Wednesday 27 October 2021

Kelantan FM boleh diterima dengan jelas di Lojing, Kelantan pada FM 97.3MHz dari Bukit Bakar

 

Beberapa bulan lepas, saya menulis sebuah artikel mengenai liputan siaran Kelantan FM untuk kawasan Lojing di jajahan Gua Musang kerana saya kurang pasti sama ada kawasan tersebut boleh menerima siaran Kelantan FM atau tidak melalui frekuensi yang sedia ada, namun saya berfikir bahawa jika Kelantan FM melancarkan pemancar di Gunung Brinchang untuk meliputi Lojing.

 

Oleh kerana aktiviti rentas negeri dibenarkan, saya merancang mengujunungi Gua Musang dan Lojing pada bulan depan dan membuat penerimaan isyarat radio di situ.

 

Jadual saya untuk melawat Gua Musang dan Lojing adalah pertengahan bulan November 2021. Sebelum saya melawat kawasan tersebut, saya tiba-tiba berasa teruja dan gembira kerana terdapat seorang pengguna YouTube memuat naik rakaman video siaran Kelantan FM di Lojing, dimana ia telah menarik perhatian saya.

 

Jom menonton dua buah rakaman video penerimaan siaran Kelantan FM di Lojing yang dimuat naik oleh DX Radio Malaysia.

 

Berdasarkan pada video berikut di atas, FM 97.3MHz dari Bukit Bakar, Machang adalah frekuensi yang paling jelas untuk Kelantan FM di Lojing. Bagi video pertama, Kelantan FM 97.3MHz dari Bukit Bakar sangat jelas dengan isyarat STEREO, diterima di Lojing. Manakala bagi video kedua, terdapat video mengenai perbandingan kualiti isyarat RTM Kelantan FM di Lojing antara FM 88.1MHz dari Felda Paloh, FM 97.3MHz dari Bukit Bakar dan FM 102.9MHz dari Wakaf Che Yeh, Kota Bharu.


Antara tiga frekuensi yang diterima di Lojing, FM 97.3MHz Bukit Bakar adalah paling jelas, dan diikuti oleh FM 102.9MHz Wakaf Che Yeh dan FM 88.1MHz Felda Paloh.


FM 102.9MHz dan FM 88.1MHz diterima secara MONO sahaja, namun 88.1MHz mempunyai sedikit isyarat statik.


Kemungkinan FM 92.0MHz dari Bukit Chupak tidak diterima di Lojing, frekuensi tersebut mungkin menjadi siaran Radio Thailand Yala.


Dengan menonton dua buah rakaman video tersebut, penambahan pemancar jurang (gap filler) di Gunung Brinchang atau menara pemancar di Lojing untuk Kelantan FM bagi meliputi Lojing tidak diperlukan kerana FM 97.3MHz dari Bukit Bakar boleh diterima dengan jelas di kawasan tersebut. Tambahan pula, seperti saya nyatakan sebelum ini, isyarat Gunung Brinchang lemah dan tidak jelas di Lojing. Oleh sebab itu, Gunung Brinchang bukan tempat pemancar yang strategik untuk kawasan tersebut.


Anda boleh merujuk sebuah video bawah berikut, dimana Traxx FM diterima di Lojing dengan empat frekuensi (90.1MHz Gunung Kledang, 98.5MHz Bukit Bakar, 101.1MHz Gunung Brinchang dan 104.7MHz Wakaf Che Yeh).


 

Bukan sahaja di Lojing, Kelantan FM 97.3MHz dari Bukit Bakar mungkin boleh diterima di sebahagian kawasan Tanah Tinggi Cameron, Pahang.

 

* FM 97.3MHz Bukit Bakar 2kW (150km): Jelas (STEREO)

* FM 88.1MHz Felda Paloh 0.5kW (94km): OK, dengan statik (MONO)

* FM 102.9MHz Wakaf Che Yeh 1kW (183km): OK (MONO)

Tuesday 26 October 2021

THR Raaga FM 102.1MHz from Bukit Larut received in Puchong, Selangor (PART 2)

 

Last year in July 2020, I received Raaga FM 102.1MHz from Bukit Larut at Jalan Puchong Jaya Selatan, nearby Jalan Kasawari junction in Puchong, Selangor by tuning in my car (Perodua Axia).

 

Over last weekend, I received this radio station on same frequency again in Puchong, but different car radio receiver and location. 

 

The video was taken at Taman Perindustrian Kinrara 2 (TPK 2) in Puchong, Selangor through Nissan Almera N17 radio receiver (Clarion CY23G) on 23rd October 2021, approximately 0830 hours (UTC+8 Malaysia time).

 

Different from previous video that I took last year, the latest video of receiving THR Raaga FM 102.1MHz in Puchong is longer and clearer visual because I stopped my car in an appropriate place to record the video, meanwhile previous video was taken when I was stopping in front traffic light, so its duration was shorter due to traffic safety. 

 

Traffic safety is the first priority when FM DXing is performed in the car.

 

* Frequency: FM 102.1MHz

* Power: 0.5kW

* Transmission site: Bukit Larut, Taiping, Perak 

* Receiving site: Puchong, Selangor (Taman Perindustrian Kinrara 2- TPK 2)

* Distance: 221km

 

Receiving distance from Bukit Larut to TPK 2 is same as Jalan Puchong Jaya Selatan where both are having 221km distance.

 

By tuning Raaga FM 102.1MHz from Bukit Larut at TPK 2 in Puchong, Selangor, 100kHz adjacent channel interference from RTM Pahang FM 102.2MHz Bukit Fraser transmitter where covers Raub was detected. For previous video recording, less adjacent channel interference from Pahang FM 102.2MHz Bukit Fraser transmitter was found in Puchong Jaya Selatan because Pahang FM 102.2MHz was very weak there. 

 

For FM DXing history in Puchong, THR Raaga 102.1MHz is the furthest local radio station caught there, but this is only applied for local radio station category, meanwhile MCOT Radio Chaiyaphum FM 102.0MHz from Thailand is the furthest radio station received in Puchong, thus Sporadic E propagation.

Monday 25 October 2021

RTM Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai received in Langkawi, Kedah

 

In Langkawi Island, most of Gunung Jerai transmitted radio stations can be received partially in Langkawi Island, but RTM Mutiara FM 93.9MHz is the most difficult radio station received there because it operates at low power transmission as much as 0.1kW to cover North Penang Island only as a gap filler transmitter to cover blind spot areas of FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara such as Batu Feringghi, Tanjung Bungah, Teluk Bahang, and Tanjung Tokong.

 

When I was Langkawi, Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai could not be received because interference from Thailand radio station, namely 94PFM We Love Satun. As 94PFM We Love Satun transmission can travel to Langkawi, this causes Mutiara FM 93.9MHz cannot be received there.

 


In certain conditions, the frequency FM 93.9MHz can become as Nasional FM from Bukit Genting. Hence, co-channel interference between Nasional FM and Mutiara FM also happens in Langkawi Island.

 

• Radio Station : RTM Mutiara FM 

• Frequency : FM 93.9 MHz 

• Power : 0.1 kW 

• Transmitting Location : Upper Gunung Jerai Mukim Yan, Yan District, Kedah State, Malaysia 

• Receiving Location : Tok Ayah Camp 1100 Meter From Seven Wells Waterfall Mukim Padang Matairat, Langkawi Island, Kedah State, Malaysia 

• Distance : 108 KM  


Alongside 93.9MHz, Langkawi can receive Mutiara FM 90.9MHz from Bukit Genting, but interference with Mix FM 91.0MHz from Gunung Jerai, meanwhile FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara is not receivable because the frequency is occupied by MCOT Phatthalung FM 95.75MHz.

Perak FM 104.1MHz from Bukit Larut received in Langkawi, Kedah

 

RTM Perak FM is a state radio station for Perak state. As I know, it mainly serves Perak state listeners, but technically it can be heard in:

1. Northwest Selangor (via FM 95.6MHz from Gunung Kledang)

2. Cameron Highlands, Pahang and Lojing, Kelantan (via FM 94.7MHz from Gunung Brinchang) 

3. South Kedah: Bandar Baharu and part of Penang (via FM 104.1MHz from Bukit Larut)

 

Back to 1st September 2019, I was used to receive Perak FM in Alor Setar, Kedah on 104.1MHz from Bukit Larut. 

 

The signal was very weak actually when I listened to Perak FM 104.1MHz in Alor Setar, but surprisingly it can be received in Langkawi Island too.

 

Video is published by Sarawut DXers (aka Saiful Izham DXer):

 

Technically Perak FM 104.1MHz operates only 0.25kW in Bukit Larut to cover Taiping and Northwest Perak, it can overspill to Langkawi due to transmitter site height. 

 

Bukit Larut elevation above sea level is very high actually, 1349 meter, beyond the height of Gunung Jerai, so it can overspill to Langkawi easily.

 

==Perak FM in Langkawi==

* Frequency: FM 104.1MHz

* Power: 0.25kW

* Transmission site: Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill), Perak, Malaysia

* Receiving site: Tok Ayah Camp 1100 Meter from Seven Falls Waterfall Mukim Padang Matsirat, Langkawi Island, Kedah, Malaysia

* Distance: 211km 

 

Alongside Perak FM 104.1MHz, Sarawut DXers also received rest of RTM Bukit Larut radio stations such as Radio Klasik FM 103.3MHz, Nasional FM 107.1MHz, Traxx FM 105.3MHz, Ai FM 106.1MHz and Minnal FM 107.9MHz in Langkawi (same RX location).

Monday 18 October 2021

Indonesia FM radio stations caught in Kinta Highlands, Perak, Malaysia.

In the past, I usually received Indonesia FM radio stations in Perak costal areas. Back to 2019 and 2020, I managed to receive Indonesia radio stations from Medan, Sei Rampah and Deli Serdang in West Perak.


In 2019, I received Radio Republik Indonesia Medan PRO-1 FM 94.3MHz in Taiping, Perak, and Sergai FM 92.5MHz from Sei Rampah in Teluk Intan, Perak.


In 2020 during Chinese New Year, I received Sergai FM 92.5MHz and Radio DSB FM 93.8MHz (Deli Serdang) in Sitiawan.


Surprisingly a YouTube user named DX Radio Malaysia received four Indonesia radio stations in Kinta Valley, Perak, Malaysia where it is nearby Cameron Highlands border.


- Suara Medan FM 94.7MHz

- Mutiara Kartika FM 100.3MHz

- Radio Maria Medan FM 104.2MHz

- Delta FM 105.8MHz


All received radio stations are transmitted from Medan, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia.


Here are the videos, please enjoy watching!

 

Suara Medan FM 94.7MHz has co-channel interference with Perak FM 94.7MHz from Gunung Brinchang there, although Kinta Highlands is not far from Cameron Highlands. It is likely because there is high terrain blocking signal from Gunung Brinchang there.

 

For FM 100.3MHz, the frequency is completely dominated by Radio Mutiara Kartika in Kinta Valley, instead of Pahang FM 100.3MHz from Gunung Brinchang. By watching the video, co-channel interference with Pahang FM 100.3MHz is not detected. Back to 2009, when I was going to Cameron Highlands via Simpang Pulai, Pahang FM 100.3MHz was interfered by MY FM 100.2MHz from Bukit Larut in between before Perak-Pahang border. After entering Pahang border, Pahang FM 100.3MHz was receivable.

 

Transmitting distance of four Indonesia radio stations must be more than 300km. 

 

Note: RTM Gunung Brinchang transmitter power is only 0.1kW, that's the reason its radio stations are easily "hijacked" by radio stations from Indonesia and other transmitter sites within Malaysia.

(VERIFIED) RTM Kelantan FM is receivable and clear in Lojing Highlands by tuning FM 97.3MHz from Bukit Bakar transmitter site.

 

Few months ago, I had written about the radio coverage of RTM Kelantan FM for Lojing Highlands of Gua Musang district, Kelantan because I was feeling doubtful whether it is available there or not through existing frequencies, then I also think about if Kelantan FM set a transmitter in Gunung Brinchang to cover Lojing.

 

As government already allowed interstate activities, so we can cross the state after 9 months hiatus. I plan to travel Gua Musang and Lojing by next month to travel and perform FM DXing there. 

 

My schedule of traveling these two locations is actually on mid of November 2021 (a month to go). Before going there, I feel very excited and happy today because someone records few footage of receiving Kelantan FM in Lojing Highlands and publishes on YouTube which fully gain my attention.

 

Let's enjoy watching two videos of Kelantan FM signal reception in Lojing Highlands, Kelantan by DX Radio Malaysia.

 

In Lojing Highlands, FM 97.3MHz from Bukit Bakar is the clearest tuning frequency for Kelantan FM. At the first video, Kelantan FM 97.3MHz Bukit Bakar is very clear in Lojing with STEREO signal, meanwhile for second video, it is a signal comparison video of RTM Kelantan FM in Lojing between 88.1MHz from Felda Paloh, 97.3MHz from Bukit Bakar and 102.9MHz from Wakaf Che Yeh, Kota Bharu.

 

Between three frequencies, FM 97.3MHz is the clearest, following by FM 102.9MHz and 88.1MHz. FM 97.3MHz is giving STEREO signal, meanwhile 102.9MHz and 88.1MHz are mono only. FM 88.1MHz Felda Paloh has static signal.

 

I don't think FM 92.0MHz from Bukit Chupak is receivable in Lojing, I think the frequency is likely occupied by Radio Thailand Yala there.

 

By watching two videos, it is no longer necessary to launch gap filler transmitter (including Gunung Brinchang) for Kelantan FM to cover Lojing. As I mentioned before, the radio signal from Gunung Brinchang is not clear in Lojing. In addition, Gunung Brinchang is not strategic location to cover there. 


You can refer this video below where Traxx FM is received in Lojing through four frequencies (90.1MHz Gunung Kledang, 98.5MHz Bukit Bakar, 101.1MHz Gunung Brinchang and 104.7MHz Wakaf Che Yeh).

 

Not only in Lojing, Kelantan FM 97.3MHz from Bukit Bakar is likely available in part of Cameron Highlands, Pahang.

 

* FM 97.3MHz Bukit Bakar 2kW (150km): Clear (STEREO)

* FM 88.1MHz Felda Paloh 0.5kW (94km): OK, but with static (MONO)

* FM 102.9MHz Wakaf Che Yeh 1kW (183km): OK (MONO)

Tuesday 12 October 2021

Radio stations in Tioman Island, Pahang.

 

Here are the radio stations list in Tioman Island, Pahang, Malaysia by transmitters.

 

In Tioman Island, for local transmitter, there are only two radio stations available there such as RTM Pahang FM 96.8MHz and Nasional FM 100.7MHz. Listeners may try to tune radio stations from either Bukit Pelindung or Bukit Tinggi transmitter in the island, but reception may not be clear.


==Radio stations list in Tioman Island== 

 

1. RTM

* 88.3MHz: Minnal FM (Bukit Tinggi)  

* 89.1MHz: Ai FM (Bukit Tinggi)

* 90.1MHz: Radio Klasik (Bukit Tinggi)

* 92.1MHz: Johor FM (Bukit Tinggi)

* 96.8MHz: Pahang FM (Tioman)

* 92.9MHz: Traxx FM (Bukit Tinggi)

* 100.7MHz: Nasional FM (Tioman)

 

2. Commercial radio stations

- 88.8MHz: Gegar (Bukit Pelindung)

- 89.6MHz: IKIM FM (Bukit Pelindung)

- 90.4MHz: 988 FM (Bukit Pelindung)

- 91.6MHz: Zayan FM (Bukit Pelindung)

- 92.4MHz: Hot FM (Bukit Pelindung)

- 93.2MHz: Hitz FM (Bukit Pelindung)

- 94.1MHz: Mix FM (Bukit Pelindung)

- 95.1MHz: Manis FM (Bukit Pelindung)

- 96.1MHz: Suria FM (Bukit Pelindung)

- 97.2MHz: Sinar FM (Bukit Pelindung)

- 98.0MHz: Era FM (Bukit Pelindung)

- 100.0MHz: Melody FM (Bukit Pelindung)

- 101.1MHz: MY FM (Bukit Pelindung)

- 102.5MHz: Best FM (Bukit Tinggi) 

  

8FM 100.4MHz and Fly FM 87.6MHz are not available in Tioman Island because they operate at low power transmission which cover Kuantan and surrounding areas only.

Thursday 7 October 2021

FM Sporadic E DX in Malaysia (Episode 1): MCOT Chaiyaphum FM 102.0MHz from Thailand is received in Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia via Sporadic-E propagation. It is the furthest FM radio station that I received ever today.

 

It is an very impressive Thursday to me today for FM DXing. This is because I suddenly receive about three Thailand FM radio stations in Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia via Sporadic-E propagation. 

 

When I'm going back from office to home after working hours, I attempt to receive Era FM 102.0MHz from Changkat Rembian (Tapah) and THR Raaga FM 102.1MHz from Bukit Larut (Taiping) while I'm stuck in traffic jam around Bandar Puteri area, Puchong at LDP (Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong) highway, nothing signal are detected from Era FM 102.0MHz or Raaga FM 102.1MHz, but surprisingly I receive Thailand radio station on FM 102.0MHz. Hence, I continue to monitor the signal.

 

FM 102.0MHz is quite noisy because there are co-channel interference between 3 Thailand radio stations. Few seconds later, I heard a Thailand radio DJ mentions the station name, MCOT Chaiyaphum. I take opportunity to record a video as a proof.

 

When I reach home, I search any MCOT Radio who occupies FM 102.0MHz, the search shows Chaiyaphum and Surat Thani, so I verify that FM 102.0MHz is from Chaiyaphum, Thailand. 


I break my FM DXing record today after 1 year hiatus, MCOT Radio Chaiyaphum FM 102.0MHz now becomes the furthest radio station which I receive in Puchong, and also the entire locations in Malaysia. Previously I received Al-Falah Radio FM 93.8MHz from Sigli, Aceh Province, Indonesia in Kuala Kedah with 486km distance, now I achieve the distance with 1422km.

* Station name: MCOT Chaiyaphum

* Frequency: FM 102.0MHz

* Power: 1kW

* Transmitter site: Tambon Nai Muang, Mueang Chaiyaphum District, Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand

* Receiving site: Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia (LDP highway around Puchong Perdana)

* Distance: 1422km

* Receiving date/time: 07.10.2021 1813H (UTC+8)

 

Co-channel interference with another two Thailand radio stations is also detected when I monitor MCOT Radio Chaiyaphum FM 102.0MHz, I personally suspect another two stations are likely from Surat Thani and Trang, but I cannot identify accurately because co-channel interference by two stations are very rapidly disappeared when the car is moving.

 

For your information, Chaiyaphum Province is located in Central Northeastern Thailand. Honestly I never manage to receive any radio stations from that province in Malaysia through MW band, but suddenly I get it on FM band. In addition, it is also my first time to receive Thailand Parliament Radio Station FM 87.5MHz from Bangkok in Malaysia. Before this, I usually receive Thailand FM radio stations from southern region (Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, Trang, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Yala, and Betong) in Northern Malaysia bordering region such as Perak, Kedah, Langkawi and Penang.

 

Alongside MCOT Radio Chaiyaphum FM 102.0MHz, I also receive Parliament Radio FM 87.5MHz from Bangkok in Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia (1207km distance), also an unknown Thailand radio station on FM 92.0MHz in same location. Both are received through Sporadic-E propagation.

 

Note: Unknown Thailand radio station on FM 92.0MHz via Sporadic-E is not Radio Thailand Yala because Radio Thailand Yala broadcasts talk program from 5pm to 6pm (Thailand time UTC+7)/6pm to 7pm (Malaysia time UTC+8), meanwhile FM 92.0MHz which I receive in Puchong is playing Thailand country music (Lukthung) or oldies. 

 

The Sporadic-E signal from Thailand is quickly disappeared after Puchong Selatan toll while heading to Putrajaya. 

 

I feel very excited today because I successfully receive 3 Thailand radio stations on FM 87.5MHz, FM 92.0MHz and the furthest FM 102.0MHz in Puchong, Malaysia.