DAB Aerial

[georgethackray]

I've noticed that a few of you have DAB head units. Any recommendations / advice for the positioning of the aerial? I have a Sony unit which has a windscreen mounted antennae with a sticky surface and a black box about 5cm x 3cm in the middle, with the cable attached. The diagram shows it can be attached either along the top of the screen, or down one side.

The problem is I can't mount it at the top, as I have a cabriolet and there's no trim to hide the cable behind, so it has to either be down one side or along the bottom. If it's at the bottom, then the wipers might block the signal.

Also, if I do mount it at the side, is it easy to route the cable up behind the plastic trims?

 

[eastendr]

The Sony DAB aerial in baby WUF is mounted on the inside of the windscreen parallel with the N/S A pillar. The cable is hidden behind the A pillar trim and routes down through the dash to the head unit. You'll hardly notice it's there.

HTH

Rick.

 

[charles.y]

I have a JVC DAB unit and a JVC DAB antenna booster (similar to the Sony one) which is fitted on top of the n/s screen and the cable is hidden under the n/s A pillar then routed back to the unit. It looks discrete unless its inspected in close distance. The only visible cable is at the top of screen (about 3 ins) before its cover by the A pillar trim.

The JVC DAB with the antenna gives avery clear reception (mych better than my old Kenwood unit) and I can hear the broadcast even with the hood down. I have also upgraded to front speakers with the Infinity Reference 6x4 which work well with the JVC.

Charles

 

[georgethackray]

ORIGINAL: eastendr

The Sony DAB aerial in baby WUF is mounted on the inside of the windscreen parallel with the N/S A pillar. The cable is hidden behind the A pillar trim and routes down through the dash to the head unit. You'll hardly notice it's there.

Thanks for that - I mounted mine like yours, works a treat. The cable comes out of the A pillar about half way up the screen, with the antenna running up and down from there. I routed the cable behind the glove compartment by taking the lining out, and yet again managed to blow the interior light fuse despite being extra careful. Glove compartment light 4, George 1.

Cheers.

 

[georgethackray]

ORIGINAL: charles.y

I have a JVC DAB unit and a JVC DAB antenna booster (similar to the Sony one) which is fitted on top of the n/s screen and the cable is hidden under the n/s A pillar then routed back to the unit. It looks discrete unless its inspected in close distance. The only visible cable is at the top of screen (about 3 ins) before its cover by the A pillar trim.

The JVC DAB with the antenna gives avery clear reception (mych better than my old Kenwood unit) and I can hear the broadcast even with the hood down. I have also upgraded to front speakers with the Infinity Reference 6x4 which work well with the JVC.

Charles

Thanks Charles. I think the JVC DAB aerial may be a neater solution than the Sony in that the cable in the Sony joins the antenna mid way, whereas I think the JVC is like the Blaupunkt one in that it is at one end and therefore is less noticeable. I might treat myself to the Blaupunkt aerial at some time.

I've heard good things about the Infinity speakers and the JBLs - I opted for the JBLs in the end as I got a good deal off eBay. They're not fitted yet. That's tomorrows project weather and beloved permitting.

I'm also toying with the idea of 6x9 speakers in the front - I think it may have been Fen who suggested I can get away with that on a Cabriolet as the front part of the window is fixed.

All this work to try to get my Porsche to sound as good as my Mondeo - Something's wrong!

 

[charles.y]

GeeeTeee,

I think the Infinity and JBL are very similar in quality and sound signiture. I don't expect to achieve much of a hi-fidelity in a cab but at least some listenable level which I think I can live with now. Do let me know how you get on with the 6x9 speakers.

P.S. My recent repalcement of the front pipe silencer with a straight-thru pipe has given me a rather pleasant exhaust tone and maybe a few bhp gain.

Charles

 

[Fen]

I haven't had much success with internal DAB aerials. Currently both the hearse and 964 have them and both suffer break-up of signal that I didn't get with an external one. Maybe I drive more in low signal areas, though one place I get drop out is the M4 around Membury services.

It was me who had 6x9s in the cab. You have to trim both metal and door card, but they fit as there is plenty of depth.

I have a pair of Infinity components to fit to the 964 that have been in the garage for about 5 months now. Hopefully I'll get to it soon. As an aside the horrible Corolla 1.8 auto hire car we have just now has an awsome sounding stereo for a tin-box Jap shopping trolley.