CityPlus FM Penang frequency suggestion: 988FM should let go Penang frequency 94.5MHz

BY PHILIP YONG
philipyong0110@gmail.com

On last Thursday, I realized Star Radio Group Suria FM had closed down Kota Kinabalu transmission when I arrived in Kota Kinabalu.

After Suria FM exit from Kota Kinabalu, actually its sister radio station 988FM shall let go its Penang frequency FM 94.5MHz as I mentioned 2 years ago because Penang can receive 988 on FM 96.1MHz from Gunung Jerai.

The reason I suggest 988 to let go Penang frequency 94.5MHz by closing down its transmission and returning the frequency to MCMC is not only about save costs, it is to avoid a station has coverage duplication in Penang. Suggest to let go is also to be fair to other broadcasters who are applying Penang frequency license.

Malaysia Chinese business radio station CityPlus FM operates in Seremban and Kuching currently, but Penang is a good market for CityPlus FM to expand coverage there. Generally, CityPlus FM can take over 988FM Penang frequency 94.5MHz, but in detail, it needs few considerations:

1. Bidding costs
2. MCMC regulations

In my opinion, it is not a problem that CityPlus FM takes over Penang frequency FM 94.5MHz if 988FM decides to let it go. CityPlus FM, 988 and MCMC shall have a discussion of bidding FM 94.5MHz for Penang because they have to understand about the license regulations and bidding rules in this deal.

By not wasting operation cost in Penang, I hope 988FM will consider to let go Penang frequency 94.5MHz, so CityPlus FM can operate there. In addition, Penang listeners can tune to 988 on 96.1MHz from Gunung Jerai (101.0MHz Bukit Larut is for Southern Penang).

If 988FM let go Penang frequency, it does not affect its Penang listeners because they can tune to FM 96.1MHz. Look at its RF analysis of FM 96.1MHz below, it states no interference problem.

95.7MHz: Mutiara FM Bukit Penara (Penang)

96.1MHz: 988FM Gunung Jerai (Kedah, Perlis and Penang)

<400kHz, GOOD>

96.0MHz: Suria FM Gunung Kledang (Ipoh)

96.1MHz: 988FM Gunung Jerai (Kedah, Perlis, Penang)

<100kHz, OK>

96.1MHz: 988FM Gunung Jerai (Kedah, Perlis, Penang)

96.4MHz: Sinar FM Bukit Larut (Taiping)

<300kHz, OK>

Mutiara FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara and 988FM 96.1MHz Gunung Jerai covers Penang, both of them are same coverage, so 400kHz frequency separation has no problem for interference. This is because Raaga FM 99.3MHz Bukit Penara and MY FM 99.7MHz Gunung Jerai have same phenomena. 

If CityPlus FM successfully bid FM 94.5MHz Bukit Penara from 988FM, the antenna system of 94.5FM should be modified in order to transmit better in Penang.