RTM Mutiara FM suspends 90.9MHz Bukit Genting transmitter?

RTM Penang state radio station Mutiara FM has 3 frequencies, FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara is the main one, but FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai and FM 90.9MHz Bukit Genting are repeaters.

Last Sunday, I had published a blog post regarding my suggestion to add Hokkien and Mandarin programs on Mutiara FM by dividing two stations. Here is one of feedback from a user:

Thanks to Adrian Chan from Penang for the comment by giving the information. Appreciate on it.

Actually I already noticed the interference issue between Mutiara FM 90.9MHz (Bukit Genting) and Mix FM 91.0MHz (Gunung Jerai) since 2013, I was used to be in Penang during December 2013. From Teluk Bahang to Balik Pulau, while listening to Mix FM 91.0MHz from Gunung Jerai, I started to hear interference noise from Mutiara FM 90.9MHz Bukit Genting when entered Balik Pulau, then Mix FM 91.0MHz signal directly went down. When came to Balik Pulau, I had to switch to FM 91.3MHz from Bukit Larut to continue listening to Mix FM, but signal was not clear.

Between 90.9 and 91.0, Mix FM is using FM 91.0MHz in Gunung Jerai earlier than Mutiara FM 90.9MHz Bukit Genting. Mix FM was launched in 1997 by Astro Radio, FM 91.0MHz Gunung Jerai is already there from 1997 until today, but Mutiara FM 90.9MHz was launched only since September 2003. So, interference happened since 2003.

Here are the example of interference between FM 90.9MHz and FM 91.0MHz.


I had highlighted this issue since 2013 to RTM, but RTM claimed that Balik Pulau areas could not receive Gunung Jerai signal, I partially agreed with the statement after I did Gunung Jerai coverage analysis via Nautel RF toolkit. Then 2015, I had highlighted it to MCMC person when had private discussion, from the explanation, it was difficult that RTM to change Mutiara FM Bukit Genting frequency as RTM is using 6 + 1 transmission system, means 6 transmitters share with 1 standby antenna.

Now, according to Adrian Chan comment, Mutiara FM suspends Bukit Genting transmitter 90.9MHz, he claimed that Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar can receive Mix FM 91.0MHz clearly. I suspect that these areas people realized about interference issue. In my opinion, it is better that Mutiara FM permanently terminates from using FM 90.9MHz in Bukit Genting, so interference with Mix FM is solved, but if Mutiara FM wants to keep Bukit Genting coverage, Mutiara FM must change frequency.

==My suggestion of Mutiara FM Bukit Genting frequency migration==
Frequency: FM 100.7MHz
Power: 0.1kW

==RF analysis of Mutiara FM Bukit Genting 100.7MHz==

100.5MHz: Nasional FM Gunung Jerai
100.7MHz: Mutiara FM Bukit Genting
<200kHz, OK>

100.7MHz: Mutiara FM Bukit Genting
100.9MHz: Sinar FM Gunung Raya
<200kHz, OK>

100.7MHz: Mutiara FM Bukit Genting
101.0MHz: 988 FM Bukit Larut
<300kHz, OK>

100.6MHz: MY FM Gunung Kledang
100.7MHz: Mutiara FM Bukit Genting
<100kHz, OK>

After Mutiara FM changes Bukit Genting frequency to FM 100.7MHz, I strongly believe that listeners can receive Mutiara FM on 100.7MHz clearly in Balik Pulau and southwest Penang Island, even reception will be better than FM 90.9MHz as FM 100.7MHz has no more controversial interference.

Another RTM station, Nasional FM shall change its Bukit Genting frequency to 94.1MHz to solve interference issue with Mutiara FM.

==RTM Bkt Genting frequency migration proposal==
* Mutiara FM: 90.9>>100.7
* Nasional FM: 93.9>>94.1
* Radio Klasik: 101.7>>97.7 (101.7 shall be proposed to be taken over by new radio station)