im4u FM 107.9 MHz transmitter site

Malaysia's first youth radio station, im4u FM had been launched on 3rd March 2013 on 107.9 MHz, transmitted from Bukit Sungai Besi as trial transmission for few months. im4u FM 107.9 broadcasts in Malay language majority.

I knew this radio station since 4th March 2013 when the frequency 107.9MHz that I used for my mp3 modulator (changed to 106.0MHz, finally on 106.1MHz since May 2013) clash with im4u FM 107.9 while I was driving from IUKL to my home. Before im4u FM launched, this frequency is empty and had been used for my mp3 modulator before. 107.9 MHz was formerly used by Negeri FM (then used by Klasik Nasional since 2007) Seremban frequency which transmitter site was in RTM Seremban, then later Gunung Telapa Burok when Klasik Nasional took over the 107.9MHz. Klasik Nasional 107.9MHz was closed transmission since December 2009 while its original Negeri Sembilan frequency 87.9MHz was upgraded its transmission power.

Unfortunately IM4U FM 107.9 is transmitted from Bukit Sungai Besi, only can covers Kuala Lumpur area, some Selangor area (except northern parts) and parts of Negeri Sembilan.

List of Selangor areas can receive im4u FM 107.9:
- Kajang, Klang, Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Sepang, Seri Kembangan, Bangi, Ampang, Sungai Buloh, Subang Jaya, Cheras, Kelana Jaya, Puchong and parts of Rawang/Kuala Selangor.

Among all TV and radio stations in Klang Valley, majority they are transmitted from Gunung Ulu Kali, instead of Kuala Lumpur Tower and Bukit Sungai Besi. RTM launched another frequencies in early 1990's for their radio stations to cover Kuala Lumpur city clearly, along with Gunung Ulu Kali frequencies.

If im4u FM locates its transmitter site in Gunung Ulu Kali or Bukit Cincin on 107.9 MHz, the Klang Valley area, even South Perak, Negeri Sembilan, West Pahang and parts of Malacca can receive im4u FM loudly and clearly on 107.9MHz. Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter can transmit up to Tapah, Rembau, Malacca (Masjid Tanah), Maran, Bahau, Johol, Temerloh, Seri Iskandar and Manjung. At the same time, the northern parts of Selangor (Rawang to Hulu Selangor and Sabak Bernam) can receive this radio station.

Before im4u FM launched, the 107.9 MHz was Minnal FM from Bukit Larut, Taiping, can be received in South Perak (not so clear). If im4u FM transmitted from Bukit Cincin on 107.9MHz, the coverage of Minnal FM Bukit Larut 107.9MHz will be minimized, somehow Teluk Intan, Kg. Gajah, Bidor, Sungkai, Sitiawan, Manjung, and Seri Iskandar may not receive Minnal FM 107.9MHz from Bukit Larut anymore, instead receive im4u FM from Bukit Cincin, but Minnal FM listeners still can tune to 98.9MHz from Ipoh (Gunung Kledang), 96.3MHz from Ulu Kali or weaker 104.3MHz from Cameron Highlands (Gunung Brinchang).

Minnal FM South Perak

Minnal FM Frequencies in Perak area

In 1991, RTM upgraded all national radio station to FM band. Minnal FM frequency is on 98.9MHz in Ipoh and Central Perak since 1991 until today. Its reception in many South Perak areas was quite clear in between year 1991-1996. In 1996, when Chinese radio station, Redi FM 98.8 was established on 98.8MHz and its transmitter site was located in Gunung Ulu Kali, Genting Highlands, which can cover Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, South Perak, West Pahang, and northern parts of Negeri Sembilan, even can cover up to Tapah, Teluk Intan and Sitiawan, it caused big interference/crash between Minnal FM 98.9MHz from Ipoh and 988 98.8MHz from Klang Valley in many South Perak area, also in Teluk Intan and Sitiawan, even cannot receive 98.9 there anymore. When you go to Perak area like Sungkai, Teluk Intan and Bidor and tune on 98.9MHz, you will hear the interference from 988.

This interference between Minnal FM 98.9MHz and 988 98.8MHz in certain of South Perak area also happen until today.

In year 2011/12, I had suggested RTM to change Minnal FM Ipoh frequency to 99.0MHz to provide better reception for those areas, but RTM said that Minnal FM used 98.9MHz for Ipoh area is earlier than 988 98.8MHz and their radio system is 6+1, means that 6 transmitter share with 1 standby antenna. The solution is 988 listeners tune 99.8MHz in these area, meanwhile Minnal FM listeners must tune to 96.3MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali in South Perak and Teluk Intan.

Since Minnal FM has 4 frequencies can be received in South Perak and Teluk Intan, there are 107.9, 98.9, 96.3, and 104.3. I only suggest the 107.9 to RTM for boosting up the transmission power of 107.9MHz to cover South Perak as alternative frequency to 98.9MHz because Minnal FM 107.9MHz has no interference from any radio stations, even no any radio stations used the frequencies between 107.6-108.0MHz, unless iM4U FM 107.9MHz located its transmitter site in Gunung Ulu Kali, so Minnal FM 107.9MHz cannot be received anymore in South Perak and Teluk Intan anymore, then have to tune to 96.3MHz there, but currently iM4U FM 107.9 transmitter site is located in Bukit Sungai Besi, which cover only Kuala Lumpur and certain area in Selangor.

It is perfect if Minnal FM 107.9MHz from Bukit Larut is very clear as hitz.fm 93.6, and MIX FM 91.3 in South Perak. Although hitz.fm and MIX FM in South Perak area are 92.7/92.9 and 94.3/94.5 respectively, but their frequencies from Taiping (93.6 for hitz.fm and 91.3 for MIX FM) are still able to be received there.

Current the transmission power of Minnal FM Bukit Larut transmitter consists 500W/0.5kW only, it can't fully cover South Perak and Teluk Intan, although RTM boosts up its power to 1kW. 96.3MHz in Tapah and Teluk Intan is better.

Frequencies of Minnal FM in Perak

- 96.3MHz (Tanjung Malim, Behrang, Slim River, Trolak, Sungkai, Bidor, Tapah, Teluk Intan, Kampung Gajah, Langkap, Bagan Datoh, and Chenderong Balai)
- 98.9MHz (Ipoh, Kampar, Manjung, Sitiawan, Lumut, Ayer Tawar, Bota, Seri Iskandar, Batu Gajah, Manong, Perak Tengah, and Sg. Siput)
- 107.9MHz (Taiping, Parit Buntar, Selama, Kuala Kangsar, Padang Rengas)
- 100.0MHz (Gerik)
- 93.3MHz/96.7MHz (Pengkalan Hulu and Klian Intan)