Confused by DAB Aerials

reniannen

I got a new cd system for Christmas with dab radio, but unfortunately it only has a crappy cable aerial which is useless, I get no signal at all unless I hold it in the air! We're supposed to be in a good signal area but even the dab radio in the kitchen doesn't work properly without the aerial fully extended, pointing towards the door!

The manual recommends buying an 'active aerial' and I've been trying to research them online but not finding much helpful info. The only reviews I've found for ones I've looked at have been negative, saying they made the signal worse, not better! e.g. this one looked perfect but has a 1* rating. Another one I like the look of is this one but it's unbranded and on ebay so I'm not sure about quality.

Can anyone recommend me any or give me some advice as to what to look for in a good one?
My budget isn't big unfortunately after christmas, about £20 max.

Thanks in advance

Cat695

just buy a longer piece of copper wire which will cost you next to nothing

penrhyn

Or one of these for £19.99, Indoor aerials such as the ones quoted are useless.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29196 probably over kill a simple dipole would bee sufficient.

reniannen

penrhyn wrote: »

Or one of these for £19.99, Indoor aerials such as the ones quoted are useless.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29196 probably over kill a simple dipole would bee sufficient.

hmm, I was starting to think that. Unfortunately my dad refused point blank to go up and attach one to the roof so I'm stuck with the indoor option.

Cat -
what do I do with it?!
I have no idea how things actually work, I just press the on button and hope for the best.

Cat695

two ways

Attach to the current aerial

or

Take the radio'c cover off, remove current aerial and soldier new wire in place

bob_a_builder

Since you say "I have no idea how things actually work, I just press the on button and hope for the best."

I think the "Attach to the current aerial" is the only sensible option

You will need to strip back a bit of the insulation of the end of the existing ariel and the new wire and then twist the copper wires together then cover with a bit of tape. I would then tie a knot to hold both wires together so don't separate under strain

darich

reniannen wrote: »

hmm, I was starting to think that. Unfortunately my dad refused point blank to go up and attach one to the roof so I'm stuck with the indoor option.

Cat -
what do I do with it?!
I have no idea how things actually work, I just press the on button and hope for the best.

i bought that maplin aerial for exactly the same reason as the op - ina a good area but the aerial supplied is rubbish.
I ran a coaxial cable into the loft and placed the aerial on the insulation out of the way of the junk up there and the reception is perfect on every station all the time.
The aerial works perfectly well indoors because that's where mine is. I did notice though that when feeding the cable into the loft, the reception wa better than before and that was before i attached the aerial so as suggested, a longer cable may do the job just as well.

reniannen

Thanks for the help, will think about a copper cable, does seem the cheapest and a fairly easy option if it works.

Otherwise will refer the Maplin aerial to my Dad!

Happy New Year when it comes

reni