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) 

Review of Fly FM Kedah frequency 99.1MHz transmitter site migration

Currently Fly FM frequency for Kedah 99.1MHz is transmitted from Alor Setar Tower, but coverage is only for Alor Setar due to its height. In the past, Fly FM 99.1MHz had been transmitted from Gunung Jerai and Wisma PKNK.

Due to interference with Thailand radio station from Satun, Fly FM 99.1MHz was forced to shift to Wisma PKNK.

Menara Alor Setar can only covers 20-30% areas of Kedah state, even the coverage is smaller than Bukit Palong Kedah.

Bukit Palong TV and radio transmitter tower was established since 1995. Current user was RTM. The main coverage of Bukit Palong is Baling and Pengkalan Hulu, but it can transmit to further areas like Sungai Petani, Sik, Yan, Alor Setar, North Seberang Perai, Pokok Sena, Kuala Kedah, Gurun.

In my opinion, Fly FM should migrates its 99.1MHz transmitter site to Bukit Palong Kedah in order to expand wider coverage of Kedah areas.

Bukit Palong does not only cover Kedah areas, also parts of Penang, Perlis, Langkawi, Northern Perak, as well as Thailand like Betong/Yala.

99.0MHz: Satun Radio
99.1MHz: Fly FM Bukit Palong Baling
99.3MHz: THR Raaga Bukit Penara

OK

==FLY FM Kedah frequency== (my review)
Frequency: 99.1MHz (same as current)
Recommended location: Bukit Palong, Baling, Kedah
Recommended power: 2kW or 5kW

List of RTM radio station and transmitter which interfere with existing radio station

1. RTM Ai FM
Frequency: 89.6MHz
Location: Bukit Senggora Maran, Pahang
Interfere with: IKIM FM 89.6MHz from Bukit Pelindung, Kuantan
Recommended frequency: 92.6MHz

2. RTM Minnal FM
Frequency: 90.4MHz
Location: Bukit Senggora Maran, Pahang
Interfere with: 988 90.4MHz from Bukit Pelindung, Kuantan
Recommended frequency: 90.2MHz

3. RTM Minnal FM
Frequency: 98.9MHz
Location: Gunung Kledang Ipoh, Perak
Interfere with: 988 98.8MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali, Selangor
Recommended frequency: 99.0MHz

4. RTM Mutiara FM
Frequency: 90.9MHz
Location: Bukit Genting, Penang
Interfere with: Mix FM 91.0MHz from Gunung Jerai, Kedah
Recommended frequency: 100.7MHz

5. RTM Nasional FM
Frequency: 93.9MHz
Location: Bukit Genting, Penang
Interfere with: Mutiara FM 93.9MHz from Gunung Jerai, Kedah
Recommended frequency: 94.1MHz

6. RTM Perak FM
Frequency: 96.2MHz
Location: RTM Gerik
Interfere with: 988 96.1MHz from Gunung Jerai
Recommended frequency: 95.9MHz

7. RTM Radio Klasik
Frequency: 88.1MHz
Location: Bukit Istana Jerantut, Pahang
Interfere with: One FM 88.1MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali
Recommended frequency: 89.1MHz

8. RTM Traxx FM
Frequency: 89.9MHz
Location: Bukit Istana Jerantut, Pahang
Interfere with: BFM 89.9MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali
Recommended frequency: 91.3MHz

9. RTM Negeri FM
Frequency: 95.7MHz
Location: Bukit Tampin, Negeri Sembilan
Interfere with: RTM Asyik FM 95.6MHz from Gunung Ledang
Recommended frequency: 89.1MHz or to be abolished

10. RTM Traxx FM
Frequency: 92.6MHz
Location: Bukit Tinggi Mersing, Johor
Interfere with: Red FM 92.8MHz from Gunung Pulai & Hitz FM Gunung Ledang 93.0MHz
Recommended frequency: 92.6MHz

11. RTM Radio Klasik FM
Frequency: 90.1MHz
Location: Bukit Tinggi Mersing, Johor
Interfere with: HOT FM 90.1MHz from Gunung Pulai
Recommended frequency: 101.7MHz

 12. RTM Johor FM
Frequency: 92.1MHz
Location: Bukit Tinggi, Johor
Interfere with: Lite FM 92.2MHz from Gunung Ledang
Recommended frequency: 105.1MHz

FM DXing activities in Bakri Muar [17 July 2015]

Here are some videos and audio of my DXing activities taken on 17 July 2015 in Bakri, Johor during first day of Eid Mubarak. In Bakri, only the radio station signals from Gunung Telapa Burok and Gunung Ledang are receivable. Besides that, RTM has three regional radio stations in Gunung Ledang, but their coverage are different.

Johor FM 105.3MHz is for only North Johor areas like Ledang, Muar, Batu Pahat, Segamat and Kluang only. The rest areas like Melaka and Southern Negeri Sembilan are still receivable, but reception is getting weaker.

Melaka FM 102.3MHz is for Melaka only, but since Melaka FM is one of RTM 6 + 1 member, it is receivable clearly in Negeri Sembilan like Rembau, Tampin, Jempol and North Johor like Muar, Batu Pahat, Ledang, Segamat and Kluang.

Negeri FM 107.7MHz is mainly for Southern parts of Negeri Sembilan where cannot receive 92.6MHz from Gunung Telapa Burok clearly like Tampin, Rembau, Johol, Southern Jempol districts. Although it is receivable clearly in Melaka, but it is not clear in Johor like Muar.

The distance from Bakri to Gunung Telapa Burok is 110km. Lite FM 104.6MHz is still receivable in Bakri and Muar, but it has minor interference with ERA FM 104.5MHz from Gunung Pulai.

Asyik FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang and suggest of abolishing Negeri FM Bukit Tampin transmitter 95.7MHz

In January 2011, RTM launched a new transmitter in Gunung Ledang for Asyik FM on 95.6MHz for Orang Asli communities in Johor state. Regarding the frequency usage, it has 100kHz spacing with Negeri FM 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin, caused interference in Melaka.

Actually RTM Negeri FM Bukit Tampin 95.7MHz operates at low power about 0.1kW and it can be only received in Tampin, Pulau Sebang and Kota. The rest of areas like Masjid Tanah, Malacca Town and Rembau will interfere with FLY FM 95.8MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali.

On 5 December 2009, I had a trip in Melaka with my family. I went to scan the reception of Negeri FM at A' Famosa in Alor Gajah, the reception of Negeri FM 95.7MHz and 107.7MHz were very clear. In Melaka town, 107.7MHz and 92.6MHz were clearer than 95.7MHz.

Then, on July 2011, I was selected for taking part in PLKN (aka National Service), PLKN placed me for National Service at Kem PLKN Titian Bintangor at 1st batch. At the same time, I took the opportunity to do my FM DXing activities there. During January till March 2012, I scanned several radio station in Rembau areas.

In PLKN Titian Bintangor Rembau, Negeri FM was clear on 107.7MHz and 95.7MHz, but 92.6MHz from Gunung Telapa Burok was not so clear. (Scanned in my dorm AL4).. The other RTM regional radio stations like Melaka FM 102.3MHz and Johor FM 105.3MHz were receivable there, both of them are transmitted from Gunung Ledang. Melaka FM 102.3MHz was very clear there, but Johor FM 105.3MHz was not clear there because co-channel interference with Suria FM 105.3MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali.

Negeri FM 95.7MHz from Bukit Tampin had interference with Fly FM 95.8MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali in certain areas of Rembau. In addition, 95.7MHz is only clear in Tampin.

Overall analysis, Negeri FM 107.7MHz from Gunung Ledang is more stable than 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin.

During Hari Raya on 17 July 2015, when I was going back from Bakri to Serdang, I chose to listen Negeri FM 107.7MHz on highway in Melaka till Senawang. I received Negeri FM 107.7MHz in my car clearly when driving at the highway in Rembau, Pedas, Linggi, Simpang Ampat/Tampin, even could listen up to the location between Senawang and Pedas/Linggi toll, meanwhile 95.7MHz became Fly FM 95.8MHz in Hentian Pedas/Linggi. Negeri FM 92.6MHz and 107.7MHz are receivable in Rembau, but 95.7MHz is not stable. In Rembau and Tampin, Negeri FM 107.7MHz showed its RDS text without stopping (NEGERI, FM INGAT, SAMPAI BILA)..

According to RTM, Asyik FM 95.6MHz from Gunung Ledang main coverages are in Chaah, Labis, and Segamat only, they have not planned to expand coverage to Melaka and Negeri Sembilan yet. Asyik FM 95.6MHz from Gunung Ledang is not clear in Muar, and Bakri. During FM DXing in Bakri, my phone radio could receive Negeri FM 95.7MHz from Tampin, but weaker reception.

In my opinion, RTM should abolish Negeri FM Bukit Tampin transmitter 95.7MHz to give way to Asyik FM, perhaps Rembau and Tampin can receive 107.7MHz clearly. So that, Asyik FM can be received clearly in Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Johor clearly on 95.6MHz from Gunung Ledang.

Raya 2015 in Bakri Muar

This was my first time that I entered Johor state and also first time celebrate Raya with my friend.. My friend can speak Chinese well.

At the same time, I also performed FM-DXing activities by using my phone radio...

This is my Malay friend who can speak Chinese Mandarin with moderate level. 這是我的馬來朋友, 會說華語的.

Abolishment of RTM extra radio transmitters in Malaysia

In Peninsular Malaysia, there has some RTM extra transmitters should be abolished. There are:

1. Negeri FM 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin
- In Tampin and Rembau, also Melaka areas, Negeri FM 107.7MHz from Gunung Ledang is very clear to be received. In order to give way to Asyik FM 95.6MHz from Gunung Ledang, Negeri FM Bukit Tampin must be abolished.

2. Langkawi FM 87.5MHz RTM Kuah
- The existing transmitter 104.8MHz from Gunung Raya already cover whole Langkawi.

3. Radio Klasik 88.7MHz Changkat Rembian
- Tapah can receive on 98.3MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali.

4. Radio Klasik 88.3MHz Bukit Gantang
- Bukit Gantang can receive 103.3MHz from Bukit Larut clearly unless upgrading the transmitter quality.

In Malaysia, RTM created too much of extra transmitters where the existing transmitters can cover the typical areas.