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)

My suggestion regarding Gegar FM coverage expansion in Pahang (2019 edition): Bukit Fraser FM 107.9MHz

In respect of my recent Malay language blog post regarding my suggestion and analysis of Gegar coverage expansion to West Pahang, I'm going to make English version of the article.

As I mentioned to suggest Astro Radio to expand Gegar coverage to West Pahang by using Fraser's Hill transmission site on December 2018 post, FM 92.4MHz was the suggested frequency during that time.

On 27th April 2018, I had a trip in Central Pahang via Negeri Sembilan route, such as Kemayan, Teriang, Bera, Chenor and Temerloh. At the same time, RTM already operated its repeater in Fraser's Hill (probably for Raub and Lipis) such as Nasional FM 106.2MHz, Pahang FM 102.2MHz, Ai FM 97.1MHz and Radio Klasik FM 90.9MHz. So, I decided to record the reception of Pahang FM 102.2MHz and Ai FM 97.1MHz in Teriang, Kemayan, Temerloh, Bera and Chenor as sample and reference.

The reception of Pahang FM 102.2MHz from Fraser's Hill was still clear in Bera, and Temerloh, meanwhile reception in Chenor was still acceptable, despite its transmission power is 0.5kW (not 0.2kW as I mentioned previously). In addition, the reception of Manis FM 103.8MHz from Bukit Senggora was still ok in Bera, Teriang, Temerloh and Mentakab, although its reception is not clear as Fraser's Hill radio stations.

Reception of Ai FM 97.1MHz, Pahang FM 102.2MHz from Fraser's Hill were still clear along East Coast highway between Bentong and Chenor.

In order to compete against Manis FM in futher Pahang areas, Gegar shall have at least 1 additional frequency, meanwhile 2 additional frequencies will be an advantage.

With reference to the transmission site coverage, Fraser's Hill is the main site to be proposed for Gegar FM because Fraser's Hill still can cover large part of Western Pahang, despite it is not wider as Gunung Ulu Kali. Somehow Fraser's Hill transmission is "Gunung Ulu Kali 2.0" for Pahang coverage. Next, Bukit Senggora can become gap filler site for Gegar as Maran and Jengka may not receive Gegar from Fraser's Hill.

About Gegar Fraser's Hill frequency, initially I suggested 92.4MHz, but in Bera and Chenor, Hot FM 92.4MHz from Bukit Pelindung reception is still strong, wonder if FM 92.4MHz has co-channel interference there when Gegar begins transmission on FM 92.4MHz from Fraser's Hill. For that  reason, based on frequency scanning via radio receiver, FM 107.9MHz is suggested frequency for Gegar Fraser's Hill transmission to cover West Pahang.

==Parameter of Gegar FM West Pahang frequency==
* Frequency: FM 107.9MHz
* Power: 1kW
* Transmission site: Fraser's Hill, Pahang
* Coverage: Raub, Kuala Lipis, Benta, Padang Tengku, Bentong, Karak, Lanchang, Mentakab, Temerloh, Bera, Teriang, FELDA Tembangau, Chenor

==RF analysis==

107.5MHz: Pahang FM Gunung Ulu Kali

107.9MHz: Gegar Bukit Fraser

<400kHz, OK>

107.7MHz: Negeri FM Gunung Ledang

107.9MHz: Gegar Bukit Fraser

<200kHz, OK>

107.9MHz: Rakita FM Bukit Sungai Besi

107.9MHz: Gegar Bukit Fraser

<0kHz, OK>

107.9MHz: Gegar Bukit Fraser

107.9MHz: Radio Klasik Bukit Pelindung

<0kHz, OK>

With Gegar FM 107.9MHz from Bukit Fraser, I believe this will allow "nice" competition with Manis FM in West Pahang as Fraser's Hill coverage is larger than Bukit Senggora. In terms of commercial value, Bukit Fraser may be better than Bukit Senggora due to target areas. More listeners' reach can be generated by Fraser's Hill frequency.

Moreover, the proposal of Gegar FM 107.9MHz Bukit Fraser allows its listeners to receive Gegar clearly through the radio from Bentong till Chenor for east direction, then Bentong till Kuala Lipis for north direction, maybe the transmission of Gegar 107.9 will be slightly wider and powerful than RTM Fraser's Hill FM stations.

==Example of 0kHz/100kHz frequency separation between Fraser's Hill and Kuala Lumpur transmission stations==

97.1MHz: Ai FM Bukit Fraser
97.2MHz: KL FM Kuala Lumpur Tower
<100kHz, OK>

CH12: TV3 Bukit Fraser
CH12: TV3 Bukit Sungai Besi
 <0kHz, OK>

CH5: TV1 Bukit Fraser
CH5: TV1 KL Tower
<0kHz, OK>

CH8: TV2 KL Tower
CH8: TV2 Bukit Fraser
<0kHz, OK> 

In conclusion, I wish Astro Radio will consider this to expand Gegar coverage to West Pahang from Fraser's Hill, for allowing listeners to listen to Gegar as well as create competition against Manis FM. 

Next, I will publish my suggestion on Gegar FM Bukit Senggora frequency for Central Pahang (2019 edition). Stay in touch!
 

Cadangan perluasan liputan siaran Gegar FM di Pantai Timur (2019)

==Senarai frekuensi Gegar semasa==

* FM 88.1MHz Kota Bharu/Kelantan Utara (Bukit Panau)

* FM 106.8MHz Kuala Terengganu (Bukit Jerung)

* FM 88.8MHz Kuantan/Pekan (Bukit Pelindung)

==Cadangan perluasan liputan siaran Gegar FM di Pantai Timur==

1. Pahang Barat

- Frekuensi: FM 107.9MHz

- Kuasa: 1kW

- Tempat pemancar: Bukit Fraser, Pahang

- Kawasan liputan: Raub, Kuala Lipis, Padang Tengku, Mentakab, Bentong, Temerloh, Bera, Teriang, FELDA Tembangau, Karak, Chenor

2. Pahang Tengah

- Frekuensi: FM 100.8MHz

- Kuasa: 0.25kW

- Tempat pemancar: Bukit Senggora, Pahang

- Kawasan liputan: Maran, Jengka, Sri Jaya dan Chini

Gegar FM frekuensi Bukit Senggora analisa 2019 untuk Maran, Chenor dan Jengka

Setelah saya membuat analisa dan cadangan mengenai perluasan liputan siaran Gegar ke Pahang Barat dengan pemancar Bukit Fraser FM 107.9MHz, walaupun Bukit Fraser bersamaan dengan Gunung Ulu Kali 2.0 untuk Pahang Barat, tetapi Pahang Tengah seperti Jengka dan Maran mungkin tidak dapat menerima signal Bukit Fraser, manakala Chenor masih boleh menerima isyarat radio dari Bukit Fraser.

Berdasarkan liputan Gegar FM 107.9MHz dari Bukit Fraser yang saya cadangkan (kuasa pemancar 1kW), kawasan Pahang Tengah seperti Bandar Jengka, Maran tidak diliputi oleh pemancar Bukit Fraser, manakala kawasan tersebut juga tidak dapat menerima Gegar FM 88.8MHz dari Bukit Pelindung Kuantan. Oleh itu, Gegar boleh memperluaskan siaran lagi ke Pahang Tengah selepas Bukit Fraser dengan memasang pemancar kuasa rendah di Bukit Senggora.

Sebelum ini, saya pernah membuat ulasan, analisa dan cadangan Gegar FM Bukit Senggora sejah tahun 2015. Dulu saya mencadangkan frekuensi FM 100.7MHz, kemudian FM 104.4MHz. Pada masa itu, saya mencadangkan pemancar Bukit Senggora untuk meliputi Maran dengan Temerloh, namun Bera, tetapi saya diberitahui oleh Astro bahawa Gegar tidak mempunyai pelan untuk memperluaskan siarannya ke kawasan tersebut lagi.

Untuk masa sekarang, saya mendapati pemancaran Bukit Fraser lebih luas daripada Bukit Senggora untuk Pahang Barat, manakala penerimaan siaran radio dari Bukit Fraser lebih jelas daripada Bukit Senggora di Temerloh, Bandar Bera, dan Mentakab (tanpa melibatkan Manis FM 103.8MHz).

Setelah saya mengunjungi kawasan Pahang Tengah seperti Bera, Chenor, Kemayan, Temerloh dan Teriang, saya mendapati FM 100.7MHz tidak sesuai digunakan di Bukit Senggora jika meliputi Pahang Tengah akibat ganggan oleh MY FM 100.6MHz dari Gunung Telapak Burok dimana kawasan Pahang Tengah seperti Temerloh dan Chenor masih boleh menerima siaran radio dari Gunung Telapak Burok dengan jelas.

Lebih baik jarak frekuensi antara Bukit Senggora dan Gunung Telapak Burok ialah 200kHz.

Bayangkan pendengar Gegar menerima stesen radio tersebut dalam kereta semasa memandu dari Kuala Lumpur ke Kuantan di Lebuhraya LPT atau jalan lama (mungkin pergi Maran/Jengka), dari Bentong tala kepada FM 107.9MHz yang dipancar dari Bukit Fraser, siaran jelas sehingga Chenor, tetapi selepas Chenor, isyarat Gegar FM 107.9MHz telah hilang. Kawasan antara Chenor dan Gambang tiada liputan siaran Gegar, oleh itu pemancar Bukit Senggora mungkin diperlukan. 

Setakat saya tahu, tiada frekuensi yang lebih sesuai digunakan oleh Gegar di Bukit Senggora. FM 104.4MHz yang dulu saya sebut kini tidak boleh digunakan, walaupun ia mempunyai jarak dengan Best FM 104.1MHz Gunung Ulu Kali dan Pahang FM 104.1MHz Bukit Pelindung, tetapi Manis FM telah bersiaran pada 103.8MHz di Bukit Senggora.

Cadangan mungkin paling teruk ialah mencadangkan frekuensi FM 100.8MHz kepada Gegar untuk bersiaran di Bukit Senggora untuk Pahang Tengah. Hal ini kerana RTM Selangor FM 100.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali hanya meliputi Selangor sahaja, namun penerimaan siaran Selangor FM cuma jelas di Bentong dan Karak, manakala penerimaan Selangor FM 100.9MHz kurang jelas selepas Karak dan ke timur, contoh Bera, Chenor, Temerloh, Lanchang, Kuala Krau dan Mentakab. 

==Cadangan frekuensi Gegar untuk Pahang Tengah (Maran dan Jengka)==
* Frekuensi: FM 100.8MHz
* Tempat pemancar: Celcom Bukit Senggora
* Kuasa: 0.3kW 
* Kawasan liputan: Maran, Jengka, Chini, Sri Jaya, Chenor 

==RF analisa Gegar FM 100.8MHz Bukit Senggora==
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>

Walaupun jarak minima frekuensi FM radio antara Gunung Ulu Kali dan Bukit Senggora ialah 200kHz, tetapi saya mungkin percaya bahawa penggunaan frekuensi FM 100.8MHz di Bukit Senggora oleh Gegar sepatutnya ok serta tidak akan membawa gangguan kepada liputan Selangor FM 100.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali di Selangor. Tambahan pula, pemancaran Bukit Senggora siaran Gegar FM 100.8MHz yang cadangkan ialah rendah sebanyak 0.3kW.

Liputan Gegar FM 100.8MHz Bukit Senggora pada 0.25kW

Berdasarkan pada peta liputan Gegar FM 100.8MHz Bukit Senggora atas, siaran Gegar boleh didengari dengan lebih jelas di liputan utamanya Maran, Sri Jaya dan Jengka. Walaupun Gegar FM 100.8MHz Bukit Senggora mempunyai jarak frekuensi 100kHz daripada Selangor FM 100.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali, saya percaya bahawa Chenor masih boleh menerima siaran Gegar tanpa gangguan daripada Selangor FM 100.9MHz Ulu Kali, tetapi Gegar FM 100.8MHz Bukit Senggora mungkin diganggu oleh Selangor FM 100.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali di Temerloh. Bagi kawasan Temerloh, gangguan tersebut antara FM 100.8MHz Bukit Senggora dengan Selangor FM 100.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali tidak akan membawa masalah penerimaan siaran oleh pendengar Gegar kerana Temerloh bukan liputan Gegar FM 100.8MHz Bukit Senggora. Di samping itu, pendengar Gegar masih boleh menerima Gegar dengan lebih jelas dengan tala kepada frekuensi FM 107.9MHz dari Bukit Fraser (cadangan).

Kesimpulannya, cadangan frekuensi FM 100.8MHz untuk Gegar di Bukit Senggora mungkin lebih baik daripada FM 100.7MHz yang saya cadang dulu kerana ia telah mengurangkan gangguan dengan MY FM 100.6MHz Gunung Telapak Burok, manakala Selangor FM 100.9MHz lemah di Pahang Tengah. Dengan cara cadangan Bukit Senggora, ia juga terpulang kepada pihak pengurusan Astro Radio.