DAB Radio

[jims-terrano]

This isn’t for my Terrano but my VW Van. Has anyone had much to do with DAB radios in cars? My van has one fitted and to be honest it’s rubbish and really disappointed in DAB. It pauses all the time, turn it on it pauses then choose another station and it pauses and not just for a second but more like 5 to 10 seconds easily. To be honest there’s hardly any stations too. In my terrano or skoda I just turn my fm radio on and it’s there, tuning is easy and changing between memories is dead easy and just works. It seems that DAB is a step backwards.

Is this how it’s supposed to be?

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Enjoyed built-in DAB in a friends Volvo that had it. Have a Sony portable CD/DAB that
use in caravan with only its own telescopic aerial. Seems OK but only like FM apart
from a set of stations don't get on FM, Planet Rock etc.

Just acquired a Sondichi? DAB adapter from a friend for a tenner, plus a mag aerial
for just shy of another tenner. Seems OK but not sure if will use thanks to mess
about with antenna, maybe one in the window be better.

Keep reading about FM being turned off in favour of DAB, to be fair there was a
similar argument with analogue to digital TV where at first wasn't believed the
take up would be enough though cheap freeview boxes solved that until TVs
came along with it built in. Cannot see this happening with FM to DAB ever.

 

[makeitfit]

Pft, I just use my phone connected to my head unit by blue tooth. Stream DAB
Simples.
Personally I got bored with radio years ago and now only stream my music. That's the stuff I want when I want it without all the droning DJ crap.
However the wife still needs to know what's going on in the Archers

 

[solarman216]

These days I do not have the radio or anything else on when driving, (including passengers) too much going on out there to take concentration from the road, Rick

 

[jims-terrano]

These days I do not have the radio or anything else on when driving, (including passengers) too much going on out there to take concentration from the road, Rick

That’s me most of the time too Rick but occasionally I like to have local bbc radio on for traffic but this dam thing is terrible. I think DAB is a step backwards. It has the Bluetooth capability but even that disconnects from my phone so easier to leave it off just disappointing.

 

[solarman216]

Modern tech? after looking at my daughters modern BM that has not run for two weeks and is now in my workshop and no nearer to running, I will stick with what I know, Rick

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

I always had the same experience Jim, I don't like them!

It might be a VW thing though, if the radio pauses continually then it will use less electricity, the alternator doesn't work as hard so puts a little less strain on the engine which will make it more economical therefore lowering emissions :hide:

 

[macabethiel]

Radio & driving

I too can get distracted by Radio, I tend to use it when parked up waiting for the Gaffer to come out of M&S.

On Mercs they were fine unless you lived in a rural hilly area like Ashbourne - owners wanted a refund after paying around £1k for the Dab option Radio Upgrade.

On Jeep have to have radio on when using the SatNav so I just mute the volume.

 

[elty001]

I need a decent sound system in mine to drown out the tyre and exhaust noise:lol:lol:lol
Never had any problems with the DAB in the mrs's ford B max.

 

[macabethiel]

Ford Dab

I need a decent sound system in mine to drown out the tyre and exhaust noise:lol:lol:lol
Never had any problems with the DAB in the mrs's ford B max.

I think it's down to the Topography plus it might be that coverage is getting better as it's been rolled out.

Thank goodness the FM switch off has not happened.

 

[Blocky10]

I've found all factory fitted dab radio you be awful. On a recent 100 mile journey I tried the old faithful Makita site dab radio. It didn't miss a beat:nenau

 

[Thomas61]

Hi Jim,
Have you checked to see if there are any firmware/software updates for your radio?
Alot of manufacturers do release them to deal with various improvments and issues including bluetooth . There may even be one to up your Dab to Dab+ which will give you more stations if your van is radio is Dab only at the moment.
The ones i have done have been through a download onto a usb or memory card. Alot of owners never bother to look them up.

 

[jims-terrano]

Wouldn’t have a clue mate about that, it has got a memory card slot but thought that was for putting music on to play.
Might go back to dealers and tell them the radios not working correctly and see what happens.