DAB Radio signal and interference

[Guzziando]

I decided to remove my Xzent unit from my Fiat Ducato based MH, as I was not impressed with the performance. I had a Chinese Head Unit (ATOTO) from my previous van, which I decided to replace it with. It was not straight forward, but happy with the results. The XZent was connected to the Leisure battery, I decided to fit a switch to give me the option of running from the cab or leisure battery. When the head unit is connected to the LB, I get an excellent signal with DAB from my window fitted aerial. When I switch to CB, I get no signal. If I have it on LB with ignition on (engine not running) I get no signal. There is obviously interference from the CB wiring somewhere. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to resolve this?

 

[Carpmart]

Would the answer be to just run it on the LB as that works with no interference?

 

[Jev88]

I have found dashcams, reversing screens and sat navs all interfere with each other.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Does the aerial need to be powered (active) and if so is it regardless of the battery used?

 

[Guzziando]

Would the answer be to just run it on the LB as that works with no interference?

Only if I do not go anywhere, because as soon as I turn the ignition on, I loose signal, even when connected to the LB.....

I have found dashcams, reversing screens and sat navs all interfere with each other.

I removed the radio from the dash, and disconnected aerial lead and camera inputs, it has made no difference.

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[Guzziando]

Does the aerial need to be powered (active) and if so is it regardless of the battery used?

Not as far as I know. The DAB uses a USB dongle to connect to the head unit. I have also removed that away from the dash, but it makes no difference.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Sounds way more complex to have head unit, separate USB thing for DAB than all integrated in one unit. Anything could be causing interference but perhaps somehow the USB thing itself isn't powered adequately once ignition started?

DAB reception in the Ducato, at least on mine, is at best variable. I've tried the door mirror, windscreen and roof mounting. All pants.

 

[Charlie57]

DAB reception is rubbish I have a small radio by the bed if I put my phone on charge the signal goes and in the car its always cutting out needs a strong signal or just dies.

 

[Carpmart]

Only if I do not go anywhere, because as soon as I turn the ignition on, I loose signal, even when connected to the LB.....

I removed the radio from the dash, and disconnected aerial lead and camera inputs, it has made no difference.

Which I ascertained from your original post, hence suggesting connecting only to the leisure battery with no connection to the vehicle battery/wiring.

 

[Verteuil Man]

To be fair, i have never really found DAB to be that good. Travelling around Stoke-on-Trent there are as many not spots as got spots. As we also spend alot of time 8n Europe where i have not yet found anything on DAB i think its flawed.

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[Mr Colpot]

A long shot but do you have Daytime Running Lights on the Van? If so try either turning them off or put the dipped headlights on ( DRL should go off) and see if the signal is better.

 

[daveandsan]

If you could find what is causing it you could try fitting some ferrite beads on the power cable.
Although not dab, I had a problem with my cab radio reception when ever I turned the ignition on.
I found out it was the dash camera so I fitted a ferrite bead on the power cable and it cured it.

 

[bubble63]

Cheap Chinese LED‘s can interfere with DAB

 

[Guzziando]

Cheap Chinese LED‘s can interfere with DAB

Yes, that does appear to be the problem. When I turn on the ignition, and the DAB signal is lost, when I turn on the headlights, the signal improves significantly. The DRLs turn off when the headlight is switched on. How do I stop the interference from the LED DRLs?

 

[Ditcha]

Yes, that does appear to be the problem. When I turn on the ignition, and the DAB signal is lost, when I turn on the headlights, the signal improves significantly. The DRLs turn off when the headlight is switched on. How do I stop the interference from the LED DRLs?

Are they aftermarket DRL, s. I had this problem with a set on my previous van and DAB reception ended up changing the power supply for the DRL, s for another one with low noise worked a treat it was some years ago can't remember which I used but Google should be your friend.

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[Guzziando]

Are they aftermarket DRL, s. I had this problem with a set on my previous van and DAB reception ended up changing the power supply for the DRL, s for another one with low noise worked a treat it was some years ago can't remember which I used but Google should be your friend.

They are the factory fitted ones which are part of the headlight.

 

[Ditcha]

They are the factory fitted ones which are part of the headlight.

Think I would buy another head unit with dab built in then that's if you really want dab and use the fiat dab aerial instead of the USB one on the Chinese unit it's obviously picking up interference.

 

[Guzziando]

UPDATE - I placed some ferrite cores around the lighting wires, and power leads. 47 DAB stations and a pretty clear signal (4/5 bars). What the signal will be like when driving is a different matter. Thank you for all your useful suggestions.

 

[jezport]

Cheap usb charging leads for phones also can block DAB signals.

 

[Pausim]

DAB reception is rubbish I have a small radio by the bed if I put my phone on charge the signal goes and in the car it’s always cutting out needs a strong signal or just dies.

I have exactly the same problem in our motorhome, I have a free standing DAB radio next to my bed but if I plug anything into the USB charging point above the bed the signal is lost. As soon as I unplug the USB the signal returns. At home we have such a poor DAB signal radios only work if left by a window. I now use internet radio instead.

DAB signals are very easily easily disrupted and the quality of the transmissions is rubbish too. It is ok for voice but music needs far better download speeds. I used to listen to Planet Rock on DAB but was always aware that the the music quality was on the thin side. Most stations run at a maximum of 128kbps which is well below CD quality and some are even lower. For music I now use a lossless internet stream from Radio Paradise and it is so so much better than anything DAB has to offer.

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[Davecrawf]

Just signed up to Shell broadband and they gave me £100 Amazon gift voucher, so I used it towards a new Kenwood radio to replace the original radio in my Ducato. I didn't even to the trouble of wiring the DAB aerial. All round good result, as the Kenwood has USB input, built in Alexa and blue tooth. What more could I need?

 

[Bodoge]

I decided to remove my Xzent unit from my Fiat Ducato based MH, as I was not impressed with the performance. I had a Chinese Head Unit (ATOTO) from my previous van, which I decided to replace it with. It was not straight forward, but happy with the results. The XZent was connected to the Leisure battery, I decided to fit a switch to give me the option of running from the cab or leisure battery. When the head unit is connected to the LB, I get an excellent signal with DAB from my window fitted aerial. When I switch to CB, I get no signal. If I have it on LB with ignition on (engine not running) I get no signal. There is obviously interference from the CB wiring somewhere. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to resolve this?

Hi, are the CB and LB negatives common, is negative grounded in the unit or is it via cable input

 

[Guzziando]

The CB and LB negatives in my van were common. Check yours with a meter. The ISO connector has a negative lead which I just used when I fitted the head unit. I did not fit a separate earth to the head unit.

 

[Bodoge]

The CB and LB negatives in my van were common. Check yours with a meter. The ISO connector has a negative lead which I just used when I fitted the head unit. I did not fit a separate earth to the head unit.

I'm an electrician but not an auto one although I have electronics experience, so sometimes I confuse myself with mains knowledge but it seems to me that the signal is draining for some reason. Have you tried the old unit on the new power scenario.