FM/DAB digital radio - THAT WORKS!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RevheadKev

Hi Fire,

Just did some googling and found the following 2 interesting things about DAB+ reception in Australia...
1. Frequent dropouts were experienced in June 2009 when DAB+ first switched on as many stations apparantly were not broadcasting full power
2. External antenna vastly improves reception to elliminate dropouts (your gargle)

Here is a link to an external DAB+ antenna for the Pure Highway unit. Maybe we can source something similar for the Venice modules if they have a connection for it ?

---

I realised that the stations aren't full power.. Same goes for TV.. when analogue is eventually stopped, they will up the power on digital (both radio and TV).
I will be looking at installing a large antenna when i get the system fully installed in the car (i have a 4wd, so dont mind having a large antenna).

us Aussies have a long road ahead!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fire

us Aussies have a long road ahead!

---

Really just waiting on a module we can install and test. Either ready-made or DIY.

I do quite a bit of travelling upto Brisbane usually each Christmas so between both of us we will have the main eastern australian cities tested well I think.

http://www.dabonwheels.com/Bosch_Bla...ar_aerial.html is the one I use. Just drove about 150 miles in the UK and there was only a short distance of 5m where I had patchy signal but it was between hills so to be expected. Even then, it didn't totally drop out, just breakups every few mins for just a couple of seconds.

you'll need an external aerial to get dab,

inside a car the signal is basically in a faraday cage so you'll have some issues.

Graig or nrgizerbunny,
Does the external antenna have to be specifically for DAB or is there the opportunity to connect and use the standard fm/am aerial from the head unit if the head unit is not installed ?
I would imagine maybe not with DAB/DAB+ using VHF Band III.
See details here from WorldDAB (I don't know how old this information is)

Well i am glad to see this continue be it if it takes a more commercial angle.

I too am in Australia and would be kind to give this a go, i already have a Venice 7 module, would there be an option to use my own module, if so will there be issues with the firmware?

hi kev,

if you are using a pole antenna, ie one that is telescopic you can alter the length (usually make is shorter), plug in and then it will work.

If you've got a fixed type such as a beesting you'll need to change the whole thing.

just one thing to add, you'll need to find out if you've got an amplifier in it.

Yes nrgizerbunny, the aerial is a short one and it has an amplifier in-line as there is a 12V connection wired to it.
How does this affect things ?
I assume from your previous reply that I will need to replace the aerial with a new digital one and remove the amplifier ?

Well I tried an FM aerial and it didn't work even with one of those converter units.