DAB radios in cars

lemonjelly

Hi All,

a few years ago general advice was that DAB wasn't good enough for in car use. However, that appears to be changing, & there are numerous in car stereos with DAB. I've decided to get one.

My question is, how straightforward are they to fit? Is there a major difference to analogue stereos? Or is there just an extra bit that you clip inside the window?

adriandilly

lemonjelly wrote: »

Hi All,

a few years ago general advice was that DAB wasn't good enough for in car use. However, that appears to be changing, & there are numerous in car stereos with DAB. I've decided to get one.

My question is, how straightforward are they to fit? Is there a major difference to analogue stereos? Or is there just an extra bit that you clip inside the window?

A colleague at work has one of these. Always playing it turned up loud! He has a seperate mini aerial on his roof and a device that transmits the audio over FM to the car radio. Its suction cupped to the window with a power lead to the cigar lighter. I dont know about DAB head units, maybe they're better?

molerat

You generally get an extra antenna to either clip above the dash but many are now coming with ones that you can keep hidden. Fitting is the same as any aftermarket radio.

Gloomendoom

DAB radios need a good DAB compatible aerial. The stick-on ones usually supplied with the set will normally only work in good signal areas, otherwise they are a dead loss.

rodenal

Another good aerial option is to pick up one of the mobile phone tax disc aerials that sit in the corner of the windscreen - only a tiny section of cable will be shown and they pick up a good signal. It's just a coaxial cable too so simlpy a case of fitting the right connector (it may be the correct one for the radio already, can't remember as it was about 6 years ago I fitted one)

Gloomendoom

Some useful info on this DAB specialist's web site...

Dabonwheels

RichGold

I have a Sony DAB-6650 fitted in my van. I wish I'd done it ages ago if I'm honest.
I went the whole hog and drilled a hole in the roof for one of these (purchased from the aforementioned DabonWheels)
http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Bloomice_BM-02018_DAB_car_aerial.html
The reception is almost flawless, I would advise if you're going to keep the car/van you're thinking of putting DAB in, buy a DAB head unit rather than one of those stick on dash things and have a proper aerial.

Wh05apk

I have a pure highway with external aeriel and it is superb, but absolutely useless with the internal aeriel, I have tried to hide the wiring as best I can to make it a semi permanent feature, I hate having wires trailing everywhere.