Product FAQ - DAB digital radio
New DAB Magazine Out Now
Whether you're taking your first step into DAB digital radio, or have been listening for a while,
this Radio Guide is the must-have guide. It gives information about stations, presenters and programme
listings, alongside news, features and a competition to win one of ten DAB digital radios.
DAB Digital Radio - Radio of the Future
What is DAB?
Digital radio gives you less interference, potentially better sound quality than conventional radio plus a far greater range of stations.
Is DAB right for me?
As long as you are in an area where a strong signal is received, DAB is better than FM and far better than MW and LW.
Can I receive a signal in my area?
The easy way to find signals and stations is to go to www.digitalradionow.com and load your postcode, but remember this is for your street and cars move all over the country where reception may be not as good or even non-existent.
How good is reception?
85% of the population is covered NOT the country so you experience good areas and fringe areas and areas with no reception.
What are fringe areas?
A fringe area is one in which the signal switches in and out, you may think this is the fault of your unit or antenna, this is not the case – it is lack of signal strength.
Do I need a new antenna?
The basic answer is yes, some companies manufacture an FM converter that uses a FM aerial to receive DAB signal via a converter – they are not very good at all and are not recommended by JVC!
What type of antenna is available?
- Screen Antenna
- Glass Mount
- FM / AM / DAB Roof Antenna
- Magnetic Mount DAB Antenna
- Simple Flat Surface Mount (Drilling necessary)
The pro’s and con’s of each type of antenna:
- Screen Antenna (HAL1) – Screen is the most discreet aerial and fits from top to bottom of the windscreen close to the A pillar on the passengers side of the car. It is easy to fit and will receive a DAB signal in good areas. Unfortunately, it will perform poorly in fringe areas. Another drawback is if the windscreen has heater filaments or metallic sunscreen within the glass it will not work. Also, if the windscreen to which the aerial is being fitted is not deep enough (top to bottom) to take the aerial and both metal filaments, they cannot be cut, as again the aerial will not function. Should the aerial be used in a rear side window an extension lead is available. This will reduce the amount of signal available at the set. (Part no: HAL1 EXT)–.
- Glass mount (HAL4) – This is a two part aerial. The antenna including base adhere to the outside of the glass and receiver box mounts on the inside of the glass directly opposite the antenna base. Reception is generally good in both strong and fringes areas. This aerial, unless fitted in a suitable location can look like an ugly attachment and be prone to vandalism.
- FM / AM / DAB Roof Antenna (HAL2) – Replaces an existing roof aerial e.g. Peugeot, VW, Renault Etc. Works perfectly well on strong and fringe locations, fitting can be tricky as although no drilling is involved roof linings may have to be lowered to accommodate the extra wiring.
- Magnetic Mount – This aerial is attached to any outside metal surface. It works very well but unfortunately you have to feed the Dab through a slightly open window or down the inside of the door which can lead to trapping, breaking of the lead or water leaks.
- Flat Surface Mount (HAL3) – DAB only – an exceptionally good aerial that fits on a flat surface, unfortunately you have to drill and we suggest this aerial be used on older vehicles and not new £35,000 Mercs etc.
In general, your DAB system is only as good as the aerial, because of the lack of strong DAB signals in certain areas.
Finally, on the subject of aerials please remember the aerials are either passive or active and the appropriate setting should be set on the menu of the JVC unit, otherwise you will receive no signal.
DAB Tuner built in, MP3/WMA, RDS
DAB Tuner built in, PiCT, RDS, MP3, Vario Colour, Flip down front
DAB Ready
DAB Tuner box that can be fitted to any JVC unit that has an auto-changer facility and is DAB ready
Q- Can the KT-DB1000 be used on any manufacturers unit?
A- No
Atmospherics
In theory, DAB signals are immune to atmospheric effects. However, following many road tests JVC has observed that atmospherics/weather can affect performance in fringe areas. Furthermore, there are signal related phenomena from non-DAB transmissions, which can affect your signal. These can reduce the sensitivity of the unit leading to signal loss and maybe more prevalent under certain very dry or very wet conditions.
Fitting Advice
Installing a JVC head unit with integrated DAB receiver is identical to installing any other head unit until you get to the antenna. You will need to use a DAB specific antenna, which should be selected from the section entitled “What type of antenna is available?” Although not the ultimate answer, screen mount antennas (as supplied with the KD-DB711)’ are a very popular option as discreet fitment is easily achieved and installation requires no drilling of the vehicles bodywork. It is vital that the element is adhered to a clean windscreen. Prepare the surface with a suitable degreasing agent such as isopropyl alcohol or an ammonia-based glass cleaner.
Great care should be taken when mounting the amplifier block to the element. Ensure that the sprung connections on the block line up exactly with the etched “lands” on the element. This information applies to the screen mount antennas i.e. HAL1, DFA1 and DFA3.
Ensembles – Stations
Unlike FM, DAB Stations are grouped together in “ensembles” when looking for a station you first need to tune to the correct ensemble. When you press search on the radio, it will scan the airwaves and stop at the first ensemble it finds and the display will show the first station on that ensemble.
For example to find BBC Radio 5 Live, press search until you find BBC Radio 1 then use >or< to scroll through all BBC stations until you find BBC Radio 5. All JVC Dab products allow you to store individual stations.
N.B. Many ensembles are regional and so the number you can receive will vary from area to area.
Active / Passive aerials / Tuning on menu
For JVC Head units with integrated DAB receivers, you can switch the antenna input from Passive to Active within the set-up mode. The display will show ANT off for passive or ANT on for active. Please refer to product manual for details. The external DAB tuner KT-DB100 has a switch mounted on the rear of the unit.
Reception will improve over time
All broadcasters are under great governmental pressure to evolve national coverage of DAB as quickly as possible. Main transmitters are the first to be upgraded to DAB where as tiny repeaters and in-fill transmitters used to enhance the service in “blind spots” tend to be lower on the list of priorities. To put the effort into context, FM took 20 years to develop to the standard experienced today! Patience is required as the cost of upgrade to broadcasters is significant.
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Coverage
Over 85% of the UK population can receive DAB digital radio, to check coverage in your area please click here, Check your coverage
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