Radio transmitter site migration (suggestion and review)

Gunung Ulu Kali or Bukit Cincin, Gunung Jerai are the most strategic transmitter sites for North and Central region respectively.

Because the transmitter tower in Gunung Ulu Kali and Gunung Jerai (Upper) cannot support any load from new transmitter, the new broadcasters are forced to use new sites where coverage are limited like Alor Setar Tower, Kuala Lumpur Tower and Bukit Sungai Besi.

Gunung Jerai (Lower) and Bukit Cincin are the alternative sites of Gunung Jerai (Upper) and Gunung Ulu Kali respectively.

Here are the suggestion of radio transmitter site migration:

1. Bernama Radio 24 FM 93.9MHz
Original location: Kuala Lumpur Tower
Suggested location: TM Bukit Cincin (under Telekom Malaysia service provider, not CELCOM)

2. Ultra FM 101.3MHz
Original location: Bukit Sungai Besi
Suggested location: TM Bukit Cincin

3. IM4U FM 107.9MHz
Original location: Bukit Sungai Besi
Suggested location: TM Bukit Cincin

4. one FM 88.3MHz
Original location: Bukit Gun, Seremban
Suggested location: Gunung Telapa Burok with migrate frequency
Suggested frequency: FM 102.1MHz

5. Fly FM 99.1MHz
Original location: Alor Setar Tower
Suggested location: Gunung Jerai (LOWER)

Comparison between Upper Jerai and Lower Jerai transmission coverage

Gunung Jerai is located in Kedah, Malaysia. On the top of the mount, there is the transmitter tower for telecommunication such as radio, TV and cellular. For broadcasters, Gunung Jerai is the most strategic location in Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia because it can cover Kedah, Perlis, Langkawi, Penang, North Perak (Kerian, Hulu Perak and parts of Taiping) and some Thailand areas like Betong, Danok and Satun. In addition, Gunung Jerai is the most commercial values and profitable location for broadcaster in Northern region.

Upper Jerai is used by most of broadcasters because it can cover many northern region areas.

Lower Jerai is usually used for cellular transmission, it belongs to Celcom, but there is a radio station transmitted from Lower Jerai, it is Ikim FM, where frequency is 89.0MHz with 2kW power, but Lower Jerai only can cover Kedah (except Bandar Baharu, Baling and Kulim), Perlis and parts of Langkawi. It cannot cover Penang and North Perak. There is no signal in Taiping and Penang on FM 89.0MHz (Ikim FM) from Lower Jerai. Ikim FM 89.0MHz is located in Lower Jerai to prevent heavy interference with Thailand radio station from Yala, which also on same frequency.

Let's compare the coverage between Lower Jerai and Upper Jerai

Lower: Kedah and Perlis only
Upper: Kedah, Perlis, Penang, North Perak (except Taiping if 0kHz or 100kHz with Gunung Kledang), Langkawi and South Thailand


==Upper Jerai broadcasters==

RTM: TV1 CH5, TV2 CH11, Kedah FM 97.5MHz, Radio Klasik 94.9MHz, Nasional FM 100.5MHz, Ai FM 101.3MHz, Minnal FM 100.5MHz, Traxx FM 98.7MHz, Mutiara FM 93.9MHz (North Seberang Perai, Tanjung Bungah, Teluk Bahang, and Batu Feringghi only)

Media Prima: TV3 CH29, NTV7 CH37, 8TV CH44, TV9 CH48, Hot FM 88.2MHz and One FM 87.8MHz

Star Radio Group: 988FM 96.1MHz, Red FM 98.1MHz, Suria FM 106.9MHz

Astro: Hitz FM 92.8MHz, Mix FM 91.0MHz, MY FM 99.7MHz, Melody FM 106.5MHz, Sinar FM 97.1MHz, THR Raaga 102.4MHz, ERA FM 103.6MHz, Lite FM 104.4MHz

==Lower Jerai broadcasters==

Current: IKIM.FM 89.0MHz
Former: Fly FM 99.1MHz/87.7MHz and Red FM 98.1MHz.

Fly FM 99.1MHz migrated its site to Alor Setar Tower, Red FM 98.1MHz migrated to Upper Jerai while Bukit Larut transmitter 98.2MHz was closed down.

Radio Frequency Analysis Bukit Larut (Part 2)

Two new frequencies for Bukit Larut radio: 88.8MHz and 105.7MHz

1) 88.8MHz Bukit Larut (for IKIM FM)

(a). vs 88.5MHz Bukit Genting, Bukit Sungai Kecil Hilir = 300kHz
(b) vs 88.7MHz Changkat Rembian and Bukit Palong = 100kHz
(c) vs 89.0MHz Lower Jerai = 200kHz, self interference

2) 105.7MHz (for one FM)
(a) vs. 105.7MHz Gunung Raya, Gunung Ulu Kali = 0kHz, co-channel

==IKIM FM Bukit Larut suggested frequency==
Frequency: 88.8MHz
Suggested power: 0.75kW or 1kW
Coverage: North Perak

==one FM Bukit Larut==
Frequency: 105.7MHz
Suggested power: 0.75kW
Coverage: North Perak

105.7MHz Bukit Larut

0.1kW, 0.25kW, 0.5kW= FAILED, interference occurs in North Perak by Gunung Raya
1kW, 2kW, 5kW, 10kW= FAILED, interference occurs in Langkawi, North Kedah by Bukit Larut

Solution: (0.5kW + 1kW)/2= 0.75kW

Radio Frequency Analysis: Malaysia vs. Thailand

Sourced: MCMC and NBTC

List of the TV/radio transmitter sites in Malaysia which bring commercial values

Radio and TV transmitter site in Malaysia where bring commercial values:

1. Northern region
- Gunung Jerai, Kedah
- Bukit Penara, Penang
- Bukit Larut, Perak
- Alor Setar Tower, Kedah
- Gunung Kledang, Perak

2. Central region
- Gunung Ulu Kali, Pahang
- Bukit Cincin, Selangor (Celcom)
- Bukit Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur
- Kuala Lumpur Tower
- Gunung Telapa Burok, Negeri Sembilan

3. Southern region
- Gunung Ledang, Johor
- Gunung Pulai, Johor
- Johor Bahru Metropolis Tower

4. East Coast
- Bukit Pelindung, Kuantan, Pahang
- Bukit Besar, Terengganu
- Bukit Panau, Kelantan
- Telipot, Kelantan
- Peringat, Kelantan
- Bukit Bakar, Kelantan

5. East Malaysia
- Bukit Karatong, Sabah
- Bukit Trig, Sabah
- Bukit Lambir, Sarawak
- Bukit Antu, Sarawak (NEW)
- Bukit Djin, Sarawak
- Gunung Serapi, Sarawak

No commercial values transmitter sites:

1. Bukit Genting, Penang
2. Bukit Palong, Kedah
3. Changkat Rembian, Perak
4. Bukit Ladang Teh, Perak
5. Gunung Raya, Kedah
6. Bukit Istana, Pahang
7. Bukit Tampin, Negeri Sembilan
8. Bukit Gan, Negeri Sembilan
9. Bukit Tinggi, Johor.
10. Bukit Senggora, Pahang
11. Bukit Bintang, Besut, Terengganu
12. Bukit Chupak, Kelantan
13. Padang Pauh, Perlis
14. Bukit Dedap, Kedah
15. Bukit Asa, Perak
16. Bukit Gantang, Perak
17. Bukit Sembilan, Pahang

and other RTM gap filler transmitter sites

Bukit Palong, Kedah (RTM)

TM Taman Sentosa, Johor Bahru (one FM)

Bukit Bauk, Terengganu

Gunung Kledang, Perak

Bukit Pelindung, Pahang

Bukit Larut, Perak

Gunung Ledang, Johor

Bukit Besar, Terengganu

one FM太平頻道 (part 3)

之前2011年12月27號, one FM曾經在太平Bukit Larut試播頻道, 可是到現在還是無法正式廣播...或許是干擾因素..

上個月, 我建議幾個太平頻道92.4, 93.2, 105.7和97.3, 可是還沒有成績..

97.3MHz肯定不過關因為頻率很密, 有97.1和97.5..

去年2014年5月, 我建議IKIM FM太平頻道是105.7MHz, 但是不過關...

太平Bukit Larut電台發射塔也是很敏感的, 因為導致對其他地區的電台造成干擾, 尤其是Gunung Raya蘭卡威..

關於ikim fm太平頻道, 我還是建議88.8MHz, 至少ikim fm可以自行解決干擾問題, 何況他們還有Lower Jerai吉打頻道89.0MHz.

one FM太平頻道, 我還是建議105.7MHz比較好.  功率方面, 也是需要好好調整..

0.1kW, 0.25kW, 0.5kW= Bukit Larut電台在霹靂北部被Gunung Raya電台干擾
1kW, 2kW, 5kW, 10kW= Gunung Raya電台吉打北部被Bukit Larut電台干擾.

(co-channel analysis)

還是建議他們的發射功率使用0.75kW, 剛剛好罷了.

如果one FM有了太平頻道(105.7MHz), 太平的線路很清楚, 發射的pattern跟怡保頻道87.6MHz一樣來避免干擾.. 在檳城方面(George Town), 105.7MHz就會有嚴重的干擾, 但是聽眾可以用87.8MHz來收聽.. 到時候Kedah FM Gunung Raya蘭卡威頻道105.7MHz準備被one FM"封鎖", 好像吉打華玲頻道90.5MHz被Hot FM太平頻道封鎖..

one FM森美蘭芙蓉頻道

one FM目前的芙蓉頻道是88.3MHz, 發射地點還是留在芙蓉市鎮的Bukit Gun.覆蓋範圍並不大, 只是芙蓉地區罷了..我也已經在森美蘭州嘗試接收one FM芙蓉頻道88.3MHz的訊號.. 芙蓉有些地區的線路也是很弱, 尤其是在森那旺Senawang. 進到Rembau和Nilai就完全沒有訊號.. 其實Bukit Gun的高度不會很高..

據說, one FM正在計劃搬遷芙蓉頻道的發射地點至Gunung Telapa Burok. 其實88.3MHz根本不適合放在Gunung Telapa Burok因為隔壁的州屬用88.1和88.5, 會導致嚴重性的干擾.. 如果one FM要搬遷芙蓉頻道發射地點, 頻率一定要改.

總言之, 102.1MHz更加適合one FM在Gunung Telapa Burok發射, 頻率又適合森美蘭州和雪蘭莪南部..106.0MHz也ok, 但是頻率還是屬於Red FM, 雖然已經結束廣播6年了..

如果one FM真的把芙蓉頻道改去102.1MHz和發射地點放在Gunung Telapa Burok, 我相信森美蘭80%的地區可以收到. Gunung Telapa Burok的電台可以在以下的森美蘭地區收到:

- 芙蓉, Jelebu, Pertang, 瓜拉庇勞, 波德申, 馬口, 汝來, 文丁, Pedas/Linggi, Rembau, 柔河和Simpang Durian

Rembau, Tampin淡邊, Kota, 金馬士和利民濟收Gunung Telapa Burok不清, 但是可以通過Gunung Ledang電台頻道接收.

雪蘭莪南部的沙登, Kajang, Bangi就可以收到..

住在雪蘭莪無拉港的我, 我就不必用88.1MHz來收聽, 直接調去102.1MHz收聽, 比88.1清楚許多.

one FM 88.1在雪蘭莪南部是不清因為隔壁有馬來電台87.9干擾.

Mutiara FM Bukit Genting 100kHz frequency interference with Mix FM 91.0MHz Gunung Jerai

Mutiara FM uses the frequency 90.9MHz in Bukit Genting for Balik Pulau, Penang since September 2003 after RTM launched its transmitter, but its frequency usage caused Mix FM 91.0MHz could not be received in Balik Pulau.

Originally Mix FM 91.0MHz from Gunung Jerai still can be received in Balik Pulau, but signal is not so strong enough due to the area consists hills.

Balik Pulau is just like Penang version of Cameron Highlands.

Since Mix FM 91.0MHz is the commercial radio station in Malaysia and Mix FM won't launch another transmitter there (also the rural areas) due to no commercial values gain, Mutiara FM must not use same frequencies with commercial radio station from Gunung Jerai, Bukit Penara and Bukit Larut, instead must reach 200kHz from the particular radio station.

In addition, there is another RTM radio station Bukit Genting which co-channel with Gunung Jerai, there is Nasional FM 93.9MHz and Mutiara FM 93.9MHz, but both of them are RTM radio and they have different target locations.

Mutiara FM 93.9MHz does not cover whole Penang states, but only cover Batu Feringghi, Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Bungah and North Seberang Perai only.

Since Mix FM use 91.0MHz in Gunung Jerai was earlier than Mutiara FM 90.9 and Mix FM covers whole Penang states with 91.0MHz, RTM Mutiara FM SHOULD migrate its frequency away to suggested frequency 100.7MHz. So, Mix FM can be received in Balik Pulau and Mutiara FM Bukit Genting 100.7MHz will be more stable than 90.9MHz.

100.5MHz: Nasional FM Gunung Jerai
100.7MHz: Mutiara FM Bukit Genting

200kHz OK.

Cadangan penambahan pemancar THR Gegar untuk Pantai Timur

THR Gegar ialah sebuah stesen radio berbahasa Melayu di Malaysia dan bersiaran untuk Pantai Timur. THR Gegar dimiliki oleh Astro Radio Sdn. Bhd. Sasaran utamanya ialah pendengar berbahasa Melayu di Pantai Timur.

Setakat ini, THR Gegar bersiaran di Pantai Timur dengan tiga pemancar, iaitu:
1. Bukit Pelindung untuk Kuantan, Kemaman, Pekan, Muadzam Shah pada 88.8MHz
2. Bukit Jerung untuk Kuala Terengganu pada 106.8MHz
3. Bukit Panau untuk Kota Bharu, Kelantan Utara dan Besut Terengganu.

Di beberapa kawasan Pantai Timur, ada kawasan yang tidak dapat menerima siaran THR Gegar, iaitu:
1. Maran
2. Dungun
3. Temerloh
4. Jengka
5. Gua Musang

Pada pandangan saya, Astro Radio boleh menambah 3 pemancar lagi untuk THR Gegar di Pantai Timur, iaitu:

1. Bukit Senggora (untuk Pahang Tengah seperti Maran, Chenor, Jengka, Temerloh). Masih boleh didengari di Mentakab, dan beberapa bahagian daerah Bera, tetapi kurang jelas.
2. Bukit Bauk (untuk Dungun dan Kemaman)
3. Bukit Chupak (untuk Gua Musang)

Di sini terdapat juga beberapa frekuensi yang sesuai digunakan:

==THR Gegar Pahang Tengah==
Frekuensi: 100.7MHz
Kuasa: 2kW
Tempat pemancar: Bukit Senggora, Maran
Kawasan liputan: Temerloh, Maran, Jengka, Chenor, Chini, Mentakab

100.4MHz: one FM Bukit Pelindung
100.7MHz: THR Gegar Bukit Senggora
Keputusan: 300kHz, OK

100.7MHz: THR Gegar Bukit Senggora
100.9MHz: Selangor FM Gunung Ulu Kali
Keputusan: 200kHz, OK.

==THR Gegar Bukit Bauk==
Frekuensi: 96.4MHz
Kuasa: 2kW
Tempat pemancar: Bukit Bauk
Kawasan liputan: Dungun dan Kemaman

==THR Gegar Bukit Chupak==
Frekuensi: 107.7MHz
Kuasa: 2kW
Tempat pemancar: Bukit Chupak
Kawasan liputan: Gua Musang dan Kelantan Selatan

Best FM frequency for Seremban

 

Best FM currently broadcasts in Johor, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, South Perak and West Pahang with 104.1MHz: South Johor (Gunung Pulai), 102.5MHz: Mersing (Bukit Tinggi), 104.1MHz: Kuala Lumpur/Selangor/West Pahang/South Perak/North Negeri Sembilan (Gunung Ulu Kali) and 94.8MHz: Melaka/North Johor/Southern Negeri Sembilan (Gunung Ledang).

In Seremban, Best FM is not clear there on 104.1MHz or 94.8MHz. Best FM 94.8MHz can be received in Rembau, Tampin, Jempol, and Johol, but cannot be received in Seremban due to interference with Hitz FM 95.0MHz from Gunung Telapa Burok.

In my opinion, Best FM (formerly known as Best 104) can add a transmitter for Seremban in Bukit Gan on this frequency 101.1MHz. Regarding the transmitter site Gunung Telapa Burok, the frequencies there are fully used, only 102.1MHz and 106.0MHz. The frequency 106.0MHz is still belonged to Red FM after closure transmission in June 2009 due to transmitter tower cannot support the new transmitter where TV9 and 8TV were going to set up there. Meanwhile 102.1MHz may be used by one FM due to migration from Bukit Gun in order to expand coverage in Negeri Sembilan.

I don't think Best FM can set up in Gunung Telapa Burok due to unsuitable frequency.

Best FM can use 101.1MHz in Bukit Gun for Seremban areas. Bukit Gun coverage is not great as Gunung Telapa Burok due to its height. 

With Bukit Gun transmitter, Best FM can be received clearly in Seremban, Labu, Mambau, Rantau and Senawang. In my dad hometown, Mantin will not receive clearly from Bukit Gun 101.1MHz, meanwhile Best FM Bukit Gun frequency totally cannot be received in Nilai..

==Best FM Seremban== (my review)

Frequency: 101.1MHz

Power: 2kW

Location: Bukit Gan

Area coverage: Seremban.

100.9MHz: Selangor FM Ulu Kali

101.1MHz: Best FM Bukit Gan

101.3MHz: Ultra FM Bukit Sungai Besi

200kHz gap: OK 

Best FM in Negeri Sembilan (with adding transmitter in Bukit Gan)

104.1MHz (Gunung Ulu Kali): Nilai, Mantin, Jelebu, Kuala Pilah (West), North Jempol, Port Dickson

101.1MHz (Bukit Gan): Seremban

94.8MHz (Gunung Ledang): Tampin, Rembau, South Jempol, Johol, Gemas, Kuala Pilah (East)