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.