints. The Armoured Personnel Carrier or M113 which was the mainstay of the soldier transport back in the 1980s, was my military 'Grab'. I had a driver, Loh Swee Chuah, who was a competent and nice guy and my relationship with him was superb. I normally sat or  operated my duties at the vehicle coppola, at the centre and topside of this vehicle.

Everytime, we laguered (or stopped to deploy), we had a "Commander O group" which each Section Commander had to go to the Forward Officer's Unimorg for a briefing. I recall, I had to jump from the top of the vehicle to the ground and then sprint with my weapon to the Officer's Unimorg. The height of the vehicle was 6 feet or roughly 1.8 metres.    

Today, at 63 years of age, I can barely jump from 1 foot (0.3 metres) without feeling some "Ooh" on my joints. That is how far my orthopaedic strength and flexibility has gone down, due to age and wear and tear.

Lateral Crucia Ligaments (LCL)

I need regular massages with moxibustion as I feel these ligaments to my balance, flexibilty and weight bearing ability. Many of my peers my age are showing terrible signs of this degradation, by virtue of them struggling to get in and out of cars. The fact that I take 3 to 5 collagen health supplements and they really do help is testament of how much my joints have aged over the decades.  

Back

Very fortunately, to date, I have no or very little lower back pack. Thanks to my investment of buying and using only top quality running shoes, visiting a podiatrist (Dr. Leong Lee Seng) and taking 4 pills of :

- Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Monosodium Sulphate (MSM) 

3 (+ 3) pills of :

- Collagen (High Strength) 

I also keep on practising karate till this day (over 23 years).  

This martial art emphasizes flexibility of back and hips as well as maintaining core strength so I am still very mobile and active.  

Temple of Literature - First National University of Hanoi. 

Eyes 

I have had poor night vision for a number of years (since I turned 60), and decided to opt for cataract surgery last year at the age of 62. My eyes are better now with top quality intraocular lenses in place, but I am super mindful that eyesight is a blessing from our Creator and I need to always take care of this most crucial of the 5 senses, and I take a lot of lutein, chrysenthemum and small goji berries daily to maintain healthy opthalmic health.

Regular eye checkups are key too. I am due for mine soon. 

Sitting inside one of the exam booths of the Temple of Literature (1000 Year Old University)

Teeth

I have had gum disease, and am been treated by my long time dentist Dr Paul Choo of Bedok Town Dental Surgery for the better part of 5 years. Recently I had a tooth implant done, and I can safely vouch that from now on, I must floss my teeth daily and keep my mouth healthy.Price of teeth implants in Singapore is not cheap ranging from $2,000 to 3,000 per tooth but oh boy, I need to have the feeling of biting hard to give myself tremendous satiation when eating. 

There are a lot of diseases which start from the mouth, so its the very first line of defence.

Hearing

Fortunately I am not addicted to my Ipods, in fact I have an ear plug for music which I very infrequently use, as I rather listen to my environment when I am running and walking from point A to point B.

I have numerous friends and relatives who have suffered hearing loss from their early 50s, so I am very mindful that the loss of this crucial sense is another key to the beginnings of dementia disease amongst the elderly. 

Heart Health

I have been on a course of statins (AZ Rosuvastatin 10mg )  for over 3 years already. While my LDL and triglyceride levels are on the optimal levels, there is always no room for complacency. I have been battling high LDL levels for close to 20 years in the past. While my HDL levels are OK, it is the triglycerides and the high LDL levels which have given my doctors cause for concern.

This area of my health, I need to take control and mitigate any sense of complacency.So I exercise as regularly as I can, (3 to 4 times a week walk and run, as well as practice with dumbells and use the outdoor gym as much as possible). 

Regular checkups are a must and I am overdue for a full blood and stool test any time soon.

Colon Health

I am due for a colonoscopy soon, I will not delay this any further, and will go for one by July.Its been close to 3.5 years since my last colonoscopy (Dec 2022). At home, we eat a lot of fibre on a daily basis, and I have been taking regularly, (30 Billion) Probiotics capsule for over 3 years now. 

Prostate Health

I also need to go and take a prostate test for prostate cancer.All these are 'must dos' and not 'nice to do" thing which will supposedly prolong my quality of life for as long as possible.

Metabolic Disease 

I am very mindful that after 50 years of age, the body slows its metabolism drastically. I have been watching videos on Youtube from ER doctors and experts and have been religiously following their advice to exercise, moderately, after meals and do not succumb to sleeping on a full stomach

The spike in insulin after eating a carbohydrate heavy meal, it tantamount to  a slow buildup and ultimately an insulation resistance which if nothing is done, will lead to insulin resistance, and metabolic disease, which includes the following killer diseases :

a) diabetes mellitus

b) cancer

c) high blood pressure. 

Brain Cognizance 

Retiring and staying at home doing nothing, is one sure way for my brain to go downhill fast. 

I am still very active in my business, learining new things like languages (I plan on learning at least one or two in the coming year), and expanding my circle of friends and acquaintences will definately halt or at least diminish the rate of brain deterioration or brain fog which affects many seniors above the age of 60.

Maintaining and improving relationships with my closest loved ones, family and then friends is my top priority.

Keeping this blog going. Posting on social media, learning new skills and experiencing new places (like visiting Hanoi recently) will I hope, put me in good stead to face my silver years with enthusiasm and hope.

Carpe Diem. 

 

High Change Rate Temperature Cycling Tests for Printed Circuit Boards.

 

                            CTE mismatch (above) leads to elongation and contraction ;

     Over time, this mismatch will lead to crack and intermittent or catastrophic failure. 

This is the basis for High Change Rate Temperature Cycling Tests, which are typically conducted in a chamber called, Environmental Stress Screening Chamber. Stress Screening Chambers come either in Single Zone or Two Zone type. 

QRA is proud to market these ESS chambers under our brand name, and also under our principal from S Korea, ETSP. 

Lets go straight to the facts. Below is a diagram of a typical PCB board, which can be used in a myriad of applications from latest smart phones, notebooks, IPads and EV cars. The top part is the silicon chip (think Nvidia, Lenovo and Intel) which does all the microprocessing, and the bottom part connects the chip to the Printed Circuit Board. The connections are provided by solder bumps or balls and the point of contact is called the solder joints.

To improve transmission speed, the area in yellow is called the underfill and the solder bump sits on a contact pad.

The issue with reliability of PCB Boards, is that owing to cost pressures, the silicon chip is typically of a certain Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) and is normally on the low side, ranging from 2.5 - 4 ppm / C. The organic base substrate for cost reasons has a high CTE something like 20 - 30 ppm / C. 

When the device is powered up (smartphone, car or laptop), the underfill expands very fast and longer, while the silicon chip expands slower and at a smaller overall length.

When the device is powered down or switched off, the rate of contraction between the Organic Base Substrate and the Silicon Chip again is very wide, leading to the solder bumps positioning from the top picture to the bottom fixture. With repeated switch on and switch off, the solder bumps will crack over thousands of cycles. 

Therein lies the CTE Mismatch. Over time, this mismatch of elongation and contraction will lead to crack on the solder bump and the chip will be non - functioning. 

Its like a loose tooth, if you move it regularly, over time the gum base will give way and the tooth will fall out.  

The ESS chamber is simulating the power on and off for anything ranging from 100 cycles to up to 1000 cycles. There are standards which typify the environment which the boards are typically subjected to, to replicate the actual functioning. 

Set points can range from below 0 (-20 C) to about 100 C and the change rates vary from 1 C / min up to 20 C / min. 

                                       2  Zone ESS Chamber or Thermal Shock Chamber 

Why Do the Temperature Cycle Tests ? 

1. To ensure that the solder bump CTE is not too far off from the silicon chip, as well as the organic base substrate chosen (its all a matter of costs), is also not too high compared to the silicon chip.

2. If after 1000 cycles, the PCB Board is subjected to 

a) functional tests to ensure board functionality with a 'Pass / Fail' checking

b) High magnification Visual Inspection to determine microscopic cracks.

The reliability of PCB Boards, is critical to the high end brand's overall good name.

If after all the ESS tests are done, and the checks give a 95% yield (5% failure rate), then the batch of PCB Boards can be considered good for production and the assembly can proceed.

If the yields are far higher, (say 20 % upwards), the manufacturing manager1  may conduct an internal audit to review the selection choices of 

 

> Organic Base Substrate

> Solder Ball Materials.

Reliability is essentially Quality and Performance of a Product over the entire Life Time of the Product ( 2, 3 up to 10 years for EV cars).

Top manufacturers cannot compromise on poor out field reliability. 

It is better to recall and rework the new product in the factory before even a single batch is sent out. 

Manufacturers who have to conduct a product recall face a huge loss of brand confidence leading to huge revenue dips and profit  losses from a (perceived) poor reliability product. 

ESS Temperature Cycle Tests save millions if done properly. 

For more information ;

E :    mark@qra.com.sg

        qrasales@qra.com.sg

W :  https:\\www.qra.com.sg

2026 QRA International Products - High Quality and Reliability for the New Millenium.

 

                                        2026 QRA International Equipment  

Designed by QRA International, our very own Temperature and Humidity Chambers are suitable for all kinds of testing under various temperature and humidity extremes. Our installed base of hundreds of chambers regionally establishes QRA as one of the region’s best in class brands.

                                        1. QRA  Stability Chambers

 

Stability Chambers are essentially chambers which control temperature, and humidity with various ranges for various applications. Below are some ranges and size of the chambers which QRA can provide for very competitive prices and 1 to 2 year warranty ranges.

Temperature and Humidity tests are designed specifically to accelerate the aging of the products subjected to the tests. Higher temperatures (50 C and above) and higher humidity settings (60 – 98%) can be programmed and achieved as standard performance settings of QRA Stability Chambers.

 

Stability Chamber at Global Multi National Beverage Group

                    2. QRA Bench Top Temperature and Humidity Chamber

 

 

Bench Top Temperature and Humidity Chamber at Global Nutritional Group 

Temperature and Humidity tests are essential in simulating environments and also stimulating by high temperatures, high and low humidity, fast change rates to screen out infant mortalities on poorly made components, assemblies and completed products.

Biomedical and Pharmaceutical in particular use temperature and humidity chambers to perform accelerated aging and shelf life testing of the new products and stress test the effectiveness of their barrier systems rigorously.

 

Many advanced manufacturing industries utilize our equipment. Here are the industries we support :

1. Biomedical

2. Pharmaceutical

3. Electronics

4. Semiconductor

5. EV Automotive

6. Aerospace

7. Defence

 

3. Walk In Temperature and Humidity Chamber

Temperature Range

- 70 C to 180 C

Humidity Range

20 to 98 % RH

 

Change Rate

0.5 to 3 C / min heating

0.5 to 1 C / min cooling

Chamber Sizes (Small to Large)

2 m  x 2  m   x  2.3 m  - Smallest

W    x  D      x   H

25 m x  10 m x  4.5 m  - Largest (Cold Room) 

W    x    D    x     H 

 

 

 QRA Walk In Cold Room Chamber

 

Temp Range : 0 to 8 C

Temp Stability : +/- 1 C

Temp Uniformity : +/-  3 C

Enquire Now :

E  : mark@qra.com.sg

      qrasales@qra.com.sg

Website :  www.qra.com.sg  

 

How to Grow Business Revenue - the Key Steps

 

This poster is 100% spot on. I can;t elaborate it any better as it applies to my specific industry and would mean next no nothing to people who are just readers passing by. Let me attempt to explain below.

1. Focus on your best customers

The 80 / 20 rule is apparent here. Over the years there will be 20% of your customers who will give you 80% of your profit / revenue. Serve them well. Delight them. Bend over backwards to their every need. Do not disappoint them.

If not for them your business may not be there tomorrow.

2. Increase Customer Retention or Stickiness.

This is easier said than done. How to make your customer come back to you time and again on a regular basis. I believe the Q is reframed as "how does my business add value and continue to add value to my top customer (s) ?".

Think about the services and products which your business provides, to these top clients. Think about how to make their life easier by providing a product or service which is deemed as necessary, cost effective and makes their jobs all that more smooth in their bosses' eyes.

Don't forget giving back ever so often in terms of holidays like the Chinese New Year (oranges and hampers) and the Dumpling Festival (mooncakes),Christmas (log cakes). 

We will support the  Dinner and Dance participation with the payment to purchase Lucky Draw prizes or door gifts).

3. Fix Your Sales Conversion Rate

We are doing that every week. This is the conversion from interested party to a firm Purchase Order(s). If your upstream social media strategy is doing its part, then once the customers come into your sales pipeline, it is up to the sales team to convert any enquiry into order(s).

It is easier said or written than carried out. But it is a work in progress for us.

4.Grow Existing Accounts

From selling equipment, we have added on rentals, test services, repairs and even consultancy to our business model. Make sure we are remembered and acted upon by customers who will need our services and products when the time comes. 

Again this is easier said or written than carried out. Always brainstorm or seek external input on how to improve this aspect of the business.

I make it a point to visit my key customers every 6 months just to gauge their feeling of our service support.  

5.Build a Referral Base.

Again if we are so good, our customers will sing our praises to their friends and associates in the industry, The referral does not come naturally, since people tend to be lazy and want to keep to their own space, this referral needs to be acted upon by the vendor which is our business and its people.

Easier said and written than carried out. Again I need more work in this upstream department. 

 

Nurturing Entrepreneurship - Is this a major contradiction in terms ?

I read with some amusement recently that a Minister of State, in a recent interview with Channel News Asia,  made comments that Singapore(ans) should start youth on entrepreneurship earlier.

The optics of this is hilarious. Its as if you have a General who all throughout his career, has risen through the ranks to reach the pinnacle (on paper) in rank. He is probably an expert in  engaging war strategy, best practises, soldier discipline, equipment specifications and availabilty etc etc. 

Everything on paper to protect his country, and its interests.

He then goes to tell the many youth out there to go and 'Chiong' where he has never engaged in firefight, dogfight or skirmish, let alone engage with the enemy in the battlefield.

When we look from the sidelines, we see the Government leaders telling people go. Its yours to win, I read it all in books, we have the means to support you !  This is typical of our leaders in Government, they are good cheerleaders, provide grants yet in their past resumes, no one (with very few exceptions) has literally 'walked the talk' as far as starting, managing and growing a business from scratch to (say) S$ 10 million revenue in size.

Fact of the matter in entrepreneurship, 70% of businesses fail in the year, 90 - 95% fail within 3 years and only a tiny fraction (0.01%) make it to $10 Million within say 10 years upon startup.

Entrepreneurs for the most part are born not made. Their stories are filled with grit, failure, lots of late nights, tough decisions and heartbreak time and again. They need to have the stomach to take sizeable risks and go 'all in' or sell the house type of risk to achieve the ultimate reward.

Olivia Lum was a successful businesswoman at the listed company Hyflux. She started here entrepreneurial jpurney when she was in Primary school selling eggs from her hometown in Ipon to her classmates to make some pocket money.

Sim Wong Hoo (Creative Tech Chairman) did the near impossible. He realised that the Singapore market was too small a market to scale up on his flagship Soundcard, so he ventured to the US market in the late 1980s and took a good 5 years to establish a foothold, gain loyal following and develop his brand, and then and only then, the fastidious Singapore market was broken into.

His Chinese PC was ahead of its time, and failed.

His Zen Patent Music Organizer, was in contention with Apple's own version, and they fought a costly lawsuit which Creative subsequently won for USD 100 million.

Who Dares Wins. For a small fraction, this is a handsome payout, and to my recollection, only the 2 companies above, Creative Tech and Hyflux have come from private sector without any big Government money at key stages in their growth. 

Who Loses will lose his house, and shirt on this back big time. 

So Mr. Minister, standing from the sidelines, you have the spectators, you have the running shoes, maybe even provide the coaching.... (I believe and I may be wrong)...but there are strings attached.  

I have had my share of grants disbursed from the Enterprise SG and boy its full of bureaucratic rigmarole designed at 'helping SMEs' but at the end of the day, its essentially an extra administration burden required with endless submissions, approvals and assessments to get the money. 

It was really not worth the effort and time to get the grants, in my opinion. 

The best runners will be running barefeet, training with their own parents' money and slowly working their way up. Many will fail, will suffer breakdowns and injuries. Heartache and mental duress is all part of the athletes game.

When they do suceed.

And boy they will one day.

The scent and taste of success will be so sweet.  

 

Parties with Cousins in the 1970s at our Parents' place.

 

Wynne Leong and Johnathon Mun

My mother is the eldest sister amongst 4 sisters and 2 brothers (one half). The 2nd sister Aunty Dona married a doctor Dr. Leong Chai Mun and they have 2 children.

> Winston Leong Ah Pan

> Wynne Leong Chee Whye

Papa with Angela Lau

The third sister Mina Lau married Mr. Lau - a police man, later he became an inspector.

They have 4 children, namely :

May Lay

Clifford Lau

Wendy Lau 

Angela Lau 

May Lau wedding with my Mum and her colleagues 

There are 2 more sister and brothers, who children I will name here :

The youngest sister (Mona) was married to a school teacher, Mr. Phoon He later became a school principal and the President of the Orchid Society. I recall spending many days at the Phoon family residence as we (my Mum and Aunty Mona) were especially close and our families were both members of the Singapore Swimming Club.

Back in the day, after our morning swim, we had to proceed to school However, every Sunday was a treat as all the swimmers (the boys at least) went to the open area (Cabana is now built here).

The Boys would then proceed to play football with a soft ball replicating Star Soccer. 

I was famously known as Stiff Legs. I firmly believed my legs were metallic just like the 6 Million Dollar Man - Steve Austin/

I recall once when we were playing and my shoes, gave way. I continued to play barefeet and had made a swipe of the ball aimed at the goal.

I missed it pathetically, and my meet grazed the 100 year old tree and the bark actually flew out.

I was a terrible ruffian and could take and give punishment. LOL. 

True Story.