RTM Perak FM has no Bukit Palong transmitter for Pengkalan Hulu, so what frequency do the listeners tune in Pengkalan Hulu, Perak?

 

In Pengkalan Hulu, the northenmost town, located in Far North Perak, bordered with Thailand and Kedah, usually the town is covered by RTM radio stations from Bukit Palong transmitter tower (Baling, Kedah).

As today, RTM Perak FM has no frequency in Pengkalan Hulu, even RTM did not expand Perak FM coverage to the town by using Bukit Palong transmitter tower as per I suggested 5 years ago.

I was wondering that how do listeners tune to Perak FM in Pengkalan Hulu through radio (neglect online listening).

There are some possible existing Perak FM frequencies which can be tuned in Pengkalan Hulu, but weak signal:

1. FM 96.2MHz Gerik: The only nearest transmitter can be listened, but it is likely interfered by 988 FM 96.1MHz from Gunung Jerai in Pengkalan Hulu, because Pengkalan Hulu can receive Gunung Jerai radio stations partially.

2. FM 95.6MHz Gunung Kledang: The most powerful Perak FM transmitter in the state as it transmits with 2kW power. Pengkalan Hulu elevation is high actually as it is hilly town, so 95.6MHz could be received there, just weak signal.

3. FM 104.1MHz Bukit Larut: It is impossible to be received in Pengkalan Hulu because the transmission power is only 0.25kW. Between Pengkalan Hulu and Bukit Larut, there are many terrains which block the transmitting signal from Bukit Larut to Pengkalan Hulu.

4. FM 102.9MHz Lawin: Low power transmitter to cover Lawin only, but signal is only available in high elevation areas in Pengkalan Hulu with poor reception.

It is impossible that Perak FM can be tuned in Pengkalan Hulu on 94.2MHz from Bukit Ladang Teh (Lenggong) as it covers only Lenggong. In terms of frequency status, 94.2 in Pengkalan Hulu is weak signal of Radio Thailand Yala FM 94.25MHz.

If Pengkalan Hulu listeners tune to Perak FM on Ipoh frequency 95.6MHz from Gunung Kledang, it is considered very powerful. In fact, Gunung Kledang radio stations somehow can be received between Gerik and Jeli on East-West Highway (Titiwangsa). To reach Pengkalan Hulu from Gunung Kledang, mix polarized is the recommended antenna model for transmission. Back to November 2017, I was used to receive Perak FM 95.6MHz on the cruise between Penang and Langkawi at Malacca Straits which interfere Mutiara FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara when I was going from Penang to Phuket, Thailand.

It is perfect if RTM installs Perak FM transmitter in Bukit Palong tower to cover Pengkalan Hulu and Klian Intan. In terms of frequencies, FM 104.7MHz, FM 103.9MHz/FM 104.1MHz are the recommended.

Imagine if Perak FM uses FM 104.1MHz in Bukit Palong for Pengkalan Hulu, the frequency allocation status is considered "single frequency network" because Perak FM operates 104.1MHz in Bukit Larut and Bukit Palong for North Perak (Taiping, Kerian, Parit Buntar, Pengkalan Hulu, Selama, Kuala Kangsar). It won't cause interference as FM 104.1MHz in different transmitter sites are same radio stations.

I'm curious about the reception of Perak FM in Pengkalan Hulu on existing frequencies. If I have chance to travel Far North Perak Pengkalan Hulu one day, I should try to receive (FM DXing) Perak FM on 96.2MHz, 95.6MHz, 102.9MHz and 104.1MHz. Then, I will publish a FM DX comparison footage on YouTube.

For Pengkalan Hulu listeners, please drop off comment here if you have feedbacks.