Installing DAB "Add on" to pioneer radio

AndyN01 · 23rd April 2018, 07:54

Hi all,

Just thought I'd post how I got on with this.

Hardware:

Pioneer DEH 5000UB already installed when I bought her complete with steering wheel control enabling.

From http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/ (thanks for the recommendations - very quick reply to a question and fast and well packaged delivery)

DAB Unit

http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Kinetic...car_radio.html

Aerial:

http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Kinetic...ar_aerial.html

Multi outlet power supply:

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.e...8/led-fuse-box

This 6 way unit is connected to the main passenger fuse box via the "aux" socket plug and a relay.

It provides fused power to both my front & rear dash cams, my sat nav and now my DAB unit.

Installation:

The Pioneer was removed by popping out the "eyebrow" then undoing a couple of screws and easing it out.

I released the air con controls as well but probably didn't need to.

Glove box removed by taking out 7 torx screws and unclipping the light connector.
Undertray by releasing the 4 large plastic "buttons" and passenger wing cover released by taking out the fir tree push button and gently prising away the spring clip.

Here is the DAB module and the multi outlet box:

I've gone for the permanent, hidden option. There are 2 sets of 12V supply in the kit, one with red & black bare wires and the other with a "cigarette lighter" male connector so you can choose whichever suits you. The power cable is next to the red LED in the photo.

Car aerial fitment is straightforward and there are adapters in the kit for the aerial connections.

Remove the "car" aerial from the head unit and connect to the DAB unit.

Connect the DAB "radio" aerial back to the head unit - these are the 2 black wires heading up to the top right hand corner of the photo.

The photo below is the DAB "radio" aerial plugged back into the head unit - top right.

The Pioneer unit has USB and 3.5mm connections also - bottom left - which are fed to the arm rest cubby hole.

Now for the DAB aerial.

I wanted one that had good reception and this is the one suggested.

Because there is a 45 day return policy I'll be trying this out and if it's fine then great, if not I'll be going for a "hole in the roof" one.

At the moment it's tucked into the headlining above the driver's sun visor with the cable running down the passenger windscreen pillar. I don't have air bags there - or if I do they're very well hidden.

.

The base and tip are wrapped in bubble wrap so they can't vibrate and drive me crazy and to provide a snug push fit.

Setting the unit up is easy.

Manually tune to 87.60FM

Press a few buttons on the remote control and that's it.

We're off up to Newcastle in the next few days so we'll see how the reception compares with the FM signal we usually get.

Hope this has been helpful.

Regards.

Andy

Artermis · 24th April 2018, 04:57

Following this with interest, Andy.

I really want DAB in my car but have had poor experiences with the stick on glass mount antenna for the radio reception. I'm also not keep on drilling holes in my lovely paintwork either, so have been waiting to learn of a suitable solution to give decent reception!

gadgetgricey · 24th April 2018, 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artermis

Following this with interest, Andy.

I really want DAB in my car but have had poor experiences with the stick on glass mount antenna for the radio reception. I'm also not keep on drilling holes in my lovely paintwork either, so have been waiting to learn of a suitable solution to give decent reception!

The stick on mini aerials are awful. I fitted one of the small aerials as below in the rear window of my tourer.

http://www.halfords.com/technology/c...nt-dab-antenna

No issues with reception at all. If anything better than FM.

Would really recommend

AndyN01 · 5th May 2018, 07:03

OK, so now with a few trips under her belt an update.

Aerial under the headlining gives poor reception - the Unit keeps giving a "poor signal" display.

When there is is good signal it's fine BUT sound quality is no better than the FM radio.

I'm planning on re routing the aerial cable so I can put the mag mount on the roof to see if that solves the poor signal issue.

IF this gives the results I'm after I'll consider changing to a permanent fixing as I can't be doing with the aerial coming across the roof and in through a door seal.

Watch this space.

Andy.

Artermis · 5th May 2018, 07:36

That's a shame Andy. As I said previously it's always been reception issues which have put me off in the past. I'd always feared encountering the very issues you're now facing.

Thanks for the update and I'll look forward to seeing how you get on and what solution you eventually arrive at.

AndyN01 · 18th May 2018, 12:30

A further update.

Aerial now re routed and the magnetic mount positioned on the roof, above the courtesy light by the windscreen.

Reception is a great deal better but still dropping out in places I'm surprised about such as clear roads with fields all around.

I have done some back to back tests and the FM wins easily with no dropouts over the same routes.

So.....

It's coming out and going back.

Andy.

23rd April 2018, 07:54	#1
AndyN01 This is my second home Toyota RAV4 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tamworth Posts: 3,076 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,579 Times in 968 Posts	Installing DAB "Add on" to pioneer radio Hi all, Just thought I'd post how I got on with this. Hardware: Pioneer DEH 5000UB already installed when I bought her complete with steering wheel control enabling. From http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/ (thanks for the recommendations - very quick reply to a question and fast and well packaged delivery) DAB Unit http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Kinetic...car_radio.html Aerial: http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Kinetic...ar_aerial.html Multi outlet power supply: http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.e...8/led-fuse-box This 6 way unit is connected to the main passenger fuse box via the "aux" socket plug and a relay. It provides fused power to both my front & rear dash cams, my sat nav and now my DAB unit. Installation: The Pioneer was removed by popping out the "eyebrow" then undoing a couple of screws and easing it out. I released the air con controls as well but probably didn't need to. Glove box removed by taking out 7 torx screws and unclipping the light connector. Undertray by releasing the 4 large plastic "buttons" and passenger wing cover released by taking out the fir tree push button and gently prising away the spring clip. Here is the DAB module and the multi outlet box: I've gone for the permanent, hidden option. There are 2 sets of 12V supply in the kit, one with red & black bare wires and the other with a "cigarette lighter" male connector so you can choose whichever suits you. The power cable is next to the red LED in the photo. Car aerial fitment is straightforward and there are adapters in the kit for the aerial connections. Remove the "car" aerial from the head unit and connect to the DAB unit. Connect the DAB "radio" aerial back to the head unit - these are the 2 black wires heading up to the top right hand corner of the photo. The photo below is the DAB "radio" aerial plugged back into the head unit - top right. The Pioneer unit has USB and 3.5mm connections also - bottom left - which are fed to the arm rest cubby hole. Now for the DAB aerial. I wanted one that had good reception and this is the one suggested. Because there is a 45 day return policy I'll be trying this out and if it's fine then great, if not I'll be going for a "hole in the roof" one. At the moment it's tucked into the headlining above the driver's sun visor with the cable running down the passenger windscreen pillar. I don't have air bags there - or if I do they're very well hidden. . The base and tip are wrapped in bubble wrap so they can't vibrate and drive me crazy and to provide a snug push fit. Setting the unit up is easy. Manually tune to 87.60FM Press a few buttons on the remote control and that's it. We're off up to Newcastle in the next few days so we'll see how the reception compares with the FM signal we usually get. Hope this has been helpful. Regards. Andy __________________ Andy. http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ Last edited by AndyN01; 23rd April 2018 at 07:56..

24th April 2018, 04:57	#2
Artermis Regular poster MG ZT Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Grimsby Posts: 90 Thanks: 9 Thanked 21 Times in 11 Posts	Following this with interest, Andy. I really want DAB in my car but have had poor experiences with the stick on glass mount antenna for the radio reception. I'm also not keep on drilling holes in my lovely paintwork either, so have been waiting to learn of a suitable solution to give decent reception! __________________ Ben BD02 FFE - MG ZT+ 190 in Monogram Gulfstream, No 2 of 5 190 saloons made and ex-press garage vehicle.

5th May 2018, 07:03	#4
AndyN01 This is my second home Toyota RAV4 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tamworth Posts: 3,076 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,579 Times in 968 Posts	Update OK, so now with a few trips under her belt an update. Aerial under the headlining gives poor reception - the Unit keeps giving a "poor signal" display. When there is is good signal it's fine BUT sound quality is no better than the FM radio. I'm planning on re routing the aerial cable so I can put the mag mount on the roof to see if that solves the poor signal issue. IF this gives the results I'm after I'll consider changing to a permanent fixing as I can't be doing with the aerial coming across the roof and in through a door seal. Watch this space. Andy. __________________ Andy. http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/

5th May 2018, 07:36	#5
Artermis Regular poster MG ZT Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Grimsby Posts: 90 Thanks: 9 Thanked 21 Times in 11 Posts	That's a shame Andy. As I said previously it's always been reception issues which have put me off in the past. I'd always feared encountering the very issues you're now facing. Thanks for the update and I'll look forward to seeing how you get on and what solution you eventually arrive at. __________________ Ben BD02 FFE - MG ZT+ 190 in Monogram Gulfstream, No 2 of 5 190 saloons made and ex-press garage vehicle.

18th May 2018, 12:30	#6
AndyN01 This is my second home Toyota RAV4 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tamworth Posts: 3,076 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,579 Times in 968 Posts	A further update. Aerial now re routed and the magnetic mount positioned on the roof, above the courtesy light by the windscreen. Reception is a great deal better but still dropping out in places I'm surprised about such as clear roads with fields all around. I have done some back to back tests and the FM wins easily with no dropouts over the same routes. So..... It's coming out and going back. Andy. __________________ Andy. http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ Last edited by AndyN01; 12th June 2018 at 06:23..