RTM Sabah FM (Radio 3 Sabah) and Sabah VFM (Blue Network) could be tuned in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei via Layang-Layang transmitted frequencies FM 97.5MHz and 93.5MHz respectively in 1980s and 1990s

Back to 1980s and 1990s, Sabah radio stations (RTM Sabah FM and VFM) could be tuned clearly in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, compare with current days.

Sabah FM and Sabah VFM were receivable in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei via Layang-Layang (Mount Kinabalu) transmitter with the respective frequencies 97.5MHz and 93.5MHz, both radio stations operated at 10kW transmitter power.

After mid-1990s, Sabah FM and VFM changed their frequencies and reduced the transmission power for Layang-Layang transmission site.

Sabah FM (Radio 3 Sabah)

* Frequency: 97.5MHz>>104.5MHz

* Transmission power: 10kW>>1kW

Sabah VFM (RTM Blue Network Sabah)

* Frequency: 93.5MHz>>107.1MHz

* Transmission power: 10kW>>1kW

During the 1980s, RTM Sabah FM and Sabah VFM in Kota Kinabalu, Beaufort, Sipitang, Tenom, Keningau, Kota Belud, Kudat, Ranau, Kundasang and Tambunan were covered by Layang-Layang transmitter where located near Mount Kinabalu before launching local transmitters.

A 10kW transmitter power in Layang-Layang transmission tower for FM broadcast could cover most of Sabah divisions, even Labuan, Brunei, Limbang and Lawas, meanwhile 1kW power can only cover Interior Division (Ranau, Kundasang, Tambunan etc), and small part of West Coast Division.

Kota Kinabalu was formerly covered by Layang-Layang transmitter before mid-1990s, but currently RTM Sabah radio stations in Kota Kinabalu is covered by local transmitter from Lawa Mandau where is within the vicinity of Bukit Karatong and Bukit Kokol. Due to reduction of transmitter power of RTM Layang-Layang radio stations, so the radio reception of Sabah VFM 107.1 and Sabah FM 104.5 are not so clear in Kota Kinabalu.

As today, Sabah radio stations are no longer receivable in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei via Layang-Layang transmitter as the transmission power was already reduced from 10kW to 1kW, but Sabah VFM can be likely tuned in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei via FM 102.9MHz from Bukit Tampalagus which covers mainly Sipitang, Beaufort, Labuan, Lawas and Menumbok, meanwhile Sabah FM is more difficult to be tuned in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei due to the interference of RTM Nasional FM 98.1MHz from Bukit Mas which covers Limbang and Brunei.

==Sabah FM and Sabah VFM tuning frequencies in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei between 1980s and 2024==

1. Sabah FM

* 1980s: FM 97.5MHz Layang-Layang 10kW

* 2024: FM 97.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus 1kW (interference of RTM Nasional FM 98.1MHz Bukit Mas transmitter can be detected)

2. Sabah VFM

* 1980s: FM 93.5MHz Layang-Layang 10kW

* 2024: FM 102.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus 1kW

RTM Sabah radio frequencies (AM, FM, and SW) list from 1989 WRTH Handbook:

List of English radio stations in Brunei.

Here is a list of English radio stations in Brunei: 

1. RTB Pilihan FM 

* FM 95.9MHz: Bandar Seri Begawan, Muara & Tutong

* FM 96.9MHz: Seria & Kuala Belait

- Broadcast hours: 6am to 9am, 12pm to 4pm, then 8pm to 12am

2. RTM Traxx FM

* FM 102.3MHz: Bandar Seri Begawan, Muara & Tutong

* FM 88.9MHz/104.5MHz: Seria & Kuala Belait

- Broadcast hours: 24 hours daily

3. RTM Red FM 

* FM 104.1MHz: Bandar Seri Begawan, Muara & Tutong

* FM 90.7MHz/106.3MHz: Seria & Kuala Belait

- Broadcast hours: 10am to 4pm, then 9pm to 12am

4. RTM Sabah VFM

* FM 102.9MHz: Bandar Seri Begawan & Muara

- English broadcast hours: 12pm to 3pm everyday

5. Hitz FM

* FM 105.8MHz: Kuala Belait & Seria

6. BFBS Radio Brunei

* FM 101.7MHz: Seria & Kuala Belait

7. RTB Pelangi FM (part time)

* FM 91.4MHz: Bandar Seri Begawan, Muara & Tutong

* FM 91.0MHz: Seria & Kuala Belait

8. Kristal FM (part time)

* FM 90.7MHz: Bandar Seri Begawan, Muara & Tutong

* FM 98.7MHz: Seria & Kuala Belait

(Preliminary Analysis) Is Sabah VFM receivable in Long Lama and Marudi, Sarawak via 102.9MHz from Bukit Tampalagus?

6 months ago, I went to Bintulu and Miri, Sarawak during Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday. Back then, I had visited Sebauh, Bintulu, Tatau, Batu Niah, Bekenu and Miri.

When I was in Bekenu, I had captured Sabah VFM 102.9MHz signal from Bukit Tampalagus which covers Sipitang, Labuan, Lawas and part of Brunei. 

Bekenu is a small town, located between Miri and Batu Niah. In Bekenu, Sabah VFM 102.9MHz (Bukit Tampalagus) signal that I caught was very mild, meanwhile I received nothing signal in Miri town on that frequency, however I'm getting interested of tuning Sabah VFM in Long Lama and Marudi.

Based on the radio reception video of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Bekenu, I may not think that I can receive Sabah VFM in Long Lama and Marudi where are more deeper than Miri, Batu Niah and Bekenu. This is because there are many terrains (mountains) in between Bukit Tampalagus and Long Lama, as well as Marudi.

The height of Bukit Tampalagus is approximately 280m above the sea, meanwhile the height of the mountains between Bukit Tampalagus and Long Lama are more than 500m above sea level, so it is impossible to DX Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Long Lama and Marudi.

In addition, I also used the simulated RF coverage map to inspect the coverage availablity of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus transmitter with the required minimum field strength 54dBµV/m, no coverage of this radio station in Long Lama and Marudi, the coverage of Sabah VFM is only available in Sipitang, Lawas, Labuan, part of Limbang and Brunei.

So, the possibility of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz coverage availability in Long Lama and Marudi is very low. Inversely if I can receive the signal in these 2 locations, but there are no potential listeners because Long Lama and Marudi have no Sabahan speakers.

(UPDATE) No signal of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Marudi, Sarawak, video is provided by My Marudian Channel. Thanks to My Marudian Channel for the video.

 

By watching the short video of tuning Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Marudi which filmed by My Marudian Channel, it is definitely impossible to tune this radio station in Long Lama, somewhat it is already very weak in Bekenu and coastal areas of Miri town.

汶萊中文電台廣播列表 (List of Chinese radio stations in Brunei)

以下是汶萊可接收的中文電台:

1. 汶廣中文台 RTB Pilihan FM 

* FM 95.9MHz: 斯里巴加灣市、摩拉、都東

* FM 96.9MHz: 詩里亞、馬來奕縣

- 中文廣播時間: 每天早上9時至早上11時, 下午4時至傍晚7時

2. 馬來西亞國營電台 RTM 愛FM (Ai FM)

* FM 103.3MHz: 斯里巴加灣市、摩拉、都東

* FM 89.9MHz/105.3MHz: 詩里亞、馬來奕縣

- 中文廣播時間: 每天24小時 (包含方言新聞)

3. 馬來西亞國營電台 RTM Red FM 

* FM 104.1MHz: 斯里巴加灣市、摩拉、都東

* FM 90.7MHz/106.3MHz: 詩里亞、馬來奕縣

- 中文廣播時間: 每天早上6時至10時, 下午4時至晚上9時

4. 馬來西亞國營電台 RTM 沙巴 VFM (Sabah VFM) - 有聲茶館

* FM 102.9MHz: 斯里巴加灣市部分地區、摩拉

- 中文廣播時間: 每天早上9時至中午12時 (包含客家語新聞)

5. MY FM

* FM 103.2MHz: 詩里亞、馬來奕縣

- 中文廣播時間: 每天24小時 (包含粵語廣播)

6. Melody FM

* FM 102.4MHz: 詩里亞、馬來奕縣

- 中文廣播時間: 每天24小時 (包含粵語廣播)

* 斯里巴加灣市= Bandar Seri Begawan

* 摩拉= Muara

* 都東= Tutong

* 詩里亞=  Tutong

* 馬來奕縣= Belait

RTM Limbang FM 104.9MHz, Sabah VFM 102.9MHz & Bintulu FM 97.5MHz tuned in Miri, Sarawak (by Shafik 1995 DXers)

1. Limbang FM 104.9MHz Bukit Mas (115km)

2. Sabah VFM 102.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus (196km)

3. Bintulu FM 97.5MHz Bukit Setiam (205km)

RTM Sabah VFM 102.9MHz from Bukit Tampalagus received in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia by Shafik 1995 DXers

In Sarawak, Sabah VFM can be tuned in Lawas, Sundar and part of Limbang, but someone received this radio station signal in Miri, Sarawak.

Throwback November 2021, a radio DXer named Shafik 1995 DXers recorded Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Miri, Sarawak.

Based on his video, I don't think he tuned Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Miri town, but either Piasau or Lutong because the tuning distance that he described was 196km from Bukit Tampalagus.

Same as my radio reception video of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Bekenu, the radio station was airing Kadazan language program.

Sabah VFM 102.9MHz from Bukit Tampalagus is the 2nd furthest radio station tuned in Miri after Bintulu FM 97.5MHz from Bukit Setiam.

When I was in Miri on 11th April 2024 during second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, I could not receive any signal of RTM Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Miri city center, but I tuned it in Bekenu where is 48km from Miri with super weak signal. 

What Shafik 1995 DXers did tune Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Miri could be likely tropospheric propagation, otherwise a normal weak radio reception tuned in coastal area of Miri.

Traxx FM or Sabah FM? Wrong RDS information of FM 102.9MHz in South Johor.

When I was in Johor on 29th September 2024, during my way back home to Balakong in Selangor, I tuned Traxx FM on 102.9MHz (Gunung Pulai) in Sedenak and Simpang Renggam, Johor. Then I saw different RDS text information.

 

The PS (Program Service) is correct as:

TRAXX FM

EXPERI

ENCE

THE

EXCITE

MENT

 

But wrong radio text, written as "radio malaysia sabah fm". 

Traxx FM or Sabah FM?

 

Both radio stations are using same frequency, but different locations. Traxx FM is using FM 102.9MHz in Gunung Pulai for South Johor, meanwhile FM 102.9MHz in Sabah is used by Sabah VFM for Sipitang, Labuan and Lawas, transmitted from Bukit Tampalagus.

 

On other side, I also suspect RTM Traxx FM 102.9MHz Gunung Pulai transmitter may use Sabah VFM old RDS encoder by transferring the encoder from Bukit Tampalagus to Gunung Pulai without editing the radio text.

 

Actually I was listening to Traxx FM on 102.9MHz in Johor, not Sabah VFM. Around 11.51 am, Sabah VFM was airing Chinese program, meanwhile Traxx FM was airing Sunday Breakfast Show with Albert Ng in English which plays the oldies from 1950s till 1980s.

 

RTM can fix Traxx FM's Gunung Pulai transmitter 102.9MHz RDS text information properly.

RTM Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan 106.1MHz & 101.7MHz coverage list (with simulated map)

1. FM 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi (1kW)

* Kuching

* Kota Samarahan

* Bau

* Lundu

* Sematan

* Bau

* Asajaya

* Serikin

* Belawai (Sarikei Division) 

* Sarikei- weak signal

2. FM 101.7MHz Gunung Ampungan (0.5kW)

* Serian

* Simunjan

* Sebuyau

* Siburan 

* Tebedu

* Lingga (Sri Aman Division)

* Pantu (Sri Aman Division)

* Lachau (Sri Aman Division)

* Pusa (Betong Division)

* Saratok (Betong Division)

* Roban (Betong Division)

* Kabong (Betong Division)

* Spaoh (Betong Division)

* Betong- weak signal

* Simanggang (Sri Aman Division)- weak signal

* Engkilili (Sri Aman Division)- weak signal

Green shaded region: 54dBuV/m and above (STEREO and clear radio signal)

 

Yellow shaded region: 30-53dBuV/m (MONO and weak radio signal) 

 

Although Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan targets Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Serian Divisions only, but it can be tuned via 106.1 and 101.7 in part of Sri Aman Division, Betong Division and Sarikei Division where Bidayuh people are very less there. 

List of FM radio frequencies where Malaysia radio stations don't use (by numbers)

* 93.4MHz

* 99.6MHz

* 103.1MHz

* 103.4MHz

* 103.9MHz

* 104.2MHz

* 105.2MHz

* 105.5MHz

* 105.6MHz

* 108.0MHz (cannot be used due to airband transmission)

Bemban ialah kawasan #1 saya di Daerah Jasin, Melaka untuk menerima siaran Pahang FM 107.5MHz dan Selangor FM 100.9MHz yang dipancar dari Gunung Ulu Kali

Pada 29hb September 2024, saya pergi ke Pontian dan Pekan Nanas, Johor untuk aktiviti radio DXing.

Semasa perjalanan pulang dari Pontian ke Balakong (Selangor), saya berhenti di Hentian Sebelah Kampung Bemban, Melaka untuk berehat seketika. Pada masa yang sama, saya cuba menerima siaran Selangor FM 100.9MHz dan Pahang FM 107.5MHz di Bemban, Melaka.

Isyarat sangat lemah bagi kedua-dua stesen radio tersebut, tetapi Pahang FM 107.5MHz mempunyai gangguan frekuensi daripada Melody FM 107.3MHz dan Negeri FM 107.7MHz yang dipancar dari Gunung Ledang, manakala Selangor FM 100.9MHz tiada mempunyai gangguan frekuensi seperti Pahang FM 107.5MHz apabila saya mendengar di Bemban, Melaka.

Jarak penerimaan siaran Pahang FM 107.5MHz dan Selangor FM 100.9MHz dari Gunung Ulu Kali ke Bemban ialah 144km.

Sebelum ini, saya tidak pernah membuat rakaman video siaran Pahang FM dan Selangor FM di kawasan Daerah Jasin, Melaka kerana saya tahu bahawa kedua-dua stesen radio tidak dapat diterima di Jasin, Merlimau, Bemban, Asahan dan Sungai Rambai, tetapi saya boleh menerima siaran radio Pahang FM dan Selangor FM di Bemban, Melaka. Oleh itu, Bemban ialah kawasan pertama saya untuk menerima siaran Selangor FM 100.9MHz dan Pahang FM 107.5MHz di Daerah Jasin, Melaka. Selain itu, Bemban juga ialah kawasan Melaka terbaru dimana saya menerima siaran Selangor FM 100.9MHz dan Pahang FM 107.5MHz selepas Bandar Hilir dan Tanjung Kling.