DAB+ radio frequencies list in Thailand.

NBTC Thailand has started DAB+ radio trial transmission officially since 2018 in these locations below:

1. Bangkok

2. Chiang Mai

3. Pattaya

4. Sriracha

5. Khon Kaen

6. Nakhon Ratchasima

7. Nakhon Si Thammarat

8. Phuket

9. Prachuap Khiri Khan

10. Songkhla (Hat Yai)

Here are the coverage map of DAB+ radio transmission in Bangkok, Thailand (source: NBTC broadcast website)

Based on the coverage map and according to NBTC website (https://broadcast.nbtc.go.th/news/preview.php?news=NjEwNTAwMDAwMDAy&type=NTYwNDAwMDAwMDAx), Bangkok DAB+ radio is tested on Channel 6C (VHF 185.36MHz) with maximum power at 10kW, the antenna height of the DAB+ trial transmission in Bangkok is 185m, and its antenna polarization is vertical. Transmission site is located at Royal Thai Army signal department office.

As I'm a former junior broadcast engineer, despite I'm not from telecommunication engineering background, but I personally understand that it is not easy to launch DAB+ radio, even to replace FM radio with DAB+ radio (digital switchover).

DAB+ technology has its pros and cons actually, the advantage of this radio technology is to ease the FM frequency spectrum congestion by persuading some broadcasters to use DAB+ platform, DAB+ increases the frequency spectrum efficiency.

It is successful in Western Europe countries such as United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway, but moderate successful in Central and East Europe. However, DAB+ has its disadvantages too, but DAB+ is a failure in Singapore and Hong Kong, consumers' habits, budget and marketing are the biggest reason of DAB+ is unsuccessful in some countries.

Although DAB+ helps to improve the frequency spectrum efficiency by reducing usage of frequency band through a frequency carry multiple radio stations (MUX), but DAB+ requires more gap filler transmissions site than conventional FM and AM radio. Example: Songkhla province only needs 1 transmitter from Khao Kho Hong to cover whole province on FM, but the province needs more additional gap filler transmitter site to cover whole province when comes to DAB+.

DAB+ carries higher frequency band than FM. In basic theory, the lower the frequency band, the further of the transmitting distance. Meanwhile, the higher the frequency band, the lesser of the transmitting distance.

Moreover, most of the consumer's radio receivers have no DAB+ band. It is expensive to own DAB+ receiver. In Malaysia, to purchase a DAB+ receiver, the minimum price is RM 600 (approximate THB 4400). Due to growing of 5G technology, DAB+ is facing the challenge from alternative competitor because people can easily access listening to their favorite radio station digitally via high speed internet with 5G technology. Before launching of 5G, 4G/LTE is quite perfect for listening to radio stations via online as they run high speed too (but lesser than 5G). For car radio, most of the vehicles have no DAB+ band, but Apple Car Play/Android Auto, consumers use Apple Car Play/Android Auto to listen to radio stations via online by connecting Internet, even with conventional Bluetooth/AUX connectivity, therefore smartphone also "kills" DAB+ technology badly.

For Thailand, I believe DAB+ implements in the locations where has highly congested FM frequency bands such as Bangkok.

Here are the DAB+ frequencies list in Thailand. For Songkhla province where next to Malaysia border, its DAB+ broadcast has two MUX such as Channel 9C (VHF 206.352MHz) and Channel 9D (VHF 208.064MHz), transmitted from Khao Kho Hong (Hat Yai park site), same locations as Voice of Navy 6 FM 94.5MHz and TP4 FM 107.75MHz.

For the transmission coverage, as DAB+ in Songkhla operates only at ERP 0.2kW (9C) and 0.1kW (9D). Unlike FM broadcast which can transmit to Malaysia border, the DAB+ radio from Khao Kho Hong is not receivable in Malaysia region such as Padang Besar, Bukit Kayu Hitam, and Changlun, unless you receive Thailand DAB+ radio station in Malaysia with high sensitivity radio receiver, or capture the signal at higher elevation areas.

List of broadcast transmission sites where are available only FM radio service after analogue TV switch off (ASO) in Peninsular Malaysia

Malaysia is on the way to perform ASO (analogue switch off) from 30th September 2019, all terrestrial television will be converted digitally via DVB-T2 and DVB-S2 (for blind spot areas).

Since Q4 2018, MYTV launches Asiasat-9 DTH satellite transmission to fill the blind spot areas, so this indicates MYTV will not install more DTT transmitters after DTH.

After analogue television service is switched off, here are the transmission sites where only remain as FM radio service in Peninsular Malaysia:

1. Gunung Telapak Burok (Seremban, Jelebu, Kuala Pilah of Negeri Sembilan)**
2. Bukit Palong (Baling, Kedah)
3. Bukit Istana (Jerantut, Pahang)^
4. Gunung Brinchang (Cameron Highlands, Pahang)
5. Changkat Rembian (Tapah, Perak)*
6. Felda Terolak Timur, Perak
7. Kampung Ulu Slim, Perak 
8. Bukit Chupak (Gua Musang, Kelantan)
9. Bukit Botak (Damak, Pahang)
10. Bukit Penara (Penang)**
11. Bukit Genting (Balik Pulau, Penang)*
12. Bukit Dedap (Sik, Kedah)
13. Padang Pauh (Perlis)
14. Felda Cerul, Terengganu
15. Felda Tenang (Hulu Besut, Terengganu)
16. Gerik, Perak
17. Bukit Ladang Teh (Lenggong, Perak)
18. Sungai Siput (U), Perak
19. Hulu Keruak, Terengganu
20. Bukit Tangki Air (Jeli, Kelantan)
21. Peringat, Kelantan (Media Prima transmission site for Kota Bharu)**
22. RTM Wakaf Che Yeh (Kota Bharu, but receives from Telipot)
23. Batu 18, Hulu Langat, Selangor
24. Felda Paloh, Gua Musang, Kelantan
25. Bukit Botak (Damak, Kelantan)

*Astro also operates Era FM 102.0MHz in Changkat Rembian, then IKIM FM operates 102.7MHz in Bukit Genting.

**Main broadcast transmission sites technically. Except Gunung Telapak Burok and Bukit Penara, most of the sites listed above are gap filler sites.

^TV3 was used to have analogue TV service in Bukit Istana since 1991.

MYTV myFreeview in Balik Pulau, Penang via DVB-T2 DTT from Bukit Larut, Perak

As September 2019, MYTV myFreeview digital terrestrial television covers 95% of Penang areas. All frequencies from all transmitter sites for Penang are same, CH45 UHF 666MHz and CH49 UHF 682MHz as they run single frequency network, SFN.

1. TM Seberang Jaya covers Seberang Perai, East Penang Island and Bayan Lepas

2. Gunung Jerai covers North Penang, Batu Feringghi, Tanjung Tokong, Teluk Bahang and Tanjung Bungah.

3. Penang U4 covers Georgetown and East Penang Island.

While most of Penang urban areas are covered by myFreeview DTT transmission, but Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar cannot receive any MYTV digital TV signal from Gunung Jerai, Penang U4 and TM Seberang Jaya due to many terrains. Although if MYTV installs digital terrestrial television transmitter in Bukit Penara, it cannot guarantee Balik Pulau can receive myFreeview from Bukit Penara because not all Balik Pulau areas cannot receive Bukit Penara TV/radio signal clearly, even some of areas cannot receive from Bukit Penara. For Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar, usually these areas are covered by local repeater site, named Bukit Genting.

Bukit Genting actually covers only Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar. In my opinion, it is not worth to install MYTV DVB-T2 transmitter in Bukit Genting due to small coverage population, compare to Bukit Penara, Seberang Jaya and Penang U4.

YB Haji Zolkifly (State constituency member of Teluk Bahang N40) distributed MYTV satellite dish and decoder to Balik Pulau residents. Picture was taken from YB Haji Zolkifly Bin Md Lazim Facebook page where published on 23rd July 2019

Currently, Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar people receive MYTV myFreeview digital TV via DTH direct to home by using satellite dish. Since MYTV Asiasat-9 runs Ku Band, so I cannot guarantee myFreeview can be received or not during raining because Ku Band is sensitive of rainfade. In another way, actually Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar still can receive MYTV myFreeview via DTT by using UHF antenna, definitely not receive from Seberang Jaya, Gunung Jerai or Penang U4, but Bukit Larut.

Technically, Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar can receive MYTV myFreeview from Bukit Larut, but needs few equipment:

1. Outdoor UHF antenna 37e (longest receiving antenna)

2. Antenna booster

It is a mandatory to use outdoor UHF antenna in Balik Pulau if receive from Bukit Larut. For people who uses indoor antenna, please replace with 37E outdoor UHF antenna. Indoor antenna cannot receive MYTV from Bukit Larut in Balik Pulau, indoor antenna only allows to receive TV signal at maximum 20km distance from TV transmitter site.

Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar can receive Bukit Larut signal because Bukit Larut has high elevation, but it is subject to receiving antenna types. Although Bukit Larut mainly covers Taiping and Northwest Perak, but its signal can spill to Penang actually. I claim that Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar MYTV can receive from Bukit Larut is based on my listening experience of Mix FM in Balik Pulau, back to December 2013. 

Let me to story about Mix FM in Balik Pulau where I mentioned before. Mix FM frequency in Penang is actually FM 91.0MHz from Gunung Jerai, but Mix is being interfered by RTM Mutiara FM 90.9MHz from Bukit Genting in Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar since 2003, even Mix FM 91.0MHz may have interference in Bayan Lepas, so I tuned to FM 91.3MHz from Bukit Larut in order to continue listening to Mix FM. Although Mix FM 91.3MHz is receivable in Balik Pulau, but the reception is not so clear actually.

UHF receiving antenna range

Regarding the receiving distance between Balik Pulau and Bukit Larut, it is about 83km, meanwhile the adjacent distance from Bukit Larut to Teluk Kumbar is 79-80km. So, for these two areas, it is highly recommended to use 37E receiving antenna with booster in Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar. 14E is not recommended because its maximum receiving distance is only 80km, but 37E is between 80-100km. Antenna below 37E are not encouraged to be used in Balik Pulau. For Bayan Lepas, 14E UHF antenna can be used because it can receive from Seberang Jaya.

In terms of reception status, Teluk Kumbar receives from Bukit Larut may be better than Balik Pulau because it is located at southern coastal area of Penang Island where Bukit Larut can spill signal there. For Balik Pulau, after I mention 37e UHF antenna and booster, height of receiving antenna is another concern. Put a bit higher of outdoor antenna may be better, but it is not necessary to do make ultra high antenna in Balik Pulau to receive Bukit Larut DTT like North Johor households receive Singapore TV with high antenna.

Neglect DTH service, but technically MYTV myFreeview already covers Penang state at 100% with 4 transmission sites, two of them are local sites, another two are from neighboring states.

==MYTV myFreeview in Penang==

 1. TM Seberang Jaya (Central Seberang Perai) covers Seberang Perai, East Penang Island and Bayan Lepas

2. Gunung Jerai (Gurun, Kedah) covers North Penang, Batu Feringghi, Tanjung Tokong, Teluk Bahang and Tanjung Bungah.

3. Penang U4 (Georgetown, Penang) covers Georgetown and East Penang Island.

4. Bukit Larut (Taiping, Perak) covers Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar

Have a good try. Please leave comment if there is feedback.