A blog site about Malaysia's broadcasting stories by Philip Yong. I'm owning TECSUN PL-380, Samsung Galaxy V Plus and Panasonic RF-P50 receivers.
==FM 101.3MHz Gunung Serapi==
1. Simanggang, Sarawak (147km)
2. Betong, Sarawak (151km)
3. Engkilili, Sarawak (172km)
4. Spaoh, Sarawak (145km)
5. Debak, Sarawak (138km)
6. Saratok, Sarawak (129km)
7. Roban, Sarawak (129km)
8. Pusa, Sarawak (120km)
9. Kabong, Sarawak (106km)
1. Simanggang, Sarawak
* Tuning frequency: 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi & 101.7MHz Gunung Ampungan
* Distance: 147km (for 106.1MHz) & 94km (for 101.7MHz)
* Result: 106.1MHz is slightly stronger than 101.7MHz
2. Betong, Sarawak
* Tuning frequency: 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi
* Distance: 151km
* Result: 106.1MHz signal is extremely weak; 101.7MHz has no signal in Betong.
3. Engkilili, Sarawak
* Tuning frequency: 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi & 101.7MHz Gunung Ampungan
* Distance: 172km (for 106.1MHz); 112km (for 101.7MHz)
* Result: 106.1MHz is slightly stronger than 101.7MHz
4. Spaoh, Sarawak
* Tuning frequency: 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi & 101.7MHz Gunung Ampungan
* Distance: 145km (for 106.1MHz); 102km (for 101.7MHz)
* Result: Both are very difficult to be tuned in Spaoh, but 106.1MHz has more signal than 101.7MHz
5. Debak, Sarawak
* Tuning frequency: 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi
* Distance: 138km
* Note: No signal on FM 101.7MHz in Debak.
6. Saratok, Sarawak
* Tuning frequency: 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi
* Distance: 129km
* Note: Very weak signal on FM 101.7MHz in Saratok.
7. Roban, Sarawak
* Tuning frequency: 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi
* Distance: 129km
* Note: No signal on 101.7MHz in Roban.
8. Pusa, Sarawak (by Cock DXer)
* Tuning frequency: 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi
* Distance: 120km
9. Sarikei, Sarawak
* Tuning frequency: 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi
* Distance: 158-161km
10. Pakan, Sarawak
* Tuning frequency: 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi
* Distance: 168km
11. Lingga, Sarawak
* Tuning frequency: 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi
* Distance: 113km
* Result: 106.1MHz is stronger than 101.7MHz
12. Lachau, Sarawak
* Tuning frequency: 101.7MHz Gunung Ampungan
* Distance: 64km
* Result: 101.7MHz is stronger than 106.1MHz
Lawas District of Limbang Division such as Lawas, Sundar and Trusan are the only locations to receive RTM Sabah VFM loudly and clearly by tuning the frequency 102.9MHz from Bukit Tampalagus transmitter in Sarawak, meanwhile it is extremely weak and almost zero signal in Miri, Marudi and Bekenu.
RTM Sabah VFM 102.9MHz has no signal in Limbang town center, Sarawak due to terrain.
Do you know? Alongside RTM Klik, Astro CH870 and MYTV CH708, Sabah VFM can be tuned in entire Sarawak region via shortwave frequency on SW 11885kHz (from 8am to 8pm only).
On 8th November 2026, after landing at Kuching airport, as AirAsia delayed my flight due to technical issue, I decided to drop by Kuching city center to record the radio reception video of Sabah VFM SW 11885kHz at the vicinity of Kuching Waterfront before going to Lubok Antu, Lingga and Simanggang at 10:15am. Hence, I don't even need to make this video on 18th April 2027.
Although RTM Sabah VFM SW 11885kHz mainly targets rural areas in Sabah region, but it is loud and clear in Kuching, Sarawak.
==RTM Sabah VFM SW 11885kHz radio reception in Kuching, Sarawak==
* Frequency: SW 11885kHz
* Power: 100kW
* Transmitter site: RTM Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
* Receiving site: Kuching, Sarawak (Kuching Waterfront)
* Bandwidth: 4kHz
* Distance: 965km
* Receiving date/time: 08.11.2026 1009H (UTC+8)/0209H (UTC)
To tune RTM Sabah VFM on SW 11885kHz elsewhere in Sarawak and Sabah, the listeners just need to use the radio receivers which have shortwave band (SW).
From 2019 to 2026, I have been visiting Sarawak for 8 times. In 2019, I went to Sarawak twice due to my career as junior broadcast technician to install the transmitter systems for Cats FM in Kapit and Lawas. Then, I started to have radio DXing activities in Sarawak since April 2024.
As today, by divisions of Sarawak, I have visited Kuching, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Mukah, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, part of Kapit and part of Limbang.
In my opinion, by comparing all the radio reception videos in various Sarawak locations, Sri Aman is the best division to run distant radio signal monitoring activity because Sri Aman Division has more distant FM radio stations than other divisions in Sarawak such as Sibu, Bintulu, Sarikei, Miri and Mukah.
Sri Aman (Simanggang) has 10 distant radio stations.
1. Kupi-Kupi FM 92.5MHz (128km from Bukit Djin)
2. Hot FM 94.3MHz (147km from Gunung Serapi)
3. Eight WuXian FM 98.3MHz (128km from Bukit Djin)
4. Bernama Radio FM 100.9MHz (128km from Bukit Antu)
5. RTM Wai FM Iban FM 101.3MHz (147km from Gunung Serapi)
6. RTM Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan 106.1MHz (147km from Gunung Serapi)
7. Tea FM 102.7MHz (128km from Bukit Antu)
8. Kool FM 104.3MHz (143km from Bukit Djin)
9. RTM Sibu FM 94.6MHz (68km from Bukit Kayu Malam)
10. Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Sintang PRO-1 FM 95.0MHz (54km from TVRI Badau repeater)
In Sri Aman Division, I have conducted radio signal monitoring activities in Simanggang, Engkilili, Lubok Antu, Lingga and Lachau.
Alongside radio DXpedition activity, Simanggang is the peaceful and relaxing town in Sarawak.
On 8th November 2026, I stayed overnight at Seri Simanggang Hotel after having radio DXing activity in Lubok Antu and Lingga.
Regarding the local delicacy, Satay Mee is the famous food in Sri Aman, Sarawak. I enjoyed eating this local delicacy in Simanggang town as breakfast yesterday before going to Kuching Airport.
In addition, Sri Aman has Batang Lupar 2 bridge which was officially opened to the public last week, it is getting nearer to travel from Simanggang to Betong with 25 minutes traveling duration. With the radio DXing video content in Sri Aman, the people can identify the coverage of distant radio stations from Kuching when they travel from Sri Aman to Betong via Batang Lupar 2 bridge.
Despite Sri Aman is under the coverage of Bukit Temudok transmitter for local radio stations, but it is the best location to catch distant radio stations signal in Sarawak among all.
==Photos of Simanggang town (19th May 2025 & 8th November 2026) ==
==Photos of Batang Lupar 2 bridge==
==Photos of Seri Simanggang Hotel room==
"Eight無限"在砂拉越古晉設有收聽頻道, 頻率是FM 98.3MHz.
除了古晉和周邊地區 (三瑪拉漢, 西連, 石龍門), 從古晉開車到詩巫或美里, 聽眾還可以在斯里阿曼省部分地區繼續通過FM 98.3MHz收聽"Eight無限", 只不過線路不清而已.
我在砂拉越邦斯里阿曼的幾個地區錄製 "Eight無限" FM 98.3MHz的訊號短片.
1. 成邦江 Simanggang
2. 龍芽 Lingga
3. 泛婆羅大道的拉招小鎮 Lachau
4. 英吉利里 Engkilili
在泛婆羅大道, 從古晉到詩巫, "Eight無限" FM 98.3MHz最多只能在斯里阿曼省的英吉利里收到很弱的廣播. "Eight無限" FM 98.3MHz從砂拉越木中 (Betong) 開始就沒有訊號了, 所以聽眾只能通過線上方式繼續收聽這家電台, 但"Eight無限" FM 98.3MHz在木中省一些地區如實拉卓 (Saratok)和普沙 (Pusa)可以收到比較弱的訊號.
整體上 "Eight無限" FM 98.3MHz只能在古晉, 石龍門, 三瑪拉漢, 西連和斯里阿曼部分地區收到廣播.
Previously in May 2025, I had managed to record the radio reception videos of RTM Wai FM Iban and Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan in each town from Simanggang to Roban by tuning the frequencies from Gunung Serapi (101.3MHz Iban and 106.1MHz Bidayuh).
Both RTM Wai FM Iban and Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan have Serian frequencies, transmitted from Gunung Ampungan.
Iban: 106.9MHz
Bidayuh/Kayan: 101.7MHz
On Pan Borneo Highway from Serian to Simanggang town, Wai FM Iban 106.9MHz and Bidayuh/Kayan 101.7MHz can be tuned until Lachau, then the signal becomes weak after Bukit Bangunan.
RTM Wai FM Iban 106.9MHz and Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan 101.7MHz from Gunung Ampungan are still clear in Lachau, meanwhile 101.3MHz (Iban) and 106.1MHz (Bidayuh/Kayan) from Gunung Serapi are very weak in Lachau, Sarawak.
For Wai FM Iban listeners, although they can tune to Wai FM Iban in Lachau loudly and clearly via Sri Aman FM 89.5MHz from Bukit Temudok transmitter, but they can switch alternatively to 106.9MHz from Gunung Ampungan in Lachau, Sarawak when Sri Aman FM 89.5MHz airs 3 hours Malay local program from 9am to 12pm daily and 1 hour Malay Ramadan program from 6pm to 7pm during Muslims' Ramadan month annually.
Lachau is my latest location in Sri Aman Division, Sarawak to tune Wai FM Iban and Bidayuh, but via Serian frequencies (106.9MHz Iban & 101.7MHz Bidayuh/Kayan).
From Kuching to Sri Aman, 3 of Media Prima Audio (MPA) radio stations such as Hot FM 94.3MHz, Kool FM 104.3MHz and Eight WuXian FM 98.3MHz can be tuned clearly up to Lachau, Sarawak where Lachau is located in west part of Sri Aman Disivion (not far from Balai Ringin in Serian).
Here are the radio reception videos of MPA radio stations in Lachau, Sarawak where I record today while on the way to Kuching and Bau before flying back to Kuala Lumpur.
1. Hot FM 94.3MHz (124km from Gunung Serapi)
2. Kool FM 104.3MHz (106km from Bukit Djin)
3. Eight WuXian FM 98.3MHz (106km from Bukit Djin)
Compare to Simanggang where I recorded last year, these MPA radio stations in Lachau are clearer.
Hot FM 94.3MHz is still clear in Lachau without interference noise from RTM Sarawak FM 94.4MHz Off Spaoh transmitter like what I tuned in Simanggang town last year.
Kool FM 104.3MHz in Lachau has clearer signal than Simanggang and Engkilili.
Eight WuXian FM 98.3MHz is the most powerful Kuching's Chinese radio station in Sri Aman (Lachau, Simanggang and Lingga) by comparing to Tea FM 102.7MHz, meanwhile Astro Audio Chinese radio stations such as MY FM 96.9MHz and Melody FM 103.7MHz have no signal in Sri Aman, Sarawak, despite these radio stations are transmitted from Bukit Djin.
After Lachau, the radio signal of Hot FM 94.3MHz, Eight WuXian FM 98.3MHz and Kool FM 104.3MHz become very weak while heading to Simanggang or Engkilili.
Lachau is the best location to tune these MPA radio stations in Sri Aman Division of Sarawak, following by Lingga, Simanggang and Engkilili.
==MPA radio stations reception in Simanggang, Sarawak (2025)==
==MPA radio stations reception in Lingga, Sarawak (including other non-MPA radio stations)==
==MPA radio stations reception in Engkilili, Sarawak (2025)==
==MPA radio stations reception in Saratok, Sarawak (2025)==
* 88.1MHz: RTM Nasional FM (Gunung Serapi)
* 88.9MHz: RTM Sarawak FM (Gunung Serapi)
* 89.9MHz: RTM Traxx FM (Gunung Serapi)
* 90.7MHz: RTM Ai FM (Gunung Serapi)
* 91.9MHz: RTM Red FM (Gunung Serapi)
* 92.5MHz: Kupi-Kupi FM (Bukit Djin) - weak signal
* 92.9MHz: RTM Radio Klasik (Gunung Serapi)
* 93.7MHz: IKIM FM (Bukit Djin)
* 94.3MHz: Hot FM (Gunung Serapi)
* 95.3MHz: Hitz FM (Bukit Djin)
* 96.1MHz: Era FM Sarawak (Bukit Djin)
* 96.9MHz: MY FM (Bukit Djin)
* 97.7MHz: Mix FM (Bukit Djin)
* 98.3MHz: Eight WuXian (Bukit Djin)
* 99.3MHz: Cats FM (Gunung Serapi)
* 100.1MHz: Lite FM (Bukit Djin)
* 100.9MHz: Bernama Radio (Bukit Antu)
* 101.3MHz: RTM Wai FM Iban (Gunung Serapi)
* 102.1MHz: Sinar FM (Bukit Djin)
* 102.7MHz: Tea FM (Bukit Antu)
* 103.7MHz: Melody FM (Bukit Djin)
* 104.3MHz: Kool FM (Bukit Djin)
* 106.1MHz: RTM Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan (Gunung Serapi)
Total: 23 local radio stations in Bau, Sarawak
==Receiving distance from transmitter sites to Bau, Sarawak==
* Bukit Djin/Antu: 26km
* Gunung Serapi: 19km
After having radio signal monitoring in Lubok Antu, I proceed to Lingga, Sarawak in the evening to continue my radio DXpedition. Before driving to Lingga, I take a break at Seri Simanggang Hotel in Sri Aman.
Lingga is a small town in Sri Aman Division, it is 49km from Simanggang town.
Generally Lingga is under the coverage of Bukit Temudok radio transmitter, but several Kuching radio stations from Gunung Serapi and Bukit Djin can be received there.
Same as Simanggang where I did in May 2025, I record several Kuching radio stations in Lingga by following below:
1. RTM Wai FM Iban (101.3MHz Gunung Serapi) & Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan (106.1MHz Gunung Serapi)
2. Hot FM 94.3MHz Gunung Serapi
3. Eight WuXian FM 98.3MHz Bukit Djin
4. Kool FM 104.3MHz Bukit Djin
5. Tea FM 102.7MHz Bukit Antu
6. Kupi-Kupi FM 92.5MHz Bukit Antu
7. Bernama Radio FM 100.9MHz Bukit Antu
==Radio reception results in Lingga, Sarawak==
1. Kupi-Kupi FM 92.5MHz is almost zero signal in Lingga.
2. Hot FM 94.3MHz and Kool FM 104.3MHz are the clearest Kuching radio stations in Lingga.
3. Eight WuXian FM 98.3MHz and Tea FM 102.7MHz are moderately weak.
==RTM Wai FM (Iban & Bidayuh/Kayan) coverage in Lingga, Sarawak==
In Lingga, same as Sebuyau, Simanggang and Maludam, Gunung Serapi transmitted Wai FM (Iban 101.3MHz and Bidayuh/Kayan 106.1MHz) are much clearer than Gunung Ampungan transmitter (Iban 106.9MHz and Bidayuh/Kayan 101.7MHz).
Hence, RTM Wai FM is tuned in Lingga, Sarawak via Gunung Serapi transmitter (Iban 101.3MHz and Bidayuh/Kayan 106.1MHz).
==Radio stations list in Lingga, Sarawak==
* RTM Radio Klasik FM 107.3MHz Bukit Temudok
* RTM Nasional FM 98.9MHz Bukit Temudok
* RTM Sarawak FM 100.3MHz Bukit Temudok
* RTM Traxx FM 103.8MHz Bukit Temudok
* RTM Ai FM 106.3MHz Bukit Temudok
* RTM Red FM 106.3MHz Bukit Temudok
* RTM Sri Aman FM 89.5MHz Bukit Temudok
* RTM Sibu FM 94.6MHz Bukit Kayu Malam Sarikei (weak)
* Cats FM 88.7MHz Bukit Temudok
* Hot FM 94.3MHz Gunung Serapi Kuching
* Kupi-Kupi FM 92.5MHz Bukit Djin Kuching (super weak)
* Eight FM 98.3MHz Bukit Djin Kuching (weak)
* Kool FM 104.3MHz Bukit Djin Kuching (moderately clear)
* Bernama Radio FM 100.9MHz Bukit Antu Kuching (weak)
* Tea FM 102.7MHz Bukit Antu Kuching (weak)
* RTM Wai FM Bidayuh FM 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi Kuching
* RTM Wai FM Iban 101.3MHz Gunung Serapi Kuching
On 8th November 2026, I pay a visit to Sarawak again after 1 year hiatus, but today I visit Lubok Antu and Lingga in Sri Aman Division to conduct radio DXpedition.
In Lubok Antu, I could only receive these radio stations from Bukit Temudok tower, but weaker signal.
* Cats FM 88.7MHz
* RTM Radio Klasik FM 107.3MHz
* RTM Nasional FM 98.9MHz
* RTM Sarawak FM 100.3MHz
* RTM Traxx FM 103.8MHz
* RTM Ai FM 105.3MHz
* RTM Red FM 106.3MHz
* RTM Sri Aman FM 89.5MHz
Distance is 43km from Bukit Temudok to Lubok Antu.
RTM has Lubok Antu gap filler transmitter which operates Nasional FM 97.0MHz and Sarawak FM 98.4MHz. Although their signal are good, but audio quality of 97.0MHz and 98.4MHz are poor because they are too soft.
No signal of tuning RTM Wai FM Bidayuh (106.1MHz & 101.7MHz), Wai FM Iban (101.3MHz & 106.9MHz) and Hot FM 94.3MHz in Lubok Antu, Sarawak.
Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Sintang PRO-1 FM 102.5MHz (also on FM 95.0MHz from Badau repeater) is the only Indonesia radio station available in Lubok Antu, Sarawak, Malaysia with weak signal condition.
No signal to tune RRI Sintang PRO-2 FM 90.7MHz and PRO-3 FM 96.6MHz due to lower power transmission.
