• The Forums are now open to new registrations, adverts are also being de-tuned.

DAB Aerial With No Earth Connection

E55BOF

Hardcore MB Enthusiast
SUPPORTER
Joined
Mar 11, 2013
Messages
11,401
Location
South Bucks
Car
ML63, E350 Cabrio
Good evening all. I'm replacing the head unit in my '08 CLK with a DAB-capable Blaupunkt unit, and in the box is a screen-mount DAB Aerial. So far so good, but the aerial does not have an earthing tab at the screen end.

All the other aftermarket screen-mount DAB aerials I've seen for sale do have this tab. Will I be OK to use the Blaupunkt aerial, or should I buy and fit one with a tab?
 
If the cable from the aerial to the head unit is a twisted pair then there is no need for an earth.
If it is coax, I would expect it to be earthed at both ends.
I would stick it up there temporarily and give it a try.
 
It's not a twisted pair. On the other hand, there's this sort of thing: DAB Digital Radio Aerial Antenna Car Stereo Window Screen SMB For Sony JVC UK | eBay

which is also not a twisted pair, but has the standard DAB signal connector at the other end, so maybe one like that will work and Blaupunkt supplied it as per the box contents.

You're right, though; I'll try both before I fit either.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ted
I've been doing a bit of digging, and decided not to bother with DAB unless the standard FM aerial doesn't provide good reception. The Audio 20 radio was pretty good, so it may be OK with the Blaupunkt, and I can always come back to it if necessary.
 
I've been doing a bit of digging, and decided not to bother with DAB unless the standard FM aerial doesn't provide good reception. The Audio 20 radio was pretty good, so it may be OK with the Blaupunkt, and I can always come back to it if necessary.
I suppose it depends on your listening habits: if you mainly load up a stick/card with choonz then maybe DAB is less important.
I tend to get bored and channel hop radio stations (drives Mrs S to distraction), so in my case DAB is a must with far more choice.
 
Mostly the SD card music, or Classic FM or Radio 4 if I'm listening to the radio.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom