RTM district radio station Langkawi FM was launched in 1993, it began broadcasting on FM 87.5MHz from its studio (RTM Kuah @ Tabung Haji building in Langkawi). Later on, FM 104.8MHz Gunung Raya transmitter was added, this could cover the whole Langkawi Island. Until today, Langkawi FM has two frequencies. The FM 104.8MHz from Gunung Raya is the main frequency of Langkawi FM, but FM 87.5MHz RTM Kuah transmitter is old duplicate frequency.
Langkawi FM was formerly positioned as tourism radio station in bilingual languages (Malay and English) to target local residents, international and local tourists who travel Langkawi, but recently it was shifted to be positioned as local community radio station. Previously, the radio station has more broadcasting hours of English programme with world music, but recently Langkawi FM English broadcast hours were reduced to 2 hours daily from 11am till 1pm as the radio station rebranded to focus on community.
Since Langkawi FM is no longer as tourism radio station in Langkawi as it is community radio station, I think Traxx FM shall take over its role in Langkawi.
There is a reason behind why do I propose Langkawi FM 87.5MHz to switch programme to Traxx FM with transferring TX site to Gunung Raya because there are more international tourists visit Langkawi, there is a necessary to have English public radio station. Moreover, most of Langkawi areas cannot receive Traxx FM 98.7MHz from Gunung Jerai as these areas are heavily covered by hilly terrains within the island.
Actually, Langkawi FM has 104.8MHz Gunung Raya transmitter to cover whole Langkawi Island perfectly. In my opinion, Langkawi FM shall cease broadcast of FM 87.5MHz and leave only FM 104.8MHz to reduce duplicate frequency to cover same area, so Langkawi FM 87.5MHz programmes shall be switched to Traxx FM and transferred its transmission site to Gunung Raya. Alongside with Hitz FM 92.4MHz in Langkawi, I think RTM Traxx FM can launch there to provide alternative choice to listeners and tourists.
Inversely, I don't think it is practical yet to launch Traxx FM sub-station, known as Traxx FM Langkawi (at 87.5MHz) or Langkawi FM English 87.5MHz to provide Langkawi information in English to serve local and international tourists, this will involve high cost of production and programmings. It is better to simply relay Traxx FM 24 hours a day on RTM Langkawi FM duplicate frequency 87.5MHz from Gunung Raya.
If Langkawi FM 87.5MHz becomes Traxx FM, I would appreciate it. Therefore, Langkawi local and international tourists (including residents) can receive this RTM English radio station clearly in Langkawi.
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| RTM Langkawi FM studio |
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