My recommend list of Australian radio stations in Brisbane and surrounding areas.

Due to business event and trainings in Australia, I went to Brisbane for 2 weeks. In Brisbane, there are many radio stations which provide me many choices. Hereby I would like to give some recommended Brisbane radio stations.

1. Moreton Bay Radio FM 101.5MHz

- 101.5FM is a community radio station, which based in Moreton Bay. It is transmitted from Caboolture Local Council Buildings. I highly recommend this radio station because it plays more variety of music, which is far away better than Malaysia based Mix FM (in terms of music selection and repetitive). For your information, 101.5FM covers Moreton Bay, Caboolture, Bald Knob, Sunshine Coast and North Brisbane. From my listening experience, 101.5FM is receivable in North Brisbane, but reception goes worse when enter Brisbane City, meanwhile 101.5FM started suffering co-channel interference when enters Logan City (where is Southern Brisbane, on the way going to Gold Coast). 101.5FM plays more music from 1970s till now, even it has specialized music programme on weekend. If you travel from Brisbane to Sunshine Coast frequently, 101.5FM is the best choice.

2. River FM 94.9MHz

- A radio station based in Ipswich, known as River FM 94.9MHz. This radio station is also almost same music content with Moreton Bay 101.5FM, the difference are just only the service area, and music selection. River FM 94.9MHz plays music from late 1980s till today, another recommended radio station in Brisbane after 101.5FM. In addition, River FM 94.9MHz is transmitted from Ipswich, but due to high effective radiated power, this radio station can be heard in many areas outside Ipswich such as Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Beaudesert, Logan, Harbour Town, Springwood, Caboolture and Brisbane. Due to the coverage, River 94.9FM gains more advertising revenue. If you travel from Brisbane to Gold Coast frequently, but wants more variety music in the car, River 94.9FM is the best choice.  

3. The Breeze

- If you want to listening to nostalgic, easy listening and relaxing music, as well something "light and easy", but don't want mix with hot contemporary music. The Breeze maybe suitable to your listening taste, this radio station plays the songs from 1960s till 1990s, but it also features some latest and 2000s easy listening music. Although The Breeze is based in Gold Coast region on FM 100.6MHz from Mount Tamborine, but you still can listen to The Breeze via Logan/Beaudesert frequency on FM 92.1MHz which transmitted from Mount Dunsinane. Because The Breeze FM 92.1MHz is not transmitted in Brisbane (Mount Coot-Tha), so the reception of The Breeze FM 92.1MHz may not be clear in Brisbane, especially when you listen in the city. In my opinion, due to its music selection by emphasizing classic hits and easy listening, The Breeze is better than Malaysia based Lite FM because Lite FM repeats same music over again, somewhat Lite FM plays new songs where already exists on its sister radio stations Mix and Hitz.

4. Rebel FM

  

- If you want to listen to "The Rock", Rebel FM can become your choice. Rebel FM is sister radio station to The Breeze. Same as The Breeze, it is based in Gold Coast on FM 99.4MHz from Mount Tamborine. If you want to listen to Rebel FM in Brisbane, you still can tune to FM 90.5MHz from Mount Dunsinane where covers Beaudesert and Logan, but reception may not be clear enough. Rebel FM is likely the competitor of Triple M 104.5.

5. ABC Classic FM

- For people who like classical, opera and symphony, ABC Classic FM is the recommended stations. In Brisbane, its frequency is on FM 106.1MHz from Mount Coot-Tha. Meanwhile in Malaysia, Astro Radio has Opus, but it is only available on Syok app, and Astro DVR player.

6. 4ZZZ FM 102.1MHz

 

- Brisbane version of Malaysia BFM 89.9.

- If you want to listen something serious such as current affairs, politic and other talks, but you want a radio station other than ABC News Radio AM936kHz and ABC Brisbane AM612kHz, 4ZZZ FM 102.1MHz is the choice. This radio station is transmitted from Mount Coot-Tha, it does not only serve Brisbane metropolitan areas, but 4ZZZ 102.1FM also can be received in Gold Coast, Logan, Beaudesert, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and part of Sunshine Coast/Toowoomba.

Other than these six recommended Brisbane radio stations that I list out, there are some radio stations that I would like to introduce.

- If you're not English speaking listeners, but you want listening to expat radio stations, 4EB FM 98.1MHz and SBS Radio FM 93.3MHz are the recommended radio stations.

- For Chinese community wants to listen to Brisbane Chinese radio station, you need radio receiver with AM band from 531kHz to 1710kHz, so you will be able to tune to VAC Radio on 1656kHz.

 - If you want to listen something hot, I would recommend Nova FM 106.9, ABC Triple J FM 107.7MHz, 97.3FM, Hit 105.3.

In conclusion, if I choose to compare Brisbane radio stations with Malaysia music radio stations, seriously Brisbane radio stations (regardless outbound areas of Brisbane or within Brisbane), the content of Brisbane radio stations such as 101.5FM, River 94.9FM, The Breeze are far way better than Malaysia based radio stations such as Mix, Lite, Hitz and Fly FM.

The term "MIX" means different things are gathered in one place, it is also making something variety, Malaysia based radio station Mix FM seems unbalanced nowadays, it gradually phased out most of 1980s and 1990s hot pop music (but most of 1990s pop are not available on Lite FM), but Mix FM plays more music which are stick to Hitz FM or something like Triple J or Hit 105.3. Seriously 101.5FM and River 94.9FM have better "MIX" than Malaysia based Mix FM, in terms of the term "MIX".

Although I don't really listen to hot radio stations such as Triple J, Hit 105.3 and Nova 106.9, but three of them are better than Malaysia based Hitz and Fly FM, in terms of music selection and content. 

When I'm in Brisbane, I usually listen to 101.5FM Moreton Bay radio station because its music selection is ultra variety, meanwhile River 94.9FM Ipswich radio station reminds me Malaysia defunct Red FM 104.9MHz, back to 2009 till 2011, Red FM 104.9MHz was also same as River 94.9FM by playing variety music from different decades, both of them are mix music station.  

Fortunately, if you would like to listen to these recommended radio stations outside of Brisbane, even Australia, you can listen to them via TuneIn app or online streaming. The technology is advance nowadays, you can listen to internet radio station in the car by connecting AUX (most basic technology), Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (most advanced technology).

Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Batam PRO-3 has changed frequency to FM 88.6MHz

In Batam, the Indonesia public radio broadcaster Radio Republik Indonesia operates three provincial radio stations, named RRI Batam.

Pro1 is targeting adult and elderly listeners (Information, Culture, Education), Pro2 is hot contemporary music and lifestyle radio station to target younger listeners, Pro3 is Jakarta relay talk, current affairs and news radio station.

RRI Batam PRO-1 is on FM 105.1MHz, and PRO-2 is on FM 105.5MHz, meanwhile there is RRI Batam PRO-3 news radio station in Batam.

RRI Batam PRO-3 was used to change frequency multiple times, from FM 105.1MHz to FM 90.9MHz. Now, RRI Batam Pro-3 operates on FM 88.6MHz since 2019.

No idea what is the reason RRI Batam Pro-3 changes frequency from 90.9 to 88.6 since 2019.... I detected it in Singapore, the reception of RRI Batam Pro-3 FM 88.6MHz is not good as other Batam radio stations, I need to use longer wire antenna to receive the radio station for better reception.

Due to weak reception of RRI Batam Pro-3 FM 88.6MHz in Singapore, I believe RRI Batam Pro-3 FM 88.6MHz operates low power transmission and directional antenna. The transmission of FM 88.6MHz in Batam by using directional antenna is to avoid interference to two Singapore radio stations Jia FM 88.3 and BBC World Service 88.9.

==RRI Batam radio station lists==

* Pro-1: FM 105.1MHz

* Pro-2: FM 105.5MHz

* Pro-3: FM 88.6MHz

Batam based radio station Hang FM 106.0MHz is jammed by Singapore

Radio Hang FM 106.0MHz is Batam based Islamic radio station of Indonesia. Generally it carries Islamic programmes 24 hours a day, no music, but only religious speeches and recite of Quran, even no Nasyid (Islamic related contemporary songs) is available on Hang FM 106.0MHz.

Technically, Hang FM 106.0MHz is not only available in Batam of Indonesia, somewhat it transmits to Singapore and Johor Bahru of Malaysia at 10kW transmission power. In addition, some of people claimed that Hang FM 106.0MHz can be received beyond Johor Bahru border such as Kluang, Simpang Renggam and Pontian. From my listening experience, because I was used to tune to CityPlus FM 106.0MHz (Chinese business radio station based in Negeri Sembilan) in Melaka, North Johor and East Negeri Sembilan, when reception of CityPlus FM 106.0MHz from Gunung Telapak Burok turned weak in Melaka, and North Johor, I could hear Hang FM 106.0MHz co-channel interference signal, this also happened in Felda Lui of Negeri Sembilan and Kemayan of Pahang.

I referred to Singapore news portal which reported in 2016 and 2017. Hang FM 106.0MHz was accused by Singapore authority for spreading extremists and terrorism propaganda, there were 4 Singaporeans detained by police under Internal Security Act (ISA) when they attempted to move to Syria and join ISIS terrorist group. According to Singapore police, 4 of them listened to Hang FM 106.0MHz and became radicalized, then they were searching terrorism content.

In respect of accusation on Hang FM by Singapore, the accused radio station denied the allegations by stating that Radio Hang FM 106.0MHz does not spread extremists propaganda, instead the station management told that Hang FM promotes pure Islamic teaching and anti-terrorism propaganda.

On December 2018, co-founder of Hang FM was questioned by Singapore Immigration Checkpoint Authority (ICA) for 6 hours, and he was banned from entering Singapore.

Although Hang FM 106.0MHz denied Singapore's accusation for spreading terrorism propaganda, but Singapore chooses to jam Hang FM in Singapore to prevent Singaporeans from listening to the radio station.



Hang FM 106.0MHz is not fully jammed like what happens in Korea Peninsular. In Singapore, Hang FM 106.0MHz is jammed partially in Singapore, each jamming interval is 5 seconds. When people listen to Hang FM 106.0MHz via radio, they can listen to the content. After 5 seconds, jamming begins, then the content resumes as usual after 5 seconds from the jamming interval. Next, it gets jammed again after the next 5 seconds.

Average of jamming interval is 5-6 seconds. Actually Hang FM signal jamming happens in Fort Canning, Singapore where I was staying at a hotel.

Hang FM is jammed by Singapore, in Fort Canning, Marina Sands, Suntec, Esplanade and Promenade. Before the controversy, Singapore never jammed any radio stations, but Hang FM is first radio station jammed by Singapore after the controversy was happened.

Beside Singapore jamming against Hang FM, seriously the transmission power of Hang FM 106.0MHz is too high, it already interferes Malaysia Ikim FM 106.2MHz Gunung Pulai coverage, some of Johor areas receive interference signal from Hang FM 106.0MHz when listeners tune to IKIM FM 106.2MHz such as Kota Iskandar, Penggerang, Pasir Gudang, Forest City and Masai.

Hang FM must decrease its transmission power from 10kW to 2kW as its service area is only in Batam. In the future, after radio frequency jamming, Singapore may ban Hang FM website, this will cause listeners cannot access Hang FM via online, even mobile app in Singapore.

Overview: FM 102.0MHz Pedas Linggi, Negeri Sembilan DEVA Broadcast SmartGen 6.0 Dynamic RDS/RBDS encoder

By PHILIP YONG
philipyong0110@gmail.com

On last week, I detected FM 102.0MHz silent radio station signal in Pedas Linggi that I mentioned on previous blog post.

During that time, I was going to Bakri Muar to visit my Malay friend in conjunction with Raya celebration, I realized that it was too early to arrive there as my friend was performing morning prayer. So, I chose to delay arrival time. Although it took 2 to 2.25 hours that I drove from Serdang to Muar, but because of FM 102.0MHz unknown radio station when I entered Pedas Linggi, therefore I already planned to stop at Hentian Sebelah Pedas Linggi to take the audio and video.

Surprisingly, I got its RDS text on FM 102.0MHz via Samsung Galaxy V Plus mobile phone. Few second later, detail information of FM 102.0MHz was appeared on the radio. As I mentioned on previous blog post, while FM 102.0MHz showed its program service (PS) name as TEST, it showed its radio text few seconds later after the PS "TEST" appeared.

Its radio text showed "SmartGen 6.0 - Dynamic RDS/RBDS Encoder - WWW.DEVABROADCAST.COM".

Wow! This unknown radio station is using DEVA Broadcast product, imported from Bulgaria, but technically radio broadcaster shall not disclose its RDS encoder name via RDS text because it is considered as private and confidential, somehow this shall not be happened. Moreover, I believed the broadcast owner of FM 102.0MHz forgot to erase its radio text information, it is common if Broadcast RDS or STEREO processor information appeared on radio text because it is default setting when newly purchase. 

Talking about SmartGen 6.0 RDS encoder, actually it is the latest DEVA Broadcast SmartGen series RDS encoder, meanwhile SmartGen 5.0 and below are considered older model. Beside DEVA Broadcast SmartGen series, the Bulgarian company does have other RDS encoder model such as DB-9000, DB-6000 STC, DB-6400, DB-7000.

Here is the overview of DEVA Broadcast SmartGen 6.0 that FM 102.0MHz is using in Pedas, Negeri Sembilan:

The brochure of DEVA Broadcast SmartGen 6.0 Dynamic RDS/RBDS encoder:

Investigation update: FM 102.0MHz silent radio station is not from Bukit Tampin

In 2017 and 2018, I detected FM 102.0MHz silent radio station signal around Rembau, Pedas, and Tampin, initially I suspected it was from Bukit Tampin, somehow I also suspected there was military broadcast radio station in Bukit Tampin on 102.0MHz, but low power.

Hmmm... This radio station looks very suspicious, so I choose to analyze and investigate this.

On 5th June 2019, which is Raya Aidilfitri holiday, I was going to Bakri. When I was in Pedas Linggi of Negeri Sembilan, I detected again FM 102.0MHz signal, then I chose to stop my car at Hentian Sebelah Pedas Linggi (southbound) to perform radio reception test of FM 102.0MHz.

FM 102.0MHz in Pedas Linggi, Negeri Sembilan

Compare to Tampin and Alor Gajah, reception of FM 102.0MHz was more stable and clearer in Pedas Linggi, so I investigated FM 102.0MHz was not from Bukit Tampin, but it could be in hidden site within Pedas Linggi. At Hentian Sebelah Pedas Linggi, I used TECSUN PL-380 radio receiver and Samsung Galaxy V Plus to test FM 102.0MHz signal. For TECSUN PL-380, FM 102.0MHz showed higher signal strength and stereo indicator there, meanwhile FM 102.0MHz signal strength is low in Tampin town. In addition, FM 102.0MHz appeared RDS PS text on Samsung Galaxy V Plus with "TEST" program service text, this may mean that FM 102.0MHz is running test transmission, but in silent mode.

FM 102.0MHz does not only appear only "TEST" on its RDS PS text, meanwhile it also showed radio text where most of radio stations use radio text as their station tagline. For FM 102.0MHz case, I caught its radio text showed broadcast equipment information.

FM 102.0MHz RDS text information, caught in Pedas Linggi, Negeri Sembilan.

==FM 102.0MHz station information==
* RDS PS text: TEST
* Radio text: SmartGen 6.0 - Dynamic RDS/RBDS encoder - www.devabroadcast.com
* Location: Hentian Sebelah Pedas Linggi (southbound)

 FM 102.0MHz Deva Broadcast SmartGen 6.0 RDS/RBDS encoder

If I claimed 102.0MHz is from Bukit Tampin, I can receive this radio station clearly in Alor Gajah and Tampin, but it is too closed from Melaka FM 102.3MHz Gunung Ledang as frequency separation is 300kHz between Bkt Tampin and Gn Ledang. For Melaka, Bukit Tampin and Gunung Ledang are same coverage, it is perfect to separate at 400kHz.

FM 102.0MHz can be legal or unlicensed radio station (pirate). If it is legal radio station, I may think FM 102.0MHz is belonged to RTM because none of commercial radio stations will launch gap filler transmitter for Pedas Linggi as they will use Gunung Telapak Burok, Gunung Ulu Kali and Gunung Ledang to cover these areas. If I suspect FM 102.0MHz is belonged to RTM, I may believe RTM may add 4th frequency for Negeri FM to cover Pedas as pocket filling transmitter.

It is possible if FM 102.0MHz is belonged to RTM Negeri FM because Negeri FM has no Gunung Ulu Kali frequency, but reception of 3 existing transmitters (92.6 Gunung Telapak Burok, 95.7 Bukit Tampin and 107.7 Gunung Ledang) are not clear and unstable in Pedas and North Rembau. This also defines that RTM Negeri FM can have 4th frequency for Negeri Sembilan state. Generally Pedas is under Bukit Tampin coverage, but RTM Negeri FM 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin reception is not clear because it is clashed by Fly FM 95.8MHz Gunung Ulu Kali, so RTM Negeri FM may launch FM 102.0MHz for Pedas, Negeri Sembilan.

With FM 102.0MHz, I may guess Negeri FM reception will be better in Pedas and Rembau (Chembong).

==Negeri FM frequencies and transmitter sites==
- 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Burok: Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Jelebu, Jempol, Port Dickson, Bahau, Southern Selangor, Bera, Temerloh, Mentakab and Chenor
- 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin: Rembau, Inas, Kota and Tampin
- 107.7MHz Gunung Ledang: Gemas, Gemencheh, Tampin, Felda Lui, Simpang Pertang, Keratong, Kemayan, North Johor (Segamat and Tangkak) and Melaka
- 102.0MHz Pedas and North Rembau (Chembong)???

Compare with other RTM radio stations, when Gunung Telapak Burok and Gunung Ledang reception are not really clear in Pedas, they can be tuned from Gunung Ulu Kali. For Negeri FM case, it has no Gunung Ulu Kali frequency, but it relies Gunung Telapak Burok, Gunung Ledang and Bukit Tampin, what I suspect is FM 102.0MHz could become alternative frequency of Negeri FM 95.7MHz in Pedas and Rembau. Just an example, if listeners tune to RTM Negeri FM in Pedas, 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin is clashed by Fly FM, meanwhile reception of 107.7 Gunung Ledang and 92.6 Gunung Telapak Burok are not clear there, so they can continue listening to Negeri FM on 102.0MHz from Pedas transmitter site clearly in Pedas and Rembau (Chembong). 

Anyway, I had submitted a feedback to MCMC via email by attaching few audio clips and videos as evidence, this allows MCMC to do further investigation whether FM 102.0MHz is legal or unlicensed radio station. For the current moment, I suspect FM 102.0MHz is Negeri FM upcoming 4th frequency for Pedas, but I need to verify with MCMC after the investigation is done.

List of TV transmitter sites where would not be available of MYTV DVB-T2 DTT service

As 2019, MYTV DTT transmission already reaches 93% coverage in Malaysia, but few sites coverage are not covered yet, here is the list of transmitter sites will not be available of MYTV DTT services:

==Peninsular Malaysia==

* Gunung Telapak Burok for Jelebu/Seremban/Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan (could be in the future for DTT service)

* Bukit Penara for Penang Island (could be in the future for DTT service)

* Bukit Palong for Baling, Kedah

* Bukit Dedap for Sik, Kedah 

* Padang Pauh for Perlis

* Bukit Istana for Jerantut, Pahang (it is TV3 tower site)

* Bukit Tangki Air for Jeli, Kelantan

* Gunung Brinchang for Cameron Highlands, Pahang

* Changkat Rembian for Tapah, Perak

* Pulau Tioman, Pahang

* Ulu Slim, Perak

* Bukit Chupak for Gua Musang

* Felda Terolak, Perak

* Bukit Ladang Teh for Lenggong, Perak

* Memplam Sari for Gerik, Perak

* Gulau, Kedah

* Batu 18, Hulu Langat, Selangor

* Bukit Sulai for Gambang, Pahang

* Bukit Botak for Damak, Pahang

* FELDA Paloh, Kelantan

* FELDA Tenang, Terengganu

* Hulu Keruak, Hulu Besut, Terengganu

==Sarawak== 

* Bukit Tiong for Lawas

* Bukit Sagan Rudang for inner Limbang

* Bukit Ampangan for Serian

* Bukit Song for Song

* Lubuk Antu

* Off Spaoh

* Mukah

==Sabah==

* Bukit Sigapon for Tenom and Keningau

* Bukit Kemiri for Sipitang

* Luasong

* Nabawan

* Bukit Kemiri

* Layang-Layang for inner Sabah

* Hotel Perkasa for Keningau

* Felda Sahabat

* Bukit Kelapa for Kudat

* Bukit Timbalai for Federal Territory of Labuan

For those listed areas, MYTV is available via DTH transmission from AsiaSat-9 on X band 11490MHz, so people who stay the areas are not covered by DTT need DVB-S2 and DVB-T2 combo set-top-box to watch MYTV channels.

DTH helps MYTV to prevent launch more gap filler transmitter for DVB-T2. Anyway, Gunung Telapak Burok, and Bukit Penara shall be deserved to have DTT transmission as they're not gap filler sites.

MYTV Direct-To-Home (DTH) satellite transmission service

Malaysia digital television service provider, MYTV has 93% DTT coverage in the country currently, its DTT (digital terrestrial television) service transmits via DVB-T2 platform. 

While 93% of areas were covered, but some of areas are not covered by DTT. 

Negeri Sembilan important TV transmission site Gunung Telapak Burok has no DVB-T2 transmission till today, this makes me a bit disappointing (maybe budget problem or other reason). Not only in Gunung Telapak Burok, other locations such as Bukit Penara (for Penang), Bukit Palong (Baling Kedah) are not installed DTT transmission.

Instead MYTV launches alternative platform to those areas are not covered by DTT, it is DTH (Direct to home) via satellite, briefly say that people who watch MYTV via DTH receiver will receive from AsiaSat-9 satellite.

The benefit of MYTV DTH platform is to reduce launching gap filler transmitter (but Gunung Telapak Burok is not gap filler site), it also can cover many blind spot areas.

According to Lyngsat, MYTV DTH is located at 11.49GHz (equal to 11490MHz). Generally it is Ku band transmission, but technically it is under X band.

Ku-band frequency range is between 12 to 18GHz, but MYTV DTH transmission is located within X band frequency range, just upper frequency. X band frequency range is 8 to 12 GHz.

In term of IEEE standard, MYTV 11.49GHz is located on X band, meanwhile for obsolete designation NATO, it is located on Ku band for old nomenclature. Inversely, for NATO's new nomenclature, MYTV DTH on 11.49GHz from AsiaSat-9 is located on J band. So, overall between these 3 different technical standards, we prefer IEEE standard, rather than NATO. In conclusion, MYTV is on X band.

In respect of MYTV DTH transmission frequency allocation, it is at X band, but I'm not sure MYTV DTH transmission has same characteristic as Ku band or not which is rain fade like Astro, rain fade is signal loss during raining. This question must be asked to those DTH users, then we would know. By the way, the most important is I would like to see MYTV Gunung Telapak Burok is available of DTT transmission as it is main site for Negeri Sembilan (Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Jelebu, Port Dickson and Jempol).

DTH somehow has its pros and cons. The advantage is cost effective because a satellite can cover whole country by saving transmission costs for no commercial value gap filler transmission sites (example Gua Musang, Gerik, Lenggong and Jerantut), then better spectrum efficiency by not consuming UHF band, meanwhile its disadvantage is rain fade when the satellite frequency is allocated on Ku band, somehow X band may have same characteristic with Ku band.

DTH is more suitable for gap filler coverage and inner areas. Cameron Highlands is an example, its transmission site is in Gunung Brinchang, but not all areas within Cameron Highlands can receive MYTV via DVB-T2 (DTT) from Gunung Brinchang, it needs more gap filler transmitters within Cameron Highlands, this will cost more. So, DTH transmission from AsiaSat-9 is more suitable than DTT for Cameron Highlands. Same situation as Gua Musang, where many areas cannot receive signals from Bukit Chupak.

Gegar frekuensi Jeli analisa dan kajian

==Parameter Gegar FM di Jeli (percubaan)==

* Frekuensi: FM 107.0MHz

* Kuasa: 0.5kW, 1kW, dan 2kW

* Tempat pemancar: Bukit Tangki Air, Kelantan (81m)

==RF analisa==

106.7MHz: Minnal FM Wakaf Che Yeh

107.0MHz: Gegar FM Bukit Tangki Air

<300kHz, OK>

107.0MHz: Gegar FM Bukit Tangki Air

107.1MHz: Kelantan FM Bukit Bintang

<100kHz, OK>

Berdasarkan pada peta liputan Bukit Tangki Air, walaupun kuasa ditingkatkan kepada 1kW, sehingga 2kW, liputan penduduk masih kurang daripada 60000 orang. Pada pandangan saya, Bukit Tangki Air sama dengan Bukit Chupak Gua Musang, liputan kedua-duanya tidak luas dan jumlah liputan penduduk tidak sampai 60000 orang.

Kesimpulannya, bagi negeri Kelantan, Kota Bharu cuma ialah kawasan tumpuan utama Gegar. Memang tidak berbaloi bagi Gegar untuk memperluaskan siarannya ke kawasan Kelantan selain Kota Bharu seperti Jeli dan Gua Musang yang saya sebutkan kerana nilai komersial di dua kawasan ini memang kosong terus, hasilnya tiada pendengar atau sangat kurang pendengar situ. Gegar masih kuat lagi tanpa menambah frekuensi di Gua Musang dan Jeli, namum stesen kembarnya Era dan Sinar tidak memperluaskan siarannya ke Jeli dan Gua Musang.

Negeri Pahang lebih baik daripada negeri Kelantan untuk Gegar memperluaskan siarannya kerana Pahang lebih besar dan penduduk. Pahang lebih nilai pasaran jika Gegar memperluaskan siarannya.

THR Gegar frekuensi untuk Gua Musang analisa

Bagi negeri Kelantan, Gegar bersiaran pada FM 88.1MHz dari Bukit Panau, meliputi Kota Bharu, Tumpat, Tanah Merah, Machang, Kuala Krai, Bachok, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh dan Ketereh.

Berdasarkan pada liputan Gegar FM 88.1MHz Bukit Panau, ia meliputi kawasan Kelantan sekurangnya 65%, manakala kawasan 35% tidak diliputi, iaitu daerah Gua Musang.

Untuk meliputi Gua Musang, Bukit Chupak ialah tempat pemancar untuk kawasan ini. Setakat ini, hanya radio RTM mempunyai pemancar di Bukit Chupak untuk Gua Musang, seperti Radio Klasik FM 89.7MHz, Nasional FM 91.1MHz, Kelantan FM 92.0MHz, Traxx FM 94.1MHz, Ai FM 94.9MHz dan Minnal FM 93.2MHz.

Jika Gegar memperluaskan siarannya ke Gua Musang, walaupun perluasan liputan siaran Gegar membolehkan pendengar di Gua Musang boleh menerima siaran Gegar dengan melalui radio, tetapi adakah ia berbaloi untuk Gegar mengadakan frekuensi Gua Musang?

Di sini analisanya, saya mencuba buat satu parameter asas THR Gegar frekuensi Gua Musang.

==Parameter Gegar FM frekuensi Gua Musang (untuk percubaan)==

* Frekuensi: FM 106.9MHz

* Kuasa: 1kW

* Tempat pemancar: Bukit Chupak, Kelantan

Oleh kerana spektrum frekuensi di Gua Musang tidak sesak, RF analisa tidak diperlukan dan parameter atas tersebut hanya untuk percubaan sahaja.

Berdasarkan pada peta liputan Bukit Chupak oleh Gegar FM, jumlah penduduk dalam liputan Bukit Chupak kurang daripada 48000 orang. Sebenarnya Gua Musang Bukit Chupak tidak mempunyai nilai komersil/untung kepada Gegar FM kerana jumlah liputan pemancar tersebut sangat kurang, berbanding dengan negeri Pahang seperti Bukit Fraser dan Bukit Senggora yang saya cadangkan.

Kesimpulannya, satu frekuensi Gegar di Gua Musang tidak diperlukan. Tambahan pula, tumpuan utama Gegar di negeri Kelantan ialah pasaran bahagian utara (Kota Bharu) yang mempunyai lebih banyak pendengar.

My suggestion regarding Gegar coverage expansion in Pahang (2019 edition): Bukit Senggora

On the subject of my suggestion to expand Gegar coverage in Pahang by having Fraser's Hill frequency on previous post, here I will roll out my analysis and suggestion about Gegar Central Pahang coverage.

On previous post, suggestion of Gegar FM Bukit Fraser 107.9MHz is to cover Western Pahang, but Central Pahang such as Maran, Sri Jaya and Jengka.

According to Gegar FM 107.9MHz Bukit Fraser coverage that I plotted via Nautel RF toolkit, Maran and Jengka are not covered by Gegar from Bukit Fraser, this causes Gegar listeners are not able to receive the station from Chenor till Gambang if they're driving from west areas to Kuantan or east. It can leave a gap between Chenor and Gambang. In respect of this matter, a gap filler transmitter in Bukit Senggora may be required, Maran and Jengka also have Gegar listeners.

Regarding Gegar Bukit Senggora proposal, I had mentioned this since August 2015, but I suggested medium to high power transmission about 2kW during that time and frequency FM 100.7MHz without involving Fraser's Hill transmission. Besides 100.7MHz, I was used to suggest 104.4MHz, but revoked due to commercial and coverage reason.

Alright, I may realize that Bukit Senggora has limited spectrum as it is located in Central Pahang where considered more surrounding sites, Bukit Senggora coverage is mainly in Maran, Chenor and Jengka, but some of areas within Maran district can receive radio signal from west coast region, notably Gunung Ulu Kali, Bukit Fraser, and Gunung Telapak Burok, possibly Gunung Ledang.

Back to August 2015  till 2017, my intention of THR Gegar Bukit Senggora FM 100.7MHz (later FM 104.4MHz) proposal is to cover Temerloh, Bera, Jengka, Maran and Mentakab. On October 2016, I went to Central Pahang at the first time, reception of MY FM 100.6MHz from Gunung Telapak Burok was still crystal clear in Temerloh and Bera, then Chenor still can receive MY FM 100.6MHz clearly (reception test on April 2019). This indicated that FM 100.7MHz is not suitable to be used in Bukit Senggora if covers greater Central Pahang due to the interference, then I attempted to propose 104.4MHz.

As today, FM 104.4MHz is likely not suitable to be used because Manis FM already occupied FM 103.8MHz in Bukit Senggora at 0.5kW power for Central Pahang, so 103.8 and 104.4 leave 300kHz separation from Pahang FM 104.1MHz Bukit Pelindung/Best FM 104.1MHz Gunung Ulu Kali. 

What I can propose about Gegar FM Central Pahang gap filler frequency in Bukit Senggora is to suggest FM 100.8MHz, this could be the worst proposal, but it may be safe to transmit. The minimum frequency separation between Bukit Senggora and Gunung Ulu Kali is 200kHz, but regarding this, it can be a special case because Selangor FM 100.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali does not target Pahang areas. Moreover, Selangor FM 100.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali only targets Selangor states by using directional antenna to beam west direction, meanwhile West Pahang areas where can receive that radio station are considered "bonus" or "secondary coverage". From my listening experience, Selangor FM 100.9MHz reception is clear until Karak only, then the reception goes faded after Lanchang, so Temerloh and Bera cannot receive Selangor FM 100.9MHz clearly.

While Selangor FM 100.9MHz covers only Selangor, so I think there is no interference within the coverage areas if Gegar FM uses 100.8MHz in Bukit Senggora to cover Maran, Chenor, Jengka and Sri Jaya. For those interference happens in Temerloh and Bera (example), they are not under coverage of Gegar FM 100.8MHz Bukit Senggora as these areas can tune to clearer frequency FM 107.9MHz from Fraser's Hill.

==My proposal of THR Gegar FM Central Pahang frequency (2019)==

* Frequency: FM 100.8MHz

* Power: 0.25kW

* TX Site: CELCOM Bukit Senggora, Pahang

* Target areas: Maran, Jengka, Chenor, Chini and Sri Jaya

==RF analysis==

100.6MHz: MY FM Gunung Telapak Burok
100.8MHz: Gegar FM Bukit Senggora
<200kHz, OK>

100.8MHz: Gegar FM Bukit Senggora
100.9MHz: Selangor FM Gunung Ulu Kali
<100kHz, OK>

100.8MHz: Gegar FM Bukit Senggora
101.1MHz: MY FM Bukit Pelindung
<300kHz, OK>

According to the coverage of Gegar FM 100.8MHz Bukit Senggora, Maran, Jengka and Sri Jaya can receive loudly and clearly, reception is expected to be clearer than Bukit Fraser FM 107.9MHz (suggestion).

Based on RF analysis, FM 100.8MHz is better than FM 100.7MHz in Bukit Senggora transmission, so MY FM 100.6MHz Gunung Telapak Burok will have no interference on its targeted areas within Pahang state.

If Astro Radio adds two extra frequencies for Gegar in further Pahang (proposal mainly FM 107.9MHz Fraser's Hill for West Pahang; then FM 100.8MHz Bukit Senggora for Central Pahang), the competition against Manis FM will be very stiff enough in Pahang.

In conclusion, this article is only my personal review and suggestion, but it is subject to Astro Radio decision. The most important is to make West Pahang coverage from Fraser's Hill as first priority and initiative, then Bukit Senggora works as gap filler transmission for Gegar in Pahang to fill gap between the coverage of Bukit Fraser and Bukit Pelindung.

==Gegar frequencies in Pahang==

* 88.8MHz: Kuantan from Bukit Pelindung

* 107.9MHz: West Pahang from Bukit Fraser (my proposal)

* 100.8MHz: Central Pahang from Bukit Senggora (my proposal, but low power transmission)