In Negeri Sembilan, BFM 89.9MHz can be accessed in most of the areas from Gunung Ulu Kali, locations such as Nilai, Mantin, Port Dickson, Linggi, Rembau, Pasir Panjang, Lukut, Labu, Bukit Pelanduk, Gemas, Rompin, Bandar Seri Jempol, Simpang Pertang, Simpang Durian, Serting, and Batu Kikir (North).
For Negeri Sembilan, Seremban is the state capital. Now it has been upgraded as Negeri Sembilan city due to its rapid development.recently. Among all Negeri Sembilan areas, Nilai, Seremban, Labu and Senawang are the most developed areas due to its geographical locations where are not so far away from Klang Valley, meanwhile Port Dickson is the most developed tourism area in Negeri Sembilan. Moreover, Bandar Enstek and Kota Serimas are newly developed areas.
In Seremban, BFM 89.9MHz reception is not clear much because the signal is heavily interfered by RTM Ai FM 89.7MHz from Gunung Telapak Burok. When I come to Seremban, I always hear the noise from Ai FM when tune to BFM 89.9 there. If I use a normal radio receiver to receive BFM 89.9, more interference from Ai FM 89.7MHz Gunung Telapak Burok.
Just for everybody information, Ai FM 89.7MHz Gunung Telapak Burok mainly covers Negeri Sembilan areas with the exception of Tampin and north Jempol. Actually Ai FM used 89.7MHz for Negeri Sembilan many decades ago, previously the reception was not clear in Seremban because interfered by BFM 89.9. I still remembered before launching of BFM 89.9 in September 2008, Ai FM 89.7MHz reception was partially ok when I reached Mantin and Nilai. After BFM 89.9 was launched, Ai FM 89.7MHz reception got interference by BFM 89.9 in Mantin, Labu and Nilai, even Seremban too. Since November 2009, RTM upgraded Gunung Telapak Burok transmission power from 0.1kW to 1kW to provide better reception of their radio stations for Negeri Sembilan and resolve the interference issue.
After Ai FM 89.7MHz got upgraded its transmission power to 1kW in November 2009, BFM 89.9 reception was no longer clear in Seremban.
==RF analysis between BFM and Ai FM==
89.7MHz: Ai FM Gunung Telapak Burok
89.9MHz: BFM Gunung Ulu Kali
<200kHz, not clear. Interference in Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Bahau, Rantau, Jelebu, Simpang Durian and Senawang>
Recently Seremban grows rapidly, there are many investors, business people and SMEs like to invest Seremban markets. Senawang is Negeri Sembilan largest industrial areas, located in Seremban. In addition, Sungai Gadut is also covered by Senawang.
In my opinion, a relay transmitter for Seremban is needed to solve the poor reception of BFM 89.9 in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. If BFM can get Penang frequency successfully, they can expand coverage in Seremban after Penang.
For BFM Seremban frequency and the transmitter location, I think Bukit Gan is enough for BFM to cover Seremban and surrounding areas because Gunung Telapak Burok has no empty frequencies with exception of FM 102.1MHz.
Here are my suggestion over BFM Seremban frequency basic parameters.
==Basic parameter of BFM Seremban frequency==
- Frequency: FM 90.1MHz
- Power: 0.75kW
- Transmitter location: Bukit Gan, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
==RF analysis==
89.9MHz: BFM Gunung Ulu Kali
90.1MHz: BFM Bukit Gan
<200kHz, OK>
90.1MHz: BFM Bukit Gan
90.3MHz: Traxx FM Kuala Lumpur Tower
<200kHz, OK>
89.7MHz: Ai FM Gunung Telapak Burok
90.1MHz: BFM Bukit Gan
<400kHz, OK>
90.1MHz: BFM Bukit Gan
90.5MHz: Minnal FM Gunung Telapak Burok
<400kHz, OK>
90.1MHz: BFM Bukit Gan
90.3MHz: Era FM Gunung Ledang
<200kHz, OK>
90.1MHz: BFM Bukit Gan
90.1MHz: Hot FM Gunung Pulai
<0kHz, OK>
Actually I have some reason to suggest FM 90.1MHz, instead of other availability frequencies.
Reason 1: If 90.1MHz is assigned to BFM in Bukit Gan Seremban, listeners will be more convenient when tuning the radio dial. For example, if a listener is going to Seremban from Klang Valley, but 89.9 has poor reception in Seremban, he or she can press "+" or ">>" button for twice (for 0.1MHz steps) or four times (for 0.05kHz steps) or once for 2 second (for express searching). From 89.9 to 90.1, listeners can listen to BFM in Seremban instantly without seeking for longer frequencies.
Reason 2: Perhaps BFM operates 89.9 for Klang Valley, listeners won't hear different radio stations interference.
Reason 3: More convenient to listeners around Negeri Sembilan to listen to BFM. Since Bukit Gan coverage is limited for Seremban only, people can tune back to 89.9 after leaving Seremban location when the reception of 90.1MHz turns weak. Example, Seremban to Port Dickson, when reception of 90.1MHz is not clear in Lukut, they can tune to 89.9MHz back. It is more perfect if equipped with RDS and AF function.
If 90.1MHz is transmitted from Gunung Telapak Burok, I believe BFM 90.1MHz will give more interference to existing radio stations due to its narrow frequencies separation with other radio stations, even itself. Here are the affected radio stations which interfered by BFM 90.1MHz.
- 89.9MHz: BFM Gunung Ulu Kali in South Selangor and Northwest Negeri Sembilan
- 90.3MHz: Traxx FM Kuala Lumpur in South Selangor and some KL areas
- 90.3MHz: Era FM Gunung Ledang in northwest Melaka and Negeri Sembilan (Rembau, Kuala Pilah, Gemencheh)
- 90.1MHz: Hot FM Gunung Pulai in Central Johor (co-channel interference, even happen in Kota and Rembau)
Listeners will suffer to receive a radio station in narrow frequency tuning.
==In Klang Valley, South Selangor and North Negeri Sembilan==
89.7MHz: Ai FM Gunung Telapak Burok
89.9MHz: BFM Gunung Ulu Kali
90.1MHz: BFM Gunung Telapak Burok
90.3MHz: Traxx FM Kuala Lumpur Tower
90.5MHz: Minnal FM Gunung Telapak Burok
<interference happen>
==In Melaka and east Negeri Sembilan==
90.1MHz: BFM Gunung Telapak Burok
90.3MHz: Era FM Gunung Ledang
90.5MHz: Minnal FM Gunung Telapak Burok
<interference>
To me, it is safer to use 90.1MHz in Bukit Gan than Gunung Telapak Burok to avoid interference.
==Coverage for BFM 90.1MHz Bukit Gan==
- Seremban
- Senawang
- Sungai Gadut
- Labu
- Sendayan
- Rantau
- Mambau
- Pantai
- Ulu Bendul (Tanjung Ipoh)
- Ampangan
- Paroi
- Bandar Springhills
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| Bukit Gan coverage |
