Technical DAB radio

[babbo_umbro]

Not sure if this should be in the ICE or Blue&Me Forums, but it seems a bit model-specific, so here goes.

March 2013 4x4 - I want a DAB receiver that will input to my radio via the Blue&Me port, with the hope of giving iPod-like control via the steering wheel controls. Any ideas, please?

 

[4x4Panda]

One thing to take into account when fitting an after market DAB receiver is that they need a very different aerial from the usual one for an FM/AM radio. There are various designs out there and whilst I'm probably a bit out of date, the only ones that can be fitted without butchering the bodywork are:

1. stuck-on one mounted inside the windscreen or
2. an external glass-mounted one that uses an inductive loop to pick up the signal, without having to drill the glass.

I've tried both and in my albeit limited experience, the latter is the better of the two options.

Then you have to find a way to get the signal into the FIAT's A/V system. Again, you may find one that can use the USB port, however a common system is for the DAB unit to broadcast itself on FM, then you simply tune the radio to pick this up and save this as one of the presets. The downside is you may not then get a display for the unit, which will instead 'announce' each station.

Please keep us posted with what you find.

NP

 

[babbo_umbro]

One thing to take into account when fitting an after market DAB receiver is that they need a very different aerial from the usual one for an FM/AM radio. There are various designs out there and whilst I'm probably a bit out of date, the only ones that can be fitted without butchering the bodywork are:

1. stuck-on one mounted inside the windscreen or
2. an external glass-mounted one that uses an inductive loop to pick up the signal, without having to drill the glass.

I've tried both and in my albeit limited experience, the latter is the better of the two options.

Then you have to find a way to get the signal into the FIAT's A/V system. Again, you may find one that can use the USB port, however a common system is for the DAB unit to broadcast itself on FM, then you simply tune the radio to pick this up and save this as one of the presets. The downside is you may not then get a display for the unit, which will instead 'announce' each station.

Please keep us posted with what you find.

NP

Thanks for that input. I'm not very keen on devices that are FM transmitters, for just the reason you state - we used one of those on an iPod but a proper (Fiat) interface cable has proved to be so much better. While I don't exploit the facilities of Blue&Me, I do like the way that the iPod interfaces to it. I'm pretty sure that someone will come up with what I'm looking for in the near future. I assume another alternative is a digital-to-analogue converter on the input side - like a digibox on a TV - which, presumably would support the on-wheel controls.

 

[deeyup]

Well, considering the analogue signal is supposed to be switched off in a few years, cars should really be coming with DAB as standard by now.
It's a shame that Fiat didn't see fit to go with the radio they now fit in the 500L for the Panda. NAV and DAB options with that one.

 

[4x4Panda]

Probably a silly question, but could the 500L radio be adapted to fit the panda?

 

[dansdan]

I fitted this to my Panda last week, and it works a treat!

http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Kinetic_digitizor_DAB_DAB_plus_DMB-A_car_radio.html

Fitted it myself in full stealth mode. Took a while but was worth it. You even get an Aux Input so you can attach a 3.5mm audio lead to play MP3/iPod/etc. Unfortunately steering wheel controls aren't usable/compatible.

It is controlled by a small credit card sized (albeit a thick credit card) remote control that uses radio waves and not optical line of sight so there is no need to have anything on show. The sound comes into the original Panda head unit through the magic box of tricks via the aerial socket and displays the radio station on the head unit. You do need an extra aerial (DAB and cable, I went for the 5 metre option and had plenty to play with,) mine is a glass mounted one and works well. The only other thing I needed to get was an aerial cable adapter set - the Panda uses Fakra and the DAB unit uses ISO.

It is a bit of a faff getting everything squared away, however I think the end result is a good one!

 

[babbo_umbro]

I fitted this to my Panda last week, and it works a treat!

http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Kinetic_digitizor_DAB_DAB_plus_DMB-A_car_radio.html

Fitted it myself in full stealth mode. Took a while but was worth it. You even get an Aux Input so you can attach a 3.5mm audio lead to play MP3/iPod/etc. Unfortunately steering wheel controls aren't usable/compatible.

It is controlled by a small credit card sized (albeit a thick credit card) remote control that uses radio waves and not optical line of sight so there is no need to have anything on show. The sound comes into the original Panda head unit through the magic box of tricks via the aerial socket and displays the radio station on the head unit. You do need an extra aerial (DAB and cable, I went for the 5 metre option and had plenty to play with,) mine is a glass mounted one and works well. The only other thing I needed to get was an aerial cable adapter set - the Panda uses Fakra and the DAB unit uses ISO.

It is a bit of a faff getting everything squared away, however I think the end result is a good one!

Close but no cigar - I've started looking into this in (I hope) good time, so there's no pressure to go for a partial solution. I looked at the spec of this device and was tempted but you've confirmed the limits of its integration that put me off.

 

[austenw90]

Not sure about Pandas but the Punto head unit 2012+ must be DAB ready as mine has come standard with a DAB antenna and receives stations. I just can't figure out how to retune it to receive stations locally. Also stations can only be selected using steering wheel controls.

 

[MikeySkiBoy]

I've been chewing on this for a while now, in the hope that some nice forumite might clarify a few things for me re adding DAB to my new 4x4 MTJ. It’s really a bit off that, in 2016, you cannot buy a DAB option for a Panda from Fiat, but here we are!

It certainly looks like there isn't currently a 3rd party solution that is completely seamless and it looks like the best solution for the DAB seeking Panda (2012+) owner will depend on what you listen to and how much hassle you want, or can be prepared, to put up with.

As I only really listen to BBC 6Music on DAB, I probably won't be changing channels very often and something without a screen, like the Kinetic Digitizor (see link above), might just do the job for me and, unless I can find a better alternative, I'll seriously consider one of those.

This may well be a stupid question, but I take it that, if I leave the radio pointing at the input source that the Kinetic Digitizor, or similar DAB add-on unit, is connected to that the selected DAB station will simply start up when the radio is turned on (by pressing the on/off button, or by turning the ignition key) and there is no faffing about having to switch extra things on to get DAB output from the speakers? That would be a real pain and is why I have discounted simply poking a personal DAB radio in the aux port.

A seemingly bigger problem is what I actually need to do for an aerial for use with the DAB adaptor. I have made a rod for my own back by purchasing a Panda with a heated front windscreen, so glass mounted options are a bit of a problem.

That means that I am now trying to find out what I need to do to convert the existing roof mounted aerial to a DAB friendly one. There seems to be a few different way to do this, with some options depending on whether the existing aerial is amplified. Would anyone know for definite whether the standard aerial that Fiat provide with these new Pandas is amplified? If they are amplified, does anyone know where the aerial amplifier is located? Apparently amplified FM aerials cannot be used for DAB, but they might work if the amplifier component can be simply removed from the circuit by disconnecting the in and out co-ax cables and connecting them together and you live in a strong signal area, which I probably do and it would be worth a try if I could physically get at the amp.

Failing that, I might have to replace the existing aerial with a DAB friendly one and then tussle with running an extra co-ax cable from it down to the DAB add-on unit of my choice.

Has anyone already been round these loops and can shine a torch in my dark areas?

 

[mosfidelity]

Here's my take on the DAB (which is actually a step down from FM, if you ask me):

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1xa1t3jutwxacp9/2015-06-28 12.04.47.jpg?dl=0

Active amplified FM+DAB antenna. Signal goes to DVB-T receiver connected to Nexus 7 in dash. Wavesink app runs DAB radio.

Full signal strength everywhere I go (at least where I have been).

 

[MikeySkiBoy]

Here's my take on the DAB (which is actually a step down from FM, if you ask me):

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1xa1t3jutwxacp9/2015-06-28 12.04.47.jpg?dl=0

Active amplified FM+DAB antenna. Signal goes to DVB-T receiver connected to Nexus 7 in dash. Wavesink app runs DAB radio.

Full signal strength everywhere I go (at least where I have been).

If BBC 6 Music was on FM that would be completely brilliant and I wouldn't be bothered about DAB at all, but it isn't and that's why I'm trying to add a simple DAB source.

Your solution sounds and probably looks really cool, but my simple need to get BBC6M to come out of my speakers without having to do anything other than point the existing radio to the correct source is far really more straightforward than that. Sorry.

I know it won't be very cool, but I just want to set a 3rd party DAB source up and then forget about it and I can get BBC6M coming out of my speakers whenever the radio is switched on and is pointing at that input source.

However, as you have clearly replaced the aerial and its base, you might be able to clarify a couple of questions:

1. How many cables were attached to the old base that you removed? Would I be correct in thinking that there were two cables, specifically a co-ax for the signal to the radio and a single wire which I think might have the +12V DC supply for the amplifier component that I suspect is cunningly secreted in the base of the standard aerial?

2. Did you have to run a new signal cable from the new antenna to your DVB-T receiver? If not, did you sacrifice the FM feed to your radio and steal the existing cable solely for your DVB-T feed, or did you utilise some sort of splitter/adaptor thingies to do the job with and your radio still works on FM? This assumes that your new aerial has three cables coming from it (one for FM/AM, one for DAB and one for a +12 V DC supply).

That would really help to fill in some of the blank areas about the aerial and then I could carry on with figuring out what the best solution would be for my simple requirements at the dashboard end.

 

[Dustyjoe]

I did a thread about my dabs radio, if you look in search you should find it. Got a mag mount areal and its been solid as a rock and

 

[MikeySkiBoy]

I did a thread about my dabs radio, if you look in search you should find it. Got a mag mount areal and its been solid as a rock and

Found it! That looks like a possibility for the receiver end, but I'm averse to adding a 2nd aerial if I can simply swap the one that's there for something more suitable.

If nobody can advise what connections are on the supplied aerial, or what I might need to get DAB and FM signals to the dash area, I'll maybe have to see if I can get at the aerial base myself and see what the story is.

 

[Dustyjoe]

With out the mag mount i was getting 40 channels with their window mount aerial , with it 87. Glad i got it and the reception is great

 

[mosfidelity]

1. How many cables were attached to the old base that you removed? Would I be correct in thinking that there were two cables, specifically a co-ax for the signal to the radio and a single wire which I think might have the +12V DC supply for the amplifier component that I suspect is cunningly secreted in the base of the standard aerial?

2. Did you have to run a new signal cable from the new antenna to your DVB-T receiver? If not, did you sacrifice the FM feed to your radio and steal the existing cable solely for your DVB-T feed, or did you utilise some sort of splitter/adaptor thingies to do the job with and your radio still works on FM? This assumes that your new aerial has three cables coming from it (one for FM/AM, one for DAB and one for a +12 V DC supply).

That would really help to fill in some of the blank areas about the aerial and then I could carry on with figuring out what the best solution would be for my simple requirements at the dashboard end.

The original aerial had one cable (the FM coax). This is a passive antenna.

The new FM/DAB unit has three wires - one +12v, one for FM and one for DAB. I had to run wires from the antenna to the receiver in the dash. This was easy for me at the time, since I had the roof liner pulled out and all plastic covers out.

I reckon you could fit a new antenna by loosening the rear plastic covers around the rear side windows, and the seat belt cover in the roof. This would allow you to pull the head liner down enough for access to the antenna nut inside. Then it would be a matter of pulling the wires to the front head unit, which is suppose you could do by loosening one of the A-pillar covers (snaps out by hand) and run the cable above the head liner and down the A-pillar. A long steel wire (with padding on the end) is a good tool for this.

 

[mosfidelity]

Just to add to the topic. I had the same setup in my old Fiat Bravo, where I used the passive FM antenna for both FM/DAB. This worked OK in populated areas, but the signal was poor when driving on the highway. You would need a filtered/powered antenna for good DAB coverage. At least in Norway.

 

[Dustyjoe]

this is what i got, here in the UK i get full coverage on rural roads and motorways

AUTODAB GO Car Stereo: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

 

[MikeySkiBoy]

My sincerest hanks for all of that info folks! I'm now far better informed than I was and am inspired to go and poke about a bit deeper tomorrow................. weather permitting!!!

If I don't get to it tomorrow, it will be a few weeks before I get another chance, but I will definitely report back and let you know how I get on.

 

[MikeySkiBoy]

this is what i got, here in the UK i get full coverage on rural roads and motorways

AUTODAB GO Car Stereo: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

That's a good price. Would the Bluetooth on that beastie fight with the fancy Microsoft Blue & Me thing that my 4x4 came with, but that I didn't really want and would have much preferred native DAB functionality?

Assuming the standard stereo is pointing at the correct FM frequency, does that AutoDAB Go unit just switch itself on when you turn on the ignition and start transmitting straight away, or do you have to poke it to get it to work?

The real beauty of something like that, which does its business chatting to the radio via FM, is that I could transfer it between my wee winter/wet weather car (the Pandaghini) and my wee nice day car (Smart Roadster Brabus) - yes, I've got a thing for small funky motors. I can see that a hardwired option might be sonically and potentially cosmetically preferable, but the ability to unplug it and move it across is VERY interesting.

 

[The Pretender]

this is what i got, here in the UK i get full coverage on rural roads and motorways

AUTODAB GO Car Stereo: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

The same like the Albrecht DR56.