I’ve already tried a windscreen aerial -it was useless.
The signal amp on the NC is part of the aerial - an electronic “box” under the wing which the aerial cable to the head unit plugs into along with a power cable. I’ve had the “box” taken apart and the power “in” socket desoldered.
Interesting. I’m sure one of those splitters came with my head unit (I bought it secondhand), so I should be able to try it out. Didn’t use it as didn’t know what it was. I’ll also update when I find it.
Some progress. I wired the splitter that came with my HU (looks just like the Connects2 one you linked) up. At first no change, then I tried pushing and wiggling the car’s FM aerial lead male plug end in the splitter’s female socket and I got stations.
The HU displayed “DGTL” with stations playing , whereas previously only the signal strength bars were showing (presumably for the FM signal only). I just can’t get the signal connection to remain - just a slight movement or changing the DAB Bands and it’s lost it.
Conclusions - I haven’t bothered to connect the eBay splitter up again to see if I can now get the same results. If I do and get a signal it confirms the modification works. However it looks like either I’d need another aerial cable which fits better into the splitter OR a new FM male plug end.
It might be that the splitter(s) aren’t really up to splitting the FM and DAB signals consistently.
I’m still thinking a dedicated DAB aerial is the solution. I’m not fussed about FM.
I fitted this one from Hama on Amazon - it’s not as cheap as the windscreen mounted ones but it delivers great reception and I’m very happy with it. It’s gone down in price since I bought it too. Replaced the existing aerial on the back of the car with plenty wiring to spare. It looks stock when fitted too, basically - no further modifications required. I used circlip pliers to remove the “base” of the stock aerial on the outside of the car. The hardest part was getting one of the screws on the inside undone.
I ran the wire around the RR wheel well and used my trombone cleaner to push it through to the cabin, then moved to the front of the car. I took out the centre console then removed some of the clips behind the driver seat to get my hand behind, then fed the aerial wires to the middle and then below the cubby/storage and along the centre tunnel. I used a couple of cable ties to keep everything neat.
I would highly recommend it. I haven’t tried either of the 2 stubby aerials and have just left the Hama one in place. Strong, consistent DAB and FM reception all over.
That’s the type I’m considering getting, except I’d seen some cheaper ones which look very similar.
I’m doubtful the stubby is good enough for consistent, good DAB reception. Looks good though.
I found the Hama one through another thread on here, linking to a miata.net thread. I jumped right in and bought it before finding those similar, cheaper looking ones you linked above. No idea if they’re as good, or even exactly the same but I can’t fault the Hama one. I didn’t want a windscreen mounted one and didn’t want to modify the existing one.
The cheaper ones might be worth a punt as, the way my man maths works, it’s the cost of a couple of pints to at least try.
This post is where I came across the one you have (or at least it looks like it). I couldn’t find the same one being sold in the UK, so thanks for the link.
I removed my dab aerial and using the Android auto on my phone/ new head unit listen to DAB radio successfully via Rayo without said dab aerial…maybe worth a try before purchasing an aerial
My head unit isn’t Android.
Having looked at the options it seems to come down to;
Getting an aerial extension lead, which gets me a male plug that looks very similar to what I have on the splitter, and therefore unlikely to make any difference.
Chopping the male plug off the old Bose HU (which I know works with the existing aerial cable) and soldering that onto an extension cable.
Buying a DAB aerial.
I actually used to have the Eightwood DAB aerial you linked. Personally didn’t like how it looked, but that could just be me. It never quite sat perfectly, plus after a couple issues with water seeping in I decided to go back to stock and attempted to modify the standard aerial. Your mileage may vary
Good to know, thanks.
Success. Installed the Connects2 CT27AA136 and immediately it picked up DAB stations with 3 bars of strength. Better than the ebay splitter (so far anyway). Decided to take a couple photos:
Installed the new splitter. Blue wire connected to a red wire where the old ebay splitter was installed (this is just spurred off from a red wire which powers my Connects2 CTSMZ012)
Another photo after it’s all wired up
More photos post install. 3 bars on DAB on multiple stations. Did a retune and got ~85 stations. Also included a pic of the settings I’m using. Antenna power is on. I didn’t try turning it off as it’s working
Only tested on the driveway so far. Driving from Cardiff to Hereford tomorrow so can report back
That’s good news! Await an update following your trip.
Out of interest are you able to try the factory antenna to compare?
Quickly tested, again on my driveway. Noticebly worse.
National stations dropped to 2 bars. Regional stations (BBC Radio Wales) was very poor reception. Put the Jass Performance Stubby aerial back on and got 3 bars signal and no dropouts.
That is helpful - thanks.
I’ll need to either get a stubby or replace the whole thing.
I’m thinking stubby given your experience with the Right wood. Want to sort the plug connection first - I dug the old HU out and found it doesn’t have an aerial lead/plug on it. Is the plug in the car what went into the back of the old HU? I can’t remember now
The aerial lead / plug is in the car, yes. It should be behind your headunit and it’s covered in a foam material. Pointed out from image below. Another tip: everything you plug in give it a good shove to make sure there’s a solid connection
So you actually have both good FM and DAB reception with the OEM antenna and this splitter?
@Forty45 Trip to Hereford - good DAB signal all the way on BBC Stations. Drops out on Absolute radio but that seems to be a symptom of the area, not so much my setup. Happy with it so far
Yes. But lots of modifications made so it’s hardly OEM anymore. Recommend reading the miata.net forum link above