Dear all radio listeners, effective 27th October 2025, Eight FM has already stopped broadcast in Ipoh (87.6), Melaka (88.1) and Johor Bahru (105.3), Eight FM can be tuned digitally on Audio+ and YouTube.
I receive a message from my friends who are staying in Johor Bahru and Taiping with the videos. Eight FM's frequencies in Ipoh, Melaka and Johor are now having beep sound.
From what I observe, 87.6 in Ipoh, 88.1 in Melaka, 105.3 in Johor Bahru will become Kool FM next month (3rd November 2025).
In my opinion, Eight FM has poor listenership rating performance in Ipoh, Melaka and Johor, compare to its rival MY FM and 988. In Johor Bahru, many Chinese listeners are also listening to Singapore radio station like YES 93.3 and UFM 100.3, so Eight FM 105.3MHz has very less listeners and small coverage.
Technically Eight FM has lost many traditional listeners who tune via FM radio, but it has many listeners who tune digitally like Audio+ app and YouTube streaming.
Personally, I rarely listen to Eight FM, unless I drive to South Johor and Kuantan for radio signal monitoring purpose. In 2023 and 2024, I came to Kuantan more frequent for checking Eight FM 88.1MHz radio reception, then I published them here and YouTube, but the response is low.
Eight FM has ceased broadcast in Ipoh, Melaka and Johor today, so my radio reception videos in these areas will become history.
In January 2011, RTM Asyik FM launched Gunung Ledang transmitter on 95.6MHz for North Johor. From January 2011 to June 2025, I had tried to tune this frequency in Balakong, Selangor with various radio receivers, but it had no signal because Asyik FM 95.6MHz used directional panel antenna to cover Segamat, Bekok, Chaah and Labis only by beaming signal towards the southeast from Gunung Ledang with 0.25kW transmitter.
Since June 2025, RTM Asyik FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang transmitter is widely available in many areas of Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Pahang because it uses non-directional antenna, but its transmitter power is still running at 0.25kW as per apparatus assignment (AA) license condition issued by MCMC in January 2011.
After 14 years of Asyik FM hit airwaves in North Johor, now I can receive Asyik FM 95.6MHz finally at the first time in Balakong, Selangor as the latest distant radio station from Gunung Ledang.
Although Asyik FM is tuned loudly and clearly on 91.1MHz from Kuala Lumpur Tower and 102.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali, but 95.6MHz from Gunung Ledang becomes distant tuning frequency in Balakong.
Technically Asyik FM 95.6MHz can be tuned clearly nowadays in part of Negeri Sembilan (Bahau, Kuala Pilah, Batu Kikir, Rompin, Gemas, Gemencheh, Johol, Simpang Pertang, Simpang Durian, Rompin, Bandar Seri Jempol and Kuala Klawang), Pahang (Muadzam Shah, Keratong, Bera, Kemayan, Teriang) and large part of Melaka.
From 2016 until today, I listed FM 93.3MHz as a vacated frequency for radio broadcast in Ipoh and Central Perak, transmitted from Gunung Kledang.
Personally I recommended this frequency 93.3MHz to Kool 101 for Ipoh radio broadcast many years ago, I thought FM 93.3MHz could be used in Gunung Kledang to cover Ipoh and Central Perak, but until today, it is not used.
Based on my recent research, the radio transmission of FM 93.3MHz in Gunung Kledang for Ipoh and Central Perak can cause co-channel interference to the coverage of Minnal FM 93.3MHz Bukit Palong transmitter in Hulu Perak district, especially Lawin where is located between Lenggong and Gerik.
It is very clear to receive Gunung Kledang transmitted Ipoh radio station in Lenggong.
Minnal FM 93.3MHz Bukit Palong transmitter mainly covers Baling, Kedah and Pengkalan Hulu, Perak, however it also covers Lawin when the signal of 98.9MHz (Gunung Kledang) and 107.9MHz are weak there.
Based on my radio listening experience in Hulu Perak 2 years ago, I tuned Minnal FM in Lenggong town, Perak on 98.9MHz from Gunung Kledang, it was still clear actually, meanwhile 107.9MHz from Bukit Larut was very weak. From Lenggong to Gerik, I passed through Lawin, both frequencies 98.9MHz and 107.9MHz were weak, then I switched to FM 93.3MHz from Bukit Palong, the radio reception was slightly better when I tuned Minnal FM on 93.3MHz.
Technically, Minnal FM 93.3MHz Bukit Palong transmitter also covers Lawin with moderate to weak signal where 98.9MHz and 107.9MHz are almost zero signal.
==Minnal FM radio reception in Lawin, Perak==
* 98.9MHz Gunung Kledang: Weak
* 107.9MHz Bukit Larut: Super weak
* 100.8MHz RTM Gerik: No signal
* 93.3MHz Bukit Palong: Moderately weak
By making existing RF analysis between Bukit Palong and Gunung Kledang transmitters, none of radio stations set 0kHz and 100kHz frequency separation, but 200kHz between Ai FM 92.5MHz Bukit Palong and Hitz FM 92.7MHz Gunung Kledang.
If FM 93.3MHz is used in Gunung Kledang, RTM Minnal FM 93.3MHz Bukit Palong transmitter will face co-channel interference in Lawin, Perak.
In addition, the Ipoh radio station on 93.3MHz from Gunung Kledang may also face co-channel interference in Enggor and Sungai Siput (U) if RTM Minnal FM 93.3MHz Bukit Palong transmitter can overspill signal to Kuala Kangsar District.
In conclusion, FM 93.3MHz cannot be used in Gunung Kledang for radio broadcast in Ipoh and Central Perak due to co-channel interference to Minnal FM 93.3MHz in Lawin.
As today, no empty frequencies are available in Gunung Kledang for Ipoh and Central Perak.
93.9MHz and 94.9MHz cannot be used due to co-channel interference to the coverage of Mutiara FM 93.9MHz and Radio Klasik FM 94.9MHz Gunung Jerai transmitter in Penang and Kedah, the minimum frequency separation between Gunung Kledang and Gunung Jerai is 100kHz.
==RF analysis of FM 93.3MHz Gunung Kledang==
93.1MHz: Asyik FM Lenggong
93.3MHz: Gunung Kledang
(200kHz, OK)
93.3MHz: Gunung Kledang
93.6MHz: Hitz FM Bukit Larut
(300kHz, OK)
93.1MHz: Nasional FM Gunung Brinchang
93.3MHz: Gunung Kledang
(200kHz)
93.3MHz: Gunung Kledang
93.3MHz: Minnal FM Bukit Palong
(0kHz, NOT OK, co-channel interference in Lawin, Enggor and Sungai Siput (U), Perak)
Selepas saya pulang dari Sibu, Sarawak untuk aktiviti radio DXing di Daro, Matu dan Song pada 20hb Oktober 2025, saya telah menerima mesej daripada kawan saya di Instagram mengenai gambar Malaysia Akan Kool yang diterbitkan oleh stesen radio Kool 101.
Ipoh akan Kool
Melaka akan Kool
Johor akan Kool
Apakah maksud Malaysia Akan Kool yang dikatakan oleh Kool 101?
Jika anda menonton video DJ Haiza mengenai Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian ke-37 (ABPBH-37), dia tersebut bahawa Kool 101 bakal bersiaran di Melaka, Johor dan Ipoh dalam "manifesto" dia untuk bertanding ABPBH-37 yang bakal diadakan pada bulan November 2025.
Berdasarkan pada video DJ Haiza di laman Facebook Kool 101, stesen radio ini bakal didengari di Melaka, Ipoh dan Johor dalam masa yang terdekat.
Mengenai frekuensi Kool 101 yang akan digunakan di Melaka, Johor dan Ipoh, saya telah membuat kajian frekuensi di tiga kawasan ini, tiada frekuensi kosong boleh digunakan oleh Kool 101.
Di Johor Bahru, walaupun FM 107.9MHz yang pernah digunakan oleh IKIM FM pada tahun 2001 sebelum berpindah ke 106.2MHz, tetapi penggunaan frekuensi ini tidak dibenarkan oleh SKMM kerana gangguan dengan frekuensi penerbangan.
Gangguan frekuensi antara siaran radio dan penerbangan akan menyebabkan kemalangan pesawat yang boleh membawa kemautan juruterbang, pramugara, pramugari dan penumpang.
Frekuensi 99.5MHz tidak boleh digunakan kerana ia adalah milik Singapura, 88.3MHz dan 98.0MHz yang bakal ditutup siaran di Singapura juga dimiliki oleh IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore). Pihak IMDA tidak akan melepaskan frekuensi kosong 88.3MHz, 99.5MHz dan 98.0MHz kepada Malaysia dan Indonesia untuk bersiaran di Johor Bahru atau Batam.
Di Melaka, tiada frekuensi kosong juga boleh digunakan oleh Kool 101. Frekuensi 100.9MHz yang saya cadangkan pada tahun 2016 pun tidak boleh digunakan oleh Kool 101 untuk kawasan Melaka dan Johor Utara kerana ia boleh menyebabkan gangguan kepada liputan Selangor FM 100.9MHz di Tanjung Sepat dan Bagan Lalang. Untuk makluman, Selangor FM hanya bersiaran dengan 1 frekuensi untuk negeri Selangor. Sekiranya siaran Selangor FM 100.9MHz diganggu oleh Kool FM 100.9MHz di Tanjung Sepat, Bagan Lalang dan Sungai Pelek, pendengar Selangor FM di kawasan tersebut akan berasa marah kerana Selangor FM tiada frekuensi alternatif.
87.6MHz dan 91.5MHz pun tidak sesuai digunakan kerana gangguan kepada liputan Fly FM 87.6MHz di Cherating, dan IKIM FM 91.5MHz di Pahang Tengah.
Di Ipoh, walaupun frekuensi FM 93.3MHz adalah kosong, tetapi saya berasa SKMM mengizinkan frekuensi tersebut digunakan oleh Kool 101 (Gunung Kledang) kerana ia mungkin menyebabkan gangguan kepada liputan pemancar RTM Minnal FM 93.3MHz Bukit Palong di Lawin, Perak.
Apakah langkah seterusnya jika Kool 101 memperluaskan siarannya?
Pada pandangan saya, oleh kerana rating pendengar Eight FM jauh ketinggalan daripada pesaingnya seperti 988 dan MY FM, juga Eight FM ialah stesen radio yang mempunyai rating pendengar yang rendah di bawah naungan Media Prima Audio, saya lebih mencadangkan Kool 101 bertukar frekuensi dengan Eight FM di seluruh Semenanjung Malaysia.
Kool 101 bersiaran pada frekuensi Eight FM, manakala frekuensi asal Kool 101 boleh digunakan oleh Eight FM, tetapi liputan siaran Eight FM dikurangkan.
Kool 101
* 87.8MHz: Pulau Pinang, Kedah, Perlis dan Taiping
* 87.6MHz: Ipoh dan Perak Tengah
* 88.1MHz: Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang Barat, Melaka, Johor Utara
* 88.3MHz: Seremban
* 105.3MHz: Johor Bahru
* 104.3MHz: Kuching
Eight FM
* 101.3MHz: Lembah Klang
* 90.2MHz: Pulau Pinang, Sungai Petani & Taiping
* 95.7MHz: Kota Kinabalu
* 98.3MHz: Kuching
Selepas penukaran frekuensi antara Eight FM dan Kool 101, frekuensi Kool 101 di Alor Setar pada 107.3MHz boleh ditutup sepenuhnya dan dipulangkan kepada SKMM.
Siaran Kool 101 pun boleh diperluaskan ke kawasan Kuantan, saya akan membuat cadangan kemudian.
Ini sekadar cadangan saya, kita cuma menunggu pengumuman rasmi daripada Kool 101 pada bulan November 2025 nanti.
In Song, Cats FM 107.6MHz is moderately weak, but it can be tuned loudly and clearly in some areas due to high elevation of the land.
Commercially it is not worth of Cats FM to add Bukit Song transmitter to cover this small town in Kapit Division due to demographics reason and low listeners demand.
In Song, Sarawak, by having demographics survey, Iban is the majority, but Cats FM mainly broadcasts in Sarawak Malay, meanwhile Iban is the minority broadcast language of the radio station with 3 hours daily program only. So, Cats FM doesn't meet the actual market commerciallly in Song, Sarawak if it launches the transmitter there like RTM.
Technically, the listeners can tune to Cats FM in Song, Sarawak on 107.6MHz from Bukit Kapit, but depends on the model type of the radio receivers.
Today on 19th October 2025, I come to Sibu again, but different travelling location by visiting Daro and Matu for another series of radio DXing activity.
Daro is my first location after landing at Sibu airport, it takes 2 hours 30 minutes from Sibu airport to Daro. As Batang Paloh bridge to connect from Sarikei to Bruit Island is not yet completed, I have to go by ferry to pass by the river.
Before this, via radio frequency list database, I already know Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has a gap filler transmitter at Kampung Semob in Daro for its 3 radio stations such as Radio Klasik FM 92.7MHz, Nasional FM 95.7MHz and Sarawak FM 99.0MHz to cover Daro and Matu, I may believe this town has some weak radio coverage from Bukit Kayu Malam and Bukit Lima, so that's why a gap filler transmitter was set up in 2017.
1. RTM Traxx FM 92.3MHz Bukit Kayu Malam (64km) & 95.9MHz Bukit Singgalang (87km)
2. RTM Ai FM 93.6MHz Bukit Kayu Malam (64km) & 97.1MHz Bukit Singgalang (87km)
3. RTM Red FM 89.2MHz Bukit Kayu Malam (64km) & 101.1MHz Bukit Singgalang (87km)
4. RTM Sibu FM 94.6MHz Bukit Kayu Malam (64km) & 102.1MHz Bukit Singgalang (87km)
5. Cats FM 96.7MHz Bukit Kayu Malam (64km)
6. Era FM Sarawak 96.3MHz Bukit Lima (54km)
7. Hitz FM 105.1MHz Bukit Lima (54km)
8. MY FM 105.9MHz Bukit Lima (54km)
9. Tea FM 100.7MHz Bukit Lima (54km)
After radio signal monitoring in Daro is finished, I take breakfast at a food court. Then, I drive to Matu for another radio DXing before driving back to Sibu in the afternoon.
Matu is an another small town in Mukah Division, it takes 30 minutes duration from Daro to Matu.
Radio reception videos in Matu, Sarawak
1. RTM Traxx FM 92.3MHz Bukit Kayu Malam (83km) & 95.9MHz Bukit Singgalang (80km)
2. RTM Sarawak FM 91.5MHz Bukit Kayu Malam (83km)
3. RTM Sibu FM 94.6MHz Bukit Kayu Malam (83km) & 102.1MHz Bukit Singgalang (80km)
4. Cats FM 96.7MHz Bukit Kayu Malam (83km)
5. Era FM Sarawak 96.3MHz Bukit Lima (57km)
6. Hitz FM 105.1MHz Bukit Lima (57km)
7. MY FM 105.9MHz Bukit Lima (57km)
8. Tea FM 100.7MHz Bukit Lima (57km)
==Results==
1. In Daro and Matu, commercial radio stations Era FM Sarawak 96.3MHz, Hitz FM 105.1MHz, MY FM 105.9MHz and Tea FM 100.7MHz can be received weakly, but the signal is slightly better than what I tuned in Dalat 5 months ago.
2. By comparing between Bukit Kayu Malam and Bukit Singgalang radio reception, all RTM radio stations in Daro and Matu are received from Bukit Kayu Malam because Bukit Kayu Malam transmitter is clearer than Bukit Singgalang.
* Radio Klasik on FM 87.9MHz
* Nasional FM on 90.3MHz
* Sarawak FM on 91.5MHz
* Traxx FM on 92.3MHz
* Ai FM on 93.6MHz
* Red FM on 89.2MHz
* Sibu FM on 94.6MHz
Note: RTM Kampung Semob transmitted radio stations (Radio Klasik FM 92.7MHz, Nasional FM 95.7MHz and Sarawak FM 99.0MHz) are inactive at the moment, no signal can be detected in Daro and Matu, Sarawak.
3. Same as RTM radio stations, the Sarawak only statewide commercial radio station, Cats FM is also tuned in Daro and Matu on 96.7MHz from Bukit Kayu Malam transmitter loudly and clearly.
Overall, Daro and Matu are still under the radio coverage of Bukit Kayu Malam transmitter which mainly covers Sarikei. The radio listeners can still tune Era FM Sarawak 96.3MHz, Hitz FM 105.1MHz, Tea FM 100.7MHz and MY FM 105.9MHz weakly in Daro and Matu, Sarawak by using car radio tuner.
