Member Since: 27 Aug 2013
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 404
Retrofit a better DAB antenna?
I've had my 59 plate D4 for almost 6 years and had resigned to the fact that the DAB signal was not good. 60% of that decision was put down to living in Northumberland.
Well I now have another new vehicle and the DAB signal is great. So does anyone know if it will be worth trying to find and fit a better antenna, or is the signal as much to do with processors or other hardware as it is a decent antenna?
I've ordered a new 3rd brake light lens, and I'm waiting to catch a windscreen fitter in the area to coax with some cash to fit it. But while I'm up there I thought I'd have a poke around the roof fin too see what's involved.
25th May 2018 10:46 am
lee157
Member Since: 01 Oct 2008
Location: in the middle
Posts: 557
Someone on the RRS forum put a 2015 shark fin onto a 2011 with good results.
Member Since: 27 Aug 2013
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 404
Thanks, I'll look into fixing hole compatibility first, then it might be possible.
25th May 2018 12:33 pm
Brian_DL13
Member Since: 25 Aug 2013
Location: Teesdale
Posts: 1418
I've found the DAB reception to be reasonably good - certainly much better than the only other car I've had with built-in DAB (a BMW).
IME in rural areas DAB coverage isn't generally as good as FM ...
25th May 2018 5:07 pm
Gilly1
Member Since: 09 Sep 2015
Location: Somerset burnham on sea
Posts: 359
IM selling this if you have glass roof.
2015MY discovery 4 se tech with factory black pack.
With added
Rse, tv, electric memory seats, rear camera, heated steering wheel,
Headlight dip assist, remote FBH, led door light pack,easy lift kit,osram front fog/drl/active cornering lights. and whatever els I can find to do,
25th May 2018 5:29 pm
Redline
Member Since: 20 Jan 2018
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 141
Over 600 new DAB transmitters have been installed across the UK over that last few years, mainly to improve reception in the more populated areas where the signal wasn't so good. A good number of these were BBC DAB with all but local BBC radio stations on them.
There will still be some dead-spots even within the good signal areas though. FM will work there because the longer wavelength is more able to follow curvature of the terrain than the frequencies used for DAB.
Even older car DAB systems should now be able to cope better with the much improved coverage.
Some rural areas however will still not be as good - only about 85% of UK population areas are now covered effectively.
A good antenna though is the key - the digital signal is far more complex than FM and is subject to reflections off buildings compounded by movement. Newer radios should be more tolerant but a good antenna will always improve things.
It isn't helped because pretty much all antennas are amplified because they use an antenna length much less than 1/4 wavelength.Current : Discovery 4 HSE (2012 spec)
Current : BMW Z4 20i MSport
Current : BWM Z4 3.0SI Sport Auto
Previous : Freelander 2 HSE
25th May 2018 5:43 pm
LIAMMCL
Member Since: 27 Aug 2013
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 404
Gilly1, is it new or from a later car? How much?
26th May 2018 5:24 pm
Gilly1
Member Since: 09 Sep 2015
Location: Somerset burnham on sea
Posts: 359
It’s used from a 2015/16 landmark, has small scrape on top but just cosmetic.2015MY discovery 4 se tech with factory black pack.
With added
Rse, tv, electric memory seats, rear camera, heated steering wheel,
Headlight dip assist, remote FBH, led door light pack,easy lift kit,osram front fog/drl/active cornering lights. and whatever els I can find to do,
26th May 2018 11:13 pm
lespes
Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: Sitting Down
Posts: 2232
Sent a PMD4 Landmark MY16 Santorini Black THE LAST
D4 HSE MY12 Marmais Teal: Gone. Missed a lot!
Freelander 2 SD HSE MY11 Silver:Thankfully gone.
D4 HSE MY11 Silver: Gone missed !
Range Rover Sport MY06 HSE Buck Blue: Gone missed!
Discovery D2 TD5 Facelift MY Red Gone Missed!
Discovery D2 TD5 Cobalt Blue: Gone Missed!
Discovery D1 Auto Oxford Blue Not missed at all!
Discovery D1 Avalon Blue First LR! missed!
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