Why doesn't Perak FM have a transmitter in Bukit Palong to cover Pengkalan Hulu? Instead of Bukit Palong, RTM Perak FM can launch a transmitter in Klian Intan to cover Pengkalan Hulu.

 

Pengkalan Hulu is the northernmost location in Perak state, it is located nearby Thailand border (Betong, Yala Province). This small town in Hulu Perak has no coverage from RTM Perak FM actually like other locations.

 

In Pengkalan Hulu, RTM radio stations are covered by Bukit Palong transmitter where is located in Baling, Kedah. For Traxx FM, the tuning frequency is 91.7MHz in Pengkalan Hulu, Perak.

 

Basically RTM can launch Perak FM transmitter in Bukit Palong to cover Pengkalan Hulu and Klian Intan, however until today RTM does not launch Bukit Palong transmitter for Perak FM.

 

Technically this is because:

1. None of Perak FM existing transmitters (Gerik, Bukit Larut, Bukit Ladang Teh and Gunung Kledang) can link its microwave signal feed to Bukit Palong via microwave link due to geographical condition.

 

2. Although if Perak FM installs microwave link in RTM Gerik and Bukit Larut to transmit data to Bukit Palong, but I don't think the data can reach to Bukit Palong due to terrains block the signal from linking each other. Therefore, RTM Perak FM must have C-band satellite feed or OLTE (optical line terminal) system to link to Bukit Palong in order to cover Pengkalan Hulu.

 

3. Current RTM radio stations in Bukit Palong are actually linked from Gunung Jerai via microwave link signal.

 

Alternatively, RTM can consider to install a transmitter in a new site to cover Pengkalan Hulu, instead of Bukit Palong. I recommend a hill nearby Gunung Paku in Klian Intan, Perak.

 

Klian Intan is located between Gerik and Pengkalan Hulu. There is a telecommunication tower nearby Gunung Paku where is opposite the village. 

The coordinates is 5.632494N, 101.033486E (presumed), the height elevation above sea level is 533m (+/-).

 

As the tower is not so far from RTM Gerik, I believe RTM Perak FM can link its signal feed by transmitting data to this new tower in Klian Intan. So, Pengkalan Hulu can receive Perak FM.

 

Currently Perak FM has no any clearer frequency in Pengkalan Hulu, Gerik transmitter FM 96.2MHz from Mempelam Sari is the nearest, but it is null by 988 FM 96.1MHz from Gunung Jerai. So, FM 102.9MHz from Lawin could be likely the only frequency in Pengkalan Hulu, however the reception is weak.

 

By plotting a coverage simulation map with 250W transmitter power and 3 bay array dipole antenna (6dBd antenna gain), the coverage of this new transmitter site in Klian Intan can cover Pengkalan Hulu clearly, even RTM Perak FM can be tuned in Betong, Thailand from this tower.

About the frequency allocation, as Klian Intan and Pengkalan Hulu are located near Thailand border, so the international frequency coordination study with Thailand is required for this new site.

 

Frequencies are available to be used in Klian Intan tower for Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu frequency.

 

1. FM 93.8MHz

2. FM 102.9MHz (SFN with Lawin)

3. FM 103.9MHz

4. FM 104.7MHz

5. FM 105.5MHz

 

==RF analysis==

1. FM 93.8MHz

93.8MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

93.9MHz: Mutiara FM Gunung Jerai

<100kHz, OK> 

 

93.6MHz: Hitz FM Bukit Larut

93.8MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

<200kHz, OK>

 

2. FM 102.9MHz

102.9MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

102.9MHz: Perak FM Lawin

<0kHz, OK>

 

102.9MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

102.9MHz: Kelantan FM Kota Bharu

<0kHz, OK> 

 

102.7MHz: Nasional FM Bukit Dedap

102.9MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

<200kHz, OK>

 

3. FM 103.9MHz

103.9MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

104.1MHz: Perak FM Bukit Larut

<200kHz, OK> 

 

103.6MHz: Era FM Gunung Jerai

103.9MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

<300kHz, OK>

 

4. FM 104.7MHz

104.7MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

104.9MHz: Melody FM Bukit Larut

<200kHz, OK> 

 

104.4MHz: Lite FM Gunung Jerai

104.7MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

<300kHz, OK>

 

104.7MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

104.7MHz: Traxx FM Kota Bharu

<0kHz, OK>

 

104.7MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

104.8MHz: Langkawi FM Gunung Raya

<100kHz, OK> 

5. FM 105.5MHz

105.5MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

105.7MHz: Ai FM Kota Bharu

<200kHz, OK> 

 

105.3MHz: Traxx FM Bukit Larut

105.5MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

<200kHz, OK>

 

105.5MHz: Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu (Klian Intan tower)

105.7MHz: Kedah FM Gunung Raya

<200kHz, OK>

 

Among all 5 nominated frequencies, the best frequency for Perak FM Pengkalan Hulu transmission from Klian Intan tower is FM 105.5MHz, following by FM 103.9MHz, FM 104.7MHz and FM 102.9MHz.