It's official! RTM Sabah VFM and Wai FM that I suggested on April 2020 are now available on MYTV myFreeview DTTV platform, bonus with Sabah FM and Sarawak FM.

 

BY PHILIP YONG

philipyong0110@gmail.com

 

On 12th September 2020, RTM four radio stations from Sabah and Sarawak was officially launched on MYTV digital terrestrial television platform, they're:

 

1. Sabah FM on CH707

2. Sabah VFM on CH708

3. Sarawak FM on CH709

4. Wai FM on CH710

 

Other than RTM Mobile app which is online streaming based radio, people who stay outside Sabah and Sarawak now can listen to these four radio stations on MYTV digital terrestrial television platform.

 

Back to April 2020, I had published a blog article to suggest RTM to launch Wai FM and Sabah VFM on MYTV to promote Sabah and Sarawak culture. Now, my suggestion happens in reality. 

 

I'm very happy when Wai FM and Sabah VFM are launched on MYTV. In addition, RTM adds Sabah FM and Sarawak FM on MYTV that I did not suggest in April 2020, so it is another bonus. 

 

For Wai FM on MYTV, it is based on Astro CH871 and SW11665kHz version, rather than Kuching FM 101.3MHz (Iban) and FM 106.1MHz (Bidayuh and Kayan). MYTV version of Wai FM is combination of Iban, Bidayuh and Kayan services in terms of content. 

 

I realize there are many Sabahans and Sarawakians staying in Peninsular Malaysia, and these radio stations have no FM frequencies in Peninsular Malaysia, but from now they can listen to Wai FM and Sabah VFM on MYTV.

 

Congratulations for the launching. In my opinion, I also wish RTM will add Sarawak's Red FM on MYTV too. For your information, Sarawak's Red FM (not confuse with defunct Red FM where closed in 2016) is bilingual radio station in Sarawak, broadcast in Chinese and English. I could listen to this Sarawak English and Chinese radio station on MYTV if RTM Red FM launched on the platform.

Radio Aksi Bethany AM 900kHz is the only Indonesia MW radio station available in Tanjung Piandang, Perak, Malaysia during daytime transmission

We know that many AM radio stations from Indonesia can be received in Malaysia during nighttime transmission.

 

Normally I only managed to receive Indonesia AM radio stations, mainly Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) in Malaysia after evening.

 

Believe it or not? There is only 1 Indonesia AM radio station that I received in Malaysia during daytime propagation from morning to noon, it is Radio Aksi Bethany AM 900kHz.

 

Radio Aksi Bethany AM 900kHz is actually transmitted from Medan, Indonesia, then I received it in Tanjung Piandang (Ban Pecah), Perak, Malaysia at noon. For your information, it is available in Penang and coastal areas of Perak all day, but Radio Aksi Bethany AM 900kHz could be interfered by high transmission power Radio Thailand AM 891kHz from Bangkok in Tanjung Piandang, Perak and Penang when reach in the evening.

 

Radio Aksi Bethany AM 900kHz from Medan, Indonesia can be received in Tanjung Piandang, Malaysia all day because Tanjung Piandang and other coastal areas in Perak are located to the adjacent areas of Sumatera, Indonesia.

 

Between Indonesia and Malaysia, there is only sea, no terrain.

 

==INDONESIA AM RADIO DX DAYTIME TRANSMISSION REPORT==

- Frequency: MW 900kHz

- Power: 10kW

- Transmission site: Medan, North Sumatra province, Indonesia

- Receiving site: Ban Pecah Tanjung Piandang, Perak, Malaysia

- Distance: 250km

- Receiving date/time: 30.08.2020 1143H (UTC+8)

- SINPO: 45334  

 

In conclusion, Radio Aksi Bethany AM 900kHz is the only Indonesia MW radio station which available in Tanjung Piandang, Perak, Malaysia all day.

Voice of Navy 3 AM 1458kHz (Phuket), the only Thailand AM radio station can be received in Tanjung Piandang, Perak, Malaysia during daytime.

 

Voice of Navy 3 from Phuket, Thailand operates on AM 1458kHz and FM 88.0MHz. In Tanjung Piandang (Ban Pecah), Perak, Malaysia, I attempted to receive on FM 88.0MHz, but nothing signal from Phuket after I saw a friend received Voice of Navy 3 FM 88.0MHz in Taiping, Malaysia.

 

In fact, I could receive AM 1458kHz from Phuket, Thailand in Tanjung Piandang, Perak, Malaysia during daytime transmission. Meanwhile Radio Thailand Phuket AM 1062kHz is not receivable there during daytime transmission.

 

Usually I could only receive AM radio stations from Thailand during nighttime.

 

==AM DX report==

 - Frequency: MW 1458kHz 

- Power: 10kW 

- Transmission site: Tambon Wichit, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket province, Thailand 

- Receiving site: Tanjung Piandang, Perak Malaysia (Ban Pecah) 

- Distance: 384km 

- Receiving date: 30.08.2020 1130-1250H (UTC+8)

- SINPO: 35434 

Other than Songkhla based AM radio stations such as 1269kHz, 1431kHz and 1512kHz where can be received in Malaysia during daytime transmission, AM 1458kHz is the only Phuket based AM radio station can be received in Tanjung Piandang, Perak, Malaysia during daytime, even it can be received in Langkawi, and Penang during daytime as these areas are located at adjacent area nearby Malacca Straits. Between Tanjung Piandang and Phuket, there are no any terrains and buildings, so Phuket AM 1458kHz can transmit there during daytime.

When comes to nighttime transmission, AM 1458kHz from Phuket is likely having adjacent channel interference from high power Bangkok transmitted Radio Thailand Educational Network AM 1467kHz there.

In Tanjung Piandang, the signal of AM 1458kHz from Phuket, Thailand is available all day.

RTM Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai is having co-channel interference from Nasional FM 93.9MHz Bukit Genting in Perak, Malaysia

 

RTM Mutiara FM main frequency for Penang is actually FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara, meanwhile it has two low power transmitter to cover 95.7MHz blind spot areas such as 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai and 90.9MHz Bukit Genting.

 

FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai did not cover all Penang areas. It is used to cover only Batu Feringghi, Tanjung Bungah, Tanjung Tokong and Teluk Bahang actually. The transmission power of FM 93.9MHz is only 0.1kW, and 93.9MHz is using only directional antenna (panel type) to beam southwest direction.

 

In Penang, there is RTM Nasional FM using same frequency as Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai, but cover Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar only where Nasional FM cannot be received on FM 100.5MHz from Gunung Jerai there. Due to Nasional FM Bukit Genting and Mutiara FM Gunung Jerai use same frequency on FM 93.9MHz, this results co-channel interference in most of Penang locations such as Georgetown, Bayan Lepas, Gelugor, Central Seberang Perai (Juru, Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam) and South Seberang Perai (Sungai Jawi, Nibong Tebal).

 

Other than Penang, in fact RTM Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai is also having co-channel interference (CCI) from Nasional FM 93.9MHz Bukit Genting in Perak. The CCI locations in Perak are:

 

1. Kuala Kurau

2. Tanjung Piandang

3. Parit Buntar

4. Bagan Serai

 

In addition, Bandar Baharu of Kedah is also having co-channel interference between Mutiara FM and Nasional FM on 93.9MHz.

 

Here are the videos of CCI on FM 93.9MHz that I received in Tanjung Piandang, Parit Buntar, Bagan Serai and Kuala Kurau which I made on 30.08.2020. 

 

1. Tanjung Piandang (Ban Pecah)

2. Kuala Kurau

3. Parit Buntar

 

The reception of Mutiara FM 93.9MHz is stable without co-channel interference when received in Alor Pongsu, Perak. 

 

The co-channel interference of FM 93.9MHz does not affect Mutiara FM listeners at all, because listeners can tune to FM 95.7MHz from Bukti Penara in listed areas, however Parit Buntar, Kuala Kurau, Bagan Serai and Tanjung Piandang are not first priority broadcast areas of RTM Mutiara FM. 

 

From Parit Buntar to Bagan Serai, you will also detect co-channel interference signal between Mutiara FM and Nasional FM on 93.9MHz. 

 

From my review, what I received FM 93.9MHz co-channel interference in Perak is same as what I listened to RTM Johor FM 105.3MHz Gunung Ledang in Melaka and Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan where having co-channel interference from Suria FM 105.3MHz Gunung Ulu Kali. 

 

What I predicted last year about FM 93.9MHz CCI in Tanjung Piandang, Bagan Serai and Kuala Kurau, Perak is accurate now.

Lite FM 105.7MHz Gunung Ulu Kali has co-channel interference with RTM Kedah FM 105.7MHz Gunung Raya (Langkawi) in Perak, Malaysia

Before going to Perak on 30th August 2020, I planned for FM radio stations DX log list. My first priority of FM DX in Tanjung Piandang, Kuala Kurau, Bagan Serai and Parit Buntar was Thailand FM radio stations, then RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz, meanwhile Gunung Raya Langkawi transmitted radio stations were second priority.

 

I could not receive RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz Padang Pauh in Tanjung Piandang and Kuala Kurau nearby the seaside, so I tried to receive Langkawi radio stations in Perak.

Believe it or not? Lite FM 105.7MHz (Gunung Ulu Kali, Pahang/Selangor border) is having co-channel interference with RTM Kedah FM 105.7MHz (Gunung Raya, Langkawi, Kedah) in Perak, Malaysia.

 

Due to Kedah FM 105.7MHz Gunung Raya transmitter can overspill to numerous coastal areas in Kedah, Penang and Perak, the signal can be received weakly in Tanjung Piandang, and Parit Buntar, Perak.

In fact, the co-channel interference of two radio stations (Lite FM and RTM Kedah FM) on the frequency FM 105.7MHz happens in Tanjung Piandang, Perak, Malaysia.

 

Gunung Ulu Kali radio transmission somewhat can overspill to northwest Perak, but weaker signal, meanwhile Gunung Raya can overspill to part of Perak areas. Therefore, co-channel interference between two distant radio stations happens.

 

On 30th August 2020, I went to Tanjung Piandang Ban Pecah, Perak for making FM DX videos. By using TECSUN PL-380, there was co-channel interference between Lite FM and RTM Kedah FM when tuned to the frequency on FM 105.7MHz. Here are three videos that I recorded in Ban Pecah Tanjung Piandang, Perak.The co-channel interference between Lite FM and Kedah FM on 105.7MHz definitely does not affect both radio stations' listeners in Tanjung Piandang because Tanjung Piandang is not the broadcast coverage area of both radio station. In Tanjung Piandang, Lite FM can be listened on 89.3MHz from Bukit Larut, even 104.4MHz Gunung Jerai is still clear there, meanwhile RTM Kedah FM can be tuned on 97.5MHz from Gunung Jerai.

 

Kedah FM 105.7MHz has 161km distance from Gunung Raya to Tanjung Piandang, meanwhile Lite FM 105.7MHz has 236km distance from Gunung Ulu Kali to Tanjung Piandang. The interference is same as what I listened to Lite FM 105.7MHz in South Melaka, and Muar, Johor which has interference with RTM Nasional FM 105.7MHz from Gunung Pulai.

Radio Thailand Betong FM 93.0MHz STEREO signal received in Alor Pongsu, Perak, Malaysia

 

 

 

From Semanggol to Alor Pongsu, I received Radio Thailand Betong FM 93.0MHz on PLUS Highway, then I entered Alor Pongsu toll.

 

After paying toll at Alor Pongsu exit, I could receive Radio Thailand Betong FM 93.0MHz clearly when I stopped after the toll exit by using TECSUN PL-380.

 

In Alor Pongsu, Perak, Malaysia, I received FM 93.0MHz from Betong, Thailand clearly with STEREO signal on TECSUN PL-380 radio receiver.

 

Here are the video that I received Radio Thailand Betong FM 93.0MHz in Alor Pongsu.

 

No interference from local station Hitz FM 92.8MHz Gunung Jerai is found in Alor Pongsu when receive Radio Thailand Betong FM 93.0MHz.

 

==Radio Thailand Betong FM DX in Alor Pongsu, Perak, Malaysia==

- Frequency: FM 93.0MHz

- Power: 2kW

- Transmission site: Betong, Yala, Thailand 

- Receiving site: Alor Pongsu toll exit, 34300 Bagan Serai, Perak, Malaysia  

- Distance: 93km 

- SINPO: 54555 

Thailand FM DXing in Kerian, Perak, Malaysia

On 30th and 31st August 2020, I traveled to Kerian district, Perak, Malaysia, I received few Thailand FM radio stations in Parit Buntar, Alor Pongsu, Kuala Kurau, Bagan Serai and Tanjung Piandang.

Here are the radio stations lists and receiving locations:

1. Radio Thailand Yala FM 92.0MHz and FM 94.25MHz

Receiving areas: Bagan Serai, and Semanggol.

2. Radio Thailand Yala FM 95.0MHz

Receiving areas: Bagan Serai and Semanggol

3. Radio Thailand Betong FM 93.0MHz

Receiving areas: Alor Pongsu, Semanggol, Kuala Kurau, Bagan Serai, and Parit Buntar

4. Radio Thailand Satun FM 99.5MHz

Receiving areas: Kuala Kurau and Tanjung Piandang

Radio Thailand Yala FM 92.0MHz, 94.25MHz and FM 95.0MHz are receivable in Bagan Serai and Semanggol, but interference from local radio station.

 

FM 92.0MHz and FM 94.25MHz are interfered by Ai FM 92.1MHz Bukit Genting and Mix FM 94.3MHz Gunung Kledang respectively, meanwhile FM 95.0MHz are interfered by Radio Klasik FM 94.9MHz Gunung Jerai.

For Satun radio, only Radio Thailand Satun FM 99.5MHz is receivable weakly in Kuala Kurau and Tanjung Piandang, but Radio Thailand Satun FM 95.5MHz and MCOT Satun FM 93.25MHz cannot be received there.

FM 102.9MHz that I proposed in the past for northern region. Difference between past and now.

From 2013 till 2016, apart from Perlis FM 102.9MHz in Padang Pauh, actually FM 102.9MHz was my proposed frequency for Penang transmission.

 

Between 2013 and 2016, I proposed FM 102.9MHz to IKIM FM (later BFM) for Bukit Penara frequency to cover Penang and Georgetown as 89.0MHz was not receivable during that time.

 

I was told that FM 102.9MHz is not suitable for Bukit Penara transmission because it could interfere to Perlis FM 102.9MHz Padang Pauh coverage. Besides that, Perlis FM has only 1 frequency for Perlis. Therefore, I stopped to study it.

 

Now, FM 102.9MHz is occupied by RTM Perak FM in Bukit Palong, Kedah to cover Pengkalan Hulu, West Gerik, Klian Intan and Thailand Betong.

 

Here is the difference:

 

2013-2016: FM 102.9MHz Bukit Penara 2kW (proposed)

2020: FM 102.9MHz Bukit Palong 1kW (RTM Perak FM)

 

In the past, I also did not recommend FM 102.9MHz Bukit Palong because it could cause co-channel interference with Perlis FM and adjacent interference to RTM Nasional FM Bukit Dedap 102.7MHz coverage, but at last FM 102.9MHz is used by RTM Perak FM in Bukit Palong where I spotted its weak signal in Parit Buntar and Kuala Kangsar, Perak recently.

Media Prima Ripple launches Fly FM, Hot FM, one FM and Kool FM on MYTV digital terrestrial television platform, effective from 28th August 2020.

Starting from 28th August 2020, MYTV viewers or digital terrestrial television users can listen to Media Prima four Ripple radio stations, Fly FM, Hot FM, one FM and Kool FM via MYTV.

==Media Prima radio stations channel on MYTV==

CH707: Hot FM

CH708: Kool FM

CH709: Fly FM

CH710: One FM

For Kool FM, the last coverage expansion was 104.3MHz Kuching in 2017, and no more coverage expansion after since that. Technically, Kool FM is now available nationwide including Johor, Perak, Pahang, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Sabah technically via MYTV DTT platform, where these states have no Kool FM frequencies on radio.

Meanwhile Fly FM is technically available in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching on MYTV digital terrestrial TV where these two locations have no Fly FM.

One FM is technically available in Kota Bharu and Terengganu on MYTV digital terrestrial TV where One FM has no FM radio frequencies there.

As FM radio frequencies are fully occupied nowadays in Peninsular Malaysia (except Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan), so MYTV digital terrestrial television is part of platform to bypass frequency transmission, alongside mobile app and online streaming platform.

Radio on MYTV platform is also digital audio broadcasting, but on TV, somewhat known as DVB-T2 radio. The limitation is outdoor listening, because people cannot listen to Kool FM in the car or outdoor on DVB-T2 platform, unless they have DVB-T2 interface in the car for car audio system.

RTM Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai has co-channel interference with Nasional FM 93.9MHz Bukit Genting in Taiping, Perak

 

RTM Penang radio station, Mutiara FM broadcasts on FM 95.7MHz from Bukit Penara, FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai and FM 90.9MHz from Bukit Genting.

 

Its FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai covers only blind spot areas of FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara including Sungai Dua, Nibong Tebal, Sungai Jawi, Batu Feringghi, Tanjung Tokong, Teluk Bahang and Tanjung Bungah. There is another radio station using FM 93.9MHz for Balik Pulau, it is Nasional FM Bukit Genting. Therefore, it causes co-channel interference between Mutiara FM and Nasional FM in Georgetown, Butterworth, Juru, Permatang Pauh, Seberang Jaya, Perai, and Bayan Lepas, but it does not affect both radio stations listeners at all because Nasional FM and Mutiara FM can be tuned on 100.5 and 95.7 respectively.

 

Surprisingly co-channel interference between Mutiara FM Gunung Jerai and Nasional FM Bukit Genting happens in Taiping, Perak, but Taiping is not broadcast coverage area of Mutiara FM because the radio station is only for Penang.

 

FM 93.9MHz was Mutiara FM from Gunung Jerai constantly in Taiping, but now there is having interference from Nasional FM.

 

Taiping is the first Perak location to have CCI signal on FM 93.9MHz, so Kerian (Tanjung Piandang and Kuala Kurau) is also same? On 30.08.2020, I will test the frequency there.