DAB aerial in a 944?

[martin.vesty]

I had a new “old look” Blaupunkt stereo fitted today which has Bluetooth, hands free phone and DAB.

Blaupunkt Skagen 400 DAB - Classic Car Stereo

Highlights Radio High-End CODEM IV High-End World- Tuner FM, AM, DAB, DAB+ Tuner w. PS, AF, REG, EON, RT, CT, PTY, TA, Service following, DLS Media player USB front, rear AUX MP2, MP3, WMA, FLAC, M4A/ AAC, WAV Support Apple iPod Support Bluetooth Int. and ext. microphone support Audio streaming...

www.classiccarstereo.co.uk

Very nice looking and already sounds better than the old Sony that I’d installed together with the CD stacker that the PO gave me.

I even took my first phone call on my way home which was nice and convenient instead of missing the call.

However the guys said they didn’t want to install the DAB radio up into the windscreen (passenger side) pillar as the screen was bonded and they didn’t want to risk breaking the pillar trim nor screen! From what I understand, they have a very short, inch long, earth wire which needs a good connection to body or other which is where the installation challenge came. Frustrating having wanted DAB.

At least I can stream live or downloaded radio and music via my phone which works great. I also have functioning FM radio which had failed on the Sony.

QUESTION:
Has anyone fitted or had fitted a DAB aerial to their 944 if you have a screen aerial ( body mounted aerial would have been easy to hijack for DAB).

Kit use? Where fitted to?

 

[marty]

I had a windscreen aerial fitted when I got a new Alpine radio.
The fitter removed the side trim and scraped off the paint where the earth connection was going to go and stuck the aerial to the glass. He didn't have any problem doing this and the reception was quite good.
You need to turn on aerial power in the menu on the radio (this may be why some people say this type of aerial doesn't work).
The aerial I got was "Alpine Electronics Dab+ Glass Antenna" from Amazon.
Unfortunately I have had a new windscreen fitted since then so I will have to get another one

 

[martin.vesty]

I had a windscreen aerial fitted when I got a new Alpine radio.
The fitter removed the side trim and scraped off the paint where the earth connection was going to go and stuck the aerial to the glass. He didn't have any problem doing this and the reception was quite good.
You need to turn on aerial power in the menu on the radio (this may be why some people say this type of aerial doesn't work).
The aerial I got was "Alpine Electronics Dab+ Glass Antenna" from Amazon.
Unfortunately I have had a new windscreen fitted since then so I will have to get another one

Thanks Marty, that sounds like the type of aerial they would have fitted to my car. I'm not sure if it was just BH Friday and the sunshine that meant they couldn't be bothered or some reason why the fitter shied away from removing the trim.

I think I'm going to find somewhere else to see if I get the same story and I'll actually remove the pillar side trim myself before.

Good to know that it's possible !

 

[aporschefan]

I’ve got a dab aerial fixed to my windscreen too. Will try taking a picture this weekend and sharing with you in case it helps.

 

[martin.vesty]

That would be helpful thanks.

 

[Furiousrichie]

I fitted a Blaupunkt Barcelona, similar thoughts as you, wanting the retro look with modern functionality. Looks and sounds great, particularly pleased with the Bluetooth Waze interface that lowers the music volume automatically for GPS directions through the car speakers



I didn't fit a DAB aerial yet, only because there wasn't one in the box and I'm going to wait until I do a dashboard frenzy of clock repair and dial change, so I'll be interested in which aerial you choose and how you mount it.

I can't imagine its difficult, just routing and chasing the cable in, probably best on the passenger side where I have my toll booth transponder. I retrofitted one to an Alfa 159 a few years back and I can't recall any dramas which means it was probably straightforward.

 

[dlknight]

Aren't those retro-look radios crazy expensive? I've got an early 2000s Alpine 9857R in the 944 Turbo at the moment. Lovely radio and does 60W x 4, plenty loud enough for me and good bass from my standard rear speakers (got upgraded Hertz Deici components in the front, will upgrade the rear too at some point).

 

[Furiousrichie]

Aren't those retro-look radios crazy expensive? I've got an early 2000s Alpine 9857R in the 944 Turbo at the moment. Lovely radio and does 60W x 4, plenty loud enough for me and good bass from my standard rear speakers (got upgraded Hertz Deici components in the front, will upgrade the rear too at some point).

https://amzn.eu/d/0h3h3wm7

£147 on Amazon.

 

[martin.vesty]

Aren't those retro-look radios crazy expensive? I've got an early 2000s Alpine 9857R in the 944 Turbo at the moment. Lovely radio and does 60W x 4, plenty loud enough for me and good bass from my standard rear speakers (got upgraded Hertz Deici components in the front, will upgrade the rear too at some point).

This is the unit I went for.

Skagen 400 DAB - Blaupunkt

The 7 “Multicolours” allow the illuminated buttons and the display to be adapted to the car model for a harmonious overall look. Highlights Radio • High-End CODEM IV High-End World- Tuner • FM, AM, DAB, DAB+ Tuner w. PS, AF, REG, EON, RT, CT, PTY, TA, Service

blaupunkt.com

Whilst I could have bought cheaper on line at Amazon or other but as my wiring needed to be sorted out I had it fitted and they bought direct from classic car stereo who I think are the UK distributor.

Blaupunkt Skagen 400 DAB - Classic Car Stereo

Highlights Radio High-End CODEM IV High-End World- Tuner FM, AM, DAB, DAB+ Tuner w. PS, AF, REG, EON, RT, CT, PTY, TA, Service following, DLS Media player USB front, rear AUX MP2, MP3, WMA, FLAC, M4A/ AAC, WAV Support Apple iPod Support Bluetooth Int. and ext. microphone support Audio streaming...

www.classiccarstereo.co.uk

I guess it's the latest version of the Barcelona (ref richie post above) as they don't list the Barcelona with similar if not same spec.

I liked the Skagen 400 as all the buttons are white and the colour options for the unit include white which goes well with the clock, possibly yellow also but I stuck to white. It's plenty load enough and the audio set up via menu gives plenty of personal tailoring of the sound and location of the sound centre.

Need to check out the DAB aerial fitting as per above posts but other things on another car to keep me busy at the moment.

 

[Furiousrichie]

Barcelona has a CD and front Aux input but they're pretty similar.

I specifically wanted a CD - If I didn't want that I think I would have gone for the Skagen or one with the "Cassette" cover.