6 replies to this topic

[richclem]

I am looking to replace my FM aerial with a combined Blaupunkt FM/DAB one that I currently have wedged inside the cockpit, so I can get a better DAB signal.
I have avoided doing it before as the aerial is about twice as long as the standard FM one, and may make the car look like its remote controlled . But even with all the extra transmitters, I am still struggling to get a decent reliable DAB signal.

I have tried looking at the rear cover that holds the aerial to see the best way to replace the aerial and run the cable, but cant quite work it out.

In the online TIS I have found THIS which refers to another document which I do not seem to be able to find.

Any advice or point in the right direction would be great.

Cheers

ps 222 posts, hurrah

Edited by richclem, 18 January 2006 - 07:04 PM.

[pauln]

Try getting a special short aerial. I've just this minute rescued mine from my car before it gets taken to the breakers (another story!). I got perfect DAB reception with it. I'll see what I can find out about it, but it's only a little bigger than standard and has a twisted wire round the main aerial. P.

[richclem]

Do you know what make it is ? Will it do FM as well as DAB ? I would just like to swop the aerial over but the combined one has the splitter/amp in the aerial and so has two cables coming out. There is also a power lead but I believe conections for this already exist for the standard VX aerial. Besides my receiver supplies the required supply through the aerial connection any way. Cheers

[richclem]

I did find Roll Bar Cover removal in the TIS, but it does not seem to reflect reality, ie where are the head restraint protector thingies

Anybody removed this bit ??

I am toying with the idea of replacing the external FM aerial with a purely DAB one, and use my combined one tucked inside for FM. Anybody tried the Pioneer AN 70DAB ??
This will at least keep the aerial small.

Edited by richclem, 19 January 2006 - 04:58 AM.

[VX-stasy]

I have a Blaupunct Woodstock 52 DAB/FM unit. It is connected via a Bosh AW1 DAB/FM Diplexer unit. It enables you to use only one cable to the Aerial with the FM & DAB signal interleved with each other. The recomended cable for this is RG58 (some people might know it as thin ethernet or 10 base 2 cable).

More importantly on my old VX I ran another cable. But it did involve drilling holes etc. I have finally got round to connecting it up on myVXT & although the installed FM cable is not RG-58 spec it it works perfect.

I had to change the terminations on each end & of course the Aerial. The dipelxer uses standard GSM Cellular type connectiors also known a FME connectors you can buy the Crimp tool from Maplins for 19.99 & the male/female crimp connectors for about 1.50 each.

Here aresome links to the kit.

General description
http://www.bosch-pre...earch=1&id=1134

Antenna & Diplexer unit

http://www.blaupunkt...nfo_oct2002.pdf

Company that sell it as a kit with all cable. I notice they mention the Diplexer but it is not in the picture. It would be worth checking it is included.

http://www.bluespot..../dab_diplex.asp

Crimper Connectors & cable. from Maplin

http://www.maplin.co...o=1607&doy=16m2

http://www.maplin.co...Menu=y&doy=16m2


Cable is 0.49p a meter if you want to make up your own interconect cables etc.

http://www.maplin.co...No=256&doy=16m2

Hope it is of use.!!!!

I am off to listen to some DAB radio the sun has just come out.

[richclem]

Thanks for the reply. Food for thought. I already have the Blaupunkt aerial that is a combined DAB/FM one, but may think about replacing it for a system similar to what you have intalled. I did look around for something like this originally but had no luck. I currently have the aerial laying flat in the rain catcher at the bottom of the windscreen and it works fairly well. Would be nice to get it mounted properly though. Any tips on replacing the old aerial as it seems a pain in the bum to remove. Also any tips on running another cable from the aerial to the front so I can use the combined aerial I have. Cheers

Edited by richclem, 16 February 2006 - 03:58 PM.

[VX-stasy]

The neatest option would be the Diplexer, as it only needs a single cable. I did run a new cable on my old car from where the original aerial is, but I had to drill a hole through the bulkhead beside the rear window & again next to the grommet whre the aerial is mounted. But once inside you can remove the handbrake tunnel & follow the same route as the rest of the electrics. P.S a normal metric socket from a socket set will fit the nut holding the aerial & the connecting wire can pass through the squared drive in the socket. I used a large flat screwdriver in the square drive hole to turn the nut & remove it. Good luck.!