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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

在馬來西亞收看台灣三立電視台的方式, 就是下載Vidol應用程序

要收看台灣三立電視台直播視頻, 但卻在馬來西亞只有三立國際台, 嫌看台語或華語偶像劇看不飽? 不用期望馬來西亞付費電視台引進台灣台/都會台, 直接用Vidol就行了.

其實收看三立電視台 (台灣台/都會台), 可以在Google Play Store下載Vidol應用程序, 但收看三立台灣台或都會台直播視頻是必須付費的.

Vidol 是三立電視的OTT平台, 成立於2016年. 其實Vidol手機應用程序都有三立的VOD (Video On Demand)視頻, 有些Video On Demand電視劇是免費. 台語電視劇"戲說台灣"完整版都可以通過Vidol免費收看, 但部份的偶像劇是要付費的.

看三立Vidol應用程序的視頻都是需要註冊戶口或用Facebook登入就可以了, 註冊都是免費的.

如果要看三立台灣台或都會台直播頻道的話, 登入帳號後, 三立會給你試看6分鐘. 看完三立其中一家電視台後, 若繼續收看, 觀眾就必須簽購三立配套. 以下都是三立電視配套價格, 包定你可以看飽飽 (價格以馬幣為準):

對我而言, 追看台灣三立電視台 (台灣台/都會台), 價格方面是非常合理, 每個月付RM16收看三立台灣台和都會台其實都不錯, 反而馬來西亞A字大台的付費電視頻道比較貴 (或許因為他們要付電費, 衛星傳輸費和版權費吧!). 因為OTT是網絡傳輸的數碼平台, 所以電視台通過OTT是不需要付衛星傳輸費/有線傳輸費等等.

現在的電視機越來越先進, Smart TV (智能性電視)具備Android Cast, 互聯網和藍芽功能. 一台已經下載Vidol應用程序的手機或平板電腦都可以通過Android Cast在電視大螢幕收看三立電視台...

同時也要留意的事情就是, 因版權限制政策, 不是所有的國家可以收看三立電視台直播視頻.

如果用手機收看Vidol的三立電視台直播頻道, 但擔心行動數據Data很快用盡, 我建議簽購DiGi Postpaid Infinite 100, 無限上網, SMS和撥打電話, 只不過每個月RM100.

MYTV myFreeview coverage in Negeri Sembilan (DTT)

Currently MYTV myFreeview achieves 98% of coverage in Malaysia. For Negeri Sembilan, MYTV has no DTT transmitter in Gunung Telapak Burok yet, so Gunung Telapak Burok coverage areas where cannot receive DTT areas must use satellite, but most of Negeri Sembilan areas can receive via DTT from neighboring transmitter sites.

1. Gunung Ulu Kali/Bukit Sungai Besi/Menara KL (UHF 666MHz and 682MHz)

- Nilai

- Bandar Enstek

- Labu

- Mantin

- Lenggeng

2. Bukit Tampin (UHF546MHz and 722MHz)

- Tampin

- Kota

- Rembau

- Linggi

- Pasir Panjang

- Rantau

- Port Dickson

- Silliau

- Pedas

- Seremban

- Senawang

- Inas

3. Gunung Ledang (UHF546MHz and 722MHz)

- Gemas

- Gemencheh

- Bahau (Mahsan, Ladang Geddes)

- Bandar Seri Jempol

- Felda Serting

- Felda Lui

- Felda Palong

- Johol (7e UHF antenna required)

- Dangi

- Batu Kikir

- Kuala Pilah

- Simpang Pertang

- Juasseh

- Kuala Klawang town (high antenna required)

- Felda Pasoh

- Kepis

4. Asiasat-9 Satellite DTH

- Pantai

- Ulu Klawang

- Titi

- Simpang Durian

- Bahau town

- Tanjung Ipoh

- Seri Menanti

- Kuala Klawang (outside of town)

For Kuala Klawang, most of areas must be covered by Asiasat-9 DTH, but people can install high UHF antenna (like North Johor receives Singapore channel) in Kuala Klawang town, Simpang Durian and Titi to receive myFreeview from Gunung Ledang.

Imagine if Gunung Telapak Burok DTT DVB-T2 transmitter is installed, although it benefits Kuala Pilah, Seremban, Jempol and Kuala Klawang, but there are still having blind spot areas within Gunung Telapak Burok coverage such as Kampung Petaseh, Tanjung Ipoh (Ulu Bendul), Kampung Petaseh, and Kampung Kerangai where reception of MYTV DTT from Gunung Telapak Burok may not be stable and perfectly locked.

Suggest to launch foreign TV stations on MYTV digital terrestiral television platform? IMPOSSIBLE!

On August 2019, Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced to implement analogue switch off (ASO) by turning off analogue terrestrial television within August till October 2019, then MYTV myFreeview is Malaysia digital terrestrial television provider.

MYTV actually was launched in 2015. It started digital terrestrial television DVB-T2 broadcast transmission since April 2015 from east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. With digital switchover policy, a TV frequency can handle more TV channels with MUX mode, compare to analog where 1 frequency only carries 1 channel.

After analogue TV is switched off, all current free-to-air television channels will be on MYTV myFreeview digitally, it is free, just only to buy DVB-T2 set-top-box or digital ready television unit to watch DTT.

Here are the current channels where broadcast on myFreeview: RTM (TV1 HD, TV2 HD, TVOkey HD, RTM News HD, RTM Sports HD), Media Prima (TV3 HD, NTV7, 8TV, TV9, CJ Wow Shop- Malay and CJ Wow Shop- Chinese), Bernama News Channel, TV Alhijrah and 6 RTM radio stations (Radio Klasik, Nasional FM, Asyik FM, Ai FM, Traxx FM and Minnal FM).

Actually many new TV players already got broadcast license where expected to be on MYTV after analogue switch off. Of course people will get very excited about MYTV myFreeview because they can get more free-to-air TV channels after analogue switch off, so everyone will discuss and act as "digital terrestrial TV" specialist on social media.

In every country, digital terrestrial television stations are local broadcasters, none of foreign TV stations broadcast on free-to-air TV platform due to license conditions. While people are very exciting about myFreeview, one of people always posts on few digital TV Facebook group to suggest  MYTV to launch Indonesia television channels for free, means Indonesia TV channels broadcast in Malaysia as free-to-air platform.

"I think MYTV shall have discussion and cooperation with any Indonesia television broadcasters who are interesting to broadcast on MYTV for Malaysia. If Hankuk TV (a joint venture between Korean and Malaysian broadcast companies) has collaborated with MYTV,  Indonesia TV supposely have to do so, as its language is almost same with Malay and it is easily to be understood, despite without any subtitles", this fella stated.

YES, YOU CAN, BUT YOU MUST PAY. NOTHING IS FREE IN THE WORLD!

Anyway this depends on Indonesia broadcasters decision whether they want to enter Malaysia TV market or not, but it is impossible to broadcast on free-to-air terrestrial platform. This is because:

1. Free-to-air television broadcast license in Malaysia is only applied to local company.

2. Foreign broadcasters are not allowed to apply free-to-air television broadcast license in Malaysia. In addition, in respect to the requirement of free-to-air television broadcast license, the license holder must air at least 65% of local content, although they air some imported content on TV.

3. In terms of market, Malaysia is not Indonesia TV stations coverage country (not to mention overspill signal where happens in Johor). Imagine if any foreign TV channels are launched in Malaysia via terrestrial as free-to-air, they need to pay more transmission fees, and how do they get advertising revenue in Malaysia, as their advertisers are different?

4. Copyright circumstances. 

5. If foreign broadcasters want to operate in Malaysia via terrestrial, joint venture with local company may make sense, but I believe that the broadcaster will air at least 50% of local content due to license requirement.

6. When he compares Hankuk TV, which is expected to carry Korean content on MYTV, I believe Hankuk TV will be only available as pay TV on MYTV DTH satellite platform. If Hankuk TV airs on DTT, the station must have some local content, unless the joint venture company holds CASP license (Content Application Service Provider) which allows to broadcast more stations. 
7. Country autonomy, politic and culture issues. If foreign channels are landed in Malaysia via free-to-air terrestrial platform without filtering advertisement, this can threaten a country's sovereignty by claiming foreign broadcasters without JV use local license and frequencies.

Example: I want CCTV-1, CCTV-9 and SET Metro Channel to be on MYTV, but it is not possible on free-to-air terrestrial due to license condition... Unless on pay TV.

Actually watching International channels are mostly on pay TV platform, regardless satellite, cable TV or IPTV platform. 

Talk about that guy who always suggests MYTV to launch Indonesia television channels on DTT, from my view, he always expects those things from MYTV, but those are not complying free-to-air license regulations at all! Few questions that I should raise up here:

1. Why doesn't he watch Indonesia channels by paying Indonesia TV package subscription fees on Astro or Unifi TV? 

2. Indonesia TV channels such as antv, RCTI, Trans7 launch its video-on-demand content for free via YouTube, why doesn't he subscribe them on YouTube? So he can watch his favorite Indonesian television content on YouTube, somehow free to select what he wants. Even I also watch some selected Taiwan TV content via YouTube.

3. Ninmedia is Indonesia free satellite TV platform, why doesn't he try to install that? (Maybe illegal?)

He may not feel enough when TV3 airs Indonesia dramas... Last year, while NTV7 went rebranding as Modern Malaysia TV channel where carries modern Malay content majority (but the rebranding went busted on December 2019), he always expected ntv7 will air Sinetron dramas here and there which are not complying to local broadcast license at all. In addition, Bernama also collaborated with Indonesia TV station to launch few Indonesia documentary program on Bernama News Channel (he may not be interesting at all).

Wanna watch Indonesia TV channel for free without installing Ninmedia? Just stay in Southern Johor or Western Johor to receive Indonesia TV from Batam and Bengkalis with high antenna.

Coincidentally MYTV launches Asiasat-9 DTH (direct-to-home) service to cover blind spot areas where they're not covered by DTT. If he wants Indonesia channels to be on MYTV, I may agree with him, but those channels shall be classified as "pay channels" where only air on DTH via satellite. We must pay if want to watch foreign channels.

Make sense if his favorite Indonesia channels are on MYTV satellite pay channels, but he needs to buy DVB-S2 + DVB-T2 combo decoder and MYTV satellite dish, those channels won't be accessed via DTT. Besides that, by launching Indonesian channels on MYTV pay satellite TV platform, I may believe this can compete with Astro.

I suggest those foreign channels to broadcast on MYTV DTH because MYTV and foreign channels can get the fund from subscribers, so they don't need to recall many advertisers like terrestrial TV, somehow those channels doesn't need to pay high costs of terrestrial transmission fees because they just pay for satellite transmission fees only to serve whole Malaysia.

Announcement: Malaysia is going to implement analog switch off of television transmission

Following by Gunung Raya Langkawi is the first location to close down analogue television transmission on 21st July 2019 which is first ever record that Malaysia close down the analogue TV transmitter, now Malaysia is going to fully implement ASO (Analogue Switch Off) for whole nation from August till October 2019. 

Here are the phases:

1. Perak, Central and Southern region
- States: Perak, Selangor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Johor and Kuala Lumpur
- Date: 19th August 2019

2. Northern region
- States: Kedah, Penang and Perlis
- Date: 2nd September 2019

3. East coast region
- States: Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan
- Date: 17th September 2019

4. East Malaysia/Borneo region
- State: Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak
- Date: 30th September 2019

MYTV myFreeview is available through DTH (direct to home) via satellite for those areas where are not covered by current MYTV DTT transmitter sites. Example: if Gunung Telapak Burok analogue transmitter is switch off, the viewers under Gunung Telapak Burok coverage still can access MYTV channels via DTH, but it is perfect if Gunung Telapak Burok DTT transmission commissioning is completed.

In my opinion, I may suggest the broadcasters may export their analogue TV transmitters and analogue TV hardware to third world countries if they want to cover back the money revenue, rather than simply disposing the transmitters. Selling used analogue TV transmitters to third world countries may help the broadcasters there from paying high costs equipment. 

During ASO implementation, please ensure yourself that you have either IPTV or TV with MYTV set-top-box in order to continue watching terrestrial TV.

The best mobile data plan if listen to Internet radio stations in Malaysia

Technology gets advanced nowadays, most of radio stations are available via online and mobile app streaming. People can listen to their favorite radio stations from different countries/region around the world, but mobile data consumption always becomes their concern when they use it because Internet data is easily finished when they listen to online radio stations frequently.

If you listen to online radio station via Internet, regardless a computer, or smartphone, Internet data plan is very important when you listen to online radio station most of the time over FM radio. It is good if certain radio stations work with some Telco companies to whitelist their mobile apps, so that no data charges are applied when using the app. 

For frequently listening to online radio stations in Malaysia, it is highly recommended to subscribe postpaid mobile plan with unlimited data quota package. To subscribe valuable, reasonable price and stable internet plan, I would recommend two Internet data plan, namely:

1. DiGi Postpaid 100 Infinite

- Best DiGi mobile data plan ever!

- Stable Internet connectivity

- Only pay RM100 per month

- Unlimited data, SMS and calls

- If you want get superb speed, DiGi Postpaid 150 Infinite is recommended.

I subscribe DiGi Postpaid 100 Infinite, I can use Internet without concerning data quota, I can listen to online radio stations mobile apps, watching YouTube etc in unlimited situation. Even I also use DiGi Postpaid 100 Infinite at home as home broadband nicely and happily after I terminated the lousy discontinued TM Streamyx 60 (which ran 384kbps speed, although no quota limit).

2. TM UniFi Mobile 99

- Another nice mobile data plan ever

- RM 99 per month

- Unlimited data, calls and SMS

In conclusion, DiGi Postpaid 100 Infinite and TM UniFi Mobile 99 are the best recommended Internet data plan in Malaysia if you want to listen to foreign radio stations via online within Malaysia. Example: Listen to BBC Radio2 from UK in Malaysia via TuneIn app.

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.