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DAB antenna options

robdx

robdx

New Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2023
Messages
16
Location
Huddersfield
Car
W203 C180 Kompressor
Hello Merc lovers everywhere
I have a 2006 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 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 this here 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
 
The InCarTech glass mount is inductively coupled through the glass. I had a Cellnet mobile antenna the same on one of my vans and it worked perfectly.
A good option if you don't fancy drilling the roof or boot lid for a shark fin type.
 
SpikyMikey said:
The InCarTech glass mount is inductively coupled through the glass. I had a Cellnet mobile antenna the same on one of my vans and it worked perfectly.
A good option if you don't fancy drilling the roof or boot lid for a shark fin type.
Click to expand...
Edit, if you're also fitting a rear camera, it's a good idea not to route the cam wiring with the DAB cable; it can interfere with the DAB signal.
 
SpikyMikey said:
Edit, if you're also fitting a rear camera, it's a good idea not to route the cam wiring with the DAB cable; it can interfere with the DAB signal.
Click to expand...
Brilliant point I hadn't considered that and yes its spot on and not a good idea at all.
I am very tempted by the glass mount but £70 is expensive if it turns out to be no better than a £20 film internal one plus I was drawn to this on the advert "If using with a DAB device with a switchable 12v phantom feed down the coaxial cable make sure that this is switched ON." I have absolutely no idea if this USB dongle has one, would it still work without do you think?
 
Both Pioneer and Kenwood offer discrete film type antennae. I have no experience of either, but I'd imagine given the quality of their kit generally, they won't be rubbish.
 
SpikyMikey said:
Both Pioneer and Kenwood offer discrete film type antennae. I have no experience of either, but I'd imagine given the quality of their kit generally, they won't be rubbish.
Click to expand...
I think I would need one with its own 12v feed as I don't think these USB dongle are capable of sending phantom power, unless there is a way of adding that power via an adaptor, I have seen them for fm aerials but not for standalone dab ones
 
Had exactly the same issue with my 2009 CLK convertible. Tried various options all rubbish. Ended up with this one, fitted to rear quarter panel. Perfect reception fitted over a year ago still working great although you do have to drill the bodywork.
 
Gallon said:
Had exactly the same issue with my 2009 CLK convertible. Tried various options all rubbish. Ended up with this one, fitted to rear quarter panel. Perfect reception fitted over a year ago still working great although you do have to drill the bodywork.
Click to expand...
Definitely fancy one of those and had thought of putting it on the boot lid as easy to get to and route cables, but as was pointed out with reverse cam cables following same route it could cause interference, how did you get in on the rear quarter panel?
 
Last edited:
robdx said:
Definitely fancy one of those and had thought of putting it on the boot lid as easy to get to and route cables, but as was pointed out with reverse cam cables following same route it could cause interference, how did you get in on the rear quarter panel?
Click to expand...
Also fitted a rear cam at the same time, all cables ran together no interference. Access to the rear quarter panel was via the boot, not easy being a convertible but I didn't have a lot of options on where the aerial could be fitted.20250324_144203.jpg
 
Gallon said:
Also fitted a rear cam at the same time, all cables ran together no interference. Access to the rear quarter panel was via the boot, not easy being a convertible but I didn't have a lot of options on where the aerial could be fitted.View attachment 169330
Click to expand...


that looks the business, Unfortunately I think the curve on the C180 is too severe so I think boot lid is my way forward. The thought occured to me that the camera cables are only powered when in reverse so id say acceptable risk there on interference.
As I had a quiet day today I did a bit of experimenting and made a strange discovery! When the magnetic mount aerial rusted I simply "Chucked it in the boot" and had not used DAB since, anyway today I hooked up the DAB USB and it worked to a certain degree but only 48 stations where I should get 87 and the Dabdream app works better than DabZ. I went to look at the aerial in the boot to see if I could salvage it to find the coiled bit of the metal was touching the car body, once I moved it every station dropped out. So I am going to buy a Windscreen mount with its own power supply I seen at Halfords and try that. I still have about 2 weeks before my new DUDU7 head unit arrives so for sake of £20 I think its worth a try, if I get no joy there then its one like yours on the boot lid
 
The incartec glass mount (inside the car) one which takes a phantom feed is good. The best glass mount antenna is the Alpine KAE-242-DA-R, but very hard to get. They work very well now - weren't so good a few years ago, but thats what we fit on almost all cars (or we retrofit the factory DAB antenna, but there wasn't one on a W203). R
 
richard said:
The incartec glass mount (inside the car) one which takes a phantom feed is good. The best glass mount antenna is the Alpine KAE-242-DA-R, but very hard to get. They work very well now - weren't so good a few years ago, but thats what we fit on almost all cars (or we retrofit the factory DAB antenna, but there wasn't one on a W203). R
Click to expand...
I think the problem i will have is these USB dongles only provide a 5v phantom feed at best, thats why i'm thinking I will need something with its own power
 
robdx said:
I think the problem i will have is these USB dongles only provide a 5v phantom feed at best, thats why i'm thinking I will need something with its own power
Click to expand...
Yes. The Alpine KAE-242-DA-R antenna works at 5V, the others mostly do not - so your plan is good - I hadn't realised you had a dongle for DAB somehow missed that from your original post :-(
 
richard said:
Yes. The Alpine KAE-242-DA-R antenna works at 5V, the others mostly do not - so your plan is good - I hadn't realised you had a dongle for DAB somehow missed that from your original post :-(
Click to expand...
I'm definitely leaning towards putting an external one on the boot lid, I have to strip the boot lid down anyway to install a reverse camera, so while its stripped I might as well put it on and route all the cables together. I get there could be interference from the camera wires but they will only be powered when in reverse
 
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