- My model of MX-5 is: NC
- I’m based near: Manchester
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: DAB Aerial selection.
I installed a DAB radio a couple of years ago and installed a small DAB aerial which sat on the top of the dashboard near the windscreen. This aerial has now failed for some reason. Does anyone have any recommendations for a replacement aerial. I’m thinking of a replacement bee-sting aerial (looks just like the original fitted aerial) but it’s designed as an FM and DAB aerial. Is that the best option to take as suspect the other (cheaper) dashboard/windscreen aerials don’t provide the same quality reception as a conventional aerial. Any opinions would be very much appreciated.2024-06-05T23:00:00Z
Having explored various options when changing my head unit, I eventually decided to install a window mounted aerial on the passenger side.
The original one I purchased (with the head unit) was very disappointing, but after doing a bit of research , I was persuaded to purchase a replacement one from Eightwood. I can’t speak highly enough about it. Totally transformed the digital radio reception, to the point it constantly outperforms the factory fitted unit in my van. And it’s only £11!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eightwood-Digtial-Antenna-Extension-Blaupunkt-SMB-Glass/dp/B01E6QXM30
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Totally agree, the ebay item or £11.00 works perfectly. Just remember to ensure you have a clean earth for the mounting on the windscreen.
I tried a windscreen one (branded as Kenwood). I wasn’t impressed with it and soon moved on to one of these, which while not perfect, is capable of holding stations far better than the other one was.
Thanks very much for replying with such useful advice. Another respondent agreed with your suggestion. I will get myself an Eightwood DAB/FM aerial and hope that does the trick. Sorry for the late response but I’ve just found the response notification in my Junk box.
Thanks again, much appreciated.
Thanks for that. I’ll take up the advice of the Eightwood aerial and feel confident it will solve the problem. Thanks again, I appreciate your help.
Thanks very much for taking the trouble to reply to my request for assistance. I think I’ll try the Eightwood DAB/FM aerial, and if not successful will try the one you suggested. Thanks again for your help, much appreciated. Regards.
Correction. DAB aerial, not DAB/FM as stated.
I have just adapted the stock aerial for DAB. No windshield aerial required. Followed this guide. Posts #17 #22 #24 and #29 should help if you tackle it 
I’ve posted on that link as I’m not 100% sure what is to be desoldered and what is being linked - could you clarify please?
What are the results like with the stock aeriel? Do you have good DAB reception in your area?
I’ve fitted a Kenwood DPX7100 and used an aerial with magnetic base from Halfords which works way better for me than a stick-on windscreen one. Reception is pretty good with occasional dropout. It’s not attractive, and I’d like to just have one mast, but don’t want limited reception. My suspicion is people who have a good experience with stick-on or stubby aerials live where DAB signals are strong.
I replied to your post with what I did.
Stock aerial I got OK reception, but it was immediately better once I added the Jass performance stubby aerial (this is just a direct replacement. Takes 15 seconds to change). I have a Sony unit and it said 2/3 bars with stock, immediately went to 3/3 with Jass performance stubby and I got more stations.
Signal has been excellent so far - only dropping out in tunnels.
Great, thanks for clarifying what’s required.
I’m going to get someone with better soldering skills than I have to put the wires on the circuit board - is there a particular guage wire to use?
Which cable did you get the power for the eBay splitter from - the head unit’s or the one to the aerial?
I don’t think the gauge matters, just something small because it needs to flex. I used a spare length of auto wire
Then the power for eBay splitter - just splice into any of the red wires behind the headunit.
Thank you Ewan.
Hello again Ewan
I got the soldering done - the person had the photos and knew what was to be done. They desoldered the power pin.
I’m not getting any DAB stations though. Previously I was using a DAB aerial with magnetic base which I had stations on Band 3 on channels 11A, 11B, 11D and 12B.
The aerial splitter bulb is illuminated. Power for it is coming from a red wire. The installation manual shows 2 blue/white wires (power control wire and antenna control wire) which is noted as the total output of both wires as 12V (350mA) - I don’t think using either of these should make any difference to the ability of the splitter to deal with DAB stations do you?
The head unit has a setting of “on/off” for DAB antenna power which I’ve tried in both “on” and “off”.
Is there anything you can suggest I should do to get stations? I live on the south coast where reception is usually good.
I’m not sure but it sounds like it’s to do with the splitter, if you’re getting FM stations. Not sure about the 2 blue/white wires either I don’t think my splitter had those wires.
I’m not sure about on/off for DAB antenna power either.
Best I can suggest is rescan the aerial?? Maybe try a different splitter? This was mine:
Yes, I can get some FM stations.
The blue/white wires are from the head unit, so it controls what they operate. I have the same splitter as you.
I’ve rescanned the aerial multiple times. I assume you haven’t had a problems since converting.
My view is it’s the splitter, the part of the aerial which has been modded (I’ll take it apart) or maybe the power supply to the splitter is insufficient in some way (have to work out how to measure).
I may end up getting a dedicated DAB aerial - the one I’ve got pulls in plenty of channels, but looks wrong.
Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than I will be able to comment on this as I’m not au-fait with the NC (I have a NB), but I thought I read somewhere on the forum that the NC has an aerial amplifier which also filters out non-FM/AM wavelengths. This is in-line with the wiring between the stubby aerial and the radio aerial connector. Thus DAB signals would be suppressed and you’ll need a separate DAB windscreen aerial (Eightwood for example).
It might be worth your while searching for posts on this topic.
Today I decided to pull my stereo apart. I think the eBay splitter is very subsceptible to interference. I wiggled about my cables and in about 90% of arrangements I don’t get dab stations. I must’ve been lucky to get the cables not to interfere behind my stereo.
Also noticed I get better DAB reception without the FM antenna plugged into the headunit. There must be interference to do with that cable.
Decided to order the actual Connects2 (UK brand) splitter: CT27AA136 Universal DAB DAB+ Aerial Antenna Splitter for Car Stereo Radio with SMB input for DAB
Going to see how this performs. Believe the blue wire will just plug into where the red wire is wired up on the eBay splitter. Should be a straight swap. I should be able to install next week once it arrives and report back on performance.