Aftermarket DAB antenna, power question

bledd · 23 Oct 2016 at 16:44

Just fitted a new stereo because my old one broke.

Went for a Sony mex-n6001bd. Also bought a DAB antenna for it.

My question is, do some radios power the antenna without the need to wire in the 12v feed?

I've stuck it to the windscreen and earthed it to the body, I powered up the radio and it picked up channels without me connecting the 12v feed on the antenna..

BigT · 23 Oct 2016 at 19:54

My stick on the windscreen DAB aerials have never had a power feed to them on the three I've fitted.

bledd · 23 Oct 2016 at 22:31

Ok, thanks, I guess it's a legacy thing.

joeyjojo · 24 Oct 2016 at 08:57

From a quick search I'd try and power it. Some people have trouble getting FM radio without power.

https://www.avforums.com/threads/which-car-dab-aerial-antenna.1743611/

sbk1972 · 24 Oct 2016 at 10:33

My dab radio didnt need a separate power feed. Just plugged into the rear of the radio.

However, DAB is total crap. I never listen to it as I cant find anything interesting on that isnt on normal FM. Im based in Sussex, so not sure if that is the issue.

The hassle I had installing the DAB aerial, never again.

SBK

Jamesyboyjim · 24 Oct 2016 at 10:40

bledd said:
Just fitted a new stereo because my old one broke.

Went for a Sony mex-n6001bd. Also bought a DAB antenna for it.

My question is, do some radios power the antenna without the need to wire in the 12v feed?

I've stuck it to the windscreen and earthed it to the body, I powered up the radio and it picked up channels without me connecting the 12v feed on the antenna..

I have this same head unit. The dab aerial requires power from somewhere, some head units can power it without requiring a 12v.

The Sony in question can

When you are in dab mode if you press menu and go through the general settings you'll find antenna power.

bledd · 24 Oct 2016 at 23:12

Jamesyboyjim said:
I have this same head unit. The dab aerial requires power from somewhere, some head units can power it without requiring a 12v.

The Sony in question can When you are in dab mode if you press menu and go through the general settings you'll find antenna power.

Awesome, thanks for the reply. Installed it yesterday and not really had time to play yet.

Jamesyboyjim · 25 Oct 2016 at 15:39

bledd said:
Awesome, thanks for the reply. Installed it yesterday and not really had time to play yet.

A word of warning with those dab windscreen aerials, they are very sensitive to interference, a bus goes past, I lose signal for a second, I turn my dashcam on, I lose a lot signal. Occasionally charging my phone in the 12v port will cause interference too. Perhaps its just my Halfords jobbie that's not great.