Otto Td5 Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Hi, I need to fit a DAB antenna to my Defender. It has a galvanised roof rack fitted (https://bearmach.com/galvanized-roof-rack-flat-pack-suitable-for-series-and-defender-110-vehicles-ba-008). My plan would be to fit a shark fin type antenna (e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shark-radio-Roof-Antenna-SharkFin/dp/B00JHLQ6UG), BUT I've heard a suggestion that the roof rack might affect its reception. To make matters potentially worse, the rack has got heavy duty welded wire mesh across it (to make it easier to stow items). Has anyone had any experience of the DAB antenna intereference issue? Many thanks! Otto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Generally I'd think putting an antenna underneath a large metal thing that's grounded to the body is going to knobble your reception quite badly. Then again I've got a windscreen one and that's hopeless too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianmayco68 Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F351769072265 I’ve got a glass mounted one and as fridge says they’re useless , so I’ve been looking at fitting one like in the link above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crwoody Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 I’ve just got an amplified splitter on mine connected into the original OEM aerial lead, works well for me👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Td5 Posted August 20, 2019 Author Share Posted August 20, 2019 Thanks, all! You're definitely right about the window mounted antenna. Mine will get a signal if I'm parked within 500 metres of the transmitter mast; otherwise it's useless. I've soldiered on with it, but a new DAB radio has necessitated a change. ianmayco68 - this is a possible solution. The chap fitting the radio suggested fitting something similar to one of the back corners of the roof - so it's out of the way, and less likely to get damaged, but will still poke through the roof rack to get a signal. If I can get the shark fin-type to work, that would be my preference. Neater, and it won't get damaged by me fiddling on the roof. It's probably just a question of where to mount it, that's clear of the roof rack. Maybe on the back? Best regards, Otto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 I had terrible results with the window mounted dipole antenna, which surprised me, but the clear plastic/ thin loop window antenna from Halfords worked fine. I did have to fit it in one of the rear windows of my 109 as the front screens are heated, and that screws up antennas royally, but this cheap one has been dandy. As John said, I can’t see an antenna sitting under the roof rack working well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakmaster Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 Interesting stuff - my DAB antenna is inside, stuck to the alpine window light, under a patriot roof rack, and close to a supporting leg - Its hopeless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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