Media Prima 4th radio station (CLSB) will be launched on 3rd March 2016

Since October 2015, Copyright Laureate Sdn Bhd (CLSB) owned radio stations, Ultra and Pi Mai FM were acquired by Media Prima. Recently, the radio station is on trial transmission and counting down for launching new stations.

Last week, some of Hot FM DJs (including Fara Fauzana aka Fafau) moved to CLSB stations.

Previously everybody is speculating what will CLSB station become. 

My own speculation is Media Prima will launch CLSB radio as Malay language station, which targets serious and mature attitude listeners. Media Prima stated that they will launch this station on 3rd March 2016.

I had tried to tune to this station, my area is FM 101.3MHz.. 

About the frequencies, they just only mentioned 101.3MHz Klang Valley and 90.2MHz Penang. I'm  really not sure about when they are launched, will they mentioned more frequencies. 

They could launch these transmitters site:

- Alor Setar Tower (Alor Setar)

- Gunung Telapak Burok/Bukit Gan (Negeri Sembilan)

- Gunung Ledang (Melaka/Johor)

- Bukit Pelindung (Kuantan)

- Peringat (Kota Bharu)

- Bukit Besar (Kuala Terengganu)

- Bukit Larut (Taiping)

- Bukit Karatong (Kota Kinabalu)

- Bukit Djin (Kuching)

- Gunung Kledang (Ipoh)

But it is very difficult to make frequency for Johor Bahru as no available frequencies. It seems Media Prima may be unable to reach Johor Bahru for its 4th radio stations.

I had suggested FM 90.9MHz, FM 88.6MHz and FM 107.8MHz. All of them were failed due to interference with Singapore and Batam stations.

Basically FM 107.9MHz can be used in Gunung Pulai. Because of FM 107.9MHz frequency is near to Singapore/Johor Bahru airport airband, it cannot be used. Otherwise, it will cause flight accident as 107.9Mhz interfered to airband. 

88.6MHz basically can be fitted, but heavily interfered by Singapore stations (88.3 and 88.9) as 300kHz spacing.

The frequency status of RTM Bukit Senggora radio stations for Maran

RTM Bukit Senggora radio stations frequency status.

1. Radio Klasik- 87.9MHz, OK
2. Nasional FM- 91.2MHz, Good
3. Pahang FM- 92.0MHz, Good
4. Traxx FM- 94.7MHz, Good
5. Ai FM- 89.6MHz, Bad (CCI with Ikim FM Bukit Pelindung 89.6MHz)
6. Minnal FM- 90.4MHz, Bad (CCI with 988 FM Bukit Pelindung 90.4MHz)

Here is the RF analysis and interference area of Ai FM 89.6MHz and Minnal FM 90.4MHz

 Recommendations:

- Ai FM uses 99.7MHz
- Minnal FM uses 100.7MHz

After changing frequencies of Ai FM and Minnal FM Bukit Senggora, here is the RF analysis

Minimum frequency separation of Bukit Senggora:
- Gunung Ulu Kali: 200kHz
- Gunung Ledang: 100kHz
- Gunung Telapak Burok: 100kHz 
- Bukit Pelindung: 300kHz
- Bukit Sulai: 200kHz 
- Bukit Istana: 0kHz
- Kuala Lumpur Tower: 0kHz
- Bukit Bauk: 0kHz 

RF analysis of RTM interference involved transmitters

1. Bukit Senggora and Bukit Pelindung 0kHz

Involved stations:
a. Ai FM 89.6MHz Bukit Senggora
b. Minnal FM 90.4MHz Bukit Senggora
c. Ikim FM 89.6MHz Bukit Pelindung
d. 988 FM 90.4MHz Bukit Pelindung

Critical level: High

Recommendations:
- Ai FM 89.6MHz Bukit Senggora shall be changed to FM 99.7MHz
- Minnal FM 90.4MHz Bukit Senggora shall be changed to FM 100.7MHz

FM 99.7MHz and FM 100.7MHz are used by Ai FM and Minnal FM in Bukit Bauk Dungun respectively too.

Minimum separation: 300kHz

2. Gunung Kledang and Gunung Ulu Kali 100kHz

Involved stations:
- Minnal FM 98.9MHz Gunung Kledang
- 988 FM 98.8MHz Gunung Ulu Kali

Critical level: High

Recommendation: Minnal FM Gunung Kledang shall move to 99.0MHz

Minimum separation: 200kHz

3. Gerik and Gunung Jerai 100kHz

Involved stations:
- 988 FM 96.1MHz Gunung Jerai
- Perak FM 96.2MHz Gerik

Critical level: Low

Recommendation: RTM Perak FM adds its transmitter in Bukit Palong on FM 104.7MHz

Minimum separation: 200kHz

4. Bukit Tinggi and Gunung Ledang 0/100kHz

Involved stations:
- Lite FM 92.2MHz and Hitz FM 93.0MHz Gn Ledang
- Johor FM 92.1MHz and Traxx FM 92.9MHz Bukit Tinggi

Critical level: High

Recommendation:
- Johor FM Bkt Tinggi moves to 101.7MHz
- Traxx FM Bkt Tinggi moves to 92.6MHz

Minimum separation: 200kHz

5. Bukit Genting and Gunung Jerai 0/100kHz

Involved stations:
- RTM Mutiara FM Bukit Genting 90.9MHz
- Mix FM Gunung Jerai 91.0MHz

Critical level: Moderate

Recommendation: Mutiara FM Bkt Genting moves to 100.7MHz

Minimum separation: 200kHz

6. Bukit Istana and Gunung Ulu Kali 0kHz

Involved stations:
- one FM 88.1MHz and BFM 89.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali
- Radio Klasik 88.1MHz and Traxx FM 89.9MHz Bukit Istana

Recommendations:
- Radio Klasik moves to 88.3MHz
- Traxx FM moves to 94.7MHz or 105.5MHz

Minimum separation: 200kHz

Note: Red indicates interference. 

The interference of distant signal between RTM station and other station are not listed. 
Eg:
1. Kedah FM Bukit Palong 90.5MHz and Hot FM Bukit Larut 90.5MHz
2. Langkawi FM 104.8MHz Gn Raya and Melody FM Bkt Larut 104.9MHz.
3. Ai FM Bukit Palong 92.5MHz and Hitz FM Gn Raya 92.4MHz
4. RTM Bukit Larut and Gunung Ulu Kali co-channel
5. RTM Bukit Penara and Bukit Genting co-channel
6. RTM Gunung Ledang and Gunung Ulu Kali co-channel
7. RTM UUM Sintok and Bukit Dedap co-channel

RTM regional stations antenna pattern (Peninsular Malaysia only)

1. Gunung Ulu Kali (Pahang FM 107.5MHz; Selangor FM 100.9MHz)

2. Gunung Ledang (Melaka FM 102.3MHz, Negeri FM 107.7MHz and Johor FM 105.3MHz)

3. Gunung Jerai (Kedah FM 97.5MHz and Mutiara FM

4. Bukit Bintang (Terengganu FM 96.2MHz and Kelantan FM 107.1MHz)

5. Gunung Brinchang (Perak FM 94.7MHz and Pahang FM 100.3MHz)

6. Bukit Palong (Kedah FM 90.5MHz and Perak FM 104.7MHz- suggestion)

List of RTM radio frequencies which co-channel, 100kHz with other stations. (Bahasa)

1. Tahap kritikal= Critical level

2. Cadangan Frekuensi= Suggested Frequency

3. Tempat pemancaran= Transmitting site

THR Time Highway Radio logo history

THR Time Highway Radio frequency list:

1. THR Raaga

- 99.3MHz: Klang Valley and West Pahang (Gunung Ulu Kali)

- 101.5MHz: Negeri Sembilan and Pahang: Bera (Gunung Telapak Burok)

- 99.7MHz: Melaka, North Johor and South Pahang (Gunung Ledang)

- 103.7MHz: South Johor and Singapore (Gunung Pulai)

- 102.1MHz: North Perak and Taiping (Bukit Larut)

- 102.4MHz: Kedah and Perlis (Gunung Jerai)

- 101.9MHz: Langkawi (Gunung Raya)

- 99.3MHz: Penang (Bukit Penara)

- 97.9MHz: Ipoh, Central Perak and Pahang: Cameron Highlands (Gunung Kledang)

2. THR Gegar

- 88.8MHz: East Pahang (Bukit Pelindung)

- 106.8MHz: Central Terengganu (Bukit Jerung)

- 88.1MHz: Kelantan (Bukit Panau)

THR Gegar untuk Pahang Tengah dan sebahagian Pahang Barat

Pada masa kini, THR Gegar bersiaran di Pahang pada frekuensi 88.8MHz dari Bukit Pelindung, tetapi kawasan liputan hanya untuk Kuantan, Pekan dan sebahagian daerah Rompin.

Kawasan liputan THR Gegar 88.8MHz di Pahang:

- Kuantan
- Gambang
- Cherating
- Kuala Pahang
- Pekan
- Muadzam Shah
- Kuala Rompin

Manakala di kawasan lain negeri Pahang, kebanyakan kawasan tidak dapat menerima siaran THR Gegar akibat jarak jauh dan di luar kawasan liputan 88.8MHz. Kawasan Maran, Temerloh, Jengka, Mentakab, Lipis, Bentong, Jerantut, dan Lanchang memang tidak boleh menerima.

Secara asasnya, THR Gegar boleh menambah pemancar di Gunung Ulu Kali untuk kawasan Pahang Barat, tetapi terdapat berberapa masalah dialaminya:

1. Frekuensi Gunung Ulu Kali telah penuh
2. Status lesen penyiaran THR Gegar tidak meliputi Pantai Barat, akibat stesen bahasa Tamil THR Raaga sudah berada di Gunung Ulu Kali.
3. Status lesen penyiaran THR.FM hanya satu sahaja, iaitu Raaga untuk Pantai Barat, Gegar untuk Pantai Timur.
4. Kapasiti menara pemancar Gunung Ulu Kali telah penuh.

Untuk meliputi kawasan Pahang Tengah dan sebahagian Pahang Barat, THR Gegar perlu menambah 1 pemancar lagi di Bukit Senggora, Maran.

Bukit Senggora banyak frekuensi kosong... 100.7MHz ialah terbaik.

==Cadangan parameter THR Gegar Bukit Senggora==
Frekuensi: FM 100.7MHz
Kuasa: 2kW
Kawasan liputan: Maran, Temerloh, Jengka, Mentakab dan sebahagian daerah Bera/Jerantut/Bentong

==Analisis THR Gegar 100.7MHz Bukit Senggora==
1. Gunung Ulu Kali: 200kHz (100.9MHz, OK)
2. Gunung Telapak Burok: 100kHz (100.6MHz, OK)
3. Gunung Ledang: 200kHz (100.9MHz, OK)
4. Bukit Pelindung: 300kHz (100.4MHz, OK)
5. Bukit Bauk: 0kHz (100.7MHz, OK)

Dengan frekuensi Bukit Senggora THR Gegar FM 100.7MHz, kawasan Temerloh boleh menerimanya asalkan kuasanya tinggi. Kawasan Karak, Bentong, Raub boleh dapat sikit, atau sebaik mungkin seperti menerima Ikim FM di Georgetown pada 102.7Mhz dari Bukit Genting, Balik Pulau yang kurang jelas.

THR Gegar 100.7MHz Bukit Senggora mempunyai 200kHz jarak dengan Selangor FM 100.9MHz dari Gunung Ulu Kali, tiada gangguan yang teruk di Pahang Tengah kerana Selangor FM 100.9MHz untuk Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur sahaja.

Pada Mei 2015, saya pergi ke Bukit Fraser. Apabila saya balik ke Kuala Lumpur dengan melalui jalan Raub dan Bentong, saya boleh menerima sedikit signal Bukit Senggora (guna sampel 92.0, 90.4, 91.2, 87.9 dan 89.6) di Bentong dan jalan Bukit Fraser-Raub. Bukit Senggora mungkin ialah tempat yang terbaik bagi THR Gegar untuk Pahang Tengah dan sedikit kawasan Bentong/Raub/Karak.

Ikim FM 102.9MHz Bukit Penara RF analysis

Since December 2013, I had suggested Ikim FM Bukit Penara frequency before, on FM 102.9MHz.

Because Penang frequencies are limited, only 102.9MHz can be fitted for Ikim FM in Bukit Penara. The 102.9MHz RF analysis has to take care of Bukit Genting and Padang Pauh.

Here is the result of RF analysis of Ikim FM Bukit Penara (vs. 102.7MHz Bukit Genting):

Ikim FM 102.9MHz Bukit Penara has 200kHz with Ikim FM 102.7MHz Bukit Genting, no interference are detected, but has to analyze with Perlis FM 102.9MHz Padang Pauh.

Case1: Bukit Penara 102.9MHz vs. Bukit Genting 102.7MHz

Result: PASSED

Case2: Bukit Penara 102.9MHz vs. Padang Pauh 102.9MHz

About the RF analysis of Case2, co-channel is founded, but the interference to Padang Pauh is depending on power and antenna pattern of Bukit Penara.

Power must be tested with minimum 0.5kW, 1kW and maximum 2kW.

102.9MHz Bukit Penara:

- 0.5kW

- 1kW

- 2kW 

Ikim FM 102.9MHz Bukit Penara mainly targets Georgetown, Seberang Perai, Bayan Lepas, Tanjung Bungah, and North Perak

Media Prima CLSB radio frequency analysis (Kool FM)

After Media Prima acquired Copyright Laureate Sdn Bhd since October 2015, I had suggested few frequencies to them when they would like to broadcast nationwide. Mainly are:

- 107.3MHz: Alor Setar Tower (Central Kedah)
- 105.7MHz: Bukit Larut (Taiping, Kuala Kangsar, Lenggong, Parit Buntar and North Perak)
- 94.9MHz: Gunung Kledang (Ipoh and South Perak)
- 102.1MHz: Gunung Telapak Burok (Negeri Sembilan) or 101.1MHz: Bukit Gan (Seremban)
- 87.6MHz: Gunung Ledang (Melaka and North Johor)
- 107.8MHz/90.9MHz/88.6MHz: Taman Sentosa (Johor Bahru)
- 103.7MHz: Bukit Pelindung (Kuantan)
- 103.6MHz: Bukit Besar (Kuala Terengganu)
- 103.7MHz: Peringat/Bukit Panau (Kota Bharu)

Among these frequencies, 4 of them are passed only, there are 105.7MHz Bkt Larut, 107.3MHz Alor Setar Tower, 102.1MHz Gn Telapak Burok and 103.7Mhz Bukit Pelindung.

Here are the results:

1. Bukit Larut

Results: OK

2. Gunung Kledang

Gn Kledang vs. Gn Brinchang= OK
Gn Kledang vs. Gn Jerai= Failed, antenna pattern and power reduction are needed.

3. Bukit Pelindung

 4. Alor Setar Tower

5. Bukit Besar

Results: NOT OK, 100kHz with Bukit Panau. The frequency of Bukit Panau need to be changed.

6. Gunung Ledang

Recommended frequency for Gunung Ledang: FM 103.9MHz

7. Bukit Panau

Results: FAILED, 50kHz with Narathiwat, Thailand. To be recommend FM 91.4MHz/91.3MHz or 93.4MHz

8. Gunung Telapak Burok

9. Bukit Gan

10. Taman Sentosa Johor Bahru

Results: 90.9MHz, 107.8MHz and 88.6MHz are failed due to interference to Singapore and Batam

Above the result of RF analysis,

1. Bukit Larut 105.7MHz: PASSED

2. Gunung Kledang 94.9MHz: FAILED, but power and antenna pattern reduction are needed

3. Alor Setar Tower 107.3MHz: PASSED

4. Bukit Pelindung 103.7MHz: PASSED

5. Gunung Ledang 87.6MHz: FAILED, To be recommended FM 103.9MHz

6. Bukit Panau 103.7MHz: FAILED, To be recommended FM 87.6/91.4/91.3/93.4MHz

7. Gunung Telapak Burok 102.1MHz: PASSED 

8. Bukit Gan 101.1MHz: PASSED

9. Bukit Besar 103.6MHz: FAILED, but Bukit Panau cannot use 103.7MHz

10. Taman Sentosa Johor Bahru 88.6/107.8/90.9MHz: FAILED

94.9MHz Gunung Kledang must reduce its power to 1kW, and the antenna pattern shall not cover Kuala Kangsar districts.

Media Prima CLSB Gunung Kledang RF analysis (94.9MHz vs. 93.9MHz)

Currently empty FM frequencies in Ipoh/Gunung Ledang are getting limited, so only remain FM 93.3MHz, FM 93.9MHz and FM 94.9MHz.

Because Media Prima acquired Copyright Laureate Sdn Bhd (who operates Pi Mai FM 90.2MHz and Ultra FM 101.3MHz) on October 2015, CLSB will be expected to expand broadcast coverage to nationwide. While launching transmitter everywhere, Ipoh will be listed as well.

For Ipoh and Central Perak, I suggested 94.9MHz based on the spectrum status, but at last it did not pass during analysis test because 94.9MHz from Gunung Kledang interfered to RTM Radio Klasik Gunung Jerai in Kedah.

Look at this map:

 

The RF analysis above indicated that red color stands for the shaded areas of 94.9MHz Gunung Jerai interfered by Gunung Kledang. In addition, RTM Radio Klasik 94.9MHz cover whole Perlis, Kedah and Penang. It is not good if 94.9MHz Gn Kledang interfere Gunung Jerai within service area. So, the antenna pattern of 94.9MHz Gunung Kledang must be reduced or use other frequency like 93.9MHz.

In my opinion, 94.9MHz must not cover Kuala Kangsar to prevent interference to Gunung Jerai, so FM 105.7MHz Bukit Larut has to cover Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Siput.

Gunung Kledang 94.9MHz also shall be reduced to 1kW.

About antenna direction, CLSB only can cover several direction:

- 94.9Mhz Gunung Kledang: South (100%), Southwest (100%), North (15%), Northwest (5%), East (10%)
- 105.7MHz Bukit Larut: East (70%), South (45%), North East (30%), North West (30%)

If 94.9Mhz Gunung Kledang is still fail after adjustment of antenna pattern, CLSB may use 93.9Mhz Gunung Kledang...

Although 93.9MHz Gunung Kledang co-channel with Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai, but the interference reduced, compare to 94.9MHz because 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai coverage is very small, only cover North Penang.

 

After reading the result of Media Prima CLSB RF analysis, I found that certain transmitters are failed due to interference occurs.

- FM 103.7MHz Bukit Panau (formerly Peringat): FAILED, 50kHz with Narathiwat FM 103.75MHz

- FM 103.6MHz Bukit Besar: FAILED, 100kHz with Bukit Panau unless 103.7MHz did not use in Panau.

- FM 94.9MHz Gunung Kledang: FAILED, CCI to Gn Jerai

- FM 87.6MHz Gunung Ledang: FAILED, CCI to Bukit Pelindung

- FM 88.6MHz/107.8MHz/90.9Mhz Johor Bahru: FAILED, interference with Batam and Singapore.

Minimum separation of FM frequencies in Malaysia.

1. Bukit Panau vs. Bukit Besar: 200kHz

2. Bukit Pelindung vs. Gunung Ledang: 100kHz

3. Gunung Kledang vs. Gunung Jerai: 100kHz 

CLSB failed frequencies must be changed

1. Gunung Kledang: 93.9MHz (if 94.9MHz still interfere to Gunung Kledang after reduce power to 1kW or antenna pattern adjustment)

2. Bukit Panau: FM 92.2MHz

3. Bukit Besar: <Remain same>

4. Gunung Ledang: FM 103.9MHz

5. TM Taman Sentosa: N/A