Aftermarket DAB aerial problems
Discussion
Hello Pistonheads one and all please can you share some of your wisdom
I have a 2006 Mercedes W203 C180 with an aftermarket android head unit(Yes its a chinese one but from Eonon and has worked flawlessly for 2.5 years). It has one of those DAB dongles with it but despite being in a reasonable reception area(West Yorkshire) i'm struggling for signal so I would love some opinions on how to proceed. Here is what I have tried so far:
I originally tried a splitter from the cars built in antenna(standard W203 aplified antenna built into back window area). The splitter was a waste of time.
I then tried a magnetic one from halfords on the boot lid with the cable threaded through to the front, this, initially was spot on 87 stations and full signal with only usual dropouts but after a few months it rusted underneath and became pretty useless.
My local auto spark has said I should just go for the window mounted film ones but had one of those in a previous vehicle and it really wasn't too good, however it was only a cheap one and maybe I should try a more expensive one with its own 12v feed, but I can't help but think these window mounted film ones are just not up to much in general.
I have been looking at one which is called a glass mount external whip,it has the aerial stuck to the outside and a 'pick up' box on the inside(sorry I cannot post links yet) which is expensive but interesting and very easy to fit though I dont get how it would work.
Another option i'm thinking is actually fitting an external roof mounted type but placing it on the boot lid so a sharkfin type. I have a new head unit coming soon and when it does I will be fitting a reverse camera so I will be stripping the boot trim anyway so I could easily drill a hole and fit the ariel and route the cables through with the reverse cam cables.
Can I please have some opinions on the best way to go as my new unit is all singing all dancing and I just want every aspect working as good as possible
I have a 2006 Mercedes W203 C180 with an aftermarket android head unit(Yes its a chinese one but from Eonon and has worked flawlessly for 2.5 years). It has one of those DAB dongles with it but despite being in a reasonable reception area(West Yorkshire) i'm struggling for signal so I would love some opinions on how to proceed. Here is what I have tried so far:
I originally tried a splitter from the cars built in antenna(standard W203 aplified antenna built into back window area). The splitter was a waste of time.
I then tried a magnetic one from halfords on the boot lid with the cable threaded through to the front, this, initially was spot on 87 stations and full signal with only usual dropouts but after a few months it rusted underneath and became pretty useless.
My local auto spark has said I should just go for the window mounted film ones but had one of those in a previous vehicle and it really wasn't too good, however it was only a cheap one and maybe I should try a more expensive one with its own 12v feed, but I can't help but think these window mounted film ones are just not up to much in general.
I have been looking at one which is called a glass mount external whip,it has the aerial stuck to the outside and a 'pick up' box on the inside(sorry I cannot post links yet) which is expensive but interesting and very easy to fit though I dont get how it would work.
Another option i'm thinking is actually fitting an external roof mounted type but placing it on the boot lid so a sharkfin type. I have a new head unit coming soon and when it does I will be fitting a reverse camera so I will be stripping the boot trim anyway so I could easily drill a hole and fit the ariel and route the cables through with the reverse cam cables.
Can I please have some opinions on the best way to go as my new unit is all singing all dancing and I just want every aspect working as good as possible
Edited by Robdx on Sunday 23 March 18:13
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