In conjunction with Christmas long weekend, I go to few places in Selangor today, such as Bestari Jaya (formerly known as Batang Berjuntai) and Bandar Puncak Alam for another series of FM radio DXing.
As I could receive THR Raaga FM 102.1MHz from Bukit Larut (Taiping) in Kuala Selangor and Tanjong Karang, hence it becomes my target when comes to Bestari Jaya and Puncak Alam.
Yes, Raaga FM 102.1MHz Bukit Larut transmitter signal is receivable in Bestari Jaya and Puncak Alam, however interference noise of RTM Pahang FM 102.2MHz from Fraser's Hill (for Raub) can be detected in these two locations when I tune Raaga on FM 102.1MHz, meanwhile signal is even weaker in Ijok.
Note: No signal to tune Raaga FM 102.1MHz in Kapar, Selangor.
In terms of receiving distance, it is 192km from Bukit Larut to Bandar Puncak Alam, meanwhile from Bukit Larut to Bestari Jaya, the distance is 177km.
Therefore, Raaga FM 102.1MHz from Bukit Larut becomes the furthest radio station tuned in Bandar Puncak Alam and Bestari Jaya, Selangor.
Transmitter power of Raaga FM 102.1MHz is only 0.5kW, however it is the most powerful radio station from Taiping in terms of signal propagation.
In December 2023, my radio DX friend, Shafik1995 received many Peninsular Malaysia radio stations via Sporadic E propagation in Bintulu, Sarawak. Here are the videos of receiving Peninsular Malaysia radio stations signal in Bintulu by transmitter sites.
==Gunung Ulu Kali, Pahang (1251km)==
==Kuala Lumpur Tower (1260km)==
==Gunung Telapak Buruk, Negeri Sembilan (1220km)==
==Gunung Ledang, Johor (1163km)==
==Gunung Kledang, Ipoh, Perak (1345km)==
==Gunung Jerai, Kedah (1429km)==
==Bukit Penara, Penang (1439km)==
==Bukit Palong, Baling, Kedah (1372km)==
==Bukit Pelindung, Kuantan, Pahang (1078km)==
==RTM Minnal FM 91.9MHz Bukit Istana, Jerantut (1190km)==
==RTM Nasional FM 96.5MHz Sedili, Johor (1003km)==
==IKIM FM 89.8MHz Bukit Panau, Kelantan (1241km)==
Radio Kayan is a RTM Sarawak radio station broadcast in Kayan language (not related to Myanmar's Kayan), it broadcasts 6 hours a day from 12pm to 6pm, but it is only available in Kuching on FM 106.1MHz and Serian on FM 101.7MHz under Wai FM Bidayuh, as well as RTM Klik/Radio Kayan Miri FM Facebook page.
In Miri, as there is 1 hour broadcast of Talidio Kenyah Miri FM from 5pm to 6pm, so Radio Kayan is only given 2 hours slot on Miri FM's frequencies, same as Wai FM SW 11665kHz, MYTV CH710 and Astro CH871.
Here are the exact broadcast hours of Radio Kayan by following different platforms
1. Facebook LIVE, Wai FM Bidayuh/Kayan on FM 106.1MHz in Kuching and FM 101.7MHz in Serian
* Daily 12pm to 6pm
2. Miri FM 95.7MHz/98.0MHz/95.1MHz, Astro CH871 and MYTV CH710
Here are the broadcast schedule of Wai FM by following platforms below:
1. SW 11665kHz RTM Kajang (0630-2205 hours UTC+8)
* 0630-0900 hours: Wai FM Iban (Pengerak Pagi)
* 0900-1200 hours: Wai FM Iban (Wai 9-12)
* 1200-1500 hours: Radio Tau Lun Bawang (Limbang FM)
* 1500-1700 hours: Radio Kayan Miri FM (Peji Dahin Kelo')
* 1700-1800 hours: Talidio Kenyah Miri FM (Pemung Kejaie)
* 1800-2100 hours: Wai FM Iban (Sada Lemai)
* 2100-2205 hours: Wai FM Iban (Pemerindang Malam)
2. Astro CH871 & MYTV CH710
* 0000-0600 hours: Wai FM Iban (Timang Kerebak Tawas)
* 0600-0900 hours: Wai FM Iban (Pengerak Pagi)
* 0900-1200 hours: Wai FM Iban (Wai 9-12)
* 1200-1500 hours: Radio Tau Lun Bawang (Limbang FM)
* 1500-1700 hours: Radio Kayan Miri FM (Peji Dahin Kelo') [KAYAN]
* 1700-1800 hours: Talidio Kenyah Miri FM (Pemung Kejaie) [KENYAH]
* 1800-2100 hours: Wai FM Iban (Sada Lemai)
* 2100-0000 hours: Wai FM Iban (Pemerindang Malam)
SW 11665kHz does not broadcast 24 hours a day like Astro CH871 and MYTV CH710.
Wai FM on SW 11665kHz, MYTV CH710 and Astro CH871 is hybrid broadcast as it relays Lun Bawang program from Limbang FM, Kayan program from Miri FM and Kenyah program from Miri FM, despite its majority hours are in Iban, relay from Kuching. It does not air in Iban 24 hours a day like FM 101.3MHz in Kuching.
Among all RTM Sarawak division radio stations such as Sri Aman FM, Sibu FM, Bintulu FM, Miri FM and Limbang FM, in terms of coverage availability, Sibu FM is the largest because this radio station is having tuning frequency outside Sibu division, such as Sarikei, Mukah, Kapit and Belaga.
Sibu FM usually broadcasts in Iban language by relaying Wai FM from Kuching and local studio, as well as local Sibu broadcast in Malay language for 3 hours. It is different when it comes to Mukah because the majority ethnic in Mukah is Melanau, meanwhile Iban is 2nd largest ethnic.
Until today, RTM Sarawak has no Melanau language radio broadcast yet. In my opinion, RTM can launch Melanau language radio broadcast in Mukah on Sibu FM's frequency on 98.7MHz. Hence, FM 98.7MHz can be rebranded as "Mukah FM".
By rebranding Sibu FM's Mukah frequency 98.7MHz to "Mukah FM", it does not affect Iban radio listeners there because they can listen to Wai FM Iban via Sibu FM 102.1MHz from Bukit Singglang (Selangau) or Bintulu FM 97.5MHz from Bukit Setiam in Mukah.
For Sibu FM's listeners in Mukah, they can tune via FM 102.1MHz from Bukit Singgalang.
I hope RTM will take this into the consideration, so at least Melanau listeners can get the information from the government as RTM acts as government service to the people via radio and television.
On the 7th December 2023, a DXer (Shafik1995) received Mutiara FM 95.7MHz from Bukit Penara in Bintulu, Sarawak.
Mutiara FM is a Malay language RTM state radio station, based in Penang state.
The radio reception of Mutiara FM 95.7MHz from Bukit Penara tuned in Bintulu, Sarawak was Sproadic E propagation.
In Bintulu, Sarawak, the frequency FM 95.7MHz is mostly dominated by the distant radio station, RTM Miri FM which transmitted from Bukit Lambir for Miri. When Sporadic E radio propagation happens, the listeners who listen to Miri FM 95.7MHz in Bintulu will hear Sporadic E radio interference from Mutiara FM Bukit Penara transmitter on that frequency, but the interference does not always happen.
==RTM Mutiara FM Sporadic E propagation in Bintulu, Sarawak==
* Frequency: FM 95.7MHz
* Power: 1kW
* Transmitter site: Bukit Penara, Penang, Peninsular Malaysia
* Receiving site: Bintulu, Sarawak
* Distance: 1439km
* Receiving date/time: 7th December 2023 1715 hours (UTC+8)