Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz, MY FM 100.6MHz, Melody FM 102.2MHz, Radio Klasik FM 91.1MHz & RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz from Bukit Trig SANDAKAN radio reception in Semporna, Sabah by Kisah Alkisah (outside the town)

Back to 21st March 2026, I had distant radio signal monitoring (FM DX) activity in Semporna, Sabah after landing at Tawau Airport, I only managed to tune two Bukit Trig transmitted Sandakan radio stations such as Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz and RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz in Semporna town center near a mosque, the radio reception of 2 radio stations were very weak and almost no signal there. It is very difficult to tune them in Semporna town.

However, Sabah radio DXer, Kisah Alkisah had managed to tune 5 Bukit Trig transmitted Sandakan radio stations with better signal than mine in various locations of Semporna, Sabah, covering Tagasan, Kampung Tampi-Tampi, Kampung Bulingisan and Kampung Bubul. 

Radio stations were Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz, Sandakan FM 90.1MHz, MY FM 100.6MHz, Melody FM 102.2MHz and Radio Klasik FM 91.1MHz. 

1. Kampung Bubul (163km from Bukit Trig)

2. Kampung Bulingsan (165km from Bukit Trig)

3. Tagasan (167km from Bukit Trig)

4. Kampung Tampi-Tampi (165km from Bukit Trig)

The videos were recorded outside Semporna town center by Kisah Alkisah. Among 4 locations, Kampung Tampi-Tampi is likely the best place in Semporna to receive Sandakan radio stations signal from Bukit Trig because Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz has slightly more signal there, compare to my radio reception video in Semporna town center.

RTM Radio Klasik FM 91.1MHz from Bukit Trig was detected at Tagasan in Semporna while RTM Sabah FM 91.1MHz Bukit Kamari radio transmission was already terminated.

Overall RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz is the strongest Bukit Trig transmitted Sandakan radio station elsewhere in Semporna because it is transmitted from upper peak of Bukit Trig.

Sinar FM 106.9MHz has zero signal in elsewhere of Semporna, Sabah because it only operates at 0.25kW transmitter power in Bukit Trig (lower peak). 

Bukit Trig is the furthest radio transmitter tuned elsewhere in Semporna, Sabah with the receiving distance range 160-170km.

Gunung Silam vs. Gunung Andrassy radio signal, which one is better and clearer in Semporna, Sabah?

Regarding the radio stations' coverage in Semporna, Sabah, the people can receive the radio signal from either Gunung Andrassy (Tawau) or Gunung Silam (Lahad Datu).

Two weeks ago, in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday, I went to Semporna to conduct radio signal check, then I randomly recorded the videos of signal comparison between Gunung Silam and Gunung Andrassy radio signals. So, I recorded these radio stations in Semporna by following below:

1. RTM Sabah FM (89.7MHz vs. 95.7MHz)

2. RTM Sabah VFM (92.6MHz vs. 99.3MHz)

3. IKIM FM (107.3MHz vs. 100.7MHz)

In Semporna, Gunung Silam radio signal is clearer than Gunung Andrassy by reading the signal strength level of my radio receiver. So, Semporna is under the coverage of Gunung Silam transmitter.

Semporna has 7 radio stations, transmitted from Gunung Silam.

* RTM Radio Klasik FM 87.9MHz

* RTM Nasional FM 88.7MHz

* RTM Sabah FM 89.7MHz

* RTM Traxx FM 90.5MHz

* RTM Ai FM 91.7MHz

* RTM Sabah VFM 92.6MHz

* RTM Tawau FM 93.6MHz

* IKIM FM 107.3MHz

- Note: The local radio transmission in Bukit Kamari which operates Nasional FM 89.1MHz, Sabah FM 91.1MHz and Tawau FM 88.3MHz were already terminated due to unknown reason.

Sarawak based Malaysia radio stations and frequencies list in West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia.

Do you know? Sarawak based Malaysia radio stations can be tuned via FM frequencies platform in part of West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia.

 

In the past, there were some Indonesians from West Kalimantan Province watched Malaysia television channels by receiving digital terrestrial television signal from Gunung Serapi with outdoor UHF antenna.

 

 

 

In this article, I would like to list all Sarawak radio stations' availability in West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia by locations.

 

1. Sambas Regency & part of Bengkayang Regency (Jagoi Babang, Sanggau Ledo, Seluas)

* RTM Radio Klasik FM 92.9MHz (Gunung Serapi KUCHING)

* RTM Nasional FM 88.1MHz (Gunung Serapi KUCHING)

* RTM Sarawak FM 88.9MHz (Gunung Serapi KUCHING)

* RTM Traxx FM 89.9MHz (Gunung Serapi KUCHING)

* RTM Ai FM 90.7MHz (Gunung Serapi KUCHING)

* RTM Red FM 91.9MHz (Gunung Serapi KUCHING)

* RTM Wai FM Iban 101.3MHz (Gunung Serapi KUCHING)

* RTM Wai FM Bidayuh 106.1MHz (Gunung Serapi KUCHING)

* Hot FM 94.3MHz (Gunung Serapi KUCHING)

* Cats FM 99.3MHz (Gunung Serapi KUCHING)

 

2. Part of Sanggau Regency (Balai Karangan, Entikong, Sekayam, Noyan Jangkang)

* RTM Radio Klasik FM 98.0MHz (Gunung Ampungan SERIAN)

* RTM Nasional FM 94.0MHz (Gunung Ampungan SERIAN)

* RTM Sarawak FM 94.8MHz (Gunung Ampungan SERIAN)

* RTM Traxx FM 95.6MHz (Gunung Ampungan SERIAN)

* RTM Ai FM 96.4MHz (Gunung Ampungan SERIAN)

* RTM Red FM 97.2MHz (Gunung Ampungan SERIAN)

* RTM Wai FM Iban 106.9MHz (Gunung Ampungan SERIAN)

* RTM Wai FM Bidayuh 101.7MHz (Gunung Ampungan SERIAN)

 

3. Part of Sintang Regency (Ketungau Tengah, and part of Ketungau Hilir) & Part of Kapuas Hulu Regency (Badau, Puring Kencana and small part of Empanang)

* RTM Radio Klasik FM 107.3MHz (Bukit Temudok SRI AMAN)

* RTM Nasional FM 98.9MHz (Bukit Temudok SRI AMAN) & 97.0MHz (LUBOK ANTU)

* RTM Sarawak FM 100.3MHz (Bukit Temudok SRI AMAN) & 98.4MHz (LUBOK ANTU)

* RTM Traxx FM 103.8MHz (Bukit Temudok SRI AMAN)

* RTM Ai FM 105.3MHz (Bukit Temudok SRI AMAN)

* RTM Red FM 106.3MHz (Bukit Temudok SRI AMAN)

* RTM Sri Aman FM + Wai FM Iban 89.5MHz (Bukit Temudok SRI AMAN)

* Cats FM 88.7MHz (Bukit Temudok SRI AMAN) 

 

List of Malaysia radio stations from Tawau, Sabah which are available in part of North Kalimantan Province, Indonesia (Nunukan & Tarakan)

 

As Tawau in Sabah, Malaysia is located next to border of North Kalimantan Province, hence Malaysia radio stations from Tawau, Sabah (TX: Gunung Andrassy) can be received in part of North Kalimantan Province, Indonesia.

 

In North Kalimantan Province, Tawau based Malaysia radio stations are available in Nunukan Regency and small part of Tarakan Regency.

 

Indonesian people who are staying in Nunukan and small part of Tarakan can tune 8 Malaysia radio stations from Tawau, Sabah by following below: 

 

1. RTM Radio Klasik FM 93.9MHz (Malay)

2. RTM Nasional FM 94.7MHz (Malay)

3. RTM Sabah FM 95.7MHz (Sabahan Malay)

4. RTM Traxx FM 97.1MHz (English)

5. RTM Ai FM 98.1MHz (Chinese)*

6. RTM Sabah VFM 99.3MHz (Sabahan ethnic languages: Kadazan, Chinese, English, West Bajau, East Bajau, Murut and Dusun)

7. RTM Tawau FM 100.1MHz (Malay)

8. IKIM FM 100.7MHz (Malay Islamic) 

 

* RTM Ai FM 98.1MHz is not available in Tarakan due to RRI Tarakan PRO-1 FM 97.9MHz.

 

All Tawau based Malaysia radio stations are transmitted from Gunung Andrassy.

 

Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Tarakan (PRO-2 FM 107.0MHz and PRO-3 FM 92.0MHz) and RRI Nunukan PRO-1 FM 91.5MHz/96.3MHz received in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia

During Hari Raya Aidilfitri, I visited Tawau, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Kunak for the first ever radio DXpedition tour in 2026.

 

In Tawau, I had already managed to receive Indonesia radio stations from Nunukan and Tarakan.

 

However, there was a Sabah radio DXer, Kisah Alkisah received 3 Indonesia radio stations in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia recently. He received Radio Republik Indonesia RRI radio stations from Tarakan and Nunukan in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia.

 

 

 

1. RRI Tarakan PRO-2 FM 107.0MHz (162km from Tarakan)

 

 

2. RRI Tarakan PRO-3 FM 92.0MHz (162km from Tarakan)

 

 

3. RRI Nunukan PRO-1 FM 91.5MHz (86km from Sebatik Island) & FM 96.3MHz (103km from Nunukan Town)

 

RRI Tarakan PRO-2 FM 107.0MHz and PRO-3 FM 92.0MHz were tuned at Tagasan, meanwhile RRI Nunukan PRO-1 FM 91.5MHz is tuned at Kampung Bubul. 

 

RRI Nunukan PRO-1 FM 91.5MHz was loud and clear at Kampung Bubul, meanwhile RRI Nunukan PRO-1 FM 96.3MHz and RRI Tarakan PRO-2 FM 107.0MHz very weak at Tagasan, then PRO-3 FM 92.0MHz was loud and clear at Tagasan. 

 

Based on the videos above, RRI Tarakan radio stations (PRO-2 and PRO-3) in Semporna have same weak radio reception like what I tuned in Tawau, Sabah on 22nd March 2026. They are considered as tropospheric propagation.

 

These Indonesia radio stations have no signal in Semporna town center, Sabah, Malaysia. 

 

In terms of distance from transmitter site to receiving location, same with RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz and Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz from Bukit Trig, RRI Tarakan PRO-2 FM 107.0MHz and RRI Tarakan PRO-3 FM 92.0MHz are also the furthest radio stations tuned in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia with 162km distance. 

RTM Wai FM Bidayuh is still tuned on 106.1MHz from Gunung Serapi in Sebuyau, Sarawak.

In Sebuyau, Sarawak, RTM Wai FM Bidayuh is still tuned on 106.1MHz from Gunung Serapi transmitter.

Few days ago, Cock DXer uploaded a video of tuning RTM Wai FM Bidayuh 106.1MHz and 101.7MHz in Sebuyau, Sarawak.

Based on the video, RTM Wai FM 106.1MHz is louder and clearer than 101.7MHz in Sebuyau, Sarawak.

* 106.1MHz is transmitted from Gunung Serapi at 1kW transmitter power, it mainly serves Kuching.

* 101.7MHz is transmitted from Gunung Ampungan for Serian at 0.25kW transmitter power.

Receiving distance of RTM Wai FM Bidayuh in Sebuyau, Sarawak 

* FM 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi: 84km

* FM 101.7MHz Gunung Ampungan: 54km

Although the receiving distance from Gunung Serapi to Sebuyau is further than Gunung Ampungan to Sebuyau, but the signal of Gunung Serapi radio station is clearer because the height of Gunung Serapi is more than Gunung Ampungan, then RTM Gunung Serapi operates a higher transmitter power than Gunung Ampungan. In addition, RTM reduces the transmitter power of Gunung Ampungan radio station from 0.5kW to 0.25kW since 2023 after the transmitter system upgrade.

Wai FM Bidayuh 101.7MHz Gunung Ampungan is very weak in Sebuyau, Sarawak.

By comparing with my video of tuning Wai FM Bidayuh in Sri Aman (Simanggang) and Engkilili where I recorded on 19th May 2025, actually 106.1MHz is also clearer and better than 101.7MHz in Lingga, Sarawak.

Lingga is a small town in Sri Aman Division, located between Sebuyau and Simanggang (Sri Aman).

From here, Wai FM Bidayuh 101.7MHz from Gunung Ampungan is only covering Serian and Tebedu, meanwhile Siburan which is under Serian Division is covered by Gunung Serapi transmitter on 106.1MHz because 101.7MHz is not so clear in Siburan.

Same as Sebuyau, Wai FM Bidayuh is also tuned on 106.1MHz from Gunung Serapi in Simunjan and Asajaya.

Indonesia FM radio stations from North Kalimantan Province (Nunukan & Tarakan regencies) tuned in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia

Tawau is a town located in Tawau Division, Sabah, it is the third largest town in Sabah after Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan.

Tawau is located next to the border of North Kalimantan in Indonesia. 

Alongside local radio stations which are transmitted from Gunung Andrassy, there are few Indonesia radio stations available in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia.

The clearest Indonesia radio stations in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia are Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Nunukan PRO-1 (FM 91.5MHz - Sebatik Island relay) and PRO-3 (FM 88.8MHz), however I can tune 3 more Indonesia radio stations from North Kalimantan Province in same location, such as RRI Tarakan PRO-2 FM 107.0MHz, RRI Tarakan PRO-3 FM 92.0MHz and RRI Nunukan PRO-2 FM 96.7MHz with weaker signal.

RRI Nunukan PRO-2 FM 96.7MHz is the weakest Indonesia radio station from Nunukan, East Kalimantan Province, meanwhile Tarakan PRO-2 and PRO-3 are very weak in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia.

No signal of tuning RRI Tarakan PRO-1 FM 97.9MHz in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia due to the adjacent channel interference from local radio station RTM Ai FM 98.1MHz Gunung Andrassy transmitter.

Here are the 5 Indonesia radio stations that I tune in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia, videos are mostly recorded in the vicinity of Tawau Signboard and Tawau Ferry Terminal.

1. RRI Nunukan PRO-1 FM 91.5MHz (15km from Sebatik Island) & 96.3MHz (28km from Nunukan)

2. RRI Nunukan PRO-2 FM 96.7MHz (28km)

3. RRI Nunukan PRO-3 FM 88.8MHz (28km)

4. RRI Tarakan PRO-2 FM 107.0MHz (109km)

5. RRI Tarakan PRO-3 FM 92.0MHz (109km)

Radyo Pilipinas DXAS-FM 104.7MHz from Tawi-Tawi Province is the first and only, also the furthest radio station tuned in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia

I visit Lahad Datu, Sabah today for radio DXpedition for half day by driving from Tawau, my main focus is to monitor the FM radio signal from Bukit Trig, Sandakan in Lahad Datu, however I detect a radio station from Philippines on FM 104.7MHz, so I continue monitoring the radio station signal.

FM 104.7MHz is airing traffic report in Filipino language when I'm in the vicinity of Lahad Datu Court roundabout before going downhill to the town to have a late breakfast. 

After airing the traffic report, I hear Radyo Pilipinas is mentioned on the radio, so I trace the location of the frequency through Asiawaves.net.

The frequency FM 104.7MHz that I tune in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia is Radyo Pilipinas from Tawi-Tawi Province, its call sign is DXAS-FM. According to Asiawaves, DXAS-FM is transmitted from Radyo Pilipinas transmitter tower in Bongao Municipality, Tawi-Tawi Province, Philippines with 1kW transmitter power, meanwhile its ERP (effective radiated power) is at 2.1kW.

It is loud and clear because I tune DXAS-FM at higher elevation area.

Radyo Pilipinas DXAS-FM 104.7MHz is my very first and only Philippines radio station tuned in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia with 159km receiving distance from Bongao, Philippines.

By calculating the receiving distance, Radyo Pilipinas DXAS-FM 104.7MHz is the furthest radio station tuned in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia.

Radyo Pilipinas DXAS-FM 104.7MHz is my second Philippines radio station tuned in Malaysia after Brigada News FM 89.9MHz from Zamboanga, Philippines (call sign: DXZB-FM) where I tuned in Bekok, Johor 3 years ago.

After finishing radio DXpedition in Lahad Datu and Kunak, I depart back to Tawau in the late morning approximately 11am (UTC+8).

==Radyo Pilipinas reception in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia==

* Frequency: FM 104.7MHz

* Transmitter power: 1kW (ERP: 2.1kW)

* Transmitter site: Bongao Municipality, Tawi-Tawi Province, Philippines 

* Receiving site: Bulatan Makhamah (Lahad Datu Court roundabout), Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia 

* Distance: 159km

Sandakan transmitted radio stations (Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz, Hitz FM 99.8MHz, Melody FM 102.2MHz and Sandakan FM 90.1MHz) are only available weakly in small part of Lahad Datu and Kunak, Sabah

Do you know? Although the radio stations in Lahad Datu and Kunak are covered by Gunung Silam transmitter, but some Bukit Trig transmitted radio stations also can be received weakly and partly in Lahad Datu and Kunak, Sabah.

On 22nd March 2026 which is 2nd day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, I had managed to receive several Sandakan radio stations in Lahad Datu and Kunak, such as Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz, MY FM 100.6MHz, Hitz FM 99.8MHz, Melody FM 102.2MHz and Sinar FM 106.9MHz.

Radio reception videos in Lahad Datu, Sabah

1. Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz (94km from Bukit Trig)

2. Hitz FM 99.8MHz (94km from Bukit Trig)

3. MY FM 100.6MHz (94km from Bukit Trig)

4. Melody FM 102.2MHz (94km from Bukit Trig)

5. Sinar FM 106.9MHz (94km from Bukit Trig)

6. RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz (94km from Bukit Trig)

Videos are recorded in the vicinity of Bulatan Makhamah (Lahad Datu Court roundabout) before going downhill to Lahad Datu town center, the signals are clearer due to high altitude of receiving location, it is very hard to tune Sandakan radio stations in Lahad Datu town center. For Sandakan FM 90.1MHz, I record another video of tuning this radio station with TECSUN PL-310ET radio receiver on a bridge of Jalan Tengah Nipah near Lahad Datu town center.

Radio reception videos in Kunak, Sabah

1. Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz (129km from Bukit Trig)

2. Hitz FM 99.8MHz (129km from Bukit Trig)

3. Melody FM 102.2MHz (129km from Bukit Trig)

4. RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz (129km from Bukit Trig)

Sinar FM 106.9MHz and MY FM 100.6MHz from Bukit Trig have no signal in Kunak, Sabah.

From Sandakan to Tawau, MY FM 100.6MHz has interference with IKIM FM 100.7MHz (Gunung Andrassy) in Kunak and Lahad Datu.

Meanwhile Sandakan transmitted Astro radio stations such as Hitz FM 99.8MHz, MY FM 100.6MHz, Sinar FM 106.9MHz and Melody FM 102.2MHz have no signal in Tawau and Semporna.

Overall, Sandakan transmitted radio stations are super weak in Lahad Datu and Kunak. These radio stations can be only tuned weakly in small part of Lahad Datu and Kunak, even Semporna and Tawau too.

RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz radio reception in Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau, Sabah (Penerimaan siaran radio RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz di Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau, Sabah)

Although RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz from Bukit Trig transmitter mainly covers Sandakan, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Pamol and Telupid where are located in Sandakan Division, Sabah, but this radio station can be tuned in small part of Tawau Division such as Lahad Datu, Kunak, Tawau and Semporna weakly.

Walaupun RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz dari pemancar Bukit Trig khususnya meliputi Bahagian Sandakan (Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Beluran, Telupid dan Pamol), tetapi stesen radio ini masih boleh didengari dengan isyarat lemah di beberapa buah kawasan Bahagian Tawau seperti Lahad Datu, Kunak, Tawau dan Semporna.

On 21st and 22nd March 2026, during Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday, I manage to tune Sandakan FM 90.1MHz in 4 locations of Tawau Division, Sabah.

Pada 21hb dan 22hb Mac 2026, sempena perayaan Hari Raya Aidilfitri, saya dapat menerima siaran radio RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz di 4 buah lokasi Bahagian Tawau.

1. Lahad Datu (94km)

2. Kunak (129km)

3. Tawau (179km)

4. Semporna (162km)

RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz is weak elsewhere in Tawau Division. Tawau is the furthest town that I receive Sandakan FM.

Siaran radio RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz lemah di Bahagian Tawau. Tawau ialah bandar yang paling jauh saya menerima stesen radio ini.