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.