DAB "No Service"

Zippygirl

Hello,

I'm after a bit of advice on DAB radio reception for a recently purchased 2nd hand Sony CMT-BX77DBi, please.

The vendor said that he'd never used the DAB radio component of the hifi because he lived in a poor signal area. I have just set up the hifi and, yep, there is no DAB signal. I've set up the system with all original aerials (am loop and white pin-up type DAB aerial lead).

I live in an old thick stone walled terrace, with poor phone signal. I gave up on terrestrial TV because of poor signal, although my neighbour bought the same dipole aerial that is purchased, and got great signal. I put my dipole aerial in the attic and pointed out in the direction of the local mast, so thinking a few roof tiles wouldn't have made much difference?

I have DAB radios in my ground and first floor brick extension, and they work ok, although range of channels is not great.

I'm not sure what the best course of action is: looking at reviews for indoor DAB aerials, I've become pretty confused! I don't want to erect an external aerial (live by myself, scared of heights, rookie DIYer) so am I correct in thinking that one of these indoor aerials is my only option?

There is a screw thread socket thingy at the rear of the hifi: is this for attaching a DAB aerial?

Any advice welcomed.
Many thanks
Non-techie Zippygirl

DoaM

Operating Instructions / User Guide (PDF file)

Strider590

DoaM wrote: »

Operating Instructions / User Guide (PDF file)

In other words a good old dose of RTFM


Of course the seller could have been lying to you and never used the DAB because it was actually broken OR the shop he bought it from fobbed him off with excuses.

Gloomendoom

Zippygirl wrote: »

I'm not sure what the best course of action is: looking at reviews for indoor DAB aerials, I've become pretty confused! I don't want to erect an external aerial (live by myself, scared of heights, rookie DIYer) so am I correct in thinking that one of these indoor aerials is my only option?

There is a screw thread socket thingy at the rear of the hifi: is this for attaching a DAB aerial?

Very probably an F connector, so yes.


I have the same problem (except the fear of heights). Weak signal and a thick walled stone house. I got around it by fitting a simple dipole aerial in the attic.

I've had good results in an official "no service" area in Wales with this one (fitted vertically) and have something similar in my attic at home.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/labgear-labdabo-s-omni-directional-dab-radio-aerial/23595

You will also need one of these...

http://www.screwfix.com/p/philex-coaxial-f-plug-pack-of-10/17061

And some of this...

http://www.screwfix.com/p/labgear-rg6-satellite-coaxial-cable-25m-black/35148

Also available in white.

Robisere

This information comes from a company in my village which supplies and fits TV and internet services to commercial premises and social housing.

DAB and TV digital signals can be blocked by obstructions. When digital TV first began transmitting, some residents of our close could not receive a good signal. I asked the owner of the above businesss, a personal friend, to check out my new antenna. He tested, said that a huge tree was blocking the signal, gave us a headed letter, and we managed to have the tree removed (in winter, after birds had flown).

Apparently, because the digital signal is so tight and trees move about even in winter, with the slightest breeze, the signal is confused and can break up, which is exactly what was happening. So it may be that your other radios are able to receive the signals, even poorly, whilst the Sony cannot. Minerals within the stone may also block the signal. Any trees or other obstructions between the transmitter and receiver?

SouthUKMan

In my opinion it's worth making the effort to get a decent external aerial professionally fitted if you can afford it, assuming that there are DAB signals that can be received in the first place! I also live in a very poor spot for receiving DAB radio. I have two portable DAB radios and one hifi separate. One portable struggles to get a few stations even in the best 'sweet spot' in the house, the other portable is next to useless in the same spot (however, it was a lovely gift so I won't get rid of it!), but the hifi separate pulls in loads of stations from far and wide. I am convinced that it is because of the external aerial. The fitter advised me against a loft type aerial as he said although it would help, I would still more than likely be missing some stations that I could have got with an external aerial.

Frozen_up_north

I think the clue is the fact other DAB radios work in the area.

Make sure the DAB aerial is vertically polarised, some of the local aerial riggers here go to the unnecessary expense of fitting 3 element beams for DAB and mount them horizontally polarised... I also see aerials mounted with the coax arranged to run rain water towards the junction box on the aerial. I thought cowboys were a wild west phenomenon...

I use a simple dipole antenna in the loft, one similar example is £10 from eBay (item 191594952178).

DoaM

Frozen_up_north wrote: »

and mount them horizontally polarised

Interestingly, the user guide I linked earlier says ...

FM/DAB lead antenna
(Extend it horizontally.)

Frozen_up_north

From OFCOM: "DAB transmissions are vertically polarised only"
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/information/radio-tech-parameters

Zippygirl

Thanks Gloomendoom.
I actually bought that aerial and coax cable for my TV when I moved in to the house. Installed it in attic and pointed out to the may, but zilch digital reception. My neighbour then tried my studio and coax cable in her attic, and had loads of reception, so I don't know why it wouldn't play with me, but I returned the aerial. Am assuming the same issue would be evident for DAB reception?

Zippygirl

Thanks Robisere

That sounds like it could be the issue, then. I did look with my neighbour, and there is a gap between buildings in front of her house towards the direction of the mast, whereas I have buildings.

So, next question, does anyone know if HSS hire out wrecking balls...:D:D