In early 2010s, Astro Radio expanded Sinar FM coverage to Miri, Sarawak and Sandakan, Sabah.
Sandakan frequency (TX site: Bukit Trig) was originally FM 104.6MHz, but frequency was moved to FM 106.9MHz due to interference with RTM Sabah FM 104.5MHz from Layang-Layang.
In Miri, Sinar FM tuning frequency was FM 87.7MHz, transmission site was located in Tanjong Lobang, but I did not realize Sinar FM changed its Miri frequency to 96.6MHz until my friend notified me recently.
Tanjong Lobang tower likely belongs to Celcom actually.
Actually the frequency change of Sinar FM in Miri is due to the radio station wants to transfer its transmission site to Bukit Lambir where other Astro Radio stations like Era, MY, Hitz and Melody are broadcasting from there.
According to sources, Sinar FM changed its Miri frequency in June 2020, FM 87.7MHz from Tanjong Lobang was no longer transmission, meanwhile Sinar FM broadcasts on FM 96.6MHz in Miri from Bukit Lambir.
I may predict that Sinar FM cannot retain its Miri frequency on 87.7MHz after transfer from Tanjong Lobang to Bukit Lambir because the transmission of FM 87.7MHz Bukit Lambir can led interference to RTM Radio Klasik FM 87.6MHz Bukit Timbalai transmitter coverage in Labuan Island. Hence, the frequency is changed to FM 96.6MHz.
87.6MHz: RTM Radio Klasik Bukit Timbalai (Labuan)
87.7MHz: Sinar FM Bukit Lambir (Miri, Sarawak)
<100kHz, NOT OK>
While MCMC freezes the FM radio frequency application since July 2019, I don't know when does Sinar FM from Astro Radio get new Miri frequency, as broadcasters have to do frequency application when they decide to transfer transmitter site.
Transferring transmitter site of radio stations will make existing parameters different due to site elevation. Bukit Lambir is higher than Tanjong Lobang, so the transmission propagation is not same, and interference to existing radio stations coverage can be happened when frequency planning is not properly done. In addition, antenna system, coaxial cable and certain equipment need to be replaced.
Sinar FM Miri frequency: 87.7MHz>>96.6MHz (since June 2020)
After Sinar FM moved out from Tanjong Lobang and transferred to Bukit Lambir in June 2020, IKIM FM 104.0MHz is the only Miri radio station to broadcast in Tanjong Lobang.
Here is the list of vacant FM radio frequencies available for Bukit Tampin transmission. Consideration of Gunung Telapak Burok, Gunung Ledang, Gunung Pulai and Gunung Ulu Kali existing transmission are taken.
* FM 87.6MHz (for Melaka)
* FM 89.1MHz (ideal to cover Melaka and Seremban)
* FM 101.1MHz (suitable only for SFN broadcast to cover Melaka, example: Minnal FM)
* FM 103.9MHz (for Melaka)
* FM 105.5MHz (suitable only for low power transmission to cover Rembau and Tampin)
==RF analysis==
1. 87.6MHz
87.6MHz: Bukit Tampin
87.7MHz: Radio Klasik Kuala Lumpur Tower
<100kHz, OK>
87.6MHz: Bukit Tampin
87.7MHz: Radio Klasik Gunung Telapak Burok
<300kHz, OK>
2. FM 89.1MHz
88.7MHz: Traxx FM Gunung Telapak Burok
89.1MHz: Bukit Tampin
<400kHz, OK>
88.9MHz: goXUAN Gunung Ulu Kali
89.1MHz: Bukit Tampin
<200kHz, OK>
89.1MHz: Bukit Tampin
89.3MHz: Ai FM Kuala Lumpur Tower
<200kHz, OK>
89.1MHz: Bukit Tampin
89.5MHz: IKIM FM Gunung Ledang
<400kHz, OK>
89.1MHz: Bukit Tampin
89.1MHz: Ai FM Bukit Tinggi
<0kHz, OK>
3. FM 101.1MHz
100.9MHz: Selangor FM Gunung Ulu Kali
101.1MHz: Bukit Tampin
<200kHz, OK>
101.1MHz: Minnal FM Gunung Pulai
101.1MHz: Bukit Tampin (Minnal FM)
<0kHz, OK under Single Frequency Network broadcast>
101.1MHz: Bukit Tampin
101.5MHz: THR Raaga Gunung Telapak Burok
<400kHz, OK>
101.1MHz: Bukit Tampin
101.4MHz: Suria FM Gunung Pulai
<300kHz, OK>
4. FM 103.9MHz
103.6MHz: Era FM Gunung Telapak Burok
103.9MHz: Bukit Tampin
<300kHz, OK>
103.9MHz: Bukit Tampin
104.1MHz: Best FM Gunung Ulu Kali
<200kHz, OK>
103.9MHz: Bukit Tampin
104.3MHz: Hot FM Gunung Ledang
<400kHz, OK>
103.9MHz: Bukit Tampin
104.1MHz: Best FM Gunung Pulai
<200kHz, OK>
5. FM 105.5MHz
105.3MHz: Johor FM Gunung Ledang (North Johor only)
In Miri, Sarawak, there are three local based English language radio stations, namely Traxx FM 88.9MHz/104.5MHz, Hitz FM 105.8MHz, and Red FM 90.7MHz/106.3MHz.
Red FM is RTM bilingual radio station in Sarawak, broadcast in English and Chinese Mandarin.
Then, Miri has RTB Pilihan FM 96.9MHz and Kristal FM 98.7MHz from Kuala Belait, Brunei, but they're not fully English radio station, instead multilingual radio station.
Apart of Hitz FM, Traxx FM and Red FM, if you would like to listen something special on English radio station in Miri, Sarawak, I may introduce BFBS Brunei Radio-1 FM 101.7MHz from Seria, Brunei. It is English radio station, based in Seria, Brunei, carrying programme from United Kingdom mostly.
According to the coverage map, same as BFBS Radio-2 Gurkha FM 89.5MHz, BFBS Radio-1 FM 101.7MHz (English) covers Lutong, Baram and Miri of Sarawak. Hence, Miri listeners may have another choice of listening to English language radio station, that is BFBS Radio-1 FM 101.7MHz from Seria, Brunei.
Transmitter power operates at 0.5kW, transmitted from Seria Garrison, Brunei.
In conclusion, BFBS Brunei Radio-1 FM 101.7MHz is available in Lutong, Baram and Miri, Sarawak.
Previously I had proposed RTM Pahang FM to launch Gunung Ledang transmitter to cover Muadzam Shah and Southern Pahang and abolish Bukit Sembilan transmitter on FM 100.9MHz at 1kW transmitter power.
Looking back my old proposal from last year, now I have some new leads. In order to expand more coverage areas, Pahang FM can retain Bukit Sembilan transmitter by upgrading transmission system and changing frequency, rather than launching in Gunung Ledang.
My old proposal of launching Pahang FM in Gunung Ledang is not needed because existing Bukit Sembilan transmitter site is a strategic site to cover Muadzam Shah and Keratong, Pahang.
Based on Nautel RF toolkit that I generated, Bukit Sembilan transmission site can perfectly cover Muadzam Shah, Keratong, Bera Selatan, Selancar and Tembangau.
Interference from One FM 88.1MHz Gunung Ledang transmitter in Muadzam Shah, Pahang is not caused by transmitter site, but its main cause is the frequency problem because Pahang FM 88.0MHz is too closed with One FM 88.1MHz, causing interference there.
Between Gunung Ledang and Bukit Sembilan, for Pahang FM, Bukit Sembilan is more strategic than Gunung Ledang to cover Muadzam Shah, Keratong, FELDA Selancar, FELDA Bera Selatan, and FELDA Tembangau because Pahang FM is RTM state radio station to serve Pahang. Hence, suggestion of launching Pahang FM in Gunung Ledang to cover Muadzam Shah is less logic. If such proposal is considered, I believe more RTM state radio station will do same thing, like Negeri FM launches Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter to cover Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, then Perak FM launches Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter to cover Tanjung Malim.
In my opinion, if Pahang FM wants to reach more coverage areas (Keratong, Felda Selancar etc) via Bukit Sembilan transmitter clearly, Pahang FM needs to change frequency, and upgrade transmitter system.
Currently Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan transmitter runs only 0.1kW, so it needs to upgrade to a 0.5kW transmitter if wants to cover more areas.
The interference issue will not be resolved if Pahang FM just upgrades Bukit Sembilan transmission system without changing frequency because One FM 88.1MHz Gunung Ledang still continues interfering Pahang FM 88.0MHz coverage in Muadzam Shah. Therefore, Pahang FM has to change frequency (proposed: 100.8MHz).
==Proposal of Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan transmission system and frequency change==
- Frequency: FM 100.8MHz
- Power: 0.5kW
- Antenna system: 4 bay array dipole antenna
- Coverage: Muadzam Shah, FELDA Keratong, FELDA Selancar, Pelawan, Felda Palong, and part of Segamat
==RF analysis==
100.4MHz: Ai FM Gunung Ledang
100.8MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan (500W)
<400kHz, OK>
100.6MHz: MY FM Gunung Telapak Burok
100.8MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan (500W)
<200kHz, OK>
100.8MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan (500W)
100.9MHz: Selangor FM Gunung Ulu Kali
<100kHz, OK>
100.8MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan (500W)
101.1MHz: MY FM Bukit Pelindung
<300kHz, OK>
Note: RTM radio stations from Gunung Ledang (Radio Klasik FM 93.6MHz, Nasional FM 96.6MHz, Traxx FM 97.4MHz, Ai FM 100.4MHz, Melaka FM 102.3MHz, Minnal FM 103.3MHz, Johor FM 105.3MHz and Negeri FM 107.7MHz) are very clear in Muadzam Shah, Pahang.
I hope RTM will consider this proposal, and launch the tender procurement of transmission system upgrade and frequency change for Pahang FM in the future.
Pada tahun lepas, saya pernah menulis sebuah artikel mengenai cadangan saya untuk menambah pemancar Pahang FM di Gunung Ledang bagi meliputi Muadzam Shah, Keratong dan Selancar dengan frekuensi FM 100.9MHz pada kuasa pemancar 1kW.
Sekarang saya memeriksa balik mengenai cadangan saya dan video yang dikirim oleh kawan saya. Sebenarnya, Pahang FM boleh mengekalkan pemancar Bukit Sembilan dengan menaik taraf sistem pemancarnya demi memperluaskan liputan ke Selancar, Felda Tembangau, Felda Bera Selatan dan Keratong.
Cadangan untuk "merentas negeri" dengan menambah pemancar Pahang FM di Gunung Ledang bagi meliputi kawasan Pahang Selatan tidak diperlukan kerana liputan Bukit Sembilan yang sedia ada adalah tempat pemancar yang strategik boleh meliputi Keratong sebenarnya.
Gangguan oleh One FM 88.1MHz dari Gunung Ledang kepada Pahang FM 88.0MHz Bukit Sembilan di Muadzam Shah bukan disebabkan oleh masalah tempat pemancar, tetapi masalah utamanya ialah frekuensi Pahang FM yang sedang digunakan di Bukit Sembilan kerana 88.0MHz terlalu dekat dengan One FM 88.1MHz Gunung Ledang, menyebabkan Pahang FM 88.0MHz sering mengalami gangguan (interference) oleh One FM 88.1MHz di Muadzam Shah.
==Hasil siasatan Pahang FM 88.0MHz yang diganggu oleh One FM 88.1MHz di Muadzam Shah, Pahang==
1. Sebab: Masalah frekuensi
Antara Gunung Ledang dan Bukit Sembilan, bagi stesen radio Pahang FM, Bukit Sembilan lebih strategik daripada Gunung Ledang untuk meliputi Muadzam Shah, Keratong, Selancar dan Bera Selatan kerana Pahang FM ialah stesen radio negeri RTM yang berkhidmat untuk negeri Pahang.
Selain itu, cadangan lama saya mungkin kurang logik jika Pahang FM merentas negeri untuk memasang pemancar di Gunung Ledang. Jika cadangan itu dipertimbangkan dan tindakan benar diambil, nanti banyak radio RTM seperti Negeri FM akan merentas negeri untuk melancarkan pemancar di Gunung Ulu Kali untuk meliputi Nilai pulak.
Pada pandangan saya, untuk memperluaskan siaran Pahang FM ke kawasan Pahang Selatan dengan lebih jelas, tetapi mengekalkan pemancar Bukit Sembilan dengan menaik taraf sistem pemancarnya:
1. RTM Pahang FM pemancar Bukit Sembilan perlu ditukar frekuensinya terlebih dahulu bagi mengelakkan gangguan oleh One FM 88.1MHz dari Gunung Ledang. (Frekuensi cadangan: FM 100.8MHz)
2. Dengan penukaran frekuensi Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan dari 88.0MHz kepada 100.8MHz, sistem pemancar perlu ditukar dan dinaik taraf untuk meliputi lebih kawasan. Tentang kuasa pemancar, setakat ini adalah 100W, dan dicadangkan untuk menukar kepada model pemancar 500W.
==Cadangan untuk menaik taraf Pahang FM di Bukit Sembilan==
- Frekuensi: FM 100.8MHz
- Kuasa pemancar: 0.5kW
- Jenis sistem antenna: 4 bay dipole (mixed polarized/vertical)
- Kawasan liputan: Muadzam Shah, Keratong, Felda Selancar, Felda Bera Selatan, Felda Tembangau, Pelawan, Felda Palong, Jempol dan sebahagian Segamat.
==Analisa RF==
100.4MHz: Ai FM Gunung Ledang
100.8MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan (500W)
<400kHz, OK>
100.6MHz: MY FM Gunung Telapak Burok
100.8MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan (500W)
<200kHz, OK>
100.8MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan (500W)
100.9MHz: Selangor FM Gunung Ulu Kali
<100kHz, OK>
100.8MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan (500W)
101.1MHz: MY FM Bukit Pelindung
<300kHz, OK>
Di samping itu, jika Pahang FM menambah kuasa pemancar Bukit Sembilan kepada 500W dan menukar sistem antenna tanpa tukar frekuensinya, masalah gangguan oleh One FM 88.1MHz dari Gunung Ledang masih tidak dapat diselesaikan kerana terdapat kawasan masih ada gangguan seperti Felda Keratong dan Selancar, namun kuasa pemancar One FM 88.1MHz dari Gunung Ledang ialah 2kW. Justeru, ketinggian Gunung Ledang lebih daripada Bukit Sembilan, oleh itu gangguan One FM 88.1MHz kepada Pahang FM 88.0MHz masih berlaku di Muadzam Shah, Pahang.
Untuk makluman, stesen radio RTM lain (Radio Klasik FM 93.6MHz, Nasional FM 96.6MHz, Traxx FM 97.4MHz, Melaka FM 102.3MHz, Ai FM 100.4MHz, Johor FM 105.3MHz, Negeri FM 107.7MHz dan Minnal FM 103.3MHz) Gunung Ledang boleh didengari dengan jelas di Muadzam Shah.
==Cara untuk menyelesaikan masalah gangguan siaran Pahang FM 88.0MHz Bukit Sembilan oleh One FM 88.1MHz Gunung Ledang di Muadzam Shah==
1. Frekuensi Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan perlu ditukarkan (cadangan: 100.8MHz)
2. Pemancar boleh dinaik taraf kepada 500W.
3. Sistem antenna perlu digantikan.
Saya harap RTM akan mengambil perhatian terhadap isu ini. Selain itu, saya pun pernah membaca maklumat asas tender RTM dimana sistem pemancaran di beberapa kawasan bakal ditukarkan dengan model baru. Oleh kerana itu, saya harap RTM akan mengeluarkan tender untuk menaik taraf sistem pemancaran dan frekuensi Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan pada masa depan.
==Proposal parameter repeater stasiun RRI Batam PRO-3 di Kabupaten Karimun==
- Frekuensi: FM 102.1MHz (Kanal 146)
- Kekuasaan pemancar: 0.5kW
- Situs Transmisi: Karimun, Indonesia
- Jenis Antenna: Yagi Directional
==Analisis RF==
101.9MHz: Johor FM Gunung Pulai
102.1MHz: RRI Batam PRO-3 (Repeater Karimun)
<200kHz, OK>
102.1MHz: RRI Batam PRO-3 (Repeater Karimun)
102.3MHz: Hijrah FM Batam
<200kHz, OK>
Jika RRI Batam PRO-3 repeater Karimun FM 102.1MHz telah terpasang, orang Karimun bisa mendengarkan RRI Batam PRO-3 pada FM 102.1MHz. Saat ini, RRI PRO-1 yang direlay dari Batam FM 105.1MHz bisa disimak di Karimun pada FM 107.2MHz. Sebelum ini, Karimun tidak punya jangkauan stasiun radio RRI.
Selain itu, pendengar Karimun boleh mendapatkan pembaruan berita dari RRI PRO-3 Karimun FM 102.1MHz jika ada acara darurat.
Dengan repeater RRI PRO-3 FM 102.1MHz di Karimun, jangkauan siaran stasiun ini boleh menjangkau seluruh Pulau Karimun, Pulau Kundur, serta Pulau Buru. Tentang transmisi RRI PRO-3 FM 102.1MHz dari repeater Karimun, siaran RRI PRO-3 FM 102.1MHz tidak akan menyebabkan gangguan kepada jangkauan Johor FM 101.9MHz pemancar Gunung Pulai di Kukup dan Tanjung Piai, Johor, Malaysia karena RRI Batam PRO-3 FM 102.1MHz repeater Karimun menggunakan antena directional (Yagi) yang menjangkau ke arah selatan dan pemancar 0.5kW. Pemisahan frekuensi antara Johor FM 101.9MHz Gunung Pulai dan RRI Batam PRO-3 FM 102.1MHz repeater Karimun adalah 0.2MHz.
Berharap RRI PRO-3 menambah slot frekuensi di Karimun pada masa depan.
On yesterday, I was notified by a Batam DXer that RRI Batam PRO-1 FM 107.2MHz was actually a repeater station in Karimun Island, Indonesia.
In Batam, RRI Batam PRO-1 operates on FM 105.1MHz as main transmitter for the island. As Karimun Island is not covered by Radio Republik Indonesia services, RRI Batam adds a repeater in Karimun on FM 107.2MHz. So, Karimun can receive RRI Batam PRO-1 station on FM 107.2MHz.
RRI Batam PRO-1 is regional radio as community empowerment center radio station, it plays important rule to serve local community in urban, rural, mountainous and industrial areas.
In my opinion, there is another station of RRI can set up its repeater in Karimun Island, it is Radio Republik Indonesia PRO-3 (Pro-Tiga) as RRI PRO-3 is a news and talk radio station. In addition, I may classify PRO-3 is a flagship radio channel of Radio Republik Indonesia.
In Batam, RRI PRO-3 broadcasts on FM 90.9MHz, but low power transmission as 0.1kW to avoid frequency harmonic to airband, according to Indonesia broadcast authority.
For Karimun area, RRI PRO-3 is not covered by any exisiting transmitters. From my view, to deliver Indonesia news to the island, RRI PRO-3 can launch a repeater in Karimun. Therefore, Karimun people can follow the news. In case of emergency event in the region, Karimun people can receive update from RRI PRO-3 via Karimun repeater.
Currently there are 3 radio stations in Karimun Island, such as:
1. Radio Canggai Putri FM 105.3MHz
2. Radio Azam FM 103.5MHz
3. RRI Batam PRO-1 FM 107.2MHz (repeater station)
In Karimun, available frequency slots are lesser as the FM spectrum band is mostly occupied by radio stations from Singapore, Batam, and South Johor.
Previously I mentioned FM 102.1MHz is not suitable for Karimun transmission, but it applies to high power transmitter. For RRI PRO-3 Karimun repeater, I can propose FM 102.1MHz, but low power transmission instead to cover the island and surrounding areas.
Here is my proposal of RRI Batam PRO-3 Karimun repeater.
==RRI PRO-3 repeater parameter==
* Frequency: FM 102.1MHz
* Power: 0.5kW
* Transmitter site: Karimun Island, Indonesia
* Targeting area: Karimun Island, Kundur Island, and Buru Island
* Antenna type: Directional (Yagi)
==RF analysis==
101.9MHz: RTM Johor FM Gunung Pulai
102.1MHz: RRI Batam PRO-3 (Karimun repeater)
<200kHz, OK>
102.1MHz: RRI Batam PRO-3 (Karimun repeater)
102.3MHz: Hijrah FM Batam
<200kHz, OK>
As my proposed RRI Batam PRO-3 Karimun repeater is using low power transmitter as much as 0.5kW and directional Yagi antenna, so I believe the transmission of RRI Batam PRO-3 Karimun repeater will not interfere RTM Johor FM 101.9MHz Gunung Pulai coverage in Kukup and Tanjung Piai, Johor.
If RRI launches PRO-3 Karimun repeater on FM 102.1MHz, Karimun will get 4th radio station.
