The story that I missed out: SINAR FM changed its Miri frequency from 87.7MHz to 96.6MHz in June 2020, then transmission site was transferred to Bukit Lambir.

 

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.