Saturday 15 March 2014

FLY FM Kedah frequency reception (Langkawi, and Northern Kedah)

Fly FM frequencies in Alor Setar is on 99.1MHz, currently its transmitter site is located at Alor Setar Tower (in Malay known as "Menara Alor Setar"). Previously Fly FM 99.1MHz was transmitted from Gunung Jerai initially (in 2007-09), then moved to limited transmitting coverage Wisma PKNK (in 2009-12) due to interference with radio station from Thailand (Satun) and Penang, but finally at limited coverage Alor Setar tower (since 2012).

Before Fly FM 99.1MHz launched in Kedah, its former frequency was 87.7MHz (now 87.8MHz is one FM) in Gunung Jerai.

This can cause many Kedah areas cannot receive FLY FM on 99.1MHz, but southern parts of Kedah like Baling, Sungai Petani, Kulim still can receive FLY FM on 89.9MHz from Bukit Penara, Penang, meanwhile northern parts of Kedah, Langkawi and Perlis totally cannot receive FLY FM on 99.1MHz. Alor Setar Tower transmitter is limited due to the height of the tower.

If North Kedah and Perlis cannot receive FLY FM, Fly FM can launch a transmitter in Gunung Raya (Pulau Langkawi) to cover Perlis, Langkawi and Northern parts of Kedah, even some of Central-Southern parts of Kedah still can receive FLY FM from Langkawi with weaker signal, the examples of the empty frequencies in Gunung Raya: 94.2MHz. Most of radio frequencies in northern region seems full, due to used by many radio stations from Kedah, Perlis, Penang and Thailand: Satun. So, 94.2MHz is the empty frequencies.



I suggested 94.1MHz to Fly FM before, but I found that 94.1MHz will clash with PFM 94.0MHz from Satun, Thailand. Therefore, 94.2MHz can avoid clashing.

FLY FM can solve the Kedah and Perlis coverage problem with launching Langkawi frequency.

If FLY FM create a new frequency in Pulau Langkawi on 94.2MHz, it may not a problem because there may not have any interference with any radio stations.

So, FLY FM may not have problem to launch Gunung Raya transmitter if it is on 94.2MHz, but the frequency usage is decided by MCMC (Malaysia Broadcast Regulator Department).


Empty FM empty frequencies in Pulau Langkawi and Perlis which are suitable to be set up in Gunung Raya: 88.5MHz, 90.3MHz, 94.2MHz, 94.3MHz, and 106.1MHz.

Thursday 13 March 2014

20 years anniversary of THR.FM established in Malaysia

This year (2014) will be 20 years anniversary of THR.FM established in Malaysia.

THR.FM (Time Highway Radio) was established in 31 August 1994 on 99.3MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali, after the second private radio station in Malaysia after Best 104 launched.

THR.FM broadcasts in English (80%) and Malay (20%) in 1994.

Its slogan was "More Than Just Great Music" in the 1990's.

The Malay programme was known as "THR Gegar".

In mid-1990's, THR.FM expanded its broadcast coverage in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Perak, Kedah, Penang and Perlis, meanwhile East Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan transmitter were launched in early 2000's.
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In early 2000's, THR.FM launched Chinese and Tamil programmes, known as "Mat Tou Tak" (乜都得,anything can) and "Thr Raaga" respectively, meanwhile the English programme was known as "THR Xtreme". THR.FM broadcasted in four languages in early 2000's, mainly Malay (Gegar), English (Xtreme), Chinese Mandarin/Cantonese (Mat Tou Tak) and Tamil (Raaga)

Since THR.FM had stiff competition with other English radio stations in early 2000's, the THR.FM English programme was dropped. The short-life Chinese programme of THR.FM was also dropped at the same time. Therefore, THR.FM remained two languages programmes.

In 2005, THR.FM joined Astro Radio (formerly known as AMP Radio Networks), THR.FM in West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia became THR Raaga, meanwhile THR.FM in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia became full fledged Malay radio station, known as THR Gegar.

THR Raaga was the first Tamil private radio station in Malaysia, ended monopoly of RTM Minnal FM (formerly known as Radio 6) in Malaysia.

Initially, THR Raaga only broadcast in West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia from 0600 hours till 1900 hours, meanwhile 1900 hours till 0600 hours programme slots were THR Gegar from East Coast.

Since early 2010's, THR Raaga expanded its broadcast hours until 0200 hours, THR Raaga broadcasts from 0600 hours till 0200 hours on FM frequencies, meanwhile 0200 hours till 0600 hours programme slots were THR Gegar.

THR Gegar programme on THR Raaga FM frequencies was decreased to 4 hours.

THR Raaga still broadcasts its Tamil programme online and Astro at 0200 hours till 0600 hours.

Although THR Raaga and THR Gegar did not broadcast in East Coast and West Coast respectively, but listeners still can listen via online, mobile apps and Astro decoder. In addition, THR Raaga listeners still can receive THR Raaga on "99.3FM" (Central and West), "101.5FM" (Bera), "97.9FM" (Cameron Highlands) and "99.7FM" (South West) in Pahang, depends on the areas.

The slogan of THR Raaga is "Aaha! Sirantha Isai.", meanwhile the slogan of THR Gegar is "Permata Pantai Timur".

THR Gegar was established many years ago, compared to Raaga.

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Capital FM 88.9 expands its broadcast coverage in Penang (107.6FM)

The Malaysia's first English language women radio station, Capital FM 88.9, which owned by Star Radio Group since December 2011 will expand its broadcast coverage in Penang, starts from 17 March 2014, on 107.6MHz, transmitted from Bukit Penara.

The "107.6MHz" formerly was Red FM (formerly known as Red 104.9). Red FM established 107.6MHz in Penang because its Kedah frequency 98.1MHz was clashed with its Taiping frequency 98.2MHz, caused 98.1MHz and 98.2MHz cannot be heard in Penang. Since May 2009, Red FM had closed transmission of Taiping frequency 98.2MHz and Negeri Sembilan frequency 106.0MHz. The Red FM Taiping frequency 98.2MHz was closed down because to avoid interference from Red FM Kedah frequency 98.1MHz, meanwhile its Negeri Sembilan frequency 106.0MHz was closed down because of the transmitter tower in Gunung Telapa Burok cannot support more transmitters anymore due to its capacity. Since June 2009, Red FM in Taiping is 98.1MHz, where transmitted from Gunung Jerai, Kedah with 10kW power, meanwhile Red FM in Negeri Sembilan is 104.9MHz (from Gunung Ulu Kali, with 10kW power; for Northern-Central parts of Negeri Sembilan with weaker signal) or 98.9MHz (from Gunung Ledang; for Southern parts of Negeri Sembilan).

Red FM Penang frequency "107.6MHz" will be ended transmission soon, then taken over by Capital FM. So Red FM frequency in Penang will become 98.1MHz, where transmitted from Gunung Jerai, starts from 17/03/2014.

At the same time, some rumors said that Capital FM will transmit at Komtar, Penang on 107.6MHz. Based on logic, no any TV/radio stations in Penang transmitter site are at Komtar. TM did not build transmitter there too. If Penang TV/radio stations transmitter site are at Komtar, not all Penang state will receive TV/radio signal clearly from Komtar, such as Batu Feringgi, Balik Pulau, and Bayan Lepas. One FM Johor Bahru frequency 105.3MHz was an example, which transmitter site located in Taman Sentosa, only covered certain area of Johor Bahru partially.

Therfore, Penang, South Kedah (Sungai Petani, Baling, Kulim) and North Perak listeners can receive Capital FM on 107.6MHz soon.

Before Capital FM launches in Penang soon, Capital FM already covered Klang Valley, West Pahang, South Perak and North Negeri Sembilan on 88.9MHz. Capital FM already cover 55% of Perak area, mainly Hilir Perak (Teluk Intan, Langkap), Perak Tengah (Seri Iskandar), Manjung (such as Lumut, Sitiawan, Ayer Tawar, Pangkor, Pantai Remis), Batang Padang (such as Tapah, Bidor, Tanjung Malim) and parts of Kinta district (such as Batu Gajah, Tronoh, Tanjung Tualang). Meanwhile Taiping and North Perak area had to use special techniques to receive Capital FM on 88.9MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali.

After Capital FM launches in Penang, Capital FM Perak area coverage will be increased to 70%, the new Perak areas are Larut (Kamunting, Semanggol), Selama, Changkat Jering, Taiping, Kerian (Parit Buntar) and parts of Kuala Kangsar area (Padang Rengas). The rest 30% of Perak areas are Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Ipoh, Sg. Siput, and Kampar, unless they launch transmitters in Gunung Kledang, Ipoh and Bukit Larut, Taiping.

Stay tuned!

Capital FM frequencies

- 88.9MHz in Klang Valley, Central-South Perak, West Pahang, and North Negeri Sembilan (Transmitter Site: Gunung Ulu Kali).
- 107.6MHz in Pulau Pinang, North Perak and South Kedah (Transmitter site: Bukit Penara)

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Bernama Radio 24 93.9MHz transmitter site

Bernama Radio 24 is the first news and talk radio station in Malaysia, which established since September 2007. Its frequencies were on 93.9MHz in Kuala Lumpur and 107.5MHz in Johor. Before Bernama Radio 24 launched, the 93.9MHz formerly was RTM Klasik FM (formerly known as RIMA (Radio Irama Melayu Asli), which transmitted from Kuala Lumpur Tower. The "93.9MHz" was taken over by Bernama Radio 24 after Klasik FM merged with Nasional FM (formerly known as Radio 1) become "Klasik Nasional FM" (87.7MHz/98.3MHz in Klang Valley).


In January 2012, Bernama Radio 24 expanded its broadcast coverage in Johor on 107.5MHz, transmitted from Gunung Pulai. Before Bernama Radio 24 launched Johor transmitter, the 107.5MHz was formerly used by RTM FM Stereo Johor Bahru, transmitted from RTM Johor Bahru for only Johor Bahru metropolitan area which was ended broadcasting in March 2011.

After RTM FM Stereo Johor Bahru 107.5MHz was ended transmission in RTM Johor Bahru, the transmitter site of "107.5MHz" was shifted from RTM Johor Bahru to Gunung Pulai, so Radio 24 can be received in Johor Bahru, Singapore, Kota Tinggi, Pontian, Kluang, Batu Pahat, even parts of Muar/Segamat/Ledang/Mersing on 107.5MHz from Gunung Pulai.

In my opinion, Bernama Radio 24 93.9MHz should be transmitted from Gunung Ulu Kali, instead of Kuala Lumpur Tower because Gunung Ulu Kali radio/TV transmitter coverage is wider than Kuala Lumpur Tower. Kuala Lumpur Tower transmitter coverage is limited, only covers Kuala Lumpur and Central-South Selangor. Somewhat some Selangor areas may not receive radio/TV signal clearly from Kuala Lumpur Tower.

If Bernama Radio 24 93.9MHz transmitter site located in Gunung Ulu Kali, many areas of Klang Valley, even outside of Selangor can receive this radio loudly and clearly, such as:

1. Perak (Tapah, Seri Iskandar, Chenderiang, Temoh, Teluk Intan, Bidor, Sungkai, Tronoh, Tanjung Tualang, Batu Gajah, Sitiawan, Manjung, Lumut, Pulau Pangkor, Slim River, Tanjung Malim, Kg. Gajah, Bota, Lambor Kanan, Parit, Langkap, Chenderong Balai, Bagan Datoh, Pantai Remis, Changkat Keruing, Ayer Tawar, Beruas, Parit and parts of Kuala Kangsar), even some of Northern Perak areas can receive Bernama Radio 24 from Gunung Ulu Kali by using higher antennas of special technique.

2. Negeri Sembilan (Nilai, Mantin, parts of Seremban/Jelebu/Kuala Pilah/Port Dickson/Rembau/Jempol)

3. Pahang (Bentong, Lurah Bilut, Karak, Lanchang, Temerloh, Mentakab, Maran, Triang, Raub, Benta, Kuala Lipis and parts of Jerantut)

4. Selangor (Hulu Selangor, Sabak Bernam, Rawang)