A blog site about Malaysia's broadcasting stories by Philip Yong. I'm owning TECSUN PL-380, Samsung Galaxy V Plus and Panasonic RF-P50 receivers.
Here are the furthest radio stations that I tuned in Sarawak from 10th to 11th April 2024.
==Sebauh, Bintulu Division==
* RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz Brunei (272km from Bukit Subok, Bandar Seri Begawan)
==Batu Niah, Miri Division==
1. RTM Limbang FM 94.5MHz Bukit Sagan Rudang (150km)
2. RTM Sarawak FM 100.0MHz Bukit Sagan Rudang (150km)
==Bekenu, Miri Division==
* RTM Sabah VFM 102.9MHz Bukit Tampalagus (232km)
RTM Bintulu FM was established since 2011, it operates with two frequencies in Bintulu Division, such as FM 97.5MHz Bukit Setiam and FM 95.3MHz RTM Bintulu.
FM 97.5MHz Bukit Setiam is the main transmitter of Bintulu FM to cover entire Bintulu Division and it can cover part of Mukah Division (Balingian) as well as Miri Division (Suai & Niah), its transmitter power is 1kW, meanwhile FM 95.3MHz from RTM Bintulu is low power transmitter located in Bintulu old town, output power is 0.1kW.
Actually Bintulu FM frequencies are duplicated, but technically FM 97.5MHz and FM 95.3MHz play different role.
Bintulu FM 95.3MHz acts as a transponder to send studio feed from RTM Bintulu to Bukit Setiam transmitter (97.5MHz), same situation like RTM Langkawi FM where 87.5MHz RTM Kuah acts as transponder to send studio feed from RTM Kuah to Gunung Raya transmitter (104.8MHz).
If Bintulu FM has no 95.3MHz, the main transmitter in Bukit Setiam on FM 97.5MHz will not receive any signal feed from RTM Bintulu, so the listeners will only get silent signal on FM 97.5MHz in Bintulu Division because Bintulu FM 97.5MHz in Bukit Setiam cannot receive feed from FM 95.3MHz RTM Bintulu.
Labuan FM 103.7MHz also acts as a transponder in RTM Labuan to send studio feed to FM 89.4MHz Bukit Timbalai transmitter.
In conclusion, Bintulu FM 95.3MHz is still important because it acts as transponder by sending studio feeds from RTM Bintulu to Bukit Setiam in order to cover entire Bintulu Division via FM 97.5MHz. It is not suitable to abolish FM 95.3MHz, unless RTM uses STL (studio to transmitter link) which sends feeds via microwave link, but there are terrains between RTM Bintulu to Bukit Setiam, so it is likely impossible of STL microwave signal can travel from RTM Bintulu to Bukit Setiam as microwave signal is using ultra high frequency (UHF) at 900MHz or 2GHz.
During Hari Raya Aidilfitri festival, as per plan, I came to Bintulu and Miri, Sarawak for radio DXing and holiday, the trip includes Tatau, Sebauh, Batu Niah and Bekenu.
On 1st day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, I went to Tatau, Bintulu and Sebauh. Tatau was my first destination after arriving the airport for breakfast, but I don't have radio DXing content in Tatau because there has no far radio signal can be tuned.
Then, I proceed to Sebauh.
Sebauh is a rural town in Bintulu Division, Sarawak, the most famous site is a Chinese temple because it is located on the river.
For radio DXing, Sebauh is not an unique location to receive ultra far radio signal as the rural town is covered by terrains, but surprisingly I received RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz from Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei there.
Although there has no DX radio signal in Sebauh, but RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz from Brunei becomes the furthest radio station tuned in Sebauh, Bintulu Division, Sarawak, Malaysia, meanwhile I could not receive any Brunei radio stations signal in Bintulu, unless tropospheric propagation.
Very mild signal of Brunei radio station RTB Pelangi FM 91.4MHz was received in Sebauh, Sarawak, Malaysia, but Pelangi FM 91.0MHz signal from Andulau was negative there.
* Frequency: FM 91.4MHz
* Power: 5kW
* Transmitter site: Bukit Subok, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
* Receiving site: Sebauh, Bintulu Division, Sarawak, Malaysia
* Distance: 272km
* Propagation: Tropospheric
The Sabah's multilingual radio station, RTM Sabah VFM is available in small part of Sarawak such as Lawas and Sundar via FM 102.9MHz from Bukit Tampalagus which covers Sipitang, Sabah and Labuan Island.
I was used to receive Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Lawas, Sarawak in 8th November 2019. After 4 years 5 months hiatus, during my trip from Bintulu to Miri, I stopped in Batu Niah and Bekenu, surprisingly I could hear a mild signal of this radio station in Bekenu.
Yes, FM 102.9MHz was Sabah VFM tuned in Bekenu, Sarawak as it played Kadazan music when I filmed the signal video there yesterday.
Bekenu is a small town located in Sibuti Subdistrict, Subis District, Miri Division, Sarawak. It is also 45km away from Miri City.
In terms of receiving distance, Sabah VFM 102.9MHz is the furthest radio station tuned in Bekenu, Sarawak. Moreover, Bekenu is my #2 location to tune RTM Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Sarawak after Lawas.
Bekenu is also my #1 location to tune RTM Sabah VFM 102.9MHz in Miri Division, Sarawak.
* Frequency: FM 102.9MHz
* Power: 1kW
* Transmitter site: Bukit Tampalagus, Sabah
* Receiving site: Bekenu, Miri Division, Sarawak
* Distance: 232km
Brunei radio stations are available in Miri City, Sarawak because Miri is just located near Kuala Belait, Brunei. The Brunei radio stations in Miri, Sarawak are transmitted from Andulau where is located in Liang, Brunei.
RTB Andulau transmitter site covers Kuala Belait and Seria actually.
Outside Miri, the Brunei tourists who come to Sarawak by car can tune their favorite radio stations in Bekenu and Batu Niah where are far from Miri.
Here are the signal videos of tuning Brunei radio stations in Batu Niah and Bekenu that I filmed on 11th April 2024.
1. RTB Nasional FM 93.8MHz in Batu Niah
I can hear the adjacent channel interference noise of RTM Sarawak FM 93.7MHz from Bukit Setiam in Batu Niah.
2. RTB Pelangi FM 91.0MHz in Batu Niah
3. RTB Pilihan FM 96.9MHz in Batu Niah
4. RTB Harmoni FM 97.7MHz in Batu Niah
5. RTB Nur Islam FM 94.9MHz in Batu Niah
6. Al-Quran Radio FM 99.7MHz in Batu Niah
7. Kristal FM 98.7MHz in Bekenu
Dear all Brunei people who travel to Miri Division, Sarawak, Brunei radio stations are still available in Miri, Marudi, Bekenu and Batu Niah, but signal becomes weak in Niah.
Kelunan di Bintulu, Sarawak deng kelenghi Radio Kayan Miri FM ha' frequency FM 95.7MHz men Bukit Lambir te FM 95.1MHz Bukit TT844 Suai pukun 3:00 Levi ateng 5:00 Levi, program Peji Dahin Kelo'
Frequency FM 95.7MHz men Bukit Lambir di Miri, Sarawak, tapi kelok deng kelenghi Radio Kayan Miri FM hiran tei jileng Bintulu, Sarawak ha' FM 95.7MHz, signal tei lingo ha' ji unang ngavan.
Nusi' signal di Tatau, Kuala Tatau, Balingian ngan Mukah tei' kelenghi Radio Kayan Miri FM ha' FM 95.7MHz.
FM 95.1MHz ha' Bintulu- Takau Estate (43km)
Video signal Radio Miri FM 95.7MHz ha' Bintulu, Sarawak (Shafik1995 DXers).
During Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday, I came to Bintulu, Sarawak as part of my radio DXing convoy. Alongside Bintulu, I also went to Miri.
From Bintulu to Miri, I spent 2.5 hours on the journey. Originally I planned to come to Mukah, depart from Bintulu, but I made a change by replacing Mukah with Miri because I would like to discover radio DXing there.
DXing, eat, play!
The main purpose to include Miri in my radio convoy this year is to monitor RTM Bintulu FM 97.5MHz signal propagation in Miri Division from Niah to Lutong because Wai FM Iban radio segment Rentak Ngalih Hari from 3pm to 6pm is not available on Miri FM frequencies because Miri FM airs Kayan and Kenyah radio programs from 3pm to 6pm.
Here are my radio reception videos of Bintulu FM 97.5MHz in Miri Division by following locations below:
1. Bekenu (158km)
2. Niah (130km)
Bintulu FM 97.5MHz is only available in small part of Miri Division, listeners can only tune up to Subis District such as Batu Niah and Suai.
Ka' Bintulu, Sarawak, mimang ilu sukat ngeringa TALIDIO KENYAH Miri FM ka frequency FM 95.7MHz cin Bukit Lambir, Miri. Talidio Kenyah mimang me Miri, tapi' ia sukat ngenyeng Bintulu, Sarawak ka frequency FM 95.7MHz & FM 95.1MHz.
Em sukat ngina' ngeringa Talidio Kenyah ka' Bintulu ka' FM 95.7MHz & FM 95.1MHz
Talidio Kenyah Miri FM - Pemung Kejaie, cin jam pukun 5pm-6pm tai taup.
Video "Talidio Kenyah" Miri FM 95.7MHz ka Bintulu, Sarawak ku'un Shafik 1995, upload ka' uman 2021
FM 95.1MHz ka Bintulu- Takau Estate (43km)
==Frequencies==
* FM 95.7MHz Bukit Lambir (Miri, Brunei & part of Bintulu)
* FM 98.0MHz RTM Miri
* FM 95.1MHz Bukit TT844 Suai (Niah)
Note: This article above is written in Kenyah language, it is based on a translation via English-Kenyah dictionary. To all Kenyah people readers, please correct me and drop the feedback here if my translation is not accurate because I never engage with this language before, the aim of this blog article is to raise the awareness of Kenyah people towards the availability of Miri FM's Kenyah language broadcast in Bintulu, Sarawak via 95.7MHz from Bukit Lambir. Thanks.
Here are the compilation videos of tuning Miri FM in Bintulu, Sarawak via FM 95.1MHz from Bukit TT844 Suai.
Ki video ngeringa Talidio Kenyah Miri FM 95.1MHz ka' pat uku kua Bintulu, Sarawak ka' frequency FM 95.1MHz cin Bukit Lambir (Miri), uyan ka' 11 April 2024.
Video signal Radio Miri FM 95.7MHz ngan FM 95.1MHz ha' Bintulu, Sarawak
1. Bintulu- Takau Estate, near Samalaju (43km)
FM 95.7MHz Bukit Lambir tropo signal in Bintulu by Shafik1995 DXer
Sri Aman FM, Sibu FM, Bintulu FM, Miri FM and Limbang FM relay Wai FM Iban from Kuching on most of broadcast hours, except 9am to 12pm slot, however Wai FM Iban broadcast hours on Miri FM and Limbang FM are lesser than Bintulu FM, Sibu FM and Sri Aman FM because both have local languages broadcast.
Miri FM has Kayan language broadcast from 3pm to 5pm, then it broadcasts Kenyah language is from 5pm to 6pm, meanwhile Limbang FM airs in Lun Bawang language from 12pm to 3pm, then Bisaya language is from 3pm to 6pm.
Miri FM relays Wai FM Iban from 12am to 9am, then 12pm to 3pm and 6pm to 12am. In Miri, Iban is the majority ethnic among all, but the Iban listeners are not able to tune Wai FM Iban's Rentak Ngalih Hari (3pm-6pm segment) on Miri FM's frequencies because Miri FM airs Radio Kayan and Talidio Kenyah from 3pm to 6pm.
Alongside online streaming, Wai FM Iban's Rentak Ngalih Hari can be tuned alternatively in part of Miri via Bintulu FM on the frequency 97.5MHz which transmitted from Bukit Setiam.
DXing is not only a hobby of tuning distant radio station, but it is alternative radio listening while certain radio broadcasts are not available, despite weak signal.
Wai FM Iban radio listeners can try tuning Rentak Ngalih Hari via Bintulu FM 97.5MHz from Bukit Setiam in Miri Division by following locations below:
1. Bekenu (158km)
2. Niah (130km)
Note that Bintulu FM 97.5MHz from Bukit Setiam may be not receivable in Miri areas near Brunei such as Lutong and Kuala Baram, the listeners in Lutong and Kuala Baram may hear adjacent channel interference noise of RTB Harmoni FM 97.7MHz from Andalau, Brunei when they tune on FM 97.5MHz.
No signal is heard in Miri, even it is very weak in Bekenu.
Ba Miri, Sarawak, radio Miri FM nadai program "Rentak Ngalih Hari Wai FM Iban, kena pukul 3 ngalih hari nyentuk ke 6 lemai, enggau frequency ba FM 95.7MHz/FM 98.0MHz/FM 95.1MHz, ketegal Miri FM bisi mega program Radio Kayan sereta Talidio Kenyah.
Bintulu FM 97.5MHz ari Bukit Setiam ba frequency bukai ulih meninga Rentak Ngalih Hari Wai FM Iban di Miri, Sarawak, tang signal enda terang ketegal stesen transmitter nyak jauh.
Ditu video aku tau didinga ba Bintulu FM 97.5MHz di Miri, Sarawak enggau alai tu:
1. Bekenu (158km)
2. Niah (130km)
Kuasa transmitter Bintulu FM 97.5MHz iya nyak 1 kilowatt, video signal Bintulu FM di Bekenu ngau Niah dirikut ba 11 April 2024 maya hari besai Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Peninga di Bekenu ngau Batu Niah ulih nguji meninga Rentak Ngalih Hari Wai FM Iban ba frequency Bintulu FM 97.5MHz ari Bukit Setiam.
Video signal Bintulu FM 97.5MHz ba Miri, Sarawak (taun 2022 - Shafik1995 DXer)
1. RTM Kedah FM 90.5MHz Bukit Palong
2. RTM Mutiara FM 95.7MHz Bukit Penara
3. RTM Perak FM 95.6MHz Gunung Kledang
Here are 4 videos of receiving Gunung Jerai transmitted radio stations tuned in Bachok, Kelantan which my friend sent me yesterday.
1. Eight FM 87.8MHz (2kW)
2. RTM Kedah FM 97.5MHz (5kW)
3. Zayan FM 98.1MHz (5kW)
Adjacent channel interference with Radio Thailand Narathiwat FM 98.25MHz is detected.
4. Era FM 103.6MHz (2kW)
Tuning location was at Kampung Pauh Sembilan in Bachok, Kelantan, receiving distance is 216km.
Here are the compilation videos of tuning RTM Sarawak FM on SW 9835kHz from Malaysia in Latin America by countries which filmed by Latin America DXers.
1. Mexico
2. Brazil
3. Uruguay
4. Colombia (video courtesy to Arturo Lopez)
Note: Sarawak FM SW 9835kHz transmission is already terminated since 2022.
In Malaysia, there is only 1 shortwave radio station, transmits from RTM Kajang, it is RTM Wai FM, the frequency is SW 11665kHz, operates at 100kW transmitter power.
Wai FM has two radio stations in Kuching, Sarawak, the first channel is 24 hours Iban language radio station, and the second channel is Bidayuh and Kayan languages radio station, meanwhile SW 11665kHz is a hybrid radio station which broadcasts in Iban, Lun Bawang, Kayan and Kenyah languages by relaying different channels of RTM Sarawak radio stations such as Wai FM Iban, Radio Tau Limbang FM, Radio Kayan Miri FM and Talidio Kenyah Miri FM.
Wai FM SW 11665kHz mainly targets Sarawak state, especially for those rural areas where have no coverage of FM radio transmitters, however RTM Wai FM is available in part of Latin America countries on the same frequency. I have watched several videos of receiving Wai FM on SW 11665kHz by Latin America DXers from Mexico, Brazil and Uruguay.
The distance is at least 10000km from RTM Kajang.
Here are the videos of receiving Wai FM SW 11665kHz in Latin America by countries.
1. Brazil
2. Uruguay
3. Mexico
Other than Uruguay, Brazil and Mexico, I believe RTM Wai FM SW 11665kHz from Malaysia can be heard in Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Nicaragua, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Guatemala and Paraguay, but signal reception may vary subject to the location conditions.
RTM Sarawak FM was used to have shortwave broadcast on SW 9835kHz, but it was terminated since 2022.
Malaysia's Chinese Gen Z radio station, GoXUAN broadcasts since 2nd October 2017. It is only available with 2 frequencies, such as FM 88.9MHz in Klang Valley and FM 107.6MHz in Penang.
GoXUAN is also available outside Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang such as:
- North Perak and part of Kedah on FM 107.6MHz
- South Perak, West Pahang and part of Negeri Sembilan/Melaka on FM 88.9MHz
However, GoXUAN is still receivable on FM 88.9MHz in small part of Kelantan. From Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu, GoXUAN FM 88.9MHz can be listened until Gua Musang. Its signal is totally zero after RnR Gua Musang Selatan when heading to Gua Musang town.
When I was driving from Kuala Lipis to Gua Musang on Central Spine Road (CSR), I could hear GoXUAN on FM 88.9MHz after entering Kelantan border for few kilometers. After Kampung Mentara Lama, the signal became very weak.
Kampung Mentara Lama is the clearest Kelantan area to receive GoXUAN on FM 88.9MHz from Gunung Ulu Kali.
Many years ago, RTM Kelantan FM used the frequency FM 88.9MHz in Taman Wangi for South Gua Musang, but the transmission of Kelantan FM 88.9MHz Taman Wangi transmitter was already terminated for a long time. If Kelantan FM 88.9MHz Taman Wangi transmitter is still in operation, I believe GoXUAN FM 88.9MHz has co-channel interference with Kelantan FM in Merapoh and Mentara Baru because both are using same frequency.
I filmed GoXUAN FM 88.9MHz radio signal videos in Kelantan-Pahang border (Kampung Mentara Lama) and RnR Gua Musang Selatan (Shell petrol station). At RnR Gua Musang Selatan near Taman Wangi, GoXUAN FM 88.9MHz signal is extremely weak.
Gua Musang becomes my very first Kelantan location to receive GoXUAN signal on FM 88.9MHz in my radio DXing history.
1. Genting Highlands (259km)
2. Fraser's Hill (230km)
3. Raub (216km)
4. Jerantut town (197km)
5. Benta (190km)
Dari tahun 2021 ke 2023, saya telah membuat rakaman video isyarat radio RTM Kelantan FM 97.3MHz dari Bukit Bakar yang diterima di banyak kawasan negeri Pahang seperti Benta, Merapoh, Cameron Highlands, Bukit Fraser, Jerantut, Kuala Tembeling, Kuala Tahan dan Genting Highlands.
Pada 17hb Mac 2024, saya mencecah rekod baru dengan menerima isyarat radio Kelantan FM di Raub, Pahang.
Di Raub, ia sangat sukar menerima siaran Kelantan FM 97.3MHz kerana frekuensi itu mempunyai gangguan oleh Ai FM 97.1MHz dari Bukit Fraser dan Traxx FM 97.4MHz dari Gunung Ledang. Dari Kota Bharu ke Bentong, siaran Kelantan FM 97.3MHz cuma boleh diterima sehingga Chegar Perah, manakala Benta ialah kawasan yang paling jauh untuk menerima isyarat Kelantan FM 97.3MHz, tetapi isyarat lemah dan mempunyai gangguan frekuensi oleh Ai FM 97.1MHz yang dipancar dari Bukit Fraser.
Video isyarat penerimaan siaran Kelantan FM 97.3MHz dari Bukit Bakar dirakam di Lebuhraya Lingkaran Tengah Utama (CSR) yang berhampiri dengan persimpangan Raub Utara.
Lebuhraya CSR dari Bentong ke Raub dibuka secara rasmi pada 8hb Mac 2024.
Isyarat Kelantan FM 97.3MHz dari Bukit Bakar diganggu oleh Ai FM 97.1MHz (Bukit Fraser) dan Traxx FM 97.4MHz (Gunung Ledang) semasa perjalanan di Lebuhraya CSR sebelum saya berada di persimpangan Raub Utara.
Jarak ialah 216km dari Bukit Bakar ke Raub untuk menerima siaran Kelantan FM 97.3MHz.
==Penerimaan siaran radio Kelantan FM 97.3MHz di Raub==
* Frekuensi: FM 97.3MHz
* Kuasa pemancar: 2kW
* Tempat pemancar: Bukit Bakar, Kelantan
* Tempat penerima: Raub, Pahang (Lebuhraya CSR)
* Jarak: 216km
On 16th November 2021 and 17th March 2024, I captured two Bukit Larut radio signal in Gua Musang town, Kelantan.
In Gua Musang town, old KTM railway station (now as Warung Pok Joh) is the best place to do FM DXing. Back to 16th November 2021, I was used to receive Minnal FM 107.9MHz from Bukit Larut, and 988 FM 96.1MHz from Gunung Jerai.
For recent radio DXing, I revisited Gua Musang town again on 17th March 2024, I captured RTM Nasional FM 107.1MHz signal from Bukit Larut at the same place (Warung Pok Joh @ old KTM Gua Musang railway station).
The signal of Nasional FM 107.1MHz from Bukit Larut was very mild when tuned at old KTM Gua Musang railway station (Warung Pok Joh).
Kelantan FM operates on 107.2MHz in Dabong, but no interference was detected currently when I tuned Nasional FM 107.1MHz because Gua Musang cannot receive Kelantan FM 107.2MHz signal from Dabong.
Nasional FM 107.1MHz and Minnal FM 107.9MHz are the only Bukit Larut transmitted radio stations detected in Gua Musang with very mild radio signal, both operate at 0.25kW transmitter power. The distance between Bukit Larut and old KTM Gua Musang (Warung Pok Joh) is 129km.
==RTM Nasional FM 107.1MHz== (17/03/2024)
==RTM Minnal FM 107.9MHz== (16/11/2021)
