[Automotive topic]: Nissan Sylphy B17 launched in Malaysia, the Nissan Sentra nameplate retired from Malaysia markets.

The all new Nissan Sylphy B17 was launched in Malaysia last months, the long running Nissan Sentra Sport N16 was finally disappeared from Nissan Malaysia website, meanwhile its predecessor (G11) is still appeared on Nissan Malaysia official webiste.

This means that Nissan Sylphy B17 is our Nissan Sentra N16 replacement, especially the 1.8 litre range.

When the Nissan B17 launched in Malaysia, the B17 is not called as Nissan Sentra, instead Sylphy due to the price. Nissan Sentra nameplate was disappeared in Philippines too.

In mid 2000's, Nissan Sylphy G11 and Latio Sedan were the Nissan Sentra N16 actual replacement. Our Nissan Malaysia distributor Edaran Tan Chong did not intend to replace Nissan Sentra N16 with any model, but sold it as budget model like Singapore, where Nissan Sylphy slotted above than Sentra.

Regarding to the price of Nissan Latio sedan C11, its price is closed to Nissan Sentra N16 1.6 litre range, but the price of Nissan Sylphy B17 is closed to Nissan Sentra N16 1.8 XGL.

Nissan Sentra nameplate was used in Malaysia for 28 years, since 1986 until 2014. In the 1980's, Nissan Sunny B11 130Y was sold well in South East Asia countries like Thailand and Malaysia. Edaran Tan Chong Motor did not intend to replace Nissan Sunny 130Y B11 with B12 model, so ETCM used Sentra nameplate for B12 model and slotted it above Nissan Sunny 130Y, but lower than Nissan Bluebird and Langley. The B12 was fully imported model, meanwhile N13, B13, B14 and N16 was locally assembled model. Nissan Sunny 130Y was discontinued in Malaysia since 1996.

The first generation of Nissan Sentra (B12; 1986-1987):

Here's the first generation of Nissan Sentra in Malaysia in boxy design, launched here around year 1986. This was considered rare model, body looked like Nissan Bluebird U11 and Stanza T12. This B12 had been used as taxis in Malaysia before (but retired since early 2000's). In 1990's, we could see not only the new B13 Genting Taxi, but we also could see this B12 as taxi in Genting. Only 1 spec offered in Malaysia, there was 1500 cc engine (E15S; same engine with Nissan Langley N12 Sedan) with manual transmission gearbox. It was replaced by N13 since 1987.

The second generation of Nissan Sentra (N13; 1987-1991):

 

Nissan Sentra N13 was launched in Malaysia in 1987 as the short life B12 replacement. In addition, this N13 was also Nissan Langley (N12) replacement. N13 had two variants for Malaysia markets, there were 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback. Powered by 1500 (GA15S) and 1600 cc (GA16S)engine with auto or manual transmission.

The third generation of Nissan Sentra (B13; 1991-1995):

The Nissan Sentra returned to B-series in 1991 after its predecessor, B12 was discontinued in 1987 here. This car was very popular in Malaysia during early 1990's. In 1991, the B13 front grille was Sunny logo (JDM logo) which same with B12, but replaced with Nissan logo in 1993. It was also used as taxis in Genting, even we still can see this car on the road until today. The B13 Genting Taxi still use today due to good fuel efficiency and powerful. It was powered by 1600 cc GA16DE engine with auto or manual transmission optional. Its siblings were Nissan AD Resort Y10, Nissan 100NX Coupe and Nissan Pulsar N14 which its platform was same with B13.

The fourth generation of Nissan Sentra (B14; 1995-2001):

Come to mid 1990's, the B14 launched in Malaysia in late 1995. Europe, New Zealand and Australian markets did not received this model due to there already offered Nissan Pulsar/Almera N15. No hatchback variant (N15) offered in Malaysia. Actually Tan Chong should offer two variants, there were sedan (B14) and hatchback (N15). In 1998, the facelift of B14 was launched, the grille looked like Nissan Bluebird U14 and Cefiro A32. Only 1600 cc engine spec offered. In US and Japan, the B14 had coupe version.

The fifth generation of Nissan Sentra (N16: 2000-2013):

The Nissan Sentra N16 was launched in Malaysia in late 2000, this car was the successor to Nissan Pulsar N15 and Nissan Presea R11 in Japan. In Europe and Australia, this car had hatchback version (3/5 door), but the grille looks like Primera P12 (V-curve design). In Malaysia, the N16 Sentra offered 1500 cc (1.5 SE; auto or manual), 1600 cc (1.6 XE; auto) and 1800 cc (1.8 GXE; auto) specs. N16 was shared platform with Nissan Sunny B15, Wingroad Y11, Tino V10 and Primera P12. In 2004/05, there had two facelift of this N16. The facelift of Nissan Sentra N16 looked like Teana J31 and Latio Sedan C11 in terms of rear ends. The 1500 cc range was dropped after the facelift of Sentra launched in 2005, meanwhile 1800 cc spec was dropped since 2010. Actually this Nissan Sentra was ended production in 2012/13, but Nissan Malaysia Website was still presented this model before the B17 Sylphy launched.

Empty FM frequencies in Ipoh, Taiping and North Perak

Since Johor Bahru FM frequencies is officially full there because there has many radio stations there, including Singapore and Batam, Indonesia. The empty frequency 89.3MHz is belonged to Singapore after its Mobile TV was closed down since 2010, meanwhile 107.9MHz is belonged to Batam Indonesia. 105.3MHz was the last frequency that used by one FM, but transmitter site in Taman Sentosa, Johor Bahru, instead of Gunung Pulai to avoid from Johor FM Gunung Ledang.

MCMC said that Taiping frequencies will be full, but there has only 3 empty frequencies in Taiping, there are 88.8MHz, 92.4MHz, 93.2MHz, 97.3MHz and 105.7MHz.

88.2MHz- Hot FM (Gunung Jerai)
88.5MHz- Kedah FM (Bukit Sungai Kechil Hilir; Bandar Baharu only) & Traxx FM (Bukit Genting; Balik Pulau only)
88.7MHz- Radio Klasik (Bukit Palong; Baling, Klian Intan & Pengkalan Hulu only)
88.7MHz- (empty in Ipoh; transmitter is suitable to be set up in Gunung Kledang once Radio Klasik Changkat Rembian, Tapah transmitter is no longer operated)
88.8MHz- (empty; suitable for half power transmission in Bukit Larut)
89.0MHz- IKIM.FM (Gunung Jerai)

92.1MHz- Ai FM (Gunung Kledang; Ipoh and Central Perak)

92.4MHz- (empty; suitable for half power transmission in Bukit Larut)

92.4MHz- hitz.fm (Gunung Raya; for Langkawi and Perlis only)

92.5MHz- Ai FM (Bukit Palong; for Baling, Klian Intan and Pengkalan Hulu)

92.7MHz- hitz fm (Gunung Kledang; Ipoh and Central Perak)

92.8MHz- hitz fm (Gunung Jerai)

93.0MHz- Radio Thailand Betong (Betong, Baling, Gerik and Pengkalan Hulu only)

93.1MHz- Nasional FM (Gunung Brinchang; Cameron Highlands only)
93.1MHz- (empty, but only suitable for Bukit Genting transmitter)

93.2MHz- (empty in Taiping; suitable for half power transmission in Bukit Larut)
93.3MHz- (empty in Ipoh; transmitter is suitable to be set up in Gunung Kledang)

93.3MHz- Minnal FM (Bukit Palong; for Baling, Klian Intan and Pengkalan Hulu)

93.6MHz- hitz.fm (Bukit Larut)

97.1MHz- SINAR FM (Gunung Jerai Penang, Kedah and Perlis)
97.3MHz- (empty; but only suitable for low transmission in Bukit Larut only; min: 0.1kW max: 0.25kW)
97.5MHz- Kedah FM (Gunung Jerai; Penang and Kedah only)

102.7MHz- IKIM.FM (Gunung Kledang; Ipoh)
102.7MHz- IKIM.FM (Bukit Genting; Balik Pulau)
102.9MHz- Perlis FM (Padang Pauh; Perlis)
103.0MHz- <empty; transmitter is suitable to be set up in Bukit Larut unless Radio Klasik Bukit Larut transmitter frequency changed to 103.4MHz>
103.3MHz- Radio Klasik (Bukit Larut)
103.5MHz- Ai FM (Gunung Brinchang; Cameron Highlands)
103.6MHz- ERA FM (Gunung Jerai)

105.3MHz- Traxx FM (Bukit Larut)

105.7MHz- (EMPTY; suitable for full power transmission in Bukit Larut)

105.7MHz- Kedah FM (Gunung Raya; for Langkawi and North Kedah only)

106.1MHz- AI fm (Bukit Larut)

Somehow the frequencies 88.8MHz, 92.4MHz and 93.2MHz may be closed 0.1MHz frequencies band distance with radio station from Baling, Kedah 88.7MHz, 92.5MHz and 93.3MHz, which can cause interference in Penang, South Kedah, Pengkalan Hulu and Klian Intan, but these affected areas has alternative frequency from Gunung Jerai.

The FM frequencies, 88.7MHz and 93.3MHz are empty in Ipoh, but these frequencies' transmitter are suitable to be set up in Gunung Kledang if RTM Radio Klasik Changkat Rembian transmitter 88.7MHz is no longer service and suggested to be replaced with Asyik FM in Ipoh. Therefore, the empty FM frequencies in Taiping remain two only, there are 92.4MHz and 105.7MHz. If one FM and IKIM.FM use 92.4MHz and 105.7MHz in Bukit Larut, Taiping respectively, there has no empty frequencies in Taiping anymore because it is almost full.

Empty FM frequencies in Ipoh: 93.3MHz, 93.9MHz, and 107.3MHz.

97.3MHz is the narrowest frequency in Taiping, but it is only suitable for the low power transmission broadcast, although transmitter site can be placed in Bukit Larut, but only cover certain areas of Northwest Perak such as Taiping, Changkat Jering, Kuala Kurau, Kamunting, Semanggol..

105.7MHz is empty frequency in Taiping, but shared with Kedah FM Langkawi frequency and Lite FM Selangor 105.7MHz. This may not be a big interference since Kedah FM Langkawi 105.7MHz only covers Langkawi and North Kedah, meanwhile Lite FM only covers South Perak, Klang Valley and West Pahang. If any radio stations set up transmitter in Bukit Larut and the frequency is on 105.7MHz, the coverage of Lite FM 105.7MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali in most of Perak areas will be minimized until South Perak, but listeners still can tune to clearer 101.5MHz from Ipoh (Gunung Kledang). Meanwhile the coverage of Kedah FM 105.7MHz from Langkawi which still can be received in South Kedah and parts of Penang will be minimized until North Kedah and Alor Setar only. Just like Langkawi FM 104.8MHz, it can cover up to South Kedah and North Penang before Astro Xfresh (now Melody FM) having 104.9MHz in Bukit Larut.

Currently the reception of IKIM.FM in North Perak and Penang are very weak on 102.7MHz, meanwhile there has no signal on 89.0MHz from Gunung Jerai which can cover these areas. If they set up Bukit Larut transmitter on 105.7MHz, the coverage can cover North Perak, and most of Penang areas rather than 92.4MHz and 93.2MHz. One FM currently doesn't set up frequency in Taiping, perhaps the reception there on 87.8MHz is considered ok than 87.6MHz from Ipoh. They can use either 92.4MHz or 93.2MHz for Taiping and North Perak areas because they have 87.8MHz to cover many areas.

92.4MHz and 93.2MHz from Bukit Larut can cover up to Central Perak, South Penang and Lenggong only, meanwhile 105.7MHz from Bukit Larut can cover up to Penang, South Kedah and North East Perak, even parts of Yala province like Betong, Thailand. The coverage of 105.7MHz from Bukit Larut is wider than 92.4MHz and 93.2MHz.

Another empty frequency, 103.0MHz may be suitable to be set up transmitter in Bukit Larut, but RTM Radio Klasik use 103.3MHz in Bukit Larut. The frequency distance between 103.0MHz and 103.3MHz is 0.3MHz. If 103.0MHz Bukit Larut use 2 kW power, this can cause interference to RTM Radio Klasik because RTM Radio Klasik 103.3MHz use only 0.5 kW power, unless RTM Radio Klasik Bukit Larut frequency is changed to 103.4MHz.

Anyway, the frequency usage is decided by MCMC (Malaysia Communication Multimedia Commission; Malaysia broadcast regulator).

Melody FM為北馬聽衆創設的福建/閩南語節目〈歡喜福氣啦！〉

馬來西亞中文電台Melody FM自從今年2014年1月6日為北馬聽衆創設了閩南語節目，稱爲“歡喜福氣啦！”，目標鎖定為北馬地區（檳城，吉打和玻璃市）的福建聽衆群，年齡為35-49嵗。另外的“菲賣品”就從原本的1700-2000時變去1600-2000時；“紋風探路”就變去1300-1600時。

“歡喜福氣啦！”是有洪绣晴（1600-1800時）和Season 徐世顺（1800-2000時）主持，每逢星期一至五，1600-2000時播出。

“歡喜福氣啦！”只是可以在檳城，吉打和玻璃市通過106.5FM收聼得到，其實霹靂北部也還可以收聽這個節目。想要在北馬聼“菲賣品”的聽衆還可以通過太平頻道104.9收聽，但是104.9只限在檳城和吉打南部如雙溪大年，和居林可以收到，在華玲，Gurun和錫會比較弱。反而104.9在其他地區如亞羅士打，玻璃市，日得拉是收不到的。

因爲“歡喜福氣啦！”的誕生，Melody FM的下班時段分成兩個節目，北馬是“歡喜福氣啦！”，其他地區則是“菲賣品”。

但是在霹靂北部（太平，宜力，司南馬，巴裏文打等等），檳城和吉打南部的聽衆就有兩种選擇。在霹靂太平和霹靂北部地區的聽衆也可以調去106.5MHz來收聽福建節目“歡喜福氣啦！”，反而在檳城和吉打南部還可以調去太平頻道104.9MHz收聽菲比主持的“菲賣品”收聽，但是天綫需要做出一些調整因爲太平頻道在這些地區是比較弱的。幸虧Melody FM還有太平頻道104.9，所以檳城和吉打南部聽衆還可以聽到“菲賣品”。在吉打中北部和玻璃市的聽衆需要上網或下載應用程序來收聽“菲賣品”。

其實我是客家人, 也不是很明白和說福建話. 對我而言, 如果在檳城和吉打南部收聽, 我還可以通過太平頻道104.9MHz收聽<菲賣品>.

其實MELODY FM必須提升太平頻道104.9MHz的收綫素質，所以檳城和吉打南部可以聽到更加清楚。

“歡喜福氣啦！”可算是馬來西亞繼續one FM福建版〈快樂點〉之後有福建節目的中文電台。

“歡喜福氣啦！”還沒誕生前，之前one FM曾經有一個短命福建版的“快樂點”，是由苗苗林靜苗主持的，以前福建版“快樂點”是在周日1600-1800時播出，但是在2012年5月初因爲一些事情而被夭折。

Melody FM下班時段的不同節目讓我想起了MY FM, hitz.fm, ERA FM和THR FM。

MY FM, hitz.fm 和ERA FM在東馬節目（沙巴，砂拉越）是與馬來西亞半島的節目是完全不同的（除了早晨節目之外），反而THR.FM在西海岸與東海岸的節目甚至語言是完全不同。不同地方的是THR.FM在西海岸是以淡米爾語廣播（稱爲THR Raaga），另外THR.FM 在東海岸是以馬來語廣播（THR Gegar）。