RTM Minnal FM radio reception in Teluk Intan, Perak on 98.9MHz from Gunung Kledang (September 2025 update)

Recently RTM had already completed its radio transmitter system upgrade in Gunung Kledang few months ago. 

As RTM is using 6+1 system in Gunung Kledang where 6 radio transmitters share with a standby antenna, so it is very difficult and more steps if one of radio station changes frequency.

Minnal FM 98.9MHz Gunung Kledang transmitter has suffered adjacent channel interference with Chinese radio station 988 FM 98.8MHz Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter in many Perak areas, involving Limit, Teluk Intan and Sitiawan since 1996 where 988 hit airwaves in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor on 98.8MHz in 1996.

By looking at the history, Minnal FM operated on 98.9MHz was earlier than 988 FM 98.8MHz actually. Minnal FM started to use 98.9MHz in Gunung Kledang since 1989, meanwhile 988 used 98.8MHz in Gunung Ulu Kali since 1996.

I had written several emails to RTM to solve the interference between Minnal FM and 988 by suggesting Minnal FM to move its Ipoh frequency to 99.0MHz, but until today RTM Minnal FM remains on 98.9MHz in Gunung Kledang after the transmitter system upgrade, so the interference is not resolved at all. 

During Gunung Kledang radio transmitter upgrade in May 2025, I suggested RTM to move Minnal FM frequency from 98.9MHz to 99.0MHz via email to avoid interference with 988 FM 98.8MHz, however I was told by RTM engineer that Minnal FM would remain on 98.9MHz because MCMC didn't allow to change the frequency. I might suspect that MCMC found that the radio transmission of FM 99.0MHz by Minnal FM in Gunung Kledang could interfere Fly FM 99.1MHz Alor Setar Tower coverage in Central Kedah via feasible study of FM frequency allocation, or else MCMC may simply prohibit the frequency change without giving any specific technical reasons.

Minnal FM 98.9MHz Gunung Kledang radio reception in Teluk Intan is still listenable after the system upgrade. Although the interference does exist, but the interference is slightly reduced (about 15%).

By not changing frequency, the interference with 988 FM 98.8MHz can be reduced further actually, 988 can reduce its signal transmission towards Perak on 98.8MHz like Suria FM 105.3MHz because 988 is already tuned loudly and clearly in Teluk Intan on 99.8MHz from Gunung Kledang.

Alternatively RTM Minnal FM can be tuned on 96.3MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali and 107.9MHz from Bukit Larut in Teluk Intan when 98.9MHz from Gunung Kledang is interfered by 988 FM 98.8MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali. 

So, the interference impact to the listeners for Minnal FM is moderate to low. 

==Minnal FM 98.9MHz Gunung Kledang radio reception in Teluk Intan, Perak (September 2025 update)==

==Alternative frequencies of Minnal FM in Teluk Intan (96.3 & 107.9)==

FM DX: Serian, Sarawak (August 2025 edition)

After Sematan, I drove back to Kuching and checked in hotel, then I went out again with my friend and we visited Serian for radio DXing, also had a dinner there.

Serian was the 2nd location of FM DX: Sarawak 2025 (PART 2) after Sematan.

Serian is the last coverage of Kuching radio stations from Gunung Serapi and Bukit Djin, but RTM radio stations have local transmitter in Gunung Ampungan which covers Serian.

In the evening on 31st August 2025, I had managed to record 11 radio stations in Serian, Sarawak, however I tuned Kuching radio stations randomly.

1. Hot FM 94.3MHz Gunung Serapi (63km)

2. Cats FM 99.3MHz Gunung Serapi (63km)

3. Sinar FM 102.1MHz Bukit Djin (48km)

4. Tea FM 102.7MHz Bukit Antu (48km)

5. Bernama Radio FM 100.9MHz Bukit Antu (48km)

6. Eight FM 98.3MHz Bukit Djin (48km)

7. Kool 101 FM 104.3MHz Bukit Djin (48km)

8. MY FM 96.9MHz Bukit Djin (48km)

9. Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak 92.5MHz Bukit Djin (48km)

10. Ikim FM 93.7MHz Bukit Djin (48km)

11. Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Entikong PRO-1 99.9MHz (36km)

In Serian, the radio signal of IKIM FM 93.7MHz, MY FM 96.9MHz, Era FM 96.1MHz, Hitz FM 95.3MHz and Sinar FM 102.1MHz from Bukit Djin are weak, meanwhile Media Prima Audio radio stations from Bukit Djin such as Kool 101 FM 104.3MHz and Eight FM 98.3MHz are still clear there. 

Kupi-Kupi FM 92.5MHz is still clear in Serian, Sarawak.

Mix FM 97.7MHz and Lite FM 100.1MHz from Bukit Djin are almost zero signal in Serian, Sarawak.

Hot FM 94.3MHz, and Cats FM 99.3MHz from Gunung Serapi signal is still clear in Serian, Sarawak. As the signal of Cats FM 99.3MHz is still ok in Serian, so it is not necessary of Cats FM to launch Serian frequency by installing transmitter in Gunung Ampungan like RTM radio stations.

RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz is the only Indonesia radio station available in Serian with loud and clear signal.

In conclusion, most of Kuching radio stations are still available in Serian, Sarawak.

Radio stations in Sandakan, Sabah

 

Radio stations list in Sandakan, Sabah:

* RTM Radio Klasik FM 91.1MHz Bukit Trig

* RTM Nasional FM 92.1MHz Bukit Trig

* RTM Sabah FM 92.9MHz Bukit Trig

* RTM Traxx FM 94.3MHz Bukit Trig

* RTM Ai FM 95.1MHz Bukit Trig

* RTM Sabah VFM 96.1MHz Bukit Trig

* RTM Sandakan FM 90.1MHz Bukit Trig

* Hitz FM 99.8MHz Bukit Trig

* MY FM 100.6MHz Bukit Trig

* Melody FM 102.2MHz Bukit Trig

* Era FM Sabah 103.0MHz Bukit Trig

* Sinar FM 106.9MHz Bukit Trig

* RTM Tawau FM 93.6MHz Gunung Silam (distant radio station)

* IKIM FM 107.3MHz Gunung Silam (distant radio station)

Other RTM radio stations from Gunung Silam like Radio Klasik FM 87.9MHz, Nasional FM 88.7MHz, Sabah FM 89.7MHz, Traxx FM 90.5MHz, Ai FM 91.7MHz and Sabah VFM 92.6MHz are receivable moderately in Sandakan, Sabah.

RTM radio stations from Layang-Layang such as Radio Klasik FM 99.5MHz, Nasional FM 100.3MHz, Sabah FM 104.5MHz, Traxx FM 105.3MHz, Ai FM 106.3MHz and Sabah VFM 107.1MHz are very weak in Sandakan, Sabah.

Excluding RTM national and state radio stations from Gunung Silam and Layang-Layang, IKIM FM 107.3MHz and RTM Tawau FM 93.6MHz are the only DX radio stations in Sandakan, Sabah.

Gunung Serapi radio stations have intermodulation interference in the vicinity of Bukit Djin tower at Jalan Batu Lintang in Kuching, Sarawak. What's the solution to eliminate the intermodulation interference?

In Kuching, the radio stations are mostly transmitted from either Gunung Serapi or Bukit Djin. 

Gunung Serapi are used by Hot FM 94.3MHz, Cats FM 99.3MHz and RTM radio stations, meanwhile rest radio stations are transmitted from Bukit Djin.

Near Bukit Djin tower at Jalan Batu Lintang, Gunung Serapi transmitted radio stations are having strong radio signals mix in the vicinity of Bukit Djin tower such as Batu Lintang and Westwood in Kuching, Sarawak. This is actually an intermodulation interference.

Until today, there is no solution of intermodulation interference in the vicinity of Bukit Djin tower.

Personally I suspect that the intermodulation interference to Gunung Serapi radio stations frequencies in the vicinity of Bukit Djin tower is caused by poor RF filter.

In my opinion, to solve this intermodulation interference, I suggest all Kuching commercial radio stations move out from Bukit Djin tower and transmit the signal in Gunung Serapi with low power transmitter (0.5kW or 1kW), but several radio stations may need to change frequency when they move to Gunung Serapi.

Gunung Serapi has two towers located in lower and upper peak. Cats FM, Hot FM and RTM radio stations are transmitted from Upper Gunung Serapi, so Bukit Djin transmitted commercial radio stations can use either upper or lower Gunung Serapi, subject to the tower space availability.

Many commercial radio stations can retain their frequencies if they move to Gunung Serapi like Hitz FM 95.3MHz, Era FM 96.1MHz, MY FM 96.9MHz, Mix FM 97.7MHz, Eight FM 98.3MHz, Lite FM 100.1MHz, Sinar FM 102.1MHz, Tea FM 102.7MHz, Bernama Radio FM 100.9MHz, and Kupi-Kupi FM Sarawak 92.5MHz, but radio stations such as IKIM FM, Melody FM, Eight FM, and Kool 101 need to change frequencies due to interference to other radio stations within the coverage.

* IKIM FM 93.7MHz

- Suggested frequency: 93.4MHz

- Reason: Interference to RTM Ai FM 93.6MHz Bukit Kayu Malam coverage in Roban and Saratok. The minimum frequency separation between Gunung Serapi and Bukit Kayu Malam is 200kHz.

* Kool 101 FM 104.3MHz

- Suggested frequency: 104.4MHz

- Reason: Interference to RRI Pontianak PRO-1 FM 104.2MHz in West Kalimantan, Indonesia 

* Melody FM

- Suggested frequency: 103.5MHz or 103.6MHz

- Reason: Interference to RTM Traxx FM 103.8MHz Bukit Temudok coverage in Sri Aman, Sebuyau, Pusa and Maludam. The minimum frequency separation between Gunung Serapi and Bukit Temudok is 200kHz, not 100kHz.

Another solutions are to reduce the signal-noise-ratio (SNR) of Bukit Djin radio stations and using good quality RF filter to prevent frequency leaking to other frequencies which results intermodulation interference.

I strongly suggest MCMC and Telekom Malaysia to look into this matter and provide a proper solution of intermodulation interference, so the radio listeners who tune RTM radio stations, Hot FM and Cats FM at Jalan Batu Lintang can tune the radio properly without intermodulation interference.

FM DX: Sematan, Sarawak

On 31st August 2025, in conjunction with Merdeka holiday, I paid a visit in Kuching, mainly for radio DXing activity as per planned in early 2025. Alongside Kuching, I also visited Sematan and Serian.

Sematan was my destination of radio DXing after landing at Kuching airport. It takes 90 minutes to travel from Kuching to Sematan.

Bukit Djin transmitted radio stations can be tuned clearly up to Bau only, the signal become weak and zero after Bau when heading to Sematan, weak to zero signal in Lundu when I drove on PAN Borneo Highway, but Bukit Djin radio stations signal are back with weak condition in Sematan town.

In Sematan, I had managed to receive 9 distant radio stations randomly.

1. Hitz FM 95.3MHz Bukit Djin (70km)

2. Lite FM 100.1MHz Bukit Djin (70km)

3. Mix FM 97.7MHz Bukit Djin (70km)

4. Sinar FM 102.1MHz Bukit Djin (70km)

5. Eight FM 98.3MHz Bukit Djin (70km)

6. Tea FM 102.7MHz Bukit Antu/Djin (70km)

7. RTM Sibu FM 94.6MHz Bukit Kayu Malam (184km)

8. RTM Sri Aman FM 89.5MHz Bukit Temudok (199km)

9. Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz (123km)

Gunung Serapi transmitted Kuching radio stations are loud and clear in Sematan, IKIM FM 93.7MHz from Bukit Djin has interference with RTM Ai FM 93.6MHz from Bukit Kayu Malam (Sarikei) there.

I had recorded 6 Bukit Djin transmitted Kuching radio stations randomly in Sematan, Sarawak. Mix FM 97.7MHz and Hitz FM 95.3MHz are the clearest, but Lite FM 100.1MHz, Sinar FM 102.1MHz, Tea FM 102.7MHz and Eight FM 98.3MHz are not so clear in Sematan.

RTM Sri Aman FM 89.5MHz is the furthest radio station tuned in Sematan, Sarawak. For RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz in Sematan, signal is extremely weak like what I tuned in Kuching and Bau.

Although Sematan is located at westernmost in Sarawak, I also attempted to check any Johor radio stations (Gunung Pulai/Bukit Tinggi) whether they can be received there or not. Technically, no overspill signal from Gunung Pulai or Bukit Tinggi can be detected in Sematan, Sarawak. (Example: Receiving RTM Johor FM 101.9MHz from Gunung Pulai in Sematan, Sarawak, but no signal)

Visiting Kuching, Sarawak during Merdeka holiday on 31st August 2025, RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz is the only DX radio station tuned there.

Here are the photos of me visiting Kuching, Sarawak during Merdeka holiday.

In Kuching, there is no unique DX radio stations tuned there like other Sarawak towns like Simanggang, Sarikei, Miri and Bintulu, but Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz is the only distant radio station in Kuching, but strong interference noise from Lite FM 100.1MHz (Bukit Djin).

74km distance to receive RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz from Entikong in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Serian is the clearest location in Sarawak, Malaysia to tune Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz

Do you know that Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz can be tuned in some areas of Sarawak, Malaysia?

RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz is from West Kalimantan Province, but Entikong District where is located near Sarawak's Serian border.

This radio station can be tuned loudly and clearly in Serian, Sarawak on the same frequency. RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz is the only Indonesia radio station available in Serian, Sarawak.

Its RDS PS text is DB64-FM which is a default PS text of Deva Broadcast DB64-FM audio processor, I saw the text yesterday when I was in Serian with a friend.

It is extremely weak and almost zero signal if I tune RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz in Kuching and Bau.

In Kuching and Bau, Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz is the only DX radio station, but signal is very weak with strong interference from Lite FM 100.1MHz Bukit Djin transmitter.

Overall, although RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz only serves Entikong District, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, but it is available loudly and clearly in Serian Division, Sarawak, Malaysia on same frequency.

RRI Entikong PRO-1 FM 99.9MHz is not DX radio station in Serian, Sarawak, Malaysia in terms of tuning distance from the transmitter site.

Formerly it was on FM 100.7MHz before June 2025.

- Frequency: FM 99.9MHz

- Power: 5kW

- Transmitter site: LPP RRI Entikong, Jl. Lintas Malindo No.102, Dusun Semeng, Semangit, Entikong Sub-district, Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

- Receiving sites: Serian, Sarawak, Malaysia

- Distance: 36km