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)