Why do Malaysia TV and radio stations signal easily overspill to Indonesia territories in Riau and North Sumatera provinces, meanwhile Indonesia local terrestrial TV and radio stations have limited coverage?

For many decades, occasionally Indonesia KOMINFO (Ministry of Communication and Information Technology) would raise the issue of Malaysia TV and radio transmission always overspilled their signals to Indonesia territories, causing Indonesia people in bordering areas access Malaysia TV and radio stations than local ones, even interference to the local radio stations.

However, Malaysia TV and radio stations are often ordered to decrease the transmission power to less overspill to Indonesia territories.

The reasons of Malaysia TV and radio stations signal easily overspill to Indonesia territories, and Indonesians who stay in bordering areas access more on Malaysia channels than Indonesia local ones are:

1. Malaysia TV and radio stations transmitter sites are very high, from Gunung Ulu Kali to Gunung Ledang, the height of the sites are between 1200m to 1800m. Between east coast of Sumatera Island and Peninsular Malaysia, there are no having any terrains, so Malaysia TV and radio stations can overspill easily to Riau and part of North Sumatera.

2. About the transmitter sites, Malaysia TV and radio transmitter locations are mountain/hill based towers which means the transmitting towers are located at the top of the mountains/hills, meanwhile Indonesia TV and radio transmitter sites are land based towers. When Indonesia local TV and radio stations are transmitted from the land based towers, due to lower height, so the coverage is very limited in Indonesia, causing Indonesia people access Malaysia channels than local ones.

3. Regarding Indonesia free-to-air commercial television channels such as RCTI, Trans7, Indosiar etc, these TV stations don't even add repeaters in Riau province outside Pekanbaru like TVRI (Indonesia's public TV station) because there are no market value as they are operating TV broadcast commercially without government or public funds. In Indonesia, most of the areas are only covered by TVRI and RRI services where are public broadcaster. When TVRI is not the preferable channels to some Indonesia people while their favorite TV channels like RCTI, SCTV, MNCTV etc are not available in their locations, hence they will switch to watch Malaysia TV channels, even Singapore as the alternative platform.

When most of Indonesian who are staying in Riau bordering areas with Malaysia are watching Malaysia and Singapore TV channels, the Indonesia government are worrying that the people there would lose their nationalism.

4. Information of Riau province outside Pekanbaru is far behind than Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali etc as most of Indonesia broadcasters does not reach information to Riau rural areas (Rokan Hilir). Coincidentally, because of the strategic geographical condition where Rokan Hilir can receive overspill signals of TV and radio stations from Malaysia, this causes the people to access Malaysia information than Indonesia in Rokan Hilir.

My suggestion to Indonesia broadcasters (especially TV) to improve their coverage in Riau province, Indonesia.

1. Some of Indonesia digital terrestrial TV towers are using low power transmitters to cover the targeting location, actually the TV broadcasters can increase their transmission power to reach more coverage, even they can increase the antenna gain by using higher gain of UHF transmitting antenna.

2. For commercial TV broadcasters who have transmitter in the capital city of Riau province, they can use high power transmitter and higher gain of UHF antenna, this would result higher ERP (effective radiated power), and they can reach more coverage without adding auxiliary transmitters in rural areas where have no commercial value.

Malaysia digital terrestrial television UHF DVB-T2 (MYTV) is received in Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia.

 

Generally the Malaysia digital terrestrial television channels (MYTV) can be only received in Batam, Indonesia via Gunung Pulai transmitter, even some Batam people can receive MYTV via Bukit Tinggi DVB-T2 DTT transmitters as well. 

 

In Riau province, usually the coastal regencies such as Rokan Hilir, Dumai, Bengkalis and Pulau Meranti can receive MYTV overspill UHF DVB-T2 signals from Malaysia as they are adjacent to Malaysia with Malacca Straits.

 

However, MYTV digital terrestrial television transmission from Malaysia can overspill to Rokan Hulu, Riau Province, Indonesia. As I'm a member of Indonesia UHF DVB-T2 Digital TV community group on Facebook, I have spotted someone receives Malaysia DTT channels in Kota Tengah, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Provine, Indonesia.

 

Thanks to Jamahir from Kota Tengah, Rokan Hulu for sharing the photos of receiving Malaysia digital TV channels in his location on the Facebook community group.

 

According to him, he receives Malaysia digital TV channels on the frequency UHF 650MHz (CH 43) & UHF 666MHz (CH 45) in Kota Tengah, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia with long receiving antenna (almost same with Muar TV antenna where people received Singapore TV), but he is not sure where the exact transmitter site of these frequencies. So, I inform that MYTV UHF 650MHz and UHF 666MHz DVB-T2 signals are transmitted from Gunung Ulu Kali in Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia.

 

MYTV digital TV signal from Malaysia is not consistently available in Rokan Hulu actually, I believe it could be the tropospheric propagation. 

In addition, some of people in Rokan Hulu claimed that Malaysia TV signal is stronger than local one. In Indonesia, most of the TV towers within Riau province are mostly land based, instead of hill/mountain based towers like Malaysia. Hence, the coverage of local TV channels are more limited than Malaysia channels in Riau, Indonesia.

 

Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter site is very high actually with the height about 1772 meters. Therefore, it can overspill to Riau province, Indonesia easily.

 

Transmission distance between Gunung Ulu Kali to Kota Tengah, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia is 295km.

Sinar FM 96.9MHz from Gunung Kledang, Perak, Malaysia heard in North Sumatera, Indonesia

 

Usually I would only know the radio stations from Malaysia are available in Batam Island, Karimun and part of Bintan Island, Indonesia by tuning Johor Bahru frequency from Gunung Pulai transmitter, meanwhile Malaysia radio stations are also available in Riau province (Dumai, Rokan Hilir, Bengkalis and Pulau Meranti regencies) via Gunung Ulu Kali (for Rokan Hilir), Gunung Telapak Burok (for Dumai and Pulau Rupat), Gunung Ledang (for Bengkalis and possibly Siak).

 

For Sinar FM, generally it can be tuned in Batam, Karimun and part of Bintan Island via FM 87.8MHz from Gunung Pulai, meanwhile Rokan Hilir is on FM 96.7MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali, however someone received a Malaysia radio station on FM 96.9MHz in Kuala, Langkat Regency, North Sumatera province, Indonesia.

 

Kuala is a district located in Langkat Regency, North Sumatera province, it is located about 38km from Medan City.

 

The video was published by Kiprut Channel on YouTube on 4th August 2016.

By watching the video, I had identified FM 96.9MHz was actually Sinar FM from Malaysia, transmitted from Gunung Kledang (Ipoh, Perak). In west coast region of Peninsular Malaysia, only Sinar FM uses FM 96.9MHz in Gunung Kledang (Ipoh) and Gunung Telapak Burok (Seremban), meanwhile Nasional FM uses 96.9MHz in Bukit Bauk for Dungun where is located in east coast region.

 

The signal of Sinar FM 96.9MHz from Gunung Kledang was quite good in Kuala, Langkat Regency, North Sumatera Province, Indonesia. Generally FM 96.9MHz would have potential adjacent channel interference with local radio station (Radio Dangdut Indonesia FM 96.7MHz Medan) due to frequency separation is at 200kHz, but the interference was not detected when tuning to Sinar FM 96.9MHz in Kuala where is just 38km from Medan City as the radio receiver had good quality filtering system.

 

Thanks to Kiprut Channel for the good and impressive video.

 

==SINAR FM 96.9MHz in Indonesia==

- Frequency: FM 96.9MHz

- Power: 2kW

- Transmitter site: Gunung Kledang, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

- Receiving site: Kuala, Langkat Regency, North Sumatera Province, Indonesia

- Distance: 312km

(TROPO & Sporadic E DX) Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) Lhokseumave PRO-1 FM 89.3MHz from Aceh received in Malaysia.

 

Indonesia FM radio stations could be received in Malaysia (including Sabah and Sarawak) when tropospheric ducting happens.

 

In Peninsular Malaysia, most of tropospheric ducting Indonesia radio stations are transmitted from North Sumatera (example: Deli Serdang, Langkat, Medan, Pematangsiantar) and Riau (Pekanbaru, Bengkalis and Dumai). However, Aceh based FM radio station can overspill to Malaysia.

Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Lhokseumave PRO-1 FM 89.3MHz signal from Lhokseumave, Aceh Province, Indonesia was received in Malaysia by following locations below:

1. Langkawi, Malaysia (by Sarawut DXers aka Saiful Izham)

Filmed on 11th August 2022 at Kampung Yooi Mukim Bohor in Langkawi, Kedah. Time was 1052 hours (UTC+8), distance is 315km. In terms of distance calculation, it was tropospheric propagation.

 

The signal was moderate to clear, no interference from any local radio stations was heard.

2. Bintulu, Sarawak (by Shafik 1995 DXers)

Recorded on 30th November 2021 at 1811 hours (UTC+8), the distance was 1779km. Signal was classified as Sporadic E propagation.

STEREO signal of RRI Lhokseumave PRO-1 FM 89.3MHz was received on and off in Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia.

 

Transmitter power is 5kW.

I never manage to receive this radio station yet, however I was used to receive a radio station from Aceh, Indonesia in Kuala Kedah, Malaysia 3 years ago, it was Radio Al-Falah FM 93.8MHz from Sigli. During the signal monitoring, FM 93.8MHz aired Quran recitation when I was heading from the hotel to Alor Setar town center via Kuala Kedah, meanwhile Mutiara FM 93.9MHz from Gunung Jerai was suddenly interfered. Thought it was Radio DSB FM 93.8MHz from Deli Serdang, but I don't think DSB FM will air Quran recitation, hence I concluded FM 93.8MHz was Radio Al-Falah from Sigli.

 

My very first Aceh based Indonesia FM radio station received in Malaysia.

Tanjungpinang based Indonesia radio stations received in Johor Bahru, Malaysia (Kampung Sungai Tiram, Ulu Tiram)

The largest city in Southern Region of Peninsular Malaysia, Johor Bahru is unique location because it is just located beside Singapore. Due to its strategic location, the people in Johor Bahru can receive TV and radio stations from Singapore, and Indonesia's Batam, alongside with local TV and radio stations which transmitted in Gunung Pulai and Johor Bahru city (8FM 105.3MHz and Melody FM 103.3MHz).

Indonesia TV and radio stations can be received in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, transmitted from Batam Island. 

Alongside Batam, actually there are few Bintan Island based (Tanjungpinang) Indonesia radio stations can be received in part of Johor Bahru and Kota Tinggi districts, Johor, Malaysia.

The YouTube user named Rafiq DXing 2009 published 5 videos of receiving Tanjungpinang radio stations from Indonesia in Kampung Sungai Tiram, Ulu Tiram, Johor Bahru district, Johor, Malaysia.

1. RRI Tanjungpinang PRO-3 FM 88.6MHz (3kW)

The clearest Tanjungpinang radio station in Kampung Sungai Tiram, Ulu Tiram, Johor, Malaysia. No interference from local radio stations is detected as RRI Tanjungpinang PRO-3 FM 88.6MHz is having 300kHz frequency separation left and right with Singapore's Jia FM 88.3 and BBC World Service FM 88.9MHz.

2. RRI Tanjungpinang PRO-2 FM 92.1MHz (5kW)

Adjacent channel interference with Singapore's Kiss 92FM is heard when tuning RRI Tanjungpinang PRO-2 FM 92.1MHz in Ulu Tiram, Johor, Malaysia.

3. Radio Bintan FM 96.5MHz

Signal quality is moderate, but potentially having adjacent channel interference with Singapore's 96.3 Hao FM which is operated by SPH (Singapore Press Holdings).

4. Radio Pandawa FM 103.9MHz

Moderate to poor signal is heard, but signal is intercepted by Raaga FM 103.7MHz and Best FM 104.1MHz from Gunung Pulai. Both are local frequencies in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

5. O-Nine FM 93.0MHz
 

Weakest Tanjungpinang radio station received in Kampung Sungai Tiram, Johor, Malaysia. 200kHz adjacent channel interference with Zayan FM 92.8MHz from Gunung Pulai and even 100kHz adjacent channel interference with Traxx FM 92.9MHz from Bukit Tinggi are detected.

Among all 5 Tanjungpinang radio stations received in Kampung Sungai Tiram, Ulu Tiram, Johor, Malaysia, RRI Tanjungpinang PRO-3 FM 88.6MHz is the strongest and clearest, following by Radio Bintan FM 96.5MHz, meanwhile the weakest is O-Nine FM 93.0MHz.

 

Distance is 100km+/-.

 

Tanjungpinang radio signal performance in Kampung Sungai Tiram, Ulu Tiram, Johor, Malaysia (from best to worst):

 

1. RRI Tanjungpinang PRO-3 FM 88.6MHz

2. Radio Bintan FM 96.5MHz

3. Radio Pandawa FM 103.9MHz

4. RRI Tanjungpinang PRO-2 FM 92.1MHz

5. O-Nine FM 93.0MHz

Under Indonesia broadcast regulation, the frequencies FM 107.7MHz, FM 107.8MHz and FM 107.9MHz are only used for low power radio broadcast (community and campus radio stations)

In Indonesia, the broadcast regulation authority, known as KPI (Komisi Penyiaran Indonesia) or Indonesia Broadcasting Commission had regulated that the frequency slot FM 107.7MHz, FM 107.8MHz and FM 107.9MHz as low power radio transmission for community and campus radio broadcasters in the country since 2002.

Unlike Malaysia where FM 107.7MHz is allowed to be used for higher power radio transmission (eg: Negeri FM Gunung Ledang 1kW), I checked all frequency spectrum list of Indonesia radio stations from FM 107.7MHz to 107.9MHz, most of the radio stations transmitter power are not more than 0.05kW (50W).

The main reason of Indonesia radio stations (notably high power radio transmission) are not allowed to allocate on 107.7, 107.8 and 107.9 is because interference to airband.

The frequency after FM 107.5MHz are actually nearby airband (VHF 108-137MHz). In Indonesia, many aviation transmissions are occupying the frequency within 108-130MHz.

The interference from radio broadcast on those frequencies (107.7, 107.8 and 107.9) can led flight incident in Indonesia because signal of 107.7, 107.8 and 107.9 leaked to airband frequency. In addition, as KPI has reserved these frequency for community radio stations, if one of radio station operates on these frequencies on high power transmission, it can cause interference to other community radio stations, alongside the airband.

Under the regulation of Indonesia Broadcasting Commission (KPI- Komisi Penyiaran Indonesia), the radio stations which use FM 107.7MHz, FM 107.8MHz and FM 107.9MHz have to follow the transmission criteria below:

1. Maximum antenna height: 20 meters

2. Maximum transmitter power: 50 watts (50W)

3. Maximum transmission distance: 2.5 kilometers per radius

The Indonesia radio frequency regulation of FM 107.7MHz-107.9MHz is same with Australia frequency regulation where FM 87.5MHz-FM 88.0MHz are reserved for low power radio stations (also known as narrowcast).

Previously I had received Radio Jawa/Raja FM 107.7MHz from Medan, Indonesia in several Malaysia locations such as Bagan Datuk, Teluk Intan and Kinta Highlands, despite Radio Raja FM 107.7MHz is low power community radio station in Medan, but I received it in Malaysia under tropospheric propagation.

List of Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) transmitters and repeaters in Riau Province, Indonesia. (adjacent to Malaysia border)

 ==RRI Pekanbaru PRO-1==

* FM 99.1MHz Pekanbaru (main)

* FM 92.6MHz Pasir Pengayaran, Rokan Hulu

* FM 93.0MHz Dumai

* FM 95.1MHz Selat Panjang, Pulau Meranti

* FM 96.5MHz Sungai Pakning

* FM 98.5MHz Baserah

* FM 99.3MHz Tembilahan

* FM 99.5MHz Siak

==PRO-2 and PRO-4==

* FM 88.4MHz: PRO-2 Pekanbaru

* FM 95.9MHz: PRO-4 Pekanbaru

==PRO-3==

* FM 89.8MHz: Bengkalis

* FM 89.2MHz: Pekanbaru

==RRI Bengkalis PRO-1==

* FM 90.6MHz

List of Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) transmitters and repeaters in North Sumatera Province (SUMUT), Indonesia. (adjacent to Malaysia border)

 ==RRI Medan PRO-1==

* FM 94.3MHz Medan (main transmitter)

* FM 89.2MHz Panyabungan

* FM 90.0MHz Natal

* FM 90.6MHz Rantau Prapat

* FM 92.0MHz Parapat

* FM 96.0MHz Tarutung

* FM 96.1MHz Pematangsiantar

* FM 96.5MHz Sidikalang

* FM 99.0MHz Kabanjahe (Karo) 

* FM 99.0MHz Samosir

* FM 99.3MHz Kisaran

* FM 99.4MHz Sibuhan

==RRI Sibolga PRO-1==

* FM 97.2MHz Sibolga (main)

* FM 99.9MHz Padang Sidempuan

==PRO-2, PRO-4 Sumut==

* RRI Medan PRO-2 FM 92.4MHz

* RRI Medan PRO-4 FM 88.4MHz

* RRI Sibolga PRO-2 FM 94.8MHz

* RRI Gunung Sitoli PRO-2 FM 101.3MHz

==PRO-3 Sumut==

* FM 88.8MHz Medan

* FM 90.3MHz Gunung Sitoli

* FM 103.1MHz Sibolga

RTM Selangor FM 100.9MHz dari Gunung Ulu Kali boleh didengari di Rokan Hilir, Wilayah Riau, Indonesia, adakah Pahang FM 107.5MHz boleh diterima di Indonesia, walaupun ia juga dipancar dari Gunung Ulu Kali?

 

Pada 17hb November 2020, terdapat seorang pengguna YouTube bernama Noprio Sandi memuat naik rakaman video dimana dia menerima siaran radio dari Malaysia di Rokan Hilir, Wilayah Riau, Indonesia.

Dalam video tersebut, siaran RTM Selangor FM 100.9MHz yang dipancar dari Gunung Ulu Kali sangat jelas diterima di Rokan Hilir, Wilayah Riau, Indonesia, manakala RTM Negeri FM 92.6MHz dari Gunung Telapak Burok masih boleh diterima di tempat yang sama, cuma kurang jelas isyaratnya.

Selangor FM 100.9MHz dari Gunung Ulu Kali boleh diterima jelas di sebahagian kawasan timur wilayah Riau dan Sumut (Sumatera Timur), Indonesia kerana pemancarannya menghala ke arah barat dari Gunung Ulu Kali. Selain itu, stesen radio seperti BFM 89.9, Hitz FM 92.9MHz, Raaga FM 99.3MHz jelas juga di Rokan Hilir kerana stesen radio ini memancar dengan antenna OMNI-directional.

Selangor FM 100.9MHz dipancar dari Gunung Ulu Kali dengan kuasa pemancar 2kW. Selain itu, RTM Pahang FM 107.5MHz juga dipancar dari Gunung Ulu Kali dengan kuasa pemancar yang sama dengan Selangor FM 100.9MHz.

Oleh kerana, Selangor FM 100.9MHz dan Pahang FM 107.5MHz di Gunung Ulu Kali mempunyai liputan berbeza kerana arah pemancaran tidak sama atas sebab jenis antena yang berbeza. Saya berasa musykil (hairan) sama ada Pahang FM 107.5MHz boleh diterima di Rokan Hilir, Dumai, Pulau Rupat dan kawasan timur wilayah Sumut (Sumatera Utara) atau tidak.

Jika melihat lagi video Noprio Sandi, isyarat frekuensi Pahang FM 107.5MHz tidak dikesan pada radio kereta dia (Model: Toyota Cayla B400) di Rokan Hilir, Wilayah Riau, Indonesia, ia mungkin bermakna siaran Pahang FM 107.5MHz tidak diterima di Indonesia seperti Selangor FM 100.9MHz.

Belum ada orang Indonesia di wilayah perbatasan Riau dan Sumatera Utara menerima isyarat Pahang FM 107.5MHz lagi buat masa ini, tetapi saya boleh membuat ramalan mengenai penerimaan siaran Pahang FM 107.5MHz di Indonesia.

Di kawasan Selangor seperti Tanjung Sepat, Sepang, Kuala Langat, Puchong, Dengkil, Sungai Pelek dan Seri Kembangan, siaran Pahang FM 107.5MHz lemah kurang jelas sebenarnya. Saya mencuba isyarat Pahang FM 107.5MHz di Sungai Pelek dan Tanjung Sepat dimana terletak di kawasan pesisir pantai Selangor yang bersebelahan dengan Indonesia (Sumatra), isyarat sangat lemah berbanding dengan kawasan Shah Alam dan Petaling Jaya.

Oleh kerana siaran Pahang FM 107.5MHz lemah di kawasan pesisir pantai Selangor, saya berasa bahawa siaran Pahang FM 107.5MHz tidak akan diterima di Indonesia yang bersempadan dengan Semenanjung Malaysia. Walaupun kawasan Rokan Hilir, Pulau Rupat dan Dumai mungkin boleh menerima, tetapi siaran Pahang FM 107.5MHz tetap lemah dan pendengar cuma boleh menerima sedikit isyarat sahaja.

Di kawasan Kapubaten Rokan Hilir seperti Bagan Batu yang berhampiri dengan sempadan wilayah Sumatera Utara (Kabupaten Labuhan Batu Selatan), Pahang FM 107.5MHz mungkin diganggu oleh Citra Pendawa FM 107.7MHz dari Cikampak, Labuhan Batu Selatan, Sumatera Utara.

Oleh kerana Citra Pendawa FM 107.7MHz di Cikampak adalah stesen radio komuniti (Bahasa Indonesia: Radio Komunitas), gangguan pemancaran 107.7 kepada 107.5 mungkin kurang kerana kuasa pemancar Citra Pendawa FM rendah.

 

Atas sebab Pahang FM 107.5MHz dari Gunung Ulu Kali hanya meliputi Pahang Barat sahaja, berkemungkinan besar Pahang FM 107.5MHz tidak dapat diterima di Indonesia seperti Selangor FM 100.9MHz.

(English translation post from KOMINFO) Indonesia-Malaysia are to coodinate FM frequency channel in bordering areas.

Bekasi, Kominfo – Indonesia (KOMINFO) and Malaysia (MCMC/SKMM) are to discuss regarding the frequency coordination of FM radio channels in the border areas of eastern Sumatra and the Malacca Peninsula (eg: west coastal areas of Melaka, Johor, Perak, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan), as well as in the northern part of Kalimantan on the border with Sabah, Sarawak.

"These are the two main agendas in the Indonesia-Malaysia bilateral meeting. With this coordination, state administrations can maintain each other's radio stations and the use of frequencies will continue to run without any interference," explained the Deputy Head of the Public Service and Spectrum Outlook (PSSO) Team. Notification Division of the Directorate of Resource Management, Yudhistira Prayoga in the 9th Meeting of the Special Task Force on Broadcasting and Mobile Services at the Border of the Republic of Indonesia and Malaysia which took place in a hybrid manner from Bekasi, Thursday (04/08/2022).

In the hybrid meeting which took place two days since Wednesday (03/08/2022), the two countries agreed to seek frequency harmonization. In addition, two other agendas were also discussed bilaterally, namely channel updates and digital TV implementation and Analog Switch Off (ASO) issues, as well as interference with channel 32 UHF frequencies in Riau (Dumai and Sungai Pakning), where Indonesian digital TV broadcasts were disrupted by Malaysian digital TV broadcasts (MYTV CH32 Bukit Tampin/Gunung Ledang).

Prayoga admits that the obstacle that often arises in frequency coordination is the difference between the frequency channels that have been agreed with Malaysia and the conditions that occur in the field.

"Information on frequency use and interference in the field needs to involve friends in the field (central and UPT), there are several agendas that may not be finished now, because they still need time for analysis and evaluation," he explained.

Also present were representatives from the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kemkominfo). From the Directorate General of Resources and Equipment of Post and Information Technology (Ditjen SDPPI), there were representatives from the Directorate of Resource Management, Directorate of SDPPI Control, Technical Implementation Units (UPT) Pekanbaru, Pontianak and Tanjung Selor

Meanwhile, the Malaysian delegation, which was present through online media directly from their country, was led by Puan Yushida. In his remarks, the Head of the Malaysian Delegation hoped that an agreement would be made objective and beneficial for both countries.

The two neighboring countries had previously met in February 2022, resulting in an agreement on fixed channels in the future that would facilitate long-term planning, licensing, and registration of radio stations from the two countries.

This special meeting to discuss broadcasting and mobile services in the border area between Indonesia and Malaysia is part of the Joint Committee on Communication (JCC). Indonesia and Malaysia plan to hold an offline JCC meeting around September 2022. Both Malaysia and Indonesia will prepare a JCC delegation and also invite several related operators. From this meeting, it is hoped that various problems and agreements on the radio frequency spectrum of the two countries will be resolved later.

(Source and courtesy of KOMINFO Indonesia)

Alongside FM 107.5MHz (Gunung Ulu Kali), RTM Pahang FM signal is detected in Selangor state on 102.2MHz (Fraser's Hill), 100.3MHz (Gunung Brinchang), 92.0MHz (Bukit Senggora) & 95.5MHz (Bukit Sulai).

 

RTM Pahang FM is available in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur via the frequency FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali, despite its primary targeting area is West Pahang such as Bentong, Kuala Lipis, Temerloh, Bera, Keratong and Chenor. Due to directional antenna beams to east direction from Gunung Ulu Kali, Pahang FM 107.5MHz signal is less clear in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

 

While Pahang FM can be tuned on FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, however its other frequencies can be detected in Selangor such as:

 

1. FM 102.2MHz Bukit Fraser

2. FM 100.3MHz Cameron Highlands

3. FM 92.0MHz Bukit Senggora

4. FM 95.5MHz Bukit Sulai

 

The frequencies above are weak transmission, detected in some Selangor areas. Here are the listed locations by transmitters.

 

1. FM 102.2MHz Bukit Fraser (Raub)

- Signal is available (but not clear) in Hulu Selangor, Rawang, Kuala Selangor, Batang Berjuntai and Shah Alam. However, weak signal can be detected in Subang Jaya, Puchong, Putrajaya, Seri Kembangan, Kajang and Kuala Lumpur. Interference with Melaka FM 102.3MHz from Gunung Ledang is detected in Kajang and Seri Kembangan, meanwhile interference with Raaga FM 102.1MHz from Bukit Larut is detected in Kuala Selangor and Tanjong Karang.

 

2. FM 100.3MHz Gunung Brinchang (Cameron Highlands) 

- Signal is detected in Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam, Sungai Besar, and Sungai Ayer Tawar, it has interference with MY FM 100.2MHz from Bukit Larut and Traxx FM 100.1MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali. 

 

3. FM 92.0MHz Bukit Senggora (Maran)

- Signal is detected in Seri Kembangan at a highway of Jalan Sungai Besi between a slope and the Acre by Farm Fresh, this usually happens when none of local radio stations occupies the frequency on FM 92.0MHz. Pahang FM 92.0MHz from Bukit Senggora is not available in this location when Nasional FM Hulu Langat transmitter 92.0MHz is switched on. Currently Nasional FM 92.0MHz Hulu Langat transmitter is permanently 

off air.

 

 

4. FM 95.5MHz Bukit Sulai (Gambang) 

- Signal is detected in Seri Kembangan at a highway of Jalan Sungai Besi between a slope and the Acre by Farm Fresh, together with FM 92.0MHz from Bukit Senggora. Adjacent channel interference with Nasional FM 95.3MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali (local transmitter) is detected when tuning Pahang FM 95.5MHz from Bukit Sulai from UPM to UNITEN on Jalan Sungai Besi highway.

 

Alongside FM 107.5MHz as main listening frequency in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, 102.2, 95.5 and 92.0 are weak frequencies, meanwhile 104.1 Bukit Pelindung is unavailable because Best FM is using 104.1MHz in Gunung Ulu Kali.

List of Indonesia FM radio stations (Nunukan, North Kalimantan) in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia

Tawau is a city located in Southeast Sabah, Malaysia. It is also located at the border nearby Indonesia (Nunukan), however due to the strategic location, Indonesia radio stations are available in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia, transmitted from Nunukan.

Here is the list of Indonesia FM radio stations from Nunukan, North Kalimantan where are available in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia.

- FM 88.8MHz Radio Ambalat FM

- FM 89.6MHz Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Nunukan PRO-2

- FM 90.4MHz Radio SIP FM

- FM 95.5MHz Radio Republik Indonesia RRI PRO-3 (Sebatik Island)

- FM 101.1MHz Radio Suara Tribun Indonesia

- FM 102.2MHz Radio Devia FM

- FM 103.0MHz Radio Maroni FM

- FM 103.8MHz Radio SDB2

Radio Republik Indonesia RRI Nunukan PRO-1 FM 97.1MHz is unavailable in Tawau due to Traxx FM 97.1MHz local transmitter from Gunung Andrassy. Co-channel interference happens due to poor frequency planning

Indonesia DVB-T2 TV channels and frequencies list available in Malaysia (normal propagation, NOT tropospheric or Sporadic E).

In Malaysia, some of locations nearby international border can receive TV and radio signals from neighboring countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Brunei and Indonesia.

Previously I listed down all Thailand DVB-T2 transmitter coverage in Malaysia bordering areas, now I will list down all Indonesia DVB-T2 transmitter list nearby Malaysia border with coverage which are available in Malaysia.

1. Sungai Pakning in Bengkalis, Riau Province (GPS: 1.332N, 102.152E)

- Frequency: UHF 530MHz (CH28)

- Transmitter power: 5kW

- Tower height: 100m 

- Available MUX: TVRI

- Coverage availability in Malaysia: Part of coastal areas in Merlimau, Melaka and Muar, Johor

Note: TVRI on CH32 UHF 562MHz from Sungai Pakning is not available in Melaka due to MYTV CH32 UHF562MHz from Bukit Tampin and Gunung Ledang. 

 

2. Batam, Riau Islands Province

- Frequency: UHF 690MHz (CH48), UHF 674MHz (CH46), UHF 658MHz (CH44) and UHF 642MHz (CH42)

- Available MUX: TVRI (CH48), TransTV (CH46), RCTI (CH44) & SCTV (CH42)

- Coverage availability in Malaysia: Johor Bahru, Kota Tinggi, Bandar Penawar, Nusajaya, Pontian, Penggerang, Ulu Tiram and Pasir Gudang

3. Sanggau Ledo, West Kalimantan Province (GPS: 1.169N, 109.723E)

- Frequency: UHF 530MHz (CH28), UHF 578MHz (CH34) & UHF 674MHz (CH46)

- Power: 2kW

- Tower height: 65m 

- Available MUX: TVRI

- Coverage availability in Malaysia: Part of Lundu and Bau, Sarawak

4. Balai Karangan, West Kalimantan (0.808N, 110.422E)

- Frequency: UHF 562MHz (CH32)

- Power: 2kW

- Available MUX: TVRI

- Coverage: Tebedu in Serian Division, Sarawak (Postcode: 94760)

Tebedu is located nearby Malaysia-Indonesia border in Southwestern Sarawak.

 

5. Nunukan, North Kalimantan

- Frequency: UHF 578MHz (CH34), UHF 642MHz (CH42), UHF 610MHz (CH38) & UHF 530MHz (CH28)

- Available MUX: TVRI (CH34), Metro TV (CH42), TVOne (CH38) & Trans7 (CH28)

- Coverage availability in Malaysia: Few locations in Tawau District, Sabah (Kalabakan, Merotai & Serudong)

Listed Indonesia transmitters above are located nearby Malaysia border, information is taken from Sinyal TV Digital application, minimum field strength of coverage map is 47dBμV/m. Coverage map is generated through Nautel RF toolkit (presumed) with transmitter parameter information from Sinyal TV Digital application.

RTM Asyik FM Negeri Sembilan frequency proposal (FM 95.5MHz Gunung Telapak Burok at 0.25kW power)

 

The Orang Asli radio station, Asyik FM currently has no Negeri Sembilan tuning frequency, however it relies on FM 102.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali, FM 91.1MHz Kuala Lumpur Tower and FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang in part of Negeri Sembilan.

 

Asyik FM can be tuned in part of Negeri Sembilan via existing transmitters by following locations below: 

 

1. FM 102.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali: Mantin, Labu, Simpang Pertang, Port Dickson, Lenggeng, Linggi, and part of Seremban

2. FM 91.1MHz Kuala Lumpur Tower: Nilai

3. FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang (low power transmission): Gemencheh, Rompin and part of Jempol

 

In fact, there are many Orang Asli villages in Negeri Sembilan. The Orang Asli villages are mostly located in Jelebu, Kuala Pilah, Jempol and East Seremban districts. These areas can't receive Asyik FM via existing frequencies. Therefore, Asyik FM needs to set up a transmitter (0.25kW is sufficient) in Gunung Telapak Burok to cover Orang Asli areas in Negeri Sembilan, mainly districts in Kuala Pilah, Jelebu and Seremban.

 

The frequency availability in Gunung Telapak Burok is getting limited nowadays which cause Asyik FM or other radio broadcasters getting more difficult to get the new frequencies. Coincidentally, I notice FM 95.5MHz is also an empty frequency in Seremban and Jelebu. So, FM 95.5MHz becomes proposed frequency for Asyik FM's Gunung Telapak Burok transmission.

 

==Proposed transmission parameter for Asyik FM in Negeri Sembilan==

* Frequency: FM 95.5MHz

* Power: 0.25kW

* Transmitter site: Gunung Telapak Burok, Negeri Sembilan

* Antenna height: (same with other RTM radio stations)

* Antenna gain: 6.0dBd (3 bay array dipole antenna, each bay 2.0dBd) 

* Antenna model: SIRA FM-04 or equivalent

* Antenna beaming angle: 30 DEG 

 

==Radio frequency analysis between RTM Asyik FM 95.5MHz (Gunung Telapak Burok) and adjacent stations==

 

95.3MHz: Nasional FM Gunung Ulu Kali

95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Telapak Burok (0.25kW)

<200kHz, OK>

 

95.4MHz: MY FM Gunung Pulai

95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Telapak Burok (0.25kW)

<100kHz, OK>

 

95.5MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Sulai

95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Telapak Burok (0.25kW)

<0kHz, OK>

 

95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Telapak Burok (0.25kW)

95.6MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Ledang (0.25kW)

<100kHz, AFN- Adjacent Frequency Network> 

 

95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Telapak Burok (0.25kW)

95.7MHz: Negeri FM Bukit Tampin

<200kHz, OK>

 

95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Telapak Burok (0.25kW)

95.8MHz: Fly FM Gunung Ulu Kali

<300kHz, OK> 

 

Based on RF analysis, the transmission of Asyik FM 95.5MHz from Gunung Telapak Burok will not cause any interference to existing radio stations' coverage because proposed parameter for Asyik FM is just low power transmitter as much 0.25kW.

 

In North Johor, Asyik FM is on 95.6MHz from Gunung Ledang, main targeting coverage is Chaah, Labis and Bekok in Segamat district, transmitter power is 0.25kW. The proposed frequency FM 95.5MHz from Gunung Telapak Burok will not cause interference to Asyik FM 95.6MHz coverage because both are using low power transmitters. Despite Asyik FM 95.5MHz and 95.6MHz will have interference each other in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan, but it is not an issue because both are same radio stations, so it is considered as self-interference and AFN (adjacent frequency network), listeners can tune vice-versa with 100kHz frequency step.

 

In addition, Asyik FM 95.5MHz Gunung Telapak Burok will not cause interference to Pahang FM 95.5MHz Bukit Sulai and Negeri FM 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin due to different coverage areas and antenna configuration. Negeri FM 95.7MHz from Bukit Tampin covers only Tampin, Rembau and Kota, but proposed Asyik FM 95.5MHz Gunung Telapak Burok does not cover Rembau. Pahang FM 95.5MHz Bukit Sulai covers only Gambang and Pekan where Kuantan frequency FM 104.1MHz from Bukit Pelindung has co-channel interference with Best FM 104.1MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali. 

 

Gunung Telapak Burok radio transmission will not overspill to Gambang and Pekan (Chini).

 

I also sketch the antenna pattern map for Asyik FM 95.5MHz Gunung Telapak Burok transmission, based on SIRA FM-04 dipole antenna and FM-07 Yagi antenna diagram, the drawings above are going to be sent to RTM engineering and planning team via email as the proposal.

 

SIRA FM-07 in different angle at 30DEG and 60DEG, meanwhile SIRA FM-04 is at 30DEG.

 

Among all 3 antenna pattern drawings, SIRA FM-04 at 30DEG is the best because Asyik FM reach more coverage in Negeri Sembilan on FM 95.5MHz from Gunung Telapak Burok, compare to SIRA FM-07 drawings.

 

To avoid interference to the existing adjacent stations, SIRA FM-07 at 60DEG angle drawing is proposed.

 

Although I think SIRA FM-04 at 30DEG antenna pattern drawing is the best for Asyik FM 95.5MHz Gunung Telapak Burok transmission, but I send all the drawings to RTM via email as the proposal, so the engineering team can evaluate the proposed antenna pattern. 

 

The proposal was actually made in March 2019 (a month before I joined the broadcast transmitter equipment company).

 

I hope RTM will consider this proposal, so Asyik FM can reach Negeri Sembilan via FM frequency transmission.

 

==Targeting coverage areas of Asyik FM 95.5MHz Gunung Telapak Burok transmitter (0.25kW)==

* Seremban

* Pantai

* Kuala Klawang

* Titi

* Simpang Durian

* Simpang Pertang

* Serting 

* Batu Kikir

* Bandar Seri Jempol

* Bahau

* Kuala Pilah

* Juasseh

* Johol (Dangi) 

* Seri Menanti

* Tanjong Ipoh

* Mantin

* Lenggeng