Wednesday 29 June 2016

Radio frequency analysis on FM 102.9MHz, FM 103.0MHz and FM 103.1MHz in Northern Malaysia

RF analysis of FM 102.9MHz- FM 103.1MHz in Northern Malaysia.

FM 102.9MHz
- Bukit Larut: Not OK, co-channel interference with Padang Pauh
- Bukit Penara: Not OK, co-channel interference with Padang Pauh
- Bukit Tokun: Not OK, co-channel interference with Padang Pauh
- Seberang Jaya: Not OK, co-channel interference with Padang Pauh
- Gunung Jerai: Not OK, co-channel interference with Padang Pauh
- Bukit Palong: Not OK, 200kHz with Bukit Dedap

FM 103.0MHz:
- Bukit Larut: Not OK, 100kHz interference with Padang Pauh and 300kHz with Bukit Larut
- Bukit Penara: Not OK, 100kHz interference with Padang Pauh
- Bukit Tokun: OK
- Seberang Jaya: Not OK, 100kHz interference with Padang Pauh
- Gunung Jerai: Not OK, 100kHz interference with Padang Pauh
- Bukit Palong: Not OK, 300kHz with Bukit Dedap

FM 103.1MHz
- Bukit Larut: Not OK, 200kHz interference with Bukit Larut
- Bukit Penara: Not OK, 200kHz interference with Bukit Larut
- Bukit Tokun: Not OK, 200kHz interference with Bukit Larut
- Seberang Jaya: Not OK, 200kHz interference with Bukit Larut
- Gunung Jerai: Not OK, 200kHz interference with Bukit Larut and Padang Pauh
- Bukit Palong: OK.

Tuesday 7 June 2016

IKIM FM 89.0MHz can be received in Penang and North Perak since 7 June 2016



Formerly IKIM FM Kedah-Perlis frequency FM 89.0MHz was transmitted from Lower Gunung Jerai.

Among all frequencies, certain of IKIM FM transmitter tower were under Celcom. There were:

- 91.5MHz Bukit Cincin (Klang Valley)
- 93.6MHz SMRX Pending (Kuching)
- 93.9MHz Bukit Kokol (Kota Kinabalu)
- 89.0MHz Lower Jerai (Kedah-Perlis)

Kuching frequency was changed to 93.7MHz, transmitted from Bukit Djin since 26 April 2016, meanwhile KK frequency FM 93.9MHz was transmitted from Bukit Karatong, Sabah.

Lower Jerai can't cover Penang and North Perak.

IKIM FM 89.0MHz Lower Jerai has same frequency with Thailand Parliament Radio Bannang Sata, Yala transmitter. What I find is IKIM FM 89.0MHz was interfered by Thailand radio station heavily in Kedah during past many years.

The station that I received in Penang on FM 89.0MHz was Thailand radio station from Yala before.

During the unofficial meetings with MCMC, I also highlighted about this issue and I suggested Taiping frequency for IKIM FM before, but I denied since April 2016.

Before IKIM FM 89.0MHz transmitted from Upper Jerai, Penang had to receive 102.7MHz from Bukit Genting temporarily with weaker signal.

I got the news stated that IKIM FM would move its 89.0MHz transmitter to Upper Jerai on April 2016 after I submitted the modified parameter of IKIM FM 102.7MHz Bukit Genting.

On 7 June 2016, IKIM FM 89.0MHz can be received clearly in Kedah, Perlis, Langkawi, Penang and North Perak. Before this, Taiping and North Perak needed to receive FM 102.7MHz from Gunung Kledang, but interference with Bukit Genting in Bagan Serai, Kamunting and Semanggol. After IKIM FM 89.0MHz moved to Upper Jerai, I believe that Thailand Parliament Radio Station Yala frequency FM 89.0MHz will be interfered within Yala and Narathiwat districts and frequency will be changed with Malaysia-Thailand Joint Technical Committee approvals. IKIM FM listeners in Taiping and North Perak does not need to tune to FM 102.7MHz anymore, just tune to 89.0MHz.

In my opinion, Thailand Parliament Radio Station FM 89.0MHz from Yala can change to this frequency, either FM 87.5MHz, FM 101.5MHz, FM 100.7MHz, FM 107.3MHz or FM 105.5MHz.

After IKIM FM 89.0MHz transmission is heavily upgraded, I believe that Capital FM 88.9MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali can't be received in North Perak, but Capital FM can be received there on FM 107.6MHz from Bukit Penara.

During these three years, I had involved for attempting to suggest frequencies to IKIM FM before.

Here are my attempts:

- FM 105.7MHz Bukit Larut (September 2013 till December 2013, then May 2014 till August 2015)
- FM 102.9MHz Bukit Penara (December 2013 till May 2014, then January 2016 till 31 March 2016)
- FM 105.5MHz Bukit Palong (short attempt period, from September 2015 till October 2015)
- FM 105.7MHz Bukit Gantang (short attempt period, May 2015)
- FM 88.8MHz Bukit Larut (short attempt period, August 2015 till November 2015)
- FM 93.2MHz Bukit Larut (short attempt period, April 2016)
- FM 89.0MHz migrated to Upper Jerai (December 2013)

The frequencies above with exception of 89.0MHz become "past tense".

==Frequencies of IKIM FM for Perak==

FM 102.7MHz Gunung Kledang: Ipoh, Sungkai, Bidor, Teluk Intan, Kuala Kangsar, Padang Rengas, Lumut, Pangkor, Sitiawan, Seri Iskandar, Beruas, Parit, Simpang Pulai, Pantai Remis, Changkat Jering, Sauk.

FM 89.0MHz Upper Gunung Jerai: Taiping, Gerik, Pengkalan Hulu, Parit Buntar, Semanggol, Selama, Bagan Serai, Lenggong