The year of 2023 is to be ended soon after 3-4 weeks from now.
In 2023, my friends received a Vietnam radio station in Kelantan, Malaysia, it was Voice of Vietnam VOV-3 FM 102.7MHz, transmitted from Nui Cam, An Giang Province, Vietnam.
Receiving locations were Bachok and Ketereh, the videos were recorded in March and April 2023.
It was tropospheric propagation only in Kelantan, Malaysia. When I was in Kelantan (Pasir Puteh, Bachok) and North Terengganu (Kuala Besut) in August 2023, no signal was heard on FM 102.7MHz.
After my friend successfully captured Hitz FM Kota Kinabalu 100.8MHz signal in Johor Bahru, Johor, he also received Radio Klasik on 91.1MHz in same location.
He claimed that FM 91.1MHz was Radio Klasik actually, then I traced the transmitter location of this frequency via a frequency database.
FM 91.1MHz was Radio Klasik frequency for Song in Kapit Division, Sarawak, transmitted from Bukit Song. It only operates at 100W transmitter power.
In Johor Bahru, FM 91.1MHz was normally a weak signal of Mix FM from Gunung Ledang which covers Melaka and North Johor, but it became Radio Klasik yesterday. So, I identified the frequency was Sporadic E signal from Bukit Song, Sarawak.
- Station name: Radio Klasik
- Frequency: FM 91.1MHz
- Power: 0.1kW
- Transmitter site: Bukit Song, Sarawak
- Receiving site: Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, Johor
It is Sporadic E radio propagation in Melaka and Johor today, my friend Kelvin Lee detects two Malay language radio stations on FM 88.9MHz and FM 89.3MHz in Melaka.
In Peninsular Malaysia, none of Malay language radio stations are using FM 88.9MHz and FM 89.3MHz actually. Then, I search any Malay radio stations use those frequencies in East Malaysia via frequency database.
FM 88.9MHz is operated by Nasional FM in Kota Kinabalu, meanwhile FM 89.3MHz is operated by Nasional FM in Keningau and Pompod, then Sabah FM in Luasong.
By watching the videos which are filmed by Kelvin Lee, FM 89.3MHz is standard Malay language broadcast, so it is not Sabah FM, but Nasional FM.
I already identify that FM 88.9MHz Malay radio broadcast in Selandar, Melaka is Nasional FM from Lawa Mandau, meanwhile FM 89.3MHz is Nasional FM from Bukit Sigapon (Keningau) tuned in Durian Tunggal and Machap.
The radio reception of Nasional FM in Melaka on 88.9MHz and 89.3MHz is Sporadic E propagation from Sabah, the receiving distance is between 1560km and 1590km.
==Nasional FM 88.9MHz radio reception in Melaka==
* Frequency: FM 88.9MHz
* Power: 1kW
* Transmitter site: Lawa Mandau, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
* Receiving site: Selandar, Melaka
* Distance: 1583km
==Nasional FM 89.3MHz radio reception in Melaka==
* Frequency: FM 89.3MHz
* Power: 1kW
* Transmitter site: Bukit Sigapon, Keningau, Sabah
* Receiving sites: Durian Tunggal & Machap, Melaka
Today evening, I receive a video from my friend who is based in Johor Bahru, named Jony Wong, he receives Hitz FM 100.8MHz signal from Kota Kinabalu at Taman Perling in Johor Bahru, Johor.
In Johor Bahru, Hitz FM is tuned on 97.6MHz from Gunung Pulai. Based on the footage above, FM 100.8MHz is airing Justin Bieber - Baby, meanwhile Hitz FM 97.6MHz is playing same song also. Hence, I conclude that FM 100.8MHz is Hitz FM signal from Kota Kinabalu due to same content with FM 97.6MHz.
Hitz FM 100.8MHz radio reception in Johor Bahru is Sporadic E propagation.
- Frequency: FM 100.8MHz
- Power: 2kW
- Transmitter site: Bukit Karatong, Sabah
- Receiving site: Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, Johor
On 3rd December 2023, I performed radio DXing in Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor, the original schedule is 24th December 2023, but I made it early suddenly.
The aim to perform radio DXing in Telok Panglima Garang was to attempt receiving Tamil radio station Raaga Taiping frequency FM 102.1MHz from Bukit Larut because it was the most powerful Taiping radio station ever. Back to March 2021, I received Raaga FM 102.1MHz in Banting, Selangor, so I referred my footage and made an attempt to receive the signal in Telok Panglima Garang. However, no signal was heard on FM 102.1MHz there.
Although I failed to receive Raaga FM 102.1MHz from Bukit Larut, but I could get 3 radio stations signal from Gunung Kledang in Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor.
Here are 3 Ipoh radio stations which I received in Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor, transmitted from Gunung Kledang (194km).
1. Nasional FM 90.9MHz
2. Perak FM 95.6MHz
3. 988 FM 99.8MHz
Hence, Gunung Kledang is the furthest radio signal received in Telok Panglima Garang.
In Perak, RTM Kedah FM is usually available in most of areas on the frequencies such as FM 97.5MHz from Gunung Jerai in Taiping/Parit Buntar/Kuala Kurau, then 90.5MHz Bukit Palong in Pengkalan Hulu/Gerik, and 88.5MHz Bukit Sungai Kechil in Selama.
Kedah FM 97.5MHz has no signal in most of Ipoh areas, but I managed to catch its signal in Chemor.
Chemor is a small town of Ipoh where located between Ipoh city and Sungai Siput (U). Back to 29th July 2023, I attended my Malay friend's wedding ceremony there. While my friend went to change his wedding costume, I took opportunity to film radio signal videos of Kedah FM 97.5MHz signal.
It was very weak to tune Kedah FM 97.5MHz from Gunung Jerai in Chemor, Perak, I could only use TECSUN PL-380 radio receiver to catch the signal which my radio was changed to longer telescopic antenna.
It is 27 years of Minnal FM Ipoh frequency 98.9MHz from Gunung Kledang suffers adjacent channel interference with 988 FM 98.8MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali in most of Perak areas, the interference is caused by poor frequency planning from MCMC (known as Malaysia Telecommunications Department) in 1996.
Listeners in Southern Perak such as Teluk Intan, Kampung Gajah, Langkap, Bidor, Tapah, Sungkai, Chenderiang, Temoh, Bagan Datuk and Pasir Salak can tune alternatively on 96.3MHz which is transmitted from Gunung Ulu Kali.
The most critical area to tune Minnal FM in Perak is Manjung district because there are no clear and stable frequencies tuned in several locations of that district.
Here are the radio reception videos of Minnal FM 98.9MHz, 96.3MHz and 107.9MHz where I filmed in Manjung district of Perak by locations:
1. Sitiawan
2. Lumut
3. Pangkor Island
4. Changkat Keruing
5. Ayer Tawar
Radio reception of Minnal FM in Pantai Remis is not filmed because that location is covered by FM 107.9MHz from Bukit Larut.
Among the mentioned locations, Minnal FM 98.9MHz Gunung Kledang signal is only moderate to clear in Seri Manjung, Ayer Tawar, Pangkor and Changkat Keruing where 988 FM 98.8MHz Gunung Ulu Kali signal is weak there. Little interference is still heard when I tuned in Lumut, but more interference is heard in Sitiawan.
Between Lumut and Pangkor, Minnal FM 98.9MHz reception in Pangkor is more stable than Lumut.
First alternative frequency FM 96.3MHz Gunung Ulu Kali is clear in Ayer Tawar and Lumut, but interference with Sinar FM 96.4MHz Bukit Larut is detected in Pangkor, and Sitiawan.
Second alternative frequency FM 107.9MHz Bukit Larut is very weak in Sitiawan, Ayer Tawar, Lumut and Pangkor actually.
Sitiawan is the most critical town of Minnal FM radio reception because none of its frequencies are clear and stable.
In Sitiawan,
1. 98.9MHz is interfered by 988 FM 98.8MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali like Teluk Intan, Bidor, Sungkai, and Langkap
2. 96.3MHz is interfered by Sinar FM 96.4MHz from Bukit Larut
3. 107.9MHz signal is very poor
No clear and stable alternative frequency is available in Sitiawan.
To solve the interference, I suggest RTM to change Minnal FM's Ipoh frequency from 98.9MHz to 99.0MHz when RTM will upgrade its FM radio transmitter system in Gunung Kledang in the near future. Hence, I send my radio reception report to RTM through email. I do hope MCMC will approve RTM to change Minnal FM Ipoh frequency.
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.
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.
