How long can Era Sarawak and Era Sabah local broadcast survive after Hitz and My FM local branches in Sabah and Sarawak are closed down today?

On 30th September 2023, Hitz FM Sabah, Hitz FM Sarawak, MY FM Sabah and MY FM Sarawak cease their local radio broadcast today. Then, the frequencies of MY FM and Hitz FM in Sabah and Sarawak will relay the feeds from Peninsular Malaysia (headquarters) from 1st October 2023.

While MY FM and Hitz FM cease their local broadcast branches in Sabah and Sarawak, Era is not affected under the rationalization because Era local branches broadcast is still strong in Sabah and Sarawak. Hence, this means that Era Sabah and Era Sarawak continue their local broadcast.

Since Astro Radio closes down local broadcast branches of MY FM and Hitz FM in Sabah and Sarawak today to cut daily operation cost, I doubt regarding any happenings to Era Sabah and Era Sarawak in the future, especially their sustainability.

It is doubtful that how long do Era Sabah and Era Sarawak survive actually because the listeners' demands and the trends are changing frequently by months and years, therefore the changes of listeners' needs and the trends can affect a radio station performance.

Era Sabah and Era Sarawak will have same faith like Suria FM Sabah, KK12FM 89.5 and VOK FM (Voice of Kinabalu) if Astro Radio decides to cease Era Sabah and Sarawak one day, then relay Peninsular Malaysia feeds on Era frequencies in Sabah and Sarawak.

Will Era Sabah and Era Sarawak follow the trend of closing down Hitz/MY Sabah and Hitz/MY Sarawak local branches in the future? We don't know, it is unknown, instead we can observe their survival in the future (within 5 years), depends on their stations overall performances, including the listenership ratings and commercial revenue.

Last week, I expressed my opinion and suggestion to launch Era Sarawak's Bintulu frequency (102.8MHz Bukit Setiam as my proposed frequency), even I wrote a proposal report of Era FM Bintulu frequency to Astro Radio via email, but I don't know whether Astro Radio will take my proposal into the consideration or not because it needs more cost to launch only Era FM Sarawak in Bintulu without MY FM and Hitz FM. In addition, Astro is going to cut cost in several operations.

If Astro Radio closes down Era Sarawak and Era Sabah local branches, it is pointless to make Bintulu frequency proposal for Era FM to Astro Radio.

Currently Era Sarawak and Era Sabah performance are quite good, but I will continue observing the radio stations performance.

List of the empty frequency slots for FM radio broadcast in Kuching, Sarawak.

To get the vacant FM radio broadcast frequencies slots in Kuching, Sarawak for new radio stations, I make a frequency list table of existing radio stations in Kuching and distant transmitters from Serian, Sarikei, Entikong, Ulu Skrang, Sibu, Sri Aman and Off Spaoh.

 

Yellow stands as local radio stations in Kuching, meanwhile red stands as Indonesia radio station near Kuching area. 

After listing out the existing frequencies in Kuching and neighboring transmitters, I find out some empty frequency slots for Kuching radio broadcast.

 

==Bukit Djin==

* 91.3MHz

* 98.7MHz 

* 99.7MHz

* 103.1MHz

* 104.9MHz

* 105.7MHz

* 106.5MHz

* 107.5MHz

 

==Gunung Serapi==

* 98.7MHz

Kuching radio stations' transmitter sites

In Kuching, the capital of Sarawak state, there are 3 transmitter sites operated by the radio stations in the city for radio broadcast transmission, but formerly it was 5 transmitter sites.

Currently Kuching has Gunung Serapi, Bukit Djin and Bukit Antu for radio broadcast transmission, meanwhile formerly Kuching has radio transmitter towers in Pending and Muara Tabuan where are belonged to CELCOM.

Gunung Serapi is the oldest radio broadcast transmitter site in Kuching, Sarawak, mainly operated by 10 radio stations following below:

1. RTM Radio Klasik FM 92.9MHz

2. RTM Nasional FM 88.1MHz

3. RTM Sarawak FM 88.9MHz

4. RTM Traxx FM 89.9MHz

5. RTM Ai FM 90.7MHz

6. RTM Red FM 91.9MHz

7. RTM Wai FM Iban FM 101.3MHz

8. RTM Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan FM 106.1MHz

9. Cats FM 99.3MHz

10. Hot FM 94.3MHz (Media Prima)

Meanwhile there are another transmitter sites located in Kuching town, but both towers are the neighbours, mostly operated by Kuching's commercial radio stations.

==Bukit Djin==

* Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak FM 92.5MHz

* IKIM FM 93.7MHz

* Hitz FM 95.3MHz (ASTRO)

* Era FM 96.1MHz (ASTRO)

* MY FM 96.9MHz (ASTRO)

* Mix FM 97.7MHz (ASTRO)

* Eight FM 98.3MHz (Media Prima)

* Lite FM 100.1MHz (ASTRO)

* Sinar FM 102.1MHz (ASTRO)

* Kool 101 FM 104.3MHz (Media Prima)

==Bukit Antu==

* Bernama Radio FM 100.9MHz

* Tea FM 102.7MHz

Bukit Antu and Bukit Djin radio towers are located together in same location at Lorong Batu Lintang in Kuching city, Sarawak.

Muara Tabuan was formerly operated by Astro Radio before moving to Bukit Djin, meanwhile Pending was operated by IKIM FM until 2016 before Bukit Djin.

None of commercial radio stations except Cats FM and Hot FM are using Gunung Serapi as the radio transmittet site for Kuching because:

* They mainly focus in Kuching city without other locations in Sarawak.

* Gunung Serapi transmission can reach West Kalimantan territory in Indonesia, several frequencies can cause the interference to Indonesia radio stations' coverage in the districts of West Kalimantan province where are near from the Sarawak border.

Hot FM 94.3MHz is the only Media Prima radio station operating in Gunung Serapi while Eight FM 98.3MHz and Kool 101 FM 104.3MHz operates in Bukit Djin because FM 94.3MHz was already operated by Wow FM  in Gunung Serapi since 1998, Wow FM was the English radio station operated by Natseven (ntv7) in 1998 before it was acquired by Media Prima in 2005 due to financial crisis.

In terms of the coverage, Gunung Serapi is wider than Bukit Djin and Bukit Antu because it can reach signal to Serian and coastal areas of Sarikei and Sri Aman division, alongside Indonesia, meanwhile Bukit Djin and Bukit Antu signal can be tuned too, but very weak signal.

As today, here are the Peninsular Malaysia based, but nationwide radio stations don't have Kuching frequency such as:

* 988 FM

* Suria FM

* Media Prima Fly FM

My first ever DVB-T2 DXing, receiving MYTV Gunung Telapak Buruk digital TV signal in Balakong, Selangor (UHF 490MHz/CH 23 & UHF 506MHz/CH25)

On 22nd September 2023, MYTV launched digital terrestrial television transmission in Gunung Telapak Buruk officially, the frequencies are same as Bukit Tampin, Gunung Ledang, Kuala Rompin and Bukit Tinggi which are on:

MUX A: CH25 (UHF 506MHz)

MUX B: CH23 (UHF 490MHz)

After I receive the news where MYTV Gunung Telapak Buruk transmission is activated this morning, I decide to perform my very first DVB-T2 DX of receiving MYTV Gunung Telapak Buruk digital TV signal in Balakong, Selangor where is my home this evening with my LEDSTAR 7 inch portable digital TV (Model: D7).

Although MYTV digital TV is tuned from Bukit Sungai Besi in Balakong, Selangor, but I could capture its DVB-T2 signal from Gunung Telapak Buruk, the receiving distance is 41km from Gunung Telapak Buruk to Balakong.

The digital TV signal strength of MYTV from Gunung Telapak Buruk in Balakong is below the average, I get only 31-35 over 100, meanwhile Bukit Sungai Besi is above 40/100, bad or no signal if I receive with moving condition.

No signal if I receive indoor with my mobile TV antenna, so I tune outdoor and put the magnet on a metal barrier.

Era FM Sarawak is not affected in Astro Radio's rationalization to cease MY and Hitz Sarawak local broadcast, Astro Radio can expand Era FM Sarawak coverage in Bintulu.

Few days ago, I got the news of Astro Radio would cease MY FM and Hitz FM Sarawak and Sabah local program on 1st October 2023, then both radio stations in Sabah and Sarawak will relay Peninsular Malaysia feed, meanwhile Era FM Sabah and Sarawak local branches are not affected in Astro Radio's rationalization.

 

Era FM Sarawak has 3 frequencies in 3 major towns of Sarawak state, such as FM 96.1MHz in Kuching (Bukit Djin), FM 96.3MHz in Sibu (Bukit Lima) and FM 101.3MHz Miri (Bukit Lambir). As Era FM Sarawak is more successful than MY FM Sarawak and Hitz FM Sarawak, in my opinion, Astro Radio can expand Era FM Sarawak coverage in Bintulu.

 

It is not clear if the listeners tune to Era Sarawak in Bintulu on 101.3MHz from Bukit Lambir, the radio reception is too far.

Bintulu is the 4th largest town in Sarawak state. Era FM Sarawak broadcasts in Sarawak Malay language, as Sarawak Malay language is partially same as Iban, so Era FM Sarawak can target Iban listeners too.

Regarding the transmitter site of Era FM Sarawak for Bintulu, there are two transmitters in Bintulu, namely Bukit Setiam in Tatau, and Bukit Nyabau in Bintulu town. Currently, Bukit Nyabau is operated by television broadcast transmission, meanwhile radio broadcast transmission is in Bukit Setiam. The first Sarawak's commercial radio station Cats FM in Bintulu is transmitted from Bukit Setiam on FM 88.3MHz.

 

1. Bukit Nyabau coverage map

2. Bukit Setiam coverage map

By comparing the coverage between Bukit Setiam and Bukit Nyabau, actually Bukit Setiam is wider than Bukit Nyabau.

 

Bukit Setiam radio transmission does not only cover the entire Bintulu division, however its radio signal can reach Mukah, Balingan and part of Selangau in Sibu division. The transmitter power based on the coverage map between Bukit Setiam and Bukit Nyabau is at 2kW.

About the proposed frequency, Bintulu has limited empty slots after I conduct deeper frequency study of that location with consideration of existing frequencies from Miri, Mukah, Selangau, Sibu and Brunei. So, I nominate FM 102.8MHz as my proposed frequency for Era FM Sarawak in Bintulu.

==My radio transmission parameter proposal for Era FM Sarawak in Bintulu==

* Frequency: FM 102.8MHz

* Power: 2kW

* Transmitter site: Bukit Setiam, Tatau, Sarawak

* Coverage: Bintulu, Tatau, Sebauh, Balingan, Mukah and part of Selangau

==RF analysis==

102.5MHz: Traxx FM Bukit Lima (Sibu)

102.8MHz: Era FM Bukit Setiam (Bintulu)

<300kHz, OK>

102.4MHz: Melody FM Bukit Lambir (Miri)

102.8MHz: Era FM Bukit Setiam (Bintulu)

<400kHz, OK>

102.8MHz: Era FM Bukit Setiam (Bintulu)

103.0MHz: Sibu FM Belaga

<200kHz, OK>

102.8MHz: Era FM Bukit Setiam (Bintulu)

103.2MHz: MY FM Bukit Lambir (Miri)

<400kHz, OK>

Based on RF analysis, the proposed frequency FM 102.8MHz for Era FM Sarawak has no interference to existing radio stations' coverage. So, it is safe to use 102.8MHz in Bintulu from Bukit Setiam.

Meanwhile for MY FM and Hitz FM coverage expansion in Bintulu, I doubt whether Astro Radio has plan to expand these radio stations there or not because MY and Hitz Sarawak local broadcast will be ceased on 1st October 2023.

 

Other than the areas in Bintulu division, Era FM Sarawak's listeners can enjoy listening to the radio station on FM 102.8MHz (proposed) from Bukit Setiam in Mukah, Balingan and Selangau.

As Era Sarawak is quite successful in Sarawak, I hope Astro Radio will take my proposal of expanding coverage in Bintulu into the consideration.

List of the radio stations which are available in Federal Territory of Labuan, Malaysia

Labuan is an island of Federal Territory of Malaysia, located not far from Brunei and the coast of Sabah, however I'm curious of its radio stations availability.

In Labuan, only 1 commercial radio station is available there, meanwhile the rests are RTM and Brunei radio stations. Hence, I would like to list down the radio stations availability in Labuan Island.

==RTM==

* Radio Klasik FM 87.6MHz (Bukit Timbalai)

* Nasional FM 88.5MHz (Bukit Timbalai)

* Labuan FM 89.4MHz (Bukit Timbalai) & 103.7MHz (RTM Labuan)

* Traxx FM 90.3MHz (Bukit Timbalai)

* Ai FM 92.3MHz (Bukit Timbalai)** & 99.9MHz (Bukit Tampalagus)

* Sabah VFM 93.3MHz (Bukit Timbalai)** & 102.9MHz (Bukit Tampalagus)

* Sabah FM 97.9MHz (Bukit Tampalagus)

* Sarawak FM 101.5MHz (Bukit Mas)

* Limbang FM 104.9MHz (Bukit Mas)

**Co-channel interference with RTB Nasional FM 92.3MHz and RTB Nur Islam FM 93.3MHz. The listeners who tune Ai FM and Sabah VFM can switch to alternative frequency on FM 99.9MHz (Ai FM) and FM 102.9MHz (Sabah VFM) from Bukit Tampalagus.

==Brunei==

* RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz

* RTB Pilihan FM 95.9MHz

* RTB Harmoni FM 94.1MHz

* Kristal FM 90.7MHz

* Al-Quran Radio FM 89.1MHz

==Commercial==

* Cats FM 88.7MHz (Bukit Mas)

Alongside RTB Perdana, RTB Aneka and RTB Sukmaindera as Brunei local TV channels, the people in Brunei can enjoy watching Malaysia digital terrestrial free-to-air TV channels (MYTV my Freeview) with UHF antenna

Do you know? In Brunei, the people there can access Malaysia's digital terrestrial television and radio channels, also known as MYTV my Freeview.

 

MYTV gets full coverage in entire country of Brunei via Bukit Lambir and Bukit Mas.

 

For your information, as MYTV in Bukit Lambir and Bukit Mas are using same frequency, so Brunei people tune to MYTV channels without different frequencies. To all Brunei people, please tune to UHF 682MHz (CH47) and UHF 650MHz (CH43) to watch Malaysia's digital FTA TV channels.

 

Bukit Lambir from Miri covers Kuala Belait and Seria, meanwhile Bukit Mas from Limbang covers Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei.

 

Other than RTB Perdana/Aneka/Sukmaindera, here are the Malaysia's TV and radio channels available in Brunei.

 

==TV==

1. RTM TV1

2. RTM TV2

3. Sukan RTM

4. Berita RTM

5. RTM TV6

6. RTM TVOkey

7. Bernama TV

8. TV Al-Hijrah

9. TVS (TV Sarawak)

10. TV3

11. NTV7/DidikTV KPM

12. 8TV

13. TV9

14. WowShop

15. SUKE TV

16. Awesome TV

17. Enjoy TV5

18. Drama Sangat

 

==RADIO==

1. RTM Radio Klasik

2. RTM Nasional FM

3. RTM Traxx FM

4. RTM Ai FM

5. RTM Minnal FM

6. RTM Asyik FM

7. RTM Wai FM

8. RTM Sabah VFM

9. RTM Sarawak FM

10. RTM Sabah FM

11. Bernama Radio

12. Manis FM

Complete frequencies and coverage list of RTM Sarawak FM

 

Here are the full frequencies list of RTM Sarawak FM from Kuching division to Limbang division.

 

* 88.9MHz: Kuching (Gunung Serapi)

* 94.8MHz: Serian (Bukit Ampungan)

* 100.3MHz: Sri Aman (Bukit Temuduk)

* 98.4MHz: Lubuk Antu

* 93.2MHz: Engkilili (Ulu Skrang)

* 94.4MHz: Off Spaoh & Betong

* 91.5MHz: Sarikei (Bukit Kayu Malam)

* 99.0MHz: Daro (Kampung Sungai Semob)

* 107.1MHz: Kanowit

* 101.5MHz: Sibu (Bukit Lima)

* 95.1MHz: Selangau (Bukit Singgalang)

* 95.7MHz: Song (Bukit Song)

* 92.7MHz: Kapit (Bukit Kapit)

* 89.9MHz: Mukah (TM Mukah)

* 93.7MHz: Bintulu, Tatau (Bukit Setiam)

* 95.5MHz: Sungai Asap, Bintulu

* 105.4MHz: Belaga

* 96.9MHz: Stesen Dalat

* 88.1MHz: Miri & Niah (Bukit Lambir)

* 100.3MHz: RTM Miri

* 97.9MHz: Marudi (Bukit Dabei Marudi)

* 98.1MHz: Long Lama Miri

* 101.5MHz: Limbang (Bukit Mas)

* 100.0MHz: Mendamit (Bukit Sagan Rudang)

* 95.1MHz: Kampung Siang-Siang, Lawas

* 97.5MHz: Lawas (Bukit Tiong)

 

Sarawak FM can be tuned in Brunei via FM 88.1MHz Bukit Lambir for Kuala Belait, and FM 101.5MHz Bukit Mas for Bandar Seri Begawan, meanwhile it is also available in Sindumin and Sipitang, Sabah via FM 97.5MHz from Bukit Tiong. 

 

Sarawak FM is also available in part of West Kalimantan, Indonesia via FM 88.9MHz Gunung Serapi, FM 94.8MHz Bukit Ampungan and FM 98.4MHz Lubuk Antu.

Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak can expand its broadcast coverage outside Kuching such as Bintulu, Sibu, and Miri in order to reach more listeners in Sarawak.

In June 2023, OOGA X (formerly known as Cense Media) launched Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak in Kuching on FM 92.5MHz, it targets Sarawakians by delivering local content like Kupi-Kupi FM 96.3MHz in Kota Kinabalu for Sabahans.

The frequency of Kupi-Kupi FM 92.5MHz in Kuching, Sarawak is formerly used by CityPlus FM from 2016 to 2020.

In my opinion, Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak can expand its broadcast coverage outside Kuching by launching tuning frequencies in Bintulu, Sibu and Miri like Hitz FM.

Regarding the coverage expansion, I think Miri, Sibu and Bintulu are the core areas for Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak. For the trasmitter sites, I suggest Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak to install the transmitter system in these following locations such as:

1. Bukit Lima for Sibu and Sarikei (2kW)

2. Bukit Setiam for Bintulu and Mukah (2kW)

3. Bukit Lambir for Miri (1kW)

If there are demands and potential market, Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak can expand coverage to deeper Sarawak areas like Kapit, Belaga, Sri Aman and Limbang.

About coverage in Mukah, as Bukit Setiam in Tatau for Bintulu signal can reach coverage to Mukah, I think it is not necessary to launch Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak transmitter in Mukah like Cats FM, the listeners can still tune to Kupi-Kupi FM in Mukah via Bukit Setiam transmitter, even in Selangau. Therefore, it is also not necessary to launch in Bukit Singgalang.

 

For Bintulu, there are two radio transmitter sites such as Bukit Setiam in Tatau and Bukit Nyabau in Bintulu town. RTM radio stations and Cats FM in Bintulu are transmitted from Bukit Setiam, meanwhile TV transmission is from Bukit Nyabau. Comparison between Bukit Setiam and Bukit Nyabau, the transmitter site in Bukit Setiam is more strategic than Bukit Nyabau for Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak because Bukit Setiam can still cover Selangau, Mukah and Balingan.

By generating the coverage map of Bukit Lima transmitter at 2kW power, Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak does not need to launch the transmitter in Bukit Kayu Malam for Sarikei as Bukit Lima coverage can reach Sarikei.

Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak can be also tuned in part of Brunei if it launches Miri frequency.

I hope MCMC will lift the frequency application suspension for non-peak areas, so OOGA X can make the frequency application for Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak in Sibu, Miri and Bintulu.

Senarai kawasan yang boleh menerima stesen radio negeri RTM yang tiada liputan dalam negeri masing-masing dengan pemancar yang jauh.

Saya mendapati beberapa buah stesen radio negeri RTM tidak mempunyai liputan siaran dalam negeri masing-masing, tetapi kawasan ini boleh menerima isyarat dari pemancar yang jauh, tetapi isyarat kurang jelas, namun kawasan ini tidak mempunyai pemancar gap filler.

1. Perak FM

- Klian Intan, Perak (102.9MHz dari Lawin)

- Tasik Banding, Perak (104.1MHz dari Bukit Larut)

- R&R Titiwangsa, Gerik Timur, Perak (104.1MHz dari Bukit Larut)

- Ulu Slim, Perak (89.6MHz Bukit Asa)

- Felda Terolak Timur, Perak (95.6MHz Gunung Kledang)

- Sungai Siput (U), Perak (104.1MHz Bukit Larut)

- R&R Bintang Hijau Sungai Rui di Gerik Barat, Perak (102.9MHz dari Lawin)

2. Kelantan FM

- Lojing Highlands, Kelantan (97.3MHz dari Bukit Bakar)

3. Pahang FM

- Keratong, Pahang (107.5MHz dari Gunung Ulu Kali) 

- Felda Selancar, Pahang (107.5MHz dari Gunung Ulu Kali)

 

- Kuala Tahan, Pahang (92.7MHz dari Bukit Istana)

4. Terengganu FM

- Hulu Keruak, Terengganu (88.9MHz dari Felda Tenang)

5. Johor FM

- Sedilli, Johor (92.1MHz dari Bukit Tinggi)

No more localized radio broadcast. Effective from 1st October 2023, Astro Radio will cease Sarawak and Sabah branch radio broadcast for MY FM (Chinese) and Hitz FM (English), so MY FM and Hitz FM in Sabah and Sarawak radio programs will relay from Peninsular Malaysia

Effective from 1st October 2023, Sarawak and Sabah branches of Hitz and MY FM will be ceased broadcast, so Hitz and MY FM frequencies in Kuching, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Sibu and Sandakan radio program will relay from Peninsular Malaysia which means radio broadcast feed is from the headquarters.

Meanwhile Sabah and Sarawak branches of Era are not affected.

I may realize the decision of Astro Radio to cease MY FM and Hitz FM localized branches in Sabah and Sarawak is to reduce operation costs.

Astro Sabah and Sarawak branches radio stations were launched in 2010 to cater the listeners' needs in both states by delivering localized content, but it will be ceased on 1st October 2023. 

End of 13 years Astro Radio localized radio stations MY and Hitz in Sabah and Sarawak.

New commercial radio broadcasters are struggling over RTM's duplicated FM radio frequencies in Klang Valley, causing the new broadcasters are not able to apply new frequency license, but RTM does not release the frequency by terminating Kuala Lumpur Tower transmission. Why?

Few new radio broadcasters are willing to broadcast through FM radio frequencies transmission platform in order to approach the listeners, unfortunately they are unable to make frequency license application due to frequency spectrum is full, but several radio broadcasters (notably commercial) are blaming the public radio broadcaster RTM for operating two frequencies in same coverage, especially in Klang Valley where RTM operates in Gunung Ulu Kali and Kuala Lumpur Tower.

The new radio broadcasters are actually struggling over RTM's duplicated FM radio frequencies in Klang Valley, and they want RTM to cease Kuala Lumpur Tower radio transmission in order to release more frequencies. So, they can get one of them.

In reality, I don't think RTM will terminate Kuala Lumpur Tower radio transmission in order to release the frequencies to new commercial radio broadcasters because KL Tower acts as the gap filler transmitter to cover Klang Valley areas where some locations cannot receive Gunung Ulu Kali signal clearly.

Here are the duplicated RTM radio frequencies in Klang Valley by stations.

1. Radio Klasik

* 98.3MHz: Gunung Ulu Kali 

* 87.7MHz: Kuala Lumpur Tower

2. Nasional FM

* 95.3MHz: Gunung Ulu Kali

* 88.5MHz: Kuala Lumpur Tower

3. Traxx FM

* 100.1MHz: Gunung Ulu Kali

* 90.3MHz: Kuala Lumpur Tower

4. Ai FM

* 106.7MHz: Gunung Ulu Kali

* 89.3MHz: Kuala Lumpur Tower

5. Minnal FM

* 96.3MHz: Gunung Ulu Kali

* 92.3MHz: Kuala Lumpur Tower

6. Asyik FM/Salam FM

* 102.5MHz: Gunung Ulu Kali

* 91.1MHz: Kuala Lumpur Tower

In Kuala Lumpur city center and some Klang Valley areas such as Sungai Buloh, RTM radio stations from Gunung Ulu Kali are less clear, so KL Tower transmitter takes place to cover blind spot coverage of Gunung Ulu Kali in Klang Valley. As RTM is public radio broadcaster which is government service to the people by delivering public messages, it is very important to keep KL Tower radio transmission on air because KL Tower acts as gap filler transmitter in Klang Valley.

If RTM abolishes the transmission of KL Tower radio such as 87.7MHz, 88.5MHz, 89.3MHz, 90.3MHz, 91.1MHz and 92.3MHz, then the radio broadcasters take over these frequencies and transmit in Gunung Ulu Kali, it would cause interference to existing radio stations coverage such as Gunung Kledang in Central Perak, Gunung Telapak Buruk in Negeri Sembilan and several RTM's gap filler areas like Felda Terolak Timur, unless they remain the transmission site in Bukit Sungai Besi or KL Tower.

 

Among the frequencies, only 92.3MHz is suitable for Gunung Ulu Kali transmission, the rest are NO! 

 

Terminating RTM's KL Tower frequencies does not guarantee the new radio broadcasters can use them for Gunung Ulu Kali and Bukit Sungai Besi transmission.

Nasional FM Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter 95.3MHz operates at 5kW power, but several Kuala Lumpur areas cannot receive clearly due to high rise buildings, so FM 88.5MHz takes place. In addition, if I suggest RTM to increase Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter power for Radio Klasik FM 98.3MHz, Traxx FM 100.1MHz, Ai FM 106.7MHz and Minnal FM 96.3MHz to 3.5kW or 5kW, then abolish KL Tower transmission, it cannot guarantee the high power transmission from Gunung Ulu Kali can cover Kuala Lumpur even clearer like KL Tower.

 

Just like Negeri FM in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, I detect duplicate frequencies there, such as FM 95.7MHz (Bukit Tampin) and FM 107.7MHz (Gunung Ledang). 10 years ago, I suggested RTM to abolish FM 95.7MHz in order to give way to Asyik FM 95.6MHz for coverage expansion to Melaka and Negeri Sembilan from Gunung Ledang, but RTM did not decide to terminate Negeri FM 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin transmission because Rembau areas such as Chengkau and Kota need Bukit Tampin transmission. Chengkau and Kota cannot receive Negeri FM 92.6MHz and 107.7MHz clearly, so FM 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin takes place.

Frekuensi Pahang FM di Felda Selancar dan Perwira Jaya ialah 107.5MHz dari Gunung Ulu Kali, tetapi isyarat lemah dan mempunyai gangguan.

3 tahun lepas, saya membuat kajian liputan siaran Pahang FM di Keratong dan Selancar dimana tiada frekuensi yang sedia ada meliputi kawasan-kawasan ini. Di samping itu, saya pernah membuat cadangan kepada RTM untuk melancarkan pemancar Pahang FM di Gunung Ledang bagi meliputi Keratong dan Felda Selancar atas sebab 107.5 Gunung Ulu Kali tidak dapat diterima dengan jelas dan 88.0 Bukit Sembilan "disekat" oleh Eight FM 88.1MHz dari Gunung Ledang di Felda Selancar. Namun, saya tidak menerima sebarang maklum balas daripada RTM mengenai cadangan saya pada masa itu.

 

Pada 16hb September 2023, saya membuat konvoi radio DXing di Johor iaitu Yong Peng, Paloh dan Chaah. Selepas saya menjalankan aktiviti pemantauan isyarat radio jauh di Chaah, saya membuat keputusan untuk bersinggah ke Felda Selancar dengan melalui jalan Felda Renong di Labis, Johor sebelum mengadakan makan tengah hari (sudah lewat makan) di Tangkak.

 

Felda Selancar dan Perwira Jaya di negeri Pahang tidak jauh dengan sempadan negeri Johor.

 

Di Felda Selancar, kawasan tersebut diliputi oleh pemancar Gunung Ledang serta Gunung Telapak Buruk, tetapi saya memberi fokus untuk menyemak isyarat radio RTM Pahang FM sebenarnya kerana saya mendapati bahawa frekuensi Pahang FM yang sedia ada tidak dapat meliputi kawasan Keratong dan Selancar.

 

Frekuensi Pahang FM di Muadzam Shah yang dipancar dari Bukit Sembilan ialah 88.0MHz, tetapi kawasan liputan terhad untuk Bukit Ibam, manakala frekuensi ini diganggu oleh Radio Klasik FM 87.9MHz (Gunung Telapak Buruk) dan Eight FM 88.1MHz (Gunung Ledang) di Bandar Muadzam Shah.

 

FM 95.5MHz dari Bukit Sulai tidak dapat didengari di Felda Selancar, cuma terdengar bunyi frekuensi Asyik FM 95.6MHz dari Gunung Ledang. 

 

Untuk makluman, siaran radio RTM Pahang FM di kawasan Felda Selancar boleh didengari pada frekuensi 107.5MHz yang dipancar dari Gunung Ulu Kali. Saya membuat ujian isyarat Pahang FM di tiga buah kawasan Felda Selancar, iaitu Felda Selancar 01, Felda Selancar 02 dan Felda Selancar 03. Video dirakam dengan radio kereta, bukannya radio TECSUN PL-380 akibat cuaca panas dan matahari terik.

 

Isyarat Pahang FM 107.5MHz agak lemah dan kurang jelas diterima di Felda Selancar 01, 02 dan 03. Tambahan pula, Pahang FM 107.5MHz diganggu oleh dua buah stesen radio yang dipancar dari Gunung Ledang (Melody FM 107.3MHz dan Negeri FM 107.7MHz) di Selancar.

 

Jarak dari Gunung Ulu Kali ke Selancar:

1. Felda Selancar 01: 154km

2. Felda Selancar 02 & 03: 162km

 

Apabila saya bersinggah dari Felda Selancar 02 ke Felda Selancar 01, isyarat Pahang FM 107.5MHz semakin lemah dan hampir tiada isyarat. Selepas Felda Selancar 01 dan bersinggah ke negeri Johor, semasa perjalanan di Lebuhraya Segamat-Kuantan, Pahang FM masih boleh diterima sehingga Buloh Kasop di Segamat, Johor pada frekuensi FM 107.5MHz dari Gunung Ulu Kali, tetapi kurang jelas, manakala FM 95.5MHz dari Bukit Sulai boleh diterima dengan gangguan frekuensi oleh Asyik FM 95.6MHz dari Gunung Ledang. 

 

Sebelum ini, saya pernah memberi cadangan kepada RTM untuk menambah pemancar Pahang FM di Gunung Ledang, tetapi cadangan kurang sesuai kerana Pahang FM ialah stesen radio untuk negeri Pahang, dan Gunung Ledang terletak di negeri Johor.

 

Untuk memperbaikkan mutu kualiti siaran Pahang FM di Felda Selancar, RTM perlu menukar frekuensi Muadzam Shah di Bukit Sembilan dari 88.0MHz ke 103.9MHz dan menambah kuasa pemancar Bukit Sembilan dari 100W ke 500W supaya pendengar Pahang FM di Selancar boleh mengikuti siaran tersebut dengan jelas. Berdasarkan kepada kajian liputan pemancar radio, pemancaran radio dari Bukit Sembilan boleh meliputi kawasan Felda Selancar dan Keratong dengan jelas.

 

==Analisis frekuensi radio jika Pahang FM menggunakan frekuensi FM 103.9MHz di Bukit Sembilan==

103.6MHz: Era FM Gunung Telapak Buruk

103.9MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan

<300kHz, OK> 

103.9MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan

104.1MHz: Best FM Gunung Ulu Kali

<200kHz, OK>

103.8MHz: Manis FM Bukit Senggora

103.9MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan

<100kHz, OK>

103.9MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sembilan

104.1MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Pelindung

<200kHz, OK>

 

Sekiranya SKMM (atau dikenali sebagai MCMC) mengizinkan RTM untuk menukar frekuensi Pahang FM di Bukit Sembilan dari 88.0MHz ke 103.9MHz, saya yakin bahawa Felda Selancar dan Keratong akan mempunyai liputan Pahang FM yang lebih jelas. 

By conducting the signal comparison with other Gunung Pulai radio stations, Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz is the weakest radio station tuned in Paloh, Yong Peng and Chaah, Johor. Why?

 Johor Bahru radio stations are transmitted from Gunung Pulai, except Eight FM 105.3MHz and Melody FM 103.3MHz. Gunung Pulai transmitter site also covers other locations in Johor such as Pontian, Kota Tinggi, South Kluang (Simpang Renggam) and South Batu Pahat (Rengit). In addition, Gunung Pulai backs up several locations in North Johor where are blindspot of Gunung Ledang such as Parit Sulong (near Pagoh) and Yong Peng (between Chaah and Yong Peng town) where cannot receive Gunung Ledang signal clearly.

While most of Gunung Pulai transmitted radio stations can be tuned moderately in Batu Pahat and Kluang districts, but Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz is very weak there.

By comparing other Gunung Pulai transmitted radio stations such as Mix FM 99.1MHz, Johor FM 101.9MHz, Traxx FM 102.9MHz and 988 FM 99.9MHz in Central Johor, Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz is the weakest radio station tuned there.

 

Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz Gunung Pulai transmitter was launched in January 2012 by taking over now defunct RTM FM STEREO Johor Bharu which ceased transmission since March 2011.

On 16th September 2023, it was also the Malaysia Day public holiday, I also conducted the radio signal check of Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Pulai in 3 locations of Central Johor, namely Yong Peng, Paloh and Chaah. In addition, I also took the signal videos of Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz in Labis and Bekok on 1st January 2023, also Sri Gading in June 2017.

1. Yong Peng (71km)

2. Paloh (88km)

3. Chaah (91km)

4. Bekok (90km)

5. Labis (105km)

6. Sri Gading (63km)

During departure from Paloh to Chaah via Yong Peng's Kangkar Baharu road, when I was listening to an interview with a senior director of Malaysia's Road Transport Department (JPJ) enforcement division regarding the importance of road tax and vehicle's insurance on Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz while driving from Paloh to Chaah for next radio DXing via Kangkar Baharu road where connects Paloh and Yong Peng, I could detect the co-channel interference with Pahang FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali between Yong Peng and Paloh.

There are 3 reasons of Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz is the weakest Gunung Pulai radio station in Johor (Batu Pahat, Kluang and Segamat are sample districts of radio reception).

1. While other radio stations' transmitter tower is operating at 2kW and above, Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz operates only at 1kW of transmitter power.

2. By checking the radio signal and coverage, Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz RF transmitting antenna in Gunung Pulai does not really beam to north direction, causing poor signal tuned in Batu Pahat, Kluang, Southern Muar and Southern Segamat. I suspect Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz is using directional antenna.

3. Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz does not beam to north direction from Gunung Pulai is also to prevent co-channel interference against the coverage of Pahang FM 107.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali in Selancar, Perwira Jaya and Keratong, Pahang where Gunung Pulai signal can overspill to these southwest Pahang locations. Currently the co-channel interference between Bernama Radio and Pahang FM on 107.5MHz only happens in Labis, Tenang, Felda Redong and part of Yong Peng. If Bernama Radio FM 107.5MHz uses omni-directional antenna in Gunung Pulai and increases the transmitter power from 1kW to 2kW, Pahang FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali will face co-channel interference in Selancar. In Felda Selancar 01, 02 and 03, Pahang FM has no proper tuning frequency, 107.5MHz is the only tuning frequency there.

Bernama Radio has to improve its Johor Bahru frequency transmission because the audio is excessively loud.

BFM 89.9 is the furthest radio station tuned in Yong Peng and Paloh, Johor.

 

From 2019 to early 2023, I managed to receive BFM 89.9 signal which is transmitted from Gunung Ulu Kali for Klang Valley in few locations of Johor state such as Batu Anam, Bekok, Segamat, Muar and Parit Jawa, the radio signal is very weak in those stated locations.

I expanded the radio signal monitoring of BFM 89.9 in further locations in Johor state such as Yong Peng and Paloh. Yong Peng is a town located in Batu Pahat district, meanwhile Paloh is a small town in Kluang district.

BFM 89.9 is the furthest radio station tuned in Yong Peng and Paloh with 211km and 208km receiving distance from Gunung Ulu Kali respectively.

The signal is very weak and almost zero signal in these two locations actually.

1. Yong Peng (211km)

2. Paloh (208km)

Listeners who can tune BFM 89.9 via frequency transmission on the radio in Johor are very lucky and excellent because they can receive such far radio station.