As 2019, RTM Asyik FM has no Negeri Sembilan frequency. For Negeri
Sembilan, Asyik FM can be received only in certain areas on 102.5MHz from
Gunung Ulu Kali and 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang. Although Negeri Sembilan consists
with Orang Asli areas, but these areas are not covered by existing
transmitters. I notice there are Orang Asli staying in Negeri Sembilan, but
Asyik FM has no a frequency for Negeri Sembilan, Orang Asli may not receive
their needs on radio, so I did a coverage research for this station.
==Asyik FM in Negeri Sembilan (current)==
* 102.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali: Nilai, Mantin, Rembau, Port Dickson, Felda Lui
and part of Seremban.
* 95.6MHz: Gunung Ledang: Gemencheh and Rompin
Orang Asli in Negeri Sembilan mostly stay in Jelebu district, notably Titi,
Simpang Pertang and Simpang Durian. In addition, there are Orang Asli villages
in Tanjung Ipoh of Kuala Pilah district. Simpang Pertang, Durian Tipus, Simpang
Duian and Titi are not covered by Asyik FM 102.5MHz Gunung Ulu Kali, the
reception is clashed by local transmitter IKIM FM 102.7MHz from Gunung Telapak
Burok.
In my opinion, despite Gunung Telapak Burok has no vacant frequencies
anymore, but for this situation, RTM shall expand Asyik FM coverage for Negeri
Sembilan by using Gunung Telapak Burok transmitter site.
Coincidentally, Asyik FM operates in Gunung Ledang on 95.6MHz for
Northern Johor with low power at 0.25kW, mainly target Segamat, Chaah, Bekok,
Labis, and Kluang. In addition, current FM 95.6MHz Gunung Ledang is not allowed
to be operated at higher power and OMNI-directional antenna due to interference
to the coverage of Negeri FM 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin and Indonesia radio station
FM 95.6MHz. So, RTM Asyik FM can launch in Negeri Sembilan in “adjacent
frequency network” condition.
Single frequency network (SFN) is a radio/TV station operates same
frequencies at different transmitter sites, normally DAB+, and DRM for radio,
DVB-T2 for TV. If two radio stations are using same frequency, but different
transmitting location, it is known as co-channel interference as both of them
are different stations.
Adjacent frequency network (AFN) for radio is a radio station operates
at different transmitter sites with 100kHz-200kHz frequency separation. Example:
Hitz FM 92.8MHz Gunung Jerai and Hitz FM 92.7MHz Gunung Kledang. Then, former Red FM 98.1MHz Gunung Jerai and Red FM 98.2MHz Bukit Larut.
Talking about frequencies, I do suggest FM 95.5MHz for Asyik FM, but RTM
shall be only allowed to beam towards northeast direction from Gunung Telapak
Burok when use 95.5MHz for Asyik FM to avoid self-interference with Asyik FM
95.6MHz Gunung Ledang within the coverage area.
I did this research recently, noticed that FM 95.5MHz sounds suitable in
Gunung Telapak Burok, the case study was based on technical precedents of existing
TV and radio stations frequency separation.
SFN and AFN are unsuitable to be used on analogue broadcasting because
of co-channel interference, but they are fit to digital broadcasting, but few
of TV and radio stations were used to operate in SFN and AFN forms.
==Technical precedents of existing and former stations frequency
separations==
1. TV Alhijrah
- In Perak and Selangor, TV Alhijrah broadcasts same frequency for
analogue broadcasting on UHF 743.25MHz in Gunung Kledang and Gunung Ulu Kali
together. So, this is 0kHz frequency separation. Distance from Gunung Ulu Kali
to Gunung Kledang is about 155km, viewers between Gunung Ulu Kali and Gunung
Kledang coverage may watch double image channel unless antenna are stable
enough. Besides that, TV Alhijrah UHF 743.25MHz Gunung Ulu Kali and Gunung
Kledang can be considered as single frequency network as they’re same station.
Note: Analogue TV broadcasting will be switched off on 31st
March 2019.
2. Defunct Red FM
In northern region, before May 2009, Red FM operated in Gunung Jerai on
98.1MHz at 10kW, meanwhile Red FM also operated in Bukit Larut on 98.2MHz at
1kW. This was a 100kHz frequency separation. Bukit Larut mainly covers Taiping
and North Perak; meanwhile Gunung Jerai covers Kedah, Perlis and Penang. Due to
higher elevation of Bukit Larut about 1349m which beyond the height of Gunung
Jerai, Red FM was used to face interference on 98.1MHz and 98.2MHz each other,
mainly in Penang and part of Kedah, but Red FM had Penang frequency on 107.6MHz
from Bukit Penara to cover the affected areas. Based on this precedent,
frequency separation of Red FM was known as “adjacent frequency network”, but
it already carried interference. Until May 2009, Red FM Bukit Larut frequency
98.2MHz was closed down. Later, FM 107.6MHz was shifted to Capital FM on March
2014. Distance between Bukit Larut and Gunung Jerai is 111km.
Based on two technical precedents, both of them were not giving much
impact as their viewers and listeners already tuned on clearer frequency and
better platforms. I think there shall not be a problem if Asyik FM broadcasts
in Gunung Telapak Burok on FM 95.5MHz, but directional antenna shall be
applied.
Instead of cover all Negeri Sembilan areas by using Gunung Telapak
Burok, but target only Orang Asli areas in Negeri Sembilan, so Asyik FM shall
name the frequency and location as “95.5MHz
Jelebu/Kuala Pilah”, rather than “95.5MHz Negeri Sembilan”.
Other than directional antenna, to prevent interference, Asyik FM is
recommended to use lower power transmission from Gunung Telapak Burok.
==My proposal of Asyik FM Negeri Sembilan coverage==
- Frequency: FM 95.5MHz
- Power: 0.35kW
- Transmission site: Gunung Telapak Burok
- Antenna beaming direction: Northeast
- Targeted areas: Kuala Klawang, Titi, Jelebu,
Simpang Durian, Simpang Pertang, FELDA Pasoh, Batu Kikir, Juasseh, Kuala Pilah,
Pantai, Lenggeng, Dangi, Tanjung Ipoh, Seremban and part of Jempol
Perhaps FM 95.5MHz is beaming to northeast direction from Gunung Telapak
Burok, I don’t think it will cause interference to Asyik FM 95.6MHz Gunung
Ledang and Negeri FM 95.7MHz Bukit Tampin coverage. Moreover, for rest of areas
where face adjacent channel interference, they are not under coverage of both
frequencies.
 |
| FM 95.5MHz Gunung Telapak Burok targeted coverage |
 |
| Orang Asli in Negeri Sembilan |
==RF analysis==
95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung
Telapak Burok 0.35kW (for Kuala Pilah/Jelebu only)
95.6MHz: Asyik FM Gunung
Ledang (for Segamat and Kluang only)
<100kHz, OK. Adjacent
frequency network>
95.4MHz: MY FM Gunung Pulai
95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung
Telapak Burok 0.35kW (Kuala Pilah/Jelebu only)
<100kHz, OK>
95.3MHz: Nasional FM Gunung
Ulu Kali
95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung
Telapak Burok 0.35kW (Kuala Pilah/Jelebu only)
<200kHz, OK>
95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung
Telapak Burok 0.35kW (Kuala Pilah/Jelebu)
95.8MHz: Fly FM Gunung Ulu
Kali
<300kHz, OK>
95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung
Telapak Burok 0.35kW (for Kuala Pilah/Jelebu only)
95.6MHz: Perak FM Gunung
Kledang
<100kHz, OK>
95.5MHz: Asyik FM Gunung
Telapak Burok 0.35kW (Kuala Pilah/Jelebu)
95.7MHz: Negeri FM Bukit
Tampin (Tampin only)
<200kHz, OK>
With launching FM 95.5MHz Gunung Telapak Burok for Asyik FM, Jelebu and
Kuala Pilah districts are expected to be covered by Asyik FM. So, Orang Asli within
these districts can listen to Asyik FM loudly and clearly. Although Seremban is
not under main coverage of Asyik FM 95.5MHz, I may believe Seremban can receive
the station, but reception may be MONO, sometimes STEREO.
Based on RF analysis, by using low power transmitter and directional
antenna, FM 95.5MHz has no problem to be used in Gunung Telapak Burok for Asyik
FM. Although minimum frequency separation between Gunung Telapak Burok and
Gunung Ledang are 200kHz, but Asyik FM frequency separation is 100kHz, so there
is no problem for Asyik FM as 95.5MHz and 95.6MHz are same station.
In conclusion, it will benefit Orang Asli in Negeri Sembilan when RTM
launches Asyik FM there. Therefore, I do wish RTM will go to expand coverage
for Asyik FM in Negeri Sembilan one day.
==Result of Asyik FM frequencies in Central and South region==
- 102.5MHz: West Pahang (Gunung Ulu Kali)
- 91.1MHz: Klang Valley (KL Tower)
- 95.5MHz: Jelebu/Kuala Pilah (Gunung Telapak Burok 0.35kW)
- 95.6MHz: North Johor (Gunung Ledang)
