In Miri and Labuan, there are several radio stations using same frequencies with Brunei, causing co-channel interference.
==Miri vs. Brunei==
90.7MHz: RTM Red FM Bukit Lambir (Miri)
90.7MHz: Kristal FM Brunei Bukit Subok (Bandar Seri Begawan)
93.3MHz: Cats FM Bukit Lambir (Miri)
93.3MHz: RTB Nur Islam Brunei Bukit Subok (Bandar Seri Begawan)
Co-channel interference occurs in Tutong, but affected radio stations have alternative frequencies in co-channel interference areas by following below:
1. Cats FM: 88.7MHz Bukit Mas (Limbang)
2. Red FM: 104.1MHz Bukit Mas (Limbang)
3. Kristal FM: 98.7MHz Andulau
4. RTB Nur Islam FM: 94.9MHz Andulau
==Labuan vs. Brunei==
92.3MHz: RTM Ai FM Bukit Timbalai (Labuan)
92.3MHz: RTB Nasional FM Brunei Bukit Subok (Bandar Seri Begawan)
93.3MHz: RTM Sabah VFM Bukit Timbalai (Labuan)
93.3MHz: RTB Nur Islam FM Brunei Bukit Subok (Bandar Seri Begawan)
Bukit Timbalai doesn't overspill signal to Brunei, so RTB Nasional FM 92.3MHz and Nur Islam FM 93.3MHz are not interfered in Brunei, meanwhile Ai FM and Sabah VFM are having co-channel interference in Labuan Island, but Ai FM and Sabah VFM have alternative frequencies in Labuan when both are interfering with Brunei radio stations due to same frequencies.
When I searched Brunei radio stations reception in Sarawak on YouTube, the the search showed the recommended videos which I'm interested about, then I spotted there was a radio reception video of RTM Traxx FM 90.7MHz tuned in Tacloban, Philippines which published by HiRadSpek23 on 10th June 2023.
The FM 90.7MHz was Traxx FM signal from Lawa Mandau, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah actually, but the signal tuned in Tacloban, Philippines was Sporadic E propagation.
The transmitter power of Traxx FM 90.7MHz in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (Lawa Mandau) is 1kW.
The signal was clear for a while, then it went weak and had co-channel interference with other radio station, the receiving distance was 1123km from Lawa Mandau to Tacloban.
Alongside Traxx FM 90.7MHz, HiRadSpek23 also tuned few radio stations from Sarawak (Malaysia) and Brunei in Tacloban, Philippines which were also Sporadic E propagation.
1. Cats FM 88.7MHz Limbang, Sarawak, Malaysia (Tx: Bukit Mas)
Distance: 1312km
2. Kristal FM 90.7MHz Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei (Tx: Bukit Subok)
5 years ago, I went to Lawas, Sarawak for Cats FM transmitter system commissioning project as a junior broadcast engineer which is now a former career to me. When I was staying at a hotel in Lawas, Sarawak, I managed to tune Sabah VFM 102.9MHz, the signal was still clear there.
While Sabah VFM can be tuned via 102.9MHz clearly in Lawas, Sarawak, but I'm very curious whether it can be tuned in Limbang on same frequency or not like what I listened to Lawas, Sarawak. As today, I don't have opportunity to travel to Limbang yet due to the schedule plan, so I have two different method to identify the coverage availability such as plotting simulated coverage map and ask Limbang community, despite I have not obtained the video as better and stronger evidence.
Method 1: Plotting coverage map by using Nautel RF Toolkit
I plotted the coverage map of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus transmitter on Nautel RF Toolkit by entering its estimated radio transmission system parameters, but the simulated coverage map is not fully accurate because of the transmitter site measurement is not exactly correct.
From the coverage map above, there is no signal of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz if the listeners tune in Limbang town center due to terrain, meanwhile Sabah VFM 102.9MHz can be tuned from Sebukang to Pandaruan which is located behind Limbang town, but signal is varied, it can be either clear or weak. Alongside Limbang town, Sabah VFM 102.9MHz cannot be tuned in west side of Limbang district such as Batu Danau and Nanga Medamit.
Method 2: Get more information from Limbang community via social media
I approached Discover Limbang via Facebook by sending the enquiry for verification few days ago with following chats below:
Me: Hi, Discover Limbang. Commonly in Limbang, the listeners can tune Cats FM, RTM radio stations from Bukit Mas and Brunei radio stations, I would like to ask whether Sabah VFM 102.9 can be tuned in Limbang or not? Can you personally send me privately a video of tuning Sabah VFM 102.9 in Limbang (40 seconds video format)?
(Made first attempt to request sending the radio reception video of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Limbang, but I failed to get it yet)
Discover Limbang: Hi, Philip. Sabah VFM 102.9MHz cannot reach Limbang.
Me: Empty frequency (I meant the 102.9)
(Failed again to make 2nd attempt by requesting 30 seconds Sabah VFM 102.9MHz radio reception video in Limbang)
Discover Limbang: It can be only tuned via Astro Channel 870, not through the radio.
Me: For Sabah FM 97.9MHz (Bukit Tampalagus), feel that it has interference from Nasional FM 98.1MHz Bukit Mas transmitter.
Me: Thank you. Actually I would like to do Limbang radio DXing content(to target Sabah people who visits Limbang or has transit in Limbang before entering Miri or Brunei).Before making content, I would like to obtain more information from Limbang community(never jump to the conclusion without evidence).
Discover Limbang: Until today, Sabah radio stations cannot reach Limbang, except Astro (Sabah VFM).
==RESULTS==
By combining two methods, Sabah VFM cannot be tuned via Bukit Tampalagus transmitter on the frequency 102.9MHz in Limbang town center. In Limbang district, Sabah VFM 102.9MHz is only available in Pandaruan areas where are not far from Bangar, Brunei.
The result of Nautel RF Toolkit coverage map and answer from Discover Limbang are positively matched where both mentioned that Sabah VFM 102.9MHz cannot be tuned in Limbang, Sarawak.
By looking again the simulated coverage map, Sabah VFM 102.9MHz is only available in small part of Limbang, Sarawak, but the clear coverage of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Limbang is not located at the town center, instead the road near Brunei's Temburong border.
Although it is not possible to tune that radio station in Limbang due to terrains, but to make the radio reception video of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Limbang via on-site DXing, I need to wait until 2026 due to schedule availability plan.
In Limbang town, there has no Sabah's ethnics such as Dusun, Murut, Kadazan and Bajau, but my main target group of making Sabah VFM 102.9MHz radio signal in Limbang is transit users and Brunei people who come to Limbang, locally I can target Limbang's Chinese and Malay people if they tune Sabah VFM's Chinese and English programs via FM 102.9MHz from 9am to 3pm, alternative to Red FM 104.1MHz, Ai FM 103.3MHz and Traxx FM 102.3MHz.
Limbang is dominated by Malay, Iban, Chinese, Lun Bawang and Bisaya.
==Conclusion of Sabah VFM availabity in Sarawak==
Lawas District is the only clear coverage of Sabah VFM in Sarawak region via Bukit Tampalagus transmitter on 102.9MHz, Lawas District covers Lawas, Sundar, Trusan and Merapok.
(THROWBACK: 5 years anniversary of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz radio reception in Lawas, Sarawak)
Here are the videos of tuning Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz Gunung Pulai signal in Batu Pahat District, Johor where I conducted on 27th October 2024.
1. Parit Sulong (84km)
2. Batu Pahat (74km)
3. Senggarang (57km)
Among 3 locations above, Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz is very weak and having rough audio actually, but Rengit is the only clearest coverage of Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz in Batu Pahat District, Johor.
In Batu Pahat District, Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz Gunung Pulai signal is extremely weak in:
* Batu Pahat
* Senggarang
* Ayer Hitam
* Parit Raja
* Seri Gading
* Yong Peng
* Parit Sulong
* Parit Yaani
No signal can be tuned in Semerah and Sri Medan, Johor.
RTM Asyik FM launched North Johor frequency on 95.6MHz since January 2011, transmitted from Gunung Ledang and it operates only 250W transmitter power, but its main target coverage is Segamat, Chaah, Bekok and Labis where are Orang Asli areas.
Although Asyik FM 95.6MHz from Gunung Ledang only covers Segamat District, Johor, but from 2023 to 2024, I had managed to record its signal in Central Johor areas, notably Batu Pahat District and Kluang Districts, but it is not clear elsewhere in Central Johor because Asyik FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang does not transmit far as it is low power transmission.
Here are the videos of tuning Asyik FM 95.6MHz in selected Central Johor areas which I recorded in 2023 and 2024.
1. Paloh in Kluang District (Postcode: 86600)
2. Kahang in Kluang District (Postcode: 86700)
3. Kluang (Postcode: 86000)
4. Semerah in Batu Pahat Distrct (Postcode: 83600)
5. Batu Pahat (Postcode: 83000)
6. Senggarang (Postcode: 83200)
Alongside my videos, there are the videos of tuning Asyik FM 95.6MHz in Central Johor which recorded by Rafiq.
* Machap in Kluang District
* Batu Pahat
(BONUS: RTM Asyik FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang tuned in Pontian, Johor)
Although RTM Negeri FM has Gunung Ledang transmitter on 107.7MHz, same as what I mentioned on previous blog articles, but the frequency coverage only intends to cover East Negeri Sembilan areas such as Gemas, Gemencheh, Air Mawang, Serting Ulu, Simpang Pertang, Batu Kikir and Felda Lui where are blindspot coverage of FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter.
In Johor, the clearest areas to tune Negeri FM 107.7MHz are Tangkak, Sungai Mati, Jementah, Batu Anam, Panchor, Pagoh, Bukit Gambir and Gerisek, meanwhile it is not clear in Muar, Yong Peng, Segamat, Bekok and Parit Jawa.
What I'm interested about the coverage of Negeri FM in Johor is Batu Pahat District actually.
Since FM 107.7MHz Gunung Ledang transmitter is not clear in Muar District, but the signal of FM 92.6MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk is slightly better. So, I conduct the signal inspection of Negeri FM 92.6MHz and 107.7MHz in Batu Pahat District today, covering Parit Sulong, Semerah, Batu Pahat and Senggarang.
1. Parit Sulong (Postcode: 83500)
92.6MHz is clearer than 107.7MHz overall when I drive from Yong Peng to Semerah through Parit Sulong route.
2. Semerah (Postcode: 83600)
Semerah is a small town of Batu Pahat District, but it is located near Muar District border. Same as Parit Jawa and Muar, RTM Negeri FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter is clearer than 107.7MHz from Gunung Ledang in Semerah.
3. Batu Pahat (Postcode: 83000)
Both 92.6MHz and 107.7MHz signal are moderate to weak, but 92.6MHz dominates more coverage than 107.7MHz in Batu Pahat.
4. Senggarang (Postcode: 83200)
In Johor, from Muar to Pontian, Senggarang is the last coverage of RTM Negeri FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter before becoming no signal in Rengit, Johor, meanwhile FM 107.7MHz Gunung Ledang has no signal in Senggarang, Johor. Negeri FM 92.6MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk is the furthest radio station tuned in Senggarang, Johor with 163km tuning distance.
Negeri FM could be only tuned on 107.7MHz in Sri Gading, Ayer Hitam and Parit Raja with weak signal, meanwhile no signal to tune on FM 92.6MHz.
By conducting overall radio coverage check of RTM Negeri FM in Batu Pahat District, 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter dominates more coverage than 107.7MHz Gunung Ledang transmitter.
(BONUS: Negeri FM 92.6MHz/107.7MHz in Yong Peng, Johor)
I visit Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia today at the first time, the main aim is to conduct radio DXing.
In Batu Pahat, the town is covered by Gunung Ledang radio transmitter, meanwhile Gunung Pulai is weak transmitter there, and Gunung Telapak Buruk is the distant transmitter coverage in Batu Pahat.
Alongside Malaysia local radio stations, I manage to randomly record the signal video of Singapore radio stations in Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
All Singapore radio stations signal that I record in Batu Pahat are transmitted from Bukit Batok, except 88.3 Jia FM and Power 98FM, tuning distance is 108km.
88.3 Jia FM and Power 98FM are transmitted from Defense Technology Tower, but both are not receivable in Batu Pahat. FM 88.3MHz is weak signal of Minnal FM from Bukit Tinggi transmitter which covers East Johor, meanwhile FM 98.0MHz is an adjacent channel interference noise of 988 FM 98.2MHz from Gunung Ledang in Batu Pahat.
Some of radio stations signal such as 96.3 Hao FM, Class 95, and One FM 91.3 are not recorded as I film the video randomly.
UFM 100.3 is not receivable in Batu Pahat due to Ai FM 100.4MHz from Gunung Ledang.
Mediacorp Ria 89.7FM cannot be tuned in Batu Pahat due to RTM Ai FM 89.7MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmission.
1. BBC World Service FM 88.9MHz
2. SPH Money FM 89.3MHz
3. SPH Kiss 92FM
4. Mediacorp Symphony 92.4FM
5. Mediacorp YES 93.3FM
6. Mediacorp CNA 93.8FM
7. Mediacorp Warna 94.2FM
Heavy co-channel interference with Mix FM 94.2MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter is detected.
8. Mediacorp Capital 95.8FM
9. Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM
10. Mediacorp Love 97.2FM
11. Mediacorp 987FM
Mediacorp Gold 905 has co-channel interference with RTM Minnal FM 90.5MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter in Batu Pahat.
The signal of Singapore radio stations are weak in Batu Pahat, meanwhile no signal can be received in another small towns such as Semerah and Senggarang where are next to Batu Pahat town.
Note: Indonesia radio stations from Batam Island have no signal in Batu Pahat, Senggarang and Semerah, Johor, Malaysia.
In most of Peninsular Malaysia areas, there are only 2 Tamil radio stations which are Raaga and Minnal FM, but in South Johor, the Indian people can enjoy listening 3 Tamil radio stations because Singapore's Oli 96.8FM can be tuned there.
தீபகற்ப மலேசியாவின் பெரும்பாலான பகுதிகளில், ராகம் மற்றும் மின்னல் எஃப்எம் என 2 தமிழ் வானொலி நிலையங்கள் மட்டுமே உள்ளன, ஆனால் தெற்கு ஜோகூரில், இந்திய மக்கள் 3 தமிழ் வானொலி நிலையங்களைக் கேட்டு மகிழலாம், ஏனெனில் சிங்கப்பூரின் ஒலி 96.8FM ஐ அங்கு டியூன் செய்யலாம்.
Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM from Singapore can be tuned clearly in Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi, Pontian, Kulaijaya and part of Kluang.
சிங்கப்பூரில் இருந்து மீடியாகார்ப் ஒலி 96.8FMஐ ஜோகூர் பாரு, கோட்டா டிங்கி, போண்டியன், குலைஜாயா மற்றும் க்ளுவாங்கின் ஒரு பகுதியில் தெளிவாக டியூன் செய்ய முடியும்.
In South Johor, there are 3 Tamil radio stations such as Raaga FM 103.7MHz, Minnal FM 101.1MHz and Singapore's Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM.
தெற்கு ஜோகூரில், Raaga FM 103.7MHz, மின்னல் FM 101.1MHz மற்றும் சிங்கப்பூரின் மீடியாகார்ப் ஒலி 96.8FM போன்ற 3 தமிழ் வானொலி நிலையங்கள் உள்ளன.
Here is a video of 3 Tamil radio stations recorded in Kulai, Johor on 29th September 2024.
29 செப்டம்பர் 2024 அன்று ஜோகூரில் உள்ள குலாயில் பதிவுசெய்யப்பட்ட 3 தமிழ் வானொலி நிலையங்களின் வீடியோ இங்கே உள்ளது.
6 months ago, I flied to Bintulu, Sarawak to conduct radio DXing activity, I also included Miri and Batu Niah in this trip.
In Batu Niah, alongside radio stations from Brunei and Bintulu, I managed to check the signal of several commercial radio stations from Miri Bukit Lambir.
1. Hitz FM 105.8MHz
2. MY FM 103.2MHz
3. Melody FM 102.4MHz
4. Era FM 101.3MHz
5. Cats FM 93.3MHz
I made the radio signal comparison of Cats FM between 93.3MHz and 88.3MHz in Batu Niah, Sarawak, the signal of Cats FM in 93.3MHz is better than 88.3MHz.
The distance from Bukit Lambir to Batu Niah is 51km, but most of the radio stations are moderately clear in Batu Niah, meanwhile Melody FM 102.4MHz and Sinar FM 96.6MHz are not clear there.
Although IKIM FM has Miri frequency on 104.0MHz, but it is not receivable in Batu Niah because its transmission site is not located in Bukit Lambir, instead land based Tanjong Lobang transmission tower.
