RTM Sarawak's division radio stations frequencies

In Sarawak, RTM has five division radio stations, namely RaSa FM, Sibu FM, Bintulu FM, Miri FM and Limbang FM.

==RaSa FM frequencies==
* 89.5MHz: Sri Aman, Sarawak (Bukit Temuduk)
* 99.5MHz: Betong, Sarawak (Off Spaoh)

==Sibu FM frequencies==
* 87.6MHz: Sibu, Sarawak (Bukit Lima)
* 102.1MHz: Setapong/Selangau, Sarawak (Bukit Singgalang)
* 98.7MHz: Mukah, Sarawak
* 94.6MHz: Sarikei, Sarawak (Bukit Kayu Malam)
* 99.8MHz: Song, Sarawak (Bukit Song)
* 103.0MHz: Belaga, Sarawak 
* 94.3MHz: Kapit, Sarawak (Bukit Kapit)

==Bintulu FM frequencies==
* 97.5MHz: Bintulu and Tatau, Sarawak (Bukit Setiam)
* 95.3MHz: Bintulu, Sarawak (RTM Bintulu)

==Miri FM frequencies==
* 95.7MHz: Miri, Sarawak (Bukit Lambir)
* 98.0MHz: RTM Miri Broadcasting House

==Limbang FM frequencies==
* 104.9MHz: Limbang, Sarawak (Bukit Mas)
* 101.1MHz: Lawas, Sarawak (Bukit Tiong)
* 94.5MHz: Mendamit, Sarawak (Bukit Sagan Rudang)

Alongside their local breakfast shows from 9am to 12pm, Bintulu FM, Miri FM, Sibu FM, Limbang FM and RaSa FM relay Wai FM Iban/Bidayuh programs rest of the hours. In addition, local Chinese language program on Miri FM, RaSa FM, and Sibu FM were ceased because it already exists on RTM Red FM.

Cats FM expanded its network coverage in Belaga and Kapit, Sarawak.

BY PHILIP YONG
philipyong0110@gmail.com

On Q4 2019, Sarawak's commercial radio station Cats FM expanded its network coverage in Belaga and Kapit, Sarawak.

Before launching of Cats FM in these two locations, only RTM radio stations are available in Kapit and Belaga. Cats FM is the first commercial radio station to launch in Kapit and Belaga today. Listeners can tune to Cats FM in Belaga and Kapit through a radio receiver. In Belaga, Cats FM is on FM 99.5MHz, meanwhile FM 107.6MHz is in Kapit.


==Cats FM Belaga frequency==
* Frequency: FM 99.5MHz
* Power: 0.5kW
* Transmitter site: TM Belaga, Sarawak

==Cats FM Kapit frequency==
* Frequency: FM 107.6MHz
* Power: 0.5kW
* Transmitter site: TM Bukit Kapit, Sarawak

TM Belaga tower, Sarawak

TM Bukit Kapit tower, Sarawak

MYTV myFreeview coverage in Balik Pulau, Penang (DTT)

List of Balik Pulau areas where can receive MYTV myFreeview via DTT from Gunung Raya and Bukit Larut with 37E UHF outdoor antenna and antenna booster.

==Gunung Raya (881m)==

- Kampung Perlis

- Pulau Betong

- Kampung Sungai Burung

- Taman Nelayan

- Kampung Genting

- Kampung Jalan Baru

- Kampung Terang

==Gunung Jerai (1269m)==

- Kuala Sungai Pinang

 

==Bukit Larut (1341m)==

- Balik Pulau town

- Kampung Titi Teras

- Sungai Rusa

- Kampung Titi Serong

- Kampung Permatang Timbun

- Kampung Pasir Panjang

- Gertak Sanggul

- Teluk Kumbar

- Tanjung Asam

- Taman Kumbar Permai

Balik Pulau receives MYTV myFreeview DTT from Gunung Raya, Langkawi, Kedah?

On previous post, I rolled out the alternative method to receive MYTV myFreeview DTT signal in Balik Pulau, Penang by receiving from Bukit Larut, Taiping, Perak, but MYTV Bukit Larut signal is mostly receivable in Balik Pulau town and Teluk Kumbar, Penang. Other than Bukit Larut, some of Balik Pulau areas can receive TV and radio signal from Gunung Raya, Langkawi, Kedah.

Back to December 2013, I was used to receive Era FM 90.7MHz from Gunung Raya when drove from Teluk Bahang to Balik Pulau, even Kedah FM 105.7MHz and Langkawi FM 104.8MHz can be received between these two towns, but no signal when reach Balik Pulau town.

Gunung Raya signal is only available in west coastal area of Balik Pulau, namely Kampung Sungai Burung, Kampung Jalan Baru, Kampung Sungai Burong, Kampung Perlis, Pulau Betong and village areas along Jalan Kuala Sungai Pinang (Taman Nelayan).

To receive MYTV myFreeview DTT signal from Gunung Raya in Balik Pulau coastal village, an outdoor UHF 37E antenna and antenna booster are required.To get better reception, ensure 37E antenna on the roof beam to north direction, it is better to put higher antenna (not high as Johor TV antenna type).

Adjacent distance from Gunung Raya to Balik Pulau coastal village is 117-125km. So, 37E UHF outdoor antenna is the only choice.

==Balik Pulau areas where can receive MYTV myFreeview DTT from Gunung Raya==

- Kampung Perlis

- Pulau Betong

- Kampung Sungai Burung

- Taman Nelayan

- Kampung Genting

- Kampung Jalan Baru

- Kampung Terang

MYTV myFreeview Gunung Raya frequencies are same as Bukit Larut, Penang U4, Gunung Jerai and Seberang Jaya.

Alternative transmitter sites for MYTV DTT in blind spot areas (use 37E outdoor antenna and booster)

Here are alternative distant transmitter sites where may be able to be received MYTV myFreeview DTT signal in blind spot areas, but it is mandatory to use 37E UHF outdoor antenna and booster in order to receive myFreeview DTT signal from distant transmitter sites.

1. Tapah, Perak (Gunung Ulu Kali): Town only

2. Lenggong, Perak (Bukit Larut)

3. Baling, Kedah (Gunung Jerai)

4. Kuala Klawang, Negeri Sembilan (Gunung Ledang): only applicable in town

5. Titi, Negeri Sembilan (Gunung Ledang): selected areas only

6. Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan (Gunung Ledang)

7. Johol, Negeri Sembilan (Gunung Ledang)

8. Pengkalan Hulu, Perak (Gunung Jerai): selected areas only

9. Balik Pulau, Penang (Bukit Larut)

10. Simpang Pertang, Negeri Sembilan (Gunung Ledang)

11. Teluk Bahang, Penang (Gunung Raya/Gunung Jerai)

12. Perlis (Gunung Raya)

13. Kuala Lipis, Pahang (Bukit Fraser)

14. Teluk Kumbar, Penang (Bukit Larut)

15. Padang Tengku, Pahang (Bukit Fraser)

16. Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, Pahang (Gunung Kledang) 

17. Hulu Langat, Selangor (Gunung Ulu Kali)

18. Sipitang, Sabah (Bukit Tiong)

Another alternative way other than using DTH (direct to home). If you cannot receive MYTV via DTT from the list, you need to install MYTV Asiasat-9 Satellite dish.

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.

Unknown radio station FM 93.8MHz detected in Kuala Kedah, Malaysia (Al-Falah FM 93.8MHz Sigil Aceh)

In Kuala Kedah, which not far away from jetty. Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai signal turned weak, the radio signal became an unknown radio station.

By clicking auto searching, the radio receiver stopped at FM 93.8MHz, the unknown radio station carried Al-Quran recite programs. I recorded the video where not far away from Kuala Kedah mosque, then the signal disappeared when I turned to Sungai Kedah river bridge.

Initially suspect FM 93.8MHz is from Indonesia, I had checked on Asiawaves.net, none of radio stations are registered on FM 93.8MHz within North Sumatra.

I believe FM 93.8MHz that I spotted is Islamic radio station. FM 93.8MHz is not used in North Sumatra, coincidentally Aceh is Muslim majority province in Indonesia, so I tried to search it on Google by typing "FM 93.8MHz Aceh".

It is Al Falah FM 93.8MHz, based in Sigli, Aceh province of Indonesia.

==INFORMATION==

* Station name: Al-Falah FM 

* Frequency: FM 93.8MHz

* Transmission site: Sigil, Aceh province, Indonesia

* Receiving site: Kuala Kedah, Malaysia 
* Distance: 482km

Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai interfered by 94PFM We Love Satun from Satun, Thailand in Alor Setar, Kedah

RTM Mutiara FM is a state radio station to target Penang state with 3 frequencies, FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara, FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai (low power) and FM 90.9MHz Bukit Genting (low power).

Since it targets only Penang, but the radio station is clashed by few Thailand radio stations in Kedah. Gunung Jerai is transmission site to cover Kedah, Penang and Perlis, but Mutiara FM 93.9MHz never covers Kedah actually. In addition, Georgetown and Seberang Perai are not FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai coverage as they're covered by FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara.

Actually Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai covers only Batu Feringghi, Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang where these areas cannot receive FM 95.7MHz from Bukit Penara due to terrains. Interesting thing about FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai reception in Kedah is Mutiara FM clashed with Thailand radio station.

In Alor Setar, Jitra and Ayer Hitam of Kedah, Mutiara FM 93.9MHz actually is clashed by 94PFM We Love Satun which transmitted from Satun, Thailand. Imagine if 94PFM We Love Satun is transmitted from Tambon Khuan Khan, Satun, Thailand where occupied by Radio Thailand Satun FM 95.5MHz and FM 99.5MHz, I may believe Mutiara FM 93.9MHz will get more interference from 94PFM badly in Alor Setar.

MCOT Phatthalung FM 95.75MHz can be received at Gunung Jerai top peak, Malaysia.

In Kedah and Perlis of Malaysia where are not far from Thailand border, it is common that these states can receive neighboring TV and radio stations from Thailand, notably Satun, Songkhla, Yala and Betong provinces. For Langkawi, due to its strategic geographical location, the island somehow can receive Thailand radio stations from Trang, Phatthalung and Phuket.

For mainland Kedah areas, Satun, Songkhla and Yala transmitted Thailand radio stations are receivable, but surprisingly Phatthalung radio station can be received in Kedah. When I traveled to Gunung Jerai top peak, usually I could capture Thailand radio stations signal clearly in Satun, Yala and Songkhla, but I received MCOT Phatthalung FM 95.75MHz there. 

I thought Mutiara FM 95.7MHz from Bukit Penara could be received at Gunung Jerai top peak, but the frequency became Thailand radio station. I already guessed FM 95.7 is MCOT Phatthalung during that time.

From Phatthalung to Gunung Jerai top peak, the adjacent distance is 215km, reception of MCOT Phatthalung is moderate there.

At Gunung Jerai top peak, MCOT FM 95.75MHz is the only Phatthalung radio station can be received there, compare to other Phatthalung radio stations such as Radio Thailand FM 98.0MHz (Zayan FM 98.1MHz Gunung Jerai signal), TP4 FM 89.25MHz (Lite FM Bukit Larut 89.3MHz signal).

When I drove from foothill to top peak of Gunung Jerai (12km distance), Mutiara FM and MCOT Phatthalung were clashing each other on FM 95.7MHz.

==RF analysis==

95.7MHz: Mutiara FM Bukit Penara

95.75MHz: MCOT Phatthalung

<50kHz>

สถานีวิทยุกองทัพภาคที่ 4 จังหวัดตรัง FM 103.00 MHz from Trang, Thailand received in Penang and Alor Setar?

A Thailand radio station from Trang province can be received in Penang and Alor Setar?

In Alor Setar, the only available Thailand radio stations are transmitted from Satun, Songkhla and Yala. 

Yala is not the furthest Thailand radio station that received in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia, but Trang is the furthest.

In Trang Thailand, there is an army radio station, which operated by Royal Thai Army 4th area division, known as สถานีวิทยุกองทัพภาคที่ 4 จังหวัดตรัง FM 103.00 MHz (4th Army Radio Station Trang FM 103.0MHz, also known as Thor Por Sii in Thai radio call sign name).

สถานีวิทยุกองทัพภาคที่ 4 จังหวัดตรัง (Satthanii Witthayu Kong Thap Phak Thi Si Changwat Trang)

This radio station operates on FM 103.0MHz from Na Tham Nuea, Trang, Thailand, transmission power is 3.5kW (ERP: 7kW). It can be received in part of Langkawi actually via coastal transmission, but surprisingly FM 103.0MHz Trang can be received in some Alor Setar areas and Penang.

When I was driving at some higher areas in Alor Setar (a flyover bridge), Perlis FM 102.9MHz from Padang Pauh was interfered by FM 103.0MHz from Trang, Thailand. While Perlis FM 102.9MHz was playing Sabyan Gambus song (Arabic Islamic song cover version), I could hear some Thai Lukthung (Thai country) music noise, then I switched to FM 103.0MHz, it was receivable, but poor reception.

In addition, Perlis FM 102.9MHz definitely cannot be received anymore when drive to Sungai Petani, and Penang. As I know, Perlis FM 102.9MHz Padang Pauh can be received only in Tanjung Bungah high elevation areas of Penang Island. When Perlis FM 102.9MHz Padang Pauh reception went poor in Penang, but I can receive Thailand radio station FM 103.0MHz from Trang province in Tasek Gelugor and Bukit Tambun, so freak!


Distance between Thor Por Sii FM 103.0MHz Trang Thailand and Penang, Kedah is about 220km-280km.

Seriously say that FM 103.0MHz is the strongest radio station among all Trang province radio stations. Compare to MCOT FM 106.25MHz Trang and Radio Thailand FM 91.25MHz Trang, both of them did not overspill signal beyond Langkawi Island, even they never transmit signal to Perlis and Kedah, but Thor Por Sii Trang FM 103.0MHz has very strong propagation where it can overspill signal to Penang of Malaysia.