Radio broadcast nowadays consists new technology and on-demand platform such as podcast, online streaming and YouTube LIVE streaming, alongside linear platform like FM radio frequency transmission.
Shortwave radio broadcast is an older radio technology than FM radio and newer DAB+/DRM. Although it is not relevant for urban and developed areas due to growing of online streaming and podcast, but shortwave radio is still an essential for the rural and remote areas where FM radio cannot be accessed.
RTM Wai FM also operates on shortwave frequency SW 11665kHz, transmitted from RTM Kajang and it beams at 93 degree angle, mainly targets Sarawak state.
Wai FM SW 11665kHz is different from Wai FM Iban in Kuching because it is a hybrid radio station to relay different languages programs from Limbang and Miri. From what I observe, from 12pm to 6pm, Wai FM SW 11665kHz does not air Iban program, instead Radio Tau Limbang FM in Lun Bawang language from 12pm to 3pm, then Radio Kayan Miri FM in Kayan language from 3pm to 5pm and Talidio Kenyah in Kenyah language from 5pm to 6pm.
Wai FM SW 11665kHz is still a need actually because it needs to cover Sarawak rural areas where FM radio has no coverage.
There are many Kenyah and Kayan people in Sarawak rural areas like Marudi District of Miri Division and Belaga District of Kapit Division, but Radio Kayan and Talidio Kenyah are not available in Belaga on Sibu FM 103.0MHz, then Marudi District. So, the listeners have to tune on either SW 11665kHz, Astro CH870 or RTM Klik or Facebook LIVE.
For those areas in Belaga and Marudi where have no internet coverage, SW 11665kHz becomes important platform there.
Miri FM currently broadcasts on the frequency FM 95.7MHz/98.0MHz for Miri, and FM 95.1MHz for Niah and Suai, however it does not have gap filler transmitters in Marudi and Long Lama like Sarawak FM. As Miri FM uses transponder in RTM Miri on FM 98.0MHz to send signal from studio to Bukit Lambir transmitter (95.7MHz). Technically, due to the terrains, I don't think Miri FM can send signal feed from RTM Miri and Bukit Lambir to Long Lama via microwave link and transponder. Hence, Miri FM becomes unavailable in Long Lama via frequency platform. So, the listeners in Long Lama have to tune via SW 11665kHz.
RTM gap filler transmitters (Sarawak FM and Nasional FM) in Marudi and Long Lama are linking signal via C-band satellite.
On 11th April 2024, I also did radio signal aircheck of Wai FM SW 11665kHz in Miri town, Sarawak as part of coverage availability in Miri Division. Yes, Wai FM SW 11665kHz is available in Miri town, therefore it means that radio listeners in Long Lama can access this shortwave radio station which consists Radio Kayan and Talidio Kenyah program by tuning on SW 11665kHz.
Miri FM can still be tuned in Marudi via FM 95.7MHz from Bukit Lambir, meanwhile its radio signal is not clear in Long Lama and Miri FM 95.7MHz is having interference noise of Nasional FM 95.5MHz in Long Lama because Nasional FM operates in Long Lama on 95.5MHz, but I'm not sure whether RTM Nasional FM changes its Long Lama frequency or not due to interference to Miri FM 95.7MHz there, despite Nasional FM 95.5MHz operates at low power transmission as much as 0.1kW in Long Lama.
Despite shortwave radio signal propagation and audio quality are not good as FM radio, in order to reach Long Lama, I strongly recommend RTM Miri FM to add gap filler transmitters in Long Lama, so the listeners can tune Miri FM with better audio quality via frequency transmission.
No comments:
Post a Comment