My review of Lite FM (Malaysia)

Here is my former favorite radio station that I listened half decade ago, it is Lite FM. What I hear on this radio station during early days was classic songs from 1960s till 1990s. 

Formerly known as Light & Easy, I loved the station because there were many favorite oldies from 1970s, especially Bee Gees, Lobo, ABBA and Boney M.

In 2012, I loved to listen to Lite FM when I get tired with other young oriented radio station. The reason that I listened to Lite FM is because of oldies, my intention was to keep my listening all variety. In addition, I also reached away from listening to modern music too for temporary moment.

Classic Triple Play was my favorite on Lite FM which played 60s and 70s. Unfortunately, Lite had withdrawn all 60s and 70s from its playlist. I did not mind much that time as Lite played 80s and 90s.

I like to hear classic hits on Lite FM, but what I hate the most is Lite FM plays new songs such as Bruno Mars, Adele, Sam Smith, and Charlie Puth where are available on Mix. When Lite FM plays new songs where already exist on sister stations such as Hitz and Mix, so it makes internal competition among each other.

Lite FM plays new songs to attract younger listeners. In my opinion, this initiative is partially fault. Younger listeners listen to Lite normally just to listen to the classic songs. Although I'm a youngster aged 24, but I liked to listen to classic hits from 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. 

Moreover, Lite playlist also makes me tired because of new songs and same old songs, repeating over again! Even less 1970s and 1980s on Lite FM. Because Lite FM keeps on playing new songs like Adele, Bruno Mars, Sam Smith, and Charlie Puth, even Justin Bieber where are below my expecations much, I did not listen to Lite anymore since 2016. When I would like to listen to classic hits from 1960s till 1980s, I do not only have cassette, CDs and mp3s with myself, Pick of The Pops on BFM 89.9 is another replacement of Lite FM to me.

Pick of The Pops on BFM 89.9 plays classic hits from 1960s till 1980s, hosted by Patrick Teoh on every Saturday 2pm till 4pm. I usually listen to the program via podcast after Saturday 6pm onwards, I never miss any part of programs yet. Now, I become the loyal listener.

Lite shall return more classic hits from 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, but Lite shall halt 2000s, crappy and today songs to avoid internal competition with Mix. I would be feeling very appreciated if Lite plays classic hits from 1960s till 1990s, minus 2000s and 2010s.

My memories of listening to Red FM (Malaysia)

Red FM was an English radio stations which operated by Star Media Group until 31st December 2015. Until today, it is almost 2.5 years of Red FM ceased its broadcast. Since 30th December 2016, the radio was taken over by Astro and rebranded as Zayan from September 2017.

Red FM was my memories during teenagers moment. I was starting to listen to Red FM since 2009, alongside with Hitz FM and Fly FM. Began from 2009, I loved to listen to Red FM than Fly FM because Red FM played variety of songs from different decades.

I tuned the unfamiliar frequency FM 106.0MHz to listen to Red FM when I was around Southern Selangor, then switched to 104.9 for better reception.

"40 minutes non-stop music" on Red FM 104.9MHz was super awesome to me when I listened in 2009, 2010, 2011 and early 2012, less repeating same music over again like Mix FM. Red FM "40 minutes non-stop music" playlist are from late 1970s till current hits. Actually "40 minutes non-stop music" was applied with Red Drive and Red Evenings, it is available from 10am till 7pm.

During that time, Red FM became "Fastest growing English radio station in Malaysia" by AC Nielsen.

Besides "40 minutes non-stop music" on Red FM, "Skool Daze" was my most favorite weekend programs on Red FM. I was listening to Skool Daze on Red FM every Saturday evening from 7pm onwards. I liked this programmes much because it played English songs from 1970s till early 2000s (noughties), most of those retro hits on Red FM were synthpop, hip hop, pop and dance where we don't usually hear on Lite FM.

Compare with Lite FM, I loved Red FM Skool Daze more, but Lite FM plays more sentimental and easy listening classic hits.

I also liked to hear Red FM played Michael Jackson songs too.

Until 2012, I didn't really listen to Red FM after "Sorry Uncle" campaign where playlist and programs were nearly to Fly FM and Hitz FM, more crappy songs after that. May be they did that to avoid self competition with Capital FM women station where plays rare 1980s and 1990s most of the time.

I felt awesome about Red FM playlist from 2009 till 2012, then 2015. In addition, I also hated some of it. Because its sister station Suria FM is Malay radio station, of course it is very common if Suria has Indonesia song chart show where language is closely related to Malay, BUT Red FM launched a programme known as "Red FM Indonesian's Chart Show", I disliked it because it already made internal competition with Suria FM. In addition, there was no direction on targeted listeners when Red FM launched Indonesian's Chart Show. At last, this programme was short life one, and finally halted.

In 2013, Red FM had changed its logo with tagline "Living It!". To me, the logo looked very simple only. The most attractive show was "The Red Breakfast WTF" because of the branding, the word "WTF" made me to think about the vulgarity "What The F**k". Hahahhahaha! XD

What The F**k show. Hahhahahahha! XD
Definitely not for kids show.

Until the final 2 years broadcasting of Red FM, the playlist genre was changed again. At that time, Red FM shifted its music genre from contemporary hits to rock. From late 2014, no more Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and other crappy songs on Red FM, but Red FM played rock songs majority such as Linkin Park, The Click Five, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, 30 Seconds To Mars, Coldplay etc. Red FM 2015 was not same as BFM 89.9 where played rock songs.

BFM 89.9 plays independent rock and some oldies, but Red FM 2015 played mainstream rock.

After Red FM ceased broadcasting with Capital FM, Malaysia already lost 2 English radio stations. This already makes me less choice. Before Red FM ceased, I also listened to BFM 89.9 partially for the news and talk.

Hitz, Mix, Lite and Fly are playing same songs over again, they're torturing listeners' hearing when people tune to music radio stations. For most of Red FM listeners, Traxx FM is their choice because it plays variety of English songs, regardless decades and genres.

For the transmission coverage, unlike other radio stations where work well, Red FM had cut down some frequencies in 2009, the most impressive was its Negeri Sembilan frequency 106.0 was closed down. So, Negeri Sembilan listeners needed to tune 104.9 or 98.9, but unstable reception. Meanwhile Taiping frequency FM 98.2MHz from Bukit Larut was closed down due to interference with its 98.1MHz for Kedah, Perlis and Penang, but Taiping could get 98.1MHz. Five years later, Red FM Penang frequency 107.6MHz was ceased and taken over by Capital FM.

That's about it for my stories about Red FM 104.9. If you have stories about Red FM, please do share your memories by posting comment below this page.

FM 99.9MHz frekuensi Seremban analisa untuk Zayan #indahdihati

Oleh kerana pasaran ekonomi Halal berkembang pesat di kawasan Seremban terutamanya Senawang, Paroi, Tiroi, Sungai Gadut dan Ampangan, tambahan pula penerimaan Zayan tidak jelas di Seremban pada FM 104.9MHz yang dipancar dari Gunung Ulu Kali. Pada pandangan saya, frekuensi Seremban untuk Zayan diperlukan sebenarnya bagi meliputi kawasan bandaraya Seremban dan sekitarnya dengan lebih jelas.

Untuk stesen berbahasa Melayu yang dimiliki oleh Astro Radio, Era dan Sinar mempunyai frekuensi Seremban yang dipancar dari Gunung Telapak Burok.

- Era FM 103.6MHz
- Sinar FM 96.9MHz

Tetapi Zayan belum mempunyai frekuensi Seremban sebab bekas penyiaran stesen radio Red FM telah menutup frekuensi Seremban 106.0MHz sejak tahun Jun 2009, kini FM 106.0MHz Gunung Telapak Burok telah digunakan oleh City Plus FM sebelum Astro membeli Red FM dan Capital FM daripada tangan Star Radio Group.

Memang mustahil Zayan akan melancarkan frekuensi semula lagi pada 106.0MHz sebelum Red FM dihenti selama-lamanya! Untuk melancarkan semula frekuensi Seremban untuk Zayan, saya hanya boleh mencadangkan Zayan guna tempat pemancar Bukit Gan pada FM 99.9MHz.

Pada pandangan saya, Bukit Gan sudah cukup meliputi bandaraya Seremban dan sekitarnya untuk Zayan. 

==Cadangan asas frekuensi Zayan di Seremban==
Frequency: FM 99.9MHz
Power: 0.5kW
Transmitter site: TM Bukit Gan, Seremban

==Analisa RF bagi Zayan frekuensi Seremban==

99.9MHz: Zayan FM Bukit Gan
100.1MHz: Traxx Gunung Ulu Kali
<200kHz, OK>

99.9MHz: Zayan FM Bukit Gan
99.9MHz: 988 FM Gunung Pulai
<0kHz, OK>

99.7MHz: Raaga Gunung Ledang
99.9MHz: Zayan FM Bukit Gan
<200kHz, OK>

99.8MHz: Selangor FM Hulu Langat
99.9MHz: Zayan FM Bukit Gan
<100kHz, OK>

Berdasarkan pada analisa frekuensi Zayan Seremban atas, jarak frekuensi Zayan FM 99.9MHz Bukit Gan mempunyai hanya jarak 100kHz dengan pemancar jurang Selangor FM 99.8MHz yang meliputi Hulu Langat sahaja, tetapi kedua-duanya tidak akan membawa gangguan kerana pemancar Bukit Gan hanya meliputi Seremban sahaja, ia tidak akan memancar sehingga ke Selangor kecuali Sungai Pelek dan Sepang. Manakala Selangor FM 99.8MHz hanya meliputi Hulu Langat dan sekitarnya sahaja.

Jika FM 99.9MHz dipancar dari Gunung Telapak Burok, pemancaran Zayan dari Telapak Burok boleh membawa gangguan liputan kepada stesen radio yang sedia ada seperti:

- Raaga FM 99.7MHz Gunung Ledang di Melaka dan Negeri Sembilan timur
- 988 FM 99.9MHz Gunung Pulai di Johor Tengah
- Selangor FM 99.8MHz Hulu Langat di Cheras Batu 11, Kajang dan Hulu Langat

Dengan pemancar Bukit Gan FM 99.9MHz, Zayan boleh didengari dengan jelas di bandaraya Seremban dan kawasan sekitarnya seperti Pantai, Ulu Bendul, Ulu Klawang dan Bandar Springhills.

Penafian: Parameters dalam artikel ini hanya berdasarkan pada "frequency scan" di Seremban, gambar liputan Bukit Gan adalah berdasarkan Nautel RF Toolkit yang memberi ramalan liputan siaran sahaja. Oleh kerana teknikal antenna dan pemancar adalah sulit, saya tidak menerbit parameter seperti jenis antenna, ketinggian antenna, dan model pemancar dalam artikel ini. Saya hanya meneribit cadangan parameter seperti frekuensi, kuasa pemancar dan tempat pemancar sahaja

Zayan FM 99.9MHz Seremban frequency analysis and suggestion

Due to growing of Halal market in Seremban such as Paroi, Ampangan, Sungai Gadut, Senawang and Tiroi, plus the reception of Zayan is not clear much there on FM 104.9MHz, so a repeater is needed for Zayan to cover Seremban clearly.

Zayan has no Seremban frequency until today, but its former operator Red FM had Seremban frequency many years ago on FM 106.0MHz Gunung Telapak Burok, Red FM was closing down its Seremban frequency in June 2009. FM 106.0MHz Gunung Telapak Burok became City Plus FM on October 2016 before Astro acquired Red FM.

Bukit Gun is enough for Zayan to cover Seremban, plus other areas in Negeri Sembilan can be accessed either 104.9MHz or 98.9MHz.

==Zayan Seremban frequency basic suggestion==
Frequency: FM 99.9MHz
Power: 0.5kW
Transmitter site: TM Bukit Gun, Seremban

==RF analysis of Zayan Seremban frequency==

99.9MHz: Zayan FM Bukit Gan
100.1MHz: Traxx Gunung Ulu Kali
<200kHz, OK>

99.9MHz: Zayan FM Bukit Gan
99.9MHz: 988 FM Gunung Pulai
<0kHz, OK>

99.7MHz: Raaga Gunung Ledang
99.9MHz: Zayan FM Bukit Gan
<200kHz, OK>

99.8MHz: Selangor FM Hulu Langat
99.9MHz: Zayan FM Bukit Gan
<100kHz, OK>

In my opinion, based on the analysis above, Zayan FM 99.9MHz Bukit Gan has 100kHz separation with Selangor FM 99.8MHz Hulu Langat, I dont think they will have interference within the coverage area as Zayan FM 99.9MHz cannot reach Selangor area with exception of Sepang. In addition, Selangor FM 99.8MHz only covers Hulu Langat and surrounding areas.

If I suggested FM 99.9MHz to be transmitted from Gunung Telapak Burok, it can cause interference to existing radio stations such as:

- Raaga FM 99.7MHz Gunung Ledang around Melaka and East Negeri Sembilan
- 988 FM 99.9MHz Gunung Pulai around Central Johor
- Selangor FM 99.8MHz Hulu Langat in Hulu Langat, Kajang, Cheras and Balakong

Actually if Zayan has Seremban frequency FM 99.9MHz as per I suggested, I think Seremban listeners can tune to this modern Muslim radio station clearly, no need to tune unclear 104.9MHz.

Bukit Gan Seremban

BFM Seremban frequency. Need or not?

In Negeri Sembilan, BFM 89.9MHz can be accessed in most of the areas from Gunung Ulu Kali, locations such as Nilai, Mantin, Port Dickson, Linggi, Rembau, Pasir Panjang, Lukut, Labu, Bukit Pelanduk, Gemas, Rompin, Bandar Seri Jempol, Simpang Pertang, Simpang Durian, Serting, and Batu Kikir (North).

For Negeri Sembilan, Seremban is the state capital. Now it has been upgraded as Negeri Sembilan city due to its rapid development.recently. Among all Negeri Sembilan areas, Nilai, Seremban, Labu and Senawang are the most developed areas due to its geographical locations where are not so far away from Klang Valley, meanwhile Port Dickson is the most developed tourism area in Negeri Sembilan. Moreover, Bandar Enstek and Kota Serimas are newly developed areas.

In Seremban, BFM 89.9MHz reception is not clear much because the signal is heavily interfered by RTM Ai FM 89.7MHz from Gunung Telapak Burok. When I come to Seremban, I always hear the noise from Ai FM when tune to BFM 89.9 there. If I use a normal radio receiver to receive BFM 89.9, more interference from Ai FM 89.7MHz Gunung Telapak Burok.

Just for everybody information, Ai FM 89.7MHz Gunung Telapak Burok mainly covers Negeri Sembilan areas with the exception of Tampin and north Jempol. Actually Ai FM used 89.7MHz for Negeri Sembilan many decades ago, previously the reception was not clear in Seremban because interfered by BFM 89.9. I still remembered before launching of BFM 89.9 in September 2008, Ai FM 89.7MHz reception was partially ok when I reached Mantin and Nilai. After BFM 89.9 was launched, Ai FM 89.7MHz reception got interference by BFM 89.9 in Mantin, Labu and Nilai, even Seremban too. Since November 2009, RTM upgraded Gunung Telapak Burok transmission power from 0.1kW to 1kW to provide better reception of their radio stations for Negeri Sembilan and resolve the interference issue.

After Ai FM 89.7MHz got upgraded its transmission power to 1kW in November 2009, BFM 89.9 reception was no longer clear in Seremban.

==RF analysis between BFM and Ai FM==
89.7MHz: Ai FM Gunung Telapak Burok
89.9MHz: BFM Gunung Ulu Kali
<200kHz, not clear. Interference in Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Bahau, Rantau, Jelebu, Simpang Durian and Senawang>

Recently Seremban grows rapidly, there are many investors, business people and SMEs like to invest Seremban markets. Senawang is Negeri Sembilan largest industrial areas, located in Seremban. In addition, Sungai Gadut is also covered by Senawang.

In my opinion, a relay transmitter for Seremban is needed to solve the poor reception of BFM 89.9 in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. If BFM can get Penang frequency successfully, they can expand coverage in Seremban after Penang.

For BFM Seremban frequency and the transmitter location, I think Bukit Gan is enough for BFM to cover Seremban and surrounding areas because Gunung Telapak Burok has no empty frequencies with exception of FM 102.1MHz.

Here are my suggestion over BFM Seremban frequency basic parameters.

==Basic parameter of BFM Seremban frequency==
- Frequency: FM 90.1MHz
- Power: 0.75kW
- Transmitter location: Bukit Gan, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan

==RF analysis==
89.9MHz: BFM Gunung Ulu Kali
90.1MHz: BFM Bukit Gan
<200kHz, OK>

90.1MHz: BFM Bukit Gan
90.3MHz: Traxx FM Kuala Lumpur Tower
<200kHz, OK>

89.7MHz: Ai FM Gunung Telapak Burok
90.1MHz: BFM Bukit Gan
<400kHz, OK>

90.1MHz: BFM Bukit Gan
90.5MHz: Minnal FM Gunung Telapak Burok
<400kHz, OK>

90.1MHz: BFM Bukit Gan
90.3MHz: Era FM Gunung Ledang
<200kHz, OK>

90.1MHz: BFM Bukit Gan
90.1MHz: Hot FM Gunung Pulai
<0kHz, OK>

Actually I have some reason to suggest FM 90.1MHz, instead of other availability frequencies.

Reason 1: If 90.1MHz is assigned to BFM in Bukit Gan Seremban, listeners will be more convenient when tuning the radio dial. For example, if a listener is going to Seremban from Klang Valley, but 89.9 has poor reception in Seremban, he or she can press "+" or ">>" button for twice (for 0.1MHz steps) or four times (for 0.05kHz steps) or once for 2 second (for express searching). From 89.9 to 90.1, listeners can listen to BFM in Seremban instantly without seeking for longer frequencies.

Reason 2: Perhaps BFM operates 89.9 for Klang Valley, listeners won't hear different radio stations interference.

Reason 3: More convenient to listeners around Negeri Sembilan to listen to BFM. Since Bukit Gan coverage is limited for Seremban only, people can tune back to 89.9 after leaving Seremban location when the reception of 90.1MHz turns weak. Example, Seremban to Port Dickson, when reception of 90.1MHz is not clear in Lukut, they can tune to 89.9MHz back. It is more perfect if equipped with RDS and AF function.

If 90.1MHz is transmitted from Gunung Telapak Burok, I believe BFM 90.1MHz will give more interference to existing radio stations due to its narrow frequencies separation with other radio stations, even itself. Here are the affected radio stations which interfered by BFM 90.1MHz.

- 89.9MHz: BFM Gunung Ulu Kali in South Selangor and Northwest Negeri Sembilan
- 90.3MHz: Traxx FM Kuala Lumpur in South Selangor and some KL areas
- 90.3MHz: Era FM Gunung Ledang in northwest Melaka and Negeri Sembilan (Rembau, Kuala Pilah, Gemencheh)
- 90.1MHz: Hot FM Gunung Pulai in Central Johor (co-channel interference, even happen in Kota and Rembau)

Listeners will suffer to receive a radio station in narrow frequency tuning.

==In Klang Valley, South Selangor and North Negeri Sembilan==
89.7MHz: Ai FM Gunung Telapak Burok
89.9MHz: BFM Gunung Ulu Kali
90.1MHz: BFM Gunung Telapak Burok
90.3MHz: Traxx FM Kuala Lumpur Tower
90.5MHz: Minnal FM Gunung Telapak Burok

<interference happen>

==In Melaka and east Negeri Sembilan==
90.1MHz: BFM Gunung Telapak Burok
90.3MHz: Era FM Gunung Ledang
90.5MHz: Minnal FM Gunung Telapak Burok

<interference>

To me, it is safer to use 90.1MHz in Bukit Gan than Gunung Telapak Burok to avoid interference.

==Coverage for BFM 90.1MHz Bukit Gan==
- Seremban
- Senawang
- Sungai Gadut
- Labu
- Sendayan
- Rantau
- Mambau
- Pantai
- Ulu Bendul (Tanjung Ipoh)
- Ampangan
- Paroi
- Bandar Springhills

Bukit Gan coverage

Singapore Radio Headlines: FM 99.5MHz is empty in Singapore. Will it become next Malay radio station by SPH Radio?

Previously IMDA Singapore awarded FM 89.3MHz and FM 96.3MHz to Singapore Press Holdings Radio.

- FM 89.3MHz: Money FM, Singapore's first English business radio station
- FM 96.3MHz: Hao (好) FM, Singapore's Chinese classic music radio station to compete with Mediacorp Love 97.2FM.

After Lush FM 99.5MHz was closed down on 1st September 2017, the frequency is vacant until today. What's the future of FM 99.5MHz in Singapore?

Currently Singapore has 19 radio stations, I will list by group.

==MediaCorp==
- Ria 897FM: Malay language Hot Contemporary Radio to target Malay young listners
- Gold 905FM: English language classic radio stations
- Symphony FM 92.4MHz: English language classic opera radio stations
- YES 933: Chinese language Hot Contemporary Radio
- 938NOW: English language talk radio station
- Warna 942: Malay language adult contemporary radio
- Class 95FM: English adult contemporary radio
- Capital 958FM: Chinese talk radio station
- Oli 968FM: Tamil general entertainment radio station
- Love 972FM: Chinese adult contemporary radio station
- 987FM: English Hot Contemporary Radio

==SPH Radio==
- One FM 91.3: English classic and rock radio station
- Kiss 92FM: English adult contemporary radio station (from 1990s till today)
- UFM 1003: Chinese Hot Contemporary radio station
- Money FM 89.3: English business radio station
- 96.3 Hao FM: Chinese classic radio station

==So Drama! Entertainment (SAFRA)==
- 883 Jia FM: Chinese contemporary radio station
- Power 98FM: English hot contemporary radio station

88.9MHz: BBC World Service

For SPH radio, there is no Malay language radio station yet. In Singapore, besides local Malay language radio stations Ria 897FM and Warna 942FM, Singaporean Malays still can access Malay language radio stations by tuning from Malaysia where is transmitted from Gunung Pulai (Johor Bahru) such as:

- 87.8MHz: Sinar
- 90.1MHz: Hot FM
- 92.8MHz: Zayan
- 101.4MHz: Suria FM
- 101.9MHz: Johor FM
- 104.1MHz: Best FM
- 104.5MHz: Era (not clear in southern areas of Singapore due to adjacent interference from Batam radio 104.3 and 104.7)
- 105.7MHz: Nasional FM
- 106.2MHz: IKIM FM
- 106.7MHz: Radio Klasik
- 107.5MHz: Bernama Radio

Imagine if Singapore Press Holdings launches its Malay language radio station on FM 99.5MHz, Singapore will get its 3rd Malay language radio station. In addition, SPH does not only compete with MediaCorp radio stations, even Malaysia Malay language radio station too.

In my opinion, if SPH launches Malay language radio stations FM 99.5MHz, I think it can become Malay version of Kiss 92FM in Singapore. Plays Malay and Indonesian songs from 1980s and beyond.

Within 2010's, MediaCorp had ceased three radio stations, such as TV Mobile 893, Expat Radio XFM 963 and Lush 995FM. Two out of three MediaCorp defunct radio station 89.3 and 96.3 were fallen to Singapore Press Holdings. In the future, will FM 99.5MHz to be fallen to SPH Radio?

If 99.5MHz is fallen to SPH Radio again during IMDA tender, I think there can be higher chance to launch Malay language radio stations to compete with Warna 942 and Ria 897. Besides that, this SPH Malay language radio station can compete with Sinar FM, Era FM, Zayan, Best FM, Nasional FM, Johor FM, Hot FM and Suria FM around Johor. Moreover, Malaysia Media Prima Kool FM is not available in Johor Bahru, currently its listeners need to listen to Kool FM via mobile app, but when SPH Malay radio station (likely 99.5) plays 1980s and 1990s, this radio can provide another alternative to Malay listeners in Johor.

==Radio war between SPH and MediaCorp==
- UFM 1003 vs. YES 933
- Money FM 893 vs. 938NOW
- 96.3 Hao FM vs. Love 972FM
- Kiss 92FM vs. Class 95FM
- One FM 91.3 vs. Gold 905FM
- (Malay radio 995) vs. Ria 897/Warna 942??