RTM Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai is having co-channel interference from Nasional FM 93.9MHz Bukit Genting in Perak, Malaysia

 

RTM Mutiara FM main frequency for Penang is actually FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara, meanwhile it has two low power transmitter to cover 95.7MHz blind spot areas such as 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai and 90.9MHz Bukit Genting.

 

FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai did not cover all Penang areas. It is used to cover only Batu Feringghi, Tanjung Bungah, Tanjung Tokong and Teluk Bahang actually. The transmission power of FM 93.9MHz is only 0.1kW, and 93.9MHz is using only directional antenna (panel type) to beam southwest direction.

 

In Penang, there is RTM Nasional FM using same frequency as Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai, but cover Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar only where Nasional FM cannot be received on FM 100.5MHz from Gunung Jerai there. Due to Nasional FM Bukit Genting and Mutiara FM Gunung Jerai use same frequency on FM 93.9MHz, this results co-channel interference in most of Penang locations such as Georgetown, Bayan Lepas, Gelugor, Central Seberang Perai (Juru, Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam) and South Seberang Perai (Sungai Jawi, Nibong Tebal).

 

Other than Penang, in fact RTM Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai is also having co-channel interference (CCI) from Nasional FM 93.9MHz Bukit Genting in Perak. The CCI locations in Perak are:

 

1. Kuala Kurau

2. Tanjung Piandang

3. Parit Buntar

4. Bagan Serai

 

In addition, Bandar Baharu of Kedah is also having co-channel interference between Mutiara FM and Nasional FM on 93.9MHz.

 

Here are the videos of CCI on FM 93.9MHz that I received in Tanjung Piandang, Parit Buntar, Bagan Serai and Kuala Kurau which I made on 30.08.2020. 

 

1. Tanjung Piandang (Ban Pecah)

2. Kuala Kurau

3. Parit Buntar

 

The reception of Mutiara FM 93.9MHz is stable without co-channel interference when received in Alor Pongsu, Perak. 

 

The co-channel interference of FM 93.9MHz does not affect Mutiara FM listeners at all, because listeners can tune to FM 95.7MHz from Bukti Penara in listed areas, however Parit Buntar, Kuala Kurau, Bagan Serai and Tanjung Piandang are not first priority broadcast areas of RTM Mutiara FM. 

 

From Parit Buntar to Bagan Serai, you will also detect co-channel interference signal between Mutiara FM and Nasional FM on 93.9MHz. 

 

From my review, what I received FM 93.9MHz co-channel interference in Perak is same as what I listened to RTM Johor FM 105.3MHz Gunung Ledang in Melaka and Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan where having co-channel interference from Suria FM 105.3MHz Gunung Ulu Kali. 

 

What I predicted last year about FM 93.9MHz CCI in Tanjung Piandang, Bagan Serai and Kuala Kurau, Perak is accurate now.