Gunung Ledang RF analysis: 100.8MHz vs. 100.9MHz

One of the vacant frequency in Gunung Ledang which allocated between 100.7MHz and 101.0MHz is considered as high critical level spectrum, there are 100.8MHz and 100.9MHz. Gunung Ledang covers Melaka, North Johor, parts of Negeri Sembilan/Pahang.

Let start the RF analysis with 100.8MHz. [Power is at 1kW, with upcoming 100.9MHz]

100.6MHz: My FM Gunung Telapak Burok
100.8MHz: Gunung Ledang
<200kHz>

100.8MHz: Gunung Ledang
101.1MHz: Minnal FM Gunung Pulai
<300kHz, OK>

Double adjacent frequency
100.4MHz: Ai FM Gunung Ledang
100.6MHz: My FM Gunung Telapak Burok
100.8MHz: Gunung Ledang
<200kHz +/->


According to RF analysis of 100.8MHz Gunung Ledang above, I don't think broadcast regulator will give green light as 100.8MHz Gunung Ledang can interfere 100.6MHz Gunung Telapak Burok within coverage together with existing 100.4MHz Gunung Ledang.

Now, let's analyze 100.9MHz Gunung Ledang.

100.9MHz: Gunung Ledang
101.1MHz: Minnal FM Gunung Pulai
<200kHz, OK>

100.6MHz: My FM Gunung Telapak Burok
100.9MHz: Gunung Ledang
<300kHz, OK>

100.9MHz: Gunung Ledang
101.1MHz: My FM Bukit Pelindung
<200kHz, OK>

100.9MHz: Gunung Ledang
100.9MHz: Selangor FM Gunung Ulu Kali (Selangor and Kuala Lumpur only)
<0kHz, OK>

Among the comparison between 100.8 and 100.9MHz, it seems FM 100.9MHz is better to be used in Gunung Ledang than 100.8MHz as 100.9MHz gaps 300kHz from Telapak Burok 100.6MHz with existing 200kHz from 100.4MHz Gunung Ledang. If 100.8MHz is used in Gunung Ledang, My FM listeners in Negeri Sembilan will suffer of listening to the station on FM 100.6MHz if using cheap radio receiver.

But there is co-channel interference between Gunung Ledang FM 100.9MHz and Selangor FM 100.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali in some areas, but outside coverage areas like Pahang (Kemayan, Teriang, Temerloh), Negeri Sembilan (Port Dickson, Rantau, Kuala Klawang).

Since Selangor FM 100.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali covers only Selangor state, the reception in other states like Central Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka are very weak, compare to other Gunung Ulu Kali radio stations (eg: Minnal FM 96.3MHz and Ai FM 106.7MHz). In my opinion, I don't think there will have serious co-channel interference impact of these two radio stations. FM 100.9MHz Gunung Ledang is expected to be received with stable reception signal in East Negeri Sembilan (Kuala Pilah) and all Melaka areas.

Coverage of Gunung Ledang:

- Melaka: ALL

- Johor: Tangkak, Batu Pahat, Bukit Gambir, Gerisek, Panchor, Bukit Pasir, Sungai Mati, Bakri, Muar, Pagoh, Kluang, Segamat, Yong Peng, Simpang Renggam, Ayer Hitam, Parit Raja, Batu Anam, Jementah, Bekok, Labis, Chaah, Rengit, Senggarang, Seri Gading, Parit Sulong, Semerah, Parit Jawa, Jorak

- Negeri Sembilan: Tampin, Kuala Pilah, Johol, Gemencheh, Gemas, Batu Kikir, Juasseh, Bahau, Serting, Sungai Lui, Simpang Pertang, Bandar Seri Jempol, Kota

- Pahang: Kemayan, Keratong and Bandar Muadzam Shah

Digital radio broadcast in Malaysia

Recently FM radio spectrum is very limited in Peninsular Malaysia. Many new radio stations are unable to expand broadcast coverage by applying frequencies. In Europe and rest of the world, most of radio stations broadcasts digitally via famous DAB+, especially in Norway.

Norway is the first country to stop analogue FM transmission in the world. In UK, BBC runs digital only radio stations such as 1Xtra, 4Xtra, 5Xtra, 6, alongside with analogue stations.

Talk about digital radio transmission, there are few types of it, such as DAB+, mobile app, decoder and online streaming.

DAB stands for Digital Audio Broadcasting. It carries more radio stations on a frequency only than FM radio. It carries less noise from other stations. DAB+ can run single frequency network (SFN) by launching few gap filler transmitters within main transmitter coverage. In my opinion, DAB+ has its pro and con. For Malaysia, DAB+ is still not mature here yet because most of Malaysia radio receivers don't feature DAB+ yet. In the cars, most of the stereos have no DAB+, instead they only come with FM and AM band.

For Malaysians taste of radio listening, many people are still preferring to listen to the stations via either FM radio or mobile app, even internet online streaming. In terms of transmission costs of DAB+, I think that there is nothing different with FM radio transmission costs.

For broadcasters, they need to launch more DAB+ transmitters than FM transmitters. Currently most of commercial FM radio broadcasters consists about 12-15 transmitters in Malaysia, inclusive Borneo states. If these commercial radio broadcasters switch to digital, they may need transmitters more than 20, because DAB+ coverage is not wide as FM radio. DAB+ signal drops rapidly when signal is poor, unlike FM signal drops slowly with hissing sound or interference noise from other radio stations when FM signal is poor. Imagine if Malaysia switch to DAB+ suddenly, many people will not accustom yet and they need more time to accustom with digital radio. Actually DAB+ radio receiver is more expensive than FM-AM radio.

Due to growing of internet streaming/mobile app around the world, DAB+ is the main competitor of mobile app. Radio mobile app is low cost transmission, people will listen to their radio stations by using mobile phone.

The launching of mobile app by radio broadcasters can save more annual transmission costs to transmission service providers, rather than expanding coverage based on market values. I give an example with my favorite radio station, BFM 89.9

BFM 89.9 is English business radio station in Malaysia which broadcasts in Klang Valley, South Perak, West Pahang, parts of Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and North East Johor. Their main target area is Klang Valley, where is high business value area in Malaysia. When talking about coverage expansion, Penang is their second resort (actually I'm pending for them after making proposals). Then, Johor (JB) is their third stops, but there is no frequency because heavily occupied together with Singapore and Batam. Besides these business centric markets, other towns like Kuantan, Kelantan, Terengganu, KK and Kuching have no market values. Instead of waste transmission costs to launch frequency in non-business areas, BFM and most of radio stations launch mobile apps. People who stayed outside of these business area can listen to BFM via mobile app, even around the world.
   
Mobile app radio is very popular around the world nowadays. In Malaysia, we cannot expect every listener will tune the radio stations via mobile app because many of us still rely on FM radio to listen to stations. Listen to FM radio stations does not pay any cash to broadcasters, but listeners may need to pay their internet data when listen to mobile app radio because it relies on internet.

tunein.com is also one of mobile app radio around the world.

Rather than DAB+, most of the car audio system manufacturers never come out with DAB+ radio band, instead they add "Bluetooth" and AUX features with FM-AM radio, even Apple and Android launch their "Apple CarPlay" and "Android Smart Link" in the car audio system. Most of today car radio comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Smart Link. With these advance features, listeners can enjoy listening the station via mobile app without any interruptions in the car.

Some of cheaper cars never feature with Apple CarPlay and Android Smart Link, instead the audio system comes with Bluetooth. So, listeners can use mobile app to connect Bluetooth on multimedia system in the car. Next, even home HiFi or microsystem also feature with Bluetooth function.

Without Bluetooth function, mobile app radio still can be connected via AUX cable in most of older audio system.

Download mobile app radio to the smartphone is mostly free, but listen to the radio via mobile app is not fully free of charge because it requires mobile internet data, but it depends on the listeners mobile data monthly plan.

Due to popularity of mobile app radio, I suggest that telecommunications company like Maxis, DiGi, Celcom, and U Mobile should increase more data quota to fill up mobile app radio usage. Such as monthly RM38 12GB data (2GB Youtube+ 2GB Facebook+4GB data)+4GB radio app data.

DAB stands for digital audio broadcasting, we can name it in many terms.

- Terrestrial known as DAB-T+
- Digital satellite radio as DAB-S
- Digital cable radio as DAB-C
- Digital mobile app radio as "DAB-MA"
- Digital online streaming radio as "DAB-IR"

In conclusion, I think that mobile app radio is more relevant than DAB+ in Malaysia.

City Plus FM 106.0MHz transmission commentaries

City Plus FM, a Malaysia first ever Chinese business radio station officially broadcasted on 2nd May 2017 on FM 106.0MHz.

City Plus FM mainly targets large business areas such as Klang Valley as Klang Valley is Malaysia no.1 high commercial region as Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia's capital.

Regarding its transmission and coverage, it is very special and unusual. City Plus FM 106.0MHz is not transmitted from Klang Valley, but Negeri Sembilan, where Seremban frequency is distant signal (DX) in Klang Valley.

There are some listeners complaining about City Plus FM reception problem. Dear everyone, for your information, City Plus FM 106.0MHz is transmitted from Gunung Telapak Burok, where "106.0MHz" was formerly used by Red FM (Red 104.9MHz).

Red FM had Negeri Sembilan frequency 106.0MHz in the past, that makes me very impressive. I was used to listen to Red FM on 106.0MHz, but it was closed down since June 2009.

Here has Q&As about City Plus FM transmission issues as well as commentaries:

Q1: All radio stations can be heard clearly in Klang Valley, why can't City Plus FM be received clearly in Klang Valley?

A1: Originally City Plus FM attempted to locate transmitter in Gunung Ulu Kali due to its strategic site (high elevation), Gunung Ulu Kali covers Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, South Perak and West Pahang mainly, but Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and some Johor areas are able to receive from Gunung Ulu Kali signal, just weak reception. According to them, I was informed that Gunung Ulu Kali tower has no space anymore. Same goes to other radio stations like Kool FM, Bernama Radio and IM4U FM, they're forced to transmit from Bukit Sungai Besi and KL Tower for Klang Valley.

Q2: Somebody suggested that City Plus FM to increase its current transmitter 106.0MHz Gunung Telapak Burok to 5kW and 10kW, but why doesn't MCMC allow this?

A2: Until today, there are none of Gunung Telapak Burok radio stations occupying transmission power more than 2kW yet, even RTM Gunung Telapak Burok radio stations only increased from 0.1kW to 1kW since December 2009 (fully upgraded). Malaysia Communications And Multimedia Commission (MCMC) never allow any Gunung Telapak Burok radio stations to increase power beyond 2kW due to certain conditions. First condition is most of Gunung Telapak Burok radio stations have frequency separation about 200-300kHz with Gunung Ulu Kali, even City Plus FM 106.0MHz has 300kHz with Lite FM 105.7MHz Gunung Ulu Kali. According to MCMC, 400kHz frequency separation between Gunung Telapak Burok and Gunung Ulu Kali is the best. High pass filter is required if separation is below than 400kHz.

Gunung Telapak Burok does not only cover Negeri Sembilan, its transmission can be gone to Klang Valley, Melaka, Central Pahang and North Johor, even some Indonesia territories can receive from Telapak Burok.

Second condition is increasing of transmission power beyond 2kW may interfere to existing radio stations coverage. Here is the radio frequency analysis below:

105.7MHz: Lite FM Gunung Ulu Kali
106.0MHz: City Plus FM Gunung Telapak Burok
<300kHz>

106.0MHz: City Plus FM Gunung Telapak Burok
106.1MHz: Ai FM Bukit Pelindung
<100kHz>

According to RF analysis above, imagine if City Plus FM 106.0MHz occupies power beyond 2kW, it may interfere Ai FM and Lite FM within coverage areas. So, Lite FM and Ai FM listeners may face listening problems within Klang Valley and East Pahang respectively due to interference with City Plus FM within coverage areas respectively.

Third condition is about internationally transmission. If a Indonesia radio station (Pekanbaru, Dumai and surrounding areas) which locate closely to West Coast of Malaysia occupies 105.9, 106.0 or 106.1, City Plus FM 106.0 can interfere Indonesia radio stations' coverage areas.

Q3: Besides Gunung Ulu Kali, there are another lower sites which can cover Klang Valley like Bukit Sungai Besi and Kuala Lumpur Tower, why doesn't City Plus FM transmit from there?

A3: Unoccupied frequencies are very limited in Klang Valley. Although Bukit Sungai Besi and Kuala Lumpur Tower can cover Klang Valley, even reception in Kuala Lumpur is clearer than Gunung Ulu Kali due to nearer site, but Bukit Sungai Besi and Kuala Lumpur coverage are very limited.

There is FM 91.9MHz where likely can be occupied in Bukit Sungai Besi or KL Tower. In my opinion, I don't think 91.9MHz is not suitable to be located in Bukit Sungai Besi because it is very closed to Gunung Telapak Burok 91.7MHz, even Bukit Sungai Besi has no further distance from Gunung Telapak Burok. If City Plus FM occupied 91.9MHz in Bukit Sungai Besi, it will be interfered by 91.7MHz Telapak Burok in some Klang Valley areas itself.

FM 91.9MHz is more suitable to be located in KL Tower, but as today, none of commercial radio stations even IM4UFM located transmitters in KL Tower because of its reception quality in outskirt of KL. Plus, KL Tower is owned by RTM.

I speculated City Plus FM uses Gunung Telapak Burok 106.0MHz, instead of Bukit Sungai Besi because they are seeking for wider coverage areas, instead of clearer reception by using nonstrategic locations like Bukit Sungai Besi that I mentioned above.

Bukit Sungai Besi and Kuala Lumpur Tower can be received in Klang Valley and Nilai of Negeri Sembilan only, but Gunung Telapak Burok can be received in Negeri Sembilan, Klang Valley (southern part is clear), Melaka, North Johor (only Tangkak, Muar and Segamat), as well as Central Pahang.

If Gunung Ulu Kali tower still has space, City Plus FM transmit there on FM 106.1MHz to cover Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan, South Perak, West Pahang, parts of Melaka and some Johor areas.

In conclusion, hereby I only voice out my comments and opinions, but MCMC is the key regulator to manage the spectrum allocation.

解答City Plus FM巴生谷, 森美蘭頻率FM 106MHz的收線和發射素質

馬來西亞首家財經電台City Plus FM在2017年5月2日正式啟播, 在巴生谷, 森美蘭, 馬六甲, 柔佛東北部和彭亨中部的頻率為FM 106.0MHz..

節目方面, 我個人不會在這兒說出任何意見因為這個部落格是主要談到廣播技術事宜.
 
City Plus FM主要鎖定的地區是大城市,和財經商業地區... 巴生河流域是他們的主要鎖定地區因為此地區是馬來西亞國內企業公司佔第一的區域.

基本上, 我們以為City Plus FM在巴生谷的收聽頻道會跟其他電台如one FM 88.1MHz, My FM 101.8MHz, Ai FM 106.7MHz, 988 FM 98.8MHz, Melody FM 103.0MHz這麼清楚. 其實City Plus FM 106.0MHz在巴生谷的收線素質不像其他電台這麼理想..

據了解, City Plus FM 106.0MHz的發射地點不是跟My FM 101.8MHz一樣, 但City Plus FM 106.0MHz是跟My FM森美蘭頻率100.6MHz的發射地點一樣.

City Plus FM剛剛啟播, 我也追蹤它的臉書專頁, 同時發現到有些網友對City Plus FM 106.0MHz的線路感到超級不滿意...

City Plus FM 106.0MHz是從森美蘭Gunung Telapak Burok發射, 但主要覆蓋範圍是在森美蘭 (除了淡邊), 巴生谷南部和馬六甲西部.

這兒會有Q&A:

Q1: 為甚麼City Plus FM巴生谷頻率是在森美蘭發射, 而不是雪蘭莪/吉隆坡境內的發射站?

A1: 巴生谷電台主要發射站是坐落在彭亨雲頂高原的Gunung Ulu Kali, 是中馬區域最戰略的發射站, 因為高度有1774米. Gunung Ulu Kali是中馬區域最高的山峰, 覆蓋了不少地區. Gunung Ulu Kali主要的覆蓋地區有吉隆坡, 雪蘭莪, 霹靂南部, 與彭亨中西部. 森美蘭, 馬六甲部分地區, 柔佛東北部分地區還是可以收到Gunung Ulu Kali的訊號. City Plus FM無法在Gunung Ulu Kali設有頻道來覆蓋巴生谷因為發射塔空間不足, 雖然空缺頻率還是存在的. Gunung Ulu Kali這麼戰略的發射地點, 是廣播者最想要使用的地區.

除了City Plus FM, 馬來西亞還有幾家電台也面對以上的問題, 如首要媒體的Kool FM, 馬新社電台FM 93.9MHz和一個馬來西亞青年志願團IM4U FM 107.9MHz. 兩年前, 我曾經跟馬來西亞多媒體委員會其中一個官員討論, 談為何當時的Ultra FM 101.3MHz (現在為Kool FM), Bernama Radio 93.9MHz和IM4U FM 107.9Mhz不是在Gunung Ulu Kali發射. 然後他說Gunung Ulu Kali發射塔沒有空間, 發射塔已經無法支援新發射器. 之後, 我建議這三家電台在Bukit Cincin發射, 他說廣播者不喜歡在Bukit Cincin發射, 主要原因是發射塔是屬於Celcom天地通. 加上Celcom已經沒有提供廣播傳輸服務. 馬來西亞伊斯蘭研究所電台Ikim FM巴生谷頻率91.5之前在Bukit Cincin發射, 過去幾年Ikim FM聽眾面對收聽問題, 有時發射出問題, 除了91.5之外, Ikim FM北馬頻率89.0MHz之前也長期面臨發射問題. 自從2016年6月初, Ikim FM的頻率發射服務都轉向馬電訊TM, 意思指Ikim FM使用TM的發射塔.

Q2: 有人建議City Plus FM把Gunung Telapak Burok 106.0MHz的發射功率增加至5kW和10kW, 但是為甚麼MCMC馬來西亞多媒體委員會不允許這麼做呢?

A2:目前沒有任何一家電台在Gunung Telapak Burok的發射功率是超過2kW. MCMC不允許任何電台在Gunung Telapak Burok的發射功率超過2kW因為會導致對其他電台干擾. 實際上Gunung Telapak Burok和Gunung Ulu Kali的頻率距離必須至少400kHz會比較好, 但是大部分的電台的距離依然200kHz,和300kHz. 想下, 如果City Plus FM的Gunung Telapak Burok頻率106.0Mhz是5kW或10kW, 這可以對其他電台產生嚴重干擾, 除非對方安裝高通過濾器 (high pass filter).

Gunung Telapak Burok的發射除了可以到馬六甲, 柔佛北部, 彭亨中部和巴生谷之外, 也可以到印尼部分地區...

==頻率分析==

105.7MHz: Lite FM Gunung Ulu Kali
106.0MHz: City Plus FM Gunung Telapak Burok (5或10kW)
<300kHz>

106.0MHz: City Plus FM Gunung Telapak Burok (5或10kW)
106.1MHz: 愛FM Bukit Pelindung
<100kHz>

以上的頻率分析, 如果City Plus FM使用功率超過2kW, Lite FM 105.7MHz和愛FM 106.1MHz會在各自的覆蓋範圍內受到干擾. 這意味著對方的聽眾在覆蓋範圍內收聽電台時因為受到干擾而面臨收聽問題..

Q3: 除了Gunung Ulu Kali之外, 巴生谷境內還有兩個發射站Bukit Sungai Besi和吉隆坡塔, 為何City Plus FM不適用這些地區發射呢?

A3: 雖然Bukit Sungai Besi或吉隆坡塔可以覆蓋巴生谷, 甚至在吉隆坡境內的收線素質超越Gunung Ulu Kali, 但是覆蓋範圍依然有限制, 然後不比Gunung Ulu Kali發射範圍來得大. 實際上, Bukit Sungai Besi或吉隆坡塔的頻率依然有限.

如果City Plus FM在巴生谷境內的發射站開設FM 91.9MHz, Bukit Sungai Besi不是很適合91.9MHz因為太靠近91.7MHz Gunung Telapak Burok. Bukit Sungai Besi離Gunung Telapak Burok不會很遠, 就算91.9Mhz可以通過, 但是City Plus FM 91.9MHz Bukit Sungai Besi或KL Tower 還是依然會在巴生谷一些地區自己受到91.7的干擾

目前沒有任何私營廣播者在KL Tower有頻率.. KL Tower可說是屬於RTM的, 在吉隆坡以外的地區收線素質未必好. 比如我在巴生谷境內 (吉隆坡以外)聽Traxx FM 90.3MHz [雪蘭莪沙亞南, 蒲種, 巴生], 線路未必清楚, 但是100.1MHz Gunung Ulu Kali在這兒很清楚.

 

 

如果Gunung Ulu Kali 發射塔還有空間, City Plus FM可以在那兒發射... 可以用FM 106.1MHz覆蓋巴生谷, 霹靂南部, 彭亨中西部, 森美蘭, 和馬六甲部分地區....