Media Prima Audio can run "single frequency network" for Buletin FM in South Perak and West Pahang by adding 2 repeaters in Bukit Asa and Bukit Fraser on FM 101.3MHz

 

Buletin FM (formerly known as Kool FM) Klang Valley frequency on 101.3MHz is currently transmitted from Bukit Sungai Besi. Back to 7th August 2021, Buletin FM 101.3MHz went downtime transmission from 11am to 3pm, I thought Media Prima moved its transmission site to Gunung Ulu Kali, but it didn't happen, instead perform transmission system repairing in Bukit Sungai Besi.

 

As today, Buletin FM 101.3MHz Bukit Sungai Besi transmission is limited in Klang Valley (excluding Rawang, Hulu Selangor, Sabak Bernam and Sepang). Unlike Hot FM 97.6MHz transmitted from Gunung Ulu Kali, Buletin FM 101.3MHz is not available in West Pahang, and South Perak actually as it is transmitted from Bukit Sungai Besi.

 

As an alternative to Gunung Ulu Kali, but in order to expand coverage to South Perak and West Pahang with same coverage as Gunung Ulu Kali without moving transmission site, Media Prima can consider to add two more repeater in Bukit Fraser and Bukit Asa to cover West Pahang and South Perak respectively on same frequency with FM 101.3MHz Bukit Sungai Besi transmitter.

 

==Suggestion of adding Buletin FM 101.3MHz repeater==

- 101.3MHz Bukit Fraser to cover West Pahang (Bentong, Raub, Kuala Lipis, Temerloh, Bera and Chenor)

* Transmission power: 250W

 

- 101.3MHz Bukit Asa to cover South Perak (Slim River, Tanjung Malim, Terolak, Sungkai) 

* Transmission power: 500W

 

Based the suggestion above, FM 101.3MHz actually runs as Single Frequency Network (SFN) because three different transmitter sites are operating on same frequency.

 

101.3MHz: Bukit Sungai Besi (Klang Valley)

101.3MHz: Bukit Fraser (West Pahang)

101.3MHz: Bukit Asa (South Perak)

 

Bukit Fraser coverage (250W)

Bukit Asa coverage (500W)

To prevent self interference between three transmitters, Buletin FM 101.3MHz is required to use directional antenna in Bukit Fraser and Bukit Asa to beam only the targeting areas. Hence, this can prevent signal overspill which cause interference.

 

I do admit this proposal has the limitation actually. Media Prima has to spent more money to add repeater in Bukit Fraser and Bukit Asa in order to cover West Pahang and South Perak respectively like Gunung Ulu Kali, somehow the company has to pay more transmission fees annually with the 2 repeaters. As a radio broadcaster, it may not be worth to do so, the radio stations will choose Gunung Ulu Kali when they want to cover Klang Valley, West Pahang and South Perak because they just pay transmission fees for 1 transmitter, rather than 3. 

In addition, it does not guarantee that the coverage of Buletin FM 101.3MHz Bukit Sungai Besi transmitter with Bukit Fraser and Bukit Asa repeaters will be same as Gunung Ulu Kali because Bukit Fraser and Bukit Asa repeaters cannot travel so far like Gunung Ulu Kali. 

Maximum coverage of Bukit Fraser and Bukit Asa are Chenor in Pahang and Sungkai in Perak respectively, meanwhile Gunung Ulu Kali can transmit beyond these two locations.