DAB upgrade for older car

[mar9]

Hello everyone, I drive a 2007 Citroen C1 since 2024 (my first car) and am looking to upgrade the stereo to a unit that will also support DAB radio for my favourite station. I no longer want to rely on fiddly internet streaming data and bluetooth connections all the time - especially since built-in car radio is just simple and seamless. Anyway I have done a ton of research into this topic and even asked in a shop - and it's still puzzling to me if it's even possible with a single stereo and use the existing car roof aerial. No separate plug-in DAB adapter, no sticky windscreen aerial, just the real thing.

From what I understand I will need:

• a ISO Female-DIN Male Aerial plug adapter for the FM reception
• a Splitter to split the aerial's incoming connection to an FM one and a DAB one to the new stereo unit.

Am I correct with these both? One other thing that caught my eye was that there are different splitters (Passive and Active) and I haven't been able to understand the difference or which is necessary for my car.

I've heard/read too many conflicting viewpoints which is why I'm left confused and doubtful if I'm even doing this right. I'm someone who doesn't know anything about car stereo technicals but I do know how to change plugs and cables! Would love some confirmation from experienced drivers, cheers.

(FYI: my mate is giving me his spare Sony stereo unit that has DAB and BT built-in with AUX, CD and FM. He has no clue about aerials and DAB though so that's on me.)

Edited by mar9 on Monday 16th February 18:11

[gmaz]

A DAB/FM splitter is generally one item. This is a passive one (no powered amplifier)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eightwood-Splitter-Antenn...

And you results may vary depending on how good the original aerial is.


This is an active one with built in signal amplifier that you will need to connect to power, e.g. using the clip on connections to your stereo's wiring loom (switched 12v & ground)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DriveSmart-Powered-Amplif...

In both cases you will need to check that the Sony stereo DAB input jack matches the one on the adaptor, as there are some different standards.

[E-bmw]

Not 100% sure what you are asking/trying to do from your question but this may help.

DAB signals can't be received from an FM antenna.

You need a dedicated DAB/FM antenna, powered are generally MUCH better than passive.

I have retro-fitted DAB to a couple of cars following the above with pretty much 100% success.

On an R53 mini I fitted a full Kenwood DAB head unit in place of the original, then I just swapped the standard (bee-sting) antenna for a powered DAB antenna very similar looking & it worked excellently.

On a V40 Volvo I fitted a powered windscreen type DAB antenna on the rear quarter window where it wasn't seen and this then "transmitted" on an FM signal the DAB output which the FM radio was then tuned into.

On a Peugeot chassis motorhome I did the same, both of the last 2 meant I had a little "remote control" to select station & the RDS input line on the in-built stereo displayed the station name.

Not this particular one but similar.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254817833872?_skw=DAB+a...

[OldGermanHeaps]

I have tried 7 differnt aftermarket dab splitters and dedicated dab antennas, all of them dont work at all in weak to medium signal areas where cars with factory dab have zero signal problems

[Shaun170]

I upgraded my daughters 107 to a JVC touch screen wireless apple car play unit and used these

https://ebay.us/m/432B4N

https://ebay.us/m/D2fKTY

No issues with reception at all.