As I mentioned previously, Indian listeners can enjoy listening to 3 Tamil radio stations in South Johor, such as Minnal FM, Raaga and Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM.
In Mersing and Endau, there is only 1 Tamil radio station available clearly, it is Minnal FM 88.3MHz from Bukit Tinggi, meanwhile Raaga is very difficult to be tuned there via FM 99.7MHz from Gunung Ledang or FM 103.7MHz Gunung Pulai, but Singapore Oli 96.8FM is partially available in Mersing and Endau.
Here are my videos of receiving Singapore's Tamil radio station, Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM in Mersing and Endau.
1. Mersing (120km from Bukit Batok)
2. Endau (146km from Bukit Batok)
By comparing the Tamil radio stations signal in Mersing and Endau, Minnal FM 88.3MHz is the clearest as it is transmitted from Bukit Tinggi, but Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM from Singapore is slightly stronger than Raaga (regardless 99.7 or 103.7).
Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM has adjacent channel interference with Sinar FM 96.9MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk in Endau, Johor, Malaysia, meanwhile it has co-channel interference with RTM Pahang FM 96.8MHz from Tioman Island in between Endau and Mersing such as Gunung Arong, Kampung Mawar and Kampung Tengla.
To all Indian listeners in Endau and Mersing, Mediacorp Oli 96.8FM is another alternative Tamil radio station there after Minnal FM.
Mersing is located in East Johor of Malaysia. This town is unlike other Johor towns, it is remote area of Gunung Ledang and Gunung Pulai radio coverage, meanwhile the listeners in Mersing can only tune to RTM radio stations where are transmitted from Bukit Tinggi.
Mersing is same as Muar and Segamat where Singapore radio stations are difficult to be received there.
I went to Mersing yesterday, and attempted to receive Singapore radio stations there. It was very difficult to receive the signal by using TECSUN PL-380 or PL-310ET radio receivers, but I successfully received some Singapore radio stations in another site of Mersing town by using car radio.
All Singapore radio stations that I tuned in Mersing town are operated by Mediacorp, transmitted from Bukit Batok and the receiving distance is 120km.
I randomly selected some Singapore radio stations in Mersing by following below:
1. Symphony 92.4FM
2. CNA 93.8FM
3. Warna 94.2FM
4. Class 95FM
5. Capital 95.8FM
6. Oli 96.8FM
7. Love 97.2FM
8. 987FM
Videos were recorded near Kompleks Niaga Penghulu Mohd Aris where it is located next to Mersing River.
No interference was detected when I tuned these Singapore radio stations in Mersing, except Capital 95.8FM which has co-channel interference with Fly FM 95.8MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali.
In other side, Pahang FM is using 96.8MHz in Tioman Island which is same frequency with Singapore Oli 96.8FM, the co-channel interference between Pahang FM 96.8MHz and Oli 96.8FM happens in Kampung Tenglu, Tanjung Resang and Gunung Arong.
Between June 2023 and January 2024, I went to Kuala Rompin and Endau separately for radio DXing activity. During my journey, I was listening to my favorite radio station, Lite FM.
Yes, Lite FM is still available in Kuala Rompin and Endau by tuning the frequency to FM 104.6MHz which is Seremban frequency, transmitted from Gunung Telapak Buruk.
During radio DXing convoy, I never missed to record my favorite radio station Lite FM's signal in these two locations.
1. Kuala Rompin, Pahang (158km)
2. Endau, Johor (173km)
Videos were filmed in the town. For Endau, Lite FM 104.6MHz is only available in the town, no signal in Gunung Arong site when heading to Mersing.
In Endau, FM 94.6MHz Gunung Pulai and FM 105.7MHz Gunung Ulu Kali signal were extremely weak, meanwhile FM 92.2MHz is fully null by Johor FM 92.1MHz in Kuala Rompin and Endau.
Prior to 2024 countdown yesterday, I paid a visit to Tanjung Gemuk for second round of radio DXing, Pahang FM was my priority there.
Tanjung Gemuk is a small town of Kuala Rompin where it is located in Pahang state, but next to Johor border. In Kuala Rompin, Pahang FM tuning frequency is 91.9MHz, transmitted from TM Kuala Rompin at 0.25kW transmitter power, however Pahang FM signal was very weak when I reached Tanjung Gemuk.
I tried to tune 3 frequencies of Pahang FM in Tanjung Gemuk, Pahang such as 91.9MHz Kuala Rompin, 107.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali and 95.5MHz Bukit Sulai, none of them are clear actually. It was difficult to tune them in Tanjung Gemuk.
Pahang FM 96.8MHz Tioman Island signal is interfered by Sinar FM 96.9MHz from Gunung Telapak Buruk in Tanjung Gemuk.
To reach Tanjung Gemuk clearly, RTM Pahang FM can increase the transmitter power of Kuala Rompin transmitter to 1kW, but it is not suitable to increase transmitter power on 91.9MHz because it can interfere RTM Johor FM 92.1MHz coverage in Endau. In my opinion, Pahang FM can let go its Kuala Rompin frequency 91.9MHz to Nasional FM, meanwhile Pahang FM can use 107.5MHz (same frequency with Gunung Ulu Kali) in Kuala Rompin with 1kW transmitter power, so it can reach until Endau, Johor clearly.
Adding a transmitter in Bukit Tinggi or gap filler transmitter in Tanjung Gemuk is not necessary.
==Suggestion to improve Pahang FM coverage in Tanjung Gemuk==
1. Increasing the transmitter power from 0.25kW to 1kW in TM Kuala Rompin, but Pahang FM has to change frequency, proposed frequency is 107.5MHz, meanwhile 91.9MHz can be taken over by Nasional FM.
2. Improving the transmission line of Pahang FM 91.9MHz Kuala Rompin transmitter (either increasing the transmitter power or improve the antenna system). Although Pahang FM 91.9MHz has 200kHz frequency separation with Johor FM 92.1MHz, by reaching coverage in Tanjung Gemuk via FM 91.9MHz, the interference is under control because Tanjung Gemuk is status quo location of Pahang FM 91.9MHz and Johor FM 92.1MHz.
Same situation in Kajang, Selangor where is a status quo location of Kuala Lumpur Tower and Gunung Telapak Buruk radio stations which have 200kHz separation.
==Suggestion of Pahang FM Kuala Rompin frequencies==
91.9MHz: Nasional FM (0.25kW)
107.5MHz: Pahang FM (1kW)
I will express my suggestion and make a radio reception report to RTM regarding Pahang FM radio reception in Tanjung Gemuk.
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)
