After receiving Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz Bukit Lambir transmitter in Kota Kinabalu, I received the radio signal of Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz in Tuaran area when I was heading from Kota Kinabalu to Kudat on 21st April 2026 in the morning.
I stuck in the traffic jam in Tuaran when I was driving to Kudat due to a roundabout near the town, then I randomly tuned the radio dial, but I got a radio signal on FM 101.3MHz which was playing Malay hot contemporary songs. So, I took a video of tuning Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz Bukit Lambir transmitter in between Tuaran Town and Batangan Bridge near Tuaran River when I was on the way going to Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Kudat.
I created of new record by receiving Era FM Sarawak FM 101.3MHz in Tuaran, Sabah with a tuning distance at 326km.
No signal of Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz was received anymore after reaching Batangan Bridge.
No signal was receivable in Kota Belud, Kudat and Kota Marudu.
Tuaran becomes the furthest location of tuning Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz in Sabah with 326km distance from Bukit Lambir, beating Kota Kinabalu, but it was a tropospheric propagation because I could hear any signal in Tuaran at noon when I was heading back from Kudat to Kota Kinabalu before going to buy Tuhau Sambal in Tamparuli.
* Frequency: FM 101.3MHz
* Power: 2kW
* Transmitter site: Bukit Lambir, Miri, Sarawak
* Receiving site: Tuaran, Sabah (near Tuaran River and Batangan Bridge)
* Distance: 326km
Even Sabah radio DXer Kisah Alkisah also received Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz in Tuaran, Sabah.
Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz becomes the furthest radio station tuned in Tuaran, Sabah too.
When I had an evening walk in Kota Kinabalu City Centre from the hotel to I LOVE KK landmark, I brought my radio receiver to catch any distant radio signal.
Yes, I had managed to tune Brunei radio stations signal successfully, but surprisingly I caught Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz from Bukit Lambir MIRI in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah near Marlin Fish statue roundabout.
Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz was playing many songs in the evening without any DJs, so I waited for the commercial break patiently in the vicinity of Marlin Fish statue and I LOVE KK landmarks before recording the videos in order to avoid copyright detection.
When Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz started its commercial break, my hard work and patience were finally paid off, then I recorded the signal video immediately for about 90 seconds.
Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz from Bukit Lambir was moderately clear in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah during the radio signal monitoring in the evening, but I classified the radio reception of Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz in Kota Kinabalu as tropospheric propagation because it is not consistently receivable all the time.
In terms of receiving distance, it is 299km from Bukit Lambir to Kota Kinabalu city centre.
==RADIO RECEPTION OF ERA FM SARAWAK 101.3MHz in KOTA KINABALU, SABAH==
* Frequency: FM 101.3MHz
* Power: 2kW
* Transmitter site: Bukit Lambir, Miri, Sarawak
* Receiving site: Jalan Tuan Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (near Marlin Fish statue and I LOVE KK landmark)
* Distance: 299km
* Receiving date/time: 19th April 2026 1837 hours (UTC+8 Malaysia time)/1037 hours (UTC)
Since 19th April 2026, Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz becomes the furthest radio station in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
On the 3rd day (22nd April 2026) of my radio DXpedition in Sabah (PART 2), I paid another visit to Kudat and Kota Marudu, but I mainly focused to check Kota Kinabalu radio stations signal from Bukit Karatong.
From Kota Kinabalu to Kudat, most of Bukit Karatong transmitted radio stations are only receivable up to Kota Belud, then signal becomes weak and zero after Kota Belud during the journey to Kudat and Kota Marudu.
In Kota Marudu, I can only tune RTM radio stations from Bukit Langkon clearly such as Radio Klasik FM 101.6MHz, Nasional FM 90.1MHz, Sabah FM 97.1MHz, Traxx FM 89.0MHz, Ai FM 87.7MHz and Sabah VFM 91.1MHz, but on 22nd April 2026, I could catch 10 radio stations from Bukit Karatong in Kota Marudu town, the videos were recorded opposite Petron Kota Marudu at Jalan Pos where is still in the vicinity of Kota Marudu town.
Jalan Pos is the best location in Kota Marudu, Sabah to catch Kota Kinabalu radio stations from Bukit Karatong with 80km receiving distance.
1. IKIM FM 93.9MHz
2. Eight WuXian FM 95.7MHz
3. Kupi-Kupi FM 96.3MHz
4. Melody FM 98.6MHz
5. Hitz FM 100.8MHz
6. Era FM Sabah 102.4MHz
7. Lite FM 103.2MHz
8. MY FM 104.0MHz
9. Sinar FM 104.9MHz
10. Bernama Radio FM 107.9MHz
All are moderately clear in Kota Marudu town (Jalan Pos), except Melody FM 98.6MHz and Lite FM 103.2MHz. Mix FM 101.6MHz and Hot FM 87.7MHz are not available in Kota Marudu as these frequencies are used by RTM Radio Klasik on 101.6MHz and Ai FM on 87.7MHz, transmitted from Bukit Langkon.
From Kota Marudu to Langkon, Bukit Karatong radio signal became zero after few kilometers from the town when I was heading to Kudat.
In Kudat town, all distant radio stations from Bukit Karatong, Bukit Langkon and Bukit Trig are not receivable due to a strong intermodulation interference of Bukit Kelapa radio transmitter, but Sikuati is the best location in Kudat to tune Kota Kinabalu radio stations from Bukit Karatong such as Kupi-Kupi FM 96.3MHz, Eight WuXian FM 95.7MHz and IKIM FM 93.9MHz. When I was in Kudat town, I could only receive IKIM FM 93.9MHz from Bukit Karatong (118km distance) with intermodulation interference noise of RTM Bukit Kelapa radio stations.
After a full scale of radio DXpedition in Kundasang, Sabah, I visited Keningau and Tenom by driving from Ranau and passing by Tambunan (NOTE: I skipped Tambunan for radio DXpedition because there are no distant radio stations).
Keningau is the biggest town of Interior Division, Sabah, it is an important stopover town for those are driving from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau via Nabawan.
About the radio stations' availability, only RTM radio stations from Bukit Sigapon are available in Keningau and Tenom by following frequencies below:
* Radio Klasik FM 88.5MHz
* Nasional FM 89.3MHz
* Sabah FM 90.3MHz
* Traxx FM 91.1MHz
* Ai FM 92.3MHz
* Sabah VFM 93.1MHz
* Keningau FM 94.7MHz
I tried to perform radio DXpedition there by tuning any radio stations from Kota Kinabalu (BUKIT KARATONG), Limbang (BUKIT MAS) and Brunei (BUKIT SUBOK/ANDULAU) like what I did in Kundasang.
Radio stations from Kota Kinabalu (BUKIT KARATONG) are zero signal in Keningau, Sabah due to Crocker Range (Banjaran Crocker), I also attempted to receive Limbang radio stations from Bukit Mas such as RTM Sarawak FM 101.5MHz, Red FM 104.1MHz, Cats FM 88.7MHz and Limbang FM 104.9MHz, but zero signal in Keningau, Sabah too. Limbang FM 104.9MHz has super mild signal in Keningau, but its signal disappeared quickly.
Surprisingly I received 3 weak Brunei radio stations in Keningau, Sabah.
1. Al-Quran FM 89.1MHz Bukit Subok (142km)
* 200kHz adjacent channel interference noise from RTM Nasional FM 89.3MHz Bukit Sigapon transmitter was detected in Keningau, Sabah.
2. RTB Nur Islam FM 93.3MHz Bukit Subok (142km)
* 200kHz adjacent channel interference
noise from RTM Sabah VFM 93.1MHz Bukit Sigapon transmitter was detected
in Keningau, Sabah.
3. RTB Harmoni FM 97.7MHz Andulau (199km)
Very mild signal was received in Keningau, Sabah. RTB Harmoni FM 97.7MHz from Andulau is the furthest radio station tuned in Keningau, Sabah with 199km distance.
As there is very less DX radio stations in Keningau, Sabah, so I did not spend more time there, instead I continued driving to Tenom for another radio DXpedition and having lunch there.
Same as Keningau, zero signal of Bukit Karatong transmitted Kota Kinabalu radio stations in Tenom, Sabah, but I could receive the distant radio signal from Limbang (BUKIT MAS) and Brunei (BUKIT SUBOK/ANDULAU).
1. RTM Sarawak FM 101.5MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (112km)
2. RTM Red FM 104.1MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (112km)
3. RTM Limbang FM 104.9MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (112km)
4. Cats FM 88.7MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (112km)
5. RTB Nasional FM 93.8MHz Andulau BRUNEI (169km)
6. RTB Nur Islam FM 94.9MHz Andulau BRUNEI (169km)
7. RTB Harmoni FM BRUNEI 94.1MHz Bukit Subok (112km) & 97.7MHz Andulau (169km)
8. RTB Pilihan FM 95.9MHz Bukit Subok BRUNEI (112km)
==RESULT OF RADIO DXPEDITION IN KENINGAU AND TENOM, SABAH==
* Andulau transmitted Brunei radio channels such as RTB Nasional FM 93.8MHz, Nur Islam FM 94.9MHz and Harmoni FM 97.7MHz are the furthest radio stations tuned in Tenom, Sabah, Malaysia with 169km distance.
* In Keningau, RTB Harmoni FM 97.7MHz from Andulau is the furthest radio station with 199km distance.
* Due to Crocker Range, Bukit Karatong transmitted Kota Kinabalu radio stations are zero signal in Keningau, Tambunan and Tenom.
* Among all Bukit Mas transmitted Limbang radio stations in Tenom, Sabah, RTM Limbang FM 104.9MHz is the strongest, meanwhile Cats FM 88.7MHz is the weakest.
* At Tenom coffee bean statue roundabout, Brunei radio stations from Andulau are slightly stronger than Bukit Subok.
* In my opinion, Tenom is a better town than Keningau for radio DXpedition because I could catch more distant radio signal in Tenom than Keningau.
On the 2nd day (21st April 2026) of the radio DXpedition in Sabah (PART 2), I paid a visit to Kundasang and 3 locations in Interior Division of Sabah such as Ranau, Keningau and Tenom.
Kundasang is the most famous destination in Sabah where many people love to visit there because the highland of Sabah looks like "Little Switzerland" or "Switzerland in Sabah". In addition, Kundasang is my core location the most for radio DXpedition among 10-11 locations.
In Kundasang and Ranau, only RTM (Radio Teleivsyen Malaysia) stations from Mount Kinabalu are available by following frequencies below:
* Radio Klasik FM 99.5MHz
* Nasional FM 100.3MHz
* Sabah FM 104.5MHz
* Traxx FM 105.3MHz
* Ai FM 106.3MHz
* Sabah VFM 107.1MHz
When I was in Kundasang, Sabah, I focused to tune 20 weak distant radio stations from various transmitter sites from Kota Kinabalu (BUKIT KARATONG), Limbang (BUKIT MAS), Sandakan (BUKIT TRIG), Brunei (BUKIT SUBOK/ANDULAU).
1. RTM Sarawak FM 101.5MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (222km)
2. RTM Limbang FM 104.9MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (222km)
3. Cats FM 88.7MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (222km)
4. RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz Bukit Trig (169km)
5. Hot FM 87.7MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (41km)
6. IKIM FM 93.9MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (41km)
7. Eight WuXian FM 95.7MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (41km)
8. Kupi-Kupi FM 96.3MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (41km)
9. Hitz FM 100.8MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (41km)
10. Mix FM 101.6MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (41km)
11. Era FM Sabah 102.4MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (41km)
12. Lite FM 103.2MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (41km)
13. MY FM 104.0MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (41km)
14. Bernama Radio FM 107.9MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (41km)
15. Al-Quran FM 89.1MHz Bukit Subok BRUNEI (217km)
16. Kristal FM 90.7MHz BRUNEI Bukit Subok (217km) & 98.7MHz Andulau (275km)
17. RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz Bukit Subok BRUNEI (217km)
18. RTB Nur Islam FM 93.3MHz BRUNEI Bukit Subok (217km) & 94.9MHz Andulau (275km)
19. RTB Harmoni FM 94.1MHz Bukit Subok BRUNEI (217km)
20. RTB Pilihan FM 95.9MHz Bukit Subok BRUNEI (217km)
==Result of th radio DXpedition in Kundasang, Sabah==
* RTB Nur Islam FM 94.9MHz from Andulau, Brunei is the furthest radio station tuned in Kundasang, Sabah with 275km distance.
* RTB Nasional FM 92.3MHz Brunei from Bukit Subok has co-channel interference with RTM Ai FM 92.3MHz Bukit Sigapon transmitter in Kundasang, Sabah, so I skipped this radio station.
* All radio stations from Bukit Karatong, Bukit Sigapon and Bukit Mas are very weak in Kundasang.
* Excluding RTB Nasional FM 92.3MHz, all Brunei radio stations have moderately weak signal in Kundasang, Sabah.
* Melody FM 98.6MHz Bukit Karatong transmitter has no signal in Kundasang, Sabah, meanwhile Sinar FM 104.9MHz is not receivable in Kundasang due to RTM Limbang FM 104.9MHz from Bukit Mas transmitter.
From
Kota Kinabalu to Ranau, Kundasang is the last coverage of Bukit
Karatong transmitted Kota Kinabalu radio stations with super weak
signal. Then, no signal after Kundasang town center when I was heading
to Ranau.
I forgot to record the radio signal of Keningau FM 94.7MHz in Kundasang, Sabah, but Cock DXer had managed to tune it 3 months ago in same location with 98km distance from Bukit Sigapon, the signal was moderately weak.
After having breakfast and radio DXpedition in Kundasang, I drove to Ranau for radio DXpedition before entering Keningau and Tenom. Ranau town is not far from Kundasang, it is a stopover town between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. In Ranau, I manage to tune 7 weak distant radio stations randomly from Sandakan (BUKIT TRIG), Brunei (BUKIT SUBOK), Keningau (BUKIT SIGAPON) and Limbang (BUKIT MAS) by following below.
1. Al-Quran FM 89.1MHz Bukit Subok BRUNEI (222km)
2. RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz Bukit Trig (158km)
3. RTM Keningau FM 94.7MHz Bukit Sigapon (102km)
4. RTM Sarawak FM 101.5MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (227km)
5. Hitz FM 99.8MHz Bukit Trig SANDAKAN (158km)
6. MY FM 100.6MHz Bukit Trig SANDAKAN (158km)
7. Melody FM 102.2MHz Bukit Trig SANDAKAN (158km)
==RESULT OF THE DISTANT RADIO RECEPTION IN RANAU, SABAH==
* RTM Sarawak FM 101.5MHz from Bukit Mas LIMBANG is the furthest radio station tuned in Ranau town with 227km distance, meanwhile the 1st runner of furthest radio station in Ranau is Al-Quran FM 89.1MHz from Bukit Subok Brunei with 222km distance.
* Al-Quran FM 89.1MHz is the only Brunei radio station tuned weakly in Ranau, Sabah.
* Although Keningau FM 94.7MHz Bukit Sigapon transmitter mainly targets Tenom, Keningau and Tambunan, but I could detect the signal in Ranau weakly. Ranau is my second distant location to receive this radio station after Labuan. In addition, by calculating the receiving distance from Bukit Sigapon, Ranau is the furthest town where I tuned RTM Keningau FM 94.7MHz with 102km distance.
* No signal to tune any Kota Kinabalu radio stations from Bukit Karatong in Ranau town. Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz and Sinar FM 106.9MHz from Bukit Trig SANDAKAN have no signal too in Ranau town, Sabah.
After completing the radio DXpedition in Beaufort, I continued to drive to Menumbok with 1 hour duration.
Menumbok is a popular small town in Kuala Penyu District, Interior Division of Sabah where many people visit Labuan Island via ferry from the Menumbok ferry terminal.
Regarding the radio stations' availability, Menumbok is same as Labuan, but no signal to receive Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz from Bukit Lambir in Menumbok like what I tuned in Bandar Victoria, Labuan Island.
The people in Menumbok, Sabah can only tune clear radio stations from RTM (Radio Televisyen Malaysia) which are transmitted from Bukit Tampalagus, Sipitang by following below:
* Radio Klasik FM 95.5MHz
* Nasional FM 96.5MHz
* Sabah FM 97.9MHz
* Traxx FM 99.1MHz
* Ai FM 99.9MHz
* Sabah VFM 102.9MHz
In Menumbok, Sabah, I managed to receive 12 distant radio stations randomly, transmitted from Kota Kinabalu (Bukit Karatong), Limbang (Bukit Mas), Brunei (Bukit Subok) and Labuan.
1. Hitz FM 100.8MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (123km)
2. Mix FM 101.6MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (123km)
3. MY FM 104.0MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (123km)
4. Eight WuXian FM 95.7MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (123km)
5. Kupi-Kupi FM 96.3MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (123km)
6. IKIM FM 93.9MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (123km)
7. RTM Sarawak FM 101.5MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (74km)
8. RTM Red FM 104.1MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (74km)
9. RTM Limbang FM 104.9MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (74km)
10. Cats FM 88.7MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (74km)
11. RTM Labuan FM 89.4MHz Bukit Timbalai (21km) & 103.7MHz RTM Labuan (12km)
12. RTB Harmoni FM 94.1MHz Bukit Subok BRUNEI (65km)
Bukit Karatong transmitted radio stations in Menumbok have same radio reception in Labuan, but Bukit Mas transmitted Sarawak radio stations in Menumbok are weaker than the radio reception in Labuan.
Brunei radio stations are still clear in Menumbok, Sabah, same signal quality like what I tuned in Labuan last year.
Menumbok is the first and only location in Sabah where I can listen to RTM Labuan FM on 89.4MHz from Bukit Timbalai transmitter. RTM Labuan FM operates 2 frequencies in Labuan with 89.4MHz Bukit Timbalai and 103.7MHz RTM Labuan, I performed radio signal comparison of both frequencies in Menumbok, Sabah on 19th April 2026, Labuan FM 89.4MHz was better than 103.7MHz.
The radio reception in Menumbok and Labuan are almost same because both are adjacent each other with the sea, except RTM Labuan FM and Bukit Mas transmitted Sarawak radio stations.
On the first day (19th April 2026) of my radio DXpedition in Sabah (PART 2), I drove to Beaufort and Menumbok after landing at Kota Kinabalu International Airport for my brunch and radio DXing activity.
Beaufort was my first town of radio DXpedition, together with brunch meal, then I drove to Menumbok after completing the radio DXpedition in Beaufort.
In Beaufort, the radio stations from Bukit Karatong (Kota Kinabalu), Bukit Mas (Limbang) and Brunei (Bukit Subok) are still receivable, but moderately weak.
1. Hitz FM 100.8MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (92km)
2. Mix FM 101.6MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (92km)
3. Era FM Sabah 102.4MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (92km)
4. MY FM 104.0MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (92km)
5. Eight WuXian FM 95.7MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (92km)
6. Kupi-Kupi FM 96.3MHz Bukit Karatong KOTA KINABALU (92km)
7. Al-Quran FM 89.1MHz Bukit Subok BRUNEI (101km)
8. RTB Nasional FM 92.3MHz Bukit Subok BRUNEI (101km)
9. RTB Nur Islam FM 93.3MHz Bukit Subok BRUNEI (101km)
10. RTB Pilihan FM 95.9MHz Bukit Subok BRUNEI (101km)
11. RTM Sarawak FM 101.5MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (105km)
Hitz FM 100.8MHz, Era FM Sabah 102.4MHz and Eight WuXian FM 95.7MHz are the strongest Bukit Karatong transmitted radio stations in Beaufort, Sabah, but Mix FM 101.6MHz is the weakest radio station there and it has interference with RTM Sarawak FM 101.5MHz.
Al-Quran FM 89.1MHz is the strongest Brunei radio station in Beaufort.
RTM Sarawak FM 101.5MHz and Cats FM 88.7MHz are the only Sarawak radio stations which are weakly available in Beaufort, meanwhile Red FM 104.1 MHz and Limbang FM 104.9MHz are not receivable in Beaufort.
About the radio coverage of Bukit Karatong transmitter from Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) to Lawas (Sarawak), Beaufort is the last town of Bukit Karatong radio coverage.
Back to November 2019, I was used to tune KK12FM 89.5MHz and Kupi-Kupi FM 96.3MHz in Beaufort.
RTM radio stations are covered by Bukit Gadong and Bukit Tampalagus transmitters in Beaufort.
* Radio Klasik FM 88.0MHz Bukit Gadong/95.5MHz Bukit Tampalagus
* Nasional FM 89.9MHz Bukit Gadong/96.5MHz Bukit Tampalagus
* Sabah FM 89.3MHz Bukit Gadong/97.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus
* Traxx FM 90.7MHz Bukit Gadong/99.1MHz Bukit Tampalagus
* Ai FM 91.6MHz Bukit Gadong/99.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus * Sabah VFM 92.6MHz Bukit Gadong/102.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus
When I was in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, I could tune Brunei FM radio stations from Bukit Subok which mainly covers Bandar Seri Begawan and Temburong, even Andulau transmitted Brunei radio stations for Kuala Belait can be received in Kota Kinabalu too.
On 19th and 20th April 2026, I tuned 6 Brunei radio stations in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia near I LOVE KK statue.
5 radio stations from RTB (Radio Televisyen Brunei) and 1 radio station from Kristal Media.
1. Kristal Media Al-Quran FM 89.1MHz Bukit Subok (174km)
2. RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz Bukit Subok (174km)
3. RTB Nasional FM 92.3MHz Bukit Subok (174km)
4. RTB Nur Islam FM 93.3MHz Bukit Subok (173-175km) & 94.9MHz Andulau (229-230km)
5. RTB Harmoni FM 94.1MHz Bukit Subok (174km) & 97.7MHz Andulau (230km)
6. RTB Pilihan FM 95.9MHz Bukit Subok (174km)
Videos were recorded at Jalan Tuan Fuad Stephens. Kristal FM 90.7MHz is not available in Kota Kinabalu due to Traxx FM 90.7MHz Lawa Mandau transmitter.
RTB Nur Islam FM 93.3MHz has co-channel interference with Cats FM 93.3MHz Bukit Lambir transmitter sometimes in Kota Kinabalu.
The signal quality of these Brunei radio stations were moderately clear in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah due to tropospheric propagation.
