My last post was a common sense approach to DAB signal collection bestowing the merits of a quality antenna. This week I have installed the CKO DAB2011 in my Audi and just proved my point. While I was waiting for the Hirschmann amplified 16V DAB roof aerial to arrive, I temporarily fitted a HAL1 Glass mount aerial to the front windscreen.
The Gold DAB tuner box was installed in the boot floor beside the CKO DVB digital TV tuner and connected to the AV aux input of my Alpine INE-S900. The two digital tuners daisy chain onto the same signal input and while the Phantom hideaway digital TV antenna aerials work fine the, DAB signal from the sticky thing on the windscreen was terrible. Stationery reception was passable on some stations but pop fizz plop as soon as the vehicle begins to move, what a disappointment.
Today we ripped the sticky thing off and fitted the new roof bee sting and boy what a difference. I have just taken a run up to Edinburgh for a haircut (those who know me are now grinning) and apart from the black hole signal area for half a mile at Haddington on the A1 the sounds were nothing short of amazing. I had forgotten how clear and Hi-Fi digital music is. Tuned into RealUK a Manchester rock station I was hearing instruments and sounds in some of the tracks that just aren’t there on FM. The stereo separation and staging is superb. Looks like I’ll be sitting in the car when I want good sounds from now on.
The CKO DAB2011 In Car DAB Hideaway Tuner costs £139.99
The Hirschmann HIT AUTA 16V DAB AM/FM Roof Mount Antenna costs £119.99
You need a radio with a video screen and AV input or a picture in motion interface adapter if your screen has no AV input. These are vehicle specific and cost £399.99
When the united kingdom government finally switch off the FM transmitters (who knows when) then digital will be the only source and then they will have to increase the signal strength so that more of the country can receive DAB. Until then the only solution is a quality aerial, I know, I proved it.
