Sunday, 16 February 2020

RF analysis: Can FM 102.75MHz be used for community radio station in Satun, Thailand?

Few years ago, there was a now defunct Thailand radio station in Satun, Idea Radio operated on 102.5MHz (later 102.6MHz). As Thailand standard FM frequency allocation is 250kHz per channel from 87.5 to 108.0, but this was second frequency allocation which did not follow Thailand standards, after FM 99.1MHz in Narathiwat.

If I follow current Thailand FM radio frequency allocation which is 250kHz per channel, as 102.5MHz is not suitable to be used in Satun main transmitter site as interference from Raaga FM 102.4MHz Gunung Jerai Malaysia, actually FM 102.75MHz can be used in Satun province for community radio station, but low power and not to use main site like public broadcasters transmit from Khuan Khan.

As FM 102.75MHz is not far from Perlis FM 102.9MHz Padang Pauh which separated at 150kHz, so FM 102.75MHz is not suitable to be used in Amphoe Mueang Satun due to interference, but this frequency can be used in other districts within Satun province, Thailand which a bit further from Perlis, Malaysia.

FM 102.75MHz radio transmission can be used in this transmission location below, but only select either one districts:

1. La-Ngu
2. Manang
3. Khuan Kalong
4. Tha Phae

To avoid interference to Perlis FM 102.9MHz Padang Pauh coverage in Perlis, Malaysia, the maximum transmitter power is 500W for FM 102.75MHz Satun radio transmission (Transmitter site: La-Ngu, Manang, Khuan Kalong or Tha Phae). 

If FM 102.75MHz is transmitted from Thung Wa, it is not suitable because it can interfere 4th Army Radio FM 103.0MHz Trang in Palian district which is high power transmission. In addition, FM 102.75MHz may be interfered by FM 103.0MHz Trang in some Thung Wa district. 

102.75MHz: Thung Wa FM 
103.0MHz: 4th Area Army Radio TP4FM Trang
<250kHz>

==RF analysis of FM 102.75MHz in Satun province==

1. Amphoe Mueang Satun (including Khuan Khan)

102.75MHz: Amphoe Mueang Satun FM
102.9MHz: Perlis FM Padang Pauh
<150kHz, NOT OK>

2. Manang/La-Ngu/Khuan Kalong/Tha Phae

102.75MHz: Thailand FM (Transmission site either Manang/La-Ngu/Khuan Kalong/Tha Phae)
102.9MHz: Perlis FM Padang Pauh
<150kHz, OK>

102.75MHz: Thailand FM (Transmission site either Manang, La-Ngu, Khuan Kalong, or Tha Phae)
103.0MHz: TP4FM Trang
<250kHz, OK>

==FM 102.75MHz frequency suitability in Satun province==

Manang>La-Ngu>Thung Wa>Khuan Kalong>Tha Phae 

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