Johnny Turbo wrote on 27/03/2006 23:30:


Paul,
Don't buy that £3.00 antenna - there is more to a DAB antenna than looking
the "right length or thereabouts"!!

I do realise that it's a different frequency (and therefore wavelength),
but other than that what's so special about a DAB antenna compared to
FM? By my reckoning DAB is about double the frequency therefore around
half the wavelength of FM. Aren't most "whip" type FM antennas
quarter-wave, meaning they'd become a half-wave at DAB frequencies?

I understand the basics of antenna theory (at least for the simpler
antennas) so if I'm missing something here please let me know. I do feel
there's a lot of the classic "snake oil" surrounding car DAB antennae
which attempts to justify the otherwise inexplicable price. I can't see
them being any more expensive to manufacture than FM aerials, nor
particularly expensive to design. In addition, home DAB aerials which
look significantly more complex to me, can be purchased for less than
£10! The only real factor I can see in the price is lower volumes
compared to FM antennae, but then how many people buy aftermarket FM
antennae?

If you want a cheap(er) solution than a beesting have a look at our website,
follow link to DAB - we do a body mount 1/4 wave flexy antenna with base
that will fit in the hole, and we can supply it with a smb connector.
www.panorama-antennas.com
You can give me a call on our office no. shown on the site if you want
further info.
This is not a sales pitch, but you do need an effective antenna on dab
otherwise you will be dissapointed with the results!!
Cheers, John.

I realise the limitations of DAB (mostly that it's a highly flawed
implementation hence the signal strength is far too weak in most areas
and the bit-rate too low using an antiquated codec... but that's another
debate entirely ;-) ) hence also realise the need for a decent aerial.
That is why I never bothered installing DAB in my BMW 840Ci, it has no
external aerial at all (integrated rear window FM) so I wasn't going to
drill a hole, and all indications were that glass mount are crap.

How much is your DAB antenna that you mention above? I can't see any
prices on the site. What about the bee-sting DAB listed on the same
page? Jon has pointed out the JVC HAL3 on the other reply which is
around £22, better price but still quite a mark-up over an FM aerial!

Cheers
Paul.