Monday 17 September 2018

[MINOR TOPIC/ FOOD REVIEW]: Nasi McD, tasted like prison food?

In 2018, McDonald's launches localized food in Malaysia. Firstly, it is Nasi Lemak Burger McD. During the launching, it was hot selller. Then, McDonald's launches again with Nasi McD series.


Initially Nasi McD sounds good to me. Therefore, I decided to try it. At last, overall to say it is not delicious. What I feel about Nasi McD, taste like prison food (jail food).

Is McDonald's Malaysia joint venture with Malaysia Prisons Department (Jabatan Penjara Malaysia) to launch Nasi McD which cooked by ex-convicts? Definitely no, but imaginative comment only. If yes, Malaysia prisoners shall appreciate because they can eat Nasi McD with French Fries and fried chicken, even with Coca-Cola, so awesome!

The only delicious thing in this McDonald's first ever "jail food" in Malaysia is only the fried chicken, the rests are sucks. I believe ex-convicts can cry after eat this as they missed the jail food, so they commit crime again. HAHAHHAHAHAH! XD

I was badly impressed by this "jail food". Apparently, Nasi McD sounds delicious, but exactly tastes like prison food. I feel I'm having lunch in the prison. HAHAHHAHAHHA! XD 

So, this is my first try, also the final try to eat this "prison food". I only give 1 star rating over Nasi McD, but rest of McDonald's Malaysia food line-up such as burgers, fried chicken are nice enough (4-5 stars rating). 

Kakak Melayu, Mak Cik Melayu punya Nasi Lemak lagi sedap daripada Nasi McD yang macam makanan penjara untuk banduan. (Malay lady, Mak Cik's Nasi Lemak is far away better than Nasi McD which tastes like jail food for prisoners)

Bukit Pelindung coverage and the commercial value

Bukit Pelindung is a radio/TV transmitter site which is for East Pahang and Southern Terengganu. In Kuantan, the TV and radio stations are transmitted from Bukit Pelindung. Most of commercial radio stations reach there, except Kool FM, and Raaga.


Bukit Pelindung coverage just covers 600k population based on 2kW transmission power. Kuantan has more Chinese and Malay, so music and entertainment based radio stations are workable there by creating commercial driven, but I don't think Kuantan will have commercial value to business and talk radio station where Bukit Pelindung coverage is vernacular languages areas.

When I'm thinking about BFM and City Plus FM coverage expansion in Kuantan by putting transmitter in Bukit Pelindung, I don't think there is revenue yet as East Pahang is not PMEBs area.

Now, I'm talking about THR Raaga Tamil radio station in Kuantan, Bukit Pelindung. THR Raaga weekly listeners reach 1.3 millions (Source: GfK Radio Audience Measurement), Astro Raaga has no frequency in Kuantan as there is already having Gegar where serves East Coast Malay featuring east coast content. In addition, I may believe Bukit Pelindung coverage has only 9-11% Indian population. According to the coverage map, I believe Raaga can gain only 50k-60k Indian listeners in East Pahang via FM radio, so the weekly listeners reach which conducted by GfK for Raaga will be the same.

If Raaga launches Kuantan frequency, the listenership increment will not be effective so much. Besides that, Bukit Pelindung coverage is very small, and not large as other states strategic transmission sites such as Gunung Ulu Kali, Gunung Jerai, Gunung Pulai, Gunung Ledang, Gunung Telapak Burok, Bukit Larut and Gunung Kledang where can cover at least 1 million population. 

In addition, Bukit Pelindung has no commercial value to Raaga radio station, but I believe Tamil speaking listeners in East Pahang still can access Raaga via FM radio receiver by tuning either FM 99.3MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali or FM 99.7MHz from Gunung Ledang where able to cover Pahang territory. 

Conclusively, Bukit Pelindung commercial driven is low to certain radio stations due to its smaller coverage. In addition, its reception can be only received up to Pekan and Gambang, even signal goes faded when reach West Gambang, so listeners shall touch the dial by tuning frequency from Gunung Ulu Kali or Gunung Ledang. For Terengganu site, Bukit Pelindung can be received up to Kijal only. 




Sunday 16 September 2018

KL FM 97.2MHz is also available outside Klang Valley

RTM KL FM 97.2MHz is a radio station which mainly serves Kuala Lumpur, also with Klang Valley metropolitan areas. Listeners in Selangor areas can follow this radio station such as Petaling Jaya, Sungai Buloh, Ampang, Gombak, Kuala Selangor, Klang, Sepang, Cyberjaya, Cheras, Kajang, Semenyih, Bangi, Puchong, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Seri Kembangan, Tanjung Karang, Balakong, and Dengkil.

KL FM 97.2MHz is transmitted from Kuala Lumpur Tower (formerly Bukit Nenas and Bukit Sungai Besi as Radio Malaysia Ibu Kota).

Other than Klang Valley, KL FM 97.2MHz is still accessible in some Negeri Sembilan areas such as:

- Nilai
- Labu
- Bandar Enstek (new location)
- Mantin
- Lenggeng
- Rantau
- Lukut
- Port Dickson
- Bukit Pelanduk
- Tanah Merah
- Mambau
- part of Seremban/Senawang

For transmitter site, I don't think KL FM 97.2MHz is necessary to move its transmitter site to Gunung Ulu Kali as current Kuala Lumpur Tower can cover Klang Valley perfectly. If move to Gunung Ulu Kali, KL FM 97.2MHz transmission will cause interference to Perak FM 97.3MHz Changkat Rembian coverage in Southern Perak such as Bidor, Sungkai, Terolak, Slim River and Tapah.

==RF analysis==

97.2MHz: KL FM Gunung Ulu Kali
97.3MHz: Perak FM Changkat Rembian
<100kHz, NOT OK. INTERFERENCE>


Saturday 15 September 2018

IM4U FM 107.9MHz停播後的未來與City Plus FM 106.0MHz雪隆區收線解決方案





IM4U FM 107.9MHz這家電台, 相信大部分的人應該對這家電台不熟悉吧! 這家電台其實是宣傳自願活動, 電台以馬來語和英語為主, 70巴仙馬來語, 30巴仙英語. IM4U FM107.9MHz是前首相納吉 (現在他被控告跟1MDB有關的貪汙洗黑錢罪行), 2013年3月試播, 2014年9月正式廣播, 但是這家電台在2018年6月29日停播, 然後只是播放音樂, 無DJ的電台, 到現在依然播放音樂.

FM 107.9MHz是從Bukit Sungai Besi發射, 覆蓋範圍只限巴生谷和森美蘭小部分地區.

IM4U FM 107.9MHz其實是巴生谷非盈利電台, 屬於Gen Media Sdn Bhd, 公司是IM4U非政府組織擁有. 政治角度上來看, IM4U FM 107.9MHz也算是"國陣和阿雞哥河馬"的宣傳電台, 鎖定青年, 但是失敗告吹因為國陣在這屆大選落敗, 選民對國陣前朝政府厭倦. 國陣倒台後, IM4U組織改名為"Volunteer Malaysia", 證明IM4U這個品牌正式解散, 電台也解散. IM4U FM 107.9MHz停播前, 這家電台播放當代流行音樂鎖定12-29歲聽眾.

當時我收到這樣的消息, 我覺得這個消息也成為比較興趣的話題. 對IM4U FM停播消息最有興趣的地方是這家電台FM 107.9MHz的未來.

停播後的兩個月半, FM 107.9MHz依然播放音樂, 台號甚麼都沒有. 看起來這家電台正在尋找買家收購, 這家電台老闆正在脫售IM4U FM 107.9.

談到收購IM4U FM 107.9MHz, 我覺得這是很有趣的話題. Astro收購了星報集團兩家電台並推出現代穆斯林馬來電台Zayan和中文Z時代電台goXUAN, 然後首要媒體收購Copyright Laureate電台並推出Kool FM.

目前沒有任何集團選擇收購IM4U FM因為把這家電台擴展覆蓋範圍至其他地區很困難, 理由是電台頻譜飽和. 首要媒體Kool FM就是一個例子, 到現在依然無法擴大覆蓋範圍至西海岸其他州屬因為頻率飽和.



另外一點是馬來西亞中文財經電台City Plus FM遇到問題, 就是頻率FM 106.0MHz在雪隆區的收線素質不理想因為106.0是從Gunung Telapak Burok發射, 加上Gunung Telapak Burok主要覆蓋範圍是森美蘭, 此發射最多能覆蓋巴生谷南部, 反而巴生谷中北部地區的訊號就不清楚. 因為巴生谷頻率 (無論main transmitter或gap filler repeater)非常飽和, 所以City Plus FM在巴生谷境內增設頻率無緣.

City Plus FM 106.0在巴生谷南部是很清楚.

如果IM4U FM 107.9MHz脫售給City Plus FM, 我個人非常認同因為巴生谷需要更加清晰的City Plus FM.我個人會支持City Plus FM的公司Cense Media Sdn Bhd收購這家電台, 把City Plus FM的線路變得更加清楚.

如果City Plus FM成功收購IM4U FM 107.9, 巴生谷聽眾終於可以收聽得到更加清楚的中文財經電台. 原本在巴生谷地區(吉隆坡, 八打靈再也, 梳邦, 沙亞南, 安邦, Gombak, 蕉賴, 巴生, 萬繞, 雙溪毛糯)通過106.0收聽City Plus FM就把收音機調去107.9MHz. 其實City Plus FM 107.9MHz也可以保留在Bukit Sungai Besi發射地點覆蓋巴生谷, 還可以把發射功率增加5kW.

如果說把City Plus FM 107.9MHz放在Gunung Ulu Kali, 我還是不太認同因為Minnal FM在太平Bukit Larut使用的107.9MHz以後備頻率身分覆蓋那些收98.9被干擾而影響的霹靂地區.一旦107.9放在Gunung Ulu Kali發射, Minnal FM的覆蓋範圍可能被干擾, 除非發射天線沒有朝北部發射就沒有甚麼影響.


107.9MHz: Minnal FM Bukit Larut
107.9MHz: City Plus FM Bukit Sungai Besi (5kW)
<0kHz, OK>

107.9MHz: Minnal FM Bukit Larut
107.9MHz: City Plus FM Gunung Ulu Kali (1.5kW)
<0kHz,  不適合使用, 除非發射天線沒有對北部方向發射>

誰會收購IM4U FM? 大家不知道. 我個人絕對認同City Plus FM收購107.9, 反而106.0可以服務森美蘭和馬六甲.





 


Opinion about the future of IM4U FM 107.9MHz and City Plus FM 106.0MHz Klang Valley poor reception solution.



There was a Klang Valley radio station, IM4U FM ceased its broadcast. Its final broadcast was on 29th June 2018, then until today the frequency FM 107.9MHz is just playing non-stop music without DJs, and commercials like Star Radio defunct Red FM and Capital FM did in whole 2016.

Now I'm going to have introduction about the background of defunct IM4U FM. Briefly say that this radio station was actually non-profit radio station to promote volunteerism and social activism in Malaysia, it targeted younger listeners from 12-29 years old (Gen Y and Z) where are same class with Hitz, Fly FM, Era, and Hot FM by playing latest music trend from local and international. IM4U FM 107.9MHz broadcasted in Malay at 70% and English at 30%. Regarding the transmission, FM 107.9MHz was transmitted from Bukit Sungai Besi which only limited for Klang Valley and part of Negeri Sembilan (such as Nilai). From my view, majority listeners of IM4U FM are students and fresh graduates which get 1st job in their career.

IM4U stands for "1Malaysia For Youth", a non-governmental volunteerism organization is launched by former Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2012. The IM4U FM radio station began trial transmission since March 2013, I noticed this radio station on 1st March 2013 where was fallen on Friday when my car mp3 modulator faced interference, that time was my final exam. Formerly I was using FM 107.9MHz as my mp3 modulator frequency for my car, but interference happened on March 2013. IM4U FM 107.9MHz began broadcast officially since 15th September 2014. Politically, IM4U FM became "BN and Najib Rosmah propaganda" radio station to target youths, but this work was failed actually, caused BN was denied by Malaysia voters during GE-14 on 9th May 2018. After collapse of BN Najib administration, IM4U was renamed as "Volunteer Malaysia", then its radio station was ceased.

Until 29th June 2018, IM4U FM went farewell. Until today, FM 107.9MHz is still playing non-stop music. I believe the radio station is seeking buyer for acquisition.

I suddenly feel interesting to hear about the future of FM 107.9MHz. While this radio station is seeking for acquisition, I was thinking about it and beginning to share my personal suggestion.

Astro already has Zayan and goXUAN where acquired Red FM and Capital FM from Star Radio Group, then Media Prima has Kool FM where acquired Pi Mai FM and Ultra FM from Copyright Laureate Sdn Bhd. In Klang Valley, there is a Chinese business radio station by Cense Media Sdn Bhd, named City Plus FM, currently it is transmitted from Gunung Telapak Burok which suppose for Negeri Sembilan on FM 106.0MHz. City Plus FM 106.0MHz is clear in Southern Klang Valley such as Kuala Langat, Sepang, Kajang, Morib, Tg Sepat, Bangi, Putrajaya, Bukit Puchong, Serdang, and Balakong, but the reception is not clear in North and Central Klang Valley.



Due to unavailable frequencies in Klang Valley, regardless main transmitter or low power repeater, and IM4U FM is likely being sold, when comes to acquisition, I would fully agree if City Plus FM acquires IM4U FM 107.9MHz in order to provide clearer reception in Klang Valley. With the acquisition, Klang Valley listeners can listen to City Plus FM loudly and clearly on 107.9MHz.

After acquire IM4U FM, City Plus FM 107.9MHz can remain in Bukit Sungai Besi for Klang Valley by increasing transmission power. Meanwhile if transmit from Gunung Ulu Kali, I still don't really agree if City Plus FM transmits from Gunung Ulu Kali on 107.9MHz  as there is RTM Minnal FM Bukit Larut 107.9MHz which serves as alternative frequency of 98.9MHz in affected Perak areas.

Gunung Ulu Kali can transmit further than Bukit Sungai Besi due to its higher elevation of terrain, it can transmit beyond Klang Valley such as Southern Perak, West Pahang and part of Negeri Sembilan/Melaka/Johor.

If City Plus FM choose Gunung Ulu Kali as transmitter site for FM 107.9MHz, I can agree when its transmitter antenna is not beamed to Perak direction in order to prevent interference to Minnal FM 107.9MHz Bukit Larut within Minnal FM coverage (including 98.9 affected areas).

==RF analysis==

107.9MHz: Minnal FM Bukit Larut
107.9MHz: City Plus FM Bukit Sungai Besi (5kW)
<0kHz, OK>

107.9MHz: Minnal FM Bukit Larut
107.9MHz: City Plus FM Gunung Ulu Kali (1.5kW)
<0kHz, not recommended unless antenna is not beamed to north direction>

Acquisition of FM 107.9MHz.... Who wants to buy???? Everybody does not know. I would strongly agree and support Cense Media Sdn Bhd acquires it for City Plus FM to have clearer reception in Klang Valley. While Klang Valley is FM 107.9MHz, so City Plus FM can move towards Melaka on existing Gunung Telapak Burok FM 106.0MHz to target Negeri Sembilan and Melaka.

With City Plus FM 107.9MHz from Bukit Sungai Besi, Klang Valley areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Puchong, Petaling Jaya, Ampang, Gombak, Rawang, Selayang, Cheras, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, Damansara, Klang and Sungai Buloh will have clearer reception than FM 106.0MHz.




Existing FM 107.9MHz Bukit Sungai Besi coverage

Tuesday 11 September 2018

List of the radio stations which are receivable in Cameron Highlands

Here is the list of radio stations which can be received in Cameron Highlands, Pahang.

==Astro Radio== (available in Brinchang, Kampung Raja, Blue Valley, Tanah Rata and Ringlet only)
* Hitz: FM 92.7MHz from Gunung Kledang
* Mix: FM 94.3MHz from Gunung Kledang
* Lite: FM 101.5MHz from Gunung Kledang
* MY: FM 100.6MHz from Gunung Kledang
* Melody: FM 98.5MHz from Gunung Kledang
* Era: FM 103.7MHz from Gunung Kledang
* Sinar: FM 96.9MHz from Gunung Kledang
* Raaga: FM 97.9MHZ from Gunung Kledang
* Zayan: FM 106.4MHz from Gunung Kledang

==Media Prima== (available in Brinchang, Kampung Raja, Blue Valley, Tanah Rata and Ringlet only)
* One FM: 87.6MHz from Gunung Kledang
* Fly FM: 87.9MHz from Gunung Kledang
* Hot FM: 104.5MHz from Gunung Kledang


==STAR Radio Group== (available in Brinchang, Kampung Raja, Blue Valley, Ringlet and Tanah Rata only)

* 988: FM 99.8MHz from Gunung Kledang

* Suria: FM 96.0MHz from Gunung Kledang


==Others==
* IKIM FM: 102.7MHz from Gunung Kledang (available in Brinchang, Kampung Raja, Blue Valley, Ringlet and Tanah Rata only)

==RTM== (Transmitter site: Gunung Brinchang)
* Radio Klasik FM 89.1MHz
* Nasional FM 93.1MHz
* Pahang FM 100.3MHz
* Perak FM 94.7MHz
* Traxx FM 101.1MHz
* Ai FM 103.5MHz
* Minnal FM 104.3MHz
* Asyik FM/Salam FM 105.1MHz

 

* Kelantan FM 97.3MHz Bukit Bakar (partially available in Blue Valley, Kuala Terla, Kea Farm and Kampung Raja)