Bukit Djin transmitted Kuching FM radio stations reception in Telok Melano, Sarawak by Cock DXer

 

 

Over the last weekend, Cock DXer conducted radio signal monitoring in Telok Melano, the westernmost point of Sarawak.

 

Previously, he received Sporadic E radio signal of RRI Gorontalo from Gorontalo Province, Indonesia such as PRO-1 FM 101.8MHz/100.3MHz, PRO-2 FM 92.4MHz and PRO-4 FM 95.1MHz.

 

Domestically, only Gunung Serapi transmitted FM radio stations are receivable moderately in Telok Melano, Sarawak such as:

 

1. RTM Radio Klasik FM 92.9MHz

2. RTM Nasional FM 88.1MHz

3. RTM Sarawak FM 88.9MHz

4. RTM Traxx FM 89.9MHz

5. RTM Ai FM 90.7MHz

6. RTM Red FM 91.9MHz

7. RTM Wai FM Iban 101.3MHz

8. RTM Wai FM Bidayuh 106.1MHz

9. Cats FM 99.3MHz

10. Hot FM 94.3MHz

 

However, several Bukit Djin transmitted Kuching radio stations are weakly receivable in Telok Melano like what I tuned in Sematan on 31st August 2025.

 

Cock DXer tuned 6 Bukit Djin transmitted Kuching radio stations in Telok Melano, Sarawak by following below:

 

1. Hitz FM 95.3MHz

 

 

2. Era FM Sarawak 96.1MHz

 

 

3. MY FM 96.9MHz

 

 

4. Mix FM 97.7MHz

 

 

5. Kool FM 104.3MHz

 

 

6. IKIM FM 93.7MHz 

 

 

Receiving distance is 93km from Bukit Djin. From here, Hitz FM 95.3MHz has decent signal in Telok Melano, following by Era FM Sarawak 96.1MHz and MY FM 96.9MHz, meanwhile the rest are very weak.

 

Compare to Sematan where I tuned on 31st August 2025, Bukit Djin radio stations are weaker in Telok Melano.

 

Back to 31st August 2025, I visited Kuching, Serian, Bau and Sematan, but I didn't visit Telok Melano because I only stayed in Kuching for radio DXpedition with 2 days 1 night, then I met a friend in Kuching, so the schedule plan did not allow me to visit Telok Melano. 

Radio stations in Sarikei, Sarawak

From 19th May 2025 to 22nd May 2025, I flied to Sibu and performed radio DXpedition in various locations of Sarawak.

Kanowit was the my first location to have breakfast and radio DXpedition after landing at Sibu Airport. Before having hotel check in at Starlink Hotel in Sibu, I drove to Sarikei town for another radio DXpedition after eating breakfast and conducting radio DXpedition in Kanowit.

In Sarikei, generally I can only tune 7 RTM radio stations and Cats FM from Bukit Kayu Malam transmitter, but I manage to tune Sibu commercial radio stations from Bukit Lima such as Hitz FM 105.1MHz, MY FM 105.9MHz, Era FM Sarawak 96.3MHz and Tea FM 100.7MHz, as well as RTM Wai FM Bidayuh 106.1MHz from Gunung Serapi too.

Although there are only 8 local radio stations in Sarikei, but some distant radio stations can be received there moderately and weakly.

* RTM Radio Klasik FM 87.9MHz (Bukit Kayu Malam)

* RTM Nasional FM 90.3MHz (Bukit Kayu Malam)

* RTM Sarawak FM 91.5MHz (Bukit Kayu Malam)

* RTM Traxx FM 92.3MHz (Bukit Kayu Malam)

* RTM Ai FM 93.6MHz (Bukit Kayu Malam)

* RTM Red FM 89.2MHz (Bukit Kayu Malam)

* RTM Sibu FM 94.6MHz (Bukit Kayu Malam)

* Cats FM 96.7MHz (Bukit Kayu Malam)

* Hitz FM 105.1MHz (Bukit Lima)

* MY FM 105.9MHz (Bukit Lima)

* Era FM 96.3MHz (Bukit Lima)

* Tea FM 100.7MHz (Bukit Lima)

* RTM Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan 106.1MHz (Gunung Serapi)

Hitz FM 105.1MHz, MY FM 105.9MHz, Era FM Sarawak 96.3MHz and Tea FM 100.7MHz from Bukit Lima are moderately weak in Sarikei, but RTM Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan 106.1MHz can be detected weakly there with mild signal.

RTM Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan 106.1MHz from Gunung Serapi is the furthest radio station tuned in Sarikei, Sarawak with 158-161 distance.

Overall, excluding RTM Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan 106.1MHz, there are 12 radio stations available in Sarikei with inclusion of Bukit Lima transmitted Sibu commercial radio stations.

Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Gorontalo PRO-1 FM 101.8MHz/100.3MHz, PRO-2 FM 92.4MHz and PRO-4 FM 95.1MHz are received in Telok Melano, Sarawak, Malaysia by Cock DXer via Sporadic E propagation

Today on 18th July 2026, the Sarawak radio DXer, known as Cock DXer pays a visit in Telok Melano, Sarawak, Malaysia.

 

Telok Melano is the westernmost point in Kuching Division, Sarawak. Generally and domestically, the radio stations in Telok Melano is covered by Gunung Serapi transmitter, meanwhile Bukit Djin transmitter has weak signal there.

 

3 Indonesia radio stations are captured in Telok Melano, Sarawak, Malaysia, notably FM 92.4MHz, FM 95.1MHz, FM 101.8MHz and FM 100.3MHz.

 

According to Cock DXer, he identifies that FM 92.4MHz, FM 95.1MHz and FM 101.8MHz are Radio Republik Indonesia from Gorontalo.

 

FM 100.3MHz is unknown radio station. As these Indonesia radio stations are based in Gorontalo Province, so I check the frequency FM 100.3MHz within this province, it ends up with Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Gorontalo PRO-1 Bone Bolango Regency repeater.

 

  

FM 101.8MHz is RRI Gorontalo PRO-1. (TX power: 10kW)

 

 

FM 100.3MHz is RRI Gorontalo PRO-1 repeater from Bone Bolango Regency. 

 

 

FM 92.4MHz is RRI Gorontalo PRO-2. (TX power: 3kW)

 

 

FM 95.1MHz is RRI Gorontalo PRO-4. (TX power: 3kW)

 

 

Before catching RRI Gorontalo PRO-1 FM 101.8MHz, Cock DXer attempted to catch RTM Johor FM 101.9MHz from Gunung Pulai transmitter in Telok Melano, Sarawak, but the frequency FM 101.9MHz has adjacent sound from an Indonesia radio station on FM 101.8MHz. 

 

Gorontalo is a city located in Gorontalo Province, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. RRI Gorontalo is located at Jalan Jend. Sudirman No.30, Wumialo, Kota Tengah Subdistrict, Gorontalo City, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia.

 

The receiving distance from RRI Gorontalo transmitter site to Telok Melano, Sarawak, Malaysia is 1499km, the radio reception of RRI Gorontalo PRO-1 FM 101.8MHz, PRO-2 FM 92.4MHz and PRO-4 FM 95.1MHz are Sporadic E in Telok Melano, meanwhile RRI Gorontalo PRO-1 FM 100.3MHz from Bone Bolango has 1519km distance.

 

Radio Republik Indonesia PRO-1 FM 101.8MHz/100.3MHz, PRO-2 FM 92.4MHz and PRO-4 FM 95.1MHz from Gorontalo become the furthest radio stations tuned in Telok Melano, Sarawak, Malaysia, thus they are Sporadic E propagation. 

RTM Bintulu FM 97.5MHz from Bukit Setiam is the furthest radio station detected in Saratok, Sarawak.

RTM Bintulu FM 97.5MHz is a local radio station serving the listeners in Bintulu Division, Sarawak, it is transmitted from Bukit Setiam where is located in Tatau. 

Outside Bintulu Division, RTM Bintulu FM 97.5MHz is still available in neighboring divisions such as Mukah Division (Mukah, Balingian, Dalat) and Sibu Division (Selangau) on the same frequency. From 2024 to 2025, I was used to tune RTM Bintulu FM 97.5MHz distantly in Batu Niah, Bekenu, Mukah, Dalat and Sibu with moderate to weak signal.

Bekenu was my furthest location to tune RTM Bintulu 97.5MHz where I did last year in April 2024 with 158km distance. However, a Sarawak radio DXer, known as Cock DXer has created the further receiving distance record by tuning RTM Bintulu FM 97.5MHz in Saratok, Sarawak today.

Saratok is a town located in Betong Division, Sarawak. In this town, the listeners can tune the radio stations from Sarikei (Bukit Kayu Malam), Kuching (Gunung Serapi) and Sri Aman (Bukit Temudok), however Bukit Setiam transmitted Bintulu radio station is detected there.

Video is recorded near KTES (Kolej Tingkatan Enam Saratok/Saratok Form 6 College) in Saratok, Sarawak with 222km receiving distance from Bukit Setiam.

RTM Bintulu FM mostly relays Wai FM Iban at most of the hours, except 3 hours local Malay language program from 9am to 12pm as well as 1 hour Ramadan program from 6pm to 7pm. The Iban listeners won't tune Wai FM Iban programs in Saratok on 97.5MHz, instead they tune Wai FM Iban via Sibu FM 94.6MHz (except 9am to 12pm) and 101.3MHz from Gunung Serapi (9am to 12pm).

The signal of RTM Bintulu FM 97.5MHz is very weak in Saratok, but it is the furthest radio station tuned in Saratok.

* Frequency: FM 97.5MHz

* Power: 1kW

* Transmitter site: Bukit Setiam, Sarawak

* Receiving site: Saratok, Sarawak (near Kolej Tingkatan Enam Saratok)

* Distance: 222km

RTM Wai FM Iban 101.3MHz vs. 106.9MHz in Saratok, Sarawak (by Cock DXer)

Here are the radio frequency signal comparison videos of RTM Wai FM Iban between FM 101.3MHz Gunung Serapi and FM 106.9MHz Gunung Ampungan in Saratok, Sarawak where are recorded by Cock DXer.

Same as Engkilili, Roban, Pusa, Debak and Spaoh, the radio reception of Wai FM 101.3MHz in Saratok is better than 106.9MHz.

In Saratok, Wai FM 106.9MHz from Gunung Ampungan is almost zero signal like what I tuned in Debak and Spaoh last year.

It is clear as same as my video of tuning RTM Wai FM Iban can be received in Saratok, Sarawak on 101.3MHz from Gunung Serapi where I recorded on 20th May 2025.

Wai FM Iban can be tuned in Saratok, Sarawak via Sibu FM 94.6MHz from 12am to 9am, then 12pm to 12pm, meanwhile it is unavailable from 6pm to 7pm during Ramadan month in conjunction with local program, but FM 101.3MHz is the alternative listening method of Wai FM Iban in Saratok for 9am to 12pm slot.

BBC Radio 4 switched off its longwave radio transmission LW 198kHz on 27th June 2026, why did it happen?

 

 

On 27th June 2026, BBC Radio 4 officially switched off its longwave radio transmission LW 198kHz.

 

LW 198kHz was transmitted at Droitwich transmitter tower in Worcestershire, United Kingdom at 500kW power, together with lower power transmission at 50kW in Burgehead and Westerglen.

 

==Brief history== 

BBC longwave radio transmission began on 6th September 1934 on the frequency LW 200kHz for BBC National Service to transmit signal across the country and deliver important information regarding World War 2 (WW2).

 

In 1939, LW 198kHz became BBC European Service. 

 

In 1945, BBC National Service LW 200kHz was switched to BBC Light Programme until 1967. From 1967 to 1978, LW 200kHz was used by BBC Radio 2 before becoming BBC Radio 4 in November 1978.

 

In 1988, BBC Radio 4 changed its longwave frequency LW 200kHz to 198kHz.

 

BBC Radio 4 operated on LW 198kHz from 1988 until June 2026. 

 

Why did BBC Radio 4 switch off LW 198kHz?

1. Many listeners in United Kingdom had already listened to BBC Radio 4 via FM frequencies, DAB+ and online streaming (example: BBC Sounds), people consume digitally more nowadays, they can access the radio via digital gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, laptops. The latest radio receivers don't have LW band anymore. In United Kingdom and many European countries, many radio receivers are only equipped with FM and DAB+. If the people don't tune BBC Radio 4 on FM or DAB+, they can tune digitally by connecting to Smart Speakers or Bluetooth speakers from their smartphones.

2. Longwave (LW) is the oldest radio broadcast wave technology, it was used since early 20th century. At BBC radio engineering department side, it is very expensive and difficult to maintain the longwave radio transmission system nowadays because all the manufacturers of the radio transmitters and antennas had already obsoleted the production, as well as the spare parts of the transmitter system. When the transmitter of BBC Radio 4 LW 198kHz reached end of the life, but there are no spare parts available from the manufacturer, so it is meaningless to continue the transmission of LW 198kHz, even the listeners had already tuned digitally and conventionally FM/DAB+ frequency band.

 

Note: Some of radio transmitters manufacturers also discontinued the production of several FM transmitters nowadays. Example: R&S low power FM transmitters

 

After BBC Radio 4 switched off LW 198kHz, people can continue listening to this radio station on various platform below:

1. FM radio across United Kingdom

2. DAB+ radio on 12B (VHF 225.648MHz) via BBC National DAB

3. BBC Sounds App (UK only) and BBC.com (international)

4. Freeview DVB-T2 on CH704

5. Freesat CH704

6. Virgin Media (CH 904 in England, Scotland and Wales)

7. Virgin Media Ireland (CH 910) 

8. Sky CH 0104 

 

Goodbye to BBC LW 198kHz and thanks for serving the people in United Kingdom during these 92 years (1934 to 2026), from BBC National Service to BBC Light Programme, and then BBC Radio 4.  

 

 

 

As 5th July 2026, Radio Romania Antena Satelor LW 153kHz and Poland's Polskie Radio Program 1 LW 225kHz are the only longwave radio stations in Europe.

 

Gunung Ledang trasnmitted Malaysia FM radio stations tuned in Jambi, Indonesia (July 2026 UPDATE)

  

Last month, I had shared about the radio reception videos of tuning Malaysia FM stations (Gunung Pulai and Gunung Ledang) which were recorded by Limra DX in Jambi, Indonesia on previous article.

 

In previous post, regarding the radio reception videos of Gunung Ledang transmitted Malaysia FM radio stations in Jambi, Indonesia, Limra DX received Kool FM 88.1MHz, IKIM FM 89.5MHz and 988 FM 98.2MHz.

 

On 4th July 2026, Limra DX received another 4 Gunung Ledang transmitted Malaysia FM radio stations in Jambi, Indonesia, but they were very weak there.

 

1. Fly FM 94.0MHz

 

 

2. Zayan FM 98.9MHz

 

 

3. MY FM 106.4MHz

 

 

4. Melody FM 107.3MHz  

 

Melody FM 107.3MHz has 100kHz adjacent channel interference with RRI Batam PRO-1 FM 107.2MHz from Karimun repeater in Jambi, Indonesia. 

 

Same as previous post, these 4 radio stations were received in Gentala Arasy Bridge, they were also tropospheric propagation.  

Distant FM radio stations from Sarikei, Sibu and Sri Aman received in Kuching, Sarawak

 

 

When I was in Kuching, Sarawak last year, I did not manage to tune so much of distant FM radio stations because they were zero signal, except Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz.

 

Recently Cock DXer from Sarawak published several distant FM radio stations in Kuching where are transmitted from Sarikei, Sibu and Sri Aman.

 

He tuned Sibu FM 94.6MHz (Bukit Kayu Malam), Sri Aman FM 89.5MHz (Bukit Temudok), Cats FM 88.4MHz (Bukit Lima), Cats FM 88.7MHz (Bukit Temudok), Cats FM 96.7MHz (Bukit Kayu Malam) and the furthest RTM Radio Klasik FM 93.3MHz (Bukit Singgalang) in Kuching, Sarawak, but receiving location is at higher altitude hotel.

 

1. RTM Sibu FM 94.6MHz (127km from Bukit Kayu Malam)

 

There is 200kHz adjacent channel interference noise of RTM Sarawak FM 94.8MHz Gunung Ampungan transmitter.

 

2. RTM Sri Aman FM 89.5MHz (127km from Bukit Temudok)

  

 

3. Cats FM 88.4MHz (183km from Bukit Lima), 96.7MHz (127km from Bukit Kayu Malam) and 88.7MHz (127km from Bukit Temudok)

 

96.7MHz and 88.4MHz are moderately clear, but 88.7MHz has adjacent channel interference from RTM Sarawak FM 88.9MHz Gunung Serapi transmitter. 

 

4. RTM Radio Klasik FM 93.3MHz (229km from Bukit Singgalang) 

 

In the FM frequency bandscan video, more radio stations from Sri Aman and Sarikei were detected too.

 

 

 

Generally, none of Kuching people will tune a radio from distant transmitters because these radio stations can be tuned locally in Kuching, the main purpose of these radio reception videos is to identify how far a distant radio station transmission can reach.

 

In Kuching, Cats FM is already tuned on 99.3MHz from Gunung Serapi, meanwhile Wai FM Iban is available 24 hours on 101.3MHz from Gunung Serapi, then Radio Klasik is tuned on FM 92.9MHz from Gunung Serapi. 

 

I don't think Kuching people will tune 3 hours Malay language local programs on Sibu FM 94.6MHz and Sri Aman FM 89.5MHz because these radio stations are mostly zero signal in Kuching, Sarawak. I tried to tune Sibu FM 94.6MHz and Sri Aman FM 89.5MHz near Kuching Waterfront when I was in Kuching, Sarawak on 31st August 2025, I only got very mild signal there, but mostly they had no signal.

RTM Radio Klasik FM 93.3MHz from Bukit Singgalang is the furthest radio station tuned in Kuching, Sarawak with 229km distance.

Although RTM Radio Klasik is tuned on FM 92.9MHz from Gunung Serapi in Kuching, Sarawak, then it can be tuned from various distant transmitters there such as 98.0MHz from Gunung Ampungan (Serian), 107.3MHz from Bukit Temudok (Sri Aman) and 87.9MHz from Bukit Kayu Malam (Sarikei), but the Sarawak radio DXer, known as Cock DXer received RTM Radio Klasik on FM 93.3MHz which is transmitted from Bukit Singgalang.

Radio Klasik FM 93.3MHz Bukit Singgalang mainly covers Selangau, Stapong, Kanowit, Igan and Oya areas in Central Sarawak (Sibu Division and Mukah Division).

According to the video, RTM Radio Klasik FM 93.3MHz is tuned at higher altitude of a hotel in Kuching, the signal is weak actually.

In terms of distance, it is 229km from Bukit Singgalang tower to Kuching, so it becomes the furthest radio station tuned in Kuching, Sarawak.

Radio Klasik FM 93.3MHz is the only Bukit Singgalang transmitted radio station received in Kuching, Sarawak.

* Frequency: FM 93.3MHz

* Power: 1kW

* Transmitter site: Bukit Singgalang, Selangau, Sarawak

* Receiving site: Kuching, Sarawak

* Distance: 229km

Bukit Djin/Bukit Antu transmitted Kuching radio stations reception in Kota Samarahan, Asajaya and Sadong Jaya, Sarawak by Cock DXer

 

Here are the radio reception videos of Bukit Djin/Antu transmitted Kuching radio stations in Kota Samarahan, Asajaya and Sadong Jaya, Sarawak by Cock DXer (Sarawakian_12).

 

1. Kota Samarahan - Era FM Sarawak 96.1MHz Bukit Djin

 

 

2. Kota Samarahan - Sinar FM 102.1MHz Bukit Djin

 

 

3. Kota Samarahan - Kool FM 104.3MHz Bukit Djin 

 

 

4. Asajaya - Era FM Sarawak 96.1MHz Bukit Djin 

 

 

5. Asajaya - Sinar FM 102.1MHz Bukit Djin

 

   

6. Sadong Jaya - Era FM Sarawak 96.1MHz Bukit Djin

 

 

7. Sadong Jaya - Eight Wuxian FM 98.3MHz Bukit Djin

 

 

8. Sadong Jaya - Bernama Radio FM 100.9MHz Bukit Antu

  

Sinar FM 102.1MHz is the weakest Kuching radio station from Bukit Djin in Kota Samarahan, Asajaya and Sadong Jaya as Sinar FM 102.1MHz only operates at 0.25kW transmitter power there, while most of Bukit Djin FM radio stations operate at 1kW and 2kW power, meanwhile its rival station Kool FM 104.3MHz is the strongest Bukit Djin transmitted radio stations in these 3 locations.