Car Aerials (DAB / AM/FM)

InvaderGIR · 1 Jul 2015 at 13:55

My car currently had a wing mounted AM/FM aerial which has (prior to my ownership) been snapped off just above the base meaning I don't really get a good signal.

I have a head unit with DAB coming and whilst that isn't the reason I'm buying the unit I figure I should address my aerial situation and fit one that allows me to use all of the HU's features.

Ideally I want to remove the wing mount entirely and have an internally mounted aerial but want some opinions on the available ones, mostly glass mounted ones.
There are loads of glass mounted options varying from £20 to £100 or so but I'm wondering if they can also be mounted to metal? My thinking is that I can mount of them them behind the headlining on the roof skin so that it's out of sight but I've not been able to find anything on google if this will work or not. Anyone know if there would be issues mounting one to metal, I mean they just stick to the glass normally?

Alternatively, anyone know of a half decent but not silly priced wing mount AM/FM & DAB one? I've seen some at £80+ which seems excessive given there isn't a great DAB take up in the UK.

And as a lazy option, anyone know what's a half decent AM/FM wing mounted one?

MatteH Oxford · 1 Jul 2015 at 17:45

You can get a combined (+ amplified

) Am/Fm & DAB aerial for £40 on the famous auction site.

Works brilliantly. Internal glass mount DAB ones are terrible in my experience.

SoliD · 1 Jul 2015 at 18:11

What's up with an old coat hanger?

Confused · 1 Jul 2015 at 18:27

MatteH Oxford said:
You can get a combined (+ amplified ) Am/Fm & DAB aerial for £40 on the famous auction site.

Works brilliantly. Internal glass mount DAB ones are terrible in my experience.

Any chance of a link to one you can recommend?

MatteH Oxford · 1 Jul 2015 at 19:46

Search for Celsus DAB AN3022DAB. I can pick up radio Northants/wiltshire stations in Oxford using one of these.

Not really a wing mount aerial (as the o.p.) though it's a high angle stubby.

InvaderGIR · 1 Jul 2015 at 23:15

SoliD said:
What's up with an old coat hanger?

Alas, whilst that would fit in with the general sheddyness of my car, I can't do that without attacking the rubbish wing mount with a drill. Yes I know it was mostly tongue in cheek...but still.

MatteH Oxford said:
Search for Celsus DAB AN3022DAB. I can pick up radio Northants/wiltshire stations in Oxford using one of these.

Not really a wing mount aerial (as the o.p.) though it's a high angle stubby.

This is the thing, roof ones often have too big a base to fit on the wing which is a shame as for £39 that could look ok on the wing, maybe a tad odd. Could I ask you to measure the width of the plastic base though, out of interest to see if it would potentially fit.

I did think the internal glass mount ones would be a bit rubbish and must look pretty poor too, hence thinking about mounting on the inside of the roof skin.

MatteH Oxford · 2 Jul 2015 at 06:59

It's mounted on my Transit van, I'll measure it later.

Celsus website if anyone is interested: http://www.celsusice.co.uk/shopsect_dab.php

InvaderGIR · 2 Jul 2015 at 08:43

Looking at the site they only seem to have ones designed for the roof which is fair enough really, that'll get a better signal. Cheers if you do/can, no worries if you can't measure it.

Downside to the 8v mk2 Golf, they have wing mounts and the 16v have roof mounts...and I really don't want to be drilling a hole for a roof one.

MatteH Oxford · 2 Jul 2015 at 17:39

Base is 45mm wide

InvaderGIR · 2 Jul 2015 at 20:11

MatteH Oxford said:
Base is 45mm wide

Cheers for that. Looks like it's about 10-15mm too wide for the wing unfortunately (didn't think I'd be able to bodge it on anyway). I'll just have to keep looking properly for wing mounted ones.