Roof mounted DAB aerial installation

AustinMaxi · 9th August 2023, 14:07

In view of the wide variety of DAB radio stations now available compared to FM, I am considering installing a roof mounted DAB aerial on my 75 tourer. This is the aerial I am looking at: https://www.caraudio4less.co.uk/kine...na-p-2422.html.

I have made a few assumptions regarding the fitting and any comments are welcome.

I plan to drill a hole above the interior light positioned above the rear seats as this looks like it should be far enough forward that the tailgate does not foul the mast when open.

I then plan to route the wires down the passenger side of the headlining and down the passenger side A pillar, behind the glove box into the centre console.

One aspect I have no idea about is the power supply for the aerial. Could I split the power supply to the existing aerial in the glass mounted in the driver's side rear window? I assume there is a wire that runs along the drivers side of the headlining. I would prefer a solution that allows the original VDO CD tuner to be reinstated once the car moves on.

Popcorn · 9th August 2023, 19:57

I would have thought that the interior light you intend to mount above will have a live feed to it i assume, but elecktrickery is not my foray

Maxfly · 16th August 2023, 12:54

I fitted the shark fin version recently and it is a switched live you need so as not to drain the battery, i actually ran the power wire into the boot and found a switched live there, i think it was part of the reverse sensors wiring i used. I used a multimeter to find a suitable wire.
I had thought that i could tap into the factory fm/am module in the c pillar for 12v switched but didnt get anything from it on testing so assume it was isolated when the headunit etc was changed prior to my ownership.

Maxfly · 3rd September 2023, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxfly

I fitted the shark fin version recently and it is a switched live you need so as not to drain the battery, i actually ran the power wire into the boot and found a switched live there, i think it was part of the reverse sensors wiring i used. I used a multimeter to find a suitable wire.
I had thought that i could tap into the factory fm/am module in the c pillar for 12v switched but didnt get anything from it on testing so assume it was isolated when the headunit etc was changed prior to my ownership.

Disregard the above, it actually created a fault on one of the sensors, once I removed the extra wiring all was good.
So, I thought I would try the boot light live but that of course only works when interior lights are on...did prove the amplifier works well at least.
So now I am in same boat, I have a wire in the boot area looking for a switched 12v live, if anyone can help.
Mine is a highline but that part was removed prior to my ownership and now have an Xtrons fitted

9th August 2023, 14:07	#1
AustinMaxi Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 122 Thanks: 6 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Roof mounted DAB aerial installation In view of the wide variety of DAB radio stations now available compared to FM, I am considering installing a roof mounted DAB aerial on my 75 tourer. This is the aerial I am looking at: https://www.caraudio4less.co.uk/kine...na-p-2422.html. I have made a few assumptions regarding the fitting and any comments are welcome. I plan to drill a hole above the interior light positioned above the rear seats as this looks like it should be far enough forward that the tailgate does not foul the mast when open. I then plan to route the wires down the passenger side of the headlining and down the passenger side A pillar, behind the glove box into the centre console. One aspect I have no idea about is the power supply for the aerial. Could I split the power supply to the existing aerial in the glass mounted in the driver's side rear window? I assume there is a wire that runs along the drivers side of the headlining. I would prefer a solution that allows the original VDO CD tuner to be reinstated once the car moves on.

9th August 2023, 19:57	#2
Popcorn Loves to post 55 cdti tourer slush box executive grill Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Sheffield Posts: 380 Thanks: 40 Thanked 85 Times in 72 Posts	I would have thought that the interior light you intend to mount above will have a live feed to it i assume, but elecktrickery is not my foray

16th August 2023, 12:54	#3
Maxfly Loves to post MG ZT 190 SE Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fort William Posts: 317 Thanks: 407 Thanked 110 Times in 75 Posts	I fitted the shark fin version recently and it is a switched live you need so as not to drain the battery, i actually ran the power wire into the boot and found a switched live there, i think it was part of the reverse sensors wiring i used. I used a multimeter to find a suitable wire. I had thought that i could tap into the factory fm/am module in the c pillar for 12v switched but didnt get anything from it on testing so assume it was isolated when the headunit etc was changed prior to my ownership.