[Thailand RF analysis] FM 102.75MHz Songkhla (PART 2): Khao Kho Hong at 50W power

Hat Yai is considered as Southern Thailand version of Bangkok in terms of FM radio stations frequency spectrum traffic condition because the frequency spectrum is quite peak in Hat Yai due to growing of community and commercial radio stations, alongside public broadcasters such as Radio Thailand, MCOT, Parliament Channel, Royal Thai Army, Air Force, Navy and Prince of Songkhla University.

However, I already noticed that Sunshine Radio Hat Yai was ceased since 2016, alongside recent defunct Sunshine Radio station in Phuket. In addition, according to Asiawaves.net, FM 102.75MHz was previously carried by Workers' Radio in Hat Yai, but it is INACTIVE.

In facts, FM 102.75MHz is now a vacant frequency in Hat Yai, Thailand, meanwhile Your FM 102.5MHz also broadcasts in Hat Yai as low power narrowcast community radio station. By referring Bangkok FM radio frequency spectrum condition, the main transmitter site radio stations separated at 500kHz, meanwhile the frequency separation between main radio stations and narrowcast radio stations is 250kHz.

Example: FM 92.5MHz, FM 92.75MHz and FM 93.0MHz

FM 92.5MHz is Radio Thailand national network, then FM 93.0MHz is Cool Fahrenheit 93 (under Voice of Navy), so separation is 500kHz. Between FM 92.5MHz and FM 93.0MHz, the frequency FM 92.75MHz is used as narrowcast broadcast stations such as: Sathani Witthayu Khon Charoen Nakhon {สถานีวิทยุคนเจริญนคร}, Sathani Witthayu Medee (Global Medee) {สถานีวิทยุมีดี (โกลบอลมีดี)}, and Sathani Witthayu Krachaisiang Phuea Phraputthasasana Haeng Chat lae Sangkhom {สถานีวิทยุกระจายเสียงพระพุทธศาสนาแห่งชาติและสังคม}, these 3 radio stations on FM 92.75MHz operate at very low power transmission, so they're considered as narrowcast.

For Hat Yai site, FM 102.75MHz is not a problem to be used in Khao Kho Hong as it has 500kHz frequency separation from Radio Thailand Songkhla FM 102.25MHz which is transmitted in same location, meanwhile Your FM 102.5MHz is transmitted from Tambon Hat Yai as low power community radio station to cover the sub-district only.

While FM 102.75MHz is suitable to be used in Khao Kho Hong, but to prevent interference to Your FM 102.5MHz, it is recommended to use low power transmitter there as much 50W. In addition, interference to border region (Malaysia) must be considered. Hence, I will issue RF analysis and tentative parameter of FM 102.75MHz for Khao Kho Hong transmission to cover Hat Yai.

In Khao Kho Hong, there are about 3 tower locations.

1. MCOT Songkhla FM 96.5MHz tower (low peak)

2. Air Force & Radio Thailand Songkhla transmission tower (upper peak)

3. Hat Yai Municipal Park side top peak

==Tentative parameter of FM 102.75MHz Hat Yai==

* Frequency: FM 102.75MHz

* Power: 50W

* Example antenna model: SIRA FM-04 3 bay array dipole antenna

* Antenna type: Dipole antenna

* Antenna polarization: Vertical

* Antenna gain: 6.0dBd

* ERP: 200W

==RF analysis==

102.5MHz: Your FM Hat Yai

102.75MHz: Khao Kho Hong, Hat Yai (50W)

<250kHz, OK>

102.7MHz: Nasional FM UUM Sintok

102.75MHz: Khao Kho Hong, Hat Yai (50W)

<50kHz, OK>

102.75MHz: Khao Kho Hong, Hat Yai (50W)

102.9MHz: Perlis FM Padang Pauh

<150kHz, OK>

102.25MHz: Radio Thailand Songkhla

102.75MHz: Khao Kho Hong, Hat Yai (50W)

<250kHz, OK>

102.75MHz: Khao Kho Hong, Hat Yai (50W)

103.25MHz: Satthani WItthayu Ratthasapha (Parliament Radio)

<500kHz, OK>

102.75MHz: Khao Kho Hong, Hat Yai (50W)

103.0MHz: Khluen Muanchon Khon Thepha {คลื่นมวลชนคนเทพา}

<250kHz, OK>

Next, I will show the coverage report of Khao Kho Hong at 50W power with 3 bay array dipole antenna in 3 different tower locations.

1. Khao Kho Hong (lower peak)

2. Khao Kho Hong (Upper Peak)

3. Khao Kho Hong (Hat Yai Municipal Park side)

According to the coverage, Khao Kho Hong upper peak and Hat Yai Municipal Park top peak have same coverage, but Khao Kho Hong lower peak (MCOT tower) has lesser coverage population. For border area transmission, lower peak Khao Kho Hong has coverage in Padang Besar, Perlis which is closer to Perlis FM 102.9MHz.

Besides that, the transmission of FM 102.75MHz from Khao Kho Hong will not interfere RTM Nasional FM 102.7MHz in Sintok and Bukit Kayu Hitam because it transmits at low power as much 50W. In Bukit Kayu Hitam, Nasional FM is still receivable and clear on 100.5MHz from Gunung Jerai.

Although FM 102.75MHz Khao Kho Hong has just only 50kHz frequency separation from RTM Nasional FM 102.7MHz UUM Sintok, but there is no interference impact within broadcast area, however Nasional FM 102.7MHz and Khao Kho Hong FM 102.75MHz have minor interference in Sadao, Thailand.

For my recommendation, as FM 102.75MHz covers Hat Yai only, so I suggest that FM 102.75MHz to be used at Hat Yai municipal park of Khao Kho Hong hill, rather than Upper peak (Radio Thailand tower) and lower peak (MCOT tower).

==Complete tentative RF proposal of FM 102.75MHz for Hat Yai transmission (for non-professional use only)==

- Frequency: FM 102.75MHz

- Power: 50W

- Transmission site: Khao Kho Hong (Hat Yai municipal park side), Hat Yai city, Songkhla province, Thailand

- Sample transmitter model: Elettronika MIZAR2 50

- Sample antenna model: SIRA FM-04 3 bay array dipole antenna

- Antenna polarization: Vertical

- Number of bay: 3

- Sample antenna height: 40m

- Height above sea level: 338m

- Antenna gain: 6.0dBd

- ERP: 200W

- Target location: Hat Yai, Thailand

List of Hat Yai FM radio stations which are transmitted from Khao Kho Hong (regardless upper or lower peak)

Here are the Hat Yai radio stations list which are transmitted from Kho Hong hill, Hat Yai, Thailand

- 88.0MHz: PSU Radio
- 89.5MHz: Radio Thailand Songkhla (3rd station)
- 90.5MHz: Radio Thailand Songkhla (1st station), most powerful station (10kW)
- 91.25MHz: Southern Radio Hat Yai
- 92.75MHz: Lukthung Radio Changwat Songkhla
- 93.5MHz: Ban Mai Radio
- 95.0MHz: Siang Samila {เสียงสมิหลา}
- 96.5MHz: MCOT Songkhla
- 98.5MHz: City Radio
- 100.75MHz: Big FM Changwat Songkhla
- 102.25MHz: Radio Thailand Songkhla (2nd station)
- 103.25MHz: Satthanii Witthayu Ratthasapha (Parliament)
- 107.0MHz: RTAF Radio (Thor Or 011)
- 107.75MHz: TP4 FM Songkhla (Indy 10775 Hatyai)

RF analysis and vacant FM frequencies for Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia

Previously I listed FM 91.5MHz, FM 91.9MHz and FM 94.3MHz as vacant frequency for Alor Setar, Kedah as FM radio transmission.

In Alor Setar, FM 91.9MHz and FM 94.3MHz are not suitable to be used in Alor Setar Tower because interference from Radio Thailand Yala FM 92MHz and 94.25MHz. For your information, Radio Thailand Yala FM 92.0MHz is high power transmitted radio station.

In fact, Radio Thailand Yala FM 92.0MHz and FM 94.25MHz are quite clear and stable in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. However, there are another two vacant FM frequencies which can be used for Alor Setar radio transmission, such as FM 91.5MHz and FM 93.7MHz.

Let's study basic RF analysis by involving existing stations.

1. FM 91.5MHz

91.3MHz: Mix FM Bukit Larut

91.5MHz: Alor Setar Tower

<200kHz, OK>

91.5MHz: Alor Setar Tower

91.7MHz: Traxx FM Bukit Palong

<200kHz, OK>

2. FM 93.7MHz

93.5MHz: Ban Mai FM Hatyai

93.7MHz: Alor Setar Tower

<200kHz, OK>

93.6MHz: Hitz FM Bukit Larut

93.7MHz: Alor Setar Tower

<100kHz, OK>

93.7MHz: Alor Setar Tower

93.9MHz: Mutiara FM Gunung Jerai (Penang only)

<200kHz, OK>

93.7MHz: Alor Setar Tower

93.75MHz: Life FM La-Ngu, Satun

<50kHz, OK>

For Alor Setar transmission on FM 91.5MHz and 93.7MHz, it is enough to use less than 500W power transmitter, meanwhile as FM 93.7MHz is closer to Mutiara FM 93.9MHz Gunung Jerai (Penang only), so the transmission power of FM 93.7MHz in Alor Setar Tower must not be more than 250W to avoid unnecessary interference.

In conclusion, as May 2020 update, FM 91.5MHz and FM 93.7MHz are the only vacant frequencies for Alor Setar Tower radio transmission. (Presumed)

(FIRST EXCLUSIVE): Radio Republik Indonesia RRI PRO-1 Bengkalis FM 90.6MHz received in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia

After Tampin, Negeri Sembilan was the first ever Malaysia location that I received RRI PRO-1 Bengkalis FM 90.6MHz, surprisingly I receive this radio station again at my home in Balakong, Selangor (20km from Kuala Lumpur) today.

Actually I have no plan to do a far FM DXing today, instead just perform radio aircheck of UPM Putra FM 90.7MHz at home on my TECSUN PL-380 radio receiver, but UPM Putra FM 90.7MHz is off-air.

When UPM Putra FM 90.7MHz is off-air, I receive an adjacent noise of unknown radio station which likely speaking Malay language. Therefore, I suspect the radio station is from RRI PRO-1 Bengkalis FM 90.6MHz because there is no any radio station within my location uses FM 90.7MHz other than UPM Putra FM. I slowly tune the frequency to FM 90.68MHz and below, then match with RRI PRO-1 Bengkalis FM 90.6MHz online streaming content through mobile phone, it is positively verified.

During the video recording, Radio Republik Indonesia RRI PRO-1 Bengkalis FM 90.6MHz is going to air Muslim afternoon prayer (Azan Zohor) around 1305 hours (UTC+8; Malaysia/China/Singapore/Taiwan/Hong Kong time).

 

 

In this video, I receive Radio Republik Indonesia RRI PRO-1 Bengkalis FM 90.6MHz via Tecsun PL-380 receiver, while antenna is pointing towards southwest direction from my position. To receive this radio station, I must stay in stationary and correct position, otherwise FM 90.6MHz will be fully overlapped by RTM Minnal FM 90.5MHz from Gunung Telapak Burok, Negeri Sembilan.

In Balakong, in fact Minnal FM 90.5MHz from Gunung Telapak Burok is very clear, so RRI PRO-1 Bengkalis FM 90.6MHz has adjacent channel interference noise from Minnal FM 90.5MHz.

The interference from Minnal FM 90.5MHz on RRI PRO-1 Bengkalis FM 90.6MHz which I receive in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia can be reduced by adjusting the receiver frequency to FM 90.65MHz, FM 90.68MHz on TECSUN PL-380.

It is not receivable most of the time when UPM Putra FM 90.7MHz returns transmission. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the campus and education sectors are closed, therefore UPM Putra FM 90.7MHz is temporarily off-air. For your information, UPM Putra FM 90.7MHz is a campus radio station by UPM, under RTM broadcast license, it is also known as "RTM Selangor FM Saluran UPM", it only broadcasts on weekdays from 10am till 8pm, it is in silent mode or off-air during non-broadcasting hours.

RRI PRO-1 Bengkalis FM 90.6MHz is likely receivable in coastal areas of Melaka and Johor.

==Reception details of RRI PRO-1 Bengkalis==

* Frequency: FM 90.6MHz

* Power: 5kW (upgraded since 2016)

* Transmission location: Bengkalis, Riau Province, Indonesia

* Receiving location: Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia

* Distance: 176km

* Receiving date/time: 20th May 2020 1303hours (UTC+8)

* Receiver model: TECSUN PL-380

List of Malaysia radio stations which are available in Satun province, Thailand

Satun is a province located in Southern Thailand, border with Perlis and Langkawi of Malaysia.

In Satun, there is only available of local radio stations in Thai language only, but Radio Thailand Satun FM 95.5MHz and 99.5MHz have some minority language programs such as Kedah slang Bahasa Melayu religion program on FM 95.5MHz (few episodes only) and English news from Bangkok FM88 on FM 99.5MHz.

Notice that some of Malaysians love to travel via Thailand border by car from Perlis to Satun. For those listeners who don't understand Thai, you can still listen to Malaysia FM radio stations in Satun, Thailand.

In fact Malaysia radio stations are still available in Satun, Thailand. Here are the radio stations list:

1. Era FM 90.7MHz

2. Hitz FM 92.4MHz

3. MY FM 100.1MHz

4. Sinar FM 100.9MHz

5. Raaga FM 101.9MHz

6. Langkawi FM 104.8MHz

7. Kedah FM 105.7MHz

All are transmitted from Gunung Raya, Langkawi.

In Satun, it is less possible to receive Malaysia radio stations from Gunung Jerai there, unless you're receiving at coastal areas of Satun, but you may try these radio stations below:

- One FM 87.8MHz

- Hot FM 88.2MHz

- IKIM FM 89.0MHz

- Mix FM 91.0MHz

- Radio Klasik FM 94.9MHz

- 988 FM 96.1MHz

- Minnal FM 96.7MHz

- Sinar FM 97.1MHz

- Zayan FM 98.1MHz

- Traxx FM 98.7MHz

- Nasional FM 100.5MHz

- Ai FM 101.3MHz

- Lite FM 104.4MHz

- Melody FM 106.5MHz

- Suria FM 106.9MHz

Note: Fly FM 99.1MHz and Kool FM 107.3MHz are not available in Satun, Thailand because they're transmitted from Alor Setar Tower. In addition, RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz from Padang Pauh is also not available in Satun due to its low height elevation, however it may be interfered by high ERP power TP4 (Thor Por Sii/4th Army Area radio) FM 103.0MHz from Trang, Thailand.

Although Satun has no full fledged Malay/Chinese/English radio stations, instead dominated by full Thai language local stations, but this results that Satun has 4 Malay, 1 English, 1 Chinese and 1 Tamil radio stations.

Despite Satun has no Indians, but Raaga is available there via FM 101.9MHz from Gunung Raya.

List of radio stations without Taiping frequency which can be tuned in Taiping, Perak

Majority of radio stations in Malaysia, especially mainstream radio stations have Taiping frequency for Taiping. In Perak state, all mainstream radio stations have Ipoh frequency because Ipoh is the capital of Perak, however Taiping is the second Perak frequency.

Taiping radio stations are transmitted from Bukit Larut.

The reasons of mainstream radio stations have Taiping frequency are:

1. Taiping cannot receive radio stations from Ipoh Gunung Kledang.

2. Although Taiping can receive radio stations from Kedah Gunung Jerai, but some of stations are facing interference from Ipoh Gunung Kledang stations because they have 100kHz frequency separation.

Some of radio broadcasters don't launch Taiping frequency due to market value and unavailability of frequency spectrum there, but they can be listened in Taiping via Penang Bukit Penara or Kedah Gunung Jerai, such as:

1. One FM 87.8MHz (Gunung Jerai)

2. IKIM FM 89.0MHz (Gunung Jerai)

3. Fly FM 89.9MHz (Bukit Penara)

4. Kool FM 90.2MHz (Bukit Penara)

5. Zayan FM 98.1MHz (Gunung Jerai)**

6. goXUAN FM 107.6MHz (Bukit Penara)

** Its predecessor Red FM was used to have Taiping frequency from Bukit Larut on FM 98.2MHz, but closed down since May 2009.

In addition, some of RTM state radio stations outside Perak can be tuned in Taiping such as Kedah FM 97.5MHz and Mutiara FM 93.9MHz from Gunung Jerai.

Other than these Malaysia radio stations without Taiping frequency, Taiping somehow can receive Indonesia and Thailand FM radio stations via tropospheric propagation, but weak signal.

RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz Padang Pauh is not available in Langkawi and Satun, Thailand

RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz is a radio station to serve Perlis state, operated by RTM. Although Perlis is next to Satun Thailand and Kedah, also adjacent border with Langkawi Island, but Perlis FM is not receivable in Satun, Thailand and Langkawi.

For your information, Perlis FM 102.9MHz transmission site is located in RTM Perlis Padang Pauh office which is land based site, including tower, the height above sea level of its transmission site is 71m (60m tower height + 11m land above sea level).

This radio station is not receivable in Langkawi and Satun, Thailand actually by tuning FM 102.9MHz, however you will hear adjacent channel interference noise from Thailand radio station, named TP4 FM 103.0MHz Trang. Alternatively, RTM Perlis FM can be listened via Myklik RTM app outside of Perlis state.

RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz can be listened in some North Kedah areas, but it is interfered by Indonesia Boss FM 102.8MHz from Permatangsiantar, North Sumatra in Alor Setar, Kedah during tropospheric propagation, however it is also interfered by TP4 FM 103.0MHz from Trang, Thailand.

Technically, RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz is not available in Satun Thailand, despite Satun is next to Perlis, this is because there is a mountain located at the border between Satun and Perlis. Moreover, Perlis FM 102.9MHz begins interfered by Thor Por Sii TP4 FM Trang 103.0MHz which is high powered radio station from Trang in Satun, Thailand.

TP4 (4th Army Area) FM 103.0MHz Trang, Thailand that I received between Langkawi and Phuket Island at the sea

These are the videos that I listened and received Thor Por Sii FM 103.0MHz from Trang, Thailand when I was at the cruise between Phuket and Langkawi while the cruise was on the way going to Phuket Island, however I had the audio footage of this radio station signal when the cruise was going back from Phuket Island to Singapore which I recorded in between Langkawi and Phuket.

When I traveled to Phuket via cruise, I placed TP4 FM 103.0MHz as target radio check station because it is my favorite Thailand radio station.

For your information, Thor Por Sii FM 103.0MHz from Trang, Thailand was having co-channel interference from Mahogany VFM 103.0MHz Tambon Talat Yai, and it has interference from 102.75MHz or 103.25MHz nearby Phuket, however Thor Por Sii FM 103.0MHz is the strongest and most powerful Trang province radio station ever.

When the cruise was going back from Phuket, while I could receive RTM Langkawi FM 104.8MHz from Gunung Raya clearly, but Perlis FM 102.9MHz Padang Pauh was fully locked by TP4 FM 103.0MHz Trang at the sea.

Extra footage of FM 103.0MHz that I received within Phuket Island on November 2017:

Station coverage of TP4 FM 103.0MHz (4th Army Area) Trang, Thailand

Satthani Witthayu Krajaisiang Kong Thap Phak Thi Sii Changwat Trang (สถานีวิทยุกองทัพภาคที่ 4 จังหวัดตรัง) FM 103.0MHz (4th Army Area) is my favorite Thailand radio station. Although I don't understand Thai language very much, but I love this radio station because it plays music. TP4 FM 103.0MHz Trang, Thailand plays Thai Lukthung, and classic songs, however it plays some Thai new songs by relaying Bangkok 103 LIKE FM in selected hours.

I was used to receive this radio station in Langkawi before, then Alor Setar and part of Penang via tropospheric propagation from 2018 to 2019. I noticed this radio station overlapped RTM Perlis FM 102.9MHz from Padang Pauh in Langkawi, some areas in Kedah and Penang, but these locations are not Perlis FM coverage.

Hereby I will list down the station coverage in Thailand and Malaysia.

==Thailand==

* Whole Trang province

* Southern Krabi: Khlong Thom District (Sai Khao) and Ko Lanta

* Part of Nakhon Si Thammarat province: Bang Khan District (Wang Hin & Ban Nikhom)

* Part of Satun province: Thung Wa.

* Part of Phatthalung: West Phatthalung

==Malaysia==

* Part of Langkawi

TP4 FM 103.0MHz Trang, Thailand can be received in Satun, and some locations in Malaysia within Kedah and Penang state via overspill signal.

TP4 FM 103.0MHz has 7kW ERP, the most powerful Trang radio station ever.

Overall coverage indicates that TP4 FM 103.0MHz can be listened in whole Trang province, some areas in Phatthalung, Krabi, Satun and Nakhon Si Thammarat, as well as some Langkawi areas in Malaysia. As I mentioned before, TP4 FM 103.0MHz Trang overspill its signal to Alor Setar, Guar Chempedak, Tasek Gelugor, and Bukit Tambun in Malaysia, but Perlis FM 102.9MHz was not receivable in Penang Seberang Perai at all.

I was used to receive this radio station in Phuket Island, however it is interfered by Mahogany VFM 103.0MHz from a district within the Island, back to November 2017. When I was at the cruise, I could receive this station at the sea (between Krabi and Phuket) too, but mono signal.

Pahang FM 107.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali received in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia? Must have interference from goXUAN FM 107.6MHz Bukit Penara

On March 2020, my DXing friend from Taiping received RTM Pahang FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia.

In this video, I may believe the reception is set in force receiving mode because goXUAN FM 107.6MHz from Bukit Penara is quite clear in Taiping, Perak. By listening to this audio, you can hear adjacent interference noise from goXUAN FM 107.6MHz Bukit Penara on Pahang FM 107.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali which captured in Taiping, Perak. Previously, goXUAN FM 107.6MHz was carried by Capital FM and Red FM before Astro acquired them from Star Radio in 2016.

I was used to receive Pahang FM 107.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali from Taiping to Semanggol on highway, but interference signal can be detected much in the location.

In fact, goXUAN FM 107.6MHz Bukit Penara signal is fully dominating in Taiping and Kerian district, so it has lower chance to receive Pahang FM 107.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali there without interference signal condition.

Two Thailand FM radio stations are received in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia with Thailand National Anthem (May 2020)

In recent weeks, I have a friend from Taiping, Perak received again two Thailand FM radio stations in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia, but for this time, he recorded with Thailand National Anthem and station news jingle.

First radio station is Satthani Witthayu Kong Thap Phak Thi Sii Changwat Trang (สถานีวิทยุกองทัพภาคที่ 4 จังหวัดตรัง) FM 103.0MHz (4th Army Area) from Trang, Thailand. Its station call sign name is Thor Por Sii (TP4 FM). In Taiping, TP4 FM 103.0MHz is having co-channel interference from Melody FM 103.0MHz Gunung Ulu Kali. TP4 FM 103.0MHz from Trang, Thailand is the furthest FM radio station received in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia, it transmits at 7kW ERP (effective radiated power), 3.5kW ERP each for vertical and horizontal polarization antenna, therefore it results 7kW ERP with mixed polarization antenna. Thor Por Sii TP4 FM 103.0MHz Trang is the most powerful Trang radio station ever in terms of transmission.

Second radio station is Radio Thailand Satun FM 99.5MHz, also known as Sor Wor Thor Satun. In the video, it has some minor adjacent channel interference from MY FM 99.7MHz Gunung Jerai. Transmission power is 1kW, but with 6dBd gain mixed polarization antenna, results 4kW ERP. In terms of transmission, Radio Thailand Satun FM 99.5MHz is powerful as MCOT Satun FM 93.25MHz, however it is more powerful than Radio Thailand Satun FM 95.5MHz. Meanwhile, Radio Thailand Satun FM 99.5MHz is the widest coverage Satun radio station in Northern region of Peninsular Malaysia, compare to MCOT Satun FM 93.25MHz.

1. Satthanii Witthayu Kong Thap Phak Thi Sii Changwat Trang FM 103.0MHz
สถานีวิทยุกองทัพภาคที่ 4 จังหวัดตรัง

2. Radio Thailand Satun FM 99.5MHz

Verified: New Thailand radio station FM 97.5MHz is transmitted from Sungai Golok, to be launched soon.

On February 2020, we had highlighted regarding there is an unknown radio station FM 97.5MHz in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, we suspected FM 97.5MHz is transmitted either from Amphoe Mueang Narathiwat or Sungai Golok.

To find out more, I organized a survey post regarding FM 97.5MHz unknown Thailand radio station on my YouTube channel Philip Yong DXer Malaysia to open for anyone to vote, majority votes are stating that FM 97.5MHz is from Sungai Golok.

By watching these two videos, uploaded by Senn Lens, actually FM 97.5MHz was playing Thai pop songs where he recorded on weekend. In Kota Bharu and Sungai Golok, the radio station FM 97.5MHz signal is very clear.

For your information, the new Thailand radio station in Sungai Golok FM 97.5MHz is expected to be launched by Q3 2020 or Q4 2020, currently it is still under trial transmission, FM 97.5MHz Sungai Golok is given trial transmission license by NBTC Thailand as I predict. Besides that, due to COVID-19 outbreak around the world including Thailand, so FM 97.5MHz Sungai Golok radio station launching will be delayed until COVID-19 pandemic is fully solved. As I predict Q3 or Q4 2020 will be the date for FM 97.5MHz official on-air in Sungai Golok, but the official launching of the radio station may be delayed much longer.

FM 97.5MHz maybe a low/medium power Sungai Golok radio station (0.5-1kW), as it has 200kHz frequency separation from RTM Kelantan FM 97.3MHz Bukit Bakar which cover Central Kelantan, but I believe Sungai Golok FM 97.5MHz will not interfere the coverage of Kelantan FM 97.3MHz because it is using lower power transmitter system. Moreover, Kelantan FM can be tuned in Kota Bharu and North Kelantan loudly and clearly on FM 102.9MHz from RTM Kota Bharu when main transmitter FM 97.3MHz Bukit Bakar is interfered.

Regarding FM 97.5MHz Thailand radio station actual content, we have to wait its official broadcast and check it out. As COVID-19 pandemic is not fully solved yet, let's pray that the virus will be killed and disappeared as soon as possible. To the readers, please stay safe. If there is no necessary or emergency matter, please stay at home.

RAAF Radio Butteworth MW 1445kHz, a radio station that Malaysians forget the most.

In Malaysia, everyone knows Hitz, Mix, Lite (Light & Easy), Traxx FM (RTM Radio 4), BFM 89.9, Fly FM and defunct radio stations such as Rediffusion, Red FM, Capital FM, Wow FM & Time Highway Radio (THR FM), but there was a radio station that Malaysians forget the most, it was RAAF Penang Butterworth.

RAAF Radio Butterworth was not well-known by many Malaysians because the radio station only broadcasted in Penang through mediumwave (MW) frequency, transmitted from RAAF Butterworth, Penang. This radio station carried Australia radio stations programs from ABC & Radio Australia, its target audiences were RAAF members, Australian soldiers in Malaysia as well as Penang listeners.

RAAF Radio Butterworth broadcasted on MW 1445kHz at 1kW power, from 1960 to late 1980s. This radio station was well-known among English speaking listeners in Penang actually, apart of RTM Blue Network (Traxx FM) and pay cable radio Rediffusion. 

In my opinion, RAAF Radio Butterworth transmission power at 1kW was actually low, meanwhile RTM MW radio stations operate at standard power 10kW or 20kW. What I look at RAAF is MW frequency in 1960s was not standardized as today where MW band is 9kHz per channel for rest of world, then 10kHz per channel for North America region. If RAAF Radio Butterworth is still alive today, frequency is no longer 1445kHz, it may change to standardized frequency such as 1449kHz or 1458kHz which is 9kHz separation per channel.

Here I will share with you some audio clips of RAAF Radio Butterworth from RAAF School Penang YouTube channel which recorded in the 1970s and 1980s. Hope you will enjoy and this will cruise down the memory lane.

 

Apart from relaying selecting programs from ABC and Radio Australia, RAAF Radio Butterworth relayed RTM programs sometimes.