DAB aerial query, can standard aerial be used?

[StephenFord]

I currently have one of those windscreen stick on aerials to power my DAB converter, it's fine for about 80% of the time but isn't brilliant. Is there any way I can use the standard roof mount aerial to feed my DAB?  (2005 Focus LX)

[F0CUE]

There is a dab version available that was made for the newer dab stereo it has an amplifier in the base but something needs to send 12v to that amp so it works. @rhyds has had experience with this and came to some conclusion on another site.

[Botus]

all the wires are different (no reason other than ford being difficult) I reused the original and added an aftermarket amp to boost the signal and push phantom power feed up the coax.

the stock wire can be retained and the ford DAB mount and antenna can be used but you need to play to convert from male (pre 2009) to female fixing of the base to the roof... I made a "nut" from a brake bleed nipple.... and used an antenna amp

depending on the head unit some have Faka DAB and a std Ariel connector (old style), later ones get 2 x Fakra (so if buying the antenna wires be carful which you get )

 

 

 

[StephenFord]

mmm... I was afraid of that! I was rather hoping there would be some kind of 'splitter' option at the aerial connector end. I think I may just suffer the drop out of DAB and fill the gaps with FM 😀

[StephenFord]

I just typed 'splitter DAB' into eBay and got this. Waste of money?

Ebay splitter listing

 

 

 

 

[Botus]

….. it'll probably be rather average, I got a specialist amp with 15db gain over the stock ford stuff (plus genuine Ford DAB base and antenna rod) and its only just OK, no idea how the ford (DAB) parts get any reception

the other issue is most aftermarket stuff uses SMB connector which is rubbish and NOT compatible with any car manufacturer antenna connections.  All cars use Fakra.   You can modify SMB grind the outer down a few thou but its a phaff and no positive retention

check these robbers for a OK range and ideas  https://incartec.co.uk/category-listing/DAB-antennas-and-adapters

 

 

[StephenFord]

To be honest, if I could get LBC on FM I wouldn't touch DAB. I hate the way digital is either ON or OFF, at least with FM, if it fades out a bit you can still listen to it even with a bit of crackle. Though I was bought up on a 12" B&W TV screen with a coat hanger for an aerial, so am well use to the 'emperors new clothes' LOL Much more interested in content than quality...

[Botus]

I don't think many car manufactures care about reception

BMW seem OK, but Merc antenna's are the worlds biggest joke... however Ford seems to be vying to beat Mercede's stupidity. 

Wouldn't surprise me if German's deliberately make the antennas specifically so they just meet the broadcast specification, even though they know no one meets this anymore  (especially since 3g, 4g, 5g, DAB and DTV all clash with one another so they need to broadcast something that's 1/3 of what they are supposed to) rather that just making one's they know will work

[StephenFord]

I was actually a passenger in my mates 5 year old Skoda, and his DAB worked perfectly through all my normal 'black spots', hence my initial query! LOL