I’ve had a good trawl through all the topics for a solution to my problem but so far no joy so I’m hoping someone can help on the forum.
I recently fitted a Kenwood DMX7017DABS head unit to my 2008 NC so that I can have Apple Car Play, phone connectivity for calls and DAB radio. Halfords did the installation and 2 of the 3 objectives were achieved but the DAB part is a washout! I have a screen mounted DAB aerial but spend more time listening to crackle or the (admittedly intoxicating) exhaust note than any of my favourite stations. My van has a DAB radio fitted and that gets great signal in all the areas I work so would expect the same of my MX5 but this isn’t the case.
My questions therefore are 1) Is this because the aerial is sitting much closer to the ground than the wing mirror-integrated van aerial and so is prone to poor reception,
or 2) is the screen mounted aerial just pants and would I be better fitting a combination aerial on her bum in place of the stock bee-sting aerial?
If the answer is 2, can anyone recommend a worthy replacement please?
I have one of these cheap Chinese plug-in DAB radio units, it plays through my Alpine head unit in the Mk3. I get perfect DAB signals until I plug-in and use my dash cam, then the DAB goes and I get crackles and pops from it. I done everything to try and rectify it, no go. I tried fitting these ferrite rings to the wiring, still no good. So do you have a dash cam?
I just can’t have the DAB playing and dash cam working together.
I’ve got the same Kenwood head unit and DAB was very hit and miss with the screen arial. Had the windscreen replaced, but couldn’t be bothered to fit a new arial and use the RadioPlayer app via CarPlay instead; much more satisfactory.
I also have the same Kenwood head unit with windscreen DAB aerial. Reception is very good indeed so maybe you’ve got a dud there. That said, I believe there is a setting to send power to the aerial so maybe worth looking at the system or audio settings to see if it’s activated. If all else fails, back to Halfords who will surely sort it for you under warranty.
I found this with dash cam and sat nav, and also the dash cam and SWMBO’s mobile, and the pictures on the dash cam had some interference also - I was ready to scrap the dash cam.
However, it was the dash cam 5V power supply splatting rf interference all over the place, even if no dash cam connected to it. A different 5V power supply and everything is usable.
After reading Mac5’s post I dug that old power supply out of my junk box and gave it 12V next to an old Roberts DAB radio on the workbench, and it splats that big time, even on the FM.
Old power supply now transferred to the electrical’s recycling box with the low energy flu bulbs etc waiting for the final journey.
I’ve hardwired the dash cam to the footwell fuse box, changed it to the 12v aux outlet in the dash, still no good. Most likely it’s a cheap Chinese dash cam shame as the dash cam works really well so does the Dab radio but not both together.
Did the 12V go direct to the dash cam itself? Or was there a blob in the lead or the plug converting down to 5V? The usual culprit is the converter, not so often the camera.
A quick way to check on an interference source, if you have the bits, is to wrap the suspect in a few layers of kitchen foil, and also clamp a couple of ferrite beads on the leads in and out of it, trapping the inner layer of foil under a bead on each lead. If the interference is reduced or goes away, then this was the problem source.
When I say lead, this means the pair of wires. eg the two wires (+ -) for the 5V is one lead, and then the other pair of wires for the 12V is another lead. Splay those + - wires apart to fan out the lead and you will create an aerial to broadcast the interference!
However the correct way to prevent interference is not to produce it in the first place, and this is where the design and manufacture of the equipment is significant, because it is a trivial exercise if the manufacturer is prepared to spend a few more pennies on the necessary components. By definition, something that produces interference will not be CE approved (despite any markings on it claiming so).
(I used to design power supplies, cameras, displays, etc, and making sure they did NOT radiate was a significant potential problem, but easily solved by following best practice when knowing what to expect.)
You must make sure that the aerial is earthed to the bodywork of the car. I rubbed off a little bit of paint from the windscreen frame, attached it as per instructions, then sprayed painted with kurust, a rattle can primer and some top coat before replacing the plastic “A” post trim. Now its oustanding!
Posting this poolside on our honeymoon in Santorini!!
Barrie I’m thinking about top down motoring with the new Mrs. A, listening to Radio 2 (yeh we’re fossils!) on the DAB. Or maybe ”Ain’t that good news?” By Sam Cooke, one of our wedding songs! Going back into the pool now for another dip to cool off! ??
I am having similar problems with my Kenwood unit .
This radio was previously fitted to a previous car and had fantastic reception using a different ( but same model) kenwood windscreen antenna.
I also used to have a newer Kenwood unit that was a more recent model, however swapping between vehicles proved that the later unit had a less sensitive receiver , so when i sold cars i kept the one with better reception, so i know that it at least ‘used’ to be good.
However, I have also hardwired in a dash cam and also use a TomTom sat nav. I will drive the car with these two units un-powered having read the experience and info on this thread - I didn’t think of that.
Thanks for all the feedback gang - I’ve been scatty at work and haven’t been back on the forum since posting so great to have all your replies.
I do have a dashcam fitted and hadn’t considered that so like kwikphix328 I’ll try it without it plugged in. I’ve noticed that my wireless phone charger (2 different products tried so far) interferes with my DAB reception on my van come to think of it so should have thought of that but as my dashcam in the van hasn’t caused any issues (it’s hardwired in) I didn’t realise they could cause interference. I’ve been meaning to try wrapping the back of the charger in foil to see if that would help - RichardFX your reply was a great insight into this so thanks for that.
Thanks for all the feedback gang - I’ve been scatty at work and haven’t been back on the forum since posting so great to have all your replies.
I do have a dashcam fitted and hadn’t considered that so like kwikphix328 I’ll try it without it plugged in. I’ve noticed that my wireless phone charger (2 different products tried so far) interferes with my DAB reception on my van come to think of it so should have thought of that but as my dashcam in the van hasn’t caused any issues (it’s hardwired in) I didn’t realise they could cause interference. I’ve been meaning to try wrapping the back of the charger in foil to see if that would help - RichardFX your reply was a great insight into this so thanks for that.
Thanks for all the feedback gang - I’ve been scatty at work and haven’t been back on the forum since posting so great to have all your replies.
I do have a dashcam fitted and hadn’t considered that so like kwikphix328 I’ll try it without it plugged in. I’ve noticed that my wireless phone charger (2 different products tried so far) interferes with my DAB reception on my van come to think of it so should have thought of that but as my dashcam in the van hasn’t caused any issues (it’s hardwired in) I didn’t realise they could cause interference. I’ve been meaning to try wrapping the back of the charger in foil to see if that would help - RichardFX your reply was a great insight into this so thanks for that.
