Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) can launch "Belaga FM" as the 35th radio station to replace Sibu FM 103.0MHz in Belaga if Belaga becomes 13th division in Sarawak to deliver more local content for Belaga community, especially for Kayan and Kenyah people.

From 2021 to 2023, several Sarawak assemblymen suggested that Belaga should be upgraded from district to division. Currently Belaga is a district under Kapit Division, meanwhile Sungai Asap is sub-district of Belaga district. If Belaga becomes a division, it will be the 13th and latest Sarawak division.

For radio broadcast, currently RTM Sibu FM operates in Belaga on the frequency FM 103.0MHz. If Belaga is the 13th division of Sarawak, RTM can launch its 35th radio station, known as "Belaga FM" to replace Sibu FM 103.0MHz in Belaga.

The radio program switch from Sibu FM to "Belaga FM" on FM 103.0MHz in Belaga, Sarawak will allow RTM Belaga to deliver more local content to the community there, compare to current Sibu FM.

Belaga is the home of Kayan and Kenyah people, meanwhile RTM has Kayan and Kenyah radio broadcasts in Miri Division. If Belaga FM is launched officially, RTM can relay Radio Kayan and Talidio Kenyah on FM 103.0MHz in Belaga, this can cater more Kayan and Kenyah listeners. 

As RTM's so-called East Malaysia targeted TV channel "TV Okey" does not have news in Kayan and Kenyah language, therefore radio becomes an important medium to the community of Kayan and Kenyah people, but RTM has to consider .

RTM currently operates 34 radio stations nationwide. If Belaga FM is launched in conjunction with the upgrade level of Belaga from district to division in Sarawak, so Belaga FM becomes 35th and the latest RTM radio station.

==Suggestion of broadcast airtime of Belaga FM==

As Belaga is majority of indigenous people, I strongly suggest that Belaga FM to become multi-indigenous languages radio station by relaying several programs from Wai FM Iban Kuching, Radio Kayan and Talidio Kenyah with following broadcast hours below:

0000-0900 hours: Wai FM Iban from Kuching

0900-1200 hours: Talidio Kenyah (Kenyah language)

1200-1800 hours: Radio Kayan Miri FM (Kayan language)

1800-0000 hours: Wai FM Iban from Kuching

 

The contra of the suggested broadcast airtime of Talidio Kenyah on Belaga FM is the schedule does not match with Miri FM broadcast airtime, unless Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan launches Miri frequency, so Talidio Kenyah can join the airtime of Miri FM with Belaga FM simultaneously.

==Suggestion of Belaga FM 103.0MHz transmission parameter==

Currently, the FM 103.0MHz operates low power at 0.1kW in Belaga, Sarawak. To reach more coverage, including Sungai Asap, I suggest "Belaga FM" to increase its transmission power to 0.5kW.

RTM can launch a gap filler transmitter for "Belaga FM" if Sungai Asap cannot receive the signal clearly on FM 103.0MHz, despite transmission power is increased to 0.5kW.

 

With the launch of "Belaga FM", RTM Sarawak will have 6 division radio stations in Sarawak, meanwhile 8 Sarawak only radio stations in the region.

- Sarawak FM 

- Red FM

- Sibu FM

- Sri Aman FM

- Belaga FM (replacing Sibu FM 103.0MHz in Belaga)

- Miri FM

- Bintulu FM

- Limbang FM

About the launch of "Belaga FM", it is the matter of time of RTM launches this radio station subject to the future of the administrative status of Belaga from district to division by Sarawak government.

RTM Limbang FM 94.5MHz from Bukit Sagan Rudang was detected with mild signal in Batu Niah, Sarawak.

During my Sarawak trip last week, I also went to Miri by departing from Bintulu as my day trip on 11th April 2024 in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday.

 

Miri was my another core region for radio DXing. From Bintulu to Miri, I dropped by Batu Niah and Bekenu before reaching Miri city.

 

Batu Niah was my first stop for radio DXing in Miri Division. In Batu Niah, I could receive two RTM local radio stations such as Miri FM (95.1MHz & 95.7MHz) and Bintulu FM (97.5MHz), however I tuned Limbang FM there via FM 94.5MHz from Bukit Sagan Rudang.

 

Miri FM was the clearest radio station in Batu Niah on 95.1MHz (Bukit TT844 Suai) and 95.7MHz (Bukit Lambir), meanwhile Bintulu FM 97.5MHz (Bukit Setiam) signal was quite weak there.

 

Limbang FM signal could be only detected with very mild signal via FM 94.5MHz from Bukit Sagan Rudang which covers Mendamit, meanwhile FM 104.9MHz from Bukit Mas has no signal.

 

Alongside Sarawak FM 100.0MHz which is transmitted from Bukit Sagan Rudang, RTM Limbang FM 94.5MHz was also the furthest radio station tuned in Batu Niah, Sarawak.

 

Limbang FM also relays Wai FM Iban from 0000-0900 hours, then 1800-0000 hours, meanwhile it airs local programs from 0900-1800 hours by following languages below:

 

1. Malay: 0900-1200 hours

2. Lun Bawang: 1200-1500 hours

3. Bisaya: 1500-1800 hours

 

- Frequency: FM 94.5MHz

- Power: 0.1kW

- Transmitter site: Bukit Sagan Rudang, Limbang Division, Sarawak

- Receiving site: Batu Niah, Miri Division, Sarawak

- Distance: 150km

BFBS Radio from Brunei (FM 101.7MHz English & FM 89.5MHz Nepali) received in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia (2024 edition)

In Miri, Brunei radio stations are available via FM frequency transmission, Radio Televisyen Brunei stations and Kristal FM are moderately clear there, meanwhile Seria based BFBS Radio are the weakest Brunei radio stations in Miri, Sarawak because they operate at low power transmission.

 

BFBS Radio in Brunei operates on FM 101.7MHz in English and FM 89.5MHz in Nepali.

 

Here are the videos of tuning BFBS Radio Brunei FM 101.7MHz and BFBS Radio Gurkha FM 89.5MHz in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia where I recorded on 11th April 2024 during Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday.

 

By conducting overall coverage check of BFBS Radio in Miri, many areas have no signal to receive these radio stations. In fact, BFBS Radio is only clear in Kuala Baram and Lutong where are located near Brunei border.

 

為什麼TEA FM沒有在民都魯和美里設有電台收聽頻率？

東馬中英語私營電台TEA FM開台已經接近9年, 這家東馬電台在2015年8月成立, 聽眾群主要是20至40歲的東馬人.

TEA FM在東馬有三個收聽頻率, 分別為古晉102.7, 詩巫100.7和亞庇102.8, 可是這家電台沒有在民都魯和美里有收聽頻率, 我對這此事件感到好奇, 所以我曾經向TEA FM建議擴大其收聽範圍至民都魯和美里, 但沒有下文.

在美里, Astro Radio的電台MY FM, Hitz, Melody, Era和Sinar都有收聽頻率, 可是TEA FM則沒有.

為何TEA FM在民都魯和美里沒有收聽頻率?

1. 對TEA FM而言, 民都魯和美里是沒有電台商業價值的地方因為這兩個地區沒有達到這家電台的目標.

2. 民都魯和美里的年輕聽眾 (20-40歲)人口不比古晉和詩巫來得多. 因為TEA FM是鎖定20-40歲的聽眾, 所以民都魯和美里不是TEA FM的鎖定市場.

最近, 我在開齋節假期來到民都魯和美里遊玩並探測遠距離電台訊號, 這兩個地區的華裔年輕人比古晉少.

 

相反的, 如果民都魯和美里的年輕人是跟古晉和詩巫一樣多, 但TEA FM無法擴大覆蓋範圍至民都魯和美里, 也許是因為MCMC還是禁止新的廣播頻率執照申請.

Why doesn't TEA FM expand coverage in Miri & Bintulu, Sarawak via frequency transmission platform?

It is almost 9 years of TEA FM broadcasts in Sarawak and Sabah since August 2015.

TEA FM is a Sabah and Sarawak radio station, broadcasts in Chinese and English. It targets 20-40 years old listeners in Sabah and Sarawak.

 

TEA FM broadcasts in Kuching on FM 102.7MHz, Kota Kinabalu on FM 102.8MHz and Sibu on FM 100.7MHz. From August 2015 until today, TEA FM does not have coverage expansion to other Sarawak towns such as Bintulu and Miri.

 

While Astro Radio such as MY FM, Hitz FM, Era FM, Sinar FM and Melody FM have Miri frequency, but I feel very curious of Tea FM doesn't expand coverage in Miri, also Bintulu. 

Back to 2021, I was used to drop my proposal to launch TEA FM in Bintulu and Miri, but I did not get any response from the radio station.

 

Why does TEA FM have no Bintulu and Miri frequencies?

1. No commercial value to TEA FM in Bintulu and Miri as these areas don't meet the radio station branding target.

 

2. In Bintulu and Miri, the Chinese and English speaking youngsters are lesser than Kuching and Sibu. As TEA FM targets 20-40 years old listeners, Bintulu and Miri are not the target locations to TEA FM. 

Recently, I visited Miri and Bintulu, Chinese youngsters there are not much as Kuching. 

Inversely, if Bintulu and Miri have the youngsters as much as Kuching and Sibu, but TEA FM is unable to expand coverage there due to MCMC's suspension of new frequency application for FM radio since 2019.

The importance of RTM Wai FM shortwave frequency SW 11665kHz

Radio broadcast nowadays consists new technology and on-demand platform such as podcast, online streaming and YouTube LIVE streaming, alongside linear platform like FM radio frequency transmission.

Shortwave radio broadcast is an older radio technology than FM radio and newer DAB+/DRM. Although it is not relevant for urban and developed areas due to growing of online streaming and podcast, but shortwave radio is still an essential for the rural and remote areas where FM radio cannot be accessed.

RTM Wai FM also operates on shortwave frequency SW 11665kHz, transmitted from RTM Kajang and it beams at 93 degree angle, mainly targets Sarawak state.

 

Wai FM SW 11665kHz is different from Wai FM Iban in Kuching because it is a hybrid radio station to relay different languages programs from Limbang and Miri. From what I observe, from 12pm to 6pm, Wai FM SW 11665kHz does not air Iban program, instead Radio Tau Limbang FM in Lun Bawang language from 12pm to 3pm, then Radio Kayan Miri FM in Kayan language from 3pm to 5pm and Talidio Kenyah in Kenyah language from 5pm to 6pm.

Wai FM SW 11665kHz is still a need actually because it needs to cover Sarawak rural areas where FM radio has no coverage.

There are many Kenyah and Kayan people in Sarawak rural areas like Marudi District of Miri Division and Belaga District of Kapit Division, but Radio Kayan and Talidio Kenyah are not available in Belaga on Sibu FM 103.0MHz, then Marudi District. So, the listeners have to tune on either SW 11665kHz, Astro CH870 or RTM Klik or Facebook LIVE.

For those areas in Belaga and Marudi where have no internet coverage, SW 11665kHz becomes important platform there.

Miri FM currently broadcasts on the frequency FM 95.7MHz/98.0MHz for Miri, and FM 95.1MHz for Niah and Suai, however it does not have gap filler transmitters in Marudi and Long Lama like Sarawak FM. As Miri FM uses transponder in RTM Miri on FM 98.0MHz to send signal from studio to Bukit Lambir transmitter (95.7MHz). Technically, due to the terrains, I don't think Miri FM can send signal feed from RTM Miri and Bukit Lambir to Long Lama via microwave link and transponder. Hence, Miri FM becomes unavailable in Long Lama via frequency platform. So, the listeners in Long Lama have to tune via SW 11665kHz.

RTM gap filler transmitters (Sarawak FM and Nasional FM) in Marudi and Long Lama are linking signal via C-band satellite.

On 11th April 2024, I also did radio signal aircheck of Wai FM SW 11665kHz in Miri town, Sarawak as part of coverage availability in Miri Division. Yes, Wai FM SW 11665kHz is available in Miri town, therefore it means that radio listeners in Long Lama can access this shortwave radio station which consists Radio Kayan and Talidio Kenyah program by tuning on SW 11665kHz.

 

Miri FM can still be tuned in Marudi via FM 95.7MHz from Bukit Lambir, meanwhile its radio signal is not clear in Long Lama and Miri FM 95.7MHz is having interference noise of Nasional FM 95.5MHz in Long Lama because Nasional FM operates in Long Lama on 95.5MHz, but I'm not sure whether RTM Nasional FM changes its Long Lama frequency or not due to interference to Miri FM 95.7MHz there, despite Nasional FM 95.5MHz operates at low power transmission as much as 0.1kW in Long Lama.

Despite shortwave radio signal propagation and audio quality are not good as FM radio, in order to reach Long Lama, I strongly recommend RTM Miri FM to add gap filler transmitters in Long Lama, so the listeners can tune Miri FM with better audio quality via frequency transmission.

RTM Sarawak FM radio reception in Batu Niah, Sarawak

 

1. FM 88.1MHz Bukit Lambir 1kW (51km)

2. FM 97.9MHz Bukit Dabei Marudi 0.1kW (87km)

3. FM 100.0MHz Bukit Sagan Rudang 0.1kW (150km)

In Batu Niah, Sarawak FM 88.1MHz is the clearest frequency among all.

Sarawak FM does not have its gap filler transmitter in Suai, Sarawak like Miri FM 95.1MHz and Nasional FM 97.1MHz which both are transmitted from Bukit TT844, but the listeners have to tune to Sarawak FM in Suai via FM 88.1MHz Bukit Lambir or FM 93.7MHz Bukti Setiam.

Furthest FM radio stations that I tuned in Sarawak (2024 - Bintulu & Miri)

Here are the furthest radio stations that I tuned in Sarawak from 10th to 11th April 2024.

==Sebauh, Bintulu Division==

* RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz Brunei (272km from Bukit Subok, Bandar Seri Begawan)

==Batu Niah, Miri Division==

1. RTM Limbang FM 94.5MHz Bukit Sagan Rudang (150km)

2. RTM Sarawak FM 100.0MHz Bukit Sagan Rudang (150km)

==Bekenu, Miri Division==

* RTM Sabah VFM 102.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus (232km)

The transmission role of RTM Bintulu FM 97.5MHz and 95.3MHz

 

RTM Bintulu FM was established since 2011, it operates with two frequencies in Bintulu Division, such as FM 97.5MHz Bukit Setiam and FM 95.3MHz RTM Bintulu.

FM 97.5MHz Bukit Setiam is the main transmitter of Bintulu FM to cover entire Bintulu Division and it can cover part of Mukah Division (Balingian) as well as Miri Division (Suai & Niah), its transmitter power is 1kW, meanwhile FM 95.3MHz from RTM Bintulu is low power transmitter located in Bintulu old town, output power is 0.1kW.

Actually Bintulu FM frequencies are duplicated, but technically FM 97.5MHz and FM 95.3MHz play different role.

Bintulu FM 95.3MHz acts as a transponder to send studio feed from RTM Bintulu to Bukit Setiam transmitter (97.5MHz), same situation like RTM Langkawi FM where 87.5MHz RTM Kuah acts as transponder to send studio feed from RTM Kuah to Gunung Raya transmitter (104.8MHz).

If Bintulu FM has no 95.3MHz, the main transmitter in Bukit Setiam on FM 97.5MHz will not receive any signal feed from RTM Bintulu, so the listeners will only get silent signal on FM 97.5MHz in Bintulu Division because Bintulu FM 97.5MHz in Bukit Setiam cannot receive feed from FM 95.3MHz RTM Bintulu.

 

Labuan FM 103.7MHz also acts as a transponder in RTM Labuan to send studio feed to FM 89.4MHz Bukit Timbalai transmitter.

 

In conclusion, Bintulu FM 95.3MHz is still important because it acts as transponder by sending studio feeds from RTM Bintulu to Bukit Setiam in order to cover entire Bintulu Division via FM 97.5MHz. It is not suitable to abolish FM 95.3MHz, unless RTM uses STL (studio to transmitter link) which sends feeds via microwave link, but there are terrains between RTM Bintulu to Bukit Setiam, so it is likely impossible of STL microwave signal can travel from RTM Bintulu to Bukit Setiam as microwave signal is using ultra high frequency (UHF) at 900MHz or 2GHz.

RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz from Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei is the furthest radio station tuned in Sebauh, Sarawak, Malaysia.

 

During Hari Raya Aidilfitri festival, as per plan, I came to Bintulu and Miri, Sarawak for radio DXing and holiday, the trip includes Tatau, Sebauh, Batu Niah and Bekenu.

On 1st day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, I went to Tatau, Bintulu and Sebauh. Tatau was my first destination after arriving the airport for breakfast, but I don't have radio DXing content in Tatau because there has no far radio signal can be tuned.

Then, I proceed to Sebauh.

Sebauh is a rural town in Bintulu Division, Sarawak, the most famous site is a Chinese temple because it is located on the river.

For radio DXing, Sebauh is not an unique location to receive ultra far radio signal as the rural town is covered by terrains, but surprisingly I received RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz from Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei there.

Although there has no DX radio signal in Sebauh, but RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz from Brunei becomes the furthest radio station tuned in Sebauh, Bintulu Division, Sarawak, Malaysia, meanwhile I could not receive any Brunei radio stations signal in Bintulu, unless tropospheric propagation.

Very mild signal of Brunei radio station RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz was received in Sebauh, Sarawak, Malaysia, but Pelangi FM 91.0MHz signal from Andulau was negative there.

* Frequency: FM 91.4MHz

* Power: 5kW

* Transmitter site: Bukit Subok, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

* Receiving site: Sebauh, Bintulu Division, Sarawak, Malaysia

* Distance: 272km

* Propagation: Tropospheric