MALS SALT-NOT survey of MIR-selected powerful radio-bright AGN at 0We present results of an optical spectroscopic survey using SALT and NOT to
build a WISE mid-infrared color based, dust-unbiased sample of powerful
radio-bright ($>$200 mJy at 1.4 GHz) AGN for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey
(MALS). Our sample has 250 AGN (median $z=1.8$) showing emission lines, 26 with
no emission lines, and 27 without optical counterparts. M1312-2026, the highest
redshift object ($z=5.068$) in our sample, is the most radio-loud
($R$=$1.4times 10^4$) AGN known at $z > 5$. Overall, our sample is fainter
($Delta i$=0.6 mag) and redder ($Delta(g-i)$=0.2 mag) than radio-selected
quasars, and representative of fainter quasar population detected in optical
surveys. About 20% of the sources are narrow line AGN (NLAGN) $-$ 65% of these,
at $z < 0.5$ are galaxies without strong nuclear emission, and 10% at $z>1.9$,
have emission line ratios similar to radio galaxies. The farthest NLAGN in our
sample is M1513$-$2524 ($z_{em}=3.132$), and the largest (size$sim$330 kpc) is
M0909$-$3133 ($z_{em}=0.884$). We discuss in detail 110 AGN at $1.9 < z < 3.5$.
Despite representing the radio loudest quasars (median $R$=3685), their
Eddington ratios are similar to the SDSS quasars having lower $R$. We detect 4
CIV BALQSOs, all among AGN with least $R$, and highest black hole masses and
Eddington ratios. The BAL detection rate ($4^{+3}_{-2}$%) is consistent with
that seen in extremely powerful ($L_{1.4GHz}>10^{25}$ WHz$^{-1}$) quasars.
Using optical light-curves, radio polarization and $gamma$-ray detections, we
identify 7 high-probability BL Lacs. We also summarize the full MALS footprint
to search for HI 21-cm and OH 18-cm lines at $z<2$.

We present results of an optical spectroscopic survey using SALT and NOT to
build a WISE mid-infrared color based, dust-unbiased sample of powerful
radio-bright ($>$200 mJy at 1.4 GHz) AGN for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey
(MALS). Our sample has 250 AGN (median $z=1.8$) showing emission lines, 26 with
no emission lines, and 27 without optical counterparts. M1312-2026, the highest
redshift object ($z=5.068$) in our sample, is the most radio-loud
($R$=$1.4times 10^4$) AGN known at $z > 5$. Overall, our sample is fainter
($Delta i$=0.6 mag) and redder ($Delta(g-i)$=0.2 mag) than radio-selected
quasars, and representative of fainter quasar population detected in optical
surveys. About 20% of the sources are narrow line AGN (NLAGN) $-$ 65% of these,
at $z < 0.5$ are galaxies without strong nuclear emission, and 10% at $z>1.9$,
have emission line ratios similar to radio galaxies. The farthest NLAGN in our
sample is M1513$-$2524 ($z_{em}=3.132$), and the largest (size$sim$330 kpc) is
M0909$-$3133 ($z_{em}=0.884$). We discuss in detail 110 AGN at $1.9 < z < 3.5$.
Despite representing the radio loudest quasars (median $R$=3685), their
Eddington ratios are similar to the SDSS quasars having lower $R$. We detect 4
CIV BALQSOs, all among AGN with least $R$, and highest black hole masses and
Eddington ratios. The BAL detection rate ($4^{+3}_{-2}$%) is consistent with
that seen in extremely powerful ($L_{1.4GHz}>10^{25}$ WHz$^{-1}$) quasars.
Using optical light-curves, radio polarization and $gamma$-ray detections, we
identify 7 high-probability BL Lacs. We also summarize the full MALS footprint
to search for HI 21-cm and OH 18-cm lines at $z<2$.

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