(UPDATE) RTM Sibu FM 102.1MHz Bukit Singgalang transmitter radio reception in Balingian, Sarawak

Today Cock DXer visits Balingian, Sarawak for radio signal check in conjunction with his event in Mukah, so I drop a radio reception request.

 

Balingian is a small town in Mukah Division, but it is not far from Bintulu Division border.

 

RTM Sibu FM has Mukah frequency on 98.7MHz, but it covers only Mukah town and Dalat. In Daro, Belawai and Matu, Sibu FM is tuned on 94.6MHz from Bukit Kayu Malam transmitter.

 

Cock DXer has recorded a video of tuning RTM Sibu FM 102.1MHz in Balingian, Sarawak, transmitted from Bukit Singgalang just evening.

 

 

Sibu FM is still receivable in Balingian, Sarawak via Bukit Singgalang transmitter on the frequency 102.1MHz, but the signal is weak.

 

In my opinion, after watching the radio reception video of RTM Sibu FM 102.1MHz in Balingian, Sarawak which recorded by Cock DXer, the signal is weak like what I tuned in Daro and Matu. The radio reception of RTM Sibu FM 102.1MHz in Balingian is same as Daro and Matu where Sibu FM 102.1MHz is weak in 3 towns. 

 

Balingian = Daro = Matu = Bintangor

 

Previously I had rolled out the coverage of RTM Sibu FM 102.1MHz Bukit Singgalang transmitter and zoomed the map of Balingian area, by comparing with the radio reception video, the simulated coverage map of Sibu FM 102.1MHz is not accurate.

 

As Sibu FM and Bintulu FM mostly relay from RTM Wai FM Iban, the weak radio reception of RTM Sibu FM 102.1MHz in Balingian, Sarawak does not affect Iban listeners in that small town between Mukah and Bintulu because Iban people can tune Wai FM Iban via Bintulu FM 97.5MHz (TX_Bukit Setiam) loudly and clearly in Balingian, Sarawak. 

 

Compare with the radio reception between Sibu FM 102.1MHz (Bukit Singgalang) and Bintulu FM 97.5MHz (Bukit Setiam) in Balingian, Iban listeners who tune RTM Wai FM programs in Balingian would have already tuned it via Bintulu FM 97.5MHz, instead of Sibu FM 102.1MHz because Bintulu FM 97.5MHz is louder and clearer than Sibu FM 102.1MHz in Balingian, Sarawak.

 

Sibu FM only broadcasts 3 hours Malay program daily from 9am to 12pm, but Balingian listeners who tune 3 hours Malay programs on Sibu FM can tune it alternatively by downloading RTM Klik or listening on Sibu FM's Facebook LIVE if they cannot receive Sibu FM 102.1MHz clearly in Balingian, Sarawak.

 

From Mukah to Bintulu, RTM Sibu FM 102.1MHz Bukit Singgalang transmitter becomes weak in Balingian, then the signal goes disappeared after Balingian when heading to Kuala Tatau. In Mukah Division, Balingian is the final coverage of RTM Sibu FM 102.1MHz Bukit Singgalang transmitter with weak signal.

 

==RTM Sibu FM radio reception in Balingian, Sarawak by Cock DXer (@Sarawakian_12)== 

- Frequency: FM 102.1MHz

- Power: 1kW

- Transmitter site: Bukit Singgalang, Selangau, Sarawak

- Receiving site: Balingian, Mukah Division, Sarawak

- Distance: 64km

- Signal condition: Weak (3.5/10 rating) 

 

==Wai FM Iban in Balingian, Sarawak==

* Suggestion: Tune it on FM 97.5MHz

 

==Sibu FM 3 hours Malay program, tune in Balingian, Sarawak== 

* FM radio frequency platform: FM 102.1MHz Bukit Singgalang (weak signal)

* Alternative platform: RTM Klik (mobile app), online streaming or Sibu FM's Facebook LIVE 

FM 90.5MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk is the alternative frequency of Minnal FM in Northwest Melaka when FM 103.3MHz Gunung Ledang transmitter suffers co-channel interference from Era FM Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter.

Generally RTM Minnal FM is tuned on FM 103.3MHz from Gunung Ledang in Melaka, but there is co-channel interference from Era FM 103.3MHz Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter in certain areas of Melaka. This is because Minnal FM and Era FM are sharing same frequency which is on 103.3MHz.

Gunung Ulu Kali radio signal can overspill to coastal areas in Melaka, from Kuala Sungai Baru to Bandar Hilir. When Gunung Ulu Kali and Gunung Ledang radio stations are using same frequency, it causes co-channel interference in Melaka.

Minnal FM 103.3MHz Gunung Ledang transmitter is interfered by Era FM 103.3MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali in Kuala Sungai Baru, Lubok Cina, Masjid Tanah, Sungai Udang and Tanjung Kling where are located across coastal of Melaka, however the co-channel interference between Minnal FM and Era in Melaka does not affect the listeners because the listeners can tune via alternative frequency.

In Masjid Tanah, Kuala Sungai Baru, Sungai Udang, Lubok Cina and Tanjung Kling of Melaka state, RTM Minnal FM can be tuned loudly and clearly on 90.5MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk, meanwhile FM 96.3MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali is another weak alternative frequency in Northwest Melaka.

Era is already tuned on FM 90.3MHz from Gunung Ledang in Melaka, but it can also be tuned on FM 103.6MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk if FM 90.3MHz has adjacent channel interference from Minnal FM 90.5MHz in Northwest Melaka.

Dear all Minnal FM's listeners who tune in Melaka, if you detect co-channel interference from Era when you tune Minnal FM on 103.3MHz in Melaka, please tune alternatively on 90.5MHz which is Seremban frequency from Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter tower.

This is my video of tuning RTM Minnal FM 90.5MHz in Masjid Tanah, Melaka where I recorded 3 years ago on 30th April 2023.

RTM Nasional FM and Sabah VFM are now officially available on shortwave frequencies. SW 15295kHz for Nasional FM; SW 11885kHz for Sabah VFM.

 

Dear all shortwave listeners, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has officially launched Nasional FM and Sabah VFM on shortwave frequencies since April 2026.

 

Nasional FM is on SW 15295kHz, meanwhile Sabah VFM is on SW 11885kHz, both are transmitted from RTM Kajang shortwave transmitter masts. 

 

Nasional FM SW 15295kHz transmits at 10kW power with non-directional antenna to target nationwide, meanwhile Sabah VFM SW 11885kHz transmits at 100kW power and beams at 93DEG angle to target East Malaysia. (Source: short-wave.info)

 

Although many people listen to the radio digitally via online streaming and mobile app, but shortwave radio is still relevant because it targets the rural areas where have no coverage of internet and FM transmission.

 

Nasional FM has many gap filler FM transmitters across Malaysia, but some of gap filler FM transmitters in remote areas are malfunction, so these areas are backed up by shortwave transmitter SW 15295kHz when gap filler transmitters are down.

 

Sabah VFM has no coverage in the areas between Nabawan and Tawau, so its shortwave frequencies mainly cover the rural areas in Sabah. 

 

Alongside Sabah, RTM Sabah VFM also can be received in Sarawak via shortwave frequency SW 11885kHz.

 

Broadcast hours of Nasional FM 15295kHz and Sabah VFM 11885kHz are from 0000 hours to 1200 hours (UTC), meanwhile local broadcast hours are from 0800 hours to 2000 hours. 

 

Frekuensi IKIM FM di seluruh Malaysia

* 91.5MHz: Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang Barat & Perak Selatan (Gunung Ulu Kali)

* 102.7MHz: Negeri Sembilan & Jerantut (Gunung Telapak Buruk)

* 89.5MHz: Melaka & Johor Utara (Gunung Ledang)

* 106.2MHz: Johor Selatan & Singapura (Gunung Pulai)

* 89.0MHz: Kedah, Perlis, Pulau Pinang & Taiping (Gunung Jerai)

* 102.7MHz: Balik Pulau (Bukit Genting)

* 102.7MHz: Ipoh, Perak Tengah & Cameron Highlands (Gunung Kledang)

* 89.6MHz: Kuantan (Bukit Pelindung)

* 100.2MHz: Kuala Terengganu (Bukit Besar)

* 89.8MHz: Kota Bharu (Bukit Panau)

* 93.7MHz: Kuching (Bukit Djin)

* 104.0MHz: Miri (Tanjong Lobang)

* 93.9MHz: Kota Kinabalu (Bukit Karatong)

* 107.3MHz: Lahad Datu, Semporna & Sandakan (Gunung Silam)

* 100.7MHz: Tawau & Indonesia: Nunukan (Gunung Andrassy)

88.3 Jia FM has new successor to take over its former frequency FM 88.3MHz in Singapore?

It is almost 6 months of 88.3 Jia FM and Power 98FM switched off their broadcast on the FM radio frequencies transmission platform as they shifted to focus digitally on Kakee app.

Today's morning, I receive a video from Jony Wong who has detected an unknown test transmission on FM 88.3MHz in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

In the video, FM 88.3MHz mentions something "Goplayster", but the signal is not clear with rough audio quality because I believe that FM 88.3MHz is operated at low power transmission, but the transmitter site is an unknown.

Is it a licensed radio broadcast in Singapore? I don't know. In Singapore, a now defunct radio station would have surrendered the frequency to Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) if it decides to close the broadcast. Then, IMDA would open a new frequency tender to the new radio players, then the new radio players submit their radio format, targeting listeners and technical proposals to IMDA via tender. Then, IMDA will make final decision of awarding the frequencies to new radio player like what IMDA did the tender of FM 89.3MHz, FM 92.0MHz and FM 96.3MHz.

Meanwhile FM 98.0MHz and FM 99.5MHz are still vacated in Singapore.

Is there a new upcoming Singapore radio station on FM 88.3MHz?

FM radio stations availability in Nabawan, Sabah

Nabawan is a small town in Interior Division of Sabah, located between Keningau and Sapulut. 

During my radio DXpedition tour in Sabah from 19th to 21st April 2026, as there are no distant radio stations from Bukit Karatong and Bukit Mas receivable in Keningau, I didn't decide to perform radio DXing activity in Nabawan. In addition, it is quite far to travel from Keningau to Nabawan, somewhat I visited Keningau under daytrip, then I departed back to Kota Kinabalu.

Same as Keningau and Tenom, only RTM radio stations are available in Nabawan, Sabah, but RTM has 4 gap filler transmitters in Nabawan which operate Radio Klasik FM 88.3MHz, Nasional FM 89.1MHz, Sabah FM 89.9MHz and Traxx FM 90.6MHz, meanwhile Ai FM, Sabah VFM and Keningau FM have no gap filler transmitters in Nabawan, but these radio stations can be received in Nabawan, Sabah via Bukit Sigapon transmitter with moderately weak signal.

No signal of Limbang (Bukit Mas) and Brunei radio stations are receivable in Nabawan, Sabah as I could not receive any radio stations from Bukit Mas in Keningau, meanwhile Brunei radio stations from Bukit Subok are already weak and almost zero signal in Keningau.

Although Keningau FM has no gap filler transmitter in Nabawan like Sabah FM, Nasional FM, Traxx FM, and Radio Klasik, but this radio station claims that it can be received in Nabawan via 94.7MHz from Bukit Sigapon transmitter, so automatically RTM Ai FM and Sabah VFM can be received in Nabawan on 92.3MHz and 93.1MHz respectively, but the signal is not strong as Nabawan transmitter.

In Nabawan, there are only 7 available radio stations.

1. RTM Radio Klasik FM 88.3MHz (Nabawan transmitter)

2. RTM Nasional FM 89.1MHz (Nabawan transmitter)

3. RTM Sabah FM 89.9MHz (Nabawan transmitter)

4. RTM Traxx FM 90.6MHz (Nabawan transmitter)

5. RTM Ai FM 92.3MHz (Bukit Sigapon)

6. RTM Sabah VFM 93.1MHz (Bukit Sigapon)

7. RTM Keningau FM 94.7MHz (Bukit Sigapon)

The distance from Bukit Sigapon to Nabawan is about 47km, so Bukit Sigapon transmitter is still considered semi-local radio stations in Nabawan.

Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz dari Bukit Lambir MIRI ialah stesen radio yang paling jauh diterima di Kota Kinabalu dan Tuaran, Sabah.

 

Walaupun frekuensi siaran radio Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz meliputi Miri, Bekenu, Batu Niah, Marudi dan sebahagian Negara Brunei (Kuala Belait & Tutong), tetapi Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz boleh diterima di Kota Kinabalu dan Tuaran, Sabah, tetapi bukan sepanjang masa.

 

Pada 19hb April 2026, saya berkunjung ke Kota Kinabalu dan beberapa kawasan di Negeri Sabah. Di Kota Kinabalu, saya meluangkan masa untuk bersiar-siar pada waktu senja, berjalan dari hotel ke kawasan Bulatan Ikan Marlin dengan membawa radio.

 

Di kawasan sekitar Bulatan Ikan Marlin, saya menerima isyarat siaran radio Era FM Sarawak pada frekuensi FM 101.3MHz dari pemancar Bukit Lambir yang meliputi Miri dan sebahagian Brunei.

 

Pada waktu itu, Era FM Sarawak memainkan lagu tanpa juruhebah radio (atau dikenali sebagai DJ) pada pukul 6 petang, oleh itu saya menunggu sehingga waktu jeda iklan. Apabila Era FM Sarawak mengudarakan iklan, saya merakam video isyarat Era FM Sarawak serta merta.

 

 

Isyarat radio Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz adalah sederhana lemah di Kota Kinabalu pada waktu senja semasa matahari terbenam, tetapi saya mengklasifikasikan penerimaan isyarat radio Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz di Kota Kinabalu sebagai pemancaran bersifat troposfera kerana Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz tidak sentiasa boleh diterima di Kota Kinabalu sepanjang masa. 

 

Jarak penerimaan siaran Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz dari pemancar Bukit Lambir ke Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu ialah 299km.

 

==Penerimaan siaran Era FM Sarawak di Kota Kinabalu==

* Frekuensi: FM 101.3MHz

* Kuasa pemancar: 2kW

* Tempat pemancar: Bukit Lambir, Miri, Sarawak

* Tempat penerima: Jalan Tuan Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (berdekatan dengan Bulatan Ikan Marlin)

* Jarak: 299km

* Tarikh/masa: 19hb April 2026 6:37 petang (Waktu Malaysia UTC+8) 

 

 

 

 

Selain itu, saya pun menerima siaran Era FM Sarawak pada frekuensi yang sama (101.3MHz dari Bukit Lambir) di Tuaran, Sabah apabila saya memandu dari Kota Kinabalu ke Kudat pada 21hb April 2026. Video dirakam pada waktu pagi (pukul 06:47 pagi) di Jambatan Batangan yang berdekatan dengan Sungai Tuaran, isyarat telah hilang selepas Sungai Tuaran. 

 

 

 

Tiada isyarat boleh diterima di Kota Belud, Kudat dan Kota Marudu. Semasa perjalanan pulang ke Kota Kinabalu pada waktu tengah hari, saya tidak dapat menerima siaran Era FM Sarawak 101.3Mhz lagi di Tuaran kerana pemancaran radio di kawasan tersebut adalah bersifat troposfera.

 

Jarak dari pemancar Bukit Lambir ke Tuaran ialah 326km. Sebelum ini, peminat radio DXer dari Sabah bernama Kisah Alkisah pun menerima isyarat Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz di Tuaran, Sabah.

 

 

 

Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz dari Bukit Lambir (Miri) ialah stesen radio yang paling jauh diterima di Kota Kinabalu dan Tuaran, Sabah.  

Furthest radio stations tuned in Sabah (with more than 130km distance range)

 

1. Kota Kinabalu

* Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz Bukit Lambir MIRI (299km)

 

 

2. Tawau

* RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz, Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz, Melody FM 102.2MHz Bukit Trig SANDAKAN (178km)

 

 

3. Semporna

*  Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz and RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz (162km)

 

 

4. Kundasang

* RTB Nur Islam FM 94.9MHz Andulau BRUNEI (275km)

 

 

5. Kimanis 

* RTM Sarawak FM 101.5MHz & Cats FM 88.7MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (138km)

 

 

6. Keningau

* RTB Harmoni FM 97.7MHz Andulau BRUNEI (199km)

 

 

7. Tenom

* RTB Nasional FM 93.8MHz, Nur Islam FM 94.9MHz and Harmoni FM 97.7MHz Andulau BRUNEI (169km)

 

 

8. Ranau

* RTM Sarawak FM 101.5MHz Bukit Mas LIMBANG (227km)

 

 

9. Lahad Datu

* Radyo Pilipinas DXAS-FM 104.7MHz Tawi-Tawi PHILIPPINES (159km)

 

 

10. Tuaran

* Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz Bukit Lambir MIRI (326km) 

  

Tuaran becomes the furthest location to tune Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz Miri frequency from Bukit Lambir with 326km distance after Kota Kinabalu.

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

* Receiving date/time: 21st April 2026 0647 hours (UTC+8 Malaysia time)/2247 hours (UTC) 

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.

Era FM Sarawak 101.3MHz Miri frequency from Bukit Lambir is the furthest radio station tuned in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah with 299km distance.

 

 

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.