Tuesday, 14 November 2023

Thailand radio stations are available in Selama, Perak, Malaysia.

Selama is a small town where located at the border between Kedah and Perak, I went to Selama in Perak state two days ago to conduct radio signal monitoring in conjunction with Deepavali holiday.

In Selama town, I could receive 6 Thailand FM radio stations signal, they're transmitted from Yala (Khao Pok Yo) and Betong. Here are the 6 Thailand FM radio stations which I received in Selama, Perak, Malaysia.

1. Radio Thailand Yala FM 92.0MHz (146km from Khao Pok Yo)

2. Radio Thailand Yala FM 94.25MHz (146km from Khao Pok Yo)


3. Radio Thailand Yala FM 95.0MHz (146km from Khao Pok Yo)

4. MCOT Yala FM 102.5MHz (146km from Khao Pok Yo)

5. Thailand Parliament Radio FM 89.0MHz (146km from Khao Pok Yo)

6. Radio Thailand Betong FM 93.0MHz (73km)


Among 6 Thailand FM radio stations, Radio Thailand Yala FM 92.0MHz is the clearest, meanwhile other radio stations have interference with local radio stations.

* MCOT Yala FM 102.5MHz is interfered by Raaga FM 102.4MHz from Gunung Jerai
* Radio Thailand Yala FM 95.0MHz is interfered by RTM Radio Klasik FM 94.9MHz from Gunung Jerai
* Thailand Parliament Radio FM 89.0MHz is having co-channel interference with IKIM FM 89.0MHz from Gunung Jerai
* Radio Thailand Yala FM 94.25MHz is interfered with Mix FM 94.3MHz from Gunung Kledang

Radio Thailand Betong FM 93.0MHz is less clear in Selama.

Selama is the Perak town to receive Thailand FM radio stations clearly in Larut Matang Selama district, compare to Taiping, Kamunting, Batu Kurau, Terong and Changkat Jering.





Sunday, 5 November 2023

List of Malaysia "exoctic" FM radio stations in my DXing list.

DXing is my favorite hobby, I usually will perform in most of locations within Malaysia, but I don't film every radio station signal because some of them broadcast nationwide and they are already well-known.

 

My targeted radio stations in DXing are actually "exotic" because they don't broadcast nationwide. Here are the "exotic" Malaysia FM radio stations which I usually check the signal:

 

1. BFM 89.9 (outside Kuala Lumpur and Selangor)

2. Best FM (only in Pahang, Perak, Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan)

3. Rakita FM 107.9

4. Kool 101

5. Molek FM

6. Manis FM

7. THR Gegar

8. THR Raaga (Pahang only)

9. Eight FM (Pahang only)

10. GoXUAN (outside Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Penang)

11. Zayan (Negeri Sembilan and Terengganu only)

12. RTM Asyik FM

13. 988 FM (Kelantan and Terengganu only) 

14. CityPlus FM

15. Kupi-Kupi FM

16. Tea FM

17. Bernama Radio

18. Cats FM

19. RTM regional radio stations

- Perlis FM

- Kedah FM

- Langkawi FM

- Mutiara FM

- Perak FM

- Selangor FM

- KL FM

- Pahang FM

- Kelantan FM

- Negeri FM

- Melaka FM

- Johor FM

- Sarawak FM

- Sabah FM

- Sabah VFM

- Wai FM

- Labuan FM

- Red FM


I only perform DXing of nationwide commercial radio stations (example: Era, Sinar, MY FM, Lite FM, Hot FM) in remote areas like Jerantut in Pahang, Kuala Rompin in Pahang, Endau in Johor etc. 


Alongside Malaysia, I also perform FM DXing of radio stations signal from Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Southern Thailand.

Thursday, 2 November 2023

雖然Eight FM已經在關丹停播1年了, 但這家電台已經重新回到MYTV數碼電視平台. 除了88.1, 關丹聽眾也可以通過MYTV頻道715收聽.

Eight FM的關丹頻道100.4MHz已經停播1年了, 其頻率現在變成Molek FM. 


大家知道嗎? Eight FM雖然沒有通過FM頻率重新回到關丹, 但這家電台在上個月又在MYTV數碼地面電視平台重新廣播, 其MYTV頻道是715. 關丹有MYTV數碼地面電視DVB-T2的覆蓋範圍, 基本上Eight FM已經通過MYTV回到關丹. 除了Audio+, YouTube平台和訊號比較弱的88.1, 關丹的聽眾可以打開電視接收MYTV訊號並按715收聽Eight FM.

 

Eight FM回到MYTV 715對關丹聽眾而言是很好, 在室內可以通過電視平台收聽, 線路又穩定, 反而在關丹接收88.1的訊號多數是鎖定車內收聽的人.


我之前有向Media Prima Audio的技術部人員詢問是否Eight FM會重新推出關丹頻率, 我目前得到的消息是這家電台不會重新在關丹設有頻率, 因為華人的人口在關丹很少, 所以關丹市場對Eight FM不重要. 就算重新回到關丹設有頻率, 但收聽率方面整體上是沒有很大的幫助.


自從Eight FM關丹頻率100.4變成Molek FM後, 從那一刻開始, 因為我曾經在關丹有通過88.1收聽Eight FM, 所以我在部落格, YouTube和Facebook不斷 "hard sell" 88.1MHz給關丹聽眾, 除了解決問題, 我同時也趁機來向所有的人宣傳我的影片內容.

Eight FM 彭亨州覆蓋範圍 (Pahang coverage)

 

1. FM 88.1MHz Gunung Ulu Kali

* Bentong 文冬

* Karak 加叻

* Lanchang 連增

* Mentakab 文德甲

* Temerloh 淡馬魯

* Chenor 珍奴

* Maran 馬蘭

* Part of Raub 勞務部分地區

* Benta 文打

* Kuala Lipis 瓜拉立卑

* Padang Tengku 巴登冬姑

* Merapoh 美拉波

* Pekan 北根 

* Bandar Bera 百樂鎮

* Teriang 直涼

* Kemayan 金馬揚

* Chini 珍妮

* Part of Kuantan 關丹部分地區

 

2. FM 88.1MHz Gunung Ledang

* Keratong 格拉東

* Part of Muadzam Shah 慕亞三沙部分地區

* Part of Kuala Rompin 瓜拉雲冰部分地區


3. FM 87.6MHz Gunung Kledang

* Cameron Highlands 金馬倫高原

Monday, 30 October 2023

Molek FM perlu menukar frekuensinya di Kuantan akibat gangguan oleh RTM Ai FM 100.4MHz yang dipancar dari Gunung Ledang

 

Sudah setahun Molek FM mendarat di Kuantan pada frekuensi 100.4MHz dimana ia mengambil alih slot daripada Eight FM sejak Oktober 2022.


Jika kamu perasan, Molek FM lebih lemah daripada Gegar dan Manis FM pada sudut penerimaan isyaratnya. Frekuensi FM 100.4MHz sebenar tidak luas seperti pesaingnya iaitu Gegar FM 88.8MHz dan Manis FM 95.1MHz kerana kuasa pemancarnya hanya 0.25kW, berbanding dengan 1kW dari Gegar 88.8 dan 2kW dari Manis FM 95.1MHz. 

 

Di kawasan luar Kuantan, Molek FM 100.4MHz dari Bukit Pelindung mempunyai gangguan frekuensi dengan RTM Ai FM 100.4MHz dari Gunung Ledang di kawasan Gambang, Chini, Sri Jaya dan Cherating. Untuk makluman, Ai FM 100.4MHz dari Gunung Ledang meliputi Melaka, Johor Utara dan Muadzam Shah.

 

Semasa perjalanan saya dari Kuantan ke Kuala Lumpur, saya pun mengesan gangguan frekuensi FM 100.4MHz antara Molek FM dan Ai FM, bermula dari Gambang sehingga Maran. Apabila saya bertiba di Maran, FM 100.4MHz menjadi siaran Ai FM sepenuhnya.


Penggunaan frekuensi FM 100.4MHz oleh Ai FM di Gunung Ledang lebih awal daripada Molek FM 100.4MHz di Bukit Pelindung.

 

Cadangan untuk menambah kuasa pemancar Molek FM 100.4MHz dari 250W kepada 1kW tidak sesuai kerana ia boleh membawa gangguan kepada liputan Ai FM 100.4MHz Gunung Ledang di Muadzam Shah dan Keratong. Kemungkinan gangguan kepada Ai FM 100.4MHz boleh berlaku di Segamat, Johor.

 

Jika Molek FM ingin memperluaskan liputan frekuensi Kuantan dengan menambah kuasa pemancar kepada 1kW atau 2kW, frekuensi perlu ditukar.

 

Sehingga hari ini, Eight FM tidak mendapat frekuensi baru di Kuantan kerana SKMM tidak memberi frekuensi lagi kepada stesen radio baru. Pada pandangan saya, Media Prima boleh membuat permohonan penukaran frekuensi Molek FM di Bukit Pelindung kepada MCMC/SKMM. Jika permohonan tersebut diluluskan oleh MCMC, Media Prima Audio hanya bolehlah membuat permohonan lesen frekuensi semula untuk Eight FM di Kuantan pada frekuensi asalnya, iaitu 100.4MHz.


Selain itu, sekiranya Media Prima Audio membuat permohonan frekuensi baru untuk Eight FM di Kuantan terlebih dahulu, Media Prima Audio masih perlu pertukaran frekuensi Kuantan antara Eight FM dan Molek FM, ia perlu melalui proses pemindahan lesen frekuensi. Langkah ini kurang sesuai sebenarnya.


Oleh itu, saya mencadangkan Media Prima Audio untuk memohon penukaran frekuensi Molek FM di Kuantan kepada MCMC terlebih dahulu untuk memudahkan proses dan mengelakkan konflik lesen frekuensi yang leceh.


Mengenai frekuensi, FM 102.2MHz ialah frekuensi cadangan saya untuk Molek FM di Kuantan untuk menggantikan 100.4MHz, kuasa pemancar dicadangkan 1kW. Oleh itu, Molek FM boleh didengari lebih jelas dan stabil di Gambang, Cherating, Kemaman, Kijal, Pekan, Sri Jaya, Chini, Maran dan Chenor, berbanding dengan 100.4MHz yang sekarang. Penukaran frekuensi Molek FM di Kuantan boleh memberi lebih persaingan dengan Gegar dan Manis FM di negeri Pahang.

 

==Cadangan penukaran frekuensi Molek FM di Kuantan==

* Frekuensi: FM 102.2MHz

* Kuasa: 1kW

* Tempat pemancar: Bukit Pelindung, Pahang

 

==RF analysis==

102.2MHz: Molek FM Bukit Pelindung 1kW

102.3MHz: Melaka FM Gunung Ledang

<100kHz, OK>


102.2MHz: Molek FM Bukit Pelindung 1kW

102.2MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Fraser

<0kHz, OK>


102.2MHz: Molek FM Bukit Pelindung 1kW

102.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Ulu Kali

<300kHz, OK>


102.2MHz: Molek FM Bukit Pelindung 1kW

102.5MHz: Best FM Bukit Tinggi

<300kHz, OK>

 

Sekiranya MCMC meluluskan penukaran frekuensi Molek FM di Kuantan, frekuensi sekarang 100.4MHz boleh "dipulangkan" kepada Eight FM.


Saya berharap cadangan saya ini memberi manfaat kepada Media Prima Audio dan MCMC.

Media Prima Audio should make Molek FM Kuantan frequency change request to MCMC first due to interference with Ai FM 100.4MHz from Gunung Ledang within the coverage, then Media Prima can only reapply Eight FM Kuantan frequency license on 100.4MHz

It is already a year of Molek FM launched in Kuantan by taking over Eight FM's frequency FM 100.4MHz since 2nd October 2023. Until today, Eight FM is not given new Kuantan frequency yet because MCMC does not give any frequency to new radio frequency applicants.


Although Eight FM can be tuned partially in Kuantan via FM 88.1MHz from Gunung UIu Kali after letting go its 100.4MHz to Molek FM, but it needs clear frequency there.


Molek FM 100.4MHz coverage is very small, compare to its rival radio stations such as Gegar FM 88.8MHz and Manis FM 95.1MHz because Molek FM 100.4MHz operates its transmitter power at 0.25kW only, so the signal of Molek FM 100.4MHz is weaker than them.

 

I have conducted radio signal check of Molek FM 100.4MHz in Gambang, Sri Jaya and Sungai Lembing. Yes, it is weaker than Gegar FM 88.8MHz and Manis FM 95.1MHz.


Transmitter power of Gegar FM 88.8MHz is 1kW, meanwhile Manis FM 95.1MHz is at 2kW.


As Molek FM's Kuantan frequency 100.4MHz is same frequency with Ai FM 100.4MHz Gunung Ledang which is for Melaka, North Johor and Southwest Pahang, therefore Molek FM 100.4MHz from Bukit Pelindung is interfered by Ai FM 100.4MHz from Gunung Ledang in Gambang, Sri Jaya, Chini and Cherating. 


On East Coast Expressway from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur, Molek FM 100.4MHz starts to have co-channel interference with Ai FM 100.4MHz from Gambang toll interchange to Maran, then FM 100.4MHz becomes Ai FM completely after Maran when I drive to Temerloh.

 

In addition, the radio reception of Molek FM 100.4MHz in Kemaman, Terengganu is not good as Manis FM 95.1MHz and Gegar FM 88.8MHz.

 

Increasing transmitter power of Molek FM 100.4MHz in Bukit Pelindung from 0.25kW to 1kW or 2kW is not recommended because it will cause co-channel interference to Ai FM 100.4MHz Gunung Ledang coverage in Muadzam Shah.


To expand more coverage of Molek FM from Bukit Pelindung in order to compete against Gegar and Manis FM, I highly recommend Media Prima Audio to change Molek FM Kuantan frequency.


Yes, Eight FM has no Kuantan frequency replacement until today, but I don't put it in priority, instead I prioritize to change Molek FM Kuantan frequency.


Why? This is because Molek FM 100.4MHz apparatus assignment (AA) license is under Kool FM Radio Sdn Bhd. MCMC does not give any frequencies yet. So, Media Prima Audio is unable to relaunch Eight FM in Kuantan. If MCMC accepts new frequency application, Media Prima Audio has to get new frequency license for Eight FM in under One FM Radio Sdn Bhd. After Eight FM is awarded with new Kuantan frequency by MCMC, it is impossible to swap frequency with Molek FM again because Media Prima Audio has to make another application of AA license.


From now, I don't suggest Media Prima Audio to reapply frequency license for Eight FM in Kuantan first, instead make Molek FM Kuantan frequency change request to MCMC first with its existing apparatus assignment (AA) license.


For the frequency, I highly recommend to change from 100.4MHz to 102.2MHz for Molek FM in Kuantan in order to avoid being interfered by Ai FM from Gunung Ledang within the coverage. 


==Suggestion of Molek FM Kuantan frequency change==

* Frequency: FM 102.2MHz

* Power: 1kW

* Transmitter site: Bukit Pelindung, Pahang

 

By increasing the transmitter power from 250W to 1kW, I believe Molek FM new Kuantan frequency 102.2MHz can reach more locations until Chenor and Muadzam Shah. Then, reception in South Terengganu will be improved.


==RF analysis==

102.2MHz: Molek FM Bukit Pelindung 1kW

102.3MHz: Melaka FM Gunung Ledang

<100kHz, OK>


102.2MHz: Molek FM Bukit Pelindung 1kW

102.2MHz: Pahang FM Bukit Fraser

<0kHz, OK>


102.2MHz: Molek FM Bukit Pelindung 1kW

102.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung Ulu Kali

<300kHz, OK>


102.2MHz: Molek FM Bukit Pelindung 1kW

102.5MHz: Best FM Bukit Tinggi

<300kHz, OK>


Based on RF analysis above, I believe my nominated frequency FM 102.2MHz should be okay. Although Molek FM 102.2MHz is same frequency with Pahang FM 102.2MHz, but I don't think there is co-channel interference within the coverage because Pahang FM 102.2MHz Bukit Fraser targets Raub and Benta only where Bukit Pelindung cannot reach there. Co-channel interference between both radio stations on FM 102.2MHz in Temerloh and Chenor is considered common.


If Molek FM is approved by MCMC to change its Kuantan frequency via its existing AA license, then Media Prima Audio can only make frequency application to MCMC for Eight FM in Kuantan on same frequency 100.4MHz.


==Suggestion flow==

Make frequency change request of Molek FM Kuantan frequency to MCMC>>If MCMC approve>>Reapply Eight FM Kuantan frequency license

Sunday, 29 October 2023

FM Radio DXing & Travel Log: Sungai Lembing, Pahang

On 29th October 2023, I go to Sungai Lembing, Pahang to conduct radio signal monitoring for half day. In addition, I also enjoy the local food there as my breakfast.




Before starting the radio signal monitoring activity, I ate Sungai Lembing curry noodle at a Chinese food court with Yong Tau Foo, that's yummy. 

 



This radio DXing convoy was originally planned for March or June 2024 in my DXing schedule, but I make it today suddenly. Initially I go to Kuala Lipis today, however I decide to swap with Sungai Lembing because I never come to Sungai Lembing before.


From my home in Balakong to Sungai Lembing, without traffic congestion, it takes only 3 hours and 15 minutes.


About radio DXing, there are nothing special in Sungai Lembing because the town is full of hills and terrains. No signal can be heard when I tune any frequencies from Gunung Ulu Kali, Bukit Istana, Gunung Telapak Buruk and Bukit Senggora.

 

I attempted receiving Eight FM 88.1MHz, BFM 89.9 and Raaga FM 99.3MHz in Sungai Lembing, but no signal.


In Sungai Lembing, I can only listen to the radio stations which transmitted from Bukit Pelindung (Kuantan), meanwhile Terengganu FM 90.7MHz is the only DX radio station there.



RTM Pahang FM has two frequencies in Kuantan district, 104.1MHz Bukit Pelindung is for Kuantan and Pekan, meanwhile 95.5MHz Bukit Sulai is for Gambang, Chini and Sri Jaya to solve the co-channel interference between Pahang FM and Best FM on 104.1MHz. 

 

Pahang FM is tuned on 104.1MHz in Sungai Lembing, meanwhile 95.5MHz Bukit Sulai is very weak there. The signal of Pahang FM 104.1MHz Bukit Pelindung is clearer than 95.5MHz Bukit Sulai in Sungai Lembing.


I film 6 radio signal videos in Sungai Lembing, 5 are from Bukit Pelindung and 1 is from Bukit Kemuning.


After FM DXing, I visit Sungai Lembing museum before departing to Kuala Lumpur.








































Pendengar IKIM FM dinasihatkan untuk menala frekuensi kepada 102.7MHz dari Gunung Telapak Buruk sekiranya terdapat gangguan frekuensi pada 89.6MHz di Sri Jaya dan Gambang.

Frekuensi IKIM FM di Kuantan ialah 89.6MHz, dan ia dipancar dari Bukit Pelindung. IKIM FM 89.6MHz dari Bukit Pelindung meliputi Kuantan, Pekan, Kemaman dan Gambang.

 


Dari Kuantan ke Maran, oleh kerana RTM Ai FM menggunakan frekuensi 89.6MHz di Bukit Senggora untuk kawasan Bandar Maran, Pahang dimana frekuensi sama dengan IKIM FM di Kuantan, gangguan isyarat antara IKIM FM dan Ai FM berlaku di Sri Jaya dan sebahagian kawasan Gambang.

 

Semasa perjalanan dari Kuantan ke Kuala Lumpur hari ini, saya mengesan gangguan isyarat pada FM 89.6MHz di R&R Gambang Arah Barat dan Sri Jaya, manakala FM 91.5MHz dari Gunung Ulu Kali lemah dan diganggu oleh Zayan FM 91.6MHz dari Bukit Pelindung, tetapi siaran IKIM FM boleh didengari lebih jelas dari R&R Gambang ke Maran pada frekuensi FM 102.7MHz yang dipancar dari Gunung Telapak Buruk dimana frekuensi tersebut khusus untuk kawasan Negeri Sembilan.

 

Kepada pendengar IKIM FM di Sri Jaya dan sebahagian kawasan Gambang, sekiranya frekuensi Kuantan FM 89.6MHz diganggu oleh Ai FM 89.6MHz dari Bukit Senggora, anda dinasihatkan untuk menala frekuensi kepada FM 102.7MHz dan terus mendengar siaran IKIM FM.

 

Penerimaan siaran IKIM FM 102.7MHz di Sri Jaya boleh dikatakan sederhana.

 

Ini adalah liputan siaran IKIM FM dari Kuantan ke Kuala Lumpur, berdasarkan di Lebuhraya Pantai Timur LPT.

 

- Kuantan ke R&R Gambang: FM 89.6MHz Bukit Pelindung

- R&R Gambang ke Maran: FM 102.7MHz Gunung Telapak Buruk

- Maran ke Kuala Lumpur: FM 91.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali

Thursday, 26 October 2023

Mediacorp Capital 95.8FM from Singapore was received in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia when Fly FM 95.8MHz Gunung Ulu Kali transmitter was facing interruption

On 26th October 2023, Fly FM Klang Valley frequency 95.8MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali was down between 1900-1945 hours (UTC+8), the listeners could tune to 98.6MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk which is Seremban frequency.


During the downtime transmission of Fly FM 95.8MHz Gunung Ulu Kali, I took opportunity to check RTM Negeri FM 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin signal in Balakong, Selangor, but no signal was detected, however I could detect a very mild signal of Chinese radio station, hence it was Mediacorp Capital 95.8FM from Singapore.



It was my very first time to receive Singapore FM radio station signal in Balakong, Selangor in my DXing history.


Very mild signal was detected in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia. Until 2000 hours, this Singapore radio station was no longer receivable as Fly FM 95.8MHz transmission is back to normal.


==Capital 95.8FM reception in Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia==

* Frequency: FM 95.8MHz

* Power: 10kW

* Transmission site: Bukit Batok, Singapore

* Receiving site: Balakong, Selangor, Malaysia

* Distance: 291km

* Reception date: 25.10.2023 1923H (UTC+8)

* Note: Fly FM transmission was down during the footage recording of Singapore Capital 95.8FM signal.