DAB reception (or lack of) on my CLS

[knockerblip]

Have just acquired a 2013 CLS and am a tad miffed at the dependency of the DAB signal.
I don’t live out in the sticks but the consistency of reception in the West Mids leaves a lot to be desired.
I wonder if thei is a Merc problem, a CLS problem or is it maybe my car.
The signal drops for varying lengths of time....sometimes a second or two other times, when in more remote areas, for hours. Previously I had a Jag XF without the same issue.

Any thoughts? Can the reception of the signal be improved?

Cheers

 

[richard]

Reception should be reasonable where you are, you may have a different issue (antenna amp, cabling, etc)
The first thing to check is if you have a plug in USB charger (remember there could be one hidden if you have a hard-wired dash-cam / tomtom) etc. Unplug that first if you do and see what happens

R

 

[Deleted member 113659]

I’m just curious.

What’s the allure of DAB radio?

I can’t tell the difference between FM & DAB in my car/van. Is it just a case of a wider choice of radio station?

 

[richard]

Wider choice. DAB quality varies depending on what bitrate the station is sent in and of course millions of times better than stations that are only available on AM. Having retrofitted hundreds of DAB units, most people use it to listen to Radio 5 Live, or Talk Sport.

 

[whitenemesis]

DAB is like listening to CD instead of FM, much wider dynamic range.

 

[John N]

I’m just curious.

What’s the allure of DAB radio?

I can’t tell the difference between FM & DAB in my car/van. Is it just a case of a wider choice of radio station?

It's got Planet Rock!

 

[jayboy222]

I had a similar issue and it was very annoying, so I had the software updated and it's been perfect ever since, so perhaps check to see if your car needs any software updates?

 

[garycat]

It's got Planet Rock!

Which is broadcast in mono at 64kbps Mono! F**king mono!!!!

 

[PaulXC]

Have just acquired a 2013 CLS and am a tad miffed at the dependency of the DAB signal.
I don’t live out in the sticks but the consistency of reception in the West Mids leaves a lot to be desired.
I wonder if thei is a Merc problem, a CLS problem or is it maybe my car.
The signal drops for varying lengths of time....sometimes a second or two other times, when in more remote areas, for hours.

Cheers

My 2012 E500 is exactly the same. I was going to get the dealer to check it at the next service. The DAB in my Polo is way better on the same routes.

 

[jc62b]

Hi, I had this issue on my 2014 C Coupe. It was in dealers being serviced f they gave me a 4 door C Class courtesy car. The DAB on the courtesy car was perfect whereas the DAB in my car was terrible, dropped out continually for minutes at a time. When I went to pick my car up I switched both cars on, put the windows down & let them hear the difference between their car being perfect & mine cutting out continually. This proved it wasn’t a loss of signal but a fault on my car. They agreed & fitted a new Aerial Amp. Been perfect ever since. Think it’s a known issue.

 

[jc62b]

+1 for Planet Rock. One of the big reasons I chose my car was for the DAB radio.

 

[knockerblip]

Thanks Guys for those really informative replies from which I can see I am not the only one that has this problem.
So question is, where is the amplifier located.....I presume it’s an easy fix unless of course it needs to be coded.
Planet Rock not my thing but DAB gives me 1)better quality of sound (when it works), 2)LBC Talk and 3)saves switching from AM to FM.

 

[jc62b]

From memory, think the amp is part of the shark fin aerial.

 

[littleowl]

Interesting, I have a 2014 W204 and the DAB does dip in and out regularly but so far not for a long period at a time

 

[stephenmercedes]

I dread the day that they threaten to switch off FM. In DAB, it's either on or off in a car, FM just goes a bit crinkley round the edges on a weak signal, bit at least you're still in touch with the outside world. It's a car for goodness sakes, you don't need ultra HiFi quality to listen to PopMaster - I'm a fully signed up member of an analogue man in a digital world...

 

[knockerblip]

Is there such a thing as a DAB signal booster .?

 

[exvolvoman]

Here in rural mid Wales, we ask the question, "What is DAB?"... we're still struggling to pick up MW...
And what happened to radio Luxembourg...?

 

[stephenmercedes]

You may have to solder a new plug on the end as those military vehicles use different fittings...

 

[jc62b]

My radio drops out at the same places around where I live. This is due to a loss of signal. It’s got to the point that I know it’s going to drop. It happens at both ends of my street & at a hill in the next village. Happens every single time.
Before the amp upgrade it cut out continually regardless of where the car was. Much improved after upgrade.

 

[John N]

My radio drops out at the same places around where I live. This is due to a loss of signal. It’s got to the point that I know it’s going to drop. It happens at both ends of my street & at a hill in the next village. Happens every single time.
Before the amp upgrade it cut out continually regardless of where the car was. Much improved after upgrade.

It's a pity that you can't plug into the Bridge in your Avatar remotely to use as a Aerial.