- My model of MX-5 is: __
- I’m based near: __
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __DAB aerial
I have just swapped my Sanyo factory fitted head unit for a Pioneer sph 2300 DAB after market head unit.
Nice radio does all I want it to do but I lose DAB reception regularly. I have fitted a DAB /FM splitter but as I said loose reception quiet regularly. I know the reason its low car high Cornish festering walls.
The splitter is powered so I guess there is an amp in there but…
What do others use on Mk3s? Not a fan of windscreen stick on aerials unless someone can tell me where one should stick the windscreen aerial so its not obstructive or 'orrid to look at.
So again recommendations would be good NO MAG MOUNTS
Thanks
Mine works a treat. About 150mm from the top and was very surprised about how good the reception is. MK3.75 with a Kenwood DMX8019 DABS.
Reception will always depend on location perhaps? (I don’t know the answer).
Better looking than a Tax disc perhaps.
Thanks for that its just a widscreen aerial doesn’t look that good. Well to me anyway.
It might be a reception thing its the further I go West in Cornwall it craps out. Perhaps its the reception
Not perfect agreed, but it works.
The problem being on the MX5 you are very limited where it can go,(stick on ones). Windscreen and that’s it. For example if on a saloon I would have routed it to the rear quarter window. (My Volvo OEM dab antenna is mounted there).
I have a stubby aerial from Moss.
I don’t have DAB but they are allegedly compatible.
Not expensive, so worth a try.
Ps Whereabouts in Cornwall RE, me 'ansome??
Aha.
I was brought up in PZ and Mousehole.
Went to the Humpty Dumpty Grammar school.
I have a stubby on my NA and the reception is excellent. However I know that there are DAB “black spots” and no aerial will help that - does the car not automatically switch to FM if it loses DAB reception? I know some units do. there may be a setting that does this?
Lucky 'ol you.
I was dragged up in Surrey.
Joined the Navy ended up in Somerset
We are in Cornwall by default lived in France for ten years when we came back could only afford what we have now.
So what about DAB reception?
It would switch to FM if I was listening to a station that was on FM Gold UKTalksport 2 aren’t on FM.
Where is your stub fitted
Sorry - I usually listen to Radio 2! My stubby is fitted where the normal aerial goes and is a straight swap… However I have an ND, but it is the same one for an NC - from Moss. Seem to be on back order at the moment…
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Yup, the stubby is a straight swap for oem.
Simply unscrew the original and screw the stubby in its place. Takes less than a minute.
I don’t have DAB on my car but Moss claim the (aluminium) stubby is fully compatible.
And the price please?
You reckon it’ll receive DAB?
Hi, the DAB / FM splitter will not work on a MK3.75
They have an amplifier in the base of the aerial that is tuned for FM frequencies and will not pass a good DAB signal. I speak from experiance as I tried one on my MK3.5 when I fitted a new radio.
D.
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There is a link in Snelly’s post above.
They claim it is compatible and give the price.
You can always drop them an email or give them a ring
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"# Aerial, stubby
£17.20
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AVAILABLE TO ORDER
If you’ve ever thought that tall whip-like antenna might be a hazard to unsuspecting eyeballs or a future casualty at a car wash, we’ve found a perfect solution. The Stubby Antenna is just 3.77 inches tall, super easy to install (unscrew the old, screw on the new Stubby!), machined from billet aluminium and then powdercoated for durability, and won’t affect radio reception or interfere with satellite radio services. It blends in perfectly with your MX-5’s sporty lines but you’ll notice it every time you look at your Mazda.
Also compatible with DAB adapter receiver."
Combemartian I hear what you say so what did you use with your new radio?
I spoke to a car audio engineer specialist person who said the way to go was with a splitter
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My understanding is a splitter, due to the reason I stated above, will not work. Talk to your “ car audio engineer specialist person “ and explain the fact the mk3s have a amplifier at the base of the aerial tuned to the FM band. I’m always prepared to be proved wrong but when I tried a splitter it didn’t work. FM was ok but DAB very intermittent.
I bought the little mag mount aerial from Halfords just to try, but like you I didn’t want it on the bodywork so I tried it on the inside. As these cars don’t have a metal roof it worked remarkably well on the shelf behind the seats. Not ideal I agree but worked for me.
I can confirm this. I got an unamplified splitter as the stock antenna is already amplified. Apart from very limited reception of some local stations, I don’t receive anything.