RTM Asyik FM launched North Johor frequency on 95.6MHz since January 2011, transmitted from Gunung Ledang and it operates only 250W transmitter power, but its main target coverage is Segamat, Chaah, Bekok and Labis where are Orang Asli areas.
Although Asyik FM 95.6MHz from Gunung Ledang only covers Segamat District, Johor, but from 2023 to 2024, I had managed to record its signal in Central Johor areas, notably Batu Pahat District and Kluang Districts, but it is not clear elsewhere in Central Johor because Asyik FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang does not transmit far as it is low power transmission.
Here are the videos of tuning Asyik FM 95.6MHz in selected Central Johor areas which I recorded in 2023 and 2024.
1. Paloh in Kluang District (Postcode: 86600)
2. Kahang in Kluang District (Postcode: 86700)
3. Kluang (Postcode: 86000)
4. Semerah in Batu Pahat Distrct (Postcode: 83600)
5. Batu Pahat (Postcode: 83000)
6. Senggarang (Postcode: 83200)
Alongside my videos, there are the videos of tuning Asyik FM 95.6MHz in Central Johor which recorded by Rafiq.
* Machap in Kluang District
* Batu Pahat
(BONUS: RTM Asyik FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang tuned in Pontian, Johor)
Although RTM Negeri FM has Gunung Ledang transmitter on 107.7MHz, same as what I mentioned on previous blog articles, but the frequency coverage only intends to cover East Negeri Sembilan areas such as Gemas, Gemencheh, Air Mawang, Serting Ulu, Simpang Pertang, Batu Kikir and Felda Lui where are blindspot coverage of FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter.
In Johor, the clearest areas to tune Negeri FM 107.7MHz are Tangkak, Sungai Mati, Jementah, Batu Anam, Panchor, Pagoh, Bukit Gambir and Gerisek, meanwhile it is not clear in Muar, Yong Peng, Segamat, Bekok and Parit Jawa.
What I'm interested about the coverage of Negeri FM in Johor is Batu Pahat District actually.
Since FM 107.7MHz Gunung Ledang transmitter is not clear in Muar District, but the signal of FM 92.6MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk is slightly better. So, I conduct the signal inspection of Negeri FM 92.6MHz and 107.7MHz in Batu Pahat District today, covering Parit Sulong, Semerah, Batu Pahat and Senggarang.
1. Parit Sulong (Postcode: 83500)
92.6MHz is clearer than 107.7MHz overall when I drive from Yong Peng to Semerah through Parit Sulong route.
2. Semerah (Postcode: 83600)
Semerah is a small town of Batu Pahat District, but it is located near Muar District border. Same as Parit Jawa and Muar, RTM Negeri FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter is clearer than 107.7MHz from Gunung Ledang in Semerah.
3. Batu Pahat (Postcode: 83000)
Both 92.6MHz and 107.7MHz signal are moderate to weak, but 92.6MHz dominates more coverage than 107.7MHz in Batu Pahat.
4. Senggarang (Postcode: 83200)
In Johor, from Muar to Pontian, Senggarang is the last coverage of RTM Negeri FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter before becoming no signal in Rengit, Johor, meanwhile FM 107.7MHz Gunung Ledang has no signal in Senggarang, Johor. Negeri FM 92.6MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk is the furthest radio station tuned in Senggarang, Johor with 163km tuning distance.
Negeri FM could be only tuned on 107.7MHz in Sri Gading, Ayer Hitam and Parit Raja with weak signal, meanwhile no signal to tune on FM 92.6MHz.
By conducting overall radio coverage check of RTM Negeri FM in Batu Pahat District, 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter dominates more coverage than 107.7MHz Gunung Ledang transmitter.
(BONUS: Negeri FM 92.6MHz/107.7MHz in Yong Peng, Johor)
I visit Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia today at the first time, the main aim is to conduct radio DXing.
In Batu Pahat, the town is covered by Gunung Ledang radio transmitter, meanwhile Gunung Pulai is weak transmitter there, and Gunung Telapak Buruk is the distant transmitter coverage in Batu Pahat.
Alongside Malaysia local radio stations, I manage to randomly record the signal video of Singapore radio stations in Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
All Singapore radio stations signal that I record in Batu Pahat are transmitted from Bukit Batok, except 88.3 Jia FM and Power 98FM, tuning distance is 108km.
88.3 Jia FM and Power 98FM are transmitted from Defense Technology Tower, but both are not receivable in Batu Pahat. FM 88.3MHz is weak signal of Minnal FM from Bukit Tinggi transmitter which covers East Johor, meanwhile FM 98.0MHz is an adjacent channel interference noise of 988 FM 98.2MHz from Gunung Ledang in Batu Pahat.
Some of radio stations signal such as 96.3 Hao FM, Class 95, and One FM 91.3 are not recorded as I film the video randomly.
UFM 100.3 is not receivable in Batu Pahat due to Ai FM 100.4MHz from Gunung Ledang.
Mediacorp Ria 89.7FM cannot be tuned in Batu Pahat due to RTM Ai FM 89.7MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmission.
1. BBC World Service FM 88.9MHz
2. SPH Money FM 89.3MHz
3. SPH Kiss 92FM
4. Mediacorp Symphony 92.4FM
5. Mediacorp YES 93.3FM
6. Mediacorp CNA 93.8FM
7. Mediacorp Warna 94.2FM
Heavy co-channel interference with Mix FM 94.2MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter is detected.
8. Mediacorp Capital 95.8FM
9. Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM
10. Mediacorp Love 97.2FM
11. Mediacorp 987FM
Mediacorp Gold 905 has co-channel interference with RTM Minnal FM 90.5MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk transmitter in Batu Pahat.
The signal of Singapore radio stations are weak in Batu Pahat, meanwhile no signal can be received in another small towns such as Semerah and Senggarang where are next to Batu Pahat town.
Note: Indonesia radio stations from Batam Island have no signal in Batu Pahat, Senggarang and Semerah, Johor, Malaysia.
In most of Peninsular Malaysia areas, there are only 2 Tamil radio stations which are Raaga and Minnal FM, but in South Johor, the Indian people can enjoy listening 3 Tamil radio stations because Singapore's Oli 96.8FM can be tuned there.
தீபகற்ப மலேசியாவின் பெரும்பாலான பகுதிகளில், ராகம் மற்றும் மின்னல் எஃப்எம் என 2 தமிழ் வானொலி நிலையங்கள் மட்டுமே உள்ளன, ஆனால் தெற்கு ஜோகூரில், இந்திய மக்கள் 3 தமிழ் வானொலி நிலையங்களைக் கேட்டு மகிழலாம், ஏனெனில் சிங்கப்பூரின் ஒலி 96.8FM ஐ அங்கு டியூன் செய்யலாம்.
Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM from Singapore can be tuned clearly in Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi, Pontian, Kulaijaya and part of Kluang.
சிங்கப்பூரில் இருந்து மீடியாகார்ப் ஒலி 96.8FMஐ ஜோகூர் பாரு, கோட்டா டிங்கி, போண்டியன், குலைஜாயா மற்றும் க்ளுவாங்கின் ஒரு பகுதியில் தெளிவாக டியூன் செய்ய முடியும்.
In South Johor, there are 3 Tamil radio stations such as Raaga FM 103.7MHz, Minnal FM 101.1MHz and Singapore's Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM.
தெற்கு ஜோகூரில், Raaga FM 103.7MHz, மின்னல் FM 101.1MHz மற்றும் சிங்கப்பூரின் மீடியாகார்ப் ஒலி 96.8FM போன்ற 3 தமிழ் வானொலி நிலையங்கள் உள்ளன.
Here is a video of 3 Tamil radio stations recorded in Kulai, Johor on 29th September 2024.
29 செப்டம்பர் 2024 அன்று ஜோகூரில் உள்ள குலாயில் பதிவுசெய்யப்பட்ட 3 தமிழ் வானொலி நிலையங்களின் வீடியோ இங்கே உள்ளது.
6 months ago, I flied to Bintulu, Sarawak to conduct radio DXing activity, I also included Miri and Batu Niah in this trip.
In Batu Niah, alongside radio stations from Brunei and Bintulu, I managed to check the signal of several commercial radio stations from Miri Bukit Lambir.
1. Hitz FM 105.8MHz
2. MY FM 103.2MHz
3. Melody FM 102.4MHz
4. Era FM 101.3MHz
5. Cats FM 93.3MHz
I made the radio signal comparison of Cats FM between 93.3MHz and 88.3MHz in Batu Niah, Sarawak, the signal of Cats FM in 93.3MHz is better than 88.3MHz.
The distance from Bukit Lambir to Batu Niah is 51km, but most of the radio stations are moderately clear in Batu Niah, meanwhile Melody FM 102.4MHz and Sinar FM 96.6MHz are not clear there.
Although IKIM FM has Miri frequency on 104.0MHz, but it is not receivable in Batu Niah because its transmission site is not located in Bukit Lambir, instead land based Tanjong Lobang transmission tower.
In Sarawak, there is no proper road to drive from Miri to Limbang, then Limbang to Lawas without entering Brunei territory, however Sarawak is now developing the rural areas roads to connect from Lawas to Miri, then Limbang to Miri without crossing through Brunei where requires passport and goes thru numerous of immigration checkpoints.
This road is known as "Sabah-Sarawak Link Road" (SSLR).
SSLR project covers 2 phases
* Phase 1: Lawas to Long Lopeng (90km)
* Phase 2: Kampung Pa'Berunut to Long Lama (160km) & spur roads to connect Medamit, Long Pasia, and Bario.
Phase 1 is expected to be completed in Q3 2026, meanwhile Phase 2 is expected to be done in 2030.
For radio transmission, there are many large blindspot coverage in SSLR areas.
Although there are having empty FM radio frequencies slots in Miri and Limbang currently, but some of the frequencies can be reserved for gap filler radio transmission to cover SSLR areas. When SSLR project is completed and the people can access from to Limbang and Lawas or from Limbang/Lawas to Miri without passing by Brunei, RTM can launch a gap filler transmitter in these areas, so the people who listen to the radio can tune the broadcast without interruption.
Regarding the transmitter site, Gunung Mulu is the most strategic location to cover SSLR areas as its height is about 2300m above sea level, but there is no road to access this mountain, even SACOFA doesn't build telecommunication tower on the top of Gunung Mulu.
Gunung Mulu is a protected national park in Sarawak, alongside Mount Murud. Building the radio telecommunication tower on this mountain led partial deforestation. If Gunung Mulu has radio broadcast transmission tower, based on the coverage map with a 250W transmitter and non-directional antenna, the radio stations from Gunung Mulu can overspill signal to Labuan, Limbang town, Lawas town, Brunei, Miri and Kuala Penyu Sabah where are not belonged to its transmission coverage because Gunung Mulu is very high enough, unless RTM or other radio broadcasters use directional antenna to prevent overspill signal beyond the target coverage.
Technically Gunung Mulu can cover SSLR areas where are the blindspot coverage of Bukit Lambir, Bukit Mas and Bukit Sagan Rudang.
Other than Gunung Mulu, I'm not sure whether SACOFA has any telecommunication towers in SSLR areas or not. If SACOFA has SSLR strategic towers, RTM can launch gap filler transmitter in SSLR areas by using SACOFA infrastructure.
If RTM can increase its radio stations' transmitter power from 100W to 500W in Bukit Sagan Rudang, so the people can tune to RTM radio stations on Spur Road from Nanga Medamit to Long Adang clearly.
In Marudi, RTM only operates Sarawak FM 97.9MHz from Bukit Dabei, but RTM can launch more radio stations such as Radio Klasik, Nasional FM, Miri FM, Traxx FM, Ai FM, and Red FM in Bukit Dabei by using Miri empty frequencies slots with higher power transmission to cover Marudi, Long Lama and some Baram areas under SSLR vicinity.
The gap filler transmitter site within SSLR area requires international coordination because it is a bordering region near Brunei.
We need to only wait until 2030 or 2031 for Sabah Sarawak Link Road (SSLR) as this construction is not easy and the building cost is RM 5.2 billion.
Back to 1980s and 1990s, Sabah radio stations (RTM Sabah FM and VFM) could be tuned clearly in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, compare with current days.
Sabah FM and Sabah VFM were receivable in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei via Layang-Layang (Mount Kinabalu) transmitter with the respective frequencies 97.5MHz and 93.5MHz, both radio stations operated at 10kW transmitter power.
After mid-1990s, Sabah FM and VFM changed their frequencies and reduced the transmission power for Layang-Layang transmission site.
Sabah FM (Radio 3 Sabah)
* Frequency: 97.5MHz>>104.5MHz
* Transmission power: 10kW>>1kW
Sabah VFM (RTM Blue Network Sabah)
* Frequency: 93.5MHz>>107.1MHz
* Transmission power: 10kW>>1kW
During the 1980s, RTM Sabah FM and Sabah VFM in Kota Kinabalu, Beaufort, Sipitang, Tenom, Keningau, Kota Belud, Kudat, Ranau, Kundasang and Tambunan were covered by Layang-Layang transmitter where located near Mount Kinabalu before launching local transmitters.
A 10kW transmitter power in Layang-Layang transmission tower for FM broadcast could cover most of Sabah divisions, even Labuan, Brunei, Limbang and Lawas, meanwhile 1kW power can only cover Interior Division (Ranau, Kundasang, Tambunan etc), and small part of West Coast Division.
Kota Kinabalu was formerly covered by Layang-Layang transmitter before mid-1990s, but currently RTM Sabah radio stations in Kota Kinabalu is covered by local transmitter from Lawa Mandau where is within the vicinity of Bukit Karatong and Bukit Kokol. Due to reduction of transmitter power of RTM Layang-Layang radio stations, so the radio reception of Sabah VFM 107.1 and Sabah FM 104.5 are not so clear in Kota Kinabalu.
As today, Sabah radio stations are no longer receivable in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei via Layang-Layang transmitter as the transmission power was already reduced from 10kW to 1kW, but Sabah VFM can be likely tuned in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei via FM 102.9MHz from Bukit Tampalagus which covers mainly Sipitang, Beaufort, Labuan, Lawas and Menumbok, meanwhile Sabah FM is more difficult to be tuned in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei due to the interference of RTM Nasional FM 98.1MHz from Bukit Mas which covers Limbang and Brunei.
==Sabah FM and Sabah VFM tuning frequencies in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei between 1980s and 2024==
1. Sabah FM
* 1980s: FM 97.5MHz Layang-Layang 10kW
* 2024: FM 97.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus 1kW (interference of RTM Nasional FM 98.1MHz Bukit Mas transmitter can be detected)
2. Sabah VFM
* 1980s: FM 93.5MHz Layang-Layang 10kW
* 2024: FM 102.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus 1kW
RTM Sabah radio frequencies (AM, FM, and SW) list from 1989 WRTH Handbook:
6 months ago, I went to Bintulu and Miri, Sarawak during Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday. Back then, I had visited Sebauh, Bintulu, Tatau, Batu Niah, Bekenu and Miri.
When I was in Bekenu, I had captured Sabah VFM 102.9MHz signal from Bukit Tampalagus which covers Sipitang, Labuan, Lawas and part of Brunei.
Bekenu is a small town, located between Miri and Batu Niah. In Bekenu, Sabah VFM 102.9MHz (Bukit Tampalagus) signal that I caught was very mild, meanwhile I received nothing signal in Miri town on that frequency, however I'm getting interested of tuning Sabah VFM in Long Lama and Marudi.
Based on the radio reception video of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Bekenu, I may not think that I can receive Sabah VFM in Long Lama and Marudi where are more deeper than Miri, Batu Niah and Bekenu. This is because there are many terrains (mountains) in between Bukit Tampalagus and Long Lama, as well as Marudi.
The height of Bukit Tampalagus is approximately 280m above the sea, meanwhile the height of the mountains between Bukit Tampalagus and Long Lama are more than 500m above sea level, so it is impossible to DX Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Long Lama and Marudi.
In addition, I also used the simulated RF coverage map to inspect the coverage availablity of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus transmitter with the required minimum field strength 54dBµV/m, no coverage of this radio station in Long Lama and Marudi, the coverage of Sabah VFM is only available in Sipitang, Lawas, Labuan, part of Limbang and Brunei.
So, the possibility of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz coverage availability in Long Lama and Marudi is very low. Inversely if I can receive the signal in these 2 locations, but there are no potential listeners because Long Lama and Marudi have no Sabahan speakers.
(UPDATE) No signal of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Marudi, Sarawak, video is provided by My Marudian Channel. Thanks to My Marudian Channel for the video.
By watching the short video of tuning Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Marudi which filmed by My Marudian Channel, it is definitely impossible to tune this radio station in Long Lama, somewhat it is already very weak in Bekenu and coastal areas of Miri town.
In Sarawak, Sabah VFM can be tuned in Lawas, Sundar and part of Limbang, but someone received this radio station signal in Miri, Sarawak.
Throwback November 2021, a radio DXer named Shafik 1995 DXers recorded Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Miri, Sarawak.
Based on his video, I don't think he tuned Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Miri town, but either Piasau or Lutong because the tuning distance that he described was 196km from Bukit Tampalagus.
Same as my radio reception video of Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Bekenu, the radio station was airing Kadazan language program.
Sabah VFM 102.9MHz from Bukit Tampalagus is the 2nd furthest radio station tuned in Miri after Bintulu FM 97.5MHz from Bukit Setiam.
When I was in Miri on 11th April 2024 during second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, I could not receive any signal of RTM Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Miri city center, but I tuned it in Bekenu where is 48km from Miri with super weak signal.
What Shafik 1995 DXers did tune Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Miri could be likely tropospheric propagation, otherwise a normal weak radio reception tuned in coastal area of Miri.
When I was in Johor on 29th September 2024, during my way back home to Balakong in Selangor, I tuned Traxx FM on 102.9MHz (Gunung Pulai) in Sedenak and Simpang Renggam, Johor. Then I saw different RDS text information.
The PS (Program Service) is correct as:
TRAXX FM
EXPERI
ENCE
THE
EXCITE
MENT
But wrong radio text, written as "radio malaysia sabah fm".
Traxx FM or Sabah FM?
Both radio stations are using same frequency, but different locations. Traxx FM is using FM 102.9MHz in Gunung Pulai for South Johor, meanwhile FM 102.9MHz in Sabah is used by Sabah VFM for Sipitang, Labuan and Lawas, transmitted from Bukit Tampalagus.
On other side, I also suspect RTM Traxx FM 102.9MHz Gunung Pulai transmitter may use Sabah VFM old RDS encoder by transferring the encoder from Bukit Tampalagus to Gunung Pulai without editing the radio text.
Actually I was listening to Traxx FM on 102.9MHz in Johor, not Sabah VFM. Around 11.51 am, Sabah VFM was airing Chinese program, meanwhile Traxx FM was airing Sunday Breakfast Show with Albert Ng in English which plays the oldies from 1950s till 1980s.
RTM can fix Traxx FM's Gunung Pulai transmitter 102.9MHz RDS text information properly.
Green shaded region: 54dBuV/m and above (STEREO and clear radio signal)
Yellow shaded region: 30-53dBuV/m (MONO and weak radio signal)
Although Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan targets Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Serian Divisions only, but it can be tuned via 106.1 and 101.7 in part of Sri Aman Division, Betong Division and Sarikei Division where Bidayuh people are very less there.
Pada 29hb September 2024, saya pergi ke Pontian dan Pekan Nanas, Johor untuk aktiviti radio DXing.
Semasa perjalanan pulang dari Pontian ke Balakong (Selangor), saya berhenti di Hentian Sebelah Kampung Bemban, Melaka untuk berehat seketika. Pada masa yang sama, saya cuba menerima siaran Selangor FM 100.9MHz dan Pahang FM 107.5MHz di Bemban, Melaka.
Isyarat sangat lemah bagi kedua-dua stesen radio tersebut, tetapi Pahang FM 107.5MHz mempunyai gangguan frekuensi daripada Melody FM 107.3MHz dan Negeri FM 107.7MHz yang dipancar dari Gunung Ledang, manakala Selangor FM 100.9MHz tiada mempunyai gangguan frekuensi seperti Pahang FM 107.5MHz apabila saya mendengar di Bemban, Melaka.
Jarak penerimaan siaran Pahang FM 107.5MHz dan Selangor FM 100.9MHz dari Gunung Ulu Kali ke Bemban ialah 144km.
Sebelum ini, saya tidak pernah membuat rakaman video siaran Pahang FM dan Selangor FM di kawasan Daerah Jasin, Melaka kerana saya tahu bahawa kedua-dua stesen radio tidak dapat diterima di Jasin, Merlimau, Bemban, Asahan dan Sungai Rambai, tetapi saya boleh menerima siaran radio Pahang FM dan Selangor FM di Bemban, Melaka. Oleh itu, Bemban ialah kawasan pertama saya untuk menerima siaran Selangor FM 100.9MHz dan Pahang FM 107.5MHz di Daerah Jasin, Melaka. Selain itu, Bemban juga ialah kawasan Melaka terbaru dimana saya menerima siaran Selangor FM 100.9MHz dan Pahang FM 107.5MHz selepas Bandar Hilir dan Tanjung Kling.
