Radio check (FM DX) in Muadzam Shah, Pahang.

 

In conjunction with Malaysia Day public holiday, I went to Muadzam Shah, Pahang for radio signal monitoring activity. Originally I planned to drop by there on 31st August 2022 during departure from Kuantan to Balakong, but it was too far to travel such routes. Hence, I chose to carry forward Muadzam Shah FM DXing to Malaysia Day holiday. So, I made decision to come on 18th September 2022, rather than 16th September 2022.

Few radio stations are taken sample of signal reception in Muadzam Shah, Pahang, such as:

1. Hot FM

 

4 frequencies can be received in Muadzam Shah. The clearest Hot FM frequency is FM 104.3MHz from Gunung Ledang, following by FM 99.5MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk and FM 97.6MHz Gunung Ulu Kali, meanwhile FM 92.4MHz from Bukit Pelindung is still receivable.

 

2. Asyik FM

 

I compare two frequencies reception in Muadzam Shah. FM 102.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali and FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang are receivable there. In terms of signal reception, Asyik FM 102.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali is more stable than 95.6MHz from Gunung Ledang.

 

Asyik FM 95.6MHz from Gunung Ledang is clear, but unstable due to adjacent channel interference with Pahang FM 95.5MHz from Bukit Sulai which intends for Gambang, Sri Jaya, and Chini.

 

3. Pahang FM

 

None of frequencies are having clear and stable signal in Muadzam Shah. The local transmitter FM 88.0MHz from Bukit Sembilan is being interfered by RTM Radio Klasik FM 87.9MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk badly, and interference with 8FM 88.1MHz from Gunung Ledang could be detected certainly. 

FM 95.5MHz from Bukit Sulai reception is unstable due to adjacent channel interference with Asyik FM 95.6MHz from Gunung Ledang.

FM 104.1MHz from Bukit Pelindung is having co-channel interference with Best FM 104.1MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali.

FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali is the most stable frequency, but weak reception in Muadzam Shah.

 

4. MY FM

 

Same goes to Hot FM, 4 frequencies are receivable. FM 106.4MHz Gunung Ledang is the clearest, following by FM 100.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk dan FM 101.8MHz Gunung Ulu Kali. 

 

FM 101.1MHz Bukit Pelindung is still receivable with unstable STEREO signal.

 

5. Best FM

 

FM 94.8MHz from Gunung Ledang is the clearest and most stable frequency, meanwhile FM 104.1MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali is having co-channel interference with Pahang FM 104.1MHz from Bukit Pelindung. 

6. Lite FM

 

My favorite radio station actually. FM 92.2MHz from Gunung Ledang is the clearest, meanwhile FM 104.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk and FM 105.7MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali signal reception are moderate. From Seremban to Muadzam Shah, I listened to Lite FM all the way on FM 104.6MHz.

 

7. 988 FM

 

FM 98.2MHz from Gunung Ledang is the clearest in Muadzam Shah.

8. THR Gegar FM 88.8MHz

 

Adjacent channel interference with Traxx FM 88.7MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk is detected.

 

9. THR Raaga 

 

Among three tested frequencies, FM 99.7MHz from Gunung Ledang is the clearest, meanwhile FM 101.5MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk and FM 99.3MHz Gunung Ulu Kali are weak there.

 

10. Negeri FM

 

FM 107.7MHz Gunung Ledang is slightly clearer than FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk.

 

11. Johor FM

 

Although Johor FM 105.3MHz covers North Johor only, but it is the clearest RTM state radio station from Gunung Ledang received in Muadzam Shah, Pahang.

 

12. Melaka FM

 

Compare with Negeri FM 107.7MHz and Johor FM 105.3MHz reception in Muadzam Shah, RTM Melaka FM 102.3MHz is the weaker as its Gunung Ledang transmission mainly beams to west direction to cover Melaka.

 

13. 8FM (formerly known as One FM)

 

Signal is quite weak, minor adjacent channel interference with Pahang FM 88.0MHz Bukit Sembilan transmitter is detected in Muadzam Shah.

 

14. CityPlus FM 106.0MHz

Reception is moderate to clear in Muadzam Shah, but adjacent channel interference with Ai FM 106.1MHz from Bukit Pelindung can be detected in several areas.

Overall check, Gunung Ledang transmitted radio stations are the clearest in Muadzam Shah, following by Gunung Telapak Buruk. Several Gunung Ulu Kali transmitted radio stations are still clear in Muadzam Shah, mainly Lite FM 105.7MHz, Zayan FM 104.9MHz, and Minnal FM 96.3MHz.

All radio check aka FM DX was conducted and filmed in Dataran Bandar Muadzam Shah, Pahang where located exactly at the town center.

 

Regarding Singapore radio stations in Muadzam Shah and Keratong, I did try CNA 93.8FM, Kiss 92FM, and One FM 91.3, none of them were receivable.

==Radio transmission distance to Muadzam Shah==

* Gunung Ledang: 93km

* Gunung Ulu Kali: 149km

* Bukit Pelindung: 92km

* Gunung Telapak Buruk: 115km

* Bukit Sembilan: 19km

Radio Exterior De Espana SW 15520kHz from Noblejas, Spain received in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia

 

Today is Malaysia public holiday, known as Malaysia Day which falls annually on 16th September. I took opportunity to stay overnight until midnight to perform shortwave DXing by receiving signal from Europe, but my primary target was actually to receive Radio Romania Antena Satelor LW 153kHz (failed).

 

While I couldn't receive any signal from Radio Romania Antena Satelor LW 153kHz in Malaysia between 0000-0100 hours (UTC+8), I did manage to receive several shortwave radio stations.

 

Alongside BBC World Service from Ascension Island, Radio Farda (transmitted from Germany and UK), as well as Radio Romania International, I tried to receive Radio Exterior De Espana on SW 15520kHz in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia.

 

According to short-wave.info, none of radio stations are operating on SW 15520kHz and adjacent frequencies during the receiving time. Hence, I identified SW 15520kHz is Radio Exterior De Espana.

The signal was quite weak actually. In terms of distance, Radio Exterior De Espana SW 15520kHz becomes 2nd furthest shortwave radio station that I tuned at my receiving location in Balakong, Selangor State, Malaysia after BBC World Service from Ascension Island.

 

==My shortwave DX report of Radio Exterior De Espana==

* Frequency: SW 15520kHz

* Power: 200kW

* Transmission site: Noblejas, Spain

* Receiving site: Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia

* Distance: 11074km

* Receiving date/time: 16th September 2022 0055H (UTC+8)/15th September 2022 1655H (UTC)

* Language: Spanish

* Receiver: TECSUN PL-310ET

* SINPO: 13322

I received UK and Germany transmitted Radio Farda shortwave signal in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia.

 

On yesterday 15th September 2022 between 2300-2330 hours (UTC+8), I managed to receive Persian language external radio station, Radio Farda which are transmitted from Europe continent in Malaysia by following shortwave frequencies below:

 

1. SW 12005kHz from Woofferton, United Kingdom (300kW)

2. SW 15690kHz from Biblis, Germany (100kW)

3. SW 17830kHz from Lampertheim, Germany (100kW)

 

Receiving location is in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia.

 

Among 3 frequencies, all of them are having same signal quality, but Radio Farda SW 17830kHz and SW 15690kHz are slightly louder.

 

In terms of distance, Radio Farda on SW 12005kHz from Woofferton, United Kingdom is the furthest with the distance as much as 10723km after the BBC World Service from Ascension Island which is 12928km and Radio Exterior De Espana. 

 

It is my another shortwave radio signal catch from Europe after Romania, Moldova (Radyo Denge Welat), France (Radyo Denge Welat) and Germany (DW). 

 

Radio Farda is usually targeting Persian speaking countries, notably Iran and some countries from Central Asia.

 

Here is the reception report of Radio Farda that I received in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia.

 

1. SW 12005kHz Woofferton, United Kingdom

- Distance: 10723km

- Receiving time: 2308 hours (UTC+8)

- SINPO: 42233 

2. SW 15690kHz Biblis, Germany

- Distance: 9985km

- Receiving time: 2311 hours (UTC+8)

- SINPO: 33333

3. SW 17830kHz Lampertheim, Germany

- Distance: 9983km

- Receiving date/time: 2315 hours (UTC+8)

- SINPO: 44333

 

BBC World Service from Ascension Island received in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia on 17640kHz, 17830kHz and 21630kHz, it becomes the furthest shortwave radio station that I received in Malaysia with 12928km.

 

In Malaysia, BBC World Service English broadcast can be tuned via shortwave radio transmission from Kranji, Singapore in certain broadcast hours, meanwhile FM 88.9MHz is available in South Johor areas.

 

Just midnight on today 16th September 2022, from 0000-0100 hours (Malaysia time UTC+8) or 1600-1700 hours (UTC), I received three BBC World Service shortwave frequencies from Ascension Island, Atlantic Ocean.

 

Frequencies are: 

1. SW 17640kHz (115 degree angle)

2. SW 17830kHz (85 degree angle)

3. SW 21630kHz (55 degree angle)

 

All stated frequencies are transmitted at 125kW output power. Although the primary targeting coverage region of BBC World Service SW 17640kHz, 17830kHz and 21630kHz from Ascension Island is Central Africa, but it can overspill to Malaysia and other ASEAN countries.

 

 

Among three videos above, SW 21630kHz is the clearest frequency, following by SW 17640kHz, meanwhile SW 17830kHz is the weakest. These 3 frequencies are transmitted from same site, but propagation is different due to different antenna beaming direction angle.

 

Here I would like to rate the reception of BBC World Service Ascension Island frequencies that I received in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia with SINPO code. (1 is poor, 5 is excellent)

 

- SW 17640kHz:  24323

- SW 17830kHz: 13322

- SW 21630kHz: 45444 

 

The transmission distance from Ascension Island to my receiving location in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia where is just 20km from Kuala Lumpur is 12928km. In terms of receiving distance, I break my record again by tuning BBC World Service from Ascension Island in Malaysia.

 

After I received BBC World Service Ascension Island shortwave signal, I do issue the e-QSL from BBC.

Senarai kawasan yang boleh menerima siaran radio Melayu dari Singapura (Ria 89.7FM dan Warna 94.2FM) di negeri Johor, Malaysia.

 

Di negara Singapura, terdapat dua buah stesen radio Bahasa Melayu yang dikendali oleh Mediacorp (dahulunya dikenali sebagai SBC - Singapore Broadcasting Corporation dan RCS - Radio Corporation of Singapore PTE LTD), iaitu Ria 89.7FM dan Warna 94.2FM.

 

Siaran radio Ria 89.7FM dan Warna 94.2FM dari Singapura boleh diterima di Indonesia (Batam, Bintan dan Karimun) dan Johor Selatan, Malaysia. Di sini saya akan membuat senarai kawasan Johor yang boleh menerima siaran radio Ria 89.7FM dan Warna 94.2FM dari Singapura.

 

1. Johor Bahru

2. Pasir Gudang

3. Pengerang

4. Bandar Penawar

5. Nusajaya

6. Skudai

7. Bandar Tenggara

8. Pontian

9. Pekan Nanas

10. Ayer Tawar

11. Gelang Patah

12. Ulu Tiram

13. Masai

14. Kukup

15. Benut

16. Ayer Baloi

17. Kota Tinggi

18. Simpang Renggam

19. Renggam

20. Sebahagian Kluang

21. Senggarang

22. Rengit 

23. Senai

24. Layang-Layang

25. Kulai

26. Gugusan Taib Andak

27. Ayer Hitam

28. Seri Gading (Batu Pahat)

 

Gangguan frekuensi sama dengan Ai FM 89.7MHz dan Mix FM 94.2MHz yang dipancarkan dari Gunung Telapak Buruk dikesan di Batu Pahat, Parit Raja, Yong Peng, Chaah dan Pagoh.

THR Gegar boleh diterima siaran di Kuala Rompin dan Sri Jaya, Pahang. Frekuensi FM 88.8MHz dari Bukit Pelindung, tetapi isyarat kurang jelas.

 

Radio Pantai Timur oleh Astro Radio, THR Gegar mempunyai frekuensi di Kuantan pada frekuensi FM 88.8MHz yang dipancar dari Bukit Pelindung.

 

Liputan THR Gegar FM 88.8MHz dari Bukit Pelindung cuma terhad di Kuantan, Kemaman, Kemasik, Kerteh, Pekan dan Gambang, tetapi siaran THR Gegar masih boleh diterima di Kuala Rompin dan Sri Jaya.

 

Kuasa pemancar ialah 1kW.

 

1. Sri Jaya (57km) 

Sri Jaya terletak di antara Maran dan Gambang. Ia adalah kawasan terakhir yang boleh menerima siaran THR Gegar pada frekuensi FM 88.8MHz dari Bukit Pelindung.

 

Penerimaan siaran THR Gegar FM 88.8MHz dari Bukit Pelindung boleh dikatakan masih jelas di Sri Jaya, Pahang. 

 

Sri Jaya boleh dikatakan hanya kawasan yang boleh menerima siaran radio ini dengan jelas di Daerah Maran, Pahang. 

Gangguan frekuensi dengan Traxx FM 88.7MHz dari Gunung Telapak Buruk dan GoXUAN FM 88.9MHz dari Gunung Ulu Kali mula dikesan di Maran, Pahang.

 

2. Kuala Rompin (116km)

Penerimaan siaran THR Gegar FM 88.8MHz kurang jelas di Kuala Rompin. Gangguan frekuensi oleh Traxx FM 88.7MHz dari Gunung Telapak Buruk boleh dikesan, tetapi minima. Tiada isyarat dikesan di Tanjung Gemuk. 

 

Berbanding dengan kedua-dua kawasan yang diuji pada dua minggu lepas, penerimaan siaran THR Gegar FM 88.8MHz dari Bukit Pelindung di Sri Jaya lebih jelas daripada Kuala Rompin.

RTM Negeri FM 92.6MHz dari Gunung Telapak Buruk diterima di Kuantan, Gambang, Maran dan Kuala Rompin, Pahang.

Di negeri Pahang, RTM Negeri FM boleh diterima siaran dengan jelas di kawasan bawah berikut:

1. FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk di Kuala Krau, Temerloh, Chenor, Mentakab, Bandar Bera, Manchis, Teriang dan sebahagian Jerantut.

2. FM 107.7MHz Gunung Ledang di Kemayan, Keratong, Bera Selatan dan Muadzam Shah.

 

RTM Negeri FM masih boleh diterima di Maran dan kawasan Pahang Timur seperti Gambang, Kuantan dan Kuala Rompin pada frekuensi FM 92.6MHz dari Gunung Telapak Buruk, kualiti isyarat kurang jelas, manakala FM 107.7MHz Gunung Ledang tidak dapat diterima.

Kuasa pemancar Negeri FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk ialah 2kW.

1. Maran (109km)

Dirakam di sepanjang Lebuhraya Pantai Timur dari Maran ke Kuantan. Kualiti isyarat sederhana diterima di kawasan sekitar Maran. FM 107.7MHz dari Gunung Ledang tidak dapat diterima di Maran, Pahang.

Pendengar Negeri FM boleh menala frekuensi kepada FM 92.6MHz (Gunung Telapak Buruk) di Maran. Isyarat semakin jelas di Chenor, Pahang.

2. Gambang (154km)

Lokasi: Petron Gambang

Isyarat lemah diterima di Gambang, Pahang. Gangguan frekuensi oleh Hot FM 92.4MHz dari Gunung Telapak Buruk dikesan semasa menerima siaran Negeri FM 92.6MHz di Gambang.

 

3. Kuala Rompin (158km)

Tiada sebarang isyarat dikesan di Kuala Rompin jika menerima siaran Negeri FM pada frekuensi 107.7MHz dari Gunung Ledang.

4. Kuantan (176km)
 

Gangguan frekuensi oleh Hot FM 92.4MHz dari Bukit Pelindung boleh dikesan di Kuantan, Pahang.

 

Rakaman diambil di Padang MPK 1 Kuantan yang berhampiri dengan Menara Teruntum 188. 

 

(DXtra) Negeri FM 92.6MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk diterima di Jerantut

 

Gangguan frekuensi dengan Pahang FM 92.7MHz dari Bukit Istana boleh dikesan di kawasan antara Bandar Jerantut dan Kuala Krau.

Rakita FM 107.9MHz from Bukit Sungai Besi received in Temerloh, Pahang

 

Rakita FM 107.9MHz (formerly known as IM4U FM before 2019) is a Malay language young oriented radio station based in Kuala Lumpur, the transmission site is located in Bukit Sungai Besi, instead of Gunung Ulu Kali.

 

Transmitter power is likely 2kW. Coverage areas are mainly in Kuala Lumpur, and part of Selangor such as Kuala Langat, Ampang, Shah Alam, Klang, Kajang, Bangi, Sepang, Petaling Jaya, Selayang, Gombak, Kuala Selangor, Sekinchan, meanwhile signal is weak in North Selangor.

 

Outside of Klang Valley, Rakita 107.9 is available in part of Negeri Sembilan such as Nilai, Mantin, Port Dickson and part of Seremban, however Rakita FM 107.9MHz from Bukit Sungai Besi can be received unexpectedly in Temerloh, Pahang.

3 years ago, I was used to receive this radio station in Temerloh town, but I never managed to film the video actually. Over last month, with my Kuantan trip in end of August 2022, I did manage to record the receiving signal of Rakita FM 107.9MHz in Temerloh, Pahang. The filming location was not located in Temerloh town, but I recorded the video at a highway rest station in Temerloh (also known as RnR Temerloh) during the short break before arriving in Kuantan.

 

- Frequency: FM 107.9MHz

- Power: 2kW

- Transmission site: Bukit Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur

- Receiving location: RnR Temerloh Eastbound, 28000 Temerloh, Pahang 

- Distance: 93km

Receiving signal was MONO, recorded on 28th August 2022. Compare with Buletin FM 101.3MHz, the signal quality of Rakita FM 107.9MHz is slightly stronger in Temerloh, Pahang. I may think Rakita FM 107.9MHz is using 2kW transmitter, while Buletin FM 101.3MHz is 1kW or lower.

The signal reception of Rakita FM 107.9MHz in Temerloh is not strong as other radio stations because Rakita FM 107.9MHz is transmitted from Bukit Sungai Besi, rather than Gunung Ulu Kali. 

During IM4U FM era, I was used to propose to shift the transmission site to Gunung Ulu Kali due to wider coverage (and I have prejudice against Bukit Sungai Besi), but the proposal was not working at all and likely turned down by MCMC. I suspect Rakita FM 107.9MHz Gunung Ulu Kali transmission is not allowed by MCMC as the Gunung Ulu Kali transmission can overspill to several areas in Riau Province, Indonesia, somehow Rakita is on FM 107.9MHz which can led interference to Indonesia airband transmission. Hence, Rakita is only allowed to transmit in Bukit Sungai Besi to prevent overspilling the signal to Indonesia territories and led interference to Indonesia airband.

 

Pahang FM is the No.1 widest coverage RTM state radio station in Peninsular Malaysia

 

Among all RTM state radio stations in Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang FM is the no.1 widest coverage RTM state radio station in terms of coverage availability. 

 

This is because Pahang FM can be received in several states of Peninsular Malaysia outside Pahang via frequencies transmission. Here are the coverage of Pahang FM outside Pahang state:

 

1. Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya & Selangor via FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali (weaker reception)

 

2. Part of Negeri Sembilan via FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali (weaker reception)

Available locations: Nilai, Mantin, Simpang Durian, Simpang Pertang, Serting Tengah, Jempol, Port Dickson, Linggi, and part of Seremban.

 

3. Part of Melaka via FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali (weaker reception and interference with Melody FM 107.3MHz and Negeri FM 107.7MHz from Gunung Ledang in certain locations)

 

Available in Kuala Sungai Baru, Masjid Tanah, Lubuk Cina, Tanjung Kling, Sungai Udang and part of Melaka City.

 

4. Central and South Perak via FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali and FM 100.3MHz from Gunung Brinchang (weaker reception)

5. Part of Johor via FM 91.9MHz from Kuala Rompin and FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali

Note: Batu Anam in Segamat District can receive Pahang FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali, but interference with Melody FM 107.3MHz and Negeri FM 107.7MHz from Gunung Ledang is occured.

 

6. Part of Kelantan (Gua Musang district) via FM 100.3MHz from Gunung Brinchang and FM 107.5MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali

Co-channel interference with Thailand radio station is detected in Gua Musang town on FM 107.5MHz.

 

7. Southern Terengganu via FM 104.1MHz from Bukit Pelindung  

Coverage is up to Kerteh and Paka.

 

Overall check that FM 107.5MHz, FM 100.3MHz and FM 104.1MHz are the frequencies which can overspill outside Pahang state, meanwhile low power FM 92.0MHz, FM 91.9MHz, and FM 102.2MHz can overspill too, but weaker than 107.5 and 104.1.

I finally get the QSL card from Radio Romania International.

Last year in September 2021, I managed to receive several shortwave frequencies of Radio Romania International in Malaysia through my radio receiver TECSUN PL-380 which is now aged 5 years old. Then, I issued the QSL report officially to Radio Romania International via email.

I finally received QSL card from Radio Romania International yesterday evening after 1 year from issuing date of the reception report.

Here are several photos of Radio Romania International QSL card which I received yesterday.

Thanks to Radio Romania International for sending me the beautiful QSL card. 

 

Hereby I would like to present several flashback videos of receiving Radio Romania International which I tuned in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia from 2021.

 

Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM (Singapore) radio transmission coverage list in Johor, Malaysia.

 

Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM is a Tamil radio station from Singapore. Alongside Singapore, it is available in part of Riau Islands, Indonesia (Batam, Bintan and Karimun), and Southern Johor, Malaysia.

 

Transmitter site is located in Bukit Batok, and the transmitter output power is 10kW.

 

Here are the coverage locations of Oli 96.8FM in Johor, Malaysia:

- Johor Bahru

- Kulai

- Kota Tinggi

- Simpang Renggam

- Ulu Tiram

- Pengerang

- Gelang Patah

- Benut

- Pontian

- Ayer Baloi

- Nusajaya

- Bandar Tenggara

- Bandar Penawar

- Ayer Hitam

- Kluang

- Renggam

- Pekan Nanas

- Rengit

- Senggarang

- Masai

- Parit Raja

- Layang-Layang

- Gugusan Taib Andak

- Part of Mersing

- Tanjung Sedili 

- Yong Peng

- Kahang

- Part of Batu Pahat

 

1. Signal reception in Yong Peng, Johor (108km)

 

 

2. Signal reception in Parit Raja, Johor (93KM)

** video credit to HBC 101

 

3. Signal reception in Simpang Renggam

 

4. Signal reception in Mersing

 

5. Signal reception in Kluang

 

6. Signal reception in Layang-Layang

7. Signal reception in Endau

Oli 96.8FM can be received in Endau, Johor, but the signal is very weak and having interference with Sinar FM 96.9MHz where same as Kuala Rompin. In addition, Oli 96.8FM is having co-channel interference with Pahang FM 96.8MHz from Tioman Island in Endau, Johor, but both radio stations on the frequency FM 96.8MHz are interfered with Sinar FM 96.9MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk in same location.

 

Outside Johor, Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM was received in Kuala Rompin, Pahang, but the adjacent channel interference with Sinar FM 96.9MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk was detected.