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)