Previously, Engkilili was my furthest Sarawak town to tune RTM Wai FM Bidayuh on 106.1MHz from Gunung Serapi with 172km distance, but Bintulu is the furthest location to tune this radio station.
5 years ago, Shafik DXer tuned RTM Wai FM Bidayuh 106.1MHz in Samalaju with 410km distance, but Sarawakian DXer also received this radio station in Bintulu with 363km distance.
Unlike Sri Aman, Betong and part of Sarikei, the radio reception of RTM Wai FM Bidayuh 106.1MHz in Bintulu areas is tropospheric propagation because it is not available always.
Excluding Sporadic E radio stations, RTM Wai FM Bidayuh 106.1MHz from Gunung Serapi is the furthest radio station tuned in Bintulu, Sarawak, but tropospheric propagation.
Sehingga sekarang, radio IKIM FM masih bersiaran di Miri, Sarawak pada frekuensi 104.0MHz dari pemancar Tanjong Lobang. Pemancar Tanjong Lobang terletak di Bandaraya Miri, tetapi liputan pemancar Tanjong Lobang tidak luas seperti Bukit Lambir.
Sinar FM telah memindah tempat pemancar frekuensi Miri dari Tanjong Lobang ke Bukit Lambir sejak tahun 2020, frekuensi asal Sinar FM di Miri, Sarawak ialah 87.7MHz, dan ia ditukar ke 96.6MHz setelah Sinar FM menggunakan pemancar Bukit Lambir untuk meliputi Miri. Oleh itu, IKIM FM ialah satu-satunya stesen radio yang masih bersiaran di Miri, Sarawak dari tempat pemancar Tanjong Lobang.
Tanjong Lobang hanya meliputi Bandaraya Miri, Lutong dan Kuala Baram, isyarat menjadi lemah di Marudi dan Brunei (Kuala Belait & Seria). IKIM FM 104.0MHz dari Tanjong Lobang tidak dapat diterima di Bekenu dan Batu Niah, berbanding dengan RTM Sarawak FM 88.1MHz yang dipancar dari Bukit Lambir.
Pada pandangan saya, IKIM FM boleh menggunakan pemancar Bukit Lambir kerana liputan Bukit Lambir lebih luas daripada Tanjong Lobang, tetapi frekuensi perlu ditukar dari 104.0MHz ke 103.9MHz supaya ia tidak akan bertindih dengan RTM Red FM 104.1MHz dari Bukit Mas Limbang di kawasan antara Miri dan Limbang.
Jarak frekuensi antara Bukit Lambir dan Bukit Mas pada 200kHz dikira sempurna kerana kedua-dua stesen radio tidak akan bertindih di kawasan antara Miri dan Limbang.
Selain daripada Miri, Lutong dan Kuala Baram, IKIM FM 103.9MHz dari Bukit Lambir boleh diterima di Marudi, Bekenu, Beluru, sebahagian Niah dan Brunei. Dari Miri ke Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, IKIM FM pula boleh diterima sehingga Daerah Tutong sekiranya frekuensinya di Miri dipancar dari Bukit Lambir.
Di Negara Brunei, IKIM FM 103.9MHz Bukit Lambir boleh didengari lebih luas daripada 104.0MHz Tanjong Lobang.
Menara Tanjong Lobang tidak akan mempunyai sebarang pemancar radio sekiranya IKIM FM berpindah ke Bukit Lambir.
Mengenai kuasa pemancar, IKIM FM 104.0MHz menggunakan pemancar berkuasa 2kW di Tanjong Lobang, tetapi kuasa pemancar 1kW sudah cukup bagi IKIM FM 103.9MHz dari Bukit Lambir.
Saya telah memanjangkan cadangan ini kepada pihak IKIM FM petang tadi, saya berharap agar cadangan ini akan dipertimbangkan.
==ENGLISH==
Until now, the frequency of IKIM FM in Miri, Sarawak is still transmitted from Tanjong Lobang transmitter tower. Tanjong Lobang is located in Miri City Center, but the coverage of this tower is not wide as Bukit Lambir.
Since 2020, Sinar FM had already moved its Miri frequency's transmitter site from Tanjong Lobang to Bukit Lambir, the original frequency was 87.7MHz, then it was changed to 96.6MHz after moving to Bukit Lambir. Hence, IKIM FM is the only radio station transmitted from Tanjong Lobang for Miri.
Due to lower height of the transmitter site, Tanjong Lobang only covers Miri City, Lutong and Kuala Baram, the signal becomes weak in Marudi and Brunei (Kuala Belait & Seria). IKIM FM 104.0MHz from Tanjong Lobang has no coverage in Bekenu and Niah by comparing with RTM Sarawak FM 88.1MHz from Bukit Lambir.
In my opinion, IKIM FM can move out its transmitter from Tanjong Lobang and transmit the signal in Bukit Lambir because the transmission coverage of Bukit Lambir is wider than Tanjong Lobang, but the frequency needs to be changed from 104.0MHz to 103.9MHz, so that IKIM FM 103.9MHz Bukit Lambir transmitter will not interfere against Red FM 104.1MHz Bukit Mas transmitter in between Miri and Limbang as both frequencies are separated at 200kHz.
It is very perfect when Bukit Lambir and Bukit Mas frequencies are separated at 200kHz, instead of 100kHz. So, both transmitters won't interfere each other.
Outside Miri, Kuala Baram and Lutong, IKIM FM 103.9MHz from Bukit Lambir can be received in Marudi, Bekenu, Niah and Brunei. From Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, IKIM FM 103.9MHz Bukit Lambir transmitter can be tuned up to Tutong District.
In Brunei, IKIM FM 103.9MHz Bukit Lambir is wider than 104.0MHz Tanjong Lobang.
If IKIM FM uses Bukit Lambir transmitter to broadcast for Miri, Tanjong Lobang tower will have no FM radio transmitters anymore.
Regarding the transmitter power, currently IKIM FM 104.0MHz is running at 2kW in Tanjong Lobang, but it is already sufficient to operate at 1kW transmitter power when IKIM FM operates in Bukit Lambir on 103.9MHz.
I have expressed this suggestion to IKIM FM via email, hopefully this suggestion will be taken into consideration.
==RF analysis==
103.9MHz: IKIM FM Bukit Lambir 1kW
104.5MHz: Traxx FM RTM Miri
<600kHz, OK>
103.2MHz: MY FM Bukit Lambir
103.9MHz: IKIM FM Bukit Lambir 1kW
<700kHz, OK>
103.7MHz: RTM Labuan FM (TX_RTM Labuan)
103.9MHz: IKIM FM Bukit Lambir 1kW
<200kHz, OK>
103.9MHz: IKIM FM Bukit Lambir 1kW
104.1MHz: RTM Red FM Bukit Mas
<200kHz, OK>
==Peta liputan pemancar Bukit Lambir/Coverage map of Bukit Lambir radio transmitter==
In conjunction with the return of RTM radio stations on Astro, I did suggest RTM (Radio Televisyen Malaysia) to launch Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan as standalone channel on Astro and MYTV, but RTM does not launch this radio station on these platforms.
Why? This is because there are 2 major technical limitations when execute this suggestion.
1. Astro is using the Ku band frequency on SHF 11.062GHz for satellite radio broadcasting services, together with some TV channels. On SHF 11.062GHz, Astro is running 26 radio stations.
In terms of capacity, Astro is likely unable to add Wai FM Bidayuh on its radio channels lineup because the slot on 11.062GHz is full, even Radio Klasik is not added too. With TV channels which are 12, actually 11.062GHz is fully occupied by 38 mixed services (12 TV and 26 radio channels). A single satellite transponder on a frequency can only carry maximum 40 mixed services. If 11.062GHz is overloaded and beyond the limit, it can jeopardize the quality of TV and radio broadcasting services (Example: poor image and audio quality of TV channels, then poor audio birate of radio services). Although Astro carries 38 mixed services on 11.062MHz, but Astro doesn't want to add 2 more services to keep their existing mixed services to maintain optimum quality. In addition, Astro leaves 2 slots empty to reserve for buffering purpose. So, Astro leaves 2 slots empty on 11.062GHz.
Just like a USB flashdrive. You buy 64GB USB flashdrive, but you can only save your files with 59GB space, the remaining 5GB is reserved for file system overhead and hidden data management sectors. In addition, you purchase a 128GB microSD card for you mobile phone, but of course you won't finish it by putting all the files in the microSD card of your phone because it can jeopardize your phone performance, so it is better to leave some spaces.
2. RTM Wai FM Bidayuh has no satellite link to send studio feeds to MYTV, so MYTV cannot send Wai FM Bidayuh feeds to ABS-2 satellite via C band (uplink), then DTT transmitters and Asiasat-9 DTH cannot receive the feeds from ABS-2 via downlink. Although RTM has removed TV6 since 1st July 2026, actually RTM multiplex on MYTV has empty slot to add RTM Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan, but lack of satellite link does not allow RTM Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan to land on MYTV, regardless DTT or DTH. RTM Wai FM Bidayuh studio is located in Kuching, Sarawak, as it targets only Kuching and Serian with 2 frequencies (106.1MHz/101.7MHz), RTM Wai FM Bidayuh only sends signal feeds to the transmitter sites via microwave link.
MYTV sends TV and radio feeds from broadcasting house to ABS-2 satellite via C band uplink, then DTT transmitters receive the feeds from ABS-2 satellite via downlink.
It is not because RTM does not want to add Wai FM Bidayuh on Astro and MYTV, but unavailable slots on Astro satellite frequency (11.062GHz) for radio broadcasting and lack of uplink satellite feed from Wai FM Bidayuh studio are the biggest limitations causing Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan does not reach such platforms.
These are just my personal judgement with referring some resources from LyngSat, but I have tried to express my suggestions to Astro, MYTV and RTM simultaneously via email to launch Wai FM Bidayuh on Astro and MYTV as soon as possible.
Maludam is a small town located in Betong Division, Sarawak. For radio stations coverage there, geographically Maludam is covered by Bukit Temudok transmitter, but technically it's not.
Sarawakian DXer (formerly known as Cock DXer) performed several radio signal monitoring in Maludam, Sarawak yesterday.
On YouTube, I watch his video of tuning RTM Sarawak FM in Maludam with 3 different frequencies, such as 88.9MHz Gunung Serapi, 91.5MHz Bukit Kayu Malam and 100.3MHz Bukit Temudok.
From the video above, RTM Sarawak FM is tuned clearly in Maludam via 88.9MHz from Gunung Serapi, meanwhile 91.5MHz from Bukit Kayu Malam is not clear, but 100.3MHz from Bukit Temudok is extremely weak and zero signal there.
Hence, RTM radio stations in Maludam, Sarawak are still covered by Gunung Serapi transmitter, despite Maludam is under Betong Division.
* Radio Klasik FM 92.9MHz
* Nasional FM 88.1MHz
* Sarawak FM 88.9MHz
* Traxx FM 89.9MHz
* Ai FM 90.7MHz
* Red FM 91.9MHz
Wai FM Iban 101.3MHz and Bidayuh/Kayan 106.1MHz from Gunung Serapi are also clearly available in Maludam, Sarawak.
Although Gunung Serapi radio transmitter is targeting Kuching and Samarahan, but it covers Maludam and Pusa in Betong Division too when the signal from Bukit Temudok, Bukit Kayu Malam and Off Spaoh are weak there.
Sibu FM 94.6MHz from Bukit Kayu Malam is very weak in Maludam, Sarawak, but Iban listeners have already tuned Wai FM Iban on 101.3MHz in Maludam, instead of Sibu FM 94.6MHz and Sri Aman FM 89.5MHz.
Alongside RTM radio stations, the Malay language commercial radio station, Hot FM can be tuned clearly in Maludam, Sarawak via 94.3MHz from Gunung Serapi.
In 2026, Johor based commercial radio station Best FM celebrates 30 years anniversary of coverage expansion to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor on the frequency 104.1MHz, transmitted from Gunung Ulu Kali.
Best FM (formerly known as Best 104) is a commercial radio station based in Johor, it was launched in 1989 as Malay and English bilingual radio station. Before 1996, it was only available in Johor, Melaka, South Pahang, Singapore and Negeri Sembilan with 3 transmitters only.
* 104.1MHz: Gunung Pulai (South Johor, Singapore, Batam)
* 94.8MHz: Gunung Ledang (Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Southwest Pahang and part of Selangor) - 10kW transmitter power from 1989 to mid-2000s
* 102.5MHz: Bukit Tinggi (East Johor and Southeast Pahang)
Despite Best FM is a Johor commercial radio station, but it expanded coverage to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor on 104.1MHz in 1996. This is because Best FM would like to compete against Time Highway Radio (THR FM) which was very popular across West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia since September 1994. Back then, Best 104 competed against THR FM in English segment.
Until today, Best FM still broadcasts in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor on 104.1MHz. Although it focuses mainly in Johor content, but commercially it competes against other mainstream Malay radio stations like Era, Suria FM, Hot FM, Sinar FM and Kool FM, from South Perak to Johor.
Since the coverage expansion of Best FM to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor in 1996, Best FM can be tuned in more locations outside Kuala Lumpur and Selangor on 104.1MHz by following below:
1. Perak: Tanjung Malim, Slim River, Terolak, Sungkai, Bidor, Tapah, Teluk Intan, Bagan Datuk, Hutan Melintang, Kampung Gajah, Langkap, Chenderiang, Temoh, and part of Sitiawan
2. Negeri Sembilan: Nilai, Seremban, Port Dickson, Mantin, Lukut
3. Pahang: Bentong, Kuala Lipis, Temerloh, Chenor, Maran, Bera, Karak, Lanchang, Merapoh, Mentakab, Jengka and part of Jerantut.
Before the coverage expansion of Best FM in Kuala Lumpur in 1996, Best FM could be received in part of Kuala Lumpur, South Selangor and Negeri Sembilan via high power Gunung Ledang transmitter 94.8MHz which operated at 10kW. Hitz FM launched in Negeri Sembilan on 95.0MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk since 1996, so Best FM 94.8MHz was no longer clearly available in Negeri Sembilan, but newly added 104.1MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali could be tuned in Negeri Sembilan too. Best FM's listeners in Seremban switched the frequency from 94.8MHz to 104.1MHz since 1997 when 94.8MHz had interference from Hitz FM 95.0MHz.
Best FM 94.8MHz from Gunung Ledang gradually reduced transmitter power from 10kW to 5kW, then 5kW to 2kW. Currently it operates at 2kW power.
Happy 30 years anniversary to Best FM for the coverage expansion to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (1996-2026).
In Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley areas, RTM state radio stations are generally available with KL FM 97.2MHz and Selangor FM 100.9MHz, meanwhile Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitted Negeri Sembilan radio station Negeri FM 92.6MHz is weakly available in Kuala Lumpur, but Pahang FM is also receivable in Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley.
Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia, some people may ask why Pahang FM can be tuned in Kuala Lumpur, despite Kuala Lumpur is not located in Pahang state.
This is because RTM Pahang FM has a transmitter in Gunung Ulu Kali on the frequency 107.5MHz, but the main intended coverage is West Pahang such as Temerloh, Bentong, Karak, Chenor, Bera, Selancar, Keratong, and Lipis.
West Pahang areas highly relies on Gunung Ulu Kali radio transmitter because Bukit Pelindung, Bukit Senggora, Bukit Sulai and Bukit Istana transmitters cannot be received there. Gunung Ulu Kali is located in Genting Highlands, Pahang, it is a very strategic transmitter site in Central Region of Peninsular Malaysia.
Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter mainly covers Kuala Lumpur and Selangor for most of the radio stations, but Pahang FM 107.5MHz does not target Kuala Lumpur and Selangor as it focuses only in West Pahang.
Although RTM Pahang FM 107.5MHz is available in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, but the signal is not clear because its transmitting antenna in Gunung Ulu Kali beams signal towards east direction to cover West Pahang only with directional antenna. It is same as RTM Johor FM 105.3MHz in Gunung Ledang, despite Gunung Ledang transmitter covers Melaka and North Johor, but RTM Johor FM 105.3MHz covers only North Johor (Tangkak, Muar, Segamat and North Batu Pahat) with directional antenna by beaming signal towards south direction from Gunung Ledang, but it does not cover Melaka, so RTM Johor FM 105.3MHz has co-channel interference from Suria FM 105.3MHz Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter in most of Melaka areas.
According to Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are the bonus coverage of RTM Pahang FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter, despite these regions are not its intended coverage.
Some people even compare this with Best FM 104.1MHz in Kuala Lumpur. Best FM is a Malay language commercial radio station from Johor, then he or she asks whey RTM Johor FM does not expand coverage in Klang Valley like Best FM.
Same as Pahang FM, RTM Johor FM is a state public radio station from Radio Televisyen Malaysia serving Johor only. RTM Johor FM is not a commercial radio station like Best FM. If RTM does such way to expand coverage of Johor FM to Klang Valley, RTM wastes the transmission fees in non-targeting region, even it can cannibalize other radio stations' positions in Klang Valley, notably KL FM and Selangor FM. RTM restricts several state radio stations coverage with directional antenna to prevent cannibalization, so Selangor FM and Pahang FM have different radio reception in Klang Valley because they are using directional antenna in Gunung Ulu Kali to cover different areas.
Selangor FM 100.9MHz only covers Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, meanwhile Pahang FM 107.5MHz is only for West Pahang.
RTM operates 3 state radio stations in Gunung Ledang with directional antennas.
* Melaka FM 102.3MHz covers Melaka only
* Negeri FM 107.7MHz covers Gemas, Tampin, Gemencheh, Simpang Pertang and East Negeri Sembilan areas only.
* Johor FM 105.3MHz only covers North Johor
Although Best FM is a commercial radio station targeting Johor, but it is available in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor on 104.1MHz because it expanded the coverage there in 1996 to compete against THR FM (Time Highway Radio) where Best FM also carried English language programs. Until today, Best FM still broadcasts in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, despite it mainly serves Johorean listeners, but it acts as the alternative radio station to the listeners in the regions, so commercially it can compete against Suria FM, Era, Hot FM, Sinar FM etc.
After 6 months hiatus, RTM radio stations are now available on Astro, the listeners can access RTM radio stations via Astro platform, effective 23th July 2026.
* Nasional FM CH869
* Sabah VFM CH870
* Wai FM CH871 (Iban, Lun Bawang, Kayan and Kenyah)
* Traxx FM CH872
* Minnal FM CH873
* Ai FM CH874
* Asyik FM CH875
Unfortunately, Wai FM Bidayuh/Radio Kayan is not launched on Astro yet. If it is launched on Astro and MYTV, at least Talidio Kenyah can obtain 3 hours airtime on these platform, while Radio Kayan can broadcast 6 hours airtime full fledged too.
