DAB radio afloat - how to get a better signal?

LiftyK

LiftyK

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Any ideas on how to get DAB working more effectively on board? DAB is useful as many more stations are available.

My boat has a car radio fitted for entertainment. It’s DAB capable but struggles to pick up stations even in sizeable ports. I already purchased and plugged in an aerial with a built in amplifier that uses phantom power. A light is illuminating on the aerial head so it is receiving power. Even with this new aerial more often than not the radio does not pick up stations easily. As I write it is picking up Radio 5 Live but cuts out from time to time and only resumes if I hold an arm in the air.

I’ve read about ground planes but don't have much room available in my compact yacht. Has anyone found something that will help reception on a yacht?
 
We had similar issues, had to keep refreshing station list, gave up and now use mobile data and internet radio via Alexa who at least I can boss about unlike SWMBO
 
DAB radios are a nightmare. I have a Range Rover evoke and the Dab radio is perfect but my wife’s SLK is completely hopeless, almost unusable. On the boat I have. Fusion with a separate DAB aerial and it too is very tricky, in harbour it is OK but at sea it is very rare to get a good signal.
 
I would have thought if you could get a DAB aerial at the masthead that would improve things markedly, or do you have that already?
 
I don't think the UK DAB network ever intended to cover the sea.
Internet probably has better coverage.
You might do better getting radio stations from Terrestrial Digital TV?
There are loads on Freesat of course.
There was a lot of talk about Satellite DAB radio years back, but who really wants it?
Most people seem happier with a local FM station.
 
fredrussell said:
I would have thought if you could get a DAB aerial at the masthead that would improve things markedly, or do you have that already?
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I'm sure we have some radio experts on here, but I'm due to be talking to one tomorrow. I've had better results with DAB than I expected (from having read threads like these), but getting the screen aerials grounded properly may have helped, and I suspect that the OP is right in querying the ground plane. I think I read somewhere that the standing rigging can help in that respect, so yes, the masthead would be my bet.
 
fredrussell said:
I would have thought if you could get a DAB aerial at the masthead that would improve things markedly, or do you have that already?
Click to expand...

I fitted mine at the masthead (mizzen) but reception can be iffy, I think North Fambridge is in a bit of a dead spot.

Height will help though.
 
We use FM for local forecasts and maybe news headlines.
There's enough stored music and comedy not to really need 'broadcast'.
 
anoccasionalyachtsman said:
I'm sure we have some radio experts on here, but I'm due to be talking to one tomorrow. I've had better results with DAB than I expected (from having read threads like these), but getting the screen aerials grounded properly may have helped, and I suspect that the OP is right in querying the ground plane. I think I read somewhere that the standing rigging can help in that respect, so yes, the masthead would be my bet.
Click to expand...
DAB is shorter wavelength than marine VHF IIRC. Less than 2m.
So, your mast is several wavelengths long.
The mast itself and the rigging will look like a big lump of metal.
Grounding the bottom of it to the sea won't make a lot of difference to an aerial at the top.
An active aerial at the masthead might buy you a few dB, avoiding cable losses down the pole.
 
Thank you all for your collective advice. It is good to know that it’s not just me struggling with DAB reception. When I’m in port is when I’d most like to use it. My experience of in-car DAB, with a much more basic setup, is that it works well almost everywhere I go.

My radio does have FM as well as aux and Bluetooth input. DAB would allow me to listen to radio stations not available on FM. While home listening is all internet streaming I don’t have sufficient mobile broadband allowance to stream afloat and wish to avoid a higher tariff. What I really need is a stowaway with unlimited mobile data o_O.

Before giving up I will see if I can use the mast as a ground plane and investigate getting the aerial higher.

Meanwhile I’m relieved to know that I am not alone in my frustration - thanks again for sharing your thoughts and I hope this has been an opportunity to vent your own frustration ?.
 
We have also had issues with a new DAB-enabled car radio that I fitted to the boat. We usually use this in the marina but reception is still not good, with periods of silence. I now use my phone Bluetoothed to the radio, linked either to a pocket wifi (data-only sim so a fair bit cheaper) or the marina wifi (which is pretty rubbish anyway.) Paulajayne mentioned bad coverage in Fambridge and we have been driving around the Essex/Suffolk area a lot recently and certainly find DAB reception in the car is very patchy. Funnily enough, it is appalling near Martlesham Heath, the BT research centre - any connection, do you think? At home in W Herts, the car reception is perfect.
 
I have a DAB radio and it works just fine in Port ( never tried it at sea) the aerial I use is something I bought seperately that sticks on the inside of the portlight. I think it cost about £12 . I'm actually amazed how well it works.
 
Rafiki said:
I have a DAB radio and it works just fine in Port ( never tried it at sea) the aerial I use is something I bought seperately that sticks on the inside of the portlight. I think it cost about £12 . I'm actually amazed how well it works.
Click to expand...

Aha! Would you kindly tell me the name of this aerial. I’d like to give it a try, thank you.
 
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