After 15 years hiatus, Wa FM comes back on One FM frequencies? Will One FM become "Wa FM 2.0" on 2nd August 2021?

 

Between 2003-2005, there was a Chinese language radio station, known as Wa FM which operated by ntv7 before being acquired by Media Prima in late 2005. As ntv7 faced financial crisis, ntv7 was acquired by Media Prima, meanwhile its radio station Wa FM was rebranded as Hot FM in 2006, a Malay language hot contemporary radio station under Media Prima (Ripple) to compete against Era from Astro Radio.

  

 

3 years later (In 2009), Media Prima Radio Networks launched a Chinese language music entertainment radio station, One FM. 

 

Ripple Media CEO hints with "Goodbye One FM" on Instagram. This means One FM will be fully rebranded with new radio station's name on 2nd August 2021. In my opinion, unlike current One FM, this all-new Chinese radio station will not fully go on music entertainment direction, maybe Chinese language infotainment radio station (mass scale target) like 988, and now defunct Wa FM.

 

No more One FM since 02.08.2021, together with Kool FM.

 

Mass scale targeted radio station means the broadcasters deliver content and music which targets Gen X, Gen Y and Gen Z market, the listeners' age range is larger, from 15-45 years old demographics.

 

Tuning frequencies are still same as current One FM.

 

Is Wa FM back after 15 years hiatus? Will One FM become "Wa FM 2.0" on 2nd August 2021?

 

2nd August 2021, all new radio station, all new breakfast show, coming soon!

 

If One FM becomes "Wa FM 2.0", Ripple Chinese radio station can compete against MY, Melody and goXUAN from Astro Radio, and 988 from Star Radio Group.  In addition, by combining Gen X, Y and Z content into one station, at least the radio station is less slapstick and more balance in terms of content.

 

Here is a video of teaser of Fly FM, Hot FM, One FM and Kool FM.

已經沉寂15年的"嘩FM"會是否捲土重來嗎? One FM會變成"嘩FM 2.0"嗎?

2003-2005年之間, 馬來西亞曾經有家中文電台, 名字是"嘩FM", 這家電台當時是屬於ntv7. 由於ntv7面對財政危機而被首要媒體 (Media Prima) 收購, 嘩FM也在2006年變成馬來語電台Hot FM.

3年後的2009年, 首要媒體推出一家走娛樂路線的中文電台One FM.

如今One FM已經廣播12年, 電台表現最近都開始"嘛嘛地". 同時首要媒體廣播網(Ripple)得到新的管理層, 加上管理層對進行旗下電台進行大改革.

中文電台one FM在2021年8月2日會以全新品牌向聽眾見面. 

Ripple執行長給暗示, 在Instagram 發布預告片"Goodbye One FM". 這意味著One FM在2021年8月2日以新的電台名稱出發, 跟One FM不同的是, 這家新的中文電台不走One FM的娛樂路線, 我猜測它會走988大眾市場的路線.

 

大眾市場電台的內容涵蓋X, Y和Z時代聽眾需求, 聽眾年齡群的範圍是很大的, 15-45歲. 

收聽頻率跟目前的One FM是一樣的.

沉寂15年的嘩FM回歸廣播? One FM是否會變成"嘩FM 2.0" 嗎?

 

8月2號, 新電台, 新早晨節目, 敬請期待!

8月2日後, 沒有One FM這家電台名字. 如果問我甚麼電台名字, 我會建議 "嘩FM", 因為這家電台對我很有意思, 它的路線是混合了娛樂和資訊.

 

如果One FM變成"嘩FM 2.0", 首要媒體的中文電台可以對抗Astro大台的MY, Melody和goXUAN, 並增強競爭力. 同時, "嘩FM 2.0" 也會跟988競爭.

以下是首要媒體Ripple Media旗下的Fly FM, Hot FM, One FM和Kool FM的大轉型預告短片.

Ripple is overhauling Hot FM, Fly FM, One FM and Kool FM. What are the future of Kool FM?

 

In June 2021, Ripple (Media Prima Radio Networks) gets all new management team. Mr Nazri Noran is new Ripple CEO, meanwhile Datuk Jake Abdullah is consultant of Ripple. The new management team members are mostly former Astro Radio talents.

 

Recently many existing DJs within Ripple radio networks such as Fly FM, Hot FM, One FM and Kool FM resigned and some of their employment contracts are not renewed, this indicates Ripple is performing a full overhaul of its radio stations to keep the company growing and deliver relevant as well as fresh content to the listeners.

 

Kool FM, the 4th radio station from Ripple. Pi Mai FM 90.2MHz and Ultra FM 101.3MHz were acquired by Media Prima, and both were rebranded as Kool FM, launched in March 2016. Kool FM was Malay language Gen X radio station, playing songs from 1980s till today, its rival station is Sinar FM. On January 2020, Kool FM rebranded to talk radio station with the tagline "Suara Semasa" (Current Voices), while radio announcers were retained as well as it plays 1980s, 90s, 2000s and current songs.

 

Talk about coverage availability of Kool FM on radio, unlike Hot FM, One FM and Fly FM, Kool FM has less frequencies because many regions have no available frequencies. Hence, MCMC does not accept frequency application due to spectrum traffic is full.

 

Kool FM initially starts with FM 101.3MHz Kuala Lumpur (Bukit Sungai Besi) and FM 90.2MHz Penang (Bukit Penara) on its first day on air, later it expanded to Kuala Terengganu on FM 93.6MHz (Bukit Besar) in July 2016, Kota Bharu on FM 88.6MHz (Peringat) in October 2016, Alor Setar on FM 107.3MHz (Menara Alor Setar) and latest Kuching on FM 104.3MHz (Bukit Djin) in 2017.

 

Until today, Kool FM is not available of its frequencies in:

1. Ipoh (Gunung Kledang)

2. Seremban (Gunung Telapak Burok/Bukit Gun)

3. Johor Bahru (Gunung Pulai)

4. Melaka (Gunung Ledang)

5. Kuantan (Bukit Pelindung)

6. Kota Kinabalu (Bukit Karatong)

 

Taiping (Bukit Larut) is less important as the town can receive Kool FM on 90.2MHz from Bukit Penara, Penang.

 

By performing basic FM bandscan with radio receiver to check vacant frequency, there are unavailable frequencies in Seremban, Melaka, and Johor, so I don't even think Kool FM will get frequencies in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia. Under this situation, Kool FM can only expand coverage to Kuantan, and Kota Kinabalu, meanwhile Ipoh is not really available.

 

In addition, Kool FM Klang Valley frequency 101.3MHz coverage is not fully covering whole Selangor state because it is transmitted from Bukit Sungai Besi. To cover more areas, Kool FM 101.3MHz should be transmitted from Gunung Ulu Kali.

 

However, this won't really affect listeners to tune to Kool FM because Kool FM can be tuned on digital platform alternatively such as Kool FM mobile app, YouTube LIVE streaming, and MYTV myFreeview. When it comes digital listening platform, I would choose YouTube LIVE streaming to listen to Kool FM because YouTube is very straightforward and easy to me. 

 

Talk back of its frequencies coverage expansion, it is difficult to get frequencies in Ipoh, Seremban, Melaka and Johor due to spectrum is fully occupied. Look at its sister radio station, One FM, frequency coverage expansion in Johor Bahru is basically transmitted from Gunung Pulai, but due to unavailable frequencies, Media Prima already spent two years to get One FM Johor Bahru frequency, so One FM finally got its Johor Bahru frequency FM 105.3MHz, however transmitter site is located in Johor Bahru City (Taman Sentosa) and operating at low power transmission instead.

 

Future of Kool FM is my question actually.

 

Will Kool FM merged into Hot FM, then Hot FM becomes unformatted Malay language radio stations to target Gen X, Y and Z Malay listeners, also classify as "mass scale radio station"?

 

Currently Ripple performs transformation on One FM, Kool FM, Fly FM and Hot FM, I'm thinking if Kool FM will remain same branding or dissolve, or even rebrand to another format radio station?

 

As Kool FM can't expand coverage under FM radio in West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia due to unavailable frequencies spectrum, 

 

1. If Kool FM closes down existing West Coast frequencies (107.3MHz Alor Setar, 90.2MHz Penang and 101.3MHz Klang Valley), the frequencies would be returned to MCMC. However, if Kool FM retains its existing East Coast frequencies (93.6MHz Kuala Terengganu and 88.6MHz Kota Bharu), then adds Kuantan frequencies, Kool FM will become Malay language East Coast radio station. This can compete with THR Gegar and Manis FM in east coast region.

 

If 107.3MHz Alor Setar, 90.2MHz Penang and 101.3MHz Klang Valley are closed and returned to MCMC, MCMC can make open tender to new broadcasters on those defunct frequencies.

 

2. If Kool FM dissolves, existing west coast frequencies are closed down and east coast frequencies becomes Malay East Coast radio station to compete with Gegar and Manis FM, then its Kuching frequency 104.3MHz becomes Fly FM. Hence, with adding Kota Kinabalu frequency, Fly FM already enters East Malaysia region at the first time and ends monopoly of Hitz, Mix and Lite from Astro Radio in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

 

3. If while Kool FM rebrands its existing Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu frequencies to Malay East Coast radio station, then West Coast existing frequencies become Tamil radio station to compete with Raaga, I don't think it would happen because Ripple can't expand further coverage in West Coast Peninsular region (Ipoh, Seremban, Melaka, Johor) for Tamil radio stations due to unavailability frequencies.

 

If Kool FM is still alive, and its frequencies lineup still exists, Ripple has to continue concentrating digital platform in order to keep the radio station in relevant condition. 

 

While the transformation is on going, we have to just wait and see about Ripple's new plan and direction in near future after the overhaul is done.

List of Media Prima (Ripple) radio stations which are not available in certain territories like competitor.

 

Ripple (formerly known as Media Prima Networks) currently owns Fly FM, Hot FM, One FM and Kool FM. Due to its lineup, I call it as FHOK (Fly + Hot + One + Kool) as short form term. 

 

Among all its radio stations, in terms of broadcast coverage, Hot FM is the most completed radio station as it has transmitters as much as its competitor, Era (except Langkawi, Miri, Sandakan and Sibu). 10 years ago, Hot FM added Taiping on the frequency 90.5MHz from Bukit Larut, and the coverage was completed.

 

Meanwhile, Fly FM, One FM and Kool FM coverage are not completed as Hot FM due to certain reasons.

 

So, I compare Fly FM, One FM and Kool FM with Hot FM in terms of coverage availability.

 

1. Fly FM

* Taiping: Not available (but receivable on FM 89.9MHz from Penang Bukit Penara)

* Kota Kinabalu: Not available

* Kuching: Not available

 

2. One FM

* Taiping: Not available (but receivable on FM 87.8MHz from Gunung Jerai)

* Kota Bharu: Not available

* Kuala Terengganu: Not available  

 

One FM is not available in Kota Bharu, and Kuala Terengganu as Hot FM, Fly FM and Kool FM because these two towns have no commercial value to One FM. In addition, Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu are not Chinese market town as they're Malay majority areas.

 

3. Kool FM

*  Taiping: Not available (but receivable on FM 90.2MHz from Penang Bukit Penara)

* Ipoh: Not available

* Kuantan: Not available

* Kota Kinabalu: Not available

* Seremban: Not available

* Melaka: Not available

* Johor Bahru: Not available 

 

For Kool FM case, I understand that the radio station is unable to expand broadcast coverage on FM frequencies due to unavailability of spectrum at the moment. 

 

If I compare the coverage availability between Ripple and Astro Radio in overall, all of its radio stations have no additional frequencies in Langkawi, Sibu, Miri and Sandakan. 

 

I don't think Ripple will expand coverage to Sibu, Miri and Sandakan in Borneo states as Hot FM, and One FM doesn't have localized branch in Sabah and Sarawak like what their competitors did.

 

For now, technically all Ripple radio stations are available nationwide, but on MYTV DVB-T2 Lite platform. Listeners can tune to Fly FM, One FM, Kool FM and Hot FM on MYTV alternatively, even online streaming, mobile app and YouTube as digital listening platforms.

 

As I wrote previous article, under brand new management team of Ripple who are former talents of Astro Radio, in order to compete against Hitz and MY from Astro Radio, I doubt Ripple will expand coverage to Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu for One FM, meanwhile Kota Kinabalu and Kuching for Fly FM in the future or not. 

Will Fly FM get Kota Kinabalu and Kuching frequencies in the future under brand new Ripple (Media Prima Radio Networks) management after a major transformation?

 

In June 2021, Media Prima Radio Networks aka Ripple appointed former Astro Radio talents as its brand new management team. Former Astro Radio CEO Datuk Jake Abdullah is appointed as consultant of Ripple to assist in content, branding and audience strategies, meanwhile Mr Nazri Noran is the all-new Ripple CEO.

 

Hence, Ripple management team consists all Astro Radio ex-staff to lead the company, effective from June 2021. Under brand new management, Ripple's radio stations FHOK (Fly FM, Hot FM, One FM and Kool FM) will go a full transformation soon, in terms of station branding, content and DJs lineup.

 

Recently many DJs from Hot FM, Kool FM and One FM are leaving the stations, I believe this is part of full transformation for all radio stations under Ripple.

 

Fly FM will be likely transformed. Currently it is an English radio station to target 15-30 years old listeners, its main competitor is Hitz from Astro Radio, also partly Mix.

 

Future of Fly FM? Becoming a mass listeners radio station to target larger group from Gen X, Y and Z by playing English songs from 1980s till today? I'm uncertain about it.

 

If Fly FM is transformed as unformatted English radio station to target larger group listeners (15-50 years old), I believe Fly FM can compete against these formatted radio stations from Astro Radio such as Hitz, Mix and Lite.

 

About Fly FM's broadcast coverage, currently it broadcasts only in Peninsular Malaysia, but there is no Fly FM in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and Kuching, Sarawak like Hitz, Mix and Lite.

 

It is about Fly FM's broadcast license condition actually. If Fly FM runs nationwide license, it can expand to East Malaysia.

 

Under all new Ripple management team.... New boss, new management, new pattern and new branding.

 

In order to compete against Hitz, Mix and Lite more, Ripple can expand Fly FM broadcast coverage to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. The advantage is Ripple can end the monopoly of Astro Radio English radio stations' segment in KK and Kuching. In addition, listeners in KK and Kuching will get more choice of tuning English radio stations.

 

Transmitter site in Kuching is Bukit Djin, meanwhile Kota Kinabalu is Bukit Karatong.

 

首要媒體Ripple的管理層換了人. 新管理層, 新作風. One FM是否會在瓜拉登嘉樓和哥打峇魯設有頻道來對抗MY FM和Melody FM?

 

Media Prima 廣播網 (Ripple)在2021年5月開始已經有全新的管理層人員陣容. 新的執行長(CEO)是Nazri Noran, 然後前Astro Radio執行長Datuk Jake Abdullah 則是 Ripple集團的顧問.

 

前Ripple執行長Seelan Paul則是ntv7的執行長 (ntv7 在2022年或許回歸廣播).

 

繼旗下電台Hot FM, Kool FM和One FM 很多主持人不獲挽留而離職, Media Prima 廣播網現在對四家電台進行巨型的改革, 這種的改革涵蓋了電台內容, 品牌方向/定位和聽眾市場群.

 

One FM是一家鎖定15-30歲聽眾的中文電台, 播放最新的中文流行歌曲, 西洋和韓國音樂, 其主要競爭對手是MY FM和goXUAN. 廣播覆蓋範圍方面, One FM已經差不多覆蓋全國, 目前它擁有9個發射站覆蓋主要華裔市場地區.

 

* 87.8MHz 吉打, 玻璃市, 檳城, 太平和霹靂北部 (Gunung Jerai)

* 87.6MHz 怡保和霹靂中部 (Gunung Kledang)

* 88.1MHz 雪隆區, 霹靂南部, 彭亨西部, 吉蘭丹話望生 (Gunung Ulu Kali)

* 88.3MHz 芙蓉 (Bukit Gun)

* 88.1MHz 馬六甲, 柔佛中北部和森美蘭其餘地區 (Gunung Ledang)

* 105.3MHz 新山 (Taman Sentosa)

* 100.4MHz 關丹 (Bukit Pelindung)

* 95.7MHz 亞庇 (Bukit Karatong)

* 98.3MHz 古晉 (Bukit Djin)

跟對手MY FM不一樣的地方是One FM沒有瓜拉登嘉樓和哥打峇魯頻道.

 

其實One FM沒有在登嘉樓和吉蘭丹州有廣播頻道是因為兩地對One FM是沒有商業價值, 所以該台沒有在當地投資, 最終MY FM和Melody FM在吉蘭丹和登嘉樓壟斷中文電台市場, 另外988也沒有在當地有收聽頻道.

 

為了對MY FM產生更加大的競爭, 在新的管理層領導之下, 加上Ripple新的管理層是前Astro Radio的人才, One FM是否會在哥打峇魯和瓜拉登嘉樓設有頻道來提升競爭? 這個才是One FM的未來方向之一.

 

若One FM在哥打巴魯和瓜拉登嘉樓設有頻道, 這意味著One FM可以在當地結束Astro Radio旗下的MY FM和Melody FM的中文電台市場壟斷. 三台之間也的競爭力會增加.

One FM很多主持人不獲挽留和突然離巢. One FM進行大改革, 2021年8月以全新品牌姿態向聽眾見面?

 

今天是否是黑色星期五嗎? 

 

今天我在社交媒體無意中看到One FM Morning Kaki 主持人William 辛威廉宣布他今天是他最後一天在One FM當班, 許多聽眾和粉絲感到依依不捨.

 

 

 

然後我也閱讀了一則新聞報導One FM發生"大地震", 很多主持人不被挽留. <Morning Kaki>主持人Nicholas翁書尉和<Happy Hour>主持人Ding Ding丁丁也今天最後一天當班, 所以one FM從下個星期後剩下Angeline和Hana心怡.

 

我中學時期收聽的One FM, 當時的主持人陣容如Jeff, Jane, Yoon, Jack, Ryan, Kyan, Lucas, 和Sumi 等等都已經離開One FM很久了. 目前Nicholas是最前輩的主持人, William是第二位One FM的前輩主持人.

 

One FM大地震其實也發生在姐妹台Hot FM, Kool FM和Fly FM (FHOK), 主要原因是首要媒體電台網 (Ripple)管理層已經完全換人, 新的Ripple執行長現在對旗下四家電台 (FHOK)如火如荼地進行大改革來對抗Astro電台, 並增加競爭力.

因為歌曲不斷重複的關係, 我已經有一段時間沒有收聽One FM, 大約5年吧! 從2021年6月, 我開始回歸收聽One FM, 雖然重複性還有在, 但歌曲循環率有點進步.

另外, Media Prima Ripple的全新管理層都是前Astro電台的人, 所以四家電台肯定會有大型改革. 

 

大改革正如火如荼地進行, One FM是否會在8月份以全新的品牌姿態? 

 

大革新? 大方向? One FM會不會變成一家大眾性的中文電台呢? 變成一家X, Y和Z時代聽眾的綜合電台來對抗988, MY, Melody和goXUAN?

 

這個就很難解答. One FM是主要與MY FM競爭的電台. 收聽率表現方面, One FM是收聽率最低的中文電台, 受到對手988, MY FM, Melody和2017年推出的網紅電台goXUAN大大地打擊.

 

這裡有些建議, 為了提高競爭和為One FM做出大翻身, One FM必須停止播放同樣的歌曲, 然後歌曲必須多樣化, 所以這也可以吸引聽眾收聽, 然後聽眾不會對歌曲重複問題而厭倦. 

 

收聽頻道覆蓋範圍方面, One FM目前已經差不多覆蓋全國, 除了吉蘭丹(哥打峇魯)和登嘉樓(瓜登). 為了大大力對抗My FM和Melody FM, 首要媒體是否會為One FM設有哥打峇魯和瓜拉登嘉樓頻道嗎? 實際上, 因為華裔人口低的關係, One FM在哥打峇魯和瓜拉登嘉樓的市場並不大, 目前為止One FM是沒有哥打峇魯和瓜拉登嘉樓頻道.  

William辛威廉和Nicholas翁書尉已經沒有在one FM主持, 為了歡送他們, 這是我與他們在2015年9月的ntv7園遊會拍下的照片.

Kelantan FM pemancar untuk Lojing: Tempat menara pemancar di Cameron Highlands yang berhampiri dengan sempadan Kelantan lebih sesuai daripada Gunung Brinchang.

 

Di kawasan Lojing, RTM Kelantan FM tidak mempunyai liputan oleh pemancar tempatan di kawasan tersebut, dan pendengar di Lojing mungkin menerima siaran Kelantan FM pada 97.3MHz dari Bukit Bakar, tetapi kemungkinan bukan semua kawasan di Lojing boleh menerima isyarat dari Bukit Bakar.

 

Saya berfikir jika Gunung Brinchang boleh meliputi kawasan Lojing atau tidak, saya membuat pertanyaan kepada pihak RTM. Saya diberitahui bahawa Lojing tidak menerima liputan siaran dari Gunung Brinchang, ini bermakna Kelantan FM tidak dapat meliputi kawasan Lojing jika memasang pemancar di Gunung Brinchang.

 

RTM menunjukkan peta simulasi Nasional FM 93.1MHz Gunung Brinchang. Kuasa pemancarnya hanya 100W, 93.1MHz tidak dapat meliputi Lojing. Seterusnya, saya membuat peta simulasi Kelantan FM 105.9MHz Gunung Brinchang pada kuasa pemancar 1kW dan susunan antenna Yagi 3 bay (3 bay array Yagi antenna).

Kelantan FM 105.9MHz Gunung Brinchang

* Kuasa: 1kW

* Konfigurasi antenna: 3 bay array Yagi (SIRA-FM 07)

* Antenna gain: 13.5dBd 

Peta simulasi liputan Kelantan FM 105.9MHz Gunung Brinchang yang saya buat sama dengan Nasional FM 93.1MHz. Kedua-dua stesen radio tidak dapat meliputi Lojing dari Gunung Brinchang setelah saya membuat perbandingan antara dua peta pemancar tersebut.

Saya menggunakan peta Google untuk melihat apa barang sekitar sempadan Pahang-Kelantan di Cameron Highlands. Saya mendapati sebuah menara pemancar terletak di Cameron Highlands yang berhampiri dengan sempadan negeri Kelantan. 

Menara pemancar telekommunikasi tersebut terletak di Ulu Telom, Cameron Highlands yang berhampiri dengan sempadan Kelantan. 

 

- Koordinat GPS: 4°35'40.0"N 101°25'58.4"E

 

Ketinggian aras laut koordinat GPS tersebut ialah 1425m, manakala ketinggian menara tersebut ialah 50m (anggaran).

 

Saya menjanakan liputan menara pemancar ini dengan parameter berikut:

 

- Frekuensi: FM 105.9MHz

- Kuasa: 1kW

- Tempat pemancar: Ulu Telom, Cameron Highlands, Pahang (berhampiri dengan sempadan Negeri Kelantan)

- Ketinggian aras laut: 1425m

- Ketinggian antenna: 40m

- Jenis antenna: 3 bay array dipole antenna

- Antenna gain: 6.0dBd

- Koordinat GPS: 4°35'40.0"N 101°25'58.4"E

 

Berdasarkan pada peta liputan menara pemancar tersebut, Kelantan FM 105.9MHz dapat meliputi kawasan Lojing, berbanding dengan Gunung Brinchang. Oleh kerana itu, tempat pemancar Ulu Telom di Cameron Highlands lebih strategik dan sesuai daripada Gunung Brinchang jika Kelantan FM meliputi Lojing.

Pada sudut frekuensinya, saya memilih FM 105.9MHz dalam analisa ini kerana ia mempunyai jarak frekuensi sebanyak 200kHz dengan 105.7MHz (Gunung Ulu Kali) dan 106.1MHz (Bukit Larut) yang jauh. Tiada frekuensi yang berhampiri dengan 105.9 digunakan di Gunung Kledang. Oleh itu, pemancar Kelantan FM 105.9MHz dari Ulu Telom, Cameron Highlands tidak menyebabkan gangguan kepada stesen radio lain di Cameron Highlands.

 

==RF analisa==

 

105.7MHz: Lite FM Gunung Ulu Kali

105.9MHz: Kelantan FM Ulu Telom

<200kHz, OK>

 

105.9MHz: Kelantan FM Ulu Telom

106.1MHz: Ai FM Bukit Larut

<200kHz, OK>

Secara asasnya, 98.1 dan 99.6 mungkin sesuai, tetapi saya tidak memilihnya dalam analisa ini supaya tidak mengganggu liputan Raaga 97.9 dan 988 99.8 dari Gunung Kledang di Cameron Highlands. Difahamkan terdapat banyak pendengar Cina dan India di Cameron Highlands mendengar siaran Raaga 97.9 dan 988 99.8MHz.

Dengan FM 105.9MHz menara Ulu Telom untuk meliputi Lojing, liputan titik buta Kelantan FM di Lojing akan dikurangkan. Pendengar Kelantan FM yang berkunjung dari Lojing ke Gua Musang boleh mengikuti siaran tersebut pada 105.9MHz, 97.3MHz dan 92.0MHz sebaliknya.

 

Ada hadnya jika RTM menambah pemancar gap filler di menara pemancar Ulu Telom kerana saya kurang pasti siapa pemilik menara tersebut. Selain itu, saya juga kurang pasti sama ada menara pemancar ini mempunyai infrastruktur untuk penyiaran radio atau tidak.

(Kemas kini penyiasatan tempat pemancar Ulu Telom): Tempat menara pemancar yang dicadangkan mungkin tidak digunakan kerana menara tersebut dimiliki oleh DiGi. 

1. Menara pemancar tersebut dimiliki oleh DiGi.

2. Digi tidak mempunyai infrastruktur penyiaran. Menara DiGi di Cameron Highlands yang berhampiri dengan Lojing tersebut hanya mengendalikan perkhidmatan pemancaran selular mudah alih (2G, 36 dan 4G).

3. Dengan melihat pada tempat menara tersebut, dalam bekas kabinet mempunyai ruang sangat kecil. Oleh itu, tidak cukuplah untuk memasang sistem pemancar radio FM dalam bekas kabinet itu.

 

Kesimpulannya, walaupun tempat pemancar yang dicadangkan di Cameron Highlands yang berhampiri dengan sempadan Kelantan lebih strategik daripada Gunung Brinchang untuk Kelantan FM bagi meliputi Lojing, tetapi tidak mungkinnya RTM akan memasang pemancar jurang di menara tersebut kerana ia dimiliki oleh DiGi dan ia cuma mengendalikan perkhidmatan pemancaran selular mudah alih (isyarat telefon bimbit).  

 

FM 97.3MHz Bukit Bakar hanya frekuensi yang boleh diterima di Jalan Lojing-Gua Musang.

Kelantan FM transmitter for Lojing: Telcommunication tower nearby Kelantan-Pahang border is more strategic than Gunung Brinchang

 

Previously I had made an analysis if Kelantan FM launches a transmitter in Gunung Brinchang to cover Lojing area, Kelantan, however I was informed by RTM engineer that Gunung Brinchang could not cover Lojing during an inquiry, even I tested the paramater with Nautel RF Toolkit, I also got the same result. Hence, I acknowledged it.

 

By using Google map, I checked what's surrounding between Kelantan-Pahang border in Cameron Highlands. Nearby Lojing border, there is a telecommunication tower. Then, I trace its GPS coordinate and check its height elevation above sea level. After that, I put them into paramater to generate the coverage map.

 

This is a telecommunication tower located nearby Kelantan border in Cameron Highlands, Pahang. As the tower is located at the highland, its height above sea level is 1425m, meanwhile the tower height is estimated 50m.

 

GPS coordinates is 4°35'40.0"N 101°25'58.4"E.

 

Next, I generate the coverage map of this tower by following parameter below:

 

- Frequency: FM 105.9MHz

- Power: 1kW

- Transmitter site: Ulu Telom, Cameron Highlands, Pahang (nearby Kelantan border)

- Height above sea level: 1425m

- Antenna height: 40m

- Antenna configuration: 3 bay array dipole antenna

- Antenna gain: 6.0dBd

- GPS: 4°35'40.0"N 101°25'58.4"E

 

According to the coverage map of Kelantan FM 105.9MHz from Ulu Telom tower in Cameron Highlands, Lojing is covered by the transmission tower actually. It is more ideal and strategic site than Gunung Brinchang to cover Lojing.

In terms of frequency, FM 105.9MHz is the best frequency nomination as it has 200kHz frequency separation from Gunung Ulu Kali (105.7MHz) and Bukit Larut (106.1MHz), and far from Gunung Kledang. So, the transmission of Kelantan FM from the tower nearby Lojing border does not affect any radio stations in Cameron Highlands.

Basically 98.1MHz and 99.6MHz look suitable too, but I don't nominate them in this coverage analysis because to avoid interference to Raaga FM 97.9MHz and 988 FM 99.8MHz Gunung Kledang coverage in Cameron Highlands because there are many of their listeners tuning Raaga 97.9 and 988 FM 99.8MHz in Cameron Highlands.

 

With FM 105.9MHz Ulu Telom tower to cover Lojing, the coverage blind spot of Kelantan FM in Lojing will be greatly reduced. People who travel from Lojing to Gua Musang town can listen to this radio station on 105.9MHz, 92.0MHz and 97.3MHz vice-versa.

 

About the tower, I'm not sure what is the exact location name, but tentatively I call the tower as "Ulu Telom" instead. 

Ulu Telom tower is more strategic than Gunung Brinchang when Kelantan FM wants to cover Lojing. Although some people claimed that Lojing can receive FM 97.3MHz from Bukit Bakar clearly, but I believe not all areas will receive the signal.

(Transmission site tower investigation update) Proposed site for Kelantan FM Lojing transmitter cannot be used because the tower is under DiGi.

1. The tower is owned by DiGi actually.

2. DiGi does not provide any broadcast transmission infrastructure. The DiGi tower nearby Lojing area in Cameron Highlands operates only mobile cellular transmission services (2G, 3G and 4G).

3. By looking the tower site, the cabinet container inside has very small space, it is not sufficient to install broadcast transmitter system in the cabinet container.   

In conclusion, with the investigation update, although the proposed tower site is more strategic and ideal than Gunung Brinchang to cover Lojing for Kelantan FM, but it is impossible that RTM will add gap filler transmitter there because the tower is belonged to DiGi and only running mobile cellular transmission service.

FM 97.3MHz Bukit Bakar is the only available frequency in Lojing-Gua Musang road.

RTM Nasional FM 92.0MHz and Selangor FM 99.8MHz from Batu 18 Hulu Langat transmission return on-air now after 2 years hiatus.

 

BY PHILIP YONG

philipyong0110@gmail.com

 

While I'm listening to the radio when I have casual walking at my housing area today, I detect Nasional FM 92.0MHz and Selangor FM 99.8MHz on my phone radio suddenly today. They're transmitted from Batu 18 Hulu Langat where it is a gap filler transmitter site to cover blind spot areas of FM 100.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali coverage in Hulu Langat.

 

After 2 years and 2 months hiatus, RTM Nasional FM 92.0MHz and Selangor FM 99.8MHz transmission return on-air recently. 

 

Back then, I detected Nasional FM 92.0MHz and Selangor FM firstly in October 2017 and January 2018, then both radio stations went off air in May 2019 suddenly.

 

Here are the latest videos of RTM Nasional FM 92.0MHz and Selangor FM 99.8MHz signal monitoring (FM DX) in Balakong:

 

Transmitter site is located in Batu 18, Hulu Langat, meanwhile transmitter power for each radio station is 500W. 

 

Receiving distance is 22km.

 

Receiving signal of Nasional FM 92.0MHz is still same as previous reception that I listened in 2017 and 2018, same audio output level.

 

Meanwhile Selangor FM 99.8MHz reception is different from what I listened and received in 2018 because FM 99.8MHz is having heavy adjacent channel interference from Raaga FM 99.7MHz Gunung Ledang transmitter, however co-channel interference (CCI) signal from 988 FM 99.8MHz Gunung Kledang transmitter (Ipoh, Perak) is spotted when I'm recording Selangor FM 99.8MHz signal footage.

 

By watching and listening to my latest Selangor FM 99.8MHz signal monitoring video, you can hear Chinese speaking voice on the frequency while Selangor FM is airing Tazkirah (Muslim's talk program) and Azan Maghrib (Muslim's evening prayer). Stereo reception with CCI signal from 988 FM 99.8MHz Gunung Kledang.

 

In May 2019, RTM was forced to close down Nasional FM 92.0MHz and Selangor FM 99.8MHz transmission due to transmitter site problem. Now the site problem is solved, and they're back on air. Hence, their listeners can tune to clearer frequency in Hulu Langat, Selangor where Gunung Ulu Kali reception is poor certainly in that area.

(RF and coverage analysis) FM 103.0MHz Yala, Thailand from Khao Bu Yo.

After making basic RF analysis, FM 103.0MHz is suitable in Rueso and Yi-ngo for low power community radio broadcast within Narathiwat province, Thailand.

Now I analyze FM 103.0MHz transmission for Yala province (except Betong), Thailand. Tested parameter is following below:

 

* Frequency: FM 103.0MHz

* Power: 0.5kW

* Transmitter site: Khao Buyo, Tambon Bannang Sareng, Mueang Yala district, Yala Province, Thailand. 

FM 100.0MHz (Thailand army radio station) is the only radio broadcaster to operate its transmitter in Khao Buyo tower. In addition, Thailand digital terrestrial television service runs a repeater transmission at same tower with 1kW ERP.

 

==RF analysis==

103.0MHz: Khao Buyo, Yala (500W)

103.0MHz: Thepha, Songkhla

<0kHz, OK>

102.75MHz: FM One Pattani

103.0MHz: Khao Buyo, Yala (500W)

<250kHz, OK>

102.9MHz: RTM Kelantan FM Wakaf Che Yeh

103.0MHz: Khao Buyo, Yala (500W)

<100kHz, OK>

FM 103.0MHz radio transmission from Khao Buyo does not give any interference impact to Malaysia radio station as the hill is located in Yala town, meanwhile Khao Pok Yo overspill signal to Malaysia (Kedah, Penang, Hulu Perak and Kelantan) and cause interference to Malaysia radio station coverage if a frequency plan is not properly planned.

It may look ok if FM 103.0MHz from Khao Buyo operates same frequency with FM 103MHz from Thepha, but co-channel interference against Thepha Radio FM 103MHz in Thepha district, Songkhla province if FM 103MHz Yala from Khao Buyo operates at higher transmitter power (more than 0.5kW).

Yala radio broadcaster which operates FM 103.0MHz in Khao Buyo can avoid interference against Thepha Radio FM 103MHz by using low power transmitter as 500W and directional antenna to avoid beaming to northwest.

 

The coverage map that I generate is prediction. If FM 103MHz from Khao Buyo is causing interference against Thepha FM 103MHz, the Yala broadcaster who runs FM 103.0MHz has to shift transmitter site to the town based (example: Tambon Sateng).

==Proposed paramater for Yala radio broadcaster of using FM 103.0MHz==

* Frequency: FM 103.0MHz

* Power: 0.5kW

* Transmitter site: Khao Buyo, Tambon Bannang Sareng, Mueang Yala District, Yala province, Thailand

* Antenna system: 2 bay array dipole. Main loop beams to northeast direction.

* Antenna height: 60m