Sunday, 25 March 2018

Suggestion of Asyik FM coverage in Perak



 Asyik FM is Orang Asli language radio station in Malaysia, operated by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM). Currently this radio station can be received in Perak by relying 3 transmitters, depends on the areas:

- FM 102.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali: Tanjung Malim, Behrang, Slim River, Terolak (less clear), Sungkai, Bidor (less clear), Manjung
- FM 105.1MHz Gunung Brinchang: Gopeng, Ipoh (not clear), Simpang Pulai (not clear), Seri Iskandar, Batu Gajah, Bota, Teluk Intan (unstable reception), Langkap (unstable reception) and Parit
- FM 97.3MHz Bukit Ladang Teh: Lenggong, Sauk, Enggor and some Kuala Kangsar areas

In my opinion, Asyik FM provides entertainment and information for Orang Asli community. Besides that, there have quite many Orang Asli in Perak too. So, Asyik FM needs to expand its broadcast coverage in Perak to reach more Orang Asli community.

Tapah has many Orang Asli community, especially Jalan Pahang (road from Tapah to Cameron Highlands). Basically, Tapah can receive radio station from Gunung Ulu Kali while Gunung Kledang reception goes very weak, but it is only available in Tapah town and main road. In South Perak, Asyik FM relies on 102.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali which mainly targets West Pahang areas. The problem is Tapah and Bidor are unable to receive Asyik FM 102.5MHz, also 105.1MHz with clearer reception. Therefore, Asyik FM needs a 2kW transmitter in Changkat Rembian to cover Tapah, Bidor, Chenderiang, Temoh, Sungkai and Langkap clearly. This enables Orang Asli community who stay at the village around Tapah-Cameron Highlands road receive Asyik FM from Changkat Rembian clearly.

Here are my suggestion to expand Asyik FM broadcast coverage in Perak:

- FM 107.7MHz: Changkat Rembian (Tapah, Bidor, Sungkai, Langkap, Chenderiang, Temoh, Teluk Intan and parts of Kampar)
- FM 93.9MHz: Mempelam Sari (Gerik)
- FM 107.5MHz: Sungai Siput (North), Chemor and Ulu Kinta

At the same time, without launching transmitter in Gunung Kledang to cover Gopeng and Ipoh, but provide better reception in these areas, Asyik FM shall increase its existing Gunung Brinchang FM 105.1MHz transmission power to 1kW, rather than 0.1kW or 0.5kW.

Frequency suggestion about Asyik FM for Perak. Note: Existing FM 97.3MHz Lenggong was launched in 2015
   





























Asyik FM Changkat Rembian 107.7MHz coverage analysis




















Asyik FM 93.9MHz Gerik coverage PART 1

93.9MHz Grik

Asyik FM 107.5MHz Sungai Siput (North) coverage


Cadangan penambahan pemancar Asyik FM untuk negeri Perak (bahagian 2)



Buat masa kini, Asyik FM boleh didengari di kawasan Perak Selatan dan Lenggong dengan tiga frekuensi ini:

- FM 102.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali: Tanjung Malim, Ulu Bernam, Slim River, Terolak (kurang jelas), Sungkai (kurang jelas), Bidor (kurang jelas)
- FM 105.1MHz Gunung Brinchang: Gopeng, Langkap (kurang jelas), Air Kuning Kampar (kurang jelas), Kampung Gajah, Bota, Parit dan Seri Iskandar
- FM 97.3MHz Bukit Ladang Teh: Lenggong, Sauk, Enggor dan sebahagian Kuala Kangsar

Pada pandangan saya, Perak juga mempunyai banyak penduduk Orang Asli. Asyik FM adalah stesen radio untuk kaum Orang Asli di Semenanjung Malaysia yang dikendali oleh Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), saya berasa ia tidak cukup jika Asyik FM hanya meliputi kawasan Orang Asli di Perak dengan bergantung pada 3 pemancar yang sedia ada. Asyik FM patut menambah 3 lagi pemancar baru untuk meliputi kawasan Orang Asli di Perak.

==Cadangan penambahan pemancar baru untuk Asyik FM di Perak==
- FM 107.7MHz: Changkat Rembian bagi meliputi Tapah, Bidor, Chikus, Tapah Road, Sungkai, Langkap, Temoh, Chenderiang, Tanjung Tualang dan Terolak. Kawasan Teluk Intan, Kampung Gajah, Hutan Melintang dan Bota dijangka masih boleh menerima siaran Asyik FM dari Changkat Rembian.
- FM 93.9MHz: Mempelam Sari untuk Gerik dan sedikit bahagian Pengkalan Hulu
- FM 107.5MHz: Sungai Siput (Utara), Ulu Kinta dan Chemor

Tanpa menambah pemancar Asyik FM di Gunung Kledang Ipoh, tetapi ingin meliputi kawasan Orang Asli di Kinta seperti Gopeng, Simpang Pulai, Kampung Kepayang dan Parit dengan jelas, pemancar Asyik FM 105.1MHz dari Gunung Brinchang yang sedia ada perlu ditambah kuasa sehingga 1kW.

Cadangan frekuensi Asyik FM untuk negeri Perak. FM 97.3MHz Lenggong telah dilancar sejak tahun 2015

Cadangan frekuensi Asyik FM di Sungai Siput (Utara), Perak

Bagi kawasan Sungai Siput (Utara), kawasan tersebut tidak dapat menerima siaran Asyik FM, walaupun satu pemancar di Bukit Ladang Teh Lenggong 97.3MHz telah ditambah.

Secara teknikal, kawasan Sungai Siput (Utara) menerima signal siaran radio dan TV (swasta) dari pemancar Bukit Larut, manakala penerimaan signal Gunung Kledang di Sungai Siput (Utara) lemah akibat kawasan tersebut terlindung oleh gunung-ganang.

Sebelum ini, saya mencadangkan Asyik FM menambah 1 pemancar di Gunung Kledang untuk Ipoh, juga meliputi Simpang Pulai, Gopeng, Kampar, Hilir Perak dan Sungai Siput (Utara), tetapi Asyik FM menyatakan bahawa kawasan Orang Asli di Gopeng boleh menerima siaran pada FM 105.1MHz dari Gunung Brinchang, walaupun penerimaan kurang stabil.

Kawasan Sungai Siput (Utara) juga terdapat penduduk Orang Asli juga. Pada pandangan saya, cadangan untuk tambah pemancar di Bukit Larut untuk Sungai Siput (U) kurang sesuai. Walaupun liputan Bukit Larut meliputi Sungai Siput (U), tetapi Taiping dan kawasan daerah Kerian adalah kawasan utama liputan Bukit Larut, kawasan barat laut Perak tiada penduduk Orang Asli sebenarnya. Selain itu, penambahan pemancar di Bukit Larut untuk Sungai Siput (U) sahaja mungkin melibatkan kos tinggi.

RTM TV1 dan TV2 mempunyai pemancar kuasa rendah TV analog di Sungai Siput (U) bagi meliputi kawasan tersebut. Oleh itu, bagi meliputi kawasan perkampungan Orang Asli di Sungai Siput (U), Asyik FM boleh menambah 1 pemancar di Sungai Siput (U).

==Cadangan parameter Asyik FM untuk Sungai Siput (Utara)==
Frekuensi: FM 107.5MHz
Kuasa: 2kW
Tempat pemancar: Sungai Siput (U), Perak
Kawasan liputan: Sungai Siput (U), Chemor dan Ulu Kinta, Perak
Koordinasi: 4°49'11.5"N 101°03'59.8"E

==Analisa RF==
107.1MHz: Nasional FM Bukit Larut
107.5MHz: Asyik FM Sungai Siput (U)
107.9MHz: Minnal FM Bukit Larut
<400kHz, OK>

107.5MHz: Asyik FM Sungai Siput (U)
107.6MHz: goXUAN Bukit Penara
<100kHz, OK>

107.5MHz: Asyik FM Sungai Siput (U)
107.7MHz: Asyik FM Changkat Rembian (cadangan)
<200kHz, OK>

107.5MHz: Pahang FM Gunung Ulu Kali
107.5MHz: Asyik FM Sungai Siput (U)
<0kHz, OK>

Peta liputan Asyik FM di Sungai Siput (U)


Menara pemancar RTM TV1 dan TV2 di Sungai Siput (U), Perak

Dengan pemancar Sungai Siput Utara, penduduk Orang Asli boleh menerima siaran Asyik FM pada 107.5MHz dengan jelas di kawasan tersebut. Pendengar di Chemor, dan Ulu Kinta boleh mengikuti siaran ini juga.

==Jarak minima frekuensi FM pemancar Sungai Siput (U)==
- Bukit Larut: 400kHz
- Bukit Ladang Teh: 300kHz
- Gunung Kledang: 400kHz
- Gunung Brinchang: 200kHz
- Changkat Rembian: 100kHz
- Gunung Ulu Kali: 0kHz

Cadangan frekuensi Asyik FM di Gerik, Perak


Sejak 2015, Asyik FM telah menambah 1 pemancar jurang (gap filler) di daerah Hulu Perak, iaitu FM 97.3MHz di Bukit Ladang Teh. Sebenarnya liputan Asyik FM 97.3MHz dari Bukit Ladang Teh hanya Lenggong, Enggor dan Sauk, Perak, pendengar di kawasan sebahagian Kuala Kangsar boleh mengikuti siaran ini pada 97.3MHz, tetapi kurang jelas.




Kawasan Gerik tidak akan menerima siaran Asyik FM pada 97.3MHz dari Bukit Ladang Teh, walaupun kuasa pemancar ditambah kepada 2kW. Pada masa yang sama, kawasan Gerik juga ada penduduk Orang Asli. Oleh itu, satu frekuensi lagi diperlukan untuk kawasan Gerik dengan menambah pemancar di Bukit Mempelam Sari, Gerik.

==Cadangan frekuensi Asyik FM di Gerik==
Frekuensi: FM 93.9MHz
Kuasa: 2kW
Tempat pemancar: Mempelam Sari, Gerik, Perak.
Kawasan liputan: Gerik, Intan dan sebahagian kawasan Pengkalan Hulu

==Analisa RF==

93.6MHz: Hitz Bukit Larut
93.9MHz: Asyik FM Mempelam Sari, Gerik
<300kHz, OK>

93.8MHz: Sinar FM Bukit Panau
93.9MHz: Asyik FM Mempelam Sari, Gerik
<100kHz, OK>

93.9MHz: Asyik FM Mempelam Sari, Gerik
93.9MHz: Mutiara FM Gunung Jerai
<0kHz, OK>
























Dengan pemancar Asyik FM di Gerik, kawasan tersebut boleh menerima siaran tersebut dengan jelas dan stabil. Secara terbaliknya, jika saya mencadangkan Asyik FM menambah pemancar di Bukit Palong untuk Gerik, cadangan tersebut kurang sesuai kerana bukan semua kawasan Gerik boleh menerima siaran Asyik FM dengan jelas. Tambahan pula, tiada perkampungan Orang Asli dalam kawasan liputan Bukit Palong Kedah.

Cadangan frekuensi Asyik FM di Tapah, Perak



Asyik FM ialah sebuah stesen radio bahasa Orang Asli oleh RTM. Di kawasan Perak, FM 102.5MHz dipancar dari Gunung Ulu Kali boleh didengari di kawasan Perak Selatan seperti Tanjung Malim, Slim River, Terolak, dan Manjung dengan jelas.

Sebenarnya Asyik FM 102.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali berkuasa 5kW khususnya untuk kawasan Pahang Barat dan Selangor dimana banyak Orang Asli berduduk di kawasan tersebut. Oleh itu, tala antenna pemancarnya ialah arah timur. 

Di Perak, terdapat juga banyak Orang Asli di kawasan Tapah dan Bidor. Kawasan ini boleh menerima siaran radio dari Gunung Ulu Kali dengan jelas, tetapi Asyik FM 102.5MHz kurang jelas, walaupun isyarat stesen berdekatan iaitu Ikim FM 102.7MHz Gunung Kledang jadi lemah di Bidor dan Tapah.

102.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Ulu Kali
102.7MHz: IKIM FM Gunung Kledang
<200kHz, OK>

Bandar Tapah boleh menerima stesen radio Gunung Ulu Kali dengan jelas, tetapi kawasan bukit yang menuju ke arah Cameron Highland tidak boleh menerima siaran radio dari Gunung Ulu Kali, same dengan juga di Chenderiang yang dekat dengan Hutan Lipur Sungai Salu. 

Kini, di kawasan Perak, Asyik FM hanya boleh didengari di kawasan Lenggong, dan sedikit bahagian Sungai Siput (U) pada FM 97.3MHz yang dipancar dari Bukit Ladang Teh Lenggong. Di samping itu, Asyik FM 105.1MHz Gunung Bricnhang boleh didengari di kawasan Gopeng, Simpang Pulai, Bota, Langkap dan Seri Iskandar, tetapi isyarat kurang jelas.

Pada pandangan saya, Asyik FM perlu memperluaskan liputan siarannya ke kawasan Tapah dengan memasang pemancar di Changkat Rembian. Oleh itu, Orang Asli kawasan Tapah, Chenderiang, Bidor, Temoh, dan Langkap boleh menerima siaran Asyik FM dengan lebih jelas daripada FM 102.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali dan FM 105.1MHz Gunung Brinchang. Sebenarnya kawasan Bidor dan Tapah tidak boleh menerima siaran Asyik FM pada 105.1MHz dengan jelas akibat diganggu oleh Zayan FM 104.9MHz Ulu Kali dan Suria FM 105.3MHz Gunung Ulu Kali. Jika tala FM 105.1MHz di Bidor, apa kita dengar ialah gangguan signal oleh Zayan FM 104.9MHz (dulu Red FM).

==Cadangan saya tentang frekuensi Asyik FM untuk Tapah==
Frekuensi: FM 107.7MHz
Kuasa: 2kW
Tempat pemancaran: Changkat Rembian, Tapah, Perak
Kawasan liputan: Tapah, Bidor, Sungkai, Langkap, Kampung Gajah, Chenderiang, dan Temoh.



==Analisa RF==

107.5MHz: Pahang FM Gunung Ulu Kali
107.7MHz: Asyik FM Changkat Rembian
<200kHz, OK>

107.7MHz: Asyik FM Changkat Rembian
107.9MHz: Minnal FM Bukit Larut
<200kHz, OK>

Thursday, 15 March 2018

Is BFM 89.9 available via radio in outside of Malaysia?



BFM 89.9MHz is Malaysia English business radio station in Malaysia. About of its coverage via radio frequency, BFM 89.9MHz covers Klang Valley, South Perak, West Pahang, and parts of Negeri Sembilan, Melaka as well as some Johor areas.

For other areas, BFM already made application of Penang frequency in the past, but rejected by regulator due to unavailable frequency. Therefore, BFM launched its mobile app to provide alternative to listeners who stay outside of Klang Valley. In 2017, BFM also launched mobile app on Apple Car Play platform.

It is common to heard that BFM 89.9 can be listened around the world by using mobile applications and online streaming, but it is uncommon to heard that BFM 89.9 is available outside of Malaysia via radio frequency.

In neighboring countries like Singapore, Brunei and South Thailand, we still can receive Malaysia radio stations when leave the Malaysia border due to overspilled signal, but we may not know that BFM 89.9 is accessible in Indonesia through the radio receiver. 

Let me to explain and analyze. Although Indonesia is not main market for BFM 89.9 as it is Malaysia business radio station, but actually BFM 89.9 is available in Indonesia via terrestrial radio. BFM 89.9 actually is transmitted from Gunung Ulu Kali, due to its high peak transmitter sites. BFM 89.9MHz is not only available in Klang Valley, Central-South Perak, parts of Negeri Sembilan, parts of Melaka and small Johor areas, but it can overspill the signal to Indonesia territories such as Dumai, Rupat, Bengkalis, Medan, Tanjung Balai, Tebing Tinggi, Bagansiapiapi and Berkey.

Coincidentally, BFM 89.9MHz enters Indonesian market. Jokingly say that Indonesians can learn business matters and know the headlines from Malaysia by listening BFM 89.9 via radio.

Internationally, BFM 89.9MHz is available in parts of Indonesia territory via terrestrial radio such as:

- Dumai
- Rupat
- Bengkalis
- Medan
- Tanjung Balai
- Tebing Tinggi
- Bagansiapiapi 
- Berkey.


Sunday, 11 March 2018

What if TV9 rebrands to Tamil general entertainment TV station (fiction): Upin & Ipin in Tamil


 
General entertainment TV station features variety of programs. News, movies, drama, reality shows, documentaries, cartoons, women, lifestyle, comedies and game shows are combined.

TV9 was used to air many cartoon in the past, including its famous Upin & Ipin. Here is the situation if TV9 rebranded as Tamil version of TV3. I just make a fiction by mentioning the reaction of viewer regarding Upin & Ipin in Tamil language.

==Situation==

An Indian kid, names Muthu turns on TV9 (Onbathu TV) to watch his favorite local cartoon Upin & Ipin. Previously he was used to watch original Malay version of Upin & Ipin, BUT he begins surprised and shocked after this.

Muthu: Eihh! What! How comes Upin & Ipin can speak my Tamil language ya? So perfect!!!!  Daddy, please come to living room and you see this.

Daddy: Wow! I'm also surprised too. This is the first time that I know those cartoons are available in Tamil language on free-to-air TV in Malaysia. Previously, during my childhood era, most of animations are either in original languages, or dubbed in Malay/Chinese. Actually, your favorite cartoon Upin & Ipin is dubbed in Tamil, the initiative is to target Indian and Tamil speaking viewers market. Because the big boss of the TV wants to capture Indians market, plus ntv7 is already modern Malay channel, so TV9 becomes "Onbahtu TV" to target us.

Muthu: Good move actually. At least we have another choice to watch our Tamil programs on TV, alongside with Astro and Nam TV. For radio, we already have Raaga and Minnal.

My suggestion on TV9 branding after ntv7 repositioned as Modern Malay channel



TV9 is a free-to-air channel operated by Media Prima to target traditional and rural Malays since 2006. Previously, it was Channel 9, operated by Time Highway Radio THR FM company (Anaza Sdn Bhd), launched in 2003.

Channel 9 airs multi-language programmes all the time, based on THR FM multilingual slots in 2001.

- Gegar: Malay
- Raaga/Hindi Power: Tamil
- Treats: English
- 中華視界: Chinese

In 2004-05, Channel 9 was used to air many Tamil programmes to target Indian community. During transmission ends hours, Channel 9 was relaying THR FM. Before daytime transmission starts, Channel 9 played Tamil songs.

After Media Prima acquired Channel 9, it rebranded as TV9 to target Malays and kids. Most of TV9 afternoon programmes were cartoon segment, Nick di 9, aired Nickelodeon cartoons, but dubbed in Malay language. Besides that, TV9 also aired some Indonesian Sinetrons.

Since March 2018, following by rebranding of ntv7, TV9 has no more interesting shows. Its famous talk shows, Nasi Lemak Kopi'O was ended since 4th March 2018 and "given way" to CJ Wow Shop.
From 8am till 5pm daily, TV9 airs CJ Wow Shop shopping program.

From my view, there is bad move of TV9 seriously, Media Prima actually will launch 24 hours shopping television channel CJ Wow Shop TV standalone. It may not increase audience shares of TV9 with 9 hours CJ Wow Shop slot. Therefore, TV9 left nothing interesting programs anymore since March 2018.

Currently Media Prima already captures Chinese, Malay and English market, just only Indian market is absence. 

What is the direction of TV9? I will share my opinion.

Following ntv7 brand reposition, I think TV9 shall be repositioned its branding. Because there is lack of Tamil free-to-air television station for Malaysia Indians, so TV9 shall be rebranded as Tamil language majority TV station.

If TV9 becomes Tamil majority TV station, I think its logo and name could be replaced. Known as Onbhatu TV (ஒன்பது TV), onpatu means "nine" in Tamil language. This can allow competition against Astro Vannavil and Singapore Vasantham TV. Forget about CJ Wow Shop, actually Onbhatu TV (TV9) can airs Kollywood, Bollywood, Hindustan, Tamil news and local Tamil programs to target Indian audience in Malaysia.

The suggestion of rebranding TV9 as Tamil TV station (Onbhatu TV) can provide another choice of Indian audience in Malaysia. At the same time, there is another upcoming Tamil channel, known as Nam TV, but it is unknown that when will Nam TV on air via DVB-T2 digital channel.



==My suggestion of TV9 rebranding== (Onbhatu TV)

=Weekdays=
6am-9am: Rerun programs
8am-10am: Tamil Breakfast Shows
10am-11am: Tamil programs for women
11am-11.30am: Tamil community programmes
11.30am-12.30pm: Tamil cooking show
12.30pm-1pm: Tamil noon news
1pm-2pm: Tamil documentaries
2pm-3pm: Tamil game shows
3pm-4pm: Tamil talk shows
4pm-5pm: Tamil entertainment programs
5pm-6pm:  Tamil cartoons (example: Pokemon in Tamil)
6pm-8pm: Tamil and Malayam drama
8pm-8.30pm: Tamil news
8.30pm-9.30pm: Tamil drama (modern)
9.30pm-12.30am: Kollywood/Bollywood/Hindustan movies
12.30am-2.30am: CJ Wow Shop Tamil

=Weekends=
6am-9am: Rerun programs
9am-12.30pm: Cartoons (dubbed in Tamil, rerun of TV9 cartoons)
12.30pm-1pm: Tamil news
1pm-4pm: Bollywood movies
4pm-7pm: Kollywood movies
7pm-8pm: Tamil lifestyle & culture program
8pm-8.30pm: Tamil news
8.30pm-11.30pm: Hindustan movie
11.30pm-12.30am: Tamil entertainment program
12.30am-2.30am: CJ Wow Shop Tamil

Onbahtu TV, Itayattiṟku arukil (ஒன்பதுTV, இதயத்திற்கு அருகில்)
Format: Kids, drama, movies, news, lifestyle and game shows in Tamil

==MPTN channels==
TV3: 24 hours Malay general TV station
NTV7: Modern Malay TV station, with English, Turkish and Korean programmes
8TV: 24 hours Chinese general TV station with Korean and Thai programmes
Drama Sangat: 24 hours Malay drama TV station (under trial transmission)
CJ Wow Shop: 24 hours shopping TV station (under trial transmission)
Onbahtu TV (TV9): Tamil TV station (Tamil version of TV3)

After rebranding of ntv7, will this give impact to TV9?



Recently ntv7 had done repositioning of its branding since 5th March 2018 to target modern Malay audience, its Chinese programmes are transferred to 8TV, but Mandarin news and Hong Kong TVB Drama on ntv7 are remained.

In my opinion, ntv7 rebranding could be positive or negative at the same time. Since 8TV has no more English programmes, ntv7 can relaunch with English dramas. In addition, ntv7 can gain more Malay and English viewers at the same time. In addition, ntv7 also airs Korean programmes such as Project 101, Running Man and I Can See Your Voice. This also can give impact to TV9.

ntv7 transferred Chinese programmes to 8TV will allow 8TV to play 100% Chinese content without other language programmes with exception of Korean, Japanese and Thai which are parts of Chinese viewers' favorite.



Formerly TV9 had Korean programmes block known as "Saranghae di TV9", to air Korean drama without dubbing any languages. Now, TV9 had stopped all Korean programmes, instead rerun most of the old programs. From my view, ntv7 already killed TV9 partially.

ntv7 was used to air CJ Wow Shop shopping block from 6am till 1pm daily. After its rebranding, duration of CJ Wow Shop on ntv7 is reduced to 3 hours daily, from 10.30am till 1.30pm. Meanwhile TV9 CJ Wow Shop extends its duration hours to 9 hours daily after ending of Nasi Lemak Kopi'O.

TV9 is likely in dangerous situation because of CJ Wow Shop which is disliked by many viewers.

Next, I will share about my suggestion of TV9 rebranding.