[RF Analysis]: Perak FM in Pengkalan Hulu, and Gerik rural areas

Perak FM currently broadcasts on 96.2MHz in Memplam Sari Gerik for Gerik areas only, but the frequency is clashing with 988 Gunung Jerai transmitter 96.1MHz where can cover Pengkalan Hulu and certain rural areas of Gerik.

==RF Analysis Perak FM 96.2MHz==
96.1MHz: 988 Gn Jerai
96.2MHz: Perak FM Gerik

Spacing: 100kHz, interference detected.

Actually Pengkalan Hulu cannot receive the radio and TV signals from Gerik because the height of transmitter site of Memplam Sari is low and Pengkalan Hulu, Klian Intan are topographic areas.

Perak FM 96.2MHz Gerik in Pengkalan Hulu and Klian Intan is 988 96.1MHz.

In Pengkalan Hulu, North Gerik and Klian Intan must receive from Bukit Palong in order to get clearer signal. Bukit Larut cannot cover there because it is too far.

In my opinion, Perak FM should add 1 more transmitter in Bukit Palong to cover Pengkalan Hulu, Klian Intan and North Gerik. The best frequency that can be used is FM 104.7MHz.

Memplam Sari Gerik looks like Kuala Lumpur Tower, meanwhile Bukit Palong looks like Gunung Ulu Kali or Gunung Telapa Burok there in terms of coverage.

Besides that, Perak FM has 2 frequency for Gerik, mainly 96.2MHz Memplam Sari for Gerik town, and 96.2MHz for South Gerik rural areas. With establishing of Perak FM Bukit Palong transmitter, listeners can tune to alternative frequency 104.7MHz in Gerik, Pengkalan Hulu and Klian Intan if Perak FM 96.2MHz interfered by 988 96.1MHz.

Why do I suggest FM 104.7MHz for Perak FM in Bukit Palong? Here is the radio frequency analysis.

==RF Analysis Perak FM Bukit Palong==

1. versus Bukit Larut
104.7MHz: Perak FM Bukit Palong (1kW)
104.9MHz: Melody FM Bukit Larut
Separation: 200kHz, OK

2. versus Bukit Dedap
104.7MHz: Perak FM Bukit Palong (1kW)
105.1MHz: Kedah FM Bukit Dedap
Separation: 400kHz, OK

3. versus Gunung Jerai
104.4MHz: Lite FM Gunung Jerai
104.7MHz: Perak FM Bukit Palong (1kW)
Separation: 300kHz, OK

4. versus Gunung Raya
104.7MHz: Perak FM Bukit Palong (1kW)
104.8MHz: Langkawi FM Gunung Raya
Separation: 100kHz, OK. Although Kedah and parts of Penang are not under the broadcast coverage of Perak FM Bukit Palong, interference with Langkawi FM 104.8MHz occurs in Sg Petani, Merbok and some areas of Penang Island, but the interference is less because Langkawi FM 104.8MHz is for Langkawi Island and surrounding areas only, meanwhile Perak FM 104.7MHz Bukit Palong is for North-East Perak areas only.

The important sites of frequency separation with Bukit Palong is:
1. Bukit Dedap
2. Gunung Jerai
3. Betong Thailand
4. Memplam Sari Gerik
5. Bukit Larut (only applied for Perak FM)
6. Bukit Ladang Teh Lenggong

Currently RTM Bukit Palong operates six radio stations mainly:

1. Radio Klasik 88.7MHz

2. Nasional FM 89.7MHz

3. Kedah FM 90.5MHz (co-channel with Hot FM Bukit Larut 90.5)

4. Traxx FM 91.7MHz (co-channel with Suria FM Bukit Larut 91.7)

5. Ai FM 92.5MHz (0.1MHz with Hitz.FM Gunung Raya 92.4)

6. Minnal FM 93.3MHz 

All of them are under 6+1 system, means that 6 transmitters are sharing with an antenna.

If Perak FM 104.7MHz is added in Bukit Palong, the system remains 6+1. The results will become:

1. Radio Klasik 88.7MHz

2. Nasional FM 89.7MHz

3. Kedah FM 90.5MHz (co-channel with Hot FM Bukit Larut 90.5)

4. Traxx FM 91.7MHz (co-channel with Suria FM Bukit Larut 91.7)

5. Ai FM 92.5MHz (0.1MHz with Hitz.FM Gunung Raya 92.4)

6. Minnal FM 93.3MHz  
7. Perak FM 104.7MHz (1+1)

The transmitting direction of Perak FM Bukit Palong 104.7MHz will be different with six radio station due to Perak FM is mainly for Perak only.

Regarding the transmission power, Perak FM 104.7MHz Bukit Palong must use at least 1kW to cover Pengkalan Hulu, North Gerik and Kelian Intan. If the power is 0.25 kW or 0.5kW, it cannot cover these areas clearly.

If Perak FM 104.7MHz in Bukit Palong, Pengkalan Hulu, North Gerik and Kelian Intan can be received clearly and more stable than 96.2MHz. In addition, Perak FM Bkt Palong 104.7 will become another alternative frequency in Gerik, alongside with 96.2MHz. Although Kedah areas such as Baling, Sungai Petani,Kulim and Sik, Penang like Tanjung Bungah and Kepala Batas as well as Betong Thailand are not under broadcasting coverage of Perak FM 104.7MHz Bukit Palong, these areas still can be receive the radio station, but not all area can receive clearly. Meanwhile Langkawi FM 104.8MHz will heavily interfered by Melody FM 104.9MHz Bukit Larut and Perak FM 104.7MHz Bukit Palong in Sotuh Kedah and Penang.

Moreover, Perak FM 96.7MHz can be abolished after launching of Bukit Palong transmitter, meanwhile 96.2MHz remained broadcast without changing any parameters.