I caught the signal during Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2017, I thought the frequency FM 102.0MHz was a test transmission from Gunung Telapak Burok, but the signal went off when I reached Seremban, so I guessed FM 102.0MHz was from Bukit Tampin.
Initially, I suspected FM 102.0MHz Bukit Tampin was belonged to RTM by guessing RTM will launch Melaka FM Bukit Tampin frequency FM 102.0MHz to cover blind spot Melaka areas, so I decided to ask RTM for frequency verification based on my findings. RTM clarified that FM 102.0MHz was not belonged to them by informing me that RTM only has 1 radio station in Bukit Tampin, that is Negeri FM 95.7MHz.
Before a week of Deepavali, I was planning for one day solo trip. So, I decided to hike Bukit Tampin. When I was driving along PLUS Highway after Senawang rest station before reaching Pedas Linggi intersection, so I tried to tune to FM 102.0MHz on my radio receiver, normally an unoccupied frequency will create static noise, but FM 102.0MHz has no static noise, instead the frequency is just in silent mode without having audio.
Then, after I entered Pedas Linggi toll while on my way to Tampin via Rembau road, the signal FM 102.0MHz was still there, my car radio receiver was showing "ST" (STEREO) indicator on the display, but somehow ST indicator was blinking occasionally without static noise.
Pedas, Linggi, Rembau, Tampin, Kota, Simpang Ampat and part of Alor Gajah can receive FM 102.0MHz. When I reached Tampin, FM 102.0MHz signal was available, just partially interfered by Johor FM 101.9MHz from Gunung Pulai which covers Southern Johor. After I reached Tampin, I brought my radio receiver together while hiking Bukit Tampin from the bottom till the top peak where is TM Bukit Tampin transmitting station tower.
From bottom peak till the top peak, there is 90 poles within Bukit Tampin. TM Bukit Tampin transmitting tower is at 90th pole. So, I walked from 1st pole till 90th pole, it took 1 hour to reach TM Bukit Tampin. Tired is common unless consistently hiking.
FM 102.0MHz was interfered by Johor FM 101.9MHz Gunung Pulai at the middle peak of Bukit Tampin (about 53rd pole), so when I reached about 85th pole where is not far away from the transmitting tower, I turned on my radio receiver and switched to FM 102.0MHz, the signal was ON, but no audio and static noise, even I got the signal when I was at TM Bukit Tampin.
When I already reached TM Bukit Tampin, everyone is not allowed to take photography of TM Bukit Tampin building and transmitter tower because there is army camp within TM Bukit Tampin transmitter station. I was told by one of army guard for not taking photos too, but I told him that I was doing radio reception test (DXing), he was ok. In addition, the army told that I was allowed to take photo nearby Maxis tower and Selamat Datang TM Bukit Tampin concrete board.
Because TM Bukit Tampin has army camp where never allow photography due to military's confidential which is heavily related to country defenses, then RTM had clarified that FM 102.0MHz was not belonged to them in Bukit Tampin, I believed none of commercial radio stations will expand coverage by putting Bukit Tampin for Melaka and Negeri Sembilan due to nonstrategic coverage, from my view, there is possibility that FM 102.0MHz is occupied by ATM Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (Malaysia's army) as military radio station which broadcasts for army.
Some of my friends said that FM 102.0MHz could be the interference signal from military radio service, but my friends said that the interference happened only when reach the transmitting tower, known as "modulation interference".
For army radio communication purpose, the frequency spectrum is between 225MHz and 400MHz under VHF, none of people other than army are allowed to own this kind of radio receiver because this is illegal, cause to be sued by the law, same with airband receiver too.
Modulation interference refers a radio station transmission can create duplication interference through modulation, which happens nearby transmitting tower. Example, Raaga FM in Gunung Raya is 101.9MHz, but I could receive on 93.6MHz when I was at the top peak of Gunung Raya.
In Tampin, Rembau, Simpang Ampat, Pedas Linggi, and Kota, FM 102.0MHz can be received, so it was not modulation interference. So, I guess FM 102.0MHz was operated as army broadcasting radio station where is dedicated for army within Bukit Tampin camp, I guess FM 102.0MHz is operating in very low transmission power, could be either less than or equal to 0.1kW. Besides that, the transmitter antenna of FM 102.0MHz from Bukit Tampin is beaming to west direction.
Coincidentally, Bukit Tampin is also belonged to TM, I think army is installing a FM transmitter within Bukit Tampin camp, instead of TM transmitter tower. Imagine if FM 102.0MHz is installed at TM Bukit Tampin tower, I believe reception in Tampin, Alor Gajah and Melaka can receive the signal, even Port Dickson and part of Seremban can receive weakly.
In conclusion, FM 102.0MHz is neither public nor private broadcaster, it could be army radio station.
==Basic information of FM 102.0MHz==
* Transmitting site: Bukit Tampin (suspect army camp building
* TX Power: ≤100W
* Coverage availability: Rembau, Kota, Tampin, Pedas, Linggi and Simpang Ampat
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