RTM Revives Older Shortwave Transmitter

 

RFmondial LVe exciter prepares shortwave station for future needs

BY T. CARTER ROSS 

PUBLISHED: JANUARY 22, 2024  UPDATED: JANUARY 23, 2024

From Radio World’s Who’s Buying What page: Radio Televisyen Malaysia turned to RFmondial GmbH to ensure its shortwave broadcasts of Wai FM and Limbang FM could continue from Kajang.

The RTM site in Kajang, south of Kuala Lumpur, was originally commissioned in the early 1970s. Although RTM has scaled back its shortwave offerings since the site was founded, it remains an important facility for the broadcaster.

However when an old Transradio DMOD3 exciter used to feed the site’s Continental Electronics shortwave transmitter began malfunctioning, RTM decided to install an RFmondial LVe digital broadcast exciter.

Although RTM currently plans to operate the station only with analog broadcasts, the LVe supports the ability to simulcast analog and DRM digital signals.

“It was a great honor to upgrade this famous Malaysian transmitter site and to work with the very professional and kind staff of station engineer Yusuf Azizi and his team,” stated Dr. Albert Waal, head of hardware development for RFmodial.

https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/rtm-revives-old-shortwave-transmitter 

Malaysia's RTM Tagalog station closes after nearly 50 years

 

An international radio station run by Radio Televisyen Malaysia in the Philippine language Tagalog has ceased operations after nearly 50 years.

The station, Suara Malaysia-Tagalog, was launched in October 1973 and operated by Radio Malaysia Sabah as part of the Voice of Malaysia, RTM’s international service.

Originally broadcast from a transmitting station near the state capital, Kota Kinabalu, it became an online-only station in 2011. It went to air for two hours each evening.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the government had made the decision to terminate it for several reasons.

“Initially, the radio station was established to broadcast on the Malaysian government’s policies to bolster ties between Malaysia and the Philippines, particularly for listeners in the southern part of the country.

“However, the decision to terminate the radio station was taken after considering several justifications, especially since it was not an effective platform to communicate information due to poor listenership.

“The station also fell short of achieving its original objective and the Foreign Ministry found that it no longer played an important role in contributing towards diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the Philippines.”

Mr Annuar said its closure would save costs for RTM Sabah and resources could be channelled to improve other services in the East Malaysian state.

https://www.abu.org.my/2022/05/05/rtm-tagalog-station-closes-after-nearly-50-years/

This does not represent Malaysia's RTM Sarawak relay on 9835 in Malay; or RTM Wai/Limbang relay on 11665 kHz in Iban/Malay. Website: http://www.rtm.gov.my

Malaysia's RTM urged to 'return to the people'

Malaysia’s national broadcaster, Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), was urged today to “return to the people” to maintain its edge in an ever-expanding broadcasting industry, Bernama news agency reports. The Information, Communication and Culture Minister, Rais Yatim, said if there was no change in RTM, “it will lose its edge and will never able to rise again in the world of broadcasting”.

RTM should go to the field and make its presence felt, he told RTM officers and staff at a gathering in Kuala Lumpur to mark its 64th anniversary. “Let us have a people-oriented RTM so that it can reach the masses in all nooks and crannies of the country, in villages, towns, estates and places in Sabah and Sarawak.” he said.

He said RTM should be at the forefront of the country’s broadcasting industry. “Village folks deserve a visit by RTM…go down to the field, in smaller orchestra ensembles and play old tunes as well as new ones. Only then can the people feel the presence of RTM among them. Only then can RTM remain in the society’s consciousness,” he said.

Mr Rais also suggested RTM should carry out exchanges of production staff with Malaysia’s private TV stations.
(Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Malaysia's digital radio plans

As RTM moves forward, their future plans for radio are not less than impressive. The government radio stations have not only started planning for the dawn of digital radio but its implementation is also underway. “There are two areas when talking about digital radio; the station and the transmission. So far at RTM, we have developed our digital radio infrastructure since 1995, with digital radio studios set up throughout the country.”

He added, “The next step will be the transmission phase, which is divided into two categories, DRM (digital radio mondiale) and DAB + (digital audio broadcast plus). For DRM, basically it is a secondary transmission, with DAB+ being the primary transmission, thus those who want to replace FM should use DAB+.”

For short wave the use of DRM is best. With DRM, one can use analog and digital but DAB+ can only be used for digital transmissions. “In most of our radio stations, we use FM except in Kajang and Kuching where we have DRM and also for Suara Malaysia and Suara Islam stations, short wave transmission is used. However for Suara Islam and Suara Malaysia we have introduced Internet protocol.”

Follow the full story at Radio Networks
http://www.adoimagazine.com/newhome/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4997&catid=21&Itemid=2
(Alokesh Gupta, India)

RTM Malaysia schedule update

RTM Kuching (Stapok) has cancelled its 7200 kHz authorization, which was incorrectly assigned this slot, but not used, in the extended amateur radio band for A09 as a replacement for 7130. The transmitter on 7130 has been closed down due to technical limitations, and broadcasts previously carried by it are now only on VHF and MF.

Current RTM transmissions are scheduled:

All times UTC

5030 Stapok 2200-1600 local (times vary)
5965 Kajang 24 hrs Malay
6050 Sibu 2200-1600 local (times vary)
6100 Kajang 1300-1500 Asian dialects (external service)
6175 Kajang 0300-0600 English (Voice of Islam (external service)
6175 Kajang 0600-0830 English (external service)
6175 Kajang 1200-1830 Indonesian/Malay (external service)
7270 Stapok 2200-1600 local (times vary)
7295 Kajang 24 hrs English
9750 Kajang 0300-0600 English (Voice of Islam) (external service)
9750 Kajang 0600-0830 English (external service)
9750 Kajang 1200-1800 Indonesian/Malay (external service)
11885 Kajang 1200-1300 Mandarin
15295 Kajang 0300-0600 English (Voice of Islam) (external service)
15295 Kajang 0600-0830 English (external service)
15295 Kajang 1200-1300 Mandarin
15295 Kajang 1600-1800 Arabic, Malay (external service)
(Bob Padula, Australia/Cumbre DX)

Malaysia monitoring observations

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Malaysia
Seems to intend to change their schedule, but I am not sure just what they are doing. In the past I believe the schedule was Klasik Nasional (KN) FM was 24 hours a day only on 5964.91. Asyik FM was on 6049.60 from 0500 to 1400, then into Radio Suara Islam/Voice of Islam program from 1400 to 1700*.

Heard the following on May 16:
5964.91, from 1347 to 1400, clearly heard with two audio feeds: one was KN FM, which is normally heard here. Mixing with the audio of Asyik FM, which has not been heard here before. BOTH audios parallel with the two audios on 6049.60. Both stations in vernacular and playing music.

1400-1516, heavy interference here from China Radio International (in Korean from 1400 to 1457 and after 1500 in Russian). Occasionally I could clearly hear KN FM programming under the QRM. Think the audio feed for Asyik FM ended at 1400, but hard to be sure. Believe KN FM was the only one here from 1400 to 1516 tune out, but am not positive.

6049.60, from 1347 to 1400, clearly heard with two audio feeds: one was KN FM, which was heard here for the first time yesterday. Mixing with the audio of Asyik FM, which is normally here till 1400. BOTH audios parallel with the two audios on 5964.91

1400-1516, Asyik FM audio feed ended at 1400. KN FM was in the clear; RTM news; coverage of the Pakistan vs. S. Korea (Asian Cup field hockey) sports event; again with RTM news and sports news.

Perhaps (just a guess) they intend for KN FM to follow the Asyik FM programming at 1400 on 6049.60, as replacement for the former Radio Suara Islam program. Unable to predict what they intend to do with KN FM on 5964.91. What would happen to Radio Suara Islam programming? Move to another frequency? Needs more monitoring.

Their websites, which are not in English:
http://klasiknasional.dapat.fm/ only lists FM frequencies.
http://www.asyikfm.my/ frequency shown is from many years ago (ex: 6025).

(Ron Howard, CA)

Hi Ron,
Yes it seems there is a switching/feed mix-up at the moment on the two remaining domestic frequencies from Kajang. Audio from Klasik Nasional and Asyik FM is heard mixed together on both 5965v and 6050v at the moment. I'll try to check what is happening at 1400-1700 (when Voice of Islam is scheduled on 6050).
(Alan Davies, visiting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia/via Ron Howard, CA/Cumbre DX)

Additional Malaysian logs:
6049.60v, Suara Islam program via RTM, Kajang, 1529-1545. Vernacular ID: "Radio Suara Islam, Kuala Lumpur"; Monday educational segment starts and ends with singing "Malaysia"
jingle; gives information about a university professor; light songs, 1545 talk about Islam.
(Ron Howard/DSWCI/DX Window # 376)

7295, Malaysia, Traxx FM via RTM(presumed). English 0943 reggae music, male/female talks returning reggae music, 0951 again OM and YL followed by hip hop music, 0956 pop sounding like Alanis Morisette, YL talks, 1000 time pips, OM talks returning pop music until 1004. SINPO 24422. (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil/Cumbre DXl

7270.01, Limbang FM, via RTM Kuching, Sarawak, 1322-1425. Vocals to 1330, then talk till 1400, Limbang FM ID and local news, another Limbang ID at 1407, more vocals, including a touching Malay remake of Skeeter Davis' tune End of the World. Good signal, slowly losing steam after 1400. (Wilkins via DXplorer/DSWCI/DX Window # 376)