RTM Nasional FM SW 15295kHz radio reception in Seoul, Incheon and Nami Island, South Korea (Note: No signal to tune Sabah VFM SW 11885kHz in South Korea)

 

 

RTM launched two radio stations on shortwave frequencies in March 2026 for rural areas in East Malaysia, notably Nasional FM (on SW 15295kHz) and Sabah VFM (on SW 11885kHz).

 

For Sabah VFM, SW 11885kHz mainly targets rural areas in Sabah where have no coverage of FM transmitters by using a directional antenna, meanwhile Nasional FM SW 15295kHz targets remote areas of entire Malaysia (Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak) with non-directional antenna.

 

Although both shortwave radio stations mainly target rural areas of East Malaysia, they can be tuned in Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and part of Latin America region, even some radio DXers can receive RTM Nasional FM SW 15295kHz and Sabah VFM SW 11885kHz in Japan and Taiwan, but how about South Korea? 

 

From 5th to 10th September 2026, my family travel to Incheon and Seoul in South Korea for 6 days 4 nights, so I also bring TECSUN PL-310ET radio receiver there for shortwave listening whether I can receive both RTM shortwave radio stations in Seoul and Incheon, South Korea or not.

 

To tune RTM Sabah VFM (SW 11885kHz) and Nasional FM (SW 15295kHz) in Seoul, South Korea, the timezone is from 10am to 7pm (KST) for Sabah VFM, meanwhile Nasional FM broadcast hours in KST are from 9am to 9pm. 

 

SW 11885kHz is occupied by NHK World Radio Japan from 7am to 10am (UTC+9) in South Korea, so I'm not able to tune RTM Sabah VFM in Seoul on that time. 

Here are the videos which I managed to tune RTM Nasional FM (SW 15295kHz) in few locations of South Korea.

1. Nami Island in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (4672km)

Recorded on 6th September 2026

2. Sinpo, Incheon (4593km)

Recorded on 6th September 2026 near Sinpo International Market.

3. Seoul (4623-4624km)

Recorded on 7th September 2026 at Gyeongbokgung Palace and Myeongnyun.

4. Chuncheon (4677km)

Recorded on 6th September 2026 near Howon Garden after having lunch hour.

5. Inspire Mall & Discovery Park in Incheon (4580km)

Recorded on 6th September 2026 before going to Chuncheon for lunch with travel tour.

In Seoul and Nami Island, I couldn't receive any signal of RTM Sabah VFM SW 11885kHz, but I may detect very mild signal of this radio station at Inspire Mall in Incheon, South Korea before going to Nami Island. During the video recording, RTM Sabah VFM is airing Chinese Mandarin news.

For your information, RTM Sabah VFM SW 11885kHz has no signal in Seoul, Incheon and Nami Island South Korea as it beams the signal at 93DEG angle from RTM Kajang.

RTM Nasional FM SW 15295kHz uses non-directional antenna in Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia, hence it can be received weakly in South Korea.

RTM Nasional FM SW 15295kHz is moderately weak in Nami Island and Incheon, but it is very weak in Chuncheon and Seoul.

Gyeongbokgung Palace is the best location to receive RTM Nasional FM SW 15295kHz in Seoul, South Korea. During the video recording, RTM Nasional FM SW 15295kHz is airing Muslim noon prayer (Azan Zohor) when I'm at Gyeongbokgung Palace, meanwhile Nasional FM SW 15295kHz is very weak in Myeongnyun area, but overall Nasional FM SW 15295kHz cannot be received at any locations in Seoul Metropolitan area due to high rise buildings, I have tried it in Gangnam District near Starfield Library Coex Mall and Ikseon-Dong, zero signal is heard on SW 15295kHz.

Overall in South Korea, Nasional FM on SW 15295kHz is the only Malaysia shortwave radio station receivable in the country with weak signal. Jeju Island is likely the best location to receive RTM Nasional FM SW 15295kHz in South Korea, compare to Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Incheon.

Dear all South Korea shortwave radio hobbyists, you can tune RTM Nasional FM SW 15295kHz daily from 9am to 9pm (UTC+9 KST).