Aerial options

An often overlooked aspect of in-car DAB set-ups is the correct aerial. If you want a decent experience you have to use a decent aerial, it's as basic as that. This page contains a run down of the different styles of aerial available. It is worth spending a few pounds more on a quality aerial and installation to ensure you get good quality reception.

Aerial splitters

One option to avoid unless there is absolutely no alternative is to split the signal from your existing FM aerial. Car manufacturers spend a lot of time on making sure that the FM aerials supplied are discrete and do a good job of FM reception. As a result, you'll find trying to split one will probably make your existing FM reception worse and will provide an unsatisfactory DAB experience.

Internal glass mounted aerials

These are a basic option, and are often found included with quick fit add-on devices and sometimes as a freebie with DAB head-units. If installed correctly, on non-heated windscreens, you'll find that DAB rece[tion is possible in strong signal areas. However, reception may be difficult on fringes and if you have a heated windscreen you'll need to consider a roof aerial.

External glass mounted aerials

A better option (and one I use) is to have an external glass mounted aerial. Mounted to your windscreen on the outside is the aerial itself, which feeds through to a plate on the inside of your windscreen and through a cable to your radio. The aerial is held in place with a strong adhesive, so it can be removed at a later date if needed with no damage to your windscreen. You'll get good reception in areas of official coverage, and also fringe coverage too.

Roof mounted aerials

The best option for any installation is to get a roof mounted aerial. You can go for a permanent aerial mounted to your roof, or a magnetic aerial. Some roof mounted aerials are also capable of GPS and/or FM reception, so it is worth while to shop around. If you have a heated windscreen, a roof mounted aerial is really your only option for decent DAB reception. You will find that with a roof mounted aerial, you'll have great reception in areas of official coverage and possibly beyond when outside of official coverage areas.