Philip DXing Log Malaysia 飛力浦DX廣播情報局: My coverage studies of Asyik FM Negeri Sembilan frequency 95.5MHz

As 2019, RTM Asyik FM has no Negeri Sembilan frequency. For Negeri Sembilan, Asyik FM can be received only in certain areas on 102.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali and 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang. Although Negeri Sembilan consists with Orang Asli areas, but these areas are not covered by existing transmitters. I notice there are Orang Asli staying in Negeri Sembilan, but Asyik FM has no a frequency for Negeri Sembilan, Orang Asli may not receive their needs on radio, so I did a coverage research for this station.

==Asyik FM in Negeri Sembilan (current)==

* 102.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali: Nilai, Mantin, Rembau, Port Dickson, Felda Lui and part of Seremban.

* 95.6MHz: Gunung Ledang: Gemencheh and Rompin

Orang Asli in Negeri Sembilan mostly stay in Jelebu district, notably Titi, Simpang Pertang and Simpang Durian. In addition, there are Orang Asli villages in Tanjung Ipoh of Kuala Pilah district. Simpang Pertang, Durian Tipus, Simpang Duian and Titi are not covered by Asyik FM 102.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali, the reception is clashed by local transmitter IKIM FM 102.7MHz from Gunung Telapak Burok.

In my opinion, despite Gunung Telapak Burok has no vacant frequencies anymore, but for this situation, RTM shall expand Asyik FM coverage for Negeri Sembilan by using Gunung Telapak Burok transmitter site.

Coincidentally, Asyik FM operates in Gunung Ledang on 95.6MHz for Northern Johor with low power at 0.25kW, mainly target Segamat, Chaah, Bekok, Labis, and Kluang. In addition, current FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang is not allowed to be operated at higher power and OMNI-directional antenna due to interference to the coverage of Negeri FM 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin and Indonesia radio station FM 95.6MHz. So, RTM Asyik FM can launch in Negeri Sembilan in “adjacent frequency network” condition.

Single frequency network (SFN) is a radio/TV station operates same frequencies at different transmitter sites, normally DAB+, and DRM for radio, DVB-T2 for TV. If two radio stations are using same frequency, but different transmitting location, it is known as co-channel interference as both of them are different stations.

Adjacent frequency network (AFN) for radio is a radio station operates at different transmitter sites with 100kHz-200kHz frequency separation. Example: Hitz FM 92.8MHz Gunung Jerai and Hitz FM 92.7MHz Gunung Kledang. Then, former Red FM 98.1MHz Gunung Jerai and Red FM 98.2MHz Bukit Larut.

Talking about frequencies, I do suggest FM 95.5MHz for Asyik FM, but RTM shall be only allowed to beam towards northeast direction from Gunung Telapak Burok when use 95.5MHz for Asyik FM to avoid self-interference with Asyik FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang within the coverage area.

I did this research recently, noticed that FM 95.5MHz sounds suitable in Gunung Telapak Burok, the case study was based on technical precedents of existing TV and radio stations frequency separation.

SFN and AFN are unsuitable to be used on analogue broadcasting because of co-channel interference, but they are fit to digital broadcasting, but few of TV and radio stations were used to operate in SFN and AFN forms.

==Technical precedents of existing and former stations frequency separations==

1. TV Alhijrah

- In Perak and Selangor, TV Alhijrah broadcasts same frequency for analogue broadcasting on UHF 743.25MHz in Gunung Kledang and Gunung Ulu Kali together. So, this is 0kHz frequency separation. Distance from Gunung Ulu Kali to Gunung Kledang is about 155km, viewers between Gunung Ulu Kali and Gunung Kledang coverage may watch double image channel unless antenna are stable enough. Besides that, TV Alhijrah UHF 743.25MHz Gunung Ulu Kali and Gunung Kledang can be considered as single frequency network as they’re same station.

Note: Analogue TV broadcasting will be switched off on 31^st March 2019.

2. Defunct Red FM

In northern region, before May 2009, Red FM operated in Gunung Jerai on 98.1MHz at 10kW, meanwhile Red FM also operated in Bukit Larut on 98.2MHz at 1kW. This was a 100kHz frequency separation. Bukit Larut mainly covers Taiping and North Perak; meanwhile Gunung Jerai covers Kedah, Perlis and Penang. Due to higher elevation of Bukit Larut about 1349m which beyond the height of Gunung Jerai, Red FM was used to face interference on 98.1MHz and 98.2MHz each other, mainly in Penang and part of Kedah, but Red FM had Penang frequency on 107.6MHz from Bukit Penara to cover the affected areas. Based on this precedent, frequency separation of Red FM was known as “adjacent frequency network”, but it already carried interference. Until May 2009, Red FM Bukit Larut frequency 98.2MHz was closed down. Later, FM 107.6MHz was shifted to Capital FM on March 2014. Distance between Bukit Larut and Gunung Jerai is 111km.

Based on two technical precedents, both of them were not giving much impact as their viewers and listeners already tuned on clearer frequency and better platforms. I think there shall not be a problem if Asyik FM broadcasts in Gunung Telapak Burok on FM 95.5MHz, but directional antenna shall be applied.

Instead of cover all Negeri Sembilan areas by using Gunung Telapak Burok, but target only Orang Asli areas in Negeri Sembilan, so Asyik FM shall name the frequency and location as “95.5MHz Jelebu/Kuala Pilah”, rather than “95.5MHz Negeri Sembilan”.

Other than directional antenna, to prevent interference, Asyik FM is recommended to use lower power transmission from Gunung Telapak Burok.

==My proposal of Asyik FM Negeri Sembilan coverage==

Frequency: FM 95.5MHz
Power: 0.35kW
Transmission site: Gunung Telapak Burok
Antenna beaming direction: Northeast
Targeted areas: Kuala Klawang, Titi, Jelebu, Simpang Durian, Simpang Pertang, FELDA Pasoh, Batu Kikir, Juasseh, Kuala Pilah, Pantai, Lenggeng, Dangi, Tanjung Ipoh, Seremban and part of Jempol

Perhaps FM 95.5MHz is beaming to northeast direction from Gunung Telapak Burok, I don’t think it will cause interference to Asyik FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang and Negeri FM 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin coverage. Moreover, for rest of areas where face adjacent channel interference, they are not under coverage of both frequencies.

FM 95.5MHz Gunung Telapak Burok targeted coverage

Orang Asli in Negeri Sembilan

==RF analysis==

95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Telapak Burok 0.35kW (for Kuala Pilah/Jelebu only)

95.6MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Ledang (for Segamat and Kluang only)

<100kHz, OK. Adjacent frequency network>

95.4MHz: MY FM Gunung Pulai

95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Telapak Burok 0.35kW (Kuala Pilah/Jelebu only)

<100kHz, OK>

95.3MHz: Nasional FM Gunung Ulu Kali

95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Telapak Burok 0.35kW (Kuala Pilah/Jelebu only)

<200kHz, OK>

95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Telapak Burok 0.35kW (Kuala Pilah/Jelebu)

95.8MHz: Fly FM Gunung Ulu Kali

<300kHz, OK>

95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Telapak Burok 0.35kW (for Kuala Pilah/Jelebu only)

95.6MHz: Perak FM Gunung Kledang

<100kHz, OK>

95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Telapak Burok 0.35kW (Kuala Pilah/Jelebu)

95.7MHz: Negeri FM Bukit Tampin (Tampin only)

<200kHz, OK>

With launching FM 95.5MHz Gunung Telapak Burok for Asyik FM, Jelebu and Kuala Pilah districts are expected to be covered by Asyik FM. So, Orang Asli within these districts can listen to Asyik FM loudly and clearly. Although Seremban is not under main coverage of Asyik FM 95.5MHz, I may believe Seremban can receive the station, but reception may be MONO, sometimes STEREO.

Based on RF analysis, by using low power transmitter and directional antenna, FM 95.5MHz has no problem to be used in Gunung Telapak Burok for Asyik FM. Although minimum frequency separation between Gunung Telapak Burok and Gunung Ledang are 200kHz, but Asyik FM frequency separation is 100kHz, so there is no problem for Asyik FM as 95.5MHz and 95.6MHz are same station.

In conclusion, it will benefit Orang Asli in Negeri Sembilan when RTM launches Asyik FM there. Therefore, I do wish RTM will go to expand coverage for Asyik FM in Negeri Sembilan one day.

==Result of Asyik FM frequencies in Central and South region==