Sunday, 22 December 2024

[2019 ARCHIVE] Kuching and Sibu radio stations tuned in Simanggang (Sri Aman), Sarawak

Here is a video of tuning the radio stations from Kuching (Bukit Djin/Antu) and Sibu (Bukit Lima) in Simanggang, Sarawak which my friend, Mr Alexander Nyareng recorded there 5 years ago.


==Kuching (Bukit Djin/Antu)==

1. CityPlus FM 92.5MHz (now known as Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak)

2. One FM 98.3MHz (now known as Eight FM)

3. Bernama Radio FM 100.9MHz

4. Tea FM 102.7MHz


* Distance: 129km 


==Sibu (Bukit Lima)==

1. Cats FM 88.4MHz

2. Era FM 96.3MHz

3. Tea FM 100.7MHz

4. Hitz FM 105.1MHz

5. MY FM 105.9MHz


* Distance: 127km


The signal of the Kuching and Sibu radio stations were weak in Simanggang, Sarawak.


In Sri Aman, Sarawak, only RTM radio stations and Cats FM are clearly available as they have the transmitters in Bukit Temudok. 

 

For RTM Wai FM Iban, the listeners can tune in Sri Aman via Sri Aman FM on 89.5MHz, but they can continue tuning to either FM 101.3MHz or 106.9MHz from 9am to 12pm when Sri Aman FM airs Malay program.


In addition regarding Wai FM Bidayuh, the Bidayuh listeners in Sri Aman can tune via FM 101.7MHz from Bukit Ampungan, meanwhile FM 106.1MHz Gunung Serapi has strong adjacent channel interference noise of RTM Red FM 106.3MHz from Bukit Temudok transmitter.


I will make more radio reception videos in Simanggang, Sarawak as early as May 2025.

Tuesday, 17 December 2024

Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Nunukan PRO-1 changed frequency from FM 97.1MHz to FM 96.3MHz in order to avoid co-channel interference with RTM Traxx FM Tawau frequency 97.1MHz (Tx: Gunung Andrassy)




In the past years, Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Nunukan PRO-1 had co-channel interference with RTM Traxx FM Tawau frequency (TX: Gunung Andrassy) because both are using same frequency on FM 97.1MHz.

However, recently I only realize that RRI Nunukan PRO-1 operates on new frequency 96.3MHz, so I believe RRI Nunukan PRO-1 has already changed the frequency from FM 97.1MHz to FM 96.3MHz within the year of 2024.


The recent frequency migration of RRI Nunukan PRO-1 from FM 97.1MHz to FM 96.3MHz was to avoid co-channel interference with RTM Traxx FM 97.1MHz Gunung Andrassy transmitter coverage in Nunukan, North Kalimantan Province, Indonesia.


When RRI Nunukan PRO-1 uses FM 96.3MHz, it can have better radio coverage to the area, but none of Tawau or neighboring radio stations are allowed to use 96.3MHz or adjacent frequencies (96.0/96.1/96.2/96.4/96.5/96.6).

Minimum FM radio frequency separation between Nunukan and Tawau (Gunung Andrassy) is 400kHz.

Apart of Nunukan, Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Nunukan PRO-1 FM 96.3MHz can be tuned clearly in Tawau and Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia since 2024.

Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Sambas PRO-1 changed its frequency from FM 97.7MHz to FM 97.4MHz since October 2024, does it prevent co-channel interference with Mix FM 97.7MHz Kuching frequency?




Since October 2024, Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Sambas PRO-1 uses new frequency on FM 97.4MHz, formerly it was on FM 97.7MHz.

The frequency change of RRI Sambas PRO-1 from FM 97.7MHz to FM 97.4MHz is to widen the coverage and provide better radio transmission to the area.

In addition, as formerly RRI Sambas PRO-1 FM 97.7MHz used same frequency with Mix FM in Kuching, Sarawak, causing co-channel interference in Serian, Sarawak, so Mix FM 97.7MHz is no longer facing co-channel interference with this Indonesia radio station since October 2024 in Serian and Bau, Sarawak after RRI Sambas PRO-1 moved to FM 97.4MHz.

Mix FM Kuching frequency 97.7MHz is transmitted from Bukit Djin, instead of Gunung Serapi.

As RRI Sambas PRO-1 radio transmission can reach several areas in Kuching, Sarawak, 97.7MHz caused co-channel interference with Mix FM, so RRI Sambas PRO-1 discontinued 97.7, and used 97.4 as the new frequency.

In Kuching, Sarawak, it may have 2 Indonesia radio stations. Previously, the listeners could access only RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 100.7MHz weakly, but today RRI Sambas PRO-1 FM 97.4MHz may be available in Kuching too.

==RF analysis==
97.2MHz: RTM Red FM Gunung Ampungan (Serian, Sarawak)
97.4MHz: RRI Sambas PRO-1 
<200kHz, OK>

97.4MHz: RRI Sambas PRO-1
97.7MHz: Mix FM Bukit Djin (Kuching, Sarawak)
<300kHz, OK>

Monday, 16 December 2024

Hot FM and Era are claiming as Malaysia's No.1 Malay language radio station each other, but who is the real no.1 by including the frequency coverage?


 

Hot FM: I'm the Malaysia's No.1 Malay language radio station.

Era: No, you're not. I'm the only real Malaysia's No.1 Malay language radio station!!!

(Listeners: STOP QUARRELING EACH OTHER)


Era and Hot FM are fighting each other to claim who is the No.1 Malay language radio station in Malaysia, many people are confusing who is the no.1 radio station in Malaysia.


We know that Era and Hot FM are the traditional competitors of Malay language radio stations. Era is a Malay hot contemporary radio station by Astro Radio, meanwhile Hot FM is Media Prima Audio's Malay language hot contemporary radio station. Both radio stations are competing each other since 2006 until today.


Hot FM claims as No.1 Malay radio station, then Era also claims as No.1 Malay radio station, but both radio stations are using different radio listenership survey method. 


The radio listenership survey of Hot FM is conducted by Niesen Consumer & Media View (CMV) which counts the listeners rating for 12 months, instead of 6 weeks in random condition, meanwhile Era appoints GFK as the radio listenership survey company to count its rating, meanwhile GFK conducts radio listenership survey twice annually, each survey counts how many listeners tune a radio in 6 weeks randomly. 

 

Both companies conduct the radio listenership survey in Peninsular Malaysia only through frequency transmission platform, excluding digital tuning, and also the listeners from Borneo and neighboring countries.

 

Since both radio stations are using different survey methods to claim who is the no.1 radio station in Malaysia, causing more confusion to the public, by not involving radio listenership survey, between Era and Hot FM, who is the real no.1? 


Category 1: By comparing the frequency coverage between Hot FM and Era in Peninsular Malaysia

* While both radio stations have the tuning frequencies in the main major towns and cities, Era has two more additional frequencies in Langkawi (90.7MHz) and Tapah (102.0MHz) where Hot FM has no local transmitters there.

* Hot FM in Tapah is tuned weakly on 104.5 and 97.6, meanwhile Langkawi on 88.2MHz with weak signal.

* Result: Era wins.

* Note: Era in Tapah on FM 102.0MHz was formerly carried by Time Highway Radio (THR FM) from 1995 to 2008.

 

Category 2: By including Borneo listenership ratings in the survey (Sabah and Sarawak)

* Although Hot FM and Era have tuning frequencies in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, but Era has more coverage than Hot FM in Sabah and Sarawak by having additional frequencies in Sibu, Miri and Sandakan. 

* In Sarawak, Hot FM is only available in Kuching (94.3), meanwhile Era can be tuned in Kuching (96.1), Sibu (96.3) and Miri (101.3). Moreover, Era's Miri frequency 101.3 is still available in part of Brunei.

* In Sabah, Hot FM is only available in Kota Kinabalu (87.7), meanwhile Era has frequencies in Kota Kinabalu (102.4) and Sandakan (103.0). 


* Result: Hot FM wins over Era in Kuching, Sarawak, but Era wins in Sabah and Sarawak due to additional frequencies in Miri, Sibu, and Sandakan.

* Note: Hot FM 94.3MHz from Gunung Serapi was launched as Wow FM since 1998 before switching to Hot FM in 2006.

 

Category 3: By comparing coverage in Singapore and Batam Indonesia

* Hot FM (90.1) and Era (104.5) have tuning frequencies in Johor Bahru, Johor, both are transmitted from Gunung Pulai.

* The radio reception of Hot FM 90.1MHz in Singapore and Batam Indonesia is better than Era FM 104.5MHz. For Era, 104.5 has strong interference from Batam radio stations (Seila FM 104.3 and Big FM 104.7) in Singapore and Batam.

* Result: Hot FM wins in Singapore and Batam.

 

Category 4: By comparing the overall coverage in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, but excluding neighboring countries

* Era has more coverage than Hot FM due to additional frequencies in Miri, Sandakan, Sibu, Tapah and Langkawi.

* Result: Era wins 

 

Category 5: By comparing the coverage in Kuching, Sarawak

* Era and Hot FM are using different transmitter sites in Kuching, Sarawak.

* Era on FM 96.1MHz is transmitted from Bukit Djin, meanwhile Hot FM 94.3MHz is transmitted from Gunung Serapi.

* In terms of coverage, Hot FM 94.3MHz dominates more coverage than Era FM 96.1MHz. Outside Kuching, Hot FM 94.3MHz can be tuned in Sematan, Lundu, Serian, Simanggang and Sarikei where Era FM 96.1MHz has no signal there. Besides that, Hot FM 94.3MHz is still available in several locations of West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. 

* Result: Hot FM wins.

 

Category 6: By comparing coverage in Southern Thailand 

* Hot FM can be tuned on 88.2MHz in part of Songkhla, meanwhile 88.6MHz is available in Sungai Golok, Sungai Padi and Tak Bai

* Era can be tuned on 103.6MHz in part of Songkhla, meanwhile 103.3MHz is available in Sungai Golok, Sungai Padi and Tak Bai. In addition, its Langkawi frequency 90.7MHz is available in Satun, and part of Trang.

* Both Era and Hot FM are available in Betong, Thailand weakly via 103.6 and 88.2 respectively.

* Result: Era wins. 


In conclusion, by combining 6 different categories in terms of coverage, Era is the real no.1 Malay language radio station in Malaysia with the score 4-2. If I compare with RTM Nasional FM in terms of coverage, both radio stations don't win the game.

 

However, Era and Hot FM are not comparable in Borneo region because Era in Sabah and Sarawak are different from Peninsular Malaysia's feed by localizing the content. Hot FM has no localized branch like Era in Sabah and Sarawak.


The actual radio listenership survey is not fully judged for the coverage of the radio stations, but the listeners themselves. The radio listener ratings are subject to the listeners' taste and the quality of the content.


(DISCLAIMER) As an independent writer, I'm not biased towards either one of the radio station in this article.

Saturday, 14 December 2024

Wai FM Bidayuh should launch Salako dialect broadcast for 1 hour by taking over Radio Kayan slot from 5pm to 6pm


Wai FM Bidayuh in Kuching and Serian has 12 hours broadcast in 3 main Bidayuh dialects such as Bukar Sadung, Biatah and Bau Jagoi, broadcast from 6am to 12pm and then from 6pm to 12am, meanwhile Radio Kayan occupies the 6 hours slot from 12pm to 6pm.


From 12am to 6am, Wai FM Bidayuh relay Sarawak FM.


Aongside Bukar Sadung, Biatah and Bau Jagoi, actually Salako is also one of Bidayuh dialect which spoken in Lundu and Sematan for Sarawak region, but there is no Salako dialect radio broadcast on RTM Wai FM Bidayuh radio station so far, unless Wai FM Bidayuh airs Salako dialect broadcast weekly.


In my opinion, Wai FM Bidayuh should launch Salako dialect for 1 hour daily by taking over slot of Radio Kayan from 5pm to 6pm.


It is very sufficient of Radio Kayan to obtain 6 hours broadcast, compare to Talidio Kenyah, Radio Tau Limbang FM (Lun Bawang) and Radio Jati Limbang FM (Bisaya). I don't think there is a pain of Radio Kayan to cut down its broadcast hours from 6 hours to 5 hours in order to give way to Salako broadcast on Wai FM Bidayuh, this is because Radio Kayan is not available on Miri FM's frequencies from 5pm to 6pm in favor of Talidio Kenyah airtime.


In Miri, Radio Kayan is only available from 3pm to 5pm, meanwhile it is available in Kuching and Serian from 12pm to 6pm via Wai FM Bidayuh frequencies.


If Wai FM Bidayuh is still having Salako dialect broadcast (hearsay mentions that it broadcasts 45 minutes per week), I strongly recommend Wai FM Bidayuh to expand the airtime of Salako broadcast to 1 hour daily from 5pm to 6pm.


Moreover, Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan should become the full fledged radio station by launching automation broadcast from 12am to 6am with non-stop Bidayuh and Kayan songs. (Currently it relays Sarawak FM from 12am to 6am).


==Full suggestion of Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan airtime by languages or dialects==

* 0600-1200 hours: Bidayuh

* 1200-1700 hours: Kayan

* 1700-1800 hours: Salako

* 1800-0000 hours: Bidayuh

* 0000-0600 hours: Non-stop Bidayuh and Kayan songs

Friday, 13 December 2024

RTM Wai FM can be tuned via SW 11665kHz in part of Peninsular Malaysia states.

Dear all Sarawakians who are staying in Peninsular Malaysia, RTM Wai FM can be tuned in several states of Peninsular Malaysia via shortwave frequency SW 11665kHz, transmitted from RTM Kajang.


Here are my radio reception videos of tuning Wai FM SW 11665kHz in Peninsular Malaysia from 2021 to 2024.


1. Balakong, Selangor


2. Broga, Negeri Sembilan


3. Ipoh, Perak (Chemor)


4. Kuantan, Pahang (Cherating)


5. Tioman Island, Pahang


6. Teluk Intan, Perak


7. Lanchang, Pahang (near Temerloh)


8. Gambang, Pahang

 

9. Serdang, Selangor
 

As RTM Wai FM SW 11665kHz from RTM Kajang beams at 93 DEG angle to cover Borneo Island (notably Sarawak rural areas in Miri, Kapit and Limbang divisions), so it can be tuned in large part of Pahang, part of Kuala Lumpur, part of Selangor, part of Perak and part of Negeri Sembilan.

For better tuning, listeners are adviced to tune via RTM Klik app, Astro CH871 or MYTV CH710.

Thursday, 5 December 2024

Furthest radio stations that I received in 2024 (PART 2) - July to November

==July 2024==

1. Muadzam Shah, Pahang

* Selangor FM 100.9MHz & Pahang FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali (150km)


2. Gemas, Negeri Sembilan

* BFM 89.9 & Pahang FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali (131km)


3. Rompin, Negeri Sembilan

* Selangor FM 100.9MHz & Pahang FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali (113km)


 

==August 2024==

1. Bandar Hilir, Melaka

* Various Gunung Ulu Kali radio stations (146km)


2. Batu Berendam, Melaka

* Pahang FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali (143km)

3. Tanjung Kling, Melaka

* Various Gunung Ulu Kali radio stations (140km)


==September 2024==

1. Pontian, Johor

* Traxx FM 100.1MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali (280km)


2. Pekan Nanas, Johor

* Eight FM 88.1MHz & Johor FM 105.3MHz Gunung Ledang (139km)


3. Kota, Negeri Sembilan

* Johor FM 101.9MHz Gunung Pulai (184km)


==October 2024==

1. Semerah, Johor

* Negeri FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk (133km)


2. Batu Pahat, Johor

* Negeri FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk (146km)


3. Senggarang, Johor

* Negeri FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk (163km)


4. Parit Sulong, Johor

* Negeri FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk (132km)


==November 2024==

1. Batu Gajah, Perak

* Various radio stations from Gunung Ulu Kali (143km)


2. Parit, Perak

* Various radio stations from Gunung Ulu Kali (155km)


3. Alor Pongsu, Perak

* Radio Thailand Yala FM 92.0MHz from Khao Pok Yo (166km)


4. Selama, Perak

* Perlis FM 102.9MHz from Padang Pauh (151km)


5. Butterworth, Penang

* Radio Thailand Songkhla FM 89.5MHz (178km)


6. Penaga, Penang

* Radio Thailand Yala FM 94.25MHz (143km)


7. Pendang, Kedah

* Perak FM 104.1MHz from Bukit Larut (131km)


8. Jitra, Kedah

* Perak FM 104.1MHz from Bukit Larut (164km)


9. Arau, Perlis

* Perak FM 104.1MHz from Bukit Larut (184km)


10. Kangar, Perlis

* MCOT Trang FM 106.25MHz (142km)


11. Georgetown, Penang

* Melody FM 103.0MHz Gunung Ulu Kali (274km)


12. Teluk Bahang, Penang

* Radio Thailand Yala FM 94.25MHz (162km)


13. Tanjung Bungah, Penang

* Radio Thailand Yala FM 92.0MHz and 94.25MHz (156km)


14. Manong, Perak

* Various radio stations from Gunung Ulu Kali (164km)

Wednesday, 4 December 2024

從2025年1月起, 關丹聽眾可能無法通過頻率88.1來收聽Eight FM, 因為RTM Pahang FM將為其Muadzam Shah頻率88.0MHz發射系統進行升級.


兩年前, Eight FM把它的關丹頻率100.4轉讓給Molek FM, 但在關丹部分地區的聽眾還可以通過頻率88.1繼續收聽Eight FM.

今天RTM Pahang FM在臉書發佈文告, 指其三個發射站的廣播會因為發射系統升級而受到干擾, 涉及發射站有Bukit Sembilan, Bukit Sulai和Bukit Senggora.

 

RTM Pahang FM會從這個月到2025年1月初會為這三個發射站進行系統升級.

 

* 慕亞山沙 Bukit Sembilan 88.0MHz (2024年12月9日至13日)

* 甘孟Bukit Sulai 95.5MHz (2024年19日至24日)

* 馬蘭Bukit Senggora 92.0MHz (2025年1月2日至6日)

 

對於RTM Pahang FM 88.0MHz Bukit Sembilan廣播發射站, 若Pahang FM已經為其發射站的傳輸系統進行升級後, 從2024年12月中開始, Eight FM 88.1MHz在關丹接收的訊號可能會受到這家電台干擾, 因為Bukit Sembilan的訊號可以傳輸到關丹和北根一帶, 所以在這兩個地方通過88.1收聽Eight FM的聽眾會聽到Pahang FM 88.0的雜音, 除非Pahang FM的Bukit Sembilan發射站不再用88.0MHz.

 

從2025年1月起, 關丹聽眾可能無法通過雪隆區頻率88.1來收聽Eight FM, 所以收聽方式只剩下Audio+手機應用程序和YouTube直播.

Starting from January 2025, Eight FM may not be available in Kuantan, Pahang anymore on the frequency 88.1MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali due to transmission system upgrade of Pahang FM 88.0MHz in Bukit Sembilan, but the listeners can tune via Audio+ app or YouTube LIVE streaming.


2 years ago, Eight FM let go its Kuantan frequency 100.4MHz to Molek FM, but the listeners can continue listening to this radio station in Kuantan by tuning the frequency 88.1MHz, transmitted from Gunung Ulu Kali, the radio reception is moderate to weak.

 


Today on 4th December 2024, RTM Pahang FM announces that it will have broadcast interruption in Bukit Sembilan (88.0MHz), Bukit Sulai (95.5MHz) and Bukit Senggora (92.0MHz) from this month until early of January 2025. 


RTM Pahang FM will renew and upgrade its transmission system in these following locations below:


1. Bukit Sembilan, Muadzam Shah on 88.0MHz (9th till 13th December 2024)

2. Bukit Sulai, Gambang on 95.5MHz (19th till 24th December 2024)

3. Bukit Senggora, Maran on 92.0MHz (2nd till 6th January 2024)

 

Generally Pahang FM 88.0MHz Bukit Sembilan transmission can overspill to Kuantan, causing Eight FM 88.1MHz will be interfered.

 

Currently RTM Pahang FM 88.0MHz Bukit Sembilan radio signal cannot be detected in Kuantan as its system is having problem, so Eight FM 88.1MHz can be tuned in part of Kuantan moderately without interference.

 

Once after RTM Pahang FM 88.0MHz Bukit Sembilan transmitter is upgraded, Eight FM 88.1MHz radio signal from Gunung Ulu Kali will have interference from Pahang FM in Kuantan and Pekan, unless RTM Pahang FM Muadzam Shah frequency is changed.

 

Starting from January 2025, Kuantan listeners may not be able to tune Eight FM alternatively via 88.1MHz due to the interference of Pahang FM 88.0MHz Bukit Sembilan transmitter, so the listeners can only tune Eight FM in Kuantan digitally such as Audio+ app and YouTube LIVE streaming, unless Pahang FM 88.0MHz is using same low power in Bukit Sembilan and does not overspill signal to Kuantan.

Furthest radio stations that I received in 2024 (PART 1) - January to June

==January 2024==

1. Shah Alam, Selangor

* Various radio stations from Gunung Ledang (142km)


2. Batu Arang, Selangor

* Ai FM 92.1MHz and Perak FM 95.6MHz from Gunung Kledang (151km)


==February 2024==

1. Teluk Intan, Perak

* Nastra FM 88.6MHz from Langkat, Indonesia (308km)


2. Sitiawan, Perak

* Hot FM 99.5MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk (212km)


==March 2024==

1. Raub, Pahang

* RTM Kelantan FM 97.3MHz from Bukit Bakar (216km)


2. Gua Musang, Kelantan

* GoXUAN FM 88.9MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali (157km)


==April 2024==

1. Sebauh, Sarawak

* RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz from Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei (272km)


2. Batu Niah, Sarawak

* Sarawak FM 100.0MHz & Limbang FM 94.5MHz from Bukit Sagan Rudang (150km)


3. Bekenu, Sarawak

* RTM Sabah VFM 102.9MHz from Bukit Tampalagus (232km)


4. Pulau Tioman, Pahang

* Various radio stations from Gunung Ulu Kali (271km)


==May 2024==

1. Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

* RPS FM 102.0MHz from Pematangsiantar, Indonesia (309km)


==June 2024==

1. Cherating, Pahang

* Nasional FM 96.6MHz & Traxx FM 97.4MHz from Gunung Ledang (215km)

Sunday, 1 December 2024

Selama is my very first location to tune RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz in Perak state.

I went to Penang last week for radio DXing activity and holiday vacation. Before reaching Butterworth in Penang, I dropped by Selama, Perak to expand my radio DXing content, the main purpose to revisit Selama, Perak was to check IKIM FM 89.0MHz/102.7MHz and Perak FM 102.9MHz radio signal.


In Selama, Perak, initially I only planned to DX Perak FM 102.9MHz signal from Lawin transmitter, but the signal on the frequency ended up with Perlis FM surprisingly. In the past years, I only caught Perlis FM 102.9MHz signal in Alor Setar (Kedah) and some Penang areas (Penang Hill and Tanjung Bungah), but it was my very first time to receive RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz radio signal in Perak in my radio DXing history.

The video of tuning Perlis FM 102.9MHz from Padang Pauh transmitter was recorded at opposite of SJK (C) Chi Sheng 1 (Chinese junior school) in Selama town, Perak.

 Perak FM yang dipancar dari Lawin, tetapi saya menerima siaran Perlis FM yang lemah di Selama, Perak.



* Frequency: FM 102.9MHz

* Power: 2kW

* Transmitter site: RTM Padang Pauh, Kangar, Perlis

* Receiving site: Selama, Perak

* Distance: 151km


After recording the radio signal video of Perlis FM 102.9MHz in Selama town, Perak, I drove to Caltex Selama petrol station and had brunch at Family Mart convenience store, but I continued monitoring the radio signal of Perlis FM 102.9MHz. At Caltex Selama, Perlis FM 102.9MHz had co-channel interference with Perak FM 102.9MHz Lawin transmitter when I was looking for the parking before going to Family Mart for brunch.


In my radio DXing history, Selama is my very first location to tune RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz in Perak state where I never been done before. Previously, I attempted to catch Perlis FM 102.9MHz radio signal in Tanjung Piandang, Kuala Kurau and Parit Buntar on 30th August 2020, but no signal was heard.

IKIM FM Balik Pulau frequency 102.7MHz from Bukit Genting transmitter also covers Bandar Baharu and Selama, Kedah where 89.0MHz Gunung Jerai signal is less clear.


 

IKIM FM has Balik Pulau tuning frequency on FM 102.7MHz, transmitted from Bukit Genting in Southwest Penang Island with 500W transmitter power. 

 

The main coverage of IKIM FM 102.7MHz Bukit Genting transmitter is Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar in Penang Island where 89.0MHz Gunung Jerai transmitter cannot be tuned there.

 

Other than Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar, IKIM FM 102.7MHz Bukit Genting transmitter also covers Bandar Baharu District, Kedah where several areas cannot receive the signal from Gunung Jerai on 89.0MHz clearly.

 

During my departure from Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur on 27th November 2024, I passed through Bandar Baharu, Kedah and dropped by Parit Buntar, Perak for breakfast.

 

On PLUS Highway from Nibong Tebal to Bandar Baharu toll exit, IKIM FM 89.0MHz Gunung Jerai signal becomes weak and it has adjacent channel interference noise with GoXUAN FM 88.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter in some areas, meanwhile FM 102.7MHz from Bukit Genting is clear there.

 

From Bandar Baharu toll exit to Parit Buntar town, I continued to monitor IKIM FM 89.0MHz and 102.7MHz signals all the way. In Bandar Baharu, IKIM FM 89.0MHz is not clear as 102.7MHz overall, meanwhile IKIM FM is tuned clearly on 102.7MHz in Selama, Kedah.

 

Selama is located in two different states, Perak and Kedah. In Perak's Selama, IKIM FM 89.0MHz is clearer than 102.7MHz, but inversely IKIM FM 102.7MHz is clearer than 89.0MHz in Kedah's Selama.

 

The radio reception of IKIM FM 89.0MHz in Kedah's Selama is weak, compare to Perak's Selama, but the listeners in Kedah's Selama can tune clearly on 102.7MHz.

 

Overall, IKIM FM 102.7MHz Bukit Genting transmitter also covers the blind spot coverage of its Gunung Jerai transmitter 89.0MHz in Bandar Baharu, Lubuk Buntar and Selama, Kedah. 

 

Sample radio reception videos of IKIM FM 89.0MHz/102.7MHz tuned in Parit Buntar (Perak) and Selama (Perak) where are located not far from Bandar Baharu District, Kedah.

 

==Coverage of IKIM FM 102.7MHz Bukit Genting transmitter==

1. Balik Pulau, Penang

2. Teluk Kumbar, Penang

3. Bayan Lepas, Penang (89.0MHz is clearer there)

4. Parit Buntar, Perak (89.0MHz is clearer there)

5. Tanjung Piandang, Perak (89.0MHz is clearer there)

6. Bandar Baharu, Kedah

7. Selama, Kedah 

8. Nibong Tebal, Penang (89.0MHz is clearer there) 

 

Bandar Baharu, Kedah is the blind spot coverage of IKIM FM 89.0MHz Gunung Jerai transmitter, hence the listeners can tune on 102.7MHz Bukit Genting transmitter in this location.

Saturday, 30 November 2024

Mutiara FM and Nasional FM are interfering each other in Georgetown and Butterworth, but no complains from the listeners.

If you are listening to a radio station on FM 93.9MHz in Georgetown, Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Jaya, Permatang Pauh and most of Penang areas, you will hear the co-channel interference of two different radio stations.


In fact, FM 93.9MHz is used by two different radio stations for different broadcast coverage. At first, Mutiara FM uses this frequency in Gunung Jerai to cover northern part of Penang Island, covering from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang where 95.7MHz Bukit Penara transmitter cannot be tuned there, next Nasional FM is also using FM 93.9MHz in Bukit Penara and Bukit Genting for Paya Terubong and Balik Pulau respectively to cover the blindspot coverage of FM 100.5MHz Gunung Jerai transmitter.


Both radio stations are using low power transmitters, but different coverage.

* Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai at 0.1kW power (Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, Teluk Bahang)

* Nasional FM 93.9MHz Bukit Penara at 0.25kW power (Paya Terubong & Ayer Itam)

* Nasional FM 93.9MHz Bukit Genting at 0.1kW power (Balik Pulau & Teluk Kumbar)


Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai has co-channel interference with Nasional FM in most of Penang areas, but the signal of Nasional FM is actually transmitted from Bukit Penara, not Bukit Genting actually. If you are tuning FM 93.9MHz at Penang Bridge, the co-channel interference happens between Mutiara FM from Gunung Jerai and  Nasional FM from Bukit Penara.


The co-channel interference on 93.9MHz does not affect the listeners because both radio stations have clearer frequencies in affected areas of FM 93.9MHz.

 

When I was in Butterworth to tune my radio on FM 93.9MHz, Mutiara FM and Nasional FM were interfering each other, but I could tune them on other clearer frequencies. 

 

The video was recorded on 26th November 2024 at 6am.


Nasional FM is tuned on 100.5MHz from Gunung Jerai, meanwhile Mutiara FM is tuned on 95.7MHz from Bukit Penara.

Melody FM 103.0MHz是檳城喬治市接收到最遠的電台


在檳城喬治市, Melody FM的收聽頻率是從吉打日萊峰發射的106.5MHz, 另外其太平頻率104.9MHz還可以收到, 只不過線路不是很強, 可是Melody FM雪隆區頻率103.0MHz果然可以在檳城喬治市聽到隱隱約約的訊號.

 

2024年11月26日, 我來到喬治市遊玩和享有當地美食, 但主要活動是探測遠距離電台訊號, 同時我也探測RTM國營玻璃市州分台Perlis FM 102.9MHz訊號. 我在檳城喬治市無意中探測到Melody FM 103.0MHz的訊號, 當時我在喬治市街頭正在探測RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz訊號, 我在該頻率突然聽到隱隱約約的華語廣播, 之後我把收音機頻率調去103.0MHz, 結果103.0MHz是Melody FM DJ的聲音.

 

接收地點很靠近光大大廈和1st Avenue購物中心. 我就趁Melody FM DJ在空中主持時馬上錄製103.0的訊號短片, 並把短片上載至YouTube給大家觀看.

 

整體上RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz和遠方的Melody FM 103.0MHz在檳城喬治市和牛汝莪互相干擾, 所以不管你在這兩個地區探測102.9和103.0電台訊號, 你會檢測到兩者電台互相干擾.

 

Melody FM雪隆區頻率103.0MHz是從彭亨雲頂高原的Gunung Ulu Kali山發射, 在檳城喬治市的收聽接收距離是274公里. 所以Melody FM 103.0MHz成為檳城喬治市接收到最遠的廣播電台, 它以接收距離而"擊敗'了泰國電台.

Thailand radio stations tuned in Penang (archive from 2015 to 2019)

1. Seberang Perai District

 

 

2. Penang Island