DAB, AM/FM & GPS antenna (1 Viewer)

[TrevMcRev]

Motorhome - 2020 Peugeot Boxer based Elddis Autoquest Sunseeker 115
Radio - Uconnect Fiat 250 VP2 ECE DAB NAV

Now that the radio is working correctly, I want to fit a decent antenna
The Combiflex 70-915K antenna from InCarTec (local to me in Exeter) looks to fit the bill

DAB & AM/FM & GPS Combiflex - InCarTec

Replacement Roof mount beesting combiflex antenna to change an existing GPS antenna to include DAB/ AM/FM & GPS This antenna is needs a separate switched 12v feed. Active DAB, GPS and FM. 10db gain for DAB. 75 degree angle. 230mm rod length. Includes 2 x 5m extension leads, Fakra to SMB DAB...

incartec.co.uk

Anyone used this, or one similar please?
Thanks
Trev

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Getting decent DAB reception in vehicles is a challenge and a bit pot luck. I've tried a few things and it's still hit and miss. Unlike say FM where the quality simply fades out, DAB either gets enough packets through so the signal can be decoded by the player, or it doesn't and you get that horrible underwater popping type sound if not complete silence.

Most DAB aerials, including the one you show include a power source from the radio to allow some amplification of the signal, and secondly they need a good ground plane. In a metal vehicle including a PVC the ground plane is easy, simply from the shell of the vehicle. In your coachbuilt that ground plane will be more challenging, needing a metal plate somewhere / somehow.

I fitted a similar style Eightwood (Amazon) roof aerial on my PVC. Certainly a lot better than the wing mirror aerial, but it's not perfect and I do still get drop outs (M3 near Winchester is standard) and did mean a new hole in the front of the van roof (which I hope I've adequately rust proofed), plus a lot of tedious prising internal lining s out of the way to get the cables fed through.

 

[TrevMcRev]

OK, been talking to a couple of radio installers and they have convinced me that putting it on the GRP roof isn't a good idea as it wont have a metal plane which is essential for the signal etc

One installer suggests wing mount and the other a DAB external glass mount whip antenna like this one

DAB external glass mount whip antenna +15db - InCarTec

External mounting glass DAB antenna whip with 15db gain. 3m cable terminated with SMB right angle female. This antenna is designed for a 12V phantom feed supplied by the DAB source up the centre of the coaxial cable.

incartec.co.uk

So, same question again, in that does anyone have any experience of these please?

Thanks
Trev

 

[StillGoing]

I have a glass mount DAB aerial similar to that. It’s not bad but still not perfect. It‘s not quite as good as the aerial in my VW Polo. You just have to accept that there are areas where DAB doesn’t reach. I often use Apple CarPlay to listen to the radio.

 

[TrevMcRev]

Finally got around to fitting the "Acoustic Solutions External Glass Mount" from ebay

Acoustic Solutions External Glass Mount DAB Car Aerial Antenna Windscreen Window | eBay

External Glass Mount DAB Car Aerial Antenna Windscreen Window Screen. Aerial has been removed from Acoustic Solutions ICS-100 Add-ON DAB units. One base is fitted to the outside of your windscreen, then the other base is fitted to the inside of your windscreen.

www.ebay.co.uk

For less that £9 its good and better than the other antenna's I've tried, in that here at home its picking up far more channels and they are not dropping out
Off to Portsmouth for the weekend, so will see how the signal goes while out and about
Thanks for the suggestion

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[Gerry77]

Finally got around to fitting the "Acoustic Solutions External Glass Mount" from ebay

Acoustic Solutions External Glass Mount DAB Car Aerial Antenna Windscreen Window | eBay

External Glass Mount DAB Car Aerial Antenna Windscreen Window Screen. Aerial has been removed from Acoustic Solutions ICS-100 Add-ON DAB units. One base is fitted to the outside of your windscreen, then the other base is fitted to the inside of your windscreen.

www.ebay.co.uk

For less that £9 its good and better than the other antenna's I've tried, in that here at home its picking up far more channels and they are not dropping out
Off to Portsmouth for the weekend, so will see how the signal goes while out and about
Thanks for the suggestion

Where did you source the necessary cable from aerial to radio? My radio is a Kenwood and needs a SMB right angled female connector, any suggestions?

 

[Gerry77]

Sorted now !

 

[The Artilleryman]

On our Bailey, I used the radio output on the tv aerial booster (does not need to powered up), works reasonable well on our Pioneer avic sat nav.